Ludwig van Beethoven

Birth Date:

December 16, 1770

Death Date:

March 26, 1827

Beethoven’s FamilyBeethoven’s Family

• He was born in Bonn, Germany.• He has Seven brothers and sisters,

only two siblings survived infancy.• Beethoven’s Mother died when he

was 18.• Beethoven’s Father suffered from

alcoholism.

Did you know?Did you know?

Beethoven’s First Music Beethoven’s First Music Teacher was His Father!Teacher was His Father!

Pictured to the left is Beethoven’s Father, Johann van Beethoven

Beethoven’s father Beethoven’s father made him stand at the made him stand at the

keyboard in tears keyboard in tears practicing.practicing.

Beethoven was helped Beethoven was helped in writing his first in writing his first

composition by composition by Christian Neefe.Christian Neefe.

In 1787, at the age of 18, In 1787, at the age of 18, Beethoven made his first Beethoven made his first trip to Vienna, Austria.trip to Vienna, Austria.

Rumor had it that he was Rumor had it that he was searching to study with Mozart, searching to study with Mozart,

but no history of meeting or but no history of meeting or studying ever was recorded.studying ever was recorded.

After going to Vienna, Austria After going to Vienna, Austria his mother passed and he his mother passed and he

returned to Bonn, Germany to returned to Bonn, Germany to care for his brothers.care for his brothers.

Beethoven befriended the von Breuning Family where he learned German and Classical literature and started his career as an instructor of piano.

Beethoven also played Viola in the Court Orchestra to help support his

family. There, he learned and

played three of Mozart’s Operas.

Beethoven was only 26 when he started having hearing problems!

After the After the premier of his premier of his

Ninth Ninth Symphony, he Symphony, he turned around turned around to see people to see people clapping, but clapping, but

could not hear could not hear a sound.a sound.

In 1811, at the In 1811, at the age of 31, he age of 31, he

attempted and attempted and failed to perform failed to perform Piano Concerto Piano Concerto

No. 5, the No. 5, the “Emperor.” After “Emperor.” After

this failed this failed attempt, he never attempt, he never

performed in performed in public again.public again.

In 1814, at the age of 44, Beethoven was almost totally deaf.

Beethoven and his friends used

conversation books in the last ten years of his life. These books

held mutual conversations about music, Beethoven’s

thinking, and the ways in which he thought his music should be

performed.

Beethoven died on March 26, Beethoven died on March 26, 1827 at the age of 57.1827 at the age of 57.

The cause of death is unknown, but the impact that Beethoven made

truly was an art in itself.