grandclosing (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Wow.. Beethoven is a genius... Brilliant music.

trashaholic71 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

This along with his 5th, 9th, 3rd, and 6th symphonies are my favorite Beethoven works of music.

princevasili83 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Mohaa279: chances are, yes. i saw a performance in Putney, VT a few years back of a female conductor, elderly lady...like 70+, conduct St. Matthew's Passion by Bach in it's entirety w/out the score (she sat in her personal chair used at all of her events). Her "story" was that she loved Bach so much that she felt she would be united with him upon her death. And this version was performed w/ baroque soloist accompanied by a modern orchestra. it was wonderful.

theodyssey12 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

this is my favorite symphony, I especially like the fourth movement =)also find the beginning of the first movement very attention-grabbing

lloccmttocs (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I love this symphony, the last movement is so much fun to play. Beethoven plays with your anticipations. If I remember, there's this key change into Gb major in the middle of a big bass run and it keeps going, the bII of F major, just genius.

hisimperialmajesty (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Karajan very often /did/ memorize the pieces he was conducting, simply because he was a genius and also because he practiced so much. With the Beethoven Symphonies, it's quite likely that he knew them so well that he could have literally conducted them in his sleep.

Isosphere (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Nö, ist nur clever gefilmt. In der Pause siehst wie sie umblättern.

homievader (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

This seems more repetitive than the rest of the symphony's.I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying.

moun10dewmaniac (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

very good question! With all the hours that go into rehearsals and practicing, one naturally memorizes the piece. And if not in it's entirety, one will hear cues and know what is coming next.

mohaa279 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

just out of curiosity, Since Karajan has his eyes closed through out the performance, does this mean him (and others) don't need to look at the count and know very well the whole symphony by heart???