How many artists, composers and musicians do not enjoy recognition during their own lifetime? This surely was not the case with Ludwig Van Beethoven. Although his life was made up of trials and tribulations, his deaf ears were able to feel the vibrations of audiences clapping and stamping their approval of his works. Now, three hundred years later, he is just as well-know and appreciated, if not even more so.
             Beethoven was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany, with a gift of music. He was barely six years old when his father, another musician, clearly recognized his genius and began to exploit his talents by having him perform for audiences. In 1792, the composer Franz Joseph Haydn met Beethoven and also recognized the talent. He demanded that Beethoven study with him in Vienna (Koolbergen, 5).
             Although Beethoven would probably not agree, it was fortunate that he was very emotional and used his music for expressing his mix of inner thoughts and feelings.
             When losing one of the loves of his life, for example, it is believed that he composed "Moonlight Sonata." This attention to feeling originated a style different from the previous structured Baroch form of music. Instead, Beethoven's art was full of passion and led into the Classical Era. He blended his emotions that lay deep within him into rich chords and melodious works.
             By the time that Beethoven was 30 years old, he had already written the First Symphony; three Trios op. 1 for piano, violin and cello; the first 16 Piano Sonatas, including the most well-known Pathetique (op. 13); the first three Sonatas op 12 for violin and piano; the two Sonatas op. 5 for cello and piano; the six Quartets op 18; the Quintet op. 16 after a composition by Mozart for piano and wind instruments; and the first two Piano Concertos. If this was not enough, he also published music for ballets, chamber music and rondos. Beethoven's music reached its artistic maturity 1805 and 1815, ...