Compare and contrast the lives of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Van Beethoven Include: Major life events, Important musical compositions, Primary differences in style

Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Beethovenvan were two of the greatest composers in classical Western music. They were both Germans. Beethoven, a contemporary of Mozart, was born 20 years after the death of Bach. They're two of the "three Bs" of classical music - Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.

Bach lived in the Baroque period while Beethonven was a crucial figure in the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era.

Beethoven was an admirer of Bach. He often played the preludes and fugues of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. Beethoven called Bach the "Urvater der Harmonie" ("Original father of harmony")

Explanation:

Bach

Date of birth-21 March 1685 Livelihood-Court musician, organist, concertmaster, director of music Nationality-German Family Background-Youngest child of Johann Ambrosius Bachand and Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt. His father was the director of the Stadtpfeifer or town musicians. All his uncles were musicians. Music teachers in early years-His father taught him to play violin and harpsichord. One of his uncles taught him the organ. His eldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach instructed him on the clavichord.

Beethoven

Date of birth-16 December 1770 Livelihood-Gave piano lessons, Earned income from publication of his works and from public performances, he also depended on the generosity of patrons. Music style-Influenced by Haydn and Mozart in the early period. Music teachers in early years-His father; court organist Gilles van den Eeden; Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer (taught piano); Franz Rovantini (taught violin and viola); Family Background - Second born child of Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. Beethoven's grandfather was a musician. He became the Kapellmeister (music director) at the court of the Elector of Cologne