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Expanded, still has a way to go . . .
Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of western art music,{{fact}} he was also an accomplished pianist. His compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written.
Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of western art music,{{fact}} he was also an accomplished pianist. His compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written.
==Early Life==
His early musical training was with the violin, and later in composition and keyboards. At first he was taught by his father, Johann, and then by C.G. Neefe, a court organist. At 11 he is recorded as filling in for Neefe as an organist; at 12 he had some early compositions published. In 1787 he went to Vienna, but quickly returned on hearing that his mother was dying. In 1792 he went back to Vienna, where he then settled. He pursued his studies, first with [[Joseph Haydn]], and later with contemporaries [[Johann Schenk]], [[Johann-Georg Albrechtsberger]] and [[Antonio Salieri]]
==The "Middle Period"==
==..==
The most remarkable thing about Beethoven is that he completely lost his hearing, yet continued to compose music despite the fact that he could not even hear himself play. In fact, some of his greatest works were composed after he had fallen deaf, including the famous Ninth Symphony.
The most remarkable thing about Beethoven is that he completely lost his hearing, yet continued to compose music despite the fact that he could not even hear himself play. In fact, some of his greatest works were composed after he had fallen deaf, including the famous Ninth Symphony.
Some of his most popular compositions include the piano bagatelle "Fur Elise" and the ''Moonlight Sonata.'', opus 27 no. 2.
Some of his most popular compositions include the piano bagatelle "Fur Elise" and the ''Moonlight Sonata.'', opus 27 no. 2.
==Beethoven and Religion==
In 1801, around the time Beethoven began to lose his hearing, and during the period of his most intense personal crisis, he wrote, "No friend have I. I must live by myself alone; but I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him."
In 1801, around the time Beethoven began to lose his hearing, and during the period of his most intense personal crisis, he wrote, "No friend have I. I must live by myself alone; but I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him."
*The first recording of all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas was made by pianist [[Artur Schnabel]].
*The first recording of all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas was made by pianist [[Artur Schnabel]].
*Beethoven described the piano as "the god of all instruments" and wrote more for piano than for any other instrument.
*Beethoven described the piano as "the god of all instruments" and wrote more for piano than for any other instrument.
==External Links==
http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/index.html
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/beethoven.html
[[Category:Composers|Beethoven, Ludwig van]]
[[Category:Composers|Beethoven, Ludwig van]]