Difference Between Beethoven and Mozart

Beethoven vs Mozart
 

The difference between Beethoven and Mozart is in the type of music they produced. Mozart and Beethoven are considered to be geniuses, giant composers of 18th and 19th centuries that have left an indelible mark on the music scene forever. The debate as to who between the two is greater has been an ongoing one for the last century or more though there has never been a clear-cut answer to this conundrum. In fact, whenever there is an analysis of the music compositions of the two maestros, it ends with a universal recognition that they are rare master pieces that cannot be compared with each other. However, no two composers are alike, neither are Mozart and Beethoven. Let us try to find out differences between the two as a direct comparison of these magicians of music is almost impossible. Though the styles of both Mozart and Beethoven were different, they produced compositions that were unique and everlasting.

Who is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Born in Austria in 1756, W. A. Mozart was a genius from his childhood and achieved the pinnacle of musical career quite early in his life. At a tender age of 6, he had mastered the art of playing violin, and harpsichord, and he could read and write music perfectly. One can judge his genius by the fact that he composed a symphony at the age of 8, and wrote an oratorio at the age of 11. At 12, Mozart composed an opera. His father was a court musician, and so there were great expectations from Mozart, as well. He held concerts and taught music to earn a living. He wrote many operas, but later in his life, his popularity faded as many felt that his music was complicated and difficult to practice or follow. Mozart died at a young age of 35 in Vienna in 1791.

Who is Ludwig van Beethoven?

Beethoven, on the other hand, was born in Germany in 1770 and is considered by many to an all time great genius. His compositions are considered to be master pieces with his influence felt on classical compositions even today. His pieces are very dramatic, and their effect is so profound that they are never going to be lost. Unlike Mozart, Beethoven was not a child prodigy but achieved much when he was a youth. Mozart was already a great musician when Beethoven performed a composition in front of him when he paid a visit to the maestro. And Mozart predicted that the world will get great pieces from this young composer. In the beginning of the 19th century (1802 to be precise), Beethoven went deaf, and this changed his music forever.

What is the difference between Beethoven and Mozart?

• Complete Name:

• The full name of Mozart is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

• The full name of Beethoven is Ludwig van Beethoven.

• Place of Birth:

• Mozart was born in Vienna.

• Beethoven was born in Germany.

• Date of Birth:

• Mozart was born on 27 January 1756.

• Beethoven was born on 17 December 1770.

• Time of Gaining Fame:

• Mozart was a child prodigy.

• Beethoven achieved fame in his youth.

• Nature of Music:

• Mozart’s music is perfect and distinct.

• Compositions of Beethoven are more intense and have a greater range of pitch than those of Mozart.

• Inspirational Effect:

• The music of Mozart was aesthetically inspiring.

• Beethoven’s music was ideologically inspiring.

• Dramatic Nature of Music:

• Beethoven’s music is more dramatic than that of Mozart perhaps, because of him becoming deaf.

• Connection between Beethoven and Mozart:

• Beethoven was influenced by Mozart as he was born a little later than Mozart.

• Died at:

• Mozart died young at the age of 35.

• Beethoven died at age 55.

Both of these composers are very important figures in classical western music. Their importance is so much that even people who have not much understanding of western music have heard of the names Mozart and Beethoven at some point in their lives. They are true legends. Most of the time, the ideas about their music is a matter of personal preference. What one sees in one composer’s music may not be what another sees. That is something each must decide for themselves after listening to the music of each.

 

Images Courtesy: Mozart and Beethoven via Wikicommons (Public Domain)