Both Ludwig Van Beethoven and Amadeus Mozart are regarded as the head honchos of the classical music era. Mozart was one of the composers that ushered in the classical era, whereas Beethoven studied classicism, refining and expanding on it in order to help usher in the Romantic era. Both names are synonymous with top rate classical composition. In this essay, I will try to determine which of the two curmudgeon composers reigns supreme.
The style characteristics of the classical era had to do with tuneful thematic material. Mozart rose to fame shortly after the Baroque period ended, in which composition was more focused on formulaic, almost mathematical techniques. One of Mozart’s main influences was Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was well known …show more content…
Mozart is often referred to as the greatest classical pianist of all time. As mentioned before, at five years old he playing piano better than many grown men. He had also nearly mastered the violin as well as began composing his own music. Five years old – just let that sink in. Beethoven also achieved virtuosity on the piano but it took him until about his early 20’s to start getting recognition. Beethoven’s virtuosity is more apparent by the fact that he went almost completely deaf by the time he reached his 30’s but he continued to compose and conduct symphonies. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy) was composed completely without the aid of actually being able to hear it.
Both composers did so much for music as a whole. I’m not even slightly suggesting that either one be tossed aside. Each had their own styles, flaws, and their own places in the lexicon of music. Personally I believe that the emotion inherent in Beethoven’s music and the fact that he was able to learn from Mozart as well as so many other great composers makes him the greater composer of the two. Of course, to site the age old “Chicken and the Egg” conundrum one could easily argue that Beethoven’s work may not have been so refined had Mozart not been around to get the ball
The style characteristics of the classical era had to do with tuneful thematic material. Mozart rose to fame shortly after the Baroque period ended, in which composition was more focused on formulaic, almost mathematical techniques. One of Mozart’s main influences was Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was well known …show more content…
Mozart is often referred to as the greatest classical pianist of all time. As mentioned before, at five years old he playing piano better than many grown men. He had also nearly mastered the violin as well as began composing his own music. Five years old – just let that sink in. Beethoven also achieved virtuosity on the piano but it took him until about his early 20’s to start getting recognition. Beethoven’s virtuosity is more apparent by the fact that he went almost completely deaf by the time he reached his 30’s but he continued to compose and conduct symphonies. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy) was composed completely without the aid of actually being able to hear it.
Both composers did so much for music as a whole. I’m not even slightly suggesting that either one be tossed aside. Each had their own styles, flaws, and their own places in the lexicon of music. Personally I believe that the emotion inherent in Beethoven’s music and the fact that he was able to learn from Mozart as well as so many other great composers makes him the greater composer of the two. Of course, to site the age old “Chicken and the Egg” conundrum one could easily argue that Beethoven’s work may not have been so refined had Mozart not been around to get the ball