Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata 3rd Movement
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic ears in Western art music. He remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers [1]. His grandfather Ludwig and his father Johann were both musicians [2]. His father was a musician at the court of Bonn, with a definite weakness for alcohol. His mother was always described as a gentle, retiring woman, with a warm heart. At an early age, Van Beethoven, took an interest in music and his father taught him day and night, on returning to the house from music practice, At the age of 7 1/2 , Ludwig Van Beethoven gave his first public performance at Cologne [3]. By the age of 26, Beethoven began to lose his hearing.
I really like Ludwig Van Beethoven. He had an amazing gift for music. His best known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He also composed other chamber music, choral works, and songs [1]. I chose Sonata No. 17, “Tempest” 3rd Movement. Ludwing Van Beethoven worte his 32 piano sonatoa between 1795 and 1822. The sonata consists of three movements including Adagio sostenuto, allegretto and presto agitato [4]. Sonata No. 17, Tempest 3rd Movement is one of my favorite sonatas. Tempest is dramatic in the sense that it has a somewhat romantic feel to it and more passionate than other sonata pieces. I feel Beethoven revealed his inner self by this piece of music.
The Classical period known as the “age of enlightenment” as the power shifted from the aristocracy and church to the middle class. During this period, the appreciation of music belonging to the middle class became patrons of music as well [5]. I think that Beethoven’s music is a lot simpler and less intense than the Mozart’s music and this is the main reason the music was demanded by the middle class during the Classical Era. Composers catered not only to the needs of the listening public but for those in the middle class who wanted to become musicians as well. Thus, composers wrote pieces that were easy to play [5]. Ludwig Van Beethoven is a brilliant pianist who composed many of his music being deaf and his music has been played all over the world for over 180 years.
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven
[2] http://home.swipnet.se/zabonk/cultur/ludwig/beetbio.htm
[3] http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._14_(Beethoven)
[5] http://musiced.about.com/od/medievalto20thcentury/a/The-Role-Of-Music-And-Composers.htm
kimnanook 
I really enjoyed reading your analysis! I like how you gave a little background of Ludwig Van Beethoven; most people just jump into what work they chose and why. Also, not only did you explain why you enjoyed the music but you specifically pointed out which part of the music you liked the most, which I have to agree! Finally, you explained very well how this piece of music connects to the rise of the middle class. Where was this work created?
Thank you for visiting and leave nice comments on my blog. I could not find where the Sonata Tempest was created. It only states that this music was composed in 1801/02 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._17_(Beethoven)