BARENBOIM ON BEETHOVEN
VIEWING GUIDE


Name: ___________________________________


Date: _________________________


Directions:
Before you view selected sections of BARENBOIM ON BEETHOVEN, read each question below. As you watch, record your answers and be as specific as possible in your responses.

1. At the beginning of the program, Daniel Barenboim makes several statements about Beethoven's work. Read each statement, then watch and listen to Barenboim's performance and decide if you agree or disagree with his ideas and explain why.

"Beethoven remains constantly contemporary." Agree or disagree? Why?





"His music really deals with the completeness and the innermost nature of the human condition." Agree or disagree? Why?





"It [the music] is about the necessity to push yourself to the limit. It does not shy away from the extremes." Agree or disagree? Why?





"Out of chaos, out of strife, come a new order." Agree or disagree? Why?





2. In the interview, Barenboim says, "If you see your life in music, you will have a constant interest." What do you think he means by this statement? Explain.









3. Barenboim comments that no matter how many times he plays the piano sonatas, they never remain the same. Each time he plays one he discovers something new in it. Discuss how this quality in Beethoven's works adds to its ability to be timeless or constantly contemporary. Give specific examples.









4. Barenboim says, "Music is not a profession -- it's a way of life." What do you think he means by this, and would you agree? Why?









5. You will now view an entire sonata from the program. Before the performance begins, read the questions below so you can answer them as you watch and listen to the musical selection

How does the music make you feel (emotions, mood) when you listen to it?





How would you describe the theme of this piece? Explain.





If you were writing a story to accompany this piece of music, what type of story would it be? Why?





Listen to the music and envision one or two characters represented by it. Describe the personality, physical characteristics, and emotions of the character(s) based on what you hear in the music.