Ludwig von Beethoven

1. Ludwig von Beethoven Music Appreciation Final Project

3. Biography The actual birthday of Ludwig von Beethoven is unknown but historians believe from records that it was around December 16, 1770. At an early age Beethoven’s father started teaching him music. His father was known as an alcoholic and was a very harsh teacher. In spite of the harsh teaching Beethoven showed signs of being a great musician. Beethoven’s first recital was on March 26, 1778. Beethoven was an average student in school and struggled with it so much that he quit school at the age of ten to study music full time and by age twelve he had written his first composition. By 1784 Beethoven’s father was unable to support the family so the responsibility fell to him. He supported his family by becoming an assistant court organist. In 1787 the court sent Beethoven to Vienna to study with Mozart. After a short time in Vienna Beethoven received word that his mother was ill and rushed home to be with her. He returned to Vienna years later and that was when he met Joseph Haydn. After returning to Vienna Beethoven devoted himself to music and it was on March 29, 1795 that he had his public debut. It was at this point in his life that his music career really took off. He wrote piece after piece. It was also during this time that he had to accept and come to terms with the fact that he was going deaf. “From 1803-1812, what is known as his "middle" or "heroic" period, he composed an opera, six symphonies, four solo concerti, five string quartets, six string sonatas, seven piano sonatas, five sets of piano variations, four overtures, four trios, two sextets and 72 songs.” (Biogrophy.com) Some composed some of his most famous works towards the end of his life in spite of being deaf. Some of Beethoven’s greatest works include “Moonlight Sonata”, “Kreutzer”, and “Symphony no. 9”. At the age of 56 Beethoven died on March 26, 1827 having achieved the widely accepted title of greatest composer of all time.

4. “Moonlight Sonata” For my music selection I chose to do Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”. The sonata was written in 1801 and was not originally named the moonlight sonata. Beethoven dedicated the piece to the countess GiuliettaGucciardi who was a pupil of his. It was in 1836 that Ludwig Rellstab gave it the name moonlight sonata because it reminded him of the reflected moonlight on Lake Lucerne. The sonata is made up of three parts adagio sostenuto, allegretto, and presto agitato. The first part is a bit dark and mysterious with a sullen mood. The second part is relatively short and connects the first and third parts together. The third and final part is much longer and faster then the first two giving the sonata a powerful ending.

5. Listening Guide “Moonlight Sonata” • 0:00 the beginning of the first section. It starts with a slow triple meter repeating itself, the volume is piano this section, the tone of the music goes up and down making it feel happier at moments • 2:45 melody changes from three notes repeating to a run of notes and then back to the melody of the three notes repeating at 3:25 • 5:50 music slows to almost a stop and there are long pauses between the notes as the end of the first section comes to an end • 6:00 Second section begins this section starts with more of a staccato rhythm the tempo picks up and the mood lightens volume moves to metso forte • 6:34 there is a repeat from the previous 30 seconds • 6:50 A less staccato melody starts to play but still has moments of the staccato rhythm • 8:00 the third section begins, again the tempo picks up and the notes jump and move a lot faster volume becomes forte • 8:30 Very quick runs start and repeat giving a rushed stressful feel to the rhythm • 8:40 becomes a little disjunct with the jumps from one note to another • 9:00 becomes slightly less staccato with fast smooth runs of notes that grow and then drop and then grow again. • 9:40 goes back to the staccato disjunct mode again • 10:30 slows to the runs of notes again then back to the disjunct staccato • 11:00 tempo slows and the volume comes down as if a breath is being taken • 11:20 jumps back to the louder staccato feel then slows to less staccato but still disjunct • 12:18 slows to almost a stop then jumps back into a loud staccato rhythm • 12:40 slows slightly and repeats a section like at the beginning of section 3 • 13:00 starts to slow as if coming to and end but has notes that surprise a bit by being loud and fast • 14:15 Slows even more and runs of notes take the tone up and down getting softer with each one • 14:50 tempo picks back up for a few notes then the music end with two short loud outbursts

6. Bibliography • Beethoven, All about. All About Beethoven. 2006. 8 May 2014. <http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/moonsonata.html>. • Biogrophy.com. Ludwig von Beethoven. 2014. 8 May 2014. • Green, Aaron. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. 2014. 8 May 2014. <http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/onestopbeethoven/a/moonlightsonata.htm>.