A bit of Beethoven to get your day going

[Guest BrandonWilliams]

This came my way from a friend.....oh, to be a child again. Enjoy!

 

[ChiTown]

Cute kid with a lot of enthusiasm, better than some pros I've seen. It would be interesting to keep track of him to see if he has a career in music someday. It reminds me of videos of Tiger driving golf balls at that age. Thanks for sharing, Brandon

[Guest greatness]

Aww he is so cute. I want a son like that!!!

[leigh.bess.toad]

Thanks Brandon -- he is cute and it's always good to see young kids get into classical music.

 

There are certain pieces though, that immediately start me conducting along too, and the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th is one of them. I can visualize the layout of the orchestra, who to cue when and where, the tempi and mood changes, and can picture the score in my mind. And if you get into it, it actuallly can be a hell of a cardio workout. I guess that's why so many conductors live so long -- great cardio.

 

But to go from childlike wonderment to childish interpretation, here's the first movement of Beethoven's 5th, with commentary by Professor Peter Schickele - a very different way to look at the music.

 

[dane michaels]

I WANT ONE, I WANT ONE, I WANT ONE!!!!!!!! It is amazing that at his age he understands the rythem and bars the way he does. He is definetly a prodigy, good on his parents for classical education at such a young and impressional age.

[instudiocity]

That boy is golden, so it what's in his nose!

 

It's obvious he's setting up to be a starving musician: he's got a Carpeted Conductor's Podium next to his TENT!

[Diverdan]

Brandon,

Thanks for posting... what a fun thing to watch and an amazing young man.

DD

[Juan Vancouver]

Is that the 4th movement, Allegro Maestuoso con Moccolo (Ma non troppo)?

[leigh.bess.toad]

Is that the 4th movement, Allegro Maestuoso con Moccolo (Ma non troppo)?

 

Juan -- the scores I see only mark it simply as Allegro.

 

http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/8/8a/IMSLP00082-Beethoven_-_Symphony_No_5_in_C_Minor__Op_67_-_IV.pdf

 

http://erato.uvt.nl/files/imglnks/usimg/f/ff/IMSLP28598-PMLP01586-beethoven-sym-5-mvmt4-ccarh.pdf

[Diverdan]

WOW, Lee... you are a musician and conductor too? Impressive that you pulled up the score and with a link as well !!!!!!!!

[happyguy2]

Thanks Brandon, it was wonderful.

[leigh.bess.toad]

WOW, Lee... you are a musician and conductor too? Impressive that you pulled up the score and with a link as well !!!!!!!!

 

Musician, yes. Conductor, have been. Orchestral conductor, no. Conducting class was required in my degree program.so I have been through some training. But when listening to music like the last movement of the Beethoven 5th, I conduct as I were on the podium, knowing how I would probably have an orchestra laid out. I would tend to bring more of choral conductor mentality to it: more cues, a bit more emotional style than some. It's fascinating to watch the styes of the different conductors to see what they are trying to convey both through the body and through the stick. Compare von Karajan to Toscannini to Bernstein to Dudamel -- alll available on youtube.. I'm more in favor of a Bernstein and Dudamel who gives more cues and conveys the emotions they are seeking -- almost as if doing a dance.

 

Scores for many (most?) major orchestral works are readily available on line. Of particular use to me as an opera-phile is the collecion of opera scores available from the University of Indiana

[gp0560]

Is that the 4th movement, Allegro Maestuoso con Moccolo (Ma non troppo)?

 

If you please, what does "con moccolo" mean? Googling gives me only something about candles or something about being a third wheel. Not exactly what I expected for a musical marking.

 

Thanks.

[justaguy]

Berstein is also once of the best writers on music I've ever run across. He really conveys the idea that music is alive and visceral. I have to say though, that as a listener I prefer von Karajan's Beethoven. (Side note: I can't do housework to Beethoven because my reaction is so intense. It's so much better to clean house to the Greatful Dead. Even doing the bathroom is easy when that music is on.)

[leigh.bess.toad]

Berstein is also once of the best writers on music I've ever run across. He really conveys the idea that music is alive and visceral. I have to say though, that as a listener I prefer von Karajan's Beethoven. (Side note: I can't do housework to Beethoven because my reaction is so intense. It's so much better to clean house to the Greatful Dead. Even doing the bathroom is easy when that music is on.)

 

JAG -- as much as I hate to admit it (because I loathe the lilttle Nazi himself) von Karajan on Beethoven, with the exception of the 9th which I'm not crazy about, is amazing. But for the 9th it's Lenny all the way.

 

But I've just come accross a fascinating series that Bernstein did for the Omnibus TV program back in the 50's which will give everyone an idea of what might be in store for our precocious 3 year old should he wish to continue. It's 5 parts, almost 50 minutes in length, but describes in detail what goes into the making of the conducdtor. For me it is absolutely fascinating:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkiQwg0AGso&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgpLfniDgAM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ua06OEJXoY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKOLR6t3Fck&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxD6D3y8798&feature=related

 

Where is Lenny's greatest contribution: composer, conductor, educator? So hard to say. But his role as an educator is so often overlooked, but he was always teaching -- hence the Young People's concerts with the NYPhil. To me, without question, the single greatest musician ever produced in America.

 

And Gustavo Dudamel may be the closest thing we have to Lenny today -- the joy, the vibrancy, the love of teaching the kids. The LAPhil is very lucky indeed and I can hardly wait to see where he will take them in years to come. What he has done with the SBYO in Venezuala is remarkable.

[Diverdan]

Thanks for this info and the links, Lee. You never cease to amaze me with your info and understanding. I agree with you about Bernstein, he was an educator without peer in his time. I think that Michael Tilson Thomas is doing a pretty good job of that too.

[gp0560]

Originally Posted by Juan Vancouver

Is that the 4th movement, Allegro Maestuoso con Moccolo (Ma non troppo)?

If you please, what does "con moccolo" mean? Googling gives me only something about candles or something about being a third wheel. Not exactly what I expected for a musical marking.

 

Juan, are you just playing with me? I mean, playing con mio moccolo. (It's OK to toy. Don't stop now.) What does moccolo mean?

 

Wait, I think I just got it. Candle is to be taken Freudistically. So the musical direction says something about a brisk but stately pace with a dick, but not too briskly. Is that it? Topping but making it last?

 

Or maybe it's the dick that's majestic?

[Pegasus]

I love his ability to anticipate the changes in tempo and style before the changes occur. He has listened to a lot of music to conduct so well! Thanks for posting/sharing this with us Brandon.

[Toulouse]

I'm just so glad he didn't poke himself in the eye with that baton! Great stuff. Kudos to his parents...and BrandonW.