Elvis Presley and the Beethoven Effect

[maurice_colgan]

Before Beethoven there were loads of classical/orchestral etc., composers and after him loads more but it is Ludwig Van Beethoven that looms largest in world culture these days beyond any doubt.

The same in popular music there are loads of singers and groups but Elvis Presley, described as "The Stand Alone Icon of the 20th Century", more than 40 years after his death still looms largest of them all.
Please enjoy a short sample of Beethoven's marvellous 9th Symphony as a soundtrack to a little of my Elvis memorabilia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NOXgjqIAOw It may go viral with a little help from my friends.
Doing well on twitter anyway.

[Colin B]

The visual looked interesting, but the video was spoiled by the miserable audio...

[maurice_colgan]

Most people liked it. I guess it takes a little while for some to appreciate a masterpiece. Try a better recording on youtube.
I must admit it did take me quite awhile to appreciate the genius of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Nice that you looked anyway.

[Colin B]

Most people liked it. I guess it takes a little while for some to appreciate a masterpiece. Try a better recording on youtube.
I must admit it did take me quite awhile to appreciate the genius of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Nice that you looked anyway.

I can take 'classical' music, in small doses, if they play something I'm familiar with...

[maurice_colgan]

Most people liked it. I guess it takes a little while for some to appreciate a masterpiece. Try a better recording on youtube.
I must admit it did take me quite awhile to appreciate the genius of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Nice that you looked anyway.

I can take 'classical' music, in small doses, if they play something I'm familiar with...

Beethoven actually broke free of the 'classical' tradition and belongs to what is now called the 'Romantic' style of composing orchestral music. His compositions from the time of the 'Eroica' symphony are regarded as being revolutionary.
I am afraid to inform you, Beethoven cannot be fully appreciated in small doses. Even the 'Moonlight Sonata' known to Elvis, is at least EDIT 15 minutes in duration.

[Ben]

Lovely, lovely, Ludwig van.

I have listened to the 9th many times due to a recommendation from Alex DeLarge.

[maurice_colgan]

Thank you, Ben. Appreciated.

Leonard Bernstein, "Elvis is the greatest cultural force of the 20th Century"
Just listen for a few minutes to what he had to say about Beethoven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U14iJzd ... e=emb_logo

[maurice_colgan]

Just an example of the 'UNIVERSALITY' of Elvis and Beethoven, there are statues of Elvis in quite a number of countries around the world. This is just one of the sculptures/statues of Beethoven in CHINA.

ludwig-van-beethoven-qingdao-china-stone-statue-great-classical-composer-concert-square-area-city-77617311.jpg

[maurice_colgan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6s6YKlTpfw An astounding event by any measure.

Remember the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony is also the European Anthem! Such is it's impact on world culture.
Perhaps the most photographed gates in the world. Or close.

[maurice_colgan]

This video is on TV in Ireland just about everyday and not just once! For years!!! The song is heard on Irish radio too. Must be the most played Elvis song on the media ever?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PVqU--JtXk

[maurice_colgan]

Elvis playing Beethoven's famous "Moonlight Sonata" in tune with this Thread. Any info on this recording will be very much appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOUmp70dLBU

[Colin B]

Elvis playing Beethoven's famous "Moonlight Sonata" in tune with this Thread.
Any info on this recording will be very much appreciated.

In February, 1966, Red West, Charlie Hodge & some other friends gather at 10550 Rocca Place, Bel Air, California,
to sing a few songs which were recorded on a domestic tape recorder.

And, in the case of this particular song, I use the word 'sing' in its loosest sense...

[maurice_colgan]

Thank you, Colin B, Appreciated.

In the Elvis record collection in Graceland. There was also only a small sampling of classical music Brahms' "Symphony No. 1," Beethoven's "Konzert Fur Klavier Und Orchestra No. 5" and Mozart's "Requiem Mass in D Minor."

Beethoven's Fifth piano Concerto is very beautiful. But more than half an hour. So I guess you will not be dashing to youtube for a sample.
For years I listened to my young daughter learning classics on her piano, note by note corrected mistake by corrected mistake, her dedication was amazing. Now nearing 60 she teaches piano to class loads of pupils at a prestigious music school.