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Ludwig van Beethoven, a German classical composer, remains a significant musical figure transitioning from the classical to the romantic era. He's hailed as a trailblazer from the classical to romantic music periods.
Even nearly 200 years after his passing, many still regard Ludwig van Beethoven as one of the greatest composers in the world. Some of his most famous works include Symphony No.5, Moonlight Sonata, among others. According to Biography, Beethoven received musical training from his father, hoping his son would be a musical prodigy. Eventually, Ludwig achieved success through his rigorous training and perseverance. In 1792, the German musician moved to Vienna to study under Joseph Haydn, a composer considered on par with the recently deceased Mozart.
Beethoven was born in Bonn, Holy Roman Empire, to Johann van Beethoven (1740-1782), of Flemish descent, and Magdalena Keverich van Beethoven (1745-1787). Until recently, many references cite December 16 as Beethoven's 'birth date,' attributing it to his baptism on December 17.
Historical accounts suggest Beethoven honed his piano skills with Haydn, establishing himself as a masterful musician. Another article from Classic FM reports that by his early twenties, he was renowned as a pianist and composer across Europe. However, it was during this period that Beethoven discovered he was losing his hearing. Nevertheless, he continued to compose and perform, and in fact, no one knew at the time that Beethoven was going deaf.
Classic FM notes he didn't disclose his secret to anyone until writing a letter to a childhood friend in 1800. In the letter, he said, 'For two years I have avoided almost all social gatherings because I cannot tell people that I am deaf.' Beethoven continued, stating he concealed his disability out of fear it would tarnish his reputation and career.
Throughout his life, Ludwig van Beethoven endured excruciating physical afflictions, the cause of which remains a topic of scientific inquiry to this day. At one point, it was speculated that Ludwig van Beethoven suffered from congenital syphilis.
Theories regarding Beethoven's hearing loss
In fact, today we find numerous reports regarding Beethoven's onset of hearing loss, but the specific age at which it occurred varies greatly. Classic FM suggests he was 26, while PBS states he was 28. Nonetheless, it can be agreed that no one is certain what precisely caused his deafness.
Some believe it to be a result of scarlet fever, syphilis, lupus, or even Paget's disease, a chronic bone disorder. Similarly, Interlude claims Beethoven himself blamed a severe fall, during which his face slammed into the ground, as the onset of his deafness. Shortly after, he began experiencing constant ringing in his ears.
According to Interlude, Beethoven's left ear was the first affected by hearing loss. From there, the condition worsened. He seemed to still hear certain sounds until around the age of 40. By the time Beethoven was 44 or 45, he was completely deaf. The California Symphony reports that his hearing loss plunged him into severe depression. He ceased performing and appearing in public. Instead, Beethoven became a recluse. Nevertheless, he continued composing music.
The California Symphony highlights that the themes of his works shifted as they reflected his life without sound. On March 26, 1827, Ludwig Van Beethoven passed away in Vienna at the age of 56.
DNA Testing
PBS writes that throughout his life, Beethoven faced various health issues including stomach pain, respiratory problems, joint pain, inflammation of the eyes, and more. However, an article in Western Medical Journal suggests Beethoven's death was due to prolonged alcohol abuse stemming from his depression, which in turn also originated from his hearing loss.
Upon his passing, Beethoven's locks were snipped by a musician named Ferdinand Hiller. The last known strand can now be found in Denmark, owned by Kay Fremming, a doctor who saved many Jewish families from Nazi Germany during World War II.
Exactly how he came to possess that lock remains unknown. However, Fremming later passed it on to his daughter who eventually auctioned it off. Subsequently, Beethoven's lock was transferred to San Jose State University in California, where it underwent numerous tests to gain insights into why he became deaf.
In 2000, a report from The Advanced Photon Source revealed the hair contained very high levels of lead. It's possible Beethoven suffered lead poisoning. This could likely lead to health issues and even deafness. A study later in 2013 also suggested lead from wine may have caused Beethoven's hearing loss. However, since Beethoven passed away centuries ago, the true reason behind his deafness will forever remain a mystery.
