TEXT F

　　First read the questions. 52. Which of the following statement is NOT true according to the text? A. Beethoven began to receive formal musical instruction at nine. B. His mothers death had great influence on him. C. "Choral", one of the most glorious symphonies, was dedicated to Napoleon. D. Bach had also deep influence on Beethoven. 53. When did Beethovens mother die? A. In 1787 B. In 1792 C. In 1779 D. In 1826 Now go through TEXT F quickly to answer question 52 and 53.

　　The indisputable giant of the early Romantic period of classical music was Ludwing van Beethoven. Beethovens life spanned the period of the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century, a time of political and social revolution in the Western world. Beethoven was the personification of the modern artist: he felt himself the equal of royalty, and this belief was echoed in his music. 　 Of Flemish descent, Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany on December 16 or 17, 1770. His mother was a cook and his father a menial musician who was also drunkard. He started to receive formal musical instruction in 1779, and after only three years became deputy court organist and a member of the court orchestra. A year later his first composition was published. 　 In 1787 he set out for Vienna to meet Mozart. Within two weeks of his arrival, his mother fell ill and he hurried back to Bonn. She died in the same year, and her death affected Beethoven very deeply. 　 In 1792 he returned to Vienna, never to see Bonn again. Soon after, Beethoven made his entrance into the cultured middle class, and through his patron Count Waldstein, into the world of the nobility. He was in great demanded as a performer and a teacher. 　 In spite of this success, however, Beethoven was known as an eccentric. He changed domiciles on the average of once a month, and he could not get along with his servant. Moreover, his personality was touched by paranoia —— he often felt harassed by unfounded suspicions. These emotions were intensified by his gradual loss of hearing. 　 While Beethovens life was overridden with his deafness, this misery drove the man to despair, but not the composer. In the first two decades of the nineteenth century he composed a vast amount of music. He was under the patronage of Archduke Rudolph, Prince Joseph Max Lobkowitz and Prince Ferdinand Kinsky, all of whom guaranteed him an annual salary so he could devote his entire time to composing —— on the condition that he not leave Vienna. Beethoven was thus in the unheard of position of complete independence from any employment or commission. The musician and composer were no longer servants of the court; they were the equal of noblemen. 　 This artistic freedom, however, did not free him from mundane problems. Often his patrons did not pay him on time, and the publishers of his compositions frequently sent his royalties late. Moreover, after the death of his brother Karl, he was appointed guardian of his nephew which brought him much vexation and grief. He had long and bitter quarrels with the boys mother whom he considered unfit to raise the child. 　 In spite of the adversity in his personal life, Beethoven produced some of his greatest works during this time. Many of his piano sonatas were composed in these years, each of which he dedicated to patrons and friends. In these works he drew on forms used by earlier composers while exploring new depths of emotions. 　 Sorrow, passion and fanfare were hallmarks of his music. Moreover, he was drawn to subjects of epic or heroic grandeur. The most glorious of his symphonies, the "Eroica", was originally dedicated to Napoleon. On hearing that he had crowned himself emperor, however, Beethoven changed the dedication to read, "To the memory of a great man." He was also a master of the fugue and canon, undoubtedly because of the influence of J.S. Bach. He said of the Baroque master: "He should not be called Bach ("brook" in German) but Meer (sea)." 　 Toward the the end of Beethovens life, his deafness was total. One can only marvel at fact that he produced so much music which he never heard. His last symphony, the "Coral", reflects the strength of his spirit. In the last movement the chorus and soloists join the orchestra in a grand finale based on Schillers poem "Ode to Joy". When Beethoven conducted this work in Vienna he was totally deaf. After one particular passage there was thunderous applause. Unaware of the adulation, he continued conducting. One of the singers pulled his sleeve and pointed to the audience. He then turned and bowed. 　 In 1826 Beethovens chronic poor health took a turn for the worse. He developed pleurisy, and later pneumonia. His last days were wracked with suffering until finally, on March 26, 1827, he died. The funeral of this musician giant was attended by twenty thousand people.

　　52. Which of the following statement is NOT true according to the text?

　　A) Beethoven began to receive formal musical instruction at nine.

　　B) His mother's death had great influence on him.

　　C) "Choral", one of the most glorious symphonies, was dedicated to Napoleon.

　　D) Bach had also deep influence on Beethoven.

　　53. When did Beethoven's mother die?

　　A) In 1787

　　B) In 1792

　　C) In 1779

　　D) In 1826