Beethoven* - The Symphonies / The Collection (2xCD, Comp) (Very Good Plus (VG+))

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

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Made in Sweden

Included notes

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 
Born Bonn 1770 - Died Vienna 1827 

Beethoven is one of those great figures in the world of music who rose above personal tragedy to present the world with the extraordinary gift of his compositions. After a childhood spent in some poverty, and constantly marred by his father's attempts to force the young pianistic prodigy into the mould of a "Second Mozart", Beethoven — very much the first and only Beethoven—enjoyed some early successes in Vienna, home also to Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. 
	At the age of 27, and at the time that his remarkable talent was beginning to be acknowledged by some perceptive critics, Beethoven made the terrible discovery that he was becoming deaf. After all but unimaginable struggles with himself, and his anger at his fate, this young man turned away from public life and the career as a piano virtuoso for which he seemed destined in addition to his work as a composer, and devoted himself utterly to composition. Out of the affliction which ruined his life in many ways, posterity gained some musical masterpieces, composed in Beethoven's head and transferred to paper, since he could not hear the notes himself. 
	Foremost among Beethoven's works stand the Nine Symphonies, representing a monumental achievement, intellectually profound and yet accessible to everyone. The Fifth Symphony is known in Germany as the "Schicksals-Symphonie"— the "Fate Symphony", and the image of fate knocking at the door conjured up in the first  bars is universally recognised. The work is pervaded by a sense of strange foreboding, as it pulls the listener into its inner world, culminating in one of Beethoven's great exultant finales. 
	The "Pastoral" Symphony shows Beethoven's great love of nature and country life. Perhaps his most sunlit composition, he wanted it to be "an expression of feelings, rather than a painting" and it therefore gives an impression of nature, not a slavish imitation. With its lyrical charm and endless melodies, it remains one of the most popular of Beethoven's works, showing him in a mood of scarcely disturbed tranquillity. 
	The Ninth and last symphony may be Beethoven's masterpiece— its universal message of brotherhood has caused it to become an anthem for the European nations, and it never fails to provoke awe in the listener by its sheer grandeur. 
	Beethoven's 32 Piano Sonatas are much loved by pianists, although they are not within the technical scope of all. The Moonlight Sonata (no one knows who gave it that nickname) is the most widely known and played; and the Pathetique too has survived the battering of generations of piano students: a moving and masterly work. The various Overtures which Beethoven wrote are a great deal more than mere curtain-raisers — compact in form, their very brevity often seems to have spurred the composer to new heights. 

. The Symphonies
. Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67 31:15
. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Opus 68 (Pastoral) 42:06
. The Collection
2-1. Overture To 'Leonora' No. 3 In C Major Opus 72a 14:21
2-2. Overture To 'Egmont' In F Minor Opus 84 8:38
2-3. Bagatelle In G Major ('Fur Elise") 3:45
2-4. Overture To 'Fidelio' Opus 72b 6:17
2-5. Overture To 'Coriolan' Opus 62 7:31
2-6. Piano Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' (1st Movement) 5:56
2-7. Piano Sonata 'Pathetique' (2nd Movement) 5:23
2-8. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor Opus 125 - 4th Movement - Excerpt 6:11

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Location : GRCDW386