Ludwig van Beethoven

Born: 1770 | Died: 1827

Composer

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven was a musical genius and one of the world’s most influential composers. Beethoven grew up in Bonn, where he showed tremendous musical talent at an early age, although he was not considered a child prodigy but somewhat of a musical rebel famous for his musical skills but also for his flaring temper.

In 1792, he moved to Vienna where he had previously studied for a short time with one of the city’s great masters: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who had said of him: “Keep your eyes on him; some day he will give the world something to talk about.” As a composer he worked freelance, neither employed by the church nor an aristocratic court. He was a favorite guest with many noble families who frequently invited him to give concerts and lessons in Bonn and in Vienna.

Beethoven wrote one of his most famous piano melodies, “Moonlight Sonata”, in 1801, just as he was beginning to lose his hearing. He suffered from a severe roar in his ears, which made it difficult for him to perceive or appreciate music. By 1817, he was completely deaf - yet it was after this that he wrote some of his greatest music, including his powerful “Ninth Symphony” which includes “Ode to Joy.” The “Eroica” Symphony was first performed in 1805 and stunned audiences with its length and complexity. The rest of his incredible creations, including sonatas, symphonies, concertos, quartets, piano and violin sonatas, trios and other chamber music, followed.

Beethoven died during a violent thunderstorm in 1827; legend has it he was shaking his fist at the heavens as he passed away. People who listen to his work often perceive echoes of Beethoven's life in music: struggle that is overcome by triumph.

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