Ludwig van Beethoven (December 16, 1770 - March 26, 1827), born in Bonn, Germany, was one of the representatives of the Vienna classical music school. Composer of the European Classical Period.

Beethoven spent his childhood under the strict and harsh education of his father, which created his stubborn, sensitive and excited character. He settled in Vienna for the rest of his life at the age of 22. The Third Symphony, composed between 1803 and 1804, marked the mature stage of his creation. In the following 20 years, his numerous musical works pushed classical music to its peak through strong artistic appeal and grandeur, and heralded the arrival of romantic music in the 19th century. Beethoven died in Vienna on March 26, 1827, at the age of 57.

Beethoven created a wide range of themes throughout his life, and his important works include 9 symphonies, 1 opera, 32 piano sonatas, 5 piano concertos, multiple orchestral overtures, and violin and cello sonatas. Because of his significant contribution to classical music and his development and innovation of sonata form and symphony suite structure, he was honored as the "Music Saint" and "King of Symphony" by later generations.

Extended information:

Beethoven’s creative works spanned a wide range of genres and were numerous in number.

In the field of instrumental music, it includes 9 symphonies, 11 orchestral pieces and dramatic scores, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, 16 string quartets and other forms of ensembles, and 32 piano pieces. Sonatas, violin and cello sonatas, variations, etc.; in the field of vocal music, it involves operas, oratorios, masses, cantatas, choral fantasies and a large number of art songs. Representative works in the field of vocal music include the operas "Fidelio", "D "Mass in Major", the vocal suite "To My Lover in the Distance", etc.

Beethoven's life experienced the drastic changes in European society before and after the French Revolution. His works are the product of a combination of times and personality. He greatly expanded the ideological content of symphonic music, making it a genre that directly reflected social changes, and the range of expression of the piano was also greatly enhanced.

The expansion of content leads to innovation in expression techniques: it breaks through the traditional formal structure, uses motivational themes and develops dynamic musical ideas, giving the music extraordinary momentum and power; it is based on function The systematic voice change system has become the characteristic of his harmonic style; the flexible off-key modulation and the large contrast of rhythm and intensity play an important role in portraying conflicts and dramatic development. In addition, the use of counterpoint, the combination of band sounds, and the writing of piano music all have distinctive characteristics.

Beethoven composed nine symphonies, two masses, and countless overtures, concertos, sonatas and string quartets, which deeply influenced the style of later composers.

For example: the symphonies "Eroica", "Destiny", "Pastoral", the last movement of the Ninth Symphony "Ode to Joy"; the overture "Egmont"; Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; "Pathétique Sonata", "Moonlight Sonata" and so on have become household names. He left a valuable legacy for mankind and had a huge impact on the development of world music, so he was respected as the "Music Saint" by the world.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Beethoven