Beethoven Symphony 5 Essay

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The concert I watched was Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 via the video link as found in the course syllabus: http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=35642&xtid=59065

This performance of Ludwig Von Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Op. 67 in C Minor, is conducted by Claudio Abbado, conducting the Berlin Philharmonic in Rome in 2001. The Berlin Philharmonic is widely considered one of the best orchestras in the world. Since its inception in 1882, the Berlin Philharmonic has had only ten principal conductors. Claudio Abbado was the ninth principal conductor, from 1990-2002, although he had in fact been a guest conductor for the orchestra as early as 1966, guest conducting thirty-three times before being …show more content…

5, Op. 67 in C Minor, Ludwig Von Beethoven is one of the most well-known composers of all time. Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770. Beethoven was a child prodigy, publishing his first work at age eleven and with this first piece he was already being compared to Mozart. He soon became the principal financial breadwinner in his family due to his talents and his father’s alcoholism. He was sent by Prince Maximillian Franz to Vienna, to further his music education in 1787, where he would spend the rest of his life (Biography: Beethoven 's Life, n.d.). He was widely recognized as a prolific composer, as well as a piano virtuoso. However, he began to lose his hearing in his late twentys, causing him great emotional distress to the point he eventually stopped performing in public. Upon his death in 1827, he was herald a national hero (Bonds, 2011). Beethoven is widely considered one of the greatest composers of all time, leaving behind a body of work that is still thoroughly enjoyed till this day, nearly two hundred years after his …show more content…

The lengthy standing ovation by the audience at the end of the piece is proof of the power and majesty that this piece evokes. I thought it was quite interesting that while the main audience was in front of the orchestra, above and behind the orchestra, contained even more members of the audience, in what I can only guess were members of great importance to be able to be fortunate enough to have such a fantastic view. I found the piccolo playing especially tremendous, and was performed with the greatest intensity I have ever witnessed an orchestra member perform. Although, I am regretful that I was unable to attend a live concert, in the flesh, I feel grateful to have witnessed this video performance as the camera work allowed me to be able to view many of the performers of this large orchestra as well as the conductor up close and able to see the passion and intensity given by both Abbado and The Berlin Philharmonic. Although, a program was never written by Beethoven, it has been said by critics that this piece represents a progression from struggle to triumph (Bonds, 2011). I would say, I have to agree with this critical

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