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Biographical Summary

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German pianist and composer widely considered to be one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time. His innovative compositions combined vocals and instruments, widening the scope of sonata, symphony, concerto and quartet. He is the crucial transitional figure connecting the Classical and Romantic ages of Western music.

Beethoven’s personal life was marked by a struggle against deafness, and some of his most important works were composed during the last 10 years of his life, when he was quite unable to hear. He died at the age of 56

Brief History

Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized in Bonn, Germany, on December 17, 1770, and died in Vienna on March 26, 1827. He completed the Violin Concerto in 1806, shortly before its first performance by Franz Clement at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna on December 23 that year. In addition to the solo violin, the score calls for flute, two each of oboes, clarinets, and bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings. -

via Aspen Music Festival

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Program Notes

Performances