What is Beethoven greatest work?

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is one of Beethoven’s greatest compositions and one of the greatest symphonies ever composed. Symphony No. 9 is also known as the ‘Choral’ Symphony as its final movement features four vocal soloists and a chorus who sing a setting of Schiller’s poem An Die Freude (Ode To Joy).

Is Roger Norrington’s Beethoven symphony cycle “the shock of the old”?

When Roger Norrington’s cycle of Beethoven symphonies was released between 1987 and 1989 the performances could well have carried the collective title, “The Shock of The Old.” I remember collecting several of the original issues and it has been fascinating to return to the whole set after a lengthy interval.

Is Norrington’s collection of symphonies worth reading?

However, Norrington’s collection was ground-breaking and attracted significant attention particularly because he had so thoroughly re-thought all the symphonies, not least in terms of tempi. He paid very close, but not slavish attention to Beethoven’s metronome markings and the results were, to say the least, provocative.

What makes Beethoven’s 8th symphony so special?

If anything, the Eighth is even finer. The first movement erupts in an exhilarating burst of energy, which is sustained from first to last bar. The delightful second movement chugs along with irresistible wit and the Minuet is also most engaging. The finale sparkles and dances. A marvellous coupling of Beethoven’s most endearing symphonies.

What do you think of the Beethoven symphonies reissue?

Having said that, the reissue is greatly to be welcomed as it usefully collects together some very thought-provoking performances at an affordable price and in good, clear recorded sound. In order to accommodate the whole cycle on five discs the symphonies are presented in a rather random order.