UNDERSTANDING MUSIC

CHAPTER 8
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770-1827)
Life spans between two style periods (Classic and Romantic)
Partly responsible for the stylistic changes that define
Romanticism

Beethoven’s Life
Early Life
worked in the court in his birthplace of Bonn, Germany.
1790-Met and studied with Haydn & moved to Vienna
wrote keyboard works, chamber music, piano concertos, and
symphonies
It was at this point (1802) where he realized that he was going
deaf (by 1817, he was completely deaf).

The Heroic Phase

Historians call this his Middle Period, in which the most remarkable
changes happen in his style Heroic works-“Victory through struggle”
Contrasts between works (Symphonies 2 & 4 Symphonies 3 & 5)

Personal Crisis and Halt to Productivity

Custody of his nephew
Inability to properly care for him

The Late Years

Most important works: Piano Sonatas, String Quartets and his
Symphony # 9
All marked by unconventional formal aspects, breaking of barriers in
various musical aspects (melody, harmony, rhythm, etc.)
Symphony # 9 (Choral) ends with the famous Ode to Joy (Schiller)
with chorus and vocal soloists

Beethoven’s Music
Stylistic Traits
Long powerful crescendos
Themes that sound exactly right played quietly and loud
Dramatic use of Classical forms
Sudden key changes
Listening examples
One from each of his style periods
Early period Six Easy Variations on a Swiss Tune
Middle Period Symphony #5
Late period Piano Sonata in E Major Op. 109 (Third
Movement)