Ludwig van Beethoven
Person
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A seminal figure in the history of music, his personal style was a key driver of the transition from Classical to Romantic music. He expanded instrumental forms such as the symphony, the piano sonata, and the string quartet. Beethoven is widely revered as one of the greatest composers of all time, and his compositions are among the most performed in the world. Born in Bonn, Beethoven was a musical prodigy. He was initially taught intensively by his father, Johann van Beethoven, and later by Christian Gottlob Neefe. He found relief from a dysfunctional home life with the family of Helene von Breuning, whose children he loved, befriended, and taught piano. At age 21, he moved to Vienna, which became his base, and studied composition with Joseph Haydn. Beethoven gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist, and was soon patronized by Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky for compositions, which resul…