Ludwig van Beethoven
* 17. Dec 1770, † 26. Mar 1827
A native of Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven was an influential composer who transformed the Viennese classical tradition. In the 1790s he moved to the imperial capital and cultivated close contacts with Viennese society. Archduke Rudolf – the youngest son of Leopold II, and Cardinal-Archbishop of Olmütz – performed as a pianist in aristocratic salons and was a pupil of Beethoven, who dedicated a number of minor pieces to him. Later in life Beethoven suffered complete loss of hearing.
