When Beethoven was eleven he had three piano pieces published and the following year when his teacher left town for a short while the young child was put in charge as court organist. ... He gave clavier lessons to the wealthy and "he not only considered himself the equal of high-born benefactors but was insulting, bumptious, and rude to them, his patrons tolerated his storm and moods for the sake of his undeniable brilliance." ( Ewen, 1966, pg. 30) He took the audience by surprise during his first public performance. "With his improvisations and the B-flat major Piano Concerto he was able t...

• Word Count: 2908
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School