Beethoven A to Z

Just a bit of fun, a sort of game. We go through the alphabet listing things that are related to Beethoven. When/if we got to the end we can just go back to A.

Ok, I'll start.

A is for Anton Felix Schindler, 1795 to 1864, biorgrapher of Beethoven who is reputed to have 'spiced up' the Beethoven facts.

B is for...

Beethoven. Carl Caspar Beethoven, Ludwig's brother lol

C is for Czerny, Carl - Composer, pianist, teacher and pupil and friend of Beethoven

D is for Diabelli whose theme Beethoven made famous.

E is for Erioca, the first romantic symphony ever!

F for Friedrich Wilhelm III - Subscribed to a manuscript copt of the Missa Solemnis and received the dedication of the ninth symphony.

G is for Johann Wolfgang Goethe, poet who lived from 28 August 1749 to 22 March 1832. Ooh, its his birhtday today, didnt realise, hehe. Inspired alot of music and Beethoven delclared a symphony based on Goethes 'Faust' (a tragic play and believed to be the greatest peice of German Literature in history) would be the greatest symphony written.

H is for Haydn (1732-1809). On his return journey from his first visit to England, Beethoven showed him a cantata he had written. As a result Haydn accepted him as a pupil in Vienna.

I like Immortal beloved

J stands for Johanna Reis, Ludwig's brother Carl's wife. The woman Ludwig never liked very much The woman who ISN'T the Immortal, like the movie says.

Here are a few for K:
1. KEVERICH, Maria Magdalena (1746-1787) Beethoven's unhappy mother. Her death grieved him very much.
2.KOCH, Babette (1771-1807) Early "girlfriend" of B. during his youth in Bonn. Although he may have been quite fond of her, they never got together again after B. left for Vienna.
3.KOTZEBUE, August von (1761-1819) Austrian dramatist & acquaintance of B. Author of "Die Ruinen von Athen" ("The Ruins of Athens") for which B. wrote Overture & incidental music (1811), as well as for his "König Stephan" ("King Stephan"). He was assassinated by a crazed student (involved with the radical nationalistic movements of the time centred around "Turnvater" Ludwig Jahn, racist teutomaniacal agitator for a new "pure" Germany. Sound historically familiar?) B.was quite shocked by his murder.
4. KREUTZER, Rodolphe (1766-1831) famous French violinist to whom B. dedicated the Op. 47 Sonata in A major (1803), which he is rumoured never to have performed.

Spoilt for choice there!

L is for Lichnowsky, Karl Prince (1761-1814). One of Beethoven’s most generous patrons.

Aw you got to K before I did. I was listening to 'The Friendly Guide to Beethoven' on Classic Fm and the guy had a whole bunch of facts about the Kreutzer. Twas orignally dedicated to George Bridgetower until he insulted one of Beethovens Lady friends and Beethoven dedicated it to Kreutzer instead. He refused to play it becasue it looked to difficult apparently Bridgetower eventually ended up living and dying in poverty in London and is buried somewhere off the A38 I think the radio bloke said. He said he wondered whether Bridgetower would have died rich and famous if only he didn't insult one of Beethoven's lady friends.

Anyways. L is for Ludwig. Obviously. Apparently its meaning is 'famous victories.'

Also: Ludwig-Musser, maker of drums.

I'm so gonna name my kid Ludwig.
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EDIT: Oops. I spent so long typing my message you got to L before I did



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2006 12:29PM by BeethovenLives.

Bridgetower is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, just off the A40 flyover, West London.

M for MALFATTI, Johann (1775-1859). Physician. Beethoven consulted Malfatti on various occasions.

N stands for the Ninth symphony the greatest piece of music Ludwig ever achieved, what made him immortal.

Sorry, but I can't let "M" go by without mentioning Klemens Fürst von METTERNICH (1773-1859). After the fall of Napoléon (whom he actually did not despise; he just wanted him to "stay home") and his organisation of the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815),as Chancellor of Imperial Austria (even though he was of Rhenish descent) he dominated European politics until toppled by the revolution of 1848. Although we cannot speak of great mutual admiration between him and Beethoven (who considered him "reactionary"), he nevertheless tried to maintain peace in a tolerant Europe (he abolished discriminatory laws against the Jews) and opposed the radical, racist agitators of the time, inflamed by dear old Ludwig Jahn mentioned above. His final irony: the only place he could find refuge from the violent upheavals of 1848 was Belgium, which he had usually considered to be a somewhat "revolutionary" monarchy (it was established after the revolutions of 1830 in 1831 in opposition to King William I of the United Netherlands, a monarchy set up after the Congress of Vienna.

As for "N", we certainly can't let Napoléon I (1769-1821) go by who was the inspiration of Beethoven's Symphony No, III "Eroica"!. Whatever may have happened later, he was certainly "better than his reputation" (as we say in French). He was no racist "Hitler" and he established a code of laws ("le Code Napoléon") that became the basis of most Western European legal systems. I understand that for historical reasons the British are not too fond of him. (It is rumoured that he died on St. Helena poisoned by English cooking.)

o.......

Odescalchi (a princess) whom Beethoven dedicated the piano concerto in C major to

P is for piano, Beethoven's favorite instrument. His piano sonatas are the highlight of piano music generaly.

By the way, Fred, you mentioned Metternich. I was just wondering the other day did Beethoven ever sugested him to write an oratiorio to glorfy him? And did he ever asked him to help him on court like the movie of Immortal Beloved presents?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2006 03:04AM by franliszt.