Extreme Beethoven
Subtitle: Metamorphoses on Themes by Ludwig van Beethoven
General Info
Year: 2012
Duration: 18:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Amstel Music, through Music Shop Europe
Cost: Score and Parts - $325.00 | Score - $66.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo I-II (doubling Flute III-IV)
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone I-II
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
B-flat Cornet I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Cello
String Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Anvil
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbal
- Field Drum
- Glockenspiel
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-tam
- Tom-tom
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Woodblock
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Extreme Beethoven is based on a similar concept as its illustrious predecessor, Extreme Make-over. A well-known classical theme is first presented in its original form, and then subtle and surprising shifts start to creep in. Various other Beethovenian motifs also make their appearance.
Starting with the opening theme (from the second movement of his Piano Concerto No. 5, the Emperor Concerto), Beethoven’s vast treasure trove of wondrous themes and motifs are put to good use. Melodies are quoted, enlarged, condensed, repeated in minimalist patterns, counterpointed, or placed in an entirely different context.
It is as if listeners can cast a glance into the genius brain of the master. Inside, a multitude of ideas and motifs tumble over each other. Some are dreamlike and exquisite, others nightmarish, frightening, and obstinately repetitive. The nine symphonies provide the majority of the material for Extreme Beethoven, but themes from the Egmont Overture, the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, and the Turkish March have also been woven into the patchwork of quotations and references.
Halfway through the piece, a small ensemble creates some indispensible musical confusion, worthy of Charles Ives – two groups playing on top of each other. A quotation from the Finale of Egmont morphs into a jazzy ostinato bass line until the pile-up of eight notes forms a bizarre cluster. What amounts to an ‘Egmont groove’ fits amazingly well underneath various other quotations. That brings us to the finale, where the Emperor theme resumes, played by the entire orchestra.
Undoubtedly, purists and musicologists will scratch their heads on hearing this music. Please understand that the piece springs from intense admiration and respect for one of the greatest composers of all times. Above all, Extreme Beethoven is an ode to the greatness of Ludwig van Beethoven.
- Program Note by composer
Media
- Audio: Banda de Lalin (Bram Sniekers, Conductor)
- Audio CD: Banda de Lalin (Bram Sniekers, Conductor) - 2013
State Ratings
The piece is a required work for the World Music Concours 2013 for the First Division.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Daan National Middle School Wind Ensemble + Taipei United Wind Ensemble (Lu Yen-Hui, conductor) - 23 January 2019
- 2013 World Music Contest - 13-21 July 2013
Works for Winds by This Composer
- African Harmony (2017)
- Aladdin Suite (as arranger)
- American Prelude
- Aquarium (1991)
- At Kitty O'Shea's (2011)
- Beatles Collection (as arranger) (1982)
- Canticles (2007)
- Casanova (2000)
- Celtic Classics (2016)
- Ceremonial Fanfare (2005)
- Chanson de Matin (as arranger) (c. 1890/1988)
- Clair de lune (as arranger) (1890/1905/2017)
- Cloud Factory (2011)
- Continental Overture (1997)
- Copacabana (as arranger)
- Downtown Divertimento (2014)
- Dutch Masters Suite (2008)
- Echoes of San Marco (2016)
- Edgar (as arranger) (1889/2008)
- Extreme Make-Over (2004)
- Extreme Beethoven (2012)
- Fellini (2015)
- Festive Hymn (2007)
- Fifty Shades of E (2016)
- Highlights from "Riverdance" (as arranger) (1994/2014)
- Highlights from the Seville Suite (as arranger) (1992/2011)
- Hobbits Dance and Hymn (arr. Lavender) (1987/2006)
- Honky Tonk Ragtime (as arranger) (1985)
- James Bond 007 (1983/2021)
- Jazz Suite No. 2 (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- March (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- Lyric Waltz (as arranger) (post-1956/1995)
- Dance I (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- Dance II (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- Waltz No. 2 (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- Finale (as arranger) (post-1956/1994)
- Joropo (as arranger)
- Jupiter Hymn (as arranger)
- Klezmer Classics (2004)
- La Fanciulla del West (as arranger) (1910/2008)
- La Quintessenza (1990/1998)
- Les Papillons (as editor)
- Loch Ness (1988)
- Lord of the Rings. See: Symphony No. 1
- Lord of the Rings (arr. Lavender) (1987/2001)
- Los Cuatro Vientos (2021)
- Madurodam (1997)
- March to Mars (as arranger) (1987)
- Marche Americana (as editor) (1997)
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (as arranger) (1826/2022)
- Moment for Morricone (as arranger) (1966/1996)
- Mondriaan (2021)
- Musical Highlights from "Chess" (as arranger) (1993)
- The Painted Bird (2021)
- Pavane (as arranger) (1899/1991)
- Pennsylvania Faux Songs (2018)
- Phantom of the Opera (as arranger)
- Polish Christmas Music, Part I (1995)
- Ratatouille Satirique (as arranger) (/1994)
- Romeo and Juliet (as arranger). See: Suite from the Ballet "Romeo & Juliet"
- Rotterdam 1945 (2019)
- Sinfonietta No. 1 (2011/2012)
- Songs from the Catskills (2012)
- Spring (2010)
- Star Wars Saga (as arranger) (1987)
- Suite for Variety Orchestra (as arranger) (post 1956/1994)
- Suite from the Ballet "Romeo & Juliet" (as arranger) (1935/1990)
- Summer (2013)
- Symphony No. 1 (1987)
- Symphony No. 2 (1993)
- Symphony No. 3 (2007)
- Symphony No. 4 (2013)
- Symphony No. 5 (2018)
- Ancalagon, the Black (2018)
- UFO Concerto (2012)
- T-Bone Concerto (1996)
- Te Deum (as transcriber) (1900/2010)
- Two-Bone Concerto (2016)
- Teddy Trombone (as arranger)
- Triptychon (2023)
- Triumphal March (as arranger) (1872/2003)
- Un Momento Dado (2021)
- The Venetian Collection
- Via Claudia (2012)
- Wind in the Willows (2002)
- Windy City Overture (2006)
- The Witches' Sabbath (as arranger)
- The Woman in White (as arranger) (2006)
- The Year 2020 (2022)
Resources
- de Meij, J. (2012). Extreme Beethoven Metamorphoses on Theme by Ludwig van Beethoven: For Wind Orchestra [score]. Amstel Music: Amsterdam, Neth.
- Johan de Meij website
- World Music Concours Requirements 2013