James Ellroy has a portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven mounted above his bed. Inspired by the crime novelist’s love of the great composer, we’ve created a three-hour Spotify playlist collecting James Ellroy’s favorite Beethoven music.
Read more about Ellroy’s favorite classical music here. In an interview, Ellroy once explained: “Classical music brings back the awe of life to me and the essence of drama, and I grew up digging big, thunderous, important (music). And wanting to create it in my own way. Which could only be the word.”
Follow this link to get a Spotify invite for the free service. Once you have an account, check out our Haruki Murakami Spotify playlist, our Patti Smith Spotify playlist, our Geoff Dyer Spotify playlist and our new James Ellroy Spotify playlist.
James Ellroy’s Favorite Works by Beethoven
Anton Kuerti (Beethoven) – Hammerklavier Sonata No.29 in B-flat major, Op.106 – Allegro
Anton Kuerti (Beethoven) – Hammerklavier Sonata No.29 in B-flat major, Op.106 – Scherzo: assai vivace
Anton Kuerti (Beethoven) – Hammerklavier Sonata No.29 in B-flat major, Op.106 – Adagio sostenuto
Anton Kuerti (Beethoven) – Hammerklavier Sonata No.29 in B-flat major, Op.106 – Largo: allegro risoluto
Ludwig van Beethoven – Grosse Fuge In B Flat Major, Op. 133
Alban Berg Quartett – String Quartet No. 12 in E Flat, Op.127: I. Maestoso – Allegro
Alban Berg Quartett – String Quartet No. 12 in E Flat, Op.127: II. Adagio ma non troppo, molto cantabile
Alban Berg Quartett – String Quartet No. 12 in E Flat, Op.127: III. Scherzando vivace
Alban Berg Quartett – String Quartet No. 12 in E Flat, Op.127: IV. Finale
Wiener Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op.125 ‘Choral’: I. Allegro ma non troppo e un poco maestoso
Wiener Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op.125 ‘Choral’: II. Molto vivace
Wiener Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op.125 ‘Choral’: III. Adagio molto e cantabile
Wiener Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op.125 ‘Choral’: IV. Presto – Allegro assai
Wiener Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op.125 ‘Choral’: Presto ‘O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!’
London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica”: I. Allegro Con Brio
London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica”: II. Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai
London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica”: III. Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55 “Eroica”: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto