Beethoven and deafness

Beethoven’s choral works in relation to his hearing loss

 

1770

Born
 

1790

First noticed he couldn’t hear higher notes
 

1798

Had to abandon touring
 

1802

Increased problems including tinnitus

Oratorio: Christ on the Mount of Olives

1803

 

Mass in C major

1807

 

Choral Fantasy

1808

 

 

1810

Suffering bouts of complete deafness.  Had to turn to see audience reaction after premier of Ninth Symphony

 

1811

Last performance in public

Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage

1815

 

 

1818

Using paper ‘conversation books’ to communicate with his friends

Missa Solemnis

1822

 

 

1827

Died

 

Find out more

Janáček and Beethoven homepage
Janáček and the Glagolitic Mass
Janáček: a Moravian composer
Beethoven and the Mass in C