Recognizable Classical Music

There are many forms of modern music listened to and liked today. Alternative, Rock, Hip-Hop, Rap and Jazz are among the most popular. Many people believe they have never listened to or could possibly like classical music. For these non-believers, that is mostly untrue. There have been many classical compositions that are famous throughout the world. Two of the most recognizable were written by Beethoven.

Ludwig van Beethoven was the second child of Johann and Maria Beethoven. His father worked as a church musician in Bonn, Germany. Because of his musical gifts, Johann also taught violin, piano and voice lessons. As he raised his son, he passed on much of his knowledge. Beethoven eventually studied under Mozart and Hayden for almost a year before he began his own career as a serious composer. It is unfortunate that Beethoven eventually lost his hearing and only composed 9 symphonies.

There are few people in the world today that will fail to recognize the opening notes of Beethoven's 5th symphony. The first four notes descend down the scale. It has been speculated that these were representative of the bill collectors pounding on the door of his childhood home. Whether or not it is true, Beethoven's 5th symphony has become one of the most widely listened to and celebrated symphonies in the world.

Ode to Joy was the choral part of Beethoven's 9th and final symphony. He wrote the music and used the poem written by Friedrich Schiller to add words to his work. It has long been a source of debate among professional musicians, but audiences around the world have loved it since its first performance. It was Beethoven's last symphony and written after he became totally deaf. It has often brought people a sense of being uplifted whether they were listening in a church, to the radio or in a concert hall.