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Born to Maria Magdalena van Beethoven and Johann van Beethoven in the German city of Bonn. Baptized on December 17, within twenty-four hours of his birth. "Beethoven's Parents" by Vzb83 on Wikimedia Commons
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At just four-years-old, Ludwig van Beethoven's father began teaching him how to play the piano and violin. His father would beat him if he messed up, and he would be regularly whipped.
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In hopes his son would be recognized as a prodigy, Beethoven's father scheduled his first recital. However, it got no press.
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Beethoven dropped out of school to study music with Christian Gottlob Neefe, the Court Organist.
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Beethoven's father couldn't provide for their family anymore, so he had Beethoven work as the Assistant Court Organist. "Thirteen-year-old Beethoven" by RobertG on Wikimedia Commons
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Upon meeting him in Vienna, Hadyn asked Beethoven to move to Austria to study with him. "Haydn" by Ludwig Guttenbrunn on Wikimedia Commons
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Beethoven preformed his first piano concerto in C major.
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He said, in a letter to his friend Franz Wegeler that he had a constant buzzing in his ears.
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In a letter to his two brothers, Beethoven writes about his saddness due to his increasing deafness and his desire to overcome his emotional and physical illnesses.
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From 1803 to 1812, Beethoven composed an opera, six symphonies, four solo concerti, five string quartets, six string sonatas, seven piano sonatas, five sets of piano variations, four overtures, four trios, two sextets and 72 songs.
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Beethoven dedicated this piece of music to Napoleon, just weeks after he claimed himself emperor. "Beethoven" by Joseph Willibrord Mähler on Wikimedia Commons
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"Für Elise" means "For Elise" in German. No one knows exactly who Beethoven wrote this piece for; No historical documents mention anyone named Elise in his life.
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The death of his brother caused much grief and pain in Beethoven's life.
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Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was his last and possibly his greatest composition.
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Beethoven died at age 56 due to post-hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver. He is regarded as one of the most renowned musicians to ever live. "Graffiti Beethoven" by Southtyrolean on Flickr
