THE EARLY PERIOD: 1788 (ages 17 - 18 years)

In March, 1787 - at the age of sixteen, Beethoven left Bonn briefly -- traveling to Vienna for the first time. He probably hoped to meet and to study with Mozart; whether such a meeting ever occurred is unknown.  After only two weeks there, Beethoven's mother became severely ill, prompting his return to Bonn where she died shortly thereafter July 17th.   Beethoven's father, grieved, moved more deeply into alcoholism and left the care of Beethoven's two younger brothers to the then sixteen-year-old.  This new set of responsibilities continued for the next five years.

Beethoven met several people who became lifelong friends during those years: Franz Wegeler, then a medical student, introduced him to the well-off von Breuning family, who offered him affection and support with Beethoven soon providing music lessons to their children.

Beethoven's talent was noticed by Count Ferdinand von Waldstein, who became an important supporter and friend.

By 1789, having cared for his brothers for the preceding two years given his father's alcoholism, Beethoven sought half of his father's salary to continue that care without requiring his father to provide those funds; the court granted his request.  He also derived income from playing the viola in the court orchestra.

image from 1787