The unusual habits of famous composers

Famous composers, like many creative individuals, often had eccentric or unusual habits and behaviors. Here are some weird and interesting things that famous composers did:

1. Ludwig van Beethoven:

   • Beethoven was known for his unkempt appearance and habit of wearing shabby clothes, even at formal events.

   • He would immerse his head in cold water as a morning ritual to wake up, a practice known as "water therapy."

2. Johann Sebastian Bach:

   • Bach was a coffee enthusiast. He composed a humorous "Coffee Cantata" that praised the virtues of the beverage.

   • He was known to challenge other musicians to "keyboard duels" in which he would improvise complex music on the spot.

3. Igor Stravinsky:

   • Stravinsky had a fascination with the number 3 and believed it brought him good luck. He would often arrange his compositions in groups of three.

   • He had a collection of more than 100 stuffed animals, including frogs, monkeys, and birds.

4. Gustav Mahler:

   • Mahler had a phobia of cats and would often cross the street to avoid them.

   • He insisted on taking long, daily walks, even in extreme weather conditions, as part of his creative process.

5. Erik Satie:

   • Satie was known for his bizarre sense of humor. He once labeled a piece of sheet music with the instruction "In the manner of a pear."

   • He composed a piece called "Three Pear-shaped Pieces" and insisted that the performers dress as pears.

6. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:

   • Tchaikovsky had a strong aversion to conducting his own music and often considered it a burden. He preferred conducting other composers' works.

   • He was very superstitious and had a fear of the number 13. He died on November 6, 1893, just days after his 53rd birthday, possibly to avoid turning 53 on the 13th.

7. Anton Bruckner:

   • Bruckner had a fascination with cadavers and attended autopsies. He even kept a piece of a skull in his study.

   • He was known to compose while standing on a tall stool and insisted on having a small wooden box with his father's remains on his desk while he worked.

8. John Cage:

   • John Cage was a pioneer of experimental and avant-garde music. He famously composed a piece titled "4'33"," which consists of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence, challenging traditional notions of music.

These eccentricities and quirks are often seen as part of what made these composers unique and contributed to their creative processes. While some may seem bizarre, they offer insights into the personalities and idiosyncrasies of these musical geniuses.