Easter egg

Easter egg

Congratulations! You found our Easter egg! Enjoy this hidden beauty.

Gefeliciteerd! Je hebt ons paasei gevonden! Geniet van deze verborgen schoonheid.

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Ludwig van Beethoven 1770 Bonn – 1827 Wenen)

Symphony No. 9, Movement II

Paavo Järvi en de Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen op het Beethovenfest Bonn in 2009 in de Beethovenhalle.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven by Max Klinger (1902)
Ludwig van Beethoven by Max Klinger (1902)

Beethoven statue by Max Klinger in the Beethovenhaus in Bonn.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who is considered one of the most famous and influential figures in classical music. He was born in the city of Bonn in 1770 and began studying music at an early age, eventually becoming a student of Joseph Haydn. Beethoven’s early compositions were heavily influenced by Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but he quickly developed his own distinctive style, characterized by dramatic and emotional depth.

Beethoven is best known for his nine symphonies, which are considered among the greatest works in the symphonic repertoire. His Symphony No. 9, in particular, is famous for its setting of Friedrich Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,” which has become an iconic piece of music and a symbol of unity and universal brotherhood. Beethoven’s other notable works include his five piano concertos, his “Moonlight” Sonata for piano, and his opera Fidelio.

Despite his many accomplishments, Beethoven’s life was not without struggles. He began to lose his hearing in his late 20s, and by the time he was in his 40s he was completely deaf. Despite this, he continued to compose and conduct, relying on his musical intuition and the help of assistants to communicate with the world around him.

Beethoven’s music has had a profound impact on classical music and has influenced countless composers and performers over the years. His works are still widely performed and are considered some of the greatest achievements in the history of music. Even today, more than two centuries after his death, Beethoven’s music continues to be celebrated and loved by audiences around the world.