Ludwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.
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This course is intended for explorers of classical music who want to know more about Beethoven’s life and some of his most important works. We’ll trace his career during his later life in Vienna, and gradual international fame. We’ll also explore various pieces, from symphonies and string quartets to opera and piano sonatas, to give you a taste of his changing musical style and technical innovations.
What will we cover?
- Beethoven’s musical world: concert life in Vienna, and the place of professional musicians during his lifetime - His connection with Mozart and Haydn, both important mentors and influences on his own music - Some of his radical innovations which took musical forms in a new direction in the early 1800s - His personal life and political leanings, and the gradual onset of his deafness which began in his thirties - His legacy as one of the first Romantic composers, and how he was to inspire – and intimidate – other composers for the rest of the nineteenth century.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- List the key genres in which Beethoven composed - Summarise the major compositional developments he explored in his work - List some of his most important compositions - Describe the musical culture of his time, and his relationship with other composers and performers.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed as an overview for absolute beginners. However, we will look at some music manuscripts and learn to identify key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. - Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. - You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Dr Katy Hamilton is a freelance researcher, writer and presenter on music. She is fast becoming one of the UK’s most sought-after speakers on music, providing talks for a host of organisations including the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, BBC Proms, Ryedale Festival and Oxford Lieder Festival. In addition, she regularly writes programme notes for the Salzburg Festival, North Norfolk Festival and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 3’s Record Review. Katy worked as Graham Johnson’s research assistant for his monumental Franz Schubert: The Songs and their Poets (Yale University Press, 2014) and is co-editor of Brahms in the Home and the Concert Hall (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and Brahms in Context (Cambridge University Press, 2019). In addition to her research and presentation work, Katy has taught at the Royal College of Music, City Lit, the University of Nottingham and Middlesex University, working with students in performance workshops and music history classes. She has been teaching Music History courses at City Lit since 2015. She is also Public Events Programmer at the Foundling Museum in central London.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.</p>002508412Beethoven's Vienna269269https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockDaytimeWedOnlineStarted: last chance to book5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Performing artsMD023269269Beethoven's Vienna215188269Katy Hamiltonbeethoven-s-vienna/md023-2526<p>Ludwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.</p>0010-StartedAvailable|2026-01-14 00:00:00<p>This course is intended for explorers of classical music who want to know more about Beethoven’s life and some of his most important works. We’ll trace his career during his later life in Vienna, and gradual international fame. We’ll also explore various pieces, from symphonies and string quartets to opera and piano sonatas, to give you a taste of his changing musical style and technical innovations.</p><p>Ludwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.</p><p>- Beethoven’s musical world: concert life in Vienna, and the place of professional musicians during his lifetime <br/>- His connection with Mozart and Haydn, both important mentors and influences on his own music<br/>- Some of his radical innovations which took musical forms in a new direction in the early 1800s<br/>- His personal life and political leanings, and the gradual onset of his deafness which began in his thirties<br/>- His legacy as one of the first Romantic composers, and how he was to inspire – and intimidate – other composers for the rest of the nineteenth century.<br/> </p><p>- List the key genres in which Beethoven composed<br/>- Summarise the major compositional developments he explored in his work<br/>- List some of his most important compositions<br/>- Describe the musical culture of his time, and his relationship with other composers and performers.<br/> </p><p>This course is designed as an overview for absolute beginners. However, we will look at some music manuscripts and learn to identify key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual215269188MD023NONEWed14/01/26 - 25/03/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:3010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineKaty HamiltonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allStarted: last chance to book2026-01-14T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Performing arts269269Beethoven's Viennabeethoven-s-vienna/md023-2526<p>Ludwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.</p>0010-StartedAvailable|2026-01-14 00:00:00<p>This course is intended for explorers of classical music who want to know more about Beethoven’s life and some of his most important works. We’ll trace his career during his later life in Vienna, and gradual international fame. We’ll also explore various pieces, from symphonies and string quartets to opera and piano sonatas, to give you a taste of his changing musical style and technical innovations.</p><p>Ludwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.</p><p>- Beethoven’s musical world: concert life in Vienna, and the place of professional musicians during his lifetime <br/>- His connection with Mozart and Haydn, both important mentors and influences on his own music<br/>- Some of his radical innovations which took musical forms in a new direction in the early 1800s<br/>- His personal life and political leanings, and the gradual onset of his deafness which began in his thirties<br/>- His legacy as one of the first Romantic composers, and how he was to inspire – and intimidate – other composers for the rest of the nineteenth century.<br/> </p><p>- List the key genres in which Beethoven composed<br/>- Summarise the major compositional developments he explored in his work<br/>- List some of his most important compositions<br/>- Describe the musical culture of his time, and his relationship with other composers and performers.<br/> </p><p>This course is designed as an overview for absolute beginners. However, we will look at some music manuscripts and learn to identify key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
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