Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My Latest Ringtone

I have a wife-certified and approved girlfriend named Susan. Susan and I talk a lot on the phone. Often, Susan talks to Judy and I on the speaker together, and the result is generally hilarious. I decided I wanted to pick a new and different ringtone so I'd always know when Susan was calling, as opposed to anyone else.

Picking the absolutely best possible ringtone takes time, effort, and is a worthy endeavor. Susan loves music. She loves lyrics, so she is a Leonard Cohen fan. You know, the guy who wrote "Hallelujah", etc. But more than anyone else, I am the one who will hear the ringtone. Below is what is written about Beethoven's "Fur Elsie" and the entire piano solo itself. I wonder what you would have picked?



http://www.encognitive.com
"Für Elise" (German for "For Elise") is the popular name of the bagatelle in A minor WoO 59, marked poco moto, a piece of music for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven(1770-1827), dated 27 April 1810.

Beethoven scholars are not entirely certain who "Elise" was. The most reasonable theory is that Beethoven originally titled his work "Für Therese", Therese being Therese Malfatti von Rohrenbach zu Dezza (1792-1851), whom Beethoven intended to marry in 1810 and was also one of his students. However, she declined Beethoven's proposal. In 1816 Therese, who was the daughter of the Viennese merchant Jacob Malfatti von Rohrenbach (1769-1829), married the Austrian nobleman and state official Wilhelm von Droßdik (1771-1859)[1] Another theory is that 'Elise' was used to describe a sweetheart during Beethoven's time. If this is true, then the piece is dedicated to sweethearts in general, with no specific person in mind. However this theory is unlikely because it doesn't fit well with Beethoven's composing and dedication history. When the work was published in 1865, the discoverer of the piece, Ludwig Nohl, mistranscribed the illegible title as "Für Elise". The autograph is lost.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCr...
Category: Music

Tags: ludwig van beethoven fur elise classical music URL

13 comments:

The CEO said...

OK, I picked Fur Elise with Judy because we both like the music. The question is, what would you pick for a ringtone for a great friend on your phone?

katherine. said...

different members of my family and a couple of my friends have their own ringtone....some I have picked for personality..and some I have chosen just because I like the tune.

a coworker friend has downloaded a recording of her husband's voice onto her phone...so when he calls...we all hear the deep sexy voice saying "Hey Baby"

The CEO said...

Hi Katherine, I do the same thing as you do. I have to admit, I have never thought of recording someone's voice and using it as a ringtone, that's a new one on me! Thank you for that. For you I'd pick the song, "if you're going to San Francisco, you'd better wear some flowers in your hair..."

skinnylittleblonde said...

This song is beautiful, but has always panged of remorse to my ears.The only ringtone I ever got outside of ones which come loaded on a phone was 'Call Me' by Blondie...hahaha. It was for anyone and everyone that called.

Spellbound said...

Betty Lou's getting out tonight, Betty Lou's getting out tonight, She was bad, her momma got mad, but now her momma says it's alright. All the boys are getting ready to riot, Betty Lou's getting out tonight.

Of course I love Fur Elise, but you just can't dance to it. Hugs.

Spellbound said...

It's all about me, sorry. For a friend I would pick Leonard Cohen's "I'm your man".

NoRegrets said...

Jeez, I wish I could see Leonard Cohen in concert. I know he was nearby.

I really would have to think...
DBN might be La Bamba...

The CEO said...

Hi Skinny, Blondie is absolutely perfect for you, I can't think of anything to improve on it.

Hi Elaine, I immediately thought of almost every Bob Seger song for you. Including Betty Lou. Definitely not Rebel Yell.

Hi Pamela, how about Climb Every Mountain from Sound of Music. If Leonard Cohen comes around, I'll go.

Claudia said...

I don't know what I would pick, it depends on the friend, but the Fur Elise is one of my favorite classical pieces. sigh.

The CEO said...

Hi Claudia, for you I'd pick the song Timing, ('casue you got timing, timing, timing, timing, timing, timing, timing is the ting, to do, timing for me and you) because we miss each other in chat all the time. I promise to keep trying!

Cindy said...

My boyfriend's ring tone is one that I have to turn down in the store because it repeatedly goes, "Face down, ass up, that's the way we like to..." You can probably fill in the "..."

Claudia said...

I don't think I know that one...who sings it?

The CEO said...

Hi Cinders, I don't know that song, but if that's how you know it's bear...Nice to see you again!

Hi Claudia, it's an old 60's rock group, I'll write the minute I remember their name, I promise.