What do you call, Beethoven?

[mennea]

Beethoven signed his first name in various way, Ludwig, Louis, Luigi. And he was addressed similarly in letters he received. My question, does any one know for sure how he was addressed in ordinary conversation?

[Kassaa]

Ludwig probably, he was after all German, he used the names Louis an Luigi when he wrote to Frenchmen an Italians.

[counterpoint]

I call him just Beethoven 

[thierry13]

Beethoven signed his first name in various way, Ludwig, Louis, Luigi. And he was addressed similarly in letters he received. My question, does any one know for sure how he was addressed in ordinary conversation?

In those times it was common to translate one's name when using another language. Louis is the french name for Ludwig, and Luigi is the italian one. His original name is Ludwig. But you know it's the same for Liszt ... we all call him Franz but in fact it is Ferenc I think ... and Chopin will call him Frédéric because he lived in Paris but his real name is friedrich (or something like that).

[richard black]

Boss

[pianowolfi]

I call him Prometheus. Other than that, Beethoven. And Ludwig is correct.

[pianochick93]

I call him Beethoven.