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Better Nicknames

7050 Views 50 Replies 26 Participants Last post by  MoonlightSonata
I was just thinking about the famous works that are usually referred to by their nicknames, and about the nicknames that don't fit. The two that came to mind were Beethoven's "Moonlight" and "Tempest" sonatas, both nicknames given by publishers/biographers because of myths on what the music is "supposed to be about"

I'm not against nicknames; I think they make it easier to remember the piece, and they also can sum up the mood of the work, or what the listener should think about when listening. Yet there are pieces with nicknames, like the two mentioned, that aren't the best.

So, what are some pieces that you guys think have good nicknames? How about pieces you think have bad nicknames? And for the bad ones, what could be a better nickname? Or maybe, the piece shouldn't even have one at all!
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Wiki: "The name "Moonlight Sonata" comes from remarks made by the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab. In 1832, five years after Beethoven's death, Rellstab likened the effect of the first movement to that of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne. Within ten years, the name "Moonlight Sonata" ("Mondscheinsonate" in German) was being used in German and English publications."

Also: "The first seven songs of Franz Schubert's Schwanengesang have words by Rellstab."
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All good music should have a nickname. If it's not good enough to earn one, it should simply be eliminated. I mean, who in their right mind wants to listen to something named "Brahms String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Opus 111"? Sir George Grove called this a "repulsive nomenclature", and it is best reserved for repulsive music.

Scuse me while I spin up Haydn's "Razor" quartet'...
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