In commenting on Beethoven and Schiller, I won't
dwell on the Beethoven's felicitous adaptation of Schiller's
Ode to Joy, but point out that both artists contended with
ill-starred existences.  I'm not conversant with the
biographical details for either of them. Both struggled with
financial difficulties. Both were chronically ill. 
Both died at an early age.  Each of them, to paraphrase
Isaiah, was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
It was for Goethe to draw the inspired and inspiring inference when,
speaking affectionately of his friend, he said of Schiller:
Seine durchgewachten Naechte haben unsern Tag erhellt.
(His sleepless nights have illuminated our days.)
a sentiment that I believe is aptly applied to our enthusiastic
acclaim of Beethoven's music as well.