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The Symphonies of Beethoven

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Robert Greenberg
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Summary

Ludwig van Beethoven is justifiably acclaimed as one of the most revered composers in the history of Western music-a genius once characterized as a "Titan, wrestling with the gods." There is no better way for you to understand the full impact of that description than to not only listen to all nine of his magnificent symphonies, but to do so with a full understanding of what this great composer was saying and the circumstances that drove him up to and beyond what had once been considered the limits of musical expression.

The 32 lectures that make up this detailed introduction to Beethoven explores each of his symphonies in depth, explaining the gifts of musical communication that made this composer unique. Even without any previous musical training, you'll be able to grasp the absolute directness that made his work so accessible, the sheer emotional power that could never be ignored, and the ways in which his ideas were revolutionary on every level. Beginning with an introduction to Beethoven the man and the musical and societal forces that shaped his development, you'll explore his breathtaking innovations: harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, formal, dramatic, self-expressive, and emotional. And you'll come to understand how and why this man was able to lead music into a totally new era as he dispensed with the restraint of 18th-century Classicism to usher in the era of romantic self-expression - even as his own ability to even hear what he was creating was progressively and tragically vanishing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1996 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1996 The Great Courses
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For serious students of music

As usual great performance from Robert Greenberg but this is serious academic stuff, not really for amateurs like me

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant, as expected.

Prof. Greenberg's enthusiasm and detailed explanations was deeply inspiring. He brought Beethoven alive and made his struggle and his mission for the world completely clear to me. Masterful.

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Masterful Course

A masterful course on the symphonic works of perhaps the greatest master of the form. Very insightful!

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Awesome journey into Beethoven’s symphonies

Robert Greenberg leads us into a comprehensive exercise of analysis and appreciation of Beethoven’s symphonies. A must for any admirer of his music.

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There is no better way to enjoy Beethoven

Loved every second of Prof. Greenberg's masterful and charismatic presentation of the life and symphonies of Beethoven.
A composer who comes to life on the page and his music is presented in the context of his life a life only Beethoven could have lived.
Thank-you Robert Greenberg and Great courses!

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Gotta love Professor Bob

Like his subject, professor bob is extraordinary. You will not find a more enthusiastic, energetic, witty, world-wise and above all profoundly learned guide to the world of classical (I should say "concert") music. This is my fourth 20h hour course with Professor Bob.

He goes deep into the music - deeper than some may care for, but as a mostly untrained but passionate amateur musician I learned a bunch about harmony, rhythm, metre and melody, as well as the elements of compositional forms, and of course Beethovens furious genius with them all.

Cannot recommend highly enough.

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Greenberg talking to himself aloud?

But he might as well be speaking chinese for all I can understand of what he is saying

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