Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Possibly the most revolutionary and effective composer of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies with sketches for a tenth, 5 piano concerti, a violin concerto, 32 sonatas (not 23 like it says up there), 16 string quartets, and other various works: in all, over 130 number opera (plural of opus) and numerous other works labeled 'work without opus'. His five piano concerti have sold more copies than almost any other classical record. Beethoven was composer in both the classical and romantic periods. His third symphony in Eb major, "eroica," is said to be the beginning of the romantic period.
Near his last 20 years of life, he finally accepted he was going deaf and went into a state of severe depression, during which he composed very little, but what he did compose, including the famous "chorale" symphony in Dm (no. 9), was great. Unfortunately, his opera, Fidelio, failed horribly because of Beethoven's diminishing hearing.
The greatest mistake of Beethoven's career was Work Without Opus No. 59: Bagatelle in A minor (Für Elise for you non-musicologists). This piece, besides mozart's K 545, is the most-spammed piece by pianists in the history of the world. In fact, it pisses them off, so just don't play it!
Famous Pieces by Beethoven include:
Symphony No. 3 in Eb major "eroica"
Symphony No. 5 in Cm
Symphony No. 6 in F major "pastorale"
Symphony No. 9 in Dm "chorale"
Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb major "emperor"
Piano Sonata No. 8 in Cm "pathetique"
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C#m "moonlight" (quasi un fantasia)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in Bb major "hammerklavier"
33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli
WoO 59 in Am "Für Elise"
Music store customer #1: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
(10 minutes later)
Music store customer #2: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
(30 minutes later)
Music store customer #3: I'll have a copy of Für Elise.
Actually talented pianist: OMG why did beethoven even write that?
174👍 21👎
German composer who lived 1770-1827.
Composer of 9 syphonies, 23 piano sonatas and numerous other woks, is aknowledged by many as one of the greatest classical composers the world has ever seen.
He began to lose his hearing in 1801, and pursued a rather erratic form of behavior. His opera, Fidelio, completely flopped and Beethoven had to revise it several times. He also became depressed because of his failure in his desire to become married. However, it was during this time he wrote "Symphony no.9", (while completely deaf) which is now reconized by many as the finest Symphony ever composed.
Other famous works include:
Sonata Pathetique Op. 13
Sonata quasi una Fantasia, Op. 27
Symphony 5
Fur Elise
He is amongst the "Big Four" of the classical composing community, with Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
While the era of classical music may be past, almost everyone who walks the earth today can hum the first few bars the Fifth Symphony.
379👍 89👎
A deaf 18th century composer who "heard" notes in their head by feeling the vibrations from the piano. Rivals even the "great" Mozart, and ushered in a new era of classical music called romanticism. Popular works that are remixed now include: 5th Symphony, Moonlight Sonata, and Fur Elise.
Beethoven wrote the Moonlight Sonata on the piano for a female student that he loved dearly.
70👍 46👎
The greatest piano player in the universe. Can/Could play the piano faster than you could say the word piano.
Also he has awesome songs, Moonlight Sonata and Beethoven 9th. His songs often get remixed, which are pretty awesome too.
Person 1: LLZOZL!!! IM AS GOOD AS BEETHOVEN AHAHAH!!
Person 2: Er, no you are not...
Beethoven: LOL, IM BEETHOVEN AND I SAY I WIN, *plays piano at 600 MPH* sorry what?
53👍 59👎
The best composer this world has ever seen, or will ever see again, save for Mozart.
It doesn't get much better than Beethoven's 9th.
54👍 66👎
When cumming in a girl's ear while she's sleeping and it hardens, and she wakes up and she thinks she's deaf.
I totally beethovened this girl after she passed out last night.
37👍 63👎