He was born in the German town of Bonn on the 16th of December 1770. His grandfather Ludwig and his father Johann were both musicians. Johann was to act as little Ludwig's first music teacher, but Ludwig soon changed to the court organist C. G. Neefe. Passing eleven years of age, Ludwig deputized for Neefe, and at twelve had his first music published. He then stayed as Neefe's assistant until 1787, when at seventeen, he took off for Vienna. Even though Vienna was to be his home for the rest of his life, this first visit was short. On hearing that his mother was dying, he quickly returned to Bonn. Five years later he finally moved to Vienna to live and work.
Beethoven - piano sonata opus 106-29-2 - Classical Loop - 2.3MB - 0:13 - Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.29 2nd movement B-flat Major, "Hammerklavier" Op.106
Beethoven - piano sonata opus 13-8-2 - Classical Loop - 6.1MB - 0:34 - Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.8 2nd movement c Minor, "Pathétique" Op.13
Beethoven - piano sonata opus 27 2 1 - Classical Loop - 9.1MB - 0:51 - Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata no.14 in C-sharp minor known as the "Moonlight" Sonata.
Beethoven - piano sonata opus 28-15-4 - Classical Loop - 3.7MB - 0:21 - Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.15 4th movement D Major, ("Pastoral") Op.28