The Deaf Composer: How Beethoven wrote music he couldn’t hear
Summary
This episode delves into Ludwig van Beethoven's profound struggle with progressive hearing loss and his unwavering commitment to music. It explores his despair, documented in the Heiligenstadt Testament, and his ingenious methods for continuing to compose, from conversation books to custom hearing devices. Discover how his personal battles fueled his groundbreaking work, including the Heroica and Ninth Symphonies, solidifying his enduring legacy as a defiant genius.Episode description
What happens when one of history’s greatest composers begins to lose the very sense he relies on most? In this episode, we explore how Ludwig van Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music even as his world fell into silence. Along the way, we uncover the myths, inventions, and raw determination that fueled Beethoven’s defiant creativity, and hear how his lifelong struggles are reflected in his music. Featuring musicologist Laura Tunbridge, author of Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces.
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Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/the-deaf-composer
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