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Ludwig van Beethoven
Composer
1770 - 1827
My heart is full of many things...
there are moments when I feel that
speech is nothing after all.
—Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 17, 1770 in Bonn, in the Rhineland of Germany. He lived in Vienna from 1792 until his death. Beethoven's Father and Grandfather were court musicians. Ludwig carried on the family tradition in exemplary form, becoming one of history's greatest composers.
Beethoven's dynamic musical style infused his compositions with his confidence and enthusiasm. Again and again dissonance is resolved with rejoicing. Fate is trampled by triumphant music. Turbulence in his personal life, including his becoming incurably deaf at 29, tested Beethoven's natural optimism. He surmounted these difficulties through a rigorous regime of composition. In his later career Beethoven's music was even more free and imaginative.
On his deathbed Beethoven was planning a tenth symphony, a composer to the very end. Despite his notoriously brusque manner, Beethoven was revered by Viennese society as its greatest celebrity. His funeral was attended by 20,000 friends and admirers.
If you are aware of books, movies, databases, web sites or other information sources about Beethoven or related subjects, or if you would like to comment, please send us email: .
Resources
• Other Composers in the Lucidcafé Library
• Books About Beethoven
• DVDs/Videos About Beethoven
• Beethoven Music on CD
• Ludwig van Beethoven Images
• Related Websites
Other Composers in the Lucidcafé Library
Books About Beethoven
- Beethoven: The Music and the Life - Author: Lewis Lockwood
Lockwood concentrates on Beethoven's music and his development as a composer, including the impact of previous masters Handel, Bach, Mozart and Haydn on his art.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Beethoven: The Music and the Life" - Beethoven - Author: Maynard Solomon
Solomon artfully blends history, psychology, sociology, and musicology to reveal Beethoven's life, music, motivations and his era.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "Beethoven" - Beethoven - Author: Barry Cooper
This biography integrates Beethoven's feelings and motivations with his music, explaining how events in his life influenced his work.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "Beethoven" - The Beethoven Compendium: A Guide to Beethoven's Life and Music - Author: Barry Cooper (Editor)
An excellent resource for researching the life and works of Beethoven.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "The Beethoven Compendium"
DVDs/Videos About Beethoven
- Copying Beethoven (2006) - Studio: MGM
A passionate, powerful drama based loosely on the final months of Ludwig van Beethoven's life, starring Ed Harris and Diane Kruger.
CLICK HERE to purchase this DVD edition of "Copying Beethoven" - Barenboim on Beethoven - The Complete Piano Sonatas Live from Berlin (2007) - Studio: EMI Classics
World-class pianist Daniel Barenboim performs all of Beethoven's piano sonatas in this 6 DVD set. Spectacular!
CLICK HERE to purchase this DVD edition of "Barenboim on Beethoven" - Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992) - Studio: Wea/Atlantic/Children's Group
Excellent video for children. Weaves accurate information about Beethoven's life into the story.
CLICK HERE to purchase this DVD edition of "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" - Biography - Beethoven: The Sound And The Fury (2000) - Studio: A&E Entertainment
CLICK HERE to purchase this Video edition of "Biography - Beethoven"
Beethoven Music on CD
- Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)
Conductor Janos Ferencsik and the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra deliver balanced and lovingly conceived performances of Beethoven's Symphonies 1 through 9.
CLICK HERE to purchase this audio CD edition of "Symphonies Nos. 1-9" - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 27/2, "Moonlight," Opp. 26, 27/1, & 49
Beethoven Piano Sonatas played by leading Beethovenian Stephen Kovacevich.
CLICK HERE to purchase this audio CD edition of "Piano Sonatas" - Beethoven: Symphonies No. 1 & 2
Beethovens 1st and 2nd symphonies conducted by Gunter Wand and performed by NDR-Sinfonieorchester.
CLICK HERE to purchase this audio CD edition of "Symphonies No. 1 & 2" - Beethoven: Symphony 9 (Dm) Opus. 125/Missa Solem
Beethovens 9th conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
CLICK HERE to purchase this audio CD edition of "Symphony 9" - Conducts Beethoven-Symphony 5/6/Ovs
Beethovens 5th and 6th conducted by Jascha Horenstein.
CLICK HERE to purchase this audio CD edition of "Symphony 5/6/Ovs"
Related Websites
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Copyright © 1995-2008 Robin Chew
Article written by Robin Chew - December 1995
