Beethoven: Bridge to Romanticism

04/12/23 1

Ludwig Von BeethovenBeethoven: Bridge to

Romanticism

Listen to This By Mark Evan Bonds

5-2Listen to This By Mark Evan Bonds PRENTICE HALL

©2009 Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-

1827)




Beethoven Represents turning point from Classicism to

Romanticism Burst bonds of formalism and control of

Classicism Most controversial-Classicist or Romanticist? Music very emotional, very dramatic &

powerful Bears personality of creator Very much a “Romantic” quality




Beethoven: A Musical Giant

Born in Bonn, Germany. Lived during the social changes toward democracy in France and

America. Studied with Haydn who encouraged him. Went to Vienna, which was a cultural center, to make his living as

composer. Father-singer in Kapelle of Archbishop-Elector of Cologne;

abusive alcoholic, tried to make him into Mozart Loner, never married, cared only for music, untidy One serious love affair (Distant Beloved) Perfectionist, very particular with music




Ludwig van Beethoven(1770 - 1827)

Beethoven was principal breadwinner by the time he was a teenager.

Began to go deaf in his late 20’s, which caused him intense grief.

Wrote Heiligenstadt Testament (basically a suicide note) to his brothers when he realized there was no cure for his deafness, but decided to live.

Widely recognized during his lifetime as the greatest composer of instrumental music. When he died in 1827, at age 56, declared a national hero.

Suffered chronic poor health, deafness, and a custody battle over a nephew during last 15 years of life.




Beethoven’s Music--Romanticism

He played larger pianos that created more sound.

He developed the Classical Forms and expanded them.

He added a chorus to the final movement of his 9th symphony, “Ode to Joy.”

His works were longer; he labored over them, revising them over and over.

The end of his life (1827) marks the beginning of the Romantic Period in Music.




Beethoven’s Music-->Romanticism

He increased the number of instruments in the orchestra.

He expanded the dynamic range of the orchestra to ppp and fff.

The development sections of his compositions were long, elaborate, and complex.

In some compositions, he left no pauses between some of the movements.




The Sketchbook Kept chronicle for

posterity of the evolution of thematic material which shows the inner struggle to realize the final form

“…like bloody record of a tremendous inner battle.”




Beethoven Dies of jaundice &

cholera during thunderstorm

Biggest revolutionist next to Bach during lifetime

Considered biggest music revolutionary of all-time




Ludwig van BeethovenOther Compositions

Piano Sonatas C# minor-- “Moonlight” C minor-”Pathetique” D minor-- “Tempest” F minor--

“Appassionata” Piano Concerto #5

in E-flat major-- “Emperor”

Missa Solemnis-Mass in C

Fidelio--an opera

String quartets 9 symphonies

No. 3 in E-flat major --”Eroica”

No. 6 in F major-- “Pastoral”

No. 9 in D minor--includes chorus singing “Ode to Joy”




Beethoven Nine symphonies

I. C Major II. D Major III. E-Major(Eroica) IV. B Major V. C minor VI. F Major(Pastorale) VII. A Major VIII. F Major(Humorous) IX. F Minor(Choral)




Symphony No. 3- “Eroica” First dedicated to

Napoleon, then changed after Bonaparte declared himself Emperor

“Sinfonia Eroica…composed to celebrate the memory of a great man”

Unprecedented length Called “wild fantasy” at first

performance




Symphony No. 6- “Pastoral”

Symphony #6 in F “Pastorale” 5 movements,

each bearing descriptive title

Program content- “an expression of feeling rather than a graphic depiction”




Symphony No. 9- “Choral”

Movement 4-sets Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” for chorus & quartet

Considered poem as early as 1792 Text-ideals of brotherhood of man

through love, love of God Does various different musical techniques

with “Joy” theme




Fidelio Fidelio-only opera Compared its writing to

the bearing of a child 1805-revised several

times to 1814 Difficulty setting text “Rescue” opera based

on events of French Revolution

Leonore-main heroine Last act celebration of

heroism & humanitarianism




Fidelio & Vocal Music Fidelio-Overture went through several stages Three named “Leonora” “Fidelio” overture is fourth version; most preferred by Beethoven Not at ease with vocal music

Song cycle-An die ferne Geliebte(To a Distant Beloved Song settings of poet Goethe Oratorio-Christ on the Mount of Olives

Missa Solemnis-monumental work, includes soloists, choral group, “Ode To Joy”

Written for enthronement of student Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmutz, finished too late for the occasion




Symphony No. 5 in C Minor

Most tightly knit motivically of all compositions

Opening four note motive appears in every movement

Origins-Fate knocking at door, letter V in Morse Code(not invented yet)

Along with recurrence of a portion of “Scherzo” in Finale-makes work “cyclic”

Not break between movements III & IV




Painting of Beethoven by Friend, J. W. Mähler




Appreciating Beethoven’s Music

Contrast-filled with dynamic contrasts, rough/smooth, loud/soft, etc.; soft passage interrupted by sforzando chord; rage section ceases abruptly, gentle melody takes over

Motive development-showcase of developing short simple musical ideas

Sense of drive- “inevitability,” music seems to be heading toward final destination; has “this too shall pass” moments; continuation of musical journey

Personality-sounded like no one else at the time, unique, fiery spirit, sense of musical logic