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BARON GOTTFRIED VAN SWIETEN (1734-1803) Engraving by J. Axmann after P. Fendi Van Swieten, a diplomat, and later on director of the court library, was an ardent admirer of music. He had founded an association of lovers of classical music for the benefit of the aristocracy of Vienna; special attention was given to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. He was one of the first to recognize and further Beethoven's talent. He introduced him to aristocratic circles and gave him the opportunity to become familiar with the works of Bach and Hiindel. ( Society of Friends of Music, Vienna)
SYMPHONY No. 1, C MAJOR, OPUS 21 Orchestral parts Title page of the first edition (left), published in 1801 by Hoffmeister & Cie, Vienna. Score Title page of the first edition (right), published in 1809 by Cianchettini & Sperati in London. The First Symphony was composed 1799-1800 and dedicated to Beethoven's patron Baron van Swieten. The composer himself conducted the first performance on April 2, 1800. ( Former State Library, Berlin; Library, British Museum, London)
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PRINCESS MARIE CHRISTINE LICHNOWSKY (1765-1841) Engraving by C. Pfeiffer after J. Grassi ( National Library, Vienna)
PRINCE KARL LICHNOWSKY (1756-1814) Oil painting ( Collection Prince Lichnowsky, Grätz) Both not only supported Beethoven most generously, but also proved his true friends. Their rich home was always open to the genius who, nevertheless, occasionally was most annoying. They offered him, in addition to a room and a place at their table, a personal servant and instruments for an excellent string quartet (page 226). They ignored the frequent unpolished habits of their guest. The Princess made some futile attempts, however, to teach Beethoven, whom she treated like an adopted son, the "bon ton." At the Lichnowsky palace many of Beethoven's works received first performances.
TWELVE VARIATIONS FOR PIANO AND CELLO ON A THEME FROM HÄNDEL'S ORATORIO "JUDAS MACCABÄUS" First page of the autograph Composed in 1796 and published the following year by Artaria. The variations are dedicated to Princess Lichnowsky. ( Society of Friends of Music, Vienna)
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THREE TRIOS FOR PIANO, VIOLIN AND CELLO, OPUS 1 Title page with dedication to Prince Karl Lichnowsky; composed in 1793 and 1794. Published by Artaria in 1795. When Haydn heard these trios at a soirée in the Lichnowsky palace he recommended to Beethoven that he destroy the C minor Trio as he considered it unworthy of the composer's talent. Beethoven, however, correctly believing this work to be the best of the three, began to suspect Haydn of jealousy. ( Society of Friends of Music, Vienna)
SYMPHONY No. 2, D MAJOR, OPUS 36 Title page with dedication to Prince Lichnowsky Composed in 1802 and published by the Bureau d'Arts et d'Industrie in Vienna in 1804. The first edition of the score was published in 1808 by Cianchettini & Sperati in London. ( van Hoboken, Ascona)
GRAND SONATA FOR PIANO, C MINOR, OPUS 13 (PATHÉTIQUE) Title page with dedication to Prince Lichnowsky The sonata was composed in 1798-99 and published by Joseph Eder in Vienna in 1799. ( van Hobolken, Ascona)
GRAND SONATA FOR PIANO, IN A FLAT MAJOR, OPUS 26 Title page with dedication to Prince Lichnowsky Composed in 1800-01 and published by J. Cappi in Vienna in 1802. ( van Hoboken, Ascona)