LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Dec 16, 1770: Likely birthdate of Ludwig van Beethoven. 
Born in Bonn to family of court musicians

Beethoven’s birthplace

Father, Johann van Beethoven, is keen to promote his son as child prodigy like Mozart

1778: First public appearance, aged seven, in Cologne

1783: Under tuition of court organist Christian Gottlob Neefe, Beethoven, aged 12, publishes first work – set of keyboard variations

1784: Beethoven appointed assistant court organist to Neefe

Beethoven at age 15. Silhouette attributed to Nessen, 1786

1787: Travels to Vienna where he impresses Mozart who agrees to teach him, but returns to Bonn to care for his dying mother

1792: Returns to Vienna. Mozart is dead but he begins studying with Joseph Haydn

1795: Premieres either First or Second Piano Concerto in first public performance in Vienna

1797: Falls seriously ill with possible typhus – this may have led to onset of deafness

1800: First Symphony and Septet premiered at Beethoven’s first benefit concert

1801: Falls in love with Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, to whom he dedicates Piano Sonata No. 14 – Moonlight Sonata

Portrait of Beethoven in 1802

1802: Spends summer in quiet village of Heiligenstadt in hope that hearing will improve. Expresses despair over his increasing deafness in letter known as Heiligenstadt Testament

1803: Composes first and only oratorio, Christ on the Mount of Olives

1804: Completes Third Symphony – Eroica. Beethoven’s republican principles are outraged when Napoleon proclaims himself Emperor of France – he strikes out dedication on title page

1804: Begins passionate correspondence with Josephine Deym, which ends after three years

1805: Composes Piano Sonata No 23, Appassionata

1806: Beethoven’s only opera, Leonore (later renamed Fidelio) is unsuccessful, partly due to occupation of Vienna by French troops after Battle of Austerlitz

1808: Long-awaited benefit concert at Theater an der Wien (above) sees first performances
of Fifth and Sixth (Pastoral) Symphonies

1809: Austria declares war on France

1812: Beethoven writes passionate letter to “Immortal Beloved”, whose identity remains uncertain

1813: Wellington defeats Napoleon’s army in Spain. Beethoven marks victory with piece later orchestrated as Battle Symphony op. 91

Ear trumpet made for Beethoven in 1813

1814: Revived Fidelio acclaimed by crowned heads of Europe at Congress of Vienna, held to
mark end of 20 years of Napoleonic Wars

1815: Beethoven’s brother Caspar dies – his widow Johanna and Beethoven are appointed joint guardians of his son Karl, 9. Legal battle to win sole custody rumbles on for years

1818: Completes Hammerklavier Sonata

1820: Begins Missa Solemnis for enthronement of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmütz, but it is not ready in time

Beethoven in 1820
  
1824: Stands alongside conductor at premiere of Ninth Symphony. Deafness is now total – soloist turns him around so he can see wild applause

1825-26: Composes final String Quartets

Beethoven’s last grand piano, built in Vienna by Conrad Graf
     
1826: Nephew Karl attempts suicide
     
Mar 26, 1827: Beethoven dies in Vienna. Funeral procession attended by some 20,000 people

Beethoven’s death mask


Sources: Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Encyclopedia Britannica, Classicfm.com, Beethoven (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) by Ates Orga
Pictures: Newscom
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