Beethoven was born and brought up in Bonn, on the Rhine, where his father and grandfather were employed as musicians at the court of the ruling prince. His grandfather, Louis van Beethoven (1712-73), was of Flemish origin. He was a very able musician and eventually became the Elector's Director of Music. Ludwig's father, Johann (1740-92), was different. He drank heavily, chased after women, and was a spendthrift and a bully. Beethoven's mother, Maria Magdalena, was quiet and affectionate and did her best to make the home a happy one, but she could do little to control her husband's excesses. There were seven children in all; but four, perhaps fortunately, died in infancy. Beethoven was the second child and the first to survive. As soon as h
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