366 | Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770, in Bonn, Germany (then part of the Electorate of Cologne). Ludwig showed musical talent at a very young age and received his first lessons from his father, Johann van Beethoven, a court tenor who wanted to turn his son into a prodigy like Mozart. He taught Beethoven to play violin and piano, and even pulled him out of school at the age of eleven so he could devote all his time to music.

Although Johann was officially a court musician, he was also known for his drinking, which often caused difficulties for the family. Still, his position at court meant that Beethoven came into contact with music and professional musicians very early on.

In 1792, Beethoven moved to Vienna, then the center of the musical world.

Vienna became his home for the rest of his life. His early works show influences from Haydn and Mozart, but as he grew older, he developed a unique style marked by emotional depth and bold expression. A tragic aspect of Beethoven’s life was his gradual hearing loss, which began in his late twenties. Despite this, he continued to compose and perform, and he wrote some of his most famous works after he had become deaf — including the dramatic Fifth Symphony, the poignant Moonlight Sonata, the well-known Für Elise, the grand Emperor Concerto, and of course the Ninth Symphony with its “Ode to Joy.”

Although these pieces are often mentioned, Beethoven created many other masterpieces. His music became increasingly personal, profound, and innovative. Many people found his music difficult to understand at first, yet sensed that it was something extraordinary. Beethoven changed music forever.

Beethoven spent the final years of his life in seclusion, but continued composing until the end. He died in Vienna in 1827, and tens of thousands of people attended his funeral.

Beethoven created music that changed the world —

even when he could no longer hear it himself.