Online discussion #6 is available for comments March 13-19. The rubric I’ll be using to grade your participation and a description of these assignments is available here.

 

The content of this week’s discussion comes from a 1954 episode of Omnibus, a TV program that aired on Sunday afternoons in the US during the 1950s and 1960s. It was funded by the Ford Foundation as an effort to educate Americans culturally. The main speaker throughout this episode is Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), an American composer, conductor, and educator. He hosted several episodes of Omnibus, each about a different musical topic, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, conducting, jazz, and opera.

In the video, Bernstein discusses why he finds Beethoven (1770-1827) to be a fascinating and inspiring figure, illustrating Beethoven’s creative process and the difficulty he had in shaping his music into its final form. Bernstein demonstrates excerpts from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 at the piano, with scores (sheet music), and a full orchestra. He uses many vocabulary words we’ve already come across in class and in assigned readings—he’s speaking a language you now know!

As a frame of reference, here’s a recording of the piece of music the video dissects:

 

In the video, I love how Bernstein’s admiration for Beethoven comes through—he’s picking apart Beethoven’s musical ideas with care, respect, and thoroughness, seeking to appreciate (and share with his viewers) Beethoven’s compositional process and skill.

Leonard Bernstein, Omnibus, “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony” (1954):

 

Everybody loves Raymond Beethoven

People have turned to Beethoven at various crucial historical moments, using his music to convey the notion of overcoming struggle, unity, and humanity:

  • Established in 1845, the Beethoven Quartet Society (London) was one of the first groups devoted solely to the performance and study of the music of a single composer. Their repertoire? String quartet by Beethoven.
  • The Nazi Party in Germany regarded Beethoven’s music as the apex of human achievement and of German culture, encouraging performances of it regularly.
  • Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 was included on the “Golden Record,” a series of recordings to represent the humans of Earth to the universe sent into space with the Voyager I and II spacecraft in 1977.
  • At the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which had divided the German capital since World War II, Leonard Bernstein conducted an orchestra comprised of musicians from the former Allied and Axis powers in a performance of the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
  • Symphony No. 9 has been adopted by several European nations and groups as its anthem, including the E.U.

Final thoughts: But why Beethoven?

The short answer is that his music is really, really good. It’s satisfying to play, it’s inspiring to listen to, and it was a game-changer for Romantic Era music (it’s bigger, louder, longer, more intense, and conveys a greater sense of personal conviction than anything that came before it). (See some musicians’ musings about Beethoven’s music here: 05-handout-quotes-on-beethoven-1805-1862)

The long answer involves aspects of who Beethoven is in the imaginations of his listeners and admirers:

  • An independent thinker who defied cultural norms and instead followed his own ideas in both music and society
  • A hard worker and perfectionist—Beethoven’s obvious difficulty in getting his music “right” is a big part of what inspires Bernstein, and there’s often something comforting about seeing a person create great work not out of effortless talent but rather out of sheer force of unrelenting will
  • A shrewd businessman who made classical music profitable in the free market economy (call back to Online Discussion #1!)
  • A firm believer in the equality of man (an Enlightenment principle)
  • Oh, and he was deaf for much of his adult life following an infection—the notion that a person could overcome a physical disability so obviously shattering to his professional career is often one of the biggest sources of inspiration people draw from Beethoven’s biography

-Dr. J.

 

Questions to get the conversation going:

  • Before watching this video, how did you think composers created or wrote their music? What aspects of Beethoven’s creative process surprised you?
  • What makes a musician (or a person) inspiring to you? Why do you think Beethoven was an inspiring figure for many people in the 19th and 20th centuries?
  • An idea mentioned in Online Discussion #3 is that performance styles change over time, and this is true not only in music but also in all other media. What stylistic changes do you notice between this 1954 TV program and media of 2017? How do you explain those differences?

108 thoughts on “Ludwig van Beethoven (Online Discussion #6)”

  1. To be honest, I never really thought how composers created their music, to me just listening to it was enough. I didn’t think Beethoven’s process to create music was not too difficult, apparently I was wrong. I think Beethoven inspired a lot of people, because he was doing something no one else had tried doing, especially being deaf, perhaps other musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles among others saw this and it motivated them to do them the same. I think person can be inspiring when they are trying to do something new, and create a goal for others to accomplish also, it can be in sports, in education etc. The difference between television then and now is that you don’t see a lot of television explaining how a composers came up with a song, television now wastes it’s time on gossiping which no one gains anything from it, just gossiping. Two, television now is in color and back then it was in black and white.

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    1. Why you say “television now is in color and back then it was in black and white” in that case? What’s the connection between this two things?

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      1. @lusiqi417…I think he is means that if it weren’t for changes and trying different things we would never have television in color maybe not even television if someone didn’t come up with the brilliant idea!

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    2. I agree with you on the part about you never thought about how composers make their music because I didn’t either however I disagree with the part where you said television now does not explain how a composer came up with a song. I remember the block after PBS Kids went off used to do informative things like that. Additionally there are stations that do biographies on dead artist like Michael Jackson and they tell you how he made what song or what album, for example “Unsung”. Furthermore there are way more things on TV than just gossiping. For example sports, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, Cartoon Network and the list goes on.

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  2. For a musician or for a person to be inspiring to me, the person would first have to stand out when listening to their music. the reason i say thats the first step because that is the way i would be captured to officially pay attention to the actual composition/art. This would later lead to me listening to other compositions of theirs. why wouldn’t beethoven still be inspiring in the 19th and 20th century? the man was a pure genius, he was man that faced great obstacles from a young age. but even though things weren’t in his favor he didn’t let that stop his passion of composing. he did so much despite his illness, his story its self is inspiring.

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    1. I agree with everything you said, because if everyone is still teaching his music after 100 or so, it means that he did something right despite is personal illness, he had to battle. It’s sad because he wasn’t able to listen to his critics, and applaud him because everyone liked his music.

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      1. Don’t you ever wonder if Beethoven wasn’t suffering from deafness, what might people think of him today? or would he have been still even known today… crazy thing to ask yourself. I agree with both of you.

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      2. This comment really raises a lots of curiosity such as what encouraged him to continue making more music without receiving any type of constructive criticism?

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    2. “…stand out when listening to their music”?
      Well, it all goes back to how do we listen to musical piece? And what makes us a musician?
      In Messiah by Handel for example, not all the piece especially in the 2nd part are sweet. But classical performers and orchestras keep on reproducing those works.
      Over time, I’ve grown to be a critical analyzer of a musical piece and trained my eyes not just to listen to music intense music, where the melodies and instruments are loud and the beating loud. This music 110 is also an eye opener. To some extent, when listening to music now, my brain automatically search for other music qualities like texture, harmony, cantour, etc.

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      1. wow on “when listening to music now, my brain automatically search for other music qualities like texture, harmony, cantour, etc.,” because that is what we are learning in Mu 110 in analyzing the music piece in class. In other words you are utilizing from Dr. Jones lecture which is impressive.

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        1. the first peice was very suspensful but calming at the same time dont you think? it was actually funny because my sister came in and said my dada was calling me and the song started like da da da DAN lol but yeah i like the peice its i dont have a word to describe it but its very nice @rhk20

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          1. Which first piece of music are you talking about? Is it the one on this page of Online Discussion #6? And “my dada” is referring to your dad? Sorry for not understanding;

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    3. You say for a person to be inspiring to you something in there music has to stand out. What is it about Beethovens work that stands out to you in particular?

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    4. I like where you’re going with this, I must agree Beethoven is a very inspiring individual, I was absolutely astonished by learning about him and knowing that if a man like him can overcome that stress than anyone can.

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  3. I think the composers write their pieces of music throughout the day because you never know how many ideas during their routine. Also they can keep coming back to the music sheet and start over until they are satisfied. iisaac83 and pimani2017, I agree with you because even though that Beethoven was deaf, he was able to inspire others and i liked his symphonies so as my family.

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  4. Music is a means of self expression. I believe composers created their music by using their creative minds and displaying their way of thinking at that certain time of the piece. This is also why composers didn’t typically compose similar pieces. Even if they were inspired by someone elses work they turned it into their own adding own unique style.

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    1. True how musician makes their music with their “self expression,” since they are creating it, why not their “own unique style.”

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    2. What do you mean by “didn’t typically compose similar pieces”? Depending on what era the music was composed in, the pieces were usually similar to one another mainly in structure and length while the only difference may have been how it sounds.

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  5. Someone inspiring to me is someone who may be ” different .” Doesn’t go about doing things similar to how society would like. This person ends up being more of a leader. The way someone may be thinking is how many others may feel but are too scared to go about it because it goes against ” what is right” in others eyes. An inspiring person is someone who stands up and changes this familiar style or simply adds to it and makes it their own.

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    1. Inasmuch as it is beautiful to be different from others, there’s not much of doing something the society doesn’t like unless you’re into music not at all for monetary gain. This is because the world is becoming a global village. No matter the genre of your music, there must someone that it’s pleasing to. We all have different taste and desires.
      So, there’s actually nothing like being uniquely different and doing something the society doesn’t like.

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    2. I completely agree, I believe that an artist is inspirational when they speak about the truth that no one wants to talk about. Being different is a good thing and it motivates their fans to want to follow in their footsteps

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    3. Definitely true, I almost wrote entirely what you said. Beethoven was a great inspiration to many.

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  6. In response to the second question:

    When we talk about a musican, many (judgmental sometimes) stuffs come into our head like, does he have a degree in music? What race and family is he from? He was his teacher? What music school did he attend? Etc.
    I for one, does not put most of these factors into consideration when grading a musician. For me, what makes a musician is the versatility of his music, the dynamism, the skills he employed, etc.
    One distinguishing quality that makes a musician is the impediments he or she had to suppress, overcome or manage to produce a musical piece like Beethoven and Handel.
    So a musician possess incredible musical qualities and talents even without getting a formal training or following a particular musician. And that, is very outstanding and worth recognizing!

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    1. When I listen to some pieces, in the first time, I will not really care about the musician’s background as well. Because I just listen to the music, I just love the music they made, but if I listen to the musician’s song for many times, I will choose to know more about the musician. What let the musician to made the music like that, what inspires the musician.

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      1. musician are inspired by either others or themselves. self-inspiration is hard to accomplish, but many people do it. That’s a huge favor for yourself and for others.

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  7. In response to the last question:
    Three things came into my mind while watching the show:
    Facts!!!
    Derogation!
    Preparation!

    Bernstein presents a show so firm and filled with concrete and convincing facts that it is hard to resist nothing in his assertions. Such an outstanding quality is not much in today’s media world since the media has been clogged with monetary target! He meticulously presents his points and arguments in such a way that is hard think anything is wrong.

    Derogation and male dominance are also something revolving around the show. Then, women even in the music industry aren’t regarded. Such statement can cost you your job and normal cry out in today’s media world. But back then, it was normal to derogate women and the minority. I guess this accounts for the reason why he hosted the show throughout the lasting.

    Finally, preparedness! He is so informed, so organized and so prepared. My friends will always say that I am very sensitive. Yeah! I don’t remember a tv show in today’s media with such organic preparations and evidence. In lieu, computer software will be commanded to carry out many illusive commands while the programmer watches. It’s not like I’m castigating today’s media completely, but money agenda has dominated it.

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    1. I totally agree with you, Mr. Bernstein was so well prepared to present his ideas. I found very impressive the way he never hesitated a word or even let the rhythm of his presentation fall at any point of the show. It is even more exiting when you consider the program was aired live in its original transmission, but I also couldn’t ignore how well the American society of the epoch was depicted in this episode. The exclusion of women and any kind of minority in the show–not even in the closing credits I was able to find any female name or any non-European last name–was the main characteristic in our society for the majority of the twentieth century; furthermore if you consider that the series was aired before the Civil Rights Movement achieved any real changes inside the U.S. it seems “normal” that there’s only white males involved. Nowadays we can say that media is more inclusive with women and minorities but I’m not quite sure to what extent, it seems to me that all around the entertainment world there’s a tendency to promote some sort of white supremacy–if you think about the majority of the heroes of the movies are white males, most of the T.V. hosts and hostess are Caucasian also, and even big artists like Beyoncé have to appeal to white characteristics (did you think she’s blonde because it suits her?) in order to have an impact in today’s society/market– while making minorities some kind of supporting entity and more a mandatory ingredient than an intentional one.

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    1. its the sound you know what the keys sound like so u listen to it in your head its puzzling but posssible

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  9. What makes a person inspiring to me is when a person can overcome any obstacle that may otherwise hinder their ability to do something. With Beethoven it was his battle with being deaf and still creating music above all odds. That to me is truly inspiring because seeing how much time and effort it took to have a piece of music from him be made. The video opened my eyes after seeing the many edits done to it and hearing what it could have been but then to understand why the piece of music is the way it is. He is also inspirational because of his will to produce what he thought to be great music and to express his own ideals whether in music or society he remained his own person through musical expression and fellow man. Also while working very hard and diligently is what other people should aspire to do because you never know what can become of something when you put all your effort into it.

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    1. I agree with your thoughts on Beethoven being an inspiration for many people with disabilities. He himself was deaf and that could have been disastrous for his career but he didn’t let that stop him and he was still very successful. I consider this another good opinion and example of what makes someone inspirational.

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  10. From this video, Leonard Bernstein, Omnibus, “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony” (1954), I like the idea that Lonard Bernstein displayed for “12 different instruments to comprise his orchestra in the his first movement of fifth symphony” (8:52-8:59) on the conductor score, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, timpani, violin I, violin II, viola, violoncello, double base, (9:05-9.49) for the different sounds of each instruments.

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  11. As some online discusses and the lectures we were learned, I personally think Beethoven’s becoming the inspiration of many people have two reasons. First, as this discuss say he has the gifted. When you listen to his music, you can understand what is he trying to express. Second, his music is suited for that era. At that time, most of the people will have the same feeling with him. Even now, his music is popular.

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  12. To be fairly honest when I was learning about Beethoven as a child I never grown to like the artist himself, but recently after reading all the assigned reading for Beethoven’s backstory I have a better understanding and sympathy for someone who gone through such calamity. Instead of viewing someone so successful and been known as one of the greatest artist of all time, but also another human being that also goes through the daily struggles. Beethoven goal on making his music took not days but years to come to light instead of coming out half assed .

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    1. I used to work in a small shop at the Music Row (48th Street) in Manhattan and the owner, an Italian-Argentinian retired musician was really close to Argentinian jazz legend Gato Barbieri. Gato used to go to the shop very often and one of those times I was lucky enough to witness what a great musician he is. There was this young bandoneon player talking to my boss about a new song he was writing and how difficult he was finding to do the arrangements for the rest of the orchestra when Barbieri stepped in. After a few exchanges of information Barbieri told the bandoneón player to let him listen that part he was having problems with, when he finished, Gato took his pen out and wrote the arrangements for 10 instruments like nothing, without playing anything or even humming a note. The young composer was as astonished as myself, he played the parts written by Gato and everything was perfect. This kind of musical level could be the answer that you’re looking for. When an artist masters his discipline to such level, he just need paper to write his ideas knowing exactly how it is going to sound, no instruments needed just imagination.

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  14. What makes a person inspiring to me is that they are very good at what they do, sometimes even the best. They appeal to me and make me want to be more like them. It’s deeper than what they do though. I have to like their personality, attitude, style, ideals and more. Now I think Beethoven was an inspiring figure for people in the 19th and 20th centuries not only because he was one of the best at what he did but because of how hard he worked at it. How does one of the best composers in the world not hear his own work you ask? A lot of natural talent and hard work. This man clenched a stick in his teeth, holding it against the keyboard of his piano so he could discern faint sounds of his music.(Proven here http://time.com/4152023/beethoven-birthday/) This man was severely disadvantaged and managed to come out as one of the best and most famous composers in the world. Additionally some of his most famous works, such as his 9th symphony, was composed after he lost most of his hearing. This is what you call a modern day G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) and I think this is why he was an inspiring figure to many people of the 19th and 201th centuries.

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    1. I see what you mean, just viewing someone “do what they do best” is inspirational itself because they have so much knowledge and experience with the craft one can only envy them.

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      1. Doing what you do best can’t always be easy, some people can be good at in music production, but without the passion it won’t matter, they probably wouldn’t want to do it unless music production was there choice as a career.

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  16. For the most part a musician/a person inspires me by where there started. This means for example, when they were younger they never thought they would become famous as a musician because of either there economic status or just the way they grew up. My opinion is most inspirations come from where a musician has started and then in his music, he/she tries to relate to others so that they can do the same, but instead in a different path other than becoming a musician. Beethoven inspired others from how hard he worked, meaning his skills and effort was struggles for many people because there are those who give up right away. Beethoven wasn’t one of them, so I believe he set out a goal for himself to become a hard working musician no matter how hard it was. This is what inspires lots of people, hard work pays off and many people live by that, like i do.

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      1. When composers have some type of disabilities, it has a strong impact on the way that we listen to their music. since he lost his hearing it made it a lot more impressive that he was still doing the things he was doing with music.

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      2. I think the world would acknowledge his talent as composer and a pianist. But i think he wouldn’t be the phenomenon he is today. People wouldn’t give him as much of the recognition if he hadn’t suffer from deafness?

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  17. Musicians that speak about issues in the world today or sing about their life or their struggles and it correlates to my life, I find them inspirational. I believe Beethoven was inspirational because they way he played and the music he made was nothing anyone had ever heard or seen before. Beethoven made musicians after him want to be great as well.

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      1. Demi lovato, lady Gaga, Celine dion,paramore, alessia Cara and so many more. These artists don’t inspire me to change the world or anything but they have the power to make you feel like you are worth it. I can listen to a rock song and it makes me feel like I can get up and go to the gym, it can get me pumped and ready for the day ahead of me. These artist inspire me to get things done

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  18. I have always understood the work and time that musicians put into making their music, especially if they want it to be unique. For beethoven I know it was even more difficult to create his own style of music because he became deaf! His talent is amazing & beautiful. His music inspires others and brings a certain unique sound to people’s ears.

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  19. so what do guys think most composers feel? are they amazed and afraid they wont be as good as beethoven? or jelous and determined to be AS good as him? maybe a bit of both?

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    1. In my opinion people might be afraid to get to the level of Beethoven’s work since he is one of the best musicians in history but there are people that can meet up to his talent expectations in they just push themselves a little harder and do things to their best potential.

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  20. I find beethoven very inspiring because aside from any obstacles he succeeded even when he couldnt hear.I belive a person should fight for what they love but beethoven went beyond that he fought till the end. And he made new sounds not yet known. Becoming deph made making music more of a challenge but not impossible and what he did was amazing and unique. I can compare myself to Bethoven in the fact that obstacles in life have made me stronger rather than afraid. I sometimes wonder if it would have been differen. If i would have been different if i hadnt gone through all those problems. And i wonder the same thing for beethoven what if he never became deph? the message i got was reach for your dreams and never give up and thats what ill do! thankyou beethoven.

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  21. I’ve had the privilege to have been involved in music for a long portion of my life and almost from the beginning Ludwig Van has been present as an inspiration and as an icon. From the very first time I heard his Symphony No.9 on my early teens I was struck by the Beethoven lightning. I felt that behind all that beautiful music was an struggling man searching for greatness, for perfection, and for his message to humanity to live beyond the ages. The moment the Symphony reached its second movement It was like an epiphany to my ears, the power of the timpani, the playful little fugues between the strings and the woodwinds and the grace of the development…oh what a pleasure!. My fascination with L.V. only grew stronger with time, and little after my first listening experience with him I came across with maybe my favorite film of all time “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick. Even tough I didn’t had the chance to read the novel, I was pounded once again by the unmistakable usage of Beethoven’s pieces in combination with the most striking tale of violence and the suppression of free-will. Anyway, the further I inquired in Ludwig’s life the more I understood the force his music carries. He was indeed an struggling man as I felt from the beginning but I never anticipated that he became deaf at an early age, finding that fact only elevated my admiration for him to an unreachable peak. He’s not only only unique but still current, his music has lived trough ages to make its way into the current culture, who doesn’t know those first three measures of the fifth symphony? or what decade has seen a movie without his music on it? I cannot think of a more influential figure in modern music and a more famous hairstyle than his.

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  22. Even if someone isn’t very familiar with a lot of Beethoven’s musical work, its safe to say they most likely have heard his music before. For example In this discussion Dr.J provides us with “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony”, which is a musical piece that is still used today in a variety of ways. For example in shows, commercials , movies, and of course in educational music courses such as this class. In my opinion Beethoven was inspiring because his unique approach and creativity towards music and composing appealed to a lot of people. His music is clearly timeless and even 190 years after his death his music is still played and performed. Even so inspiring that the Nazi Germany party praised and referred to his work as “the apex of human achievement and of German culture”, did anyone find this surprising at all? I didn’t because of how much the Nazi Party praised National and cultural pride. I consider someone to be an inspiration to me when their actions, achievements, and work promote a decent sense of morality towards humanity. If someone can push me to be better than yesterday and show me how impactful one simple act of kindness can be then that’s someone I would consider inspirational. Does anyone know a particular artist that they would consider to be inspirational on a world wide scale?

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  23. Lets put Beethoven’s 5th symphony’s popularity to test. Play this piece for someone and see if they know it and if they know who wrote it. I played it for my nephew and he knew It from a cartoon he watches. Did anyone else try this and what were your results?

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    1. I’m replying to the blog from work. I just surveyed 3 coworkers. Gino knew instantly that it was the 5th Symphony but said it was Mozart composition. Raj couldn’t name the artist nor song. Kim however knew both and hummed along.

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  24. I think someone or an artist is inspiring if every act or step of his/hers teaches something for life. When they are leaders , when they use their talent , power or wisdom to do good. Beethoven is a inspiration to me and to millions of people because he faced much adversities during life, but continued pursuing his passion, because he knew the value of his art. His father was an alcoholic and his mother had tuberculosis. He lost his hearing, and still composed music And that’s inspiring, because he is an example of perseverance and tenacity.

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  25. Up until recently when i thought of how music is composed i pictured a laptop, keyboard. The tools of the modern day composers. Calvin Harris could produce a full blown album in no more than a week or two if he really tried. I feel that as a society we have lowered the bar for what is Exceptional music. When Beethoven sat down to compose a song I can only imagine the stress he must’ve been under. Day and night for weeks possibly, constantly altering, rewriting and crossing out many notes until he had it perfect.
    Needless to say Beethoven is a pretty inspiring story. I remember back in elementary school sitting is class while they taught us about him. That was the first time i ever heard “Ode to Joy”. I remember being very curious about how Beethoven pulled off being a composer and musician all the while being deaf.

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    1. Ray Charles was blind and Rick Allen who was in a car accident leaving him having his arm being amputated.

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  27. When composers such as Beethoven make music I always had the idea that they go through a series of trail and error as Bernstein displayed, until they come up with what is perfect to them. Judging from Beethoven’s style of music and the fact that his compositions differed from what was expected at that time, it is evident that he went through a thought process to come to his conclusion of what was perfect music. Beethoven’s story isn’t a pleasant one and I think that’s a part of why he is so popular. People identify with sad stories about other people’s lives. Also Beethoven was popular in those times because he was different and rebellious. He wasn’t trying to fit in, he stood out from the rest. I think that people of that time period saw his music as an evolution and that it was. Today our televisions are in color, special effects are added to our tv programs to make it more appealing and everything is edited. In 1954 things were very different televisions were in black and white, special effects were not around. The difference is the simplicity of the past and in music of the classical period for example Mozart’s compositions were of simplicity and Beethoven brought new depth and enhanced music and its effect. He was the new age.

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  28. Does anyone think that Beethoven would still be a great composer if his life was more balanced and happy? Or does his hardships define who he is as a composer and what he is able to compose?

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  29. Before watching this video, I thought composers used trial and error until they got their piece to sound right. I think for someone to be inspiring is to do the impossible or to achieve something that not every one can do. i feel that Beethoven does this because although he wasn’t the best looking man, what truly made him great was his music and he is an even better inspiration because he wrote music after he went completely deaf. The difference in music and media is that in the 1950’s(or somewhere around that time), it was believed that the television wouldn’t be popular so not everyone watched it but it still managed to stay a float and live on in today’s time. In 2017 however, mostly everyone has access to television and can even use computers to watch TV shows and can listen to music everywhere.

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  30. Musicians tend to inspire young artists to achieve their dreams. Beethoven was an inspiring figure during the 18th and 19th century because who would’ve thought a deaf man could achieve what he was achieving when he was alive. He was an inspiration to others not just because he was an amazing musician but because he was also deaf. He was deaf and he still made it far in the music industry and it showed others if you work hard then you can make it too.

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  31. A musician who can proudly say they over came obstacles or came from nothing and worked their way up to where they are now is inspiring to me. J cole he is an American hip-hop recording artist and a record producer. Being raised in Fayetteville, North Caroline he had a harsh time when his father abandon his family leaving his mom as a single mom. He would work to help out the family with just a “dollar and dream.” He started rapping at 12 with a recorder his mom had gave him for Christmas where he worked his way up. He started with his underground music and even gave one of his CD copies to Jay Z but was later was dismissed by Jay Z. He used the cd and made a mix tape and was later recognized by Jay Z with his second album which later appeared on his album “the blueprint 3.” Which he shows us the more you try in life the better chance you have in achieving your goals. Beethoven was very important to people during the 19th and 20th century because he showed them no matter the obstacles he faced he still kept on doing what he loved to do. No matter how difficult it may seem there is always a way to do things. His best works where created during that time period and Beethoven became one of the greatest artist of his time and his work is still worshiped today.

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  32. Why does a artist fear the talent of others? Why do they doubt there creativity? What might of Johannes Brahms work been is he wasn’t so intimidated by the past and by perfection?

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    1. In case of Brahms I think he had way too much respect for Beethoven. However, I don’t think artist fear the talent of other artist but rather see it as their competition. All great artist tend to have great egos which means they believe they are the best and if they see someone who’s also very talented they tend to see that person as their competition and beat them to show how’s the best of the best

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      1. In what way did Brahams have “way too much respect for Beethoven”? Also, I disagree with the statement that all great artist have great egos. Why? Because many times a perfectionist is viewed as a egolistic person, but the reality is the want to “perfect” something means you dont give it one try and call it a day, you keep it at it. You rearrange and reconsider and you’re constantly trying to BE YOUR BEST, not BE THE BEST. Beethoven worked against his odds and that is why other composers like Brahams held that respect for him. As an audience, we’re given the finish piece.. but do we really know how much time and energy it took to create that 3-4 minute song? We’re just beginning to learn the molecules of music.

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  33. As Beethoven is such an inspiration for many artists and people in general I would like to know which artist is an inspiration for my peers

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    1. In response to your question, Celia Cruz is an inspiration personally for myself, she is the “queen of salsa” and not only is she an inspiration for women but latinos in general. Any artist who are an inspirtation for you?

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  34. I wasn’t really familiar with the an artist composes music. After watching this video I learned more about the composing process and it was really interesting to see how one of the greatest artists of all time use to compose and how he did it having a disability.

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  35. What makes a musician (or a person) inspiring to you? Why do you think Beethoven was an inspiring figure for many people in the 19th and 20th centuries?

    What inspires me about a musician is when he/she is the first to create their own style of music. Which Beethoven has done. Create his own style of music, when pertaining to specific musical elements.

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  36. What stylistic changes do you notice between this 1954 TV program and media of 2017? How do you explain those differences?

    Well first, Media today is very broad while in the 1950’s, The only source of hearing/seeing these composers were only seen on a television and a radio. And to add, sound quality has enhanced over time along with applying more sound effects to these tv programs.

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    1. My inspiration artist would be any artist that gives a mysterious piece of lyrics, poems or works of art that can lead me into thinking deeply to their work.

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  38. The way Leonard Bernstein described Beethoven’s music piece, as if he was basically describing what is life using simple terms. I really enjoyed listening to what and how he listens to Beethoven’s fifth symphony. One part that I liked about his description was when he spoke about the closing of the Beethoven’s fifth symphony. I was pretty amazed of how many edits he made to create a powerful music piece. I simply enjoyed watching this episode. Although, if only Beethoven was still alive today, I would like to know why would he want to make this music piece too bold but yet soft as if you’re skipping up in a hill? What gave him this idea? Who inspired him?

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  39. One thing that makes a musician inspiring to me is when they really express themselves in their songs. it is very important for artist to invest themselves in what they are performing,

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  40. If Beethoven was still alive today i would like to know what really inspired him and how songs come to him.

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    1. My question to him, if he was alive would be, who did he want to work with?, but never had the chance.

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  41. Other artist that inspire me are people who are really creative in what they are performing and really seem to enjoy what they do.

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  42. Does anyone has a favorite part of the video, Leonard Bernstein, Omnibus, “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony” ? Why?

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  43. An inspiring person is someone that accomplishes something impossible when the odds are stacked against them and Beethoven can definitely fall under this category, his story is extremely inspiring. He faced several bumps along his career and nothing stopped his love for composing which is amazing. In order for me to find a musician/ person inspiring, I feel like I would have to understand them first, or their piece of work. Somehow, I would have to be able to relate or their work would have to instantly catch my eye and than the next step would be getting to know the music/artist causing inspiration. But one main characteristic a person has to have for me to find them inspiring, is to be extremely strong and you know what Beethoven in my eyes was strong which made him inspiring to other musicians/people.

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  44. To begin with answering the 2nd question in my opinion a musician who is inspiring to me is someone who does something great, unique, and ofcourse something no other musician has done in their life time. Reflecting this to Beethoven who sadly got an infection which made him completely deaf, he was upset and suicidal for the time being. Although he overcame his weakness and did not give up and continued mastering what he admired the most. Now that’s why he was an inspiring figure because he showed the people that even though you are lacking in a certain area, overcome your fear and don’t give up!

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    1. That is true but I still find it funny that he was so conceited that he overcame the fact that he deaf and continue his work still being the greatest. I know conceited people but I don’t think they can do what he can.

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    3. I agree I think because he didn’t let his deafness hold him back from accomplishing his dreams, it inspired other people not to give up on their dreams.

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  45. What makes a musician (or a person) inspiring to you? Why do you think Beethoven was an inspiring figure for many people in the 19th and 20th centuries?
    This is a response to question two. To me a inspiring person is someone who made a path for themselves and not let no negative influence taint them, don’t follow no one else and follow their own road to success against the many odds against them which can be very hard. Beethoven even though I don’t really care about music or composers, this man I can understand why people look up to him. Beethoven always broke the rules not because he was some bad ass who wanted to do bad but he was a guy who wanted to do the things he loved his way. Thanks to that attitude of his he was able to stretch music to new heights in a way people till this day and age try to do

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    1. I got a question for you guys, do you think you can be as conceited as Beethoven in any condition (diseases, permanent injuries) ?

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      1. Artist today boast about their money, looks, materials, sex lives etc. and that kind of ignorance and superficial stigma is worshipped by so many listeners. Now.. what did Beethoven speak of in his music? He composed music for some the most historical events. He is not an example of “conceitedness” in my perspective. It wasn’t his illness that made him the legend that he is, it was his mystery. I always say silence is defeaning and when i think of Beethoven I realize he could NOT hear, but he was NOT deaf. He was not in “silence”. He did not just create music.. he lived in it. Disabilities don’t make you more talented or give you any right to feel above or below anyone. What sets an insipiration or legend apart from a musician is passion and Beethoven was passionate.

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  46. I believe if a musican makes great music and a positive person overall they would be inspiring to me. For instance Bob Marley, Bobmarley was great person who inspired many people through out the time he lived. I believe if i was alive throughout his legacy I would of been inspired too. Beethoven was in the same boat as bob Marley I think he inspired many people by the songs he wrote which were astonishing. Also Beethoven was a very intelligent person so many people would have looked up to him just because of his wisdom.

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  47. I feel intrigued, I can only imagine how passionate Beethoven had to have, in order to gain the amount of talent he has, while being deaf.

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  48. Question, With the information we have on this reading and from the video, what kind of motivation, and mental process do you think Beethoven had, continuing in the musical industry while being deaf?

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  49. In the 8th grade, my choir and I preformed “Ode to Joy.” We were also fortunate enough to preform the Leonard Bernstein Mass Production at the United Palace in October 2008. We were the only middle school who accompanied some of the best high schools of the arts including Frank Sinatra High School, Souls of Soloman and many more. The Baltimore Philharmonic Orchestra and all the preformers were conducted by Marin Alsop. The event was sponsored by Carnegie Hall. I was 13 years old at the time and with only 6 rehearsals our chrous learned the part Hebrew, Latin, and English composition. I am 22 years old now and I’ve grown to understand how much of an honor it was to partake in such a meaningful and historical preformance. Marin Alsop loved Bernstein and Bernstein loved Beethoven and I grew to love these conductors and composers when I stood in the most extravagent room surrounded by hundreds of students, parents, musicians and an audience. At that moment I was inspired. I was apart of something so big, that meant so much to those who understood the significance of this composition. At such a young age, I didn’t fully understand the music itself but i knew what i felt when i sung it. When i sung words in a foreign language and giggled at the pronounciations with my childhood friends, and stomped along to the beat of “Dona NoBis” (Agnus Dei section of the mass), and heard the strong vocals from the older kids.. it all felt like magic. The sounds reached beyond the room walls and beyond anything I ever imagined. I was lucky and I was in the right place. Music was everything to me. I’m still friends with many of my chrous memebers and some still don’t realize how special we are because we were apart of it. I was inspired by my conductor Mrs. Brand. She knew what this oppurtunity was and she encouraged us to take it seriously and to enjoy it. I remember a gentleman from the orchestra playing his violin so intensely, one of the strings broke, but he kept playing. I remember Ms. Alsop’s hands swaying and the professionals singing notes I only wished I could hit. I was inspired. I know i keep repeating that, but its beacuse there’s truly nothing more inspiring to me then a moment in music. A moment where you feel taken by everything in your surroundings and all you can do is smile and sing and know that nothing else will compare to that very moment. I realize that these legends are the foundation of what we refer to as music. Time passes and things change but we are apart of what happen before. Beethoven could not hear, but he could feel, just like I felt that day. He could feel the vibrations of the piano and without the criticism many of you pointed out, he is still a phenonmenon. He did not need to be constructed on something he felt from within and thats what makes him an inspiration.

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    1. I totally agree with you. He was truly gifted. A true legend, when your work lives longer than you did. It sounds like a lot of fun that you joined the choir. I don’t had that in when I was in middle school.

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      1. It was an incredible chorus. We became a family and granted we were the dorks of middle school but I loved every second of it :’)

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  50. The 33 second sample reminds me of songs the use on the Looney tunes, Tom and Jerry and other catoons similar, when they do not have voices. So dramatic yet calm in some parts, lively. Also matches with some much features in the shows.

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  51. Why do TV shows use Beethoven’s music in cartoons? What type of cartoons? What does the music affect a person’s reactions to the cartoons?

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  52. What makes a musician inspiring to me is when they write songs (not hire writers) that relate to situations/ emotions that I am going through at the time. When they can show their vulnerable side to me/fans, it makes me sympathize with them and it also humanizes them. I think Beethoven was an inspiring figure because he was deaf and many people saw that if he was able to overcome a hindrance like that, his fans could overcome whatever is hindering them as well.

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  53. Pingback: Does it matter who musicians are as people? (Online Discussion #7) – Dr. Jones' Music Classes

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