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'Eroica': A different kind of music video . . .

108.81.116.219

June 9, 1804, Beethoven holds his first rehearsal of Symphony No. 3 at the palace of Prince Lobkowitz. Among the attendees are Count Dietrichstein, a self-style musical aficionado and cultural counterpoint to Beethoven, and Haydn himself who comes tardy near the end of the performance.

The editing of this film is most precise as the camera trails and jumps from guest to guest capturing the changes in their moods and emotions as they circle and walk through the orchestra. The editing also seems to be spot-on as it bounces from musician to musician synched to the soundtrack.

No. 3 was one of the first LPs I bought as a kid and I never realized that it was such a breakthrough much the same as 'Rite of Spring' in its disregard for form in addition to its overall bombast sound. Near the end Haydn (Frank Finlay) has that "I'm SO OVER" look about him and says so in more veiled words.

I guess this BBC production is for Beethoven lovers as Beethoven (Ian Hart) was the weakest link in the cast.

No trailer available but these last few minutes should suffice.

Follow Ups:

RE: I caught that one on cable a while back. - user510 13:39:28 08/12/12 (0)
I recall that some of the reviewers (Ebert & Roper) gave the movie some discussion.

What I liked about the film was the way the movie puts focus, with a sharp lens, on the 2nd (Funeral March) and 3rd (scherzo) movements. Camera panning from musician to observer, musician to conductor (LVB), panning to the period instruments and all the while allowing the music to breathe..... and for the viewer to hear and see. Almost like stepping through time back to that scene. Almost.

So after watching this scene I went through my various copies of 3rd symphonies that I have on hand. The closest I could come to the pace and intensity of the film performance was one I have by Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmoniker. I can't find a date for the performance on the Lp jacket, but figure it to be early sixties by the photo of Karajan. (Middle aged). But none of the 3rd symphonies I have recordings of feature period instruments like the ones in the film.

Beethoven's 3rd symphony (Opus 55) is one of my favorite symphonies of all time. That's probably why I was willing to tune in. It might be a nice DVD to own but online prices I've seen are a bit high. Next time it shows I'll record it to the DVR and then burn a DVD copy.

-Steve
Where's the banjo? nt - tinear 06:57:21 08/08/12 (4)
d
- Right next to the soccer horn. * - mr grits 07:45:44 08/08/12 (3)
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  - Vuvuzela. nt - tinear 08:47:52 08/08/12 (2)
    d
    - What's anatomy got to do with this? * - mr grits 12:52:40 08/09/12 (1)
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      - I don't know, but who's Ana? nt - tinear 08:58:22 08/10/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: What's anatomy got to do with this? * posted by mr grits on August 09, 2012 at 12:52:40
        
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