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[[Image:Stieler Portrait Ludwig van Beethoven.jpg|thumb|Joseph Karl Stieler - "Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the ''Missa Solemnis''.]]

[[Image:Stieler Portrait Ludwig van Beethoven.jpg|thumb|Joseph Karl Stieler - "Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the ''Missa Solemnis''.]]

'''Ludwig van Beethoven''' (baptized December 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a [[Germany|German]] [[composer]] of the late [[Classical period (music)|Classical]] and early [[Romantic period (music)|Romantic]] eras.

'''Ludwig van Beethoven''' (December 1770 - March 26, 1827) was a [[Germany|German]] [[composer]] of the late [[Classical period (music)|Classical]] and early [[Romantic period (music)|Romantic]] eras.

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, he was also a [[piano|pianist]] of legendary virtuosity who shaped the future course of piano [[technique (music)|technique]].  Despite his encroaching deafness, which began in early adulthood and left him completely deaf in his last decade, his compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written. Coming at the peak of the Viennese Classical style, Beethoven set a high standard for the composers of the next two generations, especially in the genres of the piano [[sonata]] and the [[symphony]].  

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, he was also a [[piano|pianist]] of legendary virtuosity who shaped the future course of piano [[technique (music)|technique]].  Despite his encroaching deafness, which began in early adulthood and left him completely deaf in his last decade, his compositions include some of the most famous and enduring music ever written. Coming at the peak of the Viennese Classical style, Beethoven set a high standard for the composers of the next two generations, especially in the genres of the piano [[sonata]] and the [[symphony]].