This will probably be my last missive this year. So I'd better make it count, right?
Well, first things first, it's Beethoven's birthday today. As a musician, it's interesting to me that there is really no other composer that evokes such a positive response from people, musicians or not, than Beethoven. So here's a little game to play:
The Beethoven Quiz:
1) What famous Beethoven piece is this:
Ba-ba-ba-bummmmmmmm!
Ba-ba-ba-bummmmmmmmmm!
2) What did Beethoven himself say that musical phrase was supposed to sound like?
3) Beethoven's 9th Symphony is also known as:
--- -- ---
Hint: for a lot of people, this is one of the first songs they learn on the guitar.
4) Which one of his five senses did Beethoven lack by the end of his life?
5) What nationality was Beethoven?
6) What famed 1980's Keanu Reeves movie featured Mr. 'thoven playing three synthesizers in a California mall?
Okay, before you scroll down to read the answers, here's some pieces of trivia: Beethoven is the second of who in classical music circles are known as the "Three B's." Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. I've now cited two of their birthdays on this blog. Can you name the other one? Okay, that's not a quiz question. Anyway, all three are highly good, and worth checking out. Other B composers are: Berlioz, Bartok, Barber, Bernstein, Borodin...you get the picture.
Another bit of trivia: Though Beethoven was deaf, his condition was compounded by the fact that he was a certain kind of deaf. Instead of falling into a world that was drenched in silence, Beethoven's ears were constantly filled with a "deafening" roar, which plagued him until his death. They say he would often go into "black moods," and destroy everything in his apartment. Hey, wouldn't you? To overcome his disability, he cut the legs off of his piano, and he would lie down and press his ear against the floor and bang as hard as he could on the keys so that he could hear at least a little of the song he was playing.
Okay, here are the answers:
1) The 5th Symphony
2) Fate knocking on the door (can you hear it?)
3) Ode to Joy
4) He was deaf.
5) German, though he studied and had his career in Austria.
6) Bill and Ted's excellent adventure.
If you won, give yourself a pat on the Bach. Bwa ha!
In other news, Siena has her first little head cold. Poor babe. Is it mean that I think that her sad little cries are cute?
Alright, see you after the holidays, peeps. I feel a little guilty about how little I've "Christmas-ed" on the blog this year, so....um....Merry Christmas.
End Transmission.
Well, first things first, it's Beethoven's birthday today. As a musician, it's interesting to me that there is really no other composer that evokes such a positive response from people, musicians or not, than Beethoven. So here's a little game to play:
The Beethoven Quiz:
1) What famous Beethoven piece is this:
Ba-ba-ba-bummmmmmmm!
Ba-ba-ba-bummmmmmmmmm!
2) What did Beethoven himself say that musical phrase was supposed to sound like?
3) Beethoven's 9th Symphony is also known as:
--- -- ---
Hint: for a lot of people, this is one of the first songs they learn on the guitar.
4) Which one of his five senses did Beethoven lack by the end of his life?
5) What nationality was Beethoven?
6) What famed 1980's Keanu Reeves movie featured Mr. 'thoven playing three synthesizers in a California mall?
Okay, before you scroll down to read the answers, here's some pieces of trivia: Beethoven is the second of who in classical music circles are known as the "Three B's." Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. I've now cited two of their birthdays on this blog. Can you name the other one? Okay, that's not a quiz question. Anyway, all three are highly good, and worth checking out. Other B composers are: Berlioz, Bartok, Barber, Bernstein, Borodin...you get the picture.
Another bit of trivia: Though Beethoven was deaf, his condition was compounded by the fact that he was a certain kind of deaf. Instead of falling into a world that was drenched in silence, Beethoven's ears were constantly filled with a "deafening" roar, which plagued him until his death. They say he would often go into "black moods," and destroy everything in his apartment. Hey, wouldn't you? To overcome his disability, he cut the legs off of his piano, and he would lie down and press his ear against the floor and bang as hard as he could on the keys so that he could hear at least a little of the song he was playing.
Okay, here are the answers:
1) The 5th Symphony
2) Fate knocking on the door (can you hear it?)
3) Ode to Joy
4) He was deaf.
5) German, though he studied and had his career in Austria.
6) Bill and Ted's excellent adventure.
If you won, give yourself a pat on the Bach. Bwa ha!
In other news, Siena has her first little head cold. Poor babe. Is it mean that I think that her sad little cries are cute?
Alright, see you after the holidays, peeps. I feel a little guilty about how little I've "Christmas-ed" on the blog this year, so....um....Merry Christmas.
End Transmission.
posted by napalmbrain at
5:57 PM
3 Comments:
I feel enlightened. Muchas Gracias. Also, I'm pretty sure Beethoven is a famous St. Bernard. Check your facts, bro.
Kate would like to remind you that in your list of famous B's, you forgot the Beatles.
MRL
Hey Peter - I found and read your Blog! I've spent lots of years wondering what you have been thinking about all these years when you come to that place in a conversation where you are totally quiet for more time than most people take. Now I know! You are just thinking those great, curly-headed thoughts!
I think you need to know that we, your parents, need a photo or two of your gorgeous baby. If her little cold and snuffy nose isn't too bad, why don't you stop and just shoot off a photo of her. We haven't seen her for a long, long time.
Adding to the "Bs" of great music, I got curious about Billy Joel and checked some musicout from the Evergreen Library. I could even handle it!
Maybe 'm going to get "hip"in my old age.
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