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Ludwig van Beethoven was a classical composer who was baptized on December 17, 1770 and died on March 26, 1827. He is usually called just “Beethoven”.
Many people believe Beethoven was the single greatest composer of all time. He is undoubtedly one of the best known and most loved. His most famous works include his 5th Symphony, 9th Symphony, Für Elise, and the Moonlight Sonata.
Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. His mother was Magdalena Keverich and his father was Johann Beethoven. They named their son after his grandfather.
He moved to Vienna when he was 22, where he studied under Franz Joseph Haydn. In Vienna he earned a reputation as a piano virtuoso and improvisor, and began publishing his own compositions soon after. By the early 1800s he had established his reputation as a great and daring composer.
Beethoven began to lose his hearing at least by 1801. He continued composing nonetheless, and his 9th Symphony, amongst many other works, was composed after he had become totally deaf.
Beethoven's
Piano Music
Beethoven used the
piano, the instrument with which he particularly identified, to
chart a new course for music
by Thomas May
When he was an ambitious young man just coming of age, Beethoven
relocated in 1792 from provincial Bonn to the musical capital
of Vienna. There the musician made his first indelible impressions
as a pianist of blazing originality in the salons of the aristocracy.
Beethoven's ability to wield a profoundly hypnotic spell through
his powers of improvisation at the keyboard, along the way frequently
snapping strings and splintering hammers, was the topic of many
a contemporary diary. The instrument seemed an extension of his
personality--even after the point where Beethoven's increasing
deafness made it impossible to play in public--and the composer
used it as a medium to communicate his visionary individualism.
The cycle of 32
sonatas he composed remains the bible of any serious pianist's
repertory. These works, as with Beethoven's series of string
quartets, constitute an intimate portrait of the artist's
development. They illustrate, with their refinements of the past
and mind-expanding innovations, the great Beethoven paradox: that
music so intensely personal can affect its listeners with such
universal resonance and inevitability .[read
more...]
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| recommended
recordings |
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Beethoven:
Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna PO
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Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Conductor: Carlos
Kleiber
Ensemble: Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra
Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #47400 / January 23, 1996
Click
here for more information |
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Long regarded as the quintessential interpretation of the
most popular and best-loved symphony ever written, this performance
of the Fifth has everything: passion, precision, drama, lyric
beauty, and a coiled fury in the first movement that sets
your pulse racing from the very first note. Carlos Kleiber
has made very few recordings in his distinguished career,
but almost all are special. If you own no other copy of this
symphony, this is the one to get. It comes with an exceptional
performance...Read
more
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Beethoven:
Late String Quartets / Guarneri Quartet |
Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Ensemble: Guarneri
String Quartet
Bmg/Rca Victor - #60458 / August 7, 1990
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here for more information |
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The Guarneri Quartet has forgotten more about the late quartets
of Beethoven than most other ensembles will ever know. They
understand the profound lyrical impulse behind these works,
and they manage the paradoxical feat of imparting a sublime
sense of inevitability to the music while achieving spontaneity
at the same time. The interpretations serve the music admirably,
though the sound is somewhat veiled. Although the set is rather
awkwardly laid out--Op. 127 is split between two discs, and
the...Read
more
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Beethoven:
Symphonies no 3 & 9, etc / Bšhm, Vienna PO
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Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Conductor: Karl
Bšhm
Performer: Dame
Gwyneth Jones, Karl
Ridderbusch, et al.
Ensemble: Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna
Opera Chorus
Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #37368 / April 11, 1995
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here for more information |
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This is one of the greatest recordings of the famous Ninth
Symphony. It has long been overshadowed by Karajan's three
recordings for the same label, as well as Bernstein's version
with the same orchestra. But put them all on your CD player
and compare, and this is the one you'll be coming back to.
Bšhm was the least glamorous of conductors, but he approaches
the Ninth with messianic zeal and a fanatical gleam in his
eye. The opening movement is a cataclysm, the sublime slow
movement never loses...Read
more
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Beethoven:
"Moonlight" Sonata, etc / Rudolf Serkin
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Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Performer: Rudolf
Serkin
Sony Classics - #37219 / January 1, 1987
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here for more information |
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Rudolf Serkin's early 1960s accounts of the most popular "name"
sonatas, on a CBS "Great Performances" mid-price CD, are compellingly
direct and offer excellent value. The playing is deliberate,
but hardly theatrical: as always, the pianist emphasizes the
virtues of literalism. The recordings are closely miked and
sonorous, and convey good piano tone along with every breath,
sigh, groan, and vocalization Serkin produces. The Adagio
of the Pathetique is especially lovely. --Ted Libbey
Read
more
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Beethoven:
Sonaten "Moonlight", "Pastorale", etc
/ Pollini |
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Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Performer: Maurizio
Pollini
Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #27770 / February 11, 1992
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here for more information
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One of the best versions of the first movement of the Moonlight
Sonata. Very dramatic and almost painful. |
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Beethoven:
Missa Solemnis / John Eliot Gardiner |
Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al
Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven
Conductor: John
Eliot Gardiner
Performer: William
Kendall, Charlotte
Margiono, et al.
Ensemble: English
Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi
Choir
Uni/Archiv - #29779 / February 19, 1991
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here for more information |
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John Eliot Gardiner's interpretation of the Missa Solemnis
stands as one of the crowning accomplishments of his career
and one of the most impressive achievements of the period-instrument
movement. The concept is grand and powerful, lively though
not unduly brisk. The execution is simply electrifying: Gardiner
has the orchestra on the edge of their seats, the chorus going
all-out, and sparks flying everywhere. Excellent singing from
the soloists and a vivid recording complete the triumph, and...Read
more
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Beethoven:
Missa Solemnis; Mozart: Coronation Mass / Karajan |
Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart
Conductor: Herbert
von Karajan
Performer: Walter
Berry, Gundula
Janowitz, et al.
Ensemble: Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna
Singverein
Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #23913 / February 13, 1989
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here for more information |
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| Of the many recordings there is no rival to this
one. It features one of finest vocal quartets this (last!)
century. Although not perfect -- the tempi at times sluggish,
the balance odd in places, and the violin occasionally wanders
out of tune -- nevertheless, the pathos of the performance
are remarkably moving. Expressive directing by Karajan (one
of his best performances); remarkably magnificent singing
(notably by Wunderlich and Janowitz). |
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| works
& recordings |
- Chamber
Music
Trios, Quartets, Quintets
- Choral
Secular and sacred choral music. Oratorios, Masses, Partsongs,
Hymns, Carols
- Instrumental
Sonatas, Suites, Overtures, Minuets, Variations, Transcriptions,
Dance Music
- Orchestra
Concertos, Symphonies
- Theatrical
Works
Ballet, Stage, Incidental Music, Film Scores
- Vocal
and Opera
Opera, Operetta, Song, Lieder, Musical Theater
Complete
List of Works and Recordings
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| resources |
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Beethoven:
The Magnificent Master - Biography and history, essays,
forum, pictures, catalog of works. (by Ingrid Schwaegermann)
Beethoven's
Bunk - A place to go for all your Beethoven info needs.
Beethoven
Depot - Catalog of works; large MIDI collection; message
board and chat room; pictures; biography; mailing list; webring.
The
Unheard Beethoven - (MIDI files of less famous compositions)
Ira
F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies - (San José
State University) Beethoven Journal (subscription info), Beethoven
Society, events, course syllabus, more.
Beethoven
on the Web - "a comprehensive directory to all serious
sites about Beethoven." (last updated 1995)
Ludwig
van Beethoven - works list (including movements of major
works); lyrics of 9th symphony; Heiligenstadt Testament; bibliography;
(by Simon Johnston)
Classical
Net: Beethoven - Basic Repertoire List, with recommended
recordings.
Beethoven
Biography - Brief biographical outline.
The
Symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven on Record - Discography
and reviews.
Ludwig
van Beethoven - brief biography, key works, more. (@Heart's
Ease)
Ludwig
Van Beethoven - Forum; chat (classicals.com)
Austrian
Tourist Board: Ludwig van Beethoven - Illustrated biography.
Ludwig
van Beethoven - The Master - Catalog of works, biography,
letters.
Ludwig
van Beethoven: A Musical Titan - Brief biography, list
of major compositions.
Beethoven
Memorial Museum - Floridsdorf, Vienna, Austria: The former
home of countess Erdšdy, where some of Beethoven's works were
composed; now houses a museum and small concert hall.
Beethoven
Midi Files - 26 MIDI files of Beethoven's works.
All
About Beethoven - Biography, MIDI files, list of compositions,
portraits.
Beethoven's
World - Letter to Immortal Beloved; Heiligenstad Testament;
other source texts and articles. [Spanish/English]
Fidelio
- Beethoven's 3-in-1 opera - Article about Beethoven's
only opera
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