Beethoven's Life, Times and Works Quiz

Answer: 1770

December 16, 1770, in Bonn, in what is now Germany.

Answer: True

Beethoven's grandfather (also Ludwig) was a trained musician who became Kappelmeister in the electoral chapel in Bonn. Beethoven's father (Johann) was a singer and a teacher of piano and violin.

Answer: False

Beethoven's biographers characterize Johann van Beethoven as being a tyrannical, alcoholic and violent man who forced the young Beethoven to study the piano at age four.

Answer: It is unclear whether they ever met

One story goes that Beethoven made a trip to Vienna in 1787 where Mozart heard Beethoven play the piano. Mozart is reported to have said, 'Watch this young man; he will yet make a noise in the world.' There are other indications from various biographers that they possibly met.

However, there is nothing that could be considered proof that they ever met at all - no substantiated contemporary evidence. Chances are fairly good, though, that Beethoven saw Mozart play on his 1787 trip to Vienna - he was a great admirer of Mozart, and Mozart was definitely in the city and playing at that time. even that, though is no more than a guess.

Answer: False

Beethoven studied composition with Haydn in Vienna. Among others, Beethoven also knew composers Franz Schubert, and Antonio Salieri.

Answer: Waldstein

It was named after Count Ferdinand von Waldstein a musician who was a friend of the elector Maximillian Francis.

Answer: False

Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792. He was described as being short, stocky, dark-complected, and pockmarked, with a broad nose, and deepset eyes. Beethoven is on record as knowing about his less than heroic appearance.

Answer: Deafness

Beethoven became progressively deaf, beginning at about age 26 (1796), finally losing his hearing entirely in 1815. His hearing loss is thought to have been caused by otosclerosis--progressive ossification of the bony structures in the inner ear.

Answer: Heiligenstadt Testament

In 1802, he expressed his feelings about his hearing problems in a will-like document to his two brothers, known as the 'Heliegenstadt Testament'.

Answer: Victoria reigns as Queen of England

Beethoven lived from 1770 to 1827, Victoria did not assume the throne as the Queen of England until 1837.

Answer: Nine

Nine. Interestingly, though all of the symphonies are often performed today, the odd numbers (3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th) are the more popular ones. But the 6th, The Pastoral, is also very well known.

Answer: Five

Five Piano Concertos. (O.K., for you purists, 'Concerti') Number 5, 'The Emperor', is probably the best known.

Answer: One

One. Violin Concerto in D.

Answer: One

One Opera, Fidelio(written 1805, revised 1806 and 1814), the basic plot is a faithful wife rescues her husband who is being held as a political prisoner. Originally titled Lenore, Beethoven composed four overtures for it, Lenore No.1, No.2, and No.3, and Fidelio.

Answer: Appassionata, Moonlight, Pathetique

No. 8 in C-Minor (Pathetique), No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor (Moonlight) and No. 23 in F-Minor (Appassionata).

Answer: Schiller

Friedrich Schiller wrote 'Ode to Joy'. Symphony No. 9, in D-Minor, was Beethoven's last and it was a revolutionary departure from other symphonic forms up to that time, mainly because of the final choral movement.

Answer: Nobody knows for sure

This is one of the most enduring mysteries of art, music and literature. A lot has been written that implicates all three of the women mentioned but there appears to be no definitive evidence of the identity of the 'Immortal Beloved'. Some think that it was Bettina Brentano.

She ended up marrying Achim von Arnim during Beethoven's lifetime, and she had a daughter named Gisela. (Arpeggionist) Maynard Solomon has recently argued that the Immortal Beloved was Bettina's half-sister Antonie. (Thanks to MarathonLover)

Answer: His Nephew

Beethoven's brother Carl died in 1815, leaving care of his son Karl to Beethoven. Litigation with Beethoven's sister-in-law followed out of which Beethoven gained custody of the child. Beethoven's nephew turned out to be a wastrel and a gambler despite all of the care and devotion Beethoven lavished upon him.

Answer: Pneumonia

Beethoven died of pleurisy complicated by dropsy and jaundice. Modern science has indicated that many of his illnesses -- and possible his death -- were due to chronic lead poisoning.

Answer: A Thunder Storm

Beethoven died on March 26, 1827. Some versions have it that Beethoven died while shaking his fist at a raging thunderstorm.