The Socialist Experience in Chile (Part II): I am not the President of all Chileans

The first weeks of the Popular Unity government had the euphoria of the new, shocking announcements and emotional phrases.

Everything seemed to start well, in his first press conference as Head of State, Allende stated: "I am not in this position to perform miracles, I am in this position to teach people to work on the basis of planning their economy and contributing their sacrifice and heroism in daily effort ".

In a massive act held at the National Stadium, Allende stated: "I make the phrase of Fidel Castro my own, in this government you can put your feet, but never your hands. I will be inflexible in the custody of the morality of the regime."

Interior Minister José Toha announced that the Mobile Group of Carabineros had been dissolved, as part of the 40 measures promised. Posters during the campaign featured pictures of police beating women and students.

The decree stipulated that the troops of the disappeared Mobile Group would become members of the Prefecture of Special Services. Toha told reporters: "We are sure that the policies of the popular government will make unnecessary the existence of police groups that have to confront the population.

Months later it would be the same staff of the former Mobile Group (now the Prefecture of Special Services) which, following orders, would arrive equipped with gas masks and shields to dissolve demonstrations using luma batons and tear gas.

On the other hand, children from a distant northern mountain school who had never seen the sea before, would spend two weeks in the Presidential Palace in the city of Viña del Mar.

Allende expressed his displeasure that some union leaders came to La Moneda and treated him as "Excellence." Then I declare: I am not just another president, but rather I am the first president of a popular, national and revolutionary government that opens the way to socialism. Furthermore, I am not His Excellency the President of the Republic, but rather I am the Comrade President.

In all official correspondence the expression "sir" was deleted and replaced by "comrade". Imperceptibly there was discrimination between those who could be called "comrade" and those who were "sir." Thus, little by little the Popular Unity was dividing the Chileans into two groups that would become irreconcilable: those who belonged to the Popular Unity and those who were not. The "comrades" and the "sirs".

Three months after starting his mandate, Allende declared in Valparaíso: "I am not the president of the socialist party, I am the president of the Popular Unity. Nor am I the president of all Chileans. I am not the hypocrite who says it, no. I am not. I am not the president of all Chileans.

But it was not these words that made the most bitter impression. In an interview made by the French Marxist ideologue Regis Debray and which was reproduced by the Mirista (MIR - Revolutionary Left Movement) and pro-Castro magazine Punto Final. He asked him how he had accepted the Statute of Constitutional Guarantees. Allende's response was: I accepted it as a tactical necessity to assume power. The important thing at that time was to take over the government.

His words reflected a certain political cynicism. He had accepted the statute as an indispensable requirement to obtain the presidency. He had never intended to comply.

Chilean families saw the ghost of hunger arise. Grocery stores were empty
 and modest people lined up in vain to try to get what they needed to eat.

Other events began to reveal a new phase in Allende's personality. The politician who reached the presidency was forced to do what Popular Unity determined. This was made up of 6 collectives, but there were only two strong parties: the Socialist and the Communist, which looked aggressive, although from the outside they affirmed their granite revolutionary unity.

A Senator from the Popular Unity (Alberto Jerez, from the Christian Left) confided that on one occasion he could not help but express his bitterness for the stubborn and harsh way in which socialists and communists wanted to impose their points of view on Allende. He interrupted the Popular Unity meeting in La Moneda shouting: Do you want to tell me who the hell is the President of the republic and is in charge here?

This resulted in several spectacular announcements made by Allende that were subsequently not carried out.

The total shortage of products was a reflection of reality, the economic
 chaos was suffocating Chile, while inflation grew at an impressive rate.

On December 30th, 1970, Allende spoke on the national radio and television network announcing: "Within eight days I will send a bill to Congress to nationalize all the banks."

The initiative never reached parliament.

The legal loopholes were beginning. Every law had an escape door.

With a legal subterfuge, CORFO bought the titles of the private shareholders
and the commercial banks were passed to the State. The Popular Unity
parties installed Managers and Directors in their administration.

Hence, with the current "bourgeois laws" Popular Unity could gradually establish socialism in Chile, stepping on tiptoe to prevent the jealous constitutionalists from giving the cry of alert.

In the case of the banks, why go to Congress where the Popular Unity did not have a majority? It is true that the Christian Democracy had expressed its approval, but it also spoke of banks as worker companies.

The best thing was to nationalize them all without consulting Congress. How? The law that created the Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO) empowered this company to acquire shares in some companies. That provision could be used to buy shares in all banks. The day that it could have acquired half plus one of those shares without Congress passing a law; the banks would pass into the hands of the state.

CORFO, lacking its true role, dedicated itself to buying shares in all banks. These shares were not even listed on the stock market. They were offered a part in cash and the rest in bonds payable over several years.

The same system of purchase of shares of the banks, began to apply CORFO in the industries. The state was swallowing companies without the need for law.

To the 45 companies that would be nationalized, others were added, not knowing if that amount would be the final one.

But as this was very onerous, an alternative was established: to produce labor disputes that forced businessmen to sell at any price. The CUP (Popular Unity Committee) of the industry workers helped that aim.

All in all, 1971, the first year of the Popular Unity government was prosperous. Everyone earned more, everyone spent more, and lived better.

Chileans were unaware that this feast had a bitter price: they were wasting the reserves accumulated by the country for years.

The procedure used by the Popular Unity to achieve the "redistribution of income"
-according to its representatives- was the uncontrolled issuance of paper money.
This generated a rise in inflation and the appearance of the black market.

To cover the fiscal deficit and the commitments derived from the generous increases in wages and salaries, banknotes began to be printed.

The 1971 emission reached 20,000 million escudos (a million dollars at that time), which represented an increase in the emission of 132.7 percent. But the money printing machine was just working. In the last year of the Popular Unity, it would exceed that figure ten times (216,000 million escudos in eight months).

The political dividend of this artificial bonanza was that Allende, who had obtained 36.3% of the vote, saw his strength increased to 49.5% in the municipal elections. Now he was on an equal ground with the opposition.

Government of Jorge Alessandri (Right): 1958-63 
Government of Eduardo Frei (Christian Democrat): 1964-69
Government of Salvador Allende (Left): 1970-73 

That the economy collapsed, that industries died, that inflation devoured wages and salaries, was part of a strategy destined to reduce to zero that "capitalist society" and in its ruins begin to build the new socialist economy.

Another adverse factor was added: the brain drain began. In the fiscal bodies, in the companies that were nationalized, the professionals and technicians who were not from the Popular Unity were fired or had their lives made impossible, labeling them reactionaries and saboteurs.

Engineers, doctors, biochemists, biologists, civil builders, architects, had to leave Chile.

Eduardo Simián, the engineer who made the first oil spout in Chile, was given forty-eight hours to leave his post. He was immediately hired by Ecuador.

You might be interested in the first part of this article: The Socialist Experience in Chile - Part I

* Information based mainly on the work by Hernan Millas and Emilio Filippi "Anatomy of a Failure".

Chernobyl - What is the Price of the Lie ? (2019)

Blog Rating: 9.25 out of 10

On April 26th, 1986, a nuclear reactor exploded at the Chernobyl facility near the city of Pripyat. The fire in the graphite moderator of the reactor caused that the clouds that transported enormous amounts of radiation covered the area. The incident was considered by many to be the worst catastrophe in history.

At the power plant, employees try to avoid a disaster that has already begun, but in Pripyat citizens continue to live a quiet life believing they are far from the fire. One of the most spooky moments of the episode is the non-verbal scene of children playing in that snowy ash, which are actually radioactive waste.

So, why is Chernobyl so creepy? There are several factors that contribute: realism, abandonment, arrogance and the denial of those in power; their main concern is to protect their dignity before the State.

"What is the price of lies?" Brilliantly structured and supported by the admirable performances of Jared Harris, Emily Watson and Stellan Skarsgård, Chernobyl is dark but has incredible power of attraction and it is written in a very good way.

Although the historical fact is known, which still today is defined as "the greatest nuclear disaster in history", every hour is more impressive than the previous one. The complex vision of the director Johan Renck and the scriptwriter Craig Mazin not only tells the facts: they dig out emotions, sensations, fears of individuals and of a whole nation.

A Soviet Union that is deeply proud and jealous of its knowledge, its discoveries, immortalized in the most paranoid period of the Cold War that is the basis of the errors that led to the Chernobyl disaster.

The series begins by showing us several characters that gravitate around the nuclear power plant that failed on April 1986: there are workers directly involved in the test, many of them without experience and without adequate information about what they are doing and directed by an arrogant and stubborn supervisor.

And then there are the government officials, who immediately decide to invent covers to keep the image of the USSR in the world dignified, arguing that nothing irreparable has happened.

Jared Harris

Jared Harris plays Valery Legasov, a leading Soviet nuclear physicist who participates in accident management and he is the first to really understand what happened and what the magnitude of the disaster is. When he realizes a piece of graphite outside the building, he realizes that the nucleus has exploded, and only after many oppositions on the part of the officials who try to affirm that it is not so serious, the green light is given to try to contain the catastrophe.

Among the officials we find Boris Shcherbina, an immense Stellan Skarsgård who does an exceptional job in the character: the pitch of voice, the posture, the appearance and the attitude of a man who little by little is convinced and realizes the severity of the accident.

Stellan Skarsgård

It is he who in the first official meeting with Gorbachov says that "The situation is stable, they told me that the level of radiation in the place is comparable to that of a chest X-ray". And he will be the first to realize that the truth is different: as Legasov says, the level of radiation at the Chernobyl plant is actually that of 4 million chest X-rays.

Initially, no one wants to accept the error simply because the dominant thought is that the Soviet Union can not make mistakes, so all the signs that lead in that direction must necessarily be false, exaggerated and alarmist.

Soviet symbols overlooking Pripyat near Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (picture by Alan Doyle)

It is the worst nuclear disaster that humanity has known, leaving behind tens of thousands of dead and sick people, with dramatic ecological, economic and political consequences. Chernobyl is now a desert place, surrounded by ghost towns, which will continue radiating for a long time. 

The miniseries recalls the horror experienced by hundreds of people and the slowness with which the authorities responded to protect the population. The worst nuclear disaster of the 20th century is the worst accident ever caused by man. 

Emily Watson

While firefighters rush to extinguish the fire that broke out after the explosion of the reactor, they do not know that they sign their death sentence. In this place, radioactivity reaches levels never registered before. Anyone who approaches the place risks his life. But nobody is aware of it, neither the firemen nor the inhabitants.

Sent to Chernobyl by Gorbachov, the duo formed by the Soviet nuclear physicist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) and Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård), to lead the Chernobyl commission of the government, which was later joined by the Belarusian nuclear physicist Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson), will have to find solutions to face the disaster and clarify the mystery surrounding the explosion.

Ukraine remembers victims of Chernobyl disaster

The population will be evacuated 30 hours after the explosion, 30 firefighters will perish in the acute radiation syndrome rescue operation and many more men will be sacrificed to save thousands more.

Filmed in reality in Vilnius, Lithuania, with a budget of 250 million dollars, Chernobyl resumes accurately and realistically the chronology of events, trying to reflect the disaster as accurately as possible. The responsibility of scientists and authorities, the inaction and incompetence of the latter, taking advantage of the ignorance of the population. 

Finally, to live with the weight of the guilt of thousands of aborted lives, the question arises: What is the price of lying?

When Calls the Heart (2014-)

Blog Rating: 9.25 out of 10

Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) a young woman from a wealthy family in the city moves to a small mining town -Coal Valley- to practice for the first time as a teacher.

For her part, Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin), the widow of the foreman who died along with a dozen other workers in an explosion at the coal mine where they worked, will become her best friend and advisor in the hardest moments.

Lory Loughlin as Abigail Stanton

Together with the other women of Coal Valley who have just been widowed, they will have to overcome many difficulties in this town that has lost many mining husbands and children.

Pascale Hutton (as Rosemary) & Kavan Smith (as Leland Coulter)

Elizabeth enchants just about everyone in the community except Mounted Trooper Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing), who believes Thatcher's rich dad has used his influence to favor his daughter. Over time this relationship will change and enchant the entire town.

Carter Ryan Evancic as Cody Stanton

Living in a 19th century coal city, Elizabeth will have to learn to live in a rural town without the comfort of the big city.

"When Calls the Heart" is a sentimental drama, with some cliches but very entertaining and light. It's a break from so much grim and all-too-real show. It's like a continuation of "The Little House on the Prairie" or "Anne with an E".

Andrea Brooks (as Faith Carter) and Paul Greene (as Dr Carson Shepherd)

Most of the characters are very human and caring. Whenever there is a problem, it is faced by the community until a solution is found.

Bill Avery, Abigail Stanton, Elizabeth Thatcher & Jack Thornton

The series is inspired by Janette Oke's best-selling book collection on the Canadian West, and reunites her with executive producer and director, Michael Landon Jr.

"When Calls the Heart" is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Janette Oke (born 1935). Oke, now 85, is the mother of evangelical romance novels.

Janette Oke accompanied by the cast of the series

Her first novel, "Love Comes Softly", sold an average of 500,000 copies per year for 20 years after its publication in 1979.

Genre: Drama, Romance

Country: United States

Filmed in: Vancouver, Langley and British Columbia (Canada)

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The Socialist Experience in Chile (Part I): Three years before

To understand the great crisis that was generated in Chile in the early 1970s and that culminated with the military intervention led by General Augusto Pinochet and the suicide of Salvador Allende, it is necessary to know the facts that preceded this stage of our history.

In September 1973, Salvador Allende died. Three years before he was elected President of Chile, after four attempts.

In 1952 he suffered a wide defeat against Carlos Ibañez. In 1958 he almost succeeded and was barely 33,000 votes away from victory. In 1964 Eduardo Frei Montalva defeated him by 432,000 votes.

For this reason, in the 1970 campaign there were many skeptics, they distrusted the left itself, they were not sure if it would be able to win in another attempt to reach the presidency.

Finally, and on the condition that he govern together with the leaders of the popular unity parties, the left parties supported his candidacy. It would be a president without autonomy of command.

His opponents in 1970 were former president Jorge Alessandri, representing the right-wing sector, although he personally rejected being branded a rightist or conservative, preferring to be associated with efficiency and accuracy. In the campaign his austerity features would stand out, for fifteen years he lived alone in an old building near the Plaza de Armas in Santiago. What could play against him would be his advanced age, since he would enter La Moneda at 78 years old.

The other rival was Radomiro Tomic, standard-bearer of the Christian Democrats. His slogan was "not a step back" in the conquests achieved with Frei, President in those days. With two candidates as opposed as Alessandri and Allende, the electorate was polarizing. Tomic offered a program similar to Allende's although he warned that changes would be made in freedom and democracy.

Allende was a skillful candidate, he never presented himself as a Marxist, who if he succeeded would implant Marxism and the dictatorship of the proletariat. And the night of the triumph he would repeat: "My government will not be a communist, socialist, or radical government; it will be the government of the forces that make up the Popular Unity..."

Allende's program consisted of two parts, one was "The First 40 Measures." Forty promises offered to the people: Half a liter of milk for each child, schoolchildren would spend the summer at the presidential house in Viña del Mar, books and school supplies would be free, no one would pay in hospitals, homes that were not mansions would be exempt from contributions (house tax), all people over 60 years old would have retirement even if they did not have social security. History would show that many of these promises are difficult to fulfill, but the educational level of a large part of the Chileans of those times was quite precarious.

Other measures contemplated the nationalization of the large copper and iron mining companies, banks, the telephone company, foreign trade, and large monopolistic companies. He listed them as 45. But he warned: "All these expropriations will always be carried out with full protection of the small shareholder; we are not going to strip anyone."

Allende in the human sense: "In thirty-two years as a politician they have told me everything, except that I have stolen or that I am homosexual."

Allende and his relation with the Communist Party

Regarding the Communist Party being able to dominate it, its old disputes with the community were remembered. In 1948 he commented before the Senate that the Chilean socialists who recognized many of the achievements of Soviet Russia, rejected its political organization and many laws that restricted individual freedoms... In fact, since those times the Socialist Party had been leaning towards the extreme left.

The triumph of an Allende who declared himself a Marxist, but who affirmed that he would make a democratic government could be accepted by a rather tolerant Chilean.

The Diario Ilustrado (of a conservative tendency) published before the elections: "There is no doubt that we do not want for Chile what the Popular Front brought to Spain: burned temples, desecrated convents, raped nuns."

With this climate the presidential elections of September 4th, 1970 took place.

Allende triumphed at the polls with 1,075,616 votes (36.3%). Second was Jorge Alessandri with 1,036,278 votes (34.9%) and third, Tomic with 824,849 votes (27.8%).

Allende was the virtual winner although with a very narrow first relative majority. He beat Alessandri by just 39,000 votes (1.4%).

The result also revealed that almost 2/3 of the electorate rejected a Marxist alternative. Those who voted for Alessandri and Tomic (2 out of 3 Chileans) believed in democracy.

The electoral process had not yet finished, the Chilean Constitution established that the citizen who obtained half +1 of the votes was anointed as President-elect. Allende lacked a lot: 400,000 votes (15.2%).

When there is no such majority, the Constitution indicates the way: the full Congress (50 Senators and 150 deputies) will have to choose between the first two majorities. In this case, it had to be between Allende and Alessandri.

Both arrived before the full Congress on equal terms. The Christian Democrats during the electoral campaign had proposed creating the second round, as in France. In this way, the elected President would represent the great majorities. However, neither the supporters of Alessandri nor those of Allende accepted this initiative.

Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez - President of Chile (1958-1964)

Hence, the transcendental responsibility of settling the lawsuit remained with Congress.

There was a tradition that was very heavy for Chileans. Until then, the full Congress had always respected the first majority. Even during the campaign the three candidates repeated "whoever wins by one vote will be the president."

Now came the dramatic dilemma. Those who voted for Alessandri argued: it is true that this betrayal exists, but it was between democratic candidates; now it is to open the doors of La Moneda (government palace) to Marxism, being a minority.

In the full Congress Allende was also a minority. It had only 78 parliamentarians. Much less than half. If Allende expected to be President, he must necessarily knock on the doors of the Christian Democracy. This party with its 75 parliamentarians decided.

But the Popular Unity aroused misgivings. Allende was accompanied by some undesirable characters. Who could guarantee that the same thing that happened with Fidel Castro, who in Sierra Maestra proclaimed himself a democrat, catholic and devotee of the Virgin, would not happen to him?

In a dramatic meeting, the National Board of Christian Democracy agreed with its parliamentarians that they would give Allende a vote in full Congress, but provided that they accept compliance with 7 Statutes of Democratic Guarantees, which would be incorporated into the Constitution.

The full Congress elects Allende as President of Chile. Later, interviewed by journalist Regis Debray, Allende acknowledged that his acceptance of the guarantees had been only a tactic to reach the Government.

The 7 guarantees were:

- The Constitution ensured the free creation, existence and development of political parties

- Free access to the press, radio and television of all streams under equal conditions.

- It was constitutionally enshrined that the public force would be composed exclusively of the Armed Forces and Police, and that neither popular militias nor guards could be organized.

- The Armed Forces and Carabineros (Chilean police) would be professionalized, hierarchical, obedient and non-deliberative institutions. Full power was reserved to the Commanders in Chief for the appointment of their subordinates.

- In the Statute of Education it was proclaimed that it would be independent of any official ideological orientation.

- The constitutional guarantee that establishes the right to associate, through cooperatives or unions, and that the right to strike would be maintained.

- The constitutional guarantees of the right of assembly and personal freedom were modernized.

For the first time distrust was manifested towards who would be elected President of the Republic.

The full Congress finally elected Allende President of Chile with 2 thirds of the parliamentarians: 153 votes against 35 for Alessandri and 7 blank. This is how the Christian Democrats allowed Allende to reach the presidency of Chile.

* Information based mainly on the work by Hernan Millas and Emilio Filippi "Anatomy of a Failure".

Hernán Millas was born on May 5th, 1921, and studied Law for a year at the University of Chile, and later devoted himself to journalism. He worked as a reporter and columnist in the newspapers El Clarín and La Época, in the "Ercilla" and "Hoy" magazines, and on the Santiago radio. He also wrote several books. And in 1985 he received the National Prize for Journalism.

Emilio Filippi, University Professor received the National Journalism Award in 1972 with a mention in writing. He began his life in journalism in 1942 working for the newspaper "La voz de la columna" in Villa Alemana, of which he became its director. In 1965, he joined as Zig-Zag's newspaper publishing manager.

He was director of the magazine "Ercilla" between 1968 and 1976. He was the founder and director of the magazine “Hoy” and of the newspaper "La Época'' (1987), which he directed until 1993. Same year that he was ambassador of Chile in Portugal, appointed by President Patricio Aylwin.

Schindler´s List (1993)

Blog Rating: 9.45 out of 10

The film (released in 1993) tells the story of German businessman Oskar Schindler, who saved more than 1,100 Jews from death during World War II.

Schindler's list is known for its theme and for the brilliant roles played by Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes.

The film directed by the great Steven Spielberg is the cornerstone of world cinematography. This masterpiece has won more than 70 awards, including 7 Oscars, 7 BAFTA and 3 Golden Globes.

Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler

This is the supreme work on Nazism and all the horrors of that era. The story is well known, but what attracts us is its staging in black and white -which serves to enhance its emotionality- sensitive music and pain-filled figures

In a few words, we will see the path of a skilled man who sees war as an opportunity for enrichment: Oskar Schindler. A German industrialist, interesting, with charm and a very sharp mind, who attracts the highest Nazi leaders on his side, to be left alone and run a business as he wishes.

Taking as an assistant an excellent accountant and director Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingley) plus the use of Jews as workers, for Schindler, war is an opportunity: The ability to make money buying friends.

Ben Kingsley as Itzhak Stern: "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire"

Another tasty character (much more bitter, but equally intriguing) is Amon Goeth (the exceptional Ralph Fiennes), sent by Hitler to clean the ghettos and open the camp. A handsome man, with crazy eyes and schizoid gestures, an insane alcoholic, who transforms crime into a pleasure that satisfies every day. The perfect moment for his description is after a passionate night with his lover, when he sits on the balcony and starts shooting prisoners from above, as if he were practicing a noble sport in which he is extremely skilled.

Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goeth

Schindler’s List is a brilliant film, with a strong humanistic message, with great acting, it is a pleasure to see the game between Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, in which he created one of the most powerful demonic images of a Nazi criminal.

The film has wonderful music, from beginning to end, creating a viscous atmosphere of hopelessness and loss of the meaning of life.

🎧 Listen to the film soundtrack on Spotify

Amon Goeth (Camp Commander) hunting Jewish prisoners from his balcony

Schindler's List, wrote the critic of the "New Yorker," is "the best dramatic, non-documentary film ever made about the Holocaust."

Director  : Steven Spielberg

Cast       : Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

Genre     : Drama

Duration : 195 minutes

Los Soprano (1999 - 2007)

Blog Rating: 9.60 out of 10

Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), one of the key positions in the New Jersey-based Italian-American organized crime group, passes out for no apparent reason at a family picnic. After being examined in a hospital, he took the advice of a friend and made an appointment with therapist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), who promises to do everything possible to reduce the risk of such panic attacks in the future.

Lorraine Bracco as Jennifer Melfi 

The difficulty lies in the fact that Tony cannot honestly tell psychologist how he makes a living... meanwhile the criminal life around him runs its course.

Carmela (Edie Falco), for her part, must be the faithful wife who accompanies him in difficult moments and stoically supports his adventures to maintain the family structure with her two adolescent children.

Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano

This series, very well set in the late 90s, describes how an Italian-American family develops in the environment of the mafia. At times very domestic stories intertwined with episodes of extortion, bribery and murders that generate very good dividends. With some reminiscences of The Godfather, which turns out to be the favorite movie of many of the members of the band.

It is incredible how despite all the crimes, infidelities and murders that are carried out with a certain frequency, one ends up becoming fond of each of the characters very well developed by the chosen cast.

And all thanks to the talent of the scriptwriters who develop the plot in such a way that the history of the clan keeps you expectant in the face of every twist or unpredictable circumstance.

The performance of the main roles is simply phenomenal, the setting and costumes are very well achieved, in a time without great technological advances.

Despite being filmed 20 years ago, its pace is agile and the plot keeps you very entertaining.

It definitely became one of my favorite series of all time. Totally recommendable

Seasons: 6

Episodes: 86

Genre: Crime, drama

Creator: David Chase

Writers: David Chase, Terence Winter, Mitchell Burgess

Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco

Awards: 5 Golden Globes and 113 other awards & 303 nominations.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in a dark attic of a building located in the city of Bonn (Germany), supposedly on December 16th, 1770. 

Music was not something alien in that home, where there was a piano, a father (Johann van Beethoven) who worked as tenor for a trusted man of Emperor Joseph II and his grandfather who had become an orchestra conductor at the court of Flanders.

Beethoven's house

Ludwig's mother, Maria Magdalena Keverich, widow of a court footman before marrying Johann, not only had to take care of her children and her husband, but also her own mother, with alcohol problems and psychic imbalances. Only an iron will of which Ludwig was heir, prevented his mother from bowing to his destiny.

Son of an impoverished family, at the age of 4, Ludwig was forced by his father to practice piano. In those years music was an occupation that with good luck could help them to eat.

Maria Magdalena Keverich (Beethoven's mother)

For some families, having a child prodigy was like a safe conduct to overcome misery. That is how at 8 years old, Ludwig first appeared in public as a pianist in Cologne. However, to make him more attractive, his father said he was only 6 years old. This is how Ludwig received a lot of applause at his first concert. At 9, Bonn already appreciated him as a very good organist.

In 1787, Beethoven obtained a scholarship, and with the assurance that his parents and siblings would not stop eating, he went to Vienna, the cradle of all European musicians. There, Amadeus Mozart listened to Beethoven play the piano and commented that "the young musician would give a lot to talk about."

Vienna city

However, a few weeks after being in the Austrian capital, he received news that his mother had become ill, and at just 17 years old, Beethoven was forced to return to Bonn to accompany her in her last moments and check how her father fell into the alcohol.

He then enrolled at the University of Bonn and became an inveterate reader. He was not only dedicated to classical literacy from Homer to Shakespeare, but to the themes of his time under the gaze of Goethe and Schiller.

University of Bonn

A special scholarship sent Beethoven back to Vienna to study with Franz Joseph Haydn. In 1796, a tour took him to Nuremberg, Prague, Dresden and Berlin where he dazzled the court of Frederick William II of Prussia, who was moved to tears when he heard his Sonatas for piano 1 and 2, opus 5.

The Viennese high society at the same time that celebrated him as a composer and pianist, they forgave his bad character and abrupt manners, which were usual theme in the meetings of the time. There was also a rumor circulating that on his return from Berlin, he had visited an ear specialist.

Franz Joseph Haydn

After several years of deceptive medical care with hopes of improvement whose healing could take years, today it is known that Beethoven's deafness was due to an otosclerosis, a disease that consists in the development of a porous bone inside the ear, easily curable in our days. The doctors at the time believed that the problem was due to a stomach condition that the musician had contracted in Bonn.

By 1803 Beethoven's influence had already reached maturity and splendor. This is how he developed in all its fullness the forms of musical classicism and at the same time connect it with a new sensibility that was spreading throughout Europe: the romanticism.

                               

In those silent years, his creation touched the genius. In 1824 in his Ninth Symphony, opus 25, called Coral, he reached the maximum transgression: to unite the human voice to the symphonic genre. And despite the pain and loneliness, he did it with Schiller Ode to Joy.

On December 1st, 1826, Beethoven became ill thinking it was a passing flu. But it was about dropsy so he had to undergo four operations to remove water from his belly; He suffered from liver cirrhosis.

Beethoven premiered his 9th Symphony on May 7th, 1824 in Vienna

On March 26th, 1827, at 17:45 hrs, Beethoven quoted Cesar Augusto: "Applaud friends, the comedy is over," was his way of saying goodbye. Around 20,000 people accompanied their remains in the city of Vienna.

Ludwig van Beethoven funeral

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Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau performs Ludwig van Beethoven's Concerto No. 5 for piano and orchestra (in E flat major - Op.73), in a free concert held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago de Chile.

With Victor Tevah conducting the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Chile.

This presentation was made in front of an audience of 5,000 people gathered inside the cathedral and another 6,000 people listening through special speakers installed outside the temple in the rain.

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This audiobook in Spanish narrates the life and work of this musical genius.

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An Ode to Joy - Beethoven 9th Symphony flashmob at Placa de Sant Roc. By Orquestra Simfonica del Valles. Sponsored by Banc de Sabadell (May 2012).