1770 1827 Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven

(1770 -1827) Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 -1827) • 1770 - Born in Bonn, the capital of the electorate of Cologne (now part of Germany) • 1789 – Might have briefly studied with Mozart • 1789 – Mother died • 1792 – Studied with Haydn • 1795 – Public debut as pianist & composer in Vienna • 1814 – last public appearance as pianist • • • 1827 – died in Vienna Could play piano, organ and violin His music is filled with assertiveness, aggression & passion

Beethoven’s hearing loss • 1796 – aware that he was losing his hearing • 1799 – quit attending social functions • 1800 – aware that it was getting worse & he would likely go deaf • 1802 – went through depression • Deaf before he turned 50. • Broke strings on his piano because he was pounding the keys trying to hear the sounds

Beethoven’s music • Sonata – a piece in several movements for small ensemble, soloist with accompaniment or solo keyboard • Wrote – Piano Sonata No. 8 (“Pathetique” Sonata), Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight” Sonata), Minuet in G, Symphony No. 5 (with the famous beginning – “Duh, duh, duh”)

Links for Beethoven’s music • Piano Sonata No. 8, 1 st movement (“Pathetique” Sonata) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=z. Qebdk. Lv. D 00 • Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight” Sonata) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=n. T 7_IZPHHb 0 • Minuet in G • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=z. SXRJwsp. GU 0 • Symphony No. 5, 1 st movement • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=4 T 3 D 5 Q 6 Eq 2 w&feature=related