Beethoven (1770-1827)

Ludwig Von Beethoven (1770-1827)

-German composer

-One of the most significant composers of all time

-Transitional figure between Classical and Romantic periods

-Known for his symphonies, concertos, sonatas, and string quartets

Early Life

-Taught by musician father and local musicians at a young age

-Showed prodigious talent like Mozart

-Learned piano, violin, and other string instruments as a child

-Studied composition at age 9 with Christian Gottlob Neefe

-Traveled to Vienna at age 17 to try study with Mozart (doesn’t seem to have happened)

-Mother died shortly after this trip and father struggles with alcoholism

Hearing loss

-First acknowledgement of hearing loss in 1797

-Contemplated suicide in light of his deafness

-Almost totally deaf by age 44

-Used conversation books to interact with his friends

Early Period (1794-1800)

-Sought to establish himself in Vienna (moved in 1792)

-Viewed as the successor to Mozart

-Studied the works of Mozart and Haydn

-Works were mostly in the style of his predecessors

-Composed Symphonies 1 and 2, early chamber music and piano sonatas

Middle Period (1800-1815)

-Retreated to Heiligenstadt to try and recover his health

-Composed most of his popular works during this time

-Popular piano sonatas (Waldstein, Appassionata, Moonlight)

-Symphonies 3-7 (8th is considered transitional to his late period)

-Fiedler, his only opera which was not a great success

Late Period (1815-27)

-Further plagued and alienated from friends by his deafness

-Composed his final piano sonatas and chamber works

-His most monumental works 9th Symphony and Mass in D

-Died in 1827 of possible liver damage related to alcoholism

Most Famous Works

Piano Sonata No.14 “Moonlight Sonata” (1801)

-Known for its dark, melancholy character

-Possibly dedicated to a student of his for whom he had romantic interest

-Names “Moonlight Sonata” by a music critic years after Beethovens death

Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” (1802-1804)

-Considered groundbreaking in its length, complexity, and emotional depth

-Originally dedicated to Napoleon but later titled Sinfonia Eroica (Heroic Symphony)

-A significant work in the transition to the Romantic Period

-Twice as long as previous symphonies

Symphony No. 5 (1804-1808)

-Features the “fate motif”

-One of the most recognizable pieces in classical music

-Gained popularity after a rough premier thanks to a glowing music critic review

Violin Sonata No. 9, “Kreutzer Sonata” (1803)

-Originally written for violinist George Bridgewater

-Later rededicated to famous violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer

-Considered a defining work and very demanding in its length and virtuosity

Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor Concerto” 1809-1811

-The last piano concerto he composed

-Names “emperor concerto” by the publisher

-Only piano concerto Beethoven himself did not preform

Missa Solemnis 1819-1823

-Regarded (along with Bachs Mass in B minor) as one of the most significant mass settings

-Written for orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloist

-Very technically demanding to preform and long 80-90 minutes in length

Symphony No. 9 1822-1824

-Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the Classical Era

-First example of a major composer using voices in a symphony

-The premier was conducted by Beethoven and theatre music director Michael Umlauf

-It was Beethoven’s first public performance in 12 years

-The text emphasizes themes of brotherhood, friendship, joy, divine love