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When I first "discovered" classical music (i.e., when I started playing the piano) nearly four years ago, I had some interest in Beethoven and Mozart. But it quickly (within 8 mos.) gave way to a tremendous love/obsession with Chopin's music. But things have gradually changed, although I still love Chopin. I discovered the symphonic music, and Beethoven was my favorite there (symphonies 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 especially).

Then about six months ago, I discovered the incredible wealth of piano music from Beethoven. Now I have nearly every piano sonata of his on mp3, and can't get enough of it! Also, I've been playing the first mvmt of op.49 (the one in G-minor) for five months or so. I'm getting pretty good with it, but what's neat is that I like it more every time I play it! Like all his piano stuff, it grows on me if given the slightest chance. You may try listening to: Diabelli variations, Pathetique (op.13), The Tempest (op. 31?). Upon a few hearings of the latter two, I was mesmerized and determined to play them someday. Who knows, that could happen to you eventually.

Rick

Actually this is not true. Beethoven fought himself and his emerging unique style. He berated himself for not being more like his mentor Hyden. He spent the first half of his career trying to sqash the exploding expression that eventually became his signature and the rest of the worlds passage into the Romantic Period.

For me Beethoven was the first music that made me feel the "mature" player and made me want to practice harder and play more difficult compositions......so still to this day I love to play / listen to his music!

When I started learning 2 years ago, I liked pop song, when I was introduced to Bach, I liked it.. some goes for Mozart and others.. When I was assigned a 'transcribed' Blues or jazz, I like it.. same goes for rag time... all goes well except for Beethoven..

I am sure some of you can relate to this: it's very difficult to play a piece that I dont relate to. It's like reading a teenage romance novel, I already know what is going to happen next... before this thread, I used to think that I am too 'matured' for Beethoven but now I think the converse is more likely.

I can appreciate listening to Chopin but it will be awhile before I can truly play his music. I don't understand Listz's music but that is a separate topic.

I am feeling like I am on a journey, a musical adventure and exploration... Every I met someone he tells me he like Beethoven, some articulated beautifully why B is so special... some provides 'directions' and experience of their journey.. someday I will like Beethoven.... I better

For those who don't like a certain composer because of certain pieces, I would suggest to try other works by that composer.

I used to not like Mozart since the first 10-20 pieces I heard of Mozart were all, to my surprise now, bad for my taste. I came across some recently (a couple of Minuets) and K. 826. So I stopped dismissing a composer, and kept listening to more of their works.

For example, I didn't like Bach until I heard his No. 988, or Rachmaninoff (forgive my spelling) until I heard Rach. concerto No. 3. So I just keep listening, and they always surprise me with pieces here and there. Keep listening!

BTW, although some of Chopin's pieces are more profound to my taste that others, I haven't heard a piece by him that I didn't like, so far (I have listened to over 80 of his works so far.)

What an interesting debate!

I don't think there's anything to worry about in disliking Beethoven - I find I dislike "most" of Beethoven and Chopin's work.

I want to hear from the people who don't like J.S. Bach... THEY are the ones with the problem!

Go and listen to someone else paying Beethoven. It's amazing how a professional pianist can make music tha you'd got bored of or never truly appreciated, come alive! Remember, that even the best CDs are only a shadow of a live performance.