Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony #3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica"

[Jeebo]

3. Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony, of course.

And probably his seventh symphony too, but just the first two movements of that one. And probably also Mahler's second and fourth symphonies. And the Sibelius fifth.

Have you seen that movie "The Soloist"? The "Eroica" symphony figures prominently in that movie. It's been a few years since I've seen it, but there is something truly profound about that scene in which the reporter is sitting beside the title character during a rehearsal of the "Eroica" symphony at the Hollywood Bowl and studying his ... I'll call it his emotional interaction with the music, and describing the way in which that incredible music is touching the depths of his soul. The reporter said he liked the music too, but he didn't truly understand it the way the film's title character did. I think I am describing that scene accurately, but as I said, it's been a while since I saw it.

Well, anyway, that's pretty much the way that symphony affects me, too. Especially the first movement. And the second movement, up to that mind-blowing crescendo about halfway through.

-- Ron