Ludwig van Beethoven

1770 – 1827

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist whose work bridged the Classical and Romantic eras and is among the most performed in the Western canon. His nine symphonies—including the Third (Eroica), the Fifth, and the choral Ninth—along with his 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, and the opera Fidelio reshaped the structural and expressive possibilities of nearly every form he addressed. He composed many of his greatest works, including the Ninth Symphony and the late string quartets, after losing virtually all of his hearing.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM