The Classics: Take 2

So continuing with some of the classic artists, this post will be about two child prodigies, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Mozart was born in 1756 in Austria. He grew up in a very musically inclined family and composed his first song at age 5. By age 6 he and his elder sister were traveling Europe and performing. At age 9 his first song was published, over the following years he traveled Europe performing and wrote countless songs. He died in 1791 at the age of 35. In his short lifetime he produced over “20 operas, about 14-15 masses, 30-40 concerts (piano and violin), 50-60 symphonies, and 20 sonatas.” His music is still performed and listened to today.

Beethoven was born in 1770. He too was exposed to music at an early age and performed publicly by the age of 7 and half. His father said he was 6 at the time so Beethoven always thought he was younger than he really was. Before the age of 12 he had published his first work. His father was an alcoholic and Beethoven slowly replaced his father as the bread winner of the family. He traveled to Vienna to further his musical education and wrote many pieces over the years. He died in 1827 at the age of 55 after getting a cold. His funeral was attended by “between 10,000 and 30,000 people.” He was a great musician and his music also is still known today.

I listened to music by each composer to get a feel of their work. A favorite of mine by Beethoven is Ode to Joy. I learned to play it as a child when I studied piano briefly and it will always be a favorite of mine. I love the rise and fall of the melody and how the same lilting phrase is repeated a couple times, then changes and becomes more. Here is a humorous rendition of the song by the Muppets Meep Meep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcUxwpOQ_A&NR=1

I listened to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21. I liked the beginning of it because it reminded me of music out of Pride and Prejudice. Overall it was a nice piece, but after so long I get bored of music with no words unless I’m the one playing it. It was a beautiful piece that would really cool if I could play it myself.

From last week’s composers I listened to the Prelude of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. It also reminds me of Pride and Prejudice. It’s a great piece to listen too. I like just listening to the prelude because it was short enough that I didn’t lose interest. It is another great piece of music.

The final song is listened to was the Overture from Handel’s Messiah. It was quiet and slower at the beginning, but then it picked up and was nice to listen too. The soft and loud points of the recording were great and make me wish I did half of what they did when I perform music. It was another great piece, one that is still being performed today and will forever be performed.

I only listened to one song and a few renditions of that song by these four composers. They all have countless songs out there and countless renditions so if you like one on the composers check out his other music for more you may like.




More info at:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-29-2005-64987.asp

http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html

Pictures from:


http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/M/MOZ/mozart-01.jpg

http://robertarood.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/beethoven.jpg