BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, April 5, 1822

Today’s Wiener Zeitung repeats the large ad from Pietro Machetti’s firm for the new arrangements of Beethoven’s King Stephan Overture op.117, arranged for piano four hands by C.A. [Carl Angelus] v. Winkhler (1787-1845) and the Overture to Prometheus op.43 arranged for piano four hands by composer/publisher M.J. [Maximilian Joseph] Leidesdorf (1787-1840). Beethoven had arranged the latter ballet in its entirety for piano solo himself back in about 1801, which is today catalogued as Hess 89. According to the Kinsky-Halm catalogue, this was at least the fifth unauthorized arrangement of the Prometheus overture for piano four hands.

The arrangements must have sold successfully, because next year Machetti will also offer an arrangement of the Triumphal March from King Stephan for piano four hands, again by Winkhler.