Ludwig Van Beethoven (jan 1, 1770 – jan 1, 1827)

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Nationality: German

Beethoven was one of the most important link between the Classical and Romantic eras. Taking lessons from Haydn, he we well trained in Classical practice and he molded this practice to serve his composition's emotional needs. As he matured, he expanded beyond classical topics and instead gave shape to whole movements, such as in Eroica where the epic journey is created by a few central ideas. He also catered increasingly less to the general audience and more to the connoisseurs, and at this time he could afford to compose as he pleased.

Enlightenment Effects
Beethoven was steeped in enlightenment ideals, absorbing the music of Haydn and Mozart, directly affected by the French Revolution, idealized and then was disillusioned by Napoleon, and endured occupation and economic privation during the Napoleonic wars. He lived his last dozen years under political repression.

Romantic Leanings
His life story helped to define the Romantic view of the creative artist as a social outsider who suffers courageously to bring humanity a glimpse of the divine through art. He also propagated the idea of an artist only creating when they're inspired, as he refused to publish until he was fully happy with something. The self expression in his works also came to be a Romantic ideal, as he sometimes put his own experiences and feelings at the heart of a work.

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