BBC Proms 2012: The point of a Beethoven cycle

Today sees Daniel Barenboim begin his Beethoven cycle at the BBC Proms.

I’ve written a blog post about it – it’s a little long, but well worth a read (obviously). If you’ve not got time to read it, then the very least you should do is watch this flashmob version of the Ode to Joy from Beethoven 9 published on the interweb a few weeks ago. A good pal recommended it on the basis that it was a little bit emotional. Having watched it, I concur.

In listening to all of Beethoven’s symphonies, I think this is the point we all look forward to. This is the Christmas Day (or the Christmas Eve, depending on which you think is the better of the two) of Beethoven’s works. The pinnacle of his writing. Inclusive, rousing and deeply satisfying.