Composer of the Month: Ludwig van Beethoven
“Beethoven was a classic example of a tortured artist, an enlightened thinker, and a guardian of moral values. When confronted with his hearing loss, he spoke of his artistic destiny and not of making music in order to earn money. With his incredible compositions and his strong will to create art despite his personal troubles, he inspired so many generations of artists.” -Mieke Leenders
The Life & Music of Ludwig van Beethoven
Ever since we began Composer of the Month features, we’ve received eager requests from students for Beethoven. And, here he is!
Childhood
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770 to a musical family. His grandfather (also named Ludwig) was a professional singer and Kapellmeister, or city music director. And his father, Johann, was a singer and taught violin and piano. Young Ludwig first learned from his father. By age eleven, he had written his first set of sonatas, and by age thirteen became an assistant court organist.
Beethoven’s works changed vastly over the course of his life, and are grouped into three periods: early, middle, and late:
Early Period
At the age of 21, Beethoven moved to Vienna - he would spend the rest of his life there - where he began studying composition with Joseph Haydn, one of the greatest composers of the Classical era. At this time, Beethoven’s goal was to be the greatest pianist he could be, and learning composing helped him better understand music.
His earliest compositions were influenced by Classical composers like Haydn and Mozart. But even early on, he moved away from the accepted norms and rules of the Classical era. For example, his Piano Sonata No. 1 did not change keys as was typical at the time, but instead added contrast through striking changes in tempo and dynamics.
Around the age of 28, Beethoven began to lose his hearing, and began to compose more. During this time, he wrote his first two symphonies. His Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, known as “Sonata Pathetique,” established him as a talented composer, and demonstrated the emotive elements that would become a hallmark of his style. You’ll
Middle Period
Beginning around 1802, when Beethoven was in his early 30s, his middle period of work was characterized by a heroic sound and experimentation. As he pushed way from the rules and emotional blandness of the Classical era, he infused his music with more emotion, big and exciting changes, virtuosic solos, and complex layers of sound. His works also became longer; his third symphony is almost an hour in length!
Beethoven’s middle period brought us some of his most famous works:
Moonlight Sonata, one of his most famous works for piano
Symphony No. 3, which he originally dedicated to Napoleon. However, Beethoven tore up the title page after Napoleon declared himself Emperor, and retitled it “Eroica,” or the Heroic Symphony. See more about these pieces and find listening examples below.
Fur Elise, a small piece written in 1810 and first called a “bagatelle,” meaning a trifle or thing or little importance.
See more about these pieces and find listening examples below.
During this time, Beethoven also composed his Symphony No. 5. You know this one - it starts with the classic “dun dun dun dunnnn!”
Late Period
Beethoven’s late period of work began around 1815, when he was about 45. Nearly completely deaf at this time, his pieces feel very introspective. This is perhaps a reflection on his search for self and happiness. Pieces written during this time do not fit the Classical mold, and don’t sound experimental like his middle works. Rather, they are profound expressions of his personal emotions, struggles, and triumphs through hardship. His pieces at this time are complex, borrowing techniques from great Baroque composers like Bach and Handel.
Beethoven’s “Choral” Symphony No. 9 was written during this time. Having spent his career pushing musical boundaries, this symphony knocked down the walls - nearly literally. Written for a massive orchestra such had never been assembled before, it also featured vocalists in the final movement. The audience at its premier was shocked and energized! Never before had singers been part of a symphony, which was always a strictly instrumental work. The final movement is now known around the world as Ode to Joy. The text Beethoven set to music was originally a poem by Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, which celebrates friendship and unity among people of all nations and cultures.
Legacy
It’s no exaggeration to say that Beethoven changed not only the course of music, but that of art and intellectual thought.
Musically and artistically, he pushed the boundaries of the simple, unemotional Classical Era. This ushered in the Romantic Era, a time when music was full of emotion, complexity, and intelligence. He expanded the format of the symphony into a longer, more developed work. Instrumental music was forever changed because of Beethoven.
As a human, Beethoven was very much influenced by and part of The Enlightenment - a time hallmarked by a desire for justice, freedom, morality, and artistic freedom. Beethoven was outspoken against dictators like Napoleon.
Beethoven was also infamous for being grumpy and hard to work with. Given the devastating loss of his hearing, perhaps grumpiness can be justified. But he was also human, and allowed all the emotions of the human experience to channel creatively into his music, creating sonic worlds for others to experience. His big pieces show he was not afraid to take a stand and showcase his personality as an artistic leader and advocate for social change. And his smaller works, like sonatas, are more private forms of expression, in which we see his inner struggles and emotions
Beethoven’s Greatest Hits
Beethoven’s work and legacy is so massive, that it’s difficult to narrow down listening examples! For further listening, we recommend Beethoven’s string quartets, Symphony No. 5, and cello sonatas!
“Sonata Pathetique” - Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor (Early Period)
Written in 1798 when Beethoven was 27 years old, this emotional piece was important in establishing Beethoven as a talented composer. Though early in his career and still adhering to some of the norms of the Classical era, his hallmark style of diverse emotional intensity is already apparent.
Have a listen!
“Moonlight Sonata” - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor (Middle Period)
Beethoven wrote this piece in 1801-1802 and dedicated it to his student Giulietta Guicciardi. The two had fallen in love and Beethoven even proposed marriage, but Giulietta’s father forbade the marriage because Beethoven was of a lower rank in society.
Beethoven’s initial name for the work was “sonata quasi una fantasia,” meaning “in a fantasy style.” Five years after Beethoven’s death, a German music critic nicknamed it the Moonlight Sonata, saying the beginning sounded like moonlight glittering on the surface of water. The nickname stuck, even though many disagreed with this description, instead feeling that Beethoven’s heartbreak at losing Giulietta - and his hearing - is instead the hallmark sound.
The Sonata consists of three movements (like chapters), each of which has a different strong emotion to it.
Have a listen!
“Fur Elise” - Bagatelle in A minor (Middle Period)
Beethoven never meant for this bagatelle - literally meaning “thing of little importance” - to become one of his most famous works. In fact, some say he was dissatisfied with the work, which may be why it was not composed until decades after his death.
Even the title we know it by was not his intention. His 1810 manuscript dedicates the piece to a “Therese,” which over the years somehow became “Elise.” There are theories as to who this may have been, but we will never know!
This piece is a Rondo, with an A melody, B melody, and C melody. The A melody is the one you’ll recognize right away. These melodies occur in this order: ABACA
Have a listen!
“Fur Elise” Bagatelle in A minor - performed by Lang Lang
“Ode to Joy” - Symphony No. 9 (Late Period)
Beethoven’s final symphony was joyful, indeed! He nicknamed it “Choral” for its feature of singers in the final movement, and this was the first time singers ever were included in a symphony.
The 4th is the final movement of the symphony, and the most famous (but the rest of the symphony is just as worthy of a listen!). The full Ode to Joy melody does not start right away; the opening of this movement almost sounds like a conversation between two people, with the famous melody hinted at. Listen for the low strings to introduce the Ode To Joy melody quietly at about 3 minutes in, and how it builds and builds.
Have a listen to these very different performances:
Symphony No. 9, movement 4 “Ode to Joy” - a stunning performance by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel
Ode to Joy flashmob - not the full movement, but an absolutely touching “flashmob” that shows just how timeless and captivating and uplifting this melody is!
“Eroica” - Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (Middle Period)
Nicknamed “Eroica” or “Heroic,” Beethoven’s third symphony was heroic in many ways: it used more musicians than ever, was longer than any other symphony, and was deeply vulnerable in its brave explorations of extreme emotions. It was also inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and initially dedicated to Napoleon. Beethoven later rescinded this when Napoleon declared himself emperor, but the symphony remains heroic, and explores through music what it means to be human. Beethoven said this symphony was his favorite.
There’s an excellent PBS article about this symphony here.
Have a listen to each of the movements:
Eroica Symphony, movement 1 - Beethoven takes the listener on a wild ride through emotions, from tender and gentle to wild and frantic.
Eroica Symphony, movement 2 - Titled ‘funeral march,’ this movement explores grief, evokes a slow funeral procession, and roars of grief from mourners. the oboe solo at the beginning was unlike other solos of the classical era, as it’s more lyrical and personal. Is he mourning the loss of his hearing?
Eroica Symphony, movement 3 - The third movement is nothing sort of joyful, playful, and grand at the same time. It is a glimpse into the feelings of hope he had as he came to accept his deafness and instead became inspired to create musical worlds to communicate to others through.
Eroica Symphony, movement 4 - Opening with fugues, dance-like themes, and virtuosic solos, the fourth movement is playful and triumphant - triumph in the hero’s journey through adversity.
Students! Check your practice assignments and email for more Beethoven resources. Complete at least one of these to collect a trading card!
