welcome, this picture displays all that you stated, a mighty force in anybodys language

Great shot... love BEETHOVEN & WAGNER music!

This is a marvelous dedication for Beethoven, and as always you've put so much thought and care into your art. Brilliant idea on the photo for this dedi, as it does have that primal cosmic energy you spoke of. I very much enjoyed your thoughts on him and the effect his music has had on your life.

Outstanding picture!

What an incredible and perfect dedication shot for a brilliant composer; the pixelation noise work well in this instance! We'll be glad to have you back when you can get here, Mark, we miss you!

the stormy waves fits to one of beethovens dramatic works !!

This awesome wave seems the perfect metaphor for Beethoven. Music is indeed the Universal language and Beethoven spoke it like no other, with crashing crescendos and primal passion. I can imagine you at the piano, getting lost inside his music, and finding yourself. CC

Happy Belated Birthday, Ludwig, and thanks for the music you gave us!! As for your foto, omg, if your lake and my ocean were ever to meet, their forces would take over the world. I can't get this close to the waves, well maybe I could, but only once and I don't think the foto would survive. Nor would I, but wow, what a way to go!! Truly awesome show of power and just how wet did you get? You haven't been posting much, but wow when you do, you just blow us out of the water (pun completely intended!!). I'm going to go dry off now and listen to some music.....

All I can say is MAGNIFICENT!

I think I got wet in my face here. WOW! The wave comes so fast, that the pixels cant even follow it :-D It looks pretty cool like that. But when I see these waves and other fantastic waves from your camera, I can almost hear the HOWL from an old steamer in full speed Rollen toward you like an angry BULL! These waves are scary, Mark :-))) Superb shot indeed. Love it.

As with most birthday wishes, I'm horribly late; I'd miss my own birthday if people didn't remind me of it. And as for fitting dedications, this is absolutely perfect! I mean, Lake Michigan having a bad hair day is an obvious sign that the lake is doing its best to mimic the master himself. I find it hilarious that his name, Ludwig, completely matches his hair, which would make a rather lewd wig, were that particular style emulated today. (I suspect that only Tina Turner could ever get away with wearing it!) This is unrelated, but have you noticed that in a sense, Beethoven was kind of a hottie too? I wonder if he had groupies? Now, as for this photo. WOW! Lake Michigan does pretty good for itself! I love the Beethoven-ish fuzzies, and the attitude the lake has. You've captured that so perfectly! This is an exquisite shot. It is a must on full zoom, because the pixelization effects give a nice stippled quality that makes this look like something done by hand. For me that just adds to the marvel you captured. Simply brilliant!

astonishing!!

I love the power in this image.. very reminiscent of a crescendo. Wonderful choice.

Great Scott, I was trying to conjure up an analogy for this blooming cloud, but can't think of any, Mark. The cloud and dust from the explosive demolition of a skyscraper, or a huge ball of cotton? Perhaps I'm just tired from commenting on the many other postings I've gone through today. And maybe Beethoven was difficult to get along with because he was deaf. Cool image otherwise, my friend. Hope your hands heal up post haste!

Magnificent force of nature and a great image Mark - perfect tribute to Beethoven.

Charles Schultz (and Schroeder) would love this! Roll over, Beethoven, Tell Tchaikovsky the news! I actually like Beethovan a lot. He was the original heavy metal composer. I think he would have liked Black Sabbath. All those crashing chords! Beethoven was a headbanger. Honest. I've seen film of him conducting, and he is rockin' out!!! All that hair, flying every whichway. Imposing. It's really old movie film, of course. Prototype stuff. You play it by winding up a rubber band and tying a hampster ... oh never mind. Anyway. It's good stuff. I'm playing his 9th as I write this. (Isn't that amazing? I can play the piano and type at the same time. You didn't know that about me, did you? LOL!) Ahhhhhhhhh ..... Yes. Did I mention the photograph? VERY crashing. Love it!

I am with Andrea (one word)...Magnificent!

INTRIGUING CREATION HAPPY BDAY OLD CHAP

I thought of Charles Schultz and Schroeder too, and of a line in the play "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", where Lucy sings to Schroeder, in a resigned voice "Beethoven's nice too." Yes he is. Wonderful image to celebrate his birthday! The crashing wave is perfect! Like Beethoven's music there is amazing force in this image. I can feel it getting ready to slam into the pavement (and into any photographer daring enough to try to capture his wrath). Excellent capture of all the massive wave and all the bits of water exploding forward. A magnificent image, Mark, and a beautiful description of your experience as you immersed yourself in Beethoven's work. Happy birthday, Beethoven, or, since I'm a day late, Happy Baptism!

Hi there Mark. Great to see you posting again. Hope your hands heal fast so we will have more! This is mighty! Perfect for a tribute to Beethoven! I can feel the power in the breaking wave as I can feel the power of his music.

dramatiquement beau !

Wonderful image and tribute. Beethoven is my husband's favorite composer. I have played a few of his sonatas, but not all, due to lack of time and distraction into other interests. His music is particularly full of dynamic contrasts, which is why I adore it. It's wonderful to meet a pianist who has played them all. The water is exceptionally turbulent and interesting. Thank you for sharing.

Auntietk is right. When I read that it was Beethoven's birthday, the first thing that came to my mind was Schroeder. An icon of our childhood. Your image is superb. when you listen to Beethoven you feel overwhelmed by an energy that surrounds you and makes you part of it.

I love Beethoven too, and play keyboards, piano and Hammond A-100. Good show.

Beautiful; congrats on the LWITG pick! I fondly remember the first time that I managed to play Moonlight Sonata on the piano without making a mistake, I was thrilled. Couldn't do it now, sadly :(

Impressive ! Congratulations for your selection in LWitG week #51 (Last Week in the Gallery #51) ! :~) Happy Holidays !