Ludwig Van Beethoven 12/17/1770-3/26/1827

Power point Presentation

by:

Jen Powell

Biography of Beethoven- Highlights

Born in Bonn, Germany on or around December 16, 1770

His baptism was recorded on December 17, 1770

He was the eldest of 3 surviving children.

His other four siblings did not survive beyond early childhood.

Beethoven at age 13 About Young Beethoven

Learned violen and piano at an early age

Ten year old drop out

Wrote and published “Kurfurst” at the age of twelve

Biography Highlights

Young Beethoven

Cont’d.

Went to Vienna to study with Mozart

Had to come home because his mom was sick

Cared for his brothers after his mom died

Composed “Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II” at age 19

Became well-known as a pianist in his early 20’s

Published a series of piano trios

Composed hisfirst symphony

Became deaf

Biography Highlights Cont’d

Reached his “heroic period” or “middle period” at the turn of the century.

He composed several pieces one after another

Became ill and was bedridden for a few months.

Died March 26, 1827, at the age of 56

The Legacy of Ludwig Van Beethoven

Lonely, depressed and angry man

Some of the most famous classical music in history

His work is still easy to recognize by all age groups

Published 138 pieces of music

History of the Moonlight Sonata

Quick Facts

Originally named Sonata Number 14 in C sharp minor, ‘Sonata quasi una fantasia’

Written in the summer of 1801.

More often recognized in name as “The Moonlight Sonata”

The Three Parts of the Moonlight Sonata

Movement 1: the Adagio Sostenuto. Slow, mellow, relaxed

Movement 2: Allegretto.The middle. A bridge between the other parts

Movement 3: Presto Agitato. Compared to the likes of a storm.

Love? Frustration?

Written for Countess Giulietta Guiccardi?

How he felt about going deaf?

What was Beethoven’s motivation behind this piece?

Listening Guide to The Moonlight Sonata

Movement 1

0:00- Adagio Sostenuto begins

1: 37- Tempo slows

3:30 Melody starts over

5:16 Melody becomes more intense

Movement 1 ends at 6:00

Movement 2

6:00 Movement two begins.

Quicker and lighter/more airy pace

Happy feel

7:00 Melody starts to mellow down

8:04 Movement 2 ends

Movement 3

8:06 Part 3 begins fiercely! 8:18 Imagine a thunder storm at it’s most

wild part.Melody repeats11:00 “storm” is still going but is winding

down. No more thunder- just a downpour.

Movement 3 Cont’d

12:19 Thunder and Lightning comes back.Melody is loud and persistent- like a second

wind.14:13 desending steps begin. Huge ascending- at 14:22 followed by a

descend just as large14:56 Moonlight Sonata abruptly ends.

Link to Moonlight Sonata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU