BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, August 8, 1822

After a fairly long period of near-daily letters, news, etc., there is nothing that appears in the factual record regarding Beethoven’s doings for about the next two weeks. We can surmise that during this time period he is (in between twice-weekly lessons for the Archduke) deep in work on the Overture for The Consecration of the House op.124 and its new piece, Wo sich die Pulse WoO 98, preparing scores for Peters, and proofreading and finalizing the Missa Solemnis. Beethoven’s health appears to be mostly recovered once more with his stay in the country, and he naturally would be making the most of it.

The Beethoven Bicentennial Minutes will resume on August 21.