Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Romantic Era

Ludwig Van Beethoven. December 16. 1770 - March 26, 1827

I bought a t-shirt from the Grand Teton Music Festival a while back, and it has the first 5 measures of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.  Underneath them, it says "POWER BARS".  I threw it on for work today, without realizing what day it was, until someone asked me if I did it for Beethoven's birthday.  I must have, without thinking!  How funny, so I thought it'd be appropriate to write a little of this famous composer in the scope of the Romantic Era (1820-1900).
At the beginning, Beethoven's work was considered Classical.  This style can be considred emotionally restrained, ordered and structured, objectivity, and clear form.  Mozart and Handel fall into this era.  But, many of Beethoven's works were more emotional.  Take for instance, "Moonlight Sonata, Movement 1" or Fur Elise" for the piano.  Or his Piano Concertos.  #4 and #5.  Or his later  Symphonies or Violin Concerto!  I get excited.  What else should we listen to, other than the intentional beauty of the instruments and form?
In the Romantic era, there are five main characteristics that art forms had. 
1) Individualism, 2) Emotionalism, 3)Subjectivity, 4) Favorite subject (the ancient or medieval) or the supernatural (magic, witches, fairies, ghosts), and 5) and nationalism. 
Now Beethoven's music did not have a seething amount of all these qualities, but he had more than most Classical composers.  He definitely had Individualism and Emotionalism, and his own life was quite emotional, having had a traumatic lifetime.  He even became deaf, but still composed remarkable works. 
Ah. . . the Romantic Era.  Fascinating.  It's so Romantic!  All that sturm und drang or storm! Artists and musicians expressed many emotions and broke many rules through their individual genres.  Though the phrase itself is German, the style affected other countries.  Painters of the day included J.M.W. Turner and Rodin, and poets included  Keats (Ode to a Grecian Urn) and Coleridge (Rime of the Ancient Mariner). Many historic events such as the Civil War in the U.S., the Franco Prussian War were happening. Writers, philosopers, and even the industrial revolution were also part of this very important era, all shaping the seventeenth century.  Because of all these events, we have a multitude of significant works of art, music, and literature that we study and become inspired by today in 2010.
Happy 240th Birthday, Ludwig!

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