Ludwig van Beethoven

Question 1

dates

Answer 1

1770-1827

Question 2

where was he born

Answer 2

bonn germany to a musical family

Question 3

family situation

Answer 3

father was a singer and instrumentalist, was harsh and sever who became an alcoholic. received musical training from his father johann

Question 4

first employment

Answer 4

an organist and violinist in court orchestras in bonn

Question 5

history with Mozart

Answer 5

went to Vienna to study with Mozart but his mother’s illness caused him to return to bonn.

Question 6

where did he move after his mother’s death and him becoming head of the household

Answer 6

Vienna, briefly studied with Haydn.

Question 7

influential patrons

Answer 7

prince lobkowitz, prince lichnowsky, and count rasumovsky

Question 8

romantic life

Answer 8

had many romantic infatuations but remained single

Question 9

when did he begin to lose his hearing

Answer 9

mind twenties

Question 10

what is the Heilignestadt testament?

Answer 10

Beethoven’s letter to his brothers describing his turmoil and his contemplation of suicide.

Question 11

when did he gain custody of his nephew Karl?

Answer 11

1820

Question 12

his last years

Answer 12

became very isolated and antisocial. completely deaf.

Question 13

death

Answer 13

march 26, 1827, was highly respected in Vienna, thousands attended his funeral

Question 14

describe his musical style

Answer 14

bold innovator, very original and influential, planned and meticulously revised works in sketchbooks

Question 15

what classical genres did he develop and expand

Answer 15

sonata, concerto, symphony, and string quartet

Question 16

list his innovations

Answer 16

replacing the graceful minuet and trio with the more dramatic scherzo, use of cyclical structure, programmatic elements, inclusion of chorus and soloists in the symphony

Question 17

what new instruments did he incorporate?

Answer 17

piccolo, trombone, contrabassoon

Question 18

early period of Beethoven’s music

Answer 18

• 1782-1802
• absorbed classical style traits inherited from Haydn and Mozart, for example sonata form.

Question 19

middle period of Beethoven’s music

Answer 19

• 1803-1815
• more romantic elements, such as increased chromaticism, abrupt and unusual modulations, epic heroic character

Question 20

late period of Beethoven’s music

Answer 20

1815-1827
- style became more abstract and meditative
- employed counterpoint more frequently
- experimented further with form and content ex chorus to symphony no 9

Question 21

genres

Answer 21

symphonies, concertos, orchestral, chamber, piano, vocal