Beethoven’s Musical Reality Essay example - 3801 Words

People with even the most minimal musical knowledge recognize the name Beethoven as an august and classical composer. Most are also aware that he became deaf later in life and was known to have a sporadic temper. Beyond these basic assumptions, this research looks to unearth not only the psychological aspects of Beethoven’s personal life, but also how those aspects and other major events in his life affect his composition. Beethoven was born in December of 1770, baptized on the 17th, in the small city of Bonn, Germany. He came from a musical family, his grandfather having been the†¦show more content†¦This is the first hint of personal events impacting the style of Beethoven’s music. Others that lived on the Bonngasse included the Salomons, the father, which played fiddle for the opera, two daughters who sang in court, and an impresario violinist that travelled and performed in Berlin and London. Others included the Rieses’, who Ludwig took violin lesso ns from, and Simrock, who was a hornist. (Schauffler). On the Bonngasse there was a string trio that often played together at the Beethoven/Salomon household. The first example of a composition that Beethoven wrote based on social interactions was his String Trio in E Flat (Op. 3). This composition from early in his development was called a â€Å"delightful composition [that] reveals its maker as a young chap who had plumbed the distressful vicissitudes of the amateur string quartet party† (Schauffler). Being around this class and style of musician helped form the some of his earliest music, most of which was based heavily the practices of famous musicians and composers before him. Ludwig’s first true teacher came in 1779 when Christian Gottlob Neefe arrived in Bonn. Having such an excellent all-around musician as a mentor for the young Beethoven was essential at his most moldable age. Neefe taught Beethoven the finer arts of composition in that he taught the process of putting his already existing melodiesShow MoreRelatedThe Works Of William Shakespeare s Beethoven 1260 Words   |  6 Pagesonly was it his only opera, but he rewrote it three times with at least â€Å"four different overtures† (Hanning 378). If this does not show Beethoven’s quality is his work then what does? He wanted this opera to be absolutely perfect, and it was fantastic! Not only were the music and words great, but Beethoven made sure to have a strong plot line to back it up. â€Å"Beethoven’s music transforms this conventional material, making the chief character, Leonore, an idealized figure of sublime courage and self-denial†Read MoreJoseph Haydn ( 1732-1809 ) And Ludwig Van Beethoven915 Words   |  4 Pagesauthority. During his late childhood, Beethoven became withdrawn from abuse; his musical talent notwithstanding, was forcibly cultured in order for his father to take advantage of his prodigy. 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