In a groundbreaking study published in Current Biology, researchers have revealed an unexpected insight into the genetic makeup of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of history’s most venerated composers. Despite his profound influence on the world of music, Beethoven appears to have had a relatively low genetic predisposition for beat synchronization, a trait closely linked to musicality.
The inspiration behind this research lies in a fundamental question that has intrigued scientists for centuries: To what extent are exceptional human achievements, such as Beethoven’s unparalleled musical genius, influenced by genetic factors? With the advent of modern molecular methods, the ability to analyze the DNA of historical figures has become a reality.
The research team used genetic sequences obtained from Beethoven’s hair, previously analyzed in 2023, as a foundation for their investigation. They employed an approach known as polygenic indices (PGIs) to assess Beethoven’s genetic predisposition towards beat synchronization, which refers to the ability to match one’s movements (such as tapping) with the rhythm of a musical beat.
PGIs calculate an individual’s genetic propensity for a specific trait by aggregating the effects of numerous small DNA variations across the genome. These variations, typically single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs, are identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that link specific genetic markers to particular traits.
In this case, the PGIs were informed by a GWAS involving over 600,000 individuals of European ancestry, which identified genetic loci significantly associated with the ability to synchronize with a musical beat.
To contextualize Beethoven’s genetic predisposition within the broader landscape of musical talent, the researchers compared his PGI with those of thousands of modern-day individuals from two large cohorts, the Swedish Twin Registry’s STAGE cohort and Vanderbilt’s BioVU cohort. These comparisons were crucial for understanding how Beethoven’s genetic inclination for beat synchronization stacked up against a contemporary population with documented musical achievements.
Contrary to what one might expect of a musical genius of Beethoven’s caliber, his PGI for beat synchronization was relatively low. Specifically, Beethoven’s score placed him in the 9th and 11th percentiles in comparison to the STAGE and BioVU cohorts, respectively. This indicates that, from a genetic standpoint, Beethoven had a below-average predisposition for this aspect of musicality when compared to modern populations.
“For Beethoven, we used his recently sequenced DNA to calculate a polygenic score as an indicator for his genetic predisposition for beat synchronization,” said Tara Henechowicz, a current PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, recent visiting graduate student with the Vanderbilt Human Genetics Program, and the paper’s second author.
“Interestingly, Beethoven, one of the most celebrated musicians in history, had an unremarkable polygenic score for general musicality compared to population samples from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Vanderbilt’s BioVU Repository,” she said.
Despite his low genetic predisposition for beat synchronization, Beethoven’s monumental achievements in music are undeniable. This discrepancy underscores a key message of the study: while genetic factors do play a role in shaping our abilities, they are but one piece of the puzzle. Environmental factors, personal experiences, and perhaps most importantly, individual determination and creativity, are equally crucial in the realization of exceptional talent.
“Our aim was to use this as an example of the challenges of making genetic predictions for an individual who lived over 200 years ago,” Henechowicz said. “The mismatch between the DNA-based prediction and Beethoven’s musical genius provides a valuable teaching moment, because it demonstrates that DNA tests cannot give us a definitive answer about whether a given child will end up being musically gifted.”
“In the current era of ‘big data’ such as Vanderbilt’s BioVU repository, we have had the opportunity to look in fine detail at large groups of people to uncover the genetic underpinnings of traits such as rhythm ability or being musically active. The current study and other recent work also suggest that environment plays a key role in musical ability and engagement as well,” added co-author Reyna Gordon, an associate professor of Otolaryngology at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and graduate co-advisor to Henechowicz.
The study, “Notes from Beethoven’s genome,” was authored by Laura W. Wesseldijk, Tara L. Henechowicz, David J. Baker, Giacomo Bignardi, Robert Karlsson, Reyna L. Gordon, Miriam A. Mosing, Fredrik Ullén, and Simon E. Fisher.