The life of Beethoven

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized December 17th, 1770 in Bonn in what is now Germany. With a musician for a father, Ludwig showed a flair for music at a very young age, and his father hoped to have the next child prodigy--much in the same vain as a young Mozart--to show off to the musical world. Ludwig first learned music with his father, but soon switched to other notable teachers such as Christian Gottlob Neefe or Franz Joseph Haydn. Under these teachers, Ludwig would learn not only about harmony and counterpoint, but also the works of many great ancient and modern philosophers. This study of philosophy may explain why Beethoven was known for always reworking and repeating his melodic ideas.

Beethoven published his first work: 9 variations, in C Minor, for Piano, on a march by Ernst Christoph Dressler (WoO 63) before the tender age of 12. And by the age of 14, Ludwig was appointed organist of the court of Maximilian Franz, Elector of Cologne. In this new seat of honor, Ludwig was a able to mingle with many new circles, while making friendships that would last a lifetime. Franz even funded for Ludwig to travel to Vienna, where he would meet with Mozart himself and continue his musical education. He would soon take Vienna by storm.

In 1800, Beethoven performed his first symphony in Vienna, which many people found strange and overly extravagant. At such a young age, Ludwig was pushing many boundaries that had been established for years. Yet, just as he was making his name known, Beethoven feared that he would soon go deaf. Though struck with remorse for the cruelties of life, Beethoven resolved to continue writing like never before (List of works).

By 1809, Beethoven had hopes of leaving Vienna. However, offered an annual grant of 4000 florins by three of his greatest admirers in the aristocratic class, Beethoven could not refuse to leave Vienna. Now financially set, Beethoven was allowed to compose for whomever and whatever he chose, unlike so many other musician before him--such as Bach, Mozart and Haydn. However, this financial freedom would only last for three years, as one of his benefactors fell into financial trouble, and another fell off of a horse and died. Thus began Beethoven's struggle to make enough money to make ends meet and keep composing.

After a lifetime of composing while having to struggle with deafness and financial instability, Beethoven died on March 26th, 1827. He was buried at the church of the Holy Trinity.

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