Was Beethoven a Romantic or Classical composer?

Question

My piano friends and I have a debate going on. Can someone settle it?

Answer 1

He was a classical composer.  

Answer 2

Even though his songs may be romantic, the majority is actually classical.

Answer 3

     Let's put it this way: he was a classical composer, who became a romantic one.

     His third symphony(the "Eroica"), is considered by many musical authorities to be the major transitional composition from the classical period, to that of the romantic.

     Seems like I responded to a very similar question yesterday.  He "straddled" both periods you might say.  

     Although he continued to compose in the  traditionally, classical "sonata" form, he broke away from its more restrictive demands: i.e. the "Eroica" is about 45 mins. in duration; and his 9th(the choral)is even much, much longer than the ideal classical symphonies of Haydn and Mozart; they usually run between 20-30 mins.

     Could go on for another dozen paragraphs, but I think the above will give you a fairly good explanation of why he's considered both.

                                                  Alberich

Answer 4

both =)

Answer 5

His style is more romantic than classical, even though he is often regarded as classical.  

Answer 6

His music has elements of both Classicism and Romanticism.

Answer 7

oh..... okay well he was around during the transition. soo some people say classical.. others say romantic...... i think its classical though cuz that's what my theory book says

Answer 8

Beethoven bridged the gap between Classical and Romantic, but is widely considered one of the most important composers of the Early Romantic Period.

Answer 9

The correct answer is... BOTH.

He is generally recognized as being the bridge between the classical and romantic periods.

Answer 10

Either/both