| born in 1770, family of musicians. Both his grandfather and his father were professional musicians at the court of the Elector in the German town of Bonn. His father became something of a problem at the court because he was an alcoholic. He studied organ and composition and helped look after the instruments. About the same time, he began to write music, mostly songs and chamber. | life |
| Hadyn was old fashioned. Beethoven was rebellioius, a formidable pianist, he soon found support among the rich patrons of the arts who lived in Vienna. Prince Lichnowsky gave him board and lodging at his palace. At 32, he had written piano sonatas, chamber music, a set of six string quartets, 3 pianos concertos and 2 symphonies. The string quartets, concertos and symphonies owe a great debt to Hadyn and MOzrt. | with hadynn |
| he discovered the tragic truth that was to haunt him for rest of his life, going deaf. He contemplated suicide but overcoming his despair, decided his first responsibility lay with music. | In 1802 |
| Beethoven could not hear a single note, and his conversations were carried on by means of an ear trumpet and a notebook slung around his neck. His deafness eventually prevented him from performing and conducting, but he continued to compose until the end of his life. He could hear everything inside his head. | 1817 |
| having never married himself, he yearned often for a normal family life, with a wife to comfort him and a child of his own. He once said to friend that such intimacy was not to be thought of, impossible, a dream. Yet,,, I cannot get it out of my mind. | personal crisi |
