Lecture: Beethoven--The Composer and Man
Beethoven -- The Tragic Genius
Last week we showcased Mozart, one of the most important composers and compelling figures in classical music. This week we look at Beethoven, an equally talented composer. Beethoven stands out for writing compositions with extraordinary depth and a wide ranges of emotion, more so than are generally found in Mozart's compositions. He is also a compelling character in the sense that he wrote his best music while either becoming deaf or almost totally deaf.
This week we look at Beethoven, perhaps the most talented western classical composer. Beethoven stands out for writing compositions with extraordinary depth and that evoke a wide range of emotion, more so than are generally found in Mozart's compositions. He is also a compelling character in the sense that he wrote his best music while either becoming deaf or almost totally deaf.
Generally speaking, most classical music scholars and historians rank Beethoven, Mozart and Bach as the three greatest composers of all time. Last week, you discovered Mozart who wrote lasting, memorable compositions that raised standards of musicianship. Bach standardized the use of the equal tempered scale (something we have not covered thus far in the course), which further expanded the range of possibilities for composers composing in the symphonic tradition. Almost all agree that Beethoven stands above the others as the greatest composer of all time. Why?
Beethoven's most significant accomplishment is to move the Classical Period into the Romantic period, in which the expression of emotion is the most important element. In addition to that, he wrote nine brilliant symphonies that expanded the symphonic form. Lastly, Beethoven’s works were deeply emotional and innovative for the time.
There is more to Beethoven than just his music. What I find most fascinating about the man and his music is his unique ability to render a broad and dynamic range of emotions through his music, perhaps more so than any other composer in any other style of music on the planet. Beethoven suffered greatly from chronic illnesses and from the most painfully ironic condition ever imaginable for a composer--deafness. These struggles became his music, and the listener in many instances can glimpse his torment through his music. Yet, his music also expresses great tenderness and compassion as well as love and longing.
Compare this for a minute with pop music, including mainstream rock. What are the predominant emotions in these styles of music? Probably, at the top of the list would be love. Some writers and musicians summarize (or dismiss) the entire history of rock with three words: sex, drugs and rock and roll. The point is that the range of emotions in popular styles of music are very limited in comparison to what Beethoven accomplished with his music. In this sense, Beethoven is real (not a copy), very much human, and a creative genius, a word I do not use often.
What I have attempted to do with the readings this week is to give you an insight into who Beethoven was and what his music was about. You will also closely examine some of Beethoven's musical works and how they link with broader social issues of his time (remember, it's about music and culture) as well as how it connects with his personal life, including his struggles with illness and deafness.
Historians remain fascinated with Beethoven. They have gone over all the letters Beethoven wrote to friends and family, looking for clues about his illnesses and what may have caused his death and deafness. Some speculated that his deafness was caused by his father beating him on the head whenever Beethoven played a bad note on the piano or by contracting syphillus. However, thanks to modern technology and a lock of Beethoven's hair, these mysteries may have been deciphered, and you will also read about these as well.