Ludwig van Beethoven “THERE IS ONLY ONE BEETHOVEN”

Early Life Baptized on Dec. 17, 1770 Children at that time were usually baptized the day after they were born so it is assumed that he was born on Dec. 16, 1770 Born in the city of Bonn in the country of Germany

 Both Beethoven’s grandfather and father were musicians  Beethoven was named after his grandfather who was also called Lugwig  There were 7 children born in Beethoven’s family but only he and two younger brother survived past infancy. The other four died as very young children

Learning Music  Beethoven’s first music teacher was his father  It is said by many that his father was very harsh and "made to stand at the keyboard.. often in tears."  Beethoven went on to have other teachers including the famous composers Mozart and Hayden  He learned piano, violin, French horn and organ

Moving to Austria  In 1792 when he was 22, Beethoven moved to the city of Vienna in the country of Austria

 Beethoven became known as an incredible piano player  Beethoven worked for several members of nobility: princes, counts  Beethoven began composing his own music and is especially known for writing symphonies and music for the piano

Personal Life Beethoven was engaged at one time and in love with a few other women but he never married After Beethoven’s death, letters were found that were written to his “Immortal Beloved.” It is unclear exactly who that was

In 1815 when Beethoven was 45, his brother Karl died and Beethoven fought for custody of his 9 year old nephew (Karl) and won it.

Losing His Hearing ► Beethoven began losing his hearing about 1796 (he was 26) ► Beethoven used a special rod attached to the soundboard on a piano that he could bite—the vibrations would then transfer from the piano to his jaw soundboard ► Beethoven would also lay his head right on the piano to feel the vibrations

► He is known to have cut the legs off his piano and laid it on the floor – to better feel the vibration of the music ► He used hearing aids known as ear horns or ear trumpets ► He kept conversation books to talk with people

Still Composing Deafness did not keep Beethoven from composing Beethoven was completely deaf when he wrote his famous 9 th Symphony He conducted the orchestra when it was performed and when the music was over, he had to be turned around to see that people were clapping The deafness caused great depression in Beethoven

He was known to display a very bad temper He would sometimes ignore visitors if he was in the middle of composing He started to not take care of cleanliness – he did not bathe regularly but just poor water over himself He would lose his temper with waiters at restaurants

Beethoven’s sickness Something terrible happened to him physically between the ages of 20 and 24. He became extraordinarily ill. And he had tremendous abdominal pain and misery. He went to many doctors and basically suffered with that condition through the rest of his life. Something terrible happened to him physically between the ages of 20 and 24. He became extraordinarily ill. And he had tremendous abdominal pain and misery. He went to many doctors and basically suffered with that condition through the rest of his life. Scientists, using high powered x-rays and fragments of Beethoven’s bones and hair, now believe that Beethoven suffered and died from lead poisoning Scientists, using high powered x-rays and fragments of Beethoven’s bones and hair, now believe that Beethoven suffered and died from lead poisoning

Still a mystery, however, is the source of Beethoven's lead exposure, which evidence now suggests occurred over many years. Among the possibilities are his diet, liberal indulgence in wine consumed from lead cups or perhaps a lifetime of medical treatments, which in the 19th century were often laced with heavy metals. Still a mystery, however, is the source of Beethoven's lead exposure, which evidence now suggests occurred over many years. Among the possibilities are his diet, liberal indulgence in wine consumed from lead cups or perhaps a lifetime of medical treatments, which in the 19th century were often laced with heavy metals. Some scientists also wonder if his body was unable to rid itself of the normal lead that humans are exposed to but instead kept it in the body. Some scientists also wonder if his body was unable to rid itself of the normal lead that humans are exposed to but instead kept it in the body. The exact source of the lead is unknown. The exact source of the lead is unknown.

Beethoven’s Death Beethoven died March 26, 1827 at 57 years of age – he died during a thunderstorm Beethoven died March 26, 1827 at 57 years of age – he died during a thunderstorm His funeral was attended by somewhere between and people His funeral was attended by somewhere between and people He is buried in Vienna, Austria He is buried in Vienna, Austria