THE AMAZING Ludwig van beethoven

Fun facts about Beethoven! Although Beethoven had love relationships, no one stands out as his primary muse. The last movement of the 9th Symphony, also known as his choral symphony, was considered revolutionary! Beethoven wrote ONE opera: FIDELIO Beethoven wrote ONE violin concerto: Violin Concerto in D Beethoven wrote NINE symphonies: The most popular are the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th

Why is Beethoven considered a crossover artist? Beethoven’s music was a reflection of those who came before him combined with an amazing sense of focus on his own ideas. By the ninth symphony, he was leading the way for the emotionality that became the central compositional theme for the Romantic Era (1825 – 1900)

Beethoven’s Life Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany, in what is called the Rhineland. Beethoven's father was an alcoholic, and Ludwig was forced at an early age to assume the support of his mother and two younger brothers. At age 11 he was the assistant organist in the court chapel, and a year later, he became harpsichordist in the court orchestra. When he was 17, he visited Vienna and played for Mozart. Mozart was impressed by Beethoven and remarked to his friends, "Keep an eye on him--he will make a noise in the world someday.”

Beethoven’s Life (cont.) At age 22, arrangements were made for Beethoven to study with Haydn in Vienna. Their relationship was strained, however, mostly because Haydn was ruffled by Beethoven's volcanic temperament and free spirit. His abilities as a pianist earned him great respect and notoriety among the aristocracy, and he was welcomed into the great homes of some of the most powerful patrons in Vienna.

Beethoven’s Life (cont.) Beethoven, though, often moody and temperamental, was able to function well under a modified patronage system. This meant that he was not directly attached to any particular princely court; rather, the aristocrats of Vienna helped him financially through gifts or lesson payments. He was also aided by the emergence of an upper class that appreciated the music that had only been heard by royalty and wealthy in times past.

Beethoven’s Life A development that helped Beethoven break free of the patronage system was the greatly increased amount of music publishing. This allowed his music to be performed and heard throughout Europe. By the age of 27, Beethoven started going deaf and by the age of 32 was profoundly deaf. This lead to bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide.

Beethoven’s last years Though deaf, he continued for nearly 25 years to both compose and conduct many of his own pieces. In fact, many of Beethoven's most famous and popular compositions were composed at a time in the composer's life when he was not able to hear them be performed. He could only hear them in his head. An active conductor and composer throughout his, Beethoven would never hear the applause that was his for many of the works he composed.

Beethoven’s death A carriage ride in inclement weather brought on an attack of edema, an accumulation of fluid in the body, that proved fatal. Ludwig van Beethoven died in 1827 at the age of 57, revered by the greatest composers of his time.

Major works of Beethoven: 9 symphonies Mass in C Major Missa Solemnis 5 piano concerti 1 violin concerto 32 piano sonatas 10 violin sonatas Opera: Fidelio

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