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.