Transcript Beethoven - Classical Period

Classical Period
1750-1820
Did you notice something?
• There was a difference between the
ending date of the Classical period
from the 1st slide to the 2nd slide.
• Why do you think that there is
discrepancy over when the Classical
period ended?
• Some place the end of the Classical
Period at 1827 when Beethoven died.
• I prefer 1820, because Beethoven’s
later music transitioned to the next
period.
Style of music from Classical period
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Graceful, detailed elaboration
Light, flowing melodies
Short, simple phrases
Use of dance rhythms
Variety and contrast were used
Increased use of crescendo,
decrescendo & sforzando
• Frequent changes in mood
(1770-1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
• 1770 - Born in Bonn, the capital of the
electorate of Cologne (now part of Germany)
• 1789 – Might have briefly studied with Mozart
• 1789 – Mother died
• 1792 – Studied with Haydn
• 1795 – Public debut as pianist &
composer in Vienna
• 1814 – last public appearance as pianist
• 1827 – died in Vienna
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
• Could play piano, organ and violin
• His music is filled with assertiveness,
aggression & passion
• Considered a transitional composer
between Classical & Romantic Periods
• Life divided into 3 periods
• Youth/early manhood (1770-1802)
• Middle life (1803-1812), wrote all forms of music &
most famous works
• Final period (1813-1827), personal stresses led to
small number of works he produced; what he wrote
was serious & intimate
Beethoven’s hearing loss
• 1796 – aware that he was losing his
hearing
• 1799 – quit attending social functions
• 1800 – aware that it was getting worse &
he would likely go deaf
• 1802 – went through depression
• Deaf before he turned 50.
• Broke strings on his piano because he
was pounding the keys trying to hear
the sounds
Beethoven’s music
• Wrote 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 16
string quartets, 30 piano sonatas, 10
sonatas for violin, 5 sonatas for cello, 1
opera, 2 masses & lots of chamber music
• Sonata – a piece in several movements for
small ensemble, soloist with
accompaniment or solo keyboard
• Wrote – Piano Sonata No. 8 (“Pathetique”
Sonata), Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight”
Sonata), Minuet in G, Symphony No. 5 (with
the famous beginning – “Duh, duh, duh,
duh”)
Links for Beethoven’s music
• Piano Sonata No. 8, 1st movement (“Pathetique” Sonata)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQebdkLvD00
• Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight” Sonata)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT7_IZPHHb0
• Minuet in G
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXRJwspGU0
• Symphony No. 5, 1st movement
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T3D5Q6Eq2w&feature=related