Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

Dates: 1770–1827
Era: Classical (1750–1820)
Recognition: essential popular

Wikipedia

Where to start with Beethoven

Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles

Orchestral

Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major, op. 73, "Emperor"

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Keyboard

Piano Sonata no. 21 in C major, op. 53, "Waldstein"

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Chamber

Piano Trio no. 7 in B flat major, op. 97, "Archduke"

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Vocal

Choral Fantasy in C minor, op. 80 — For piano, choir and orchestra

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Keyboard

Piano Sonata no. 23 in F minor, op. 57, "Appassionata"

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Keyboard

Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor, op. 13, "Pathétique"

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Chamber

String Quartet no. 7 in F major, op. 59 no. 1, "Razumovsky"

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Orchestral

Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67

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Orchestral

Symphony no. 9 in D minor, op. 125, "Choral"

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Orchestral

Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61

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Chamber

Violin Sonata no. 9 in A major, op. 47, "Kreutzer"

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Keyboard

Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59, "Für Elise"

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Keyboard

Piano Sonata no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2, "Moonlight"

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Orchestral

Symphony no. 6 in F major, op. 68, "Pastoral"

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Chamber

Violin Sonata no. 5 in F major, op. 24, "Spring"

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Listening guide

Hand-curated paths into Beethoven's catalogue

Most Acclaimed

String Quartet Op. 131 in C-sharp minor

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String Quartet Op. 132 in A minor

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Piano Sonata Op. 106 ”Hammerklavier”

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Diabelli Variations Op. 120

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Missa Solemnis Op. 123

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Most Weird

Grosse Fuge Op. 133

originally the finale of Op. 130 — so violent and incomprehensible his publisher begged him to replace it; he did, and it became a separate piece

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String Quartet Op. 135

his last — the slow introduction carries the motto ”Must it be? It must be!” — nobody knows what it means

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Piano Sonata Op. 111

last sonata — the finale is a slow theme and variations that ends with something resembling boogie-woogie in 1822

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String Quartet Op. 130

original version with Grosse Fuge finale — hear it this way

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Wellington's Victory Op. 91

symphony depicting a battle — with real cannons; his most embarrassing piece and a huge popular success in his lifetime

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Similar composers

Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinity

Hummel

1778–1837 · sim 1.069

ess

Haydn

1732–1809 · sim 1.032

ess

Mozart

1756–1791 · sim 1.009

ess

Spohr

1784–1859 · sim 0.977

ess

Cherubini

1760–1842 · sim 0.887

ess

Salieri

1750–1825 · sim 0.795

ess

Field

1782–1837 · sim 0.749

ess

Boccherini

1743–1805 · sim 0.747

ess

Works 344

Orchestral
● Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major, op. 73, "Emperor"
● Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67
● Symphony no. 9 in D minor, op. 125, "Choral"
● Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61
● Symphony no. 6 in F major, op. 68, "Pastoral"
Leonore Overture no. 3, op. 72b
Piano Concerto no. 3 in C minor, op. 37
Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, op. 58
Symphony no. 3 in E flat major, op. 55, "Eroica"
Symphony no. 7 in A major, op. 92
Consecration of the House, op. 124 — Overture
Contredanses for Orchestra, WoO 14
Coriolan, op. 62 — Overture
Ecossaise in D major, WoO 22 — For wind ensemble
Fidelio Overture, op. 72c
German Dances for Orchestra, WoO 13
German Dances for Orchestra, WoO 8
Gratulations: Menuet for Orchestra in E flat major, WoO 3
Leonore Overture no. 1, op. 138
Leonore Overture no. 2, op. 72a
March in C major, WoO 20
March in D major, WoO 24 — For wind ensemble
March in F major, WoO 18, "Für die Böhmische Landwehr" — For wind ensemble
March in F major, WoO 19 — For wind ensemble
Minuets for Orchestra, WoO 7
Movement for Violin and Orchestra in C major, WoO 5
Piano Concerto in D major, op. 61a — Version for piano and orchestra of the Violin Concerto
Piano Concerto in E flat major, WoO 4
Piano Concerto no. 1 in C major, op. 15
Piano Concerto no. 2 in B flat major, op. 19
Polonaise in D major, WoO 21 — For wind ensemble
Romance cantabile in E minor, Hess13 — For flute, bassoon and orchestra
Romance for Violin and Orchestra no. 1 in G major, op. 40
Romance for Violin and Orchestra no. 2 in F major, op. 50
Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in B flat major, WoO 6
Symphony no. 1 in C major, op. 21
Symphony no. 10 in E flat major — Version completed by Barry Cooper
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 36
Symphony no. 4 in B flat major, op. 60
Symphony no. 8 in F major, op. 93
Triple Concerto in C major, op. 56 — For violin, cello, piano and orchestra
Triumphal March in C major, WoO 2a, "Tarpeja"
Wellington's Victory, op. 91
Zur Namensfeier, op. 115 — Overture
Keyboard
● Piano Sonata no. 21 in C major, op. 53, "Waldstein"
● Piano Sonata no. 23 in F minor, op. 57, "Appassionata"
● Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor, op. 13, "Pathétique"
● Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59, "Für Elise"
● Piano Sonata no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2, "Moonlight"
Piano Sonata no. 17 in D minor, op. 31 no. 2, "Tempest"
Piano Sonata no. 26 in E flat major, op. 81a, "Les Adieux"
Piano Sonata no. 29 in B flat major, op. 106, "Hammerklavier"
Piano Sonata no. 32 in C minor, op. 111
Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, op. 120
Allegretto in B minor, WoO 61
Allegretto in C major, WoO 56, "Bagatelle"
Allegretto in C minor, Hess69
Allegretto in C minor, WoO 53
Allegretto quasi andante in G minor, WoO 61a
Allemande in A major, WoO 81
Andante favori in F major, WoO 57
Bagatelle in B flat major, WoO 60
Bagatelle in C major, Hess57
Bagatelle in C major, Hess73
Bagatelle in C major, WoO 54, "Lustig-Traurig"
Bagatelle in C minor, WoO 52
Bagatelle in E flat major, Hess74
Bagatelles, op. 119
Bagatelles, op. 126
Bagatelles, op. 33
Concert Finale in C major, Hess65
Contredanses, WoO 14
Ecossaise in E flat major, WoO 86
Ecossaises, WoO 83
Fantasy in G minor, op. 77
Fugue in B flat major, op. 134 — Version for piano 4 hands of the Grosse Fuge, op. 133
Fugue in C major, Hess 64
Fugue in D major, WoO 31 — For organ
German Dances, Hess 67
Grandes Marches for 2 Pianos, op. 45
Ländler, WoO 11
Minuet in E flat major, WoO 82
Minuets, WoO 10
Piano Sonata in C major, WoO 51
Piano Sonata in D major, op. 6 — For piano 4 hands
Piano Sonata in F major, WoO 50
Piano Sonata no. 1 in F minor, op. 2 no. 1
Piano Sonata no. 10 in G major, op. 14 no. 2
Piano Sonata no. 11 in B flat major, op. 22
Piano Sonata no. 12 in A flat major, op. 26
Piano Sonata no. 13 in E flat major, op. 27 no. 1, "Quasi una fantasia"
Piano Sonata no. 15 in D major, op. 28, "Pastoral"
Piano Sonata no. 16 in G major, op. 31 no. 1
Piano Sonata no. 18 in E flat major, op. 31 no. 3, "Hunt"
Piano Sonata no. 19 in G minor, op. 49 no. 1
Piano Sonata no. 2 in A major, op. 2 no. 2
Piano Sonata no. 20 in G major, op. 49 no. 2
Piano Sonata no. 22 in F major, op. 54
Piano Sonata no. 24 in F sharp major, op. 78
Piano Sonata no. 25 in G major, op. 79
Piano Sonata no. 27 in E minor, op. 90
Piano Sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101
Piano Sonata no. 3 in C major, op. 2 no. 3
Piano Sonata no. 30 in E major, op. 109
Piano Sonata no. 31 in A flat major, op. 110
Piano Sonata no. 4 in E flat major, op. 7
Piano Sonata no. 5 in C minor, op. 10 no. 1
Piano Sonata no. 6 in F major, op. 10 no. 2
Piano Sonata no. 7 in D major, op. 10 no. 3
Piano Sonata no. 9 in E major, op. 14 no. 1
Piano Sonatas, WoO 47, "Kurfürsten Sonatas"
Piano Sonatina in G major, Anh.5 no. 1
Polonaise in C major, op. 89
Prelude in F minor, WoO 55
Preludes, op. 39
Rondo a capriccio in G major, op. 129, "Rage over a Lost Penny"
Rondo in A major, WoO 49
Rondo in C major, WoO 48
Rondos, op. 51
Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme, op. 35, "Eroica Variations"
Variations on God Save the King, WoO 78
Variations on Ich denke dein, WoO 74
Variations on Rule Britannia, WoO 79
Variations on a March by Dressler, WoO 63
Variations on a Minuet by Haibel, WoO 68
Variations on a Russian Dance, WoO 71
Variations on a Swiss Air, WoO 64
Variations on a Theme by Dittersdorf, WoO 66
Variations on a Theme by Grétry, WoO 72
Variations on a Theme by Paisiello, WoO 69
Variations on a Theme by Paisiello, WoO 70
Variations on a Theme by Righini, WoO 65
Variations on a Theme by Salieri, WoO 73
Variations on a Theme by Sussmayr, WoO 76
Variations on a Theme by Waldstein, WoO 67 — For piano 4 hands
Variations on a Theme by Winter, WoO 75
Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 77
Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 80
Variations on an Original Theme, op. 34
Variations on an Original Theme, op. 76
Waltz in D major, WoO 85
Waltz in E flat major, WoO 84
Chamber
● Piano Trio no. 7 in B flat major, op. 97, "Archduke"
● String Quartet no. 7 in F major, op. 59 no. 1, "Razumovsky"
● Violin Sonata no. 9 in A major, op. 47, "Kreutzer"
● Violin Sonata no. 5 in F major, op. 24, "Spring"
Cello Sonata no. 4 in C major, op. 102, no. 1
Grosse Fuge, op. 133 — For string quartet
Piano Trio no. 5 in D major, op. 70 no. 1, "Ghost"
String Quartet no. 10 in E flat major, op. 74, "Harp"
String Quartet no. 11 in F minor, op. 95, "Serioso"
String Quartet no. 14 in C sharp minor, op. 131
String Quartet no. 15 in A minor, op. 132
String Quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135
Violin Sonata no. 7 in C minor, op. 30 no. 2
Adagio for Mandolin and Piano in E flat major, WoO 43, no. 2
Allegretto in B flat major, WoO 39 — For piano trio
Allegretto in E flat major, Hess48 — For piano trio
Andante and Variations in D major, WoO 44 no. 2 — For mandolin and piano
Canon in 2 parts in A flat major, Hess 275
Canon in 2 parts in A major, WoO 35
Canon in 2 parts in G major, Hess 274
Cello Sonata in E flat major, op. 64 — Version for cello and piano of the String Trio, op. 3 (tr. unknown)
Cello Sonata no. 1 in F major, op. 5 no. 1
Cello Sonata no. 2 in G minor, op. 5 no. 2
Cello Sonata no. 3 in A major, op. 69
Cello Sonata no. 5 in D major, op. 102, no. 2
Clarinet Trio in B flat major, op. 11, "Gassenhauer"
Clarinet Trio in E flat major, op. 38 — Version for clarinet, cello and piano of the Septet, op. 20
Duo for 2 Flutes in G major, WoO 26
Duo for 2 Violins in A major, WoO 34
Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon in C major, WoO 27 no. 1
Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon in F major, WoO 27 no. 2
Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon in F major, WoO 27 no. 3
Duo for Viola and Cello in E flat major, WoO 32
Equali, WoO 30 — For 4 trombones
Flute Sonata in B flat major, Anh.4
Fugue for String Quartet in B flat major, Hess 36
Fugue for String Quintet in D mahor, op. 137
German Dances, WoO 42 — For violin and piano
Grenadier March in F major, Hess107 — For mechanical clock
Horn Sonata in F major, op. 17
Ländler, WoO 15 — For 2 violins and double bass
Mandolin Sonatina in C minor, WoO 43a
Mandolin Sonatina in C minor, WoO 44a
March for Wind Sextet in B flat major, WoO 29
Minuet for string quartet in A flat major, Hess 33
Minuets, WoO 9 — For 2 violins and double bass
Mödlinger Tänze, WoO 17 — For 2 clarinets, 2 horns, 2 violins and double bass
National Airs with Variations, op. 105 — For flute and piano
National Airs with Variations, op. 107 — For flute and piano
Notturno in D major, op. 42 — Version for viola and piano of the the String Trio, op. 8
Piano Quartet in E flat major, op. 16b — Version for piano and strings of the Quintet for piano and winds, op. 16
Piano Trio in D major, Anh.3
Piano Trio in E flat major, WoO 38
Piano Trio no. 1 in E flat major, op. 1 no. 1
Piano Trio no. 2 in G major, op. 1, no. 2
Piano Trio no. 3 in C minor, op. 1 no. 3
Piano Trio no. 4 in B flat major, op. 11
Piano Trio no. 6 in E flat major, op. 70 no. 2
Pieces for Musical Clock, WoO 33
Prelude and Fugue at the octave, Hess 30 — For string quartet
Prelude and Fugue in E minor, Hess29 — For 2 violins and cello
Quintet for Piano and Winds in E flat major, op. 16 — For piano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon
Rondo for Violin and Piano in G major, WoO 41
Rondo for Wind Octet in E flat major, WoO 25, "Rondino"
Septet in E flat major, op. 20 — For clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and double bass
Serenade in D major, op. 25 — For flute, violin and viola
Serenade in D major, op. 41 — Version for flute and piano of the Serenade, op. 25
Serenade in D major, op. 8 — For string trio
Sextet for 2 Horns and Strings in E flat major, op. 81b
Sonatina for mandolin and piano in C major, WoO 44 no. 1
Sonatina for mandolin and piano in C minor, WoO 43 no. 1
String Quartet in F major, Hess 34 — Version for string quartet of the Piano Sonata, op. 14, no. 1
String Quartet no. 1 in F major, op. 18 no. 1
String Quartet no. 12 in E flat major, op. 127
String Quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130
String Quartet no. 2 in G major, op. 18 no. 2
String Quartet no. 3 in D major, op. 18 no. 3
String Quartet no. 4 in C minor, op. 18 no. 4
String Quartet no. 5 in A major, op. 18 no. 5
String Quartet no. 6 in B flat major, op. 18 no. 6
String Quartet no. 8 in E minor, op. 59 no. 2, "Razumovsky"
String Quartet no. 9 in C major, op. 59 no. 3, "Razumovsky"
String Quintet in C major, op. 29
String Quintet in C minor, op. 104 — Version for string quintet of the Piano Trio, op. 1 no. 3
String Quintet in E flat major, op. 4 — Version for string quintet of the Octet, op. 103
String Trio no. 1 in E flat major, op. 3
String Trio no. 3 in G major, op. 9, no. 1
String Trio no. 4 in F major, op. 9 no. 3
String Trio no. 5 in D major, op. 9 no. 2
Trio in C major, op. 87 — For 2 oboes and english horn
Trio in G major, WoO 37 — For flute, bassoon and piano
Variations on Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu, op. 121a — For piano trio
Variations on La ci darem la mano, WoO 28 — For 2 oboes and english horn
Variations on Se vuol ballare, WoO 40 — For violin and piano
Variations on a Theme by Handel, WoO 45 — For cello and piano
Variations on a Theme from The Magic Flute, WoO 46 — For cello and piano
Variations on a Theme from The Magic Flute, op. 66 — For cello and piano
Variations on an Original Theme, op. 44 — For piano trio
Violin Sonata no. 1 in D major, op. 12 no. 1
Violin Sonata no. 10 in G major, op. 96
Violin Sonata no. 2 in A major, op. 12 no. 2
Violin Sonata no. 3 in E flat major, op. 12 no. 3
Violin Sonata no. 4 in A minor, op. 23
Violin Sonata no. 6 in A major, op. 30 no. 1
Violin Sonata no. 8 in G major, op. 30 no. 3
Wind Octet in E flat major, op. 103
Wind Quintet in E flat major, Hess 19 — For oboe, 3 horns and bassoon
Wind Sextet in E flat major, op. 71
Vocal
● Choral Fantasy in C minor, op. 80 — For piano, choir and orchestra
Missa Solemnis, op. 123
Abendlied unterm gestirnten Himmel, WoO 150
Abschiedsgesang an Wiens Bürger, WoO 121
Adelaide, op. 46 — Song
Ah! perfido, op. 65 — Aria for soprano and orchestra
Als die Geliebte sich trennen wollte, WoO 132 — Song
An Laura, WoO 112 — Song
An Minna, WoO 115 — Song
An die Geliebte, WoO 140 — Song
An die Hoffnung, op. 32 — Song
An die Hoffnung, op. 94 — Song
An einen Säugling, WoO 108 — Song
Andenken, WoO 136 — Song
Ariettas and a Duet, op. 82
Birthday Cantata for Prince Lobkowitz, WoO 106 — For soprano, choir and piano
British Folk Songs, WoO 158b
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, op. 112 — Cantata
Cantata on the Accession of Emperor Leopold II, WoO 88
Christ on the Mount of Olives, op. 85 — Oratorio
Das Geheimnis, WoO 145 — Song
Das Glück der Freundschaft, op. 88 — Song
Das liebe Kätzchen, Hess133 — Song
Der Bardengeist, WoO 142 — Song
Der Gesang der Nachtigal, WoO 141 — Song
Der Jüngling in der Fremde, WoO 138 — Song
Der Knabe auf dem Berge, Hess134 — Song
Der Kuss, op. 128 — Song
Der Liebende, WoO 139 — Song
Der Mann von Wort, op. 99 — Song
Der Wachtelschlag, WoO 129 — Song
Der edle Mensch, WoO 151 — Song
Der freie Mann, WoO 117 — Song
Der glorreiche Augenblick, op. 136 — Cantata
Des Kriegers Abschied, WoO 143 — Song
Die Laute Klage, WoO 135 — Song
Ein Selbstgespräch, WoO 114 — Song
Elegiac Song, op. 118 — Song, for 4 voices and string quartet
Elegie auf den Tod eines Pudels, WoO 110 — Song
Es ist vollbracht, WoO 97 — Finale chorus for the collective singspiel Die Ehrenpforten
Four Ariettas and a Duet, op. 82
Funeral cantata on the Death of the Emperor Joseph II, WoO 87
Gedenke mein!, WoO 130 — Song
Germania, WoO 94 — Aria with chorus for voice and orchestra
Hochzeitslied, WoO 105 — Aria with chorus for voice and piano
In questa tomba oscura, WoO 133 — Song
Irish Songs, WoO 152
Irish Songs, WoO 153
Irish Songs, WoO 154
Klage, WoO 113 — Song
Kriegslied der Österreicher, WoO 122 — Song
La partenza, WoO 124 — Song
La tiranna, WoO 125 — Song
Lied aus der Ferne, WoO 137 — Song
Man strebt die Flamme zu verhehlen, WoO 120 — Song
Mass in C major, op. 86
Merkenstein, WoO 144 — Song
Merkenstein, op. 100 — Song
Mit Mädeln sich vertragen, WoO 90 — Aria for bass and orchestra
Neue Liebe, neues Leben, WoO 127 — Song
No, non turbarti, WoO 92a — Aria for soprano and orchestra
Oh care selve, WoO 119 — Song
Opferlied, WoO 126 — Song
Plaisir d'aimer, WoO 128 — Song
Punschlied, WoO 111 — Song
Que le temps me dure, WoO 116 — Song
Resignation, WoO 149 — Song
Ruf vom Berge, WoO 147 — Song
Schilderung eines Mädchens, WoO 107 — Song
Scottish Songs, WoO 156
Scottish Songs, op. 108
Sehnsucht, WoO 134 — Song
Sehnsucht, WoO 146 — Song
So oder so, WoO 148 — Song
Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157
Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 158a
Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 158c
Songs, WoO 118
Songs, op. 48
Songs, op. 52
Songs, op. 75
Songs, op. 83
To the distant beloved, op. 98 — Song cycle
Trinklied, WoO 109 — Song
Two Arias, WoO 91 — For a singspiel by Ignaz Umlauf
Welsh Songs, WoO 155
Zärtliche Liebe, WoO 123 — Song
Stage
Egmont, op. 84 — Incidental music
Fidelio, op. 72 — Opera
King Stephen, op. 117 — Incidental music
Leonore Prohaska, WoO 96 — Incidental music
Musik zu einem Ritterballet, WoO 1 — Ballet
The Creatures of Prometheus, op. 43 — Ballet
The Ruins of Athens, op. 113 — Incidental music