Answer :
Beethoven's earliest composed work among the options is (c) a funeral cantata for Joseph II, which was written before his middle and late periods marked by works such as 'Symphony no. 5' and 'Ode to Joy'.
Beethoven composed several works throughout his career, which are commonly categorized into three periods: early, middle, and late. Among the listed works, a funeral cantata for Joseph II was composed earliest in his career. The other works mentioned include Symphony no. 5 in C minor, which premiered in 1808 and represents Beethoven's middle or 'heroic' period, and The 'Moonlight' sonata, which was published in 1801, also during his middle period. The 'Ode to Joy', part of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, was one of his last works composed in his late period and premiered in 1824. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) a funeral cantata for Joseph II, composed before 1800, reflecting the early stage of Beethoven's composing career.
