Ludwig van Beethoven

"What's that? My Ninth! Ah, Herr Mario, you've finally evened up the score. I've been looking for that sheet music for days! Sit, and listen as the orchestra plays!"

- Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who created famous compositions throughout his lifetime, such as Symphony No. 9. He trained under several teachers in his hometown of Bonn and was responsible for a few compositions at an early age before moving to Vienna and further studying and perfecting his craft. His first public performance in 1795 paved the way for many future compositions and performances. Although his hearing began to deteriorate until he was completely deaf, he continued to compose and conduct, albeit with difficulty. After being violently sick for many years, he passed away in 1827. In Mario's Time Machine, Mario travels back in time to return one of his compositions to him after it is stolen by Bowser. Beethoven is the namesake of Ludwig von Koopa, the oldest of the seven Koopalings.

Background
According to the in-game bio given for Ludwig van Beethoven, he was one of the greatest composers in the world. He was born in 1770 and gave his first piano concert at the age of eight. He was soon recognized as a master pianist; however, as his hearing deteriorated, he started to learn how to compose. Perhaps due to his condition, he became a uniquely talented composer, ignoring standard musical convention in favour of what he could imagine. He created symphony after symphony, starting with his first in 1800 to his masterpiece, the Ninth Symphony, in 1824. Despite his worldly renown, he was almost consistently rude, messy, and mean while around others. He had published around 200 different works when he passed away in 1827.

Mario's Time Machine
Ludwig's sheet music containing Symphony No. 9 was stolen by Bowser, who traveled back in time using his Timulator to steal various historical artifacts. His music is later retrieved by Mario, who travels back in time to Vienna to return it. As Mario does not initially know that the music belongs to Ludwig, when he is first met at the Symphony Hall, Ludwig says that the orchestra he is about to conduct is unable to start (Mario is communicating to him by writing on a card), and shoos Mario away. The music can only be returned to Ludwig after Mario questions the locals about the year, location, and general events. A few of them recognize it as having been created by Ludwig, which lets Mario return the music to Ludwig. Once Ludwig receives his composition, he thanks Mario for finding it and lets him stay for the performance. As Mario listens, he says that Ludwig's music is very good, leading Ludwig to reply that he must be from the future, as he intended for his works to be enjoyed by the generations to come and not the contemporary critics of his time.