In May 1809, when the attacking forces of Napoleon bombarded Vienna, according to Ferdinand Ries, Beethoven, very worried that the noise would destroy what remained of his hearing, hid in the basement of his brother's house, covering his ears with pillows.
Durante o mes de maio de 1809, cando as forzas de ataque de Napoleón bombardearon Viena, segundo Ferdinand Ries, Beethoven, moi preocupado por que o ruído acabase co que lle quedaba de audición, agachouse no sótano da casa do seu irmán, cubrindo os seus oídos con almofadas.