Part one of term paper
Beethoven was born in Bonn in Germany, his mother a singer in the service of the Elector of Köln (Cologne). His father was weak-spirited and drank excessively, but he recognized the boy's talent and was disappointed when the young Beethoven failed to emulate Mozart as a child prodigy. Nevertheless, Beethoven soon held positions as harpsichor ...

Part two of term paper
... Beethoven's career as a pianist made a promising start. Other compositions from the 1790's include piano sonatas, cello sonatas and violin sonatas. The two forms that were to have special significance for Beethoven were still to come: he completed his first symphony in 1800 and his first set of string quartets in 1801. Beethoven was Vienna's first successful freelance musician: he never again held a court position after leaving Bonn. Instead he had wealthy aristocratic friends, patrons and perhap ...