Final post

In this post I am going to wrap up and finish my blog. This was my first experience blogging. I this final post I am going to share and discuss what I learned about Beethoven, what I found challenging and most rewarding about blogging.

One aspect of my topic that I have learned, is the background and lifestyle of Beethoven. While researching the different accomplishment of Beethoven, I discovered many different and admirable character traits of Beethoven, that I had never known before. I learned that there was much more to him, then just the composition of classical music. I expected him to be an angry, greedy man, but in reality he was like everyone else and struggled to get things he wanted, like becoming a famous composer.

Another aspect I learned about Beethoven is that he had many faults. Before I dived into my research of Beethoven, I thought he was someone who was handed anything he wanted. I was quickly proved wrong, I now realize that Beethoven was a very hard working man. He worked his hardest to get where he was, he struggled all of his life. Starting at a young age, dealing with his alcoholic fathers cruel teaching methods, to nearing his end, when he had to overcome becoming deaf.

I had some difficulties while blogging as well. I found it difficult to post my writings, or pictures. Sometimes the links would not redirect me to the article I had cited. Also, on the iPad, the pictures on my blog did not show, they were just brought up as a question mark. Which made it difficult to know if the picture was even present in the post.

Another difficulty I experienced was that the iPad was harder to deal with while blogging. If I needed to edit my blog, the post would not always save the edits. It was also difficult to keep up with the due dates of posts.

An aspect that was rewarding to me most about my topic of Ludwig van Beethoven, was that I got the opportunity to learn a lot more about him. Starting off my research and blogging process,I did not know much about Beethoven, I knew he was successful in composition, but nothing as precise as how he made his living. I got to know him in a different perspective. I accomplished my research in a fun and very different way.

Beethoven also taught me a lot. This project was a big learning experience, but at same time it was fun and way better then a huge essay! Along the way Beethoven taught me that you must never give up, no mater how hard life is.

As you finish reading my blog, I hope you found it helpful and enjoying. In this blog i toughed on different instruments, accomplishments, and struggles of Beethoven. This is my last and final post on this blog of Ludwig van Beethoven. This is also a reflection of how my blogging process went.


Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/walterwhite/8156280359/

Success of Beethoven

As I venture towards the end of my blogging on Ludwig Van Beethoven, I would like to share some of his many accomplishments. Beethoven was an extraordinary classical music composer, and many of his greatest accomplishments come from his musical talent. Some others come from a more personal level of success.

When Beethoven was about 7 he gave his first public appearance. This was a start to his many years of a successful musical career. Young Beethoven was playing the organ beautifully, as people in the audience listening, wondering, where this child prodigy came from! "Despite his fathers cruel, and brutal teaching methods, Beethoven showed signs of potential at a very young age."
 http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/beethoven.html

At 16 the adolescent Beethoven was living his biggest dream. Beethoven was receiving composition lessons from his biggest role model, Mozart. Mozart was very impressed by Beethoven, and his musical abilities. Beethoven never thought he would be in the presence of Mozart, let alone learning from him.    
Read more about this on: http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/beethoven.html

After Mozart passed away, and Beethoven had moved to Vienna, he was crowned with the amazing accomplishment of becoming Vienna's leading pianist. With a lot of competition, Beethoven was still clearly the right person for this title. "In his first appearance in Vienna in 1795, Beethoven performed his Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat, and in this decade also composed piano sonatas, cello sonatas and violin sonatas."
http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/beethoven.html

As Beethoven was nearing the peek of his career, he noticed something strange, sounds became softer. He was losing his hearing, eventually he completely lost his sense of sound. His career as a virtuoso pianist was over, but his stubborn nature challenged him to over come this major lifestyle change. "Many men would have been driven to suicide, Beethoven did indeed contemplate it. Yet his stubbornness strengthened him and he came to terms with his disability."
 http://www.lucare.com/immortal/deaf.html

Beethoven overcame his suicide wish, he was completely poor, living in poverty, and desperate to get back into his music. So he began to compose again. "Beethoven's transposing of schillers inspiring words, be embraced all ye millions with a kiss for all the world."
http://www.lmars.com/beethoven_factor.htm

As you have read, Beethoven was a brilliant, musical genius, and the few accomplishments I have mentioned in my post, are only a small amount of everything, the brilliant Beethoven has accomplished.


Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clasicismo2/5125539532/

Musical Distraction or Help?

Ludwig Van Beethoven composed music for many reasons, a personal stress reliever for himself, and for the others enjoyment. Could these beautifully, and well written pieces of classical music also contribute to a more focused mind? An article from healthcare.net believes that classical music does help with focus, but another article from science daily objects with this thought.

Could classical music really help with studying? An article from healthcare.net believes it does. "A study has confirmed that listening to classical music while studying will improve memory, increase concentration, and helps give a soothing background noise. Classical music is also a natural way to increase energy and keep you alert." (http://www.healthcarecolleges.net/blog/music-can-help-you-study/) According to this site, listening to Mozart, Beethoven, or Bach can help give a person a better understanding of their educational studies, and develop a stronger memory.

Others believe classical music does not help with studying, or memory. "Scientists have debated and tested, for over 15 years, on the topic of classical music bringing a performance enhancer when it comes to studying, and other educational based activities." (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510075415.htm) The University of Vienna has researched this topic very thoroughly. They have come to the conclusion that classical music does not enhance studying, or memory progress.

ScienceDaily.com states that listening to classical music is not a helpful way to study, but healthcare.net is adamant that listening to classical music is a educational performance enhancer. This is the biggest difference between the two articles. ScienceDaily.com has run many tests, and done research on the topic of classical music actually giving a person educational gain. healthcare.net has also conducted studies on the myth. They have come to the conclusion that classical music is beneficial to the mind.

Both sources however agree that classical music is worth listening to. Quoted from ScienceDaily: "I recommend listening to Mozart or Beethoven to everyone."(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510075415.htm) A quote from Healthcare: "Mozart is the best music to study to."

Classical music is very relaxing and great to listen to, but I do not believe it is the best to study with. From personal experience, music is more of a distraction, not a help, but I also agree that classical music is worth listening to.


Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/puresheetmusic/5651609046/lightbox/

The grand piano is a beautiful, and well known instrument. Many people begin playing the piano at an early age, people like Mozart, and Beethoven. The grand piano is a very cherished instrument, it has been around sense the beginning of classical music! There are many types of pianos. Many different shapes, sizes, and colors.

"There are six basic types of grand pianos. The Petite Grand, which is the smallest and least expensive grand piano. The medium Grand, Parlor Grand, Semi Concert or Ballroom Grand, and the largest of the grand pianos, the Concert Grand."
 http://www.internetmeridian.com/piano/History/Grand_Piano.html

Grand pianos derive from a harpsichord. The harpsichord is an instrument that is smaller than the piano, that you play by plucking the strings, unlike a piano where you play by pushing on keys. The harpsichord was more likely played in ensembles because of the sounds it made, but the grand piano became a more of a solo instrument.

"In 1698 the piano was invented by an Italian man named Bartolomeo Cristofori. There are over 12,000 parts in a grand piano, and 10,000 of them are moving."
http://www.kenfoster.com/PianoTuning/Facts.html

The grand piano has been around for a very long time. It creates beautiful sounds using the combination of strings, keys, and peddles. This instrument is the epiphany of classical music. Pianos are very useful instruments, but not easy to carry around, or very affordable.

"A grand piano can weigh anywhere from five hundred to a thousand pounds, and can cost twice that amount."
http://www.pianoworld.com/faq.htm

The development of the grand piano has come a long way. From the very beginning until now, people have been trying to create a better and a more diverse variety of the piano.



Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualpianoshop/3170716910/

Beethoven, as we all know, was an outstanding composer. Even at a very young age, the gift of composition was upon him. Music was a big part of Beethoven's life. Day after day, he was either playing or composing music. Beethoven had a very important talent. Without composers there would be no music.

Beethoven composed his first piece of music at the young age of 11 in 1787. Mozart composed his first symphony when he was 8. Most people cannot accomplish such an overwhelming task at such a young age. Many people later on still try to compose.

 http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2012/01/how-to-compose-in-5-steps.htm

In this post I will inform you on how you could approach the difficult task of composing. Using this site: here

 Here’s a checklist of steps you want to accomplish:

1. Brainstorming
Get an idea of what kind of music you want to write
Write down all ideas, they help
Look for things that inspire you
Write those down

2. Arrange your ideas
What ensembles do you have in mind
What kind of instruments
Will the lyrics be sung or recited
This is very important, keep in mind you are going to write for your musicians

3. Arrange the structure
What kind of piece are up writing
Does it have a well-known form (sonata, suite, etc.. )

4. The idea.
At this time you probably will have a detailed idea of what your piece will be in terms of time, structure, etc
Go on your instrument or at the piano and start playing whatever you have in your mind
Then, you will add what’s missing to your existing material
Now you will have a nearly complete piece of music!

Maybe these were helpful tips even Beethoven used!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/horiavarlan/4329908160/

Ludwig Van Beethoven was and still is today a renowned classical composer. Beethoven struggled all through out his life with depression, anger, and isolation, and it often reflected in his music:

  On Tuesday evening the program for the first faculty concert of the series featured works representing Beethoven’s heroic style. Introducing the concert, Scott Burnham, a professor of music at Princeton University and the author of “Beethoven Hero” (Princeton University Press), said that associating Beethoven with the heroic is natural.

The composer “became the paradigm of the suffering artist” and also created a distinctive style that can be heard in works including the Symphony No. 5, “Fidelio,” the “Emperor” Piano Concerto and the “Eroica” Symphony.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/arts/music/mannes-beethoven-institute-faculty-concert-at-mannes-college.html?ref=ludwigvanbeethoven&_r=1&

When Beethoven's mother passed away he lost his best friend and his support system. Shortly after his mothers death Beethoven suffered from hearing loss. He no longer had ambition to live, let alone to compose music.

Beethoven did not give up, he pushed forward and dove right back into composing. Beethoven's struggles in life lead him to compose some of his most famous pieces of music:

The “Ghost” Piano Trio (Op. 70, No. 1) and the “Kreutzer” Violin Sonata (Op. 47), also composed during Beethoven’s middle period, represented new milestones in the genres. “We can hear Beethoven galvanizing chamber music,” Mr. Burnham said, adding that the “Kreutzer” should really be called the “Bridgetower.” The eerie mood is conveyed with slow crescendos and diminuendos, abrupt silences and, in particular, the impressionistic use of tremolando to evoke a sinister effect. The ensemble aptly conveyed the movement’s dark ambience.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/arts/music/mannes-beethoven-institute-faculty-concert-at-mannes-college.html?ref=ludwigvanbeethoven&_r=1&

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lonelyfox/3537234142/

Great performances

Ludwig Vn Beethoven was a child prodigy. At a young age he became an amazing composer. By the time her was an adult his music was very well know. Beethoven was in fact the next Mozart. "With his powerful, and expensive middle period works, which included the pastoral symphony, symphonies nos. 7 and 8, piano concertos nos. 4 and 5, and the violin concerto, as well as more chamber works and piano sonatas, Beethoven was firmly established as the greatest composer of his time" (Great performances). What many people do not know is that even though Beethoven was very famous and well known, he was severely depressed.

After 1812 Beethoven became relatively unproductive. When his mother had fallen ill, and Beethoven's deafness resulted in his isolation, Beethoven became depressed. He also experienced a marital failure, and a legal battle for the custody of the son of his late brother. With all of these terrible twists of fate Beethoven was ready to give up, but he did not, he stayed strong. He sought out hope through his music. In Beethoven's "late period" he wrote seven piano sonatas that surely reflect his anger and distrust at life. They include harsh, and eccentric dynamics and instrumental extremes.

Beethoven had become a public figure, as no other composer had done before. Beethoven helped create the musical age. He was a musical genius, and a great role model to many. Beethoven stayed strong through everything he was out through. Still today his amazing musical skills and his mental strength is remembered throughout the world.    




Picture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22722296@N06/2186302735/