Matthew John - Beethoven's Pathetique

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Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, commonly known as Sonata Pathétique, was written in 1798 when Ludwig van Beethoven was 27 years old. Since Beethoven started turning deaf at the age of 24, it is said it might have been written to illustrate his frustration at going deaf. The story which is very popular is that Beethoven dedicated the work to his friend Prince Karl von Lichnowsky. The composition was actually named Grande sonate pathétique by the publisher, who was impressed by the sonata's tragic sonorities. It is also debated whether or not the Pathétique may have been inspired by Mozart's piano sonata K. 457.

Beethoven is a legend. His life inspired many as one of the greatest musicians of his time became completely deaf in the course of his life but still kept composing melodious music. Beethoven's pieces range from his 9 symphonies, piano sonatas, string quartets to opera. Every composition by Beethoven had a wonderful story attached to it. This Intelli5 is based on his five famous piano sonatas and the story behind them. Beethoven's works are usually divided into Early, Middle, and Late periods. In this scheme, his early period is taken to last until about 1802, the middle period from about 1803 to about 1814, and the late period from about 1815.

Around 1796, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitus, a "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to perceive and appreciate music; he would also avoid conversation. He left Vienna for a time for the small Austrian town of Heiligenstadt, where he wrote his Heiligenstadt Testament. He resolved to continue living for and through his art. Over time, his hearing loss became profound: there is a well-attested story that, at the end of the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, he had to be turned around to see the tumultuous applause of the audience; hearing nothing, he began to weep. Beethoven's hearing loss did not affect his ability to compose music, but it made concerts — lucrative sources of income — increasingly difficult.

As an interesting side note, he used a special rod attached to the soundboard on a piano that he could bite, the vibrations would then transfer from the piano to his jaw to increase his perception of sound. A large collection of his hearing aids such as special ear horns can be viewed at the Beethoven House Museum in Bonn, Germany. By 1814 Beethoven was totally deaf, and when visitors saw him play a loud arpeggio or thundering bass notes at his piano remarking, "Ist es nicht schön?" (Isn't that beautiful?), they felt deep sympathy, and saw his courage and sense of humor.

As a result of Beethoven's hearing loss, a unique historical record has been preserved: he kept conversation books (his friends would write in the book so that he could know what they were saying, and he would respond either verbally or in the book) discussing music and other issues, and giving an insight into his thoughts. Even today, the conversation books form the basis for investigation into how he felt his music should be performed and his relationship to art. Some of the books, however, were altered or destroyed by Anton Schindler

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[MatthewJohnIgnacio]

@elllenelle Thank you! I love God with all of my heart. He is the giver of my talent, and I share my talent to others so that they may be encouraged to share their gifts. My music is only for the glory of God. I take no glory.

[elllenelle]

I love you version! you're too awesome, Matthew John!! :-)