Ludwig van Beethoven’s Followers (229)

Ludwig van Beethoven

Born

in Bonn, Germany

December 17, 1770

Died

March 26, 1827

Genre

Music

Influences

James Macpherson ...more

edit data

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 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. ...more

Combine Editions
Ludwig van Beethoven’s books

Average rating: 4.22 · 2,400 ratings · 169 reviews · 5,550 distinct works • Similar authors

	Beethoven's Letters (Dover Books On Music: Composers) 4.12 avg rating — 208 ratings — published 1972 — 79 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume 1 (Nos. 1-15) 4.59 avg rating — 138 ratings — published 1935 — 27 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Beethoven: The Man and the Artist, As Revealed in His Own Words (Dover Books On Music: Composers) by Ludwig van Beethoven, Friedrich Kerst (Editor), Henry Edward Krehbiel (Editor) 3.73 avg rating — 119 ratings — published 2008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume 2 (Nos. 16-32) 4.72 avg rating — 75 ratings — published 1935 — 24 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Moonlight Sonata Opus 27, No. 2 4.62 avg rating — 66 ratings — published 1932 — 78 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Volume 1 3.95 avg rating — 74 ratings — published 2009	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 and 7 in Full Score 4.71 avg rating — 58 ratings — published 1985 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ludwig van Beethoven Complete String Quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven, Music Scores 4.65 avg rating — 54 ratings — published 1970 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Symphonies Nos. 8 and 9 in Full Score 4.77 avg rating — 47 ratings — published 1983 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Full Score 4.64 avg rating — 39 ratings — published 1989 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Ludwig van Beethoven…

Series by Ludwig van Beethoven

G. Henle Verlag: Beethoven Klaviersonaten (2 books)
by

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)

it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings

Quotes by Ludwig van Beethoven (?)

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

tags: music, philosophy, revelation, wisdom

2539 likes

“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.”
― Ludwig van Beethoven

tags: inspirational, philosophy, wisdom

711 likes

“Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est.

(Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.)

[Said on his deathbed]”
― Ludwig van Beethoven

tags: comedy, deathbed, last-words

417 likes

See all Ludwig van Beethoven's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The History Book ...: CLASSICAL MUSIC	77	406	Jan 19, 2019 11:12AM
The History Book ...: MOVIES	77	385	Jun 09, 2019 03:36PM
Goodreads Librari...: combine editions	1015	472	May 20, 2021 03:55PM
Goodreads Librari...: Clean Up IV	969	1068	Sep 02, 2022 07:50PM
Black Coffee: Spell It Forward	1802	251	Jun 20, 2024 09:02AM
Dickensians!: I Saw Dickens! Museums and Commemorative Events	78	83	Jul 10, 2024 12:38PM

More…