Difference between revisions of "Ludwig van Beethoven"

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Piano Sonata in E Major, Op. 109
 
Piano Sonata in E Major, Op. 109
 
Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110
 
Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110
Piano Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111<ref>The last three sonatas, often considered (and played) as a trilogy.</ref>
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Piano Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111<ref>The last three sonatas, often considered (and played) as a trilogy.</ref><br />
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Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major, ''Spring'', Op 24<br />
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Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Minor, ''Kreutzer'', Op. 47
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 19:38, September 17, 2009

Joseph Karl Stieler - "Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis.

Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a German composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras.

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, he was also an accomplished pianist. His compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written.

Early Life

His early musical training was with the violin, and later in composition and keyboards. 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; at 12 he had some early compositions published. In 1787 he went to Vienna, but quickly returned on hearing that his mother was dying. In 1792 he went back to Vienna, where he then settled. He pursued his studies, first with Joseph Haydn, and later with contemporaries Johann Schenk, Johann-Georg Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri

The Music

Beethoven's works include nine symphonies, sixteen string quartets, 32 piano sonatas, five piano concertos, a violin concerto, an opera (Fidelio), the Missa Solemnis, and numerous other pieces, including chamber music, overtures, incidental music, and songs.

The composer's works are often divided into three periods: the Early, Middle, and Late Periods. The Early Period music shows a strong affinity for the music of Mozart and Haydn, the latter of whom was Beethoven's instructor, and is firmly in the realm of the Classical style. The Middle Period produced some of the most famous works, including the Fifth Symphony. The The Third Symphony, also called "Eroica" is considered to be the first movement of the Romantic period. Beethoven's Late Period is characterized by a highly romantic and introspective nature. His most enduring works, including the Ninth Symphony and the late string quartets, come from this period.

Many of his compositions remain popular with the general public, such as the piano bagatelle "Für Elise", the Moonlight Sonata. (a title not actually attributed to Beethoven), opus 27 no. 2, and many of the symphonies. The late string quartets are still considered "difficult" music, though they still have a strong following among devoted followers of classical music.

Beethoven's Deafness

Although the music of Beethoven is remarkable in its own right, it is perhaps most amazing in light of the fact that much of it was written when he was near or totally deaf. The most stirring example of this is the Ninth Symphony, written in 1824 when he had lost all hearing. Accounts differ on the details, but at the end of the performance, one of the performers had to turn the composer to see the ovations which he could not hear.

Critics and music historians disagree on the extent to which Beethoven's deafness affected his music. Many of his later works, especially the late string quartets, were considered unintelligible when they were written, and this difficulty was attributed to his deafness. Others argue that his deafness had little to no ultimate effect on the quality of his music: he had a profound ability to "hear" the music even when deaf. There can be little doubt, however, that the loss of hearing had a profound personal effect on the composer, which undoubtedly bled into his highly personal music.

Beethoven and Religion

There is some dispute among scholars over Beethoven's religious beliefs, as his letters and the accounts of friends provide conflicting evidence. While he was raised a Roman Catholic and made several well-documented references to his faith, it is known that he never attended religious services. His teacher, the great composer Franz Joseph Haydn, thought Beethoven was an atheist. His friend and biographer Anton Schindler considered him a deist, especially due to the Enlightenment's strong influence in Bonn as Beethoven came of age. Furthermore, Beethoven's choice of text in the choral movement of his ninth symphony indicates at least an interest (if not a belief) in Pantheism.

The most convincing evidence for Beethoven's spirituality can be found in his late music. The String Quartet No. 15 contains a slow movement which Beethoven himself gave the title "Holy Song of Thanksgiving to God from a Convalescent" ("Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenes an die Gottheit"), after his recovery from serious illness. Perhaps most convincing, though, is the fervent nature of the Missa Solemnis, Op. 123. The sincerity found in this work could only have come from a deeply-rooted faith in God.

Trivia

  • Beethoven was the teacher of Carl Czerny, who in turn taught Franz Liszt, commonly considered to be the greatest pianist of all time.
  • The first recording of all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas was made by pianist Artur Schnabel, a herculean accomplishment since repeated by several elite pianists, including Murrah Perrahia, Alfred Brendel (3 times), Daniel Barenboim, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andras Schiff, and Ursula Oppens.
  • Beethoven described the piano as "the god of all instruments" and wrote more for piano than for any other instrument, including 5 piano concertos, 32 piano sonatas, 10 sonatas with violin and piano, 5 sonatas with cello and piano, many piano variations, and a number of miscellaneous short pieces, such as "Fuer Elise."

Key compositions

Symphonies

Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Eroica, Op. 55
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Symphony No. 6 in F Major Pastoral, Op. 68
Symphony No. 9 in D Minor Choral, Op. 125

Concertos

Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, The Emperor, Op. 73
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
Triple Concerto in C Major for piano, violin, cello, and orchestra, Op. 56

Sonatas

Piano Sonata in C Minor, Pathétique, Op. 13
Piano Sonata in C# Minor Sonata quasi una Fantasia,[1] Op. 27/2
Piano Sonata in C Major, Waldstein, Op. 53
Piano Sonata in F Minor, Appassionata, Op. 57
Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, Lebewohl or Les Adieux, Op. 81a
Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, Hammerklavier, Op. 106
Piano Sonata in E Major, Op. 109 Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110 Piano Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111[2]

Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Spring, Op 24
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Minor, Kreutzer, Op. 47

See also

References

  1. Popularly known as "Moonlight Sonata," though the title does not come from Beethoven
  2. The last three sonatas, often considered (and played) as a trilogy.

External Links