NAME:

_________________________

CLASS: ___________

Ludwig von Beethoven

Beethoven was born on 16 December 1770 in Bonn (now part of
Germany). From an early age, Beethoven was introduced to music.
His first teacher was his father who was also very strict. Beethoven
was frequently beaten for failure to practise correctly. Once his
mother protested at his fathers violent beatings, but she was beaten
too. It is said, Beethoven resolved to become a great pianist so his
mother would never be beaten.
Beethovens talent as a piano virtuoso were recognised by Count
Ferdinand Ernst Gabriel von Waldstein. He sponsored the young
Beethoven and this enabled him to travel to Vienna, where Mozart
resided. It was hoped Beethoven would be able to learn under the
great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but it is not clear whether the two
ever met. Mozart was to die shortly, but Beethoven was able to
spend time with the great composer, Joseph Haydn, who taught him
many things.
Rather than working for the church, Beethoven relied on private
donations from various benefactors. However, whilst many loved his
music, they were often not forthcoming with donations and
Beethoven sometimes struggled to raise enough finance. His
situation was made more difficult by his mothers early death and his
fathers descent into alcoholism; this led to Beethoven being
responsible for his two brothers.
As a great tragedy for any musician, from his early 20s, Beethoven
experienced a slow deterioration in his hearing, which eventually left
him completely deaf. Yet, despite his deafness and the frustration
this caused him, Beethoven was still able to compose music of the
highest quality. He was still able to inwardly hear the most sublime
music.
Beethoven died on March 26th, 1827. The precise cause of death is
uncertain, but, the accumulation of lead poisoning is believed to
have played a role. Over 10,000 people are said to have lined the
streets for his funeral. Though Beethoven had a difficult
temperament, and although his music was sometimes too visionary
for the general public, Beethoven was appreciated for his unique
contribution to music.
(http://www.biographyonline.net/music/beethoven.html)

Beethoven/2015/jay

Beethoven/2015/jay

Post reading exercise

EX 1: Find the meaning of these words.
1. Resolved .......................................................................................................................
....
2. Virtuoso
- ................................................................................................
...........................
3. Benefactors
.......................................................................................................................
....
4. Forthcoming
.......................................................................................................................
...
5. Descent
- ................................................................................................
...........................
6. Deterioration
- ......................................................................................
.....................................
7. Sublime
- ................................................................................................
...........................
8. Visionary - ................................................................................................
...........................
EX 2: Write a paragraph of how you feel about Beethovens life journey.

Beethoven/2015/jay

Post reading exercise

EX 1: Find the meaning of these words.
1. Resolved

- firmly determined to do something.

2. Virtuoso
- a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
3. Benefactors
- a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.
4. Forthcoming
- ready or made available when wanted or needed.
5. Descent
- an act of moving downwards, dropping, or falling.
6. Deterioration
7. Sublime

- the process of becoming progressively worse.

- of very great excellence or beauty.

8. Visionary - relating to or having the ability to see visions in a dream or trance, or

as a supernatural apparition.
EX 2: Write a paragraph on how you feel about Beethovens life journey.

Beethoven/2015/jay