The uniqueness of December is always in the air. Even Beethoven saved many of his greatest works to premier in this month.
December is a unique month and for most of our readers a special month, too. It is also a very busy month, partly because of the holidays, but also as it marks the end of the current year. For organizations, companies it is the most hectic period.
Considering all this, it is probably not the best time to write a deep analysis of a Beethoven string quartet, but rather some light and interesting facts about this special month in general, and also about some important December events from Beethoven’s life.
The name December originates from the Latin word decem, which translates to ten. This is because it was originally the tenth month in the ancient Roman calendar, which began in March. Initially, December had only 30 days, then it was shortened to 29 days when January and February were added around 700 BCE. Later, it was adjusted to 31 days in the Julian calendar, as we know it today.
December has many natural and cultural events, celebrations. It is the month of the winter solstice, an astronomical event occurring around December 21 or 22. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is when the sun reaches its southernmost declination. This marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
This is also the month of the Geminid meteor shower. This annual meteor shower peaks around December 13, offering a spectacular show for stargazers.
This day, December 13, also marks the Saint Lucia’s Day, mostly in the Nordic countries. It commemorates Saint Lucia and her bringing light to those in need.
Talking about light and festivities, most importantly, this is the month of Christmas and Hanukkah.
This month is also known for significant consumer spending due to holiday shopping, contributing to what is termed the Santa Rally in stock markets. We have the National Cookie Day (Dec. 4) and even the Nobel Prizes are awarded in December (Dec. 10), commemorating the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
Beethoven in December
Beethoven also had some memorable events in the month of December. Most importantly, he was born in December! His naming day in church was on the 17th, which means, according to customs of the time, he was born a day or two before that.
In 1790, London-based violinist and musical impresario Johann Peter Salomon appeared in Bonn with non other than the musical legend of the time: Joseph Haydn. They stayed there for Christmas en route to London. The special guest participated in the High Mass at the Bonn court chapel, where Haydn was pleased to hear the choir singing one of his masses. We can be certain that a young man named Beethoven had the chance to shake hands with the special guest.
Beethoven moved to Vienna in December 1792, making the approximately 900 kilometers (550 miles) in the freezing cold.
The December of 1795 saw Haydn and Beethoven giving a concert together, where Haydn conducted three of his London Symphonies, Beethoven contributed the Piano Concerto in C Major. Also this Christmas his brother Johann and some friends from Bonn arrived to visit him in Vienna.
In 1804, December 2, Napoleon crowned himself as Emperor. In his disappointment over the matter, Beethoven changed the name of his famous Third Symphony from Bonaparte to Eroica.
Beethoven had many of his works premiered in the month of December. In 1806, his Violin Concerto and his Fourth Symphony were premiered. Same month in 1808, Beethoven made a concert that was beyond ambitious. He premiered eight (!) new pieces in one night, that included his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, a piano concerto and some more… in the cold theater the shivering audience was overwhelmed by every meaning of the word. Due to his loss in hearing this was the very last time he played a piano concerto in public, a tragic development.
Beethoven finished his 31th piano sonata on December 25, 1821.
