Beethoven 1789

AGE 18 - 19 [1789]

Compiled by Gary D. Evans

Last Updated: March 25, 2019 7:58 PM

THE EARLY PERIOD: 1789 (18 - 19 years old)

After caring for his brothers for the preceding two years (1789) given his father's alcoholism, Beethoven sought and obtained a court order that half his father's salary would be paid directly to him. In addition, income was derived from his playing the viola in the court orchestra, where he met a boy of about his age, Anton Reicha, a flautist and violinist - the nephew of the orchestra's conductor - Josef Reicha.

image from 1787

WORKS CREATED

op 39: 2 Preludes for organ or piano	Published 1803
op 52: 8 Leider
WoO 1: Musik zu einem Ritterballett
WoO 38: Trio-piano,violin cello #8 in Eb
WoO 40: 12 vars for piano & violin in F
WoO 64: 6 vars for harp or piano in F
WoO 65: 24 vars in D on "Venni Amore"
WoO 67: 8 vars for piano duet in C	Theme composed by Count Waldstein.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DATE
Jan 3	Opera Theater opened in Bonn. B. played viola in orchestra where met Nikalaus Simrock (horn) & Antone Reicha (flautist). Works performed included Mozart's "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail"
October	Storming of the Bastille in France.
10/13/89- 2/23/90	2nd opera season at the Opera Theater - works performed included Mozart's "Nozzedi Figaro" and his "Don Giovanni"
Nov 20	Beethoven made a request of Bonn officials for half of his father's salary given father's alcoholism (one-half of 200 Rheinthalers) to provide care and support for brothers and the household in general. His father was ordered to leave Bonn around that time. He asked his son to not use the decree granted. Beethoven agreed and his father instead provided Beethoven 25 Rheinthalers per quarter. This was faithfully continued for the following 3 years until his death in December 1792 [Anderson v1p5-6: see 1793]
?	Played viola in court & theater orchestras.
?	Wegeler back from Vienna Medical School, now a medical doctor and practicing medicine in Bonn.