The overreach of power today and in Beethoven’s days If not from history, from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings one can easily observe and learn the true nature of power. Gollum’s character is the perfect example how this force can take hold of, change and disfigure anybody not careful enough. It always wants more! George Washington, a wise …
In this article, we will look at the importance of music to the Romans, the occasions during which music could be heard, and what it sounded like. Features of Roman music Early Romans sang at feasts, and often, their song was accompanied by a tune on a pipe. These songs, called carmen, were sometimes performed by a choir at …
The great composer’s love of nature is well documented; Beethoven’s walks in the countryside surrounding Vienna were woven into his daily routine. The stunning forested hills filled with birdsong brought Beethoven great pleasure, and served as an important part of his creative process. Those solitary walks would, in a sense, allow his ideas to incubate, and flourish into the masterpieces …
Alexander Wheelock Thayer (1817-1897) was an American writer and journalist who travelled to Europe to conduct extensive research on Beethoven’s life, with the intension of writing the first scholarly biography of the great composer. His work became the basis for modern research on Beethoven. Thayer was born in South Natick, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard college, and it was whilst he …
Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838) was Beethoven’s pupil, secretary and loyal friend. He was a talented pianist and went on to compose 180 works. Like Beethoven, Ries was also born in Bonn. He journeyed to Vienna at the age of 19 to learn from the great composer. In 1838, Ries and Beethoven’s friend Franz Wegeler published a joint effort biographical text, …
A talented jazz pianist I know, Peter, recently asked this question: Does Beethoven lend itself to being jazzed up? Peter, a lifelong lover of Bach, readily offered up a number of examples of Bach jazzed up, but as for Beethoven, we agreed to do our separate research and get back to each other. We discovered a tremendous display of talent! …