Great Composers: Beethoven Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bonn

Born December 17, 1770, Beethoven began his career in the town of Bonn. He followed the family footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were also musicians.

Answer: False

Beethoven's father, early recognized that his son, Ludwig had talent, and would boast about his son to his friends while drinking at the taverns. He would come home with them and drag young Ludwig out of bed and demand he entertain them. Ludwig would play, yet do so crying with fatigue.

Answer: violin and organ

Beethoven became so proficient at his instruments that at 11 years of age he began substituting for his teacher in public performances. It was thought Beethoven would become another Mozart, yet while his talent and genius was evident, he did not rise to fame in his youth as had Mozart.

Answer: 13

At 13 he began improvising his own work on the piano, and was encouraged to publish these sonatas. Beethoven achieved his fame and fortune more through composing than through playing, this might be due in part to him losing his hearing when he was in his twenties.

While he could not hear himself play on the piano, he could still hear the instruments in his head, and was able to continue composing.

Answer: False

Beethoven did play for Mozart, who was impressed with his abilities. Beethoven hoped to study with Mozart; however, Beethoven returned to Bonn due to his mother's illness. When Beethoven did return to Vienna, Mozart had died the previous year, and Beethoven studied with Haydn.

Answer: False

Actually, he had dedicated it to Napoleon Bonaparte, out of his admiration for his ambition to lead France to freedom. However, when Beethoven learned Napoleon had become more of a dictator than a liberator he scratched out the dedication, retitling the symphony from "Bonaparte" to "Eroica".

Answer: fate knocking on the door

It was fate knocking at the door. Audiences had never heard anything like Beethoven's compositions before, and although they generally received them well, giving him standing ovations, the people were almost frightened by the powerful music Beethoven created.

Answer: take long walks in the country

Beethoven was known for taking long walks in the famous Vienna woods. The villagers respected the composer and would not bother him when they passed him, as he strode through the woods. He was known to be an eccentric, with his untidy, shabby clothes, wild hair, and violent disposition. His "Pastoral Symphony" is one result from his countryside ramblings.

Answer: he felt the vibrations of the piano

Beethoven noticed he could not hear the higher notes when playing the piano, and this was when he was in his twenties. In order to hear the notes, he sawed the legs off the piano so he could hear the vibrations as he played. By time he was 40, he was completely deaf.

At first he gave up composing and became withdrawn and contemplated suicide. He finally began composing again, going on to create some of his greatest works, such as the "Ninth Symphony".

Answer: True

When he was younger, Beethoven had professed his love to a young woman, Guliette, who was a countess. Her father said he would not have her marry anyone who did not possess a title, especially a struggling musician like Beethoven. Out of the sadness of being refused this love Beethoven composed the famous "Moonlight Sonata".