"Ludwig Beethoven" (1770 – 1827) German composer

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770. He was a talented musician, even as a young child. His father wanted him to become a great musician and so he was sent to study with Christian Gottlob Neefe, who was a court organist. Beethoven quickly outgrew Neefe's teachings and became a great musician on his own.

At the age of 21, Beethoven had established himself as a master pianist and composer. He wrote music that was filled with emotion and passion, which made it popular with audiences all over Europe. He was often compared to Mozart and Haydn, two of the greatest composers of the time. Beethoven's career was cut short by an illness, which he suffered from for the last decade of his life. Despite his illness, he still wrote some of his greatest works, including his 9th Symphony, which is one of the most iconic pieces of music ever written. As Beethoven grew older, he lost his hearing, which was a great tragedy for him. He was afraid that he would never be able to enjoy music again, but he still continued to compose, often relying on his memory to remember the melody. Beethoven's influence on music is still felt today. He was a true innovator and his music has inspired generations of composers and musicians. He was a true genius and his legacy will live on for centuries to come.