Which was the better composer: Mozart or Beethoven?!
Question: In my personal opinion, Beethoven was the greater. I believe he was the greatest composer of classical music, period. And by classical, I mean from the beginning until today.
He changed music fundamentally (3d and 9th symphonies), wrote extremely challenging music (late string quarters, for example) and wrote his later works while deaf. What a grasp of music theory he must have had to do that!
Mozart's music is very enjoyable, but not nearly as challenging. Mozart did not innovate as much as he perfected "pure" classical music. But he was surrounded by two great innovators--Haydn and Beethoven--so he did not need to innovate so much as to perfect.
The Opera is the only field where Mozart leads Beethoven--leads him considerably in my opinion--but overall, Beethoven.
Answers: In my personal opinion, Beethoven was the greater. I believe he was the greatest composer of classical music, period. And by classical, I mean from the beginning until today.
He changed music fundamentally (3d and 9th symphonies), wrote extremely challenging music (late string quarters, for example) and wrote his later works while deaf. What a grasp of music theory he must have had to do that!
Mozart's music is very enjoyable, but not nearly as challenging. Mozart did not innovate as much as he perfected "pure" classical music. But he was surrounded by two great innovators--Haydn and Beethoven--so he did not need to innovate so much as to perfect.
The Opera is the only field where Mozart leads Beethoven--leads him considerably in my opinion--but overall, Beethoven.
Mozart
who cares they are both good
Bethoven
Beethoven because he's blind...no,deaf...no, blind...arrrgghh, whatever!!
Both.
This is a ridiculous and meaningless question. Both Mozart and Beethoven were great composers - but for different reasons. I don't think there can be any value whatsoever in trying to say one was 'better' than the other. I suspect, however, that Mozart was better at skittles and billiards than Beethoven - he loved those games.
I wonder why you're even asking the question ....
The both composers are good with their own style.
This is apples and oranges.
I must say that I tend to agree with delicious. There is no real definitive answer to a question like this. Both men were titans in the world of music, but each for different reasons. I suppose a case could be made for each. I have to say I absolutely love both of them and probably few days go by without me listening to something by one of them (thats how important they are).
One writer commented that "Beethoven strived to get into Heaven, Mozart was already in it."
I agree that it is difficult to compare the two, though, because Mozart is great because he was gifted whereas Beethoven was great because he was diligent. Perhaps that difference is what inspired the aforementioned writer's comment.
Subjective ... I'll choose Ludwig just because I like the style of music better.
I'd get off the either/or kick though and expand out from the best known composers and look at Jehan Alain, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Charles Marie Widor, Max Bruch, César Cui, and countless other composers that you don't hear everyday.
In my opinion Mozart. I prefer Beethoven's music, but I can respect the fact that Mozart was a genius. The difference between the two lies that Beethoven was an innovater, Mozart was a refiner - although late Mozart does have elements from the coming Romantic movement in the music.
Of course you cannot ever say one is "better" than the other - musical greatness is entirely subjective.
Sorry, but I really can't choose.
I like them both tremendously, but if I had to pick one to listen to for the rest of my life? Mozart. But I would miss hearing Beethoven...