Do you enjoy classical music? Do you play an instrument? If so, you have probably heard of famous composers such as Mozart, Chopin, Haydn, Liszt, Bach, and Ludwig Van Beethoven. All composers are unique and make incredible music, but one different composer is Beethoven. Read this article to find out about world-famous composer Beethoven and his contribution to all music.

Beethoven was a German composer and pianist, renowned as one of the most significant figures in the history of Western music. His compositions are widely recognized and frequently performed in the classical music world. Some of his most famous pieces include “Für Elise,” all nine symphonies — especially the well-known Fifth Symphony — and “Moonlight Sonata.” Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany on Dec. 16, 1770, and passed away on March 26, 1827. 

The first reason I believe he is a great composer is that he displayed exceptional musical talent from a young age. Beethoven was inspired by many renowned composers before him, such as Mozart and Chopin, Beethoven was highly talented in the piano, he was taught intensely by his Father, Johann van Beethoven, and then later his teacher became Christian Gottlob Neefe, At 11 years old, Beethoven was featured in a magazine called “Magazin der Musik.” “Ludwig van Beethoven, a boy of 11 years old with a promising talent, plays the piano very skillfully and with power and reads sight well.” While most children at that age were still playing outside, Beethoven practiced for long hours and demonstrated incredible stamina. This dedication contributed significantly to his development as a composer, which is why I regard him as such a promising artist.

Another reason I believe Beethoven is a unique and favorite composer is that he was deaf, making it harder for him to compose music since he couldn’t hear a single note. In 1798, when he was 28, Beethoven began to experience hearing loss, the reason behind this could be attributed to a heated quarrel with a singer. As time passed by, his hearing worsened by a severe form of tinnitus, and on his doctor’s advice, Beethoven moved to a small Austrian town, Heiligenstadt, outside of Vienna. To come to terms with his condition, he decided to write a document, now known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, a letter to his siblings due to his depression when he realized he was going deaf. But he had a resolution to continue making music. As he expressed “Seize fate by the throat, it should certainly not crush me completely.” In 1806, Beethoven noted in one of his musical sketches, “Let your deafness no longer be a secret, even in art.”

Even though gradually becoming deaf didn’t stop Beethoven from creating music, it made his life extremely difficult, from creating pieces to concerts. Czerny, (also a famous composer) claims Beethoven could hear speech and music normally until 1812. By that time, when he was 44, Beethoven was officially deaf. I find this truly inspiring; despite his hearing loss, he maintained his perspective on music and continued to compose. His determination to pursue his career was inspiring. Beethoven’s passion for music is remarkable, as losing one’s hearing is considered a career-ending event for many composers and musicians, much like a dancer injuring their leg. Nevertheless, Beethoven never gave up. Which is why he’s my favorite composer.

Beethoven soon returned to Vienna to continue his career with a change in his taste in music, also known as the “heroic period” characterized by his pieces composed with a grand scale. He later wrote his most well-known piece, the Fifth Symphony after his hearing loss, and one of his other well-known concertos, the Third Symphony, otherwise known as Eroica, and his Ninth Symphony Ode to Joy. I think this is madly impressive due to he was deaf and still created incredible music. He created music until his death on March 26, 1827, at the age of 56. He is now known for many years as a great composer, forever remembered.

As someone who has played several of Beethoven’s pieces, I can confidently say that they are incredibly unique. One reason I enjoy playing his music is that it doesn’t simply repeat the same sections; he infuses his works with deep emotional focus. For instance, take the third movement of the “Moonlight Sonata,” a piece I am currently working on. The first section is quiet and mysterious, and if you’ve ever played it, you can feel the emotion behind the music. It’s not just a piece. Beethoven wasn’t just writing notes and letters on a piece of paper; he poured his feelings into his compositions. His pieces go far beyond the basic “loud, soft, loud, soft” dynamics. I find his works to be highly expressive, which is likely why he is so popular in the classical music world. 

Now that you have read my article, I hope you can understand why I chose to write about Beethoven. He was an incredible composer who made huge contributions to classical music. Remarkably, he created many of his pieces while being deaf, meaning he wasn’t able to hear a single note, which I believe makes his accomplishments even more extraordinary. I hope you will share this perspective after reading my article on Beethoven.