The manga focuses on Beethoven's struggles and passions as a youth, including the deterioration of his hearing, his relationship with his abusive, alcoholic father, and his self-expression through music.

[2][3] The manga began in June 1987 with intentions to encompass the entire artistic path of Beethoven until his maturity, but was interrupted by Tezuka's death in 1989.

Young Beethoven is relentlessly pushed by his father to practice the piano in order to secure a rich aristocrat to serve as the family's benefactor.

Undaunted, Ludwig strives to continue excelling in his musical studies, leading him to a short tutelage under an older Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart before returning home.

Ludwig presses on in honing his talents regardless of the many setbacks around him, including his father's alcoholism, a fling with a beautiful aristocratic lady, and the French Revolutionary Wars.