Uncovering Beethoven: 8 Fascinating Facts About the Musical Genius You Never Knew

1. Fudging Beethoven's Age

Age ain't nothing but a number, and apparently Beethoven's dad thought so too, as he fiddled with his son's birth year like an orchestra conductor on a caffeine high: Beethoven was led to believe he was born in 1772 instead of the truth ─ 1770 ─ all so that his father could market him as a child prodigy with a twist of prodigious falsehood!
Source => pianistmagazine.com

2. Beethoven's Love for Nature

When Beethoven wasn't making ears swoon, he was frolicking with the trees and chatting with the birds in his very own musical playground: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 "Pastoral" stands out as one of the only two symphonies named by the composer himself, serving as a characteristic symphony that reflects his deep emotional connection to nature rather than a strict programmatic representation.
Source => esm.rochester.edu

Did you know Mozart composed his first symphony without touching a keyboard? Discover the incredible story of his perfect pitch and unique talent. 🎹🎶

=> Fun Facts about Mozart

3. The Deaf Maestro's Temper

Beethoven must've taken "lend your ears" quite literally, as he couldn't really get a grip on his temper or his saliva: In truth, his sudden deafness only exacerbated his irritable disposition, causing him to hurl objects and spit with reckless abandon, but it didn't deter him from reaching musical genius and a state of tranquility in his later years.
Source => commonreader.wustl.edu

4. Lead Poisoning: Beethoven's Kryptonite

Whoever said laughter is the best medicine never met Beethoven and his lead diet: it turns out the celebrated composer suffered from lead poisoning, as evidenced by tests conducted on a lock of his hair auctioned off in 1994, with culprits such as his earthenware plates and pewter mug suspected of contributing to his unintentional heavy metal intake.
Source => coloradocollege.edu

5. Triple Horn Extravaganza

They say three's a crowd, but Beethoven just couldn't resist horn-ing in on that symphonic party: the third movement of his Symphony No. 3 features a groundbreaking ensemble of three horns, shaking up the orchestration game and adding a fresh spin to the classic symphony structure.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Beethoven's Love Triangle

Love, Beethoven style: an aristocrat, a businessman, and a musical genius walk into a love triangle that would make even Hollywood swoon! Jokes aside: Beethoven's mysterious "Immortal Beloved" letters were indeed dedicated to Antonie Brentano, a Viennese aristocrat married to a Frankfurt businessman, with recent research backing this claim.
Source => themarginalian.org

7. Deathbed Wine Woes

In a gripping finale worthy of an Oscar-worthy drama, our dear Beethoven clung to a beloved memory, only to have it slip away like an elusive wine cork: On his deathbed, the great composer lamented not being able to taste his hometown's wine one last time, whispering "Schade, schade, zu spät!" (Pity, pity, too late!) when informed that the much-awaited vino had just arrived from his publisher.
Source => popularbeethoven.com

8. Choral Symphony Revolution

Before Beethoven dropped the beat with his choir in the Ninth Symphony, symphonies were more like silent discos: all instruments, no vocals. The maestro's funky "Ode to Joy" finale not only had everyone on their feet, but also changed the face of music forever: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony marked the first time a major composer incorporated a choir into a symphony, creating the trend of choir symphonies and making orchestras around the world step up their singing game.
Source => saxonica.com