A symphony of stamps

As one of seven children born to parents Johann van Beethoven and his wife Maria Magdalena Keverich, Ludwig van Beethoven and two of his brothers were the only offspring of the family to survive infancy. Baptised on the December 17, 1770, young Ludwig showed an interest in music from an early age and was initially taught by his father before a tutor, Tobias Pfeiffer, took over his training.

At barely eight years old he was proficient in playing the viola and organ, as well as the piano. His musical aptitude was spotted and he was sponsored by an eager Patron who aimed to subsidise his travel expenses to allow him to train with the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But his hopes were prematurely dashed when after less than fourteen days in Vienna he was forced to return home to be with his sick mother who was suffering from chronic