Ludwig Van Beethoven 12/17/1770-3/26/1827 Power point Presentation by: Jen Powell

Biography of Beethoven- Highlights Born in Bonn, Germany on or around December 16, 1770 His baptism was recorded on December 17, 1770 He was the eldest of 3 surviving children. His other four siblings did not survive beyond early childhood.

Beethoven at age 13 About Young Beethoven Learned violen and piano at an early age Ten year old drop out Wrote and published “Kurfurst” at the age of twelve Biography Highlights

Young Beethoven Cont’d. Went to Vienna to study with Mozart Had to come home because his mom was sick Cared for his brothers after his mom died Composed “Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II” at age 19

Became well-known as a pianist in his early 20’s Published a series of piano trios Composed hisfirst symphony Became deaf

Biography Highlights Cont’d Reached his “heroic period” or “middle period” at the turn of the century. He composed several pieces one after another Became ill and was bedridden for a few months. Died March 26, 1827, at the age of 56

The Legacy of Ludwig Van Beethoven Lonely, depressed and angry man Some of the most famous classical music in history His work is still easy to recognize by all age groups Published 138 pieces of music

History of the Moonlight Sonata

Quick Facts Originally named Sonata Number 14 in C sharp minor, ‘Sonata quasi una fantasia’ Written in the summer of More often recognized in name as “The Moonlight Sonata”

The Three Parts of the Moonlight Sonata

Movement 1: the Adagio Sostenuto. Slow, mellow, relaxed Movement 2: Allegretto. The middle. A bridge between the other parts Movement 3: Presto Agitato. Compared to the likes of a storm.

Love? Frustration? Written for Countess Giulietta Guiccardi? How he felt about going deaf? What was Beethoven’s motivation behind this piece?

Listening Guide to The Moonlight Sonata

Movement 1 0:00- Adagio Sostenuto begins 1: 37- Tempo slows 3:30 Melody starts over 5:16 Melody becomes more intense Movement 1 ends at 6:00

Movement 2 6:00 Movement two begins. Quicker and lighter/more airy pace Happy feel 7:00 Melody starts to mellow down 8:04 Movement 2 ends

Movement 3 8:06 Part 3 begins fiercely! 8:18 Imagine a thunder storm at it’s most wild part. Melody repeats 11:00 “storm” is still going but is winding down. No more thunder- just a downpour.

Movement 3 Cont’d 12:19 Thunder and Lightning comes back. Melody is loud and persistent- like a second wind. 14:13 desending steps begin. Huge ascending- at 14:22 followed by a descend just as large 14:56 Moonlight Sonata abruptly ends.

Link to Moonlight Sonata: