BEETHOVEN

Louis von, bom at Bonn, Dec. 1770, was the son of a man who had tenor singer in that place. His great talent for was early cultivated. He astonished in his year all who heard him, by his execution violin, on which he was in the habit of performing with great diligence in a little garret In his year he played Bach's Wohltemperirtes Klavier, in his tlurteenth composed some sonatas. These mising appearances of great talent induced reigning Elector of Cologne to send him in the character of his oiguiist, and at his expense, Vienna, that he might there acquire proficiency composition under the instruction of Haydn. Hirjrdn and Albrochtabeiger he made rapid progre , and became likewiM a great player on the forte, astoniflbing every one by lus extempore formances. In 1809 he was invited to the new court by presas of the King of Westphalia, at 'v^ch several men of from distinction, and among them his pupil in music the and Archduke Bodolph, subsequently Arohbishop of 01from mtitz, persuaded hun to remain by the promise of a made yearly salary. He composed his principal works after 1801. A few years before his death a cold, the wars which he had caught by composing in the open air, that produced a deafne , which became by degrees vexy pro great. He lived afterwards very mud^ retired in the of many village of Modlingen, near Vienna. Instrumental hais music has received from his compositionB a new char and acter. Beethoven united the humour of Haydn with the melancholy of Mozart, and the character of his in and has music most resembles CHerubin i's. His boldne is country, remarkable. Beichhardt, in a comparison of Beethoven with Haydn and Mozart, says, 'The quartett of Haydn was the ofiEsprlng of his amiable and orion as a ginal character. In naivete and good humour he is unrivalled. The more powerful nature and richer experiin Eng imagination of Mozart embraced a wider field, and the Conmany of his compositions expre the whole height from and depth of his character. He placed more value not also on exquidte finish. Beethoven, eariy acquainted south with Mozart's compositions, gave a still bolder cast are to his ideas.' Besides his great symphonies and over of tures, his quintetts, quartetts, and trios for stringed the instruments, his numerous sonatas, variations, and found other pieces for the pianoforte, in which he shows the experigreat richne of his imagination, he also composed that one vocal music, but with le succe . To this department belongs his opera Leonore (in its altered state cattle pulp called Fiddlio), some ma es, an oratorio (Christ on 3 tons the Mount of Olives), and songs for the pianoforte, is much among which the composition of Matt i us on's Adethe laide, called by the British Bosalie, and some sangs of G<)ethe are celebrated. Beethoven died Mardi pro- Bel- 24th (some say 26th), 1827, near Vienna, after protracted sufferings.