Tristis Corde

Status: Unchanged

Still sick, and sick at heart...

Requiescat In Pace

On March 26, 1827 composer Ludwig van Beethoven died at his home in Vienna at age 56.

The maestro's health had been failing for some long time late in his life, though this did not prevent him from composing some of his greatest works, including the peerless Symphony No. 9 and the sublime Diabelli Variations.

There is considerable controversy about the actual cause of his death, but his funeral in Vienna was attended by tens of thousands of people. Among those leading the funeral procession were Franz Schubert and Beethoven's former pupil Carl Czerny.

"Proof positive that even a curmudgeon can be beloved."

They loved his music, not so much the man himself...and he was more grouch than curmudgeon anyway...

Until Next Time...

Somewhat uniquely among the greatest composers of classical music, Beethoven
wrote relatively little sacred music in his career. What he did write in the genre was outstanding, though, as one might expect from such a genius. Although Beethoven's Mass in C major, Op. 86 is not so well known, popular, or frequently performed as the magnificent Missa solemnis in D major, Op. 123, I have always found its unabashedly emotional style to be joyful and inspiring, something which certainly offers me some much-needed comfort at this juncture of my life.

This live performance of the Mass's "Kyrie" by the UCLA Chorale and Philharmonia, joined by the Angeles Chorale, was filmed on June 7, 2014 at the splendid Royce Hall on the UCLA campus...