[originaltext] Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770. Beethoven’s fi

Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770. Beethoven’s first lessons for piano and violin were from his father. He also studied with Haydon. In 1792 Beethoven came to Vienna, where he decided to stay and try to make a career for himself. In summer months he liked to spend as much time as possible away from the bustle of Vienna. He enjoyed his stays in villages around the city. He liked the peaceful and simple life of the countryside. It was there that he composed both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies.
    Beethoven sympathized with republican ideas. He took great interest in the French Revolution and the birth of the French Republic. He admired its leader, Napoleon, and intended to dedicate his Third or Eroica Symphony to him. However when he was told that Napoleon had crowned himself emperor, the composer was disgusted and changed his mind.
    As 1809 drew to its close, Beethoven produced several major works. In May 1809 Haydon died. There was no one to challenge Beethoven to be the musical king of Vienna. At the end of 1813, the Seventh Symphony was performed for the first time.
    Beethoven’s last years were marked by illness on the one hand and monumental masterpieces on the other. His deafness made it impossible to conduct his works or even perform any more. Between 1819 and 1823 he composed his Ninth Symphony and some more piano sonatas. Those, together with the late string quartets, were the last works from this great man.