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00081_Field_beethoven.txt
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People In Music History
Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827) German composer, born in Bonn; son and
grandson of musicians. Published a piano piece at the age of 12; worked shortly
afterward as pianist, organist, viola player. Went to Vienna, 1792 (to study
with Haydn, but did not stay with him), and remained and died there. Many love
affairs, but never married. Brought up as Roman Catholic but came to hold
unorthodox deistic views. From 1801, developed deafness, becoming total by
about 1824 -- after composition of symphony no. 9 (Choral) but before the last
five quartets. Vastly extended the form and scope of the symphony (he wrote 9,
not including Wellington's Victory; no. 3 is the Eroica), and also of the piano
concerto (he wrote 5; no. 5 the so-called Emperor), the string quartet (16 and
Great Fugue), the piano sonata (32). Other works include opera Fidelio; ballet
The Creatures of Prometheus; Mass (Missa solemnis) in D and a smaller Mass in
C; oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives; violin concerto, triple concerto
(piano, violin, cello); Choral Fantasia; theater music; Name-Day overture;
Equali for trombones; 10 violin sonatas (no. 9, Kreutzer); Archduke and Ghost
piano trios; songs; piano pieces, including Diabelli and Prometheus variations.
The so-called Jena symphony is not by him. His works are indexed by Kinsky.