There was a widespread belief that Beethoven was the successor of the recently deceased Mozart - Ludwig studied his work and wrote works in a distinctly Mozart style.
He spent his stay in Vienna studying and did not immediately think about being a composer. He mainly studied the violin under Ignaz Schuppanzigh, and while working under Haydn, he also aimed to master counterpoint. He also began taking occasional lessons from Antonio Salieri, mainly in the Italian style of vocal composition.
