Beethoven Term Paper Believed to be born on December 16, 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. Born to Johann van Beethoven, a musician of Bonn and Maria Magdalena Keverich. At a young age, Beethoven took an interest in music, which his father would teach him every day and night. It is speculated that Beethoven’s father was a harsh instructor, forcing Beethoven to often play the piano with tears in his eyes. However, Beethoven had other teachers as well. Gilles van den Eeden