Ludwig van beethoven biography

Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 – March 26, 1827) was a Germancomposer of Classical music, the predominant musical figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest of composers, and his reputation inspired – and in some cases intimidated – composers, musicians, and audiences who were to come after him.

Life and work

Main article: Beethoven: life and work

Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, to Johann van Beethoven (1740-1792), of Flemish origins, and Magdalena Keverich van Beethoven (1744-1787).

Until relatively recently 16 December was shown in many reference works as Beethoven's 'date of birth', since we know he was baptised on 17 December and children at that time were generally baptised the day after their birth. However modern scholarship declines to rely on such assumptions.

Beethoven's first music teacher