Ludwig Van Beethoven
(1770-1827) BY ASTAWA
The Classical Composer Who Changed History
Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany December 17, 1770. Beethoven was baptized at birth. Beethoven belonged to a family of 7, but only 3 boys survived. Beethoven was the oldest of the 3 brothers. As a child Beethoven was always confused about his true age, because when he performed at 7 1/2 his father announced him as 6 years old. Later on in Ludwig's life he started to composed his own music. Unfortunately, Beethoven met an obstacle. He was going deaf. Beethoven still composed many great pieces after that. But Beethoven's deafness left him with a scar he couldn't mend. Beethoven became depressed and angry. Angry at his disabilities. Angry at the world. Angry with himself. Shortly after Beethoven gained custody of his nephew, he died. That's when the drama takes place. A flash of lightning illuminated the night sky. Thunder followed shortly afterwards. Beethoven opened his eyes, raised his fist, and fell back. Dead. 20,000 people attended his funeral. 9 priests blessed his body. The strange thing was Beethoven's last words. "I shall hear in heaven". Ludwig Van Beethoven may have not overcame his deafness , but nothing can overcome the legacy Ludwig Van Beethoven left behind.
Map of Bonn, Germany
That map is Bonn, Germany where Beethoven grew up with some of his family members. Sadly, he moved to Vienna, away from his family.
Beethoven - Für Elise (60 Minutes Version)
Für Elise
The Für Elise was obviously written for a woman. In German ''Für Elise'' means ''For Elise'' anyways. Thing mystery is that no one knows who Elise was or what she was to Beethoven. She wasn't his wife because Beethoven was never married. Some say the Elise was actually a woman named Therese Malfatti. To this day we don't know the true identity of Elise.
Known Music
- Sympony No.1
- Symphony No.2
- Symphony No. 3
- Symphony No.4
- Symphony No. 5
- Symphony No.6
- Symphony No. 7
- Symphony No.8
- Symphony No. 9
- Fur Elise
- Moonlight Sonata
- Ode To Joy
Stories about Ludwig Van Beethoven
- Once, after he was was deaf, he threw hot food at a waiter
- To write music he would cut off the legs of the piano and lay it against the wooden floor. He would then proceed to lay his ear on the floor while he played to hear the vibrations. It is most likely the Beethoven had already had it played out in his head.
- It is said that Beethoven once told a man named Carl why he wrote music. Ludwig Van Beethoven said: "I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must out; That is the reason why I compose".
Citations
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClUrRTQqlnqHfEJxpXE6Pmg
- Beethoven: Ludwig van Beethoven.. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Oct 2015. http://quest.eb.com/search/113_904882/1/113_904882/cite
- Map: Map of Germany. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Oct 2015.
http://quest.eb.com/search/118_823522/1/118_823522/cite