Ludwig Van Beethoven

Ludwig VanBeethoven,a major composer of the nineteenth century,overcame many personalproblems to achieve artistic greatness.

Born in Bonn,Germany,in1770,he first studied music with the court organist,Gilles van der

Eeden.His father wasexcessively strict and given to heavy drinking.______(46)Appointed deputy courtorganist to Christian Gottlob Neefe at a surprisingly early age in

1782,Beethoven alsoplayed the harpsichord and the viola. In 1792 he was sent to Vienna by his patron,Count Ferdinand

Waldstein,to studymusic under Haydn.

Beethoven remainedunmarried.______(47)Continually plagued by ill health,he developed an earinfection which led to his tragic deafness in 1819.______(48)He completed

mature masterpiecesof great musical depth:three piano sonatas,four string quartets,the MissaSolemnis,and the 9th Symphony.He died in 1827.______(49) Noting that

Beethoven often flewinto fits of rage,Goethe once said of him,"I am astonished by histalent,but he is unfortunately an altogether untamedpersonality."______(50)_________（46）

A.In spite of thishandicap,however,he continued to write music.

B.Because ofirregular payments from his publishers and erratic support from his patrons,hewas troubled by financial worries throughout his adult life.

C.His life wasmarked by a passionate dedication to independence.

D.When his motherdied,Beethoven,then a young man,was named guardian of his two younger brothers.

E.AlthoughBeethoven's personality may have been untamed,his music shows great discipline andcontrol,and this is how we remember him best.