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AGE 11 - 12 [1782]

Compiled by Gary D. Evans

Last Updated: March 25, 2019 6:54 PM


Preteen Years: 1782 (age 11 - 12)

Beethoven was offered lessons by the Bonn Court's Organist, Christian Gottlob Neefe, who became Beethoven's primary musical teacher and influence through the next several years. Neefe described his moral code as "... striving for ethical perfection and for the suppression of sensual desire through sublimated activity. Clearly, Beethoven had found a kindred spirit and a moral mentor in Neefe, whose puritanical presence and ethical imperatives were a superb counterbalance to the behavior and character of Johann van Beethoven."[Beethoven, 1779 by Solomon, pg. 27]

One year later (1781), Beethoven became an unpaid assistant organist with a salary beginning three years later (1784) within the court chapel. Beethoven applied for that position arguing that his father was no longer able to support his family (given his chronic alcoholism).

Perhaps trying to reconcile his growing awareness of the musical powers he possessed with his father's mediocrity and alcoholic life-style, twelve-year-old Beethoven wrote WoO 108 "An einem Saugling [To an infant], the words of which are:

"You still do not know whose child you are. You do not know who prepares the swaddling clothes, who it is that warms you and gives you milk. You grow in peace nevertheless. Within a few years, among all those who have cared for you, you will learn to distinguish your mother. Novetheless there is some occult giver who cares for all of us -- our thanks go to him - with food and drink. My dim intelligence does not yet omprehend this; but after the years have gone by, if I am pious and a believer, even he will be revealed. Beethoven, 1979, pg. 24 - by Solomon]

Neefe helped Beethoven write his first published work, Variations on a March by Dressler, WoO 63. In addition, his first three piano sonatas, WoO47, were published that year - dedicated to the Elector Maximilian Friedrich (1708-1784), who, noting Beethoven's talent, encouraged and supported his musical education. Maximilian Frederich was succeeded by Maximilian Francis, who extended support for the arts and for education as an adherent of Enlightenment philosophy, under which Beethoven thrived.


WORKS CREATED

op 33: Bagatelles (Started 1st drafts)
WoO 47: 3 Sonatas for Piano (bE, f, D) (pub Oct 14,'83) Ded: Archbishop Maximilian Friedrich
WoO 48: Rondo in C
WoO 63: Dressler 9 piano variations in c (1st published work) (Ded: Countess Wolf-Metternich)
WoO 107: "Schilderung eines"

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DATE
Early
By this time the Elector was aware of B's talent. Had instruction by Neefe (well known operatic composer) begin
June
Appointed assistant court organist w/o pay under Prince Maximillian Franz, Cologne when Neefe left Bonn for short period [Kerman p3]
?
11yo B. met Franz Gerhard Wegeler (18y)
?
Wegeler suggested B. as piano teacher for 10-11yo Eleonore & 5-6yo Lenz. (Wegeler later married Eleonore).
?
B. agreed to teach piano to his 1st pupils: Lorenz & sister Eleonore von Breuning.
?
Became very close to von Breuning family w/ Helene von Breuning introducing B. to literature & cultured society, mothering him. Later, B. would improvise on the family piano "...where he was frequently asked to describe in music the character of some mutual acquaintance ..." [Wegeler p25]
Nov
B. and Stephan began violin lessons with Franz Ries (friend of family). 1'st love: Jeannette d'Honrath (also loved by Stephan von Breuning. She was devoted to Austrian recruiting offer). 2'd love: Maria Anna von Westerholt - was B.'s student, she was married to member of nobility in 1792. 3'd love: Eleonore von Breuning (later married Wegeler).