Our students studied the life of classical composer Ludwig Van Beethoven recently. We used the "Stories of the Great Composers, Book 1" from Alfred Publishing. This is a short summary of the text the students read.
Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770. He died at age 56 in 1827. He came from a musical family. His father began teaching him to play the piano and violin when he was 4 years old. He was known as one of the best pianists of his day. Mozart said that Beethoven would be a famous musician one day.
Beethoven lost his hearing gradually between age 30 and 50. He still wrote compositions even after he lost his hearing. Before he lost his hearing, he went to the woods and creeks / brooks to listen to sounds of nature. He was 'storing up' sounds in his mind so he could remember what each sound was like. He used his knowledge and memory of sounds to write beautiful music even after he lost his hearing. One of his symphonies was Symphony No. 6, also known as the Pastoral Symphony. Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. A few other compositions by Beethoven were (Moonlight Sonata) Piano Sonata in C-Sharp Minor and Fur Elise.
Our students created the questions and we made a multiple choice quiz based on their reading.
When did Beethoven begin musical training?
Age 10
Age 8
Age 4
How old was Beethoven when he died?
65
56
40
What is another name for the 6th Symphony?
Farewell
Pastoral
Gentle
Who taught Beethoven to play the piano and violin when he was four years old?
Cousin
Father
Brother
Beethoven's compositions were classified in what style or period of music?
Modern
Baroque
Classical
What was the name of one of Beethoven's symphonies?
Farewell Symphony
Ode to Joy, 9th Symphony
Symphonic Overture
What country was Beethoven born in?
Germany
France
Austria
Beethoven started losing what at age 30?
Money
Music
Sight
Hearing
Could Beethoven still compose music after he lost his hearing?
Yes
No
Beethoven was known as one of the greatest ______ of his day.
Builders
Pianists
Singers
Farmers
Before losing his hearing and writing Symphony No.6, Beethoven did what to find 'sound effects' for his symphony?
'Stored up' sounds in his mind by going to the woods and creek to listen to sounds of birds and water and a thunderstorm.
Asked others to decide how his symphony should sound.
Used a synthesizer to make the sound effects.
________ said that one day Beethoven would be a very famous musician.
