Class 12 English Unit 18 Music and Creation

1. c. Beethoven was born into a musical family in Bonn, Germany.
2. e. He learned to play the organ, piano, violin, and viola.
3. a. He migrated to Vienna.
4. h. At the age of twenty-seven, he felt the deafness to high-pitched sound.
5. d. His deafness got gradually worse: He could hear but not understand.
6. g. He lived a life in seclusion.
7. b. He even made suicidal attempts.
8. f. He died of hepatitis at the age of fifty-six.

(Monologue written from Beethoven’s perspective:)

“I was once the life of the party. Even when there was no party, I made one happen with my melodies. I made people laugh, I made myself laugh. ‘Isn’t he something, that Beethoven?’ they would say. But now… now I’m feeling quite lonely and entirely helpless. This terrible silence has isolated me from my coworkers and relatives. They think negatively about me; they only consider me a ‘deaf guy’. The entire efforts of my life to make music alive seem destined to go in vain. I can’t stand this situation. There is no hope within me to get cured. It wears me out, keeping the motor running while the world goes quiet. Sometimes I just want to come to a permanent rest.

But then, I think it’s a cowardly act to kill my own life. I must try to conquer these dark suicidal thoughts. I should think about the sacred ethics of life and my divine interest in music. They say a man should not give up his life because he can do many other good things. Why do I surrender to these thoughts? Suicide is not a permanent solution to a temporary physical problem. Human life is precious. I’m ready to leave these miserable thoughts behind! I’m ready for a real life. It doesn’t matter if I can’t listen to others anymore. From now on, I’m going to listen purely to my inner sounds and feelings!”

No, it wasn’t merely “divine inspiration” but absolute rigorous practice and his unbreakable belief in music that made Beethoven one of the greatest composers of the world. Ludwig van Beethoven was a German pianist and composer widely considered to be a musical genius, but his genius was built on relentless effort. His innovative compositions combined vocals and instruments in unprecedented ways, widening the scope of sonatas, symphonies, concertos, and quartets.

Beethoven’s personal life was marked by a brutal struggle against total deafness, and yet some of his most important and complex works were composed during the exact last 10 years of his life, when he was completely unable to hear physically. He went on singlehandedly to change the musical world forever through sheer willpower. Due to his deafness, he became quite sad and serious, but in that profound suffering, he didn’t give up his passion for his craft; he continued his creative works further by studying vibrations and musical theory intensely. He kept on composing his best music purely through mathematical and theoretical practice even after his deafness. Due to his rigorous practice and supreme musical devotion, his music career reached its absolute height. He didn’t just wait for inspiration to strike; he engineered his own musical era.

(Here is a biography essay, written by Abisha:)

Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal Guruacharya

Narayan Gopal was born to a Newar family in Kathmandu in 1996 Bikram Sambat (BS). His father was a dedicated classical musician and naturally wanted his son to follow his footsteps. Narayan Gopal was deeply interested in music from an early age, but not exactly into the strict classical field. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural and musical icons in Nepal, he is universally referred to as “Swar Samrat” (Emperor of Voice) in Nepal. He is also known affectionately as the “King of Tragedy” owing to his numerous emotionally resonant tragedy songs. He also proudly sang in Nepal Bhasa.

Narayan Gopal is by far the most prominent, respected, and popular singer in Nepali music history. When people think or talk about authentic Nepali music, the name most universally associated is that of Narayan Gopal. For most people, he is the definitive singer. He was also an incredibly accomplished music composer in his own right. Not only was he gifted with a great, textured voice, he was very versatile. His impressive voice range allowed him to sing songs of nearly every genre. His songs are often richly orchestrated with traditional instruments like the sitar, harmonium, and the flute. Some of his most legendary and popular songs include: Euta Manche Ko Maya le Kati, Jhareko Paat Jhai, Yo Samjhine Man Cha, Saawan ko jhari bani, and Manche ko Maya among many more.

He has sung over 500 songs, including tracks in films, ballets, and drama. Most of his songs are timeless melodies. It is said that he was very strict and selective about which songs he sang. Although 500 songs is not a massive volume for someone of his high caliber, they are absolutely outstanding in every way—be it the lyrical depth or the superb vocal rendition. In recognition of his massive contribution in the field of Nepali music, he received several top national honors and awards, including the Trishakti Patta and the Chinnalata Puraskar, to name a few.

The continued, massive sales of his albums firmly attest to his immense, undying popularity. Even more than a decade after his tragic death, his songs are equally liked, deeply loved, and sung by the new generation. His musical legacy truly lives on.