Ludwig van Beethoven

Introduction to Beethoven's life

"As long as I have the chance, I will resist fate" —— Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a great German composer and one of the representatives of the Vienna Classical School. He played a decisive role in the development of world music and was honored as As the "Saint of Joy". Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 in Bonn, a small town on the Rhine River not far from France. His grandfather was the conductor of the Bonn court orchestra, and his father was a court tenor. Beethoven's musical genius has been revealed since he was a child. His father was eager to train him to become a child prodigy like Mozart. He forced him to learn piano and violin from an early age. When he was eight years old, he began to perform in concerts and try to compose music. , however, the music education he received during this period has been very fragmented and unsystematic.

At the age of twelve, he was already able to play freely and served as the assistant of the organist Nie Fei (1748-1798). It was at this time that he began to formally study music with Nie Fei. Nie Fei was a musician with many talents. He expanded Beethoven's artistic vision, made Beethoven familiar with some excellent examples of German classical art, and consolidated Beethoven's understanding of lofty purposes. Beethoven's formal learning and systematic upbringing actually began with Nie Fei's careful teaching and training: Nie Fei also guided him to Vienna to teach Mozart in 1787. After hearing his performance, Mozart predicted that one day Beethoven would shock the world. Beethoven received news of his mother's death soon after arriving in Vienna, and he had to rush back to Bonn immediately. Due to family burdens, he did not come to Vienna for the second time until the death of his father in the autumn of 1792, but by this time Mozart was no longer alive. After Beethoven came to Vienna for the second time, he quickly won the title of Vienna's most outstanding performer (especially improvisation). Later, he first studied with Haydn, and later with Schenck, Albrecht Berg and Salieri. Through his contacts with the intellectual Breining in Bonn, he came into contact with many famous professors, writers and musicians at that time, and from them he was influenced by the ideological trend of the "Turbulence Movement". His democratic ideas had reached maturity in the years before the French Revolution, but they grew particularly rapidly during the revolutionary years.

The progressive ideology of the French bourgeois revolution in 1789 inspired him a lot, thus laying the foundation for his humanistic world - a deep belief in human equality, the pursuit of justice and individual freedom, and a hatred of the oppression of feudal autocracy. . Although the three famous composers of the Vienna Classical School lived in a very close era, Beethoven's thoughts obviously did not belong to the same "era" as Haydn and Mozart. Haydn was humiliated throughout his life. Although he was occasionally provoked, he always accepted it. The progressive literary trends and revolutionary sentiments at that time rarely excited him, and his music was always insulated from struggle. Mozart suffered no less spiritually than Haydn. He was brave enough to resist and would rather be poor than endure the insult of the archbishop. However, in his music, behind the joy full of sunshine and youthful vitality, you can often still feel a trace of it. Emotions of pain, melancholy and sadness. Only Beethoven not only angrily opposed the tyranny of the feudal system, but also used his music to call on people to fight for freedom and happiness. Most of Beethoven's creations during his Bonn period (1782-1792) were small piano pieces, ensembles and songs. During this period, it can be said that he was only in the preparatory stage of creation. In the first ten years of his creation in Vienna (1792-1802), the only famous works are "Sorrow", "Moonlight", "Kreutzer" sonata and "Third Piano Concerto". But during this period, he gained a better understanding of social and political issues, and was able to realize the goals he wanted to pursue. From 1802 to 1812, his creation entered a mature period, which later became his "heroic age".

The maturation process of Beethoven's creative activities seems to be quite slow on the surface, but in fact it is very stable.

He only began to write his first symphony when he was thirty years old. At this age, Mozart had already written about forty symphonies.

Beethoven's life was very bumpy. From the age of 26 in 1796, he began to feel that his hearing was gradually weakening and became deaf in his later years. It was not until 1801, when he was convinced that his ear disease could not be cured, that he reported this case Tell his friends what happened. However, his love for art and life overcame his personal pain and despair - suffering became the source of his creative power. When such a spiritual crisis reached its peak, Beethoven overcame many difficulties with a strong will and began to compose his optimistic "Eroica Symphony". The "Eroica Symphony" marks a turning point in Beethoven's spirit and also marks the beginning of his "Heroic Age".

In the latter period of Beethoven's stay in Vienna, because Europe was experiencing a period of severe political reaction, that is, a period when Metternich's reactionary rule was particularly rampant, his creations also temporarily declined (1813- 1817). Starting from 1818, during the last ten years of Beethoven's life (1818-1827), despite being completely deaf, his health deteriorating, living in poverty, and mentally tortured, he still created """" with giant-like perseverance. "Ninth (Chorus) Symphony" summarizes his glorious and epic life and shows the best wishes of mankind.

Beethoven died in Vienna on March 26, 1827. No family member was by his side when he died, but when he was buried on the 29th of the same month, a mass wave was formed. All schools were closed to express condolences. Twenty thousand people escorted his coffin, and there was an inscription on his tombstone. With the inscription by the Austrian poet Greer Bacze (1791-1872): "When you stand in front of his coffin, what envelopes you is not dejection, but a noble emotion; we can only feel for him A person like him can say: He has accomplished a great cause..."

Beethoven is one of the great composers in the history of world art, and his creations embody his giant-like character. , reflecting the progressive thinking of that era, and its image of revolutionary heroism can be summarized as "through suffering - to joy; through struggle - to victory." His works are both majestic and magnificent, yet extremely simple and distinctive. His music is rich in content and at the same time easy to understand and accept for the audience. Beethoven's music embodies the pain and joy, struggle and victory of the people of his time. Therefore, it has always inspired people and inspired people's fighting spirit in the past. Even now, it makes people feel cordial and inspiring.

Beethoven's works include "Moonlight", "Ninth Symphony", "First Symphony", "Sonata", "Symphony of Destiny", "Missa Solemnis" and so on. They are all beautiful movements that break away from classicism and show freedom and enthusiasm.

[Edit this paragraph] Introduction to Beethoven in English

Ludwig van Beethoven (IPA: [?l?tv?va:n?be:tov?n], baptized December 17, 1770[1] – March 26, 1827) was a German composer. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of music, and was the predominant figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music . His reputation and genius have inspired — and in many cases intimidated — ensuing generations of composers, musicians, and audiences. While primarily known today as a composer, he was also a celebrated virtuoso pianist and conductor, and an accomplished violinist.

Born in Bonn, Germany, he moved to Vienna, Austria, in his early twenties, and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. In his late twenties he began to lose his hearing gradually, and yet he continued to produce notable masterpieces throughout his life, even when his deafness was almost total. Beethoven was one of the first composers who worked as a freelance — arranging subscription concerts, selling his compositions to publishers, and gaining financial support from a number of wealthy patrons — rather than being permanently employed by the church or by an aristocratic court.

[Edit this paragraph] Creative career

His grandfather was originally from the Netherlands and immigrated to After returning to Germany, he served as the local court music director. His father was a tenor singer, and his mother was the daughter of a palace cook.

The era when Beethoven grew up was the period when Joseph II implemented "enlightened autocracy", and the rulers of Bonn also implemented some reform measures.

Bonn became one of the centers of the German Enlightenment at that time.

Beethoven grew up in such an environment during his childhood. However, Beethoven had a very unhappy childhood. His father, who was addicted to alcohol, ruined the family business. He tried to turn the four-year-old Beethoven into a cash cow.

He wanted his son to become a Mozart-like child. He was a child prodigy, so he not only forced his children to practice piano, but also often drank heavily in the middle of the night and dragged the children out of their sleep to play the piano after returning home. Beethoven, who was under eight years old, was forced to perform and perform in front of Cohen's audience. Beethoven began working in theater orchestras. This harsh childhood life enabled Beethoven to embark on the independent path of making a living through music very early, and at the same time developed his perseverance and stubborn character.

From 1781, while working in the theater, Beethoven studied Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier" and composition method with band conductor Neve.

Neff is a very cultivated composer who is inclined to the Enlightenment. Conductor, he has contributed to the development of German national opera and oratorio.

By learning from this teacher, Beethoven realized the importance of learning the German national music tradition, and under the guidance of Neveu, he also accepted the influence of the Enlightenment.

Having a great influence on Germany There was a strong interest in progressive literature at that time.

Beethoven's skill as a pianist left a deep impression on everyone. Not only was he an accomplished performer, he was also an excellent teacher.

He soon became a prolific composer. His works were so popular that he could easily sell them to publishers by the time he was in his mid-twenties.

Beethoven showed signs of deafness when he was nearly 30 years old. It is understandable that the young composer felt uneasy about this ominous sign. For a moment he actually thought of committing suicide.

Beethoven continued to compose a large number of musical works. But as time went by, he paid less and less attention to the music that the music audience of the time was enjoying. But he continued to succeed.

Beethoven was completely deaf when he was approaching 50 years old. As a result, he stopped performing on stage and became even more lonely and eccentric. He is not as prolific as before, and his works also give people the impression of being clumsy. At that time he was composing mainly for himself and an ideal future audience. He is said to have told a critic that his work was "not for you but for a future generation."

If this most talented composer beyond time and space has experienced the bitterness of deafness, it is better to say that it is the most ruthless mockery of fate; if Beethoven ignored the pain of deafness, To continue to ensure the quality of the work with superhuman perseverance is an inspiring and almost unbelievable achievement. But the truth is even more surprising than imagined: Beethoven actually composed music during his years of total deafness that exceeded the level of his earlier works. The works he created in his later years are generally considered to be his greatest masterpieces. He died in Vienna in 1827 at the age of 57.

Beethoven created a large number of works, including nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, five piano concertos, ten piano and violin sonatas, a series of string quartets, vocal music, drama music, and many other compositions. But more important than the quantity of his numerous compositions is their quality. His works organically integrate perfect imagination and unrestrained emotions. Beethoven touched people's heartstrings with his playing, and they no longer considered instrumental music to be a secondary art.

Beethoven was a very creative composer, and many of the changes he brought to music have had lasting effects. He enlarged the size of the orchestra, increased the length of the symphonies, and expanded their scope. He proved that the piano was extremely versatile and contributed to making it a first-rate instrument. Beethoven represents the transformation of music from classical to romantic. His works inspired many romantic pieces of music.

Beethoven had a great influence on many later composers, including people of various styles, such as Brahms, Wagner, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. He also paved the way for Berlioz, Gustave, Mahler, Strauss and many others.

Beethoven's place in this volume seems clearly to be higher than that of any other composer. Although Johann Sebastian Bach was almost equally famous, Beethoven's music reached a wider and more numerous audience than Bach's, and Beethoven made many more innovations than Bach's. Later musical developments had an even more profound impact.

Generally speaking, it is easier and clearer to express political and moral thoughts in language than in music. Therefore, literature is a more influential artistic field than music. It is based on this reason, although Beethoven is the most outstanding figure in the history of music, but he is still ranked lower than Shakespeare. (Very wrong. Music is the highest form of art! Music is abstract to the point of being invisible and only exists in time. All art forms tend to be musical. form development, in the sense that music has surpassed all forms of art) In comparing Beethoven and Michelangelo, I was deeply influenced by the fact that most people listen to music far more than they see paintings and statues It takes a lot of time. Therefore I think that music composers generally have a greater influence than painters and sculptors, if both are equally famous in their respective fields. All in all, it seems appropriate to rank Beethoven roughly between Shakespeare and Michelangelo.

Beethoven's symphonies are the best of symphonies. The "Third Symphony" has the most rigorous and complex structure, the "Fifth Symphony" is the most profound in its thinking, and the "Ninth Symphony" is the most ambitious and grand in scale. It also points out the direction of music development for future generations. Focusing on the heroes who expressed the revolutionary struggle, he put the heroic theme at the top of his symphony creation. From Beethoven's "Third Symphony", "Fifth Symphony", "Sixth Symphony", "Seventh Symphony" and "Ninth Symphony", we can see that these works have different characteristics. The profile depicts the hero's activities and thoughts, the hero and the revolutionary struggle, the hero and nature, the hero and the people, the hero and victory, the hero and his inner world, etc. These heroic tones mold the hero into the people. In the middle, they are shown fighting for a just cause, even sacrificing themselves, until they win the struggle.

Beethoven’s symphonies mostly adopt the form of expanded sonatas. His creative ideas are broad and grand, his thoughts are profound, his images are contrasting, rich and diverse, and his treatment of musical form achieves the overall perfection of the work. With a high degree of unity, the third movement minuet in the original symphony was changed into a scherzo during the creation, and the opera's dramatic expression of the conflicts and conflicts in the world that were won through struggle was applied to the symphony. "Ninth Symphony" even added a chorus, which expanded the expressive capabilities and atmosphere of the symphony. In addition, in the creation of the symphony, Beethoven made bold innovations in orchestration, established the status of the clarinet in the orchestra, used four trombones in the "Ninth Symphony", etc., forming a novel style , started a new field, fully expressed his inner world with this innovative music form, reflected the progressive social trends at that time, developed the music of the European classical music school to its highest peak, and created the European Romanticism in the 19th century. The first of its kind in music.

But Beethoven's final years were the most tragic and painful years of his life. The threat of loneliness and poverty made him depressed and lonely. He died of illness in Vienna on March 16, 1827.

It is said that at his last moment, there was heavy rain and thunder and lightning, and Beethoven raised his withered arms to the sky in a final struggle. This spirit of endless fighting in life is all concentrated in his immortal masterpieces.

Beethoven is one of the greatest creators of human art.

On the one hand, he has an outstanding musical talent, a fiery rebellious temperament and a strong character like a giant; on the other hand, his indomitable will and lofty thoughts arising from his sense of social responsibility formed his role as a A special quality of a musician.

Through his own creation, especially in his nine symphonies, he reflected the great people's movement and the most progressive ideas of that era.

He wrote a series of symphonic works based on the themes of the times and personal destiny, combining profound philosophy with touching artistic images,

showing the journey from struggle to victory. , from darkness to light, from suffering to happiness, the spiritual journey of the bourgeois rising period, his nine symphonies will always shine like pearls.

Through the study and analysis of Beethoven's nine symphonies, especially the analysis of four of them (i.e. the third, fifth, sixth and ninth) title symphonies, we can not only understand Beethoven's The basic appearance of all creations and his great and innocent thoughts,

And you can understand the major innovations in symphony creation, and you can see how symphony transitioned from the era of Haydn and Mozart to the era of Schubert, A new period of development represented by Mendelson.

As early as Beethoven's lifetime, he was recognized as a musician of world significance. He was not only a great classical composer, but also went down in history as a pioneer of the Romantics. When Beethoven died in 1827, many friends and admirers came to pay their respects.

Beethoven was buried in Waehringer Friedhof. Literary giant Greer Patzer once said in his eulogy, "Beethoven gave his all to everyone, but got nothing from them, so he stayed away from everyone."

Beethoven can rest in peace What's more, Schubert was also buried here in 1828, with him. In order to commemorate Schubert, the young talented musician, people built a Schubert Garden (Schubertpark) next to Weilinger's cemetery.

Today, the Schubert Garden on Wehringer Strasse is a place where many tourists hang out. The Remains of Ludwig van Beethoven Although Beethoven was born in Germany, he never left Vienna since he left Germany at the age of 22. He left numerous monuments in Vienna.

Pasqualatihaus

1., Moelker Bastei 8, tram D, 1, 2: Schottentor

Phone: 535 89 05

Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-13:00

14:00-18:00

This building is named after the owner of the house and was built in Between 1791 and 1798. Beethoven lived here several times between 1804 and 1815. Here, Beethoven experienced the heyday of his creation. His Symphonies No. 4, 5, and 6, Piano Concerto No. 4 and the opera "Fidelio" were all created here.

Heiligenstaedter-Testament-Haus

19., Probusgasse 6

Tram 37: Geweygasse

Tram 38A: Armbrustergasse

Telephone: 370 54 08

Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00

Heiligenstadt used to be a place far outside the city walls of Vienna, but now it is an elegant villa area in the north of Vienna. Here, Beethoven left his will here in October 1802 when he was in despair of losing his hearing. This former residence is now open to the public.

Eroica-Haus

19., Doeblinger Hauptstrasse 92

Tram 37: Pokornygasse

Phone: 505 87 47

Friday: 15:00-18:00 or make an appointment by phone

Not far from the Will House, there is also Beethoven’s former residence. This is the Hero House and Beethoven’s house. The place where Fin composed the "Eroica Symphony". Beethoven's other symphony "Pastoral" was also composed nearby. This former residence has now been transformed into a very famous new wine hotel. On the small roads full of suburban style, visitors can appreciate the atmosphere of Beethoven's creation. Here, people call the path where Beethoven walked "Beethoven Trail". At the end of the trail, there is a "Beethoven Resting Place".

Beethoven Monument Beethovendenkmal

1., Beethovenplatz

, Waehringer Strasse

Opposite the Vienna Concert Hall, there is a Beethoven monument , hence the square’s name. This monument, built in 1880, features a seated statue of Beethoven surrounded by nine cherubs, symbolizing the nine symphonies of this music master.

Beethoven's grave (Weilinger cemetery) Waehringer Friedhof

18, Waehringer Strasse

Tram 38

1827, When Beethoven died, he was buried in the Weilinger Cemetery in the northern suburbs of Vienna. In 1828, when Beethoven's good friend Schubert died, people buried Schubert here. In 1888, the coffins of the two music masters were moved to the Central Cemetery together. Beethoven's tomb is now in tomb No. 29 in Area 32A.

[Edit this paragraph]Main works:

Symphony:

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C major

Beethoven Symphony No. 2 in D major

Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major (Eroica)

Beethoven Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major

Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Fate)

Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F major (Pastoral)

Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major

Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major (Pathétique)

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor [Chorus (Ode to Joy)]

Concerto:

Beethoven Violin Concerto in D major

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor

Beethoven Fenn Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major (Emperor)

Overture:

Beethoven's Fate Overture

Beethoven's "Coriolan" Overture

Beethoven's "Leonora" Overture

Beethoven's "Fidelio" Overture

Beethoven's "Egmont" Overture

Others:

Beethoven's Violin Romance in G major

Beethoven's Violin Romance in F major

Beethoven's Piano Sonata "Pathétique"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "Moonlight Sonata"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "Passionate"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "Dawn"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "Pastoral"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "The Tempest"

Beethoven Piano Sonata "Für Elise"

Beethoven Piano Music ((Moonlight) ))

Sonatas and etudes:

Op. 49 No. 2 (G major)

No. 1 (G minor)

Opus 79 (G major)

Opus 14-1 (E major)

Opus 2-1 (F minor)

Opus 14-1 2 (G major)

Op. 10 no. 2 (F major)

Op. 10 no. 1 (C minor)

Op. 10 no. 3 (D major)

Opus No. 13 (C minor, also called Pathétique)

Opus No. 26 (A flat major)

Opus 27 No. 1 (E flat) major)

Opus 28 (in D major)

Opus 22 (in B flat major)

Opus 2 no. 2 (in A major)

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Opus 2 no 3 (in C major)

Opus 78 (in F sharp major)

Opus 90 (in E minor)

Opus 7 (E flat major)

Opus 31 no 3 (E flat major)

Opus 54 (F major)

Opus 31 no 2 ( D minor)

Opus 27 No. 2 (Moonlight in C sharp minor)

Opus 31 No. 1 (G major)

Opus 109 (E major)

Opus 110 (A flat major)

Opus 81a (Farewell in E flat major)

Opus 53 (C major, Walstein)

Opus No. 57 (Passion in F minor)

Opus 101 (A major)

Opus 111 (C minor)

Opus 106 in B flat major (Hammer Piano)

Related literary works, film and television works:

1 "John Christopher"

2 "Celebrity Biography" " (Romain Rolland)

3 "Copying Beethoven"

4 "Music Giant Beethoven" (included in middle school textbooks)

[Edited version Paragraph] Examples of Beethoven’s rebellious spirit and freedom-advocating character

In 1807, Beethoven was living in the home of Duke Lichnovsky in Vienna.

This is probably the reason why although he earns a lot of money, he never has much savings!

〈Deafness〉

When he really felt that his ears were getting deafer, he almost despaired. Life seemed not worth living: what could be more unfortunate for a musician than not being able to hear the sweet sound he loved to hear and by which he lived! At first, only a few old friends such as Dr. Wigler and Stephan von Breuning knew about his misfortune. He gave up going to the palaces to hear the cheerful concerts which he loved so much. He was afraid that people would notice his deafness, thinking that a musician who could not hear the sound could not write good works. No! He thought of all the music he wanted to write, "I want to grab fate by the throat!" Maybe for him, composing music when he was deaf was not as difficult as other musicians. In his view, music is not only the use of charming sounds to arrange various themes or sound patterns, it is also a language that expresses the most profound thoughts.