Name: Ludwig van Beethoven
Born: 17 December 1770 (Baptised); Bonn, Germany
Die: 26 March 1827; Vienna, Austria.
Nationality: Germany
Works: Orchestral music, Chamber music, Solo
piano music, Vocal music
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer
and pianist who was born on December 17, 1770 and died on March 26, 1827.
In
the field of classical music, he was an important figure in the transition between
the classical and romantic eras and is considered one of the greatest composers
of all time.
Beethoven's musical talent has been
outstanding since his childhood and he was severely educated by his father, Johann
van Beethoven, because his father thought that this education would make him a
child prodigy like Mozart.
He was later taught by the composer and conductor
Christian Gottlob Neefe. At age 21, Beethoven moved to Vienna to study
composition with Joseph Haydn. He later gained a reputation as a virtuoso
pianist, and soon commissioned a work from Prince Lichnowsky, which resulted in
Opus 1, a set of three piano trios, in 1795.
The work achieved a commercial success with
good acclaim, and was followed by Symphony No. 1 in 1800.
In 1801, he gained
fame by composing six String Quartets and the ballet "The Creatures of
Prometheus".
However, during this period his hearing ability began to
deteriorate, and in spite of that he continued to conduct, premiering the third
and fifth symphonies in 1804 and 1808, respectively. Then, his hearing
worsened, and by 1811 he became an almost complete deaf and gave up performing
in public.
But even during these harsh period, Beethoven
composed many of his most admired works. His seventh symphony was premiered in
1813, with its second movement, Allegretto, achieving widespread critical
acclaim.
He composed Missa Solemnis for a number of years before the premiere
of his ninth symphony in 1824, which became famous as the first choral
symphony.
In 1826, his 14th string quartet attracted attention with its seven
movements, which were linked and played without a break, and is considered to
be his last major work, made a year before his death.
In general, Beethoven's musical career is
divided into early, middle and late periods. The "early" period typically lasts until 1802 and the "middle" period from 1802 to 1812,
and the "late" period from 1812 to his death in 1827.
During his
life, Beethoven composed nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin
concerto, thirty-two piano sonatas, sixteen string quartets, two masses, and
the opera “Fidelio”.
The works such as “Für Elise” were found after his death,
and are also considered his historic musical achievements.
Thank you.
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