<P> Beethoven's first music teacher was his father . He later had other local teachers: the court organist Gilles van den Eeden (d . 1782), Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer (a family friend, who provided keyboard tuition), and Franz Rovantini (a relative, who instructed him in playing the violin and viola). From the outset his tuition regime, which began in his fifth year, was harsh and intensive, often reducing him to tears; with the involvement of the insomniac Pfeiffer there were irregular late - night sessions with the young Beethoven being dragged from his bed to the keyboard . His musical talent was obvious at a young age . Johann, aware of Leopold Mozart's successes in this area (with his son Wolfgang and daughter Nannerl), attempted to promote his son as a child prodigy, claiming that Beethoven was six (he was seven) on the posters for his first public performance in March 1778 . </P> <P> Some time after 1779, Beethoven began his studies with his most important teacher in Bonn, Christian Gottlob Neefe, who was appointed the Court's Organist in that year . Neefe taught him composition, and by March 1783 had helped him write his first published composition: a set of keyboard variations (WoO 63). Beethoven soon began working with Neefe as assistant organist, at first unpaid (1781), and then as a paid employee (1784) of the court chapel conducted by the Kapellmeister Andrea Luchesi . His first three piano sonatas, named "Kurfürst" ("Elector") for their dedication to the Elector Maximilian Friedrich (1708--1784), were published in 1783 . Maximilian Frederick noticed his talent early, and subsidised and encouraged the young man's musical studies . </P> <P> Maximilian Frederick's successor as the Elector of Bonn was Maximilian Francis, the youngest son of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, and he brought notable changes to Bonn . Echoing changes made in Vienna by his brother Joseph, he introduced reforms based on Enlightenment philosophy, with increased support for education and the arts . The teenage Beethoven was almost certainly influenced by these changes . He may also have been influenced at this time by ideas prominent in freemasonry, as Neefe and others around Beethoven were members of the local chapter of the Order of the Illuminati . </P> <P> In December 1786 Beethoven travelled to Vienna, at his employer's expense, for the first time, apparently in the hope of studying with Mozart . The details of their relationship are uncertain, including whether they actually met . Having learned that his mother was ill, Beethoven returned quickly to Bonn in May 1787 . His mother died shortly thereafter, and his father lapsed deeper into alcoholism . As a result, he became responsible for the care of his two younger brothers, and spent the next five years in Bonn . </P>

Who has the rights to beethoven's music