Education in general and in music Beethoven came from a musical family, and his
early musical training was under his father's guidance. His father taught him
piano and violin. His general education was not continued beyond the elementary
school. He was practically illiterate in math. II. Self assertion As a youth of
19, in 1789, Beethoven took legal steps to have himself placed at the head of
his family. He petitioned for half his father's salary to support his brothers.
This act of self-assertion is an indication of his character. III. Studies with
Haydn A. The first contact On one of Haydn's trips to London, he met the young
Beethoven. Beethoven showed Haydn a cantata and he received Haydn's
commendation. The Elector of Bonn paid for Beethoven's lessons and expences in
to study with Haydn in Vienna. B. The studies Beethoven arrived in Vienna in
1792 and studied with Haydn for about one year. The arrangement proved to be a
dissappointment to Beethoven. C. The relationship Outwardly in public the two
were cordial, but there were troubles with the relationship--maybe professional
jealousy caused the problems. D. Other teachers Beethoven turned to other
teachers when Haydn went to London for the second time. He studied with
Albrechtsberger, famous as a choir director at St. Stephens in Vienna and the
best-known counterpoint teacher in Vienna. He then studied Salieri, famous in
Mozart's biography. Salieri helped Beethoven in setting Italian words to music.
IV. Establishment as pianist and composer His first task in Vienna was to
establish himself as pianist and composer. He achieved both rapidly. A.
Aristocracy He had worked for a court in Bonn so his first contacts were in
aristocratic circles. He needed financial support from them. B. Public concerts
Public concerts were not yet the way of life in Vienna, but Beethoven did begin
a series of charity concerts. Later in 1800 he gave his first concert for his
own benefit. C. Opus 1 His opus 1, Trios for Piano Violin and Cello, were
designed to impress Viennese society. Each trio is in 4 movements. Beethoven
created parity among the instruments in these trios. V. Brothers and Nephew A.
Fighting with brothers All three brothers lived in Vienna and they often
"came to blows" in the street. B. Fighting for nephew After his
brother Carl died in 1815 Beethoven felt responsible for his nephew Karl. He had
little difficulty in persuading himself that his sister-in-law was unfit to care
for Karl. He went to court requesting guardianship (he won). VI. Deafness A. The
secret It is not known for sure when he began to go deaf, but he kept the fact a
secret until 1801 when he wrote a Bonn friend about his "miserably
life". B. Heiligenstadt Testament Having moved out of the city for medical
reasons he wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament. C. Total deafness He was totally
deaf by 1818. He continued to compose until the year of his death in 1827.
Works of Beethoven
9 SYMPHONIES · 1 OPERA "Fidelio" · 32 PIANO SONATAS · 5 PIANO
CONCERTOS · 16 STRING QUARTETS · 16 SONATAS FOR ONE INSTRUMENT AND PIANO
(CELLO,5; VIOLIN,10; FH,1) The Symphonies · op.21 Symphony No. 1 in C 1800 ·
op.36 Symphony No. 2 in D 1801-02 · op.55 Symphony No. 3 in E flat "Erocia"
1803 · op.60 Symphony No. 4 in B flat 1806 · op.67 Symphony No. 5 in c minor
1807 · op.68 Symphony No. 6 in F "Pastoral" 1808 · op.92 Symphony
No. 7 in A 1811 · op.93 Symphony No. 8 in F 1812 · op.125 Symphony No. 9 in d
minor 1822