Beethoven's genius explained in 3 minutes

Conductor Leonard Bernstein explains why Beethoven was a musical genius

[jaredstearns]

He is so right. When I am learning pieces by other piano players I can recover from flubbed notes but when I play beethoven one wrong note can mean the entire piece falls apart and train wrecks. Its weird how that happens with his music.

[blueskies]

To me Beethoven is real life. Ups and downs triumphs and tragedies. Pain, etc. I’ll take him over anyone else, as his music speaks to those of us living a flawed mammal pattern seeking life

[billklemm]

I read that Beethoven suffered from lead poisoning--from the additives to his wine, medications, etc. This ailment wasn't mortal for him but would explain his loss of hearing, his difficulty focusing, his wild mood swings, etc. That makes me wonder how Beethoven would have been different if he were healthy. Would he have conformed to convential form or would he have been the bold innovator we know now? Super interesting.

[muggsspongedice]

Beethoven is indeed conducting the Celestial Orchestra - and Bernstein said it correct, B's masterpieces were like phoned in from G-D or Heaven

[dariobordignon]

Bernstein you revealed to us, with your expertise, the secret of Beethoven's immensity. And I, who have been listening to it all my life, really agree with you. Thank you.

[MehdiD.Ardebili]

For me Beethoven and Bach will Always be the greatest composers for me in the entire history of music

[chrispati]

Although I understand why he would critique Beethoven the way he does (based on his education and experience), he misses the whole point. You cannot begin to judge his melodies, arrangements, dynamics separately. It like saying a Rolls Royce could have better tires or a faster engine. The WHOLE is ALL that matters. Analyzing the various aspects of Beethoven's process and the elements that make up his compositions is pointless. It is what it is and he is right about one thing...not ONE note could be changed or be different. He was a channel for the infinite consciousness of existence to the human condition and consciousness. Beethoven is like an element. Fire, water, Air Beethoven.
The true embodiment of the universal vibration of music.

[ashrafthegoat]

dude on the right lookin like beethoven in the flesh

[rc]

Violin Concerto in D major Opus 61 first movement contains one of the simplest but most beautiful melodies written you silly man, Leonard.

[bayreuth]

The nonsense that Beethoven wasn’t a great melodist… The Adagio of the Pathetique. The Adagio of the Ninth. The Finale of the Sixth. And so on. These are not great melodies? I’d much rather hear these melodies than Tchaikovsky’s!

[VinceLyle]

Just because Leonard Bernstein says it, doesn't mean it isn't condescending baloney.

[lb]

For me Beethoven is an existentialist who does not allow himself hiding from the truth and fate, always seeking a way to confront it. Of course he suffered while composing.

[EntelSidious_gamzeylmz]

yeah sure bernie the guy wrote arguably the greatest fugue of all time

[ArmandoFerreira-vmwn]

This would make sense if Bernstein was drunk while saying it. His examples are extreme, juvenile and not illustrative of everything Beethoven achieved

[docmupsy]

Great piece here. And re: writing a fugue- unlike any JSBach fugue, Ludwig somehow time- traveled beyond "modernism" and wrote the Grosse Fuga opus 133 - an extremely forward facing, much dissonent work that is often a challenge to wrap one's mind around. But, that's art - it's not "entertainment" - art requires *effort* to create - and to appreciate.

[ErichLRuehs]

Genius discussing Genius. I'm lost. And yet ... I get it. I feel it.

[c.c.krishna]

Please note : This overture is based on a FEW CLUES found in the sketches, but it is not a BEETHOVEN's work !

[שנישדה-של]

very true what he said about the inevitable note.. for example the 2 movement of Eroica.. however, in my opinion, the orchestration there is also unbelievable... how the contrabass is integrated there. When I listen to it I feel as if its strings are inside my body.. and as for the melodies - I don't agree either.. for example the melody in the eighth sonata in the second movement is so moving in its restraint. and I have mamy many more examples...so I am not a musican.. dont even play, but I live in my soul clasical music since I was very little child. So I do not have the knowledge, but I feel I can not agree with what Bernstein said at the begining...

[TheRealGnolti]

Or as LvB himself said, "Es muß sein!"

[elasmojones]

kinda how I feel about David Gilmour...