1770 – 1827

Ludwig van Beethoven is perhaps the best-known classical composer of all time, and his works have remained firm favourites amongst orchestras, soloists, and classical music lovers. Beethoven’s career spanned the late classical and early Romantic periods, and it is well-known how he developed his musical style despite the onset of his deafness in the middle of his life. He composed many of his best-known works in the last decade of his life, almost completely deaf and in ill health, yet making great advances in musical style and expression.