Beethoven's Rolling Over (#7)

Magritte

Genre: Techno

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Description

A very weird transcription of the first few minutes of the Allegretto from Beethoven's Symphony #7. Purists, beware: I have taken one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written and turned it into technotrash.

To avoid any confusion this time: BEETHOVEN WROTE THE MUSIC. However, he arranged it somewhat differently than this.

Please note the volume range on this is pretty wide so don't turn up your speakers too high at the beginning.

I still consider this a first draft so suggestions are very welcome. Many thanks to drakonis, thetiler, and other non-Jammers for their support and constructive criticism on this.

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Song Stats

Hits: 3944
Comments: 32
Fans: 9
Plays: 1324
Downloads: 204
Votes:
Uploaded: Apr 24, 2005 - 08:37:03 PM
Last Updated: Oct 16, 2006 - 11:59:14 PM Last Played: Oct 22, 2009 - 09:21:18 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

iMac G5, Keystation 49e

Software:

GarageBand 2, Jam Packs 1 and 4

Comments

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1659 days ago (April 24th, 2005)
	Weird is good. I'm not a big Bee fan but this sounded pretty good. (I'll vote later. I hate being the first one to vote.) Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 1659 days ago (April 24th, 2005)

I like it!
And I think Ludwig would give a thumbs-up, too.

Reminds me of Wendy Carlos' "Switched-On Bach." I like
the synth sound choices.

I often show the movie "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" to my
kids at school. This music is featured at the funeral
scene.

The more I think about it -- I think I'll download this and
play it for my kids at school, with the "real" version to
compare it to, if you don't mind, Magritte.

Check out my latest song called NECAP Test song

Magritte	Magritte said 1659 days ago (April 24th, 2005)
	I like it! Heh, I never imagined this piece being used as a teaching tool. Be my guest, I hope they like it! Thanks for your comments. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

	said 1659 days ago (April 25th, 2005)
	Got my vote. This is straight up cool. Love the techno twist and light- hearted approach to this classic piece. Almost sounds like it could be a soundtrack for Tales From The Crypt. Love the production quality and performance. The mix sounds perfect to me as well. Superb Magritte. Please keep em coming! 4 x 9

Mystified	Mystified said 1659 days ago (April 25th, 2005)
	Hooked on Classics Well, I am a purist, and.... Wait..that was over a decade ago ;) Seriously, I really like this! Nice intro and build up as you add layers of sound. Well done! :) Check out my latest song called Forever Voyaging (space race 2009)

drakonis

drakonis said 1659 days ago (April 25th, 2005)

A Purist? Moi?
To repeat my caveat when you first graciously asked me to
sneak-critique this the other day... the 2nd movement of
Beethoven's 7th is one of my favorite pieces of all time,
and partly just because he shows off his compositional
prowess by proving he can make a beautiful melody by
repeating the SAME NOTE 16 TIMES! That said, I'm also a
W/W Carlos fan, and you have chosen eerily-similar
insturments... this sounds a lot like it could be off the
"Clockwork Orange" movie soundtrack (which Carlos
scored.) I notice you slowed it back down just a bit, thank
you... it was almost too frenetic even for me! I still don't
like the large empty pauses between phrases, it loses
some momentum. And the ending is good, but could use
a dash of something funny inserted between the final
chords. At first I suggested cowbells or a cat yowl... but
the more I think about it, I think having Beethovens
signature "Da da da dum" opening chords of his 5th
symphony would be funny to stick in right at the end
(between the final couple of arpeggio-chords) as a self-
referential raspberry. But all that verbiage aside, I think
this is a great and daring transcription. You did an
awesome job of playing all these parts on keyboard from
the scores, and then chose very appropriately smirky
synth sounds to accompany the technotrash thumpy beat.
I love the strong bass phased synth. Anyway, you got this
purist dragon to giggle and applaud. I know that you
didn't WRITE the music, but you did work hard at re-
arranging it. 7-8-8-8. When you aren't sick of looking at
it anymore, I look forward to your next tweaks on it.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Temporal Tantrum (Sister Savage Mix)

thetiler	thetiler said 1658 days ago (April 25th, 2005)
	love it Love that switch in the beginning where it get's really emotional. This is one of the coolest classical pieces I'v heard here. I't just full of great melody and a great arrangement by you. Plus that great rhythm. I am going in for another listen. Nice going!!! Your getting high scores from me! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Syncopatient	Syncopatient said 1658 days ago (April 25th, 2005)
	You know..... Had Beethoven been alive in this day and age....I'll bet we would have heard pieces like this from him.....um, maybe....but I dig this track. Like synths and percussion...way cool.....kind of evil dark yet Ludwig Von Zipper sound. Great ideas...thanks for stretchin us! Check out my latest song called Jazz Praise

DeputyDoofy	DeputyDoofy said 1658 days ago (April 25th, 2005)
	Very cool. Techno-Beethoven. Need to head back in time with Bill & Ted and a miracle ear so Mr. "Beeeth oven" can hear it for himself. He'd be proud indeed. I'm a Doofy%u2122. Check out my latest song called Sweet Smell Of Success

alley-oop	alley-oop said 1658 days ago (April 26th, 2005)
	Building energy! I'm not familiar with the Beethoven original, but I like that you played it so well. A nice build as the piece moves along, then an excellent ending, very grandiose. I like it when an piece of music ends with as much flare as the rest of the tune. Great! Check out my latest song called anymore

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 1658 days ago (April 26th, 2005)
	Fantasia for the PL2 set Totally fun. The slow sexy feel, with a bit of a hippo dance sense from Fantasia; wit and clubbing and respect all rolled into one. Reminds me of those exercise tapes in the 80s, only the pace for this one is that warm down section when the feeling of weight returns to the limbs. Very entertaining. Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Magritte	Magritte said 1657 days ago (April 27th, 2005)
	Fantasia for the PL2 set The hippo dance! I never would have made that connection. I love it. Thanks to you and everyone for your very kind comments! Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

Mcboy	Mcboy said 1658 days ago (April 26th, 2005)
	Beet would like this....he might have played it faster but it's still kool!!!!..........the layers of sound are definitely in his spirit..... Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 1656 days ago (April 27th, 2005)

I played it at school
I played this song on the PA for the "Morning Music" at my
elementary school, and got many positive comments.

Now, for the next three days of my music rotation, I'm
playing this music for my elementary music kids (along
with the "real" version) for comparison and contrast. ALL
the kids like it! Plus I had one African-American teacher
say, "Hey, that's Beethoven with an R & B beat!" I have
told many people about you -- that you're an HI
interptreter in CA, and that you also play keyboards.
Everyone is impressed!

Check out my latest song called NECAP Test song

Magritte	Magritte said 1654 days ago (April 29th, 2005)
	I played it at school Hey, my first on-air appearance! I am flattered by your use of the piece and really happy to hear the kids like it. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

psychofish said 1656 days ago (April 27th, 2005)

a purist is entertained...
In complete honesty, I really didn't like the beginning. I
play a lot of classical music, and as much as I really like
techno, the expression that exists in Beethoven's music is
impossible to translate electronically. However, as you
added more sounds, I was actually enjoying it, so great
job with that. I really like the bit right before the ending.
The layers were very nice. As long as you're changing
Beethoven, you may as well change the intro so that it
grabs the listener's attention at the beginning. That's just
my suggestion.

Check out my latest song called Welcome to the darkness

Magritte

Magritte said 1654 days ago (April 29th, 2005)

a purist is entertained...
Cool, I hooked a puristfish!

the expression that exists in Beethoven's music is
impossible to translate electronically.

Exactly why I made this after originally giving it a try with orchestral instruments. I don't know if it's impossible to translate at all but it certainly is impossible for ME. I originally had the beginning scored very similar to the original -- all instruments very low and quiet, and then drakonis suggested I open it up a bit, at which point I realized there was no more reason to hang on to the original orchestration (except for the original instruments in the first chord for nostalgia). I agree that I need to take that idea further and work on the beginning some more.

Thank you for your comment and suggestion!

Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

Joanna	Joanna said 1655 days ago (April 29th, 2005)
	How intriguing! Techno is not usually my cup of tea, have to admit. But add the genius of Big B, and I found myself thoroughly entertained. What a great 'hands across time' production! You are to be applauded, Magritte! Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

Scorpjammer	Scorpjammer said 1653 days ago (April 30th, 2005)
	Nicely Done Looking forward to the extended version. Check out my latest song called Seaside Samba

_nderscore	_nderscore said 1648 days ago (May 5th, 2005)
	if only ludwig had electronic bass really great sound, you did an excellent job with this. sounds even better 'cranked'. thumbs uuuup! DL'd Check out my latest song called glyd

Cantor

Cantor said 1634 days ago (May 20th, 2005)

funky
i'm torn on this one. the 7th is one of my favorite
beethoven symphonies... but the production quality on
this is quite good. i'd have preferred to hear a real wailing
electric guitar on lead. but what you did with it works well.
i've been toying with the idea of doing something like this
(not techno) to a theme from "To a Wild Rose," from
Woodland Sketches, by MacDowell. I'd like to hear this
flushed out a little more. I love your caveat in the
description---turning something into technotrash! i'm a
fan of technotrash! 7-8-8-8

Check out my latest song called You Shall Love the Eternal God

Magritte	Magritte said 1629 days ago (May 25th, 2005)
	funky Great idea on the electric guitar. That would have been a really nice addition to the last part of the piece. Too bad I neither have one or know how to play. Maybe in the next iteration I can try to fake that sound out of GB. Thanks to you and everyone for your comments! Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

alley-oop	alley-oop said 1629 days ago (May 25th, 2005)
	Hey! I've already been here! And I'm already a fan of this puppy. I guess I know good music when I hear it. BTW, I liked Cantors idea about the electric guitar. I went to download this and I think the file was corrupt. But I am at work, so perhaps it will work at home. Check out my latest song called anymore

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1618 days ago (June 5th, 2005)
	Absolutely lovely! This piece is absolutely lovely! Youve done it so well that I bet Beethoven himself would have put himself fan of this version. Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

falzaabi	falzaabi said 1487 days ago (October 13th, 2005)
	its nice very smart why of recicaling the old stuff and turn it to this good jop Check out my latest song called HOW NICE

FEEL	FEEL said 1463 days ago (November 7th, 2005)
	Have you ever Listened to Switched on Bach. Maybe a Switched on Beethoven is in order. Nice job Thanks for sharing Regards John Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

macgalver	macgalver said 1356 days ago (February 21st, 2006)
	technotrash too funny. great stuff--your fan, kelli Check out my latest song called First Sight

Monkaton	Monkaton said 1330 days ago (March 19th, 2006)
	Beaten Hooves Would Have Liked It! My wife says LvB's second movement from #7 should be mandatory listening for everyone and this opens the door for many people. I did this piece, the first part, on a synth using the traditional instruments. Yours is much better and a great take on a great piece. Thanks for sharing. Check out my latest song called Darkness of the Night

tsand19151	tsand19151 said 1194 days ago (August 2nd, 2006)
	Quite original Very impressive...Loving your arrangement and mixing skills. Excellent use of dynamics as well.... you have a new fan, youg Lady. Check out my latest song called Kool Hot Flashes

1rwhite1	1rwhite1 said 882 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Energy Like your other classical rendition, this piece is chock-full of energy. I think Beethoven would be pleased. Check out my latest song called Who We Are

hamdog	hamdog said 554 days ago (May 4th, 2008)
	in agreement with many others this is also one of my favorite movements of beethoven's symphonies. this is just fantastic! Check out my latest song called Da Da Da

	said 540 days ago (May 17th, 2008)
	Nice! Lovely work here... I really like it! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

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Artist Info

Name: magritte

I was a teacher and sign language interpreter in L.A., now not so lively, but originally an East Coast girl. I grew up training classically in piano, violin, cello and harp, but that all pretty much fell by the wayside once other things took over... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Techno is a form of electronic music that emerged in the mid-1980s and primarily refers to a particular style developed in and around Detroit and subsequently adopted by European producers. In addition, the term "Techno" is often inorrectly used in N

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