Chapters 11-15
Chapter 11-15

Chapter 11

Bilious: Having a peevish disposition; ill-humored
Vociferously: marked by noisy and vehement outcry
Wunderkind: A child prodigy

“Beethoven was a great composer [because] he seems to be more human than most of us (62). [sic] He connects us to the deepest, most hidden corners of our fear, our anger, our hate, our guilt, our love, our gentility (62).” Which piece of Beethoven’s is your favorite, why?

What is your opinion on this statement: “Maestro [sic], all men are boys. [sic] How about women? [sic] “No, women grow up! (p. 70)”

Chapter 12

Laudably: Deserving commendation; praiseworthy
Peregrinations: travel (especially by foot)
Déclassé: Lacking high station or birth; of inferior social status.
Cognoscenti: a connoisseur
Omnipresent: Present everywhere simultaneously
Schism: A separation or division into factions
Impresario: One who sponsors or produces entertainment
Dichotomy: Division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions
Modicum: A small, moderate, or token amount

How do you think music is the universal language that “…transcends nation and regional vernaculars (71).”?
Chapter 13

Patently: In a patent manner; openly, plainly, or clearly
Circumspect: Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent
Fulsome: Offensively flattering or insincere
Misanthropic: Of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope
Banal: not new or interesting
Obsequious: Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning.
Venality: The condition of being susceptible to bribery or corruption
Calumnies: A false statement maliciously made to injure another's reputation
Vitriolic: Bitterly scathing; caustic
Epithets: An abusive or contemptuous word or phrase
Transcendent: Surpassing others; preeminent or supreme

“…I believe that Beethoven’s unrelenting views of virtue, of integrity, and of his own personal worth were driving forces that pervade much of his music (87).” What are the values you hold in your heart which pervade your life?

“My angel, my all, my very self,…can our love endure without sacrifices, without demanding everything from one another; can you alter the fact that you are not wholly mine, that I am not wholly yours? Love demands all….My heart overflows with a longing to tell you so many things-Oh- there are times when I find speech is quite inadequate-Be cheerful and forever my faithful, my only sweetheart, my all, as I am yours (88.)” Do you have any experiences you would be willing to share similar to Beethoven and his Love, how did you handle it? (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Have you ever found yourself often doing/expressing the opposite of how you truly feel to cover your emotions? Why? (89) (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Chapter 14

Prescient: perceiving the significance of events before they occur
Elucidate: To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Oeuvre: A work of art

Chapters 13 and 14 delve further into Beethoven’s life and music. What especially in Chapter 14 ‘hits’ you the most emotionally; as a musician; as a human? (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Performing music either for yourself or others helps one to release pent-up emotions, de-stress, among other things. What does performing music (in any sense) do for you? (95)

Do you think you could be as honest and direct as Beethoven was (96, 100-1) in your music? In your life? Why is it so difficult?

Chapter 15

Bestrode: To sit or stand on with the legs astride; straddle
Diaphanous: Characterized by delicacy of form
Sophomoric: Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment
Tableau: An interlude during a scene when all the performers on stage freeze in position and then resume action as before

How does Eger believe that Berlioz’s music is both the closing and opening of the Romantic/ Impressionistic era (respectively)?
- posted by Muse @ 12:23 PM