Ludwig van Beethoven (16th December, 1770 Bonn -26th March, 1827 Vienna) was the most significant personality in Europe's musical history. He was a composer of many symphonies, works for piano, chamber music, songs and the opera Fidelio. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with Ode to Joy reaches the pinnacle of its genre as well as Missa Solemnis. Even though his compositions for chamber ensembles and 32 piano sonatas are technically difficult, they are still parts of concert programmes.
Beethoven Iived in Vienna from 1792 until the end of his Iife, which enabled him to establish close relations with Slovakia, especially his good friends Mikulá¹ Zme¹kal and Johann N. Hummel. In a letter, written on 23rd September, 1796 in Bratislava, Beethoven announced to Vienna the date of his concert performance. He also composed Cantata "Opferlied" dedicated to Bratislava, which was premiered on 23rd December, 1822 in the Bratislava City Theatre.
On the occasion of Babetta Odeschalchi-Keglevich's marriage in Bratislava, Beethoven composed Piano concerto in C Major. He also wrote his most poetic composition Sonata in c-sharp Minor "Moonlight" inspired by the unique atmosphere of the Brunswick's family residence in Dolná Krupá, western Slovakia.
¥uba Ballová, PhD
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