Ludwig van Beethoven

Born:

Baptized December 17, 1770, Bonn, Electorate of Cologne, Holy Roman Empire

Died:

March 26, 1827, Vienna, Austrian Empire

Nationality:

German

Profession(s):

Composer, Pianist

Early Life and Education

• Born into a musical family; his father Johann van Beethoven was a tenor singer and music teacher.
• Received rigorous musical training from his father, often under duress.
• Studied with Christian Gottlob Neefe, court organist in Bonn. Neefe recognized Beethoven's talent and helped him publish his first compositions.
• In 1787, traveled to Vienna, possibly met Mozart, but returned to Bonn shortly after due to his mother's illness.
• After his mother's death in 1787, he became responsible for his younger brothers.

Career and Major Achievements

• Moved permanently to Vienna in 1792, where he studied with Joseph Haydn, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, and Antonio Salieri.
• Established himself as a virtuoso pianist and composer in Vienna.
• Began experiencing hearing loss in his late 20s, which progressively worsened, leading to profound deafness.
• Despite his deafness, he continued to compose some of his most significant works.
• Composed in a wide range of genres, including symphonies, concertos, string quartets, piano sonatas, and an opera.

Notable Works

• Symphonies: Nos. 3 ("Eroica"), 5, 6 ("Pastoral"), 7, and 9 ("Choral")
• Piano Concertos: Nos. 3, 4, and 5 ("Emperor")
• String Quartets: Op. 18, Op. 59 ("Razumovsky"), Op. 131
• Piano Sonatas: "Moonlight Sonata" (Op. 27, No. 2), "Pathétique" (Op. 13), "Appassionata" (Op. 57)
• Opera: Fidelio

Legacy and Impact

Ludwig van Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. His innovative and influential works bridged the Classical and Romantic periods, and his music continues to be performed and studied globally. Resources like 'beethoven biography worksheets' help students delve into his life and musical accomplishments.

Discography (Selection)

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