Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven's symphonies, quartets, concertos, and piano sonatas are significant advances in their respective genres, revealing a passion marking the move from the classical to the romantic period. Naturally democratic, Beethoven strove to express his ideal of a world of freedom and equality. He rose from an adverse childhood in Germany, making his way on charm and self-education (especially shown in his opera Fidelio and the famous "Symphony no. 9"), sometimes masking frustration with angry behavior. Beethoven was destined to become the "inventor" of "modern music," composing from a "seed" or "germ" idea rather than a full melody and treating rhythm in new ways (for example, the phase variations in the third symphony).