BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, December 16, 1820

Happy Beethoven’s Birthday!

It’s unfortunate we don’t have the conversation books for this day, but Beethoven commonly hosted his friends for a dinner on his birthday. Beethoven believed his birthday to be December 16th, but for much of his life he also thought he was born in 1772 rather than 1770, so we can only take that belief for what it is worth. As is well known, the only firm record of his birth is that of his baptism on December 17, 1770.

In any event, we can expect there was much conviviality today for Beethoven’s 50th birthday. It may also have been combined with a going-away party for Oliva, on his way soon to Moscow for what is supposed to be three months.

If you haven’t done so already, express your best wishes for Beethoven’s 250th birthday at http://www.happybirthdayludwig.com ! #HappyBirthdayLudwig

Personally, I’m listening to all of Beethoven’s works in chronological order of completion, beginning with:

Original version of Dressler Variations, WoO 63:

Schilderung eines Mädchens, WoO 107:

Rondo for Piano in C major, WoO 48:

Elector Sonatas 1-3 WoO 47

etc.

Happy Birthday, Maestro!