Just the Allegretto in itself would deserve a 20min video. This symphony is indeed one of the highlights of the entire human history. If the whole human existence happened in order to get to the point where this composition emerges, humanity would have played a superb role in the universe. What a privilege to be able to listen to this piece
Oh, I could have listened to you talk about this one for three times the length! This was my first Beethoven, and this symphony is one of my most intense musical loves. I have no musical education, and it's so wonderful to be able to hear my vague impressions translated into the "how" Beethoven did what he did. My heart sank a little when I saw there isn't even ten minutes for this... That last movement is a wild ride indeed, but one of the things that get me most about it is the control Beethoven has on the reins and the story he seems to be telling (me). It feels like a two-sided struggle, one to keep some kind of order to what's going on and one side to relish chaos, and to literally smash through the gates. There's a section that repeats three separate times which feels as though the music wants to go in one direction and is forced back where the control wants it, like a rebellious horse being commanded. And then in the last build up, it's as if that horse has bucked and kicked loose, and the whole fabric of the control is fragmented wildly yet systematically, pulling down, then bubbling up and exploding into fireworks. How I would have loved to have listened to you explain how this was done!
This is one of my favorite symphonies if not THE one. It always gives me goose bumps when I hear it because somehow it always gives me the strength to carry on when I´m down in the dumps. Especially the 2nd movement is mesmerizing. Thank you very much for giving me what I´ve been waiting for all along!👍😊
Unpopular opinion: I like the fourth movement the most although the second is objectively probably better. I just really love the force behind it especially in the coda
I grew up loving the 9th, but recently have listened to this more and more. Full disclosure. I listen to Beethoven on my walks in the forest. But I haven't seen a bird but twice in the last several years. The skies are empty. Dead. So I am just living out the last moments of our time on this orb. Beethoven is comforting for that.
Everyone is here talking about the heavenly second movement and I agree.... it's truly heavenly. However, I prefer the first movement. It's so full of joy, excitement and happiness while also having a few more serious moments. Much like the fourth symphony, this symphony doesn't get nearly enough love.
I got one of my kids hooked by having her listen to the second movement and asking her if she felt the same about the chord at the end as she did at about it the beginning.
It's worth mentioning that the odd form he uses for the scherzo (with the main section in F and the "trio" in D), required Beethoven to tune the two tympani to F and A, not a fifth apart like the other movements.
Listening to the second movement in War Thunder was always very fitting -- not really knowing at the time where it came from. Then the movement slapped me in the head while watching the symphony live in Stockholm. I've since heard this live many times and the entire symphony is an absolute joy. Beethoven knew his stuff! ❤
I wrote a short paper in Form & Analysis class in college about the second movement. For me, the most notable part was the last two measures. B spent the entire movement pounding “quarter - eighth eighth - quarter - quarter” into you. There are maybe four measures in the entire movement where that figure doesn’t show up. Quarter - eighth eighth - quarter - quarter. What’s he do at the end? Quarter - eighth eighth - EIGHTH EIGHTH - QUARTER. I researched it some (pre-internet days), but that never seemed to stand out to anyone else.
Who said Beethoven never wrote ballet music. Behold here one of the few symphonies I know of (if not the only one) that one can dance to, from start to finish. Beethoven choreographed a full set of dances without a single dancer involved. This here is the “Uber” of dance.
I have heard someone say that Beethoven is one of the earliest composers to intentionally use repetition of typically short phrases as a tool of expression, a way to intensify, emphasize, and impress. Symphony No. 7 and Waldstein are two of the strongest examples, but of course this composing technique can be found in many of his works.
The 7th is definitely the easiest one to enjoy without understanding the inner workings. Especially if you are new to classical music. Those melodies stay in your head.
I'm seriously missing the most prominent feature of the 2nd movement: Long-Short-Short-Long-Long, Long-Short-Short-Long-Long etc. That made the second movement so intensely popular!
Thank you! Been waiting for this video! Because this is only a Quick Guide, i hope you can talk more in depth about this symphony in other video. Really hope can hear your thought on the melody of 2nd movement and how Beethoven made it a masterpiece
My high school’s orchestra had the goal of playing the whole symphony this year (1 movement at each concert) but unfortunately we never got through the finale because of covid 😢
Try to catch Petrenko's version with the Berliner, played in 2018 and available on the orchestra site (Berliner Digital Music Hall). For me it's the best version ever heard, and one of the best concerts ever for energy, vitality and power coming out the orchestra and the director. A must listen.
Hot take: the 7th symphony is near the bottom of Beethoven’s symphony rankings. I absolutely love the 1st movement - one of my favorite movements of any symphony - and the second movement is decent too (I don’t think it quite meets the hype), but it takes a steep dive thereafter with two movements which do very little for me. Particularly the finale, which I just can’t seem to get into at all. Don’t get me wrong - I think it’s a fantastic symphony (all of them are, of course), but I rank it lower-middle of the pack, heavily buoyed by the incredible first movement. As Wagner said, this symphony is the “Apotheosis of Dance”. I certainly agree with him there. It took every drop of willpower for me not to dance along like a lunatic when I attended a live performance in Chicago (back when extravagant things like that still existed of course 🙄).
I, too, love the first movement most. Also like the second. But I rank this symphony high on the list although I can understand some preferring any of the 3rd, 5th, 6th or 9th.
E S I think 7 is better than 9. I only like the scherzo movement of the 9th symphony & the oh-so famous Ode to Joy. But when it comes to Beethoven’s 7th, ALL movements are great
My college theory teacher used the second movement as an example of a musical mystery - Beethoven begins it with a second inversion tonic chord, almost unheard of before. Why did he do that? I wish you had addressed this issue. I love your videos, but I feel you spend far too little time discussing this monumental work, which was my second love after the Fifth. I can only conclude that the Seventh is not one of your favorites, for whatever reason. Interesting, isn't it, as you mention in your "the Ninth" video, that once a Beethoven context is established, we can speak with simple ordinal numbers, and every reader knows exactly what we're talking about.
Ook! [7 is my favourite, but everyone tends to play 4th movement too fast. LIsten to Bernstein 1979 recording and it's amazing!!! The recording in this video is too fast. You can't catch everything.]
It truly is one of the greatest symphonies of all time.
Alongside all his other symphonies aha
@@Anyideas14 Sure 😊
I agree, it's my favourite
Truly one of the songs of all time
Just the Allegretto in itself would deserve a 20min video. This symphony is indeed one of the highlights of the entire human history. If the whole human existence happened in order to get to the point where this composition emerges, humanity would have played a superb role in the universe. What a privilege to be able to listen to this piece
Ok, I’d like the long guide to this Symphony, please. So much is available on the other symphonies, but the 7th needs more in depth material.
Yes. Agree
No,s 3, 5, 6,7 & 9 are amongst the greatest symphonies ever written.
No 8?
@@Anyideas14 well it's probably personal preference, they're all terrific in their own way..
Oh, I could have listened to you talk about this one for three times the length! This was my first Beethoven, and this symphony is one of my most intense musical loves. I have no musical education, and it's so wonderful to be able to hear my vague impressions translated into the "how" Beethoven did what he did. My heart sank a little when I saw there isn't even ten minutes for this...
That last movement is a wild ride indeed, but one of the things that get me most about it is the control Beethoven has on the reins and the story he seems to be telling (me). It feels like a two-sided struggle, one to keep some kind of order to what's going on and one side to relish chaos, and to literally smash through the gates. There's a section that repeats three separate times which feels as though the music wants to go in one direction and is forced back where the control wants it, like a rebellious horse being commanded. And then in the last build up, it's as if that horse has bucked and kicked loose, and the whole fabric of the control is fragmented wildly yet systematically, pulling down, then bubbling up and exploding into fireworks. How I would have loved to have listened to you explain how this was done!
Sorry - I would've loved to do more but am trying to keep this Quick Guide series Quick :)
@@InsidetheScore Could you do a video on "why Beethoven is genius"
This is one of my favorite symphonies if not THE one. It always gives me goose bumps when I hear it because somehow it always gives me the strength to carry on when I´m down in the dumps. Especially the 2nd movement is mesmerizing. Thank you very much for giving me what I´ve been waiting for all along!👍😊
Unpopular opinion: I like the fourth movement the most although the second is objectively probably better. I just really love the force behind it especially in the coda
The fourth movement is incredible
My favorite movement will still be the first one, it's so playful and brilliant. But all the movements from this symphony are incredible anyway.
@ True, all in all a fantastic symphony. :)
Me too! :D
There is not a bad movement in this Symphony.
Slow introduction in movement 1 is amazing. This is such a strong build-up into the theme.
I'd love to see a Quick Guide series about Mahler's symphonies!
I would love to see a Detailed Guide on Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer's The nine muses.
I would like to see a long guide to Mahler!
Mahler is my favorite composer so I would love to see that.
I love these guides. They make us enjoy even more the pieces
Where did Beethoven get the inspiration to compose those out-of-this-world melodies? It is just amazing, heavenly.
I grew up loving the 9th, but recently have listened to this more and more.
Full disclosure. I listen to Beethoven on my walks in the forest. But I haven't seen a bird but twice in the last several years. The skies are empty. Dead.
So I am just living out the last moments of our time on this orb. Beethoven is comforting for that.
This is my favorite symphony
I love this Quick guides! Thank you!
YES finally, my favorite beethoven symphony.
Beethoven's 7th is one of those pieces of music that I know is fantastic, but I somehow forget just how fantastic until I listen to it again.
The best symphony ever! (in my opinion)
If your video wouldn't have been in my recommendation , classical music would have been a miss in my life. Thank you.
Everyone is here talking about the heavenly second movement and I agree.... it's truly heavenly. However, I prefer the first movement. It's so full of joy, excitement and happiness while also having a few more serious moments. Much like the fourth symphony, this symphony doesn't get nearly enough love.
Love this symphony. Would like a bit more of an in depth analysis.
I got one of my kids hooked by having her listen to the second movement and asking her if she felt the same about the chord at the end as she did at about it the beginning.
Hell yeah new beethoven vid
The finale sounds like a festival!
I love this symphony!
It's worth mentioning that the odd form he uses for the scherzo (with the main section in F and the "trio" in D), required Beethoven to tune the two tympani to F and A, not a fifth apart like the other movements.
I'm sad you skipped over so much of the 2nd... there are so many interesting parts
Such a masterpiece. Beethoven truly is the greatest composer to ever live!
Listening to the second movement in War Thunder was always very fitting -- not really knowing at the time where it came from. Then the movement slapped me in the head while watching the symphony live in Stockholm. I've since heard this live many times and the entire symphony is an absolute joy. Beethoven knew his stuff! ❤
I wrote a short paper in Form & Analysis class in college about the second movement. For me, the most notable part was the last two measures. B spent the entire movement pounding “quarter - eighth eighth - quarter - quarter” into you. There are maybe four measures in the entire movement where that figure doesn’t show up.
Quarter - eighth eighth - quarter - quarter.
What’s he do at the end?
Quarter - eighth eighth - EIGHTH EIGHTH - QUARTER.
I researched it some (pre-internet days), but that never seemed to stand out to anyone else.
I'm loving these quick guides!!!! 😍
Who said Beethoven never wrote ballet music. Behold here one of the few symphonies I know of (if not the only one) that one can dance to, from start to finish. Beethoven choreographed a full set of dances without a single dancer involved. This here is the “Uber” of dance.
Once you’ve finished the Beethoven symphonies please consider doing John Powell’s How to Train Your Dragon score
Love, love all these Beethoven Quick guides...Thank you so much for the efforts you put into this.
I have heard someone say that Beethoven is one of the earliest composers to intentionally use repetition of typically short phrases as a tool of expression, a way to intensify, emphasize, and impress. Symphony No. 7 and Waldstein are two of the strongest examples, but of course this composing technique can be found in many of his works.
The 7th is definitely the easiest one to enjoy without understanding the inner workings. Especially if you are new to classical music. Those melodies stay in your head.
I'm seriously missing the most prominent feature of the 2nd movement: Long-Short-Short-Long-Long, Long-Short-Short-Long-Long etc. That made the second movement so intensely popular!
Please make a video on Melodies!! Chords and melody combination.... How to put emotions into melody...
Thank you!
Been waiting for this video!
Because this is only a Quick Guide, i hope you can talk more in depth about this symphony in other video. Really hope can hear your thought on the melody of 2nd movement and how Beethoven made it a masterpiece
My high school’s orchestra had the goal of playing the whole symphony this year (1 movement at each concert) but unfortunately we never got through the finale because of covid 😢
you have 4 concerts!?
Here in Brazil schools with orchestras is reserved to only few schools :(
1:27 Should that be an
E Flat
Try to catch Petrenko's version with the Berliner, played in 2018 and available on the orchestra site (Berliner Digital Music Hall). For me it's the best version ever heard, and one of the best concerts ever for energy, vitality and power coming out the orchestra and the director. A must listen.
The fourth movement in underrated.
2nd Movement is the de facto Soundtrack for the End of the World. Hope they play it on the radio
My favorite symphony as a physics student
I am waiting for symphony no. 9
Aren’t we all? 😔
the 8th symphony is my favourite beethoven symphony
Quick Guide to Beethovens 7th symphony: Its more than one movement. You know what I'm talking about....
I love these quick guides, you pack so much into such a short time period.
Wonderful analysis
Hot take: the 7th symphony is near the bottom of Beethoven’s symphony rankings. I absolutely love the 1st movement - one of my favorite movements of any symphony - and the second movement is decent too (I don’t think it quite meets the hype), but it takes a steep dive thereafter with two movements which do very little for me. Particularly the finale, which I just can’t seem to get into at all.
Don’t get me wrong - I think it’s a fantastic symphony (all of them are, of course), but I rank it lower-middle of the pack, heavily buoyed by the incredible first movement.
As Wagner said, this symphony is the “Apotheosis of Dance”. I certainly agree with him there. It took every drop of willpower for me not to dance along like a lunatic when I attended a live performance in Chicago (back when extravagant things like that still existed of course 🙄).
I love the scherzo
So you don’t like the 4th mvt but had to stop yourself from dancing like a lunatic to it?
I, too, love the first movement most. Also like the second. But I rank this symphony high on the list although I can understand some preferring any of the 3rd, 5th, 6th or 9th.
E S I think 7 is better than 9. I only like the scherzo movement of the 9th symphony & the oh-so famous Ode to Joy. But when it comes to Beethoven’s 7th, ALL movements are great
Fountain of Fire well the 8th is better than the 7th!!
thanks for this!
I think there I could distinguish Maestro Herbert Von Karajan’s version at the 4 movement :)
My favorite of the 9
I'd like to know the theory behind why/how the second movement just hits us like it does.
In the film Immortal Beloved, the 2nd movement is used as Beethoven’s Nephew is rising up a building to kill himself. Pure raw emotion.
Rogaría por favor traducir al español los análisis.
Gracias
Toscanini's 1936 interpretation is the best
im trying to work out if this is narrated by charles berthoud because this guy sounds exactly like him
My college theory teacher used the second movement as an example of a musical mystery - Beethoven begins it with a second inversion tonic chord, almost unheard of before. Why did he do that? I wish you had addressed this issue. I love your videos, but I feel you spend far too little time discussing this monumental work, which was my second love after the Fifth. I can only conclude that the Seventh is not one of your favorites, for whatever reason. Interesting, isn't it, as you mention in your "the Ninth" video, that once a Beethoven context is established, we can speak with simple ordinal numbers, and every reader knows exactly what we're talking about.
so you like jazz?
Wow
Please do Eine Alpensinfonie.
❤
👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽
Ook! [7 is my favourite, but everyone tends to play 4th movement too fast. LIsten to Bernstein 1979 recording and it's amazing!!! The recording in this video is too fast. You can't catch everything.]
Agree on speed. Why do so many try to rush this symphony?
@@Leopold3131 Ook! [I think they treat 'Allegro' too seriously.]
👏
leaving a comment
2:00
Hello there
Never really liked the 2nd movement :/