Final answer:
One challenge facing Beethoven in his late period was the question of what to explore or challenge next after the Romantic era. Beethoven's later works were a departure from his earlier Classical style and were distinctly Romantic in nature. Additionally, Beethoven's increasing hearing loss presented a significant challenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
One challenge facing Beethoven in his late period was the question of what to explore or challenge next after the Romantic era. Many composers of the time, such as Berlioz, Strauss, and Wagner, were already pushing the boundaries of acceptable music, leaving Beethoven with the task of finding his own unique path.
Furthermore, Beethoven's later works, including his Ninth Symphony, were a departure from his earlier Classical style and were distinctly Romantic in nature. This transition presented a challenge for Beethoven to balance his own artistic development while maintaining a sense of continuity with his previous works.
Lastly, Beethoven's increasing hearing loss during his late period posed a significant challenge. Despite his deafness, he continued to compose brilliant and complex music, relying heavily on his internal musical imagination and memory.