Beethoven: The Man and the Artist, as Revealed in His Own Words (Dodo Press) - Softcover

Beethoven, Ludwig Van

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1406537381 ISBN 13: 9781406537383

Publisher: Dodo Press, 2007

Synopsis

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a German composer. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of music, and was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. His music and his reputation inspired - and in many cases intimidated - ensuing generations of composers, musicians, and audiences. While primarily known today as a composer, Beethoven was also a celebrated pianist. 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. Despite gradual hearing loss beginning in his twenties, Beethoven continued to produce notable masterpieces throughout his life, even when he was almost totally deaf. Beethoven was also one of the first composers to work freelance - arranging subscription concerts, selling his compositions to publishers, and gaining financial support from a number of wealthy patrons - rather than seek out permanent employment by the church or by an aristocratic court.

About this title

About the Author:

Ludwig van Beethoven baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, his great Mass the Missa solemnis, and one opera, Fidelio. Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven and by composer and conductor Christian Gottlob Neefe. At the age of 21 he moved to Vienna, where he began studying composition with Joseph Haydn and gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. By his late 20s his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life he was almost completely deaf. In 1811 he gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from these last 15 years of his life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dodo Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1406537381
• ISBN 13: 9781406537383
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 88
• Editor: Kerst Friedrich, Krehbiel Henry Edward