But the title of this piece immediately begs the question: who\u2019s Elise?! Well, there are several theories\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who was Elise?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost likely, Elise was Therese Malfatti<\/a>, whom Beethoven proposed to the same year he wrote the piece (1810). Indeed, the manuscript originally bore the title \u201cF\u00fcr Therese<\/em>.\u201d But when a copywriter named Ludwig Nohl published the piece 40 years after Beethoven’s death, it was noted as “F\u00fcr Elise.”<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, perhaps the dedication to \u201cElise\u201d was a mistake (poor Therese!). But other theories about Elise\u2019s identity exist. She may have been Elisabeth R\u00f6ckel, a soprano who performed in Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother possible Elise is Elise Barensfeld, a piano student of Therese Malfatti. Beethoven may have written the relatively simple piece for her as a favor to Therese.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/2\/25\/Saar-Therese_Malfatti.jpeg\")
Therese Malfatti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBeethoven’s Deafness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d was written in 1810, two years before Beethoven went fully deaf in 1812. But his hearing was already limited by the time the piece was written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beethoven\u2019s music got higher in pitch as his deafness progressed. Which may explain why \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d is a relatively high piece \u2014 especially the triplet A Minor arpeggios shortly after the middle section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udfb9 Get a Head Start on Classical Piano \u2728<\/b><\/h2><\/center>![](\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2022\/Beginner%27s%20Guide%20to%20Classical\/victoria%20theodore%20beginner%20classical%20guide.jpg\")
Love classical music but not sure where to start? Head over to Classical Piano Quick Start<\/b>, four free lessons designed for beginners taught by Victoria Theodore<\/a>. Victoria is a classically trained pianist with degrees from Oberlin College and Stanford University, and has played with Beyonc\u00e9 and Stevie Wonder. Start your classical journey with Victoria today!<\/p>
GET 4 FREE CLASSICAL LESSONS<\/a><\/center>
<\/span>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPlaying “F\u00fcr Elise”<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis piece was written during Beethoven\u2019s Late Period<\/a>, a time in his career when he was moving away from classical traditions and towards something more expressive and emotional, ushering in the Romantic period of classical music.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe piece has a yearning, chromatic and meandering theme which reaches up in a series of E octaves. Is this an expression of unrequited love? While we can\u2019t answer for Beethoven, it\u2019s one way to interpret the piece!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d isn\u2019t for absolute beginners, it is doable for intermediate-level players. We also have a simpler arrangement and some tips available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nIntroducing: PianoteCOACHES<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou may have noticed a new face in our recent videos…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victoria Theodore<\/a> is a highly accomplished and versatile pianist who will be our first Coach of the year!<\/p>\n\n\n\nVictoria will be coaching classical piano, but throughout the year, you\u2019ll meet new featured coaches who are experts in their own styles. Such as Erskine Hawkins<\/a> and Summer Swee-Singh<\/a>. This means you\u2019ll get access to world-class pianists who have played with the biggest names in music. Our Coaches have shared the stage with Beyonc\u00e9, Stevie Wonder, Zendaya, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, perhaps the dedication to \u201cElise\u201d was a mistake (poor Therese!). But other theories about Elise\u2019s identity exist. She may have been Elisabeth R\u00f6ckel, a soprano who performed in Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another possible Elise is Elise Barensfeld, a piano student of Therese Malfatti. Beethoven may have written the relatively simple piece for her as a favor to Therese.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d was written in 1810, two years before Beethoven went fully deaf in 1812. But his hearing was already limited by the time the piece was written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beethoven\u2019s music got higher in pitch as his deafness progressed. Which may explain why \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d is a relatively high piece \u2014 especially the triplet A Minor arpeggios shortly after the middle section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Love classical music but not sure where to start? Head over to Classical Piano Quick Start<\/b>, four free lessons designed for beginners taught by Victoria Theodore<\/a>. Victoria is a classically trained pianist with degrees from Oberlin College and Stanford University, and has played with Beyonc\u00e9 and Stevie Wonder. Start your classical journey with Victoria today!<\/p> This piece was written during Beethoven\u2019s Late Period<\/a>, a time in his career when he was moving away from classical traditions and towards something more expressive and emotional, ushering in the Romantic period of classical music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The piece has a yearning, chromatic and meandering theme which reaches up in a series of E octaves. Is this an expression of unrequited love? While we can\u2019t answer for Beethoven, it\u2019s one way to interpret the piece!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d isn\u2019t for absolute beginners, it is doable for intermediate-level players. We also have a simpler arrangement and some tips available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have noticed a new face in our recent videos…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria Theodore<\/a> is a highly accomplished and versatile pianist who will be our first Coach of the year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria will be coaching classical piano, but throughout the year, you\u2019ll meet new featured coaches who are experts in their own styles. Such as Erskine Hawkins<\/a> and Summer Swee-Singh<\/a>. This means you\u2019ll get access to world-class pianists who have played with the biggest names in music. Our Coaches have shared the stage with Beyonc\u00e9, Stevie Wonder, Zendaya, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBeethoven’s Deafness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfb9 Get a Head Start on Classical Piano \u2728<\/b><\/h2><\/center>
<\/span>\n\n\n\nPlaying “F\u00fcr Elise”<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIntroducing: PianoteCOACHES<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n