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Ludwig van Beethoven is undoubtedly one of the most important and well-known unprecedented music composers. From an early age, Beethoven put significant aptitude, freewill, and inflexible peculiarity on display. His unusual and overwhelming personal characteristics are reflected in his compositions and music. Without a question, Beethoven became known as the most advanced and greatest classical music composer. According to Goethe, "I have never seen so intense so concentrated an artist” like Beethoven (as qtd. in Ludwig 247). It is not possible for a listener to not stir by Beethoven’s divine and soulful music. His exceptional piano talent and extraordinary compositions are out of the world that still has the ability to move people intensely. For these reasons, Beethoven is generally recognized as the best composer in the music tradition of Western Europe. His precious contributions brought about the romantic era in musical world. He was genuinely a great composer who revolutionized music forever.
The music composed by Beethoven is the direct reflection of his personal attributes, beliefs, and philosophy. It would not be incorrect to state that Beethoven was able to create an entirely new and innovative musical language that he could use for expressing his feelings, thoughts, and emotions. He did so with the help of balanced and well-integrated musical structures. He also became the first musician to use never-before-used instruments in his symphonies. In his Fifth Symphony, he employed three piccolo, contrabassoon, and trombones to add meaningfulness and a piercing force. In addition, the creative musician also used familiar instruments but gave them a new sound.
Beethoven made use of piano as his personal musical instrument. His exceptional use of piano to make beautiful compositions completely stunned and staggered many contemporaries. It can be said that piano is still not used in the way by anyone as it was used by Beethoven. The great musician and composer took full advantage of the mounting assortment and classiness of the said musical instrument. Beethoven had a magic with piano through he told stories. This is the reason piano is the dominant musical instrument in Beethoven’s solo, chamber, and orchestral pieces. He is renowned for taking the listener to a mystical journey through the power of his music. Even in the present age, Beethoven’s music may surprise the music lovers as it expresses emotions and feelings in a passionate and uncomplicated manner. Richard Wagner, James MacMillan, and Dmitri Shostakovich are the contemporary music composers who have continued to be motivated and inspired by the music composed by Beethoven (Johnson).
Another aspect of Beethoven’s music is its connectedness with politics. For this reason, Beethoven is also acknowledged as a political composer whose work addressed the societal problems related to human emancipation, neutrality, innovation, and society. His music facilitated to voice the liberal reforms of Joseph II. His Ninth Symphony’s hymn cherished universal brotherhood and successfully won people’s hearts. In addition, Beethoven’s Third Symphony aided to evoke French-Revolution-inspired nationalistic ceremonies. It is true that Beethoven’s music reflects an apparent political note and reverberates the distressing and devastating times in which he survived (Rumph 1).
It is important to highlight here that Beethoven went through traumatizing life experiences. His childhood was a miserable one whereby his drunken father used to constantly bully and punish him. The year 1801 was the greatest tragic year in his life as he became progressively deaf and completely lost hearing sense after sixteen years in 1817 (Fisher 18). Even though it was not possible form him to perform in public, Beethoven’s misfortune was unable to hinder his creativity (Johnson). It would not be untrue to say that Beethoven’s experiences may put of an ordinary person forever. However, Beethoven was not ordinary. His extraordinary demonstration of self-control and endurance is not a quality many people have (Ludwig 304). Until his last breath, Beethoven was composing astounding music.
It is an unbelievable fact that Beethoven had completely lost his hearing when his Choral Symphony No. 9 was introduced to the world. It is miraculous that Beethoven’s deep passion and devotion for his work made him to continue composing music till the end. In fact, it was his work that kept him survive and live for a long time. Even today, his music acts as an inspiration for the listeners motivating them to also display valiant strength of mind and determination. His music will continue to influence the humanity as it has emerged as the backbone of chamber and orchestral music throughout the planet.
Works Cited
Fisher, Burton D. Beethoven's Fidelio. Miami: Opera Journeys, 2006. Print.
Johnson, S. "Beethoven: The Revolutionary."BBC News. BBC, 1 Jan. 2005. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/beethoven/revolutionary.shtml#man>.
Ludwig, Emil. Three Titans,. New York, London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1930. Print.
Rumph, Stephen C. Beethoven after Napoleon: Political Romanticism in the Late Works. Berkeley: U of California, 2004. Print.
