Lucky Number Eight

Who knew?

This blog has quickly turned into a public expression of my mixed relationship with Ludwig van Beethoven.

I recently attended the symphony where they played two Stravinsky overtures, Beethoven's 8th Symphony, and the headliner was Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major. I thought I went to see and enjoy the Emperor concerto. What a surprise!

Are you familiar with the 8th Symphony? It premiered in a concert with his furious and wonderful 7th symphony, and was not received well. Next to each other, the 8th seems tame and quiet, nothing like the reputation Beethoven had attained for himself. Apparently Beethoven's deafness was pretty serious but he still conducted the premeir (though the orchestra didn't follow him, following the principle violin instead). It was critically and popularly a disappointment. Interestingly enough, Beethoven said the poor reviews were because "the 8th is so much better."

I completely agree. This is one of Beethoven's finest works. The first movement is a perfect example of sonata form with the climax in the recapitulation rather than the development. Typical of Beethoven, it has a large coda. The second movement is a charming slow-movement sonata form. Interestingly enough, Beethoven has a minuet and trio as a third movement, a normality that was obsolete at this point. Tchaikovsky called the fourth movement one of the greatest symphonic masterpieces of Beethoven. It ends in a remarkable sonata-rondo form where Beethoven explores some of his most dramatic and daring musical experiments.

Being almost entirely unaware of this piece before it was a delight to listen to, and one of my favorite major Classical-era works. Please do yourself a favor and have a listen.

(also, the Emperor concerto is still amazing. Mvt. II remains one of my favorite Classical-Era pieces ever, and one of the most important works of all time.

Summer Reading List 2011

This is list is significantly shorter than last year's. I feel like I should make an excuse. I won't. Instead, I'll just make this one less laborious to read.

Let's discuss them, especially if you disagree. Let me know if you have recommendations.

Tate, Joseph (ed.). The Music and Art of Radiohead (2005)

Important band, great collection of essays. Read it.

The Constitution of the United States (1787)/The Declaration of Independence (1776)/Articles of Confederation (1777)

I try to read these annually. You should too. Read it.

Dobyns, Jay. No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels (2010)

Interesting topic, pretentiously written. Skip it.

Gallwey, Timothy. The Inner Game of Tennis (1974)

About more than tennis. Essential for any teacher. Read it.

Crawford, Richard. An Introduction to America's Music (2001)

Don't let the title deceive you. Valuable and academic volume. Read it.

Fey, Tina. Bossypants (2011)

Funny, but rambling. Insightful and smart, but poorly constructed. Skip it.

Bass, Lance. Out of Sync (2007)

Surprising interesting. Skip it.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief (2005)

Really excellent teenager book. I am not a teenager. Skip it.

Moss Steven. The Tragedy of the Little Red Chaperon (2009)

Short story by a friend of mine in the style of Shakespeare. Outstanding. Read it.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Favorite read of the summer. Wow. Read it.

Allen, James. As a Man Thinketh (1903)

Good insight, but like all self-help books (this being the first) it's generic and oversimplified. Skip it.

Wilde, Oscar. Salomé (1891)

Witty, dark, smart. Entertaining play. Read it.

Dickey, James. Deliverance (1970)

Exciting story of wilderness survival under extreme circumstances. Doesn't live up to its psychological possibilities. Skip it.

Sedaris, David. Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000)

Clever and witty essays, though disjunct. Skip it.

Burrel, Tom. Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority (2010)

Burrel points out the origins of the Black inferiority myth and issues a challenge to change by offering helpful suggestions. Not afraid to criticize people by name. Read it.

Camus, Albert. The Stranger (1946)

Outstanding book. Just Read it.

Kim Jong Il: A brief history (1998)

His official biography. Narcissistic and clearly carefully chosen anecdotes. Skip it.