Music
Ludwig van Beethoven
Famous works of Beethoven (Bonn, Germany, December 16, 1770 -Vien, March 26, 1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven had a truly difficult life. With an alcoholic father, he begins composing when he is only 12 years old, beginning to show extraordinary talent. In 1782 Beethoven moves to Vienna (Austria) where he will live the rest of his days. Although he will become the most popular composer of the time, Beethoven will always face financial problems in different circumstances. He never married and will not have children, however, he became obsessed with obtaining custody of his nephew. Beginning in 1801, Beethoven began to lose hearing, worsening his deafness until he became totally deaf around 1817. However, it will be at this time when Beethoven will compose the most brilliant works of his career.
Famous works of Beethoven
1. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op. 55
Written around 1803 it is one of the most important works of musical history since it is considered the birth of musical romanticism. Most known by the name of the Heroic Symphony was originally dedicated to Napoleón Bonaparte, although later the Beethoven annulled the dedication. The second movement, Funeral March (Adagio assai) is a true work of art.
2. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op. 67
Possibly the most famous symphony in all history known as the call of destiny, released on December 22, 1808 along with other relevant compositions of the composer such as his sixth symphony, his choral fantasy or his piano concert Nº 4.
3. Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68, “Pastoral”
Subtitled by the composer as “memories of a country life” the sixth symphony is one of the few programmatic works of Beethoven.
Each of the five movements bears a name dedicated to nature, the first “Awakening of joyful feelings when meeting in the field”, the second, “Scene beside the stream”, the third, “Encouraged gathering of peasants”, the fourth , “Lightning bolts. Storm », the fifth,« Hymn of the shepherds. Joy and feelings of gratitude after the storm ».
4. Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125 “Coral”.
The last symphony of the composer of Bonn, completed in 1824, three years before his death, is possibly the musical work with more transcendence of history and has become a hymn to the freedom of peoples. His last movement with choral form is an authentic novelty in the music of the time.
5. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, op. 73
In 1811 the 5th and last piano concerto popularly known as the Emperor’s Concert was writen by Beethoven. It is divided into three movements: Allegro, Adagio a little mosso, Rondo – Allegro ma non troppo.
6. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor “Quasi una Fantasia” Op. 27, No. 2
Known as Claro de Luna, it was composed in 1801 dedicated to Miss Contessa Giulietta Guicciardi who was said Beethoven was in love with. The sonata is divided into three movements:
- Adagio sostenuto
- Allegretto
- Presto agitato.
7. String Quartet “The Great Fugue” op. 133
In a single movement written between 1825 and 1826. Beethoven was very criticized by this work in life because nobody understood.
8. Choral fantasy for piano, orchestra and choir in C minor op. 80
The piece premiered on December 22, 1808 was finished 20 days before the premiere. Due to the haste of that concert Beethoven had to improvise parts of this work and as an anecdote it can be noted that the composer forgot to tell the choir that he should not repeat a part of the work so that it had to be performed all over again.
9. Concerto for violin, cello and piano in C major, op. 56,
Known as his triple concert the work is divided into three movements, Allegro, Largo (attacca), Rondo alla polacca. Written between 1804 and 1805 the work is the only concert example for several instruments of the composer.
10. Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123
With dedication to Archduke Rudolf of Austria, the work was premiered in 1824 in St. Petersburg. It is considered along with his ninth symphony one of the greatest works of the composer.