Biography: Beethoven's life - Ludwig van Beethoven's website - Dominique PRÉVOT. Beethoven's childhood At an early age, van Beethoven, took an interest in music and his father taught him day and night, on returning to the house from music practice or the tavern.
Without a doubt, the child was gifted and his father Johann envisioned creating a new Mozart, a child prodigy. On March 26th 1778, at the age of 7 ½, Ludwig Van Beethoven gave his first public performance at Cologne. His father announced that he was 6 years-old. Because of this Beethoven always thought that he was younger than he actually was. Beethoven meeting Mozart. Für Elise (Piano version)