Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), also known as Ludwig von Beethoven, was a German composer. He was one of the greatest musical composers. He authored symphonies and sonatas that are known all over the world.He was born in Bonn in Germany, of Dutch extraction. It may not be out of place to mention here that 'van' is a Dutch common name that his name contains, while 'von' has traditional German aristocratic association which was added by people in place of 'van' in German fashion.
He showed very early in his life a most precocious genius for music; commenced his education at five as a musician; trained at first by a companion named Pfeiffer, to whom he confessed he owed more than all his teachers; trained at length under the tuition of the most illustrious of his predecessors, Bach and Händel; revealed the most wonderful musical talent; quitted Bonn and settled in Vienna; and attracted the attention of Mozart.
At the age of 40 was he was attacked with deafness that became total and lasted for life. Despite increasing deafness, Beethoven wrote prodigiously, and continued to compose all the same, to the admiration of thousands. Nine symphonies, thirty-two piano sonatas, sixteen string quartets, the opera 'Fidelio' (1814), and the 'Mass in D' (the Missa Solemnis, 1823) are among his greatest works.
During his last days he was a prey to melancholy. He died during a thunderstorm. Goethe pronounced him at his best "an utterly untamed character, not indeed wrong in finding the world detestable, though his finding it so did not," he added, "make it more enjoyable to himself or to others".
Wisdom & Quotes
- I want to seize fate by the throat.
Sir Walter Scott