How Beethoven became an Enlightenment philosopher in Bonn

We don't know when Beethoven was born. But most children were baptized right after birth. According to this baptism entry ("Ludovicus"), Ludwig van Beethoven must therefore have been born on December 16 or 17, 1770.

At this time the Electorate of Cologne - and thus Bonn - was ruled by Maximilian Friedrich. In 1777, he laid the foundation stone for Bonn University and his advisors and ministers paved the way for the Enlightenment.

His successor was Maximilian Franz from 1784. He had experienced the extravagant luxury life of the French king at the court of Versailles - and was only disgusted by the pomp. In his principality, he tightened the state finances and enforced a fair judicial system.

The Beethovens owed a great deal to the ruling house. One of Maximilian Franz's predecessors had brought Beethoven's grandfather to Bonn in 1733. A few years later he conducted the court orchestra there.

Ludwig van Beethoven was also to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. He received his first piano lessons at the age of five and had to earn money as a "wunderkind". He also represented his piano and organ teacher, the court organist Christian Gottlob Neefe.

Neefe also brought Beethoven into contact with the ideas of the Enlightenment that were widespread in Bonn. He made sure that Beethoven was able to travel throughout Europe to meet the musicians of the time in Vienna and elsewhere.

Beethoven had high hopes for the French ruler Napoleon. After the revolution of 1789 Napoleon reformed the state and drafted modern civil rights. Beethoven first dedicated to him his 3rd symphony, the "Eroica".

But Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804. From him no more republican ideals could be expected. Beethoven tore up the Napoleon dedication on his 3rd Symphony. Later he even refused to play in front of French soldiers.