Though certainly subject to debate, these divisions point to the immense depth and multifariousness of Beethoven's creative personality. Beethoven died in Vienna on March 26, 1827.īeethoven's epochal career is often divided into early, middle, and late periods, represented, respectively, by works based on Classic-period models, by revolutionary pieces that expanded the vocabulary of music, and by compositions written in a unique, highly personal musical language incorporating elements of contrapuntal and variation writing while approaching large-scale forms with complete freedom. Beethoven's late works, especially the last five of his 16 string quartets and the last four of his 32 piano sonatas, have an ecstatic quality in which many have found a mystical significance. Yet after a long period of comparative compositional inactivity lasting from about 1811 to 1817, his creative imagination triumphed once again over his troubles.
BEETHOVEN COMPOSITIONS SERIES
In later years, Beethoven was plagued by personal difficulties, including a series of failed romances and a nasty custody battle over a nephew, Karl. 3, "Eroica," of 1803 began a sustained period of groundbreaking creative triumph. His growing despondency only intensified his antisocial tendencies. Around 1800, Beethoven began to notice his gradually encroaching deafness. In 1794, he began his career in earnest as a pianist and composer, taking advantage whenever he could of the patronage of others. His subsequent teachers in composition were Johann Georg Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri. Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 to study with Haydn despite the prickliness of their relationship, Haydn's concise humor helped form Beethoven's style. As a member of the court chapel orchestra, he was able to travel some and meet members of the nobility, one of whom, Count Ferdinand Waldstein, would become a great friend and patron to him. Beethoven played viola in various orchestras, becoming friends with other players such as Antoine Reicha, Nikolaus Simrock, and Franz Ries, and began taking on composition commissions. As a teenager, he earned some money as an assistant to his teacher, Christian Gottlob Neefe, then was granted half of his father's salary as court musician from the Electorate of Cologne in order to care for his two younger brothers as his father gave in to alcoholism. His compositions, which frequently pushed the boundaries of tradition and startled audiences with their originality and power, are considered by many to be the foundation of 19th century musical principals.īorn in the small German city of Bonn on or around December 16, 1770, he received his early training from his father and other local musicians. The events of Beethoven's life are the stuff of Romantic legend, evoking images of the solitary creator shaking his fist at Fate and finally overcoming it through a supreme effort of creative will.