William Strother <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>William Copper wrote:
>
>>Beethoven's better symphonies DO rise to the top, ...
>
>I wouldn't presume to distinguish Beethoven's 'better' symphonies from the
>others (lesser??).
>
>Maybe Beethoven could have done it, but maybe not.

I dimly recall reading, _many_ years ago, an anecdote in which Beethoven
was asked which of his symphonies was his favorite.  B replied that it was
the Eroica, to which the questioner replied that he would have guessed B
would have chosen the fifth, instead.  I don't recall B's response to this
follow-up, and I've long since forgotten the source.  Perhaps another list
member can flesh out or debunk this one?

Cheers,

Mike Smith
Boulder, Colorado
(last listening: Miaskovsky Sym. 19, Gould/Chicago SO)