Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven

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Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven (1774–1815) was Ludwig van Beethoven’s brother. He was born in Bonn, the second son of Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. His mother died when he was 13, and he trained as a music teacher.

In 1794 Kaspar moved to Vienna, where Ludwig had already settled. At first Ludwig helped him with money and by finding students, but Kaspar soon supported himself. He tried composing, but never became well known.

From 1800 he worked as a clerk in the Department of Finance and acted as a part‑time secretary for Ludwig, handling his business with music publishers. He was not good at this; publishers described him as arrogant and blunt. For example, a letter to a publisher irritated them with awkward language about “our publishers.”

Kaspar’s actions also caused trouble between the brothers. Around 1801–02 he sold Ludwig’s recently completed piano sonatas (Opus 31) to a Leipzig publisher, even though Beethoven had promised them to another firm. Ries, an early biographer, says the dispute even led to blows.

After 1806 Kaspar did little work for Ludwig. In 1809 he was promoted to Deputy Liquidator, earning a salary, but Austria’s money troubles made life difficult. He did receive rental income from a house his wife had inherited.

Kaspar married Johanna Reiß on 25 May 1806; she was six months pregnant with their son Karl (1806–1858). Ludwig and Johanna did not get along, and the brothers’ relationship worsened after Kaspar’s marriage.

During Napoleon’s 1809 siege of Vienna, Ludwig hid in Kaspar’s cellar to protect his remaining hearing. In 1812 Kaspar fell ill with tuberculosis, and Ludwig helped support the family. In 1813 Kaspar named Ludwig guardian of Karl if he died, and Ludwig lent 1,500 florins with Johanna as security.

Kaspar van Beethoven died on 15 November 1815. In his will he left guardianship of Karl to his wife and to Ludwig, hoping they could get along, but the two continued a long custody dispute over Karl.