Who do you think was better Mozart or Beethoven?

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 ways to enjoy life, while Beethoven was trying to escape the restraints that were imposed on a musician then by torturously pouring out his soul. 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' to the common listener. The Ninth symphony, however, was such a great leap out of the norm that even 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. Not that all compositions written for court were without substance and emotion, they just didn't dare beyond commonly accepted boundaries of tonality and a baroque sense of proportion. The blasting first note of the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth is the classical equivolent of someone starting a concert by shouting 'your music is dull' in the audiences' faces at a pop concert. Come to think of it, though, that's not wholly a bad idea.
All together though, I can't make any claim that Beethoven's music was any more emotionally charged than Mozart's. Their styles were fundamentally different, although the difference is difficult to detect within the confines of the classical-era standards that dominate most of their work. The real value of the music lies in what the composer meant by it, and that is something that we can never know about each piece now.

Answer 2

I guess that depends on what you mean by "better." Better at what? Mozart was a prodigy, Beethoven had to work hard. Mozart was classical, Beethoven became more romantic. Mozart never wrote a wrong note in his life, but neither did Beethoven. Mozart was probably superior in performance to Beethoven, but I wouldn't knock Beethoven's performances either. Sometimes I really need to hear some Mozart, and sometimes it's Beethoven. Heck, sometimes it's the Rolling Stones! I love them all.

Answer 3

Beethoven Or Mozart

Answer 4

I think it is a tie, but in a twisted sort of way. Mozart, a celebrated child prodigy; and Beethoven, also an incredible musical genius, both lived intriguing lives that we celebrate today. They were both on a plateau high above this earthly plane. One might argue that, because Beethoven was deaf and could still compose and interpret the music of his day, perhaps he was maybe a notch above Mozart. Anyway you look at it, it is difficult if not impossible for the average listener or performer to objectively and without bias, decide who "was better" - they both seem equally wonderful.

Answer 5

You are talking about two giants of music - both of whom were touched by the hand of God.
Who is better? That's almost impossible to say, as you could take both composers (and throw in Bach), ask 100 experts..and get a 3-way tie.

I love Mozart, but I dont know anything in music ever surpassed Beethoven's fourth movement to Symphony No. 9.

Answer 6

I think Mozart is more natural, his composition possesses some sort of cosmic vibration which feel like the very own source where a baby born. On the other hand Beethoven is aggressive or energetic which feels like consuming everything into a very end Black hole.
To me both are two faces of a coin, both are genuine music composers which is very different from each.

Answer 7

Mozart was more of a natural, but Beethoven was more meticulous and complex. Personally, I prefer Beethoven. (sorry, but the movie Amadeus really soured me on Mozart...that laugh...ugh...i hate it soooo much...but that was the guy from Animal House, so maybe Mozart's not that bad.)

Answer 8

It s really a matter of taste ; Beethoven s music is revolutionary. Mozart s is pure. but well, people with great minds such as Einstein have always adored Mozart ;)

Answer 9

mozart...beethoven can be a bit too heavy for me,,

tho saying that i cant play light things (haydn) so sometimes beethoven is better for me....

they were both geniuses, neither are my fav composers, but i still think i like mozart a bit better.

Answer 10

Beethoven. While Mozart did write alot of pieces, they were all fluff. Beethoven's music, however, struck raw nerves with its emotions, which Mozart's music barely tapped.