Beethoven, Shroeder and Charlie Brown

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Two hundred fifty-five years ago, on this day, Ludwig von Beethoven was believed to be born in Bonn, Germany, and baptized the next day.

One of the most revered figures in the history of Western music, his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire and span the transition from the classical  period to the romantic era. Beethoven's early period, during which he forged his craft, is typically considered to have lasted until 1802. From 1802 to around 1812, his middle period showed an individual development from the styles of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is sometimes characterized as heroic. During this time, Beethoven began to grow increasingly deaf. In his late period, from 1812 to 1827, he extended his innovations in musical form and expression.

If you recall, Charles Schulz gave rise to a universal knowledge of Beethoven by giving his character, Shroeder, an interest and fandom to Beethoven by placing his bust on the child's toy piano. This was highlighted in the 1965 animated production of A Charle Brown Christmas.

The special was commissioned and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, was written over a period of several weeks, and produced on a small budget in six months. In casting the characters, the producers took an unconventional route, hiring child actors. The program's soundtrack was similarly unorthodox, featuring a jazz score by pianist Vince Guaraldi, which was unlike the music of Beethoven.

For many years, this thirty-minute episode was a staple of the holiday season on network television, until it became  exclusively available on the Apple TV+ streaming service.

Like Beethoven, the music played by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is classical and timeless during the Christmas season. Its introductory song, Christmastime Is Here, is as recognizable as Beethoven"s Ninth Symphony, Ode to Joy, and Fur Elise, which both appear, as played by Shroeder.

As much as we celebrate A Charlie Brown Christmas, we should equally remember the birthday of Ludwig von Beethoven. Both gave us great music to enjoy during the holiday season.

And each continue to brighten our lives this month.