As a young man Ludwig van Beethoven was a virtuoso piano player, and he wrote most of his famous compositions after he began to go deaf.
Beethoven's music became immensely popular during his lifetime, but he never stopped having troubles with money. Since his father spent much of his time drinking, Beethoven became in charge of the family finances when he was still a teenager, working as a court organist for the Elector of Cologne. He took a trip to Vienna to try to make his way as a musician, but he had to return home before he could gain a foothold. A few years later he went back for good, playing the piano at private parties for the city's aristocrats. He wrote home to his brother, saying, "My art is winning me friends and renown, and what more do I want? And this time, I shall make a good deal of money."
Just before he turned forty, a small group of princes and archdukes agreed to give him an annual salary with no conditions attached. The arrangement made Beethoven more independent than almost any composer before him. But he still struggled with all of his expenses. Thus, for the musician of the day, Beethoven had outstanding circumstances: he was free to write what he wanted, when he wanted, under command or not, as he pleased.
In 1812, Beethoven went for hydrotherapy at Teplitz, where he wrote an ardent letter addressed to "The Immortal Beloved". This letter which was found in a secret draw after his death has led to numerous theories and suppositions by researchers and biographers over the identity of the reciever. Go HERE to find out more about this mysterious lady.
In 1815 Beethoven's brother died and he had to pay for the education of his young nephew. The price was 2,000 florins, which was half of his yearly salary. He also kept servants, enjoyed fine wine and lived in a summer house each year. When his Ninth Symphony premiered in 1824, he tried to raise the ticket prices in order to help pay his debts. But he didn't make nearly as much from the concert as he had hoped.
Beethoven once said of himself, "Thank God, Beethoven can compose--but, I admit, that is all he is able to do in this world."
~Writer's Almanac
**Beethoven was perhaps the world's greatest composers, supreme in every genre, yet many know him mainly through a handful of pieces such as 'Moonlight' Sonata or 'Fur Elise'. Go HERE to learn more about his music.