Biography of Beethoven

Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in a small town ‘Bonn’ of Germany on 16
December 1770 in a family of professional musicians. His father Johann and
grandfather Ludwig were musicians and they had decided to train him in music
right from his childhood, so his father took on the job to teach him the basic
lessons of music. Ludwig learned violin and some other instruments from his
father. His father wanted Ludwig to be perfect in music, and in that endeavor
he thrashed littel Ludwig whenever he made any mistake during practice
(According to one story, because of the punishments given by his father Ludwig
suffered from hearing problems in future, which ruined his life). Besides the
fact that his father and grandfather had a wish that little Ludwig should
become a great musician, he himself had a great interest in music. Whatever
treatment Ludwig received from his father, he never let fade his love and
interest in music.
Further, Beethoven was sent to learn music from C. G. Neefe. Beethoven learned
every possible and minute detail of music from Neefe and also became his
assistant when was 11 years of age. He learned piano, violin and organ from
Neefe. Beethoven and Mozart share many situations in their lives which are
perfectly similar in many aspects, both of them were born in a family where
music was the most important and indivisible part of life, both received
training in music right from their childhood, they both had genuine interest
in music and like Mozart, Beethoven also had started performing in public
events, shows etc. when he was just six years of age. When Beethoven was
twelve years old, his first music work was published. Ludwig dropped out of
his school when he was thirteen year old in order to concentrate on his
practice and to perform in musical tours.
Beethoven then continued assisting Neefe till he was seventeen years old. In
1787, he went to Vienna in search of good opportunities and to demonstrate his
talent in music. But he had to return to his house in Bonn when he learned
about his mother's illness. Finally, near 1792 he took off for Vienna in
search of a good work in the field of music.
In Vienna, Beethoven tried to learn new things and learned composition and
counterpoint from well-known personalities from the world of music such as
Haydn, Albrecht Berger, Salieri and Schenk. He even published some of his
compositions. Beethoven was a wise person and had a good foresight; he had
understood that in his run to achieve a good position, all that he needed was
good relations with people who had power in their hands. Beethoven established
his relations with high profile people in Vienna, which ensured him continual
income for his lifetime. His relations helped him on such level that even that
time (1809) Prince of Vienna, Prince Kinsky and Prince Lobkowitz assured him a
yearly income if he agreed to stay in Vienna for rest of his life.
During the period 1800 to 1813, Beethoven learned high classical style and
even adopted it in his creations and performances he gave. With the new style
that he had learned, he wrote some new symphonies, some new concerts, quartets
etc. Beethoven gained popularity very fast during the middle period of his
life. It was a time when Beethoven wanted to concentrate on his work and
continue with new compositions, but at the same time he suffered from hearing
problem, which worsened gradually.
The problem with hearing that he suffered was reflected in the compositions he
created and even his social life was getting affected because of it. It became
very hard for Beethoven to attend any public event as his hearing problem
created lot of tension for him and at times the situation led in broken
relationships with others. The other problem Beethoven faced in his life was
his relations with women. It was always a tension filled situation for him to
face a woman; probably because he hesitated to express himself or may be
because no woman could ever understand him. This resulted in the fact that he
could never fulfill his dream of getting married to a beautiful woman, as the
woman he loved was either from a high profile family who loved someone else or
he loved a married woman.
At the time when everything had almost finished for Beethoven, he came up with
a determination that helped him mark his re-entry in the world of music. He
wrote many symphonies (Erotica Symphony No. 3 which he dedicated to Napoleon,
symphony no. 5, 6, 7 and 8), piano and violin concerts, various tones,
compositions for orchestras, few operas, number very famous sonatas, three and
six string quartets etc. Beethoven's musical work during this period is the
most ultimate and a state of art performance he ever gave. Beethoven had
proved himself to be the greatest musician of his time. He was successful in
gaining popularity as a public figure and was respected for his work in the
field of music.
After few years, Beethoven was in situation where he became almost deaf and
could hear nothing. It was a dead end for the musical genius and it became
nearly impossible for him to perform. Beethoven stopped creating new
composition and was very much frustrated (He even wrote letters to his
brothers telling them how he felt like it was an end of his life and what he
wished to do). During this period when Beethoven had almost stopped working on
music creation, his earlier compositions, and symphonies ensured funds for
him. But it could hardly suffice for longer period and he suffered economical
problems.
His health went on deteriorating and he had not enough funds left to take care
of himself. Finally, on 26 March 1827, the great musical genius left this
world forever.