StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Ludwig van Beethoven - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In terms of musical genius, no one can compare to the impact that Ludwig van Beethoven has in music history. He is recognized as the greatest composer who ever lived and a key personality in the transitional period between the classical and romantic eras in Western classical music (Kerman and Tyson)…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.6% of users find it useful
Ludwig van Beethoven
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Ludwig van Beethoven"

Download file to see previous pages

Having been instilled with the passion for music, he furthers his skill by taking lessons from notable musical figures in Vienna including Haydn, Albrechtsberger, Schenck and Salieri. Before long, "he has earned a name for himself as a pianist of great fantasy and verve, admired in particular for his brilliant improvisations" (Ludwig van Beethoven 2). In his twenties, Beethoven begins to suffer hearing disorder which gradually led his loss of hearing. However, this does not affect his ability in producing notable masterpieces.

As stated above, the life of Beethoven spans the end of the classical until the early romantic era. Owing to this, the compositional career of Beethoven is divided into three periods namely, Early, Middle, and Late Periods which reflect his use of distinct musical styles. The Early Period features his earliest musical compositions which strongly emulates his predecessors like Mozart and Haydn yet "concurrently exploring new directions and gradually expanding the scope and ambition of the work" (Ludwig van Beethoven 3).

The Middle Period comprises the compositions of Beethoven during the gradual loss of his hearing. Thus, his works exudes themes of struggle and heroism and are categorized as the most popular examples for the classical period. The Late Period includes the last compositions of Beethoven and is noted by their intellectual depth, intense and highly personal expression, and formal innovation. These works are regarded as the commencement of the Romantic Era (Ludwig van Beethoven 3). Included in the Early Period, Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.

14 in C-sharp Minor is more popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata. This composition which is originally entitled by Beethoven as "Quasi una Fantasia" (Almost a Fantasy) is dedicated to the 17 year old pupil of the musical genius Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. As the title suggests, the composition is more of a Fantasia than a sonata as it does not follow the latter's fast-slow-fast form. Moonlight Sonata can be regarded as Beethoven's expression of love to this aristocrat whom she proposed to afterwards (Moonlight Sonata 1).

The Moonlight Sonata is comprised of three movements: Adagio sostenuto, Allegreto, and Presto Agitato. The first movement sounds like a "lamentation" with a dark and whisper like melody. It is played against an accompanying ostinato triplet rhythm. The dynamics of the movement ranges from pianissimo (very quietly) to mezzo forte (moderately loud) giving a powerful impact to listeners. The second movement is regarded as a moment of relative calm in the piece. This part is written as a scherzo which denotes to a "comic composition, usually fast moving and used in place of a minuet or trio during Beethoven's time.

" The Moonlight Sonata peaks on its final movement where the composer wrote with fast arpeggios and strongly accented notes. In contrast to the first two movements, this movement is more powerful and invigorating with fast rhythm, loud dynamics, and more powerful texture. The Moonlight Sonata is noted for its simple yet beautiful melody (Rosen 126). The Eroica is Beethoven's composition in his middle musical career which is highly influenced by the political situation during his time. It should be noted that Beethoven lived during the time of French Revolution which ended in chaos.

Out this chaos arose a French

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Ludwig van Beethoven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Ludwig van Beethoven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1511274-ludwig-van-beethoven
(Ludwig Van Beethoven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
Ludwig Van Beethoven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1511274-ludwig-van-beethoven.
“Ludwig Van Beethoven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1511274-ludwig-van-beethoven.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

In this essay, I will argue that there are some significant events in beethoven's life which predetermined his musical career and that the most important period of his becoming as a musician was the period of childhood and early years of adolescence, as well as the beginning of his middle period.... The most significant feature of beethoven's early years is the fact that he was educated and developed by his father in great strictness: "beethoven's first music teacher was his father, a musician in the Electoral court at Bonn and an alcoholic who beat him and unsuccessfully attempted to exhibit him as a child prodigy like Mozart" (From Wikipedia)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Fur elise, song created by beethoven

Among the most unusual include the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven.... beethoven and his great love is one of these, a love story for the generations.... Something more interesting is that the manuscript for it was found 40 years after beethoven's death....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven, baptized in Bonn in 1770, was a musician and composer famous not only for his style of music, but also for composing, playing, and conducting music when almost totally deaf.... His father was well known throughout the town Ludwig van Beethoven, baptized in Bonn in 1770, was a musician and composer famous not only for his style of music, but also for composing, playing, and conducting music when almost totally deaf.... "Ludwig van Beethoven....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Ludwig van Beethoven Moonlight Sonata

In the paper “Ludwig van Beethoven Moonlight Sonata” the author analyzes one of the leading classical music pieces known and played widely across the globe.... Ludwig van Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Introduction The “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven is among the leading classical music pieces known and played widely across the globe.... Works Cited Ludwig van Beethoven with Moonlight Sonata http://www.... In addition, beethoven puts in an additional agitato instruction to this same score....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Music Composers of Nineteenth Century: Ludwig Van Beethoven and Frederic Chopin

The objective of this assignment is to provide an overview of the contribution of Ludwig van Beethoven and Frederic Chopin to the development of western classical music.... hellip; One of the most renowned and influential composers of all time in the nineteenth century was from Germany, by the name of Ludwig van Beethoven.... beethoven's works have been preserved today and are literally worshipped by composers and pianists world over because of the beautiful harmony and music that the man had created during his time....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

A Story about Ludwig van Beethoven

The paper "A Story about Ludwig van Beethoven" agree that Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the most talented songwriters, pianist, and composer of all times.... He dared to envision creating a new Mozart in Ludwig (Ludwig van Beethoven Biography).... Ludwig van Beethoven had his first work published, and he would feature in the Magazine for Music.... The family attends a service the following day in the Roman Catholic Church, and ludwig is baptized, a custom that is common in this denomination....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

A Story About Ludwig Van Beethoven

An author of the current essay "A Story About Ludwig van Beethoven" seeks to describe the life story of a particular composer inspired by Beethoven.... hellip; Ludwig van Beethoven was conceived or born in Bonn, Germany.... In his initial twenties, beethoven moved to Vienna, where he used whatever remains of his life.... nbsp;   Despite the fact that he could no more hear fine to play the piano, beethoven made some out of his best music after he was hard of hearing....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Aesthetics Meaning in Terms of Music and Early Years and Works of Beethoven

rdquo; During this period, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827) brought the Classical period to a climax and ultimate.... "Aesthetics Meaning in Terms of Music and Early Years and Works of beethoven" paper examines states that the aesthetics of beethoven's music gave the music a new meaning in the society that set the course of the beauty of music to date.... hellip; beethoven's (1770 - 1827) music served as a transition from the Classical to Romantic Period....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us