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BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827)

BIRTH YEAR 1770 (Dec. 16)

Compiled by Gary D. Evans

Last Updated: March 25, 2019 6:42 PM



Beethoven's Birth - December 16, 1770

Beethoven's Grandfather, also named Ludwig van Beethoven (1712-1773) was a musician from what is now Belgium. At 20 years old he moved to Bonn where he was employed as a bass singer in the court of the Elector of Cologne. The grandfather continued to rise in the court, becoming the music director by age 49 (1761), by which time he was an acclaimed musician.

Beethoven's grandfather married Maria Josepha Poll in 1733 at the age of 21. Of the three children born to them, only one survived - Johann (1740-1793). As Johann grew, he also demonstrated a talent for music and eventually earned a living singing as a tenor and provclassing lessons on the keyboard and violin. His mother, Beethoven's grandmother, suffered from alcoholism and was eventually institutionalized for that condition. Being raised by Beethoven's domineering grandfather was a strain for the submissive Johann, but at age 28 years (1767) he met and married - to the disapproval of Beethoven's grandfather - Maria Magdalena Keverich, the daughter of the head chef at the court of the Archbishop of Trier.

Three years later, on December 16, 1770, a few years after their first born died at 6 days of age, Beethoven was born (12/16/1770). Two other surviving children were born 4 and 6 years later. He and his two younger brothers, Caspar Anton Carl (4/8/1774), and Nikolaus Johann (10/2/1776) survived into adulthood.

Beethoven's father, Johann, was not highly regarded by Beethoven's grandfather - partly because of his evolving alcoholism and absence at home.Beethoven's mother, who was described as intelligent and serious, tolerated her husband's heavy and chronic drinking - along with his frequent absences - with apparent equanimity.



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DATE
LIFE NOTES
Dec 16
Ludwig von Beethoven born to Johann & Maria in Bonn: 515 Bonngasse (2nd fl) Baptized 17th in church of St. Remigius. Grandfather was also B's godfather. NOTE: At sometime, family moved to Rheingasse #934 to a house owned by a baker named Fischer.