Chapter 49

The Early Music of Beethoven

Beethoven’s WorldBeethoven was born in 1770 the city of Bonn, on the Rhine River, in the northwest corner of what is now Germany.

From the age of 21, he lived in Vienna, the capital of Austria and seat of government of the far-flung lands ruled by the Hapsburg kings.

At this time, the German-speaking states of Europe were members of a loose alliance called the Holy Roman Empire, whose emperor was the Hapsburg king.

The most powerful German state was Prussia, in the northeast part of Europe.

Beethoven’s Life (1770-1827)• 1770 born in Bonn

• 1792 moves to Vienna and studies with Haydn

• 1792–1802 first compositional period

• 1802 despair over deafness, Heiligenstadt Testament

• 1802-c1814 second compositional period

• c1814–1827 third compositional period

• 1827 death in Vienna

Beethoven’s Principal Compositions

• Orchestra: 9 symphonies, overtures, concertos (including 5 for piano and 1 for violin)

• Chamber music: 16 string quartets, 7 trios, sonatas for instruments and piano

• Piano: 32 sonatas, variations

• Opera and ballet: Fidelio (opera), Creatures of Prometheus (ballet)

• Chorus: 2 masses, oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives, finale of Symphony No. 9

The Youthful Beethoven

Beethoven’s appearance made an impression on virtually all who met him.

He was very short, and an acquaintance from his youth remembered his “broad shoulders, short neck, large head, round nose, and dark brown complexion.”

The French composer Luigi Cherubini compared him to an “unlicked bear cub.”

Beethoven’s Principal Music of his First Period of Composition (1792–1802)

• Piano Sonatas: Nos. 1–20

• Symphonies: Nos. 1–2

• Piano Concertos: Nos. 1–2

• String Quartets: Nos. 1–6 (Op. 18)

• Violin Sonatas: Nos. 1–5

• Trios (violin-cello-piano): Nos. 1–4

Beethoven, Piano Sonata in C Minor (Pathétique), 1798,

movement 1Sonata form

Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, 1795, movement 3

Sonata-rondo form