Many Google searches came for Beethoven today, bringing this search
string to the prominent top-ten list. I hope, that most of the people were
looking for reference to the famous classical composer, rather than to the cute
dog, named on his honor.
Ludwig van Beethoven
definitely deserves the public interest, as he was among the most influential,
creative and powerful musicians in the history has ever known. This German
composer and pianist has produced some classical pieces of work in the field of
music, which includes many symphonies, an opera, concerti, piano sonatas, etc.
Beethoven was a legend recognized for his great music, also as his temper! In this post, I would like to bring to your
attention some interesting and not widely known facts of his life and career.
As any genius, he was also a human being with his feelings, fears, desires, and
love stories.
1.
Born in
Germany on December 16th, 1770, Beethoven was the eldest of 7
siblings, 4 of whom passed away during childhood.
2.
Beethoven’s
earliest music instructions were the piano lessons his father started to give
him when he was four or five years old. Some researchers claim that Beethoven
suffered substantial abuse by her father to practice music to the extreme. Some
also believe he was the victim of sexual abuse. There are opinions that his
music expresses anger later in life at the mistreatment suffered by the victim.
3.
His
first public performance came at the age of seven on 26th March
1778. Interestingly, 26th March was the same date when Beethoven
died. While delivering his first performance in Cologne, Beethoven’s father
announced him to be six years old. It was due to this declaration that he
always thought himself to be 1½ years younger than his real age. It was only
years later when he received his baptism certificate did he learn about his
real age. He assumed it to be his elder brother’s certificate, who died in
childhood.
4.
It is
rumored that as a young man, another very famous musician—Mozart, heard
Beethoven’s playing. He made a comment about the young man, and that
Beethoven’s career should be watched for his genius. Mozart seemingly passed on
the torch for being the most famous musicians in the world to the young
Beethoven, and their meeting may have very well inspired Beethoven to work hard
to achieve greatness.
5.
Beethoven
was lucky to learn music under the guidance of well-known musicians, like
Gottlob Neefe, Joseph Haydn, Albrechtsberger, Salieri and the celebrated
Mozart.
6.
It was
in 1782 at the young age of 12 when Beethoven published his first composition.
It was a set of keyboard variations that eventually declared him as one of the
popular piano players in history.
7.
He moved
to Vienna in 1792 where he met the prominent Austrian composer Joseph Haydn and
studied piano under him. This earned him the reputation of a virtuoso pianist
in no time.
8.
Beethoven
is known for composing 9 symphonies, 7 concertos, 17 string quartets, 32 piano
sonatas, and 10 violin sonatas, 5 cello sonatas, a sonata for French horn.
9.
Beethoven
was one of the first musicians to be given annual grant of 4000 florins, just
because the people didn't want him to leave Vienna.
10.
Beethoven
wrote three love letters to an “Immortal Beloved”, the mystery of which remains
unsolved till date. Since he fell in love with many women, biographers are
unable to figure out the woman behind this entire eccentric puzzle. Some researchers
believe her to be one of three different women. Each of the three women went on
to marry other men, but they are believed to have been loved and lost by
Beethoven.
11.
Beethoven
did not have any children, but he formed an attachment to one of his nephews,
and he even won custody of him after his brother’s death. The nephew did not
grow up to be a musician like his uncle, and he seemed to have been spoiled by
his famous uncle.
12.
During
his entire lifetime, Beethoven wrote just one opera titled Fidelio which is still
considered to be one of the classical and prominent pieces of art.
13.
His
musical life was divided into three major periods. It was during the second
period, popularly known as the “Heroic” period, when he struggled a lot and
attained heroism. Even his renowned Fifth Symphony was one of the masterpieces
composed during this period.
14.
Around
1796, Beethoven started having hearing problems. What started as an annoying
ringing sensation worsened and transformed into a severe ailment called
tinnitus. And by 1816, he had completely lost his hearing and became deaf.
15.
Despite
losing his hearing powers, Beethoven continued to compose, conduct, and
perform. He used a special rod on his piano sound board which he used to bite
as it helped him determine the sound through the vibrations that traveled from
the piano to his jaw. He also sawed off the legs of his piano. This has allowed
him to compose music by feeling the vibrations from the floor.
16.
Strangely,
Beethoven poured lots of ice water on his head whenever he sat down to compose
music.
17.
Beethoven
constantly put 60 coffee beans in his cup of coffee. No wonder where he got all
that energy from!
18.
Beethoven
was also known for his poor temper. The truth is, he would stop performing to
his audiences if he felt that they were talking too much or not giving him
proper attention. It is also known that Beethoven once threw a plate full of
food at a waiter because he wasn’t happy with his service.
19.
Beethoven
spent most of his time composing music. At one occasion, he was arrested by the
police as his clothes and hair were so messy that the police thought he was
some homeless tramp.
20.
Beethoven’s
final masterpiece is an ironic one. He suffered at the hands of his violently
alcoholic father while growing up, and then his progressive and eventually
complete deafness cut his spirits in his adult life. And yet, he was able to
compose the Ninth Symphony and its “Ode to Joy,” arguably one of the most beautiful
compositions in history.
21.
Unlike
Mozart, who was buried in a common grave (as was the custom at the time),
20,000 Viennese citizens lined the streets at Beethoven’s funeral on 29 March
1827. The funeral procession was one of the most impressive Vienna had. Franz
Schubert, a great Beethoven admirer, was one of the grave bearers and died in the
following year. He was buried next to Beethoven.
22.
In
August 1845, Beethoven's monument at Bonn was unveiled, which also happened to
be the first monument of a composer that was created in Germany.
23.
Beethoven
is acknowledged as one of the giants of classical music; occasionally he is
referred to as one of the "three Bs" (along with Bach and Brahms) who
epitomize that tradition. However,
many musicians and music critics – including Beethoven’s one-time teacher, Joseph Haydn—actually feared Beethoven’s work at the time because it relied so much on passion rather than the mathematically precise nature consistent with the Classical style of the age.
many musicians and music critics – including Beethoven’s one-time teacher, Joseph Haydn—actually feared Beethoven’s work at the time because it relied so much on passion rather than the mathematically precise nature consistent with the Classical style of the age.
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