For some reason I have a strong passion for those who defy the extremes of extremes.
Take Ludwig van Beethoven. A man who lived and died for music. A man who composed, performed, conducted numerous pieces that transcended the music world into a whole new dimension. By far the most important figure in the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era in music.
The man was a genius. Started off as a music freelancer with the piano and became one of the most disruptive forces in the music world. Many believed that he was heroic, a tormented genius with incredible morals, drive and passion. He as well as his following believed that his music came straight from GOD.
He died at age 53, but for the last 20 years of his life he had become deaf. He continued to write, perform and conduct as you will see in a moment. This clip below is from the movie "Copying Beethoven" where he has become so deaf that he has a student come to write his music as he tells her. His last performance he is completely deaf and has her help him conduct it.
Beethoven truly went beyond obstacles to follow dreams and make history.
What intrigues me most about this era and similar ones is that those who are the true innovators, explorers, and pioneers often have really unbalanced lives. Take Mozart, Bach, Chopin. Crazy yet brilliant at the same time.
I suppose it comes with the gig.
Posted by: Dan Brown | October 14, 2007 at 05:40 PM