1. The Life and Times of Ludwig Van Beethoven

2. Ludwig van Beethoven German composer
Born December 16, in Bonn, Germany
Died March 26,
Wrote symphonies, string quartets, concerti, sonatas, ballets, opera
Musical genius and revolutionary

3. Beethoven’s Childhood
Family of musicians
Showed talent at an early age
His alcoholic father hoped to exploit him as a child prodigy and make money off of Beethoven’s talent
Went to Vienna, Austria in 1787
Studied with Haydn starting in 1792

4. Tragedy Strikes 1801: the onset of Beethoven’s deafness
No longer performed publicly
Continued to compose the music he heard in his head

5. As a Composer Three distinct periods: Early (1792-1802)
heavily influenced by the styles of Mozart and Haydn
restrained and conservative
Beethoven was “taking in” the music of his time and finding his own voice
Middle ( )
heroic, bold, original
“fiercely independent”
Late ( )
greater depth and complexity
more introspective and reflective

6. Musical Freedom
Aristocracy respected Beethoven and treated him as an equal
As a result, Beethoven didn’t need to depend on a wealthy patron for his income, which meant he was able to write only what he wanted to write, not compositions ordered by an archbishop or king

7. Struggle with Deafness
Liberty
and the French Revolution
Struggle with Deafness
Failed Romances
Republicanism
and the American Revolution
Beethoven’s Musical Influences
Brotherhood of Man
Religious Beliefs
Nature
Breaking with Tradition
Freedom

8. Composing Isn’t Always Easy
Beethoven was certainly a musical genius, but that doesn’t mean he was able to get his ideas down on paper easily (like Mozart)
Many of Beethoven’s notebooks and manuscripts have numerous corrections, blots, and scratched out sections
Think about students you know who do well in school or at sports. Do you think it is easy for them? What does Beethoven's example show us about perceptions?

9. Beethoven’s Contributions to Music
To name a few…
Stretched Classical forms to their limits
Lengthened symphony and sonata forms
Increased the size of the orchestra
Explored new harmonic relationships
Used voices in a symphony
Made the music about emotions and self-expression!