Beethoven

American  

[bey-toh-vuhn, beyt-hoh-fuhn] / ˈbeɪ toʊ vən, ˈbeɪt hoʊ fən /

noun

1. Ludwig van 1770–1827, German composer.

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Beethoven British  

/ ˈbeɪtˌhəʊvən /

noun

1. Ludwig van (ˈluːtvɪç fan). 1770–1827, German composer, who greatly extended the form and scope of symphonic and chamber music, bridging the classical and romantic traditions. His works include nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, five piano concertos, a violin concerto, two masses, the opera Fidelio (1805), and choral music

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Other Word Forms

• Beethovenian adjective
• Beethovian adjective

Example Sentences

A Pathé newsreel, filmed when she was five years old, noted that the toddler had "surprised musical critics by her playing of Beethoven".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Few critics care whether it is more enjoyable for the pianist to play Chopin or Beethoven.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

In the first, he led a brilliantly played performance of Beethoven’s “Eroica” symphony, which speaks well for a fall season that will rely heavily on Beethoven.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

At the end of “Missa Solemnis,” the reaction was a respectful standing ovation, unlike the de rigueur rapturous reception he always earns with Beethoven.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

For school concerts he had to play Schubert, Beethoven, and Mozart, but now that he had graduated, he was free to play whatever he liked, which was swing.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides