Which Beethoven's symphony do you like the best?

Evidently one cannot make any criticism of Beethoven in this company without being acused of being ignorant. For what it's worth, my appreciation of classical music, including Beethoven, dates from about 1948 when I attended a musically oriented boarding school in New Zealand, and it has continued ever since. I may disagree with you, but not because I am ignorant. Perhaps I've heard that 9th too many times. Does anyone else have the feeling that the choral part begins well but goes nowhere?

Eldartford: Yes. I guess that my problem with the 9th, and it was my problem with the Mahler symphonies as well, is that the ending just seems to start and stop too much to make it coherent to my admittedly structured way of analyzing music (contrast it with the 5th symphony, which is as perfect structurally--and musically--as any symphony ever written). I've probably got to listen to it more to fully understand it (I used to feel the same way about the Mahler 2nd's last movement, but now it's one of my favorites), but my overall feeling from that movement, while it is genuinely moving, inspired and brilliant for the most part, is that it tries to do too much and loses me at the end as a result.

Bluefin I would definitely acknowledge that the opening motif to the 5th of Beethoven is probably the most well known passage in music, little doubt about that. I would also bet that the 1st and 3rd movement of Mozart's G minor symphony (# 40) are instantly recognizable to at least as many folks, possibly more, than any particular passage in a Beethoven Symphony other than the 1st movement of the 5th and the final movement of the 9th. I would also guess that although many might recognize the G Minor, most probably wouldn't know who composed it. The point is the music stays with you from the first time you hear it, hooks galore :)

Eldartford, Since you are, in fact, quite familar with classical music, wouldn't your point have been better expressed if you had voiced specific critisms, as opposed to making generic expressions, such as "over-rated", etc which when read by novices can be mis-understood as meaning that they are unworthy.I think it is this manner of expression that draws the boo's. While I realize the significance of all of Beethovens symphonies in the whole, as well as in the part, as with you I too am not really drawn to hearing repeated performances of the 9th. I feel it is not as cohesive as the 5th and 7th nor as pastoral as the 6th or joyful as the 8th. None the less it was Beethovens Symphonies which broke the ground for future symphonists, the romantic period if you will, not Mozart, even though for many years even such as Brahms felt he could not compete as a symphonist - because he felt Beethoven had said it all. Understanding what made these symphonies great prepares one for a better understanding of what was to come. Great music did not stop with Beethoven, as it did not stop with Bach, Handel, or Mozart. Its all a wonderful voyage to be enjoyed, and I wouldn't denegrate any of the "Greats" just because I didn't find them engaging (any longer). If my post implied that you were ignorant, forgive me for my boorish behavior.

Well, to get back on topic, my favorite Beethoven symphony is the 8th. I've heard it described as a wallflower of a symphony sandwiched between 2 monumental giants, and I was of the same opinion until I heard Scherchen/LPO. If you can find it, give it a shot. It's touched by greatness.