Ludwig van Beethoven (1712–1773)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder, after a portrait by Amelius Radoux
Born	(1712-01-05)5 January 1712
Died	24 December 1773(1773-12-24)
Occupation	singer and music director

Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder, also Ludovicus van Beethoven and Lodewijk van Beethoven (January 5, 1712 – December 24, 1773) was a professional singer and music director, best known as the grandfather of the composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Mechelen as the second son of master baker Michael van Beethoven (baptized February 15, 1684 in Mechelen, died June 28, 1749 in Bonn) and his wife Maria Louise Stuyckers (April 24, 1685, Mechelen – December 8, 1749, Bonn). Michael van Beethoven, besides the bakery trade, participated also in the local real estate market and in the purchase and sale of antique furniture and paintings.

Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder had three siblings:

At the age of just six years Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder, having "a beautiful voice" was granted admission to the choir boys' seminar of the St. Rombout's Cathedral in Mechelen, effectively becoming a choirboy on December 10, 1717.

On October 12, 1725, he began studies under Anton Colfs, chief organist and carillon of St. Rumbold's Cathedral. Instruction focused on tablature and figured bass as well as the harpsichord and organ. No records exist of the years following the end of his apprenticeship in spring of 1727.

On November 9, 1731 Ludwig van Beethoven the Elder became a tenor singer at St. Peter's Church in Leuven; he is also mentioned as a substitute for the Kapellmeister. This appointment was probably promoted by Rombout van Kiel, a canon of the St. Peter's Church and former classmate of father Michael van Beethoven.

By September 2, 1732, Ludwig van Beethoven is registered as a bass singer at St. Lambert's Cathedral in Liège. This new appointment might be attributed to the support of Francois Stoupy, director of the Liège College in Leuven and friend of Rombout van Kiel.