By: Serena Li

Ludwig Van Beethoveen was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany. His father wanted him to be a child prodigy since he was very talented. During this time he studied briefly under both Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Eventually, his hearing started to decline at the age of 28. When he was 40, Beethoven became completely deaf, yet this was when he wrote his most famous symphony – Symphony No. 9.

Beethoven took symphonies, sonatas, and concertos, and mixed them with drama. He did this by adding bold harmonics, unique modulations, and extreme dynamic contrast. He composed music in the middle of the Classical, late 18th- and early 19th-century, and the Romantic, 19th century, eras.

His piece “Ode to Joy” was the finale of his most famous symphony, the 9th, which was completed in 1824. This song represents hope, unity, and fellowship. Some lyrics include “Be embraced, oh you millions!” and “Here’s a kiss for the entire world”. It’s become the anthem of the Olympics, featured in opening and closing ceremonies

The piece ranges in only an octave, which is a series of eight notes consisting of the interval between two notes. The range is small and the notes go either up or down without leaps, so it’s easy for everyone to sing.

The song is very catchy because it has four-bar phrases in common time, which is four beats per measure. This is the easiest to interpret and sing.