BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, February 16, 1826

At 6:30 this evening, there is a musical evening’s entertainment held by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, at the Red Hedgehog, open only to members of the group. The concert opens with an unidentified quintet by Beethoven’s pupil, Ferdinand Ries. Later in the concert, tenor Ludwig Tietze sings Beethoven’s song Neue Liebe, neues Leben, op.75/2, accompanied by Nina Rzehaczeko on piano. See attached handbill from the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde Archive, 2697/32.

Handwritten handbill for a concert February 16, 1826 — Handbill for Concert on February 16, 1826 (Courtesy Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde)

Neue Liebe, neues Leben is here sung by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau live, with Gerald Moore on piano, with English subtitles: