LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

(1770-1827)

In Richard Wagner is the remembrance of the story, "The Pilgrimage to Beethoven". Indeed, for some people, introduction to the music, and therefore to the identity of Beethoven′s akin to priests. He is one of those geniuses, the strength and depth of creativity which is not open to everyone.

Ludwig van Beethoven came from a family of professional musicians, who came from Flanders. His grandfather was the head of the court chapel at Bonn, and the father of a chorister in it.

Ludwig soon learned to play the flute, violin, harpsichord, organ. Already in the 15 years he became assistant organist at the Chapel and the concertmaster of the court theater. In 1787, visited Beethoven in Vienna, Mozart, took with him a few lessons and was commended for the maestro′s piano improvisations. After 5 years, Beethoven moved to Vienna, studying with the great Joseph Haydn and with great success on tour in Prague, Berlin and Dresden.

The increasing deafness forced him to abandon the concert activity. And his charming piano sonatas - "Appassionata", "Moonlight" and others - continued (and continue) to sound the musicians from different countries and peoples.

Beethoven opera Fidelio, and difficult for singers and for the perception of the unprepared listener, not much success.

Genuine titanium, a fighter for the spiritual liberation of man presents Beethoven in his symphonies. He inspired the revolutionary actions of the XVIII century. Third (heroic), he intended to dedicate the symphony to Napoleon, but when he became emperor, the composer refused the dedication. In the 9 th symphony chorus sounds "To Joy" in the words of Schiller, urging people to unite in the name of liberty, fraternity.

Photo — «Ludwig Van Beethoven»

Symphonies and overtures ( "Egmont", "Leonora," "Coriolanus") pass joys and sorrows of people, torturing ′feelings and doubts, cruel blows of fate, the fear of death and heroic enthusiasm rights, overcoming challenges and adversity, overcomes weakness of the flesh .

Beethoven is like the simplicity of his biography of Bach and completeness of inner spiritual life. But he lived in another time, in the period of "storm and stress", and was captured by powerful social movements of the masses. It is no accident at the beginning of XIX century had a number of creative geniuses in various fields of human activity, in different people. War of liberation from the tyranny of local and foreign swept over Europe, though the final chord of the Enlightenment (in Russia, they responded Patriotic War of 1812 and the uprising of the Decembrists).

Approaching deafness - a terrible misfortune for a musician! - It was necessary to overcome creativity. Transferring to sheet music sheet music, sound at heart, overcoming misfortune, he performed the feat. This is, perhaps, he did not dream, because that is the nature of genius - to build despite all the barriers.

The aforementioned "Pilgrimage" by Wagner - a sincere and ironic - a heartfelt line: "I was born in a small town in Central Germany. I can not say exactly what I have dedicated parents, but I remember that one evening I first heard one of Beethoven′s symphonies, I was thrown into a fever, I got sick a fever, but recovered, to become a musician. Perhaps this occasion, I am obliged to that special love, the reverence and admiration, which belonged to Beethoven, but later also met with the works of other excellent composers.

Photo — «Ludwig Van Beethoven»

My biggest joy was fully immersed in the depth of his genius, so that in the end, I imagined myself to a particle and as such tiny particles are thought himself imbued with lofty ideas and views . . .

So I lived in a garret under the roof, and then one day it dawned on me that the one in front of one′s creations, I admire, not dead. I do not understand how I had not thought about this before.

And I had no idea that Beethoven may, like us, sinners, eat bread, to breathe the air - in short - to exist. But Beethoven lived in Vienna and was also a poor German musician.

Since that time I did not know the rest! All my thoughts were focused on one thing: to see Beethoven! No Muslim would not burn more ardent faith, going on a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Prophet than I am, trying to make a pilgrimage to the humble abode of Beethoven.

He went on foot, partly because of the principle - to internally prepare for the meeting with a deeply respected man, and partly on poverty did not use the coach. In Bohemia he met a wandering musicians, who had the notes of Beethoven′s Seventh Symphony. They played it just for yourself, not to the public. And the road, under the open sky, it sounded in the performance of these rural musicians (Wagner took up the violin). This episode is absolutely wonderful. Entertainment Music - for the gentlemen (both responded musicians), Beethoven - for the soul, for yourself!

It was hard to get to Wagner in Vienna to Beethoven, which, as it turned out, besieged many foreigners, especially Englishmen. When he received the kind invitation of the maestro, I experienced an ecstasy: "Before me the heavens were opened, I was on top of bliss and prayed on this genius who .

Photo — «Ludwig Van Beethoven»

. . brought me out of the darkness and bondage to the light and freedom. "

The meeting took place (Wagner wrote his questions in a special notebook). Saying good-bye, Beethoven, with a bitter smile, remarked that he lived would be much better if he composed dance pieces, gallops. But the fact is different, and the genius of mediocrity: he does not know how to write for the needs to the highest bidder!

. . . We will not retell the contents of any work of Ludwig van Beethoven. Each may have their own preferences. I can only admit that he was stunned Overture "Egmont" (radio) with excerpts from Goethe′s drama performed by the wonderful narrator VI Kachalova, People′s Artist of the USSR, one of the giants of the Moscow Art Theater. It happened after the Great Patriotic War, but because the heroic power of the final shocking. A man goes to death without fear, because the death of his defeats the enemy, frees his people!

Later, when I managed to get it and read the play of the great Goethe, it disappointed me. It turns out that in some cases, music can express what words can not convey. Here and now have to complete the essay. Let those who lie to the soul, turn to Beethoven, to listen to his music . . . (One would like to add: if it is not too late. )

At the beginning of XX century, NA Berdyaev wrote: "In the spirit of music is the prophecy of embodied beauty. Beethoven was a prophet. But the music of our days is no longer a prophecy, adapted to the bourgeois life. " At the beginning of the XXI century Russian philosopher′s words sound more relevant than ever. What did prophesied Beethoven? Or what he predicted has come to pass? Or - even ahead? . .