Barrett Reynolds asks:

>know is that when I first heard Beethoven's Ninth Symphony only weeks
>ago, it sparked in me a passion for classical music that has led to some
>very rewarding hours of listening and learning.

Although I had been listening to 'light' classical music for a few years,
I discovered Beethoven when I saw "A Clockwork Orange" at the movies (I
was 25 then).  I watched the credits, bought the album (an LP in those
days) and listened in wonder and then went out an got all the other
symphonies.  I subsequently bought a complete set of his works which I
studied in detail along with the scores.  It was an amazing discovery.

I tend to appreciate his chamber music and sonatas more these days, but
I still love his symphonies and concertos, they are very uplifting.  Of
course over the years I have come to love many works from other composers,
but none has held my interest as consistently as Beethoven.

I have just gotten his violin concerto by Josh Bell which I really like
and listened to it in tandom with Oistrach's recording which has been
my favorite.  Now I am confused.  Maybe one can have more than one
favorite?  I must say though that the Bell really revitalized the concerto
for me.

Cheers,

Bill Blank
http://kernunnos.com (Celtic studies and numismatics)