Beethoven, Ludwig van 1770-1827. German
composer and pianist, whose mastery of
musical expression in every genre made him
the dominant influence on 19th-century music.
Beethoven's repertoire includes concert
overtures; the opera Fidelio; five piano
concertos and two for violin (one
unfinished); 32 piano sonatas, including the
Moonlight and Appassionata; 17 string
quartets; the Mass in D (Missa solemnis); and
nine symphonies, as well many youthful works.
He usually played his own piano pieces and
conducted his orchestral works until he was
hampered by deafness 1801; nevertheless he
continued to compose.
Born in Bonn, the son and grandson of
musicians, Beethoven became deputy organist
at the court of the Elector of Cologne at
Bonn before he was 12; later he studied under
Haydn and possibly Mozart, whose influence
dominated his early work. Beginning in 1809
he received a small allowance from
aristocratic patrons.