A brilliant pianist and composer, one of the classics of world musical culture - all these words refer to Ludwig van Beethoven. He became a central figure of his time, which historians call the transition from classicism to romanticism in European music. This unique person lived and worked at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
When was Beethoven born
German composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born in December 1770 in Bonn. The grandfather of the future genius was a Flemish musician who directed the court chapel. His son Johann, who was destined to become the father of the great composer, was also related to music, he was a vocalist in the chapel and sometimes moonlighted, giving private violin lessons.
In 1767, Johann married Mary Magdalene Keverich, and three years later a son, Ludwig, was born in the family. The boy was baptized on December 17 according to the Catholic tradition, according to which it was customary for children to go through this rite on the day after birth. That is why December 16 is considered the composer's birthday, although researchers have not been able to find a reliable record of this.
History has brought to the present information that Ludwig's parents were very seriously ill, but today it is almost impossible to verify this information. It is also known that the children in the family were not born completely healthy: the firstborn in the family was born blind, the second child died during childbirth, the third was deaf and dumb from birth, and the fourth was sick with a serious form of tuberculosis.
Of the seven children born to this family, four died at an early age.
Becoming a master
His father became the man who introduced young Beethoven to music. It is generally accepted that learning was given to the boy hard; he often had the opportunity to be in tears, sitting at the instrument. It is possible that the father was too strict and picky mentor. Beethoven also had other teachers, under whose careful guidance Ludwig mastered the clavier, viola and violin. The father really wanted his son to become a virtuoso in the field of music.
By the time of Beethoven's birth, Europe was deeply impressed by Mozart's talent. Fascinated by music, Ludwig's father intended to raise from his son the same master as Mozart. For less, the father did not agree. For this reason, the boy had to sit at the harpsichord for several hours in a row.
Natural diligence, perseverance and control from the father gave excellent results.
Daily hours of study allowed Beethoven to develop and deepen his natural gift. As a result, Ludwig became a master of the highest class, who was able to compose music in most genres and trends that existed at that time. Beethoven is the author of music for dramatic theatrical performances, he is also famous for his opera and choral compositions.
