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Man of Sorrows
By Peace | August 24, 2010
Heartbroken Beethoven sitting beside a stream
Throughout history, the dress of people can change, the lifestyle of people can change, but there is one thing that has never been changed. Whether you are living in the early centuries or whether you are living in the China or whichever part of the world now, something in common between you and me, and anyone of us, is the affairs of the heart… People can have several cultures and beliefs, but they all have common needs, as humans. What is our human needs?
Regardless of your sexes (Gender), anybody seek to be loved, and they want to find their lifetime partner, and ultimately having children and so on. This revolves round the family life! Whether you are man or women, everybody seek to be understood and to be loved. A Great Genius, Ludwig van Beethoven (born in Bonn, Germany on 16 December 1770; and baptized on 17 December 1770 ), was one example.
The Beethovens were a musical family. Ludwig’s grandfather was a member of the Archbishop of Cologne’s choir in Bonn. Ludwig’s father, Johann, sang in the same choir. He and his wife (Maria Magdalena) had six children. Only Ludwig, the red-headed Caspar (born in 1774) and Nikolaus (born in 1776) survived. Ludwig was the most talented of the three. His father (only one of the three children of the grandfather to survive) put pressure on his son to do well. He wanted Ludwig to tour Europe, making as much money as Mozart. Johann van Beethoven was disappointed when this did not happen.
Besides the ‘children’s affair’, parents worried about their own career and their marriage life. In this Beethovens family (who has supplemented their income from wine business), problems arise in the family, just as any of our family. What is the normal ‘escape route’ when people are faced with problems? Let’s take a look at them below:
1. In 1733, Beethoven’s grandfather married Maria Josepha Poll. She was an alcoholic and because of this, the family placed her in a cloister (alcohol rehab), which is a restricted area within a monastery or convent. (Women during those times often were put away in such places if they did not get along with their husbands, suffered from psychological problems or drug abuse, or were otherwise unwanted by their families. Today, people who suffered from alcohol or drug abuse can easily seek treatment at various alcohol treatment center. )
2. Johann van Beethoven was a tenor singer, and became a teacher of piano and violin and voice. In 1767, he married Maria Magdalena Keverich(married once before), in Bonn. Johann and Maria had seven children, but only 3 of them survived into adulthood. Home life was complicated by the fact that Johann could never equal his father’s achievements. As a musician, he was not as well regarded as his father, and according to many accounts, this contributed to his alcoholism…. In 1774, after the death of his father, Johann attempted to fill the position he once held but was rejected. Distraught, Johann began to drink more and to withdraw from his family in the evenings by going to taverns or wandering around town. His greatest hope for success in life rested on his young son Luwig.
3. In 1787, Beethoven went to Vienna to meet Europe’s reigning music star, Mozart. However, only 2 weeks into Vienna trip, Beethoven received word that his mother was deathly ill with consumption or tuberculosis. Maria Magdalena died shortly after Beethoven returned to Bonn. The death devastated Beethoven’s father. He ease his depression with alcohol and drugs. In his state, he could no longer handle his position as head of the household, so Beethoven was forced to take charge of the care and welfare of his two younger brothers.
Alcoholism and drugs have such a devastating effects on humans. People often thought that by drinking and consuming drugs, they can ‘escape’ from their problems. But very often, it only brings to more problems. In 1792, five years after the death of Beethoven’s mother, Beethoven’s father died. This was a very sad news for Beethoven, knowing the fact that his father was in debt as well. For people who always think that drinking can solve problems or are addicted to drinking, friends or kins must play a part to help these people. Whether it is drug treatment or alcohol treatment, Axis Residential Treatment is definitely one great center that can help.
Besides parental issues, Beethoven discovered his hearing problems in 1796. Beethoven was rarely in good health. He frequently suffered from stomach upsets that lasted for months. His deafness was far more serious… To add to his miseries, his love life was a ‘failure’ as well…
Johann and Maria did not enjoy a very happy marriage. In the late 1700s, Maria remarked this to a young woman,”If you want to take my good advice, remain single, and then you will have the most tranquil, most beautiful, most pleasurable life. For what is marriage? A little joy, but then a chain of sorrows.”
It seems that no girl would want to marry the talented Beethoven for his appearance. Two of his students, Josephine and Therese, had rejected his love. The next one was Countess Giulietta Guiccidardi… Beethoven had dedicated Moonlight Sonata for this student of him. Beethoven wanted to marry her but was rejected by her father since he was not rich.
Beethoven did not marry and had no children. He was famous during his lifetime and his career was an unquestioned success. However, his personal life was obviously not easy. He died of pneumonia in 1827 (26 March), when he was only 56…
It is said that when the student is ready, the master appears.
Experience might not necessarily be the “best” teacher, but it almost always results in the most enduring lessons…
Beethoven With his Student Giulietta
Experience is the teacher of all things. Experience Personalized Drug Rehab Treatment at Axis.
As for me and Beethoven, the story is unfinished. This is not a one post story. Just like any Drug Rehab, and any addiction problem, nothing in this world is a one day story or one day cure ‘remedy’. Interesting story to be unveiled….
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August 31st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
[...] at Beethoven‘s right hand. He is holding a feather, a quill pen! That is how people in the 16th [...]
September 4th, 2010 at 1:07 am
[...] which is on the cover, I had discovered from within the book, “On the cover: Portrait of Beethoven composing his Missa solemnis, by Joseph Karl Stieler (1781-1858)”. Missa solemnis (latin) [...]