Beethoven Day

 

Though there is no hard historical evidence proving that today is Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthday… ye old fount of knowledge, wikipedia, informs me that it is the 16 that is typically celebrated as his date of birth. It’s been quite a Beethoven couple of months for me, actually:  I went to a performance of his 9th Symphony in September with my friend Rachel, and Jennifer and I recently saw Houston Grand Opera’s performance of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio— a first for me!

SO!!! In much the same vein as my previous Bach birthday post here are a couple of my favorite usages  and machinations of Beethoven’s music:

 

The opening titles to one of my top favorite movies, The Fall (Symphony No. 7, 2nd Mvt.)

 

 

In my ongoing series to eventually post all clips from both Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 (Symphony No. 5, 1st Mvt.)

 

And finally, since we haven’t heard from La Voce herself (Mizzzzz Renee Fleming), I figure now is as appropriate a time as any for a video of her singing an arrangement of “My Funny Valentine” set to Beethoven’s “Moonlight” sonata.

 

 

Artist: Andrew Lippa / Album: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown

A Night on Bald Mountain

 

In response to a bit of the naughtiness of yesterday’s post I think it’s appropriate for a bit of Sunday redemption… this time in an “oldy-but-goody” excerpt from Fantasia.  That, and I will find a way to use every clip from both Fantasia’s at some point on the blog. So far I’ve made one previously so… I guess y’all’ve (is that how you spell that? Seems like a bit of apostrophe over kill, right?) got a lot to look forward to.

Modest Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria” are combined in this battle between the “profane and the sacred” from the original 1940 (!) film.

Get it lil’ ghoulies!!

 

Artist: Modest Mussorgsky / Album: Fantasia

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

In the spirit of the Bohemian Rhapsody post I did awhile ago I thought we should celebrate J.S. Bach’s 326th birthday with a multifaceted look at one of his greatest hits!!  You know… because Johann is a huge Freddy Mercury fan I’m sure

[via BoingBoing]

FANTAAAAASIAAAAAAAA!!!!

For all of you Guitar Hero fans out there, just plug this into your Organ Hero and you’ll be all set!

Artist: J.S. Bach