-
Birth Date
Born to Maria Magdalena van Beethoven and Johann van Beethoven in the German city of Bonn. Baptized on December 17, within twenty-four hours of his birth. "Beethoven's Parents" by Vzb83 on Wikimedia Commons -
Period: to
Classical Era
-
His Father Began Teaching Him Music
At just four-years-old, Ludwig van Beethoven's father began teaching him how to play the piano and violin. His father would beat him if he messed up, and he would be regularly whipped. -
First Public Recital
In hopes his son would be recognized as a prodigy, Beethoven's father scheduled his first recital. However, it got no press. -
Dropped Out of School
Beethoven dropped out of school to study music with Christian Gottlob Neefe, the Court Organist. -
Assistant Court Organist
Beethoven's father couldn't provide for their family anymore, so he had Beethoven work as the Assistant Court Organist. "Thirteen-year-old Beethoven" by RobertG on Wikimedia Commons -
Franz Joseph Hadyn
Upon meeting him in Vienna, Hadyn asked Beethoven to move to Austria to study with him. "Haydn" by Ludwig Guttenbrunn on Wikimedia Commons -
Public Debut in Vienna
Beethoven preformed his first piano concerto in C major. -
Period: to
Romantic Era
-
Began Showing Signs of Deafness
He said, in a letter to his friend Franz Wegeler that he had a constant buzzing in his ears. -
Heiligenstadt Testament
In a letter to his two brothers, Beethoven writes about his saddness due to his increasing deafness and his desire to overcome his emotional and physical illnesses. -
Middle/Heroic Period
From 1803 to 1812, Beethoven composed an opera, six symphonies, four solo concerti, five string quartets, six string sonatas, seven piano sonatas, five sets of piano variations, four overtures, four trios, two sextets and 72 songs. -
Symphony No. 3
Beethoven dedicated this piece of music to Napoleon, just weeks after he claimed himself emperor. "Beethoven" by Joseph Willibrord Mähler on Wikimedia Commons -
Für Elise
"Für Elise" means "For Elise" in German. No one knows exactly who Beethoven wrote this piece for; No historical documents mention anyone named Elise in his life. -
Death of Casper van Beethoven
The death of his brother caused much grief and pain in Beethoven's life. -
Ninth Symphony
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was his last and possibly his greatest composition. -
Death
Beethoven died at age 56 due to post-hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver. He is regarded as one of the most renowned musicians to ever live. "Graffiti Beethoven" by Southtyrolean on Flickr
