Ludwig van Beethoven
 Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a classical composer. Many people believe he was the single greatest composer of all time. He is undoubtedly one of the best known and most loved. His most famous works include his 5th Symphony, 9th Symphony, the piano piece "Fur Elise", the "PathËtique" Sonata and the "Moonlight" Sonata.
BiographyBeethoven was born in Bonn, Holy Roman Empire (present-day Germany). His mother was Magdalena Keverich and his father was Johann Beethoven. They named their son after his grandfather. Beethoven's musical talent manifested itself early, and his father attempted, unsuccessfully, to exploit the boy as a prodigy.Beethoven moved to Vienna when he was 22, where he studied under Franz Joseph Haydn. In Vienna he earned a reputation as a piano virtuoso and improvisor, and began publishing his own compositions soon after. By the early 1800s he had established his reputation as a great and daring composer. Beethoven began to lose his hearing at least by 1801. He continued composing nonetheless, and his 9th Symphony, amongst many other works, was composed after he had become totally deaf. His hearing problems were accompanied by a severe form of tinnitus. The cause of his deafness is not known for certain, but has been attributed to syphilis, lead poisoning, a chill he caught in 1796 which lead to a disease believed to be typhus, or possibly even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake.
Musical style and innovationsBeethoven is viewed as a transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras of musical history. Above all, his works distinguish themselves from those of any prior composer through his creation of large, long architectonic structures characterized by the extens dquarters.com/Beethoven/Syphilis.html">syphilis, lead poisoning, a chill he caught in 1796 which lead to a disease believed to be typhus, or possibly even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. cember/December_17.html">December 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a classical composer. Many people believe he was the single greatest composer of all time. He is undoubtedly one of the best known and most loved. His most famous works include his 5th Symphony, 9th Symphony, the piano piece "Fur Elise", the "PathËtique" Sonata and the "Moonlight" Sonata.
Biography |