from the Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Index
Hey Kids, Meet Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (Baptized Dec 16, 1770-1827) German Classical/Romantic Era Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770, to Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. Although Beethoven's exact birth date is not known, his family celebrated it on December 16. Ludwig's first musical instruction came from his father Johann who was said to have been a harsh instructor. Johann later asked his friend, Tobias Pfeiffer, to teach his son. It seems that the harsh treatment continued, as Johann and his friend would come home late on occasion to pull young Ludwig from his bed to practice until morning.
Ludwig's talent was recognized early on, and by 1778 he was learning to play the organ and viola in addition to his piano studies. His most important teacher in Bonn was Christian Gottlob Neefe, a Court organist. It was Neefe who helped Beethoven publish his first piece of music.
In 1787, young Beethoven decided to travel to Vienna, hoping to meet and study composition with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is not clear if he succeeded in meeting or studying with Mozart. By his twenties, Beethoven began to suffer from hearing loss. He did, however, continue to compose, conduct and perform, even after he was completely deaf. One story recalls that after conducting the premiere of his Ninth Symphony he had to be turned around to see the overwhelming applause of the audience. When he heard nothing, he began to weep.
Ludwig van Beethoven's most popular pieces are his Fifth Symphony, Für Elise for piano solo, and his Ninth Symphony, which includes the melody Ode to Joy. He is remembered as an important composer in the transitional period between the Classical Era and Romantic Era in music and continues to be one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.
Learn about Ludwig van Beethoven with this popsicle stick theater presentation from the MakingMusicFun.net Academy. Print the Meet Beethoven | Free Video Music Lesson Study Guide to drill the facts.
Watch a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 for orchestra.
Moonlight Sonata (Beginner-Easy/Level 2)
Beethoven's Fifth (Easy/Level 2) POPULAR
Beethoven's Fifth (Play and Learn™ Edition)
Ode to Joy (Easy/Level 2) POPULAR
Ode to Joy (Play and Learn™ Edition)
Für Elise (Beginner Notes/Primer)
Für Elise (Beginner/Level 1) POPULAR
Für Elise (Easy/Level 3) POPULAR
Russian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 (Easy/Level 3)
Russian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 7 (Easy/Level 3)
Ode to Joy (Easy/Level 4)
Ode to Joy (Easy/Intermediate – Play and Learn™ Series)
Minuet in G (Easy/Level 4 - Free)
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, 1st Mvt. (Easy/Level 5) POPULAR
Moonlight Sonata (Easy/Level 5) POPULAR
Moonlight Sonata (Play and Learn™ Edition)
Ecossaise (Easy/Level 5 - Free)
Pathetique Sonata (Easy/Level 5 - Free)
Rage Over a Lost Penny (Easy/Level 5 - Free)
Beethoven at Bat™ | Music Composer Board Game (Digital Print)
Meet Beethoven | Free Video Music Lesson Study Guide
Beethoven | Free Word Search Worksheet
Beethoven | Free Crossword Worksheet
Meet the Composer Job Application Worksheet
Beethoven | Free Multiplication-Connect-the-Dot Worksheet
Beethoven | Free Coloring Page
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