Ludwig van Beethoven was born December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany. This was the home he was born in.
Beethoven performed his first recital for the Empress Maria Theresia at age seven. He played well, but the press made no mention of him.
Beethoven struggled with schooling his whole life. He was only an average student, and some accounts suggest he had mild dyslexia. At age 10, he dropped out of school to study music full-time.
After studying with Bach, Beethoven composes his first composition, which gets published.
With his father's health declining due to alcoholism, Beethoven asked to be the Court Assistant Organist to help support his family. He was appointed and received 150 florins per year.
The Courts sent Beethoven to Vienna in hopes of studying with Mozart. It is unclear if he ever studied with him. After a few weeks he returned home to care for his ailing mother.
At age 19, he was given the great honor of composing a musical memorial for the Emperor. While it was never performed, it was later named his earliest masterpiece.
Beethoven traveled to Vienna to study to with Haydn, who was dubbed the greatest composer alive, after Mozart died. While there, he built a reputation as being a great pianist.
This debut contributed to his early success. After performing, he released 3 piano pieces that were wildly successful.
Beethoven's hearing gradually lessens. Around this time he quit attending social functions to conceal that he was going deaf.
During 1803-1812, Beethoven created more pieces than any other composer in history.
Beethoven fought an ugly court battle with his sister-in-law to gain custody of his nephew after the death of his brother. After 7 years, he finally won legal custody. Portrait by Louis-Rene Letronne
This is the life mask of Beethoven. It was made when Beethoven was 42 years old.
Beethoven wrote Ode to Joy in 1824. It is the most famous piece composed in history, and the most used and recognized.
Beethoven died at age 56 of cirrhosis of the liver. This is his final resting place in Vienna, Austria.
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