Ludwig Van Beethoven-Deafness

Letters of Btvn-

to Franz Gerhad Wegelar,Bonn,L51.pp.57(1801)
"My compositions bring me a great deal,I must say that I am offered more commissions than it is possible for me to carry out.Moreover for every composition I can count on six or seven publishers, and even more, if I want them; people no longer come to an arrangement with me, I state my price and they pay.So you see how pleasantly situated I am......But that jealous demon, my wretched health, has put a nasty spoke in my wheel; and it amounts to this, that for the last three years my hearing has become weaker and weaker......I must confess that I lead a miserable life. For almost two years I have ceased to attend any social functions, just because I find it impossible to say to people: I am deaf. If I had any other profession it is a terrible handicap. And if my enemies, of whom I have a fair number, were to hear about it, what would they say?...."

to Karl Amenda, Mirben, near Talsen, Courland,L53.pp.63(July 1,1801)
"How often would I like to have you here with me, for your B(eethoven) is leading a very unhappy life and is at variance with Nature and his Creator.Many times already I have cursed Him for exposing His creatures to the slightest hazard, so that the most beautiful blossom is thereby often crushed and destroyed.Let me tell you that my most prized possession, my hearing, has greatly deteriorated........I beg you to treat what I have told you about my hearing as a great secret to be entrusted to no one, whoever he may be......"

to Franz Gerhad Wegeler, Bonn, L54.pp.66(November 16,1801)
"I am now leading a slightly more pleasant life, for I am mixing more with my fellow creatures. You would find it hard to believe what an empty, sad life I have had for the last two years. My poor hearing haunted me everywhere like a ghost; and I avoided- all human society. I seemed to be a misanthrope and yet am far from being one. This change has been brought about by a dear charming girl who loves me and whom I love. After two years I am again enjoying a few blissful moments; and for the first time I feel that -marriage might bring me happiness. Unfortunately she is not of my class-and at the moment- I certainly could not marry- I must still bustle about a good deal. Had it not been for my deafness, I should have long ago travelled half the world over; and that I must do- For to me there is no greater pleasure than to practice and exercise my art....."

Note: Beethoven eventually did not cure of his deafness nor did he marry.Refer Beethoven's unfortunate deafness to:Heiligenstadt Testament .Recommended.