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Ludwig Van Beethoven

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One of the great composers of all time.

A Time Chart Of The Events in Beethoven's Life

  • 1770 6th December; Ludwig von Beethoven is born to Maria and Johann von Beethoven, in Bonn, Germany
  • 1778; Johann takes eight year old Ludwig touring. He makes his first appearance as a keyboard prodigy in Cologne.
  • 1780; Ludwig learns to play the organ at a local monastery with Friar Willibald Koch.
  • 1781; Ludwig begins lessons with Christian Gottlob Neefe.
  • 1782; Neefe leaves 11 year old Ludwig to deputize for him as court organist. Nine of Ludwigs piano concertos various are published by Neefe. Ludwig begins to deputize for the Kappellmeister in leading the court orchestra.
  • 1784: Ludwig, aged 14 is given his first salaried post as court organist.
  • 1787; Ludwig, raises enough money to travel to Vienna where he recieves keyboard lessons from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
  • 1787 July 17: Ludwig's mother, Maria von Beethoven dies of Tuberculosis. Ludwig returns to Bonn.
  • 1789; Beethoven is made one of the Viola players in the Theatre orchestra and is given the post of chamber musician.
  • November 2 1792: Beethoven leaves Bonn for vienna. He begins lessons with the composer, Haydn.
  • December 8 1792; Beethoven's father Johann dies. Beethoven begins lessons with Schenk, without Haydn's knowledge.
  • 1794 Beethoven begins lessons with the musical theorist, Albrechtsberger.
  • 1795, Napoleon's army sweeps across Europe. Opus1-3 piano trios is published.
  • 1796; Beethoven tours prague, Dresden and Berlin.

  • 1797; Beethoven falls ill with Typhus, but returns to work as quickly as possible.
  • 1799; Beethoven begins teaching Keyboard skills to the Von Brunsvik family and Guilietta Guicciciardi.
  • April 2 1800; the first concert entirely arranged by Beethoven takes place and he presents the first symphony. Beethoven composes musics for the ballet, Promethius. Beethoven realises his hearing is deteriating, but wants to keep it a secret.
  • October 6/10 1802; Beethoven aged 32, writes the 'Heiligenstadt Testament'. He composes the second symphony.
  • 1803; At a benefit concert arranged for Beethoven, he introduces 'Christ on the mount of Olives'. The Waldstein is Beethoven's first step on his 'New Road'.
  • 1804; the theatre an der Wien is venue for the first performance of the third Symphony, the Eroica. Beethoven then falls ill and returns to the country to recover.
  • 1805; The Appasionata is published. Beethoven falls in love with Josephine Von Brunsvik, but the relationship come to an end when she leaves for the country.
  • 1806 November; Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, is produced. Beethoven composes the Razumovsky Quartets, as well as the fourth Symphony. This coincides with his relationship with Therese von Brunsvik.
  • 1808; The fifth symphony is completed as is the sixth symphony, the Pastoral. Both are presented, along with the Choral Fantasia, at a benefit concert.
  • 1809; Prince Lobkowitz, Prince Kinsky and archduke Rudolph decide to pay Beethoven an Annuity after he is tempted by an offer of Kappellmeister out of Vienna. Piano concerto NO.5, the Emperor, is completed.
  • May 1810; 40 year Beethoven asks the 19 year old Beethoven asks the 19 year old Malfatti daughter to marry him. He is rejected. Bettina Brentano introduces herself to Beethoven and the two become friends.
  • 1812; Napolean invades Russia and is defeated. Beethoven spends the summer at Teplice where he meets the poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He also writes, but does not send a letter to 'the immortal beloved'. He composes the eigth symphony.
  • 1813; Beethoven and Maezel, an inventor, devize a money-ma scheme involving the Panharmonican. Beethoven composes the battle symphony for the machine. They begin a four year legal battle over the rights.
  • 1815; Beethoven's brother, casper, dies of tuberculosis and Beethoven becomes Guardian of his 9 year old son, Karl. Beethoven immediately removes the boy from his mother and sends him to school.
  • 1817; Beethovens deafness worsens and he can no longer hear voices.
  • 1819; Beethovn works on the Missa Solemnis for the Enthronment of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop.
  • 1823; Beethoven finishes the Missa Olemnis and works on the nineth symphony and three piano Concertos.
  • 1825; Beethoven's nephew, Karl, goes into the countryside and shoots himself. He survives and he and Beethoven spend some time together while he recovers.
  • 1826; returning to Vienna with Karl, Beethoven contracts Pneumonia.
  • 26 March 1827; Ludwig von Beethoven, aged 56, dies.
  • 29 March 1827; 20,000 people attend Beethoven's funeral.

 For further reading:~


Beethoven (MASTER MUSICIANS SERIES)
Barry Cooper  More Info

Beethoven's Hair : An Extraordinary Historical Odyssey and a Scientific Mystery Solved
RUSSELL MARTIN  More Info

Music Connection: Book 7
J. Beethoven  More Info

The Norton Scores: A Study Anthology, Ninth Edition, Volume 1: Gregorian Chant to Beethoven
Kristine Forney  More Info

Beethoven`s Piano Sonatas: A Short Companion
Charles Rosen  More Info

Fidelio (The Black Dog Opera Library)
Ludwig Van Beethoven  More Info

Click the links above for further reading.