Welcome to Beethoven Bits ~ Week 3:

From Absolute Pitch to Deafness...

Beethoven possessed absolute (or perfect) pitch before age 25. He went completely deaf by age 46. Amazingly though, his perfect pitch allowed him the ability to compose even though he couldn’t hear the instrument (one way he did this was to hold a wooden spoon between his teeth. It helped him feel the vibrations of the piano while he played!). He died at age 56 but composed some of his most beautiful and beloved compositions, despite hearing loss.

And a 'bit' more on Beethoven...or...

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

Whether Beethoven most esteemed Handel or Bach depends on what day of the week it is that you ask. He owned a copy of the Well-Tempered Clavier and his copy indicates that he studied it very closely. Moreover, he did what only Beethoven, probably, would dare to do, which is challenge Bach on his own terms, with the double fugues and inversions in his late sonatas. But let's let Handel stand as the fave.

One friend not mentioned here is Carl Czerny. He is known now primarily for his numerous dreaded exercise books for piano students, but he wrote them to pass on to future generations what Beethoven taught him, starting from when he was about ten until he was about fourteen. Czerny adored Beethoven, and they were very close. Czerny told friends that he thought Beethoven was going deaf several years before Beethoven's problem became generally known. Czerny could play virtually every one of Beethoven's works for piano from memory, an astonishing feat not matched, probably, until modern days. Liszt's father brought Franz Liszt to Czerny, who was so impressed he took him on as a student and gave him a lesson every day, never charging him. Eventually Czerny took Liszt to meet Beethoven, who wasn't taking students by that time, and Beethoven was apparently impressed enough to give young Liszt a kiss on the forehead. So there is a lineage of sorts from Beethoven to Liszt, different as their music is. 

And speaking of lineage, Beethoven taught Czerny, who taught Liszt, who taught Theodor Leschitizky, who taught Moritz Rosenthal, who taught Roy Bogas, who taught Greg Payne - One of Norwalk Symphony Orchestra's Board Members!

Mr. Beethoven has been touring with Norwalk Symphony for our (Not) Just for Kids program, and met current composer Gwyneth Walker in New Canaan. He also learned about Jazz while visiting the Brubeck Room at the Wilton Library! He liked the Jazz beats!

Do you have your tickets yet for the

Music for All Ages Concert?

March 26, 2023, at 3:00pm

Time is flying by, and this concert will be here before you know it. Get your tickets now. Members of the Norwalk Youth Symphony will play side-by-side with Symphony musicians in Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. Then we reconnect with the composer’s beloved Symphony No. 6, The Pastoral. Mr. Beethoven will discuss his works with Maestro Yates in this special performance. Also on the program will be the winners of the 2021 and 2023 Concerto Competitions, performing with the orchestra in works of their choosing. Will you be there?

Symphony Soirée

Join us on May 4th at the Norwalk Art Space for an evening of Canapes, Cocktails and a Concert!

Forte Award Honorees: Mr. & Mrs. David and Eunice Bigelow and Mr. Louis L. Broudy, Esq.

Soiree Tickets