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What is some information about Beethoven?

Answer:
  • Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. His true date of birth isn't known, but it is believed that he was born on 16 December 1770. He was baptised on 17 December 1770, and it was common for babies of his time to be baptised the day after they were born.
  • Beethoven composed his first piece of music, which was a song (lieder) at the age of 11. In 1787, he started to receive his first composition lessons, from Mozart. Beethoven was a great admirer of Mozart, but only had a lesson or two in composition under Mozart before he was recalled back to Bonn because his mother was dying.
  • Although German, he lived in Vienna (Austria) for much of his life.
  • From 1892, Beethoven studied under Haydn, but the two composers never really developed any rapport.
  • Letters from Beethoven to his friends in 1801 indicate he began experiencing ringing (tinnitus) and deafness in his ears around the 1797 - 1798 period, at the age of 26 or 27.
  • It is believed that lead poisoning caused his deafness, as well as causing his many stomach ailments, and ultimately led to his premature death. Another theory puts his deafness down to numerous beatings he received as a child at the hands of his hard taskmaster father, but this remains unsubstantiated.
  • By 1815 (age 44), his condition had become "intolerable" and he could no longer perform in public, though he could still compose. This marked a greater depth in Beethoven's compositions. His "Middle" period of composing began shortly after he was beset with deafness. Beethoven's music of this period tended towards large-scale works expressing heroism and struggle. This increased with the "Late" period of Beethoven's career, which covered the final eleven years of his life. During this time, his compositions reflected Beethoven's personal expression in their depth and intensity.
  • Legend has it that Beethoven cut off the legs of his piano so he could lay the instrument flat on the floor and hear the vibrations through the floor.
    However, it was common for pianos of this time to have removable legs, as often musicians had to carry their instruments to court to entertain the nobility. Whether Beethoven used this ability to remove piano legs as an aid to hearing the vibrations remains a matter of conjecture. Much of the subtle qualities of the sound would have been lost. It is more likely that, like any true musician, he could hear the sounds clearly in his head.
  • Beethoven wrote 9 completed symphonies, one opera (Fidelio), one violin concerto, 32 piano sonatas and 7 concertos, over 150 lieder (songs), and much other chamber music such as string and wind trios and quartets.
  • Beethoven died on 26 March 1827.
  • Despite his reputation for being rude and angry, Beethoven had many friends and was well liked. More than 20,000 people attended his funeral.
First answer by On the Wallaby. Last edit by On the Wallaby. Contributor trust: 2785 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question].

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