Beethoven was all about the music. Without Beethoven's music he would have been just another pathetic person shaped by his father's abuse. The "tone poet" as he called himself said, "For you there is no longer any happiness within yourself, in your art, O Go give me the strength to conquer myself, nothing at all must fetter me to life." With great disappointments in his personal life he always had his music, the only thing that gave him real satisfaction and joy.
It surprises me that Ludwig didn't grow up hating music, when considering the trauma and abuse associated with it. Ludwig's father, a cruel taskmaster, forced 3 year old Ludwig to practice piano all hours of the day and night and beat him for any interruptions to his lessons. It seems that music was in Beethoven's soul, for even with his father's abuse, spontaneous creative music poured out of him even as a child. His first teacher (Neefe) saw his student's great need to create and improvise however Neefe kept him on task with music fundamentals. It was evident at a young age Beethoven had a great gift. Fortunately for Ludwig he had a loving mother whom he adored. I would suspect that whatever stability he exhibited could be credited to his relationship with his mother. Ludwig secured a position as a court organist at age 14, out of necessity he supported his family while his father became more of a degenerate drunk. Leaving Bonn to spend time studying with Haydn in Vienna proved to be disappointing. Haydn had little time to teach and it seems that Beethoven and Haydn never really clicked. Beethoven was able to study with Albrechtsberger who rigidly forced him to give attention to the finer points of composition. He was developing the skills he would need to be perhaps the greatest creative music mind that has graced this earth. The bigness of his playing could not be contained, it was a prelude of things to come in this changing revolutionary world. He gained favor in Vienna as he launched a trio of works for publication with great success.
The turn of the century brought good things in Beethoven's life, he was now an established composer and his finances allowed him a comfortable life in Vienna. Beethoven's creative juices never stopped flowing he could be found writing on a wall, a tree, composing while shaving or eating, anytime, his thoughts rarely escaped him. In 1801 he sought help for hearing loss and chronic diarrhea both plagued him all his life. The best the medical profession provided was almond oil applied to the ears and a painful bark implant to the upper arm. A depressing disability for a man of his profession he even considered suicide. Facing his hearing loss didn't diminish his creative drive. As he moved into his 30's he worked on many great music works, Moonlight Sonata being only one. As he became more reclusive he said, "I live only in my notes, and one composition is scarcely done before another is begun." I suspect he felt the need to get down to business while he still had some of his hearing. Between 1803-1812 he composed an opera, six symphonies, four solo concertos, five string quartets, and six string sonatas all of these are masterpieces. He also composed many more, most of them great works as well. Beethoven was a master of multitasking, his sketch book was filled with many different projects simultaneously. It's fair to say Beethoven was a type A personality who worked with great energy. He liked to be physically moving and loved his walks in the country.
Beethoven was bringing a new sound to music, a revolutionary style, to match the changing times. Some thought his "Heroic Symphony" was too long and too different for their taste however he proved to be new, innovative, and a challenge to the listener's mind. When Beethoven's quartets were criticized by a violinist he said, "They are not for you, but for a later age." Beethoven wasn't a people person, as he turned out great works of art, his ability to get along with others diminished. He would fight with his brothers with little if any cause. Consequently Beethoven wasn't liked. I believe deafness had a part in his aggressive nature. Unfortunately his ability to conduct was affected as well however he used his eyes to see what music was played. I admire the way he adapted to his disability rather than being defeated by it.
As Napolean raised havoc in Vienna Beethoven became even more dependent on his aristocrat friends. He threatened to leave Vienna when he was in need of money this of course caused a panic among his elite friends. They couldn't lose their music god. They banded together to provide a good yearly salary. His deception worked like a charm, they never knew he had not intended to leave. At this time Beethoven was the composer for the rich and famous he said, "I don't write for the galleries!" He composed for those who could understand and appreciate his innovative ideas. Beethoven described his music as "something eternal, infinite, something never wholly comprehensible-".
"It's not good for man to be alone." God was right and Beethoven was a prime example. Tormented by his loneliness and longed to be loved, his need to be loved by a women, created a gaping hole in his being. He was repeatedly disappointed by female interests. Apparently Beethoven wasn't an attractive man and he certainly had some unattractive behaviors. As he began to accept that marriage would never be realized and he would lose all his hearing, his music reflected this mood. Some people should not be parents and Beethoven was one of these people. With the torment of cruel abuse in his own childhood he was destined to repeat history. Taking custody of his brother's son, Karl, was a mistake, only one of many mistakes, in his personal life. His mental instability and deafness limited him progressively throughout his life. Despite his inability to father Karl their is no doubt that he loved the boy in a distorted way. The result, Karl was so troubled that he tried to take is own life fortunately it was a failed attempt.
Beethoven's personal life was simply a mess. His life's work was an example of musical perfection. It's a sad contrast and I can't wonder if the tragic nature of his life helped to shape his creative genius. As he grew older, Edmond Morris writes,"Beethoven in fact was incapable of imitating even himself. Even more now than in the past, every fresh work had to be unique." Hammerklavier Sonata is a good example of his forward thinking, blending old, new and never heard before to produce work that was unmistakably Beethoven. His creative life was his life, he best expressed himself with notes rather than words. He was the "tone poet" a gift to all who love great music. Beethoven is loved today for his contributions to humanity. I only hope he will not be judged too harshly for his shortcomings. His life was all about the music and he did that beautifully.
Beethoven's symphonies numbers 3,6,and 9
Symphony number 3 fit for a king as it was designed to honor Napoleon. Beethoven became unhappy with Napoleon's arrogant self appointment as Emperor and rededicated this symphony,"In memory of a great man." Many feel this was a turing point in his career as a composer. The "Heroic" was twice as long as anything composed by anyone before it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFltqVS8d9I
Symphony number 6 in F major op 68 "Pastoral"
Beethoven felt symphony number 6 had a spiritual element. Much of the inspiration came from nature. I can imagine Beethoven on one of his walks in the country studying quail and writing in his sketch book. Judging from the peaceful sounds of the "Pastoral", I thing Beethoven was probably in a better place emotionally. This was the most programmatic of his works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZGb-Kjy0S0
Symphony number 9 in D minor op. 125 "Grand Symphony"
At its first performance of the 9th, the concert hall erupted in a show of emotion. People were so moved by the music the police needed to restore order. I suspect Beethoven wanted to leave his fans with something to remember him by so he created the most revolutionary sound to date. Grand is truly the best adjective for the 9th Symphony. A bigger sound is hard to come by. "Grand Symphony" was the right choice for the destruction of the Berlin wall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE-sS_1JQZI
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