That’s a great piece of music, and I only know so much Beethoven. My favorite compositions by him has to be
The Emperor Concerto, No.5. It was composed in praise of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
It’s my favorite but I almost never play it. Why?
Because a Concerto like this requires a good sound system, and is required to be played LOUDLY.
That is the only way you will feel all the power, all of that angry joy.
I would be evicted from my apartment if I played it at ‘proper volume’.
You do not get the same experience with headphones.
Lee, sounds like you should have an expensive set to Bose headphones :- ) I found the 5th and it was enjoyable to hear.
You need some good bluetooth headphones like Beyerdynamic Aventho headphones.
https://www.adorama.com/bd717440.html
They can be adapted to all sorts of hearing profiles by computer.
The go on sale every few months for 60 to 80 off the price above. They are not for rough-house usage or kids but I have stumbled around with mine for more for a year and would buy a replacement set if I lost them.
Will they sound like a pair of $3200 speakers set in the right room — no. But they have their own unique soundstage, adjust volume on the unit and have a mic for when the phone rings. I use mine all the time and only charge them about once a week. And if you like to hear the loud to soft of full dynamic range on classical, they do that job very well.
Lee, I listened again just now to the end of the 5th and I agree with your assessment. It’s got to be my favorite because the end is so triumphant — as you say with “angry joy”.
What’s remarkable about the piece is you never know when it’s going to end. Suddenly Beethoven shifts to soft music, then builds up the fortissimo again. The tension he builds up and releases is the same feeling you get when you’re working hard and feeling the toil. Then suddenly you make a sale!