After their mother had passed away and their father sunk into alcoholism, Beethoven – a young man himself – had to fulfill the role of a guardian of his two younger brothers. This responsibility meant both financial support and spiritual, moral guidance, as well. As the siblings grew older and financially independent, Beethoven still held on to this role and …
There was a very serious rumor during his life spreading around Europe about Beethoven being an illegitimate son of the Prussian King. Sounds ridiculous, but even Beethoven was not quick to deny it! Let us find out more on this myth! Beethoven was well known throughout history for being a revolutionary, someone against classes and birth rights. If nothing else, …
This is a biography of Ludwig van Beethoven the elder, grandfather of the famous composer, who was named after his grandpa. Both were talented musicians, but the grandchild is the one, who became a wonder of the World. The first documented Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1712 in the town of Malines, or Mechelen, duchy of Brabant. This is …
The composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was born in Bonn (today Germany), but the family is rooted originally in the territories across the border, in modern day Belgium (Flemish territory). His grandfather, who had the same name, came to Bonn from the town of Mechelen, Austrian Duchy of Brabant at the …
It is a well-known fact about Beethoven that he was an emotional, erratic man. Many times he made his decisions that way. What did it take, however, for Beethoven to make an extraordinary and radical decision about his father: to exile him from Bonn! Johann van Beethoven was not a good father. As we have written in many other articles, …
The mother (Maria) and the father (Johann) had seven children, both girls and boys, but only three of them survived infancy. All of them boys. Ludwig (the composer) was the second child and two younger brothers. One is Kaspar Anton Karl (1774-1815) and Nikolaus Johann (1776-1848). Their mother Maria had died in 1787, which pushed the father into even deeper …