Has Fm.lb,sn Reached Their End?

[David]

Remember that, in 1816, the Viennese were saying that Beethoven's well of inspiration had run dry, & that his music was too complex & even arcane to be in fashion or to interest the casual music listener. Indeed, Beethoven was in some circles even considered mad.

And yet look at what happened: the astounding & moving Hammerklavier Piano Sonata, the hugely popular Ninth Symphony, & the incomparable & noble Missa Solemnis.