൯ LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Fur Elise|Moonlight Sonata|Symphony 9|Symphony 5|Bagatelle, Opus 33 #5|Sesta Sinfonia - la "Pastorale"|

Ludwig van Beethoven (English pronunciation: /ˈlʊdvɪɡ væn ˈbeɪtoʊvɨn) (16 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical musicand remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time. Born in Bonn which was then capital of the Electorate of Cologne in present-day Germany he moved to Vienna in his early twenties and settled there studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist.

Around 1796 Beethoven began to lose his hearing. He suffered a severe form of tinnitusa "ringing" in his ears that made it hard for him to perceive and appreciate music he also avoided conversation. The cause of Beethoven's deafness is unknown but it has variously been attributed to syphilis lead poisoning typhusauto-immune disorder (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) and even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. The oldest explanation from the autopsy of the time is that he had a "distended inner ear" which developed lesions over time.

Wilhelm Walter Friedrich Kempff (November 25 1895 – May 23 1991) was a world-renowned German pianist and composer.

Beethoven is acknowledged as one of the giants of classical music occasionally he is referred to as one of the "three Bs" (along with Bach and Brahms) who epitomize that tradition. He was also a pivotal figure in the transition from 18th century musical classicism to 19th century romanticism and his influence on subsequent generations of composers was profound. Beethoven's compositional career is usually divided into Early Middle and Late periods. In this scheme his early period is taken to last until about 1802 the middle period from about 1803 to about 1814 and the late period from about 1815.

Herbert von Karajan (5 April 1908 - 16 July 1989) was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor.

In his Early period Beethoven's work was strongly influenced by his predecessors Haydn and Mozart but he also explored new directions and gradually expanded the scope and ambition of his work. Some important pieces from the Early period are the first and second symphonies the set of six string quartets Opus 18 the first two piano concertos and the first dozen or so piano sonatas including the famous Pathétique sonata Op. 13.

His Middle (Heroic) period began shortly after Beethoven's personal crisis brought on by his recognition of encroaching deafness. It is noted for large-scale works that express heroism and struggle. Middle-period works include six symphonies (Nos. 3–8)the last three piano concertos the Triple Concerto and violin concerto five string quartets (Nos. 7–11) several piano sonatas (including the Moonlight Waldstein and Appassionata sonatas) the Kreutzer violin sonata and Beethoven's only opera Fidelio.

Beethoven's Late period began around 1815. Works from this period are characterized by their intellectual depth their formal innovations and their intense highly personal expression. The String Quartet Op. 131 has seven linked movements and the Ninth Symphony adds choral forces to the orchestra in the last movement. Other compositions from this period include the Missa Solemn is the last five string quartets (including the massive Große Fuge) and the last five piano sonatas.

Beethoven was bedridden for most of his remaining months and many friends came to visit. He died on 26 March 1827 during a thunderstorm. His friend Anselm Hüttenbrenner who was present at the time claimed that there was a peal of thunder at the moment of death. An autopsy revealed significant liver damage which may have been due to heavy alcohol consumption. [wikipedia]

Friedrich Gulda - (16 May 1930 - 27 Jan 2000) was an Austrian pianist who performed in both classical and jazz fields, nicknamed "terrorist pianist" because of his unorthodox practice..he's kinda cute..