Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized on December 17 1770 in Bonn. His family originated from Brabant, Belgium. His father was a musician, the Court of Bonn, with a strong inclination to drink. Her mother was always described as a sweet woman, modest and thoughtful. Beethoven said that she was "his best friend." The Beethoven family had seven children but only three children survive, Ludwig will be the eldest.
Very soon, Ludwig was interested in music, and his father taught him the fundamentals of Jhoanna sublime art day and night, when he returned home after the repetitions or the tavern. That your child the gift of music leaves no doubt, and his father Johann thought of it a child prodigy, like a young Mozart.
On 26 March 1778, at age 8, Beethoven showed up for his first known public exhibition in Cologne. For the fact that his father told the boy had only six years. Because of this, Beethoven himself ever thought of having two years younger than his actual age, in fact, many years later, when in Vienna will receive a copy of his baptismal certificate, he thought it was the act of baptism His brother Ludwig Maria, born two years before him and died at an early age.
But the father of the musical and pedagogical skills were limited. Ludwig soon learn the music, particularly organ and composition, with famous musicians such as Gottlob Neefe. The latter, especially, will recognize the extraordinary abilities of Beethoven. Making known, also great philosophers, ancient and modern, Neefe introduce the young Beethoven to modern enlightened spirit.
Only in 1782, twelve years, Beethoven published his first work: the 9 variations, in C minor for piano, on a march by Ernst Christoph Dressler (WoO 63). L 'next year, in 1783, Neefe wrote in the music magazine about his student: "If this continues, will certainly be a new Mozart."
In June 1784, thanks to the recommendations of Neefe, Ludwig is known as an organist at the court of Maximilian Franz, Elector of Cologne. The composer then 14 years. This position allows him to attend the members of 'aristocracy Bonnense and friends of his father. Meet people with whom he then reports for the duration of his life: the Ries family, the family and the fascinating Eleonore von Breuning, Karl Amenda, violinist Franz Gerhard Wegeler, doctor friend who will go to Vienna.
In his family, little by little, Ludwig replaces his father. Financially, first, because Johann often drunk, is less and less able to take his place in the furnace and its function as a court musician. The young Beethoven will feel responsible for his two brothers, and he will assume this responsibility all his life, sometimes to excess.
Conscious also of preparing the music of Beethoven, Prince Maximilian Franz sent him to Vienna at his own expense in 1787 to meet Mozart and to finish his musical education. Vienna at that time is the beacon city of music. Regarding the meeting between Beethoven and Mozart, there are only the texts of uncertain authenticity. Mozart would have said 'do not forget this name, you'll hear speak. "
But a letter from Beethoven in Bonn called his mother was dying. The only person with whom his family had managed to create affectionate bonds off July 17, 1787.
Five years later, in 1792, Beethoven again for Vienna, with an annuity, secured by the Prince Elector, who was supposed to last for two years to finish his musical erudition. Will never see again his native city. Your friend's Waldstein wrote these words: ".. get out of the hands of Haydn Mozart's spirit" ...
In Vienna, the young musician took lessons with Haydn, then Albrechtsberger and Salieri. Astonishes and seduces Vienna for his virtuosity and his improvisations on the piano. In 1794, Beethoven composed his opus 1, three trios for piano, violin and violocello. The following year, Beethoven is organizing its first public performance in Vienna (an "Academy") during which directs his own work. Followed by a tour: Prague, Dresden, Leipzig and Berlin before leaving for a concert in Budapest.
The meetings in Vienna Beethoven are numerous. All members of the musical life of the aristocracy, and admire the young composer. These music lovers will be the greatest patrons and supporters of Beethoven. The "Great Mogul" define it as Haydn, regularly get angry with one another, do prejudice and self-criticism and apologized to everyone. His talent and his goodness' s mind will excuse his excessive behavior and impulsive.
In 1800, Beethoven organizes a new concert in Vienna, including, in particular, the execution of his first symphony. Although today we consider the classical opus 21, in his view and close to the symphonies of Mozart and Haydn, at the time many listeners found this strange composition, and too ostentatious. The genius of Beethoven is not yet fully expressed, but the flashes of genius and the future scare horrified critics of the time.
Only in 1801 Beethoven confessed to his friends in Bonn on fear of becoming deaf. A Heiligenstadt in 1802, will draw up a text which explains his famous rebellion in the drama that lives: he, a musician, is about to go deaf! Here's an inevitability to which it hopes to survive. But music called him back to work. And he says that will have to explore, discover and pass on many other musical fields. Beethoven did not commit suicide, will introduce gradually increasing his handicap, and will throw in the composition of great works: the great piano sonatas (especially the storm and the Hunting, opus 31), the second and third symphony- Heroic and many other works still.
Beethoven's third symphony he wrote in tribute to a great man, Bonaparte. The man is then seen as the liberator of peoples, created by the French Revolution as bearers of hope. When the First Consul will declare Emperor, Beethoven furiously erase the name of Bonaparte the dedication of this symphony.
The first public interpretation of the Eroica symphony will be held April 7, 1805, in Vienna.
Beethoven has also ended up in this fertile period, his only opera, Leonore. The correct and write it to four different overtures. The name will then become the opera Fidelio, against the will of the composer. On November 20, 1805 will be held the first ... before an audience of French officers thinned, since Napoleon, the head of his army, entered into Vienna for the first time. All this will be repeated in 1809.
In the following years, the composer's creative activity is intense. He composed several symphonies, including the Pastorale, the Coriolan Overture, the famous Bagatelle "Fur Elise." It has a few students, and also of the students, who will find fascinating the rude teacher. Also becomes his pupil the 'Archduke Rudolph, brother of' emperor, who also will soon become his friend and soon one of his patrons.
In 1809, Beethoven thought to leave Vienna, following the 'call of Jerome Bonaparte. His friend, the Countess Anna Marie Erdödy, holds it, with the help of his most loyal fans: the Archduke Rudolph, Prince Kinsky and Prince Lobkowitz. These are to pay Beethoven an annuity of 4,000 florins, allowing him to live without financial constraint. The only condition is that the composer will not leave Vienna. Beethoven accepts. This will yield him the first independent composer. Prior to this contract musicians and composers were servants within a house of a wealthy aristocrat, whether they were called Bach Mozart or Haydn. No domestic law more than others, but with the duty to represent and compose music. Thus a new era for the music: the composer is free to write whenever he wants, what he wants, or to order following their own inspiration.
In 1812, Beethoven follows Teplitz spa treatments, and draw up a fiery letter to the 'Immortal Beloved'. This letter, which was found in a secret drawer, after the composer's death, along with the Heiligenstadt Testament, has not yet done to provoke debate and research, and assumptions of the biographers of the musician. In turn, almost all her friends and students have been proposed as recipients of this letter, but, unless you find a new document, as sometimes happens sometimes in the auction or a private collection, it is very likely that the 'love of Beethoven remain a secret forever right.
At the end of July 1812, Beethoven meets Goethe, on the initiative of Bettina Brentano. The two great men you admire but do not understand. The composer found the poet too servile-advised, and the latter said that Beethoven is "someone completely invincible." Beethoven admired Goethe, and many of his poems put to music. Beethoven will always think with regret of not having understood with Goethe.
Unfortunately, one of his patrons, Prince Lobkowitz, had serious financial difficulties at that time, Prince Kinski died of a fall of horse and their descendants tried to get rid of the obligation financial contract in favor of Beethoven. Will be the beginning of several processes that the composer will take to safeguard its financial independence.
Inventor brilliant, probably the inventor of the metronome, Maelzel Beethoven had already met and created different hearing aids for Beethoven, for his help in hearing more and more weak by the horns sound, listening to a system connected to the piano. In 1813, Beethoven composed of Wellington's victory, achieved by a mechanical device of Maelzel said "panharmonica" (or "panharmonicon). But it is mainly the invention of the metronome that will evolve the music, and Beethoven, who has been grasped the importance, will note carefully the tempo on his scores that his deeds may be interpreted according to his specific desires.
Academy of 1814 will bring together Wellington's victory, as the seventh and eighth symphony. The year 1814 will be the rewriting of Leonora in Fidelio, the only opera by Beethoven. This work, as revised, will finally the public eye. The Congress of Vienna, which was held in that city the same year, will be the moment of maximum glory and recognition for Beethoven. While Kings and Emperors discuss the destinies of Europe, the composer will be invited to play several times before the most powerful men of the time, and they will be proud of this all his life.
On 15 November 1815, died Kaspar Karl, Beethoven's brother. He left a wife, the composer soprannominerà "The Queen of the Night", to paraphrase The Magic Flute by Mozart, because of the poor widow of moral rectitude, as a son, Karl, of only 9 years old.
Beethoven's life changed radically since his brother had written to his will "that the protection of his son was exercised jointly by Ludwig and his wife, his brother." This will take very seriously his role, but married 45 years, deaf and ill, will find insurmountable problems to understand the good of the child first and then the young. This sad period will affect the following years the composer's life, always struggling with legal problems for the protection of the child.
In 1816, Carl Czerny (future teacher of Franz Liszt), a pupil of Beethoven, will become the music teacher of Karl, but without meeting any success. During this time the composer finished the cycle of lieder distant beloved opus 98, and sketched the first theme for the ninth symphony.
Two years later, Archduke Rodolphe becomes cardinal and Beethoven began the composition of the Missa Solemnis Opus 123. The work will not be ready for the ceremony which had been used, but the occasion gave mankind the masterpiece we know.
Gioachino Rossini came to Vienna in 1822, in a triumphant tour, and will meet Beethoven. The barrier imposed by the language and the deafness of Beethoven, will allow only a brief visit. The Viennese composer liked very little Italian opera, which he considered frivolous.
The Ninth Symphony will be practically completed in 1823, the year of the Missa Solemnis. Liszt, who was then 11 years, will meet Beethoven. Perhaps the supreme master of the youth attend the concert on 13 April. He will congratulate warmly with the little virtuoso who, years later, fully transcribe Beethoven's symphonies and lieder for piano.
The May 7, 1824 will be the date of the first interpretation of the Ninth Symphony and, despite the difficulties of implementation and above all the vocal parts, it will be a success. Unfortunately, without financial consequences. These financial problems continue to plague the composer until the last days of his life, though, after his death, it will find some debt, which Ludwig had secured for his nephew.
The great season of composition still continued with the last great string quartets, Opus 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135. Works hard for his contemporaries, and yet pregnant with a dark side. However, the mood of the teacher seems inexhaustible, even a hypothetical tenth symphony is designed and sketched.
In December 1826, returning to Vienna on a chariot discovered after he had yet another argument with his brother, Beethoven took a terrible cold. The disease will complicate the situation of his health, already very precarious. Fades out again surrounded his closest friends, March 26, 1827, in the midst of a raging storm, but the chance would have it, at the time of death were present at his deathbed, only the hated sister, Therese Obermayer and musician Anselm Huettenbrenner , almost a stranger.
The funeral ceremony took place at the Church of the Holy Trinity. It is estimated that between 10,000 to 30,000 people gathered to accompany Ludwig van Beethoven in his last home. Franz Schubert, shy admirer of the great composer, and that he never had the courage to approach him, will be one of the torch bearers of the funeral, along with many other musicians. Schubert died the following year and will be buried next to Beethoven. Heinrich Anschütz, actor read the funeral oration, written by Franz Grillparzer, large letters, at the gates of the cemetery Währing (today, Schubert Park).
Heiligenstadt Testament
In May 1802, on the advice of Johann Adam Schmidt, Beethoven went to Heiligenstadt to rest. This town was so distinct from that of Vienna: to move from one to another coach was needed.
Depressed, unable to conceal his growing infirmity, October 6, 1802 Beethoven wrote a document that contains precious, known as the Heiligenstadt Testament. Written in Beethoven reveals his deafness. A second part of the testament was written a few days later, October 10, 1802.
is to be noted that three times the composer never wrote the name of his second brother, Johann.
Beethoven drafted after two other texts: in 1824, and finally just before his death in 1827.
For my brothers Carl and Beethowen
O ye men who think me hostile, surly, misanthropic or do I go for that, as you are unjust to me, not know the secret cause of what is only an appearance, my heart and my mind was inclined from childhood to the tender feelings of benevolence, and I also always wanted to do great deeds, but just think that six years have affected from an incurable disease, aggravated by senseless physicians who have deceived me year after year, making me hope for an improvement illusory, with the ultimate prospect of a permanent disability (whose cure will take years if not maybe even impossible). Born with a fiery temperament and lively, even open to the distractions of social life, I soon had to isolate myself, to live in solitude, sometimes well I tried to overcome everything, but experience doubly humiliating of my bad hearing I was referred to the hard reality, as I could in fact say to men: speak louder, shout, because I am deaf, how to confess the weakness of a sense that I should have much more than others, a sense that actually once had the highest degree of perfection, like few others in my profession have or have ever owned - no, I can not do, so forgive me if you see me stand on the sidelines where, instead, I mingle with you so willingly, the My misfortune is doubly hurt me because I am also misjudged, for me the pleasure of being around people, to participate in intelligent conversations, a fruitful exchange of views, does not exist, and when it is really necessary to deal with the company, I have to stay almost completely alone, living as an exile, if I get close to someone, are now terrified at the thought that might in any way aware of my condition - so it was in the last six months I spent in the country following the advice of my good doctor to tire my ears as little as possible, so he was meeting with my current inclinations, even if from time to time I have led astray by my instinct sociable, but that humiliation when someone next to me heard a distant sound of a flute or anything and I heard someone singing a pastor and I always nil, these facts led me to the limit despair, and we just missed the life that I take it only art kept me from doing so, it seemed impossible to leave this world before it had fully realized what I was capable of, so I prolonged this life really miserable-miserable , a body is so sensitive that any change a bit 'rude can transform my state of health as very good to bad - just like that-patience, I have to choose it as a guide, so I did, I hope that my decision until the inexorable fates will want to resist breaking the wire, maybe it will get better, maybe not, I am prepared - in twenty-eight, be forced to become a philosopher is not easy for an artist is even more hard for any man.
Divinity you see from the bottom of my soul, you know I love men and I want to do good, or men, if one day you read this letter, think of the wrong I have done, and ' consuls are unhappy to have found someone like him, someone who, despite all the obstacles of nature, has done everything possible to be admitted into the ranks of artists and men of valor - you, my brothers Carl e. .., not just if I'm dead and Professor Schmid is still alive, pray unto my name to describe my illness, and add to the story of my illness this writing, so that at least the world can be reconciled as with me while I declare to you both heirs of my small fortune (if you can define), and Bear dividetevelo honestly and help each other, what you have done against me, you know, I've already long forgiven you my brother Karl, a special thanks to the attachment that I have shown in recent times, I wish you a better life and less of the cares of my office, recommended to your children virtue that alone can make happy, not money, I say this from experience, it has brought me relief from suffering, to her, in addition to my art, I have to if I have taken her own life-and vogliatevi good-bye and I thank all my friends, in particular the Prince Lichnowski and P [rofessorj Schmidt - the instruments from Prince L. I want to be possibly held by one of you, of course, without it you played, if they could also serve other purposes, sell them I would be very happy to be useful in the tomb - it did - with joy I hasten death - but if it comes before I have had the opportunity to fully develop my artistic talents, it would be for me, despite my hard fate, too soon and I would come later - and yet I would be happy all the same, do not deserve to be a state of endless suffering? - Come when you want, you go bravely to meet - good-bye, do not forget me when I am completely dead, i deserved it because in my life I have often thought to make you happy, be so.
Heiglnstadt, October 6, 1802
Ludwig van Beethowen
For my brothers Carl and
be read and executed after my death -
-Heiglnstadt, October 10, 1802 - I take so farewell to you - and how sad - hope you love - with whom I came here with a view to at least a partial recovery, now I must give up completely, as the withered autumn leaves fall, so too is has dried up for me, I'm leaving - I was almost in that state when I arrived - even superb courage - often supported me in the beautiful summer days, is gone - or providence, give once a day of pure joy - it is so long that my soul does not hear the most intimate echo of true joy - or when, or Gods - I'll try again when the joy in the temple of nature and of men - Never? - No - oh, it would be too hard.
0 comments:
Post a Comment