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Ludwig van Beethoven — Für Elise
Album: Alfred Brendl (1985)
Avg rating:
8.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3423









Released: 1810
Length: 3:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (263)add comment
I really like how Alfred Brendel is playing this thing! :-)
Thx RP!
About as close to God-like as we mortals are ever going to get in this life.  And that ain't bad, not by any stretch is it?  
 spetrie wrote:

My Dad, who passed away 3 weeks ago played this on the piano all the time when I was young. Thank you. :-}



My mom who passed 14 years ago also played this when we were kids - always brings a smile to my face!
My Dad, who passed away 3 weeks ago played this on the piano all the time when I was young. Thank you. :-}
Great cover...i only SKIP because coworker loves it and he's a dickhead
 TheGolfster wrote:

Any person rating this piece less than a 10 needs their head examined. Beethoven's music has endured for 200 years. What does that make it? 



Old?  Seriously though I completely agree - 10 all the way
Any person rating this piece less than a 10 needs their head examined. Beethoven's music has endured for 200 years. What does that make it? 
 dasaimless wrote:

Ah, the memories of my childhood! I can still vividly recall
the cassette player that my uncles used to own. Every time they switched
it on, a delightful 8-bit tune would play.

It's incredible to think that as a child, I had no idea that the 8-bit
The tune that played on my uncles' cassette player was a classical music masterpiece. I didn't know that it was the legendary "Fur Elise" by
Beethoven is one of the most famous pieces of music in history. And yet,
even without that knowledge, I could sense its sheer beauty and magic.





Cool story.  Thank You for sharing it.
SUPERB!  Thanx RP!   
 MilidelEubanks wrote:

One of those pieces that any student can play, but which very very few masters can play really really well.


Most beginner students can play the first section adequately; however, the B and C sections are slightly above beginner level.
One of those pieces that any student can play, but which very very few masters can play really really well.
A bit of the old Ludwig Van.
how can i ever consider rating below than that

Ah, the memories of my childhood! I can still vividly recall
the cassette player that my uncles used to own. Every time they switched
it on, a delightful 8-bit tune would play.

It's incredible to think that as a child, I had no idea that the 8-bit
The tune that played on my uncles' cassette player was a classical music masterpiece. I didn't know that it was the legendary "Fur Elise" by
Beethoven is one of the most famous pieces of music in history. And yet,
even without that knowledge, I could sense its sheer beauty and magic.




The correct name is Brendel. Great performance
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p19f7brnXFw/RvRsmJF2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAII/QQZ1XYeYFyU/s320/c4g_schroeder.gif



Yes!
Only RP could go from The Clash to Beethoven in a few o-so-perfectly choreographed jumps.
I once worked in an office that piped in music (HORRORS!) and they regularly played a muzakified version of this. It took a while for those first few notes not to send me running and to return this song to masterpiece status in my mind.
 Phlegmaticman wrote:


People in 1810: "New Beethoven just dropped!"


Thank you for putting this on, and bringing it to me mid-playlist and mid-day. Never realized how much I needed it, till the third key played, and I was hooked for the remainder of this masterpiece.
This song was unfortunately ruined for me by all the piano-dabblers playing the first notes badly on a out-of-tune piano.
 JasondotG wrote:

The first rock star. 



As much as I adore Beethoven, I would leave the "first rockstar" title to Johann Sebastian Bach.
 the_jake wrote:

Love the release date     1810.



People in 1810: "New Beethoven just dropped!"
He's got the Beet!
 Jelani wrote:

OMG. So over played. How many times have we heard this in the last 200 years? Really.




lol
Inspired such Incredible beauty that is…
For Alice. I would love to know who she was that inspired such increasingly art.
 TheKing2 wrote:


But who was Elise? 


Sorry, I couldn't help myself, but "Who tf is Elise?"
 JasondotG wrote:

The first rock star. 



Amadeus was one, too!
...as opposed to the fake fur elise...
OMG. So over played. How many times have we heard this in the last 200 years? Really.
 BillG wrote:
Done.

This performance by Alfred Brendl has wonderful expression. Makes this old chestnut worth a close listen. Even hearing it at all is one reason I love RP.
 TheKing2 wrote:
But who was Elise?
 
I had a copy of this about 40 years ago and the liner notes said
 
1. Beethoven had a close friend called Therese
and
2. Beethoven had really bad hand-writing.
I don't wish to be super picky but the performer's name is Alfred Brendel, not Brendl.
 cloudymcloudface wrote:

Ah yes Talk Talk to Beethoven, superb thanks RP




And again, 1/17/2022.  Coincidence?
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p19f7brnXFw/RvRsmJF2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAII/QQZ1XYeYFyU/s320/c4g_schroeder.gif


Few covered this as well
Sounds SUPERB in FLAC with great studio phones, amp & DAC!!!
 TheKing2 wrote:

I love Bach!


and Beethoven!

As far as cause of death, read the wiki....way too much alcohol.
Makes me miss my Mom 
I love Bach!
 VH1 wrote:

True and whilst today they die of drugs, he died of Syphillis! What a way to go!


Irony defined; and without drugs* half of them would likely go the same way...

*(the prescription kind, but work with me here! 😜)
 tonyinnj wrote:




But who was Elise? 
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

Chopin was the first rock star. He had groupies waiting at the stage door when his concerts were over.
Franz Liszt would come on stage with the tux and white gloves. He'd
remove the gloves and lay them on the piano to play the concert.
Afterwards, he'd exit the stage but left the gloves on the piano. The
women in the audience would rush the stage to get the gloves...
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.


This is always a welcome break in my day!
 VH1 wrote:

True and whilst today they die of drugs, he died of Syphillis! What a way to go!


Conjecture.  Got a reference?  Lead poisoning is more likely.
my mother was a piano teacher
all the little girls wanted to learn Fur Elise
all the little boys wanted to learn Moonlight Sonata
Ouch.
Simply soothing on a sultry sunny Sunday 😊
Wonderful.
 jpfueler wrote:


And Mozart was a Punker
 
Chopin was the first rock star. He had groupies waiting at the stage door when his concerts were over.
One of my only 10s (if not the only one). More classical please!  Not that I mind any of the other stuff. I love it all. 
 ExploitingChaos wrote:


Does it mean Bach was a Metalhead?
 

And Mozart was a Punker
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p19f7brnXFw/RvRsmJF2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAII/QQZ1XYeYFyU/s320/c4g_schroeder.gif
 
My favorite copy of this recording is on a Schroeder's Classics CD. Likely a BMG purchase from college...
 JasondotG wrote:
The first rock star. 
 

Does it mean Bach was a Metalhead?
I learnt this when I was about seven ... lovely piece of music; starts fairly simply with a couple of tricky sections to trap the unwary.  Like a lot of great music, easy to play, fiendishly difficult to play well.
 Grammarcop wrote:
Bill, please throw this out and replace it with Alfred Brendl's 1984 recording.
 

Done.
This is a 10 if there ever was one.
8.9.  Yeah, it's really good, but I'm not totally feeling it.  Kind of fetishy for those who like a certain type of music.
Bill, please throw this out and replace it with Alfred Brendl's 1984 recording.
I suggest Alfred Brendel's version.
It’s ‘Für‘, not ‘Fur‘
Sign in the guitar store read: No Stairway
Sign In piano store should read : No Fur Elise

ask someone who works there
Ah yes Talk Talk to Beethoven, superb thanks RP
 TheKing2 wrote:
Is it my player or is there a slight distortion at the end of the track?
 
Yes! ....I am listening on AKG K701  headphones in FLAC with a great DAC & amp! ...its a lousy recording!!!
 unclehud wrote:
.. don't think Beethoven wrote any...
 
pretty sure you could at least sing the melody to the ninth, if not the German words.
 unclehud wrote:
Pictured album cover says "Sing Along Symphonies" ... but I don't think Beethoven wrote any.  (I'm sure someone out there knows ...)

And, from the nitpicker side of my personality:  This isn't a symphony.

<edit, 5 mins later>
  From Wikipedia:

Beethoven's Wig is a vocal group that sings lyrics written to the greatest hits of classical music. Created by lyricist, lead singer and producer Richard Perlmutter, the group has been a featured performer with numerous symphony orchestras. Beethoven's Wig has recorded four albums.
 
I guess you could argue that Ode to Joy is a singalong symphony - I believe it was the first symphony with a choral arrangement. 

And I figured someone probably did this... leave it to the Bulgarians!
210 anni ben portati ...sempre bellissima
Is it my player or is there a slight distortion at the end of the track?
There are definitely better recordings both on vinyl and in hirez audio files. I'm listening to this through a DAC and a good pair of over-the-ear phones and the distortion is blantent
This song will always remind me of my sister's piano lessons.  I never learned piano but 
I can hum along to this one after hearing it several hundred times. 
Pictured album cover says "Sing Along Symphonies" ... but I don't think Beethoven wrote any.  (I'm sure someone out there knows ...)

And, from the nitpicker side of my personality:  This isn't a symphony.

<edit, 5 mins later>
  From Wikipedia:

Beethoven's Wig is a vocal group that sings lyrics written to the greatest hits of classical music. Created by lyricist, lead singer and producer Richard Perlmutter, the group has been a featured performer with numerous symphony orchestras. Beethoven's Wig has recorded four albums.
Had a teenage romance during which this was "our song".  Truly a beautiful rendition, too. Anyone know who the pianist is? 
This is nice
 Caturman wrote:
Quite a nice cover, almost better than the original ! What is the name of this band?
 
Coldplay.
 VH1 wrote:

True and whilst today they die of drugs, he died of Syphillis! What a way to go!
 Never heard of Beethoven dying of Syphillis. It was the case for Schubert and Nietzsche.

Quite a nice cover, almost better than the original ! What is the name of this band?
10 - Godlike
 paulstrangeway wrote:
Old farts music, gimme a backbeat you can use it......
 
Whatever mate. I'd suggest you're a tad too simple to enjoy this genre.
 paulstrangeway wrote:
Old farts music, gimme a backbeat you can use it......
 
.. if you want to Rock and Roll

Long Live Radio Paradise
To me 7 - Quite Likeable     but just barely
Old farts music, gimme a backbeat you can use it......
Just thinking the same thing.  Poor understanding of the piece by whomever is playing it in this version
 RoelantSiekman wrote:

I think it is due to the album this was taken from: Beethoven's Wig. Amazon tells me it's essentially an introduction for children into classical music, with funny lyrics put to classical tunes, and that in fact the tune without the lyrics is an extra on this album. The lyrics probably don't exceed the length of the sample we've just heard.

I totally agree though that if Beethoven is played on RP, it shouldn't be cut of.. Please find another version, Bill (or Rebecca)! I've never seen such a high rating of a song, so I guess the audience is ready for it.

 
The album cover most definitely is for the children's album.  I play the videos for Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata and others for my under 5 crowd.  They love them.  Someday they will make the connection to the classics.  But for the present it is great quality time spent together, even if it involves a screen.  Usually use a picture of the 4 boys sitting around me while watching them for my before and after St. Baldrick's pictures each year.


Love the release date     1810.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p19f7brnXFw/RvRsmJF2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAII/QQZ1XYeYFyU/s320/c4g_schroeder.gif
 
{#Cheers}
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p19f7brnXFw/RvRsmJF2ZHI/AAAAAAAAAII/QQZ1XYeYFyU/s320/c4g_schroeder.gif
Always the right time for a Master.
 Grammarcop wrote:
Since it's already the 17th in Asia ... Happy Birthday, Ludwig Von!

 
It's Ludwig Van!
 Yep.

Wardleader wrote:
Playing some classical music along with everything else in the late 60s and early 70s was something that just happened along with all kinds of whimsical station breaks with out takes from movies from the 30s and 40s on Philadelphia earliest FM stations that played album music.  WDAS and WMMR FM the early underground radio stations played whatever they felt like, with lots of the album music not heard on the  AM power hit stations.  RP has that same feel, the eclectic all good sounds of music from all over the place by Bill and Rebecca who have an ear for the newer stuff that I haven't a clue about.   At this point, I try not to complain but enjoy the music and the fact I am still alive at all to hear it.   And yes, Beethoven holds a place for me, my high school girl friend was a great piano student and played Beethoven piano pieces for me that astounded me for her talent and for this music from the great composer that I then could understand why his name was held in awe and respect.  This really is my radio paradise{#Heartkiss}

 


Playing some classical music along with everything else in the late 60s and early 70s was something that just happened along with all kinds of whimsical station breaks with out takes from movies from the 30s and 40s on Philadelphia earliest FM stations that played album music.  WDAS and WMMR FM the early underground radio stations played whatever they felt like, with lots of the album music not heard on the  AM power hit stations.  RP has that same feel, the eclectic all good sounds of music from all over the place by Bill and Rebecca who have an ear for the newer stuff that I haven't a clue about.   At this point, I try not to complain but enjoy the music and the fact I am still alive at all to hear it.   And yes, Beethoven holds a place for me, my high school girl friend was a great piano student and played Beethoven piano pieces for me that astounded me for her talent and for this music from the great composer that I then could understand why his name was held in awe and respect.  This really is my radio paradise{#Heartkiss}
Piano Lessons peaked at learning this piece :).  There must be an Angela Hewitt version out there...
And there it is...the Piece de Resistance! My all time favourite classical piece! Again, thank you Bill <3
 1000270687 wrote:
Beutiful masterpiece but isn't there a better quality version out there?
 
Yes. Fixed.
My mother was playing "Lettre à Elise" at home when I was younger... Good remenber !{#Notworthy}
Since it's already the 17th in Asia ... Happy Birthday, Ludwig Von!
I love it when my fiance plays this on her piano.
And, to this day, nobody really knows who Elise was; perhaps better that way since Ludvig wrote better music as a bachelor anyway. 
 thewiseking wrote:
Beethoven?!? I thought Jimmy Page wrote this!
 

  No.  Page stole the riff.


Talented little dude Bill?  Well put.

When my parents thought I had talent, I had to practice this so much.  Thankfully they came to their senses.


 JasondotG wrote:
The first rock star. 

 
True and whilst today they die of drugs, he died of Syphillis! What a way to go!
I could be wrong but I don't think Beethoven made this recording
Beethoven?!? I thought Jimmy Page wrote this!
 
The first rock star. 
Posted: Jan 30, 2013 - 04:57
 

 Joyride76 wrote:
Please next time don t cut the music... It's not something that you do! Respect Beethoven and the listener
  
I agree..
Agreed. Play all of Beethoven's 5th 
{#Cheers}{#Meditate}{#Notworthy}
Quality sound for the 1810 recording! 
Elisabeth Roeckel indeed.
Beethoven have to change!!!
 DoctorHooey wrote:
*ahem*

I just wrote a song it's for Elise
It's not a loan
It's not a lease
So if you want to know about this song
And who it's for
It's for Elise

If I go and play this for Elise
I wonder if 
She'll like this piece?
If she hates it my grief will not cease
I'll stuff my face
Til I'm obese
 
A simple song
And happy too
It's not for me
It's not for you

And that is what it IS
A little song that's for Elise
Not for some guy
Who's named Maurice
And now you know why all my songs
Don't have no words
Cuz I'm a terrible lyricist.

The end.
 

 
{#Roflol}{#Clap} Feckin' brilliant!
I really appreciate it when RP sneaks in some classical. This is a good one there are, perhaps, better recordings but still it is a good piece.
Enjoying the music and giggling at the cover! 
This is why radio paradise is the very best!!!!! 

 
Just another example of why I love RP and tell all of my friends about the station.....2014 Chrissie Hynde, then 1800's Beethoven. Throw in some "Bitches Brew" and there you are!
{#Music}
Sweet! {#Cheers}
 DoctorHooey wrote:
*ahem*

I just wrote a song it's for Elise
It's not a loan
It's not a lease
So if you want to know about this song
And who it's for
It's for Elise

If I go and play this for Elise
I wonder if 
She'll like this piece?
If she hates it my grief will not cease
I'll stuff my face
Til I'm obese
 
A simple song
And happy too
It's not for me
It's not for you

And that is what it IS
A little song that's for Elise
Not for some guy
Who's named Maurice
And now you know why all my songs
Don't have no words
Cuz I'm a terrible lyricist.

The end.
 
 
Brilliant!


Ballerinas floating through my head......
 buddy wrote:
This was my first piano recital piece at age 10.  A stripped down version to be sure.  But it's been very special to me ever since.  Also, in the way that became a pattern for my performance career evermore, I tripped going up the stairs to the stage and again going down the stairs on the other side - but I nailed the piece.

 
Great story