When I searched encyclopedia.com to deepen my understanding of Beethoven, it opened with a succinct yet staggering line:

The instrumental music of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) forms a peak in the development of tonal music and is one of the crucial evolutionary developments in the history of music as a whole.

This man was an inventor who changed the world of music as we know it. I love how kids who are learning to play the piano (even informally with friends) will start with “Mary had a Little Lamb” and “Chopsticks” but if they really want to impress, will play the first few haunting notes of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise.” And that’s when friends flock to the keys for an impromtu lesson.

Beethoven was different. Even in today’s world, with so many wonderful varieties of music, he makes us pause. We can’t help but listen as the piece of his soul transports us to an ineffable unknown.

As a young music prodigy, he longed to study under Mozart. He traveled to Vienna with famous composer Joseph Haydn. Beethoven blossomed in Vienna and launched his career.

Publishing practices at the time were not like today. Encyclopedia.com states, “Publishers paid a fee to composers for rights to their works, but neither copyright nor royalties were known….this initial payment was all he could expect, and both he and his publisher had to contend with piracy by rival publishers…”

There’s a lot more to Beethoven’s story, but this part made me pause. Can you imagine what that was like for him? History, culture, and technology when Beethoven left his mark on the earth harbored many obstacles. As honored as he was for his brilliance, I’m sure it was hard for him to hand off those precious pages.

Even after he became deaf, Beethoven continued to compose music.

We’re human, and so I think it’s natural for us to want our lives to be easy. Sometimes we look at a bright, polished copy of “Fur Elise” and don’t think twice about the joys and pains the hands that penned those notes endured. If you’re inventing something today, obstacles that are unique to your story will arise.

Trials come in many forms: technological, financial, health limitations, and other countless avenues for trouble. There are many lessons to learn from every story, but today Beethoven encouraged me to remember that I am living a piece of history today. So are you, my friend. As long as we’re here, we are making a mark one way or another. Let’s be different.

Until next time,

Invent your story