Beethoven: The Forged Path to Musical Mastery

Truly a revolutionary musician and composer, Ludwig van Beethoven and his music remain an inspiration to many. Beethoven was born in the town of Bonn, Germany in 1770. Son of Johann van Beethoven and grandson of Ludwig van Beethoven, it was no surprise that he assumed a career of music. Ludwig’s father taught him how to play the piano at a very young age and was said to be extremely critical of his mistakes. Young Johann was an aspiring musician, but his efforts were never enough to make it a reality. Because of his history of failure, Johann forcefully projected his goals and dreams of being the next Mozart to his son. Beethoven quickly mastered his technique to avoid the subsequent punishment that would occur otherwise. After a poor performance

Beethoven was slapped, punched, or even locked away in the cellar by his drunkard father.
At the age of seven, Beethoven performed in his first recital. This was the beginning of his exposure to playing music for the public. Several years later, he dropped out of school in order to focus his efforts entirely on his passion. During his teenage years, Beethoven began to explore new rhythms and melodies which contributed to the development of his own unique style. Seeing the potential in Ludwig van Beethoven, the people of Bonn raised money in order send their musical prodigy to the cultural capital of the world and home to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Vienna, Austria. On top of the world, Beethoven not only had a chance to prove himself to Mozart, but to his father. It was no surprise when Mozart witnessed Beethoven play, he was stunned. Mozart made it known that this young man had a name to remember.
Following the abrupt death of Beethoven’s mother from complications of tuberculosis, he returned home to Bonn in order to be with his family.

As a result, his father’s drinking problem worsened and Beethoven would assume head of household to his father and two brothers. Unfortunately this required a lot of his time and his musical career was placed on hold. Feeling yanked away from his life in fame, Beethoven grew bitter. Struggling with finances, Beethoven found work as a Viola player for the court’s orchestras. This opportunity allowed Beethoven to once again catapult into his passion for music. However, this time, Beethoven’s encumbering history had caught up to him and negatively affected his social interactions. Eventually, he had grown a reputation as being the self-centered and enraged genius that stormed out when in

disagreement.
As fate would have it, Beethoven’s father soon passed away. This time, however, Beethoven would not be troubled. In fact, he didn’t even attend his own father’s funeral. Instead, he would leave again to Vienna to resume his quest of musical aspirations. Beethoven shortly thereafter began to hear an incessant ringing noise: perhaps the worst fear of any musician. Refusing to allow this affliction to slow him down, Beethoven wrote symphony after symphony. Before his hearing was completely lost, he pressed his ear to the vibrating wood of his piano just to hear it.
In a downward spiral, Beethoven could be seen staggering the streets of Vienna in filthy clothes with needles in his pockets.

Piles of sheet music strewn everywhere in the apartments of which he was regularly evicted from. By this time, Beethoven no longer performed his music, but instead spent all of his time composing. Needless to say, he had become a ghost of who he once was. Without an ability to hear, he was now forced to simulate the notes in his head. With a crash of thunder and flash of lightning, Beethoven raised his fist precisely at his time of death. It is unknown if he was cursing God for his misfortune or perhaps gesturing his victory over the barrage of cosmic irony he had been

dealt.