Research Catalog

Title

Beethoven symphonies revisited : performance, expression and impact / David Young.

Author

Young, David

Publication

• Brighton : Sussex Academic Press, 2021.
• ©2021

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xi, 244 pages, 4 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, music; 25 cm

Summary

Beethoven Symphonies Revisited guides the reader--music student, concert goer, or general music lover--through the movements in a way that renews the novelty and excitement that listeners must have felt at the first performances. Stylistic discussion concentrates on the unusual features of each symphony, placing each individual work in the context of Beethoven's musical advancement and circumstances. His musical innovations are explored, and his contribution to the genre assessed. Thirty author-annotated musical pages elaborate and exemplify. The essential building blocks of key, tonality, metre, rhythm and instrumentation are discussed in detail. The author's purpose is twofold: to bring together major research findings and at the same time offer detailed descriptive analyses of all nine symphonies. The approach is singular in its emphasis on the symphonies in the context of performance practice of the time, especially musical direction; the importance of the wind instruments (especially horns) and kettle drums; how counterpoint features in various passages in all the symphonies except the Sixth and Eighth, and how this was influenced by Beethoven's strict training in species counterpoint. New evaluations are offered, especially for the Second, Eighth and Ninth symphonies. The book's multi-faceted approach will be invaluable not only for conductors and music students at all levels, but for all concert goers and music lovers who wish to gain insight into the musical intricacies developed and enhanced by Beethoven's symphonic journey.

Subject

• Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827
• Symphonies (Beethoven, Ludwig van)
• 1700-1799
• Music > 18th century > History and criticism
• Music

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages [234]-237) and index.

Contents

Introduction. Status and performance: the changing approaches to performance of the symphonies; the instruments of Beethoven's day ; Critical editions ; Beethoven's sketches ; Critical reception by Beethoven's German and Austrian contemporaries ; Approach ; Sonata form -- Performance of orchestral music in Vienna and environs during the late classical era. Overview ; Public performances: theatres ; Directing orchestral music ; Public performances: mixed and benefit concerts ; Public performances: other venues ; Ecclesiastical and monastic performances ; Private performances and the decline of the Hofkapelle ; Decline in demand for symphonies -- Symphony number 1 in C, opus 21, 1800. Overview ; Biographical and contextual considerations ; Stylistic considerations ; Summary ; Early critical reception ; Dedication ; Sources for the published editions -- Symphony number 2 in D, opus 36, 1802. Overview ; Biographical and stylistic considerations ; Summary ; Early critical reception ; Sources for the published editions -- Symphony number 3 in E flat ('Eroica'), opus 55, 1804. Overview ; The three periods ; Completion and first performances ; Stylistic considerations ; Summary ; Early critical reception ; Sources for the published editions -- Symphony number 4 in B flat, opus 60, 1806. Overview ; Biographical considerations ; Stylistic considerations ; Summary ; Early critical reception ; Sources for the published editions -- Symphony number 5 in C minor, opus 67, 1808 and Symphony number 6 in F ('Pastoral'), opus 68, 1808. Overview ; Biographical considerations ; First performance of the two symphonies ; Stylistic considerations: Fifth Symphony ; Early critical reception: Fifth Symphony ; Sources for the published editions: Fifth Symphony ; Stylistic considerations: Sixth Symphony ; The Fifth and Sixt Symphonies compared ; Early critical reception: Sixth Symphony ; Sources for the published editions: Sixth Symphony -- Symphony number 7 in A, opus 92, 1812 and Symphony number 8 in F, opus 93, 1812. Overview ; Biographical considerations ; First public performances ; Stylistic considerations: Seventh Symphony ; Summary: the Seventh ; Early critical reception: Seventh Symphony ; Sources for the published editions: Seventh Symphony ; Stylistic considerations: Eighth Symphony ; Summary: the Eighth ; Early critical reception: Eighth Symphony ; Sources for the published editions: Eighth Symphony -- Symphony number 9 in D minor, opus 125, 1824. Overview ; Biographical and contextual considerations ; Stylistic considerations ; Summary ; Sources for the published editions ; Early critical reception -- Summary and conclusions -- Appendix: Chronology of Beethoven's symphonies.

Call Number

JME 21-270

ISBN

• 1789760801
• 9781789760804

OCLC

1194515963

Author

Young, David, author.

Title

Beethoven symphonies revisited : performance, expression and impact / David Young.

Publisher

Brighton : Sussex Academic Press, 2021.

Copyright Date

©2021

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages [234]-237) and index.

Chronological Term

1700-1799

Research Call Number

JME 21-270