Ludwig van Beethoven: works

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Famous composer and pianist, one of those whose name is strongly associated with classical music. Author of more than 650 compositions of instrumental and vocal music of various genres. Among them are symphonies, concertos, overtures, sonatas, operas, oratorios, songs (including arrangements of folk melodies), music for dramas, ballet and much more. He wrote compositions for several types of keyboard, wind and string instruments. His name is Ludwig van Beethoven. The works of this musical genius continue to amaze music lovers and connoisseurs even almost 200 years after his death. This article will discuss the musical we alth that the German composer left behind.

Symphonic music

This part of creativity includes works performed by a symphony orchestra with a wide variety of instruments and often with the participation of a choir. Beethoven wrote such music very actively. The works, the list of which includes symphonies, overtures, concertos and other compositions, are very diverse and widely known.

The most frequently performed concerts are:

• triple concerto for violin, cello andpiano;
• violin concerto;
• five concertos for piano and orchestra.

Symphony No. 5 is Beethoven's most famous work for orchestra. Works of such power are hard to find in the history of classical music. It represents the triumph of the power of the individual and victory over circumstances.

Other interesting compositions include: Symphony No. 3 ("Heroic"), Fantasy for piano, choir and orchestra ("Choral Fantasy"), Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral") and others.

Chamber music

String quartets, piano and string quartets, as well as sonatas - violin, cello and piano were written in this genre. Some of the most performed works of this genre:

• trio No. 7 for piano, violin and cello ("Archduke");
• serenade for violin, flute and cello (opus 25);
• three string trios (opus 9);
• Great fugue.

The Razumovsky Quartets strings written by Beethoven are interesting. The works included themes from Russian folk songs and were dedicated to Count Andrei Razumovsky, a famous diplomat with whom the composer was friends. Folklore motifs are far from uncommon in the works of the German composer. In addition to Russian, he also used Ukrainian, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Tyrolean and many others.

Works for piano and violin

For a keyboard instrument, the master wrote 32 sonatas, as well ascycles of variations, one-movement pieces, bagatelles, marches, rondos, polonaises, w altzes and some other types of musical works.

Among them are such famous works by Beethoven as:

• Shrill and sad sonata No. 14 ("Moonlight"). The work was written against the backdrop of dramatic events in the composer's life: progressive deafness and unrequited feelings for one of his students.
• Lyrical and slightly melancholic bagatelle "Fur Elise". The recipient of this little thing is unknown, but this is not important for enjoying listening to it.
• Anxious and passionate sonata No. 23 (“Apassionata”). Consisting of three parts, it was inspired by the works of Shakespeare.
• Fire-filled Sonata No. 8 ("Pathetic"). It reflects heroic and sublimely romantic motifs.

Beethoven also often wrote for violin and piano. These works are distinguished by their special strength, contrast and beauty of sound. These are Sonata No. 9 (“Kreutzer”), Sonata No. 5 (“Spring”) and a number of others.

Many of the created sonatas and concertos existed in two versions: for string instruments and piano.

Vocal music

Beethoven wrote works in this variety, the list of which includes a variety of genres: operas (although only one of the four was completed), oratorios, works for choir and orchestra, duets, arias and songs, including folk arrangements.

Fidelio, a two-act opera, became the only workcomposer in this genre. The plot was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, telling about struggle, love and heroism.

Among the compositions of the song genre there are various motifs: civic-patriotic ("Free man", "War song of the Austrians"), lyrical ("Mystery", "Evening song under the starry sky") and others.

Famous performers of Beethoven's music

The beauty and expressiveness of the sound that the listeners enjoy becomes possible not only thanks to the outstanding talent of the composer, but also the skill of the music performers. Beethoven Ludwig van, whose works are heard in millions of concert halls around the world, remains immortal thanks to famous musicians whose performance is as brilliant as the music. For example, the best performers of piano pieces by a German composer are:

• E. Gilels;
• S. Richter;
• M. Yudina;
• B. Kempf;
• G. Gould;
• K. Arrau.

This list is provisional, because in any case, each listener finds an artist who plays in the most close and pleasant manner.

Beethoven's extraordinary talent manifested itself in all genres of music that existed in the 18th-19th centuries.