Breaking through the traditional formal structure, the use of motivational themes and the development of dynamic musical ideas give the music extraordinary momentum and power; the pitch-changing system based on the functional system has become his Harmonic Style Characteristics

Beethoven's life experienced 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.

Symphony

The most concentrated reflection of Beethoven’s ideological development and artistic pursuit are his nine symphonies. Beethoven's symphonies are rich in content, large in scale, and much more complex than those of Haydn and Mozart. The most prominent thing is its sharp conflicts, heroic spirit and positive factors. The image of music is always in the conflict of contradictions. and shown in comparison.

In terms of technique, he developed the sonata form and symphonic suites. He expanded the scale of each part of the sonata form, enhanced the contrast and drama, and the development part as the central part is a fierce conflict, such as "No. The development of "Three Symphonies".

Beethoven’s symphonies can be divided into the following categories in terms of content: first, heroic and dramatic, which is the most basic aspect of his creation, such as the third, fifth, and fourth symphonies. Nine symphonies; second, those that are customary and lyrical, such as the first, fourth, and eighth symphonies; third, those that are mass and dance-oriented, such as the seventh symphony.

Piano works

In addition to symphonies, piano works also play an important role in Beethoven's creations. It can be said that he has been writing piano works throughout his life. The most important are the five piano concertos and the five piano sonatas (Pathétique, Moonlight, Tempest, Dawn, Passionate).

The piano sonata is similar to his symphony, with profound thoughts, rich content, and broad form. It also strengthens the contrasting factors within the sonata form structure and expands the conflicts and development of the development. The power makes his piano sonatas far surpass those of Haydn and Mozart.

String Quartet

Beethoven's string quartet finally established its serious ideological and emotional, lyrical and philosophical genre. Especially the string quartets of the late period express the composer's style characteristics, profound psychological portrayal, and the free combination of images of various personalities.

Vocal works

Beethoven’s vocal works are relatively small in number, but they are of great significance and value. "To My Lover in the Distance" can actually be said to be the first romantic vocal suite. Most of his songs are simple descriptions of daily life.

Extended information

Beethoven composed nine symphonies, two masses, and countless overtures, concertos, sonatas and string quartets, which deeply influenced his later compositions. Home style.

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.

Beethoven’s creations in his life span a wide range of genres and are 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, 32 piano sonatas, and 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 opera "Fidelio" and "Mass in D major" ”, vocal suite “To My Lover in the Distance”, etc.

Family background

His father, Johann van Beethoven, was a tenor singer and piano and singing teacher at the court of the Elector of Cologne. His alcoholism affected the life of the whole family. His mother, Maria Magdalena, lived only 41 years old.

Beethoven was the second child in the family (the first one died young and lived only 6 days). After that, his mother Magdalena gave birth to 5 children one after another, but only two boys. Kaspar Anton Carl and Nicholas John grew up, and they played an important role in Beethoven's musical life.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Ludwig van Beethoven