Beethoven 1792

AGE 21 - 22 [1792]

Compiled by Gary D. Evans

Last Updated: March 25, 2019 6:58 PM

THE EARLY PERIOD

BONN: 1792 (Age 21 - 22)

Continued burst of creative activity; 40% of work for voice -

From age 19-21 (1790-1792), Beethoven's creative output grew dramatically along with his maturity. Leaders in Bonn commissioned the two Emperor Cantatas, WoO 87 and WoO 88, to mark the death of Franz Joseph II in 1790 and the accession of Leopold II as Holy Roman Emperor. These were not performed at the time and were lost, then later discovered 90 years later.

Sometime late in December, 1790, Haydn traveled from Vienna to London and stopped in Bonn, where was introduced to Beethoven. On Haydn's July 1792 return trip from London back to Vienna, again stopping in Bonn, they met again and probably discussed the possibility of Beethoven beginning studies with him in Vienna at a future date.

Beethoven's father, Johann van Beethoven died Dec. 18th.

image from 1801

WORKS CREATED

op 44: 14 Sets of Variations
op 103: Octet for winds in Eb	(Nov) Revised in 1793
WoO 26: Duet for flutes-allegro & minuet	(Aug)
WoO 40 12 Variations for Piano and Violin in F on 'Se vuol ballare' from Mozart's N. di Figaro.	Published October 1793
WoO 66: 13 Variations for piano & cello in A on "Es war einmal ein alter Mann" from Dittersdorf's Das rote kappchen.
WoO 67: 8 Variations for pianoforte duet in C on a theme composed by Count von Waldstein	(1792-3, pub 1794)
WoO 109: Song "Trinklied"
WoO 112: Song "An Laura"
WoO 114: Song "Ein Selbstgesprach"
WoO 115: Song "An Minna"
WoO 117: Song "Der freie Mann"	(rev.1794)
Hess 12: Oboe Concerto
Hess 46: Violin Sonata in A fragments	(Unheard Beethoven - mp3 here)
Hess 48: Allegretto in Eb for Piano, Cello, and Violin
Hess 88: Piano arrangement of Minuet in Ab (Hess 33) for string quartet
Hess 144: Feuerfarb, earlier version of op 52#2
Hess 33: Minuet in Ab

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DATE
	Occ. Demonstrations & strikes by unskilled labor and artisans-treated harshly by"Papa" Franz. Ennoblements defused resentments.
July	Haydn had left England & stopped in Bonn enroute back to Vienna (where he arrived July 24th);Electoral orchestra gathered at Godesberg to give breakfast for him as he traveled back to Vienna; B. showed him one of his cantatas (WoO87 or 88) and Haydn commended him. Shortly after, decision was made by the Elector upon suggestion of Count Waldstein to have B. travel to Vienna and study w/ Haydn; departure set for Nov..
Oct - early	French troops were in Rhine area invading Mainz and other cities; Elector Max Franz temporarily left Bonn on Oct 22.
Oct 24	B's farewell notebook started.
late Oct	Letter to Stephan von Breuning, also in Bonn
Nov 2	Beethoven left for Vienna (never to return) carrying an introductory letter. by Count Waldstein & with invitation study with Haydn - thereby gaining access to houses of the nobility. He traveled with a companion (?) passing through Remagen, Andernach, Coblenz, Montebaur, Limburg, and Wurges where he and his companion separated; B. continued through Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, and Linz. Waldstein wrote into B.'s autograph album: "The genius of Mozart is mourning and weeping over the death of her pupil. She found a refuge but no occupation with the inexhaustible Haydn; through him she wishes to form a union with another. With the help of assiduous labor you shall receive Mozart's spirit from Haydn's hands."
Nov	Neefe left Bonn.
Nov 10	B. arrived Vienna; moved into attic flat in Prince Lichnowsky's city palace --(Alstergasse 45 - now Alserstrasse 30) for 2mo then moved to ground floor Jan 1793. A paper note of Beethoven's from this time listed items to purchase: "wood, wig, coffee, overcoat, boots, shoes, piano desk,..."
Nov ?	Began lessons with Haydn (counterpt.) 14mo through Jan 1794.
Dec 18	B's father died in Bonn