Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He also composed other chamber music, choral works, and songs. More
Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven and Christian Gottlob Neefe. During his first 22 years in Bonn, Beethoven intended to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and befriended Joseph Haydn. Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 and began studying with Haydn, quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. In about 1800 his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life he was almost totally deaf. He gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from this period.
Beethoven timeline
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Ludwig van Beethoven Is Born
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional... Read more
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Beethoven's Early Years
Beethoven's first music teacher was his father. A traditional belief concerning Johann is that he was a harsh instructor, and that the child... Read more
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Beethoven's Ascent to Greatness
In July 1792 the renowned composer Haydn passed through Bonn on his way to Vienna. He met Beethoven and was impressed, and perhaps disturbed,... Read more
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Beethoven Loses His Hearing
Around 1796, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitus, a "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to... Read more
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Beethoven Tours Europe
In 1796, Beethoven embarked on a tour of central European cultural centers that was an echo of a similar tour by Mozart in 1789. Accompanied by... Read more
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Beethoven Matures
Between 1798 and 1802 Beethoven finally tackled what he considered the pinnacles of composition: the string quartet and the symphony. With the... Read more
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Beethoven Writes His First Symphony
Symphony no. 1, in C major, op. 21 seems simple at first sight, even too simple if we compare it to his last symphony. Remarkable in this sense are... Read more
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Beethoven Finishes the Moonlight Sonata
The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata... Read more
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Beethoven Writes His Second Symphony
Symphony No. 2 in D major, op.36 was elaborated in the summer of 1802 in Heilligenstadt when Beethoven was fighting to get control over his life.... Read more
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Beethoven's Opus 18 Is Published
Ludwig van Beethoven's opus 18, published in 1801 by T. Mollo et Comp in Vienna, consisted of his first six string quartets. They were composed... Read more
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Beethoven Writes the Heiligenstadt Testament
The Heiligenstadt Testament is a letter written by Ludwig van Beethoven to his brothers Carl and Johann at Heiligenstadt (today part of Vienna) on... Read more
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Beethoven Writes His Third Symphony
Symphony No. 3 in flat E major, op. 55 represents a new stage in Beethoven’s, being one of the most discussed symphonies throughout time. The... Read more
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Beethoven Composes His Fourth Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major, Op. 60, was written in 1806. It was premiered in March of 1807 at a private concert of the... Read more
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Beethoven Finishes His Fifth Symphony
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known... Read more
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Beethoven Finishes His Sixth Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F major (Op. 68), known as the Pastoral Symphony, was completed in 1808. One of Beethoven's few works of... Read more
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Beethoven Writes His Seventh Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven began to work on his Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, in 1811, while he was staying in the Bohemian spa town of Teplice in... Read more
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Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 Is Played for the First Time
The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 by Ludwig van Beethoven, popularly known as the "Emperor Concerto", was his last piano concerto.... Read more
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Beethoven Composes His Eighth Symphony
Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 is a symphony in four movements composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1812. Beethoven fondly referred to it as "my... Read more
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Beethoven Writes His Letter To the "Immortal Beloved"
It is likely that Beethoven was at Teplitz when he wrote three love letters to an "Immortal Beloved". While the identity of the intended recipient... Read more
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Beethoven Writes the Diabelli Variations
The 33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120, commonly known as the Diabelli Variations, is a set of variations for the piano written... Read more
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Beethoven Finishes His Ninth Symphony
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of... Read more
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The Grand Academy
Another important event of this period is Beethoven’s grand " Academy " during which Symphony No. 9 and three movements of the Missa solemnis were... Read more
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Beethoven Dies From Illness
The Death of Ludwig van Beethoven on 26 March 1827 followed a prolonged illness. It was witnessed by his sister-in-law and by his close friend... Read more