Beethoven and His Symphonies Beethoven Term Paper

7). It is the only symphony out of the nine for which Beethoven chose the key of a. In form, the symphony is not strikingly different from his previous six symphonies but the way in which the power and the beauty of thoughts have been treated gives it a unique "romantic" air. In the Finale, this 'romance' develops into "a vein of boisterous mirth" that had not been seen in any of Beethoven's previous works (Grove, 240).

Symphony No. 8: Composed in F major, it is the shortest of Beethoven's 9 symphonies. It was also the composer's favorite work, and when it did not receive the expected accolades at the time of its first performance, he remarked "It will please them some day." (Quoted by Grove, 279). And indeed, despite its simplicity, the symphony has come to be recognized as a true masterpiece, and it provided a lead for subsequent Romantic composers in the development of the genre.

Symphony No. 9: in D minor ("the ode to joy") is among the most famous of Beethoven's symphonies. As the ninth was not finished until 1823 (11 years after the completion of the 8th); it represents the longest gap between any of his other symphonies. However, the idea for this symphony had tormented Beethoven for many years as is evident from notes dating as far back as 1809 that included musical ideas which were later used for this symphony.The general tone of the symphony is happiness, which has been memorably captured in the stirring climax of the symphony. ("Symphony No. 9")

Works Cited

Beethoven's childhood." All about Beethoven. 2006. April 2, 2007. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/beethovenchildhood.html

Grove, George C.B. Beethoven and His Nine Symphonies. 3rd ed. New York: Dover Publications, 1962.

Kinderman, William. Beethoven. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Symphony No. 5" All about Beethoven. 2006. April 2, 2007. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony5.html

Symphony No. 6" All about Beethoven. 2006. April 2, 2007. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony6.html

Symphony No. 7" All about Beethoven. 2006. April 2, 2007. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony7.html

Symphony No. 9" All about Beethoven. 2006. April 2, 2007. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony9.html

The majority population of Flanders (the northern part of Belgium) is known as Flemish. Beethoven's Flemish background is the reason for his middle name "Van" instead of the more common German "Von."

Ludwig was actually more than seven at the time.

Neefe also became an important role model for Beethoven, helping to fill the void created by his difficult relationship with his father

Such as Antonie Brentano, the wife of a Frankfurt merchant and a mother of four, for whom Beethoven wrote his famous letter, "Immortal Beloved" in 1812 but never sent it

Beethoven had recently discovered his hearing problem,….....