In a family with Flemish roots. The composer's paternal grandfather was born in Flanders, served as a chorister in Ghent and Louvain, and in 1733 moved to Bonn, where he became a court musician in the chapel of the Elector-Archbishop of Cologne. His only son Johann, like his father, served in the chapel as a vocalist (tenor) and worked part-time giving violin and clavier lessons.

In 1767 he married Mary Magdalene Keverich, daughter of a court chef in Koblenz (residence of the Archbishop of Trier). Ludwig, future composer was the eldest of their three sons.

His musical talent showed up early. Beethoven's first music teacher was his father, and the musicians of the chapel also studied with him.

On March 26, 1778, my father organized the first public speaking son.

Since 1781, classes young talent was directed by the composer and organist Christian Gottlob Nefe. Beethoven soon became concertmaster of the court theater and assistant organist of the chapel.

In 1782, Beethoven wrote his first work, Variations for Clavier on a March by composer Ernst Dresler.

In 1787 Beethoven visited Vienna and took several lessons from the composer Wolfgang Mozart. But he soon learned that his mother was seriously ill and returned to Bonn. After the death of his mother, Ludwig remained the sole breadwinner of the family.

The young man's giftedness attracted the attention of some enlightened Bonn families, and his brilliant piano improvisations provided him with free entry to any musical gatherings. The von Breining family, which took custody of the musician, did a lot for him.

In 1789, Beethoven was a volunteer in the philosophy department of the University of Bonn.

In 1792, the composer moved to Vienna, where he lived almost without a break until the end of his life. His initial goal when moving was to improve his composition under the guidance of the composer Joseph Haydn, but these studies did not last long. Beethoven quickly gained fame and recognition - first as the best pianist and improviser in Vienna, and later as a composer.

in their prime creative forces Beethoven showed tremendous efficiency. In 1801-1812, he wrote such outstanding works as the Sonata in C sharp minor ("Moonlight", 1801), the Second Symphony (1802), the Kreutzer Sonata (1803), the "Heroic" (Third) Symphony, the sonatas "Aurora" and "Appassionata" (1804), the opera "Fidelio" (1805), the Fourth Symphony (1806).

In 1808 Beethoven completed one of his most popular symphonic works- The Fifth Symphony and at the same time the "Pastoral" (Sixth) Symphony, in 1810 - music for the tragedy of Johann Goethe "Egmont", in 1812 - the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies.

From the age of 27, Beethoven suffered from progressive deafness. A serious illness for the musician limited his communication with people, made it difficult for pianistic performances, which Beethoven eventually had to stop. Since 1819, he had to completely switch to communicating with his interlocutors using a slate board or paper and pencil.

In his later compositions, Beethoven often turned to the fugue form. The last five piano sonatas (Nos. 28-32) and the last five quartets (Nos. 12-16) are distinguished by their particularly complex and refined musical language requiring the greatest skill from the performers.

Beethoven's late work was controversial for a long time. Of his contemporaries, only a few were able to understand and appreciate him. recent compositions. One of these people was his Russian admirer, Prince Nikolai Golitsyn, who commissioned and dedicated quartets Nos. 12, 13 and 15. The Overture Consecration of the House (1822) is also dedicated to him.

In 1823, Beethoven completed the Solemn Mass, which he considered his the greatest work. This mass, designed more for a concert than for a cult performance, has become one of the milestone phenomena in the German oratorio tradition.

With the assistance of Golitsyn, the Solemn Mass was first performed on April 7, 1824 in St. Petersburg.

In May 1824, Beethoven's last benefit concert took place in Vienna, in which, in addition to parts from the Mass, his final, Ninth Symphony was performed with the final chorus to the words of "Ode to Joy" by the poet Friedrich Schiller. The idea of ​​overcoming suffering and the triumph of light is consistently carried through the whole work.

The composer created nine symphonies, 11 overtures, five piano concertos, a violin concerto, two masses, one opera. Beethoven's chamber music includes 32 piano sonatas (not including six youthful sonatas written in Bonn) and 10 sonatas for violin and piano, 16 string quartets, seven piano trios, as well as many other ensembles - string trios, a septet for mixed composition. His vocal heritage consists of songs, over 70 choirs, canons.

On March 26, 1827, Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna from pneumonia, complicated by jaundice and dropsy.

The composer is buried in the Vienna Central Cemetery.

The traditions of Beethoven were taken up and continued by the composers Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich. As their teacher, Beethoven was also honored by the composers of the Novovensk school - Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Anton Webern.

Since 1889, a museum has been open in Bonn in the house where the composer was born.

In Vienna, three museum houses are dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven, and two monuments have been erected.

The Beethoven Museum is also open at Brunsvik Castle in Hungary. At one time, the composer was friendly with the Brunsvik family, often came to Hungary and stayed at their house. He was alternately in love with two of his students from the Brunswick family - Juliet and Teresa, but none of the hobbies ended in marriage.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

Beethoven is greatest creator of all time, unsurpassed Master. Beethoven's works are difficult to describe using conventional musical terms- any words here seem not bright enough, too banal. Beethoven is a brilliant personality, an extraordinary phenomenon in the world of music.

Among the many names of the great composers of the world, the name Ludwig van Beethoven always stand out. Beethoven is the greatest creator of all time, the unsurpassed Master. People who consider themselves far from the world classical music, fall silent, enchanted, at the very first sounds of the Moonlight Sonata. Beethoven's works are difficult to describe using ordinary musical terms - any words here seem not bright enough, too banal. Beethoven is a brilliant personality, an extraordinary phenomenon in the world of music.

No one knows the exact date of birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. It is known that he was born in Bonnet, December 1770. Contemporaries who personally knew the composer in different years noticed that he inherited his character from his grandfather, Louis Beethoven. Pride, independence, incredible diligence - these qualities were inherent in the grandfather - they also went to the grandson.

Beethoven's grandfather was a musician, served as a bandmaster. Ludwig's father also worked in the chapel - Johann van Beethoven. father was talented musician but drank a lot. His wife served as a cook. The family lived in poverty, but Johann nevertheless noticed early musical ability son. Little Ludwig was little taught music (there was no money for teachers), but he was often forced to practice by shouting and beatings.

By the age of 12, young Beethoven could play the harpsichord, violin, and organ. 1782 was a turning point in Ludwig's life. Director of the Bonn Court Chapel was appointed Christian Gottlob Nefe. This man showed interest in a talented teenager, became his mentor, taught him the modern piano style. In that year, the first musical compositions Beethoven, and an article about the "young genius" was published in the city newspaper.

Under the guidance of Nefe, the young musician continued to improve his skills, received and general education. At the same time, he worked a lot in the chapel to support his family.

The young Beethoven had a goal - to get acquainted with Mozart. To fulfill this goal, he went to Vienna. He achieved a meeting with the great maestro and asked to be examined. Mozart was amazed by his talent young musician. New horizons could have opened before Ludwig, but a misfortune happened - his mother fell seriously ill in Bonn. Beethoven had to return. Mother died, father died soon after.

Ludwig stayed in Bonn. He was seriously ill with typhus and smallpox, and worked hard all the time. He had long been a virtuoso musician, but did not consider himself a composer. In this profession, he still lacked skill.

In 1792, a happy change took place in Ludwig's life. He was introduced to Haydn. famous composer promised support to Beethoven and recommended him to go to Vienna. Again, Beethoven found himself in the "abode of music." He had about fifty works to his credit - in some ways they were unusual, even revolutionary for that time. Beethoven was considered a freethinker, but he did not deviate from his principles. He studied with Haydn, Albrechtsberger, Salieri- and teachers did not always understand his works, finding them "dark and strange."

Beethoven's work attracted the attention of patrons, and he was doing well. He worked out own style, was formed as an extraordinary innovative composer. He was invited to the highest circles of the Viennese aristocracy, but Beethoven did not want to play and create for the needs of a wealthy public. He maintained independence, believing that talent is an advantage over wealth and high birth.

When the maestro was 26 years old, a new misfortune occurred in his life - he began to lose his hearing. This was a personal tragedy for the composer, terrible for his profession. He began to avoid society.

In 1801, the composer fell in love with a young aristocrat Juliet Guicciardi. Juliet was 16 years old. The meeting with her changed Beethoven - he began to be in the world again, to enjoy life. Unfortunately, the girl's family considered a musician from the lower circles an unworthy party for her daughter. Juliet rejected the courtship and soon married a man of her circle - Count Gallenberg.

Beethoven was destroyed. He didn't want to live. Soon he retired to the small town of Heiligenstadt, and there he even wrote a will. But Ludwig's talent was not broken, and even at that time he continued to create. During this period he wrote brilliant works: "Moonlight Sonata"(Dedication to Giulietta Guicciardi), Third Piano Concerto, "Kreutzer Sonata" and a number of other masterpieces included in the world musical treasury.

There was no time to die. The master continued to create and fight. « Heroic symphony”, Fifth Symphony, “Appassionata”, “Fidelio”- Beethoven's efficiency bordered on obsession.

The composer again moved to Vienna. He was famous, popular, but far from rich. New failed love for one of the sisters Brunswick and material problems prompted him to leave Austria. In 1809, a group of patrons awarded the composer a pension in exchange for a promise not to leave the country. The pension tied him to Austria, limited his freedom.

Beethoven still created a lot, but his hearing was actually lost. In society, he used special "conversational notebooks." Periods of depression alternated with periods of fantastic performance.

The apotheosis of his work was Ninth Symphony which Beethoven completed in 1824. It was performed on May 7, 1824. The work delighted the audience and the performers themselves. Only the composer did not hear his own music, nor the thunder of applause. The young choir singer had to take the maestro by the hand and turn her face to the audience so that he could bow.

After that day, the composer was overcome by illness, but he was able to write four more large and complex quartets. Once he had to go to his brother Johann to persuade him to write a will in favor of the sole right to custody of Ludwig's beloved nephew - Karl. The brother refused the request. Frustrated, Beethoven went home - on the way he caught a cold.

On March 26, 1827, the composer died. The Viennese, who had already begun to forget their idol, remembered him after his death. A crowd of thousands followed behind the coffin.

brilliant composer and great person Ludwig van Beethoven was always independent and adamant in his convictions. He walked proudly life path and left mankind many immortal creations.

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✪ Beethoven, Sonata No. 17, movement 3 (Allegretto) -- Wilhelm Kempf.

✪ Beethoven, op. 49 no. 1, Sonata in G minor (complete) | Cory Hall, pianist-composer

✪ Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (FULL)

✪ Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas

✪ L. Beethoven " Moonlight Sonata- Ludwig Van Beethoven- Moonlight Sonata

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Biography

Origin

Ludwig van Beethoven was born on 16 December 1770 in Bonn and baptized there on 17 December 1770.

His father, Johann Beethoven (1740-1792), was a singer, tenor in the court choir. Mother, Mary Magdalene, before her marriage Keverich (1748-1787), was the daughter of a court chef in Koblenz. They married in 1767. Grandfather, Ludwig Beethoven (1712-1773), was from Mechelen (South Netherlands). He served in the same chapel as Johann, first as a singer, bass, and then as a bandmaster.

early years

The composer's father wanted to make a second Mozart out of his son and began to teach him to play the harpsichord and violin. In 1778, the first performance took place in Cologne. However, Beethoven did not become a miracle child, the father entrusted the boy to his colleagues and friends. One taught Ludwig the organ, the other the violin.

In 1780, the organist and composer Christian Gotlob Nefe arrived in Bonn. He became a real teacher of Beethoven. Nefe immediately realized that the boy had talent. He introduced Ludwig to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and the works of Handel, as well as to the music of older contemporaries: F. E. Bach, Haydn and Mozart. Thanks to Nefe, Beethoven's first composition, a variation on Dressler's march, was also published. Beethoven was twelve years old at the time and was already working as an assistant court organist.

After the death of his grandfather, the financial situation of the family deteriorated. Ludwig had to leave school early, but he learned Latin, studied Italian and French, and read extensively. Already becoming an adult, the composer admitted in one of his letters:

“There is no work that would be too learned for me; without claiming in the slightest degree to be learned in the true sense of the word, yet from childhood I strove to understand the essence of the best and the wisest people every era."

Beethoven's favorite writers include the ancient Greek authors Homer and Plutarch, English playwright Shakespeare, German poets Goethe and Schiller.

At this time, Beethoven began composing music, but was in no hurry to publish his works. Much of what he wrote in Bonn was later revised by him. From the youthful works of the composer, three children's sonatas and several songs are known, including "Marmot".

Haydn soon left for England and handed over his student to the well-known educator and theorist Albrechtsberger. In the end, Beethoven himself chose his mentor - Antonio Salieri.

Already in the first years of his life in Vienna, Beethoven won fame as a virtuoso pianist. His playing amazed the audience.

Beethoven boldly opposed the extreme registers (and at that time they played mainly in the middle), widely used the pedal (it was also rarely used then), and used massive chordal harmonies. In fact, he created piano style, far from the exquisitely lace manner of harpsichordists.

This style can be found in his Piano Sonatas No. 8 "Pathetique" (the title given by the composer himself), No. 13 and No. 14. Both have the author's subtitle Sonata quasi una Fantasia("in the spirit of fantasy"). The poet L. Relshtab subsequently called Sonata No. 14 "Lunar", and although this name is suitable only for the first movement, and not for the finale, it was assigned to the entire work.

Beethoven also stood out for his appearance among the ladies and gentlemen of that time. Almost always he was found casually dressed and unkempt.

Beethoven was extremely blunt. One day, when he was playing in a public place, one of the guests started talking to a lady; Beethoven immediately interrupted the performance and added: I will not play with such pigs!". And no amount of apology and persuasion helped.

On another occasion, Beethoven was visiting Prince Lichnovsky. Likhnovsky respected the composer very much and was a fan of his music. He wanted Beethoven to play in front of the audience. The composer refused. Likhnovsky began to insist and even ordered to break down the door of the room where Beethoven had locked himself. The indignant composer left the estate and returned to Vienna. The next morning, Beethoven sent a letter to Likhnovsky: "Prince! What I am, I owe to myself. There are and will be thousands of princes, but Beethoven is only one!”

However, despite such a harsh character, Beethoven's friends considered him rather kind person. So, for example, the composer never refused to help close friends. One of his quotes:

Beethoven's compositions began to be widely published and enjoyed success. During the first ten years spent in Vienna, twenty sonatas for piano and three piano concertos, eight violin sonatas, quartets and other chamber compositions, the oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives, the ballet Creations of Prometheus, the First and Second Symphonies.

In 1796, Beethoven begins to lose his hearing. He develops tinnitus, an inflammation of the inner ear leading to ringing in the ears. On the advice of doctors, he retires for a long time in small town Heiligenstadt. However, peace and quiet do not improve his well-being. Beethoven begins to realize that deafness is incurable. In these tragic days, he writes a letter that will later be called the Heiligenstadt testament. The composer talks about his experiences, admits that he was close to suicide:

In Heiligenstadt, the composer begins work on a new Third Symphony, which he will call Heroic.

As a result of Beethoven's deafness, unique historical documents have been preserved: "conversation notebooks", where Beethoven's friends wrote down their lines for him, to which he answered either orally or in response.

However, the musician Schindler, who had two notebooks with recordings of Beethoven's conversations left, in all likelihood burned them, since “they contained the most rude, fierce attacks against the emperor, as well as the crown prince and other high-ranking officials. This, unfortunately, was Beethoven's favorite theme; in conversation, Beethoven constantly resented the powers that be, their laws and regulations.

Later years (1802-1815)

When Beethoven was 34 years old, Napoleon despised the ideals of the Great French Revolution and declared himself emperor. Therefore, Beethoven abandoned his intention to dedicate his Third Symphony to him: “This Napoleon also ordinary person. Now he will trample on all human rights with his feet and become a tyrant.” On the title page manuscript of the "Pathetic" one can see the dedication crossed out by the author. At the same time, Beethoven called his Third Symphony "Heroic".

AT piano work the composer's own style is already noticeable in the early sonatas, but in the symphony, maturity came to him later. According to Tchaikovsky, it was only in the third symphony that "for the first time the whole immense, amazing power of Beethoven's creative genius was revealed."

Due to deafness, Beethoven rarely leaves the house, loses sound perception. He becomes gloomy, withdrawn. It was during these years that the composer, one after another, creates his most famous works. In the same years, Beethoven was working on his only opera, Fidelio. This opera belongs to the horror and rescue opera genre. Success for Fidelio came only in 1814, when the opera was staged first in Vienna, then in Prague, where the famous German composer Weber conducted it, and finally in Berlin.

Shortly before his death, the composer handed over the manuscript of "Fidelio" to his friend and secretary Schindler with the words: “This child of my spirit was brought into the world in more severe torment than others, and gave me the greatest grief. Therefore, it is dearer to me than all ... "

Last years (1815-1827)

After 1812, the composer's creative activity fell for a while. However, after three years, he begins to work with the same energy. At this time, piano sonatas from the 28th to the last, 32nd, two cello sonatas, quartets, vocal cycle"To a distant lover" A lot of time is devoted to processing folk songs. Along with Scottish, Irish, Welsh, there are Russian and Ukrainian. But the main creations of recent years have been two of Beethoven's most monumental works - The Solemn Mass and Symphony No. 9 with Chorus.

The ninth symphony was performed in 1824. The audience gave the composer a standing ovation. It is known that Beethoven stood with his back to the audience and did not hear anything, then one of the singers took his hand and turned to face the audience. People waved handkerchiefs, hats, hands, welcoming the composer. The ovation lasted so long that the police officials who were present immediately demanded that it be stopped. Such greetings were allowed only in relation to the person of the emperor.

In Austria, after the defeat of Napoleon, a police regime was established. Frightened by the revolution, the government suppressed any "free thoughts". Numerous secret agents penetrated all sectors of society. In Beethoven's conversational notebooks, there are warnings every now and then: "Quiet! Watch out, there's a spy here!" And, probably, after some especially bold statement of the composer: "You will end up on the scaffold!"

However, Beethoven's popularity was so great that the government did not dare to touch him. Despite his deafness, the composer continues to be aware of not only political, but also music news. He reads (that is, listens with his inner ear) the scores of Rossini's operas, looks through a collection of Schubert's songs, gets acquainted with operas German composer Weber's "Magic Shooter" and "Euryant". Arriving in Vienna, Weber visited Beethoven. They had lunch together, and Beethoven, usually not prone to ceremony, courted his guest.

After the death of his younger brother, the composer took over the care of his son. Beethoven places his nephew in the best boarding schools and instructs his student Karl Czerny to study music with him. The composer wanted the boy to become a scientist or an artist, but he was attracted not by art, but by cards and billiards. Entangled in debt, he attempted suicide. This attempt did not cause much harm: the bullet only slightly scratched the skin on the head. Beethoven was very worried about this. His health deteriorated sharply. The composer develops a severe liver disease.

Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 26, 1827, at the age of 57. Over twenty thousand people followed his coffin. During the funeral, Beethoven's favorite Requiem Mass in C Minor Luigi Cherubini was performed. A speech was made at the grave, written by the poet Franz Grillparzer:

Causes of death

Ertman was famous for her performances of Beethoven's works. The composer dedicated Sonata No. 28 to her. Upon learning that Dorothea's child had died, Beethoven played for her for a long time.

At the end of 1801, Ferdinand Rees arrived in Vienna. Ferdinand was the son of a Bonn Kapellmeister, a friend of the Beethoven family. The composer accepted the young man. Like other students of Beethoven, Rees already owned the instrument and also composed. One day, Beethoven played him an adagio just completed. The young man liked the music so much that he memorized it. Rees went to Prince Likhnovsky's and played a play. The prince learned the beginning and, having come to the composer, said that he wanted to play his composition for him. Beethoven, who did not stand on ceremony with the princes, categorically refused to listen. But Likhnovsky still played. Beethoven immediately guessed about the trick of Rhys and was terribly angry. He forbade the student to listen to his new compositions and really never played anything to him again. Once Rhys played his march, passing it off as Beethoven's. The listeners were enthralled. The composer, who appeared immediately, did not expose the student. He just told him:

Once Rhys happened to hear a new creation of Beethoven. Once on a walk they got lost and returned home in the evening. Along the way, Beethoven growled a stormy melody. Arriving home, he immediately sat down at the instrument and, carried away, completely forgot about the presence of the student. Thus was born the finale of The Appassionata.

At the same time as Rhys, Carl Czerny began to study with Beethoven. Karl was probably only child among Beethoven's students. He was only nine years old, but he was already giving concerts. His first teacher was his father, the famous Czech teacher Venzel Czerny. When Karl first got into Beethoven's apartment, where, as always, there was a mess, and saw a man with a dark, unshaven face, wearing a coarse woolen vest, he mistook him for Robinson Crusoe.

Czerny studied with Beethoven for five years, after which the composer gave him a document in which he noted "the exceptional success of the student and his remarkable musical memory» . Czerny's memory was truly amazing: he knew by heart all the teacher's piano compositions.

Czerny started early pedagogical activity and soon became one of the best teachers in Vienna. Among his students was Theodor Leshetitsky, who can be called one of the founders of the Russian piano school. From 1858 Leshetitsky lived in St. Petersburg, and from 1862 to 1878 he taught at the newly opened conservatory. Here he studied with A. N. Esipova, later professor at the same conservatory, V. I. Safonov, professor and director of the Moscow Conservatory, S. M. Maykapar.

In 1822, a father and a boy came to Cherny, who had come from the Hungarian town of Doboryan. The boy had no idea either about the correct fit or fingering, but an experienced teacher immediately realized that in front of him was an unusual, gifted, maybe brilliant child. The boy's name was Franz List. Liszt studied with Czerny for a year and a half. His successes were so great that the teacher allowed him to speak to the public. Beethoven attended the concert. He guessed the boy's giftedness and kissed him. Liszt kept the memory of this kiss all his life.

Not Rice, not Czerny, but Liszt inherited Beethoven's style of playing. Like Beethoven, Liszt treats the piano like an orchestra. During his tour of Europe, he promoted the work of Beethoven, performing not only his piano works, but also the symphonies he adapted for the piano. In those days, Beethoven's music, especially symphonic music, was still unknown to a wide audience. In 1839 List came to Bonn. Here for several years they were going to erect a monument to the composer, but things were moving slowly.

Liszt made up the missing amount with the proceeds from his concerts. It was only thanks to these efforts that the monument to the composer was erected.

Students

• Rudolph Johann Joseph Rainer von Habsburg-Lorraine

Image in culture

In literature

Beethoven became the prototype of the main character - the composer Jean Christophe - in novel of the same name, one of the most famous works French author Romain Rolland. The novel was one of the works for which Rolland was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1915.

Life and creative way Beethoven is dedicated to the story of the Czech writer Antonin Zgorzh "One Against Fate". The book includes Beethoven's letters written by him in different years of his life.

In cinema

• Jan Hart played Beethoven in the film The Heroic Symphony.
• In the Soviet-German film "Beethoven. Days of Life" Beethoven was played by Donatas Banionis.
• The film "Rewriting Beethoven" tells about the last year of the composer's life (in leading role Ed Harris).
• two-part Feature Film The Life of Beethoven (USSR, 1978, director B. Galanter) is based on the surviving memories of the composer by his close friends.
• Film "Lecture  21" (English) Russian(Italy, 2008), the film debut of the Italian writer and musicologist Alessandro Baricco, dedicated to the "Ninth Symphony".
• In film Bernard Rose[remove template] "Immortal Beloved" the role of Beethoven was played by Gary Oldman.

In non-academic music

• American musician Chuck Berry wrote the song Roll Over Beethoven in 1956, which was included in the list of the 500 greatest songs of all time according to the version of Rolling Stone magazine.
• Split personality" of the Splin group.
• In 2000, the neoclassical metal band Trans-Siberian Orchestra released the rock opera “Beethoven’s Last Night”, dedicated to the last night of the composer.
• The composer is dedicated to the song "Beethoven" from the album "The Stranger" by the group "Picnic"

Artworks

Music fragments

Memory

Many monuments have been erected around the world in honor of Beethoven. The first monument to Beethoven was opened in the composer's homeland, in Bonn, on August 12, 1845, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of his birth. In 1880, a monument appeared in Vienna, a city closely associated with the musician's work. The author of the book "Images of Beethoven" art critic Zilke Betterman ( Silke Bettermann) notes that he managed to count about a hundred monuments in 54 cities on all five continents.

Where and when was Beethoven born? Shall we share what distinguishes the city in which Beethoven was born? Have you preserved the legacy of the famous composer? 5 amazing facts about Beethoven.

In which city was Beethoven born?

Ludwig van Beethoven- the cult composer of the 18th century, born in Bonn (Westphalia) December 17, 1770, buried in Vienna, March 26, 1827.

North Westphalia is a federal district of the Republic of Germany. Located on the Rhine River, has about 320 thousand inhabitants. From 1949 to 1990 was the capital of Germany before unification.

From attractions in Bonn:

• The house where Ludwig van Beethoven was born is now a museum.
• Exhibition Center (http://www.bundeskunsthalle.de)
• Bonn University.

5 Facts About Beethoven They Won't Teach in School

What everyone should know about Beethoven:

• Beethoven's date of birth is unknown.. A riddle over which biographers struggle. According to one version, Beethoven was born on December 17, 1770, but this is just the date of baptism. Maybe you can find the true date?
• Beethoven was a bachelor until his death but in love. A loner until the end of his life, Beethoven devoted himself not only to music, but also to Elisabeth Röckel. According to a study by Klaus Kopitz, a German musicologist, famous work"To Elise" is dedicated to her. Or pianist Teresa Malfatti - musicologists have not yet decided.
• Beethoven the last of the classics Viennese composers . Did classics die after Beethoven? It is unlikely that it was so categorical, most likely, it faded smoothly. Penultimate Viennese classic considered W. A. ​​Mozart.
• Beethoven - provocateur and revolutionary. Like every self-confident creator, Beethoven had his own opinion about the meaning of music in human life. Revolutionary-minded social activists found pro-radical sentiments in the composer's statements and often used them to excite the ears of onlookers.
• Beethoven was rich. The composer knew how to keep his accounts, as well as business negotiations on the topic of fees. By the standards of that time, Beethoven was sky-high rich and did not need anything. After his death, most of the state passed to museums.

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In this episode, we'll talk about recent years life of the great Beethoven.

In the previous issue, we talked about the life of a composer, overshadowed by a meager financial position and successive failures in relations with the fair sex. But these details, as well as the character, far from the most beautiful character of the composer, did not prevent Ludwig from writing his beautiful music.

Today we are finishing our brief digression according to Beethoven's biography, let's talk about the last twelve (1815-1827) years of his life.

Beethoven's family problems

It cannot be said that Beethoven once got along well with his brothers, especially with, who by that time was already a wealthy pharmacist who supplied medicines to the army.

In 1812, after meeting with Goethe, the composer went to the city of Linz to visit Johann. True, apparently, Ludwig was inspired to this trip by a selfish idea, namely, to upset the engagement between Johann and one of his employees, Teresa Obermeier, whom the composer simply could not stand. True, the result was not in favor of Ludwig, because his younger brother did not listen to him.

A few years earlier, back in 1806, Ludwig prevented the marriage of his other brother, and part-time secretary - Kaspar, and the attempt was just as unsuccessful. But all these attempts by the composer to interfere in the personal lives of his brothers were not without reason.

After all, the name BEETHOVEN by that time thundered throughout Europe, and the composer could not afford to younger brothers disgraced this family. After all, both Teresa and Johanna, the potential daughters-in-law of the great composer, to put it mildly, were not worthy to bear this surname. But still it was useless, because the brothers did not listen to him.

In other matters, Kaspar himself will understand that he made a stupid mistake - in 1811 he will be so disappointed in his wife that he will even try to divorce her, although he still will not reach the final divorce. His wife, Johanna, turned out to be far from the most decent woman, as her elder brother, Ludwig, predicted a few years ago, in every possible way preventing their marriage.

Well, in 1815, Kaspar left this world. The late Kaspar Karl, in his dying will, asked Ludwig, his older brother, to become the guardian of his son, a nine-year-old boy, also named Karl.

This boy, as he grew up, delivered to his uncle, the great Beethoven, great amount trouble.Moreover, immediately after the death of his brother, Ludwig had to “fight” with the child’s mother, the widow of Kaspar, Johanna, whom he could not stand. For five years, Beethoven tried with all his might to deprive Johanna of parental rights, and in 1820, he finally achieves his goal.

Financial problems still haunted the composer, who struggled to earn money in order to feed his beloved nephew and continue to be creative.

There was even a case when the British pianist Charles Neath, together with Ferdinand Rees, advised Beethoven to hold a concert in England. Beethoven's music was greatly appreciated in this country. The composer had an excellent reputation in England, which means that his performance at solo concert would guarantee him an excellent income.

Beethoven understood this very well, and, in general, he had long dreamed of going on tour to London, as one of his teachers once did, Joseph Haydn. Moreover, the British Philharmonic sent an official letter to Ludwig with conditions that were simply amazing for a composer basking in everyday problems, partly related to poor financial condition.

But in last minute Beethoven changed his mind, or rather, was forced to refuse to go to England due to illness. Moreover, the composer felt that he could not leave his nephew for such a long time, so he refused such a generous gift of fate.

We will not dwell on Beethoven's nephew, for it will be dedicated to him. In the meantime, just note that the guy brought the composer a lot of everyday problems and emotional experiences, which were reflected for the worse on Beethoven's already “undermined” health.

But still, the composer was madly in love with his nephew and helped him in every possible way, despite all the bad sides of his character. After all, the composer understood that he would no longer have other heirs. Even in letters, the composer addressed his nephew as "Dear son."

The last "Academy" of a deaf composer

Beethoven continues to write his beautiful music, which is radically different from the works written in his youth. The composer is finishing the last piano sonatas, while composing simple piano pieces and chamber music commissioned by publishers in order to provide himself and his nephew with an income for subsistence.

One of major events this period of Beethoven's life is his last "Academy" held on May 7, 1824 in famous theater Kertnertor.

His famous "Solemn Mass" was performed there, and the famous "Ninth Symphony" was presented to the public for the first time - a unique work that breaks all ideas about the traditional classical symphony.

Viennese old-timers testified that at this event there was a standing ovation, previously unheard of at any concert by any other musician. Even now, there is no need to invent anything about the success of the Ninth Symphony, because a fragment of this particular work is used in the anthem of the European Union.

Well, on that evening, when the absolutely deaf composer first presented this masterpiece to the Viennese public, the delight of the audience was indescribable. Hats, along with scarves, flew through the air. The applause was so loud that it simply cut the ear. But only the absolutely deaf composer, unfortunately, did not see anything (because he stood with his back to the audience) and did not hear, until Carolina Unger, one of the vocalists, turned Ludwig towards the applauding audience.

The applause touched Beethoven so emotionally that the composer, who saw flying scarves and tears in the eyes of applauding listeners, literally fainted.

At that moment, the hall simply exploded from the applause that subsided from new force. The emotions were so powerful that after a while the police officers were forced to intervene. It was a huge success. Well, in less than 2 weeks, the performance will be repeated already in the Redoubt Hall of the same Vienna.

True, the artistic success of the work still did not bring serious material benefits to Beethoven. The material side again let the composer down - both concertos turned out to be absolutely unprofitable and even unprofitable for Beethoven himself.

Of course, in a short time, one authoritative publishing house paid the composer both for the Ninth Symphony and for the Solemn Mass and several other works, but all the same, the artistic success of the works was much higher than the material profit.

Beethoven was such a unique composer: all the dukes, barons, lords, kings and emperors of Europe knew his name. But until the end of his days he remained poor.

progressive disease. last months of life.

In 1826, Beethoven's health deteriorated further after the twenty-year-old Carl, his favorite nephew, attempted suicide, possibly due to large gambling debts (however, this has not been confirmed).

After this reckless act of his nephew, Beethoven's health will deteriorate so much that he will never recover again, unlike Karl, who survived this moment and soon joined the army.

Pneumonia, inflammation of the intestines, cirrhosis of the liver and subsequent dropsy, due to which the composer's stomach was pierced several times - even in our age, the chances of being cured from such a set of diseases seem to be something supernatural.

AT last days life of the sick Beethoven visited the most different people: Kramolini with his fiancee, Hummel, Yenger, Schubert (although it is believed that he could not enter the composer's room. And, in general, the fact of Schubert's visit to Beethoven has not been proven) and other people who appreciated the composer's work.

But most of the time with Beethoven was spent by his courting friends - Schindler and another old friend- the same Stefan Breuning from Bonn, but now living nearby with his family.

Speaking about the Braining family, it is worth noting that in these days clouded by illness, Beethoven was especially pleased with Stefan's son, Gerhard, nicknamed "Ariel". Beethoven simply adored this boy, who did not understand anything and was constantly “shining”, and this love was mutual.

Even the stingy brother Johann began to spend a lot of time with the dying composer. And this, despite the fact that just a few months before his death, Ludwig and his nephew (after his suicide attempt) came to Johann with some requests, and the latter treated his brother like a stranger - he took money from him and his nephew for an overnight stay , and also sent them home in an open wagon (after which, it is believed, Ludwig fell ill with pneumonia).

The material poverty of the composer in the last weeks of his stay was diluted by a good amount received from the London Philharmonic Society, and collected thanks to Moscheles, one of Beethoven's students.

Another joy for Ludwig was another, truly valuable and for that time extremely rare gift sent from the English capital by Johann Stumpf (a harp maker) - it was complete collection works of Handel, whom Beethoven considered almost the greatest composer.

Modest, but, at the same time, very pleasant for the composer gifts in the form of jars of compote were sent by Baron Pascalati, in whose house Beethoven lived for some time. The publisher Schot also distinguished himself by sending the famous Rhine wines to the dying Beethoven. Only Beethoven himself noted with regret that this gift was a little late, although in his heart he was glad of this package.

And, of course, two weeks before his death, Ludwig was finally awarded the title of honorary member of the Vienna Society of Music Lovers of the Austrian Empire. Only this title remained only symbolic, since it was not supported by any material benefit.

It is also worth noting that until the death of Ludwig, despite incurable disease, thought more than adequately. Even suspecting that he could die at any moment, Beethoven still continued to read the most complex philosophical and other literature on different languages, thereby continuing to enrich intellectually.

Already on March 24, 1827, the composer signed a will, according to the contents of which, all his property was inherited by his nephew, Karl. On the same day, a priest visits Beethoven.

The death of the great Beethoven came after three days hellish torment— March 26, 1827. It happened in Vienna, in the same house where Beethoven lived recent months life. This house had interesting name"Schwarzpanierhaus", which translates as "House of the Black Spaniard".

At the time of death, the composer's friends, Breuning and Schindler, were not around. At that moment, foreseeing the imminent death of Ludwig, they went to negotiate the place of burial (possibly with Ludwig's brother, Johann), leaving a mutual friend, Anselm Hutenbrenner, next to the composer.

It was the latter, perhaps together with Teresa (the wife of Johann, brother of Ludwig), who witnessed the death of the great Beethoven. It is he who will later tell how the great Ludwig van Beethoven met his death, looking menacingly into her eyes and shaking his fist (in the literal sense) under a roll of thunder. It was Hutenbrenner who closed the eyes of the great composer, whose soul left this world from that moment on.

Ludwig van Beethoven was buried on March 29th. The scale of the ceremony is striking: about 20 thousand people participated in the procession - this is almost a tenth of the entire population of Vienna at that time.And this is surprising, given the fact that, compared with the funeral of Beethoven, the scale of the funeral of the older classicists, Mozart and Haydn, was much less significant.

One of the torchbearers of the funeral ceremony was another great composer, Franz Schubert, who, by the way, will die literally next year.

A variety of people, ranging from ordinary Viennese citizens, and ending with representatives of the imperial palace, came to send the great Beethoven on his last journey.