Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. Born in 1770 in Bonn, Beethoven began his career as a virtuoso pianist and quickly gained recognition for his innovative compositions. His works span a variety of genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and piano sonatas. Despite battling hearing loss for much of his life, Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music, with works such as the Ninth Symphony and “Moonlight Sonata” becoming enduring classics. Beethoven’s legacy as a musical revolutionary and trailblazer continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers around the world.