LIFE Photo Collection
Beethoven's fame and influence is so vast and wide-ranging that he turns up in some weird and wonderful places. Scroll on to discover his more unexpected appearances, from the Simpsons to the stars...
1. The Simpsons
America's favorite dysfunctional family head to Springfield's new Frank Ghery-designed opera house for a night of music, but Beethoven's Fifth Symphony isn't to the town's liking!
Voyager Special Cargo: The Golden Record (2011-04-29) by NASA/JPL-CaltechNASA
2. The Stars
The Golden Records were launched out to space on two rockets in 1977 and contain images, messages, and music representing the human race to...whoever's out there! It's currently the furthest man-made object away from Earth, and contains music by Beethoven.
3. Garbage Van Beethoven
The city of Taipei in Taiwan has taken to playing Fur Elise from their garbage trucks. That's some tuneful trash!
4. Peanuts
Charlie Brown's friend, Schroeder, is a virtuoso pianist and is obsessed with Beethoven! Schroeder has no time for romance - a nod to the composer's lifelong bachelorhood - and is committed to his craft.
LIFE Photo Collection
