Biography of Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the greatest composers in the history of European classical music. His music includes the transition between classical and romantic styles. His work is even more remarkable considering that the works were completed when he lost his hearing function. Although the last thirty years of his life experienced hearing problems, but did not stop his steps to produce extraordinary symphonies.

Youth and Family Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany and was baptized the next day. However his date of birth is still being debated because no official documents were found, but the majority believes December 16 is the day of his birth.

His mother's name was Maria Magdalena van Beethoven, a woman who was very serious and determined. His father, Johan van Beethoven, or his grandfather worked as palace singers for archbishop Bonn.

Unfortunately, Beethoven's father was an alcoholic. He tried to increase family income by showing off his second son, Ludwig, as a prodigy. Nevertheless the effort was not successful.

Unlike Mozart, Beethoven's genius took a while to fully develop. In addition to getting music lessons from his father, when he was nine years old, he also received music composing lessons from Christian Gottlo Neefe, Boon palace organ player.

Furthermore, Beethoven became an official organist assistant at the age of 14 years. During this period, Beethoven traveled to Vienna and possibly met Mozart and played music for him. However, on the way there was news that his mother had fallen ill with tuberculosis and he was forced to return to Boon when his mother died.

Journey to the Peak of Fame

After his mother died, Beethoven now became the backbone of the family, mainly because his father was increasingly unable. He also began working as a player when in the palace orchestra and the local theater. In addition, he also worked as a music teacher for children of nobility.

His position enabled him to meet many influential scientists, including the aristocratic Count Ferdinand Waldstein, an expert musician who became a friend and patron. Thanks to Waldstein's help, Beethoven was able to go back to Vienna to learn from the famous composer Joseph Hadyn. He left Boon in 1792 and spent the rest of his life Vienna.

In Vienna, Beethoven impressed the various salons and aristocrats at the place by his virtuoso appearance on the piano. He also performed everywhere and was considered a champion in terms of improvisation, even compared to Mozart.

His compositions at that time included a number of piano sonatas, variations, and concerto. The first two symphonies show the influence of the heretics admired, Mozart and Haydn.

Hearing Loss and Beethoven's Career Peak
In the midst of a rising career, Beethoven contracted Tinnitus in 1798. Tinnitus is a terrible disease for a composer, because it causes the sufferer to slowly become deaf and completely lose his hearing function.

With this terrible illness Beethoven experienced a bad mood and emotional shock. Beethoven had a difficult relationship and he never married.

Despite this, in the following years Beethoven still tried to continue working. He composed a number of important piano works. The compositions are brilliant and beautiful.

Even so, the deafness that he experienced increasingly became and can no longer be ignored. He was almost hopeless and perhaps realized that his career as a virtuoso was over. Therefore, he began to focus on composing songs.

In the midst of his illness, he produced a series of extraordinary works. Symphony no. 3 presented to his idol hero, Napoleon Bonaporte, marked the beginning of his masterpiece. However, when Napoleon declared himself emperor in 1804, the disappointed composer abolished the offering. The symphony was finally published in 1806 under the new title Sinfonia Eroica.

Beethoven continued his creation by producing many compositions, including Waldstein piano sonata and Appasionata; Fourth Piano Concerto; Razumovsky Quartet and Violin Concerto; and also the first and only opera that he produced, Fideho.

Symphony no. 4 and 5 were then published in this period, with no. 5 becomes an important point of musical originality. The opening of this symphony is very famous until now. Next comes the symphony no. 6, known as Pastoral, in which wind instruments mimic the sounds of local rural birds, followed by symphony no. 7 and 8 which marked the peak of their productivity period.

End of Beethoven's Life
In the last years of his life, Beethoven did not compose much because now he is totally deaf. Beethoven's late period works (since 1815), were marked by increasing intimacy and emotional power.


His final piano sonatas, opus 109, 110 and 111 are extraordinary works of virtuoso with complexity in perfect harmony with lyricalism.

On the other hand, Symphony No. 9, the great work created in 1823, exploded with the last movement, Ode to Joy. The movement featured full choir and passionate solo singers.

His last string quartet was completed in 1826, which coincided with Beethoven's nephew who was also his guardian. One year later he was attacked by pneumonia and the appearance of cirrhosis of the liver which caused his death on March 26, 1827 at the age of 56 years.

Beethoven was buried with an extraordinary ceremony in Vienna. A ceremony suitable for composers who have been famous throughout Europe. Until now, his name is coupled with the ranks of great composers of his time or other times.