Happy Birthday Beethoven! The world is celebrating, as much as possible in a pandemic, the 250th birthday of Beethoven on December 16th. But why the big deal???
I was not raised with classical music in my family. Not at all. Not even a tiny bit. But in elementary school we would watch films of Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts in New York City. (Here is a link to one of these recordings that talks about Beethoven specifically.) It was so far away from my world, and I was entranced. There were children who could actually see a symphony orchestra in real life, not just on Bugs Bunny Cartoons. I knew that Chuck Berry and the Beatles made that clarion call, “Roll Over Beethoven.” And I knew that Schroeder, from the Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” cartoons worshipped Beethoven and celebrated his birthday each year. Here is what ran in all the newspapers across the USA on December 16th, 1970, a mere 50 years ago.
And for even more fun, here’s a greatest hits video about the connection between “Peanuts” and Beethoven.
I loved the music that closed out the tv evening news, though I never knew it was Beethoven until I was deep into adulthood. Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee was #44 in the Baptist Hymnal…and I vaguely knew that the music was written by Beethoven. So even though I never listened to Beethoven in my home, the music was enmeshed deeply in the culture of my childhood. I was not alone, and this was not just a phenomenon of American culture. Beethoven has been loved and understood in cultures around the world for simply forever since his birth. I had no clue how deeply his devotion ran globally, until I watched this beautiful and moving documentary, “Following the Ninth.” If you have not seen it, do it now! From Japan to Chile to Berlin’s reunification…it is one “road to joy.” Here is the trailer.
So why was Beethoven’s birthday so important to Schroeder…and still is to millions around the planet today? It is a celebration of culture, sure. But also, it is a celebration of the heroic struggle against obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. It is a celebration of that moment when music transports you, moves you, changes you. This poet, Shane Koyczan, found inspiration in our hero Beethoven, wrestling with the root of what makes greatness, and what manifests brokenness, and the result is incredible.
But don’t just take it from me. Here is a great listing of 10 things that Beethoven’s music did to change the world. And there is an entire German film series entitled “A World Without Beethoven” that explores his influence on all music, including the political music genre. Here is the first episode entitled “No Rock Riffs Without Beethoven?”
Beethoven still inspires. I love this mashup of Beyonce and Beethoven, with young classical musicians and YouTube superstar, Sam Tsui.
All this demonstrates exactly why we celebrate and honor Beethoven and his birthday. And I hope that listening and reading thetonepoet.com contributes even a little bit to your understanding of what all the fuss is about. So celebrate music! Celebrate art and creativity! Happy Birthday Beethoven! And thank you for visiting thetonepoet.com.
0 comments on “Beethoven’s birthday? Why all the fuss?”Add yours →