The Animated Story Of Beethoven Video On Interactive DVD

Trained in the traditional music methods by his father, Beethoven was an accomplished pianist by the age of 12. By his early twenties, he had performed for Joseph Haydn, who compared him to the great Mozart. Sadly, Beethoven began to lose his hearing, but he threw himself even more deeply into his music, composing “Fur Elise,” “Sonata Pathetique” and the dramatic “Fifth Symphony.” Years later, audience members heard what he could not and leapt to their feet in ecstatic appreciation for such passionate music. His creativity gave the world then, as it does today, music that stirs the soul.

Studying under Christian Gottlob Neefe (a German opera composer and conductor) and the infamous Joseph Haydn (who compared him to the great Mozart), Beethoven is best known for producing music that expresses heroism and struggle, contains intense personal expression, and explores new directions. supported himself by working as a freelance composer

Around age 26, Beethoven began to lose his hearing but threw himself even more deeply into his music, composing “Fur Elise,” “Sonata Pathetique” and the dramatic “Fifth Symphony.” He was also one of the first composers to work as a freelancer—arranging subscription concerts and selling his compositions to publishers.

Beethoven’s creativity and remarkable fortitude gave the world passionate music that stirs the soul. . .even to this day.

Main Characters:
Beethoven

Overall Theme:
Beethoven's story is one of personal triumph over tragedy and supreme musical achievement. A complex and brilliant man, no composer before or since has exerted greater influence.

Summary:
The video begins in 1827 with 30,000 people paying tribute to the great Beethoven in Vienna, Austria.  Then the video switches to his life as a child.  Beethoven was driven by his father without patience and love to practice playing the music of Mozart and Haydn on the piano; however, Beethoven preferred to improvise and play his own style of music.  This enraged his father as it did many symphony patrons later in life.

Beethoven was honored to be asked to move to Vienna and have Haydn as his instructor. After years of playing for royalty, Beethoven was frustrated that all the audiences wished only to hear music from Mozart and Haydn.  So, Beethoven decided to move to the countryside where he could compose music as he wished.  While living in the countryside, Beethoven noticed his hearing loss was getting more severe and feared going deaf.  

The world was going through a revolution.  The America Colonies threw off the British Empire, and common people replaced the King and Queen of France.  Beethoven believed that since the world was changing all around him that music should change also. Beethoven’s performances were not embraced by the majority because of his visceral style and the war going on around him; however, Beethoven never gave up despite his despair and lack of encouragement.  His courage to keep writing from the heart and his desire to play from the heart would eventually be accepted by the world.  As a tribute to the soldiers, Beethoven was commissioned to write a symphony in honor of Wellington’s victory over Napoleon.  “The Wellington’s Victory” was a favorite of the people of Vienna even though it was not one of Beethoven’s favorites.  Tragically, Beethoven’s success could not be enjoyed.  His health was fading quickly.  In his last days, Beethoven finally wrote the symphony that touched his heart. 

The Ninth Symphony was his final work with the choral music put to Schiller’s poem, “Ode to Joy.”  “Ode to Joy” spoke to the heart with words, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony spoke to the heart with music.  Sadly, Beethoven did not conduct his last piece of work because of his complete hearing loss.  The applause was not heard by Beethoven; but the sight of the audience standing and continually applauding was Beethoven’s acknowledgement of the appreciation felt by the Vienna people and the world.

Background:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), the second-oldest child of the court musician and tenor singer Johann van Beethoven, was born in Bonn. Ludwig's father drilled him thoroughly with the ambition of showcasing him as a child prodigy. Ludwig gave his first public performance as a pianist when he was eight years old. Employed as a musician in Bonn court orchestra since 1787, Beethoven was granted a paid leave of absence in the early part of 1787 to study in Vienna under Mozart.

In 1792 he chose Vienna as his new residence and took lessons from Haydn, Albrechtsberger, Schenck and Salieri. By 1795 he had earned a name for himself as a pianist of great fantasy and verve, admired in particular for his brilliant improvisations. By 1809 his patrons provided him with an annuity which enabled him to live as a freelance composer without financial worries. Beethoven was acutely interested in the development of the piano. He kept close contact with the leading piano building firms in Vienna and London and thus helped pave the way for the modern concert grand piano. Around the year 1798 Beethoven noticed that he was suffering from a hearing disorder.  He withdrew into increasing seclusion for the public and from his few friends and was eventually left completely deaf. By 1820 he was able to communicate with visitors and trusted friends only in writing.

The final years in the life of the restless bachelor (he changed living quarters no fewer than fifty-two times) were darkened by severe illness. When the most famous composer of the age died, about thirty thousand mourners and curious onlookers were present at the funeral procession on March 26, 1827.

BONUS Resource & Activity Books:

Each interactive DVD includes a 48-page Resource & Activity Book full of skill-developing activities, word games, puzzles, coloring pages, and more! Provides hours of fun and learning for the entire family! The special “Certificate of Achievement” located in the back of the book serves as an excellent award your child can display after completing the activities.

Principles and Values Taught in This Video
Persistence, Dedication, Courage, Diligence, and Overcoming Obstacles.