Ludwig van Beethoven
Everyone knows this name, whether they are a classical music fan or not. Beethoven is argued to be one of the greatest composers if not THE greatest composer in history. Why is he truly the greatest individual? Because the influence of music reaches absolutely everyone, no matter their age, race, economic class, language, or location, and Beethoven made this art form more relate-able than in the early periods of classical music.
The history of classical music can be divided up into about four periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century. The first two periods, Baroque and Classical, are characterized by a number of rules about the structure and contents of music. If a composer were to break away from these restrictions, their music would get bad reviews from critics and closed-minded audiences and they would soon be out of work. So, to an untrained ear, earlier music all sounds pretty much the same. I personally still do not feel an emotional connection to Baroque music, because I quickly get bored listening to it.
Beethoven entered the music world at the end of the Classical period and himself transitioned everyone into the Romantic period. This period is characterized by feeling and emotion. Music gained not only more complexity, but more simplicity in understanding what is being played. Beethoven broke away from the conventions of early Classical music and wrote what he truly felt rather than what was accepted by high society of that time.
Because music was more easily understood, it gained a wider audience, not just that of the aristocracy. People could feel what Beethoven was trying to convey through his compositions, and so classical music was more highly appreciated in general. Though this was not the case in the beginning of his career.
The premier of his first symphony was not received with open arms. The audience that attended the premier found the symphony strange, overly extravagant, even risque. Beethoven was already pushing the boundaries that were previously set by the Baroque and Classical periods of music. As he composed and premiered each symphony, more and more conventions were pushed and even broken. But, as time passed, it became normal to break the rules, and his music was increasingly more loved, not only by the common people but by future influential composers as well. Franz Liszt went on to transcribe all of Beethoven’s symphonies to piano as well as compose his own works, including his ever famous Hungarian Rhapsodies. Franz Schubert, though never having been close to Beethoven, was a huge fan of his and was forever influenced as is apparent in his music. He was even buried next to Beethoven when he died.
What makes Beethoven even more great was his continuity in the face of adversity. After the premier of his first symphony, he was known to have complained to his friends of his oncoming deafness. In a text he wrote at Heiligenstadt, he expressed his disgust at this fact, that as a musician it was unfair for him to have to deal with such an ailment. Even though he complained, he never gave up or killed himself, as was common in the time period in which he lived. If only for his music, he kept composing. The reason why is expressed in a quote from the man himself: “What is in my heart must come out. That is the reason why I compose.” And his music did convey what was in his heart, because his audiences felt what he felt, and this created a wider appreciation for classical music as a whole.
Why is this appreciation so important? There are more spoken languages in this world than can be counted, and when you add in the number of dialects, understanding everyone just becomes impossible. Music is a language that can be understood by everyone, regardless of the language and dialect of the region. Music brings people together to feel common emotions that are the same for every human being, and because of Beethoven’s transition into a period of increased musical understanding, people internationally are better able to relate to one another.
A good example of his music that clearly conveys emotion is his very well known ‘Ode to Joy’. This music, an excerpt from the last movement of his Ninth and final symphony, is appropriately titled. When you listen to it, you don’t think of how sad it is, or how pensive it is. The piece is a very obvious declaration of happiness that is felt by everyone who listens to it.
Beethoven did not only revolutionize music forever, but in the long run, he improved international relations as well. This is what makes him the Greatest individual in history.
Information gathered from the following websites:
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html
http://www.dsokids.com/2001/dso.asp?PageID=460
http://www.biography.com/articles/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-9204862
June 10th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I think this is very convincing, especially how you mentioned that music is something that everyone can understand and how he changed it forever. Beethoven was an extrodinary composer and you definitely showed that.
good job! :]
June 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I agree with the commenter. You do well to explain how a composer can legitimately be considered one of the greatest people in history. Your comments about music are, as expected, profound. Good images too :).