Classical Music: Biography of Ludwig Van Beethoven

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Although his exact birthdate is unknown, it is believed that Ludwig Van Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany. This date is assumed because the records show he was baptized on December 17, 1770 (“Beethoven’s childhood” 3). The custom at that time was to baptize children the day following their birth. Beethoven was born into a musical family. Beethoven was named after his grandfather, Lodewijk van Beethoven, who was a bass singer at court and later a maestro of the chapel. His parents were Johann van Beethoven, a musician in the Electoral Court at Bonn, and Maria-Magdalena Kewerich. Of the seven children born to Johann and Maria-Magdalena, only Ludwig and his two younger brothers, Karl Beethoven and Nikolaus Johann Beethoven survived past infancy. Beethoven’s grandfather and mother provided a positive influence in Beethoven’s life. Beethoven’s first music teacher was his father. Once Johann noticed his son’s talent, he tried to make Beethoven into the next Mozart. At this point, Beethoven’s childhood and life was greatly affected by his father’s cruelty, harshness, alcoholism, and attempts to make him a child prodigy. Johann tried to portray Beethoven as another child, musical genius like Mozart. Beethoven made his first public recital on March 26, 1778, where his father advertised him as a six-year-old. That was Mozart’s age when he first played in public. Beethoven was actually seven years old at that time. This attempt by Johann to have Beethoven compared to Mozart failed. In 1782, Beethoven experiences his first real teacher, Christian Gottlob Neefe. Neefe had a profound effect on Beethoven, and their friendship continued for years. Neefe not only wanted to educate Beethoven in music but wanted to improve ... ... middle of paper ... ...s that he was able to write complex pieces of music while deaf. To be able to compose masterpieces without being able to hear the notes and music is beyond words. It shows that Ludwig von Beethoven was one of the most notable musicians in our history, if not the best. Works Cited A Brief History of Beethoven. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. http://www.its.caltech.edu/~tan/BeethovenMissaSolemnis/background_on_beethoven.html All about Beethoven. 2006. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/beethovenchildhood.html Ludwig Beethoven. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. http://www.biography.com/print/profile/ludwig-van-beethoven-9204862 Ludwig Van Beethoven. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. http://www.8notes.com/biographies/beethoven.asp Suchet, John. Beethoven’s History: 1770-1802. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. http://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/guides/beethovens-life-timeline-part-1/

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