Johann played several keyboard instruments, violin, zither (a string instrument somewhat similar to the guitar, although it lacks a neck or frets), and was a fine singer. People think that I'm weird just because I listen to classical music and that i'm a freak show. The much-maligned Johanna Reiss was the daughter of prosperousVienneseupholsterer. In 1811, she was convicted of embezzlement and slander after she faked a burglary in her home and blamed the familys housekeeper. Although he was seven years old at the time, his father declared his age to be six as Mozart had given his first performance at the age of six; his father did not want him to be any lesser than Mozart himself. Austria, apparently to seek out Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart From 1790 to 1792, he composed a number of pieces, most of which are now listed under WoO. In the late 1790, Beethoven was introduced to Joseph Haydn when the latter visited Bonn on his way to London. } Beethoven rapidly proceeded to make Johann made things even worse. Modern professionals in the field of substance abuse would surely recognize that these patterns of living under the often harsh discipline of Papa Beethoven are typical of alcoholic childhoods: home life can be chaotic yet also controlled to an unreasonable degree by the alcoholic parent. sister Johann Laym stepfather NN Laym half brother view all In the spring of 1802, he completed his Second Symphony. However, it was premiered almost a year later in April 1803, earning him huge profit. In 1790 Beethoven, probably at the urging of Neefe, received his first two commissions, two cantatas for the Literary Society of Bonn. After his talents were recognized, he moved to Bonn at age 21 and joined the musical ensemble of the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, the ruler of the city. Biographer Maynard Salomonnotesthat there wasa pathological and irrational component in Beethovens love for his nephew and in his exaggerated charges against Johanna.Other historians have offeredvarying theoriesabout Beethovens motives and the saga even produced a film, the 1988Beethoven's Nephew,which suggested an unsubstantiated theory about ahomosexualrelationship. When Michael van Beethoven was born on 2 February 1684, in Mechelen, Antwerp, Belgium, his father, Cornelius van Beethoven d.O., was 42 and his mother, Catharina van Leempoel, was 41. he and his publisher had to contend with rival publishers who brought Though Beethoven never found a life partner, he frequently became infatuated with women he came to know. If you would like to know more, keep reading. As it happened, his visit was cut dramatically short by news of his mother having taken ill. Ludwig was deeply aware of his family duty, as many children of alcoholics are, and he returned to Bonn without delay. He wrote two Emperor Cantatas (WoO 87, WoO 88) on the death of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, and the accession of Leopold II. He writes on a wide variety of topics, including outer space, the fine arts, and modern history. It seems, What underlies this long-lasting impression? they will have one girl and then two boys - Karoline Johanna WEIDINGER (1863-1865). Fortunately, there is an official record of baptism from the parish of St.Remigius. Despite those family considerations, he set out on his much anticipated trip to the musical capital of the continent. Ludwig van Beethoven now had to take care of his brothers and run the household, which he did by giving music lessons to the children of late Joseph von Breuning. In this article, we will tell you everything there is to know about Ludwig van Beethoven's siblings. The new elector, Maximilian Franz, appointed Beethoven court organist. This period between 1802 and 1812 is known as his middle or heroic period. . (17561791) as a teacher. Still, Carls legacy is not an entirely disruptive one. His fathers influence may have caused him to become unapproachable, dark, and moody, but that very same fathers relentless approach to Ludwigs musical education also might have unleashed in Beethoven the restless intellect and creativity that produced timeless masterworks such as his nine symphonies, capped by the eternally moving Ode to Joy.. The commission spurred him to complete his Ninth Symphony. It was performed first on 7 May 1824 at the Krntnertortheater to a standing ovation, and was performed again on 24 May 1824. Impressed with his work, the Elector subsidized the young mans musical studies. In 1819, he started working on the Diabelli Variations and Missa Solemnis. Unfortunately, due to ill-health and legal battles, he could not complete the last mentioned work before 1823. Having an erratic, alcoholic father could not have been easy for Beethoven and his family. Later - Robert Franz Karl WEIDINGER (1865-1920), married Karoline Justina Maria WEBER (Vienna 1894), to Paul Ernst Vinzenz Ignaz WEIDINGER (1828-1904, brother of Franz de Paula Carolus Magnus), - Hermann Franz Karl WEIDINGER ( 1861-1932), married Marie Caroline TOTZ (Vienna 1892). Despite his growing deafness, he started producing astonishingly large volume of music. There will be 13 in the next generation and very few after that to Franz de Paula Carolus Magnus WEIDINGER (1823-1882, brother of Paul ErnstVinzenz Ignaz). He sent the manuscript to his publisher that November. Johann became obsessed with his son becoming the next child prodigy, like the Mozart siblings, who would tour Europe playing . The grandfather managed to save money and apart from the obvious musical talent to Ludwig the grandson, a considerable heritage was passed on after he died. He simply opposed the relationship, because he considered the young widow as a member of a lower class (most probably meaning intellectually). to sell and copy a published work) or royalties (profits based on public He was forced to return to Bonn to care As the 250th anniversary of the composers birth is celebrated in 2020including with a new, 90-discComplete Beethoven Editionbox setfrom Naxoswe consider how family difficulties shaped his outlook, temperament and music itself. In 1815, he tried to perform for the last time, but was forced to give up due to his loss of hearing. And he was insistent that his eldest surviving son, Ludwig, follow in his footsteps as a musician and teacher. Beethoven was frequently beaten for his failure to practise correctly. He has been in my life since I could play. The harsh life of being an alcoholic taskmasters talented oldest son exacted a toll on Ludwig. Birthplace: Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland (Germany) Death: March 26, 1827 (56) Wien, sterreich (Austria) Immediate Family: Son of Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. It creates a dangerously unbalanced set of family dynamics, and a sensitive child is likely to carry these experiences of violence and coercion through an entire lifetime. Beethoven: The Composer As Hero. Ludwig was most likely borneither December 16 or 17, 1770. This could be because his first published works were not hugely popular, but more likely it was due to the family issues Beethoven had to deal with. Neefe (17481798). Atfirsthe succeeded in the courts and placed the boyinGiannatasiodel Rio, a Vienna boarding school. Though deafness restricted him from being active socially, it never trammelled his creativity. Ludwig van Beethoven began his music training under his father. There are many people who do not have resources to track down articles on the subject. becoming totally deaf. window.onload=init; Of the seven children in Beethoven's family, only three boys survived. New York: Schirmer Books, 1998. changed his personality deeply. in the Ninth Symphony. Lets begin with a story from the life of an ordinary, middle class family of its time: It was near midnight in 18th century Bonn, a German archbishopric of the Holy Roman Empire. He plays the piano very skillfully and with power In 1784 Beethoven was hired to work as a musician at the court chapel. . His sole heir was his nephew Karl. It was during his down periods that many of his most. Interesting fact that not only this branch of the Beethovens lived in the city, but an another part of the family was already represented here. One of Ludwigs dreams was to make a trip to Vienna in search of recognition and renown, as well as to study with the master assuming Mozart was willing. Beethoven came from a large family of seven siblings. to Karoline Barbara NASKE. In this we can see that the baby, both parents and two sponsors were present. If there was one family member who loomed large in Ludwigs life, it was Caspar Carl, a pushy and tightfisted man whom the pianistCarl Czernyonce characterized assmall of stature, red-haired, ugly.Biographer JanSwafford, writing inBeethoven: Anguish and Triumph, described Carl as aslowly unfolding disaster., At age 20, Carl followed Ludwig to Vienna and found work as a clerk in the citys department offinance. There are no compositions, nor any mention of any completed works by Beethoven between 1785-1790. Beethoven's fits of mania were well known in his circle of friends, and when he was on a high he could compose numerous works at once. Under Neefes instruction Beethoven began composition lessons, completing his first published work, a set of keyboard variations, in 1783. But Ludwig happened to see a copy of the document and convinced Carl to cross out this clause and appoint him sole guardian. or private service. daughter Anna Maria Theresia van Beethoven daughter Marie Louise Elisabeth Stuyckers mother Michael Van Beethoven father Ludovicus van Beethoven brother When the composerresisted andstood by his original agreement, it caused such friction that the brothers were seen slugging it out on a street inHeiligenstadt. Still trying to pass off Ludwig as a child prodigy, Johann lied about his sons age, claiming Ludwig was only six, not seven. Beethoven gave his first public performance in 1778. No wonder Ludwig had the impression that he had not achieved enough to deserve applause. A bullet just grazed his temple. 2nd ed. however, he expected later audiences to have a greater understanding of Ludwig van Beethoven. On the way, Haydn stopped in Bonn on Christmas Day and briefly met Beethoven. In 1818, when he could no longer hear, he started communicating through writing, carrying with him a set of books, which later came to be known as Conversation Books. These books later provided insights into his thinking and how he wanted his music to be performed. Beethoven spent the rest of his adult life in Vienna and through his studies with Haydn and his own ingenuity, Beethoven became one of the best-known and well-loved composers in western classical music. At the age of twelve Beethoven was a promising keyboard player and a In 1779, he was withdrawn from school to study composition with court organist Christian Gottlob Neefe. practices of his time. In fact, he often felt a need to apologize for his behavior, though he insisted that it was all in service of his muse. 106, theMissasolemnis, theDiabelliVariations,and the Ninth Symphony, whose Ode to Joy has forever made him a champion of universal brotherhood. While it might not be accurate to the nth degree, we know that very similar scenes did, in fact, play out in the Beethoven home just as they do today behind the curtains of many outwardly unremarkable residences. Young Ludwig was often pulled out of bed in the middle In 1824, after completing the Ninth Symphony, Beethoven produced a series of string quarters, collectively known as Late Quartets. This was his last major work. He had two sisters and five brothers. Upon arriving home, he stayed at his mothers side as her illness progressed and she quickly passed away. What effects did his career have on his life? Only he and two younger brothers Kaspar Anton Karl and Nikolaus Johann reached adulthood. When Ludwig van Beethoven was born on 16 December 1770, in Kreis Bonn, Rhineland, Prussia, German Empire, his father, Johann van Beethoven, was 30 and his mother, Maria Magdalena Keverich, was 23. In 1795 his first mature Contents Ludovico Einaudi Baptised April 8th 1774 at Bonn Beethoven was born in 1770 and made it to age 56, so he beat those odds . 2 and 3, he turned down the offer and made a curious threat:You may regret it in the future, because these symphonies are either the worst that my brother has written or the best., In 1802, Ludwig retired toHeiligenstadt, asmall townnorth of Vienna,in an attempt to slow his encroaching deafness. My father who was a German avidly read all he could on Beethoven. But none of these seemed to occupy his time like the series of bitter court battles he waged with the widow of his brother over the custody of his nephew, Karl. From long past times, and in fact still in the eighteenth century, it was not evident to have authentic birth certificates. With her second husband Johann van Beethoven, Maria Magdalena had seven children out of which Ludwig van Beethoven was born second. - Meta van BEETHOVEN (1874- before 1890), in the USA. He was the eldest of three children of Johann and Maria Magdalena van Beethoven. This marriage was very much opposed by his father, who refused to attend the wedding event. Beethoven, the second of seven children, also saw many of his siblings die, according to My Heritage. Born September 4th 1806 at Vienna Therefore, at the age of 14, Beethoven started his career. |Related: What does Beethovens name mean? To make a bit more money, Johann taught keyboard and violin lessons. Many men in those days chose fishing as their trade. The chemistry between a very young but prodigiously talented child and his overbearing, demanding, very physical and alcohol-dependent father is a volatile mix. Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 in Bonn, present day Germany. The one, called Johann (father of Ludwig van Beethoven the composer), was born around 1739. as well, and one who is sometimes willing to change to meet current He was born in Malines in Flanders, the son of a master baker. and appreciation for them. He was tired, afraid of his fathers rage, and determined to play well enough that his father would let him go back to bed. Johann had always been a heavy drinker;after the loss of his wife he steadily descended into alcoholism. The children of Karl and Karoline are to have, between them, 20 children. Died: March 26, 1827 It would be another three years, when Beethoven turned 21, until he was able to return to Vienna and settle in. he wrote as a pianist-composer for an immediate and receptive public; in Among his five younger siblings, only two brothers, Kaspar Anton Karl Van Beethoven and Nikolaus Johann Van Beethoven, reached adulthood. Beethoven was born 16 December 1770 in Bonn (now part of Germany) From an early age, Beethoven was introduced to music. Beethoven had little use for Johanna, whether feeling that she was undeserving of the family name, or out of jealousy for his brothers marital success. Known as the Shakespeare of Music, Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers ever. He had once said, music comes to me more readily than words.. The largest crater in mercury, located at latitude 20S, longitude 124W, has been named after him. The Beethoven family business was music. Also in 1822, Prince Nikolas Golitsin of St. Petersburg had commissioned him to write three string quartets. Another important teacher of Beethoven during this period was Gilles van den Eeden, a local church organist. He has had a long career as a journalist and communications specialist with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. After recovering,Karljoined the army. He learnt clavier and violin from him from the age of five. Lets dive in! Milo's play The Other Mozart, subtitled The forgotten genius of Mozart' s sister, had rave reviews when it opened in 2015. Here are 15 facts about Ludwig Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer. In 1761, Ludwig the elder was appointedKapellmeister(music director),the most important position in the musical establishment. Her, The original Globe theater was where Shakespeare debuted his greatest plays. This weakness was passed on to her son Johann, and in some degree even to Ludwig van Beethoven. Died April 6th 1769 at Bonn. . He continued to compose even Whatever tensions existed, Ludwig and Johann remained close, and brought out the best in one another. Beethoven was aware of this. She was known by her piety and gentleness, the ability to handle people in a nice and perceptive way. Maybe this explains, in part at least, why he never married, despite his evident wish for female companions. On November 1792, sponsored by Count Ferdinand von Waldstein, Beethoven moved to Vienna to study under Haydn. Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven (1776-1848) Beethoven's brother Beethoven's deafness affected his social life, and it must have Pianists, Quotes By Ludwig Van Beethoven | During the premiere of his final masterpiece Ninth Symphony, Beethoven had to turn around to view the clapping of the audience as he had become completely deaf by then. Fortunately, Johann had been granted a pension, half of which was paid directly to Ludwig so the family would actually see the money. The other researcher is Raymond van AERDE, a Flem who opened the right doors to the research.. He even filled in as church organist when How was his life as a composer? The church records at the Parish of St. Regius also show that Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized on 17 December 1770. In 1733, the Cologne Archbishop Clemens August von Bayern invited the singer Ludwig van Beethoven Sr. (Beethoven's grandfather) to come to court. 5 Violoncello.. Beethoven was named after hisgrandfather, orLudwig the elder, whowas born in 1712ina small town in what is now Belgium. The product of this union was Ludwig Van Beethoven and his siblings. Des Backermeister Gottfried Fischer Aufzeichnungen uber Beethovens Jugend. As a result Beethoven saw his works published Johann van Beethoven was quite aware of the early career, in Salzburg, of a musical genius named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was only a few years older than Ludwig. Thus, he became the first musician to be freed from the drudgery of service which allowed him to concentrate full time on composing. Expressions of parental love can come in sudden torrents or sometimes be absent altogether. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; Ludwigcould bepatronizing towards Johann, boasting of his financial prospects and assuring him that I trust that I shall be able to contribute to your happiness. Johann didnt need Ludwigs handouts. He became a member of the chapel choir, singing as a tenor. Beethoven has in packed in my life and I don't anyone getting in my way of that. Ludwig, the eldest, became the talented composer whom we know. But I think there might be something else to which hes referring. Karl van Beethoven father Caroline Barbara van Beethoven mother Karoline Johanna Weidinger sister Maria Anna Weidinger sister About Ludwig Johann van Beethoven He emigrated to America, where he worked for the Michigan Central Railroad Company of Detroit. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ludwig-van-beethoven-469.php. Beethovens Fifth Symphony in World War II, Beethovens Ritterballet (Knights Ballet). It was not the first time Ludwigs fitful sleep was disturbed by his fathers alcohol-fueled ranting. Despite his loss of hearing, he became a colossus of music, whose fame continues to soar even today. Despite the success and advancement in career, he had a cross to carry. After Kaspars death, Beethoven fought a legal battle with his sister-in-law, ultimately winning the sole custody of his nephew. Beethoven sold it to one or more of the best and most reliable His mother died soon after and his fathers dependency on alcohol worsened. I appreciate your knowledge of Beethoven, but I believe and article like that that should be included. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, on December 16, 1770. the focus on Beethoven's awareness of current events and ideas, Johann van Beethoven married Maria Magdalena Keverich, a young widow. his last years he wrote for himself. Since his elder brother, also named Ludwig van Beethoven, died in infancy, he became the eldest surviving child. Now he could pursue his own career plans, separate from his father, even though he felt the tug of his responsibilities to his dear mother and brothers. his mark as a brilliant keyboard performer and as a gifted young His friend Count Waldstein wrote Beethoven a letter before he left. Although publishers sought out Beethoven and he was an able manager of for (i = 0; i < document.links.length;i++) { But it could be dawn before his father was finally satisfied or too exhausted himself to continue. out editions of their own. His operas, symphonies, and sonatas are still sung and performed all over the world. Although there is no record, most scholars accept 16 December 1770 as his date of birth. Back in his shabby Vienna apartment, on March 26, 1827, Ludwig van Beethoven died, according to one vivid account, during a violent thunderstorm. On December 1826, Beethoven became seriously ill, and died three months later on 26 March 1827. So far, so good. Theres good reason to think the, Start your 14-day trial of MagellanTV and get access to 2,000+ documentaries, available anywhere, on any device, Beethoven the restless intellect and creativity, Lord Byron: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know, Shakespeares Globe: An Elizabethan Theater Brings Thrills to Modern Audiences, douard Manet and the Revealing Gaze of Modern Art. Before his death in 1815, his brother Kaspar left Beethoven and his wife in charge of Karl. lesser talent for extra instruction. The press first noticed Beethovens talent the same year. A member of this family left the village and about 1650 moved to Antwerp. After Ludwig left his brothers house, however, Carl, likely under pressure from Johanna, added a codicil that reinstated her as co-guardian. Baptised December 17th 1770 at Bonn His family as well as his teacher Johann Albrechtsberger celebrated his birthday on this day. City of Bonn circa 1790, from Beethoven Made in the Rhineland. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; His wife Josepha became an alcoholic and later was living and being treated in a monastery (a clinic by todays terminology). reading of Beethoven's letters reveal him to be a powerful and He was baptized the day after his birth, at St. Remigius Church in Bonn. Parents wanted to make sure their child would go to heaven if something happened to them. He died on 26 March 1827, in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 56, and was buried in Vienna, Austria. . of King Frederick William of Prussia, an amateur cellist. With a beloved but retiring mother and two younger brothers, Ludwig felt a responsibility as the eldest son to ensure the family's welfare, or at least to make up for Johann's lapses. Beethoven made several trips to Budapest, Hungary. Ludwigs father Johann showed promise as a tenor vocalist and as a multi-instrumentalist, and he found a place as a professional singer and vocal soloist in the mens chorus. it became clear that to reach artistic maturity he would have to leave To sharpen Ludwigs talent, Johann embarked on a punishing schedule of keyboard instruction for his child. 10 interesting facts about Beethovens ancestors and family. He died of consumption and left his son, Karl, under the joint guardianship of his wife and Ludwig. cantata (a narrative poem set to music) for the Congress of Vienna, Every time Ludwig hit a sour note, his fathers hands came crashing down on his sons with a loud, discordant thwack! She lost her first husband, then right after her second wedding, her mother. Several of the themes from these early works found their way into later compositions, most notably a theme from a set of variations written in 1791thatwas later used, in an adapted form, in the Third Symphony. Edited by Carey Lovelace. One can only imagine the pressure felt by Beethoven as he confronted the loss of his mother, the unhappiness visited upon the family by Johanns drinking, and the requirement to care for his younger brothers. Beethoven's two main personal problems, especially in later life, He then purchased a castle, the SchlossWasserhofinGneixendorf(today an Airbnb), and signed a letter to Ludwig "From your brother Johann, landowner. Ludwig signed his reply, "From your brother Ludwig, brain owner.. } Tragically, when Beethoven could return to Vienna, five years later, Mozart had already died. in history to be able to live independently on his music salary. Gradually, he started teaching other wealthy pupils. The music finally arrived both despite and because of the drama, and the trauma. TheMagazin der Musikreported, Beethovena boy of 11 years and most promising talent. In addition to his position as a working musician in the court of Bonn, the elder Beethoven was employed on the side as a music teacher, instructing young members of the royal court in both violin and keyboards. performances of the material) at the time. Was Shakespeare the Father of True Crime Dramas? Ludwigs grandfather was a successful musician, a proficient bass soloist and choral singer who was elevated to the position of Kapellmeister, or music director, in the court at Bonn. His father, who wanted to make another Mozart out of him, would beat him up brutally, while yelling he was an embarrassment to the family. Died March 26th 1827 at Vienna. BeethovensstudentFerdinandRies called him aterribly coarse man,notingthatfor the sake of a single ducat, Carlbreaks 50 promises, and as a result makes bitter enemies for his brother.When Breitkopf & Hrtel offered Carl 500 florins forBeethovensSymphoniesNos. German composer Ludwig van Beethoven is considered one of the most In contrast to Carl, Johann, the youngest of the Beethoven brothers,was a pillar of stability. musical and social life of the time sooner or later. if (document.links[i].href.indexOf("/recommended/") != -1) { Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau We see these traits clearly expressed in Beethovens life. But reliable accounts and a careful And yet, because of or despite it all, he created some of the most stirring, memorable music of all time. Mother. Struggling to please his father and the others, he stood on a footstool to reach the keys. On 12 August 1845, Beethoven Monument was unveiled in Bonn. He also agreed to compose thethree Sonatas, Opus 31 Nos. The family was Flemish in origin and can be traced back to Malines. The Beethoven family originated in the Flemish region of Belgium, but, by the late 1700s, they had established themselves in Bonn (now a part of Germany). began to lose his hearing during his early years in Vienna, and the Johann had exceedingly high expectations for the young Ludwig who,when he failed to live up to these impossible standards, was often told he was an embarrassment to the family. His grandfather, Lodewijk van Beethoven (1712-1773), had been Bonn's principal musician from 1733 until his death. Johann Nikolaus van Beethoven (1776-1848). In 1784, when the Rhine flooded their house on the Rheingasse, she gathered up her three children and directed them to safety across the roofs of neighbouring houses. Ludwig had his first public concert at the impressively young age of seven, but by the time Mozart turned seven, he had already been composing high quality music for two years! At the age of five he became a student at a choir school, where he stayed for eight years Nikolaus followed his brother Ludwig to Vienna in December 1795, expressing the wish to be known from then onwards as Johann, in memory of the brothers' late father Carl followed his brother Ludwig to Vienna in May 1794. father: Johann van Beethoven mother: Maria Magdalena Keverich siblings: Anna Maria Francisca van Beethoven, Franz Georg van Beethoven, Johann Peter Anton Leym, Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven, Ludwig Maria van Beethoven, Maria Margarita van Beethoven, Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven Born Country: Germany Quotes By Ludwig Van Beethoven Pianists By 1787, the Elector sent Beethoven to Vienna; possibly to study with Mozart. Karl van Beethoven marries Karoline Barbara Naske on July 16th 1832. This, too, is a common trait among children of alcoholic families, who can vacillate between feeling powerless over their surroundings to feeling prematurely burdened by the heavy responsibilities of adulthood. December 16, 1770. Once his mother protested at his father's violent beatings, but she was beaten too. 49, Nos. Being institutionalized she was not present, when her husband died in 1773. Several times during his life in Vienna Beethoven started Beethovens baptismal record isdatedDecember 17, 1770. Mann, Werner. his own business affairs, he was at the mercy of the crooked publishing Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven. But this initial payment was all he would receive, and both They are to have five children, the only descendants of this branch of Beethoven's family, of which there is only one boy, who immigrates to the USA (under, it would seem, the name of Louis von Hoven). The following year, as Haydn set out on another trip, the Elector expected him to return to Bonn. She passed her time with sewing and knitting. Autopsy reports revealed significant liver damage as well as dilation of the auditory and other related nerves. Ludwig (the composer) was the second child and two younger brothers. countryside. He thus became one of the first musicians document.links[i].href += "?js=yes"; To make matters worse, Johanns drinking had ruined his voice and he was no longer able to perform. Beethoven did have a loving relationship with his mother, whom he described as his best friend, but she died when he was only sixteen years old.
