MYSTERIES SURROUNDING A MUSICAL GENIUS--BEETHOVEN!

Recently a book about Beethoven nearly jumped off the shelf at me.  I first saw it at a wonderful little bookstore in northern Minnesota.  I still can’t understand why it beckoned me since I don’t spend hours and hours listening to Beethoven’s music.  I do, however, enjoy his music immensely and have always been fascinated with his life’s story and the incredible obstacles he overcame.

 

The book I mentioned is BEETHOVEN’S HAIR.  I would highly recommend reading it, even if you’re not a huge Beethoven fan.  It made me appreciate Beethoven’s passion and devotion to his music, despite the painful medical ailments he endured for decades.  It also aroused deep compassion and empathy within me for the man who endured and whose music lives on. He was a true genius!

Beethoven’s life was not easy from the start.  He was a natural musician, but at times was beaten and dragged out of bed by his father, and was forced to play the piano.  Beethoven had a strong connection with his mother, who was much the opposite of his father, but when she died, Beethoven became head of his household; his father could no longer function because of alcoholism. 

BEETHOVEN AT 13

 

When Beethoven was only a teenager, Mozart listened to one of his compositions and remarked, “Keep your eyes on that one; someday he will give the world plenty to talk about.”  And indeed he did, having composed 138 major compositions. His classical music is loved around the world, and even during his time, it was viewed as revolutionary.  He was a revered composer, and when he died, 20,000 people were in the streets of Vienna, where he had lived for many years.

Shortly before Beethoven died in 1827, at the age of 56, he was visited by a friend, who brought along a 15-year old piano student of his, Ferdinand Hiller.  They visited him several times over the next few weeks.  Beethoven encouraged the young musician to devote himself to his music, which he did for many years.

When Beethoven died, it was Ferdinand, upon the approval of his teacher Johann Hummel, who cut a lock of Beethoven’s hair.  It was not an uncommon thing to do during that time period.  In 1883 Ferdinand presented the lock of hair to his son Paul as a birthday gift.  The lock of hair was kept in an oval wooden frame and remained with the family for many years.  During World War II it transferred hands in an amazing story and still left unsolved mysteries. The book shares many more fascinating details about that time.

Amazingly, in 1994 two American men who were devoted to Beethoven and his music had an opportunity to acquire that lock of hair, which contained many strands. Because of their purchase at an auction, extensive scientific studies were conducted on Beethoven’s hair.  The belief was that perhaps the public could learn more about what caused the many illnesses that plagued Beethoven, as well as his deafness.  After lengthy research, it was discovered that he suffered from severe lead poisoning, nearly four times the normal level.  Nearly two hundred years ago little was known about the effects of lead poisoning.  We now know that large amounts of lead can cause constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, gout, joint pain, headaches, lack of appetite, and even hearing loss and eye problems, which were constant problems in Beethoven’s life.  One of the questions was how that poisoning occurred.  The book reveals that it may have been a combination of lead poisoning sources, including lead pills, which were prescribed by doctors, as well as wine, which contained lead, and many household items.  The medications that were meant to improve Beethoven’s health caused it to deteriorate dramatically.  He suffered greatly for years, including loss of hearing, which became profound by 1800.  It caused him immense despair.  It was his music which literally kept him alive; he felt he had much to share with the world.  He expressed those sentiments in a letter to his two brothers in 1802.  Although the letter was never sent, it was preserved through the years.  It was Beethoven’s wish that his doctor would keep it and add it to the description of his illnesses so the world might better understand him. He hoped that one day the world would know why he suffered from such painful illnesses and loss of hearing. 

Near the end of the book, the authors, Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley offer this observation:  “Nearly two centuries after his death, it was clear that Beethoven had been exposed to a massive dose of lead, a long-term poisoning by some consistent source of lead, or a cycle of lead exposures that resulted in his lifelong illnesses.  Perhaps this diagnosis could even explain something about his deep emotional states and his creative genius.”

BEETHOVEN'S GRAVE SITE IN VIENNA

 

There are many more facts and observations revealed in this wonderful book.  The drawings are also intriguing and almost mesmerizing.  I have vowed to read more in-depth accounts of Beethoven. Perhaps the most endearing quote I find ever attributed to him was, “Oh, it would be so lovely to live a thousand lives.”  No doubt his music will continue to endure for a thousand years and more!