Beethoven
LUDWIG VAN (bātō'ven, or ba'tō-ven), one of the greatest musical composers of modern times , was born in Bonn, in 1770. His genius was very early displayed, and his musical education was begun by his father , and continued by the court organist, who introduced him to the works of Sebastian Bach and Handel. About 1790, he settled in Vienna, where Mozart quickly recognized his marvelous powers.
When about 40 years of age, he was attacked with deafness, which lasted through life.
He became, gradually, the victim of morbid irritability and hopeless melancholy , ending in confirmed hypochondria , and, finally, dropsy and delirium. He continued to compose, however, long after he had ceased to hear himself play. He died unmarried, in Vienna, March 26, 1827. The works of Beethoven are very numerous, and in every variety of style -orchestral, chamber music, pianoforte and vocal music. Among the most celebrated are the opera of "Fidelio"; the oratorio of the "Mount of Olives "; the cantata "Adelaide"; "Sinfonia Eroica" ("Heroic Symphony"); "Sinfonia Pastorale" ("Pastoral Symphony"); "Concerto in C Minor"; "Sonata Pathétique ": and the "Sonata with Funeral March" Vast power, intense passion, and infinite tenderness are manifested in all his compositions, which abound no less in sweetest melodies than in grand and complicated harmonies. A statue of Beethoven, by Hähnel, was erected at Bonn, in 1845 .
BEGAS