Ludwig Van Beethoven

By Author: Anthony W Bills
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Introduction
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German music composer and was also a pianist. Ludwig was a distinctive and a crucial figure during the transitional period that was between the classical and Romantic eras in the western classical music that made him to stand as the most respected as well as the most influential composer of all generations.
Ludwig was born in the city of Bonn that was in the Electorate of Cologne though in the current Germany. When he was in his early twenties, he moved and settled in Vienna. He was studying with Haydn Joseph and that gave him an opportunity to gain reputation as a virtuoso pianist. During these times, when he was still in his twenties, his hearing capability started deteriorated though he continued to compose, conduct and perform there after even when he went completely deaf. (Beethoven bipolar)
Ludwig’s early life
Ludwig’s parents were Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. Ludwig was born in the city of Cologne in 1770. He was the second born and among the only three survivors who survived their infancy. He was baptized ...
... in 1770 on December 17, though there is no certainty on his actual birth date, its usually celebrated on December 16th.
Ludwig started his music education under his alcoholic father who was his tutor and his believed that he was used to beat him up during his tutorials and music lessons. The Ludwig’s musical talent manifested itself early enough and was advance to a point that he could perform at an early age of nine though it is commonly believed that he started his performance at the age of seven for his father falsified on this to claim that his son first public performance took place in that tender age.
In 1779, Ludwig joined the protégé of the Christian gottlob Neefe, he was taught to compose as he was working as an assistance organist though he worked as an unpaid worker till 1784 when he started working as a paid employee of the chapel that was conducted by Kapellmeister. The Ludwig’s first piano Sonaten were published in 1783 as during these times, his talent was already noticed and completely appreciated by the electro who in turn subsidized Ludwig’s musical studies, Maximilian Franz.
The stay in Vienna
When Ludwig arrived in Vienna, he studied for some time with Haydn Joseph as his hopes of studying with Mozart had already gone because he had died the previous year. He also received more instructions from Johann George, the Vienna’s pre-eminent instructor and Antonio Salieri. He was able to establish his good reputation as a piano virtuoso. He had completely established himself in Vienna even after the departure of Haydn to Wales in 1795; this was contrary to the expectations of the Elector as they expected that he would return home. He was receiving some support that included financial from the Viennese who had already recognized his capability. (Peter, 2001)
When he considered leaving Vienna, he was persuaded by Prince Lobkowitz who promised to offer him some 4000 florins per year. He had gone in debts as many had promised to offer him support, some died and other declined and the few who were giving their support was not sufficient for all his needs. Prince Lobkowitz advised him to apply for a position of a composer of the imperial theatres, but this was some what impossible as the nobilities who were place in charge could not respond to him. In 1808, he was offered a position as a chapel maestro by Jerome Bonaparte who was the king of Westphalia in his court and he accepted. After the death of Kinsky, no one contributed to him and from the he was relying mostly on the sales of his compositions. (Forbes, 1991)
Ludwig’s sickness
In 1796, he started losing his hearing capabilities. He was suffering from the tinnitus, a ringing in the ear that was making it hard for him to hear. During these times, he was avoiding conversations and could not appreciate music. He was living in a small town of Heiligenstadt, in Australia. It’s in this town he wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament in which he recorded his resolution to continue living for through his music.
During his ninth Symphony, he was to be turned around to see the applause of his audience but could not hear anything, he wept for this. The hearing loss did not prevent him from composing music though it could make concerts and also was a lucrative source of income. (Robbins, 1970)
The Ludwig’s character
His life was full of troubles. His deafness was a reason that leads him to contemplate suicide as it was documented in his Testament. Ludwig had suffered bipolar disorder that was brought about by the stomach pains that was as a result of lead poisoning. He had many friends that were drawn around him by his reputed capabilities and strength and were working hard towards making him cope effectively with his incapacities. (Glenn, 2000)
Ludwig’s Death
In march 26 1827, He died as a result of thunderstorm. According to Viennese Pathologist, Christian Reiter, the Ludwig’s personal physician, Adreas Wawruch, worsened the Ludwig’s condition by lead poultices that were applied after a repeated surgical draining of his stomach which was already suffering lead poisoning. Though the Reiter’s documentation was termed as dubious for it lacked proper documentation. (Davies, 2001)

Reference:

Beethoven bipolar, Retrieved from http://www.gazette.uottawa.ca/article_e_1529.html on 27th Nov 2008
Davies, P. 2001. Beethoven in Person: His Deafness, Illnesses, and Death. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press,
Forbes, E.1991. Thayer's Life of Beethoven, Princeton University Press
Glenn, S. 2000. The Cambridge Companion to Beethoven, Cambridge University Press
Peter, C. J. 2001. Beethoven and His World: A Biographical Dictionary. New York: Oxford University Press
Robbins, C.1970. Beethoven, Landon, Macmillan Company

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