A statement made by my Science teacher.

[John Rasmussen]

Originally posted by Andrea:
How can someone who calls herself a science teacher say that Beethoven was a raving lunatic? Does she not know how much science and music have in common?

It's interesting you should say that. Many scientists have also played musical instruments. My father was a physicist who also played violin. He died when I was young, but my mother has told me that, when he was at Oak Ridge during World War II, there was a complete orchestra among the scientific staff! Hmmm--What's the connection?

Among composers I know of, Camille Saint-Saens and Alexander Borodin were also scientists: Borodin was also a chemist, and Saint-Saens made advances in several scientific fields. Remember Leonardo da Vinci also.

[apple_core_04]

A statement made by my Science teacher.

During 5th period, my Science teacher made the comment that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a raving lunitic. Is this true?
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

[Chris]

Um...no. Did she give any reasons for why she thinks that?

[Chaszz]

Originally posted by apple_core_04:
During 5th period, my Science teacher made the comment that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a raving lunitic. Is this true?
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

There was one incident which I read about in a biography of Beethoven. I may have a detail or two inaccurate, but here is the gist of it.

Beethoven was walking one afternoon in the countryside for inspiration, as was his habit. After several hours, his attention was so inward that he lost his way and didn't realize it was getting dark. He discovered this and tried to find his way home thru the forest but couldn't.

He was wandering in darkness when he came upon a small village which had shut up for the night. He went round pounding on doors and shuttered windows crying out "Help me! I am lost! I'm Beethoven! I'm Beethoven!"

In his dishevelled state with hair flying and shouting, he was not believed. The constable was called and poor Beethoven was put in jail for the night!

In the morning, an art history professor was able to identify him from pictures he had seen. Beethoven was released and then escorted home.

[Peter]

Originally posted by apple_core_04:
During 5th period, my Science teacher made the comment that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a raving lunitic. Is this true?
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

I thought scientists were supposed to base their arguments on FACTS! Beethoven could be described as eccentric not a raving lunatic. Tell your science teacher that a raving lunatic could not produce the world's greatest music.

------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Joy]

Originally posted by apple_core_04:
During 5th period, my Science teacher made the comment that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a raving lunitic. Is this true?
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

You have to let us all know why she made this statement?? What were you all talking about in the first place to make her say this
odd remark?

Joy

[This message has been edited by Joy (edited September 19, 2002).]

[Joy]

Originally posted by Chaszz:
There was one incident which I read about in a biography of Beethoven. I may have a detail or two inaccurate, but here is the gist of it.

Beethoven was walking one afternoon in the countryside for inspiration, as was his habit. After several hours, his attention was so inward that he lost his way and didn't realize it was getting dark. He discovered this and tried to find his way home thru the forest but couldn't.

He was wandering in darkness when he came upon a small village which had shut up for the night. He went round pounding on doors and shuttered windows crying out "Help me! I am lost! I'm Beethoven! I'm Beethoven!"

In his dishevelled state with hair flying and shouting, he was not believed. The constable was called and poor Beethoven was put in jail for the night!

In the morning, an art history professor was able to identify him from pictures he had seen. Beethoven was released and then escorted home.

I've heard this story many times. Can you imagine? I bet the constable was embarrassed, but maybe not as much as our confused Beethoven! I believe the clothes he wore made him look like a 'bum' as well!

Joy

[Joy]

Originally posted by Peter:
I thought scientists were supposed to base their arguments on FACTS! Beethoven could be described as eccentric not a raving lunatic. Tell your science teacher that a raving lunatic could not produce the world's greatest music.

Exactly!

Joy

[Sorrano]

Originally posted by apple_core_04:
During 5th period, my Science teacher made the comment that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a raving lunitic. Is this true?
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

All too often that which is misunderstood is shelved with an unsavory label rather than investigated until comprehended.

[Andrea]

How can someone who calls herself a science teacher say that Beethoven was a raving lunatic? Does she not know how much science and music have in common? I think that she needs to look up the definition of the word science. Here is what the Encyclopedia Britannica says: "Science is any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation."

Albert Einstein said,"To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science." Beethoven is like the Einstein of the music world for he too questioned the music of those before him and with his creative imagination, Beethoven made huge advances in music.

Because Beethoven was going beyond the norm and creating a new world of music, some people may have seen him as being crazy. These were people who would not accept change. I am sure there were quite a few people who thought that Einstein too was a raving lunatic. Let's face it, they were both geniuses and misunderstood.

[Rod]

Originally posted by Andrea:
Let's face it, they were both geniuses and misunderstood.

Mmm I agree, I can think of someone else you could add to that list....

------------------
"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Andrea]

Gee, Rod, I wonder who that could be?

[Chris]

Originally posted by Rod:
Mmm I agree, I can think of someone else you could add to that list....

Originally posted by Andrea:
Gee, Rod, I wonder who that could be?

Stop it you guys; you're embarrassing me.

[This message has been edited by Chris (edited September 20, 2002).]

[apple_core_04]

First of all, my teacher is a male, not a female. I'm sorry that I didn't mention that in my first statement. I don't know why he said it. He thinks that he knows everthing anyway. Haha. He's a good teacher though.
~*~*~*~*~apple~*~*~*~*~

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
Mmm I agree, I can think of someone else you could add to that list....

That's very flattering, thank you!

------------------
'Man know thyself'