Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist. Born in Bonn, he moved to Vienna in 1792, where he worked as a pianist and composer and died. Beethoven is regarded as one of the most influential composers in music history and as a major figure in the transition from Viennese Classicism to Romanticism. His best-known works include nine symphonies, five piano concertos, 32 piano sonatas, the Missa solemnis, and the Ninth Symphony, whose final chorus sets Schiller’s “Ode to Joy.” Despite progressive hearing loss that eventually led to complete deafness, he continued to compose.