Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Would you like to know more about Beethoven’s music but are a busy person? Ludwig van Beethoven is a titanic figure in classical music. Along with Bach and Mozart, Beethoven is one of the composers you’re really going to want to check out. Keep reading to explore Beethoven’s beautiful music in less than four minutes.
How to use the videos:
- Listen to 9 seconds (of actual music) of each piece.
- Usually this will be enough for you to tell if you want to listen to more.
- That way you can vet all the pieces in less than a minute.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Exploring Beethoven’s Beautiful Music: A Quick Look at the Man
Despite going deaf at a relatively young age, Beethoven went on to be a pivotal figure in music history:
- In fact, you could argue that he wasn’t just great in spite of his disability (though he still would have been historically important) but that he achieved greatness as he strived to deal with the adversity caused by his hearing problems.
- And he succeeded too.
- His compositions had a tremendous impact on the generation of composers that followed him, and as a result his art transformed classical music.
Exploring Beethoven’s Beautiful Music: A Quick Look at His Compositions
Here’s a quick guide to Beethoven’s compositions categorized by genre:
Symphonies
Beethoven greatly expanded the symphony’s scope, both in its length and in its formal structure (e.g., Symphony No. 5). In addition, Symphony No. 9 is the first symphony to add vocalists, which became a wildly popular option with later classical composers. (However, Symphony No. 9 was not the first orchestral work to add a chorus.)
Popular Works Today:
- Symphony No. 3
- Symphony No. 7
- Symphony No. 9
Video: Symphony No. 5, Mvt. 1
Solo Piano
Beethoven’s piano sonatas are some of his most important solo piano pieces. They mark his transition from the classical tradition into a more personal style (e.g., Moonlight Sonata and Sonata No. 8). Likewise, his piano variations represent another important part of his keyboard repertoire. They show his ingenious ability to work with motifs – the most famous being his Diabelli Variations. In addition, his short piano pieces (e.g., Fur Elise and Rage Over a Lost Penny) still charm and delight audiences to this day.
Popular Works Today:
- Moonlight Sonata
- Diabelli Variations
- Fur Elise
Video: Fur Elise
Concertos
A classical concerto is basically a symphony that features a solo instrument, such as a piano, violin, or cello. During a concerto, the solo instrument will put on a virtuosic display of technique, especially during the cadenzas. Of Beethoven’s five piano concertos, the Emperor Concerto is his most popular.
Popular Works Today:
- Violin Concerto
- Concerto No. 5 (Emperor)
- Piano Concerto No. 1
Video: Emperor Concerto, Mvt. 1
Vocal Works
Though Beethoven only wrote one opera, it’s an important and unique addition to the operatic tradition. It tells a tale of courage in the pursuit of freedom. In addition, he wrote seventeen choral works, including two masses (e.g., Missa Solemnis and Mass in C Major). Conversely, he wrote almost 100 lieder and arranged over 150 folksongs.
Popular Works Today:
- Fidelio (Opera)
- Missa Solemnis (Choral Work)
- Adelaide (Lieder)
Video: Fidelio's Final Chorus
Chamber Music
Chamber ensembles perform compositions for small groups of instruments, such as trios, quartets, quintets, etc. They can be for string, woodwind, or brass instruments. Beethoven’s string quartets contain some of his most experimental music. Today’s video is a piano trio.
Popular Works Today:
- Trio for Piano and Strings, Op. 70, No. 2
- String Quartet No. 14, Op. 131
- Quintet Op. 16
Video: Trio for Piano and Strings, Mvt. 2
Overtures
Originally, opera and ballet overtures were the opening music before the dramatic portion of the show began. However, overtures eventually broke off from these stage works to become stand-alone concert overtures. Did Beethoven write the first concert overture? Short answer: maybe. Regardless, his overtures constitute an important part of his orchestral legacy.
Popular Works Today:
- Egmont Overture
- Leonore Overture
- Fidelio Overture
Video: Egmont Overture
Final Thoughts on “Explore Beethoven’s Beautiful Music in Less Than Four Minutes”
Takeaway points:
- Despite going deaf at a relatively young age, Beethoven went on to become a pivotal figure in music history.
- Though he’s best known for his orchestral and piano pieces, he also made significant contributions to the chamber and vocal repertoire.
- Whatever styles of music he wrote, he left a lasting creative imprint on those musical genera, strongly influencing the following generations of classical composers.
Have fun listening!
Related Posts
- Explore Bach’s Epic Orchestral Music in Less Than Four Minutes
- Explore Bach’s Hypnotic Choral Music in Less Than Four Minutes
- Explore Handel’s Captivating Music in Less Than Four Minutes
- Explore Mozart’s Enchanting Music in Less Than Four Minutes
- D’you Want Some Music Tips and Tricks I’ve Learned Over the Years?
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
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