2-720-420 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'"Now then, Ludwig, time for practice!"', (1907). Tobias Pfeiffer, a musician boarder in the Beethoven household, gives musical instruction to the young Ludwig in part return for his accommodation. There were irregular late-night sessions with the young Beethoven being dragged from his bed to the keyboard: 'Pfeiffer would betake himself to Ludwig's bedside, and, with a shake which soon became familiar, would arouse the boy with, 'Now then, Ludwig, time for practice!' At this gentle admonition the sleepy child would rise obediently, rubbing his eyes, and master and pupil descended to the sitting-room, where they would play together till the early hours of the morning'. An episode from the life of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). From "Story-Lives of Great Musicians", by F.J. Rowbotham. [Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. Ltd, London, 1907]