Beethoven

Beethoven 9/7/2006 12:17:00 PM Biography  Born in Bonn, Germany  Father was a musician  Was a pianist – studied the WTC  At 22 – moved to Vienna for good  Had a few lessons from Mozart, and then Haydn – lessons didn’t last very long  ‘Never wrong’  Earned his money through composing royalties, dedications, patrons, commissions, conducting o Biggest benefactor – Archduke Rudolph – 1809 – gave Beethoven lots of money (had to stay in Vienna) The first successful freelance musician, in the past – only paid by royalty, church The last half of his life – Beethoven’s hearing was gone Heiligenstadt Testament This did not hamper his composition one bit. He could hear it all mentally. Hard to continue conducting. Died a rich man and very famous Opus! (Op.) Beethoven wanted to be in charge of his own catalog He numbered them how he wanted Op. 2 No. 1, Op. 2 No.2, Op. 3 No. 3 – all published together Another numbering system for some of his works o WoO o Stands for Werke ohne Opus (Work without an opus) o Didn’t assign it an opus number      Catalog      9/7/2006 12:17:00 PM 9/7/2006 12:17:00 PM