Part 1
Part 2
Today I had Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony playing. One of those kinds of days, a Denim Day on the Bay. Sun sparkling, 50 shades of blue dancing around: ocean, bluejays, sky, the trim on my house, even my jeans.
And I realized, like OMG, I can hum (and conduct if my hands are free) the entire symphony from beginning to end. Seriously. How on earth did I ever memorize all of it? Have I listened to it this many times and feel so much
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Beethoven? Over one summer in Toronto, the Toronto Symphony played all his symphonies. One week after the other. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
My favourite piece of music of all time is Beethoven's Choral Fantasy. Rarely performed as it so enormously expensive to mount.
In two parts above. Watch for Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlam along with Daniel Barenboim conducting and on piano.
I enjoyed listening to Beethoven this very cloudy day here in Central Texas.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd listen to these while getting a little stitching done. Well, very little stitching was done as it is just as mesmerizing to watch the musicians as it is to listen to them!
ReplyDeleteI was there, seeing your "denim day on the bay" while I listened---and of course your two led me on to others, and now I'm hours behind on blog-catching-up----but I loved it! Remember the Radio Eireann Light Orchestra on the radio when we were growing up?
Ah a balm to the soul Linda, thanks for visiting me!
ReplyDeleteXO
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Yes, Molly, I do remember them and their incredible music. I had a reel-to-reel tape recorder and would have the pleasure of replay. Come to think of it that's how the Pastoral is imbedded in me!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed. And I think that in some parts the Fantasia has a bit of Irish flute in it!
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I have always been fond of old Beet's music. His ninth no matter how many times I hear it never fails
ReplyDeleteto rouse my soul.
Hell I even try to sing along with the Ode to Joy.
Ah GFB, we'd be grand conducting and accompanying then?
ReplyDeleteOld Beet based his 9th on the Choral Fantasie, did you know that?
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ReplyDelete"Old Beet based his 9th on the Choral Fantasie, did you know that?"
I did not know that fact,WWW.Thanks for the info.
Time was the wife and I would go and stay over in Toronto, take in the TSO the the next day the Jays game. We called it a Beethoven and Base ball weekend . Our kids thought that it was hilarious.
Funny I have that odd skill, too. With me it's Bach and Mozart. Seldom do people ask me to hum a Brandenburg Concerto or two,but I could do it of called upon.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to play the first movement of the Pastoral on the piano. Didn't really do it justice, of course, but still made for a long stretch of life in a good mood while I memorized it.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to get blown away by Beethoven piano, you can't beat the Apassionata Sonata. Utterly amazing, particularly towards the end - it seems impossible for ten fingers to pull it off.