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Ludwig van Beethoven
1770- 1827
“You will ask me where I get
my IDEAs...
That I cannot tell you…
Meredith Moretz, #13
CS1300
They come unsummoned, directly, indirectly…
Incited by moods which are translated by the poet
into WORDS,
By me into the TONES that sound, and roar
and storm about me
Until I have set them down in NOTES.
- Beethoven, 1822
Early Life
• Beethoven was born on December, 17, 1770, in
Bonn, Germany.
• His father, a singer and instrumentalist, was
Beethoven’s first teacher. His other teachers
included Haydn and Salieri.
• His father treated him harshly.
• His first music was published when he was twelve
years-old.
Beethoven-haus,
Bonn
Now a museum
His Struggles and Works
• In 1802, Beethoven realized that he was rapidly losing his
hearing. As a result of this realization, he became
increasingly reclusive.
• Nevertheless, he continued composing.
• Unlike Haydn and other previous composers who relied on
patrons, Beethoven worked independently and earned a living
from the sale of his works.
• Therefore, Beethoven was the first free-lance composer.
9th Symphony Manuscript
Later Life and Influence
•
•
•
•
Beethoven composed 9 complete symphonies, 32 piano sonatas,
overtures, and numerous chamber works.
His music lead the entire musical world into romanticism and
influenced the way in which pianos were built.
He was completely deaf while composing his 9th Symphony.
He died in Vienna on March 26, 1827. Nearly 30,000 people
attended his funeral.
“What I am, I am by myself. There
are and will be a thousand
princes…
There is only one Beethoven.”
- Beethoven
Bibliography
• Prevot, Dominique “Beethoven: Biography” 2001: 3pp. 4
April, 2005.
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.htm
Ludwig van Beethoven : le site - Ludwig van Beethoven's Website Ludwig van Beethoven in immagini ed in musica. Dominique
PREVOT