According to John N. Burk, "Ludwig van Beethoven, with the exception of Johann Sebastian Bach, played a more decisive role in the evolution of music than any other single figure" (24). As a musician, Beethoven liberated the classical forms from their former restrictions and gave them an al...

Ludwig Van Beethoven The rise of Ludwig van Beethoven into the ranks of history's greatest composers was paralleled by and in some ways a consequence of his own personal tragedy and despair. Beginning in the late 1790's, the increasing buzzing and humming in his ears sent Beethoven into a panic,...