How Did Beethoven Impact On German Culture

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who was a crucial figure in the transition from classical to romantic eras in western art and music and is still one of the most influential composers of all time. His life was marked by great struggles, from being harshly pushed by his father to learn music to struggling against going deaf in his later years. Although his music is over 200 years old, it still has significant impact today on german culture. It is believed that Beethoven was born in the church of St Remigius, Bonn. His birthday was never documented but is believed to be the 16th of December, 1770. His father pushed him brutally to learn music, with accounts of Beethoven weeping while playing the clavier as his father beat him for every missed note. He spent much of his time locked in his cellar studying the violin and clavier. Beethoven's father arranged his first public recital for March 26, 1778, hoping that his son would become a famous musician at a young age like Mozart. Beethoven was an average student in school, and at one point was even quoted for saying
On April 2, 1800, Beethoven debuted his Symphony No. 1 in C major at the Royal Imperial Theater in Vienna. It was around this time that Beethoven realized that he was beginning to lose hearing. He was ashamed that he could not understand what people were saying at parties, and fell into sadness. His frustrating situation led him to write notes back home to his friends which go into detail about his despair. Almost miraculously, despite his rapidly progressing deafness, Beethoven continued to compose at a furious pace. From 1803-1812, what is known as his "middle" or "heroic" period, he composed an opera, six symphonies, four solo concerti, five string quartets, six string sonatas, seven piano sonatas, five sets of piano variations, four overtures, four trios, two sextets and 72