Ludwig van Beethoven
- Born:
- Baptized December 17, 1770, Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (present-day Germany)
- Died:
- March 26, 1827, Vienna, Austrian Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Composer, Pianist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a musical family; his father Johann van Beethoven was a tenor singer and music teacher.
- Received rigorous, and sometimes harsh, musical training from his father from a young age.
- Studied with Christian Gottlob Neefe, who became his most important teacher in Bonn. Neefe appointed Beethoven as assistant Court Organist.
- In 1792, he moved to Vienna to study with Joseph Haydn.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established himself as a virtuoso pianist in Vienna.
- Gradually transitioned his focus to composition.
- Began to experience hearing loss in his late twenties, which progressively worsened.
- Continued to compose despite his increasing deafness, creating some of his most profound works during this period.
Notable Works
- Symphonies (e.g., No. 3 "Eroica", No. 5, No. 6 "Pastoral", No. 9 "Choral")
- Piano Concertos (e.g., No. 5 "Emperor")
- String Quartets (e.g., "Razumovsky" Quartets, Late Quartets)
- Piano Sonatas (e.g., "Moonlight" Sonata, "Pathétique" Sonata, "Hammerklavier" Sonata)
- Opera: Fidelio
- Violin Concerto
- The composer's early string quartets, including the String Quartet in G major, op 18 no 2 beethoven biography, reflect his emerging personal style while still adhering to Classical forms.
Legacy and Impact
Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers in the history of Western music. He bridged the Classical and Romantic periods and revolutionized musical forms and expression. His music continues to be performed and studied worldwide, inspiring generations of musicians and listeners.