Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827) was a German composer and pianist who remains one of the most admired figures in the history of Western music. His work bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, and he continued to compose masterpieces after losing his hearing. [1]
Early life
Ludwig van Beethoven was baptised on 17 December 1770 in Bonn, then part of the Electorate of Cologne. A gifted young musician, he moved to Vienna in his early twenties, where he studied briefly with Joseph Haydn and quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and bold composer. [1]
Major work
Beethoven expanded the scale and emotional range of the symphony, sonata and string quartet. His nine symphonies, including the Third (Eroica), the Fifth and the choral Ninth, together with works such as the Moonlight Sonata and his late quartets, reshaped the course of Western music. [1][2]
Deafness and legacy
From around 1798 Beethoven gradually lost his hearing, and by his final years he was almost completely deaf, yet he composed some of his most profound music during this period. He died in Vienna on 26 March 1827. His influence on later composers has been immense. [2]
