I heard on Public Radio that today is Beethoven's Birthday--241. Seven siblings and three survived. Based on his baptism I think as it probably was done on the 16th? Anyway, I haven't seen a posting and for his fans, some comments and a 'celebration' might be in order.

Ralph

Not being aware of this (as I do not believe I have an obligation to celebrate any composer's birthday), I will mention I listened to Op. 131 today. Perhaps I will listen to another piece by Beethoven tomorrow.

I heard he was probably born on the 16th and his baptism was on the 17th.

There is no authentic record of the date of his birth; however, the registry of his baptism, in a Roman Catholic service at the Parish of St. Regius on 17 December, 1770, survives.[5] As children of that era were traditionally baptised the day after birth in the Catholic Rhine country, and it is known that Beethoven's family and his teacher Johann Albrechtsberger celebrated his birthday on 16 December, most scholars accept 16 December, 1770 as Beethoven's date of birth.[6]

The above is from Wiki-pedia. I guess there is some controversy. I know this morning PBR said today was his birthday. Close enough either way.

That tallies with what I have read. (Nice that Wiki backs it up too. Edit: Varcon beat me to it.)

Sunday morning I had just turned on the local classical station, and was greeted with the opening of Beethoven's Op 81a sonata. It was a really terrific performance, the pianist then announced as Stephen Kovacevich.

I have read very positive reviews of his EMI Beethoven recordings, and now I can certainly pass along the recommendation!

Well, here it is already the 16th, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUDWIG!!!!

Happy birthday Ludwig! Or happy kind-of birthday. Even Ludwig wasn't entirely sure about when he was born.

HBD, LvB!

Happy birthday Beethoven!! Sorry that I have to have a recital on the 16th. And sorry it includes your 7th violin sonata. I might shred it, but it's out of love!

Happy birthday Beethoven! Thank you for giving me great musical puzzles to spend a lifetime on!

P.S: I'm still trying to figure out exactly why you notated that note with a downward stem. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

I'm sure that anyone who has sung in the chorus of the 9th or the Missa will be more than thrilled to wish the old man happy b-day.

Or not.

I must get a beer and celebrate. The first classical piece that I played and liked was by Beethoven.

Were you playing nothing but Chopin before then?

Just kidding, it seems like your Chopin break has been more of a recent thing.

I only became sick of Chopin since joining this forum which, at times, seems obsessed with him. Truth be known, I have more Chopin under my belt than any other composer, including Liszt whom I adore. It's just too bad his [Liszt's]stuff is so hard.

Before Beethoven, it was Bach and Mozart. I never really enjoyed them.

I was just looking over the Peanuts cartoon trying to figure out what song it was, when the Pathetique Sonata Movement 1 came on my Ipod & solved the problem for me. (song 421 out of 524 on my ipod on random shuffle), spooky...

Ludwig must have pressed some button on your iPod...

You know Schroeder's black keys are just painted on, making the pathetique a little difficult.

I have found the video!

It's always boggled my mind that people would rather celebrate that Jesus guy's birthday than Beethoven's (the greatest human being who ever lived, period!). I for one will be unwrapping my presents under a Beethoven Tree like God intended.

Happy Birthday, dear LVB!!

To THE greatest composer ever. Period. Okay, well, you'll have to share that title with J.S. Bach, but a lot of days I love you a smidgeon more. Happy Birthday, Beethoven.

Thanks ChopinAddict! This was fun. I'm sharing it with others.

Happy Birthday Ludwig! <3

[img]http://cdn.svcs.c2.uclick.com/c2/7f4f5f805f48012ee3c100163e41dd5b[/img]

Practice is always the answer.

Edit: Why does this image not display?

Happy birthday, Beethoven!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustave_Eiffel

Yesterday, December 15, was the birthday of engineer Gustave Eiffel, builder of Paris' Eiffel Tower:

"...Eiffel died on December 27, 1923, listening to Beethoven's 5th. symphony andante, in his mansion on Rue Rabelais in Paris, France. He was interred in the Cimetière de Levallois-Perret..."

Beethoven was the first composer to really fire up my interest and love of classical music. (I think he got me through the myriad and sometimes ugly challenges of my teens.) To this day he remains my overall favourite composer, and if there are times when Bach, Mozart and Wagner vie for that position, in the end it is always Beethoven.

And yes, I think Beethoven is our greatest composer. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birth day and thanks for the music!



Because there is no extension (.jpg?) maybe?

Happy Birthday, maestro! I stand with Schroeder.