Mozart's Jupiter

[Michael]

I think the confusion arises because I'm using the old Russian calendar - Anon's true name being Anonovich - just think how many poor imitators and false attributions he has had to suffer in the subsequent centuries!

He was a great poet as well. Beethoven set a lot of his stuff.

[Roehre]

He was a great poet as well. Beethoven set a lot of his stuff.

Yes, by far the better part of his songs.

[Preston]

I find it lacking in power as the opening hook is weak.

thx

I wanted to point out a few things and ask you a few things. I do not think that power is what makes good music, well at least not all the time. If every piece was powerful (as in volcano type power, or something) then there would be no peace. I think the most sublime pieces are probably very peaceful and not as agitated, etc. as the "power music".

Though regarding the symphony, or all music, imo - music all comes down to how the listener intereprets it. So may think it powerful, some may think it weak - the complete opposites - that is how subjective music can be, opposite.

What are your thoughts on the opening theme of Mozart's symphony 41?
What are a few pieces of classical music you do consider powerful?
What do you think of the ending of Mozart's piano concerto 20 - the last 2 minutes when the minor turns to major, and ends in major?

Mozart confuses me a lot too. His music to my mind - is pleasant, enjoyable, fun, powerful, etc. - so I get easily confused.

[Sorrano]

I find it lacking in power as the opening hook is weak.

thx

With respect to Preston's recent post it is interesting to me that you and I have opposite regards for the opening measures of the Jupiter Symphony. I find it powerful; to my ears it is easily recognizable and sets a dynamic tone for the movement as well as the entire work. This is not my favorite of the Mozart Symphonies (I prefer the E-flat #38 or 39? and the Prague to this one). Your concept of Beethoven's 5th being volcanic is something I have not thought about previously and so I've been scouring my own memory to determine what works I might find volcanic. (If you will allow a little tongue in cheek I could suggest Hovhaness' Mount St. Helen Symphony.)

[PDG]

Mozart's Jupiter, for me, lacks the power of even the first Beethoven piano concerto, Op.15. Same key of course - C.

There is a sexual urgency to Beethoven to which we, as humans, 'must' respond, and which for my money is the main reason he is the greatest of all the great artists. Whereas Mozart is simply very nice to listen to, by and large. I hate to be controversial, but I think the sexual imperative element is crucial, mood-wise.

There are just so many examples of Beethoven writing in a 'sexual idiom' (ie. male sexual climax); examples being the 'climaxes' to the last movements of Op. 59/3 and Opp. 57 and 110. These movements are just so sexually charged. I have tried - and failed - to have Mr LvB creating a romantic mood for me and my lovely girlfriend, but he distracts me too much! He is simply too macho.

I love what Phil Spector said about Elvis:
"My God, he was so sexy, even guys fell in love with him!"

[Sorrano]

In considering the power of the 41st symphony it's probably more (re) productive to compare that with the rest of Mozart's symphonies rather than compare it to Beethoven's. There is no question that Beethoven, with his raw energy, exceeds most if not all of his predecessors with pure power and energy. Comparing the Jupiter to the Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto or to his 5th Symphony is in a way comparing a banana to an apple. One is redder than the other and that is not a bad thing.

[PDG]

I've never seen a red banana. A slightly embarrassed one, perhaps, but not a completely red one...

[Sorrano]

I've never seen a red banana. A slightly embarrassed one, perhaps, but not a completely red one...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_banana

[Michael]

By Jove, this thread has gone bananas.

[Preston]

lol! to the above postings

Megan, if you are out there you need to put the dancing banana gif image on this thread, qlol.

[Preston]

found one.

now this thread has gone bananas, for real.

[PDG]

Preston, it looks like he's dancing to the "Tra la la, Tra la la la, Tra la la, Tra la la la..." theme by the Banana Splits (1969).

And talking of men in silly costumes, who remembers Menuetto Allegretto by the Wombles (a UK hit in 1974), based on the third movement of the Jupiter symphony? (I bet Michael does...)...

[Michael]

Preston, it looks like he's dancing to the "Tra la la, Tra la la la, Tra la la, Tra la la la..." theme by the Banana Splits (1969).

And talking of men in silly costumes, who remembers Menuetto Allegretto by the Wombles (a UK hit in 1974), based on the third movement of the Jupiter symphony? (I bet Michael does...)...

Unfortunately, yes. And why should the two of us suffer alone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ropNrsrckc





.

[Sorrano]

Now, that just defies all description!

[PDG]

I love it! A discussion that starts with a debate about the merit's of Mozart's last symphony, and ends - by way of a banana diversion - with a Wombles video. Brilliant!