Changes

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, he was also a [[piano|pianist]] of legendary virtuosity who shaped the future course of piano [[technique (music)|technique]].  Despite his encroaching deafness, which began in early adulthood and left him completely deaf in his last decade, his compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written. Coming at the peak of the Viennese Classical style, Beethoven set a high standard for the composers of the next two generations, especially in the genres of the piano [[sonata]] and the [[symphony]].  

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, he was also a [[piano|pianist]] of legendary virtuosity who shaped the future course of piano [[technique (music)|technique]].  Despite his encroaching deafness, which began in early adulthood and left him completely deaf in his last decade, his compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written. Coming at the peak of the Viennese Classical style, Beethoven set a high standard for the composers of the next two generations, especially in the genres of the piano [[sonata]] and the [[symphony]].  

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Born in [[Bonn]], Germany, Beethoven's early musical training was on the violin, and later in composition, keyboard, and [[organ]]. At first he was taught by his father, Johann, and then by C.G. Neefe, a court organist. At 11 he is recorded as filling in for Neefe as an organist. Neefe, a son of the [[Enlightenment]] who was also a member of the Bavarian [[Illuminati]], also influenced the young genius's education, and Beethoven is known to have frequented lectures at the university. Having caught the attention of Maximilian Frederick, the Elector of Bonn, he published his first works in 1783. In 1787 he travelled to [[Vienna]] in the hope of studying with [[Mozart]], but quickly returned on hearing that his mother was dying. He continued to produce ever larger compositions for the Bonn court, culminating in the grand ''[[Cantata]] on the Death of Emperor Joseph II'', written when Beethoven was 20. His father having turned to alcoholism after his mother's death, Beethoven was in charge of caring for his younger brothers, and was not able to return to Vienna until 1792, after which he was to settle for life.  

Born in [[Bonn]], Germany, Beethoven's early musical training was on the violin, and later in composition, keyboard, and [[organ]]. At first he was taught by his father, Johann, and then by C.G. Neefe, a court organist. At 11 he is recorded as filling in for Neefe as an organist. Neefe, a son of the [[Enlightenment]] who was also a member of the Bavarian [[Illuminati]], also influenced the young genius's education, and Beethoven is known to have frequented lectures at the university. Having caught the attention of Maximilian Frederick, the Elector of Bonn, he published his first works in 1783. In 1787 he travelled to [[Vienna]] in the hope of studying with [[Mozart]], but quickly returned on hearing that his mother was dying. He continued to produce ever larger compositions for the Bonn court, culminating in the grand ''[[Cantata]] on the Death of Emperor Joseph II'', written when Beethoven was 20. His father having turned to alcoholism after his mother's death, Beethoven was in charge of caring for his younger brothers, and was not able to return to Vienna until 1792, after which he was to settle for life.  

=== [[Symphony|Symphonies]] ===

=== [[Symphony|Symphonies]] ===

*Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, ''Eroica'', Op. 55<br />

*Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, ''Eroica'', Op. 55

*Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67(Beethoven's Fifth Symphony took 4 years to complete<ref>[https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/plan-your-visit/beethovens-symphony-no--5 Beethoven's Symphony No. 5] - The Phoenix Symphony website)</ref>)<br />

*Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67(Beethoven's Fifth Symphony took 4 years to complete<ref>[https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/plan-your-visit/beethovens-symphony-no--5 Beethoven's Symphony No. 5] - The Phoenix Symphony website)</ref>)

*Symphony No. 6 in F Major ''Pastoral'', Op. 68<br />

*Symphony No. 6 in F Major ''Pastoral'', Op. 68

*Symphony No. 9 in D Minor ''Choral'', Op. 125

*Symphony No. 9 in D Minor ''Choral'', Op. 125

*"remains as potent, obsessive, and bewilderingly brilliant as ever" (BBC documentary [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YueD9vB51hk&t=2m55s])

*"remains as potent, obsessive, and bewilderingly brilliant as ever" (BBC documentary [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YueD9vB51hk&t=2m55s])

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

==External Links==

==External links==

* [http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/index.html Beethoven]

* [http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/index.html Beethoven]