Beethoven Accomplishments

Born December 15, 1770 in Bonn Germany to mother Maria Magdalena and father Johann van Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven was to become one of the world’s most famous composers of all time. The Beethoven family was of the Flemish origin. Beethoven had two younger brothers: Casper Carl and Nikolaus Johann. His grandfather became a singer in the choir of the archbishop-elector of Cologne after settling in Bonn, and eventually became Kapellmeister or in charge of music making. Beethoven’s father, Johann, was also a singer in the electoral choir. Beethoven followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and they were successful in their professions, but things changed for the worse with the passing of Beethoven’s grandfather and Johann’s indulgence

While only in Vienna a very short while, he received news that his mother had passed from tuberculosis, so he cut his trip short and returned to Bonn but not before making a pronounced impression on Mozart. Mozart stated to his friends that “this young man will make a great name for himself in the world.” While back in Bonn, Beethoven began making esteemed connections. In addition to his court duties he played viola in the theatre orchestra and took on a job teaching music to two children of the widow of the chancellor Joseph von Breuning, and had a more loving relationship with the Breuning family than he did with his own. Through the Breuning family, Beethoven gained many wealthy students to

Some exceptions to that were the String Trio in E-flat Major, Opus 3; the Tree String Trios, Opus 9; the Six String Quartets, Opus 18; and the First Symphony. Sometime before 1800, Beethoven began noticing difficulties with hearing, and by 1802 he knew that his condition was sadly permanent and progressive. This grim diagnosis had him contemplating suicide, but he felt the world needed to hear what he had within him to write. By 1819 Beethoven became totally deaf. As a form of communication, his friends would write down their questions and he would then respond verbally. Deafness was cruel, deteriorating Beethoven’s playing, but he continued to appear occasionally; however, he spent most of his time composing. He would spend May through October in little villages near Vienna. Beethoven noted his musical ideas in sketchbooks while out for long walks on the country side. Many of the sketchbooks have been preserved, and reveal that he would often work on more than one composition at a time. He often took his time finishing his works, perhaps seeking perfection, For instance, the Fifth Symphony was started in 1804 and was not finished in 1808. Beethoven employed a personal assistant, Anton Schindler, over the last decade of his life to help him with various