By Matt for the TIB Network:
Robbo the Llamabutcher reminds me that today is Beethoven's birthday.Unlike Robbo, I love Beethoven's music (which isn't to say that Robbo hates it...read what he has to say)...especially his symphonies. I recently acquired a Leonard Bernstein set of CDs of all nine Beethoven symphonies. Why am I so passionate about the symphonies? Well, Haydn was the master of the Classical symphony; and I'll agree with Robbo on Brahms as far as the Romantic symphonies go, but Beethoven bridges the gap. I like being able to listen to the early symphonies for the Classical influence and the later symphonies for the Romantic. Beethoven offers the best of both, in my opinion; your mileage may vary.
Mark's Remarks
I myself prefer the symphonic and classic sounds of Van Halen, George Thoroughgood, and the bluesy work of John Lee Hooker and Akroyd/Belushi, not to mention Hank Williams Sr/Jr and George Strait, along with Charlie Daniels.
Seriously, I think I agree with Matt on Beethoven. He does have bridge that gap between the classical and romantic. However, if given the choice, my vote goes to Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra.
