Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Composer
Beethoven has a prominent place in the pantheon of composers, for his influence has stretched far beyond his stature even as the greatest German composer of the Classical period.
After an unhappy childhood there were abortive attempts at studying with Albrectsberger and Salieri. He settled in Vienna establishing himself as a freelance musician, rebelling against the common practice of court patronage. Deafness afflicted him from early manhood and eventually became total, bringing to an end his performing career but not his composing.
Browse: Beethoven
Further Reading: Beethoven
Recording of the Week,
Beethoven's Leonore from René Jacobs and the Freiburger Barockorchester
6th December 2019
The original 1805 version of Beethoven's only opera is a high-adrenaline experience in the hands of the Belgian conductor and his period-instrument band, with Marlis Petersen in the title-role and Maximilian Schmitt as her imprisoned husband.
Recording of the Week,
Beethoven Symphonies from Ádám Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra
19th July 2019
Ádám Fischer conducts the Danish Chamber Orchestra in frequently thrilling, occasionally controversial, but always fascinating performances of Beethoven's symphonies.
Popular Works: Beethoven
- Ah! Perfido, Op. 65 (86)
- An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved), Op. 98 (105)
- Bagatelles (6), Op. 126 (158)
- Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-5 (82)
- Christus am Ölberge, Op. 85 (27)
- Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124 (98)
- Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 (383)
- Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 (226)
- Egmont Overture, Op. 84 (368)
- Eroica Variations, Op. 35 (167)
- Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80 (188)
- Fidelio, Op. 72 (126)
- Für Elise (Bagatelle in A minor, WoO59) (451)
- Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133 (197)
- Horn Sonata in F major, Op. 17 (83)
- Leonore (10)
- Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138 (85)
- Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72a (189)
- Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b (314)
- Mass in C major, Op. 86 (50)
- Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt, Op. 112 (32)
- Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123 (190)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 (543)
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19 (466)
- Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 (605)
- Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (639)
- Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor' (687)
- Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique' (553)
- Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1 'Quasi una fantasia' (253)
- Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight' (640)
- Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' (278)
- Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest' (382)
- Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3 'The Hunt' (286)
- Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 'Waldstein' (472)
- Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata' (668)
- Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major, Op. 81a 'Les Adieux' (357)
- Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier' (365)
- Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 (447)
- Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (530)
- Piano Trio No. 5 in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 'The Ghost' (170)
- Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat Major, Op. 97 'Archduke' (176)
- Romance No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in G major, Op. 40 (257)
- Romance No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra in F major, Op. 50 (335)
- Rondo a capriccio in G major, Op. 129 ‘Rage over a lost penny' (114)
- String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 'Rasumovsky No. 1' (167)
- String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 'Rasumovsky No. 2' (163)
- String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 'Rasumovsky No. 3' (169)
- String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 'Serioso' (206)
- String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127 (169)
- String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 (172)
- String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131 (187)
- String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135 (184)
- Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 (638)
- Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 (564)
- Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica' (845)
- Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60 (601)
- Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (897)
- Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral' (717)
- Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (811)
- Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 (627)
- Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral' (813)
- The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, Op. 43 (169)
- The Ruins of Athens Overture, Op. 113 (101)
- Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C major, Op. 56 (236)
- Variations (32) on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO 80 (152)
- Variations (7) on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", for Cello and Piano, WoO 46 (200)
- Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (535)
- Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 'Spring' (301)
- Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 ‘Kreutzer' (380)
- Wellington's Victory, Op. 91 (Battle Symphony) (40)
