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Ludwig van Beethoven
1770- 1827
“You will ask me where I get
my IDEAs...
That I cannot tell you…
Keela O’ Brien
Young Beethoven
• At a very early age Beethoven received violin
and piano lessons from his father. At the age of
eight, he studied theory and keyboard with Van
Den Eeden (formal chapel organist). He also
studied with several local organists , received
piano lessons from Tobais-Friedrich Pfeiffer,
and Franz Rovantini gave him violin and viola
lessons.
Older Beethoven
• On November 15th 1815, Kaspar Karl, Beethoven’s brother, died. He left
behind his wife, whom the composer referred to as “The queen of the night”
due to the pastimes of the window, as well as a son, Karl, who was 9.
Here Beethoven’s life was to change dramatically. His brother had written
that he wished Karl’s guardianship to be exercised by both his wife and
Ludwig. In 1816, Carl Czerny (future teacher of Franz Liszt and once
Beethoven’s student) became Karl’s music teacher, but didn’t find the
talent in the boy who Beethoven hoped him to possess. Gioachino
Rossini(Beethoven’s friend) triumphed in Vienna in 1822, where he met
Beethoven again. The language barrier and Beethoven’s deafness meant
that they could only exchange brief words. The Viennese composer tolerated
Italian opera only in moderation—he found some of Beethoven’s music
lacked seriousness.
Beethoven’s Music
• During Beethoven’s life he wrote 9
symphonies,7 concertos,17 string
quartets,32 piano sonatas and 10 sonatas
for violin. When he was deaf, Beethoven
cut the legs off his piano to feel the
vibrations of the music that he was
playing. He wrote music when he was deaf
by hearing music in his head! He wrote his
most famous pieces while he was deaf!
Basic Beethoven
• Beethoven was born on the 17/12/1770 in
Germany.
• He died on the 26/03/1827.
• His mother died while he was in Vienna, visiting
a friend.
• He was one of the most famous and influential
composers of all time!
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
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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