The famous composer and pianist, one of those whose name is strongly associated with classical music. The author of more than 650 compositions of instrumental and vocal music of various genres. Among them are symphonies, concerts, overtures, sonatas, operas, oratorios, songs (including the processing of folk melodies), music for dramas, ballet and much more. He wrote compositions for several types of keyboards, winds and strings. His name is Ludwig van Beethoven. The works of this musical genius continue to amaze music lovers and connoisseurs even almost 200 years after his death. This article will discuss the musical wealth that the German composer left behind .
Symphonic music
This part of the work includes works performed by a symphony orchestra with a wide variety of instruments and often with the participation of the choir. Such music was very actively written by Beethoven. The works, the list of which contains symphonies, overtures, concerts and other compositions, are very diverse and widely known.
Of the concerts most often performed:
- triple concert for violin, cello and piano;
- concert for violin and orchestra;
- five concerts for piano and orchestra.
Symphony No. 5 is the most famous composition for the orchestra of those written by Beethoven. Works of such power are hard to find in the history of classical music. It personifies the triumph of the strength of the individual and the victory over circumstances.
Other interesting compositions include: Symphony No. 3 (“Heroic”), Fantasy for Piano, Choir and Orchestra (“Choral Fantasy”), Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”) and others.
Chamber music
In this genre, string quartets, piano and string quartets were written, as well as sonatas - violin, cello and piano. Some of the most performed works of this genre:
- Trio No. 7 for piano, violin and cello ("Archduke");
- serenade for violin, flute and cello (opus 25);
- three string trios (opus 9);
- Big fugue.
The strings “Razumovsky Quartets” written by Beethoven are interesting. The works included themes from Russian folk songs and were dedicated to Count Andrei Razumovsky, a famous diplomat with whom the composer was friendly. Folklore motifs are far from rare in the work of the German composer. In addition to Russians, he also used Ukrainian, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Tyrolean and many others.
Compositions for Piano and Violin
For the keyboard instrument, the master wrote 32 sonatas, as well as cycles of variations, one-piece plays, bagatelles, marches, rondos, polonaises, waltzes and some other varieties of musical works.
Among them are such famous Beethoven works as:
- The piercing and sad sonata No. 14 ("Moonlight"). The work was written against the backdrop of dramatic events in the composer's life: progressive deafness and unrequited feelings for one of his students.
- Lyrical and a bit melancholy bagatel “To Eliza”. The addressee of this little thing is unknown, but it is not important to enjoy listening to it.
- Anxious and passionate sonata No. 23 (“Apassionata”). Consisting of three parts, she was inspired by the works of Shakespeare.
- Filled with Sonata No 8 fire ("Pathetic"). Heroic and sublime romantic motifs are reflected in it.
Beethoven also often wrote for violin and piano. These works are distinguished by special strength, contrast and beauty of sound. These are sonata No. 9 (“Kreutzerova”), sonata No. 5 (“Spring”) and a number of others.
Many of the created sonatas and concerts existed in two versions: for stringed instruments and piano.
Vocal music
In this variety, Beethoven wrote works, the list of which includes various genres: operas (although only one of the four managed to be completed), oratorios, works for choir and orchestra, duets, arias and songs, including folk music.
The opera Fidelio, consisting of two acts, became the only work of the composer in this genre. The plot was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, telling about the struggle, love and heroism.
Among the works of the song genre there are diverse motifs: civil-patriotic (“Free Man”, “Austrian War Song”), lyrical (“Secret”, “Evening Song under a Starry Sky”) and others.
Beethoven's famous musicians
The beauty and expressiveness of the sound that listeners enjoy becomes possible not only thanks to the outstanding talent of the composer, but also the skill of the music performers. Beethoven Ludwig van, whose works sound in millions of concert halls around the world, remains immortal thanks to famous musicians, whose performance is as brilliant as music. For example, the best pianoforte performers of a German composer are:
- E. Gilels;
- S. Richter;
- M. Yudina;
- W. Kempf;
- G. Gould;
- C. Arrau.
This list is conditional, because in any case, each listener finds an artist playing in the most intimate and enjoyable manner.
Beethoven's extraordinary talent manifested itself in all genres of music that existed in the XVIII-XIX centuries.