Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was baptised on December 17, 1770. Though the date of his birth is unknown, it is believed that he was born on December 16, 1770 which is the day before his baptism. His parents were Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich who lived in Bonn, Germany. Although they had seven children, only three boys survived including Ludwig who was the oldest. At an early age, Beethoven had an interest in music. He was first taught music by his father. His father was aware of the success that Mozart had as a young child and also wanted his son Ludwig to be successful. He wanted his son make the family rich. Johann van Beethoven had young Ludwig practice for many hours. After long nights of drinking, Johann van Beethoven would sometimes drag his son out of bed to practice the piano or play for guests. Young Ludwig had his first public performance when he was 7 years old. Johann van Beethoven's musical skills were limited and soon Beethoven had other teachers. Gilles van den Eeden taught Ludwig the organ. Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer taught him the piano, while Franz Rovantini taught him the violin and viola. After 1779, Beethoven began his studies with Christian Gottlob Neefe. Many people think that Neefe was the most important teacher that Ludwig ever had. Not only did Neefe teach Beethoven the works of philosophers, but he also helped Beethoven write his first published composition. Working as an assistant organist to Neefe, Ludwig was soon was appointed "organist of the court of Maximilian Franz, Elector of Cologne", in June 1784 at the age of 14 years. In 1787 at the age of 17, Beethoven travelled to Vienna, hoping to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On one knows whether they actually met and there has been nothing found to proof that Mozart was willing to accept him as a pupil. After two weeks in Vienna, Beethoven returned home because his mother was seriously ill and slowly dying of
Ludwig van Beethoven was baptised on December 17, 1770. Though the date of his birth is unknown, it is believed that he was born on December 16, 1770 which is the day before his baptism. His parents were Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich who lived in Bonn, Germany. Although they had seven children, only three boys survived including Ludwig who was the oldest. At an early age, Beethoven had an interest in music. He was first taught music by his father. His father was aware of the success that Mozart had as a young child and also wanted his son Ludwig to be successful. He wanted his son make the family rich. Johann van Beethoven had young Ludwig practice for many hours. After long nights of drinking, Johann van Beethoven would sometimes drag his son out of bed to practice the piano or play for guests. Young Ludwig had his first public performance when he was 7 years old. Johann van Beethoven's musical skills were limited and soon Beethoven had other teachers. Gilles van den Eeden taught Ludwig the organ. Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer taught him the piano, while Franz Rovantini taught him the violin and viola. After 1779, Beethoven began his studies with Christian Gottlob Neefe. Many people think that Neefe was the most important teacher that Ludwig ever had. Not only did Neefe teach Beethoven the works of philosophers, but he also helped Beethoven write his first published composition. Working as an assistant organist to Neefe, Ludwig was soon was appointed "organist of the court of Maximilian Franz, Elector of Cologne", in June 1784 at the age of 14 years. In 1787 at the age of 17, Beethoven travelled to Vienna, hoping to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On one knows whether they actually met and there has been nothing found to proof that Mozart was willing to accept him as a pupil. After two weeks in Vienna, Beethoven returned home because his mother was seriously ill and slowly dying of