Ev'nin' all!
Since a few weeks ago, when I was alerted to it by someone writing in these pages, I have been listening to the free online all-Beethoven radio station every time I start this computer
( http://www.streamaudio.com/stations/...ype=&filename= ) because I figure it is a good way to hear many many pieces of which I have been ignorant up to now and, of course, I get to hear a lot of old favourites, too, and these are often played on period instruments, which is a bonus in itself. And my browser supports multiple webpages being open at the same time, so I can do other online stuff while continuing to listen.
Anyway, to get to business, I have been astounded by the huge number of Without Opus or WoO works that exist. It seems there are hundreds of them, even including a piano concerto (WoO 4) written when Beethoven was only 14, which to my uneducated ears sounds as good as any concerto written by some of the other "greats" of the time (Mozart, Haydn, etc). There is also a set of three piano & strings quartets (WoO 36), which sound just fine to me. There are also many pieces for wind ensembles and cantatas for orchestra and choirs, etc.
It seems to me, judging from a quick glance at my copy of Thayer's biography and its exhaustive index that there are almost as many of the WoO pieces as there are Opus (published) ones. Of course, before you shout at me, I do realize that most of these WoO pieces were not major, long works. But I would be willing to wager a small fortune that most - the vast majority - of Beethoven fans have heard none of these pieces at all. ( Just don't ask me to lay down my money )
Do any of you know the reasons why none of these pieces were not published in Beethoven's lifetime? And when were they published? Immediately after his death or only more recently. Does anyone have information to share on this intriguing matter?
Since a few weeks ago, when I was alerted to it by someone writing in these pages, I have been listening to the free online all-Beethoven radio station every time I start this computer
( http://www.streamaudio.com/stations/...ype=&filename= ) because I figure it is a good way to hear many many pieces of which I have been ignorant up to now and, of course, I get to hear a lot of old favourites, too, and these are often played on period instruments, which is a bonus in itself. And my browser supports multiple webpages being open at the same time, so I can do other online stuff while continuing to listen.
Anyway, to get to business, I have been astounded by the huge number of Without Opus or WoO works that exist. It seems there are hundreds of them, even including a piano concerto (WoO 4) written when Beethoven was only 14, which to my uneducated ears sounds as good as any concerto written by some of the other "greats" of the time (Mozart, Haydn, etc). There is also a set of three piano & strings quartets (WoO 36), which sound just fine to me. There are also many pieces for wind ensembles and cantatas for orchestra and choirs, etc.
It seems to me, judging from a quick glance at my copy of Thayer's biography and its exhaustive index that there are almost as many of the WoO pieces as there are Opus (published) ones. Of course, before you shout at me, I do realize that most of these WoO pieces were not major, long works. But I would be willing to wager a small fortune that most - the vast majority - of Beethoven fans have heard none of these pieces at all. ( Just don't ask me to lay down my money )
Do any of you know the reasons why none of these pieces were not published in Beethoven's lifetime? And when were they published? Immediately after his death or only more recently. Does anyone have information to share on this intriguing matter?
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