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Ludwig van Beethoven<\/a><\/strong> (1770\u20131827) is widely considered one of the greatest composers in Western music history. His life and works mark a critical bridge between the Classical and Romantic eras. Displaying talent from a young age, Beethoven was pushed hard by his father, who hoped he had a child prodidy in the Mozart vein on his hands. As a young man, Beethoven moved to Vienna to study under Haydn: by his late 20s, though, the young composer began losing his hearing, a devastating blow.<\/p> Despite this, Beethoven now entered his ‘heroic’ period, producing bold and innovative works like the Third Symphony (Eroica<\/a><\/em><\/strong>), the iconic and gripping Fifth Symphony<\/a><\/strong>, Piano Concertos Nos. 4 and 5, and the Appassionata Sonata. His music during this time reflected personal struggle and triumph, embodying ideals of heroism and humanity.<\/p> Beethoven’s later music grew in profundity: works such as the Ninth Symphony (Choral Symphony), with its famous ‘Ode to Joy<\/a><\/strong>‘, the Missa Solemnis, and his late string quartets<\/a><\/strong>, were revolutionary in both their structure and the depth of emotion they conveyed.<\/p>