4.15 Beethoven

==Ludwig van Beethoven== (1770-1827) is one of the most ==well known== composers
He has a “powerful, positive image”

Between Classicism and Romanticism

Beethoven is right in between 18th-century Viennese Classical style and 19th-century Romanticism chronologically, but he was committed to the ==principles of the Classical style==

The French Revolution

Romanticism started in ==literature==, but lit. wasn’t big in Vienna or with Beethoven
The ==French Revolution== was highly influential on Beethoven’s music
Beethoven admired Napoleon Bonaparte, so much so that he wrote a symphony called Bonaparte, but then he went in a completely different direction

Beethoven and the Symphony

Unique mood of excitement and urgency
==Maximizes all musical elements==
Beethoven’s symphonic ideals were rhythmic drive, motivic consistency/unity, and psychological progression

The Scherzo

A ==scherzo== is a movement which Beethoven used to ==replace the minuet==. It’s fast, rushing, and in triple meter. ABA form. Means “joke” in Italian, but is ==broad and violent==.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Biography

Regarded as a ==genius== even when alive
1st musician to make a ==career from composing only==
Mother died, father was an alcoholic (employed) musician
Slow developer, but soon was a powerful virtuoso pianist in Vienna
After 30, Beethoven became ==progressively deaf,== which was very depressing for him
Got great ==support from Viennese nobility==
Leftist, but more conservative in later years
Many love affairs, never married, had an “immortal beloved” pen-pal
Ill health, died at 57, funeral attended by 20K

Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 (1808)

5th was composed w/ 6th
Rare but vastly successful concert in 1808
Development of movement 1 has ==fragmentation==

Beethoven’s “Third Period”

Beethoven has ==3 style periods==
- First (until 1800, roughly) is music building on the style of ==Haydn and Mozart==
- Middle is “characteristically ‘==heroic==’ works”
- Third (around 1818 to 1827) is more ==introspective==, and has less symphonies
Later music was more a==bstract==