- Beethoven was said to have been very particular when it came to his coffee, counting out 60 beans for every cup to ensure it was just right every time.
- He came from a pretty dysfunctional family: 3 of his 6 brothers and sisters died, his father was a violent alcoholic and, later in life, he became embroiled in a bitter custody battle over one of his nephews.
- In his later years, when he had become profoundly deaf, there are notebooks recording what visitors said to him. However, his comments went unrecorded, leaving a tantalisingly one-sided account of Beethoven's conversations.
- Beethoven was a notoriously messy worker. His sketchbooks and scores were always full to the brim with crossings out, revisions and alterations.
- As he became more and more absorbed in his work, he began to take less notice of his general appearance. So much so, that on one of his regular afternoon constitutionals he was mistaken for a tramp and arrested.
- His work wasn't the only thing that was messy, his rooms were incredibly untidy as well; with tall piles of manuscripts and sheafs of paper no-one was allowed to touch and a number of pianos without legs so he was able to feel their vibrations. He was also prone to work in his underwear and, on occasion, even naked, completely ignoring friends and colleagues if they went to visit him while he was composing.
- His foul temper is also well-known; with stories of him throwing food at a waiter, sweeping candles off the top of a piano and perhaps even hitting a choirboy, coming down the centuries.
Despite his terrible temper and other quirks he remains one of the most significant and influential composers of the western art music tradition and we can't wait to hear his 7th Symphony and Violin Concerto in D major this evening!
Southern Sinfonia's concert The Genius that is Beethoven takes place on 18th April 2012, at St. Nicolas Church Newbury at 7.30pm. Tickets: £14, £10 concessions, £5 under 25s from the Corn Exchange.
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