Classic Ross Amico

Tag: WWFM

Beethoven’s Birthday on The Classical Network

BEETHOVEN BIRTHDAY BASH

The climax of WWFM – The Classical Network’s symphony marathon is upon us!

NOW PLAYING: Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 “Choral” (Leontyne Price, soprano; Maureen Forrester, contralto; David Poleri, tenor; Giorgio Tozzi, bass; Boston Symphony Orchestra; New England Conservatory Chorus/Charles Munch)

Mighty, urgent, thrilling and beautiful, this 1958 performance is a fitting capstone to our day-long celebration of Beethoven. If you have been stirred in any way by the music you’ve enjoyed in honor of music’s greatest master, we hope that you will consider supporting it.

We have come your way with limited interruptions, presenting all the music complete, both out of respect for the composer and out of respect for you, the listener. Let us know you appreciate it, by making future no-pain fundraisers like this one possible.

Call us at 1-888-232-1212, or make a donation online at wwfm.org.

Remember, the celebration will continue with David Dubal and Jed Distler, and two hours of Beethoven’s piano music, tonight at 8:00 EST.

Thank you for this wonderful day of music, and thank you for supporting The Classical Network!

December 16, 2019
Beethoven’s 8th Symphony Subversive Masterpiece

BEETHOVEN BIRTHDAY BASH

WWFM – The Classical Network’s symphony marathon continues!

NOW PLAYING: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Orchestra of the 18th Century/Frans Brüggen)

Like the 4th Symphony, Beethoven’s 8th tends to be swallowed up in the long shadows cast by its neighbors. But this work, frequently dismissed as Haydnesque, is actually quite subversive. The composer deconstructs many of the practices of standard classical symphonic form, with most of the weight thrown onto the shoulders of the last movement, as opposed to the first, no real slow movement, and the return of the minuet, which Beethoven handily dispensed with in earlier symphonies through the inclusion of more volatile scherzos.

Was Beethoven secretly the Stravinsky of his day?

Show this sphinx some love. Consider supporting it by calling us at 1-888-232-1212, or by donating online at wwfm.org.

Thank you for your generous contribution!

“Beethoven in Sphinx,” Jules Jourdain (1873-1957)

December 16, 2019
Beethoven’s Birthday Bash WWFM Symphony Marathon

BEETHOVEN BIRTHDAY BASH

WWFM – The Classical Network’s symphony marathon continues!

NOW PLAYING: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Marlboro Festival Orchestra/Pablo Casals)

Richard Wagner described Beethoven’s 7th Symphony as “the apotheosis of the dance” – and we all know what a great dancer Wagner was!

Dance on over to your phones, why don’t you, and support it by calling us at 1-888-232-1212, or by donating online at wwfm.org.

Thank you for your generous contribution!

December 16, 2019
Beethoven My First Love Symphony No 3 Changed Me

Beethoven was my first favorite composer. The Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” opened up a whole new world for me.

Of course, I was always something of dreamer. By high school, I was listening to all of the symphonies with regularity, sometimes on my trusty Walkman as I trekked to school on a crisp winter morn, or on the turntable while lounging on my bed, after completing my paper route, creating a kind of oasis before dinner.

The Beethoven symphonies filled my head with many strange and adventurous scenarios, though perhaps none were as outlandish as that offered by director John Boorman in his cult classic, “Zardoz” (1974).
“Zardoz” sported long, static shots of a giant, stone head drifting across the sky to the second movement of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. It also sported a hirsute Sean Connery in bandoliers and diaper. Just try to get that image out of your head.

Then join me at 4:00 for a performance I discovered as a teenager and have cherished ever since.

I’ll be with you for Symphonies Nos. 7, 8 & 9, to wrap up our Beethoven birthday marathon, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVakHZp5ZBE

December 16, 2019
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony on WWFM

BEETHOVEN BIRTHDAY BASH

WWFM – The Classical Network’s symphony marathon continues!

NOW PLAYING: Symphony No. 6 in F major “Pastoral” (New York Philharmonic/Leonard Bernstein)

After the intensity of the Symphony No. 5, I think we can all use a day in the country. Join Beethoven in his song of thanksgiving. Give thanks for great music by supporting it.

Call now at 1-888-232-1212, or by contributing online at wwfm.org. Then put your cares behind you. Just watch out for that thunderstorm!

Thank you for your generous contribution!

December 16, 2019

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS