Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) :
Beethoven in 1820
Painted by Karl Stieler.
Born: December 17th, 1770. Bonn, Germany.
Died: 1827. Vienna, Austria.Ludwig Van Beethoven is considered to be one of the greatest and most radical Classical composer's from the Classical and throughout the Romantic period's. Throughout his years as a unique and highly creative composer and teacher. Beethoven gained a reputation of being a tormented musical genius after the deteriation of his own hearing. The composer continued to write his own music producing his most famous work's at this time. Today, Most of Beethoven's works still continue to inspire audiences and composer's around the world.
Beethoven's Family Tree:
Beethoven's Childhood:
18th Century Bonn where Beethoven spent his childhood.
Beethoven was born into middle class Flemish family and was one of seven children. Beethoven's first music teacher was his own father, A tenor singer, who recognised his son's creative talent. The financial suppport of his parent's enabled Beethoven to attend Organist lessons at a young age. Beethoven was introduced and taught by many leading composer's of the time. After being inspired by his tutor's Beethoven started to compose and perform some of his own music.
Some Facts about Beethoven's Childhood:- By the age of seven, Beethoven was advanced enough to compose and perform his own music.
- Beethoven's first piece of music "The piano trio's of Opus 1" was published by the age of twelve.
- Beethoven's mother had died at the age of 17 and for several years he brought up his two brothers on his own. His only financial income was through his payment as a violinist.
Beethoven moves to Vienna:
Beethoven in 1880.
Painted by Carl Traugott Riedel in Vienna.
Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 . It was here that Beethoven gained significant reputation for his unique approach to composing and teaching styles.
Beethoven's piano at his house in Vienna.
Here he composed some of his most famous composition's.
After the loss of hearing Beethoven played the piano less frequently.
In 1792, Beethoven moved to Vienna where he studied with renowned composer's such as Joseph Hydn. He quickly gained a reputation as a Piano Virtuoso, and more slowly as a composer. Beethoven continued to compose whilst working as a freelancer to generate income by selling many of his works. Beethoven earned his living partly from the sale and performance of his work, and partly from subsidies granted by various wealthy nobles who recognized his talent. The young composer wrote many of his works by emulating Mozart. However, He also explored new creative directions in his compositions. It was at this time he wrote many of his first and second symphonies, First of his six string quartet's, Piano concerto's and a dozen piano sonato's.
Beethoven and the Loss of Hearing:
Beethoven in 1801, Painted shortly after he started to lose his hearing. Beethoven became fustrated with his disability and attempted suicide.
Here is a sheet from one the Eroica , One of his most famous work's. Beethoven created some of his most famous works despite his disability.
In 1801, Beethoven's started to lose his hearing making it difficult for him to appretiate and compose his own music. It is believed Beethoven suffered from Tinnitus. Symptom's included a continuous tone that gradually got louder. The cause of Beethoven's deafness is unknown, but it has variously been attributed to syphilis and lead poisoning. Despite his disability he continued to develop his unique style of composing his work's. Although he didn't compose as much music than in his younger years, It was around this time that Beethoven's popularity with the contemporary public reached its peak. Beethoven's composition's were a success such as the Erioca Symphony in E Flat. He was soon universally regarded as the greatest of living creative composers.
Beethoven's hearing aids. The composer became ioncreasingly dependant on these whilst writing some of his most famous works.
The Eroica Symphony in E Flat was one of Beethoven's finest works even though he wrote it at a time when his hearing was fading quickly. Dedicated to Napolean, The
Eroica was one of the first works of Beethoven's so-called "Middle period", or "Heroic Period", a time when Beethoven composed highly ambitious works, often heroic in tone. It was also one of Beethoven's longest pieces of music. This period of his career, Also known as "The Middle period" included work, the Eighth Symphonies, the string quartets 7-11, the Waldstien and Appassionata piano sonatas, the oper Fidelio, the violin concerto and many other compositions. During this time Beethoven earned his living partly from the sale and performance of his work, and partly from subsidies granted by various wealthy nobles who recognized his talent.
The Eroica Symphoney in E Flat, One of Beethoven's most famous works. It was also one of his longest lasting approx one hour in length.
Beethoven's Funeral:
Beethoven's funeral as depicted by Franz Stober. 20,ooo Viennese Citezans attended the funeral. There are memorials dedicated to Beethoven's life and work in Vienna and Bonn .
Beethoven died in 1827 after becoming bed ridden. It believed Beethoven's death was the result of many illnesses such as Syphilius and lead poisoning. Beethoven's funeral took place on March 29th, 1827. The funeral took place in Vienna where 20,000 Viennese citizens lined the streets to watch the procession. After Beethoven's funeral, A number of memorials were erected in Bonn and Vienna (below) in memory of Beethoven dedicated to his life and work's.
A picture of Beethoven on his Deathbed. Many people paid the composer a last honour, when he was laid out in state - they took a lock of his hair as a souvenir. Afterwards, Beethoven's head was completely bald!!!
The original lock of hair sold at auction seen here before its refurbishment in 1971.
Only several other locks of hair remain in the world. There are two locks of hair
Forensic Testing: An Examination taken from sample's of Beethoven hair revealed he may have died from lead poisoning.
