Ludwig Van Beethoven, a major composer of the nineteenth century, overcame many personal problems to achieve artistic greatness.
Born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770, he first studied music with the court organist, Gilles van der Eeden. His father was excessively strict and given to heavy drinking. ____ (1) ____. Appointed deputy court organist to Christian Gottlob Neefe at a surprisingly early age in 1782, Beethoven also played the harpsichord and the viola. In 1792 he was sent to Vienna by his patron, Count Ferdinand Waldstein, to study music under Haydn.
Beethoven remained unmarried. ____ (2) ____. Continually plagued by ill health, he developed an ear infection which led to his tragic deafness in 1819.
____ (3) ____ He completed mature masterpieces of great musical depth: three piano sonatas, four string quartets, the Missa Solemnis, and the 9th Symphony. He died in 1827. ____ (4) ____ .
Noting that Beethoven often flew into fits of rage, Goethe once said of him, “I am astonished by his talent, but he is unfortunately an altogether untamed personality. ” ____ (5) ____ .
A In spite of this handicap, however, he continued to write music.
B Because of irregular payments from his publishers and erratic support from his patrons, he was troubled by financial worries throughout his adult life.
C His life was marked by a passionate dedication to independence.
D When his mother died, Beethoven, then a young man, was named guardian of his two younger brothers.
E Although Beethoven's personality may have been untamed, his music shows great discipline and control, and this is how we remember him best.
F Today his music is still being played all over the world.
