Excitement for the ninth - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

creekster · 09-10-2008, 06:51 PM

I know this may be looked down on by both those who hate classical music and those who are true fans (for different reasons) but I am incredibly excited to go hear a performance of Beethoven's Ninth tomorrow with a full symphony and chorus. I think it is one of the more sublime masterpieces given to man from God (and yes, I believe that) and even though I have heard it many times, seeing it and hearing it live and well-performed is a transcendent experience. I am jazzed about this.

To show my nerdiness I am going to bring the score and follow along at parts, although at the climax you must do nothing but listen and let the power of the performance wash over you like waves at the beach.

SteelBlue · 09-10-2008, 07:18 PM

I'm jealous. I run with the Ninth Symphony playing on my iPod frequently but I've never heard it live. Perhaps someday...

YOhio · 09-10-2008, 07:21 PM

This may sound like a dumb question, but why would an educated classical music fan not like the Symphony Number 9?

creekster · 09-10-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOhio

This may sound like a dumb question, but why would an educated classical music fan not like the Symphony Number 9?

I have been told that some of the intelligentsia considered it trite and overused.

Levin · 09-10-2008, 07:33 PM

I remember attending the Opening Ceremonies for the Salt Lake Games, and Beethoven's Ninth came on at the end during the finale, with MOTAB singing the chorus and fireworks lighting up the Wasatch front. It was a real Rocky Mountain high.

And then I watched NBC's replay, and Costas says, as Beethoven's Ninth came on, and MOTAB began belting out the chorus, "and of course, Ode to Joy, just like at every other Olympics, it has to be Ode to Joy" or something like that. He said it in a sardonic, sarcastic tone of voice. And of course NBC ended its broadcast right in the middle as well.

I felt bitter about that. Enjoy the concert, Creek!

creekster · 09-10-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levin

I remember attending the Opening Ceremonies for the Salt Lake Games, and Beethoven's Ninth came on at the end during the finale, with MOTAB singing the chorus and fireworks lighting up the Wasatch front. It was a real Rocky Mountain high.

And then I watched NBC's replay, and Costas says, as Beethoven's Ninth came on, and MOTAB began belting out the chorus, "and of course, Ode to Joy, just like at every other Olympics, it has to be Ode to Joy" or something like that. He said it in a sardonic, sarcastic tone of voice. And of course NBC ended its broadcast right in the middle as well.

I felt bitter about that. Enjoy the concert, Creek!

Perect example of what I am talking about. Plus, most people only hear the Ode to Joy and not the whole sympohony. Costas is a little twerp, at times.

TripletDaddy · 09-10-2008, 08:25 PM

Beethoven's #9 is totally played out! We are sick of it.

Sincerely,

Pachelbel's Canon in D Major
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Vivaldi, La Primavera

ERCougar · 09-11-2008, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

I have been told that some of the intelligentsia considered it trite and overused.

That's because the intelligentsia would like to maintain their distinction from the masses. The 9th is a classic, no question. I saw it in SLC a few years back and it was outstanding. Enjoy.

creekster · 09-12-2008, 06:25 AM

What a concert. My hat is off to the SF symphony and the symphony chorus. Our seats were not ideal, being too close to the stage, leaving the sound somewhat unbalanced (we were on the cello/bass side of the orchestra) but it offered certain advantages. We were close enough to hear the bows bite into the strings as they were drawn across the instruments, and to see the music on the stands and to hear the conductor as he puffed his cheeks and exuberantly led the orchestra through what can only be described as an inspired rendition.

There can be no question that I was primed to like the performance, but even accounting for that, I think it would be hard to find much at fault here. The Symphony chorus was superb, absolutely stunning. When they broke into the ode to joy chorus at fortissimo it was a spine tingling moment. Those of you familiar with the last movement may know of the brief pause like interlude where Beethoven echoes the theme first in major, then pauses and again in minor and then to the tonic before the chorus leads out in full voiced excitement. I think there are few more remarkable moments in all of music than those few measures. Absolutely stunning. And, to think he composed this after he had become deaf.

IF you have the chance to hear it live, you should do so.

SteelBlue · 09-12-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

Our seats were not ideal, being too close to the stage,

Ok Creekster we get it, you're a fabulously wealthy attorney.

09-10-2008, 06:51 PM	#1
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	Excitement for the ninth I know this may be looked down on by both those who hate classical music and those who are true fans (for different reasons) but I am incredibly excited to go hear a performance of Beethoven's Ninth tomorrow with a full symphony and chorus. I think it is one of the more sublime masterpieces given to man from God (and yes, I believe that) and even though I have heard it many times, seeing it and hearing it live and well-performed is a transcendent experience. I am jazzed about this. To show my nerdiness I am going to bring the score and follow along at parts, although at the climax you must do nothing but listen and let the power of the performance wash over you like waves at the beach. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.

09-10-2008, 07:33 PM	#5
Levin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,484	I remember attending the Opening Ceremonies for the Salt Lake Games, and Beethoven's Ninth came on at the end during the finale, with MOTAB singing the chorus and fireworks lighting up the Wasatch front. It was a real Rocky Mountain high. And then I watched NBC's replay, and Costas says, as Beethoven's Ninth came on, and MOTAB began belting out the chorus, "and of course, Ode to Joy, just like at every other Olympics, it has to be Ode to Joy" or something like that. He said it in a sardonic, sarcastic tone of voice. And of course NBC ended its broadcast right in the middle as well. I felt bitter about that. Enjoy the concert, Creek! __________________ "Now I say that I know the meaning of my life: 'To live for God, for my soul.' And this meaning, in spite of its clearness, is mysterious and marvelous. Such is the meaning of all existence." Levin, Anna Karenina, Part 8, Chapter 12

09-10-2008, 08:25 PM	#7
TripletDaddy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 9,483	Beethoven's #9 is totally played out! We are sick of it. Sincerely, Pachelbel's Canon in D Major Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring Vivaldi, La Primavera __________________ Fitter. Happier. More Productive. "Everyone is against me. Everyone is fawning for 3D's attention and defending him." -- SeattleUte

09-10-2008, 07:18 PM	#2
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	I'm jealous. I run with the Ninth Symphony playing on my iPod frequently but I've never heard it live. Perhaps someday...

09-10-2008, 07:21 PM	#3
YOhio AKA SeattleNewt Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,055	This may sound like a dumb question, but why would an educated classical music fan not like the Symphony Number 9?

09-12-2008, 06:25 AM	#9
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	What a concert. My hat is off to the SF symphony and the symphony chorus. Our seats were not ideal, being too close to the stage, leaving the sound somewhat unbalanced (we were on the cello/bass side of the orchestra) but it offered certain advantages. We were close enough to hear the bows bite into the strings as they were drawn across the instruments, and to see the music on the stands and to hear the conductor as he puffed his cheeks and exuberantly led the orchestra through what can only be described as an inspired rendition. There can be no question that I was primed to like the performance, but even accounting for that, I think it would be hard to find much at fault here. The Symphony chorus was superb, absolutely stunning. When they broke into the ode to joy chorus at fortissimo it was a spine tingling moment. Those of you familiar with the last movement may know of the brief pause like interlude where Beethoven echoes the theme first in major, then pauses and again in minor and then to the tonic before the chorus leads out in full voiced excitement. I think there are few more remarkable moments in all of music than those few measures. Absolutely stunning. And, to think he composed this after he had become deaf. IF you have the chance to hear it live, you should do so. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.