Ludwig Van Beethoven

Ludwig Van Beethoven,a major composer of the nineteenth century,overcame many personal problems to achieve artistic greatness.

Born in Bonn,Germany,in 1770,he first studied music with the court organist,Gilles van der Eeden.His father was excessively strict and given to heavy drinking.______(46)

Appoint-ed deputy court organist to Christian Gottlob Neefe at a surprisingly early age in 1782,Beethoven also played the harpsichord and the viola.In 1792 he was sent to

Vienna by his patron,Count Ferdinand Waldstein,to study music under Haydn.

Beethoven remained unmarried.______(47)Continually plagued by ill health,he devel- oped an ear infection which led to his tragic deafness in 1819.

______(48)He completed mature masterpieces of great musical depth:three piano sona- tas,four string quartets,the Missa Solemnis,and the 9th Symphony.He died in

1827.______(49)

Noting that Beethoven often flew into fits of rage,Goethe once said of him,"I am astonished by his talent,but he is unfortunately an altogether untamed personality."______

(50)______(50)

A.Today his musicis still being played all over the world.

B. AlthoughBeethoven's personality may have been untamed,his music shows great disci-plineand control,and this is how we remember him best.

C. When his motherdied,Beethoven,then a young man,was named guardian of his two younger brothers.

D. His life wasmarked by a passionate dedication to independence.

E. Because ofirregular payments from his publishers and erratic support from his patrons,he wastroubled by financial worries throughout his adult life.