Chapter II: Introduction: by Schindler 1

LIFE OF BEETHOVEN.

FIRST PERIOD.

[FROM HIS BIRTH TO THE YEAR 1800.]

Beethoven's Parentage--Contradiction of a Report on that subject--His musical Education--Tale of a Spider--Appointed Organist to the Chapel of the Elector of Cologne--Patronised by Count von Waldstein--Clever Trick played by him--His first Musical Productions--Haydn--Sterkel--Beethoven's Aversion to give Lessons--Youthful Friendships--He is sent to Vienna to improve himself under Haydn--Acquaintances made by him there--Dr. van Swieten--Prince and Princess Lichnowsky--Envy excited by his success--His indifference to Calumny, and to the Accidents of Birth or Wealth--M. Schenk, the corrector of his Compositions--His early Attachments--His Compositions during this Period--Prices paid for them--The Rasumowsky Quartett--Professional Tour--State of Musical Science at Vienna. 25

SECOND PERIOD.

[FROM 1800 TO OCTOBER, 1813.]

General View of the Second Period of Beethoven's Life--Composition of his "Christ on the Mount of Olives" and "Fidelio"--His brothers, Carl and Johann; their mischievous influence--His severe Illness--Remarkable Will addressed to them--His "Sinfonia Eroica," in honour of Napoleon--Count Moritz von Lichnowsky--Opera of "Fidelio"--Beethoven's Neglect of Vocal Performers--Their Intrigues and Cabals--His Passion for Julia--Letters to her--Disappointed Love--Countess Marie Erdödy--Beethoven as Director of the Orchestra--Animadversions on Statements of Ferdinand Ries--Beethoven forms a Friendship with Count Franz von Brunswick and Baron Gleichenstein--Prices paid for his Compositions during the Second Period--Misconduct of his Brothers--Defence of his Character against the charge of Cowardice--Annuity settled upon him, to keep him in Austria--His dislike of, and reconciliation with, Hummel--Foreign Visitors--Bettina Brentano--Göthe--Beethoven's frequent change of Residence--His Domestic Circumstances. 71

THIRD PERIOD.

[FROM NOVEMBER, 1813, TILL HIS DEATH, IN 1827.]