Beethoven

Beethoven

Considered by many a revolutionary, Ludwig van Beethoven is “universally recognized as one of the greatest composers of the Western European music tradition”. Beethoven’s music is said to have peaked the classical period and also spark the beginning of the romantic era of music.

At and early age Beethoven showed incredible talent as a musician. Hoping to create a child prodigy, his father, subjected him to brutal practice sessions. Although his fathers dream did not come true, teachers as well as local aristocracy recognized Beethoven’s gifts. In 1787 Beethoven performs for Mozart in Vienna, the center of the music world at the time, where he greatly impressed Mozart. In 1792 Hayden invited him to become a student. Beethoven’s unorthodox musical ideas upset Hayden and the lessons were soon discontinued. He studied with other instructors, but was developing according to his own genius.

As Beethoven became more famous he appreciated the support of his fans, who were very good to him and tolerated his boorish manners, careless appearance, and towering rages. By 1801 Beethoven began to go deaf and by 1817 he was totally deaf. Beethoven never married; however, he was constantly in and out of love his entire life, always with unattainable women. As he became the guardian of his nephew Karl, his personal life became further complicated with much grief and anxiety. After suffering a long illness Beethoven died, legend has it that this “revolutionary”, this man who did things his own way, shook his fists in defiance of the heavens as he was dying.

By the 19th century, Beethoven’s works could be divided into three distinct periods. Beginning about 1795 continuing until about 1805, the most famous is the third symphony, known as the Eroica, which was a landmark in cultural history. Signaling the break with the past and beginning of a new era, also celebrating human freedom and the spirit of the French revolution. Although the compositions of the first period have Beethoven’s unmistakable sound, they are dominated by the tradition of Hayden and Mozart. The Middle period is simply known as his most productive. He worked continuously from 1806 to 1813 and began to lose momentum until 1820, due to difficulties concerning his nephew. “Works of greater depth and complexity”