Alongside figures such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest classical composers. In his lifetime Beethoven crafted some 722 works, comprising string quartets, sonatas and symphonies. Yet like many artistic geniuses, Beethoven’s personal life was tumultuous and he himself developed a reputation as a difficult individual. An upbringing with an alcoholic and abusive father, who was determined for his son to become a musical prodigy, deeply affected the young man. As the composer entered the final few decades of his life and faced increasing health issues and depression, he became involved in a bitter battle for the custody of his nephew – perhaps seeking a musical prodigy of his own. These events reveal an often overlooked side to the life of the renowned composer, particularly when remembering masterworks such as Für Elise. It’s a troubled and distressing side - the dark side of Beethoven.
Beethoven was born around 16 December 1770 in Bonn, Germany, with the exact date of his birth being disputed. The oldest of three brothers, Beethoven’s father (Johann van Beethoven, a notorious alcoholic) appeared determined to turn his young son into a musical prodigy and taught him with such discipline and zeal that it was clearly abusive. The young Beethoven was regularly forced to forgo sleep for extra practice and was violently beaten should he hit a wrong note. Having no
