BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, March 18, 1826

An announcement in today’s Wiener Zeitschrift (Nr.33) at 264, gives notice that on March 21, at 7 p.m., Ignaz Schuppanzigh will give a concert in the small Musikverein Hall, “during which, among other interesting vocal and instrumental pieces, L. van Beethoven’s third and newest quartet [op.130] (still in manuscript) will be played for the first time, along with Beethoven’s great Trio for fortepiano in B-flat major [Archduke Trio op.97] played by Herr [Anton] Halm.” Tickets are 3 florins W.W. and are available daily at the art shop of Steiner & Co. (am Graben, Paternostergäßchen).

Today’s Wiener Theaterzeitung (Nr.33) contains a similar announcement of this premiere, though with fewer details, at 136: “Beethoven’s Newest Quartet. The music-loving public, and especially the admirers of the genius of Beethoven, will certainly be pleased to hear that the third and newest quartet for string instruments has now been completed by this Master and will be performed next week at a private evening concert to be given by Herr Schuppanzigh, the details of which can be found at the Art Shop of Messrs. Steiner & Co.”

Neither magazine reviewed the concert, however.

Carl Maria von Weber attends a concert in London this evening, and is invited afterwards to a supper. He coughs up a considerable amount of blood in the carriage there, and has to be carried up the steps.