Beethoven's style disturbed him, causing Beethoven to seek instruction elsewhere, including that of Mozart's rival Antonio Saleri ("Ludwig van Beethoven," the Columbia Encyclopedia, 2008). For awhile he lived in the aristocrat Prince Lichnowsky's mansion and began to secure fame as a 'dueling' piano player and composer. "Beethoven's rivals always retired, bloodied, from such combat. While he made enemies of many pianists in Vienna, the nobility flocked to hear him.... It was his skill as a pianist rather than as a composer that brought him recognition during his twenties" (Lane 2006). This success was critical in establishing his independence, as Beethoven became the first composer to be able to 'freelance' his talent and not depend on patronage (Lane 2006). Unfortunately, his advancing deafness spelled an end to his career upon the piano -- once again Beethoven faced a setback that would have drained the will of even the most optimistic of men, but he persevered. "With the end of his career as a virtuoso pianist inevitable, he plunged into composing. It offered a much more precarious living than that of a performer, especially when his compositions had already shown themselves to be in advance of popular taste" (Lane 2006). Even his first symphony, which is usually classified as classical in the style of Mozart and Hayden today, was seen as overly emotional and turbulent. After his knowing that his deafness was likely incurable, "he threw himself into his greatest works," sonatas for piano like "The Storm" the second and the third symphonies, the "Erotica," and his only opera "Fidelio" (Prevot 20010. In 1809, Beethoven wanted to leave Vienna, but the Archbishop Rudolph, the Prince Lobkowitz and...

The only condition was that Beethoven was not to leave Vienna. Beethoven accepted," securing him his independence as a composer (Prevot 2001).
Beethoven's ninth symphony was finished in 1823, along with the "Missa Solemnis" and he died in 1826, after catching cold, journeying back from his brother's home, where he and his brother's widow often warred over how best to care for the composer's nephew, as both of them had guardianship of the young man (Prevot 2001).

Beethoven often offended people, perhaps most famously his sister-in-law, who resented his attempt to control the life of her son. His rages were legendary, but so were his accomplishments and the obstacles he overcame, including abuse and deafness. By establishing himself as financially independent as a composer and securing the patronage of people who recognized his genius, he was able to realize his musical vision and give music to the world that still lives today in concert halls across the land.

Works Cited

Classical: Musical Context." The Essentials of Music. 4 May 2008. http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/

Lane, William. "Beethoven: The Immortal." 16 Jan 2006. 4 May 2008. http://www.lucare.com/immortal/

Ludwig Van Beethoven." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 4 May 2008. http://plus.aol.com/aol/reference/Beethove/Ludwig_van_Beethoven?flv=1&ncid=cDaKHfNCCG0000000555&icid=rbox_ref_center.M

Prevot, Dominique. "Biography: Beethoven's life." Ludwig van Beethoven's website. 2001. 4 May 2008. http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html