Ludwig van Beethoven

“THERE IS ONLY ONE

BEETHOVEN”

Early Life

Baptized on Dec. 17, 1770 Children at that time were

usually baptized the day after they were born so it is assumed that he was born on Dec. 16, 1770

Born in the city of Bonn in the country of Germany

Both Beethoven’s grandfather and father were musicians

Beethoven was named after his grandfather who was also called Lugwig

There were 7 children born in Beethoven’s family but only he and two younger brother survived past infancy. The other four died as very young children

Learning MusicLearning Music Beethoven’s first music Beethoven’s first music

teacher was his fatherteacher was his father It is said by many that his It is said by many that his

father was very harsh and father was very harsh and "made to stand at the "made to stand at the keyboard.. often in tears." keyboard.. often in tears."

Beethoven went on to Beethoven went on to have other teachers have other teachers including the famous including the famous composers Mozart and composers Mozart and HaydenHayden

He learned piano, violin, He learned piano, violin, French horn and organFrench horn and organ

Moving to AustriaMoving to Austria

In 1792 when he was In 1792 when he was 22, Beethoven moved 22, Beethoven moved to the city of Vienna in to the city of Vienna in the country of Austriathe country of Austria

Beethoven became known Beethoven became known as an incredible piano as an incredible piano playerplayer

Beethoven worked for Beethoven worked for several members of several members of nobility: princes, countsnobility: princes, counts

Beethoven began Beethoven began composing his own music composing his own music and is especially known for and is especially known for writing symphonies and writing symphonies and music for the pianomusic for the piano

Personal Life

Beethoven was engaged at one time and in love with a few other women but he never married

After Beethoven’s death, letters were found that were written to his “Immortal Beloved.” It is unclear exactly who that was

In 1815 when Beethoven was 45, his brother Karl died and Beethoven fought for custody of his 9 year old nephew (Karl) and won it.

Losing His HearingLosing His Hearing

► Beethoven began Beethoven began losing his hearing losing his hearing about 1796 (he was 26)about 1796 (he was 26)

► Beethoven used a Beethoven used a special rod attached to special rod attached to the the soundboardsoundboard on a on a piano that he could bitepiano that he could bite—the vibrations would —the vibrations would then transfer from the then transfer from the piano to his jaw piano to his jaw

► Beethoven would also Beethoven would also lay his head right on lay his head right on the piano to feel the the piano to feel the vibrationsvibrations

► He is known to have He is known to have cut the legs off his cut the legs off his piano and laid it on the piano and laid it on the floor – to better feel the floor – to better feel the vibration of the musicvibration of the music

► He used hearing aids He used hearing aids known as ear horns or known as ear horns or ear trumpetsear trumpets

► He kept conversation He kept conversation books to talk with books to talk with peoplepeople

Still ComposingStill ComposingDeafness did not keep Deafness did not keep Beethoven from composingBeethoven from composingBeethoven was completely Beethoven was completely deaf when he wrote his deaf when he wrote his famous 9famous 9thth Symphony SymphonyHe conducted the orchestra He conducted the orchestra when it was performed and when it was performed and when the music was over, when the music was over, he had to be turned around he had to be turned around to see that people were to see that people were clappingclappingThe deafness caused great The deafness caused great depression in Beethovendepression in Beethoven

He was known to display He was known to display a very bad tempera very bad temperHe would sometimes He would sometimes ignore visitors if he was ignore visitors if he was in the middle of in the middle of composingcomposingHe started to not take He started to not take care of cleanliness – he care of cleanliness – he did not bathe regularly did not bathe regularly but just poor water over but just poor water over himselfhimselfHe would lose his temper He would lose his temper with waiters at with waiters at restaurantsrestaurants

Beethoven’s sicknessBeethoven’s sickness

Something terrible happened to him Something terrible happened to him physically between the ages of 20 physically between the ages of 20 and 24. He became extraordinarily and 24. He became extraordinarily ill. And he had tremendous ill. And he had tremendous abdominal pain and misery. He abdominal pain and misery. He went to many doctors and basically went to many doctors and basically suffered with that condition through suffered with that condition through the rest of his life. the rest of his life.

Scientists, using high powered x-Scientists, using high powered x-rays and fragments of Beethoven’s rays and fragments of Beethoven’s bones and hair, now believe that bones and hair, now believe that Beethoven suffered and died from Beethoven suffered and died from lead poisoninglead poisoning

Still a mystery, however, is the source Still a mystery, however, is the source of Beethoven's lead exposure, which of Beethoven's lead exposure, which evidence now suggests occurred over evidence now suggests occurred over many years. Among the possibilities many years. Among the possibilities are his diet, liberal indulgence in wine are his diet, liberal indulgence in wine consumed from lead cups or perhaps consumed from lead cups or perhaps a lifetime of medical treatments, a lifetime of medical treatments, which in the 19th century were often which in the 19th century were often laced with heavy metals.laced with heavy metals.

Some scientists also wonder if his Some scientists also wonder if his body was unable to rid itself of the body was unable to rid itself of the normal lead that humans are exposed normal lead that humans are exposed to but instead kept it in the body.to but instead kept it in the body.

The exact source of the lead is The exact source of the lead is unknown.unknown.

Beethoven’s DeathBeethoven’s Death

Beethoven died March Beethoven died March 26, 1827 at 57 years 26, 1827 at 57 years of age – he died of age – he died during a thunderstormduring a thunderstorm

His funeral was His funeral was attended by attended by somewhere between somewhere between 10 000 and 30 000 10 000 and 30 000 peoplepeople

He is buried in Vienna, He is buried in Vienna, AustriaAustria