Ludwig van Beethoven

Für Elise (Piano version) Life
At an early age, van Beethoven, took an interest in music and his father taught him day and night, on returning to the house from music practice or the tavern. Without a doubt, the child was gifted and his father Johann, envisaged creating a new Mozart, a child prodigy.

Music
Beethoven composed his first six string quartets between 1798 and 1800. They were published in 1801. With premieres of his First and Second Symphonies in 1800 and 1803, Beethoven became regarded as one of the most important of a generation of young composers following Haydn and Mozart. He also continued to write in other forms, turning out widely known piano sonatas like the "Pathétique" sonata, which Cooper describes as "surpassing any of his previous compositions, in strength of character, depth of emotion, level of originality, and ingenuity of motivic and tonal manipulation." He also completed his Septet in 1799, which was one of his most popular works during his lifetime.

Loss of Hearing
Around 1796, by the age of 26, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered from a severe form of tinnitus, a "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to hear music; he also avoided conversation. The cause of Beethoven's deafness is unknown, but it has variously been attributed totyphus, auto-immune disorders (such as systemic lupus erythematosus), and even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. The explanation from Beethoven's autopsy was that he had a "distended inner ear," which developed lesions over time.

Later Work
For the next few years he continued to work on the Missa, composing piano sonatas and bagatelles to satisfy the demands of publishers and the need for income, and completing the Diabelli Variations. Beethoven then turned to writing the string quartets for Golitsin. This series of quartets, known as the "Late Quartets," went far beyond what musicians or audiences were ready for at that time.

Death
Beethoven was bedridden for most of his remaining months, and many friends came to visit. Beethoven died on 26 March 1827 at the age of 56. Beethoven's funeral procession on 29 March 1827 was attended by an estimated 20,000 Viennese citizens.

Editied by Nick Karoullas

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