Chapter 6 Beethoven-3

The portrait Steinhauser painted for him in this era shows his face quite accurately at that time.This portrait is to Beethoven's later portraits what Jie Lang's portrait of Napoleon is to other Napoleon portraits. The stern face vividly reflects the flame of Bonaparte's ambition. A According to Pierre Narcisse Guerin (1774-1833), a famous French painter, the portrait of Napoleon represents the posture of Naon in his youth.Beethoven looks very young in the painting, it seems that he is not his age, thin, straight, with a high collar that makes his head and neck stiff, with a look of disdain and nervous eyes.He knew where his will was; he believed in his own strength.In 1796, he wrote in his notebook: "Brave! In spite of my infirmity, my genius will prevail...Twenty-five years! Hasn't it come?...In this year, The whole person should be shown." At that time he was just beginning to show his talents, and his first piano recital in Vienna was held on March 30, 1795.Frau de Bernhard and Grinke said he was haughty, rough-mannered, depressed, with a very strong outback accent.But his compassion, hidden beneath this proud clumsiness, was known only to a few close friends.When he wrote to Wegler describing his success, his first thought was: "For example, I see a friend in a difficult situation: if my purse is not enough to help him, I just have to sit at my desk and solve it in a second." Overcame his difficulties... You see how wonderful it is." Above, see Letter to Wegler, June 29, 1801.In his letter to Reese around 1801, he said again: "If I can, none of my friends should be in need." Then he added: "My art should benefit poor people."

But pain knocked at the door; once it took hold of him it never withdrew.From 1796 to 1800, deafness had begun its torment.In his will of 1802, Beethoven stated that the deafness had begun for six years—so it began in 1796.At the same time, we can pay attention to the catalog of his works. Only the work No. 1 including three trios was produced before 1796.Opus No. 2, comprising the three original sonatas, was published in March 1796.Therefore, all of Beethoven's works can be said to have been written after he was deaf.Regarding his deafness, see Dr. Klose-Forrest's article in the German Medical Journal of May 15, 1905.He thought the disease was a general hereditary influence, perhaps also related to his mother's lung disease.He analyzed the Eustachianitis that Beethoven suffered from in 1796, which turned into severe otitis media in 1799, which, due to poor treatment, then became chronic otitis media, with all its consequences.The degree of deafness increases gradually, but is never completely deaf.Beethoven was more sensitive to low and deep notes than to high notes.In his later years, it is said that he used a small wooden pole, one end inserted in the piano case, the other end between his teeth, to listen to the sound while composing.In 1910, Jakobsson, chief physician of the Berlin-Maupitt City Hospital, published an excellent article, saying that he could prove that Beethoven's deafness was due to the inheritance of syphilis.Around 1810, mechanic Melzel made a special listening device for Beethoven, which is still preserved in the Beethoven Museum in Bonn.His ears were ringing day and night; his internal organs were also tormented by severe pain.Hearing is getting worse.For several years he kept it secret, even from his dearest friends; he avoided seeing people so that his disability would not be discovered; he kept this terrible secret alone.But by 1801 he could no longer be silent; in despair he told two friends, Dr. Wegler and Reverend Amenda: "My dear, my good, my sincere Amenda . . . How I wish you could always be by my side! Your Beethoven is very poor. To know that my noblest part, my hearing, has greatly weakened. When we are together, I already feel many diseases Like, I concealed it; but it got worse and worse from now on... Will it be cured? Of course I hope so, but it is very slim; there is no cure for this kind of disease. I have to live a miserable life, avoid my Beloved of all the characters, especially in this poor, selfish world! Rank and comfort?...." For the above, see the thirteenth collection of Beethoven's letters edited by Knoll.

He wrote to Wegler: "I lead a miserable life. For two years I avoided all communication because it was impossible for me to speak: I was deaf. Had I been in another profession, perhaps All right; but in my trade! It is a dreadful encounter! What will my enemies say, and their numbers are considerable! According to Greek moralists and historians in the first century A.D., I was taught forbearance. I would rather challenge my fate if possible; but there are times when I am the poorest of God's creatures... Patience! What a sad refuge! Yet this is my only way out!" See Beethoven's Letters No. fourteen.