Ludwig Van Beethoven

Title: Ludwig Van Beethoven

Author: Dynise Balcavage

Published: 1997

Pages: 113

As part of the Great Achievers: Lives of the Physically Challenged series, this biography of Beethoven is dramatic and moving.  The ever ill-tempered, passionate, unrelenting, and perseverant musician made for quite an interesting study. 

With his mother's passing at the age of 40, along with his father's tendency to drink to excess, Beethoven basically became the head of the family as a young teenager.  Caring for his two younger brothers, and having to occasionally retrieve his drunken father, put a real strain on him.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart tutored Beethoven for a short time, but became so involved with his own work on Don Giovanni that he didn't make much time for the young man.  Beethoven would constantly frustrate his musical teachers because he wanted to make his music more improvisational.  Mathematics did not come easy to him, and his writing was always illegable.  He was however intrigued by studying languages and literature.  

As you can see in the following text, Beethoven's study of music was not always a plesant experience...
"often, when Pfeiffer had been boozing with Ludwig's father in a wine-tavern until 11 or 12 o'clock, he went home with him where [they found] Ludwig in bed sleeping.  The father roughly shook him awake, the boy gathered his wits and, weeping, went to the piano where he remained, with Pfeiffer seated next to him, until morning."
Christian Gottlob Neefe later became the boy's tutor, and fortunately was much more encouraging and patient.

As the years passed, Beethoven composed many symphonies, and also taught music lessons.  He eventually caught the attention of Prince Lichnowsky who gave Beethoven (who was now in his 30's), a salary along with a place "as a member of the family."

Beethoven's unkempt appearence didn't draw the attention of too many ladies.  He did at one point have two daughters and a son with Countess Anna Marie Erdody though.  They lived together for two years and later broke up. 

In his late twenties, Beethoven began loosing his hearing.  A large ear trumpet that was held up to his ear did seem to help for a while.  The disability did progress as did Beethoven's despair over it.  He, like his father, took up drinking which ultimately cost him his life. 

This compelling biography of one of music's greatest contributors has certainly made it's way into my heart.  I hope you are able to check it out!

xoxo,
Kelly