from the Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Index
Hey Kids, Meet Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (Baptized Dec 16, 1770-1827) German Classical/Romantic Era Composer
Meet Ludwig van Beethoven.
Most of you have seen him sitting on top of your grandmother’s piano, looking pretty distinguished.
But when you’re not looking, he likes to dance!
Beethoven was born in Germany - the home of pretzels, cuckoo clocks, and a bunch of other funny white wig wearing composers, like Bach, Brahms and Haydn.
As a boy, Ludwig practiced very hard to please his father who hoped that he would become the next Mozart. He didn’t become the next Mozart, and his Dad was disappointed.
However, he did become a pretty good Beethoven, and by the time he was 30 years old he’d composed one of the most popular piano pieces ever written. It’s Für Elise .
Who’s Elise?
Well... nobody. It turns out the music typesetter misspelled the title of Beethoven’s composition. It was supposed to be called, Für Therese.
Therese was a lady that Beethoven asked to marry him.
But Therese told him, "No hugs and kisses for you Ludwig. I don’t want to marry you." RASP!
Therese married an Austrian nobleman instead, which made Beethoven sad.
But it wasn’t too long before Beethoven turned that frown upside down...
... and went on to write more great music like his Fifth Symphony
... and his ninth symphony, which includes Ode to Joy.
Today we consider Ludwig van Beethoven to be one of the greatest composers of all time.
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Watch a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 for orchestra.
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