How to Enjoy Classical Music: Enjoying Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was an absolute giant of music. A rather arrogant individual, he thought of himself as somewhat of a musical messiah; once you've learned to appreciate and enjoy his music, you may be inclined to agree.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recordings of Beethoven

1. 
   Listening doesn't take much work...

   Find some recordings of Beethoven. If you don't feel like going to the library or purchasing new or used CDs, don't worry: Beethoven's music abounds on classical radio stations. Some stations even have programs where you can call in and make requests.

2. 
   Beethoven wrote for full orchestras as well as solo instruments

   Sample a variety of Beethoven's music. Beethoven wrote for orchestra, solo instruments such as violin, oboe, and piano, and even for voice. If you're looking for a CD to purchase, try to find a recording that has a sampling of his music, a mix of movements from different kinds of sonatas, selections from symphonies, and such. The more of his music you listen to, the more likely you will encounter something that really moves you.

3. 
   Beethoven wrote plenty of music for moods like this...

   Find particular pieces by Beethoven that suit your changing moods. Beethoven was a very passionate man and really poured a lot of his spirit and feelings into his music. Although he rarely put emotionally descriptive titles with his works, the emotion is definitely there. For every mood you may have, there is probably a Beethoven selection that really resonates with you when you are in that mood, whether you're in love, furious, reflective, mourning, or playful.

4. 
   Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas

   Find and listen to recordings of Beethoven's symphonies and piano sonatas. Preferably, listen to the later works in these two categories. With some composers, it's best to start from the end of their output and work your way backwards. Beethoven's later symphonies and sonatas are volcanic at times, erupting with all of his emotion and genius. For the new listener, these may be easier to enjoy before moving on to some of his earlier works.

5. 
   Kids learning to play piano usually play the Ode to Joy theme within a month of starting lessons

   Recognize Beethoven's 'best sellers'. If there was a list of most played pieces of music for the past 300 years, Beethoven might have five or six of the top ten. The Ode to Joy from his Ninth Symphony, Fur Elise and Moonlight Sonata for piano, are all examples of pieces that you should recognize right away, enjoy, then move on to deeper waters.

6. 
   First page of Fur Elise (yes, there's more!)

   Look past the surface of Beethoven's 'best sellers'. Themes from popular pieces such as Fur Elise and the Ode to Joy are mere representatives of larger works. In the case of the Ode to Joy, there is a whole multi-movement Symphony, a monstrous and powerful musical event that is usually overlooked by casual listeners. If you already enjoy the themes from those popular pieces, many surprises await you in the rest of the music. Believe it or not, Fur Elise is more than one minute long!

7. 
   Potrait of Beethoven as a child

   Learn as much as you can about Beethoven the man. If you really want to enjoy and appreciate Beethoven's music, take the time to learn about all the adversity he endured during his life time. In addition to having a rough childhood, Beethoven began to suffer from increasing deafness, not to mention the social and political battles he had to fight. When we think about Mozart, we think about lavish courts and people of high rank and dignity. When we think about Beethoven, a darker, rougher, even grundgier picture comes to mind. Try to appreciate how the wonder and beauty of his music came into being, like a flower from a pot of dirt.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're considering a live performance of Beethoven, again, try to hear something he wrote in his later years. Music that he wrote earlier in his life can be similar to Mozart in a lot of ways, and therefore maybe not be as easy to tolerate for the new listener. His later works (anything written after around 1805), on the other hand, are ripe with energy and passion.
• In researching Beethoven's life, try to find a book of his correspondence. What better way (other than listening to his music) to get a picture of the man than through his own writings?
• Notice the link to the 1st movement of the 5th Symphony below. This video is only the first part of the Symphony; look up the rest of the piece and listen to it!
• Beethoven was a very coarse individual. Some even call him a 'rat'. If you start to research his life and personality, try not to get turned off from his music by something you don't like about him personally. This is actually the case for many composers (Wagner comes to mind), but keep in mind that it is their MUSIC that we want to enjoy, not necessarily the people behind the music.

Resources

• Beethoven on wikipedia
• Detailed list of Beethoven's works
• 3rd Movement of Appassionata Sonata
• Trio Op.70, No.1
• Symphony No.5, Mvt. 1

[loyal123]

on 10/28/2009 Excellent article classical music is excellent and will always be the best
Hate how now a days there's no more music just a bunch of burglar language nonstop and hateful thoughts

[shasha10]

on 7/31/2009 Very good information on Beethoven. Makes you want to turn on the radio and listen to his music or find a website to learn more.

[kaldrich88]

on 7/31/2009 love his work. thanks for the advice. 5*

[ladybella]

on 7/30/2009 Great article on classical music.

[konakai]

on 7/23/2009 Well written article on how to enjoy Beethoven. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this subject. 5*****