Beethoven

Beethoven is perhaps the best-known of the classical masters. His famously eccentric personality is always intriguing to kids. Consider teaching the following points:

• Composer Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Germany, but he lived for many years in Austria.

• Beethoven gradually lost his hearing and eventually became deaf. That didn’t stop him, however, from composing some of his most impressive works—including his Ninth Symphony. This piece, which contains “The Ode to Joy,” is one of the most popular pieces in music history.

• Beethoven sometimes dipped his head in cold water to clear his mind before composing!

• Much of Beethoven’s work was written during the Classical Period. He also composed music in the style of the next musical era—the Romantic Period.

To learn more, visit Alberti Publishing.

Illustration by Heidi Cabrera