Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a towering figure in classical music, whose innovative compositions marked the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era. Born in Bonn, Germany, Beethoven displayed musical talent from an early age, being tutored by his father Johann and later, more influentially, by Christian Gottlob Neefe. Moving to Vienna in his early twenties, Beethoven studied under the great Joseph Haydn and quickly established himself as a virtuoso pianist and innovative composer. His body of work includes nine symphonies, numerous piano and chamber works, operas, and choral music, and it continues to be revered for its emotional depth, strong structural coherence, and technical innovation.

Despite suffering from deteriorating hearing from his late 20s, which ultimately led to complete deafness, Beethoven's ability to compose music of profound beauty and power never waned. Notably, his later works, such as the monumental Ninth Symphony and the late string quartets, were created when he was unable to hear music other than in his imagination. His indomitable spirit in the face of personal adversity, coupled with his relentless creativity, has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest composers in Western music. Beethoven's compositions continue to be celebrated and widely performed, and his life and music have inspired countless musicians and listeners across the centuries. The recent releases listed, while indicative of a living artist's new work, are instead new performances and recordings of Beethoven's timeless compositions, continually reinterpreted and cherished as they resonate with each new generation.

Genres

Classical

Classical Era

Early Romantic Era

German Romanticism

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Latest Release

Leggierezza. Piano Music from the Golden Age

Peter Phillips•

Frédéric Chopin•

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart•

Claude Debussy•

Ludwig van Beethoven•

Johann Sebastian Bach

Album - 34 Tracks - Released September 18, 2024