Chapter 8 Pp Beethoven)

UNDERSTANDING MUSIC CHAPTER 8 Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Life spans between two style periods (Classic and Romantic) Partly responsible for the stylistic changes that define Romanticism Beethoven’s Life Early Life worked in the court in his birthplace of Bonn, Germany. 1790-Met and studied with Haydn & moved to Vienna wrote keyboard works, chamber music, piano concertos, and symphonies It was at this point (1802) where he realized that he was going deaf (by 1817, he was completely deaf). The Heroic Phase Historians call this his Middle Period, in which the most remarkable changes happen in his style Heroic works-“Victory through struggle” Contrasts between works (Symphonies 2 & 4 Symphonies 3 & 5) Personal Crisis and Halt to Productivity Custody of his nephew Inability to properly care for him The Late Years Most important works: Piano Sonatas, String Quartets and his Symphony # 9 All marked by unconventional formal aspects, breaking of barriers in various musical aspects (melody, harmony, rhythm, etc.) Symphony # 9 (Choral) ends with the famous Ode to Joy (Schiller) with chorus and vocal soloists Beethoven’s Music Stylistic Traits Long powerful crescendos Themes that sound exactly right played quietly and loud Dramatic use of Classical forms Sudden key changes Listening examples One from each of his style periods Early period Six Easy Variations on a Swiss Tune

Middle Period Symphony #5 Late period Piano Sonata in E Major Op. 109 (Third Movement)