Favorite Beethoven Symphony

[HaydnFan]

There is absolutely no way to decide! I was thinking about this question the other day and I I feel that I could not possibly choose just one...

...on the other hand, if I HAD to...I am going to have to go with 9.

2 would be my next choice I think.

[HaydnFan]

One of the surprises for me of this poll is how many votes Symphony No. 8 has...I personally do not like this symphony and I rarely listen to it. Of course, I do not mean to criticize this work at all because everyone has their favourites.

Chris, for the record, I agree with you that Symphony No. 4 is underrated; Obviously you might expect me to like it (being HaydnFan) with it's very Classical influences.

Not surprised that Symphony No. 1 has no votes...I don't listen to that one much either.

Definitely surprised Symphony No. 5 has only one vote so far...despite the un-speakably popular 1st movement, the rest of the symphony is absolutely wonderful, especially the second movement in my opinion.

[Chris]

One of the surprises for me of this poll is how many votes Symphony No. 8 has...I personally do not like this symphony and I rarely listen to it. Of course, I do not mean to criticize this work at all because everyone has their favourites.

I definately wouldn't say I don't like it, but it is one of my least favorite of Beethoven's, somehow; I only rank No. 2 lower.

Not surprised that Symphony No. 1 has no votes...I don't listen to that one much either.

I actually really like that one and listen to it often.

[Peter]

One of the surprises for me of this poll is how many votes Symphony No. 8 has...I personally do not like this symphony and I rarely listen to it. Of course, I do not mean to criticize this work at all because everyone has their favourites.

Chris, for the record, I agree with you that Symphony No. 4 is underrated; Obviously you might expect me to like it (being HaydnFan) with it's very Classical influences.

Not surprised that Symphony No. 1 has no votes...I don't listen to that one much either.

Definitely surprised Symphony No. 5 has only one vote so far...despite the un-speakably popular 1st movement, the rest of the symphony is absolutely wonderful, especially the second movement in my opinion.

All the symphonies are superb which is why it was really virtually impossible to choose, but this new poll facility is fun! I'm surprised you don't like no.8 - (what about that Minuet, surely that's classical enough for you?), especially as on another thread you praise Mahler's 1st!

[HaydnFan]

Yes, it was not right to say I don't like Symphony No. 8 because that is un-true...it is just one of my least favourite Beethoven Symphonies and I do not listen to it often.

I don't particularly enjoy the Minuet but I do really like the Allegretto.

[comicman123]

Mine is definitely 5.

[Preston]

For the people that have never heard all of Beethoven's symphony's. Here is a link to all of them.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5477647

Also, I voted for the Pastoral. It is so pleasant. The 1st, 2nd, and 5th movements, especially the 5th, are astounding and so peaceful.

[Johan]

They are all great...

My vote goes for the 7th (but Eroica would have been a near choice also).
And I certainly do like Beethoven's Ist Symphony!

[ShakeandBeet]

I am proud to say that I have listened to all the syphonies from Preston's link (thanks Preston!). To me they are all aural masterpieces that only someone as gifted as Beethoven could have written. I'm going with Symphony #5 . That is the "Dun Dun Dun Dun" symphony. Is it true that "Dun Dun Dun Dun" x 2 is the 1st movement all by itself and immediately afterwards starts the 2nd movement?

Anyways, # 5 does it for me.

[HaydnFan]

I am proud to say that I have listened to all the syphonies from Preston's link (thanks Preston!). To me they are all aural masterpieces that only someone as gifted as Beethoven could have written. I'm going with Symphony #5 . That is the "Dun Dun Dun Dun" symphony. Is it true that "Dun Dun Dun Dun" x 2 is the 1st movement all by itself and immediately afterwards starts the 2nd movement?

Anyways, # 5 does it for me.

No, absolutely not. I am not sure where you heard this. All of the movements are actual full movements.

Maybe you are somehow getting it confused with the 3rd movement of this symphony which leads straight into Movement 4; there is no pause in between. However, this was not really an innovation since Haydn had already done this before Beethoven.

[JA Gardiner]

I am proud to say that I have listened to all the syphonies from Preston's link (thanks Preston!). To me they are all aural masterpieces that only someone as gifted as Beethoven could have written. I'm going with Symphony #5 . That is the "Dun Dun Dun Dun" symphony. Is it true that "Dun Dun Dun Dun" x 2 is the 1st movement all by itself and immediately afterwards starts the 2nd movement?

Anyways, # 5 does it for me.

Well done you! As you say they are all superb - which recording did you listen to? My favourite set of the moment is conducted by David Zinman and the Tonhalle orchestra, Zurich. But if you can get to hear any of the versions of 4.5.6.&7 conducted by Carlos Kleiber ( especially the live performances on Orfeo) they'll knock your socks off! Sadly he died a year or so ago and he made very few recordings, but there is a wonderful set of DVDs available called Carlos Kleiber - the legend which show him in action and include stunning performances of Beethoven ( the Boss)'s 4th and 7th symphonies and his overture " Coriolan". You might enjoy watching these or similar recordings by other conductors and orchestras which would give you a feel for how the pieces are meant to work with and impact on an audience. They would also show more clearly than CDs do where the movement breaks are and some may have some interesting background or other material to explain what's going on and some of technical terms. As a non musical specialist I've learnt a lot this way and from other media ( Classic FM's friendly guides to Music,Beethoven and Mozart are a good place to start) - but, as you are finding there is just no substitute for just immersing yourself in as much of the music as possible and seeing what grabs you. You've so many wonderful discoveries to come - enjoy!

[Chris]

Well done you! As you say they are all superb - which recording did you listen to? My favourite set of the moment is conducted by David Zinman and the Tonhalle orchestra, Zurich.

That is my favorite as well. It was great when we had Zinman here at the BSO.

But if you can get to hear any of the versions of 4.5.6.&7 conducted by Carlos Kleiber ( especially the live performances on Orfeo) they'll knock your socks off! Sadly he died a year or so ago and he made very few recordings, but there is a wonderful set of DVDs available called Carlos Kleiber - the legend which show him in action and include stunning performances of Beethoven ( the Boss)'s 4th and 7th symphonies and his overture " Coriolan".:

You can see them on YouTube right now, actually. Here are the links:

4th Symphony, 1st movement
4th Symphony, 2nd movement
4th Symphony, 3rd movement
4th Symphony, 4th movement
7th Symphony, 1st movement (part 1)
7th Symphony, 1st movement (part 2)
7th Symphony, 2nd movement
7th Symphony, 3rd movement
7th Symphony, 4th movement
Coriolan Overture

[Johan]

A little bit off the symphony-line: Kleiber's Coriolan is just stunning, but even more stunning is Furtwängler's Coriolan! Imho.