How did "Beethoven was deaf" get its name?
- Thread starter Cuddle
- Start date
Waaaaaah! I've been so misunderstooooood!!!! *dissolves into fits of hysterical crying . . .
. . . or is that laughter?*
Ahem. To make it clearer to the sarcasm impaired, yes I knew Beethoven was deaf. [here’s a couple more of these guys hoping, feebly, to drive the point home] But I'm glad some of y'all had fun with my comments anyway. It’s always a pleasure.
Back to the original, apparently poorly worded question - to which I see a couple of serious replies (thank you!).
Ah yes. And not only a speech impediment, one could say (for example) a personality impediment too. His at times crippling shyness? The obstacles he's overcome to do what he does are quite impressive to me.
Does anyone know of an interview where he said why he chose that as a title? Did he even do any interviews promoting this album's release?
. . . or is that laughter?*
Ahem. To make it clearer to the sarcasm impaired, yes I knew Beethoven was deaf. [here’s a couple more of these guys
hoping, feebly, to drive the point home] But I'm glad some of y'all had fun with my comments anyway. It’s always a pleasure. Back to the original, apparently poorly worded question - to which I see a couple of serious replies (thank you!).
Ah yes. And not only a speech impediment, one could say (for example) a personality impediment too. His at times crippling shyness? The obstacles he's overcome to do what he does are quite impressive to me.
Does anyone know of an interview where he said why he chose that as a title? Did he even do any interviews promoting this album's release?
BoyRacer
Back from the grave
Ludwig van Beethoven, (baptized December 17, 1770 – March 26, 1827) was a German composer. He is generally regarded as one of the great composers in the history of music, and was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. His music and his reputation inspired — and in many cases intimidated — ensuing generations of composers, musicians, and audiences.
While primarily known today as a composer, Beethoven was also a celebrated pianist. Born in Bonn, Germany, he moved to Vienna, Austria, in his early twenties and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. In his late twenties, he began to lose his hearing gradually, and yet he continued to produce notable masterpieces throughout his life, even when his deafness was almost total. Beethoven was also one of the first composers to work freelance — arranging subscription concerts, selling his compositions to publishers, and gaining financial support from a number of wealthy patrons — rather than seek out permanent employment by the church or by an aristocratic court.
Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, to Johann van Beethoven (1740–1792) of Flemish origin and Maria Magdalena Keverich (1744–1787). Beethoven was one of seven children born to them, three of whom would survive infancy. Beethoven was baptized on December 17, 1770, but his family (and later, his teacher Johann Albrechtsberger) celebrated his birthday on December 16.
Beethoven's first music teacher was his father, a musician in the Electoral court at Bonn, who was reportedly a harsh and unpredictable instructor. Johann later engaged a friend, Tobias Pfeiffer, to preside over his training, and it is said Johann and his friend would at times come home late from a night of drinking to pull young Ludwig out of bed to practice until morning. Beethoven's talent was recognized at a very early age, and by 1778 he was studying the organ, violin and viola in addition to the piano. His most important teacher in Bonn was Christian Gottlob Neefe.
In 1787, young Beethoven traveled to Vienna for the first time, where he played for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.After his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis, Beethoven was forced to return home. Beethoven's mother died on July 17, 1787, when Beethoven was 16.
Due to his fathers worsening alcohol addiction, Beethoven was responsible for raising his two younger brothers.
Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792, where he studied for a time with Joseph Haydn, though he had wanted to study with Mozart, who had died the previous year. Beethoven received additional instruction from Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (Vienna's preeminent counterpoint instructor) and Antonio Salieri. By 1793, Beethoven established a reputation in Vienna as a piano virtuoso.[6] His first works with opus numbers, a set of three piano trios, appeared in 1795. He settled into the career pattern he would follow for the remainder of his life: rather than working for the church or a noble court (as most composers before him had done), he supported himself through a combination of annual stipends or single gifts from members of the aristocracy; income from subscription concerts, concerts, and lessons; and proceeds from sales of his works.
Around 1796, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitus, a "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to perceive and appreciate music; he would also avoid conversation. The cause of Beethoven's deafness is unknown, but it has variously been attributed to syphilis, beatings from his father, lead poisoning, typhus, and even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. The oldest explanation, from the autopsy of the time, is that he had a "distended inner ear," which developed lesions over time.
Historian Russell Martin has documented analysis done on a sample of Beethoven's hair that showed alarmingly high levels of lead, which in high concentrations can lead to bizarre and erratic behaviour, including rages – and to deafness.[citation needed] In Beethoven's time the dangers of lead were unknown, and it was used widely, for example in sweetening wine, in finishes on porcelain dishes, and even in medicines. However, while the likelihood of lead poisoning is very high, the deafness associated with it seldom takes the form that Beethoven exhibited.
In 1802, Beethoven became depressed and considered committing suicide. He left Vienna for a time for the small Austrian town of Heiligenstadt, where he wrote his Heiligenstadt Testament. He resolved to continue living for and through his art. Over time, his hearing loss became profound: there is a well-attested story that, at the end of the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, he had to be turned around to see the tumultuous applause of the audience; hearing nothing, he began to weep. Beethoven's hearing loss did not affect his ability to compose music, but it made concerts — lucrative sources of income — increasingly difficult.
As a result of Beethoven's hearing loss, a unique historical record has been preserved: he kept conversation books discussing music and other issues, and giving an insight into his thoughts. Even today, the conversation books form the basis for investigation into how he felt his music should be performed and his relationship to art.
While primarily known today as a composer, Beethoven was also a celebrated pianist. Born in Bonn, Germany, he moved to Vienna, Austria, in his early twenties and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. In his late twenties, he began to lose his hearing gradually, and yet he continued to produce notable masterpieces throughout his life, even when his deafness was almost total. Beethoven was also one of the first composers to work freelance — arranging subscription concerts, selling his compositions to publishers, and gaining financial support from a number of wealthy patrons — rather than seek out permanent employment by the church or by an aristocratic court.
Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, to Johann van Beethoven (1740–1792) of Flemish origin and Maria Magdalena Keverich (1744–1787). Beethoven was one of seven children born to them, three of whom would survive infancy. Beethoven was baptized on December 17, 1770, but his family (and later, his teacher Johann Albrechtsberger) celebrated his birthday on December 16.
Beethoven's first music teacher was his father, a musician in the Electoral court at Bonn, who was reportedly a harsh and unpredictable instructor. Johann later engaged a friend, Tobias Pfeiffer, to preside over his training, and it is said Johann and his friend would at times come home late from a night of drinking to pull young Ludwig out of bed to practice until morning. Beethoven's talent was recognized at a very early age, and by 1778 he was studying the organ, violin and viola in addition to the piano. His most important teacher in Bonn was Christian Gottlob Neefe.
In 1787, young Beethoven traveled to Vienna for the first time, where he played for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.After his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis, Beethoven was forced to return home. Beethoven's mother died on July 17, 1787, when Beethoven was 16.
Due to his fathers worsening alcohol addiction, Beethoven was responsible for raising his two younger brothers.
Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792, where he studied for a time with Joseph Haydn, though he had wanted to study with Mozart, who had died the previous year. Beethoven received additional instruction from Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (Vienna's preeminent counterpoint instructor) and Antonio Salieri. By 1793, Beethoven established a reputation in Vienna as a piano virtuoso.[6] His first works with opus numbers, a set of three piano trios, appeared in 1795. He settled into the career pattern he would follow for the remainder of his life: rather than working for the church or a noble court (as most composers before him had done), he supported himself through a combination of annual stipends or single gifts from members of the aristocracy; income from subscription concerts, concerts, and lessons; and proceeds from sales of his works.
Around 1796, Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitus, a "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to perceive and appreciate music; he would also avoid conversation. The cause of Beethoven's deafness is unknown, but it has variously been attributed to syphilis, beatings from his father, lead poisoning, typhus, and even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. The oldest explanation, from the autopsy of the time, is that he had a "distended inner ear," which developed lesions over time.
Historian Russell Martin has documented analysis done on a sample of Beethoven's hair that showed alarmingly high levels of lead, which in high concentrations can lead to bizarre and erratic behaviour, including rages – and to deafness.[citation needed] In Beethoven's time the dangers of lead were unknown, and it was used widely, for example in sweetening wine, in finishes on porcelain dishes, and even in medicines. However, while the likelihood of lead poisoning is very high, the deafness associated with it seldom takes the form that Beethoven exhibited.
In 1802, Beethoven became depressed and considered committing suicide. He left Vienna for a time for the small Austrian town of Heiligenstadt, where he wrote his Heiligenstadt Testament. He resolved to continue living for and through his art. Over time, his hearing loss became profound: there is a well-attested story that, at the end of the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, he had to be turned around to see the tumultuous applause of the audience; hearing nothing, he began to weep. Beethoven's hearing loss did not affect his ability to compose music, but it made concerts — lucrative sources of income — increasingly difficult.
As a result of Beethoven's hearing loss, a unique historical record has been preserved: he kept conversation books discussing music and other issues, and giving an insight into his thoughts. Even today, the conversation books form the basis for investigation into how he felt his music should be performed and his relationship to art.
Good morning to all, I'm a new member. And as a recent Moz-fan, I have no idea whatsoever where the album got its title from. But when I read the anecdote someone posted (about guys playing pool, and one of them thinking Moz was deaf), I remembered that he used to wear a hearing aid in the 80s. I suppose he didn't really need it, but maybe he has/had some kind of obsession with certain disabilities...
Amy
from the Ice Age to the dole age
He did indeed
. There are various rumours for the origin of Morrissey's hearing aid; among them a story that a Smiths fan wrote him a letter, saying how she was ashamed to wear her hearing aid at gigs and such, so he wore one instead to make her feel better. Another version is that he wore it as a homage to Billy Fury. Whatever the reason, it was a hilarious oddball idea methinks , but I wouldn't say he had an obsession with the hearing disability. He just wanted to look different..via the use of "props". I wonder if he looks back now at performances/interviews with the hearing aid and cringes deep in his gut lol!
Amy
from the Ice Age to the dole age
And now I shall ignore you.
Picture is both terrifying and hilarious
Trolls seem to be taking over the forum atm, but at least Kumo is banned
Bluebirds
Well-Known Member
He did indeed
When I was on Mastermind, one of the questions I got asked was "Morrissey would often pay homage to his earlier influences - how did he do so in the case of Johnny Ray?" I answered "He wore a hearing-aid", and John Humphreys said "Correct".
From Wikipedia - "Ray was born in Hopewell (near Dallas), Oregon, and spent part of his childhood on a farm, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon. He is often correctly said to be of American Indian origin, due to the claims of a publicity agent. His great-grandmother was full blooded Indian & his great-grandfather was George Kirby Gay of Berkley, Gloucestershire, England. He became deaf in his right ear at age 12 due to an accident as a Boy Scout involving a blanket toss, when he fell on the ground hitting his ear. He would often perform wearing a mauve hearing aid. A later operation left him almost completely deaf in both ears."
Peter
Last edited:
BoyRacer
Back from the grave
Amy
from the Ice Age to the dole age
So casual, so casual... were you nervous? When was this? Was your specialist subject the Moz? oh and thankyou for the information about Johnny Ray
That would be here.
Peter
Amy
from the Ice Age to the dole age
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