Audio: The Life and Times of Beethoven

December 15, 2020

Beethoven in 1815 portrait by Joseph Willibrord Mähler.

Learn what shaped Beethoven’s music through a series of short audio anecdotes from Lawrence Toppman’s collection of posts marking 250 years since Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth. Topics include how he composed some of his greatest works as his hearing declined, why his greatest opera Fidelio had no memorable tunes, how he bombarded audiences with his genius to prove a point, and more.

What the Deaf Man Heard

Most think Beethoven went deaf relatively early, but new evidence suggests Beethoven might have retained partial hearing up to a year before his death.

The Grim Beethoven?

After studying 46 images online of Beethoven, every painting, sculpture and drawing has one thing in common: He’s never smiling.

A Disastrous Outpouring of Genius

“One can easily have too much of a good thing – and still more of a loud.”

The Greatest Opera with No Tunes

How can the most brilliant of Beethoven’s operas not have more memorable tunes?

The Journey that Saved Beethoven’s Life

Beethoven poured his thoughts into a document that starts with a plea for understanding and ends in his commitment to art

Audio: The Life and Times of Beethoven | WDAV 89.9

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