BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, April 29, 1822

French violinist Alexandre Boucher (1778-1861) calls upon Beethoven today, with a letter of introduction from Goethe. Apparently the visit goes well, because Beethoven writes out for him the Duet for two violins, WoO 34. The manuscript, owned by the Paris Conservatoire and held at the Bibliothèque Nationale, bears today’s date. The full heading in Beethoven’s hand reads, “Ecrit le 29tieme Avril 1822, comme Monsieur Boucher grand Violon me faisait l’honneur de me faire und Visite. – louis van Beethoven.” The piece was first published in 1901 in Theodor von Frimmel’s biography, Ludwig van Beethoven, at page 65, though a facsimile of the autograph score had previously appeared in the March 1, 1898 edition of the Revue internationale de musique.

This charming little 7-bar piece is performed here by Lukas Hagen and Rainer Schmidt:

Boucher gave three concerts in Vienna during his stay, on March 26, April 21 and on May 2. He remained in Vienna until June 23, 1822. He made a very positive impression there; when the conversation books resume on May 27, the very first notation is a remark from nephew Karl that Boucher has created a sensation in Vienna.

Boucher may be accompanied on his visit by a French composer named H. Courtin and his ballet dancer wife. Mme Courtin had appeared in Count Wenzel Gallenberg’s ballet Margaretha, Königin von Catanea in Vienna in March of 1822. They will be returning to Paris on May 26th. Johann van Beethoven will later make reference to two French musicians who visited Beethoven, but his remark is ambiguous as to whether they came together or on two separate occasions. If the Courtins came separately from Boucher, the date of their visit is unknown.