BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, May 10, 1823

There are no entries in the Conversation Books that date to today. Beethoven is likely busy packing his trunks for the impending move to Hetzendorf.

The Harmonicon magazine Nr.V, for May 1823, published around now, at page 70 includes a short review of the Overture to the Ruins of Athens by Beethoven, op.113, as arranged for piano-forte, published by Boosey & Co. in London. “This adaptation has just appeared, and as we have never heard the overture performed, or seen the score, we must form a general opinion of the composition from the arrangement. It begins with an andante of nineteen bars, the seven first of which are so strange, that, with humility, we confess our inability to comprehend them. Perhaps our readers may be able to penetrate more deeply into their meaning…”

“Genius has its eccentricities, and if they occur but seldom we are bound to respect them. The favourite cat of Domenico Scarlatti walked over the keys of his harpsichord, and sounded a few notes at most irregular and forbidden distances. Her master, however, pleased with her debut, noted down the feline solo,–made it the subject o0f a fugue, and produced a composition that is delicious to the ears of all experienced harmonists. Some such accident may have suggested to Beethoven the commencement of this overture; but he has not equally profited by the hint. A very short march follows this whimsical opening, and ushers in the principal movement, which consists but of five pages, and is in a more familiar style than we are accustomed to in this great composer’s overtures. But the passages are very awkward for the hand, as is the case in most German adaptations, and difficult of execution. It is, nevertheless, a very animated piece of music, and by a tolerably skilful performer, may be made to produce a brilliant effect.” The transcriber is not identified.

At 74 of the same magazine, Boosey & Co. also advertises a considerable reduction in price for imported foreign music, among them Beethoven’s Overture to the Ruins of Athens, for orchestra in parts.