Ludwig van Beethoven is widely regarded as displaying the highest level of genius in his classical music. His compositions had a profound impact on all of his predecessors. Beethoven was not just a musical genius, he was also a fierce and independent rebel who bucked social convention, and insisted that artists should be regarded with the same respect as nobility. Beethoven's strength and will is evident in his heroic efforts to overcome the disability of deafness to compose one of his greatest works, the Third Symphony. For more information on this great artist, consult the web resources below.