Ludwig van Beethoven
: Late 1770-1827 - late Classical, German : Son of a professional musician O Father, Johann, was a singer & abusive alcoholic O Forced the boy to study music - wanted money Financially successful as freelance musician Believed in period's societal changes Wrote final pieces while totally deaf (later in life) Died in Vienna O 20,000 people attended funeral Wrote in all Classical genres O 9 symphonies O 16 string quartets O 5 concertos O 1 opera O Many other sonatas and other works Baptised December 17th 1770, died March 26 1826 Mother: gentle woman with a kind heart; Beethoven called her his best friend Seven children - 3 boys survived - Ludwig was the oldest First public performance in Cologne age 7 1/2; father told everyone Beethoven was 6, so he always thought he was younger than he actually was At 12, he published first piece "9 Variations in C Minor for Piano" 14, Beethoven was appointed organists of the court of Maximillian Franz, the Elector of Cologne
Chapter 49 - The Early Music of Beethoven
Europe 1770-1800 Beethoven's life 1770-1827 Beethoven's works of the first period (1792-1802) Representative works: O Piano Sonata in C Minor (Pathetique), Op. 13, movement I Beethoven's World
Beethoven was born in the city of Bonn, on the Rhine River, in the northwest
seat of government of the far-flung lands ruled by the Hapsburg kings.
Beethoven's Life . 1792-1802
Beethoven's Principal Compositions Orchestra: 9 symphonies, overtures, concertos (including 5 for piano and 1 for violin) Chamber music: 16 string quartets, 7 trios, sonatas for instruments and piano Piano: 32 sonatas, variations Opera and ballet: Fidelio (opera), Creatures of Prometheus (ballet) Chorus: 2 masses, oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives, finale of Symphony no. 9
Youthful Beethoven Beethoven's appearance made an impression on virtually all who met him O Unlicked bear cub
Chapter 50 - Beethoven's Middle Period: 1802-1814
. Beethoven's life and times during the middle period . The "new way": Beethoven's innovations
Events in Beethoven's Life : 1802: suicidal despair over deafness; writes Heiligenstadt Testament 1804: disillusionment as Napoleon crowns himself Emperor 1805:
Chapter 51 - After the Congress of Vienna: Beethoven's Late Music
Beethoven's life and times during 1814-1827 Missa Solemnis (Kyrie) Piano Sonatas: Nos. 28-32 (also the Diabelli) Symphony No. 9 : String Quartet in B