2007-11-20 02:25:46 · 11 answers · asked by Meww 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Classical
Probably his 9th symphony, commonly known as the "Ode to Joy"
...let me clarify, to del_icio and whoever gave me a thumbs down. I played piano and clarinet for the better part of my 23 years on earth. I did not say the 9th symphony is called ode to joy. I said it is commony KNOWN as the ode to joy. Why? Because that's what most people without musical experience recognize. The 9th symphony is called, well, "The 9th symphony". And it is pretty darn moving if you listen to it. Beenthoven is my favorite composer. He wrote a lot of good stuff, but if a person is asking this question, most likely it's a general sort of thing and if they want something common, or hey, it's an OPINION. So stop bashing everybody, except the guy who said johnny b good, that is just way off base.
2007-11-20 02:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I would have bet my house that someone would put Moonlight Sonata!! I bet the poster doesn't even know the bit he knows is only the first of three magnificent movements. What about the other 31 2/3 sonatas? I bet someone says Für Elise too!!
And the 9th Symphony is NOT known as the 'Ode to Joy'. The final movement merely includes a choral setting of the Schiller poem 'Ode to Joy'.
Beethoven was such a great composer it is hard to single out one piece as being 'the greatest'. In fact, I won't even try. Various works are great for different reasons and to try to say one is better than the other is shameful and meaningless. However, if I had to choose a shortlist, it would be something like this:
Missa Solemnis
Piano Concerto No 5 (Emperor)
Piano Sonata 'Hammerklavier'
Piano Sonata 'Appassionata'
String Quartet Op 130
Symphony No 3 (Eroica)
Symphony No 5
Symphony No 6 (Pastoral)
Symphony No 7
Symphony No 9 (Choral)
Violin Concerto
That's as short as I can get it - and I've probably left something out!
I wouldn't include Fidelio as it has flaws as an opera, as wonderful as the music is.
Next ....
2007-11-20 03:01:58 · answer #2 · answered by del_icious_manager 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The majority of Beethoven's compositions could be legitimately characterized as "masterpieces". So to pick one as his best for me is an impossibility.
Favorites?: 1st, 2nd and 4th symphonies(have heard the rest of the nine so often, they are worn out for me).
Piano concerti: #2
THE violin concerto
His only opera "Fidelio", I don't care for: sounds to early Mozartianish, and I don't care for Mozart's operas, although I do love the Overture to "The Marriage of Figaro".
Don't care much for his chamber music either.
Love some of his piano sonatas: the "Appasionata", etc.
"Missa Solemnis" (sp-?) is nice.
Think this is enough. You didn't mention your thoughts on "what is his masterpiece"?
Wotan
2007-11-20 05:16:25 · answer #3 · answered by Alberich 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
His Ninth and last Symphony... it was the finest work he ever did and he was deaf at the time he wrote it.
The first was a bit thin and not too powerful. The second was melodic and playful. The third was weird. The fourth was really enjoyable to listen too and the pastoral movements were alive in my mind. the fifth was to stilted. the sixth was, I think, a testing of ideas that ended up in the ninth. The eighth was majestic and grand but forgettable.
2007-11-23 13:54:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All nine of the symphonies are great, although I'm partial to the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, & 9th. ;) I have the Herbert Von Karajan-conducted box set from the early 60's put out by Deutches Grammophon. Love to have it on CD and spend a week listening to one or two per night with the 9th on Sunday.
2007-11-20 12:08:40 · answer #5 · answered by Matt P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't tell if this is subjective or objective.
For me it has to be:
Sonata's 3, 14 and 15
Symphonies 4, 5, 7 and 9
2007-11-20 05:52:05 · answer #6 · answered by Austrian Theorist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot single out one piece by Beethoven and call it his masterpiece. A greater proportion of what he wrote are masterpieces. All the symphonies, all the piano concertos, all the piano sonatas, the violin concerto and most of the string quartets and piano trios are masterpieces.
2007-11-20 03:19:51 · answer #7 · answered by Malcolm D 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No one piece could be chosen as his masterpiece but if I HAD to pick one it would be his violin concerto.......a stunning piece of music.
2007-11-20 10:41:57 · answer #8 · answered by brian777999 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moonlight Sonata.
2007-11-20 02:40:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
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Fur Elise. Its so creepy sounding. I just adore it :)
2016-04-03 08:58:26 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋