Ludwig van Beethoven Biography (1770–1827)

He first joined Prince Lichnowsky's household and studied under Haydn, Albrechtsberger, and possibly Salieri. His music is usually divided into three periods. In the first (1792–1802), which includes the first two symphonies, the first six quartets, and the ‘Pathétique’ and ‘Moonlight’ sonatas, his style gradually develops its own individuality. His second period (1803–12) begins with the ‘Eroica’ symphony (1803), and includes his next five symphonies, the difficult ‘Kreutzer’ sonata (1803), the Violin Concerto, the ‘Archduke’ trio (1811), and the ‘Razumovsky’ quartets. His third great period begins in 1813, and includes the Mass, the ‘Choral’ symphony (1823), and the last five quartets.

Beethoven was tolerated by Vienna society despite his physical unattractiveness and arrogance. Just as he was developing a reputation as a composer, he began to go deaf, but stoically accepted the fact. None of this stopped him from falling in love with his pupils, including Giulietta Guicciardi and Josephine von Brunswick. From 1812 he was increasingly assailed by ill health, business, and family worries, which included prolonged litigation to obtain custody of his dead brother's son, Karl. His last work was completed at Gneixendorf in 1826, where he developed a severe chill (exacerbated by returning to Vienna in an open chaise), from which he died.