Franz RIES (1755-1846)

Ries was the young Beethoven’s music violin teacher at Bonn.

His son, Ferdinand (1784-1838) was a student of Beethoven at Vienna , then he helped him until he left Vienna in 1805.

Christian Gottlob NEEFE (1748-1798)

This composer was one of Beethoven’s first teachers, notably of the organ and of composition.

It is difficult to know exactly when Neefe taught Beethoven. He arrived at Bonn in 1779.

But in 1783, Neefe wrote of Beethoven in the “Magazine of music”, “If he continues like this he will, without doubt, become the next Mozart”.

Beethoven always recognised how much he owed to Neefe.

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)

Famous composer who taught Beethoven from 1792 to 1794, which was when Haydn returned to London.

Haydn taught Beethoven counterpoint, amongst other things.

The relationship between the two men was variable, but Beethoven remained very attatched to “Papa Haydn”.

Johann Georg ALBRECHTSBERGER (1736-1809)

Beethoven’s music teacher for about a year and a half in 1794 and 1795.

Albrechtsberger was renouwned for his mastery of counterpoint.

He followed on from Haydn, even Beethoven followed two lessons from two masters at the same time.

Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825)

Beethoven studied with Salieri from 1800 to 1802. Salieri taught him singing, essentially for the opera.

There was little contact between the two composers afterwards.