Beethoven, One of the Greatest Composers
By: Julie
Table of Contents 1. Beethoven’s Life ......................................................................... page 2 2. Symphony #5 ................................................................................ page 4 3. Symphony #9 ................................................................................ page 6 4. Glossary ....................................................................................... page 8 5. About the Author ....................................................................... page 9
Beethoven’s Life
Beethoven was an interesting composer. He was born on December 16th or 17th. no one knows the exact date of his birthday, but they were clear that he was born on the year, 1770. His mother was Maria Magdalena van Beethoven, his father, Johann van Beethoven. He had 2 brothers that survived to become adults. He had overcome his ailment, which was losing his hearing. Beethoven was able to compose 16 string quartets, 32 piano sonatas, 5 concertos for pianos, and 9 symphonies. The last 10 years of his life was hard for him. when he composed his last symphony, he was totally deaf. Still, Beethoven became an impressive composer.
Fun Fact: Beethoven mistakenly believed that he was born on the 16th of 1772, and insisted others to know that 1772 was the year of his birth.Â
Did You Know? Beethoven’s deafness and death was the result of lead poisoning.
Beethoven had a hard and difficult life as a teen. Beethoven was the assistant and student of Christian Gottlob Neefe. Neefe sent Beethoven to Vienna to study a little with Mozart. Few weeks later, Beethoven had to return home to Bonn, Germany, because his mother became sick. Her tuberculosis gradually became serious. She died in July of that year. In 1792, Beethoven moved to Vienna, but in that same year, his father died. Beethoven had to study with Haydn for less than a year because they didn't like each other. Beethoven had a harsh and tough life.
Symphony #5
Symphony #5 was the most frequently
Vienna’s Theater An Der Wien
played symphony. Ludwig Van
Beethoven’s symphony #5 was composed
during 1804-1808. The symphony was in C minor. It premiered in Vienna’s
Theater An Der Wien on the 22nd of
December, 1808. After being performed, it became the most popular and best
known symphonies of the world. Also, the
most routinely played symphony is the #5th.
Symphony #5’s first movement are a little different from other movements in the symphony. The movement starts with two strong, fortissimo notes. Beethoven wanted to grab the audience’s attention when hearing the first two notes. Beethoven also used imitations to expand the theme. You see, the first movement is in sonata form. Beethoven inherited the sonata form from the classical composers, Haydn and Mozart. The speed is in Allegro, the second movement, though, is not in Allegro, but is in Andante. You can see that the first movement of the symphony are different than other movements.
Sy#phony #9
k
I th
Beethoven’s last symphony was the 9th, Ode to Joy. It was composed when he completely lost his hearing. Ode to Joy was named the “Choral”, because there was a singing group that sang in the symphony. Beethoven was the first composer to add human voice to sing with the instruments. The last symphony Beethoven was able to compose before he died, was Ode to Joy, the ninth symphony.
Beethoven premiered Ode to Joy in May 7th, 1824, on Friday. When symphony #9 was performed, Beethoven couldn’t hear the roaring of the crowd. Someone had to turn him around to let him see the cheering, and smiling faces of the audience. Beethoven was, too, smiling at his great effort. May 7th, 1824, was the date when Beethoven premiered Symphony #9.
Glossary • String Quartets A piece of music that includes first and second violins, viola, and cello. • Symphonies A musical composition for the entire orchestra, usually in four movements, and at least one of them in sonata form. • Tuberculosis A disease that is by the growth of tubercles in the tissues, a small part of the lungs. • Premiered Performed for the first time. • Fortissimo A note of a part of music that is meant to be performed loud. • Sonata form A form of compositions that is the basis of classical music.
• Inherited Take; receive something. • Haydn and Mozart The two most famous composers in Beethoven’s time. • Choral Music composed for a choir or chorus • Allegro In a fast and quick tempo • Andante In a very slow tempo
About the Author
Julie lives in Shanghai, China. But she is actually from Seoul, Korea. Julie is currently going to Shanghai American School. She began to cherish music when she was really young. Her hobbies are drawing, playing violin and piano, and reading. She also hopes to give others knowledge about music.
Beethoven was an interesting composer because of his symphonies and his life. He wanted more fame and love from audiences when he grew short and fiery tempers. His best 2 symphonies became very famed. When Beethoven grew older, he had to face some tragic accidents. His ability to lose hearing got worse and worse. Beethoven is not normal, even by choreographing standards. “When reading this book, I can learn a lot more about Beethoven.” ––– Sally M. “Clear information and the pictures are not pixelated. I did not know much about Beethoven, but now I learned a lot.” -––– Jasmine H. “Very well written, I didn’t realize Beethoven was such an innovator. Beautiful pictures.” –––– Mr. Curran