WDAV: Of Note

  • WDAV: Of Note
  • @WDAV
  • Classical 101
  • News & Features
  • Just For Fun
  • Events
  • Search
  • The Blog of WDAV Classical Public Radio
Beethoven in 1815 portrait by Joseph Willibrord Mähler.

Audio: The Life and Times of Beethoven

December 15, 2020WDAV BlogNews & Features, UncategorizedB250, Lawrence ToppmanComments Off on Audio: The Life and Times of Beethoven

Learn what shaped Beethoven’s music through a series of short audio anecdotes from Lawrence Toppman’s collection of posts marking 250 years since Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth. Topics include how he composed some of his greatest works as his hearing declined, why his greatest opera Fidelio had no memorable tunes, how he bombarded audiences with his genius to prove a point, and more.

     

What the Deaf Man Heard
Most think Beethoven went deaf relatively early, but new evidence suggests Beethoven might have retained partial hearing up to a year before his death.

Read more →

     

The Grim Beethoven?
After studying 46 images online of Beethoven, every painting, sculpture and drawing has one thing in common: He’s never smiling.

Read more →

     

A Disastrous Outpouring of Genius
“One can easily have too much of a good thing – and still more of a loud.”

Read more →

     

The Greatest Opera with No Tunes
How can the most brilliant of Beethoven’s operas not have more memorable tunes?

Read more →

     

The Journey that Saved Beethoven’s Life
Beethoven poured his thoughts into a document that starts with a plea for understanding and ends in his commitment to art

Read more →

     

Tweet

Recent Posts

  • Humoresque High Jinks: Six of Classical Music’s Most Mischievous Pranks
  • Celebrating Women in Classical Music: Six Outstanding Moments and Achievements from the Past Year
  • Has Jessica Cottis Pulled Ahead in CSO’s Music Director Race?
..

E-Newsletter

Thanks for signing up!
Get weekly WDAV programming news delivered to your inbox.

Archives