Beethoven and the importance of perseverance

Today is believed to be the birthday of one of the immortals - Ludwig van Beethoven. I say “believed to be” because he was baptized on Dec. 17, 1770, and there is some confusion as to whether he was born that day or, as is perhaps more likely, the day before.

I’m no expert on classical music, but I do appreciate a great story when I hear one, and there's an anecdote about Beethoven that I've loved ever since I first came across it years ago.

As we all know, Beethoven lost his hearing over time, but he continued to compose. By the time his Ninth Symphony, one of his greatest compositions, premiered in Vienna on May 7, 1824, Beethoven was deaf. Yet he shared the stage with another conductor on that historic occasion.

When the audience gave him a standing ovation, Beethoven was still conducting because he was a bit out of synch with the orchestra. He could not hear the wild acclaim from people who were waving hats and handkerchiefs. Nor could he see what was happening, because he had his back to the crowd.

That's when a singer walked up to Beethoven and turned him around, so he could take in the exuberance of the gesticulating crowd even if he could not hear the thunderous applause.

I’m not sure why I find this anecdote to be so compelling. Perhaps it is because the incident so vividly symbolizes perseverance in the face of adversity.

Or maybe it's just the mental image of one of the greatest composers of all time, locked in a silent world and oblivious to the jubilation of his admirers until someone was kind enough to gently turn him to face the adoring crowd.