Beethoven, Ludwig van
Period: Classic
Born: Sunday, December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany
Died: Monday, March 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria
Nation of Origin: Germany/Austria
Major Works:
Orchestral:
Nine Symphonies (5, 6, and 9 are most revered)
Egmont Overture
Choral:
Choral Fantasia
Missa Solemnis
Concertos:
Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat, Opus 73 (Emperor)
Violin Concerto in D
Triple Concerto in C
Piano Sonatas:
Appassionata
Grande Sonata Pathétique
Hammerklavier
Moonlight Sonata
Pastoral Sonata
Waldstein
String Quartets: (17)
Harp Quartet
Rasoumoffsky Quartets
Great Fugue
Other Information:
Baptismal records show that Beethoven was baptized on December 17, 1770. His exact birthdate is not known but is probably December 16. Beethoven's work bridged the classical and romantic periods. His early work was heavily influenced by Mozart and Haydn. Gradually his music became more intense and romantic. Symphonies 5 through 9 represent the epitome of early Romantic music. His late string quartets are remarkable and daring. He was a master composer of Romantic music in many forms. The links below point to complete biographies and photographs.
General Bibliography:
Blume, Friedrich, with Norton, M. D. (Translator) and Norton, Herter (Translator), Classic and Romantic Music; A Comprehensive Survey, W. W. Norton & Company, November 1970, ISBN: 0393098680
Rosen, Charles, The Classical Style : Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, W. W. Norton & Company, March 1997, ISBN: 0393040208
Slonimsky, Nicolas and Kuhn, Laura; Editors, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Gale Group, December 2000, ISBN: 0028655257
Sadie, Stanley and Tyrrell, John; Editors, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Groves Dictionaries, Inc., January 2004, ISBN: 0195170679
Rutherford-Johnson, Tim, Kennedy, Michael, and Kennedy, Joyce The Oxford Dictionary of Music, Oxford University Press, 6th Edition, 2012, ISBN: 0199578109
Links to essays at other sites:
Please note: Each link will open in a new window.
Biographical essay from Wikipedia
Beethoven the Immortal
Alex Bronshtein's Beethoven site
All About Beethoven
