Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in a small town ‘Bonn’ of Germany on 16 December 1770 in a family of professional musicians. His father Johann and grandfather Ludwig were musicians and they had decided to train him in music right from his childhood, so his father took on the job to teach him the basic lessons of music. Ludwig learned violin and some other instruments from his father. His father wanted Ludwig to be perfect in music, and in that endeavor he thrashed littel Ludwig whenever he made any mistake during practice (According to one story, because of the punishments given by his father Ludwig suffered from hearing problems in future, which ruined his life). Besides the fact that his father and grandfather had a wish that little Ludwig should become a great musician, he himself had a great interest in music. Whatever treatment Ludwig received from his father, he never let fade his love and interest in music.

Further, Beethoven was sent to learn music from C. G. Neefe. Beethoven learned every possible and minute detail of music from Neefe and also became his assistant when was 11 years of age. He learned piano, violin and organ from Neefe. Beethoven and Mozart share many situations in their lives which are perfectly similar in many aspects, both of them were born in a family where music was the most important and indivisible part of life, both received training in music right from their childhood, they both had genuine interest in music and like Mozart, Beethoven also had started performing in public events, shows etc. when he was just six years of age. When Beethoven was twelve years old, his first music work was published. Ludwig dropped out of his school when he was thirteen year old in order to concentrate on his practice and to perform in musical tours.

Beethoven then continued assisting Neefe till he was seventeen years old. In 1787, he went to Vienna in search of good opportunities and to demonstrate his talent in music. But he had to return to his house in Bonn when he learned about his mother’s illness. Finally, near 1792 he took off for Vienna in search of a good work in the field of music.

In Vienna, Beethoven tried to learn new things and learned composition and counterpoint from well-known personalities from the world of music such as Haydn, Albrecht Berger, Salieri and Schenk. He even published some of his compositions. Beethoven was a wise person and had a good foresight; he had understood that in his run to achieve a good position, all that he needed was good relations with people who had power in their hands. Beethoven established his relations with high profile people in Vienna, which ensured him continual income for his lifetime. His relations helped him on such level that even that time (1809) Prince of Vienna, Prince Kinsky and Prince Lobkowitz assured him a yearly income if he agreed to stay in Vienna for rest of his life. Read more on this Article!