Ludwig Van Beethoven

Today I will tell you the story of Ludwig Van Beethoven. He was a German composer and pianist, who lived in the 19th century. He is one of the most admired composers in the history of western music.

His childhood was spent in a dysfunctional family with 7 siblings. His father was very harsh with him while teaching music. Later, he learned music from other teachers after he got saved by a woman called ‘Helena’.

He composed many music from his teenage years but as time passed, fate had yet another challenge for him. Around 1801, his hearing capabilities began deteriorating but he continued to conduct his 3rd and 5th symphonies.

Then came Archduke Rudolf of Austria, a prince. During 1803-1804 he started learning music from Beethoven and soon became his patron. They say Beethoven wouldn't have been Beethoven without Archduke. He dedicated 14 compositions to Rudolph. There are many letters that he wrote to him which are today present in Vienna.

His hearing abilities only became bad to worse, progressing to severe tinnitus. Gifts don't come without a price. In this period of time, Beethoven composed many of his most admired works of all times. But he felt misery.

After he died, 2 letters were discovered. One he wrote his brother telling his feeling of unfulfilled personal life, his deteriorating health, his contemplation of suicide, but this letter also puts shade on his mixed feeling for his brother, his lifelong hatred for his alcholic abusive father. But he never posted this letter.

Second letter was a love letter called Immortal beloved. It has 10 small pages and is unaddressed. Many believe that it is for the Countess Josephine Brunsvik. There are in fact, 15 documented love letters that he wrote to Josephine, quoting ‘only beloved’, ‘eternally devoted’, ‘forever faithful’.

Miss Brunsvik was learning piano when Beethoven was an established pianist. Her mother has asked him to teach her piano but destiny had something else for them. Soon they fell in love. But her mother wanted a wealthy son-in-law of equal social standing. She got married to 25 year older Joseph Count Deym. She has 3 children in quick succession and when she was pregnant with the 4th one her husband died.

Beethoven continued to see the young widow, writing her many passionate love letters, which she replied with kindness. But she was terrified of revealing their relationship. Sooner than later, the speculations spread like wildfire among the aristocrats. And the family pressure only kept increasing day after day to terminate the relationship. Josephine knew, marrying a commoner like Beethoven meant that she would lose the guardianship of her aristocratic children. So towards the end of 1809, she started withdrawing from him. After that, they met only once after many years.

Josephine died in 1821. During this year, Beethoven composed his very last piano sonatas no.31 and no.32, described as ‘Like Requiems’ by musicologists.

He died in 1827.