Was Beethoven autistic? (ft. the Piano Rogues)

(Plus our performance!)

Was Beethoven autistic? Since we'll never have the definitive answer, I thought I'd take you on a journey, figuring out how we might make a good guess as to whether a historical figure is on the spectrum, and what evidence there is in Beethoven's life that points that way.

A big thank you to Piano Rogues for approaching me for this collab, providing extensive research, arranging the piece for my guitar level and being a joy to collab with!

[YoSamdySam]

Who do you want me to historically armchair diagnose next?

[AutomaticDuck]

What if his best compositions were him stimming on the piano?

[dahgomeedeh]

I'm a pianist, and Beethoven has always been one of my favorite composers (Rachmanioff is another). I am also self-diagnosed on the spectrum. My family never imagined I was on the spectrum (but after well over a year of researching, I'm convinced both my parents are on the spectrum, too). I'm 32 years old now, and I believe playing the piano is my primary stim. I started lessons at 8 years old and loved it immediately. My parents never had to force me to practice. In fact, they had to tell me I had to finish my other chores and schoolwork first, or I would have played the piano all day long. Even in my early teens, it wasn't unusual for me to sit down to practice, realize my back and shoulders were stiff and tired, and suddenly realize I'd been sitting there for 6-8 hours.

[Blue-ivfv]

"we know that trauma can result in behaviors that mimic autism sometimes"
yeah, i am still confused if my seemingly autistic behaviors are in fact due to autism or the decades of emotional abuse and trauma or my chronic illness which i can't get diagnosed

[tracik]

It’s very interesting that many of us are drawn to the arts and creativity. Things like acting and writing (or reading) have connections with psychology which is a classic autistic way of trying to understand people and society. I have always been drawn to acting and studying actor’s work because I like the idea that the script is there so I know what to say already and it doesn’t matter (within reason) what I have to say or do or be like because it isn’t me it’s the character.
This was a great video and very well done, thanks Sam 👍

[garyfrancis]

Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitcock. LIve director Tim Burton, Woody Allen.

[IndieAndy]

Can't believe you filmed this and uploaded in one day! That's crazy but this was a great video!

For me it's interesting looking into those who may have shown autistic traits so this really was interesting to me especially after hearing the arguments for it.

Really love the work that you do and hope that 2021 brings you happiest and joy ☺️

[p.s.]

I really love that you are wearing that iconic Beethoven style outfit for this video. Nailed it!

[Wolit]

I really enjoyed this video. it's interesting to compare Beethoven's traits to autistic traits. I've always loved Beethoven's symphonies. Its a tradition for the local classical station here to play Beethoven's 9th Symphony on New Year's Eve with the choral part timed to be at midnight.

[purple-headedyogurtslinger]

I’m not autistic my brain has a manual transmission and most people have an automatic.

[arabelle]

This explains why I love him the most. His work seems so much more emotional to me than others.

[PianoRogues]

Thanks so much for doing this with us Sam! It was supper fun. Interesting to hear your thoughts on Beethoven.

[anhaicapitomaking]

I do not understand anything about music, but this series is promising. Have a safe and joyful NYE

[arasharfa]

we also have to think about the confirmation bias that the people of the past we have records of all are exceptional and outof the ordinary in different ways.

[chillbaby]

Sylvia Plath.
inspiring video. thank you. 👍
and/or Virginia Woolf.

[gennylittletreats]

I loved it Sam! I would like a series about historical figures. It's both interesting and entertaining.

[kiri]

Not only was this interesting but I feel it helped me understand myself better.

[simonturner]

As a small kid i obsessively listened to symphony no.5. It’s his piano sonatas that do it for me now.

[jerrysims]

Love it - Anthony Honkins! You gave me a nice little belly laugh there - marvellous therapy. Happy NY, Sam

[daviydviljoen]

"You ask me where I get my ideas. That I cannot tell you with certainty. They come unsummoned, directly, indirectly - I could seize them with my hands - out in the open air, in the woods, while walking, in the silence of the nights, at dawn, excited by moods which are translated by the poet into words, by me into tones that sound and roar and storm about me till I have set them down in notes." - Beethoven.
That describes perseveration imho.

Conducting, not composing! He continued to conduct, not compose, the 9th even after the performance had finished.