#also not to be that person but beethoven was deaf and he is the greatest composer of all time

[iidsch]

can you imagine if someone said that they are severely depressed and the only way to feel better is to hunt endangered animals for sport? like we would all agree that this person shouldn't do that just because it's the only thing that makes them happy and that maybe they should a. go to therapy and b. find something less harmful, right? well i just saw someone said they use ai art bcs they are disabled and cant draw anymore so-

[tartanblogger]

Why Beethoven's 'The Daddy'

Ludwig Van Beethoven absolutely 'ROCKS' and I'll tell you why. Unlike Mozart, who had a loving, supportive, maybe sometimes overbearing but never cruel father, young Ludo's father was a drunken sot who used to drag him out of bed at all hours to play piano for him and his drunken cronies. When teaching Ludwig piano, he would smack the boy around the ears for making a mistake or not playing something as perfect as the father wanted.

A 'USELESS' DRUNK! Unlike his extremely gifted son, the father was a third rate singer whose own father reached high circles in music and had an excellent reputation in the field. Perhaps there was resentment passed on to his son. Although cruel, I also believe the father sometimes had little moments of genuine adoration for his son's talent and deep inside, knew Ludwig was destined for greater things!

THE PRISONER, LOCKED AWAY!

Many times, the young Beethoven was shoved into a darkened cellar and locked in by his father. Think of the fear and anguish that must have gone through the young lad's mind. No doubt these affected how he shaped up in later life!

A SENSE OF DUTY!

Ludwig had two brothers and when one of them (Kaspar) died, Ludwig took care of his nephew Karl until Karl was old enough to break from his 'as-he- saw it' overbearing' uncle. The fact remains 'though, that Ludwig showed a paternal love, care and devotion to his brother's child, something that he himself lacked in his early years.

BEETHOVEN and MOZART

When Beethoven had moved to Vienna, he sought out the famous Mozart and had a few lessons with him before having to return to his mother's funeral in Germany. Mozart, who was impressed by Ludwig (no mean feat, to impress Mozart) is reported to have stated that Beethoven would be an important figure in the world stage and one to watch out for in the future! Again...coming from the musical genius Mozart, that is indeed 'high' praise!

A MAN OF PRINCIPLES!

As a person, Beethoven was also a man of high principles. He once wrote the EROICA (heroic) symphony and dedicated it to Napoleon Bonaparte who had liberated parts of Europe and who was in Ludwig's eyes, a hero!

However, later, when Beethoven had heard that his hero had now declared himself an 'emperor' (Beethoven had little regard for titled folk) he took the manuscript and violently scratched out Napoleon's name, leaving the manuscript damaged!

OUT OF THE SILENCE - CAME GREATNESS!

If you can imagine a sculptor or carpenter losing their hands, you would conclude that to be a tragedy. Think on then, of how probably THE greatest composer in the world, lost his hearing at just twenty eight years of age!!!

Can you even grasp what torture that would be...never to hear the world around you or your precious gift of music, ever again! With Beethoven's gradual hearing loss, he wasted precious time and money on 'quack' cures and doctors who had no remedy or cure.

Yet although when eventually he was stone deaf, Beethoven produce some of the finest works of music ever known...ALL from the silence of his malady! Yet the mind, the great mind was still working.

Considering Beethoven's superb piano and composition skills, he was definitely unique..a one-off! When speaking to a wealthy and powerful prince one day, Beethoven was reported to have said (I paraphrase here) "princes come and go, but there is one ONE BEETHOVEN!" And he was absolutely right. Beethoven was not just an ordinary man, nor composer. He was in every sense of the word, an EXTRAORDINARY genius! A giant of music.

copyright JG Conn aka Tartan Composer 11/04/2024.

[gkshivashakti55]

Beautifying Life With Success Tips

1. Getting Past Fear of Failure

Being afraid of failure is a normal emotion for every person on the planet. How you get past that fear is the determining factor between failing and succeeding. You can do that by setting realistic goals and then examining those goals on occasion to do any necessary realignment. Above all, believe in yourself and the desire burning within that you can achieve it.

2. Make Opportunities

Rather than wait for money opportunity to find you, you need to find money opportunities. This might be watching for business opportunities in the paper regarding small businesses being sold, great real estate opportunities, and investments with stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, taking a talent and turning it into an entrepreneurial adventure. People that have reached financial status will tell you that they look for ways to seize opportunities, not wait for opportunities to come knocking on their door because it will not happen that way.

3. Make the Best of Each Day

Try to live every day as though it were your last. Make the most of every day and accomplish something. Even if it is something small, every baby step adds up to a huge success in the end.

4. Have a Plan

Even if it is flimsy to begin with, you should construct a plan to include goal, milestones, deliverables such as contracts, business plans, etc., and accomplishments. This will provide you with a visual as to what you are working for, what milestones you have successfully met, and where you need to do better.

5. Seek Input

Whatever your idea of to make money, conduct a “sanity check” throughout the process of reaching your goal. This should be done with someone you trust and who is themselves successful. Ask them to provide honest feedback about your success and as you move through different milestones, bounce concerns or new ideas off them to help keep you on the right track.

6. Stay Motivated

When striving for the big goal of success to make more money in life, it is critical to stay motivated. Find inspiring and motivational tapes, seminars, books, movies; whatever you are able to get your hands on. When you start to feel a little down and out and doubt starts to creep in, turn to these motivational tools to help you keep on track. A few excellent motivators include Tony Robbins, Norman Vincent Peale, Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Les Brown.

7. Don’t Settle

If you have a goal of making one million dollar and you know you have both desire and skill, do not just settle to make one hundred thousand only. While that may be good training ground, do not allow yourself to lose sight of your ultimate goal.

8. No Excuses

Many famous actors, music artists, inventors, etc., had special challenges ranging from learning disabilities to physical disabilities. Take Beethoven for example. He was born deaf yet he went on to be one of the world’s greatest composers or Joni Erickson who was paralyzed from the neck down yet she learned to paint with her mouth. Today, her paintings are famous around the world and worth millions. If you are faced with a special challenge of your own when you are trying to make more money, while you may have to adjust things from time to time, do not use excuses. If you want something bad enough, there is a way!

9. Patience and Dues

Succeeding to make more money takes time. A goal worth setting will take time to achieve. Be patient with yourself, the people around you, and the process it takes to become successful, also referred to as “paying your dues.” Pay your dues by learning and working your way up the ladder to success.

10. Be Thankful

You need to be thankful for not only your accomplishments but also your failures. Having a grateful attitude is important. It will help you stay humble, which in turn, will help you continue striving for the ultimate in success.

11. Focus on Something you Like

To increase your chance of succeeding to make money, you should concentrate your efforts on something you enjoy. When you start out, make a list of everything you find interesting. Then in a second column, write down the skills you have in relation to each of those items. This will help you narrow choices down based on interest and skill, which gets you started in the right direction for success in making money.

12. Keep a Journal

As you work hard to become financially rich, you need to be able to see your accomplishments. Start a journal and track every thing you have conquered. When you feel discouraged or frustrated, reflect on what you have achieved, and rejuvenate yourself.

13. Rewards

When children do something great, parents will reward them with something nice, whether a kind word of encouragement or a new toy. When people do well in their job, they get raises. As you surpass your milestones, reward yourself. Treat yourself to something nice — a new dress, a new fishing pole, whatever you like, be sure to award yourself for a job well done.

14. Watch for Scams

Whether you are just starting out or expanding an existing business, unfortunately, there are thousands of people waiting to defraud you out of money. If something appears too good to be true — IT IS! Always conduct thorough research and never jump into opportunities that look perfect. If someone becomes pushy, wanting you to make a quick decision on any type of investment, do not walk away — RUN away!

15. Don’t Neglect Things

Especially when things are small and do not appear to have a major impact on the big picture, you need to ensure you follow through and complete your tasks. Those little things can quickly add up to a big mess if not taken care of in a timely and efficient manner.

16. Associate And Collaborate with Others

More than likely, you will reach various times when you do not have the appropriate expertise to make more money. This is the time collaboration and/or networking is valuable. These relationships can help you answer questions, provide guidance, and provide the ongoing support and encouragement you will need.

17. Repositioning and Reflection

On occasion, reflect on what you have accomplished as well as your open milestones and ensure you are still heading in the right direction. Repositioning along the way to success is perfectly normal and to be expected. You may have been struggling with something specific. Rather than continue battling this issue, reflect on what has not been working, and reposition yourself so you do not have to keep battling the same things repeatedly.

18. Get out of Debt

Take time to get any debts paid off, especially credit card debts that will cost you a fortune in interest. This is especially important if you will be seeking funding to make more money. You want to ensure that your records and credit are clean if you need to make a presentation before an investor, asking for money.

19. Continue To Read

Stay current on the industry news that your goal falls in. Learn about current trends, company failures or successes, new ideas; whatever information you can find. For example, if you have decided to open a retail store and have a great idea and a real passion for your goal, read about that specific type of store, location, potential revenue, downfalls, everything. This information will be a part of your business plan and is crucial.

20. Take Notes

How many times have you had an idea on how to make more money either through a dream, while doing the dishes, or sitting at your desk, and have thought that as soon as you have time, you will make a note of it. When that free time rolls around, you have forgotten some or all of that great money-making idea. Keep a journal or notepad handy at all times. When you have an idea, write it down immediately.

These twenty short topics are always helpful for a human beings towards success relating these with their own subject goal.

[yall-cant-handel-this-blog]

Blog Post 8

*Disclaimer*

I’m sorry this is so long, I got carried away and I enjoyed learning new things about someone I’ve grown up referencing, but never knew much of anything about!! (nerdy I know).

“Beethoven” The Greatest German Composers

1. What is the main idea of the first section? (1 sentence)

Beethoven may have experienced a life riddled with afflictions, yet due to these afflictions, he became one of the most unique, yet popular, composers of all time.

2. How old was Beethoven when he wrote the Eroica (No. 3) and Pastorale (No. 6) Symphonies?

Beethoven was born in 1770 and he wrote Symphony No. 3 “Erocia” between 1805 and 1808, meaning he was around 35 years old.

Interesting how he didn’t start composing until age 35 when Mozart was only able to compose till age 35.

3.Eroica means hero. Describe what happened between Beethoven and his admiration for Napoleon. How does this relate to Enlightenment thought? This work may be the first “romantic” work as we see a shift from absolute to programmatic music.

So through reading this chapter, and some use of the Wikipedia page on this lesser known symphony, I discovered that Beethoven was a fan of Napolean Bonapart in his earlier days during the French Revolution and Enlightenment (taking place during Beethoven’s life) when Napolean was in support of the movement against the monarchy and toward democracy. Thus, Beethoven wrote this symphony as a kind of love song to Napolean, indicating a rendering of the new programmatic (story-telling), and romantic kind of composition.

What’s really funny is how Beethoven revoked his dedication of this symphony to Napolean and gave it to someone else, because Napolean was a mean little man who wanted to defy democracy and ended up joining the aritocracy. Beethoven = real big democracy fan.

4. How would you describe Beethoven’s personality after reading this chapter?

From reading this chapter I get a few different indications of Beethoven’s personality traits. First and foremost I think he is probably an Introvert, because of the descriptions from his contemporaries indicating he often lashed out or hard to read. This also just shows that he’s plain grumpy and mean. However, reading his journal entries we can also understand that under that mean exposition he is struggling with the immense emotional pain of losing one’s hearing. Especially, someone who values sound so much such as Beethoven must’ve. So, was Beethoven mean? Maybe, but I also think he was just a deeply sad man grappling with a handicap. They also said he was determined, and highly passionate and an extremely hard worker when it came to his compositions.

Heiligenstadt Testament

1. How does your perception of Beethoven’s character change after reading this if at all?

This testament that Beethoven wrote to his brothers when he was about 29 before his composer career took off, initially made me sad for him.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through losing one’s hearing later in life after already knowing how beautiful some sounds can be *cough cough music cough*. He just felt so lonely, and just think of this time period in which I’m almost positive ASL (or I guess German Sign Language) was fairly nonexistent. He couldn’t communicate with anyone efficiently and then you are perhaps able to understand the source of passion for his compositions.

So again, was Beethoven mean? No. I still think he was really sad a lonesome and very passionate.

He also tells his brothers that he wants them to obtain his *small* (lol little did he know) fortune after his death and also that any animosity between them had been relieved. Beethoven here shows indication of a caring, even loving disposition.

Hearing Beethoven

*page 28 first paragraph has a psychology reference that makes me happy lol*

1. What did the physicians of Beethoven’s day say was the problem?

Originally Beethoven had abdominal and ear problems and his doctor was able to fix his belly aches, but not his hearing. He was installed with false-hope that his hearing would slightly return, but history shows it never would.

2. What are some of the explanations of today?

Today we know that Beethoven most likely suffered from the hearing implementation of tinnitus which is like an incessant ringing noise that would drive anyone nuts, (indicating his mean disposition and madness). We also know that it was not loud sounds that caused this to happen but rather a sickness that caused nerve damage to the inner ear functions. Also,  another explanation is a weird overgrowth of the small ear bones. Indicating that his hearing loss was likely in part sensorineural.

On the other hand, besides medical causes, some speculations have been made that it was self-inflicted, or possibly due to alcoholism, or even lead poisoning.

All symptoms point back to life long digestive tract problems.

3. What does the author say about his familial relationships (dad and nephew Karl)?

First, we learn that Beethoven’s dad was an alcoholic that just wanted to basically use Beethoven’s talent for his own personal gain. Because of this Beethoven grew up thinking his success was his fathers, putting immense pressure on him. Leading to a life of living for validation.

Second, we learn about Beethoven’s struggle to obtain custody of his nephew Karl, after his brother died. He became so dedicated to this that he lost some focus on composing. However, he later got right back into it with new vigor, maybe by inspiration from the love for his nephew.

4. Wallace speculates about how Beethoven was able to write so many masterpieces toward the end of his life and nearly 20 years after the Heiligenstadt Testament. Which were you most convinced by?

Wallace references a few reasons why Beethoven may perhaps have been able to compose so many great pieces later in his life. First Wallace suggests based on evidence that Beethoven wasn’t completely deaf but rather just really hard of hearing. For this reason his compositions would require Beethoven to use a combination of methods. I think I am most convinced that he in part used vibrations from the piano, his imagination, all fueled by his passion.

The Piano Sonata No.14 in C# minor “Quasi Una Fantasia” Opus 27 No.2 (Moonlight Sonata)

1. What would you say is the texture of the 1st movement and why?

I think the first movement is homophonic because there is a lot going on, like both a melody and a harmony.

2. I am assuming most of you have never heard the other movements of this sonata. What is your initial reaction to the second movement?

The second movement was completely new to me. I kind of wish I knew the motives behind this Sonata because it kind of didn’t fit with the themes of the first and third themes. I wouldn’t have grouped these songs together if I would’ve heard them seperately. I definetly didn’t enjoy the second movement as much as the first and I especially enjoyed the third.

3. How about the third? Around 13 minutes a few things happen that make this ending even more rewarding. Using musical terms and your own words, what happens?

I really enjoyed this movement it was kind of crazy to listen to and watch at how much skill takes to play this piece. The tempo made the song very entertaining to listen to. There were also a lot of crescendos and decrescendos that made it rewarding to listen to because it kept you on the edge of your seat.

[therealrandystephens-blog]

Post #8

1. It highlights his monumental achievements despite being deaf. He was among the greatest composers of all time, but he is in somewhat his own category because of his deafness and the way he was as a person

2. Beethoven was in his mid 30’s when he wrote these two pieces. They were his 3rd and 6th symphonies, which puts him far behind mozart if you consider the age at which they composed.

3. Beethoven really admired the idea behind the French Revolution. Meaning that he likes the idea that the common man can rise above and challenge the rich. The common man rising up was a major theme of the enlightenment as people challenged the notion that people should rule based on lineage, and the average person can be great if they wish to achieve. (Beethoven retracted his dedication after Napoleon started to conquer Europe)

4. Beethoven was a somewhat tragic person. He had musical talent, but his father pushed him very hard. This made him a serious person. Beethoven was also plagued by his deafness. He began going deaf in his late 20’s, and was completely deaf by his 40’s. It was very hard for him, and he somewhat drifted from people on a social level

5. Beethoven was very sad and he distanced himself from others, including his family. He said that he regrets being estranged from the people around him. He also left his money to his brothers. This kind of confirms to me that he was a tragic person. It sounds very hard to become distanced from loved ones, and I feel badly for him. He also basically admitted that he was deaf as well which was very hard for him.

6. They said his problem stemmed from his abdomen and that the problems were from his intestines. Very dumb.

7. He may have had a viral infection that could have messed up his hearing, and since it went untreated so long, it eventually completely wiped his hearing. Or they said he may have had Typhoid in his youth that may have caused nerve damage from his ear to brain.

8. His relationship with his father was similar to a tough coach and a player. He pushed him to be a child prodigy to improve his own self image. This hurt Beethoven and caused him to need validation for his whole life. Beethoven longed for a son of his own and adopted his nephew.

9. I think the theory that Beethoven has somewhat of a 6th sense that allowed him to feel music. “His sensitivity to sound, in other words, was minimal, even though his awareness of music remained surprisingly acute.”

10. It is homophonic because it has a melody on the right hand and harmony on the left.

11. I have heard it before, and I don’t like it. I think it’s far less interesting and much less exciting than the other two movements. When I listen to the moonlight sonata, I tend to skip the second one.

12. This is my favorite piano piece ever. It is insanely fast and a treat to watch people play it. At the end, the theme really really changes, and seems to get more chaotic. It’s not a recap of the previous themes, it is something new and crazy which is pretty sweet.

[sointermediate]

What's Behind Beethoven's 10th Symphony?

First, who is Beethoven? Ludwig van Beethoven is a German composer, considered the greatest composer to ever exist. His personal life was marked by a struggle against deafness, and some of his most important works were composed during the last 10 years of his life when he was unable to hear. The Ninth Symphony is one of Beethoven's most important and well-known works. It was premiered on May 7, 1824 in Vienna. When Beethoven wrote this wonderful work he was already completely deaf. However, that did not prevent him from composing this symphony and presenting it with one of the largest orchestras. When Ludwig von Beethoven passed away in 1827, it was three years since he had finished the Ninth Symphony, a composition considered by many to be his masterpiece. He used to work on his Tenth Symphony but, due to his deteriorating health, he was not able to advance very far. Later Beethoven fans and musicologists have speculated a lot about what this work could have been like. People around him used to keep Beethoven's notes that seem to point to a great work, but this was well out of reach, since Beethoven used to make compositions with too difficult instrumentals. This was a big problem, but the group of music historians tried to make Beethoven's work come to life.

And how could this problem is solved? For Beethoven's 10th Symphony to be completed, they would use the artificial intelligence component.

You ask yourself, what is AI? AI is in charge of teaching a machine not only all of Beethoven's works, but also the characteristics of his creative process. The AI ​​can predict the next note with reasonable precision. However, he begins to deviate from the central theme after a few notes. To stay true to Beethoven's original composition, hundreds of AI-generated musical note variations were reviewed every night by the musical team and this is how they used to select the musical notes that most closely matched the artist's idea. This is finally how Beethoven's 10th Symphony would be completed!

In conclusion, I find it too interesting how much technology has advanced over time and it is very rare to know that there is technology that has the ability to complete musical notes of a symphony, also something that caught my attention was the support that Beethoven had, even from the beginning of his career and until after his death he still had people around him who wanted to complete his last work.

[forthegoldenlines]

Cochlear Implants

Why would a person with perfectly fine hearing wonder how cochlear implants work? Well that takes me back a few years when I found out Beethoven had gone deaf during his lifetime. HOW COULD ONE OF THE GREATEST COMPOSERS OF ALL TIME GO DEAF? How did he even hear his own score??? It literally makes no sense. BUT LOOK:

He was not only a musical genius, but an engineer. He used bone conduction which is similar to the technology used in cochlear implants. Either way, it’s allowing deaf people to somehow interpret sounds and that’s awesome. Now to get back on topic.

How do these things work you might ask? Well it’s some hard core science and design.

Cochlear implants replace the functions of the ear. It detects sound in the environment and stimulates the auditory nerve which sends signals to the brain. The signals are not exactly the same as the sounds we hear with our ear but we, as humans, can learn to interpret the signals being sent to our brain. Isn’t that crazy? They hear different sounds but can still learn to know what each sounds represents.

With technology quickly advancing in many directions, there are more and more materials being experimented with to improve the design of the implant. They have begun to use Teflon because of its highly stable chemical and thermal properties while being hydrophobic. It allows for the electrode array to be placed closer to the modiolus within the cochlea. Experiments with electrically conducting polymers have also been conducted in hopes that the modified polymers allow for many more electrode contacts on the electrode array. This could lead to enhanced overall flexibility and further optimization of electrodes to help preserve hearing. BASICALLY, they are hoping the material has metal properties of conduction while also being flexible and biocompatible. 

How is this even changing society? WELL LET ME TELL YOU. About one-third of adults between the ages of 65-75 have some form or degree of hearing loss.  However, only those with severe hearing impairments require cochlear implants. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD), in the United States, roughly 58,000 devices have been implanted in adults and 38,000 in children. IMAGINE THIS: 38,000 little babies, starting from 12 months old, getting the cochlear implant and hearing their mommy’s voice for the first time. Imagine those children who would’ve had to grow up deaf, getting to learn along the rest of the class. “Studies have also shown that eligible children who receive a cochlear implant before 18 months of age develop language skills at a rate comparable to children with normal hearing, and many succeed in mainstream classrooms.” Thank you once again to the NIDOCD for that beautiful evidence. The children get to live— dare I say it— normal lives thanks to the biotechnology.

Also just kidding you didn’t even need to imagine it, cause look at that baby 🥺☺️. THINK ABOUT ALL THE CHANGED LIVES ALL THANKS TO COCHLEAR IMPLANTS. Now you understand why biotechnology and engineering is so cool. You’re welcome.

- Zoe Atkins

[behindthebridgeblog]

Composers of the Zodiac

by Megan Fedor

How accurate are the signs of the zodiac when explored through the lens of famous Classical composers’ personality traits? It turns out some are pretty close:

Aquarius – Mozart

January 27, 1756

Introverted, nervous, distant

Mozart is well-known as being a prodigious composer with social connections and a love of all things fun and humorous. His preserved letters show a heart of gold with endless capacity for love. Common Aquarius traits, on the other hand, are detachment and fear of emotional expression. Perhaps Libra or Cancer would be a better astrological sign for Wolfgang Amadeus!

Accuracy: 0%

Pisces – Chopin

March 1, 1810

Optimistic, sentimental, dependent

Chopin is one of the most sentimental composers to have ever lived, as evidenced by his delicate and nuanced piano works. Although his love life illustrated his dependence on others, that dependency also contributed to his negative outlook on life. That’s not a Pisces trait, so it’ll cost some accuracy points.

Accuracy: 75%

Aries – Bach

March 31, 1685

Quarrelsome, strong, bipolar

Aries describes Bach to a T. He is well-known for his lack of patience with those he viewed as inferior (only those who disagreed with him or couldn’t follow his directions)! Everything unyielding Bach did was for the sake of perfect musicality – I can’t think of a more justifiable reason to yell at people.

Accuracy: 100%

Taurus – Tchaikovsky

May 7th, 1840

Hungry, headstrong, lazy

Tchaikovsky is known as a shy adorer of Mozart with incredible studiousness and attention to detail. Tchaikovsky’s hard work and talent propelled him into musical fame, more so than a hunger for recognition. Lazy he was not, nor headstrong as his every move was carefully crafted in his search for happiness. Tchaikovsky may better be described as a Cancer or Scorpio.

Accuracy: 0%

Gemini – Stravinsky

June 17th, 1882

Social, tenacious, polar

Stravinsky is well-known for his social grace and business skill, forthcoming political opinions, and principled determination. His music, however controversial at its premiere, reflects these qualities as its variance is an honest reflection of his thoughts and feelings.

Accuracy: 100%

Cancer – Mahler

July 7th, 1860

Moody, lovable, committed

Mahler’s moodiness is evident in his demeanor– he was known to rave and ramble one moment only to fall silent and dejected the next. More committed to his art than anything else, Mahler was easier to revere than to love. His personality is perfectly encapsulated in his magnificent symphonies.

Accuracy: 75%

Leo – Debussy

August 22, 1862

Bold, intelligent, arrogant

Feline in nature, bold, and intelligent are fitting adjectives to describe Claude. His quirky personality and inability to love past his music led for a turbulent and sad life. However brilliant, Debussy was not one to be called arrogant.

Accuracy: 90%

Virgo – Dvorak

September 8, 1841

Agreeable, orderly, practical

Dvorak is known for his pleasant and unassuming disposition and his love for family and nature. Order and practicality defined his life as he rose to the ranks of elite composer without elevating his ego in the slightest. Agreeable to the max, Dvorak is best known for his warmth of character.

Accuracy: 100%

Libra – Liszt

October 22, 1811

Levelheaded, hilarious, loyal

Liszt is most well-known for his virtuosic displays of talent in both his ostentatious performances and written music. He was loyal to his friends and generous in his support of musical talent. His flashy performance style and great fame don’t exactly add up to being levelheaded. Perhaps Liszt would be better suited as a Leo.

Accuracy: 50%

Scorpio – Copland

November 14, 1900

Mysterious, sensitive, realistic

Scorpio perfectly captures Copland’s complex nature. On the outside, he displayed a deep calm while his true feelings were hidden deep within. Sensitive to the feelings of others, he displayed the greatest tact in all social interactions. Realism was part of his nature – he dressed simply, and took things as they were.

Accuracy: 100%

Sagittarius – Beethoven

December, 1770

Rebellious, immature, impulsive

Beethoven’s strong personality and tumultuous life make him a true Sagittarius. Non-conforming and erratic behaviors became more prominent as deafness took over. Difficult to get along with, he might smile or scorn at the drop of a hat.

Accuracy: 100%

Capricorn – Poulenc

January 7, 1899

Hardworking, direct, independent

Poulenc’s personality was complex, eccentric, and unique. Dedicated to his art, he wrote music that spoke to him and defied most conventions. Not necessarily direct, Poulenc contained within him a self-contradiction in search of reconciliation.

Accuracy: 75%

Megan Fedor is a regular blogger for Behind the Bridge. See a full list of her articles as well as our other blog authors here.

[carlosvprintz]

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••• (((💗))) ••• ➡️ Repost from @the_vieuxtemps_kid • Karajan's @karajanofficial Beethoven 9 for me is probably one of the best ever. I decided to share this favourite performance of mine by Karajan following my previous post of a signed Karajan photo❤ Beethoven's 9th has been performed countless of times all over the world in commemoration of significant events in history. I've always felt a tad jealous of people who had had the good fortune of watching Karajan conduct live- it is unanimous in reviews and praise of the great master. Karajan will forever be remembered in history as one of the greatest conductors to ever live. Video courtesy of Berlin Phil/ Digital Concert Hall. ____________________ Beethoven's 9th on the other hand is also another personal favourite work of mine. The work was premiered on 7 May 1824 in Vienna at the Carinthian Gate Theatre with Michael Umlauf conducting. The soprano part was sung by Henriette Sontag, alto by Caroline Unger, tenor by Anton Haizinger and bass/baritone by Joseph Seipelt. Beethoven took part in the performance by giving the tempos for each part and turning the pages of his score “as though he wanted to play all the instruments and sing all the chorus parts". Umlauf, the “official conductor” had instructed the singers and musician to ignore all of Beethoven’s instructions as he was stone deaf by then. When the work had ended, Beethoven was apparently still conducting and Caroline Unger is credited with turning Beethoven to face the applauding audience. According to the critic for the Theater-Zeitung, "the public received the musical hero with the utmost respect and sympathy, listened to his wonderful, gigantic creations with the most absorbed attention and broke out in jubilant applause, often during sections, and repeatedly at the end of them." The audience acclaimed him through standing ovations five times; there were handkerchiefs in the air, hats, and raised hands, so that Beethoven, who could not hear the applause, could at least see the ovations. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_LXSkBpNGf/?igshid=1rnj73dnq9k4

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Blog post # 8

Beethoven

Please read the Chapter on Beethoven from the Greatest German Composers Book.

What is the main idea of the first section? (1 sentence)

This section outlines Beethoven’s personality, particularly how it is influenced by his worsening deafness.

How old was Beethoven when he wrote the Eroica (No. 3) and Pastorale (No. 6) Symphonies?

In his mid 30′s

Eroica means hero. Describe what happened between Beethoven and his admiration of Napoleon. How does this relate to Enlightenment thought? This work may be the first “romantic” work as we see a shift from absolute to programmatic music.

Beethoven was originally an admirer of Napolean when he was a soldier, but when he declared himself emperor Beethoven began having a problem. Particularly he called Napolean “another ordinary mortal” who did not deserve any more admiration than a normal man. This fits very well with the ideas of the enlightenment since this time period involved common folk questioning the validity of those in power over them. 

How would you describe Beethoven’s personality after reading this chapter?

Beethoven is described as “harsh, bitter, suspicious, and unamiable”, so he doesn’t seem like a fun guy at parties.

This is the famous Heiligenstadt Testament Beethoven wrote to his brothers in 1802.

How does your perception of Beethoven’s character change after reading this if at all?

His frustration is palpable in this text-- his love of music was hindered by his lost hearing, forcing him to compose by pure theory and vibration by the end of his career. This maybe offers an explanation as to why he was such a crappy person to be around.

On Moodle is the first chapter from the new book (2018) Hearing Beethoven.

What did the physicians of Beethoven’s day say was the problem?

Honestly, it looks like the physicians of the time didn’t know anything about deafness, they somehow said that a nerve damaged in his hand led to his deafness, which makes no sense to me??

What are some of the explanations of today?

My favorite possible answer was syphilis, but modern physicians and Beethoven scholars also cite possible cochlear otosclerosis or simply overexposure to loud sounds throughout his musical career.

What does the author say about his familial relationships (dad and nephew Karl)?

Beethoven had some messed up familial relationships. Similarly to Mozart, his father always pushed him very harshly into music upon recognizing his talent, which led to a strained relationship. Beethoven was the legal guardain of his nephew Karl, but there were some strains in their relationship too.

The Piano Sonata No.14 in C# minor “Quasi Una Fantasia” Opus 27 No.2 (Moonlight Sonata)

I. Adagio sostenuto

II. Allegretto 5:25

III. Presto agitato 7:43

What would you say is the texture of the 1st movement and why?

Homophonic, the R hand is the melody and the L is accompaniment?

I am assuming most of you have never heard the other movements of this sonata. What is your initial reaction to the second movement?

Honestly, not a fan. I knew the first and third movements already, and I much prefer them (probably from pure exposure.) 

How about the third? Around 13 minutes a few things happen that make this ending even more rewarding. Using musical terms and your own words, what happens?

the third movement is crazy, I had a friend play it in high school and I am still blown away by anyone who is able to take on such a monster. It goes SO fast the whole time, and is very rhythmic while still maintaining melodic integrity. Beautiful!

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Post 8

Please read the Chapter on Beethoven from the Greatest German Composers Book.

What is the main idea of the first section? (1 sentence)

That Beethoven hold great value and respect in the hearts and minds of music lovers

How old was Beethoven when he wrote the Eroica (No. 3) and Pastorale (No. 6) Symphonies?

He wrote them in 1805-1808 so he was 35-38.

Eroica means hero. Describe what happened between Beethoven and his admiration of Napoleon. How does this relate to Enlightenment thought? This work may be the first “romantic” work as we see a shift from absolute to programmatic music. 

Napoleon took the title as emperor which infuriated Beethoven who said "After all, then, he's nothing but an ordinary mortal! He will trample the rights of men under his feet!". This relates to Enlightenment because during that era people were rethinking governments and questioned monarchies, which is what Beethoven was doing. 

How would you describe Beethoven’s personality after reading this chapter?

He adored love but was not obsessive. He was an absolute genius but was never fully satisfied with his work. He had a strong, and sometimes bitter, personality but had a strong faith.

This is the famous Heiligenstadt Testament Beethoven wrote to his brothers in 1802.

I am not sure I would say the article changes my perception, however, I think it showed his pain and where some of his characteristics came from. 

On Moodle is the first chapter from the new book (2018) Hearing Beethoven.

What did the physicians of Beethoven’s day say was the problem?

Beethoven’s nerve was damaged 

What are some of the explanations of today?

an attack on vertigo ‘labyrinthine apoplexy’ from interference with the blood supply to or bleeding in the auditory region. 

The hearing loss is due to a recent or past physical illness or a vascular episode in which his inner ears were temporarily deprived of blood 

caused by otosclerosis or abnormal bone growths in the eat 

What does the author say about his familial relationships (dad and nephew Karl)?

Beethoven struggled to get custody of Karl after his brother died, however, still managed to get custody after a while. This relationship derailed his career/focus on music for a little while. He also did not have a relationship with his dad.

Wallace speculates about how Beethoven was able to write so many masterpieces toward the end of his life and nearly 20 years after the Heiligenstadt Testament. Which were you most convinced by?

I was convinced the most by the claim that Beethoven was completely deaf but instead had limited hearing. This is just because its the most practical in my brain. I think he could somewhat hear in order for so many master pieces. 

The Piano Sonata No.14 in C# minor “Quasi Una Fantasia” Opus 27 No.2 (Moonlight Sonata)

I. Adagio sostenuto

II. Allegretto 5:25

III. Presto agitato 7:43

What would you say is the texture of the 1st movement and why?

I think the texture is polyphony because you have kind of a base melody with some other melodies with it at times. 

I am assuming most of you have never heard the other movements of this sonata. What is your initial reaction to the second movement?

It is not as soft as the first movement and a little more cheery than before, even tho it is still in Major. It is also kind of short compared to the other two movements.

How about the third? Around 13 minutes a few things happen that make this ending even more rewarding. Using musical terms and your own words, what happens?

The bet is defiantly has a faster bpm. I feel like their is a little bit more of a range in high and low cords being used. The tonality is Minor and around 13 minutes she gets quieter and then kind of started from one end of the piano and went to the other with getting a little louder as she goes. 

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Post 8

Beethoven Chapter in Greatest German Composers:

The main idea of the first section of the Beethoven chapter was to portray the image of his character; while he appeared harsh and bitter, he actually had a tender heart that was just tortured.

Beethoven was 32-34 when he wrote Eroica (starting writing it at 32 and finished at 34) and 38 when he wrote Pastorale.

Beethoven admired Napoleon when he was “the most prominent man in Europe” and (just) a soldier as well as musician. When Napoleon went from a military general to Emperor, Beethoven was irritated and took the title of the piece (the dedication to Napoleon) off. Since the Enlightenment was often considered the “Age of Reason,” there was often a lot of intellectual thought and challenging the boundaries of what was considered normal. Therefore, with Eroica being thought of (potentially) as the first piece for the romantic era, Beethoven was pushing the limits of classical music and transitioning into a new musical era telling the story of General Napoleon Bonaparte instead of just composing the symphony for the sake of composing music.

After reading this chapter, I think that Beethoven was very frustrated by his inability to hear, lonely, and often misunderstood. However, it was also mentioned that he held benefit concerts, such as the one for wounded soldiers, so I think he tried his best to be generous and kind-hearted. Additionally, I feel as though he may have been suffering from a mental illness such as bipolar because of his violent mood swings and erratic temper at times, but also his generosity. Obviously I am not a psychologist by any means, but that is just a thought that I had while reading the chapter.

Heiligenstadt testament

After reading that article my perception on Beethoven’s personality did not change.

Hearing Beethoven

Physicians agreed that there was hearing loss but they didn’t have many ways of treating it. They prescribed him baths in Danube and almond oil but it didn’t help.

Today, it has been told that he had symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss which is a major form of hearing loss today. It was also determined that it could have originated from a past physical illness or to a vascular episode where the ears were deprived of blood flow. Today he could have used ear plugs or hearing aids.

His dad was a severe alcoholic and exploited Beethoven (and his talent). He lied about Beethoven’s age, and basically forced Beethoven to continue music to fulfill his emotional needs and self-image. Karl, his nephew, was prominent when Beethoven was losing his hearing significantly. Beethoven spent more time trying to pry Karl away from his mom than writing music which led to Karl attempting suicide.

I think that it is most convincing that Beethoven was not completely deaf but just enough to be deaf that he could not speak well in conversation. I think that he could hear very faintly because he was banging on the piano very loudly, so even if it was very loud to us it would be very faint to him.

Piano Sonata

1st movement: homophonic because the left hand usually played a harmony while the right hand played the melody. There was often 2 different things going on -- the left hand often played chords while the right played moving line (harmony/accompaniment with melody).

I think that in the second movement the mood became a little happier than the first. However, I could still tell that the key was minor.

My initial reaction to the third movement was that it was very intense and frantic. At around thirteen minutes the dynamics dramatically decreased then gradually crescendoed.  

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Post #8

Chapter on Beethoven from the Greatest German Composers Book:

1) Beethoven is a massive figure to those who love music and he stands out even more so by his afflictions in life particularly the fact that he was deaf by the end of his life.

2) He wrote these two symphonies in his mid to late 30′s since they were written between 1804-1808 and he was born in 1770

3) Beethoven admired Napoleon up until Napoleon crowned himself emperor to which Beethoven then exclaimed his hate for the man. Beethoven said that Napoleon would “trample the rights of man under his feet” reflecting the enlightenment thought of power not resting in one man and that the rights of citizens electing a person to be the ultimate power in which to govern.

4) Beethoven was a very absorbed man in his studies often not realizing people or things were around him. For the most part Beethoven lived a simple life. He was also very abrupt to other with his onset deafness. Yet he was very kind to those who showed kindness back to him or love to those who needed it. He was also a very forgiving man. All in all, even though there were dark spots to Beethoven in his behavior he seemed deep down a man of love.

Heiligenstadt Testament Beethoven wrote to his brothers in 1802:

1) My understanding of Beethoven did not change by much other than it reaffirmed some points. He was prone to anger at times and his affliction did not help with that as his joy in the world went away, yet others still enjoyed it without appreciating it most have really gnawed at him. However, as the ending of the letter really shows to me he was a man of God and preaching love to brothers and to forgive. So, as I said before yes there were some dark moments in his character for sure but in the heart of things he was still a man of love and affection.

First chapter from the new book (2018) Hearing Beethoven:

1) Th physicians back in Beethoven’s day thought that his hearing problem stemmed from his intestinal problems and by treating the intestinal problems then they would restore some of his hearing back. However, this did not end up working.

2) The physicians believe that he had sensorineural hearing loss. The two reasons that are in use as to how Beethoven got this is in 1796 he came down with a horrible sickness that he said had settled into his ears and his deafness progressively worsened from there. The other possible reason is one time while writing an opera he went to open the door for a friend and they opened it on him hitting him and possibly damaging a nerve in the inner ear.

3) Beethoven’s dad was an alcoholic and continually tried to exploit his sons talent and this led Beethoven to constantly look after his father’s image and well being while also seeking his father’s approval for everything in life. Beethoven fought very hard to get custody for his nephew once his brother died. Taking care of Karl ended up giving Beethoven a reason to live and care for something again.

4) The idea that struck me as the most believable is the one that says that Beethoven was not completely deaf by the end of his life. It makes sense that he could still hear since he played his piano so loud while making music then he most likely was able to hear and just didn’t speak because he did not want to ruin the rest of his hearing at the end.

The Piano Sonata No.14 in C# minor “Quasi Una Fantasia” Opus 27 No.2 (Moonlight Sonata):

1) I would say that the first movement’s texture is homophonic because the right hand is playing a melody on its own while the left-hand plays accompanying chords to accent parts of the right hand’s melody.

2) I quite liked the 2nd movement. To me I thought that the notes came in a bit choppy but happier mood. Not only this but the left hand at times seemed to be talking back to the right hand. This made me feel like I had just gotten back from that long lonely road to find someone who rescued me and started to make me happier, but I was a little out of rhythm in being happy due to being sad for so long.

3) The third movement made me feel very frantic in the tempo of the playing. Almost like I were trying to frantically get in every bit of happiness before these smaller bursts of despair took over. At the 13th minute when coming back to the original theme she starts playing the melody very softly and then starts building up the noise through a crescendo which to me heightens the intensity of the franticness of the piece.

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Doggy Day Care

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Cold and windy? No worries, we’re bound to have a doggie sweater or jacket that may suit your furry friend. Before mattress, your canine will have an opportunity to play somewhat extra and go potty. Then we go into every cabin, spend a bit of one-on-one time together with your dog and tuck him or her in earlier than we prove the light. No worries in case your dog is frightened of the dark...every cabin has a nightlight, plus there are twinkle lights on every fence for a nice heat ambiance.

In case you are having a hard time educating your canine fundamental instructions through your present canine training strategies, the answer might lie in finding the correct dog training aids. Many pissed off homeowners resort to dog obedience coaching lessons, but there are a number of value-efficient coaching aids that you should use your self to help take management of your dog.

Before you begin any dog obedience coaching routine, it is very important know a major mistake that many pet owners make whereas making an attempt out varied canine training methods. All too usually, many pet homeowners feel that merely shouting "Sit!" or "Stop!" and waving their arms at their dog ought to robotically result of their pet "choosing up" on their animated cues. Though your pet may develop a semblance of understanding after a length of time, raising your voice and shouting shouldn't be an efficient approach. The problem isn't deafness together with your dog, it's processing.

Clicker Dog Training

Whereas widely unknown to many canine dad and mom, arguably probably the greatest canine coaching aids that works effectively with any breed of canine is the "clicker." In case you have by no means heard of the term "clicker training" before, you have more than likely witnessed or heard of examples of any such training. Skateboarding bulldogs, beer fetching retrievers, Babe the Pig, Beethoven. Sound acquainted? Test any of those animal antics out, and you have been amazed by the results of powerful clicker coaching and the very best obedience coaching methods in action.

The clicker is a small mechanical noisemaker that was developed in response to guide behaviorists' calls for for more practical coaching methods. Except for its effectiveness, unlike quite a few different canine training aids, this type of canine obedience coaching may be very mild and affords a "fingers off" method to pet training. What your canine really learns is to associate the strong, sharp sound of the clicker, which will be heard so far as 20 yards away, together with your given command.

How Effective is Clicker Coaching?

With correct clicker canine coaching, tasks which can be discovered may be recalled by a dog years after the initial training came about, even if no further follow took place. The clicker technique has been held in such regard, the tactic was employed by the U.S. Department of Protection in training animals for undercover missions in the 1960s. In a more moderen example of its effectiveness, the clicker methodology was used by one Vermont animal shelter to successfully educate timid cats to act extra "outgoing" when would-be adopters entered the adoption room.

By far what could come as essentially the most surprising, you could find a clicker at your local pet retailer for under about two dollars. Whereas clicker training can be easier than you suppose, be suggested, before you start working with the clicker be sure that to comply with the correct techniques. Do not choose up the gadget and take a look at your best guess at training your dog. Enlist the help of confirmed clicker canine coaching strategies to keep away from disappointment, and you will be well in your solution to coaching your canine with these confirmed highly effective dog coaching methods.

Leash and Harness

One of many extra commonly identified canine training aids is the harness. A harness is a device you match around a canine's upper body that is simplest in teaching him to heel. With this instrument, you can simply control your canine, since even with the slightest tug of the leash, it can pull your canine back to you with ease. This dog training aid is more commonly used for canine which have issue restraining themselves throughout walks.

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16 Most Inspiring Famous Failures

16 Most Inspiring Famous Failures

To succeed in business or life, I came to realize that we must continually take remedial actions. Putting myself on the line day after day can be extremely draining, especially when things do not work out as I desired. Hence, each time I face a disappointing event or undesirable outcome, I NEVER FORGET these famous failures:

1. Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Microsoft, has literally changed the work culture of the world in the 21st century, by simplifying the way computer is being used. He happens to be the world's richest man for the last one decade. However, in the 70's before starting out, he was a Harvard University dropout. The most ironic part is that, he started a software company (that was soon to become Microsoft) by purchasing the software technology from "someone" for only $US50 back then.

2. Abraham Lincoln, received no more than 5 years of formal education throughout his lifetime. When he grew up, he joined politics and had 12 major failures before he was elected the 16th President of the United States of America.

3. Isaac Newton was the greatest English mathematician of his generation. His work on optics and gravitation made him one of the greatest scientists the world has even known. Many thought that Isaac was born a genius, but he wasn't! When he was young, he did very poorly in grade school, so poor that his teachers became clueless in improving his grades.

4. Ludwig van Beethoven, a German composer of classical music, is widely regarded as one of history's supreme composers. His reputation has inspired - and in many cases intimidated - composers, musicians, and audiences who were to come after him. Before the start of his career, Beethoven's music teacher once said of him "as a composer, he is hopeless". And during his career, he lost his hearing yet he managed to produce great music - a deaf man composing music, ironic isn't!

5. Thomas Edison who developed many devices which greatly influenced life in the 20th century. Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 U.S patents to his name. When he was a boy his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. When he set out on his own, he tried more than 9,000 experiments before he created the first successful light bulb.

6. The Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original five-and-ten-cent stores. The first Woolworth's store was founded in 1878 by Frank Winfield Woolworth and soon grew to become one of the largest retail chains in the world in the 20th century. Before starting his own business, Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21. But his employer would not let him serve any customer because he concluded that Frank "didn't have enough common sense to serve the customers".

7. By acclamation, Michael Jordon is the greatest basketball player of all time. A phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire. Jordan single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar. Before joining NBA, Jordan was just an ordinary person, so ordinary that was cut from high school basketball team because of his "lack of skill".

8. Walter Disney was American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, and animator. One of the most well-known motion picture producers in the world, Disney founded a production company. The corporation, now known as The Walt Disney company, makes average revenue of US $30 billion annually. Disney started his own business from his home garage and his very first cartoon production went bankrupt. During his first press conference, a newspaper editor ridiculed Walt Disney because he had no good ideas in film production.

9. Winston Churchill failed the 6th grade. However, that never stopped him to work harder! He strived and eventually became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Churchill is generally regarded as one of the most important leaders in Britain and world history. In a poll conducted by the BBC in 2002 to identify the "100 Greatest Britons", participants voted Churchill as the most important of all.

10. Steven Spielberg is an American film director. He has won 3 Academy Awards an ranks among the most successful filmmakers in history. Most of all, Steven was recognized as the financially most successful motion picture director of all time. During his childhood, Spielberg dropped out of junior high school. He was persuaded to come back and was placed in a learning-disabled class. He only lasted a month and then dropped out of school forever.

11. Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist widely regarded as the most important scientist of the 20th century. He was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905 and "for his services to Theoretical Physics". However, when Einstein was young, his parents thought he was mentally retarded. His grades in school were so poor that a teacher asked him to quit, saying, "Einstein, you will never amount to anything!"

12. In 1947, one year into her contract, Marilyn Monroe was dropped by 20th Century-Fox because her producer thought she was unattractive and cannot act. That didn't deter her at all! She kept on going and eventually she was recognized by the public as the 20th century's most famous movie star, sex symbol and pop icon.

13. John Grisham's first novel was rejected by sixteen agents and twelve publishing houses. He went on writing and writing until he became best known as a novelist and author for his works of modern legal drama. The media has coined him as one of the best novel authors even alive in the 21st century.

14. Henry Ford's first two automobile companies failed. That did not stop him from incorporating Ford Motor Company and being the first to apply assembly line manufacturing to the production of affordable automobiles in the world. He not only revolutionized industrial production in the United States and Europe, but also had such influence over the 20th century economy and society. His combination of mass production, high wages and low prices to consumers has initiated a management school known as "Fordism". He became one of the three most famous and richest men in the world during his time.

15. Soichiro Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation during a job interview as "engineer" after World War Two. He continued to be jobless until his neighbors starting buying his "home-made scooters". Subsequently, he set out on his own to start his own company. Honda. Today, the Company has grown to become the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and one of the most profitable automakers - beating giant automaker such as GM and Chrysler. With a global network of 437 subsidiaries, Honda develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of products ranging from small general-purpose engines and scooters to specialty sports cars.

16. Akio Morita, founder of giant electric household products, Sony Corporation, first product was an electric rice cooker, only sold 100 cookers (because it burned rice rather than cooking). Today, Sony is generating US$66 billion in revenue and ranked as the world's 6th largest electronic and electrical company.

Source by Kenneth Foo

Originally Published Here: 16 Most Inspiring Famous Failures

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Creativity and the need for Mental Strength and Fortitude!

As much as in life, in the journey of creativity you need to have the factor of mental strength. It is something that should not be overlooked, for there are foretold difficulties on the road ahead. You will get frustrated where some people may not find your creation very useful and you’ll get the critique you’re not ready to hear. It is easy to become depressed when you’re a creative because of the love of your work and the criticism that may come. Mental strength and fortitude is something that is most desired in your life as a creative to liberate yourself from the burden of worry and to persevere in difficult life situations.

In the past weeks I brought you stories of two of the most creative minds in world history, Ludwig van Beethoven and Vincent van Gogh. I brought you the stories of these two gentlemen because of the difficult life situations they found themselves in.

When it was difficult to be creative, to create, these men found ways through hardships and they created some of the greatest pieces of arts in world history. Beethoven changed the way music was viewed, composed and appreciated and Van Gogh changed the way people viewed, appreciated, traded and created painted art.

Beethoven imagined, created and composed music while in one of the most difficult life situations a musician would ever find themselves in. He found he was becoming deaf and was completely deaf when he made some of his greatest works in musical history. How depressed can a person be to find out he cannot even hear the beauty in the music they create?

At some point Beethoven actually had thoughts of suicide because he believed his life lost meaning. He felt completely powerless, but his love for music & the mental strength to believe he has the power to still compose music regardless of the situation, liberated him and because of that, we remember him still.

Van Gogh also imagined, created and painted art while in one of the most difficult life situations anyone could ever find themselves in. He was gripped by mental affliction in the prime of his life as a painter where he suffered from depression and mental instability. He is remember for cutting his own ear off with a razor.

Was subsequently taken to an asylum and diagnosed with depression. While at the asylum he imagined, created and painted the most sought-after pieces of art in world history. The pieces of art that he painted are said to be the most expensive in world history.

I believe both these gentlemen had aspects of a psychological term called Hardiness coined and introduced by Suzanne C. Kobasa. Mental Hardiness is the ability to have healthy mental focus in situations of life stress to subsequently be creative and efficient in the field you’re in.

In our last installment in the series pertaining #Creativity we clearly explain this term, Mental Hardiness. We will also have for you creativity techniques that you can use to enhance your creativity in work, sports and in life in general. Thank you for reading my series of articles. There’s more to offer. I thank you...