History of Music, Mr. Robert L. Johnston
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (Day 2)
Aim:
Who was Beethoven, and which were his most important symphonies?
Instructional Objectives:
At the conclusion of this unit, students will:
I.
Have met Beethoven, and have gained an understanding of his background.
II.
Have an understanding of his deafness, and its impact on his life.
Motivation:
III.
Have seen representative performances of his symphonic works by various artists.
“Radiant beams shoot through the deep night of this region, and we become aware of gigantic shadows which, rocking back and forth, close in on us and destroy all within us except the pain of endless longing—a longing in which every pleasure that rose up amid jubilant tones sinks and succumbs. Only through this pain, which, while consuming but not destroying love, hope, and joy, tries to burst our breasts with a full-voiced general cry from all the passions, do we live on and are captivated beholders of the spirits.”
- E.T.A. Hoffmann
Development/Procedures:
I.
Deafness a.
Beethoven began going deaf in the last years of the 1700’s, his late 20’s. b.
He suffered initially from a cold that affected his hearing. c.
He also had tinnitus prior to his hearing loss. d.
Beethoven’s subsequent aloofness and character were a direct result of his depression over not being able to interact socially. e.
Experience.

f.
Beethoven caricature. http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/bio25976.htm
g.
He had a special rod that attached to the soundboard of his piano. i.
He would bite the rod to feel the vibrations. h.
A collection of his hearing horns is on display at the Beethoven House Museum in Bonn. i.
Had to be turned around to see the audience applauding at the premiere of the Ninth Symphony.
II.
Nephew a.
After the death of his brother Karl, Beethoven moved to adopt his nephew, also named Karl. i.
There were numerous court battles, both ethical and non.
1.
Beethoven even masked the fact that he was not nobility, to have his case heard in a higher court where he had influence as a popular figure. ii.
Beethoven even stopped composing for stretches of time. iii.
Beethoven was apparently quite oppressive.
1.
Karl ultimately attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head, but survived.

2.
Was returned to his mother later in his life.
III.
The Fifth Symphony a.
Written between 1804-8. b.
Premiered in 1808 on a four hour concert that included: i.
The Sixth Symphony ii.
Aria: "Ah, perfido", Op. 65 iii.
The Gloria movement of the Mass in C Major iv.
The Fourth Piano Concerto (played by
Beethoven himself) v.
Intermission vi.
The Fifth Symphony vii.
The Sanctus and Benedictus movements of the
C Major Mass viii.
The Choral Fantasy c.
In c minor. d.
The most famous moment is perhaps the opening and its use of a four-note motive played in the strings and clarinet. i.
This motive appears in all four movements. e.
Instrumentation i.
piccolo (fourth movement only)* ii.
2 flutes iii.
2 oboes iv.
2 clarinets in B flat and C v.
2 bassoons vi.
contrabassoon (fourth movement only)* vii.
2 horns in E flat and C viii.
2 trumpet ix.
3 trombones (alto, tenor, and bass, fourth movement only)* x.
timpani xi.
strings xii.
* indicates one of first uses in an orchestra f.
Is often called the “fate” symphony, in that fate is knocking at the door. g.
Formal structure i.
First movement is in sonata-allegro form. ii.
Second movement is a theme and variations. iii.
Third movement is a scherzo and trio. iv.
Fourth movement is in sonata-allegro form.
IV. Play the Beethoven Fifth as performed by Toscanini and the NBC Symphony

Materials of Instruction:
Smart Board
Various Recordings
Summary:
“The Fifth,” one of the few works that can be easily identified by its number, is one of the great works ever.
It is performed everywhere. It was one of the very first works performed by the New York Philharmonic in 1842.
Assignment:
Continue to study for exam on Wednesday, January 16 th .
Bibliography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15265b.htm
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/concise/ch15_outline.
htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven )
NBC Symphony Orchestra & Arturo Toscanini, The Television
Concerts – 1948-52, Volume 5, © 2005, Testament.
Suggested Reference:
History of Music, Hugh H. Miller, Barnes & Noble
Books, New York. 1972