Re: 'Alle Menschen werden bruder'

m@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Allofaquaver) wrote in message
news:<c233ee4.0407030844.b856237@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>...
> Was Beethoven politically niave and disillusioned about the belief in
> the brotherhood of man,  as is the message in his great 9th symphony. 
> ??
> 'Alle Menschen werden bruder'.
> 
> I am interested in his political outlook.



The sentiment of brotherhood expressed in Schiller's poem strikes me
not so much as a political statement, but a spiritual one, especially
in the hands of Beethoven.  The sublime setting of the later sections
of the Finale of the 9th is clearly meant to represent a fervent hope
for humanity to recognize their similarities and ties, as opposed to
political differences.

Beethoven's politics were very much informed by the French Revolution,
and remember that he idolized Napoleon for striking down the
privileges of royalty, and was highly disillusioned when Buonaparte
took on the trappings of empire for himself.  But I don't believe that
Beethoven ever lost his resentment of the upper cl***** and their
general treatment of him as a servant in the mold of Haydn (with
notable exceptions of course, such as the Archduke Rudolph).

Mark