GStephens

Chapter 4--A Musical Revolutionary

With his hearing loss, Beethoven began to play less and compose more.  Imagine not having some of the music he wrote had his hearing not failed!  Although he began in the Classical Period, which went from around 1750-1820, music began to change as Beethoven continued to compose.  The rising middle class began to change society's view of station in life, and Beethoven began changing how music was written.  During this time, the pianoforte was written to accomodate the large concert halls.  The harpsichord and clavichord were simply not loud enough.  Beethoven wrote sonatas for the pianoforte, and began to change the form and style of symphonies as he wrote.  His first symphony was written in the classical style and form, but by the ninth symphony, much had evolved.  The third was dedicated to Napoleon, who was at the time, Beethoven's hero.  However, at a later date, Beethoven changed the dedication as he became disappointed in Napoleon.  Upon learning that Napoleon had crowned himself emporer, Beethoven was said to have flown into a rage and to have torn the title page from the symphony and flung it on the floor.  He later wrote a new title page which was simply to "celebrate the memory of a great man."

Beethoven was a genius as a composer, but otherwise was a man of average intelligence.  He was often only writing cliches--nothing interesting.  He was often violent, and was infamously a slob.  He wrote on walls, and left food rotting in his room, along with a full chamber pot, for days on end.  EWW!!!  He was mistaken for a street person and arrested by Napoleon's men, until he was later identified as Beethoven.

The metronome was invented in Beethoven's day.  I have heard that it was invented for him to aid him in his hearing loss.  He included metronome markings in his music.  He must have seen the value of such an instrument.