Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is one of the most famous composers who ever lived.  He was born on December 16, 1770, in Bonn, Germany.  Both his father and his grandfather were musicians employed by the court of Max Friedrich, the Elector of the German Empire.  Beethoven's father, Johann, who was a singer at the court, quickly recognized his son's exceptional talent.  Mozart had been a famous child prodigy not too long before.  Johann van Beethoven hoped that his son would be "the next Mozart".  He arranged public appearances and short concert tours for his son from the time that Ludwig was 8 years old.  It is thought that young Beethoven's father was thinking about a secure financial future from all of the money which he imagined his son would make.

     Beethoven's first real teacher was Christian Gottlob Neefe (1748-1798), who was the court organist to the Elector.  Beethoven was appointed to be Neefe's assistant when he was 11 years old.  When he was 12, Beethoven was assigned to the court theatre.  His job was to accompany the orchestra on the harpsichord.  His teacher, Christian Neefe, mentioned Beethoven's talents and predicted his future success in an article which was published in 1783.  He compared Beethoven to Mozart.

     Four years later, in 1787, Beethoven met Mozart in Vienna.  Mozart heard the 17-year old play and said that Beethoven would "make a noise in the world some day".  Shortly after his arrival, Beethoven left Vienna to return home becuase his mother died.  During the next 5 years, he lived in Bonn, and supported his family by giving music lessons.  By this time, Beethoven's father had become too ill to be a support to his family.  Beethoven met the von Breuning family and Count Waldstein during this period of time.  The Count gave him a piano to use.

     In 1792, Beethoven made Vienna his home.  He had hoped to study with Mozart, but Mozart had died in 1791.  Instead, he began to study with Josef Haydn, who was a very famous musician during that time.  The two great musicians did not see eye-to-eye, and their teacher-pupil relationship ended in 1794, when Haydn went to England.

     Beethoven made a living in Vienna as a pianist and composer.  He trusted in the generosity of his patrons (Count Waldstein and the Prince and Princess Lichnowsky).  In 1795, he made his first public appearance in Vienna, performing his Piano Concerto in B-flat.  His creativity blossomed and he produced many great musical works.  His reputation as a great composer grew.

     Unfortunately, by the late 1790's, Beethoven began to grow deaf.  The deafness was gradual, and during the last 10 years of his life, he was totally deaf.  This was a terrible hardship for Beethoven, and he even considered suicide.  His discussion of this can be found in the Heiligenstadt Testament of 1802.  Beethoven became withdrawn from the world, while, at the same time, he was composing some of the greatest music which the world has ever heard.  He died on March 26, 1827.

     The 18th century became know as the age of revolution.  Beethoven certainly believed in the philosophy of his age, including personal freedom and the dignity of the individual.  He believed in the equality of all men, whether they be great princes or humble craftsmen.  His music reflects these strong feelings.

                                          Beethoven's Music

      Beethoven wrote most of his music for instruments, although some of his music is to be sung.  Many of his early pieces were influenced by Mozart and Haydn, but Beethoven's music seems stronger and full of personal feelings.  Music which is included in Beethoven's early period include: the 1st 2 symphonies, the 1st 3 piano concertos, and piano sonatas.

     1802 seems to mark the beginning of Beethoven's "middle period".  Beethoven broke with classical conventions of composing during this time - he "made his own rules".  Works included during this time include: the 3rd through the 8th symphonies, the Violin Concerto, and the opera "Fidelio".

    From 1816 on, Beethoven's music seemed to become "deeper".  The 9th Symphony, as well as the last 5 string quartets, are included in this time frame.  Beethoven is considered to be both a Classical and a Romantic composer.  He wrote some of the greatest music that has ever been written in all of history.      

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