Deaf Musician
- Feb 27, 2016
- 2 min read
"There are no barriers for a person with talent and love towards work"-
Ludwig van Beethoven
He is a German composer and muscian who became popular during classical to romantic era. He was considered a musical prodigy an yet he eventually loss an important sense that will let him appreciate his works better. He is a deaf musician whose revolutionary compositions are usually played to commemorate special ocassions.
Name: Ludwig van Beethoven
Birthday: c. 1770–1827
Occupation: Pianist, Composer
Compositions:
Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.55 'Eroica'
Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92
Piano Sonata No.30 in E, Op.109
Disability: Deafness
While his deafness are exaggerated and dramatized, it is important to note that he did not lose all his hearing from the start. "To be true, it was an infirmity that established itself slowly, and also developed itself quite erratically. What was really dramatic was the moment in which the young, successful composer and virtuoso had to accept that he was suffering from a chronic, incurable illness with which he will have to live… and it was going to get worse." <Retrieved from: http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyDeafness.html>
What caused it?
On March 27 1827, Dr. Wagner made an autopsy on Beethoven and stated that "The ear cartilage is of a huge dimension and an irregular form. The scaphoïde dimple, and above all the auricle, were vast and had one and a half times the usual depth...."
Some authors suggest that it may be due to "... either neurolabyrinthitis, or otospongiose or labyrinthitis...". And, concerning the probable cause, estimate: "... the great cause of deafness at the time: syphilis...", but it's never been proved that "... Beethoven would have been hit by syphilis by the end of his adolescence..." (Porot & Miermont, 1986)
To learn more, check out this website:
Comments