Do you prefer Beethoven or Mozart? How do you rate them on a scale of one to ten?

Answer 1

Well, they're both great in their own respects. Mozart was such a genius that he could visualize not only the structure of a piece, but also the actuall notes, all before writing it down. Beethoven, on the other hand, was the man who ushered in the Romantic period. His music is much more expressive and passionate. Take, for example, the moonlight and appassionata piano sonatas (No. 14 and 23). Many people mistake them for Chopin pieces because of their lyricism and depth of feeling. Mozart was a court composer who was always looking for a paycheck, while Beethoven was trying to escape the restraints that were imposed on a musician then. It was truly bold to write something like the ninth symphony; music at his time was refined and elegant, perhaps meant more as a achievement of structuring than of expressing something. This is why much of Mozart's music is 'boring'. The Ninth symphony, however, was such a great leap out of the norm that Beethoven was sure that the audience would be stunned into offended silence after it's performance. Music then was not boisterous and passionate untill Beethoven came.
So, as far as structure and symmetry, mozart kicks everyone's butt. However, Beethoven remains my favorite because he wasn't afraid to pour himself into his music. I've heard performers say that Mozart and Rachmaninoff would be coldly polite to each other, while Beethoven and Rachmaninoff could easily become friends (even though Rachmaninoff had no friends because he was a seven-foot frown on feet). On the other-other hand, Mozart did have his moments, such as when he supposedly thought that the angel of death was after him, he cut the court crap and wrote the Requiem Mass, which is one of the greatest works ever, espically the Dies Irae.

Answer 2

They were both geniuses. Mozart would be a nine and Beethoven would be a ten. I prefer Beethoven way more than Mozart because with Beethoven's music it always surprises me and with Mozart I can pretty well guess what's going to happen even if I am not too familiar with that certain piece just by hearing a few notes of it. Mozart is too predictable! It is true that Mozart could hear a piece once and play it right back to that person. He didn't even have to write music down a lot of times, but kept it in his head. Mozart was immature and quite vulgar. While Beethoven had to use a lot of paper just to write down one single line of a movement, not even a whole part of a program. Whether it be a sonata or a symphony, he was messy. But Beethoven's music was not, and is not predictable. He was more bold, not just in his music, but as a man as well. Mozart tried not to over-step his bounds, while people tried not displease Beethoven-even princes. Beethoven was a man to respect more than Mozart. Music wise, Beethoven changed music forever. He was the transition. From Classical to Romantic music. Mozart never thought to go against the bounds. Mozart was purely Classical. Nothing more, nothing less. He was an utter genius in music, but lacked bravery or boldness. Beethoven is, and always will be... The Master!

Answer 3

Beethoven

Answer 4

Mozart has a slight edge but only because of the diversity and volume of his compositions...symphonies, concertos, divertimenti, sonatas, operas--of which Beethoven only has one complete under his belt; FIDELIO, a masterpiece, whereas Mozart has several; LA CLEMENZA DE TITO, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, LE NOZZE DE FIGARO, DON GIOVANNI, to name a few.

I rate them both full tens.

Yes, it's tragic that Beethoven was deaf and unable to hear/conduct his grand 9th Symphony but an equally tragic, albeit lesser known, situation was that Mozart composed many great works for which he had no orchestras at his disposal over which to perform them and relish in their stunning grandeur.

Answer 5

Composer wise? Mozart, as an 8

As a man ???

Beethoven, as a composer, as an 8

Prefer Mozart

Answer 6

Beethoven - 10
Mozart - 10
Perfer to listen and play (on piano) Mozart.

Answer 7

Let's see, great composers..hmmm!

Beethoven (Fur Elise, Violin Romance, Moonlight Sonata)- 8
Mozart (Piano Concerto, Turkish March)-5

So, I would go for Ludwig Van Beethoven. Although, Vivaldi, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Chopin are among my top list.

Answer 8

Beethoven and he has to be @8.