Did Ludwig van Beethoven have Syphilis?

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Beethoven-0227.mp3

February 27, 2013

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is one of the most iconic and recognizable pieces of music on the planet.  With its message of hope and the brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind, it is often the go-to piece for celebrations of major occasions.  Leonard Bernstein, for example, famously conducted it to mark the fall of the Berlin Wall.  The Bach Concert Series has turned to the 9th to celebrate its 25th anniversary this week.  Conductor T. Herbert Dimmock will lead The Bach Concert Choir, The Maryland State Boychoir, and the Morgan State University Choir, at the Chizuk Amuno synagogue in Pikesville.

As sweeping and majestic a masterpiece as the 9th is, it is all the more remarkable given the fact that its composer, Ludwig van Beethoven was afflicted with many different health problems.  Dr. Philip Mackowiak of the University of Maryland say the composer suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, cirrhosis , , , and may have had syphilis. 

Dr. Mackowiak specializes in the medical histories of some famous historical figures.  He's written the author of the book Post Mortem: Solving History’s Great Medical Mysteries and Diagnosing Giants: Solving the Medical Mysteries of 13 Patients who Changed the World, which is due out this year. He’ll be giving a talk about Beethoven prior to the Bach Concert Series performance of Beethoven's 9th on Sunday, March 3 at 4:00 at Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Pikesville. T. Herbert Dimmock will conduct the 225 musicians.