Ludwig van Beethoven

Question 1

Ludwig van Beethoven musical style and contributions

Answer 1

• widely recognized and admired composers of all time
• both Classical and Romantic styles
• innovator, original, influential
• designer, architect
• developed, expanded Classical forms, transform every genre he touched
• explosive accents, extreme dynamic contrasts
• new orchestral instruments
• exploit piano tech improvements
• 3 style periods

Question 2

What are examples of Beethoven’s innovations?

Answer 2

• replace menuet and trio w/ scherzo and trio (Sym No. 5)
• cyclical structure (Sym No. 5)
• programmatic elements (Sym No. 6)
• chorus in symphony (Sym No. 9)

Question 3

How was Beethoven a designer/architect?

Answer 3

planned, revised compositions in sketchbooks

Question 4

Which Classical forms did Beethoven devlope/expand?

Answer 4

• sonata

- concerto

Question 5

Which new orchestral instruments did Beethoven incorporate?

Answer 5

• piccolo
• trombone
• contrabassoon

Question 6

When and hat was Beethoven’s early period?

Answer 6

“Imitation” (up to 1802)

Question 7

When and what was Beethoven’s middle period?

Answer 7

“Externalization” (1803 - 1815)

Question 8

When and what was Beethoven’s late period?

Answer 8

“Reflection” (1815 - 1827)

Question 9

Beethoven early period

Answer 9

• Classical style (Haydn, Mozart): ex. sonata form

- Sturm und Drang: minor keys (particularly C minor), tremolo, abrupt contrast

Question 10

Beethoven early period representative works

Answer 10

• six string quartets, op. 18
• Sym Nos. 1 and 2
• 1st 10 piano sonatas, up to op. 14

Question 11

Beethoven middle period

Answer 11

• Romantic: chromatic harmony, abrupt modulation
• expanded development of coda sections in sonata-form movements
• replace menuet and trio w/ scherzo and trio
• cyclical form
• linked mvts together
• expanded orchestra: include piccolo, trombone, contrabassoon

Question 12

Beethoven middle period representative works

Answer 12

• Fidelio (opera)
• Violin Concerto
• Sym Nos. 3 to 8

Question 13

Beethoven late period

Answer 13

• abstract and meditative
• counterpoint, fugal writing
• experimented form & content( include SATB solosts and chorus in final mvt of Sym No. 9)
• variation technique

Question 14

Beethoven late period representative works

Answer 14

• Piano Sonatas op. 109, 110, 111
• Missa solemnis
• Sym No. 9 (“Choral)
• String Quartets op. 131, 132, 135