[Borges]

Berlioz died in 1869 so that must have been a bust that was moaning.

[starczar66]

Good catch. I think “1869” must be a typo. I did an internet search of the story and found the same account in material published by Cambridge University, and it said the date was 1837.

http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/44624/excerpt/9780521644624_excerpt.pdf (page 7)

[Pharmboy]

I have been listening to Beethoven's music since I was 10 years old, when I asked my friend (the one across the street from me who took piano lessons) what he was playing and he answered "Für Elise." He eventually played the Moonlight, the Pathetique and the Appassionata. By thirteen I had his piano sonatas and symphonies on LP, and even a few of his middle period string quartets. By the time I was 20 I had all the quartets and much else of his chamber music.

By the time I hit 50, Bach became my number one and Ludwig moved down one notch. At this point in my life I have abandoned his symphonies (except that I do listen occasionally to the first, eighth and ninth) but continue to listen to his sonatas and quartets. AFAIC, still the best.

Thanks for the ping...excellent article.

[ItsForTheChildren]

Thirty-seven years since my last music history class. Guess I don’t remember much. :-(