Art and knowledge

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine. Ludwig Van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (birthdate unknown, but he was baptized in December of 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was crucial to the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in classical musi and is considered  one of the most recognised and influential of all composers. 

His hearing began deteriorating in his 20's and was almost completely deaf in his last years. He gave up conducting and performing in public in 1811, but continued to compose.  Many of his most admired works come from these last 15 years of his life,