Beethoven the Concert Organizer

As surprising as it is to us today, Beethoven was frequently responsible for not only composing and performing his works but also for arranging for their performance. Two of the most difficult problems he faced were finding suitable locations and orchestras that would agree to work with him.  The famous concert of May 7, 1824, in which the Viennese premieres of three movements of the Missa solemnis and the Ninth Symphony were given, was particularly difficult to arrange, in part because of the composer’s indecisiveness over the advice given from too many of his friends and nephew. Problems arose not only with finding a location of the concert but also with the orchestra, conductors, ticket prices, the soloists, and the number of rehearsals. Beethoven’s secretary Schindler negotiated with the Theater-an-der-Wien, the Royal Imperial Kärtnthnerthor Theater, the Grosse Redoutensaal, and the Landständischer Saal. At one point Beethoven grew so vexed he wrote to Schindler, “I request you not to come again until I send for you, there will be no concert.” To Count Moritz Lichnowsky, “I despise treachery—do not visit me any more, there will be no concert—” To the violinist Schuppanzigh: “Let him not visit me anymore, I shall give no concert.” Much to the credit of the insulted, the three men ignored Beethoven’s ill temper and succeeded with the arrangements for what became one the most important concerts of his life.

Treasure 21

 

Manuscript Beethoven letter to Prince Ferdinand von Trauttsmansdorff, March 21, 1824, written by Anton Schindler and signed by Beethoven in Latin script

On long-term loan from Robert Brilliant

Complete English translation
See also entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.

Also on display:

Program for a benefit concert for Charles Neate, King’s Theater, London, April 30, 1830, featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony led by Sir George Smart

Gift of the American Beethoven Society
See entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.

Hand colored woodcut engraving of the Kärtnerthortheater in Vienna, 1887
Woodcut engraving, hand colored, 1887

Gift of the American Beethoven Society, 2009
See entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.