Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is regarded as a central figure in the history of Western art music, and his works are among the most frequently performed in the classical repertoire. His career spans the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era. Beethoven’s early period, generally dated to about 1802, reflects his development within established Classical forms. His middle period, from around 1802 to 1812, shows a more individual musical voice influenced by, but increasingly distinct from, the styles of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is often described as heroic. His late period, from approximately 1812 until his death in 1827, is characterised by expanded formal structures and heightened expressive depth. During the middle period he experienced progressive hearing loss, which later became profound.
Beethoven was born in Bonn, where he demonstrated musical ability at an early age. His initial instruction came from his father, Johann van Beethoven, followed by more systematic training with Christian Gottlob Neefe. Under Neefe’s guidance, Beethoven published his first work in 1783, a set of keyboard variations. He found support and stability in the household of Helene von Breuning, whose children he befriended and taught piano. At the age of 21, he moved to Vienna, which became his permanent base, and studied composition with Haydn. He soon established a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and attracted the patronage of Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky, leading to the publication of his three Opus 1 piano trios in 1795.
Beethoven’s First Symphony premiered in 1800, and his first set of string quartets appeared in print in 1801.
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