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.



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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!

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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&

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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.    




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At an early age Ludwig van Beethoven took an interest in music. Day and night Beethoven's father, johann van Beethoven, taught him about his interest. Born in 1770 Beethoven, became a child prodigy. Beethoven's father was a musician in Bonn, with a weakness for alcohol. Beethoven's mother was a kind, loving, gentle woman, who was his best friend. When she died Beethoven became responsible for his two brothers, the household finances, and his drunken father. His escape was music.

As a young child Beethoven composed many pieces of music, and was able to play several instruments. Before age twelve Beethoven published, 9 variations on C minor for piano, which lead him to get an astounding musical review by one of his role models. Gottlob Neefe said that he would, without a doubt, be the next Mozart.

This blog will be based on the life and work of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Half way through the rising of his musical talent Beethoven's world came crashing down. His mother died, later he became deaf, and very angry. Beethoven endured many hardships. He wanted to end his life, instead he turned to music. In many of his symphonies and sonatas you can hear his anger and frustration with life.

Beethoven was a very strong person. He did not have a childhood growing up, and had to deal with many different life long difficulties. Another purpose of this blog is to explore the ways Beethoven wrote his music, to find out who or what his musical inspiration was, and how he survived life's greatest challenges.

Overall this blog is about Ludwig Van Beethoven's life. You will read about his accomplishments, you will also read about the music he composed, and learn about Beethoven in a more personal level. As a reader you will be informed on how Beethoven became what he is known for today.

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