BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, September 7, 1822

This evening marks the beginning of the concert season in Berlin. The first concert features as soloist fifteen-year old Caroline Lithander (1807-1880), who among other works performs Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto in E-flat, op.73. She was supposed to perform with her twin sister and fellow pianist and vocalist Eva Lithander (1807-1830), but Eva was unable to take part due to her persistent poor health. The Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung critic was rather mixed in the review: “On this evening, one noticed with pleasure her precision and pure, clear attack, as well as great skill with the left hand and in passages. But there was still a lack of roundness in the trill, and the main thing in the game: Soul.” Leipzig AMZ Nr.42, October 16, 1822, col. 683.