Ludwig Van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven, a major composer of the nineteenth century, overcame many
personal problems to achieve artistic greatness. Born in Bonn,
Germany, in 1770, he first studied music with the court organist, Gilles van der
Eeden. His father was excessively strict and given to heavy drinking. 1 Appointed deputy court organist to Christian
Gottlob Neefe at a surprisingly early age in 1782, Beethoven also played the
harpsichord and the viola. In 1792 he was sent to Vienna by his patron, Count
Ferdinand Waldstein, to study music under Haydn. Beethoven
remained unmarried. 2 Continually
plagued by ill health, he developed an ear infection which led to his tragic
deafness in 1819. 3 He
completed mature masterpieces of great musical depth. three piano sonatas, four
string quartets, the Missa Solemnis, and the 9th Symphony. He died in 1827.
4 Noting that
Beethoven often flew into fits of rage, Goethe once said of him, "I am
astonished by his talent, but he is unfortunately an altogether untamed
personality." 5 A. In
spite of this handicap, however, he continued to write music.
B. Because of irregular payments from his publishers and erratic support from
his patrons, he was troubled by financial worries throughout his adult
life. C. His life was marked by a passionate dedication to
independence. D. When his mother died, Beethoven, then a young
man, was named guardian of his two younger brothers. E.
Although Beethoven’s personality may have been untamed, his music shows great
discipline and control, and this is how we remember him best.
F. Today his music is still being played all over the world.