Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (Bonn, December 16, 1770 – Vienna, March 26, 1827) was an influential German composer and virtuoso pianist. He is famous for including a more individualistic, personal and artistic element in his compositions, which set the tone for later composers. Gradually losing his hearing in his twenties until becoming completely deaf, Beethoven's individualism increased, while his music remained masterpieces. He is most famous for his Eroica, Pathétique Sonata, Moonlight Sonata, Fidelio, Missa Solemnis, 5th Pianoconcerto, aka "Emperor", 5th Symphony, 6th Symphony aka "Pastorale" and Ninth Symphony, A.K.A. "Ode to Joy".
In 1977, Carl Sagan included Beethoven's 5th Symphony on the Voyager Golden Record, a special record sent into outer space featuring sounds and music that would give potential extraterrestrials an idea of life on Earth.
Zappa and Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven is pictured on the cover of We're Only In It For The Money between Zappa's legs, but only as a substitute for Edgard Varèse, whose bust could not be found.
Beethoven's "Mondschein Sonate" ("Moonlight Sonata") is referenced during the track This Ain't CNN.
