Ludwig van Beethoven – Best Of Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven, (Baptized December 17, 1770, died March 26, 1827) was a German composer and virtuoso pianist. He was an important figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, and remains one of the most famous and influential musicians of all time.
Born in Bonn, Germany, he moved to Vienna, Austria, in his early twenties and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. Beethoven’s hearing gradually deteriorated beginning in his twenties, yet he continued to compose masterpieces, and to conduct and perform, even after he was completely deaf.
Around 1796, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitus, a “ringing” in his ears that made it hard for him to perceive and appreciate music; he also avoided conversation. He lived for a time in the small Austrian town of Heiligenstadt, just outside Vienna. Here he wrote his Heiligenstadt Testament, which records his resolution to continue living for and through his art. Over time, his hearing loss became profound: there is a well-attested story that, at the end of the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, he had to be turned around to see the tumultuous applause of the audience; hearing nothing, he began to weep. Beethoven’s hearing loss did not prevent his composing music, but it made concerts?lucrative sources of income?increasingly difficult.
Beethoven used a special rod attached to the soundboard on a piano that he could bite?the vibrations would then transfer from the piano to his jaw to increase his perception of the sound. A large collection of his hearing aids such as special ear horns can be viewed at the Beethoven House Museum in Bonn, Germany. By 1814 Beethoven was totally deaf, and when visitors saw him play a loud arpeggio or thundering bass notes at his piano remarking, “Ist es nicht sch?n?” (Isn’t that beautiful?), they felt deep sympathy, and saw his courage and sense of humor.
As a result of Beethoven’s hearing loss, a unique historical record has been preserved: his conversation books. His friends wrote in the book so that he could know what they were saying, and he then responded either verbally or in the book. The books contain discussions about music and other issues, and give insights into his thinking; they are a source for investigation into how he felt his music should be performed, and also his perception of his relationship to art. Some of the conversation books were altered or destroyed after Beethoven’s death by Anton Schindler.
Tracklist:
1. Symphony No. 5 (Allegro Con Brio)
2. Moonlight Sonata (Adagio)_2
3. Fidelio (Overture)
4. 9th Symphany (Choral)
5. Fur Elise
6. Symphany No. 6 Pastorale (Allegro)
7. Pathetique Sonata
8. Symphany No. 3 (Scherzo)
9. Piano Concerto No. 3 Emperor (Rondo)
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admin Music Books, Choral, Concerto, House, Piano, Symphony
