Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most influential composers of all time, is brought vividly to life and made relevant to today's young musicians in "Beethoven for Kids." Readers learn about Beethoven's troubled childhood and family life, early gift and passion for music, volatile personality, championing of equality and freedom, and persistence in his work despite increasing hearing loss. From Mozart, Haydn, and Schiller to the American and French Revolutions to the bold new ideas of the Enlightenment, the great musicians, thinkers, and movements of Beethoven's time are presented and their profound effect on the composer's life and music explained. Kids also come away with a thorough understanding of complex music concepts and terms, such as counterpoint, ornamentation, improvisation, motifs, and much more. Twenty-one engaging activities, including singing musical variations, dancing a Viennese waltz, creating an operatic diorama, and making a model eardrum, illuminate Beethoven's life, times, and work. A time line, glossary, online resources, and recordings and reading lists for further listening and study round out this comprehensive resource.