Beethoven: I will Hear in Heaven

Neighbors would quietly tiptoe to the window to hear the little boy play the piano. They had never listened to anything like that. It was like the melody of angels.

At 12, the little boy had composed his own piece of music! It was the talk of everyone.

This little boy would grow to be a famous man, a bit short with a broad chest and a broad forehead. His name was Ludwig Beethoven.

As a grown-up, he would go to Vienna because of his interest in music. Vienna was known as the capital city of music. His music had greatly improved. People would flock to hear him play; to marvel at his skill.

But after a while, Beethoven started hearing some constant sound in his ears. The humming sound would not just stop. Reluctantly, he visited a doctor, who after examining him, gave the dreaded verdict: “Beethoven, you are becoming deaf”

Soon after, he could not hear a syllable!

Beethoven, the great musician had become deaf! How could he listen to his own music?

Somehow, he continued practicing music, even playing the piano without hearing the notes!

At last he composed a symphony. It was the 9th and his last composition. One of the songs was “Ode to Joy”. It has been regarded by many as one of the greatest songs ever written. Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is the source of the hymn:

“Joyful, joyful, we adore You,

God of glory, Lord of love”

The beauty and melody was like nothing the people had heard. They waved their hands and their hats and shouted in praise and adoration. But Beethoven could not hear a word. Someone motioned to him to turn around. He turned and bowed to the crowd. Many people wept.

Not long after, Beethoven died. Just before he died, he is reported to have said: “I will hear in heaven.”