The Years of Ludwig van Beethoven

With joy, I mark 250 years since the birth and baptism of composer Ludwig van Beethoven on December 16/17, 1770.

My fascination with L. Beethoven started back when I began learning to play the piano in early elementary school.  I had a book that provided age-appropriate pieces to play, and one of them was a child version of "Ode to Joy" from his Symphony 9, which I played at a piano recital.  From that point on, I enjoyed listening to his music on a double-CD album I acquired, and even spent more time learning about his life.

It's amazing to think of how he displayed great genius even in the hardships of his life.  I especially think of how he was deaf toward the end of his life, but that was when he wrote great music, like his Symphony 9.  My sense of the story of how that was written is influenced by the story Beethoven Lives Upstairs: The story resonated with me because of how I can view this great composer through the eyes of the boy whose mother rented the space above them to Beethoven, and after initially struggling to appreciate the composer's presence, was invited to the premiere performance of Symphony 9.

I've also enjoyed Symphonies 3 and 5, whose beginnings are well-known melodies.  A biography video I read mentioned how L. Beethoven originally wrote Symphony 3 as a tribute to Napoleon.  But when Beethoven became disillusioned with Napoleon, he scratched out Napoleon's name and simply wrote, "Eroica", a term that means heroic, which is a fitting title word for the epic feel of the beginning part of the piece.

I also learned how to play Fur Elise, which is a rich piece.  The 2-CD album I got of his music includes a performance of Fur Elise on the harpischord, and I definitely like listening to it.

And I thoroughly enjoy the Moonlight Sonata.  When we get to that point in the month of the full moon, I enjoy playing it, and gazing at the light of the full moon.

My time studying piano helped me appreciate the great classic composers, and L. Beethoven was the first one, so that I've enjoyed his music for the longest time of all composers.

So Happy 250-Year Birthday Ludwig van Beethoven!

Thank you for some remarkable contributions to music in this world.