Ludwig Van Beethoven 1770 - 1827 “Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.” “What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven.” “I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.”

Childhood Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770. Beethoven’s father was a court musician to the Elector of Cologne. His father was also an abusive alcoholic. He recognized Beethoven’s talent at an early age and forced him to practice long hours. (Pulled out of bed in middle of night story) His first public performance was at age 7. Organist Gottlob Neefe taught Beethoven organ, composition, and philosophy.

Early Success His first work (for piano) was published at age 12. At 14 Beethoven was appointed court organist. He began to make money and meet important people. Beethoven’s father addiction became worse and young Beethoven began supporting his two brothers. He got a court order that half his father’s salary be paid directly to him. After his mother died, Beethoven went to Vienna to further his career.

Beethoven in Vienna Beethoven began taking lesson with Haydn and Salieri. The Vienna public were astonished by his skill playing and improvising on the piano. His talents made him many friends. Though he had a bad temper, he always made up for it later. Beethoven’s early compositions were Classical, sounding like Haydn and Mozart.

Cruel Fate Around 1800 Beethoven began going deaf. Since all he wanted was to be a composer, he considered killing himself. Instead, he threw himself into his composition with intensity. He visited several doctors, used ear-horns, and even took the legs off his pianos so he could feel the vibrations on the floor. Beethoven’s later works were emotionally intense and stretched the rules of form. It was not always liked by his audiences, but it was accepted over time.

Determination Beethoven struggled with deafness, sickness, love, and family problems. His friends helped him prepare his music for performance and publication. Beethoven wrote most of his great works during this time, even when he couldn’t hear them played. He stopped caring about his health and hygiene and had a famously bad temper. (Arrested on walk in country. Threw food at waiter.)

Death & Legacy Beethoven died in 1827 in the middle of a thunderstorm. He was 57. 30,000 attended his funeral. Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, and 1 opera. His 3rd, 5th, and 9th Symphonies are especially famous. His 9th symphony famously broke all rules by having a choir and soloists in the 4th movement. Beethoven was the main pioneer for the entire Romantic movement and an inspiration for essentially all later composers including Schubert, Liszt, Wagner, and Mahler.