Beethovens Violin Concerto - 2137 Words

Ludwig van Beethoven is considered one of the greatest and most influential composers in the history of music. His Violin Concerto in D Major has been played by nearly every soloist in the past 150 years and, today, it is one of the major works in violin repertoire. Since its premiere by Franz Clement in the winter of 1806, many aspects of the violin, bow, and performance have undergone changes. This paper discusses the modern day knowledge of Beethoven s Violin Concerto, and how it is influencing the way violinists interpret and perform the concerto. It also points out some of the different performance styles starting from Clement s time to the present day. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) was born in Bonn, which is part of modern†¦show more content†¦Joachim also composed two cadenzas for the concerto, but most players today choose the Viennese violinist Fritz Kreisler s cadenzas from the 1920 s.8 When Beethoven was writing the Violin Concerto, orchestral instrume nts were very similar to those used in Haydn s and Mozart s time.9 During the 19th century, violin luthiers were trying to recreate Italian Stradivari and Guarneri models, including the most famous luthier in Germany during Beethoven s time. Rode, Kruetzer, Baillot, all alive during Beethoven s time period, were known to play on Stradivarius violins, with pernambuco wood bows that were of the Tourte style.10 Franà §ois Tourte was the most innovative bow maker of all times, and he invented the modern bow, which produced a bigger sound, and allowed for a new galaxy of bow techniques. All subsequent bows have been variations of the Tourte style. Violins during Beethoven s time used gut strings, made from sheep or goat intestines. It produced a softer, darker sound than that of modern strings made of metal and synthetic materials, introduced around the third quarter of the 19th century. Other changes to the violin after Beethoven s time include the use of the chin and shoulder rests, which were created by the violinist Louis Spohr (1784 – 1859). The chin rest lifts the the chin above the violin, so that it does not have to touch the violin top, allowing it resonate better with less damping.11 Many of theShow MoreRelatedProgramme Notes1205 Words   |  5 PagesProgramme Note: DipABRSM | Date: 1st June 2009 | | Word Count: 1,085 words | | | | | Partita for solo violin no.3 in E, BWV 1006 J.S Bach (b. 21 March 1685 in Eisenach;d. 28 July 1750 in Leipzig) Bach was the son of Johann Ambrosius Bach, court trumpeter for the Duke of Eisenach and director of musicians of the town of Eisenach in Thuringia. It is probably from his father that he learned the fundamentals of music. The Bach family throughout Thuringia had held positionsRead MoreLudwig van Beethoven Essay952 Words   |  4 PagesRhine River. Beethoven showed an affinity for music at an early age. His father, Johann, taught Ludwig to play the piano as well as the violin. Johann did this in hopes that his son would become a prodigy, and then reach fame like Wolfgang A. Mozart. Unfortunately though Beethoven mother died when he was seventeen. In addition to his mother’s death Beethoven’s father developed an alcohol problem. To escape these problems Beethoven found a job tutoring the two children of the von Breuning familyRead MoreA Clockwork Orange By Anthony Burgess1473 Words   |  6 Pagesidentity, thereby illuminating the destructive effect that violenc e as on the human personality. The musical image of the â€Å"Ode to Joy† from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, illustrates the manner in which violence within the story progresses from the identity of one individual to embracing the identity of a whole group. As Alex puts on the last movement of Beethoven’s symphony, he â€Å"feels the old tigers leap in [him]† (46), 1 and he forces himself on the two young girls he has brought with him to his denRead More Music, Violence, and Identity in Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange1456 Words   |  6 PagesJoy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, illustrates the manner in which violence steals the identity of an individual and replaces it with a group identity. As Alex puts on the last movement of Beethoven’s symphony, he feels the old tigers leap in [him] (46),1 and he forces himself on the two young girls he has brought with him to his den. The rape of these two girls by Alex appears to constitute an individual act of the self , and indeed the vocal section in the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth SymphonyRead MoreClassical Composers : Luigi Boccherini And Ludwig Van Beethoven1115 Words   |  5 Pagesdied, Boccherini formed a partnership with Filippo Manfredi, a violinist, and they toured Italy in 1767. Beethoven’s father noticed his musical gifts and abilities and began training him at a young age. Local teachers like the court organists, Gilles van den Eeden, family friend, Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer, and relative, Franz Rovantini began his intensive studies in keyboard, organ, and violin tuition. Johann, his father, attempted to promote Ludwig as a child prodigy and sometime after 1779 beganRead MoreEssay about Life of Ludwig van Beethoven1182 Words   |  5 PagesLife of Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven, also known as â€Å" The General of Musicians,† was born on December 16, 1770. However, this date is not exact because it is believed that Beethoven’s father lied about his son’s age in order to portray him as an infant prodigy. As a result, Beethoven is convinced he was born on December 16, 1772 at the Rheingasse home, which belonged to the Fischers, who were close friends of the family (Orga 8). Johann van and Maria Magdalena BeethovenRead MoreLudwig Van Beethoven1210 Words   |  5 PagesLife of a Legend Ludwig van Beethoven, also known as The General of Musicians, was born on December 16, 1770. However, this date is not exact because it is believed that Beethovens father lied about his sons age in order to portray him as an infant prodigy. As a result, Beethoven is convinced he was born on December 16, 1772 at the Rheingasse home, which belonged to the Fischers, who were close friends of the family (Orga 8). Johann van and Maria Magdalena Beethoven bore five childrenRead MoreLudwig Van Beethoven : The First Four Notes1432 Words   |  6 Pageshis death. Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 16th, 1770 in Bonn, Germany. Beethoven’s birth date isn’t an exact date because many had said that Beethoven’s father might have lied about his age to depict his son as a young child prodigy. The custom in Germany back then was to get your baby baptized the day after their birth. Beethoven was baptized on December 17th, 1770. Regardless of what date is Beethoven’s actual birthday, he always acknowledged the December 16th, 1770 as his date of birthRead MoreLudwig Van Beethoven ( 1770-1827 )858 Words   |  4 PagesPfeiffer, who taught Beethoven the piano, and Franz Rovantini, a relative, who instructed him in playing the violin and viola. After 1779, Beethoven started his studies under Christian Gottlob Neefe, a renowned opera composer and conductor. Ludwig was also known to have been a close friend of prolific Austrian composer Joseph Haydn and intended to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Music Beethoven’s music, which was broken up into three periods, also reflected his hearing loss. His Early Period musicRead MoreKey Signature and Beethoven9252 Words   |  38 PagesBeethoven born in Bonn b. Studied under Christian Gottlob Neefe (1748-98) c. 1787: brief visit to Vienna, may have played for Mozart d. 1790: Haydn hears Beethovens music and urges the archbishop of Cologne to send him to Vienna 2. Studies with a number of composers a. 1792-94: studied with