Beethove Essay, Research Paper

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Ludwig van Beethoven

eethoven’s importance lies not only in his work, but also in his life (Tames, 4). Included in my report is proof that Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. In this proof is a brief description of his life. This will help you understand how he felt when he wrote his music. Also, there will be a description of all his symphonies.

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Mozart

On December 16 or 17, 1770, (date uncertain) at 515 (now 20) Bonngasse Bonn, Germany Beethoven, like Mozart, was born into a small family (Comptons, 1). He took his first lessons on March 26, 1778, (Schmit, 10). In 1787, he went to Vienna to study with Mozart, but he went back to Bonn due to the nature of his mother’s sickness (Schmit, 15). This would be the composers last visit to Bonn.

Hayden

After his mother’s death on July 17, 1787, Beethoven went back to Vienna to study with Hayden in November of 1792, where he lived for 35 years (Tames, 14). He was unsatisfied with Hayden because he was preoccupied and commonly missed many mistakes made by Beethoven (Schmit, 17). Beethoven, then, went to Neffe who himself started composing at the age of 12.

In the late 1700’s, Beethoven began to suffer from early symptoms of deafness, and by 1802, Beethoven was convinced that the condition was not only permanent but was getting much worse. The cause of his deafness is still uncertain (Comptons, 1). He was determined to prove that deafness was not a handicap to him (Thompson, 25). Beethoven’s deafness started to be noticeable, and by 1818 Beethoven was completely deaf (Schmit, 28).

In the year of 1812, Beethoven fell in love with the “Eternally Beloved.” Nobody knew her name except Beethoven, who did not mention it in any letter or to friends.

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__________________Music___________________

Under his first patron, Prince Karl Lichnowsky, Beethoven wrote his first symphony. The first symphony was wrote in 1795, and was a set of three Trios. Beethoven believed that his income came from the successful sale of these works, but it actually came from Lichnowsky (Tames, 12). This symphony was reflective of the classical era. He did not publish this symphony until he was 31.

In 1802, Beethoven wrote a second symphony. Beethoven named this symphony “Grande Sinfonie” while in Hiligenstadt where he wrote the symphony (Schmit, 35). The second symphony is a work noted for sunny and optimistic tone (Tames, 15).

Napoleon Bonaparte

Beethoven’s third symphony, made in 1803, is the one where he started writing his style which was quite recognizably his own, rather than based on a previous composer (Tames, 16). The third symphony, originally called Bonaparte, was named after Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, Beethoven changed the name to “Sinfonia Eroica” (Schmit, 36). Two times as long as any one of Mozart’s or Hayden’s symphonies, the third symphony challenged the idea of what a symphony is.

The fourth Symphony was written in 1807. This symphony shows Beethoven as a good humored person (Schmit, 39). This symphony was smaller and more appealing than the third symphony, and had a more lively style (Thompson, 25).

In the year of 1808, he wrote the fifth symphony. He went with Hayden to Esterh zy Palace at Eisenstadt. His fifth is one of his most famous symphonies. Work on the fifth was started before the fourth and was published after the fourth. This is one of the most popular symphonies of all time, and was performed on the 22 of December 1808. (Schmit, 41) This symphony was made popular because he used many instruments that were not normally use in orchestral works at that time (Thompson, 26).

The sixth symphony, is in a class of its own. Named “Sinfonia Pastrella,” this symphony is based on scenes from the country, and expressed Beethoven’s love for the nature that surrounded him (Schmit, 41). This piece started the bridge between the Classical era and the Romantic era (Thompson, 28).

The seventh symphony was written in the summer of 1811, and the start of 1812, and was performed on December 8, 1813, at the University of Vienna (Schmit, 42). This is a smaller piece, and presented a very happy mood reflecting dance like rhythms (Thompson, 33-35).

The eighth symphony, named “Sinfonia-Linz,” was composed during 1812, while at the spas in Bohemia. This was performed on the 27 of February 1814. At first, the eighth received little notice, but then it gradually began to get the fame it deserved (Schmit, 42-44).

The ninth Symphony (completed in 1823) was his best and his last symphony. By this time he finally understood his own mind speaking:

“I carry out my thoughts about with me for a long time…before I set them down…my memory is so faithful to me that I am sure not to forget a theme which I have passed. I make many changes, reject and re-attempt until I am satisfied. Then the working-out begins in my head…It rises, grows upward, and I hear and see the picture as a whole take shape and stand before me as though cast in a single piece, so that all that is left is the work of writing it down” (Tames, 25). He performed the ninth at the K rntenerthor Theater. When he directed the performance his back was to the audience (Thompson, 41). When the audience went wild, the alto soloist had to tug at his sleeve so that he could turn and see the ovation he had earned (Mlt. Beethoven) The famous “Ode to Joy” (coral) is included in this symphony.

Beethoven’s works include nine symphonies, one opera, two coral masses, 48 sonatas, ten overtures, and dozens of trios, quartets, and songs. Many of these works were sketched out during long walks (Tames, 12). “His greatest breakthroughs in composition came in instrumental work, including his symphonies” (Comptons, 1).

Beethoven had a great influence on music. Not only did he create a bridge between the 18th-century classical period and new beginnings of Romanticism, but he started a new era of music.

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Beethoven’s last years were marked with illness. On March 24, 1827, Beethoven died in Vienna. A crowd of almost 30,000 people attended his funeral and burial at Vienna Central Cemetery (Schmit, 31). The bicentennial of his death was celebrated with performances and recordings of all the masters’ works (Comptons, 2). At the funeral, Beethoven’s friend wrote a moving address which stated:

“We, the representatives of an entire nation, come to mourn the passing of the gracious mouth by which music spoke, the man who inherited and enriched the immortal fame of Handel and Bach, of Hayden and Mozart. He was an artist, and who shall stand beside him? Because he shut himself off from the world, they called him hostile and callous… He withdrew from his fellow-men after he had given them everything, and received nothing in return. But until his death, he preserved a father’s heart for mankind. Thus he was, thus he died, thus he will live to the end of time!” (Thompson, 46).