Posted on 11/28/2008 7:36:05 PM PST by mainestategop
In the 15th and 16th century, written history underwent a massive campaign of misinformation and deception. With the European slave trade in full swing, Afrikans were transported to various parts of the world and were stripped of every aspect of their humanity, and in most of western civilization, were no longer considered human. This triggered a wholesale interpretation of history that methodically excluded Afrikans from any respectful mention, other than a legacy of slavery. This can result in being taught, or socialized, from one perspective. In this instance, historical information tends to flow strictly from a European perspective. No judgment of right or wrong is being made here, only that the breadth was very narrow in scope.
In an age where history is seriously being rewritten, new information is coming forth that is shocking intellectual sensitivities. What was once considered written in stone is now melting away with the discovery of facts that heretofore have been hidden or omitted; things so different that they are generally classified as controversial or unusual.
What specifically is being referenced, is the true identity of Ludwig van Beethoven, considered Europes greatest classical music composer. Directly, Beethoven was a black man. Specifically, his mother was a Moor, that group of Muslim Africans who conquered parts of Europe--making Spain their capital--for some 800 years.
In order to make such a substantial statement, presentation of verifiable evidence is compulsory. Let's start with what some of Beethoven's contemporaries and biographers say about his appearance. Frau Fisher, a close friend of Beethoven, described him with blackish-brown complexion. Frederick Hertz, German anthropologist, used these terms to describe him: Negroid traits, dark skin, flat, thick nose.
Emil Ludwig, in his book Beethoven, says: His face reveals no trace of the German. He was so dark that people dubbed him Spagnol [dark-skinned]. Fanny Giannatasio del Rio, in her book An Unrequited Love: An Episode in the Life of Beethoven, wrote His somewhat flat broad nose and rather wide mouth, his small piercing eyes and swarthy [dark] complexion, pockmarked into the bargain, gave him a strong resemblance to a mulatto. C. Czerny stated, His beard--he had not shaved for several days--made the lower part of his already brown face still darker.
Following are one word descriptions of Beethoven from various writers: Grillparzer, dark; Bettina von Armin, brown; Schindler, red and brown; Rellstab, brownish; Gelinek, short, dark.
Newsweek, in its Sept. 23, 1991 issue stated, Afrocentrism ranges over the whole panorama of human history, coloring in the faces: from Australopithecus to the inventors of mathematics to the great Negro composer Beethoven.
Of course, in the world of scholarship there are those who take an opposite view. In the book The Changing Image of Beethoven by Alessandra Comini, an array of arguments are presented. Donald W. MacArdle, in a 1949 Musical Quarterly article came to the conclusion that there was no Spanish, no Belgian, no Dutch, no African in Beethoven's genealogy. Dominque-Rene de Lerma, the great musical bibliologist, came to the same conclusion.
Included in this amazing discussion is a reference made of Beethovens teacher, Andre de Hevesy, in his book, Beethoven The Man. Everyone knows the incident at Kismarton, or Eisenstadt, the residence of Prince Esterhazy, on his birthday. In the middle of the first allegro of Haydns symphony, His Highness asked the name of the author. He was brought forward.
What! exclaimed the Prince, the music is by the blackamoor (a black Moor). Well, my fine blackamoor, henceforth thou art in my service.
What is thy name?
Joseph Haydn.
We have all been fed false information for reasons previously mentioned. It is no secret that scholars, writers, critics, advertisers and Hollywood have changed history for their own specific reasons. What is uniquely different in the intellectual landscape, people of color now have an army of sophisticated scholars to combat the continuation and dissemination of false information that has been accepted as standard, as well as the canon in academia.
It is hoped that the revealing of this information will motivate others to critically look at all data flowing in their brains for authenticity. Hollywood is notorious for changing facts. I am not saying to hate Hollywood, but we do have to hold it accountable for disseminating inaccurate depictions, especially when it changes the course of history, by which our children are influenced.
Graphic credits:
1.) Louis Letronne, Beethoven, 1814, pencil drawing.
2.) Blasius Hofel, Beethoven, 1814, monochrome facsimile of engraving after a pencil drawing by Louis Letronne.
3.) Engraving by Blasius Hofel, Beethoven, 1814, color facsimile of engraving after a pencil drawing by Louis Letronne. This engraving was regarded in Beethoven's circle as particularly lifelike. Beethoven himself thought highly of it, and gave several copies to his friends.
©2003Kwaku Person-Lynn
Explains a few things...
Ever notice his Martians were DARK green?
Freepers rule!
I learn more from Freep than anywhere else..what a bunch of brilliant ones!
When they dug him up in 1986 to restore his grave they opened the casket and found him with an eraser and his final unfinished symphony. He had been decomposing.
I have been reading Beethoven biographies since I was in high school, and remember hearing about him "being black" perhaps 20 years ago. Nonsense.
A few generations before his birth, Dec 16th, 1770 in Bonn, Germany, his Flemish ancestors came from Belgium. He did not have much German blood, and certainly no Austrian. This whole flap reminds me of the German joke:
"Name the two greatest 20th Century achievements of the Austrian."
Answer: "To have convinced the world that Beethoven was Austrian and Hitler was German."
Click here for Beethoven's genealogy.
He got his skin lightened after Symphony # 10, also called the “Thriller” symphony.
It just keeps increasing!
Too much sensitivity! :-)
Classical Music PING
>That is a legitimate word. Sort of like when LOL isn’t enough you use ROFL.
>It is the ROFL of “snicker”.
>
>Too much sensitivity! :-)
Indeed, or too much ignorance from a limited vocabulary... and you know what’s REALLY disheartening? My vocabulary is much smaller now than 6 or 7 years ago. (Thanks Army! [/sarc]) ;)
and his hairstyle resembles that of another famous person
We can only conclude one thing!!!
*SNIGGER*
Didn’t you get the memo? We’ll all be at least half black by the end of the next four years, no matter our current race or ethnic make-up. ;)
Told my boss that while he was at the paint store to choose an appropriate stain so we could beat the crowds...
Heheheheh. Now THAT’S funny!!
Actually, “Beethoven’s Tenth” is also known as “Brahms’ First”
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