Did Beethoven isolate himself from other musicians of his day and refuse to listen to their music?

Question

Or is that just a legend that grew?

Beethoven was not deaf for most of his musical life. He became deaf. You can safely assume that I am asking about Beethoven, before he became deaf. Facts please.

If you believe Wikipedia, Beethoven lived to be 57, but didn't start going deaf until age 31. Here is the reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven
I don't like answers that are so "easy", in which people pretend they know everything and don't bother to even look it up.

Answer 1

I don't think so...I've never heard that before. Beethoven played for Mozart in his teens, you would think Mozart would've played for him as well. I've studied Beethoven quite a bit, and am not familiar with that theory.

Everyone should know he went deaf in adulthood, and he did listen to quite a bit of music while he was able.

Answer 2

It was probably really hard for him to listen to their music, being he was deaf. And he was deaf for most of his life, which many believe was the result of abuse by his father (or so my music teacher would tell us). He composed his music by playing it with his ear near something he could use to feel the vibrations of the notes.

Answer 3

he was DEAF, how was he able to listen to their music?

he was only able to listen to his own music, by cutting the legs off of his piano and putting his ear to the floor, while he played with one hand. but, i do believe he was a work-aholic and isolated himself.

Answer 4

He was deaf early on in his life......so that should answer your questions.

Answer 5

don't know but didn't he become deaf nearing his death

Answer 6

wasn't he deaf