Post by sbush411 on Sept 27, 2008 13:56:10 GMT -5
The following is My Interpretation of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony and why I rank it as the 4th Greatest “Concept Album” of all time: (See My Top-1240 All-Time Song List – Also Posted on the same “Mr. Microphone” Forum of this Site – Towards the bottom, just after Listing Song Number-1240; I then proceed to List the Top-21 “Concept Albums/CD’s of all time.)
Beethoven's 6th Symphony (The Pastoral) - a Total Concept Creation – is, in my judgment, one of the Greatest “Total Concept” creations known to man. In that regard, I hereby proffer my reasons below:
In the first movement, it opens with a sunny melodic approach, via the strings – As if the very essence and elegance of simplicity in its purest form. As it proceeds, one can not help but envision an astonishing landscape. Here we begin by seeing (through the minds eye, as it were) the tranquility of the country and the peaceful life of shepherds. Ravishing phrases caress one’s ears, like scented morning breezes. You begin to feel as though there are flocks of birds flying overhead; while the atmosphere seems full and fresh. Suddenly one can envision the approaching of heavy clouds flitting across the face of the sun and then disappearing again – with the rays of sun reappearing and suddenly flooding the fields and woods with torrents of dazzling sunlight.
In the second movement one can imagine one outside, reclining on the grass, eyes uplifted, ears intent, and becoming transfixed by thousands of varying hues of light and sound; while simultaneously looking and listening to a scintillating rippling of a brook as it breaks it waves over the pebbles of the shore.
In the third movement one starts envisioning a scene where we are suddenly in the midst of a joyous reunion of peasants; who are joyously dancing in an animated and noisy (Care-Free) manner; as if they do not have a care in the world. I get a vision of them performing an old Russian style dance, where a peasant is bent down and proceeding to kick out each leg one at a time. While his arms are locked in front of him. Each peasant takes their turn at this, while the others are clapping their hands, shouting cheerfully. Etc…
In the Fourth movement, we suddenly see those peasants start to run as they suddenly hear a muttering of thunder in the distance; which creates a chaotic scene; as surprise and consternation suddenly seize the dances, as the thunder and wind begins to pick up. Thus, they are seen running to seek shelter from the storm You then start to hear the tremendous gusts of wind, laden with a hard rain; and the ominous sense that a fearful tempest is about to burst wide open. Suddenly, you realize that a Hurricane is approaching, as it swells with an immense chromatic streak: here is starts with the highest notes in the orchestra and proceeds to burrow down to it’s lowest depths, as the basses carry them along and ascends once again; creating the image of a whirlwind leveling everything in its path.
In the fifth (Last Movement) We suddenly see the wind and torrents dissipating, along with the reappearance of the Sun.. Shortly thereafter, the shepherds returning, the sky is serene; and we see very happy souls once again engaging in song, dance, frivolity; with such gentle melodies as would be suited to a situation where one’s soul finds repose; following the consternation produced by the magnificent horror of the cataclysmic event just past.
I would also offer the professional opinion of a renowned musicologist by the name of “Sir George Grove,” who said of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony (the Pastoral) as follows:
“The way the composer worked this material shows an incredibly fertile imagination, and reflects his own joy in the presence of nature. The second movement (Andante molto mosso) is filled with serenity and soft murmuring sounds, like a flowing Brooke, portrayed in a rippling figuration. The little trills in the violins suggest the chirping of insects, and the flute arpeggio in the second theme was intended to imitate the sound of birds known as the yellowhammer. Near the end there is this unmistakable call of the cuckoo (Clarinet) preceded by a quail (Oboe) and a nightingale (flute.) Just as Beethoven felt at peace while wondering beside this rustic brook, so this music conveys a feeling of happiness and relaxation. The scherzo (Allegro) has a middle section recalling the Country bands Beethoven heard outside Vienna…the rest is made up of rustic dance music, with heavy-footed stomping, alternating with phrases of grace. This leads directly into the memorable storm music. (Allegro) There is a moment of suspense, just before the storm breaks, a quite that is broken up by rustling winds, and the fierce drops of rain. Then the tempest breaks out in earnest, and is made more ominous by the growling of lower strings. Now come the crashes of thunder, lightning, and high-powered winds. The violent episode vanishes almost as quickly- leading into the radiant hymn of thanksgiving of the finale (Allegretto)….The whole universe seems to celebrate the return of the sun and the freshly washed earth in this tumultuous but sublime fifth episode. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST MAJESTIC MUSICAL PICTURES EVER PAINTED.”
Steve B.
Beethoven's 6th Symphony (The Pastoral) - a Total Concept Creation – is, in my judgment, one of the Greatest “Total Concept” creations known to man. In that regard, I hereby proffer my reasons below:
In the first movement, it opens with a sunny melodic approach, via the strings – As if the very essence and elegance of simplicity in its purest form. As it proceeds, one can not help but envision an astonishing landscape. Here we begin by seeing (through the minds eye, as it were) the tranquility of the country and the peaceful life of shepherds. Ravishing phrases caress one’s ears, like scented morning breezes. You begin to feel as though there are flocks of birds flying overhead; while the atmosphere seems full and fresh. Suddenly one can envision the approaching of heavy clouds flitting across the face of the sun and then disappearing again – with the rays of sun reappearing and suddenly flooding the fields and woods with torrents of dazzling sunlight.
In the second movement one can imagine one outside, reclining on the grass, eyes uplifted, ears intent, and becoming transfixed by thousands of varying hues of light and sound; while simultaneously looking and listening to a scintillating rippling of a brook as it breaks it waves over the pebbles of the shore.
In the third movement one starts envisioning a scene where we are suddenly in the midst of a joyous reunion of peasants; who are joyously dancing in an animated and noisy (Care-Free) manner; as if they do not have a care in the world. I get a vision of them performing an old Russian style dance, where a peasant is bent down and proceeding to kick out each leg one at a time. While his arms are locked in front of him. Each peasant takes their turn at this, while the others are clapping their hands, shouting cheerfully. Etc…
In the Fourth movement, we suddenly see those peasants start to run as they suddenly hear a muttering of thunder in the distance; which creates a chaotic scene; as surprise and consternation suddenly seize the dances, as the thunder and wind begins to pick up. Thus, they are seen running to seek shelter from the storm You then start to hear the tremendous gusts of wind, laden with a hard rain; and the ominous sense that a fearful tempest is about to burst wide open. Suddenly, you realize that a Hurricane is approaching, as it swells with an immense chromatic streak: here is starts with the highest notes in the orchestra and proceeds to burrow down to it’s lowest depths, as the basses carry them along and ascends once again; creating the image of a whirlwind leveling everything in its path.
In the fifth (Last Movement) We suddenly see the wind and torrents dissipating, along with the reappearance of the Sun.. Shortly thereafter, the shepherds returning, the sky is serene; and we see very happy souls once again engaging in song, dance, frivolity; with such gentle melodies as would be suited to a situation where one’s soul finds repose; following the consternation produced by the magnificent horror of the cataclysmic event just past.
I would also offer the professional opinion of a renowned musicologist by the name of “Sir George Grove,” who said of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony (the Pastoral) as follows:
“The way the composer worked this material shows an incredibly fertile imagination, and reflects his own joy in the presence of nature. The second movement (Andante molto mosso) is filled with serenity and soft murmuring sounds, like a flowing Brooke, portrayed in a rippling figuration. The little trills in the violins suggest the chirping of insects, and the flute arpeggio in the second theme was intended to imitate the sound of birds known as the yellowhammer. Near the end there is this unmistakable call of the cuckoo (Clarinet) preceded by a quail (Oboe) and a nightingale (flute.) Just as Beethoven felt at peace while wondering beside this rustic brook, so this music conveys a feeling of happiness and relaxation. The scherzo (Allegro) has a middle section recalling the Country bands Beethoven heard outside Vienna…the rest is made up of rustic dance music, with heavy-footed stomping, alternating with phrases of grace. This leads directly into the memorable storm music. (Allegro) There is a moment of suspense, just before the storm breaks, a quite that is broken up by rustling winds, and the fierce drops of rain. Then the tempest breaks out in earnest, and is made more ominous by the growling of lower strings. Now come the crashes of thunder, lightning, and high-powered winds. The violent episode vanishes almost as quickly- leading into the radiant hymn of thanksgiving of the finale (Allegretto)….The whole universe seems to celebrate the return of the sun and the freshly washed earth in this tumultuous but sublime fifth episode. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST MAJESTIC MUSICAL PICTURES EVER PAINTED.”
Steve B.