Ludwig van Beethoven - Drama in Life and Work - Research Paper Example

Ludwig Van Beethoven Introduction. Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn in the year 1770 in a musical family with his father, Johann as the musician of the court of Bonn. He was eldest of the three who survived among seven of his siblings. His mother is generally referred to as gentle and warm-hearted. Tutored by his own father, Ludwig’s interest in music and his knack for the same was evident and recognized from his earliest years. In this paper, we shall explore the life of Beethoven form his birth till his death understanding how he led his life and composed music. Apart from his general life, a good deal of focus shall be laid upon his music. Biographical and Other Information. It was when he was half a year more than seven that Beethoven is said to have performed for the very first time at Colagne in 1778. As far as his age relates to him, he always perceived himself as younger, given that his father announced him as six years during the performance (Prevot). He soon learnt music such as Organ and other compositions of the then renowned musicians such as Gottlob Neefe who recognized his talents. Later Neefe is said to have taught Beethovan not just music but philosophy as well (Prevot). It was in the year 1782 before he became twelve that he published his first work of 9 variations in C Minor in a Piano for a march by Ernst Christoph Dressler. His success saw good ascend when he became the Organist of the court of Maximilian Franz, the Elector of Cologne. This allowed him to acquaint himself with circles of people, including Eleonose, Karl Amenda (the violinist) and many more (Prevot). Meanwhile he also took over the roles and responsibilities of the house as against his father who was given to drinking most of the time, and also took care of his younger brothers. Recognizing his flair for music he was sent to Vienna in 1787 by Prince Maximilian Franz to meet Mozart and Hydyn for maximizing his musical education. Neither of these relationships was particularly fruitful for Beethoven as there appeared a mismatch between many of their traditional ideas and Beethoven’s believes (Monaco). However, not much detail about this encounter is found. His return to Bonn was marked by the death of his mother on July 17th 1787 which saw the end of the only strong relation Beethoven ever had. His father was not liked by the family and Beethoven was not an exception while his mother’s compassion and love had made him realize the essence of a relationship. However, after 5 years form then, he returned to Vienna never to come back this time. This is the period where he gained the maximum popularity. Beethoven is said to have occasionally misspelled his name form “Van as “Von” denoting aristocratic birth, to gain the favor of the nobility in Vienna (Monaco). In the year 1794, he composed Opus 1, three tries for Piano followed by his first performance in Vienna. The world of music and everyone belonging to the same in Vienna admired and respected Beethoven’s music. He is often considered to have possessed impulsive behavior which were however, excused by his flair and talents (Prevot). Listeners of his music then often found them strange and extravagant although the way we look at his music at this age has changed considerably. Monaco notes that the year 1800 was marked by a changed Beethoven. “No longer bound by the idioms of his classical predecessors, Beethoven began expanding into unusual forms and tonalities to increase the potential for expressiveness” (Monaco). This emphasis towards ‘expressiveness’ was later to be pursued by the followers of Beethoven such as Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz and Felix Mendelssohn. The concept is also considered one of the most important components of the Romantic Movement. 1801 onwards, Beethoven was increasingly found to be worried about being deaf (Prevot), a misfortune that caught him emotionally. Music, however, kept his courage afloat. In fact, his illness is attributed to have made him work for his greatest compositions such as the Storm, Opus 31, The Eroica and many more (Prevot). Bonaparte was seen by Beethoven and his people as the Liberator and hence he dedicated his music to him, particularly his third symphony (Prevot). Leonare was the only opera he ever finished, the name of which was later changed to Fidelio. The Pastoral, the Coriolan Overture and the famous letter for Elise were among many, the most famous symphonies he composed. There are many evidences which prove the immense popularity of his music such as this: He took many students among who was also the Archbishop Rudolph, the brother of the emperor. (Prevot) Beethoven’s desire to leave Vienna was restrained by his long-standing friend, the Countess Anna Marie Erdody. He was given an annual grant of 4000 florins (Prevot) which made him an independent composer. He abided by the condition never to leave Vienna. His encounter with the famous poet Goethe is also interesting. Both of them admired each other’s talents. Beethoven composed many songs based on the poems of Goethe. Yet they are said to have never understood each other completely. When he lost two of his benefactors, the Prince Lobkowitz, who fell into financial difficulties and Prince Kinski who died (Prevot), it marked the start of his never fancied financial problems. Johann Nepomuk Maelzel, the inventor of genius and metronome, however, took a contract with Beethoven and rescued from his problem. Mealzel helped him by creating various devices for hearing. A notable work born out of them is ‘The victory of Wellington’ written for an instrument called “Panharmonica” made by Mealzel (Prevot). Beethoven was invited to many occasions that he was himself proud of, such as the meeting of Congress of Vienna that decided the future of Europe after Napoleon. On November 15th 1815, Kasper Karl, his younger brother died leaving behind Beethoven the responsibility to take care of his nine years old son and partly his wife (Prevot). His deafness and inexperience with children, however, resulted in various conflicts. When the Archduke Rudolph became Cardinal, two years later, he began composing his mass in D. Although the work was beyond compare, it was never ready. Beethoven’s deafness caused language barrier in communication with many musicians such as Gioachino Russini. However, in 1823, the 9th symphony was completed and also in the same year, he was met by the 11 years old Listz who was to play all of Beethoven’s symphonies for piano years later (Prevot). On May 7th 1824, the 9th symphony was played for the first time (Prevot). Although successful it was financially unfulfilling and he faced a lot of financial constraints there after especially for the burden he had to carry for his nephew. He then began one of his most difficult works, the quartets. He also started to compose his tenth symphony there after. There are accounts of his catching cold one evening when he was returning from his brother’s place. His other complicating illnesses were perhaps a disadvantage for Beethoven. Among the circle of his closest friends on March 26th 1827 Beethoven passed away. His Music. Beethoven’s music is mostly influenced by his own life and for the same reasons his musical works are divided into three periods: the early, the middle, and the late, each period strongly reflecting the evolving life of the composer (Monaco). He is considered the father of Romanticism and a key player in the transition between the classical and the different genre he is said to have fathered (MacMillian). It was when he was in Vienna, which was a large part of his life, Beethoven composed many excellent pieces, most of them inclined towards his vision of classical style in music (Monaco). Pathetique Sonata, Opus 13 is said to be the most famous example of this style composed in 1798 (MacMillian). Kerst considers Beethoven to be one of the German musical geniuses, who has created numerous works that are firmly entrenched in the repertoire of the pre-eminent classical music figures of the Western world. “He left his stamp in 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 10 violin sonatas, 32 piano sonatas, numerous string quartets and dozens of other key works” (Kerst). It is practically not easy to list all the works of Beethoven that were considered genius. Some of his most creative works, however, include “his 3rd symphony, the Eroica; his 9th Violin Sonata, the Kreutzer; his ‘Waldstein’ piano sonata, his quartet” (Kerst), and a long other lists each of which adding a unique flavor in itself. The other important work he wrote is also what is known as “Missa Solemnis” which he began in 1819. (Prevot) The compositional process of Beethoven’s music is said to be unique. He could never easily compose a piece without putting a good deal of effort. For Beethovan, “every phrase, every note was like pulling teeth” (MacMillian). He was prone to forgetting things quickly, so he used sketches in books to put down his new ideas that appeared in his mind before he forgot them all. Conclusion. The life of the genius symphonist Beethoven does not appear less dynamic and magnetic than his ingenious work of music does. The account of his journey of life right form Bonn to the growth of musical life that he pursued through Vienna, all accounts for the part of the brilliance of the self-made life that he led. He considered art, and especially his music a special way of expressing his life and the pain associated with it. Indeed, “art was his goddess to whom he made petition, to whom he rendered thanks, whom he defended” (Kerst). The world shall perhaps never forget the companion of Beethoven which rendered the world a sound of solace and joy to cherish and celebrate – his music. Works Cited. Kerst, Friedrich. Beethoven: the Man and the Artist, as Revealed in his own Words. Dover Publications, Inc, 1964. MacMillian, Jeff. "Beethoven's Missa Solemnis." 29 May 1996. Internet. 20 November 2009 . Monaco, matt. "Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Mass in D: Missa Solemnis." The university of North Corolina. 20 November 2009 . Prevot, Dominique. Ludwig Van Beethoven's Biography. December 2001. 20 November 2009 . Read More