Named after Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), German composer.
Born in Bonn, Beethoven moved to Vienna at 21 and studied composition with Joseph Haydn. His Ninth Symphony premiered in 1824. The prelude to the 'Ode to Joy' from its last movement became the anthem of Europe: the Council of Europe adopted it in 1972 and the European Community, today’s European Union, in 1985.