BeethovenA Short Biography

Childhood and Upbringing

Beethoven’s Early Years• No one knows for sure, but it is widely

accepted his birth was around December 17th, 1770.• Had only two brothers that survived birth• Their names were Casper and Johann

First Experiences With Music

Introduction to Music

• First teacher was his father. • Studied many different instruments• First to learn was the violin and organ• Most important teach of this time was

Christian Neefe• Neefe taught him composition• In 1784 began working as Neefe’s assistant

organist

Furthering Musical Skill

• Beethoven decided to further develop musical skill

• Moved to Vienna in hopes of studying with Mozart

• Tried out and Mozart supposedly commented “Keep your eyes on him”

• Shortly after, Beethoven’s mother become ill and passed away

• Beethoven’s father also being in decline, left him to be the caretaker of his two younger siblings.

• Being back home, Beethoven still managed to make the best of it.

• While there, he met several people who would help him along his musical career.

• He was introduced to the von Breuning household

• He could be found there on many occasions and even taught piano to the children residing there

• During this time he also caome to know the Count of Ferdinand von Wadstein who provided financial support throughout his career.

• By 1793, Beethoven had successfully established his reputation as a piano virtuoso.

• Foreseeing this, he withheld works from publication so they would have greater impact later

• First public piano performance in Vienna was on March 1795.

• Composed first six string quartet between 1798 and 1800

• These quartets were published in 1801• He quickly became regarded as one of the

most important your composers• During this time he also created one of his

important works known as “Moonlight Sonata”

• This time wasn’t all positive as it is also when Beethoven started losing his hearing.

Loss of Hearing/Symphony Performances

• Began losing hearing in 1796• He described it as a ringing in his ears• The cause of his hearing loss is ultimately

unknown. • Despite this, he did not let this prevent him

from composing music.• This would certainly make conducting

symphonies more difficult.

Reinvigorated Inspiration

• Years later, Beethoven began an in depth study of older music

• These works included J.S. Bach and Handel• Around this time he then composed the

overture The Consecration of the House• This would be his first attempt to apply the

new style• After this, he returned to his keyboard to

compose his first piano sonata in almost a decade.

Financial Assistance and Gain

• The Philharmonic Society of London offered Beethoven a commission for a symphony.

• Prince Nikolas Golitsin also offered to pay him for a number of string quartets.

• These opportunities inspired him to finish the 9th symphony and perform it for the first time

Compositional Career-Early

• Career divided into 3 stages.• Early, Middle, and Late periods• His early period is considered to be up to 1802• Most of his works during this time were

heavily influenced by those he studied with being Haydn and Mozart

Early Stage

Middle Stage

• Began shortly after impending deafness• Included large works that express heroism and

struggle• Took place around 1815• Pieces largely based on intense and personal

expression

Beethoven’s Influence

• Just about every person recognizes his name, knows who he was and what he did.

• He was very pivotal in the transition from 18th century to the 19th century romanticism.

• Beethoven composed several musical genres and many instrument combinations.

• He wrote 9 symphonies• Also wrote 32 piano sonatas and many shorter

pieces.

Moonlight Sonata Composition History

• Composed in the summer of 1801 on the Brunswick family estate.

• Published in 1802• Supposedly dedicated to a pupil at the time that was

also rumored to be a love interest.• Wasn’t originally called Moonlight Sonata• Was given that name in 1836 by poet Ludwig Rellstab

• This piece was popular upon its introduction• To this day is still the most popular and

downloaded piece of classical music• Does not follow traditional sonata form• This piece showcases Beethoven’s second

phase. This being victory over tragedy.• Also contained strong links between

movements

• This has been interpreted as beethoven beginning to overcome his deafness.

• All of the emotional evidence in this piece could be his way of expressing how he felt about this affliction.

• Many masterpieces would follow the ‘Sonata Quasi Una Fantasia’ as it was originally called

Moonlight SonataListening Guide

•0:00-0:30 Min. First Movement

•Starts slower and feels as though its slowly building.•Sounds almost like a dark •Right hand plays melody in long notes

•0:30-0:55 •Still carries that sound of sadness.•Melody being played more forcefully•Somewhat soothing along with these other elements

Youtube Link to Monnlight Sonata:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU

• 0:55-2:05 • The second phrase continues but with a different melody in triplets. • Both treble and bass alternate being dominant. • Melody slows slightly

• 2:05-4:00

• The melody moves up and down the keyboard. • Rise in emotion• Mysterious feel returns• Melody is again woven throughout

• 4:00-5:00 • First phrase plays in the same pitch as introduced in beginning• Melody then takes higher pitch • Half way through second phrase returns and the bass notes are also played higher.

• 5:00-6:00 End of First Movement• Phrase 2 repeats • The bass moves to be the most noticeable with strong chords that resonate. • The harmony stretches• also pauses finishing of the movement with drawn out bass chords.

• 6:00- 6:28 Beginning of Second Movement

• This begins at a faster pace• cheerful bridge to connect the first and third movements together. • The melody takes on new • The dynamic of this part is louder

• 6:30- 8:05• More repetitive than first or third movement.• Repeats roughly 20 times• There are three beats per measure

• Beginning of 3rd Movement• 8:06- 8:17• Begins in same movements as first movement• Starts with arpeggios• Notes are very fast• Played in the bass treble clef

• 8:18- 8:28• Left hand holds notes• Very accented notes• Right hand plays the runs

• 8:29- 8:36• Replaying first section in lower octave• 8:37-8:49• Played in treble bass clef• Played slower• Gradually speeds up

• 8:50- 8:55• Plays two runs consisting of five notes

• 8:56- 9:27• Right hand plays runs• Left hand plays chords• Chords begin playing in unison

• 9:28- 9:38• Changes down to A flat• Plays 8 beats in a measure• Tune an octave higher

• 9:38- 10:03• Repeats beginning of movement• Begins very quickly with arpeggios• Also very accented• Both hands playing bass clef

• 10:04- 11:30• Repeat of previous sections. Sonata form

• 11:31- 11:47• Starts in bass clef• Lower notes• Pace quickens• Changes to chords

• 11:48- 12:15• Softens• Gradually speeds up• Left had repeats 2 notes

• 12:16- 13:51• This section repeats the first• Follows sanata form

• 13:52- 14:23• Pedal held down for more resonated notes• Back to arpeggios• Slows down, then speeds up• Dynamic grows

• 14:24- 14:40• Left hand runs up keyboard• Next measure starts slowly/sustained notes• Both hands play low bass clef

• 14:41- 15:00• Repeat of earlier sections• Finishes with strong accented notes

Bibliography• Bibliography

•  •All About Beethoven: The Moonlight Sonata•http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/moonsonata.html

•Kirblog: The Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, October 12, 2012•http://klrblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/the-moonlight-sonata-by-beethoven/

•Favorite Composers: Beethoven’s moonlight Sonata- Profundity and Grace•http://www.favorite-classical-composers.com/beethoven-moonlight-sonata.html