SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.

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however great, seem to dwindle. His works
mark an epoch in musical history, for from
them nearly all that is great in modern
music has arisen. Throughout his compo-
sition there sounds a note of sadness which
is but the echo of his personal suffering.

Tis strange, indeed, that one whose life
was filled with anguish could do so much
to give the highest pleasure to his fellows.
Yet perhaps he wrote the better because he
suffered and endured so much.

His family has been traced to a village in
Belgium and manifested a fondness for and
In 1732 Beethoven’s

grandfather removed from Belgium to

great skill in music.

Borm, Germany, where his musical talents
attracted attention. He was made Court
Musician, which position was also filled by
The
father married a cook connected with the
In 1770 Ludwig von

The date and the
place are uncertain, as two houses in Borm
His
His father possess-

his son, the father of our subject.

royal establishment.

Beethoven was born.

claim the honor of his birthplace.
youth was not happy.
ed an ungovernable temper which, coupled
with a fondness for strong drink, did not
add to the pleasure of the family. The
family also suffered from great poverty, the
father’s earnings being spent for liquor.
At an early age young Ludwig showed great
musical talent, and at the age of five his

father placed him under severe training for

the violin, hoping to earn money from his |

 

son’s ability. But little benefit came from
this, and shortly after the violin was aban-
doned for a regular course of lessons on the
piano. Here he made rapid progress, but
He did not take

kindly to instruction, but preferred to study

was not a tractable pupil.

out his lessons without assistance, a trait
which grew with his years.

At thirteen he published some music of
which he afterwards repented, because it
was crude. In 1785 he was made assistant
court organist. In 1787 he gained the no-
tice of the brother of the Emperor and was
by him sent to Vienna, where he became a
pupil of Mozart. He soon returned home
where for five years he studied hard and
conscientiously, but was obliged to give
In 1792

he again went to Vienna to become a pupil

lessons to aid his father’s family.

of Hayden, then the greatest living musi-
cian. The two did not agree, but Beetho-
ven remained in Vienna where he became
a favorite of the Nobility and his prospects
seemed of the brightest. His reputation as
a composer became established even outside
his own country, his greatest personal hon-
ors coming to him in 1815, when be com-
posed and presented a Symphony celebrat-
ing the victory of the allied troops over the
French. He received the thanks of the
Sovereigns of Europe and was granted the
freedom of Vienna, an honor which he
prized highly.

Shortly after this his popularity began to