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"
