2. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
EARLY LIFE
Born in Bonn, Germany in 1770
Raised by father, Johann
Abused as a child
Performed recitals pretending to be younger than he was
3. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
EDUCATION/YOUNG ADULT LIFE
Studied in Vienna in 1792
Taught by Haydn
Mother became ill and died; Beethoven returned home
Began going deaf in his late 20s
4. STYLE PERIODS
PT. 1
Beethoven composed in 3 “style periods”.
#1- Through 1802, he conformed to the Classical style,
influenced by Haydn and Mozart.
(6 string quartets, 10 pf sonatas, 3 piano concerti, 2 symphonies)
5. STYLE PERIODS
PT. 2
#2- From 1802-1814, artistic independence began to flourish.
Music showed power, rhythmic drive, and extreme motivic development.
Served as a bridge to Romantic period
(Symphonies 3-8, piano concerti 4-5, violin concerto, quartets 7-11, etc.)
6. STYLE PERIODS
PT. 3
#3- From 1816 to death in 1827, grew very reflective and introspective. Lost
most to all of his hearing, which made him keep to himself
Wrote Baroque-inspired heavily-ornamented fugues, canons, and string
quartets; lost most of his audience
(5 piano sonatas, string quartets 12-16, 9th Symphony, Grosse Fuge, etc.)
7. SYMPHONIES
Beethoven’s symphonies are amongst the most influential in history.
Each of his symphonies did something revolutionary.
Symphony no. 3: Eroica; dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte
Increased the length and power of the symphony
8. SYMPHONIES
(CONT.)
Symphony no. 6: Used a program to inform the audience of the “story”
behind the music.
Interpolated a movement before the last, making it a five-movement
symphony.
9. SYMPHONIES
(CONT.)
Symphony no. 9: Reversed the order of the inner movements, making
movement 3 the slowest instead of 2.
Added chorus to the last movement.
