History of Beethoven - Essay Example

 History of Beethoven Ludwig Van Beethoven, was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770 to Johann van Beethoven and his wife, Maria Magdalena. (A Complete History of Beethoven) His family itself was a music family consisting of several musicians. His father was though talented, has not cared Beethoven much during his childhood though he has provided some music lessons to Beethoven in his early childhood. His excessive drinking habits, short temper and unstable life styles have created many unpleasant memories in Beethoven’s early childhood. But his mother has played a vital role in shaping the future of Beethoven as a musician. His mother was a gentle, retiring woman, with a warm heart. Beethoven has considered his mother as one of his best friends. The Beethoven family consisted of seven children, but only the three boys survived, of whom Beethoven was the eldest. (Beethoven: biography) Beethoven is considered to be the greatest musician ever lived on earth because of the greatest contributions he has given to the music world. He has revolutionized the traditional systems of music with his innovative and intellectual methods in composing. Childhood poverty and family and personal problems never prevented him from becoming the greatest musicians of all time. This paper briefly explains Beethoven’s life history and his contributions to the musical world. Childhood of Beethoven A portrait of the thirteen-year-old Beethoven (Ludwig van Beethoven) “Until the age of ten, Ludwig went to primary school, but the years he actually spent in school gave him little knowledge. He could not further his studies due to his family’s poor financial status” (Beethoven's childhood. 1770-1792) Beethoven’s early studies were affected immensely by the distorted family atmosphere. As mentioned above the drinking habits of his father quiet often created problems in the family which affected Beethoven’s studies directly and indirectly. Moreover Beethoven could not focus on his studies much because of his immense interest in music. The school subjects were quiet boring to him because of his passion for music which nobody realized at that time. Moreover his grandfather, who looked after Beethoven and his family because of the crazy life led by his father, has passed away during this period which resulted in great poverty in Beethoven’s family. Though his father has not done anything great in during his childhood, he has done one thing which actually transformed the entire life of Beethoven. “Becoming aware of his son’s extraordinary talent, Johann thinks of turning young Beethoven into a new Mozart (whose childhood success was still vivid in people’s minds). In fact, from this point on, Beethoven's childhood will be marked by his father's cruel attempts to transform him into a music genius.” (Beethoven's childhood. 1770-1792) Though the current world was blessed with the contributions of Beethoven as a musician, the transformation of Beethoven from a normal person to a great musician was painful for Beethoven because of the cruel methods implemented by his father to teach him music. Though Johan (Beethoven’s father) was considered to be the first musical teacher of Beethoven, his teaching abilities were limited. He has used tried to teach him musical notes forcefully quiet often under the influence of liquor. “At first, Beethoven made little impact on the musical society, despite his father’s hopes. When he turned 11, he left school and became an assistant organist to Christian Gottlob Neefe at the court of Bonn, learning from him and other musicians.” (A Complete History of Beethoven) The rise of Beethoven Beethoven met Haydn in 1790, who agreed to teach him in Vienna, and Beethoven then moved to Vienna permanently. (A Complete History of Beethoven) Beethoven’s decision to leave Bonn partly motivated by his father’s cruelty and also the poverty associated with his family. Beethoven has realized that he was spoiling his life in Bonn in the company of his father. He was successful I establishing strong relationships with some of the notable celebrities in Vienna like the Prince Karl Lichowsky which resulted in getting opportunities to conduct public concerts frequently in Vienna in order to meet the expenses of public life in Vienna. He never stopped learning lessons from others though he has started to perform publicly. After completing his Piano lessons from Haydn he started to take training under his friends Johann Schenk, Alois Forster, Johann-Georg Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri. (Beethoven's Rise to fame. 1792-1805) (A Brief History of Beethoven) “Beethoven’s fame was growing by the day. On March 29th-30th 1795, Beethoven was invited to his first "Academy" – a charity event for the widows and orphans of musicians. On December 16th 1795, the already famous Beethoven was invited to Haydn’s "Academy", despite the tense relationship between the two.” (Beethoven's Rise to fame. 1792-1805) Though Beethoven had a strong relationship with Haydn, earlier this relationship has spoiled little bit because of Haydn’s decision to relocate to London as well as the temper and age difference between them. Haydn and Mozart were the greatest musicians of that period. The rising popularity of Beethoven has forced Haydn to invite him to the academy conducted by Haydn. Beethoven’s era can be classified into three different periods; Viennese Classical, The Heroic, and the Late Beethoven. (A Complete History of Beethoven) Viennese Classical period The early period of Beethoven’s musical life is associated with the Viennese Classical period. Vienna the Austrian capital was considered to be the musical capital of Europe during Beethoven’s period because many composers from all over Europe often assembled in Vienna for training and performances. The works and styles developed by these composers classified as Viennese classical style in music history. “The Classical period reached its majestic culmination with the masterful symphonies, sonatas, and string quartets by the three great composers of the Viennese school: Franz Joseph, Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven” (The Classical Period (1750-1820)) The first period of Beethoven’s musical life, Viennese classical was inspired by Haydn in many ways. Beethoven has developed an individual style and used many methods of Haydn. He has many musical notes for piano during this period which includes Symphony no. 1 in C (1800), his first six string quartets, and the Pathétique (1799). (A Complete History of Beethoven) The Heroic period The middle period of Beethoven’s life is termed as the Heroic period. In 1800 Beethoven is reported to have turned his friend Krumpholz and said, "I am not very well satisfied with the work I have thus far done. From this day on I shall take a new way." (A Brief History of Beethoven) From there onwards the history of heroic period begun. Heroic period is considered as the best period in Beethoven’s musical life because of the revolutionary changes he brought in the conventional music composing system. He has abandoned the classical forms and started to incorporate romanticism with the music during this period. The creations of masterpieces like Tempest Sonata, Op. 31 (1801-2), the 3rd Symphony (Eroica), Op. 55 (1803), his only opera, Fidelio, Op. 72 (1803-5), and the 5th Piano Concerto (Emperor), Op. 73 (1809) etc were happened during this period. (A Brief History of Beethoven) “Symphonies nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are composed during this time. With these symphonies, Beethoven makes revolutionary breaks away from the Classical style” (Symphonies of Beethoven) Symphony no 3 created during this period has changed the whole musical life of Beethoven. Beethoven was able to come out from the influences of Viennese classical styles during this period. The immense influence and popularity of Haydn like musical gurus, has prevented other composers from even composing an independent style. Beethoven was able to challenge all the existing norms of classical styles through his symphony no. 3. Symphony no3 followed by some other excellent composing like 4, 5,6,7, and 8 which established another era, the heroic period in Beethoven’s life. Beethoven learned that he would become deaf in 1802 and suffered severe depression. His composing skills were not affected by his deafness, but his ability to teach and perform was inhibited. It is said that he became deaf from his habit of pouring cold water over his head while composing, to refresh himself, and then not drying his massive amounts of hair afterwards. He wrote his only opera, Fidelio in 1805. The main theme of the opera revolves around fidelity, which reflects his personal desire to marry. Other works in the Heroic period include the Kreuzer Sonata (1803), symphonies 3 – 7, the Violin Concerto in D major (1806), the Razumovsky Quartets (1806), the Emperor Concerto (1809) and the Archduke Trio, Op. 97 (1811). (A Complete History of Beethoven) Like many other geniuses in the world, Beethoven was also undergone a depressive period towards the end of his life. He has lost interests in composing frequently though he occasionally made some compositions during this period. The inability to hear anything from the external world also contributed immensely to the depression of Beethoven. He had even thought of ending his life because of the immense depression associated with his life during this period. The depression was so severe so that he decided against a marriage and also he started to quarrel with his relatives and others, and frequently behaved badly to other people. “He moved often from dwelling to dwelling, and had strange personal habits such as wearing filthy clothing while washing compulsively. (Economic expert. Com) The depression and the deafness has made Beethoven a crazy person during this period. Because of the fights he engaged with his neighbors, resulted in changing the homes more frequently. The carelessness and the dissatisfaction over his life made him wear dirty clothes. He stayed away from the public quiet often during this period. Most of his works were seems to be come out as revenge to some unknown opponents. “In 1802, Beethoven wrote a famous text which expressed his disgust at the unfairness of life: that he, a musician, could become deaf was something he did not want to live through. But music made him carry on. And he wrote that he knew that he still had many other musical domains to explore, to discover, and to pass on.” (Beethoven: biography) The love and affection towards music was the only inspiring thing which forced Beethoven to sustain his live even though many times he thought about committing suicide. He had a definite insight and also he believed that he can contribute more to the world if he lives for a longer period. In 1812, Beethoven went for hydrotherapy at Teplitz, where he wrote his ardent letter to "The Immortal Beloved". This letter which was found in a secret draw with the Heiligenstadt Testament, has not stopped the theories and suppositions of researchers and biographers ever since. Numerous women amongst his students and friends have been, in turn, proposed as the recipient of this letter. Unless a new document is discovered (perhaps within the possessions of a private collector) it is likely that the truth about this mysterious woman will remain a secret. (Beethoven: biography) The mystery about Beethoven’s personal life continues even today. Till the discovery of a romantic letter written to women by Beethoven, people believed that Beethoven was in introvert person who disliked women and family life. But this letter has created lots of theories and superstitions about the personal life of Beethoven. In fact many people claimed to be the recipients of this letter in order to exploit the fame of Beethoven for their own advantages rather than anything else. The actual recipient or her successors has not come out yet with the solid evidences and hence the mystery about the Beethoven’s personal life continues even now. Late Beethoven period Late period in Beethoven's musical life began around 1819 to 1827. Most of the works during this period were the independent styles associated with innovation and intellectual depth. Moreover these works were reflections of Beethoven’s personal life as well. Most of the works during this period remind us his life miseries and the childhood tragedies associated with his father. Some of his most personal and prophetic pieces, such as the string quartets were composed during this period. The string quartets inspire many musical lovers and composers even now. Apart from personal reflections, Beethoven’s works during this period was mostly oriented towards spirituality and philosophy because of his declining health. Beethoven was attracted towards enlightenment during this period after realizing the fact that he was nearing the end of his life. He was totally deaf during this period and hence quiet often this period is marked as the silent period In Beethoven’s life because of his inability to hear anything from the external world. He has started to research many things during this period. “The music began to become “odd” as he began to experiment with the number of movements, contrast in volume and dynamics, harmonic predictability, sonata movements and trills in his works.” He gave his last performance in 1814, on the piano, but continued to be a respected composer in Viennese society. (A Complete History of Beethoven) Beethoven's health was often bad, and it failed entirely in 1826, the year before his death at age 56. (Economic expert. Com) “At Beethoven’s death in 1827, Franz Grillparzer best described him during his funeral address when he said: “despite all these absurdities, there was something so touching and ennobling about him that one could not help admiring him and feeling drawn to him.”(A Complete History of Beethoven) Conclusions Beethoven, arguably the greatest genius ever lived on earth in the musical history. He has divided the musical history in to two parts; one before Beethoven and another after Beethoven. His early life was miserable because of his father’s crazy life habits and the youth hood and elder life also given any psychological pleasure to him. If it was the father’s cruelty which tortured him during childhood, deafness and depression has created lot of problems in his later life. He never married a woman because of his deafness and depression and quiet often quarreled with his neighbors over unnecessary issues. He had lost interest in life and started to wear dirty clothes at one stage of his life because of severe depression. The later discovery of a romantic letter written to a lady by Beethoven has created lots of rumors about his personal life. But still the authenticity of that letter and the false claims made by some women as the recipient of that letter remained as a mystery. Beethoven died at the age of 56 in 1827 leaving divine music to the future generation to get inspired. Works Cited 1. A Complete History of Beethoven, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.cyberessays.com/Arts/29.htm 2. Beethoven's Childhood. 1770-1792, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/beethovenchildhood.html 3. Beethoven's Rise to Fame. 1792-1805, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/beethovenrise.html 4. A Brief History of Beethoven, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.its.caltech.edu/~tan/BeethovenMissaSolemnis/background_on_beethoven.html 5. The Classical Period (1750-1820), Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://mymusichistory.netfirms.com/Classical.htm 6. Symphonies of Beethoven, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=730 7. Ludwig van Beethoven, Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven 8. Economic expert. Com, Ludwig van Beethoven Retrieved on May 15, 2009 from http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Beethoven.htm 9. Read More