Ludwig van Beethoven: A Life from Beginning to End

by Hourly History

Ludwig van Beethoven * * *Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. What kind of a man could create the dreaming melodies of the Moonlight Sonata? Give birth to the dramatic voice of the Fifth Symphony? Compose the Ode to Joy? Meet Ludwig van Beethoven, the musical genius, the passionate artist, the incorrigible man, the composer from whose soul music breathed. Inside you will read about... ✓ Groomed for Greatness ✓ Beethoven’s Deafness and Depression ✓ Für Elise ✓ Guardianship of His Nephew Karl ✓ Karl’s Suicide Attempt ✓ Beethoven’s Final Notes And much more! This will not be an idealistic story of perfection. Just like his music, Beethoven’s story will have its fearful lows and its exulting crescendos. It will have its repeated themes. It will have its sudden surprises. And it will speak to the heart. Series Composer Biographies Book 2

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Music

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2018

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

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Reviews

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

pain giving birth to beauty

🎼 The struggle in Beethoven’s life, the most painful aspect being the onset of a growing deafness early on, did not stop him from creating his most famous works. He composed despite the deafness and despite extreme difficulties with his nephew Karl. After reading Beethoven’s story I am exhausted. What he had to fight through! It makes a person far less inclined to complain. An incredible life story that ended too soon.

🎼Anytime someone near at hand does the Ninth, I’m there. The Seventh is also good. Then we have The Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, The Emperor (Piano Concerto 5) ……

[TAP]

A disconcerted virtuoso.

[James Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Short, sweet, interesting. Good taster and overview. Does what it says on the tin!

[Udit Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another engaging read by hourly history. Beethoven is remembered time and again for his musical prowess. This book also introduces us to other facets of his life along with music.

[Anil Swarup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike many other such biographies published by hourly history, this one on Beethovan focuses more on his personal that professional life. Beethoven's relationship with his nephew occupies substantial portion of the book. Yet, it portrays the character the master musician to perfection

[A gin and orange, a lemon squash, and a scotch and water, please! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Hourly History books. First, they're free (well, mostly). But that doesn't mean that quality is ignored (well, not very often). Second, because they are designed to be read in more or less an hour they are necessarily a quick skim over the surface of a subject - ideal if you know nothing about said subject or a just curious and want just a quick glimpse.
True, the writing style of some Hourly Histories leaves something to be desired, but they are few and far between. This, on the other hand, is quite excellent.
While I love Beethoven's music, I've gone through the whole of my life neither knowing nor caring very much about the man behind the genius. The music is enough!
That was then. This is now.
This biography is very well written and utterly engaging. Jam-packed with facts and anecdotes, it could so easily have lost itself up its own arpeggio whilst attempting to present too much too quickly, but the writing, the presentation and the tone is absolutely perfect.
Highly recommended :)

[Christine Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Proliferation of Genius

Beethoven wasn't a genius as we think of genius. He wasn't an Einstein. He didn't even know multiplication. He really wasn't a prodigy either. He began learning music as a toddler. And he studied and practiced for years. But he was something most people are not. He was passionate. And that made everything else possible. Even after he was completely deaf, he continued. He heard the music in his head. If you ever wondered what kind of a man/composer Beethoven was, read this book. It's short, concise, and informative. Then go listen to my favorites, For Elise and Moonlight Sonata.

[Mark Laufenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, concise biography of a man who was certainly a passionate musical genius. He had a good start as far as instruction and instructors who helped to develop his skills on the piano, but he certainly didn't have life easy. After losing his mother at a young age and having to deal with an alcoholic father, he also had to become the breadwinner of the family and take over guardianship of his two younger brothers.

The book not only chronicled his musical successes but also covered how he helped to get his brothers established later on and also his struggles with the guardianship of his nephew Karl. Of course also covered was the loss of his hearing which began early in his life. It really is amazing how he could continue to compose so well, especially after his hearing had completely left him.

Overall, I found it to be an interesting story of his life and I enjoyed reading it.

[Doug Swicegood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Karl and Beethoven went through! Obviously, from this history, Johanna was none too proper of a lady known for mistrust and stealing. Karl consistently was caught up in the courts between the two, and with his Uncle's wish to have him obey while in school the boy acted up causing chaos due to being influenced by Johanna and Beethoven thus feeling pulled between the t Iwo adults. I won't give any more away.

[Randolph Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beethoven is One of the Greatest Musicians and Composers

I greatly enjoy Beethoven's Music and I appreciated the opportunity to learn of his life. The book exposed his difficult early life with an alcoholic father who was training him to be his meal tickets. Beethoven was a difficult person to be friends with but his great talent allowed him to get away with his poor social skills. A well balanced treatment of the great man and a book worth reading.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm slowly working my way through this ever growing collection of books by Hourly History. This one was informative; as much about Beethoven's life and background as it was about his music and impact on the world. A sad tone runs throughout. I felt it barely ever touched on the joy his music instills in listeners to this day.

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while listening to symphony 9. Always interesting to read the personal life of prodigy. They were all as human as we are. In his habbits Beethoven was naturally clumsy person who frequently dropped things and crashed into furniture. His handwriting was a scrawl but when on piano it was nothing but grace!

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good little biography that music students could read fairly quickly and learn some interesting facts about Beethoven. There is good information about his childhood and family life that is helpful in understanding his later behavior. I would like to have more information about how his compositions and his musical style developed.

[Neera Kapahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Beethoven’s music. His music spanned the transition from the Classical to the Romantic age. I had a sketchy information about his life and work but did not know about his emotional excesses. The book was interesting because I got sone insights into the man behind the music- his moods, interactions with others and his family.

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow

Don't bother with this book. It's bad. Poorly written, bouncing between past and present tenses. It felt like a report that had been written by an ESL student. Unbelievably bad.

[Ashwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beethhoven was a genius Orchestra organist.

Beethhoven and his symphonies have enthralled all generation of music lovers till eternity. He was known for his originality of the compositions and improvisations during live concerts. I guess all geniuses are a bit mad and eccentric.

[Frances Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

◾Por lo visto, casi todos estos músicos famosos tenían problemas de dinero
◾Beethoven nos dejó su música espectacular
◾El pobre tuvo q lidiar con su problema de sordera y con un sobrino q era un pichón de demonio
◾Murió a los 56 años

[Rubin Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Music The Man

A sad sad tale
Most Genuises have troubled, tragic, tormented , lives and Ludwig van Beethoven is certainly no exception I felt pity for the man and the music which I've enjoyed takes a far deeper meaning and greater appreciation

[Charity Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book is easy to read, has several great facts. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is learning about Beethoven.

[Robert Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and brief

A short synopsis of Beethoven 's life with some reference to his musical works. Not an in depth analysis but enough to give is a flavour of the man.

[Lisa White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed reading about this famous composer. His music is immortal, it is a shame that his life was so short.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Heartwarming story.

Excellent account off his life. Couldn't stop reading. Words instilled compassion for him. Felt very sorry for him. Recommend highly.

[Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great book to quickly learn a lot about Beethoven. Great insight to someone who changed the world and made it a better place.

[Tiffany]

I’ve been enjoying reading these short biographies.

[Robin Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beethoven Biography

Great short version of Beethoven’s life. Youth and adult Beethoven fans will enjoy this book.
Enjoyable and informative to read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Kasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, compact, exhaustive story with a good conclusion.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from Amazon and it is part of the Hourly history collection (https://hourlyhistory.com)

These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.

This one is about Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers ever lived and has all the important information about the remarkable man who had opus of 605 pieces of music ‐ some of them more than hour and a half in length, in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour). Interestingly he was one of the greatest musicians who was half deaf most of his creative life.

This is my assessment of this book Ludwig van Beethoven, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 5 stars
3. I agree with the read - 5 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 5 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 4 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 5 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars


Total 4.375 stars


“Music comes to me more readily than words.” —Ludwig van Beethoven

In 1787, at 16 years of age, Beethoven was sent to Vienna, Austria, to study under the musical master, Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart.

In 1792, Beethoven was again able to travel to Vienna for further musical education. Mozart had died, but the famous Joseph Haydn could be engaged as his instructor.

“Music should strike fire from the heart of man and bring tears from the eyes of woman.” —Ludwig van Beethoven

“I wish you music to help with the burdens of life and to help you release your happiness to others.” —Ludwig van Beethoven

instead of appreciating the crowd’s deeply emotional response, he complained that they had not clapped for him.

Another time, Amenda happened to be on hand when Beethoven came up short on cash when his rent was due. Amenda told Beethoven that he didn’t have a problem; boldly, he locked Beethoven into his room, gave him an assignment, and returned after three hours had passed. Beethoven shoved over a paper on which a new musical composition was written. Amenda took the paper to Beethoven’s landlord and instructed him to take it to a publisher and collect the rent that was due to him. The landlord was dubious, but he returned from the publisher asking if “other bits of paper like that were to be had.” In

“Music is like a dream. One that I cannot hear.” —Ludwig van Beethoven

As his musical compositions improved and multiplied, Beethoven’s mental and physical health improved as well. He began to associate with his friends again. Ultimately, he would have to accept public knowledge of his loss of hearing. In the meanwhile, Beethoven composed.

Striving with every fiber to communicate the spirit of the music to the musicians, Beethoven would bodily crouch lower and lower whenever the song became softer, then spring into the air with widely gesticulating arms whenever the volume suddenly increased.

“Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.” —Ludwig van Beethoven

It was widely agreed that Beethoven remained able to tell whether or not his music was being played correctly, however, just by watching the fingers of the performing musician.

On May 7, 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven conducted his most inspired works before a crowded and enthusiastic theater. The glorious music swept exultantly through his veins, rising to an irresistible crescendo that filled his throbbing being. Beethoven conducted with all his might, characteristically demonstrating the changes in volume and tempo with his whole body, even though the musicians were not following his baton. For practical purposes, another director was simultaneously employed. The stories say that Beethoven was still directing when the Ninth Symphony was finished and the room was ...more

Ludwig van Beethoven composed thirty-two piano sonatas, sixteen string quartets, nine symphonies, five piano concertos, two Catholic masses, one opera (the Fidelio), one ballet (The Creatures of Prometheus), and a stunning multitude of other pieces of music, including folk songs. Some of Beethoven’s most famous works include his Fifth and Ninth Symphonies, the Moonlight Sonata, and Fur Elise. Beethoven’s published works, each assigned an opus number in order of their publication, amount to 138. Some opus numbers, however, refer to more than one piece of music, swelling the count even higher. ...more