Project Beethoven 2013
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"For this assignment, I tried to focus more on the side of the many dualities of Beethoven's life and how his music was affected as a result. I use abstract shapes and forms to convey visually the many emotional complexities of his life and musical influence."
“The Haunting Dance”
Through this piece I wanted to capture the haunting yet sweet feeling of the second movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony. The piece shows a man dancing with his recently deceased lover, trying to desperately hold on to something that is lost.
Beethoven was able to set his heart free through music. He broke free of the classical music that preceded his work. I wanted to capture the expansive/explosive nature of the wonderful sounds Beethoven has presented in his 7th symphony.
When I listen to Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony I think of Spring and new beginnings. In this watercolor piece, I wanted to show Beethoven renewing himself from his dark past through his music, using the metaphor of the bird and eggs.
The seventh symphony completely affects your body, feeling movement and motion like there is dancing all around you.
While listening to Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, I kept envisioning him rallying the veterans of the Battle of Hanau with his music. I was thus inspired to portray Beethoven as a commander of sorts, leading the now-invigorated Austrian cavalry.
My piece is intended to show both Beethoven's extraordinary ability to create music as well as the pain that it must have caused him, bring unable to properly hear it. He could create and surround himself with music, but could never fully enjoy it.
