Ask anyone about classical music, and one of the first names they'll come up with is Beethoven. His influence is so huge that we still get to hear his works today. But aren't you interested to know the secret to his masterpieces?
According to a brand-new research, he may be playing by his heart--literally. A team of researchers from two universities in Michigan and Washington has just discovered that his heart arrhythmia is oddly similar to the rhythm of a number of his famous works.
To analyze his many masterpieces, the team is composed of a musicologist, medical historian, and cardiologist.
According to one of the researchers, the theory that Beethoven might have used his own heart problem to compose is music is possible since it's common among those involved in the arts and music to use their innermost feelings and experiences for their work.
One of the examples the study cites is his Opus 130, playing in B-flat major and a string quartet. The cavatina, which is described as a short and simple song that doesn't have any repetition or a second strain, has always been considered by Beethoven as the part that always made him cry. The entire piece also featured a sudden change in key, from B flat to C flat major. This may be likened to having tight breath, which is common among those who have an irregular heartbeat.
Beethoven also considers the section as "heavy of heart (German word is "beklemmt"). While this may be taken figuratively, it may also indicate the physical state of the famous composer at the time.
Beethoven died when he was 57 years old, although the reason for his actual death still remains a subject of controversy and debate. Others believe he succumbed to alcoholic cirrhosis especially after his autopsy revealed he had a damaged liver. He also lost his hearing when he was 26 years old.