Beethoven was German born and then moved to Vienna in his twenties to study with Haydn. Beethoven served as a transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras in western art. But where does Beethoven fit into the Regime’s repurposing of German music? Beethoven once said “strength is the morality of the man who stands out from the rest” representing a German spirit that Hitler identified with. This attitude accompanied with an overwhelming love of Beethoven by the German people made him a member of the elite group of Hitler’s glorified …show more content…
Hitler had a clear and concise opinion on the purpose of propaganda: to implement Nazi policies and ideals, maintain power, appeal to the feelings of the German people, and to justify the extermination of Jews and other inferiors. Music for the Nazi’s had the same purpose in achieving the goals of the party, and because of its rich history, could be used more effectively than other methods of propaganda. The Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels summarized this by saying, “music affects the heart and emotions more than the intellect. Where then could the heart of a nation beat stronger than in the huge masses, in which the heart of a nation has found its true home?” (Gilbert,