How Beethoven Wrote His Last Sonatas While Deaf: Unveiling the Mystery

Joseph Haydn called Ludwig van Beethoven the immortal circumference of the musical species. Yet, it is perhaps one of the most astounding feats in the history of music that Beethoven composed his Last Three Piano Sonatas (Op. 109, Op. 110, and Op. 111) while profoundly deaf. Despite this deafness, his later works are considered some of the most technically demanding and musical pieces in the repertoire. But how was this possible?

The Challenges of Deafness for a Pianist

For a pianist, hearing is crucial, as it allows them to fine-tune their performance, feel the nuances of the music, and ensure their interpretation is accurate. Beethoven, who naturally went completely deaf, had to rely on alternative methods to compose these pieces. He used his profound understanding of music theory, memorized the sounds and vibrations of the piano, and his inner ear to create these masterpieces.

Beethoven’s last three sonatas are known for their exceptional technical difficulty, primarily in both hands. The deafness might have stunted his ability to feel the piano’s vibrations, but his mental auditory capacity was undiminished. By relying on his memory and the vibrations of his body, he was able to translate his inner music into the written notes on the page.

Understanding Deaf Mozart

It is important to note that Beethoven was not the only composer to lose hearing while creating masterpieces. However, the question of how technically demanding these sonatas are to play remains a point of debate. Classically trained musicians learn the distances between notes and the sounds of chords, so their internal music is already formed by these trained ears. Even though Beethoven never lost his musicality, he might have been less aware of the performability.

For instance, Bed?ich Smetana, a Czech composer, also lost his hearing late in life, yet his music continued to be profound and innovative. The question of how difficult the music is to play is less about technical expertise and more about the composer’s ability to perceive and create music internally.

Beethoven's Later Works and the Harmonic Progression

Many people might wonder about other late compositions by Beethoven, such as his string quartets. According to anecdotal evidence from those who witnessed his death, Beethoven's late string quartets were indeed outstanding. His String Quartets, although composed in his later years, were not the pianos sonatas. The quartets were extraordinary, especially in terms of the harmonic progressions, truly leading the musical world into the 20th century.

Beethoven's later works, including the sonatas, were composed in detail in his mind. He did not need to hear the music played to know how it sounded. Hollywood often portrays composers sitting at pianos and tinkering with their compositions, but in reality, composition is a deeply internal process. Consider orchestral works; a composer does not sit with an orchestra, trying out various combinations of tones; the vision is conceptualized and realized solely in their mind.

Conclusion

Beethoven's last three piano sonatas are a testament to his remarkable ability to compose despite profound deafness. He relied on his deep understanding of music theory, his memory, and the vibrations of his body to create these masterpieces. What makes Beethoven's later compositions so impressive is not the technical difficulty per se but the profound musicality and innovation that he brought to his work.

For a more in-depth look into Beethoven and his compositions, read up on his life and works on my Quora Profile.