Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Possibly the most revolutionary and effective composer of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies with sketches for a tenth, 5 piano concerti, a violin concerto, 32 sonatas (not 23 like it says up there), 16 string quartets, and other various works: in all, over 130 number opera (plural of opus) and numerous other works labeled 'work without opus'. His five piano concerti have sold more copies than almost any other classical record. Beethoven was composer in both the classical and romantic periods. His third symphony in Eb major, "eroica," is said to be the beginning of the romantic period.
Near his last 20 years of life, he finally accepted he was going deaf and went into a state of severe depression, during which he composed very little, but what he did compose, including the famous "chorale" symphony in Dm (no. 9), was great. Unfortunately, his opera, Fidelio, failed horribly because of Beethoven's diminishing hearing.
The greatest mistake of Beethoven's career was Work Without Opus No. 59: Bagatelle in A minor (Für Elise for you non-musicologists). This piece, besides mozart's K 545, is the most-spammed piece by pianists in the history of the world. In fact, it pisses them off, so just don't play it!
Famous Pieces by Beethoven include:
Symphony No. 3 in Eb major "eroica"
Symphony No. 5 in Cm
Symphony No. 6 in F major "pastorale"
Symphony No. 9 in Dm "chorale"
Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb major "emperor"
Piano Sonata No. 8 in Cm "pathetique"
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C#m "moonlight" (quasi un fantasia)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in Bb major "hammerklavier"
33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli
WoO 59 in Am "Für Elise"
Possibly the most revolutionary and effective composer of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies with sketches for a tenth, 5 piano concerti, a violin concerto, 32 sonatas (not 23 like it says up there), 16 string quartets, and other various works: in all, over 130 number opera (plural of opus) and numerous other works labeled 'work without opus'. His five piano concerti have sold more copies than almost any other classical record. Beethoven was composer in both the classical and romantic periods. His third symphony in Eb major, "eroica," is said to be the beginning of the romantic period.
Near his last 20 years of life, he finally accepted he was going deaf and went into a state of severe depression, during which he composed very little, but what he did compose, including the famous "chorale" symphony in Dm (no. 9), was great. Unfortunately, his opera, Fidelio, failed horribly because of Beethoven's diminishing hearing.
The greatest mistake of Beethoven's career was Work Without Opus No. 59: Bagatelle in A minor (Für Elise for you non-musicologists). This piece, besides mozart's K 545, is the most-spammed piece by pianists in the history of the world. In fact, it pisses them off, so just don't play it!
Famous Pieces by Beethoven include:
Symphony No. 3 in Eb major "eroica"
Symphony No. 5 in Cm
Symphony No. 6 in F major "pastorale"
Symphony No. 9 in Dm "chorale"
Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb major "emperor"
Piano Sonata No. 8 in Cm "pathetique"
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C#m "moonlight" (quasi un fantasia)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in Bb major "hammerklavier"
33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli
WoO 59 in Am "Für Elise"
Music store customer #1: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
(10 minutes later)
Music store customer #2: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
(30 minutes later)
Music store customer #3: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
Actually talented pianist: OMG why did beethoven even write that?
(10 minutes later)
Music store customer #2: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
(30 minutes later)
Music store customer #3: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
Actually talented pianist: OMG why did beethoven even write that?
by Brian H. August 16, 2007
by HumphreyB May 3, 2006
The German composer who lived from 1770-1827. He had a very strict father who slapped him every time he played a wrong note. Eventually became the world's greatest composer. Later on in life, he became deaf and had an explosive temper, so he couldn't find a wife. And lived in isolation.
by sunnynoodlerice October 24, 2018
German composer who lived 1770-1827.
Composer of 9 syphonies, 23 piano sonatas and numerous other woks, is aknowledged by many as one of the greatest classical composers the world has ever seen.
He began to lose his hearing in 1801, and pursued a rather erratic form of behavior. His opera, Fidelio, completely flopped and Beethoven had to revise it several times. He also became depressed because of his failure in his desire to become married. However, it was during this time he wrote "Symphony no.9", (while completely deaf) which is now reconized by many as the finest Symphony ever composed.
Other famous works include:
Sonata Pathetique Op. 13
Sonata quasi una Fantasia, Op. 27
Symphony 5
Fur Elise
He is amongst the "Big Four" of the classical composing community, with Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
Composer of 9 syphonies, 23 piano sonatas and numerous other woks, is aknowledged by many as one of the greatest classical composers the world has ever seen.
He began to lose his hearing in 1801, and pursued a rather erratic form of behavior. His opera, Fidelio, completely flopped and Beethoven had to revise it several times. He also became depressed because of his failure in his desire to become married. However, it was during this time he wrote "Symphony no.9", (while completely deaf) which is now reconized by many as the finest Symphony ever composed.
Other famous works include:
Sonata Pathetique Op. 13
Sonata quasi una Fantasia, Op. 27
Symphony 5
Fur Elise
He is amongst the "Big Four" of the classical composing community, with Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
While the era of classical music may be past, almost everyone who walks the earth today can hum the first few bars the Fifth Symphony.
by moltovivace February 23, 2005
When a man inserts his penis into a woman's ear just as Beethoven used to insert a horn into his ear to hear.
by hobeaux January 12, 2012
One of the best classical composers who lived on Earth. He did most of his best work, while he was deaf, which is fantastic. The best One in my opinion is Fur Elise.
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The story of the Fur Elise, is that Beethoven was about 70 years old, and he loved a girl about 17 years old. So he composed that song especially for her. Her name is Elise.
^^^
This is tottally untrue. Beethoven died when he was 57, so he never was 70. The girl wasn't called Elise either. There was some dispute as to who she was, but there was no Elise. One theory is that 'Elise' is a slang word used to discribe pretty girls in Vienna. Another is that Beethoven actually wrote 'Therese' on the Manuscript and has very bad handwriting. There was never any Elise.
^^^
This is tottally untrue. Beethoven died when he was 57, so he never was 70. The girl wasn't called Elise either. There was some dispute as to who she was, but there was no Elise. One theory is that 'Elise' is a slang word used to discribe pretty girls in Vienna. Another is that Beethoven actually wrote 'Therese' on the Manuscript and has very bad handwriting. There was never any Elise.
by Guilietta Guiciardi January 19, 2006