Active Years: 1770-1827

Position: Great German composer

Career Highlights: Fifth Symphony, Ninth Symphony, “Emperor” Concerto.

Career Totals: 9 Symphonies, 9 overtures, 16 quartets, various concertos, 10 sonatas for violin, dozens for piano, 1 opera, 2 masses, various songs and incidental music.

Scouting Report: Not a child prodigy, but a tireless worker, a man of quick temper, did not suffer fools gladly, alienated himself from most of society (perhaps the Ty Cobb of his era), he was the preeminent genius of his generation. He began to go deaf in 1798 but wrote most of his greatest music while completely deaf, only hearing it in his mind’s ear. Beethoven’s music is striking for many things, among them his use of sudden contrasts, an almost demonic energy, and abrupt changes of mood. He is the bridge between the Classical style of Mozart and the Romantic style that was to follow. A real ladies man, although his relationships were always Platonic, he was constantly in love, and dedicated many of his works to the “lady du jour.”

Teammates and Contemporaries: He worked for Archduke Ferdinand, to whom he dedicated his famous trio. He knew Hadyn and Mozart, along with all of the leading musicians of his day, but he was incredibly paranoid, and managed to offend almost all of them.

Fun Statistic: He was 5′5″ tall, which may explain the original dedication of the Eroica Symphony to Napoleon, with whom he may have shared a tailor.