Beethoven

Beethoven

3. Ludwig Van Beethoven did not live an ordinary child’s life; he was forced to look after his family at a very young age and was also not an only child, but was the eldest. Caspar, on of his two younger brothers that made it into adulthood was born in 1774, followed by his youngest brother, Johann who was born in 1776. His father, Johann, was a singer at Bonn, however did not play the father roll well because he suffered with alcoholism. His grandfather, however, was Bonn’s most uprising musician, something Ludwig prided himself on. Ludwig began learning music from his father at a very young age. Although his father was his first teacher and probably had the most impact in his life, he did not take it easy on young Ludwig. Instead he taught his son rigorously and brutally. It is speculated that Johann would beat Ludwig as a method to make him learn faster. This of course had its toll on Ludwig later in life. His father was not his only teacher. Ludwig also took lessons from other musicians around town. Beethoven would practice for hours upon end most of the time being sleep deprived. On March 26th, 1778—making Ludwig seven—his father arranged his first public concert, however claimed that Ludwig was only six instead in hopes of making him more appealing to others. This however had no affect after Ludwig receive no attention from anyone whatsoever. At age ten Ludwig withdrew from school to focus on learning only music. His new teacher would be Neefe who had recently been appointed Court Organist. Neefe, who knew Bach, had Ludwig meet him and by age twelve Ludwig published his first composition. At the same time his father’s chronic drinking habits had decayed his voice, therefore he could no longer sing or more importantly work or support his family. In hopes of making money to support his family, Ludwig asked to be Neefe’s assistant and was granted the position of assistant court organist. A year later, in 1787, the court thought it would be best to send...

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