BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, November 25, 1824

Today’s Wiener Theater-Zeitung (Nr.142) at 567, reports that Ignaz Schuppanzigh (Beethoven’s longtime friend and supporter) is now a member of the Imperial Court Orchestra. He has completed his first cycle of Sunday quartet concerts for the season, and has embarked on his second cycle. “The high level of perfection with which not only the masterpieces of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, but also of newer composers in this genre can be heard here, making these quartets a true school of art, which many should diligently attend if they are serious about developing their taste and establishing a standard for many aesthetic achievements. Schuppanzigh, the classical declamator of the string quartet, is supported in most dignified manner by Herr Holz as second violin, Weiss as violist, and Linke as cellist. One can boldly assert, on the testimony of insightful travelers, that such a quartet, with such a soulful and witty ensemble, will never be found anywhere else. For not only is each of these four gentlemen a brilliant phenomenon on his instruments, which when considered individually, provides the most satisfying enjoyment, but the subordination of every one of them to the total effect is precisely the most wonderful and delightful thing. Although these pieces of music are very popular, it would be desirable for the sake of good taste that they become even more so.”

The same column includes an announcement that Tobias Haslinger (publishing partner with S.A. Steiner and a longtime close friend of Beethoven), who has made so many contributions to music and is well-known for his charitable activities, has been named an honorary foreign member by the Styrian Music Association in Graz. He has been sent the corresponding diploma. Nr.142 at 567.

The unabated popularity of Rossini’s music for people of all ages in Vienna is demonstrated by a large advertisement in today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.271) at 1146, promoting a 12-volume set of the Rossini Opera Repertory for the Young, with pleasant melodies arranged for piano solo by publisher Anton Diabelli, with special consideration for those who cannot yet reach a full octave.