Sue Neimoyer
University of Washington
suelln@u.washington.edu
On Wed, 7 Apr 1999, James Parsons wrote:
> Dear List:
>
> Bill Meredith suggested that I toss this out for broader consideration.
>
> I am down to give a pre-concert lecture on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, April
> 18. One of the things I thought I would touch on is how difficult it is to
> hear this music with anything approaching "fresh" ears, this particularly in
> light of ways in which this music seems to be a favorite for television
> advertisements. On this topic, let me quote from an earlier post from Bill
> Meredith:
>
> >>Is there no end to the abuse of the Ode to Joy? I just observed its use in
> >>a television commercial as the music to express symbolically our delight at
> >>having a baked pork product cut in swirls and sweetened with bee product
> >>instead of a regular grocery store baked ham. Sometimes, I really lament
> >>that Beethoven's music is out of copyright. Maybe I should start collecting
> >>examples of such things. Unfortunately I never seem to have the VCR going
> >>when they occur.
>
>
> I thought it would be interesting to come up with a list of such
> "transgressions," especially of other movements besides the Finale. I
> wonder if any of you might help out?
>
> I remember the scherzo being used as the "theme song" for the
> Huntley-Brinkley nightly news (NBC) when I was a child.
>
> What other usages lurk out there?
>
> If you think this would be of interest to the entire list, please post
> accordingly; if not, a private post would be appreciated.
>
> All best,
>
> James Parsons
> Assistant Professor of Music History
> Southwest Missouri State University
> Springfield, MO 65804
> jap614f@mail.smsu.edu
> (417)836-6369
>
>