Estimated reading time 5 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to know what motivated Ludwig van Beethoven to push through adversity to create some of the best and most influential classical music ever? By the time he turned fifty, he was considered by many to be the world’s best living composer. His funeral was attended by 10,000 people. However, to achieve this level of fame he literally had to suffer for his art. That begs the question, why did Beethoven keep composing after suffering deafness? Keep reading to learn the answer to this and more.
For video examples of his music, see section #5. The videos include:
- Fur Elise
- Symphony no 5
- Symphony no 7
- Symphony no 9
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness: The Man Who Changed Music
Beethoven’s music is admired today, as evidenced by the continuing popularity of such works as Fur Elise.
However, it can’t be overstated how huge his music was in his day:
- His music was incredibly influential (especially Symphony No 5, Symphony No 7, and Symphony no 9), inspiring almost every composer of the romantic period.
- Because of the bar he set, he scared Chopin away from composing any symphonies.
- Likewise, Brahms only composed four symphonies because he waited until he felt he could write up to Beethoven’s standard.
However, Ludwig van Beethoven himself suffered greatly due to his encroaching deafness:
- It got so bad that by 1818, when he was forty-eight, people had to write on paper in order to communicate with him.
- So, what inspired him to push through and keep composing after his deafness set in?
- We’ll look at that in the next two sections.
Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness: Searching for Clues
In the letter known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, there is a clue to why he kept composing.
What is the Heiligenstadt Testament?
- The Heiligenstadt Testament is a heartfelt and intensely personal message by Beethoven written late in 1802.
- He wrote it for his brothers (Kaspar Anton Karl and Nikolaus Johann) while he was visiting the hamlet of Heiligenstadt in Austria.
- The manuscript shows the distress caused by his encroaching deafness. (It got so bad he had to have the legs sawed off his piano so he could put his ear on the floor to hear its vibrations.)
In his own words:
… what a humiliation when one stood beside me and heard a flute in the distance and I heard nothing, or someone heard the shepherd singing and again I heard nothing, such incidents brought me to the verge of despair, but little more and I would have put an end to my life — only Art it was that withheld me, ah it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had produced all that I felt called upon me to produce, and so I endured this wretched existence… (Heiligenstadt Testament)
The website Popular Beethoven states:
After his death Anton Schindler, and Beethoven’s friend Stephan von Breuning, found it in his writing desk and later made public as Heiligenstadt Testament. (Popular Beethoven)
Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness: Tempered Under Fire
So, it seems that he felt he had more to share through his art. K. Marie Stolba discusses the impact of the Heiligenstadt Testament:
In this period [1803-1812], Beethoven’s compositions reflect the greater maturity and depth of character he attained through his personal battle at Heiligenstadt. (The Development of Western Music History 547)
Moreover, the suffering he endured seems to have spurred him on to write more than ever:
After making his decision at Heiligenstadt, Beethoven returned to Vienna and composed prolifically for several years.
Between 1802 and 1812, he wrote the majority of his symphonies [including Symphony No 5 and Symphony No 7 but not Symphony 9], six piano sonatas, three piano conserti, three piano trios, the opera Fidelio, five string quartets, incidental music for three plays, and several other works [including Fur Elise]. (The Development of Western Music History 542)
But why did he do it? His esthetic philosophy (inspired by Johaan Schiller) is the likely explanation:
- He felt he had an ethical responsibility to write music that would inspire and elevate his listeners.
- In addition, he seemed to realize that the music he was writing was important. When people criticized his more daring compositions, he would respond that future generations would understand his music.
- This was the first time that a composer stated that he was writing for posterity.
Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness: Understanding His Music
No account of Ludwig van Beethoven would be complete without sharing his music. After Heiligenstadt his style morphed from traditional classical period compositions into a bold, original style.
Stobla discusses Beethoven’s music:
Increasingly, Beethoven expanded the dimensions of form, and he blurred the dividing lines by distinguishing or varying material in the recapitulation or by connecting movements of a multimovement work.
Development sections grew long and complex, and codas were expanded to become virtually second development sections concluding with quasi-recapitulation reference to the first theme.
Often, Beethoven used theme groups or a multitude of themes and motifs, all conceived for their developmental possibilities. Frequently, an introductory motive or theme was designed with regard to later incorporation of all the parts into the form as a whole e.g. … the cyclic motive of Symphony No 5. (The Development of Western Music History 547)
Music scores:
- Fur Elise: click here.
- Symphony No 5: click here.
- Symphony No 7: click here.
- Symphony no 9: click here.
Scroll toward the bottom of each page to find the downloadable scores.
The following music selections include Fur Elise, Symphony No 5, Symphony No 7, and Symphony no 9:
Video: Fur Elise
Video: Symphony No 5
Video: Symphony No 7
Video: Symphony no 9
Final Thoughts on “Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness?”
Here is a summary of Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness?
- Beethoven is arguably the greatest classical composer in Western music history.
- Nevertheless, his tragic backstory is that at the height of his career he was stricken with deafness.
- However, through his strength of character, and his feelings of moral responsibility toward posterity, he continued to prolifically produce groundbreaking works.
Be sure to check out his music in the videos of Fur Elise, Symphony No 5, Symphony No 7, and Symphony no 9 so you can see for yourself.
Related Posts
- Exploring the Music Themes and Leitmotifs of Star Wars
- Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide
- D’you Want Some Music Tips and Tricks I’ve Learned Over the Years?
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
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