Classical Music
Beethoven
Beethoven’s 5th
Beethoven’s 5th has a special place in Johanna and my hearts. I had been taking a music appreciation course which focused on the 5th; and at the end of the course I met Johanna, and invited her to hear the 5th which was playing at the San Francisco Symphony. (I was not a classic music lover, she was, and was impressed!) I washed my 1959 Ford, found some red remnant carpet which I unrolled at her door (Red carpet treatment, a la Kansas City Gentleman).
Now, 55 years later, going through my college music class, I found my notes on it and we re-listening to it. I found a lecture by Professor Greenberg who says regarding the opening
“See what you feel…whatever it’s about it’s not very pretty; there is a violence, an angst, a jaggedness that bespeaks a profound disturbance, a disruption.”
He then continues his lecture by talking about the conclusion, the Presto section of the 4th movement and says: .
Metaphorically what is this about; ..Whatever it is about it’s magnificent, heroic and utterly life affirming…a power and joy in this music that bespeaks victory. a triumph over the darkness that began the symphony…Beethoven’s 5th is a metaphor for darkness, struggle, and eventual triumph.
When we re-listened to it, Johanna said:
Oh wow, I LOVED this!!! I loved hearing the beginning and the end of the 5th, and yes, it is where our journey together began, and it is where it led us (our own personal journey toward light and hope). And yes, the beginning is not pretty at all, it is jagged (like our lives before we met each other!?!?) and the ending is uplifting and triumphant just beautiful!:) Thank you SO MUCH. This was absolutely fabulous. Love, love, J
My reaction was similar. I looked at my notes and it says he shifts C minor in the opening to C major in the 4th Presto section. “the movement has a bright, cheery tone that leaves the listener feeling optimistic..” I feel such hope and joy… the joy, and it feels like he Beethoven, and me as listener, doesn’t want the presto to end. It keeps coming to an end, then again, and again. The joy building and continuing. Awww…
Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
View the Lyrics to the Ode to Joy:
Bach Suite in B Minor
1. Rondeau Flute and Piano* (view the sheet music)
Flute and Piano:
2. Polonaise (view the sheet music)
Flute:
Flute and Piano:
3. Doublais (view the sheet music and J’s comments)
Flute:
Flute and Piano:
4. Badinerie (view the sheet music)
Flute and Piano:
* Talking (giggling) during our practice session with our teacher Ira
Gabriel Fauré op78, from Pelléas et Mélisande
Flute and piano:
Flute and piano:
Flute and piano:
Duets with Mary
Duets:
J and I piano and flute
J and I piano and flute:
B Flat
Cute: J coming in hi boo, hi flowers!