Ludwig Van Beethoven, was a great composer, pianist and conductor, born in Germany on December 16, 1770. His family was originally from Belgium. His parents were Johann Van Beethoven, a German court tenor from Bonn, and Maria Magdalena Keverich. From a very young age, Ludwig was interested in music, receiving all the support of his father who trained him in the fundamentals of this beautiful art.
When he was just 7 years old, Beethoven gave his first public performance. Given the pedagogical and musical limitations of his father, Ludwig receives lessons from other instructors, who, amazed, saw how quickly the boy learned, especially organ and composition. One of his instructors was the experienced Gottlob Neefe, who had a great influence on him. This musician recognized the extraordinary level of Beethoven’s talent, so in addition to teaching him everything related to music, he also taught him about the most outstanding works of ancient and contemporary philosophers and intellectuals.
At the age of 11, Beethoven published his first composition called “Nine Variations on a March by Ernst Christop Dressler. From then on, Beethoven’s musical life grew, so he no longer needed to play to survive while offers came to him to make compositions and concerts.
However, at the height of his success, Beethoven begins to suffer from hearing loss due to otosclerosis of the inner ear. This, instead of depressing him and alienating him from music, greatly influenced the way he composed.
This famous musician and composer died in Vienna on March 26, 1827. The cause of Beethoven’s death is somewhat obscure, as what caused his death has not yet been determined.
