By: Talyna Taumoelau

The records of Ludwig Beethoven’s baptism was dated Dec. 17, 1770, the exact date of Beethoven’s birth is uncertain. Beethoven was born in the city of Bonn at the Electorate of Cologne also known as the Holy Roman Empire. BORN IN BONN

Ludwig had only two younger brothers, Casper who was born in 1774, and Johann who was born in His mother, Maria Magdalena van Beethoven and father, Johann van Beethoven had several children. However only three had survived infancy. LUDWIG’S SIBLINGS

Beethoven came from a family that also loved music. His grandfather Lodwijk van Beethoven (pic on the left) was a musician who came from Mechelen or what is now called Belgium. Lodwijk was employed as a bass singer at the court of Elector of Cologne. Later on in his life he was raised to the position of Kapellmeister or otherwise known as a music director Lodwjk had one son, Johann (pic on the right) who worked as a temor in the musical establishment. FAMILY HISTORY IN MUSIC

Beethoven took interest in music at an early age and his first teacher was his father, Johann. Johann taught him day and night and without a doubt believed that Beethoven had a gift. Johann envisioned creating a new Mozart, a child prodigy. CHILD PRODIGY

Johann arranged Beethoven’s first public recital for March 26, He introduced Beethoven to be six years old. Although Beethoven was in fact seven, throughout his life he believed to be younger than what he was actually was, even when presented with the records of his baptism. BEETHOVEN’S FIRST PUBLIC RECITAL

Teaching of Johann were limited. Musicians such a Gottlob Neefe recoginized the talent of Beethoven, he then became Beethoven’s second teacher. Neefe did not only teach him music but also taught him the works of philosophers both ancient and modern. In june 1782 with Neefe recommendations, Beethoven was appointed organist of the court of Maximillian Franz, he was fourteen years old. GOTTLOB NEEFE

Being the organist of the court of Maximillian Franz Beethoven was able to join more social groups besides his family and father. This is where is met his friends that remained for the rest of his life; The Ries family, the Von Breuing family, Elenore Kartl Amenda, and Franz Wegler. COURT OF MAXIMILLIAN FRANZ

In 1782, before the age of 12, published his first work, 9 Variations in C Minor for piano. In , he published the Piano Trios No. 1,2,3 for violin, cello, and piano In , published the Piano Sonatas No. 1,2,3 for piano In 1794, the String Trio for violin, viola and cello In 1795, the String Quintet for violins, viola, cello, and double bass In 1796, Cello Sonatas for cello and pianos In 1797, The Sonata, Piano Sonata, Serenade and String Trios In 1798, Piano Sonatas No. 5,6,7 In 1798, the Violin Sonatas, No. 1,2,3 In 1799, Pioano Sonatas No. 9, 10 for pianos EARLY WORKS OF BEETHOVEN

Beethoven was then sent to Vienna to study and influence his musical abilities. Auditioning for Mozart, Mozart then said, “ Keep your eyes on him; some day he will give the world something to talk about” However a few short weeks later Beethoven received a letter to return to Bonn due to his mother who has fallen ill. She died several months later. VIENNA WITH MOZART

Five years after that incident Beethoven returned back to Vienna to once again pursue his musical education. However Beethoven never returned to his birth home. In Vienna Beethoven took lessons from Haydyn, Albrechtsberger, and sallieri. In 1794 Beethoven composed Opus 1, the Trios for Piano. A year later Beethoven made his first public performance in Vienna. A tour followed after that that went through Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin. In 1800 Beethoven organized a new concert in Vienna which was the presentation of his first symphony. CONTINUE

In 1801 Beethoven openly admitted that he was in belief that he was going deaf. The next year he wrote his famous text that expressed the unfairness this is to his life, that he a musician could become deaf and it was something he did not want to live through. Despite his rapidly progressing deafness, Beethoven continued to compose at a rapid pace. However because of his condition he then became close to Maelzel. Maelzel was a genius inventor who had created various devices to help Beethoven with his hearing. In 1813 Beethoven composed, the Victory of Wellington, a piece written for a mechanical instrument made by Maelzel. BEETHOVEN GOING DEAF

Even though Beethoven was going deaf he rapidly composed music. From he composed; and opera, six symphonies, four solo concerti, five string quartets, six string sonatas, seven piano sonatas, five sets of piano variations, four overtures, four trios, two sextets, and seventy two songs. OUTCOME OF GOING DEAF

Even though Beethoven’s output on music was extrodinary Beethoven was lonely and frequently miserable throughout his adult life. He never married and had no children. Beethoven was short tempered, absent- minded, greedy and suspicious to the point of paranoia. He fought with his brothers, publishers, housekeepers, pupils, and his patrons. Beethoven had many loves and fell in love countless times. Mostly with his pupils. CHARACTER

Beethoven died on March 26, 1827 at the age of 56. He died of post hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver. He was widely known as the greatest composer of all time during the Classical and Romantic age. His funeral took place at the church of the Holy Trinity and was estimated between 10, ,000 people attended. DEATH

Symphony No.9 Violin Sonata No.5 Piano Sonata No.1 Große Fuge Rondo a Capriccio Diabelli Variations Late String Quartets String Quartets Nos. 7–9, Op. 59 – Rasumovsky Wellington's Victory Piano Trio, Op. 11 Piano Sonata No.30 WORKS OF BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No.27 Minuet String Quartet No. 15 Piano Sonata No.12 Septet Piano Sonata No.14 Symphony No.5 Bagatelle in A minor Piano Sonata No.8 Symphony No.3 Fidelio Symphony No.6 Symphony No.1 in C Symphony No.4 Piano Sonata No.32 Turkish March Egmont Coriolan Overture Piano Concerto No.1 Piano Concerto No.4 Anthem of Europe Concerto for Violin, Cello, Piano and Orchestra in C major Piano Concerto No.3 Piano Sonata No.26 Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat major Piano Sonata No.31 Symphony No.2 Symphony No.8 The Ruins of Athens Missa solemnis Symphony No.7 Piano Concerto No.5 Piano Sonata No.23 Piano Sonata No.17 String Quartet No. 14 Violin Sonata No.9 Violin Concerto Piano Sonata No.29 Piano Sonata No.21 Choral Fantasy

WORKS CITED