Almost since their creation, Ludwig van Beethoven's nine symphonies-each one pathbreaking and stunning-have formed the cornerstone of orchestral literature. Viewed from the unique vantage point that Professor Robert Greenberg offers, "The Nine" bear witness to Beethoven's artistic brilliance as well as the profound and continuing influence of his achievements.
Symphonies of Beethoven
See how Beethoven revolutionized musical composition and created works of unique beauty, power, and depth through the history and analysis of Beethoven's nine symphonies.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Michael1156 from
An excellent course
A fascinating course. I'm sure there is much I didn't understand due to my limited background in music. Nevertheless, I learned an awful lot about Beethoven.
Date published: 2023-12-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
kalb from
relax & enjoy
Prof Greenberg is excellent; thoroughly both informative & entertaining. He provides much insight into what's behind the music; aspects not known to (most of ) the listeners. He succeeds in bringing the music alive & more meaningful. His enthusiasm & style are delightfully contagious.
Date published: 2023-07-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gharmjo from
The Heavyweight Championship
Greenberg reaches deeper into the technical aspects of music in this course than in his broader “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music". However, by concentrating on only a single (and universally heard) musician he seems to make this course the easier of the two.
The first four lectures (L1-4) explain Beethoven’s foibles, hearing loss, and the Napoleonic historical background against which he struggled. Next, Greenberg adds in his trademarked “WordScore Guides”. To those of us who technically untrained in music (such as myself), these are a source of wonder. They well demonstrate what those who are musically gifted “see” when music is transcribed from the mind to paper. For myself, Greenberg’s musical selections make his WordScore Guides comprehensible even if imperfectly understood. Even should you not desire to do the work to completely decode the WordScore Guides (or the more mystifying “Homophonic Forms of the Classical Era” – see the chart after L6) you will gain by trying.
SUMMARY: Two of my dear friends are marvelous musicians. One is a brilliant musical technician. When he hears something, its technical aspect gets engraved in his head and tone-mapped through his fingers to the keyboard. If YOU are like the technical musician, you will get the most out of Greenberg's course. If you are simply someone who loves music, you will also gain much from this course.
COMMENT: If, like myself, you can hear complex music in your head but have zero technical skills to write it down, know that here are multiple approaches to music. Another friend of mine is a ghetto born, natural singer of ferocious ability and intimidating demeanor. She coaxes wonders out of her choir without a written bar of music. BUT when both of my friends try to work with the choir simultaneously - the sparks fly! She steams and pouts and he hints superiority via mysterious technical objections. It is truly a musical heavyweight championship. I find it not only wonderfully amusing but gain from listening to their different approaches. That’s the same reason YOU can gain from Greenberg- even if technical music is not your natural gift.
Date published: 2023-04-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
breadman2 from
A must watch for any music lover.
Dr Greenberg’s lectures are inciteful & detailed. Listening to his ‘teasers’ & encouragement to seek out different versions of the Symphonies & find the nuances.
Date published: 2023-03-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
German Girl from
Fantastic
This course is not only for the beginner, but also for the very advanced using the very extensive guidebook (306 pages!)
Date published: 2022-09-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Larry Kawano from
The Best Course I've Encountered!
When I look at the prices of the courses offered here, I think of them in 2 categories: the real prices -- the prices as they are during a sale -- and the "fake prices" listing the courses at hundreds of dollars. For this course alone, though, I would be willing to pay in the hundreds for it packs that much value. Here are the highlights:
- Robert Greenberg is a fabulous presenter. He does not sound at all like he's reading from a teleprompter -- he gets truly passionate and lively at times, then he sounds very approachable and down-to-earth, then he throws in some funny, amusing remarks.
- He combines information about the life of Beethoven, his musical approach, the construction of a particular passage in a symphonic movement, comparisons between different musical passages (sometimes from different composers), and quotations from Beethoven's contemporaries and musical critics to create a rich, varied listening experience.
- The information he offers is fascinating in itself but he brings everything to life with vivid stories and absolutely entrancing tidbits of trivia.
In fact, even though I bought the audio version of the course, which I listened to during my travels up and down California, I will be purchasing the video version as well. I simply need to see this guy in action!
Date published: 2022-08-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jen likes Great Courses from
An educational extravaganza!
My 91 year old stepfather and I have enjoyed learning about the mindset of Beethoven and how to appreciate his music more than ever!
Date published: 2021-11-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
standingwolf from
don’t miss this opportunity
this is a marvellous and very special course. having someone lead you step by step through the most famous symphonies in the repertoire is a rare privilege. it’s also unfailingly illuminating, because there’s so much to discover in any work by beethoven, and professor greenberg is a masterful guide to those hidden depths. he unveils so many ingenious, scarcely perceptible details that virtually every movement of every symphony is a revelation. there is simply no dead zone here: every symphony is fascinating, rewarding, and—quite apart from all the cleverness—a sheer pleasure.
even though the course contains 32 lectures, it still felt rushed. we have to skim over or hurry past a great deal, and given how much we actually do cover, that’s saying something. trust robert greenberg to make 32 lectures seem like a breezy overview.
now because beethoven’s symphonies stretch across the breadth of his working life, in the process of discussing them all, we also get a fairly comprehensive biography of beethoven himself. beethoven’s lived life is a striking contrast to the brilliance of his music, and prof. greenberg presents him warts and all. a particular highlight here might be the revelation of the identity of the “immortal beloved, but beethoven’s entire biography is engaging, if not necessarily an inspiration.
this course isn’t as polished as some of professor greenberg’s later series, but it honestly doesn’t suffer for it. the awkward breaks between lectures simply make you feel like you’re in an actual classroom, where the material often doesn’t fit tidily within a pre-determined time period. the sound quality of the music is also a little rudimentary, but it’s no matter. you will certainly have your own recordings of the complete symphonies to enjoy at your leisure.
overall i found this course to be a very precious experience. if you have any interest in beethoven at all, this course is an absolute must.
Date published: 2021-11-23
Overview
About
Dr. Robert Greenberg is Music Historian-in-Residence with San Francisco Performances. A graduate of Princeton University, Professor Greenberg holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University of California, Berkeley. He has seen his compositions-which include more than 45 works for a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles-performed all over the world, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, England, Ireland, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands.
He has served on the faculties of the University of California, Berkeley; California State University, Hayward; and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has lectured for some of the most prestigious musical and arts organizations in the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Van Cliburn Foundation, and the Chicago Symphony. For The Great Courses, he has recorded more than 500 lectures on a range of composers and classical music genres.
Professor Greenberg is a Steinway Artist. His many other honors include three Nicola de Lorenzo Composition Prizes and a Koussevitzky commission from the Library of Congress. He has been profiled in various major publications, including The Wall Street Journal; Inc. magazine; and the London Times.
You can find more music content from Robert Greenberg on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RobertGreenbergMusic.
Trailer
01: Beethoven and the Heroic Style, I
Lectures 1 through 4 introduce Beethoven the man and his musical development up to the premiere of Symphony no. 6 in 1808. We look at his early life, historical circumstances, and the musical style that influenced his development. We follow his move to Vienna, his studies with Haydn, his thoughts on Napoleon, and the premiere of the Eroica Symphony. His hearing loss is examined as the catalyst of ...
47 min
02: Beethoven and the Heroic Style, II
Lectures 1 through 4 introduce Beethoven the man and his musical development up to the premiere of Symphony no. 6 in 1808. We look at his early life, historical circumstances, and the musical style that influenced his development. We follow his move to Vienna, his studies with Haydn, his thoughts on Napoleon, and the premiere of the Eroica Symphony. His hearing loss is examined as the catalyst of ...
46 min
03: Beethoven and the Heroic Style, III
Lectures 1 through 4 introduce Beethoven the man and his musical development up to the premiere of Symphony no. 6 in 1808. We look at his early life, historical circumstances, and the musical style that influenced his development. We follow his move to Vienna, his studies with Haydn, his thoughts on Napoleon, and the premiere of the Eroica Symphony. His hearing loss is examined as the catalyst of ...
45 min
04: Beethoven and the Heroic Style, IV
Lectures 1 through 4 introduce Beethoven the man and his musical development up to the premiere of Symphony no. 6 in 1808. We look at his early life, historical circumstances, and the musical style that influenced his development. We follow his move to Vienna, his studies with Haydn, his thoughts on Napoleon, and the premiere of the Eroica Symphony. His hearing loss is examined as the catalyst of ...
46 min
05: Symphony No. 1-Beethoven as Classicist-Tradition and Innovation, I
Lectures 5 and 6 examine the "new path" that Beethoven began with his first symphony. We see his innovations in the context of contemporary events. Symphony no. 1, Beethoven's great Classical symphony, is analyzed along with the musical style and the major musical forms of the Classical era....
47 min
06: Symphony No. 1-Beethoven as Classicist-Tradition and Innovation, II
Lectures 5 and 6 examine the "new path" that Beethoven began with his first symphony. We see his innovations in the context of contemporary events. Symphony no. 1, Beethoven's great Classical symphony, is analyzed along with the musical style and the major musical forms of the Classical era....
45 min
07: Symphony No. 2-Beethoven at the Edge, I
Lectures 7 and 8 analyze Symphony no. 2 of 1802. We see how this symphony heralded a heroic style that Beethoven fully realized in Symphony no. 3. Also discussed is the Heiligenstadt Testament, a letter he wrote about his personal crisis as he realized he was going deaf. We consider how Beethoven's development as a composer was affected by his fight with deafness....
46 min
08: Symphony No. 2-Beethoven at the Edge, II
Lectures 7 and 8 analyze Symphony no. 2 of 1802. We see how this symphony heralded a heroic style that Beethoven fully realized in Symphony no. 3. Also discussed is the Heiligenstadt Testament, a letter he wrote about his personal crisis as he realized he was going deaf. We consider how Beethoven's development as a composer was affected by his fight with deafness....
45 min
09: Symphony No. 3-The "New Path"-Heroism and Self-Expression, I
Lectures 9 through 12 focus on Symphony no. 3, the Eroica Symphony. This key work in Beethoven's compositional revolution resulted from his crisis of going deaf. Beethoven's struggle with his disability raised him to a new level of creativity. Symphony no. 3 parallels his heroic battle with and ultimate triumph over adversity. The symphony's debt to Napoleon is discussed before an analysis....
46 min
10: Symphony No. 3-The "New Path" -Heroism and Self-Expression, II
Lectures 9 through 12 focus on Symphony no. 3, the Eroica Symphony. This key work in Beethoven's compositional revolution resulted from his crisis of going deaf. Beethoven's struggle with his disability raised him to a new level of creativity. Symphony no. 3 parallels his heroic battle with and ultimate triumph over adversity. The symphony's debt to Napoleon is discussed before an analysis....
45 min
11: Symphony No. 3-The "New Path"-Heroism and Self-Expression, III
Lectures 9 through 12 focus on Symphony no. 3, the Eroica Symphony. This key work in Beethoven's compositional revolution resulted from his crisis of going deaf. Beethoven's struggle with his disability raised him to a new level of creativity. Symphony no. 3 parallels his heroic battle with and ultimate triumph over adversity. The symphony's debt to Napoleon is discussed before an analysis....
46 min
12: Symphony No. 3-The "New Path"-Heroism and Self-Expression, IV
Lectures 9 through 12 focus on Symphony no. 3, the Eroica Symphony. This key work in Beethoven's compositional revolution resulted from his crisis of going deaf. Beethoven's struggle with his disability raised him to a new level of creativity. Symphony no. 3 parallels his heroic battle with and ultimate triumph over adversity. The symphony's debt to Napoleon is discussed before an analysis....
46 min
13: Symphony No. 4-Consolidation of the New Aesthetic, I
Lectures 13 through 16 examine Symphony no. 4 in historical context and in its relationship to opera buffa. Symphony no. 4 is the most infrequently heard of his symphonies. We see how it represents a return to a Classical structure. Its framework is filled with iconoclastic rhythms, harmonies, and characteristic motivic developments that mark it as a product of Beethoven's post-Eroica period....
45 min
14: Symphony No. 4-Consolidation of the New Aesthetic, II
Lectures 13 through 16 examine Symphony no. 4 in historical context and in its relationship to opera buffa. Symphony no. 4 is the most infrequently heard of his symphonies. We see how it represents a return to a Classical structure. Its framework is filled with iconoclastic rhythms, harmonies, and characteristic motivic developments that mark it as a product of Beethoven's post-Eroica period....
45 min
15: Symphony No. 4-Consolidation of the New Aesthetic, III
Lectures 13 through 16 examine Symphony no. 4 in historical context and in its relationship to opera buffa. Symphony no. 4 is the most infrequently heard of his symphonies. We see how it represents a return to a Classical structure. Its framework is filled with iconoclastic rhythms, harmonies, and characteristic motivic developments that mark it as a product of Beethoven's post-Eroica period....
46 min
16: Symphony No. 4-Consolidation of the New Aesthetic, IV
Lectures 13 through 16 examine Symphony no. 4 in historical context and in its relationship to opera buffa. Symphony no. 4 is the most infrequently heard of his symphonies. We see how it represents a return to a Classical structure. Its framework is filled with iconoclastic rhythms, harmonies, and characteristic motivic developments that mark it as a product of Beethoven's post-Eroica period....
45 min
17: Symphony No. 5-The Expressive Ideal Fully Formed, I
Lectures 17 through 19 focus on Symphony no. 5 with references to its disastrous 1808 premiere and an in-depth analysis of the score. Beethoven is revealed as an extraordinary and unprecedented master of the art of developing entire movements from small, seemingly inconsequential motives. Symphony no. 5 also shows him to have a revolutionary concept of rhythm as a narrative element and a key facto...
45 min
18: Symphony No. 5-The Expressive Ideal Fully Formed, II
Lectures 17 through 19 focus on Symphony no. 5 with references to its disastrous 1808 premiere and an in-depth analysis of the score. Beethoven is revealed as an extraordinary and unprecedented master of the art of developing entire movements from small, seemingly inconsequential motives. Symphony no. 5 also shows him to have a revolutionary concept of rhythm as a narrative element and a key facto...
46 min
19: Symphony No. 5-The Expressive Ideal Fully Formed, III
Lectures 17 through 19 focus on Symphony no. 5 with references to its disastrous 1808 premiere and an in-depth analysis of the score. Beethoven is revealed as an extraordinary and unprecedented master of the art of developing entire movements from small, seemingly inconsequential motives. Symphony no. 5 also shows him to have a revolutionary concept of rhythm as a narrative element and a key facto...
45 min
20: Symphony No. 6-The Symphony as Program, I
Lectures 20 through 22 discuss Symphony no. 6 as an example of pure expression, representative of Beethoven's love of nature and the countryside. We see how Beethoven elevated program music to heights it had not previously enjoyed, presaging the Romantic era's love affair with the genre. We examine how Symphony no. 6 is as different from Symphonies no. 5 and 7 as night from day....
46 min
21: Symphony No. 6-The Symphony as Program, II
Lectures 20 through 22 discuss Symphony no. 6 as an example of pure expression, representative of Beethoven's love of nature and the countryside. We see how Beethoven elevated program music to heights it had not previously enjoyed, presaging the Romantic era's love affair with the genre. We examine how Symphony no. 6 is as different from Symphonies no. 5 and 7 as night from day....
42 min
22: Symphony No. 6-The Symphony as Program, III
Lectures 20 through 22 discuss Symphony no. 6 as an example of pure expression, representative of Beethoven's love of nature and the countryside. We see how Beethoven elevated program music to heights it had not previously enjoyed, presaging the Romantic era's love affair with the genre. We examine how Symphony no. 6 is as different from Symphonies no. 5 and 7 as night from day....
47 min
23: Symphony No. 7-The Symphony as Dance, I
Lectures 23 and 24 discuss Beethoven's Symphony no. 7 with references to the historical and personal events surrounding its composition. The essence of the symphony is seen to be the power of rhythm, and originality is seen to be an important artistic goal for Beethoven....
46 min
24: Symphony No. 7-The Symphony as Dance, II
Lectures 23 and 24 discuss Beethoven's Symphony no. 7 with references to the historical and personal events surrounding its composition. The essence of the symphony is seen to be the power of rhythm, and originality is seen to be an important artistic goal for Beethoven....
47 min
25: Symphony No. 8-Homage to Classicism, I
Lectures 25 through 27 discuss Beethoven's Symphony no. 8 of 1814, and refer to the personal and political events that affected Beethoven's life. We learn how Symphony no. 8, reminiscent of the Classical style, is a "modern" work, full of Beethoven's personality. Other topics discussed include the "Immortal Beloved" affair, Beethoven's deteriorating health, Napoleon's demise, W...
45 min
26: Symphony No. 8-Homage to Classicism, II
Lectures 25 through 27 discuss Beethoven's Symphony no. 8 of 1814, and refer to the personal and political events that affected Beethoven's life. We learn how Symphony no. 8, reminiscent of the Classical style, is a "modern" work, full of Beethoven's personality. Other topics discussed include the "Immortal Beloved" affair, Beethoven's deteriorating health, Napoleon's demise, W...
45 min
27: Symphony No. 8-Homage to Classicism, III
Lectures 25 through 27 discuss Beethoven's Symphony no. 8 of 1814, and refer to the personal and political events that affected Beethoven's life. We learn how Symphony no. 8, reminiscent of the Classical style, is a "modern" work, full of Beethoven's personality. Other topics discussed include the "Immortal Beloved" affair, Beethoven's deteriorating health, Napoleon's demise, W...
46 min
28: Symphony No. 9-The Symphony as the World, I
The last five lectures are devoted to Symphony no. 9, the most influential Western musical composition of the 19th century and the most influential symphony ever written. We see how this work obliterated distinctions between the instrumental symphony and dramatic vocal works such as opera. Also discussed are Beethoven's fall from public favor in 1815, his disastrous relationship with his nephew Ka...
45 min
29: Symphony No. 9-The Symphony as the World, II
The last five lectures are devoted to Symphony no. 9, the most influential Western musical composition of the 19th century and the most influential symphony ever written. We see how this work obliterated distinctions between the instrumental symphony and dramatic vocal works such as opera. Also discussed are Beethoven's fall from public favor in 1815, his disastrous relationship with his nephew Ka...
45 min
30: Symphony No. 9-The Symphony as the World, III
The last five lectures are devoted to Symphony no. 9, the most influential Western musical composition of the 19th century and the most influential symphony ever written. We see how this work obliterated distinctions between the instrumental symphony and dramatic vocal works such as opera. Also discussed are Beethoven's fall from public favor in 1815, his disastrous relationship with his nephew Ka...
46 min
31: Symphony No. 9-The Symphony as the World, IV
The last five lectures are devoted to Symphony no. 9, the most influential Western musical composition of the 19th century and the most influential symphony ever written. We see how this work obliterated distinctions between the instrumental symphony and dramatic vocal works such as opera. Also discussed are Beethoven's fall from public favor in 1815, his disastrous relationship with his nephew Ka...
45 min
32: Symphony No. 9-The Symphony as the World, V
The last five lectures are devoted to Symphony no. 9, the most influential Western musical composition of the 19th century and the most influential symphony ever written. We see how this work obliterated distinctions between the instrumental symphony and dramatic vocal works such as opera. Also discussed are Beethoven's fall from public favor in 1815, his disastrous relationship with his nephew Ka...
46 min
