Beethoven's homage to Nature

Although Beethoven was German by birth, it was the Austrian countryside that influenced many of his greatest works and provided respite from the torment caused by his deafness. Russell Higham visits the Viennese woodlands that inspired his music

- Russell Higham

ONE of the most instantly recognisable paintings of Ludwig van Beethoven (by the Austrian artist Julius Schmid, 1854–1935) depicts the German composer looking deeply troubled —pained, even—as he strolls, lost in thought, through the Vienna Woods ( facing page).

Despite having created the jubilant Ninth Symphony, concluding with Ode to Joy, 200 years ago in 1823 (having planned from youth to set Schiller’s poem to music), joy was something woefully lacking in Beethoven’s world. Deafness was an almost unbearably cruel and ironic blight upon the life of someone who was, arguably, the greatest musical genius who ever lived. Although it did not prevent him creating some of the finest works in the Western cultural canon, it did, combined with his overfondness for alcohol, hinder his ability to form lasting, successful relationships. Yet there was one constant companion during his 56 years on earth (besides music) that provided Beethoven with solace, salvation and both the inspiration and environment in which to compose some of his most famous symphonies: Nature.