Semester Project Music 1010 Annette Redmond

 Ludwig Van Beethoven was born December 17 th 1771 in Bonn, Germany.  His father was Johann Van Beethoven.  His mother was Maria Magdalena Keverich.

 Beethoven’s father was a musician and began teaching him at an early age.  Beethoven was very gifted even from a very early age.  He gave his first performance at the age of 7.

 Johann’s teaching ability was very limited, so he sent him to study under Gottlob Neefe.  Beethoven published his first work before the age of 9.  Ludwig was appointed the organist of the court of Maximilian Franz at the age of13.

 Prince Maximilian Franz sent Beethoven to Vienna to study under Mozart in 1787, but was called back home when his mother was dying.  His mother would pass away on July 17 th, 1787.

 Beethoven would then return to Vienna five years later never to return back to his place of birth again.  In Vienna he took lessons with Haydn and Albrechtsberger.

 In 1794 he composed his opus 1 three trios for piano, the following year he gave his first public performance.  After the performance he went on tour to the cities of Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, and berlin.

 In 1800 Beethoven organized a new concert at Vienna and presented his first symphony.  Beethoven shared with one of his friends he was going deaf through a letter he wrote to him and that he was disgusted because of it.

 Do to Beethoven losing his hearing he was very depressed and suicidal.  Beethoven’s love for music pulled him through and he threw himself into his work.

 Beethoven created one of the greatest sonatas of all time, The Storm, opus 31 after he got through his self disgust.  His creativity would become very intense in the years that followed and he would create many symphonies.

 In 1809 Beethoven decided he wanted to leave Vienna. One of his oldest friends Countess Anna Marie Erody kept him in Vienna.  Beethoven was to never leave Vienna because of a 4000 florins grant to be paid to Beethoven.

 Beethoven’s brother Karl died in 1815 leaving Beethoven custody of his 9 year old son along with his widow.  Beethoven took this responsibility very serious.

 Beethoven hoped young Karl would have talent and had Carl Czerny begin teaching the young boy.  Karl did not have the talent Beethoven had hoped for.

 Beethoven began drafting the first theme to the ninth symphony at this time.  Two years later he began composing his mass in D.

 The ninth symphony was practically finished in  The first date it was ever played was May 7 th, 1824.

 In 1826 Beethoven caught a cold on the way home from his brothers.  The illness complicated other illnesses Beethoven had.

 Beethoven passed away on March 26, 1827 surrounded by his closest friends.  His services were held at the church of the Holy Trinity.

 It is estimated the anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 people attended the services  Beethoven was laid to rest in Wahring cemetery which is now Schubert Park.