Profile of Ludwig van Beethoven

December 17, 1770, his father was Johann, a tenor singer, and his mother was Maria Magdalena. They had seven children but only three survived: Ludwig van Beethoven, Caspar Anton Carl and Nikolaus Johann. Ludwig was the second child.In Bonn, a part of the Austrian empire.March 26, 1827 in Vienna, his funeral was attended by thousands of mourners.One of the great composers of the Classical era known for his improvisation and expressive music. He began his career by playing at parties attended by wealthy people. He is also described as being moody and not too concerned about his appearance. As his popularity grew, so was the opportunity to travel to various European cities and perform. Beethoven's fame grew by the 1800s.He wrote chamber music, sonatas, symphonies, songs and quartets, among others.Ludwig van Beethoven is considered a musical genius. He received early instruction on the piano and violin from his father (Johann) and was later taught by van den Eeden (keyboard), Franz Rovantini (viola and violin), Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer (piano) and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (counterpoint).It is also believed that he received brief instruction from Mozart and Haydn.His works include "Piano Sonata, Op. 26" (The Funeral March), "Piano Sonata, Op. 27" (Moonlight Sonata), "Pathetique" (sonata), "Adelaide" (song), "The Creatures of Prometheus" (ballet), "Symphony No. 3 Eroica, op. 55" (E flat Major), "Symphony No. 5, op. 67" (c minor) and "Symphony No. 9, op. 125" (d minor).Beethoven became deaf when he was in his late 20's (some say when he was 30) but managed to rise above it creating some of the most beautfiul and lasting music pieces in history. He wrote his third to eighth symphony when he was almost completely deaf. It has been mentioned that Beethoven's father used to beat him in the head, around the ear area, when he was young. This might have damaged his hearing and contributed to his eventual hearing loss.Listen to a recording of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata