BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, March 9, 1825

The Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung for today, Nr.10, at 163 contains a report on the London music scene in the month of January, 1825. The London Philharmonic Society laments the loss of the contrabass player, Domenico Dragonetti (1763-1846), who is described as being without equal in Europe. “Truly, anyone who knows the ease and power with which he performs the most difficult passages on it cannot but believe that he has achieved the highest possible perfection of this instrument. At all major musical performances, especially in the symphonies and overtures, he is always the guiding light for the entire orchestra; that’s how powerfully it penetrates even through the first violins….The loss of this single artist is all the more sensitive for the above society because Beethoven wrote his latest (ninth) symphony with special consideration for Dragonetti, and is said to have included some very difficult solo passages for the double bass that could only be performed by him. The cause of his departure is, as always here, a tiresome financial matter.”

[Dragonetti had visited Beethoven in Vienna several times, and demonstrated to him the possibilities of the double bass as a solo instrument. His demonstrations obviously made an impression.]

The London correspondent continued at 164, “Everyone here is excited to see what Hr. von Beethoven [sic] will give for an answer to the invitation sent to him by the Philharmonic Society to come here. The honorarium for this visit is to be 500 pounds sterling, or however many guineas that may be, including his traveling expenses. For a man like Beethoven, whose gigantic works have been the mainstays of that Society year after year, this offer is a real sham considering its wealth. Hopefully the generous artist would reject it on merit. Either compensate him decently and appropriately, or not at all! Just think of what Rossini got in return when he addressed the English audience and played the pianoforte a few times. As is well known, he wrote nothing at all while he was here.” [The honorarium offered to Beethoven was in fact only 300 pounds, not 500. Had they actually offered the higher amount, he might well have made the trip.]

The column in the AMZ concluded at 164 with a note that word has just been received that Beethoven would be unable to come to London under the conditions that were offered.

In the same issue’s lengthy rundown of the recent concerts in Magdeburg, it is reported that in the four winter subscription concerts Beethoven’s Symphony Nr. 1 in C major and Nr.8 in F major were performed there, as well as the Overtures to Prometheus and Egmont. At a benefit concert for the poor, Beethoven’s Symphony Nr.2 in D major was performed. The four Harmonie (wind band) concerts included Beethoven’s Overture to Prometheus. The Society for Unification gave two concerts, which included the Overture to Fidelio. At a concert in the hall of the Friendship Society, Beethoven’s Symphony Nr.1 in C major was performed, among other works. Due to its design, the acoustics in this hall are better than anywhere else in Magdeburg. AMZ Nr.10 at 164-169.