Beethoven Heiligenstadt Testament Summary

The Heiligenstadt Testament, a letter written by Beethoven in which he confessed the tragic loss of his hearing to his brothers, is perhaps the most influential document related to Beethoven and his legacy as a heroic figure in music. Although the letter was never sent and found only after his death, upon its discovery in 1827, news of the Testament and the heartfelt confession by its writer spread quickly and served as a catalyst which propelled Beethoven to the height of an artistic hero. To the public, the story of a man overcoming great odds and composing music even after the loss of his hearing was a truly heroic tale, one that embodied many of the ideals of the emerging Romantic era. Beethoven’s tragic suffering paired with his seemingly