Who is Ludwig von Beethoven from The Great Pianists and what is their importance?

Ludwig von Beethoven was the first romanticist pianist. He replaced eighteenth century taste with nineteenth century expression. Beethoven was first a musician and then a pianist, who made his initial impact in 1792 Vienna where he played with elemental force and conception. He practiced little and his improvisation was considered better than performance of his published pieces. He was lively while playing the piano and popped many strings pounding on the keys that broke the hammers. Beethoven played like a composer and linked to romanticism from the classicist's disciplined style. Beethoven used a free style of playing piano but taught classic ideals to his students. He died in 1827, but was deaf since 1810.