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Classical Questions

Classical Questions. The opening of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony was associated with what during WW II? Morse code for “V”, meaning victory. Who wrote the “Ode to Joy” which was set by Beethoven? Schiller Which of Beethoven’s symphonies uses the “Ode to Joy”? the 9th. Beethoven Questions.

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Classical Questions

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  1. Classical Questions • The opening of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony was associated with what during WW II? • Morse code for “V”, meaning victory. • Who wrote the “Ode to Joy” which was set by Beethoven? • Schiller • Which of Beethoven’s symphonies uses the “Ode to Joy”? • the 9th

  2. Beethoven Questions • Beethoven substituted the________in place of the minuet in his symphonies. • scherzo • How many symphonies did Beethoven write? • 9 • What makes were Beethoven’s last two pianos? • Broadwood and Graf • Which of Beethoven’s pianos was strung with 4 strings per note? • the Graf

  3. Beethoven on Beethoven’s Pianos • Fur Elise • Beethoven’s most loved composition for beginners and amateurs • composed in 1810 • Who is Elise? • Theresa Malfatti, daughter of Beethoven’s doctor • Beethoven intended to marry her • In Beethoven’s hand writing, Theresa and Elsia look alike • Played on a Broadwood piano • 1815 • Given to the composer by the London Philharmonic Society • Beethoven loved the instrument and used it so much that, at the time of his death, the piano was ruined

  4. Beethoven on Beethoven’s Pianos • Passed to various owners • Franz Liszt • Budapest Museum for Old Instruments • Sent to Bonn for the bicentenary of Beethoven’s birth - December 16, 1970

  5. Beethoven on Beethoven’s Pianos • Bagatelle in E-flat Major, op. 126, No. 3 • From Beethoven’s last collection of Bagatelles, Op. 126 • Played on a Graf piano • In the collection of the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn • Presented to Beethoven by Conrad Graf • Graf tried to strengthen the sound with 4 strings in the upper register • Beethoven was very happy with this piano • Graf also built pianos for the Schumanns, Chopin, Mendelssohn and Schubert • Performances by Jorg Demus, December 16, 1970, in the Beethoven House in Bonn

  6. Beethoven’s Place inthe classical tradition • Called the culmination of the Classical era • The heir to Haydn and Mozart • Radical • Showing new possibilities for music • All composers must now consider Beethoven’s accomplishments

  7. Beethoven’s Life and Career • Born in Bonn in 1770 • Musical talent at an early age • First public appearance in 1778 • 1787 went to Vienna to study with Mozart • Mother ill, could not return to Vienna until 1792 (Mozart was dead at this time) • Studied with Haydn • 1790s made reputation in Vienna as a pianist • Gradually became known as a composer

  8. Beethoven’s Career • End of decade was ready for the symphony and string quartet • Career divided into three sections • early, middle and late • The middle period is called the heroic decade • began with the Eroica symphony of 1803 • most famous works have a drive previously unknown • 1813 - 1819 change from middle period to late period • Suffered from a total loss of hearing and withdrawal from social life

  9. Beethoven’s Career • Works of great power • 9th symphony • Hammerklavier sonata • All classical elements compressed into compact forms • The music was misunderstood in his day • Now seen as some of the most imaginative works of musical art

  10. Musical Vienna • Capital of the Austrian Empire • The crossroads of musical influence • The modern concert series was just getting started • Much of Beethoven’s music was heard in the church as part of the service or in the homes of wealthy aristocrats • Early public concerts • The middle class expressed interest in music

  11. Musical Vienna • Concerts were very different than they are today • 3-4 hours long • variety was the order • a movement of a symphony, arias, solos, improvisations, concertos, choral work, more symphony • Audiences consisted of aristocrats and middle class • Pieces were not identified as they are today

  12. Symphony No. 5 in C minor • While sketches of the 5th symphony date to 1804, it was composed mostly in 1807. • The premiered took place on December 22, 1808, in Vienna. • The all-Beethoven concert lasted from 6:30P.M.-10:30P.M. and consisted of: • The 6th Symphony • The 5th Symphony • The 4th Piano Concerto • The Choral Fantasy • A concert aria Ah, perfido • Two movements from the Mass in C • E.T.A. Hoffmann reviewed the program. Hoffmann viewed Beethoven as a colossal new figure in music. • Beethoven said “Thus Fate knocks at the door.”

  13. Beethoven’s Orchestra • Strings: • Violins in two sections • Violas • Cellos • Double basses • Woodwinds in pairs: • Flutes (introduced the piccolo in the 5th) • Oboes • Clarinets (added in the 1780s) • Bassoons (introduced the contra bassoon in the 5th) • Brass • Horns • Trumpets • Trombones (introduced the trombone in the 5th) • Percussion • Timpani

  14. Symphony No. 5 in C minor • 1st mvt. - Beethoven achieves unity through the use of a “motive” - the famous 4-note figure • 2nd mvt. - For a change of pace and mood, Beethoven alternates between variations of two themes • 3rd mvt. - A scherzo - light and rapid - in A-B-A form with a contrasting section called a “trio” (three instruments?) this section leads into the finale • 4th mvt. - A Sonata-Allegro form, Beethoven adds trombones, piccolo and contrabassoon to the orchestra, extending the range of sound while also giving it weight and power

  15. New Ideas • Virtually no introduction in the first movement • Economical thematic material (the 4-note motive) used for the entire work gives it remarkable unity • Oboe cadenza in the re-capitulation of the 1st movement • Extended coda • Two themes with variations • Scherzo and trio • Transition using material from the 4-note motive • Finale is in a major tonality rather than the key of the piece (c minor) • Addition of piccolo, contrabassoon, trombone to the orchestra

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