DXLII. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)
Beethoven could be very severe with his pupil and companion, Ferdinand Ries. He frequently berated him harshly -- even when Ries was in some distant city, working furiously on editing or correcting publication proofs, Beethoven wrote him scornful, mean-spirited letters.
He famously "boxed his ears" during the first rehearsal of the Eroica, when Ries mistakenly tried to correct the horn player.
But, in rare circumstances he was kind and even displayed a sense humor, evident in this story:
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Count von Browne was an early patron of Beethoven's music -- he commissioned the String Trios, Op. 9, and the Magic Flute cello variations, for example.
Ries was a constant visitor to the Count's home, and frequently played Beethoven's music there. On one occasion, he improvised a little march he had written, passing it off as a work of Beethoven.
It was well received, but of course Beethoven eventually got wind of it. He ordered Ries to repeat it -- which the young musician failed to do -- and with both Beethoven and the Count -- finally in on the joke -- Count Browne commissioned Beethoven to write this delightful set.
1. Allegro ma non troppo
Ries was a constant visitor to the Count's home, and frequently played Beethoven's music there. On one occasion, he improvised a little march he had written, passing it off as a work of Beethoven.
It was well received, but of course Beethoven eventually got wind of it. He ordered Ries to repeat it -- which the young musician failed to do -- and with both Beethoven and the Count -- finally in on the joke -- Count Browne commissioned Beethoven to write this delightful set.
1. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Vivace
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