Ludwig van Beethoven

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born

December 17, 1770 in Bonn, Germany

died

March 26, 1827

gender

male

genre

music

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Ludwig van Beethoven (16 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a composer of the transitional period between the late Classical and early Romantic eras. He was born in Bonn, Germany.

Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of musical construction, sometimes sketching the architecture of a movement before he had decided upon the subject matter. He was one of the first composers to systematically and consistently use interlocking thematic devices, or “germ-motives”, to achieve unity between movements in long compositions. (Some insight into the meaning of the germ-motive device is given at the end of this bio.) Equally remarkable was his use of “source-motives”, which recurred in many different compositions and lent some unity...more Ludwig van Beethoven (16 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a composer of the transitional period between the late Classical and early Romantic eras. He was born in Bonn, Germany.

Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of musical construction, sometimes sketching the architecture of a movement before he had decided upon the subject matter. He was one of the first composers to systematically and consistently use interlocking thematic devices, or “germ-motives”, to achieve unity between movements in long compositions. (Some insight into the meaning of the germ-motive device is given at the end of this bio.) Equally remarkable was his use of “source-motives”, which recurred in many different compositions and lent some unity to his life’s work. He made innovations in almost every form of music he touched. For example, he diversified even the well-crystallized form the rondo, making it more elastic and spacious, which brought it closer to sonata form. He was mostly inspired by the natural course of nature, and liked to write songs describing nature.

Beethoven composed in a great variety of genres, including symphonies, concerti, piano sonatas, other instrumental sonatas (including for violin), string quartets and other chamber music, masses, lieder, and one opera.

Beethoven’s compositional career is usually divided into Early, Middle, and Late periods:

In the Early (Classical) period, he is seen as emulating his great predecessors Haydn and Mozart, while concurrently exploring new directions and gradually expanding the scope and ambition of his work. Some important pieces from the Early period are the first and second symphonies, the first six string quartets, the first three piano concertos, and the first twenty piano sonatas, including the famous “Pathétique” and “Moonlight” sonatas.

The Middle (Heroic) period began shortly after Beethoven’s personal crisis centering around his encroaching deafness. The period is noted for large-scale works expressing heroism and struggle; these include many of the most famous works of classical music. Middle period works include six symphonies (numbers 3 to 8), the fourth and fifth piano concertos, the triple concerto and violin concerto, five string quartets (numbers 7 to 11), the next seven piano sonatas (including the “Waldstein” and the “Appassionata”), and Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio.

Beethoven’s Late (Romantic) period began around 1816. The Late-period works are characterized by intellectual depth, intense and highly personal expression, and formal innovation (for example, the Op. 131 string quartet has seven linked movements, and the Ninth Symphony adds choral forces to the orchestra in the last movement). Many people in his time period do not think these works measured up to his first few symphonies, and his works with J. Reinhold were frowned upon. Works of this period also include the Missa Solemnis, the last five string quartets, and the last five piano sonatas.(less)

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Books by Ludwig van Beethoven

Average rating: 4.39 · 318 ratings · 20 reviews · 518 distinct works

	Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume 1 (Nos. 1-15) by Ludwig van Beethoven, Heinrich Schenker (Editor), Classical Piano Sheet Music 4.51 avg rating — 47 ratings — published 1975 — 7 editions	My rating:
	Beethoven's Letters by Ludwig van Beethoven, Arthur Eaglefield Hull (Editor), A. Eaglefield-Hull (Editor) 4.15 avg rating — 41 ratings — published 1972 — 27 editions	My rating:
	Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume 2 (Nos. 16-32) by Ludwig van Beethoven, Classical Piano Sheet Music 4.79 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 1975 — 7 editions	My rating:
	Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 and 7 in Full Score by Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Music Scores 4.62 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 1985 — 2 editions	My rating:
	Symphonies Nos. 8 and 9 in Full Score by Ludwig van Beethoven, Music Scores 4.87 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 1983 — 2 editions	My rating:
	Beethoven: Letters, Journals and Conversations by Ludwig van Beethoven, Michael Hamburger (Editor) 4.18 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 1960 — 3 editions	My rating:
	Moonlight Sonata Opus 27, No. 2 4.86 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 1932 — 15 editions	My rating:
	Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Full Score by Ludwig van Beethoven, Music Scores 4.70 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 1989	My rating:
	Beethoven: The Man and the Artist, As Revealed in His Own Words by Ludwig van Beethoven, Friedrich Kerst, H. Krehbiel (Editor) 4.06 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 1964 — 30 editions	My rating:
	Complete String Quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven, Music Scores 4.62 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 1970 — 2 editions	My rating:

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Quotes by Ludwig van Beethoven

“Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy”
― Ludwig van Beethoven

tags: music , philosophy , revelation , wisdom

949 people liked it

“Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us ...

Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits ...

No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves ... Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men ...

My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once ...

Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

Ever thine,

Ever mine,
Ever ours.”
― Ludwig van Beethoven, Letters of Beethover

tags: love

116 people liked it

“Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.”
― Ludwig van Beethoven

tags: beethoven , music , music-theory

91 people liked it

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Ludwig van Beethoven

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Quotes by Ludwig van Beethoven

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combine editions
Books by Ludwig van Beethoven