Download Facts on Ludwig Van Beethoven for Kids

Fun & Interesting Facts About Beethoven
Beethoven is one of the most famous and greatest musicians of all time.
His music is recognizable, and children and adult students learn how to play his music on the piano.
Many people can instantly identify his music, but not many can identify facts about the great musician.
The following are little known facts about the man, his music, and his legacy.
Ludwig van Beethoven never married and had no children.
He started losing his hearing at the age of 26 and died on March 26th, 1827 during a thunderstorm. His
funeral procession was done 3 days later and about 20,000 people came.
Beethoven’s Birth
Beethoven was born in Germany on December 16th, 1770.
It is rumored that as a young man, another very famous musician—Mozart, heard Beethoven’s playing. He
made a comment about the young man, and that Beethoven’s career should be watched for his genius.
Mozart seemingly passed on the torch for being the most famous musicians in the world to the young
Beethoven, and their meeting may have very well inspired Beethoven to work hard to achieve greatness.
Beethoven’s Music
Some of Beethoven’s most famous pieces are his piano sonatas. Three of the most famous are No. 8 in CMinor, No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, and No. 23 in F-Minor. He also wrote operas, violin concertos, and piano
concertos. His biggest accomplishment is arguably his symphonies, and his most famous symphony is No.
9. Sadly, Beethoven eventually lost his hearing, but he continued to try to work until his death.
Discover the expert in you.
Facts on Ludwig Van Beethoven for Kids
By Ryan Cockerham, eHow Contributor
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who wrote music for symphony orchestras, opera halls
and smaller instrumental ensembles.
Major historical and personal events shaped the life and music of Beethoven. Although he was largely deaf
by the end of his career, his compositions have withstood the test of time and become staples in the
classical repertory. His amazing life story is appealing to adults and children alike.
1. Early Years
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Beethoven was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany. His primary music teacher and educator
was his father, Johann van Beethoven.
Ludwig was initially trained on the keyboard and displayed talent from an early age.
Beethoven gave his first public concert at the age of 8. In his teenage years, Beethoven
became the assistant organist at the Court Chapel in Bonn.
Although Beethoven eventually left this position to travel to Vienna in hopes of studying
music with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he was forced to return due to family issues. He
returned to VIenna in 1792 with financial support from admirers in Bonn.
Life in Vienna
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Beethoven's reputation and career began taking shape after he moved to Vienna at the age
of 22.
Although he eventually became a famed composer, Beethoven initially supported himself
by playing piano in court salons and concert halls.
Beethoven continued his study of music with Franz Joseph Haydn and Antonio Salieri.
Beethoven performed his first original composition in 1795, where he debuted a piano
concerto he had written.
In 1796, Beethoven began losing his hearing. During the next several years, Beethoven
composed some of his most famous works, including many of his piano concertos and
symphonies.
Final Years
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Beethoven composed his most advanced works during the final years of his life.
His last five string quartets are among the most respected works in the genre by any
composer.
In 1824, Beethoven composed his final symphony, a work that is well-known for its
jubilant choral finale. Beethoven died in 1827 from an undiagnosed illness.
Listening to Beethoven
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Symphony orchestras and string quartets around the world have recorded Beethoven's
music. Each of his nine symphonies are popular orchestral works. Many adults and
children will recognize the dramatic four-note introduction to his "Symphony No. 5."
Beethoven rewards listeners who pay close attention to his music: themes and melodies
consistently appear in a variety of entertaining and artistic variations.
Resources
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Read this Article in UK English
WW Norton: J Peter Burkholder: A History Of Western Music
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LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
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Composer
Born in 1770 - Died in 1827
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Ludwig van Beethoven (LOOD vig von BAY toh vun) was one of the world's
greatest composers. He wrote many symphonies * , overtures * , and pieces for
piano and other instruments.
He started studying the piano and violin when he was 4 years old. His father, a
singer, was his first teacher. But he was not a good teacher. He beat his son and
locked him in a basement to make him practice.
Sometimes when his father came home late after becoming drunk, he would
awaken Ludwig and make him practice until morning.
Thirteen-year-old Beethoven
When he was 10 years old, he started taking lessons from Christian Neefe. His
new teacher was very patient with him and he began to do well. He wrote his
first composition * (song) when he was 11. When he was 12, his teacher let him
direct the orchestra part of the time.
When he was 22, he moved to Vienna and studied with Joseph Haydn (HI dn).
Haydn insisted his student write "pupil of Haydn" at the top of each song he
wrote. Beethoven became tired of giving Haydn credit for his songs and quit
studying with him.
Most composers at this time were hired by people to write music, and they
were told what kind of music to write. Beethoven, however, was treated as a
friend, not an employee. He wrote the kind of music he wanted to write.
He knew he could play the piano very well and began to play at parties and to
give concerts around Europe. When he needed an orchestra, he used a big
orchestra. He would even use some of the instruments in the orchestra to
sound like birds in the forest.
He liked taking long walks during the day. During these walks he planned his
music. He would make notes in a notebook. Then in the evening after dinner,
he would write music from about 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. He followed the same
routine every day. If he was dining out and didn't have his notebook with him,
he would write on the back of a menu. Once he even wrote on a window shade.
He would work on a composition until it was just right. Sometimes it took
years, but it would be perfect when he finished it.
Beethoven began to lose his hearing when he was in his 20's. He became very
suspicious * of people and hard to get along with. But he was still able to hear
the songs in his mind and write them down.
He did not get along with his two brothers. When his brother Karl died,
Beethoven took his 9 year-old son to raise. It was an unhappy time for the child
and his uncle. The boy rebelled against him and caused him a lot of grief.
In 1826 he caught a cold. It developed into pneumonia * and he died. The world
lost a great composer, but his music lives on today. You will enjoy listening to
themes from some of his works.
This biography by Patsy Stevens, a retired teacher, was written in 2001.
Listen to music by Ludwig van Beethoven at Classical Connect
A frequent question:
"Who wrote this biography and when was it written?"
Look on this Reference Citations Chart.
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Beethoven Study Sheet
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Online Biography "Who Am
I?"
RESEARCH LINKS
Ludwig van Beethoven
The Magnificent Master
Ludwig van Beethoven
Favorite Classical Composers
Beethoven Symphonies
listen to themes from some of the symphonies at Amazon
Beethoven Piano Sonatas
listen to themes from Beethoven sonatas
Beethoven
pictures and biography
Information about Beethoven
(Look in the box top left) at Humanities Web
Sculptures of Beethoven
from Sculpture Gallery.com
Ludwig van Beethoven
It's Fun to Read at Starfall.com
Beethoven
links by William Lane
Biographies of Composers
Essentials of Music
Beethoven
online book George Alexander Fischer, (View HTML 491KB)
At biography.com search for Beethoven.
Scroll the panel for the "Video & Audio Results".
The Tone Masters - Beethoven
online book Charles Barnard
Beethoven
great resource page available in four languages
BBC Listening Library
Look for Beethoven
Ludwig Van Beethoven Qu..