The Time, Works, and Life of Beethoven

Beethoven had a huge impact during the Romantic period. He was one of the first Romantic composers and lead the way for many others. This time period was difficult for people due to a lack of food and many other struggles such as war. He also struggled with many of his own personal issues, such as an extreme hearing loss. His works were masterpieces, and very distinct, allowing him to pave the way for others.

During the beginning of the Romantic period England had been at war with France for two years. France was wanting to gain its independence, and of course the British empire simply could not have that. They were at war from 1792-1802. The war raged on with extremely violent combat and losses on both sides. “- the French Revolution was reimagined as something which had offered great hope for the future, but which best became a massive aberration, if not simply a theatre of horror.” The war would rage on for many more years, forcing many people to lose their homes and lives, but for a good cause as some would argue. This war was also problematic for the British as they were facing a huge wheat famine. This famine would cause many people to die and lose their homes. “In 1795, food prices were so high that many of the poorest families were priced out of the food market entirely. Food riots flared up throughout the country.” The people in Britain at this time were facing a massive struggle, and being at war with France at the same time made no improvements. The war caused massive uprisings in Britain and cause much discomfort in the surrounding lands, making a very unsteady empire. With England being the powerhouse of the world, being so unstable was very unsettling for many. Eventually, when the war would come to an end, many had left to begin a new life in the what we now know as the United States.

Germany on the other hand was facing a great time in their life. “More families got rich enough to send their kids to school. They built new cloth factories. Engineers built railroads and mined coal. All of this made Germany richer.” All of these improvements led to Germany having a much better economy and allowing for more and more luxuries to take place. The people of Germany, since having such high morale, began to experiment more and more, allowing for the Romantic time to take place. Music and art were beginning to take new forms, and people all over the country took place in it, whether from creating it or simply enjoying it.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Germany, in a quiet town called Bonn. It was there that he was raised and began his musical career. His mother and father began teaching him at a very young age, for they were musicians themselves. His father being the main one teaching him, was also seen as very abusive. Johann, his father, was an abusive alcoholic who often took out his anger on his son. After a while Beethoven finally made his break and began to work as a violinist at the Bonn royal court. It was there that he made his acclaim and traveled around, meeting other musicians such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Unfortunately, he had to return to Bonn shortly after due to his mother falling ill. His mother sadly passed, and Ludwig was forced to become to head of the household, as he couldn’t rely on his alcoholic father. He didn’t stay in Bonn for long, as he was offered to travel to Austria with Franz Haydn to refine his skills. While in Austria, Ludwig studied under many composers that allowed to develop the amazing skills we know today. After studying for nearly two years he put on his first concert at the age of 19. The concert was immediately a hit, and he began to grow in fame and acclamation. His name became well known around the world and became the figure that we know today.

In the year of 1801 Ludwig noticed the first signs of hearing loss. His ears stopped being able to hear the highs and lows of music and he continued to deteriorate. Despite being nearly deaf, a year later he wrote his third symphony which was a huge hit. He originally wanted to dedicate and name the piece after the Austrian Ambassador, Napoleon Bonaparte, but was enraged when he discovered his rise to the throne. He thought highly of Napoleon, but when he rose to power, he realized that he would be like any other ruler, a tyrant. 

In the year 1815 Ludwig’s brother died, leaving a son behind named Karl. Ludwig decided to take care of the boy and raise him as his own. However, His late brother’s wife instilled that Ludwig was unfit to raise a growing child since he was deaf. This led to a long and disturbing custody battle that lasted many years. Eventually in the year 1820 he was awarded custody of Karl and they lived as a family. As he continued to work on music, he succumbed to his ailment, losing all his hearing. He stopped composing after his 9th symphony, which he insisted on conducting.

Beethoven’s passing came soon after and was led by many hardships. In 1826 his Nephew, Karl, attempted to end his life, but ultimately failed. Ludwig’s other brother offered to let Ludwig and his Nephew stay at his house, and they accepted his offer. When they arrived, Beethoven had contracted pneumonia. From this point on his health slowly, but surely, deteriorated until he was confined to his bed. He passed away on March 26th of 1827, Ludwig van Beethoven died in his bed. The country and world was shaken to its core, and thousands flocked to his funeral. To them, he was a man that reinvented music and changed the world of art.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a music genius, despite his hearing loss. He composed many pieces which were listened to by millions. One of his pieces, Symphony No. 9 was very special due to how you could interpret it based on your background. With the long and drawn out notes, to the sharp and stinging overtones, the piece can connect with anyone. Each aspect of the piece can mean something different. None of his pieces sounded and affected someone the same. They all had different meanings for everyone. “-variety of cultural backgrounds, but we also say that they are engaging in a cultural activity. Exploring the interpretations of, and distinctions between, these two different meanings of culture and how they relate is key, I argue, to understanding the relevance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.” His Ninth Symphony was critically acclaimed in the 1800’s, as well as today. People of all ages, races, and ethnicities can enjoy it the same. The music itself is geared toward people of a German heritage, but people living in any other country can get the same enjoyment out of it. Each part of the music can have a specific meaning to someone, which Mark Whale calls a “Musical Encounter”. The idea of a “Musical Encounter” is something in which we should all pay attention to in each piece of music we listen to. How does this music affect us, how does it make us feel? Ludwig composed this music and put this idea into it, allowing us all to enjoy and love it.

Julius Harrison, a musical scholar, defines Beethoven’s music as “unearthly”, something that many people can agree on. His music is something that we can’t write down with words and describe it, but rather feel and let it play on our emotions. “We reach up to it, but it always just eludes our grasp. In that fact must lie its undying greatness, as with all other fine music. It is unconquerable, surrendering to no critical dissection of its abstract qualities, however accurately we may determine its technical points.” His opinion rings true with others in which that we can’t be completely analytical with his music, because it’s so unique for everyone. Harrison also argues that the core foundation of Ludwig’s music isn’t whimsical or made up, rather rooted firmly in science. His pieces have such strong overtones, and subtle undertones that you can correlate it to his faith in music and other daily aspects, with the undertones being his deviancy to popular beliefs and truisms. His music is for the ages and can be applied to numerous fields and teaching styles. The music he created was complicated yet sophistically simple and this is the key that allows us all to enjoy it and apply it.

Beethoven was a musical mastermind who lived a life of hardships and worked for his standing. From a young boy he was taught life lessons, both in music and hardship. With his parents not being around, he was forced to fend for himself at a young age, which he faced head on. His rise to fame began at the young age of 19 years old, and he composed thereon. His life was dedicated to music and raising his nephew. Beethoven is now a household name and it will almost certainly remain that way for centuries to come. His music allows many to relax and experience pure joy in our lives which sometimes can be filled with sadness and gloom. The works that he created can be enjoyed by almost anyone and each person has their own unique experience with it. Beethoven truly created multiple works of art that we can’t begin to appreciate. While he is gone, his name and music will live on forever, and will hopefully inspire many other composers to start their journey into the wonderful world of music.

Works cited

• Andress, David. “Polychronicon: Interpreting the French Revolution.” Teaching History, no. 150, 2013, pp. 28–29. JSTOR.
• Carr, Karen. “Germany in the 1800s - Bismarck.” Quatr.us Study Guides, Publisher Name Quatr.us Study Guides Publisher Logo, 5 Aug. 2017, quatr.us/modern-europe/germany-1800s-bismarck.htm.
• Harrison, Julius. “The Strength of Beethoven's Music.” The Musical Times, vol. 68, no. 1010, 1927, pp. 305–307. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/912768.
• Wacker, Emily A. “Ludwig Van Beethoven: Bridging Eras.” The Black Death, academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/beethoven.htm.
• Whale, Mark. “How Universal Is Beethoven? Music, Culture, and Democracy.” Philosophy of Music Education Review, vol. 23, no. 1, 2015, p. 25., doi:10.2979/philmusieducrevi.23.1.25.
• Yurtoğlu, Nadir. “Http://Www.historystudies.net/Dergi//Birinci-Dunya-Savasinda-Bir-Asayis-Sorunu-Sebinkarahisar-Ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.Pdf.” History Studies International Journal of History, vol. 10, no. 7, 15 Nov. 2018, pp. 241–264., doi:10.9737/hist.2018.658.