Ludwig Van Beethoven By: Shauna Anderson

Who is Beethoven? Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 Born in Germany His father was his first teacher First instruments he learned were they violin and piano. Never got an education passed elementary school.

Who is Beethoven? Assistant to a man named Christian Neefe. Neefe sent Beethoven to Vienna for unknown reasons. Beethoven’s mother became sick, and so Beethoven returned home. Five years later Beethoven moved back to Vienna to work and live. His father died in 1792, the same year that Beethoven moved back to Vienna.

Who is Beethoven? He wanted to establish himself as a composer and pianist. He studied composition under Haydn. They didn’t get along very well, so he didn’t study under him for long. He also studied under Salieri, Schenk, and Albrechtsberger. Performed his first symphony in 1800. He became very popular and all the publishers wanted his work. He really enjoyed playing his work at palaces and public houses. The prince wanted Beethoven to stay in Vienna, so the prince offered Beethoven a yearly income. Beethoven’s hearing had gotten worse and worse. He grew very angry and frustrated. He was only 28 years old. He wanted to end his life, and wrote a letter to his brothers. He would only communicate with friends and family by writing.

Who is Beethoven? Continued.. His brother died and he adopted his nephew Karl. They didn’t get along because Beethoven pushed Karl to be something that he didn’t want to be. Karl wanted to kill himself. Beethoven has wrote 9 different symphonies and one opera. Also many more piano sonatas. Beethoven was still very depressed by his deafness. He moved around 52 times the few years before he died. Died at age 56 from Dropsy in 1827. He had a huge funeral and thousands attended. He left all his money to his nephew Karl.

Beethoven’s Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvrzJ8uH1PI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCqOHFvO3po http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPHTYXTFB4s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6yeINepxcc

History of Music Beethoven wrote one opera. It was about a husband and wife. He had wrote and rewrote the opera many, many times. November 20, 1805 was the first performance of the Opera. It was about love, Heroism, freedom, and justice. Beethoven longed to find love, like what he written in the opera.

History of Music His symphony called “Eroica Symphony no. 3” was about heroism. He dedicated the song to a man named Napolean. The “Middle period” was Beethoven’s most creative era. He wrote a symphony called “Pastoral Symphony no. 6” This symphony was about his feelings and emotions of the countryside. He loved being on the countryside. Later, Beethoven entered the period called the “Late period” where he wrote seven piano sonatas. One of his piano sonatas was called “ Hammerklavier op. 106” It consisted of extreme instruments that played very harsh. The song reflected about what he was feeling at that time. He was going through so many emotions. He was very angry about his hearing getting worse. His “Choral Symphony no.9 in D minor” had extreme emotional intensity and hard large contrasts. The musical taste in Vienna in the 19th century was very different than what Beethoven was playing at the time. The people wanted a light Italian Opera. Beethoven was still very popular and famous.

Listening Guide Beethoven has many different kinds of symphonies, sonatas, and an opera. His music is based on what he is feeling while he is writing it. He has a well rounded group of instruments in his work. He will have woodwinds, such as flute and clarinet, to Brass, that includes the Tuba and trumpets. He will also have the string section, with instruments like the violin, cello, and viola. Beethoven losing his hearing and all the anger that has come with that shows in his music. He is dedicated to composing music.

Listening Guide Beethoven has various phrase lengths in his music. Some of his music has two-three measure phrases, and sometimes 5 measure phrases. He will use triplets, dynamic changes, minor keys, different notes, and march rhythms. In his First movement, the music starts quietly and smoothly. While the climax is building the cello and bass are playing the rhythm. It consists of long crescendo’s but also quiet music.

Listening Guide In his 2nd movement, the first theme starts out smooth and his second theme is very harsh and loud. The mood changes, structure, and the themes change all so much in this piece. In his 3rd movement, it is played like a minuet and trio. It starts off quiet and reserved. Then gets very loud with the whole orchestra playing at once. It then will go back to being quiet with only the strings being plucked, and the woodwinds playing softly. It then slowly gets louder to build to a climax.

References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvrzJ8uH1PI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCqOHFvO3po http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPHTYXTFB4s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6yeINepxcc