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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 German composer of the late [[Classical period (music)|Classical]] and early [[Romantic period (music)|Romantic]] eras.

'''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.

Widely considered to be among the greatest, if not the greatest composer of Western music, 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 music, he was also a pianist of legendary virtuosity who shaped the future course of piano 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 cast an undeniable shadow over the composers of the next two generations, especially in the genres of the piano [[sonata]] and the [[symphony]].  

==Early Life==

==Early Life==