Weekend Concert 13: A Summit Showdown from Vienna
2006/10/21 12:34:40
Last week I just got back, busy writing about Master Kong the Second, so the weekend concert skipped a week. This week let's have a grand feast, inviting the four titans of Vienna for a summit showdown. In a real concert, this kind of arrangement would be impossible; in the Weekend Concert, anything is possible. The order of appearance follows chronology. Haydn wasn't invited -- always felt this old fellow was a bit lightweight. Of course, that's only compared to his four formidable successors; compared to everyone else, Haydn is still quite formidable.
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major
His last and best symphony,
named "Jupiter" -- the lord of the universe in Greek mythology --
indicating the weight of this symphony.
Beethoven: "Hammerklavier" Sonata in B-flat Major
Less famous than the "Appassionata" or "Moonlight," but it's his greatest piano sonata. His piano sonatas are called the "New Testament" of the piano -- that title alone says it all.
Schubert: String Quintet in C Major
His greatest chamber music work.
For the public, of course it's not as famous as "Death and the Maiden" or "The Trout."
But in this summit showdown, this ID picks this as number one.
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor
His last and best symphony,
also the final glory of Classical symphonic writing.
Please turn off all other background music.
Comments
Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán 2006/10/21 21:42:38
Tiange
2006-10-21 19:23:01
I like your blog, very distinctive.
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Thank you!
Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán 2006/10/21 21:45:28
[Anonymous] Flying Dragon
2006-10-21 16:17:52
I love your blog -- it's even better than that Kong Qingdong guy's!
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Thanks. Of course Kong Qingdong the man wouldn't agree, which is why he's called Kong Qingdong the man.
Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán 2006/10/21 21:46:20
[Anonymous] Flying Dragon
2006-10-21 16:17:52
I love your blog -- it's even better than that Kong Qingdong guy's!
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Thanks. Of course Kong Qingdong the man wouldn't agree, which is why he can only remain Kong Qingdong the man.
Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán 2006/10/21 12:56:45
The Master Kong article will be posted tomorrow. Six per week, six-six smooth sailing.