Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

The early stage of his career and his studies of the Classical masters, Beethoven’s early work is firmly rooted in the Classical style, with balance, restraint, and adherence to classical forms. The turbulent social and political times, his personal crisis (progressing deafness) and his financial independence all contributes to the evolution of his style. As a result, his work became more emotional and expressive. This experimentation continues into his late period where his work seems to become more introspective but at the same time strong and assured. He also returned to explorations of his early influences including Bach and Baroque forms, e.g. fugue. (Knapp, 2020)

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 – (1795 and finished in 1800)

This work is from Beethoven`s early period. It was written in the classical tradition and reflects the styles of Mozart and Haydn. The opening movement is in the sonata form, followed by a slow (largo) movement and finally he used a Rondo form for the final movement. (Imslp.org, n.d.) I found this work easy to listen. The texture is not complicated and easy to follow. I also feel elegance, beauty, balance, and passion in this work.

Reference:

Imslp.org. (n.d.). Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15 (Beethoven, Ludwig van) – IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download. [online] Available at: https://imslp.org

Knapp, R., 2020. Ludwig Van Beethoven | Biography, Music, & Facts. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ludwig-van-Beethoven&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Beethoven, L., 1795. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.1 In C, Op.15. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O4ssd2EtRk&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21 – (1799-1800)

The symphony is from Beethoven’s early work and it is clearly influenced by the composer`s teachers Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He also brought his own styles. The frequent use of sforzandi as well as the sudden shifts in tonal centers were uncommon for traditional symphonic work. The first movement is in classic symphonic sonata form, followed by a slow movement before a short third leading into an emphatic finish with the finale. The dynamic range is interesting as its quickly changing from fortemente to pianissimo, especially in the finally. (May, 1990)

Both pieces are from Beethoven’s early period and used classical traditions. As well as reflects the influence both composers Mozart and Haydn.

Reference

Beethoven, L., 1799. Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A41fuD3dUA&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

May, T. (1990). Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21. [online] Kennedy-center.org. Available at: https://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/composition/2726 [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 – (1804-08)

This piece is one of the best-known compositions in classical music especially the distinctive four note opening motif. It also represents the romantic period in Beethoven`s compositional history. The distinctive opening bars are unique and remarkable and set the tone for the work. It also appears of each of the movements. Another important feature of this work the range of dynamics that Beethoven infused into his composition. The scherzo and trio of the third movement is also an example of the romanticism. The theme of the opening stanza is re-established at the beginning of the finale and eventually the piece returns to the home key and as a unison, although this time in the form of an extended chord. Beethoven composition was unique by the use of metronome markings which became more important to him as his career progressed. (Schwarm, 2019)

Reference

Schwarm, B. (2019). Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 | symphony by Beethoven. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Symphony-No-5-in-C-Minor-Op-67 [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019]

Beethoven, L., 1804. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op.67. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKl4T5BnhOA&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Fidelio – (1804-1814)

Fidelio is Beethoven`s only opera. The original opera was produced in 1805 and revised in 1806, but the version we know today is the further revised 1814version. The first performance was in Berlin after World War II. The work was influenced by Mozart and Post-revolutionary French operas. The composer used same forms as Mozart such as the sonata form for some of the ensemble parts. Beside these influences, Beethoven brought his opera onto a new level. He gave more expressive nature to his work and used more advanced harmonics which is a clear advancement from the earlier period in his career. He also used different keys for different characters. (Gutmann, 1998)

Both music written in Beethoven`s middle period and although they contain classical elements and influences, we can discover new techniques and the appearance of the romanticism.

References

Gutmann, P. (1998). Classical Notes – Classical Classics – Beethoven: Fidelio, By Peter Gutmann. [online] Classicalnotes.net. Available at: http://www.classicalnotes.net/opera/fidelio.html [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019]

Beethoven, L., 1804. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN-FIDELIO-LEONARD BERNSTEIN. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Gr79nt3FY&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

 Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op. 125 – (1822-24)

This composition is from Beethoven`s late period. This work was the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven and it was one of the greatest works from the composer. The symphony shows that Beethoven used all his delicacy and mastery to create a piece which reach a wider audience and touch the common people. The Ninth Symphony pushes the boundaries as Beethoven used his new compositional procedures which underlines the whole work. The symphony is unusually large, and it consist four movements. The opening movement is in the traditional sonata form, but this form is more complex than his earlier symphonies. The second movement is more advanced, and it is in scherzo style. This followed by the slow third movement. The symphony closes with a finale which is quite different than other symphonic music. It scored for four soloists, full chorus, and orchestra and it is exceptionally long. It is also complex with its own introduction and scherzo like section. In this movement Beethoven first introduces us to the famous “Ode to Joy” melody, then he gives us the choral finale with the setting of Schiller`s work. This piece is a clear improvement of the symphonic form and the peak of Beethoven`s accomplishments in this genre.

Reference:

Schwarm, B. (2019). Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 | work by Beethoven. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Symphony-No-9-in-D-Minor [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Beethoven, L., 1822. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op.125. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixpfgm_xxSE&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

String Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131 – (1825-26)

This composition is also from Beethoven`s late period. It contains seven movements and it is clearly an advanced work from Beethoven. The piece is also another example of the evolution of his music from the early period through the middle period and the start of the romantic onto the advanced later works. The composer used new and progressive elements into this work which brought the string quartet to another level. One of the examples of his advancement is the use of the unusual C sharp minor key.

Reference:

Beethoven, L., 1825. Ludwig Van Beethoven – String Quartet No. 14, Op. 131. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlFYC1U5viw&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]

Beethoven, L., 1826. String Quartet No.14, Op.131 (Beethoven, Ludwig Van) – IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download. [online] Imslp.org. Available at: <https://imslp.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No.14%2C_Op.131_(Beethoven%2C_Ludwig_van)&gt; [Accessed 27 September 2019]