Biography

Ludwig van Beethoven

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Beethoven was the child of a Flamian musician family and became a member of the electoral orchestra of Bonn in 1783. In 1787 he studied at Mozart's in Vienna and in 1792 he moved all to Vienna becoming a student of Joseph Haydn. The Vienna High Society loved him as a piano player as well as as composer. In 1802 his deafness became serious making Beethoven a real eccentric until his death in 1827.
- IMDb mini biography by: Volker Boehm

Works involved strong emotion and broke several "musical rules" of their respective periods
His sonati followed the pattern of: a grave, somber first movement; a sweet, melodic second movement; and a lively, technically difficult third movement

Insisted on conducting the premiere of his ninth symphony even though he was totally deaf. One of the musicians had to turn him around to the audience to see they were applauding wildly.
His funeral on March 29, 1827, was a major public event. An estimated 20,000 people stood in reverence as his funeral bier passed through the streets of Vienna. Soldiers were needed to control grief-stricken crowds. After nine priests blessed his body, he was buried in a grave marked by a simple pyramid with one word: "Beethoven".
He would have become a pupil of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, if he had not received an urgent letter saying that his mother was critically ill, forcing him to return home again. Unfortunately, by the time Beethoven was free to take lessons, Mozart was dead.
He was the first composer to use trombones in a symphony.
He described the opening of his Fifth symphony as "death knocking upon the door". It would later be used as a signature piece for the Allies during WW2, since the notes unintenionally were Morse Code for the letter "V" (for "Victory").

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy, it is the wine of a new procreation, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for men and makes them drunk with the spirit.
We mortals with immortal minds are only born for sufferings and joys, and one could almost say that the most excellent receive joy through sufferings.
I shall hear in Heaven.
Do not only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets.

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