Beethoven’s Music: Firmly Rooted in Classical Form

Beethoven’s music is some of the most popular and well-known classical music in the world. But what made his music so special and timeless?

Beethoven’s Life

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German pianist and composer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is considered one of the most important composers in the history of Western music. His music is firmly rooted in the classical form, but he also ventured into new territory, creating works that expanded the boundaries of what was possible in music. In this article, we’ll take a look at Beethoven’s life and some of his most famous works.

His Early Life

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn in the Electorate of Cologne, a principality of the Holy Roman Empire. His father, Johann van Beethoven, was a singer in the court of the Elector of Cologne. His grandfather, Kapellmeister Ludwig van Beethoven, had been in charge of music at the court of the Elector Palatine. Ludwig van Beethoven’s godfather was none other than Ludwig van Beethoven’s namesake: the great German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven (1685-1750).

Ludwig van Beethoven’s father taught him to play violin and piano. By age 10 he was playing harpsichord in his father’s orchestra. As a child Prodigy he gave public concerts both on piano and violin, and as part of an orchestra. Unfortunately for young Ludwig, his father’s lessons were given mostly in an effort to make money off his talents—and included physical abuse. Johann would beat young Ludwig mercilessly if he made a mistake during a lesson. As a result, Ludwig grew to hate both his father and music—though he continued to study and excel at his craft.

His Later Life

The years 1811 to 1812 were some of the most stressful of Beethoven’s life. By 1811, his hearing loss had become painfully apparent; he frequently withdrew from society to avoid embarrassing himself. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Austria, and Beethoven, a fervent patriot, initially composed a celebratory march to honor the victorious general. But when Napoleon declared himself emperor and began to act despotically, Beethoven became disillusioned and withdrew the piece.

Shortly thereafter, Beethoven learned that his longtime companion Antonie Brentano had not written him the passionate love letters he had believed she had. (It is now thought that she may actually have been in love with him.) Devastated, he turned for solace to his music. Between 1812 and 1815, he composed some of his most cherished works, including the sublime “Moonlight” Sonata and his only opera, Fidelio.

During these years Beethoven also began what would become an intense relationship with Antonie’s daughter Therese. Though Therese was married to another man and unable to leave him, Beethoven desperately wanted to marry her and even drew up a marriage contract (which she signed). Though their relationship eventually cooled, it inspired some of Beethoven’s most beautiful music, including the “Archduke” Trio and the late string quartets.

In 1815 Beethoven’s brother Caspar died, leaving behind a young son named Karl. Karl was placed in Beethoven’s care, and the composer devoted himself assiduously to the boy’s upbringing (in spite of Karl’s resentful mother), even going so far as to withdraw him from school at one point so that he could receive private tutoring. Unfortunately, Karl proved an ungrateful student; he repeatedly ran away from home and became involved with dangerous characters. As Karl got older, his relationship with his uncle deteriorated further; in one famous incident, Karl attempted suicide so that he could be placed under guardianship other than Beethoven’s. (He failed in this attempt but later succeeded in having himself declared legally incompetent.)

Beethoven’s Music

As a composer, Beethoven straddled the line between the classical and romantic eras of music. His music is firmly rooted in the classical tradition, but his use of rhythm and harmony pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in music at the time. Beethoven’s music is characterized by its emotional depth and complex structures. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Beethoven’s musical style and how it was influenced by the classical tradition.

His Early Works

Of particular note are the three Opus 18 string quartets, his first published works. They demonstrate a mastery of Classicial form that belies their “Opus 18” designation (indicating that they were published quite early in his career).

Thesequartets show evidence of Beethoven’s careful study of Haydn and Mozart; yet, they also point the way toward his later, more radical style. In these works, Beethoven was already expanding the formal boundaries of Classicial music, particularly in his innovative use of tempo changes (e.g., Allegro molto e con brio in the first movement of the “Opus 18, No. 6”).

His Middle Works

In the middle period of his composing life, Beethoven produced some of his most celebrated works. He also began to move away from the classical form and experiment with new styles and genres.

One of Beethoven’s most popular pieces from this period is the ” Moonlight Sonata.” The first movement of the sonata is written in a slow, lyrical style that is quite different from his earlier, faster-paced pieces. The second and third movements are much more energetic, but still maintain a sense of beauty and calm.

Another famous work from Beethoven’s middle period is his opera “Fidelio.” This opera tells the story of a woman who risks her life to save her husband from unjust imprisonment. The music is powerful and emotional, with both joyful and tragic moments.

While Beethoven’s middle works show his experimentation with new styles and genres, they also still retain many elements of classical form. For example, the ” Moonlight Sonata” still follows a traditional three-movement structure. And “Fidelio” includes recitatives (spoken dialogue) as well as singing, which was common in operas of that time period.

So while Beethoven’s middle works may be different in some ways from his earlier pieces, they still show that he was a master of classical composition.

His Late Works

By 1811, Beethoven was becoming increasingly deaf and had begun to withdraw from society. He continued to compose, however, and these late works are some of his most popular. They include the opera Fidelio, the “Pastoral” Symphony, and the well-known piano sonatas known as the “Moonlight” Sonata and the “Pathétique.” These works are firmly rooted in classical form, but they also show Beethoven’s innovation and originality.

Beethoven’s Influence

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who is considered to be one of the most important figures in Western music. He was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn and died in 1827 in Vienna. Beethoven’s music is firmly rooted in the classical form, but he also expanded the form in new and innovative ways. Beethoven’s music had a profound influence on the development of music in the 19th and 20th centuries.

On Other Composers

As the most influential composer of his time, Beethoven’s style naturally affected the work of many of his contemporaries. Franz Schubert, who was 17 when Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 (“Eroica”), was first performed in Vienna in 1805, once remarked that hearing that work was “like the voice of God.” Schubert admired Beethoven greatly and emulated his poetic approach to songwriting; indeed, several of Schubert’s Lieder, such as “An Die Musik,” use phrases from Beethoven’s music. Likewise, Felix Mendelssohn drew on Beethovenian ideas when he wrote his Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, completed in 1844. Other important composers who were influenced by Beethoven include Ludwig van Carl Maria von Weber, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Gioachino Rossini, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz, Robert Schumann, Frederic Chopin and Johannes Brahms.

On Music in General

Beethoven’s influence on music was profound—both during his lifetime and after his death. His inventive genius, his masterful orchestrations, and his grasping of the potential inherent in the still-new pianoforte combined to mark him as one of history’s most important classical composers.

To many, Beethoven is the apotheosis of what a classical composer should be: working within the confines of form while expanding its possibilities; bridging the classical and romantic eras; and creating works that are recognized as some of the most popular ever written.