Beethoven and Dragonetti

Domenico Dragonetti

In Vienna Beethoven was surrounded by musical talents. Some impressed him, some did not. Among those who did, one man stands out: Dragonetti! This man opened his eyes to what double bass is capable of. His impact lasted for a lifetime.   A short biography of Domenico Dragonetti Domenico Dragonetti (Domenico Carlo Maria Dragonetti; 7 April 1763 – 16 April …

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Beethoven vs. Woelfl

Joseph Woelfl

At the time of Beethoven Vienna was full of talented musicians. Some of them extraordinary, but very few were favorably compared to him – especially with the piano. There was one exception…   Who was Joseph Woelfl? Joseph Johann Baptist Woelfl (surname sometimes written as Wölfl or Wölffl) was a pianist and composer from Austria (24 December 1773 – 21 …

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Beethoven anecdotes: a lamp for the blind.

Beethoven anecdotes: lamp for blind

In the summer of 1796 Beethoven visited Berlin. He stayed there for two months in June and July. The current Prussian king Frederick William II was a music enthusiast (played cello) and supporter of musicians. The Prussian court boasted some fine players, among them most worthy to mention were the cello virtuosos Duport brothers, Jean-Louis and Jean Pierre and pianist Friedrich …

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Beethoven in Prague

Beethoven in Prague

Beethoven, during his life visited Prague three times. This article will follow him and the events of these occasions. In February 1796, Beethoven’s friend and patron Prince Karl Lichnowsky took the young composer on a concert tour, just as he did seven years before with Mozart. Presumably the Prince was hoping for similar success with his new protégé. In Prague …

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The first public concerts of Beethoven in Vienna

Beethoven's first public concert

It was customary to have annual concerts in Vienna benefiting the widows of the Tonkünstler-Societät (Society of Musicians). In 1795, Gassmann, who was the organizer of such events, announced the date for March 29 and 30. The event would feature a vocal and an instrumental part. The vocal was a two parts oratorio by Antonio Cartellieri, titled Gioas, Re di …

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Beethoven anecdotes: a horse.

Beethoven's horse

We start a new series on Popular Beethoven Magazine, featuring anecdotes from Beethoven’s life. First of the many coming articles is about his horse. Beethoven and his horse It is hard to imagine something that is more strange than a horse-riding Beethoven! A man who lived in the city of Vienna, not owning a house or stable, but frequently moving …

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