Composer Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized Dec. 17, 1770, in Bonn, Germany. He was an innovator, widening the scope of sonata, symphony, concerto, and quartet, and combining vocals and instruments in a new way. His personal life was marked by a struggle against deafness, and some of his most important works were composed during the last 10 years of his life, when he was quite unable to hear.
NAME: Ludwig van Beethoven
OCCUPATION: Songwriter, Pianist
BIRTH DATE: c. December 16, 1770
DEATH DATE: March 26, 1827
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bonn, Germany
PLACE OF DEATH: Vienna, Austria