Beethoven, born Ludwig van Beethoven, is one of the most remarkable individuals of his time (late 1700s to early 1800s). Known for his symphonies and musical talent, Beethoven transformed western music and art, but how many symphonies did he write?
The prolific composer Beethoven wrote nine symphonies; he was talented in the fact that he could take a simple piece of music and turn it into something big. His symphonies were louder and longer than the ones that came before his work.
Read more below about why Beethoven is so special and why he’s still remembered in modern day life.
Who Was Beethoven?
As a German composer and pianist, Beethoven produced some of the greatest symphonies of all time.
From an early age it was clear that he was very talented in music. He was raised in a musical (and dysfunctional) family, and originally he was taught the basics of music by his father. Later on he was taught by the musical composer Gottlob Neefe with whom he learned about composition, and it was under him that he released his first works.
He worked alongside the Austrian composer, Joseph Haydn who also made some pretty big breakthroughs and contributions in the Classical music era.
Originally, Beethoven started out in Vienna after moving there when he was in his 20s, but in the end his symphonies and other works had spread all over the world and were popular amongst many.
Why Is Beethoven Remembered?
Everyone knows that to make history and be remembered, you’ve got to do something quite extraordinary or remarkable. And I’m sure even you’ve heard of Beethoven, but perhaps you’re not sure why he’s remembered or what makes him so special. Not to worry, we’ve got the answers for you.
Beethoven is remembered because he completely transformed western music as we know it today. He witnessed the transition of Classical music to Romantic music, and if you’ve listened to those genres of music then you’ll already know: they’re completely contrasting types of music.
People have described his symphonies as “indispensable” and “exciting”. As for Beethoven himself, he is described as being a variety of things, but more often than not he’s referred to as a “revolutionary musical visionary”.
What Are His Most Famous Symphonies?
Much of Beethoven’s work is celebrated in the modern day, however some of his symphonies tend to stand out a little more than others. So, let’s take a look at some of his most famous symphonies.
It is somewhat widely agreed upon that his fifth symphony is one of the most famous pieces that he’d ever composed.
Beethoven’s fifth symphony known as the Symphony of Fate was first premiered at a concert in 1808. Britannica’s Betsy Schwarm noted “The hallmark motif of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has had tremendous appeal well beyond the realm of classical music,” adding that it was used during World War II to signal a victory due to its rhythm that matched the Morse Code.
Beethoven’s symphony number 9, however, was rated the second greatest symphony of all time. Symphony number 6 was the nineteenth greatest symphony of all time followed closely by symphony 7 which was the sixteenth greatest symphony of all time and symphony 5 was the eleventh greatest symphony of all time – this is all according to Classical Music.
Beethoven’s Legacy
With such a remarkable man follows an extraordinary legacy.
Unveiled in 1845, 75 years after his birth, the Beethoven Monument is just one of the things that were left behind after his death. The Beethoven Monument stands in his hometown in Bonn located in Germany, and is described as “the most popular and important monument of Ludwig van Beethoven in Bonn.”
His hometown of Bonn further honored Beethoven by opening a museum named after him known as the Beethoven House, and the city also hosts music festivals in his honor called the Beethovenfest.