Ludwig van Beethoven was the composer of the most celestial and significant music written at any time. He was the first musician to connect the classical period of the 18th century and the birth of the novel of Romanticism. Beethoven's absolute breakthrough in the world of music occurred in his instrumental work, without forgetting his symphonies. Unlike his predecessor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for whom composing music seemed natural, Beethoven strove to make his work flawless. On December 16, 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany; he was baptized on December 17, 1770. There is no authentic documentation of the date of birth; however, what remains is the record of his baptism at the parish of Saint Regius in a Roman Catholic service. In Beethoven's time children were usually baptized the day after their birth. Furthermore, scholars have concluded that the composer's family celebrated his birthday on December 16. Both his grandfather and father held positions as court musicians in Beethoven's hometown of Bonn. Beethoven's father, a singer, gave him his first musical training at an early age. It is often said that Beethoven's father, Johann van Beethoven, was a strict teacher and that the young Beethoven "forced to stand at the keyboard, was often in tears." However, the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians stated that documentation to support this claim did not exist and insisted that "speculation and myth-making have been productive." Beethoven had several instructors who instructed him to play various instruments. Among his many teachers were: the court organist Gilles van den Eeden, the pianist Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer, the violinist and violist Franz Rovantini. Beethoven's natural aptitude for music was evident in... middle of the sheet... he saw his minuet movement with a more eccentric joke. He often used methods such as random melodic emphasis and several unexpected elements. Many scholars consider this composer to be the most excellent composer to have walked this planet. His compositions were remarkable and moving. For the first time classical music has reached such astronomical levels. Beethoven's works consisted of three sonatas, seventeen quartets, nine symphonies and much more. Beethoven spent the rest of his last months ill. Beethoven died at the age of 52 on March 26, 1827. The cause of his death may have been due to heavy alcohol consumption and severe damage to his waist. At Beethoven's funeral on March 29, 1827, at least 20,000 citizens attended. He is buried in Wharing Cemetery, northwest of Vienna, after the Holy Trinity Church. Beethoven may be long dead, but his legend lives on.