This seminal biography of Ludwig van Beethoven traces the life and works of the maestro from his early years in Bonn to his triumphant career as a composer and musician in Vienna. Drawing on exhaustive research and a deep understanding of the man and the artist, Ludwig Nohl offers a penetrating portrait of Beethoven's genius, his passions, his struggles, and his lasting impact on the world of music. With illuminating insights into the cultural and historical contexts that shaped Beethoven's life and art, this book is an essential resource for music scholars, enthusiasts, and general readers alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.