Beethoven was born on 16th December 1770, in Bonn. He was born to Johann Van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. Although there are no documents to show that that is his birthday, the registry of his baptism on 17 December 1770 still survives. In that era, children were baptised the day after they were born.
Beethoven's first teacher was his father. It is claimed that Beethoven's father was a harsh instructor. Beethoven also had other teachers, the court organist Gilles van den Eeden, Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer(a family friend, taught Beethoven how to play the piano), and Franz Rovantini, a relative who taught him how to play the violin and viola.
Beethoven's talent was demonstrated early, with his father trying to exploit his son as a child prodigy, by claiming that Beethoven was six on his first public performance when he was actually seven.
His most important teacher in Bonn was Christian Gottlob Neefe, who was appointed the Court's Organist that yea(1779). Neefe taught Beethoven composition, and his first published composition was a set of keyboard variations (WoO 63).
His first three piano sonotas were published in 1783, named 'Elector', dedicated to the Elector, Maximilian Frederick, who died in 1784. He had earlier saw potential in Beethoven and subsidized and encouraged Beethoven's musical studies.
In March 1787, Beethoven left for Vienna, apparently wanting to study under Mozart. But after two weeks, Beethoven found out his mother was ill and went back to Bonn. Soon after, his mother died and his father lapsed deep into alcoholism. Hence, Beethoven began to support his two younger brothers, spending his next five years in Bonn.
He was introduced to a few important people, who became important in his life in these years. Franz Wegeler, introduced him to the Von Breunig family, where he was exposed to German and classical literature, and also taught piano to some children. The Von Breunig family also provided him with a environment with less stress. He also caught the attention of Count Ferdinand von Woldstein, who became a lifelong friend and financial supporter.
