Born in Bonn
Ludwig van Beethoven is born in Bonn and grows up in a musical family.
1770
Meeting with Mozart
Beethoven travels to Vienna, where he possibly meets Mozart and plays for him, according to tradition.
1787
To Vienna
He permanently moves to Vienna and studies among others with Joseph Haydn. His career as a pianist and composer begins to take off.
1792
First Symphony
Beethoven presents his First Symphony and increasingly establishes himself as an innovative composer.
1800
Hearing Loss
His increasing deafness leads to a personal crisis. In the Heiligenstadt Testament, he describes his despair and his will to continue.
1802
Eroica
With his Third Symphony, the Eroica, Beethoven breaks musical conventions and ushers in a new period in classical music.
1804
Fifth Symphony
His famous Fifth Symphony premieres. The opening notes grow into one of the most recognizable motifs in music history.
1808
Ninth Symphony
Beethoven presents his Ninth Symphony with the famous Ode to Joy. At that moment, he is almost completely deaf.
1824
Death in Vienna
Beethoven dies at the age of 56. Thousands of people attend his funeral and his music lives on worldwide.
1827
