Ludwig van Beethoven is a German composer, best known for his Symphony No. 5 and his Piano Concerto No. . He was also a renowned pianist and teacher. He was born in Bonn, Germany, the capital of the German state of Bonn-Württemberg. Beethoven began his musical studies at a young age with his father, Johann van Beethoven. 

He studied composition with his father and also with Joseph Haydn. In 1810 he moved to Vienna, where he began to compose more seriously. He is also well known for his violin concerto and his Mass for Sunday, which are both part of his symphonic work.