Nah; old Ludwig Van got him beat by about a half-century with the first movement of his fifth symphony. 😉 Wilhelm Richard certainly was a big influence on the progressive rock movement though, I’d say.
109 posted on
09/28/2019 12:52:18 PM PDT by
Olog-hai
("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)
I am swayable on Beethoven...I could partially agree with you if we selected Beethoven's 9th. I consider that to be the greatest composition ever - the fourth movement is essentially dictation from the Holy Spirit, and is made even greater considering Ludwig was stone deaf at the time. I also believe Beethoven's repeated use in the 5th of the opening theme..
...may have been a precursor to Wagner's leitmotif technique which came alive in The Ring.
However, Wagner's lush use of brass and fast string runs and fff seals Wagner as Metal's Godfather for me. But I could agree that Beethoven's is to Wagner and metal what the Declaration is to the Constitution and America. Thank you.