beethoven :: essays research papers

van van Beethoven Study GuidevLudwig Van Beethoven was born in 1770 in the town of Bonn, GermanyvHis was given the same name as his grandfather who was a court musician in BonnvHis father, Johann, was not a talented musician and was a cruel first tutor for LudwigvBeethoven had 2 brothersvBeethoven wrote his first music composition when he was just 12 age old.vChristian Neefe was Beethovens first legitimate tutor and quickly recognized his talents. Neefe took Beethoven to Vienna when he was just 16 eld old. Vienna was the music capital of Europe at the time. In 1787, Beethoven played for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart recognized Beethovens talents and knew he would be a gravid musician, and many in Vienna considered Beethoven to be the next Mozart. Beethoven and Mozart met only one time. Beethoven had to return to Bonn just a few weeks subsequent after his mother, Maria, died. vBeethoven remained in Bonn to care for his brothers. He took a job in the Bonn court orchestra. The on ly instrument position available was the viola. He taught himself to play it and got the job. The income allowed Beethoven to compose music in his spare time.vBeethoven met his next tutor, Joseph Haydn who would help Beethoven to return to Vienna in 1792. Beethoven quickly became a celebrity.vBeethoven had a terrible temper and mood swings. He considered himself a true celebrity and tried to convince everyone he was of noble birth because he had the word Van in his name.vWhen Beethoven was in his late 20s he began to lose his hearing. He wrote most of his most famous works while he was going deaf. Symphony number 9 was written when he was completely deaf.vBeethoven admired Napoleon Bonaparte very much and dedicated his 3rd Symphony to him. When Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, Beethoven was very angry and scratched up the original score to remove Napoleons name from it. Beethoven, however, did not destroy the music itself, he just renamed it. vBeethoven fell in love many times, but never married. He fought his sister-in-law for custody of his nephew and won, although his nephew, Karl, hated him.vAs Beethoven lost much of his hearing he became more and more angry as well as reclusive. He would wander the streets of Vienna like a homeless man and then return to his flat tire to compose music. vLater in his life, Beethoven returned to the church and had a spiritual awakening.