The Genius of Beethoven’s Music!

By: Ashley King

Beethoven’s Early Years.

• Beethoven was born into a musical family.

• At the age of twelve, Beethoven wrote his first composition.

• At the age of seventeen Beethoven left for Vienna to study with Mozart.

Beethoven’s Early Adult Years.

• In 1790, Beethoven was chosen to write a musical in honor of the dead Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II.

• 1n 1792, Beethoven was known as a virtuoso pianist.

• Beethoven was quite popular among the rich people of Vienna.

Beethoven’s Productions

• In 1800 Beethoven presented his first symphony.

• Beethoven also produced “Six String Quartets” and also The Creatures of Prometheus.

• In 1804 Beethoven wrote Symphony No. 3, to honor Napoleon.

Beethoven’s “Middle Period”

• Beethoven slowly became deaf, which made his work all the harder.

• Beethoven also suffered from deep depression, and became anti-social.

• However, in spite of his handicap, Beethoven continued to write music at a fast pace.

Beethoven’s “Middle Period” Productions.

• Opera• Six symphonies• Four Solo Concerts• Five String Quartet Concerts• Six String Sonatas• Seven Piano Sonatas • Five Sets of Piano Variations• Fort Overtures• Four Trios• Two Sextets• Seventy two Songs

Beethoven’s Greatest Works

• Missa Solemnis

• String Quartet No. 14

• Symphony No. 29. (Most Famous)

Beethoven’s Personal History.

• Beethoven was depressed, miserable, short tempered, absent minded, greedy, and paranoid.

• Beethoven shouted in front of the palace of Prince Lobkowitz, ”Lobkowitz is a donkey!”

• Beethoven was never married or had children. • However, Beethoven loved a married woman.

Beethoven’s Final Years

• Beethoven died in 1827, at the age of 56.• After his death his skull was analyzed which may

have traced back to lead poisoning. • Beethoven was said to be the greatest composer in

all of history.

• Work CitedThe World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: Field Enterprises Educational Corporations, 1969. Print www.biography.com/printprofile/ludwig-van-beethoven-9204862

Composition history of Symphony No. 5.

• Symphony No. 5 in C minor by Beethoven was written in 1804.

• This symphony premiered in December of 1808 in Vienna, and it lasted for more than four hours.

• There was many instruments used in this Symphony.

• This symphony is in 4 movements, and in the key of C minor, which was his favorite key.

Composition history of Symphony No. 5. (cont.)

• The first four notes of the symphony have been a symbolism, which represents fate knocking at the door.

• These first four notes consist of short-short-short-long, and this sequence is repeated many times throughout the symphony.

• This four note opening theme is very familiar to most everybody

• “Da Da Da Doo” (Repeated 4 times)• Work Cited • www.favorite-classical-composers.com/beethovens-5th.html• www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven)• www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5473894

Composition History of Symphony No. 9.

• Symphony No. 9 in D minor, by Beethoven, is the last symphony of Beethoven

• It was dedicated to Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia.

• At the end of the premier in 1824, Beethoven received five standing ovations.

• This symphony requires at least 13 instruments. • First time voices were used in a symphony.

Composition History of Symphony No. 9. (cont.)

• Honors for this symphony include the debut of The London Philharmonic Choir in 1947.

• The symphony was played in 1968 in Germany as an anthem at the Olympic Games, and it is also played at the New Year’s celebration in Japan.

• The original score of this symphony was added to the United Nations World Heritage List in 2002.

• Work Cited• www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5487727• www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Beethoven)

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Movement 1

Listening Guide:

• 0:00- Introduction: The exposition starts off with the strings playing a distinct rhythm. The rhythm alternates between fast and slow throughout. . The melody is the distinct sequence of four beats, the first three the same pitch, and the fourth is louder and lower in pitch.

- The main and characteristic motif is 3 short notes and a long note, such as da da da DOO.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Movement 1

Listening Guide: (cont.)

• 0:14 The piece dramatically crescendos into forte, giving me a tremendous feeling of excitement and optimism.

• 0:42 climaxes like an explosion and the French horns come in.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Movement 1Listening Guide: (cont.)

• 0:45 downward fall begins to occur. Goes into the Developmental Part and becomes lyrical and poetic with a change of mood and tempo involving the flute and violin.

• 1:35 It returns back to exposition. The violins are playing really fast with the same melody from the exposition. The exposition of da da da DOO, da da da DOO, da da da DOO.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Movement 1

Listening Guide: (cont.)

• 4:22 The flutes come in with a dynamic that is moderately soft.

• 4:53 The bassoon is heard carrying the melody of da da da DOO.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Movement 1Listening Guide: (cont.)

• 5:53 The entire orchestra is heard continuing in a conjunct melody with increasing dynamic.

• 6:40 The Forms remain the same, with the da da da DOO melody being repeated multiple times with a variety of dynamics

• 7:00 (End of listening)

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Movement 4

Listening Guide:

• 0:00 Introduction: The exposition has frequent repetitions and there is considerable contrast in dynamics between soft and loud. The dynamic alternates between soft and loud, sometimes quite rapidly. The timbre is that of a low pitched violin.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Movement 4

Listening Guide(cont.)

• 0:22 The violins begin to crescendo, and become louder and slower, but with an unchanged rhythm.

• 1:30 The violins continue their descending and ascending contour.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Movement 4

Listening Guide(cont.)• 2:16 The rhythm shows the same four beat

melody with a loud echo from the French horns.

• 3:30 Short Timpani drum roll.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Movement 4

Listening Guide(cont.)• 3:55 The ascending and descending scales continue with the

violins, but with horns and flutes added. • 4: 04 The texture becomes proud and majestic, with

crescendo effect. • 6:20 The violins play a fast rhythm and the rhythm is 3 beats,

and then 2 beats, with an emphasis on the first beat. • 6:40 (End of Listening)