Ludwig van Beethoven today remains a phenomenon in the world of music. This man created his first works as a young man. Beethoven, whose interesting facts from his life to this day make one admire his personality, thought all his life that his mission was to be a great composer and musician, whom he, in fact, was.
Ludwig van Beethoven family
The grandfather and father of Ludwig possessed unique musical talent in the family. Despite the rootless origin, the first managed to become a bandmaster at the court in Bonn. Ludwig van Beethoven Sr. had a unique voice and hearing. After the birth of his son Johann, his wife Maria Theresa, who was addicted to alcohol, was sent to the monastery. The boy, after reaching the age of six, began to study singing. The child had a great voice. Later, men from the Beethoven clan even performed together on the same stage. Unfortunately, Ludwig’s father did not differ in great talent and hard work of his grandfather, which is why he did not reach such heights. What Johann couldn’t take was love of alcohol.
Beethoven's mother was the daughter of the Elector cook. The famous grandfather was against this marriage, but, nevertheless, did not interfere. Maria Magdalena Keverich at the age of 18 was already a widow. Of the seven children in the new family, only three survived. Maria loved her son Ludwig very much, and he, in turn, was very attached to her mother.
Childhood and youth
The date of birth of Ludwig van Beethoven is not listed in any documents. Historians suggest that the second child in the Beethoven family was born on December 16, 1770, because he was baptized on December 17, and according to Catholic tradition, children were baptized the day after birth.
When the boy was three years old, his grandfather, the elder Ludwig Beethoven, died, and his mother was expecting a baby. After the birth of yet another offspring, she could not pay attention to her eldest son. The child grew up a bully, for which he was often locked in a room with a harpsichord. But, surprisingly, he did not break the strings: little Ludwig van Beethoven (composer later on) sat down and improvised, playing with both hands at the same time, which is unusual for young children. Once, during this occupation, the child found his father. Ambition played in him. Suddenly his little Ludwig is the same genius as Mozart? It was from this time that Johann began to study with his son, but often hired him teachers, more qualified than himself.
While the grandfather, who was actually the head of the clan, was alive, little Ludwig Beethoven lived comfortably. The years after the death of Beethoven Sr. became a difficult test for the child. The family was constantly in need due to the drunkenness of his father, and the thirteen-year-old Ludwig became the main earner of livelihoods.
Attitude to study
As contemporaries and friends of the musical genius noted, it was rare in those days to meet such an inquisitive mind, which Beethoven possessed. Interesting facts from the life of the composer are also associated with his arithmetic illiteracy. Perhaps the talented pianist was not able to master mathematics due to the fact that, without graduating from school, he was forced to work, and perhaps the whole thing is in a purely humanitarian mindset. Ludwig van Beethoven cannot be called ignoramus. He read literature in volumes, adored Shakespeare, Homer, Plutarch, was fond of the works of Goethe and Schiller, knew French and Italian, mastered Latin. And it was precisely the inquisitiveness of the mind that he owed his knowledge, and not to the education received at school.
Beethoven teachers
From early childhood, Beethoven's music, unlike the works of his contemporaries, was born in his head. He played variations on all kinds of compositions known to him, but because of his father's conviction that it was too early for him to compose melodies, the boy did not record his compositions for a long time.
The teachers whom his father brought him, at times were simply his drinking companions, and sometimes became mentors of a virtuoso.
The first person Beethoven himself recalls with warmth was his grandfather's friend, the court organist Eden. Actor Pfeifer taught the boy to play the flute and harpsichord. For some time, the monk Koch, and then Hanzman, taught the gifted child to play the organ. After appeared violinist Romantini.
When the boy was 7 years old, his father decided that the work of Beethoven Jr. should be made public, and organized his concert in Cologne. According to experts, Johann realized that the outstanding pianist from Ludwig did not work, and, nevertheless, the father continued to bring teachers to his son.
Mentors
Soon Christian Gotlob Nefe arrived in Bonn. Whether he himself came to Beethoven’s house and expressed a desire to become a teacher of young talent, or father Johann put his hand to this, is unknown. Nave became the mentor whom Beethoven the composer remembered all his life. Ludwig, after his confession, even sent some money to Nefte and Pfeiffer in gratitude for the years of training and the assistance provided to him in his youth. It was Néfé who helped promote the thirteen-year-old musician at court. It was he who introduced Beethoven to the work of Bach and other luminaries of the musical world.
Not only Bach influenced Beethoven's creativity - a young genius idolized Mozart. Once upon arrival in Vienna, he was even lucky enough to play for the great Amadeus. At first, the great Austrian composer coldly accepted Ludwig's play, taking it for a previously learned work. Then the stubborn pianist invited Mozart himself to ask a theme for variations. From that moment on, Wolfgang Amadeus listened, without interruption, to the young man’s game, and later exclaimed that the whole world would soon speak of young talent. The words of the classic became prophetic.
Beethoven managed to take several lessons from Mozart. Soon news came of the near death of his mother, and the young man left Vienna.
After his teacher, there was such a famous composer as Joseph Haydn, but they did not find a common language. And one of the mentors - Johann Georg Albrechtsberger - considered Beethoven a complete lack of talent and a person incapable of learning anything.
Musician character
The history of Beethoven and the vicissitudes of his life left a noticeable imprint on his work, made his face sullen, but did not break the stubborn and strong-willed youth. In July 1787, the closest person to Ludwig dies - his mother. The young man suffered a loss. After the death of Mary Magdalene, he himself fell ill - he was struck by typhus, and then smallpox. Ulcers remained on the young man's face, and myopia struck his eyes. The immature young man takes care of the two younger brothers. His father had completely drunk by that time and had died 5 years later.
All these life troubles reflected on the character of the young man. He became withdrawn and unsociable. He was often gloomy and harsh. But his friends and contemporaries argue that, despite such an unbridled disposition, Beethoven remained a true friend. He helped all his acquaintances who needed money with money, provided for his brothers and their children. It is not surprising that Beethoven’s music seemed gloomy and gloomy to his contemporaries, because it was a complete reflection of the maestro’s inner world.
Personal life
Very little is known about the emotional experiences of the great musician. Beethoven was attached to children, loved beautiful women, but never created a family. It is known that the daughter of Elena von Braining, Lorchen, became his first negligent. Beethoven’s music of the late 80s was dedicated to her.
Juliet Gvichchardi became the first serious love of a great genius. This is not surprising, because the fragile Italian was beautiful, complaisant and had a penchant for music, and the already mature thirty-year-old Beethoven teacher focused her attention on it. Interesting facts from the life of a genius are connected with this particular one. Sonata No. 14, later called "Moonlight", was dedicated to this very angel in the flesh. Beethoven wrote letters to his friend Franz Wegeler, in which he confessed to his ardent feelings for Juliet. But after a year of study and gentle friendship, Juliet married Count Hallenberg, whom she considered more talented. There is evidence that after a few years their marriage was unsuccessful, and Juliet turned to Beethoven for help. The former lover gave money, but asked not to come again.
Theresa Brunswick - another student of the great composer - became his new hobby. She devoted herself to parenting and charity. Until the end of Beethoven’s life, she had pen pal friendships.
Bettina Brentano, a writer and friend of Goethe, became the composer's last passion. But in 1811, and she connected her life with another writer.
Beethoven's longest affection was the love of music.
The music of the great composer
Beethoven's work immortalized his name in history. All his works are masterpieces of world classical music. During the composer's life, his style of performance and musical compositions were innovative. In lower and upper case, no one played or composed melodies at the same time before him.
In the work of the composer, art historians distinguish several periods:
- Early, when variations and plays were written. Then Beethoven composed several songs for children.
- The first - the Vienna period - dates from 1792–1802. The already well-known pianist and composer completely abandons the manner of performance characteristic of him in Bonn. Beethoven’s music becomes absolutely innovative, lively, sensual. The manner of performance makes the audience listen and absorb the sounds of beautiful melodies in one breath. The author numbers his new masterpieces. At this time he writes chamber ensembles and pieces for piano.
- 1803 - 1809 characterized by gloomy works, reflecting the raging passions of Ludwig van Beethoven. During this period he writes his only opera Fidelio. All compositions of this period are filled with drama and anguish.
- The music of the last period is more measured and difficult to perceive, and the viewer did not perceive some concerts at all. This reaction was not accepted by Ludwig van Beethoven. The sonata, dedicated to the ex-duke Rudolph, was written at this time.
Until the end of his days, the great, but already very sick composer continued to compose music, which later became a masterpiece of the world musical heritage of the 18th century.
Disease
An extraordinary and very quick-tempered personality was Beethoven. Interesting facts from life relate to the period of his illness. In 1800, the musician began to feel tinnitus. After some time, the doctors recognized that the disease was incurable. The composer was on the verge of suicide. He left society and the upper world and for some time lived in solitude. After some time, Ludwig continued to write from memory, reproducing sounds in his head. This period in the works of the composer is called "heroic." By the end of his life, Beethoven was completely deaf.
The last journey of the great composer
Beethoven's death became a huge grief for all fans of the composer. He died on March 26, 1827. The reason has not been clarified. For a long time Beethoven suffered from liver disease, he was tormented by abdominal pain. According to another version, the genius sent to the other world mental anguish associated with the slovenliness of his nephew.
Recent evidence from British scientists suggests that the composer could have unintentionally poisoned himself with lead. The content of this metal in the body of musical genius was 100 times higher than the norm.
Beethoven: interesting facts from life
To summarize what was said in the article. Beethoven's life, like his death, was overgrown with many rumors and inaccuracies.
The date of birth of a healthy boy in the Beethoven family to this day raises doubts and disputes. Some historians argue that the parents of the future musical genius were ill, and therefore a priori could not have healthy children.
The composer's talent woke up in a child from the first lessons of playing the harpsichord: he played melodies that were in his head. Father, in pain of punishment, forbade the baby to play unreal melodies, it was allowed only to read from the sheet.
Beethoven’s music had an imprint of sadness, gloom and some despondency. One of his teachers, the great Joseph Haydn, wrote about this to Ludwig. And he, in turn, retorted that Haydn had not taught him anything.
Before composing musical works, Beethoven dipped his head in a basin of ice water. Some experts argue that such procedures could cause him to be deaf.
The musician loved coffee and always brewed it from 64 beans.
Like any great genius, Beethoven was indifferent to his appearance. He often walked disheveled and untidy.
On the day of the death of the musician, nature was rampant: a storm broke out with a blizzard, hail and thunder. At the last moment of his life, Beethoven raised his fist and threatened heaven or higher powers.
One of the great sayings of genius: "Music must carve fire from the human soul."