Biography

Beethoven's biography and stages of his life, from his childhood and youth to his maturity and eternity.

Childhood

ChildhoodLudwig van Beethoven was born on 16th December 1770 in Bonn. His parents, Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich had married on 12th December 1767 in the church of Saint Remigio. Johann was 27 and...

Youth

LovesEleonore von BreuningTo a cetain extent it can be said that Beethoven was nearly always in love. There were many women in his life, one of the most important bing Eleonore von Breuning. She was the daughter of the...

Maturity

PersonalityIt can be said of Ludwig van Beethoven, especially from the time of his arrival in Vienna, that he was a young man of strong personality and at times quite difficult to get on with. Both his teachers and his...

Eternity

Musical Style and InnovationsBeethoven is viewed as a transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras of musical history. Above all, his works distinguish themselves from those of any prior composer through...

Heiligenstadt Testament

English TranslationFor my brothers Carl and [Johann] Beethoven. Oh you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn, or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me...