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Composer Profile 5
Ludwig van Beethoven
The Master.
Beethoven would have to be the best known composer of the lot. Indeed, he cannot be ignored, and few people fail to be moved by the drama, power and intellect of his music.
Perhaps Beethoven is best-known for the fact that he turned deaf, in his prime.
To music lovers, however, he is the composer who most dramatically changed the course of music. His powerful influence continues to this day. That he was deaf to much of his own music is simply unbelievable.
There was hardly an area of music at the time that Beethoven did not attempt, perfect and then revolutionise. Listening today, you hear music that runs the gamut from the energetic melodies of his earlier years to the mind-bogging, incomprehensible and sinewy sounds of his last. (If you don’t believe me, try the Grosse Fugue, op.133). Obviously, this list adds to the beautiful tunes already covered.
Here’s a taste of Beethoven’s dramatic and tuneful genius:
- Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, op.69 – 4. Allegro vivace
- Egmont Overture, op.84
- Piano Concerto No. 3 in c minor, op.37 – 3. Rondo. Allegro
- Piano Sonata No. 17 in d minor, op.31, “The Tempest” – 3. Allegretto
- Piano Sonata No. 23 in f major, op.57, “Appassionata” – 1. Allegro assai
- Quintet in Eb major for Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon, op.16 – 3. Rondo. Allegro ma non trio.
- Symphony No.3 in E flat Major, op.55, “Eroica” – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) & Trio
- Symphony No. 7 in A major, op.92 – 2. Allegretto
- (Violin) Romance No. 1 in G major, op.40
- Violin Sonata no. 5 in F major, op.24, “Spring” – 1. Allegro
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