Beethoven at The Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris

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Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 17, 1770. He was a German composer and pianist who made a significant impact in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras of Western art music. Beethoven remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time. His notable compositions include nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin concerto, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He also created other chamber music, choral works like the celebrated Missa solemnis, and songs. Beethoven displayed his musical talents at a young age in Bonn, the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire. His father Johann van Beethoven taught him, as well as Christian Gottlob Neefe. During his first 22 years in Bonn, Beethoven intended to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and befriended Joseph Haydn. Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 and began studying with Haydn. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. Beethoven lived in Vienna until his death on March 26, 1827. In about 1800, his hearing began to deteriorate. By the last decade of his life, he was almost completely deaf. Despite this, he continued to compose many of his most admired works during that period.