Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Frankfurt (1749-1765)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born on August 28, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germania, into an upper-middle-class family.

His father, and tutors hired by him, taught young Johann everything they thought he needed to know to lead a successful life. He studied languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, French, and English. He learned how to dance, ride a horse, and fence. He loved drawing, watching plays, and reading the books of Moses, Homer, Virgil, and Ovid.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Growing up (1797-1813)

Franz Schubert was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna. His father taught him the violin, one brother the keyboard, and he played the viola in the family string quartet. He wrote his first music for this group.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Later Years (1802-1827)

Middle (Heroic) period as a mature composer (October 1802-1814)

This period of Beethoven’s career began with his defiant return to Vienna from the small town of Heilgenstadt and his strong recommitment to his work as a composer. Important works of this period include symphonies 3 through 8, string quartets 7 through 11, the “Moonlight” and “Waldstein” sonatas, the oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives, and the opera Fidelio.

Franz Liszt: Early Life (1811-1839)

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811. He died July 31, 1886 at the age of 74. He was the best pianist of his time. He was also a great teacher, composer, and conductor.

1. Hungary (1811-1822)

Liszt was born in the German-speaking village of Doborján in the Kingdom of Hungary. His father, Ádám Liszt, played the piano, violin, and guitar. His father also knew the composers Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven.