BEETHOVEN BIOGRAPHY

Born December 16(?), 1770
Died March 26, 1827
Bonn, Germany

Family
Parents: Maria Magdalena Keverich
Johann Van Beethoven
Sisters: Anna Maria Francisca van Beethoven, Maria Margarita van Beethoven, Ludwig Maria van Beethoven
Brothers: Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven, Kaspar Anton van Beethoven, Franz Georg van Beethoven
Grandfather: Johann Heinrich Keverich
Nephew: Karl van Beethoven

Childhood:
Beethoven was born into a prestigious family. His family was warming and cheerful.
Behind their cheerful days was a (kinda) dark past. Because of that, they were using Old Ludwig (grandpa) for financial support. The family moved from Beethoven's home town in Bonn, Germany, to Rhine St. when he was five. His father was very strict about Beethoven's education because he saw his son's "potential". Theory: Beethoven was frustrated and felt he needed to laugh in order to cope with all of that frustration. He had a huge sense of humor and laughed a lot. He was very straightforward. If he didn't like someone, he would show his disgust. If he really liked the person, he would push all his feelings onto them.

ERA OF MUSIC BEETHOVEN WAS PART OF:

BEETHOVEN'S JOBS

• Beethoven had three jobs
• He was in the court orchestra
• He was a conductor
• Composer
• Composer of "The Nine Symphonies"

Physical Problems
Beethoven was gradually becoming deaf from age 19.
Beethoven was also a heavy (alcoholic) drinker and suffered severe inflammation of his liver.

Interesting Story I
Beethoven Lives Upstairs:
We watched a movie called Beethoven Lives Upstairs. Summary:
A boy's father dies and the family now needs money, so they decide to rent out a space in their home for the famous composer, Beethoven, to live and work. Beethoven befriends the boy and talks to him about his past. The boy grows very fond of him and even gets tickets to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

Interesting Story II
The Unique Story of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
I read about this one, but I didn't have time to actually look into it.
Description:
A fictionalized story telling tales about all the steps in finishing his ninth symphony.
Author's Purpose: Entertainment

THREE OF HIS MOST IMPORTANT WORKS

• Symphony No. 1 in C Major Opus Number 21
• Symphony No. 6
• Für Elise (translates to For Elise)

Beethoven died March 26, 1827. (Aged 57)
Cause of death: Severe Inflammation of the Liver

END