Description Ludwig van Beethoven (1770.1827), a German composer and pianist, bridged the Classical and Romantic eras. . Known for his emotionally charged and groundbreaking compositions, including the Ninth Symphony and "Moonlight Sonata," Beethoven overcame deafness to create some of the most influential and best-loved works in the history of Western classical music. Colorful illustrations plus photographs of meaningful sites and settings connect readers to important points in Beethoven's history. A timeline and B Sharp sidebars add details to the composer's life story.