(1770–1827). Considered one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music, Ludwig van Beethoven raised instrumental music to a level of high art. The masterpieces he created continue to be performed nearly two centuries after his death.

Early life

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, and was baptized on December 17, 1770. His parents were Johann and Maria Magdalena van Beethoven. Both his father and his grandfather were professional musicians.

Ludwig's father gave him his early musical training. His first important teacher of musical composition was Christian Gottlob Neefe, who was the official organist of the region. By June 1782, at the age of 12, Ludwig had become Neefe's assistant. In 1783, with Neefe's help, Ludwig had a composition published for the first time.

In 1787, Ludwig studied briefly with the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Vienna. He returned to Bonn, however, after his mother died.

Back in Bonn Ludwig acquired a reputation as a highly skilled piano player with a special talent for improvising, or making up the music as he played. In 1792, he left Bonn permanently for Vienna.

Growing fame

Conditions in Vienna were extremely encouraging for musicians in the 1790s, as music was a favorite pastime for the city's aristocrats, or upper class. Some of those aristocrats had heard of Beethoven before he arrived in Vienna. They were interested in his music and provided him with money to live on. Beethoven also studied with the great composer Joseph Haydn as well as Johann Georg Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri. He made his first public appearance as a pianist in Vienna in 1795, and in the next three years, he undertook concert tours in Berlin and Prague. In 1800, he gave a grand public concert, with a performance of several of his own works as well as pieces by Haydn and Mozart. The event contributed greatly to the spread of his fame abroad. His music became universally known, with European royalty and aristocrats seeking out the composer himself.

Increasing deafness

In the late 1790s Beethoven had begun to suffer from symptoms of deafness. For some time, he continued to work and play as before, but by 1802 he realized that his deafness was only going to get worse. By 1819, Beethoven had become totally deaf. He continued to appear in public from time to time, but he spent most of his energies in composition. Many of his musical ideas came to him on long country walks and were noted in a sketchbook.

The later years

In his last years Beethoven created longer and more complicated forms of music. In 1823, toward the end of his life, he began to give shape to one of his greatest compositions, the Ninth Symphony. By 1824, it was completed. Beethoven conducted the first performance of the Ninth Symphony with great success, despite being unable to hear the music. He remained unaware of the enthusiastic applause until one of the musicians made him turn to face the audience. Beethoven died in Vienna on March 26, 1827. His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners.

Works

Many critics and listeners regard Beethoven as the finest composer ever. His music was unique and emotional, and he introduced new ideas by updating traditional forms of music. His works include nine symphonies, one opera (Fidelio), many pieces for individual instruments, and several compositions for small groups.