Beethoven says “Stop the Culture Wars!”

Beethoven did not ever, and does not now represent the “elites,” whatever that means. Don’t get me going! A whole lot of folks are worked up about Beethoven and political correctness since this VOX story launched on September 16, so, Dear Readers, we are going to face this head on. The controversy began when Vox (a top of the line news website launched by Ezra Klein, a journalist I much respect and admire.) posted an article about a new podcast series on Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

The gist of the article, which is actually to promote the relevant podcast, https://switchedonpop.com is that Beethoven’s compositions have become music of the elite class and his musical admirers are elite, particularly in reference to the Fifth Symphony. I have listened to the podcast, which includes fun excerpts from many of the versions of the 5^th, from disco to bluegrass. The podcasters launch a full-on attack against modern concert norms, especially in regards to attire and audience responses. Perhaps where they live things are more formal. I have been to performances where people where flipflops and shorts, and that was fine. I have been to performances where there are impromptu cheers and applause. And I 100% agree that a reputation for stuffiness keeps people from enjoying classical music. This has absolutely nothing to do with Beethoven, of course. They give examples of assholes in history who adored Beethoven, and suggest that maybe we should break up with Beethoven for a while. Dear Readers, they are just trying to get you to take a second look at how we experience classical music. I hate that they are using Beethoven as a cudgel, but it turns out the podcast is worth listening to.  They are being intentionally provocative in an attempt to shake you up and get you out of your box. Eventually, in the 4^th episode of the podcast, they exalt in the true beauty, the deep meaning, suffering and redemption within the 5^th Symphony. I strongly suggest you listen to the final episode of their Beethoven podcast. They so redeem themselves and deepen the experience of listening to Beethoven, especially for classical music and Beethoven newbies.

And let me be clear, this has played right into the hands of the right-wing media. Rupert Murdoch’s NY Post is also stoking the culture wars. They are saying the liberal elites want to put Beethoven away, calling it “woke madness.” But they obviously did NOT listen to the entire podcast—or if they did, they want to intentionally misrepresent what the podcast is trying to say. They just took the teaser story from Vox and went crazy. The full podcast carries the listeners from controversy into redemption in a way that gives a more authentic Beethoven experience and deeper musical appreciation.

But most importantly, and what I want to communicate is that I strongly strongly strongly disagree that Beethoven is elite. He was not born with a title, he had to provide for his younger brothers and nephew, and he worked extraordinarily hard for the money he earned. Politically he endorsed reason and republican virtues of governance. If we Beethoven enthusiasts want to address an elitist legacy then let’s show Beethoven in new ways and with diverse communities. Right here is a perfect example! And this Langston Hughes poem is the most beautiful opposite version of “elite” that can be imagined.

The Weary Blues

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
     I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
     He did a lazy sway . . .
     He did a lazy sway . . .
To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
     O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
     Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man’s soul.
     O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
     “Ain’t got nobody in all this world,
       Ain’t got nobody but ma self.
       I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’
       And put ma troubles on the shelf.”

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more—
     “I got the Weary Blues
       And I can’t be satisfied.
       Got the Weary Blues
       And can’t be satisfied—
       I ain’t happy no mo’
       And I wish that I had died.”
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.

The actor and arranger in this amazing performance is Terrance McKnight, the pianist is Kyle Walker and this performance was done in conjunction with the Harlem Chamber Players. The composer is of course Beethoven, and the piece is the first movement of his Piano Sonata Op. 109. Let’s expand the world’s mind-set about elitism, refuse to be drawn into culture wars, especially in music and until next time we meet, enjoy music, dive into poetry, and thanks for visiting thetonepoet.com.