Musical Influences In Ludwig Van Beethoven's Life

A musical prodigy of whom everyone must have heard of is no other than Ludwig van Beethoven, a consistently astonishing musical artist throughout his complex life. Beethoven’s intricate childhood was filled with music to the brim. His father was an avid music teacher to Beethoven which may have been the spark that produced this child genius. Beethoven, after obtaining all of his father’s musical knowledge, went on to meet famous and talented musical artists such as Gottlob Neefe Mozart, Haydyn and many more. Beethoven certainly had lots of extraordinary musical influences in his life which played a huge factor in his remarkable upbringing. Beethoven, after years of training under various instructors, developed his own musical style and would
Beethoven’s true birthdate may most likely be December 16 but “as a matter of law and custom, babies were baptized within 24 hours of birth” (“Ludwig Van Beethoven”). His mother, Maria Magdalena van Beethoven, was considered, by Beethoven, to be his best friend. She was kind, understanding, and very loving towards Beethoven. His father, on the other hand, was quite different. Beethoven’s father, Johann van Beethoven, was a court singer who “was better known for his alcoholism than any musical ability” (“Ludwig Van Beethoven”). Even so, Johann devotedly pushed Beethoven towards the path of music by teaching him day and night. Johann envisioned his son becoming a new Mozart. Beethoven had six siblings but out of the six only three boys survived, of which Ludwig was the oldest. Beethoven’s grandfather, Kapellmeister Ludwig van Beethoven, was a famous and talented man, unlike his
Beethoven learned philosophy as well from Neefe and would come to publish his piece before the age of 12 in 1782. The piece was named 9 Variations in C Minor for Piano on a march by Earnst Christph Dressler ("Biography: Beethoven's Life - Ludwig Van Beethoven's Website."). Beethoven’s musical aptitude was slowly but surely being recognized by more and more people. Prince Maximillian Franz heard of Beethoven’s music and sent him to Vienna in 1787 to meet the incredible Mozart and to study under the classical prodigy. Beethoven would be forced to go back home after receiving a letter about his mother dying and would pass away on July 17th 1787. After the death of Ludwig’s mother, he stayed home for five years before finally returning to Vienna. In Vienna, Beethoven devoted himself to the study of music with many of the rising musicians of the time. Beethoven “studied piano with Haydn, vocal composition with Antonio Salieri and counterpoint with Johann Albrechtsberger. Not yet known as a composer, Beethoven quickly established a reputation as a virtuoso pianist who was especially adept at improvisation” (“Ludwig Van Beethoven”). Beethoven finally made his public debut on March 29, 1795. He would come to publish many more pieces such as his “Six String Quartets”