DAILY DOSE of BEETHOVEN (November 23, 2020)
When the Coronavirus first caused a national lock down in March, our Foundation decided that instead of letting it rudely seized the limelight from Beethoven's 250th birth year, it really identifies for us, all the more, the need to "Think Like Beethoven”. The kind of scientific creativity and joyful discovery made by this great composer, are what the world requires, especially in midst of a pandemic.
Since then, we’ve written over 200 “Daily Doses of Beethoven”. And, on Beethoven’s 250th birthday, December 16, 2020, we are organizing a 24-hour international Beethoven celebration (https://youtu.be/iyjWFntIiiY). We invite you all to join us in the party! There will be greetings, tributes and musical offering; and we will surprise you with untold stories about great performers of Beethoven’s work; and rare recordings of his compositions. Among them, will be his “Bagatelle”.
Für Elise
Today, we turn to one of his easier, but most beloved compositions—“Für Elise”. Every composer has certain pieces, which just "catch on"—that strike the right chord in the public mind. Sometimes the composer can't even say why. Such a work, is this short piano piece. Its origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery.
Beethoven wrote “für Elise” when he was 40. But it was not discovered until long after his death. The title simply means: "For Elisa." She might have been a woman who Beethoven was in love with, which would help explain why it attracts us so much. No-one is sure. The music suggests though, that she was an amateur. It is not difficult, especially with the main theme in A minor, which repeats three times. One does not have to be a professional to play it well!
Many people report that they fell in love with it as a child. Their mother played it. A teacher played it. They opened a music box, and there it was. Many young people became determined to learn it, often to the horror of their music teachers, who wanted them to stick with the lesson plan and not jump ahead. Those teachers often found though, that the level of motivation is higher when students love what they are playing. They will work harder if they are not bored.
Not everybody learns the entire piece. Although it is only 5 pages long, the two middle sections, though not really difficult, do pose more of a challenge. It is worth the effort though.
Here, Dr. Elizabeth Borowsky performs of this beloved piece on February 1, 2020 in NYC.