Classical Music : Beethoven ~ Music to Inspire Joy and Hope

The summer and Christmas holidays have continued to be a disappointment. Although the weather is mild and the air is beautifully clear and crisp, we are still isolated from friends and family living on the other side of the border. I miss them. I missed being with my parents, sisters and nieces and nephews for Christmas. I missed the big, loud, exhausting days of Christmas time spent together. The year we all couldn't wait to end still seems to be hanging on, even though the calendar has ticked over to January. 

I have been relying on some old favourites to help with this isolation-induced sadness, turning to classical pursuits that I know will bolster my spirits and give me hope for a kinder, gentler future: reading, writing, listening to Podcasts and classical music. 

Classical music continues to move, inspire, transport, relax and invigorate. As the world continues to tilt on its rather dangerous and precarious axis, as we have seen in recent days (and months) around the world, finding solace in something simply beautiful and free is a wonderful way to disconnect.

Classical music is a timeless yet evolving form of art that anyone can enjoy. There are so many recorded benefits of listening to Classical music, from reducing stress, increasing emotional intelligence and helping one fall to sleep. Surely these three benefits are enough these days to convince anyone to listen to classical music! And the beauty is there are so many different types of classical music to enjoy - something for everyone! 

In my last post on classical music I talked about my love of Baroque music. Today, I'm going in a different direction and looking at the life and piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven. The biography below is adapted from The Oxford Illustrated Dictionary of Music by Michael Hurd (second edition, 1979); the same loved book I used for my biography of Bach. 

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germay in 1770 and died in Vienna, Austria in 1827. He was born brought up in Bonn in a family of musicians; both his father and his grandfather were employed by the ruling prince, the Elector of Cologne. It is reported that of these two family members, his grandfather Louis van Beethoven was the more musically talented, whereas his father was a heavy drinker and womaniser. Beethoven's mother, Maria Magdalena, "was quiet and affectionate and did her best to make the home a happy one, but she could do little to control her husband's excesses."

Beethoven was the second of seven children, although four of his siblings were to die in infancy. He was the only one to inherit his grandfather's musical gifts. When Beethoven's father, Johann, realised this he focused primarily on giving his son a musical education in the hope of creating a prodigy like the famous Mozart. Despite his father's attention, it was until 1783 under the guidance of Christian Gottlob Neefe, that Beethoven received court employment as second organist and assistant harpsichord player. Through remarkable life events that only aided in strengthening his character and determination, Beethoven eventually came under the tutelage of Haydn in Vienna in 1792. Here he received patronage from famous men such as Prince Lichnowsky, Prince Lobkowitz and even the Archduke Rudolph himself.

"What turned him from a fashionable pianist and teacher into a great composer was the simple fact that from about 1796 he began to go deaf." Most of his compositions were based on the Sonata Form, however under his masterful hand the forms grew infinitely vaster and more expressive, leading the way into the 19th century with a new style of music. "The powerful, driving rhythms...and the way in which he will build up a vast movement from a tiny musical idea," were characteristic musical fingerprints in his compositions. 

Despite being remembered for his musical genius, his iron determination ("stubbornness, if you like"), was also a marked feature of his personality. One can only imagine the determination necessary to create such triumphant works of art when deaf. It is said that there was a thunderstorm raging outside as he died, and his final gesture was to shake his fist at it indignantly. True grit and determination, indeed!

If you're not sure if Bach is for you, please listen to these beautiful performances on Youtube. Focus on the way the music grows to an awesome crescendo from the littlest note. Listen to the complex way the music overlaps and then moves forward. I am sure that, just for a moment, you will lose yourself in this beautiful music.

This rendition of the famous Fur Elise is transporting. This clip is quite short, as is the composition and definitely worth listening to. But my favourite of them all is Moonlight Sonata which I could listen to endlessly. I love Georgii Cherkin's performances of both these piano classics. Or else, go back to the beginning with this powerful performance of Eroica under the masterful hand of conductor Leonard Bernstein and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna.

Via

In 2020, ABC Classical focused on the top 100 works of Beethoven, calling it "Music of Hope and Humanity." These top 100 compositions were chosen by the audience listeners. Although this composition is a symphony and not a sonata, how could I write a piece on Beethoven without including this inimitable piece? Listen to the uplifting and joyous Ode to Joy here.

And don't forget to share your favourite Beethoven composition - Sonata or otherwise - in the comments below!