Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxn.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!ihuxn!jho
From: jho@ihuxn.UUCP (Yosi Hoshen)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Classical Music for Newcomers
Message-ID: <656@ihuxn.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 5-May-84 04:14:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxn.656
Posted: Sat May  5 04:14:21 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 6-May-84 01:29:36 EDT
References: <470@flairvax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 29

In recent article, I expressed my opinion that beginners should not
be encouraged to start their classical music carrier with Beethoven's
late quartets.  To which Michael Ellis replied:

>It is hard to agree with the recent admonition to beginners concerning
>Beethoven's late string quartets! These were among the first chamber
>compositions that appealed to me -- his other chamber music seems to pale
>in comparison to these ears. This music is so elevated and sublime
>that composers have been intimidated by the task of writing string quartets
>ever since. Admittedly, we are not talking about party music here...

I totally agree with Miachael's description of Beethoven late quartets.
I envy Michael for his ability to appreciate these masterpieces in
the early stages of his initiation to chamber music.  For years
chamber music was my preferred form of music.  Specifically, I
concentrated on chamber pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and
Brahms, yet, Beethoven's late quartets eluded me.  Only, recently
I was able to truly appreciate these masterworks. I have several
friends who experienced the same problem I had.  I think beginners
should be exposed to less complicated forms of chamber music.  I
am concerned that Beethoven's late quartets may scare them away
from classical music.
-- 

Yosi Hoshen
Bell Laboratories
Naperville, Illinois
(312)-979-7321
Mail: ihnp4!ihuxn!jho