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Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, volume 1 of 2
According to "Ludwig van Beethoven (16 December 1770[1] - 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, and remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time."
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First published February 1, 2009
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About the author
Ludwig van Beethoven
7,398 books241 followersFrom classical composition, well-known musical works of Ludwig van Beethoven, a partially and then totally deaf German, include symphonies, concertos, sonatas, string quartets, Masses, and one opera and form a transition to romanticism.
Ludwig van Beethoven lived of the period between the late and early eras. A mother in Bonn bore him.
People widely regard Ludwig van Beethoven as one greatest master of construction; sometimes sketched the architecture of a movement and afterward decided upon the subject matter. He first systematically and consistently used interlocking thematic devices or “germ-motives” to achieve long unity between movements. He equally remarkably used many different “source-motives”, which recurred and lent some unity to his life. He touched and made almost every innovation. For example, he diversified and even crystallized, made and brought the more elastic, spacious, and closer rondo. The natural course mostly inspired him, and liked to write descriptive songs.
Ludwig van Beethoven excelled in a great variety of genres, piano, other instrumental for violin, other chamber, and lieder.
People usually divide career of Ludwig van Beethoven into early, middle, and late periods.
In the early period, he is seen as emulating his great predecessors Haydn and Mozart, while concurrently exploring new directions and gradually expanding the scope and ambition of his work. Some important pieces from the Early period are the first and second, the first six, the first three piano, and the first twenty piano, the famous “Pathétique” and “Moonlight."
The Middle (Heroic) period began shortly after Beethoven’s personal crisis centering around his encroaching. The period is noted for large-scale expressing heroism and struggle; these many of the most famous. Middle period six (numbers 3 to 8), the fourth and fifth piano, the triple and violin, five (numbers 7 to 11), the next seven piano (the “Waldstein” and the “Appassionata”), and Beethoven’s only Fidelio.
Beethoven’s Late period began around 1816. The Late-period are characterized by intellectual depth, intense and highly personal expression, and formal innovation (for example, the Op. 131 has seven linked movements, and the Ninth Symphony adds choral forces to the orchestra in the last movement). Many people in his time period do not think these measured up to his first few, and his with J. Reinhold were frowned upon. Of this period also the Missa Solemnis, the last five, and the last five piano.
Ludwig van Beethoven lived of the period between the late and early eras. A mother in Bonn bore him.
People widely regard Ludwig van Beethoven as one greatest master of construction; sometimes sketched the architecture of a movement and afterward decided upon the subject matter. He first systematically and consistently used interlocking thematic devices or “germ-motives” to achieve long unity between movements. He equally remarkably used many different “source-motives”, which recurred and lent some unity to his life. He touched and made almost every innovation. For example, he diversified and even crystallized, made and brought the more elastic, spacious, and closer rondo. The natural course mostly inspired him, and liked to write descriptive songs.
Ludwig van Beethoven excelled in a great variety of genres, piano, other instrumental for violin, other chamber, and lieder.
People usually divide career of Ludwig van Beethoven into early, middle, and late periods.
In the early period, he is seen as emulating his great predecessors Haydn and Mozart, while concurrently exploring new directions and gradually expanding the scope and ambition of his work. Some important pieces from the Early period are the first and second, the first six, the first three piano, and the first twenty piano, the famous “Pathétique” and “Moonlight."
The Middle (Heroic) period began shortly after Beethoven’s personal crisis centering around his encroaching. The period is noted for large-scale expressing heroism and struggle; these many of the most famous. Middle period six (numbers 3 to 8), the fourth and fifth piano, the triple and violin, five (numbers 7 to 11), the next seven piano (the “Waldstein” and the “Appassionata”), and Beethoven’s only Fidelio.
Beethoven’s Late period began around 1816. The Late-period are characterized by intellectual depth, intense and highly personal expression, and formal innovation (for example, the Op. 131 has seven linked movements, and the Ninth Symphony adds choral forces to the orchestra in the last movement). Many people in his time period do not think these measured up to his first few, and his with J. Reinhold were frowned upon. Of this period also the Missa Solemnis, the last five, and the last five piano.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 15, 2018
A thoroughly candid portrait through letters gives voice to the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven. A melancholy individual suffering from acute deafness of which he rails, “from year to year deceived with hopes of improvement.” Beethoven wrote of life’s joys and sorrows. Some letters severe in tone, expressing irritability with injustice. Others are effective love letters as dazzling in their complexity as his Moonlight Sonata. Most are engaging and compelling. Beethoven manages to capture our imaginations in his letters with the same enthusiasm we cherish his sheet music. “Think of me kindly, and forget my follies.”
March 28, 2020
A great pen writer as he was a musical composer.
November 16, 2019
Wonderful insight into Beethoven’s life. The little idiosyncrasies portrayed in this compilation of his letters was very well done. I laughed out loud at the way he grudgingly gave apologies. Great little read for a hot Sunday afternoon, highly recommended to those who love Beethoven and classical music in general. 🎶
January 12, 2016
This is an engaging window into the world of the Great Man. One was repeatedly amazed at the distractions in his life and his ability to rise above them with courage, sarcasm, and inspiration intact. I read it as part of my preparation to portray Beethoven on stage, but I think anyone who is curious about him would enjoy snooping through his letters for a while.
August 13, 2013
Snarky, funny, and insightful. Had me genuinely laughing out loud sometimes :)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews