Submitted by jsdubois015 on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 14:54
I was listening yesterday to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony recorded by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. Karajan's recordings never cease to amaze me. His interpretations of classic works like Beethoven's Fifth are breathtaking and the Berlin Philharmonic is the epitome of perfection. While listening, I kept thinking, "This was a man who understands the music. I want to understand it, too." Performers and conductors who really understand the music, that take it beyond superficial emotionalism or technical display are rare. In my opinion, Karajan was one. Glenn Gould was another, and Mstislav Rostropovich, too. This is only to name a few, but nonetheless the list is short. But, this is what music is about. As Beethoven said, "Music should strike fire from a man's soul." Music is one of the greatest forms of art we possess and is, no doubt, the most expressive. The works of the great composers, of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, are profound works that contemplate the very things that make us human. And these works do not discourage, but invite us to search out their mysteries. I'm reminded of the line you hear often from music teachers, "Music is meant to be fun." I say, music is meant to be joyful, which is a far deeper, enduring and life-changing emotion than fun. But, to discover the joy in music requires first to understand it.
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Reminds me of the time I heard an old (around 1948) performance of the Fifth with Furtwangler leading the same Berlin Phil. That was an epiphany.
The Joy of Music - Thoughts While Listening to Beethoven's Fifth
Submitted by jsdubois015 on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 14:54
I was listening yesterday to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony recorded by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. Karajan's recordings never cease to amaze me. His interpretations of classic works like Beethoven's Fifth are breathtaking and the Berlin Philharmonic is the epitome of perfection. While listening, I kept thinking, "This was a man who understands the music. I want to understand it, too." Performers and conductors who really understand the music, that take it beyond superficial emotionalism or technical display are rare. In my opinion, Karajan was one. Glenn Gould was another, and Mstislav Rostropovich, too. This is only to name a few, but nonetheless the list is short. But, this is what music is about. As Beethoven said, "Music should strike fire from a man's soul." Music is one of the greatest forms of art we possess and is, no doubt, the most expressive. The works of the great composers, of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, are profound works that contemplate the very things that make us human. And these works do not discourage, but invite us to search out their mysteries. I'm reminded of the line you hear often from music teachers, "Music is meant to be fun." I say, music is meant to be joyful, which is a far deeper, enduring and life-changing emotion than fun. But, to discover the joy in music requires first to understand it.
Reminds me of the time I heard an old (around 1948) performance of the Fifth with Furtwangler leading the same Berlin Phil. That was an epiphany.