Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven, the renowned German composer, is born in Bonn, Germany.

Ludwig van Beethoven is born and baptized in the church of St Remigius, Bonn.

Beethoven's beloved grandfather, Kapellmeister Ludwig van Beethoven, passes away on 24th December.

Beethoven's brother Caspar Carl is baptised.

Beethoven's father, Johann van Beethoven, passed away on December 17, 1770, in Bonn, Electorate of Cologne, a principality of the Holy Roman Empire.

Beethoven's brother Nikolaus Johann is baptised.

On April 12, 1777, Carl van Beethoven, seriously ill with consumption, declares that Beethoven should be the guardian of his son Karl in the event of his death.

On December 8, 1777, Beethoven and Mälzel give a charity concert at the Hofburg at which the Battle Symphony and the Seventh Symphony are heard in public for the first time.

At the age of 7 ½, Ludwig Van Beethoven gave his first public performance at Cologne on March 26, 1778.

Beethoven's first known public performance takes place in Cologne. His father advertised his age as six years, although he was in fact seven, probably to draw favourable comparisons with the child prodigy Mozart. He played 'various clavier concertos and trios'.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 17th, 1780 to Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. He showed musical ability at an early age and had his first public performance at the age of eight.

In 1781, Christian Gottlob Neefe became Beethoven's teacher, taking over his training on both the piano and the organ.

In 1782, before the age of 12, Beethoven published his first work: 9 Variations in C, for Piano, on a march by Ernst Christoph Dressler.

In 1784, Beethoven started teaching piano lessons to Eleonor and Lenz, the children of Frau Von Breuning. This not only provided him with additional income but also led to a close friendship with the Von Breuning children, offering him valuable experience in a suitable environment.

Ludwig van Beethoven was appointed as an organist at the Electoral Chapel when he was around fourteen years old. He started studying the 'Forty-eight Preludes and Fugues' by Johann Sebastian Bach during this time and eventually became the second court organist, receiving a salary for his work.

In April 1787, Beethoven embarked on a journey to Vienna. This move marked a significant turning point in his life and career, as Vienna became the city where he would establish himself as a prominent composer and musician.

On July 17, 1787, Beethoven's mother passed away after falling seriously ill with consumption. This event had a significant impact on Beethoven's life and career.

On July 17, 1789, Beethoven's mother, Maria Magdalena, passes away in Bonn.

Beethoven enrolled as a lay student at the University of Bonn for the 1789-1790 semester, alongside other court musicians.

Emperor Joseph II's death has a significant impact on the Holy Roman Empire. Beethoven, at a young age, is tasked with composing music in memory of the late Emperor, but the composition remains unperformed. Over a century later, Johannes Brahms discovers Beethoven's Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, which is now recognized as one of Beethoven's earliest masterpieces.

Beethoven arranged to study with Franz Joseph Haydn in 1791 when Haydn visited Bonn, Germany. A year later, Beethoven left Bonn to begin his studies in Vienna under the guidance of Haydn, a highly influential composer of the Classical period.

Beethoven's father passed away on December 18, 1792.

Beethoven officially became known as a composer during his debut concert in Vienna on March 29th. He also performed on the 30th and 31st, showcasing his Piano Concerto No.1, Opus 15.

In 1796, Beethoven traveled to Prague, Dresden, and Leipzig, where he performed in various events and reunited with his brother Nikolaus Johannes.

Beethoven's First Symphony had its premier on April 2, 1800.

On January 1, 1801, Beethoven complained of hearing loss.

In a letter to his old friend Dr Franz Wegeler in Bonn, Beethoven reveals that his hearing has been deteriorating over the past three years.

Elector Max Franz dies at Hetzendorf, Vienna, leading Beethoven to change the dedication of his First Symphony to Baron van Swieten.

Beethoven's compositional career's early period ends in 1802, marking a transition to the next phase of his career.

In October 1802, Beethoven moved to Heiligenstadt, where he wrote the 'Heiligenstadt Testament', a letter to his brothers expressing thoughts of suicide due to his growing deafness and his resolution to continue living for and through his art.

Beethoven's Second Symphony premiered on December 28, 1802.

Beethoven composes his first and only oratorio, Christus am Ölberge, Christ on the Mount of Olives. It premieres on 5 April, just 14 days after Beethoven started writing.

On October 9, 1803, Beethoven's middle period, characterized by his innovative and expressive compositions, began, signifying a significant phase in his musical career.

The private premiere of Symphony No.3, Eroica, took place at Prince Lobkowitz’s palace in Vienna, marking a turning point in Beethoven's life and career as he aimed to find a new path in his compositions.

Beethoven had an affair with Josephine Von Brunswick in 1805.

On April 7, 1805, Beethoven's Third Symphony had its first public performance. This symphony, also known as the 'Eroica', marked a significant shift in the composer's style and is considered a groundbreaking work in the history of classical music.

Beethoven's opera 'Fidelio' stumbled on its first night in 1805.

Beethoven's Violin Concerto premieres in Vienna with Franz Clement playing the solo part. It is known for its late completion, leading to Clement sight-reading part of the performance.

On October 9, 1808, Beethoven's Symphonies No.5 and No.6 were performed.

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony premieres in Vienna, becoming one of his most iconic and recognizable works in the history of classical music.

Beethoven composed the famous piano piece Fur Elise, showcasing his ability to create more playful and charming music despite his hearing loss. The piece has become one of the enduring classics of Classical music.

On July 6, 1812, Beethoven expressed his deep emotions through his work. This event reflects the intense and passionate nature of Beethoven's compositions during that period.

Beethoven referred to Symphony No.8 as 'my little one'. It is overall light-hearted and musically entertaining. The fourth movement of this piece helped music stray away from Classical traditions and begin a new type of music.

At a grand concert at Vienna University on December 8, 1813, Beethoven conducted the world premieres of his Symphony No. 7 and the Battle Symphony. The concert celebrated the British victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Vitoria and aimed to raise funds for wounded soldiers. This event marked one of Beethoven's most successful concerts.

Beethoven agrees to revive his opera Leonore/Fidelio and seeks a new libretto from Treitschke.

Beethoven gives the first public performance of the Archduke Trio op. 97 with Schuppanzigh and Linke, despite the traumatic experience caused by his deafness.

Beethoven's old patron Prince Lichnowsky passes away.

Fidelio is performed for the first time in its final form.

Fidelio is performed before several heads of state assembled for the Congress of Vienna.

Beethoven composes a cantata, Der glorreiche Augenblick, for the Congress, and attends its first performance at the Hofburg on 29 November with the librettist, Weissenbach.

Count Razumovsky's magnificent palace is destroyed by fire.

Carl van Beethoven dies.

Beethoven's brother Carl, who is mortally ill, makes his will, appointing his wife Johanna and Beethoven as co-guardians of his son Karl. Beethoven persuades him to delete Johanna's name, but a legal battle ensues after Carl's death.

Beethoven's brother, Kaspar Karl van Beethoven, initiated the legal battle for custody of his son, Karl, with Karl's mother, Johanna. Beethoven's attempts to gain sole custody led to a five-year legal struggle, causing significant suffering for all involved.

Beethoven and Carl's widow Johanna are appointed joint guardians of Karl, Beethoven's nephew, after a legal battle for custody ensues.

Beethoven appeals to the court to exclude his sister-in-law from the guardianship of Karl, initiating a legal battle that lasts for several years.

In January 1816, the Landrecht rules in favor of Beethoven regarding the guardianship of Karl, his nephew, resolving a legal dispute.

On January 19, 1816, Beethoven is legally appointed as the sole guardian of Karl, taking full responsibility for his nephew's care and upbringing.

In February 1816, Beethoven enrolls his nephew Karl in a boarding school operated by Giannatasio del Rio, following his removal from his mother's care.

On September 18, 1816, Karl, Beethoven's nephew, undergoes a hernia operation, marking a significant event in his medical history.

On December 15, 1816, Prince Lobkowitz, one of the three signatories to Beethoven's annuity, passes away at his estate in Bohemia, impacting Beethoven's financial arrangements.

In June 1817, Ferdinand Ries, on behalf of the London Philharmonic Society, extends an invitation to Beethoven to visit London, signifying international recognition of Beethoven's musical prowess.

John Broadwood of London sent Beethoven a new fortepiano at the end of 1817, which inspired him to complete his Sonata in B flat, Op. 106, the Hammerklavier. This marked a crucial moment in Beethoven's musical career.

Beethoven takes Karl to Mödling for the summer months and enrolls him in the local school run by the village priest, Pater Fröhlich.

Johanna van Beethoven petitions the Landrecht to obtain guardianship of Karl, but her petition is rejected.

Another appeal by Johanna is dismissed in October.

Karl runs away to his mother, and Beethoven calls in the police to bring him back.

Johanna again petitions the Landrecht, using the fact that Karl ran away from his uncle as justification for regaining custody of him.

Beethoven admits to the Landrecht that he is not a member of the nobility, and the Landrecht transfers the case to the lower court, the Magistrat.

Beethoven loses the legal right to be the guardian of his nephew Karl.

Just before the publication of the Hammerklavier Sonata, Beethoven sends additional notes to be inserted at the start of the slow movement to Ries in London.

Beethoven's nephew Karl enters Blöchlinger's institute.

Johann van Beethoven, Beethoven's brother, buys a large estate at Gneixendorf bei Krems on the Danube.

Encouraged by Anton Schindler, Beethoven petitions the Court of Appeal over the guardianship of his nephew Karl.

Archduke Rudolph is enthroned as Archbishop of Olmütz, but the Missa Solemnis is not ready for the occasion.

The Court of Appeal makes a final ruling in Beethoven's favor over the guardianship of Karl; however, Johanna appeals directly to the Emperor, who refuses to intervene.

Beethoven agrees to compose three Piano Sonatas for the publisher Adolf Schlesinger, which are to become opp. 109-11.

On November 9, 1822, Prince Galitzin commissions three String Quartets from Beethoven, which are to become opp. 127/130/132.

On November 10, 1822, The Philharmonic Society of London offers Beethoven £50 for a new symphony, and Beethoven accepts the commission.

Beethoven's most ambitious choral work, the Missa Solemnis, was premiered in St Petersburg, Russia, just before Easter under the patronage of Prince Galitzin. The composition of this masterpiece had occupied much of Beethoven’s time from 1819-23, and it showcased his immense demands upon the singers.

Beethoven's last symphony, the Ninth Symphony, was premiered on May 7, 1824, in Vienna. It is renowned for its choral finale, incorporating Friedrich Schiller's 'Ode to Joy.'

Beethoven's favorite copyist, Wenzel Schlemmer, who was one of the few capable of deciphering his manuscripts, passes away.

On May 7, 1825, in Vienna, Austria, Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was premiered. This symphony is a monumental work in the classical music genre, known for its innovative use of vocal soloists and chorus in the final movement.

Schuppanzigh and his quartet give the first public performance of Beethoven's String Quartet op. 130. Beethoven agrees to compose a new final movement to replace the Grosse Fuge.

Beethoven passed away on 26 March 1827 at the age of 56. His funeral procession in Vienna was attended by an estimated 10,000 people, and he was buried in the Währing cemetery, north-west of Vienna.

Karl buys a pistol with the intention of committing suicide. His landlord contacts Beethoven after learning about Karl's intentions.

In July 1826, Beethoven's nephew Karl attempted to end his life by shooting himself at the ruined castle of Rauhenstein. This was a result of a massive row between Karl and Beethoven, stemming from Karl's desire to go into the military instead of pursuing university studies. Karl blamed his uncle for pushing him too far, which devastated Beethoven.

Karl climbs to the Rauhenstein ruins and attempts suicide by putting the gun to his head. He is found and taken to his mother to recuperate.

Beethoven begins work on the Grosse Fuge, intended as the finale for op. 130 but later published separately as op. 133.

Beethoven moves to his final lodgings in Vienna, the Schwarzspanierhaus.

After a furious row with Johann, Beethoven and Karl leave in the middle of the night in an open-top carriage for Vienna. Beethoven falls ill in a cold village tavern where they spend the night en route.

Beethoven begins work on String Quartet op. 131.

Beethoven undergoes an operation to reduce his abdominal swelling on December 20th.

Ludwig van Beethoven passed away on March 26, 1827.

On Christmas Day in Berlin, following the historic fall of the Berlin Wall, Bernstein conducts Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The words to Schiller’s Ode to Joy (Ode an die Freude) are changed to Ode an die Freiheit, 'Ode to Freedom'. Musicians from both German states and the four occupation powers make up the orchestra and chorus.

The original airing of a program discussing Ludwig van Beethoven's legacy as the most admired composer in all of music history.

The world celebrates Beethoven 250 with socially distanced audiences from 29 November 2020 for six concerts with pianist Krystian Zimerman and Sir Simon Rattle, rounding off the Beethoven 250 anniversary celebrations. Each concert will be performed twice at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 2 scheduled for Tuesday, December 1st at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 scheduled for Thursday, December 3rd at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4 scheduled for Sunday, December 6th at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5 scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Part of Beethoven 250 at the Barbican, the Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon is scheduled for Thursday, December 17th at 6pm.