Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a seminal German composer and pianist whose music straddles the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era. Baptized on 17 December 1770, he was a child prodigy instructed by his father and other local teachers. By his early 20s, Beethoven moved to Vienna to study with Haydn and quickly gained fame as a virtuoso pianist. His innovative compositions include symphonies, concertos, and string quartets. Beethoven's health began to deteriorate in his late 20s, leading to total deafness. Despite his affliction, he composed some of his greatest works during this time. Beethoven passed away on 26 March 1827, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced Western music.