Schirmer Performance Editions Sheet Music

Ludwig van Beethoven

(1770-1827 - Austria)

Many music historians consider Beethoven to be the bridge between the Classical and Romantic Periods in music. He made more drastic changes to music than any of his predecessors: expanding the instrumentation of the orchestra, being the first to call for choir in a symphony, composing the longest symphonies and piano sonatas written up to that time, and experimenting with keys and forms. He is most famous for his 9 symphonies, 5 piano concerti, 32 piano sonatas and 16 string quartets.