Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven

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name = Kaspar van Beethoven


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birth_name = Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven
Baptized = April 8, 1774
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death_date = Death date|1815|11|15
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death_cause = Tuberculosis
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nationality = Austrian
other_names = Karl van Beethoven
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spouse = Johanna van Beethoven
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children = Karl van Beethoven
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relatives = younger brother of Ludwig van Beethoven


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Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven (1774 – November 15, 1815) was the second son of Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich.

In 1794, Kaspar moved from the family home in Bonn to Vienna, where he gave music lessons and did some composing. In 1800, he began working as a clerk in the Department of Finance. He also worked closely with his older brother, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, serving as a part-time secretary and managing his business relations with the Viennese music publishers.Clive, Peter. "Beethoven and his World: A Biographical Dictionary". Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001]

On May 25, 1806 Kaspar married Johanna Reiss, with whom he had one son, Karl. Ludwig and Johanna were on bad terms from the start, and relations between the two brother dwindled rapidly after Kaspar's marriage. However, Ludwig did help to support the family when Kaspar became ill with tuberculosis in 1812, and even mentioned to the Princess Kinsky that he was "obliged to completely support an unfortunate sick brother and all his family."

When, in 1813, his health began to seriously deteriorate, Kaspar signed a declaration appointing Ludwig guardian of his son, then aged six, in the event of his death. The same day, Ludwig granted him a loan of 1,500 florins, for which his wife stood security. Kaspar died on November 15, 1815. In his will dated the previous day, he assigned guardianship of his son both to his wife and to Ludwig, apparently hoping that the two would put aside their long-standing animosity. [ [http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search2?coll_id=5660&inst_id=25 AIM25: Royal College of Music: BEETHOVEN, Ludwig Van (1770-1827) ] ]

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