Ludwig van Beethoven

He was born in Bonn. His father was his first music teacher. From an early age he played the harpsichord, organ, violin and flute. In 1778 he gave his first concert, in Cologne. In 1780 he became a pupil of the eminent musician, organist and teacher Christian Gottlob Neefe; at 12 he wrote his first composition. In 1787 in Vienna he took composition lessons from Wolfgang Mozart, and later from Joseph Haydn and Antonio Salieri. In 1789 he attended lectures in philosophy at the University of Bonn. From 1792 he lived permanently in Vienna. At the age of 27 Beethoven lost his hearing. Despite the severe illness that limited his concert appearances, the composer created perfect and inspired works. He died in Vienna.