Beethoven as a pianist

[Albert Gans]

I have the following question on Beethoven as a performer: is there any such thing as a listing of his (semi-)public performances? Concert performances in particular, I am wondering when it is he played the last time in public. I seem to be getting different information on this, varying between 1808 (the famous Akademie), which seems extremely early, and 1815-1816 (don't know what the occasion was, but have a sense that it would be related the the Vienna Conference).

[Peter]

Here is a list I have of some Beethoven concerts, not all piano related though. Not in this list, but Beethoven's last appearance as soloist was as you say around 1815/16 playing the Archduke trio - I'll try to find the exact date. He did also play the accompaniments to 'Adelaide' and 'An die Hoffnung' Op.94 'in the home of an art-lover' at a farewell for the singer Wild in 1816.

1778

(26Mar)-"Musical Academy".Sternengasse,Cologne: First public appearance

1795

(29Mar)-Burgtheater,Vienna: First performance of Piano Concerto in Bb,Op.19(Beethoven soloist)

(30Mar)-Burgtheater: Beethoven improvises

(31Mar)-Burgtheater: Beethoven soloist in a Mozart Piano concerto

(22Nov)-Redoutensaal: Music for ball-12 Minuets & dances(W.7)

(16Dec)-Redoutensaal: Beethoven soloist in Piano Concerto No.2 Op.19.Haydn Symphony also performed

1796

(8Jan)-Benefit concert with Haydn for Maria Bollo

(19Feb-Sep?)-Concert tour: Prague,Dresden,Leipzig,Berlin,Pressburg.

1798

Schwarzenburg palace: Septet Op.20.

Prague: Beethoven soloist in Bb Piano concerto

1800

(2Apr)-Hofburg: Symphony no.1,Septet Op.20,& Bb piano concerto performed

(Apr)-Sonata for Horn Op.17

(May 7th)-Castle Theatre (Varszinhaz) Budapest

1801

(30Jan)-Charity concert

(28Mar)-Burgtheater: "Creatures of Prometheus"

1803

(5Apr)-Theater an der Wien: "Christ on the mount of olives",1st & 2nd Symphonies,Piano Concerto no.3

1804

(June 9th) First known private rehearsal/performance of "Eroica" Symphony (Lobkowitz palace Vienna)

(Dec) Private performance of "Eroica" Symphony

1805

(7Apr)-Theater an der wien: "Eroica" Symphony - first public performance

(20-22Nov)-Theater an der wien: "Fidelio"

1806

(29Mar)-Theater an der wien: "Fidelio"

(10Apr)-Theater an der wien: "Fidelio"

(23Dec)-Theater an der wien: Violin concerto Op.61

1807

(13Sep)-Eisenstadt,Esterhazy palace: Mass in C

(5Mar>-Lobkowitz: First four Symphonies,Piano concerto No.4,"Coriolan" overture

(2Nov)-Mehlgrube hall,University hall -"Liebhaber concerts": "Creatures of Prometheus",Symphony No.2

(Dec)-"Eroica" Symphony."Coriolan" overture

1808

(11Apr)-Theater an der wien: "Eroica" Symphony

(13Apr)-Burgtheater: Symphony No.4,"Coriolan" overture,Piano concerto No.3?

(Apr/May)-Augertensaal: Triple concerto Op.56

(15Nov)-Theater an der wien

(22Dec,Thurs.6.30p.m)-Theater an der wien: Symphonies Nos.5&6,parts of Mass in C,Piano concerto No.4,Choral fantasia,Aria-"Ah Perfido"

1810

(15Jun)-Burgtheater: "Egmont"&Incidental music

1812

(9Feb)-Budapest: "Ruins of Athens","King Stephen"

(11Feb)-Vienna-Piano concerto No.5 (Czerny soloist)

(6Aug)-Karlsbad: Charity in aid of Baden(Beethoven soloist)

(29Dec)-Vienna,Lobkowitz: Violin sonata Op.96

1813

(2Jan)Vienna,Lobkowitz: Violin sonata Op.96

(8Dec)-University hall: Symphony No.7,"Wellington's victory"

(12Dec)-University hall: Symphony No.7,"Wellington's victory"

1814

(2Jan)-G.Redoutensaal: Symphony No.7,"Wellington's victory"

(27Feb)-G.Redoutensaal: Symphony No.7,"Wellington's victory",Symphony No.8

(25Mar)-Karnterthor: "Battle" Symphony,"Egmont"

(apr/May/Jun)-Final chorus WoO.94

(23May)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio" (revised)

(26May)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio"

(2/4/7/21Jun)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio"

(18Jul)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio"

(26Sep)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio"

(4/9Oct)-Karntnerthor: "Fidelio"

(29Nov)-Redoutensaal: Symphony No.7,Cantata Op.136,"Battle" symphony

(2Dec)-Redoutensaal: Symphony No.7,Cantata Op.136,"Battle" symphony

(25Dec)-Redoutensaal: Symphony No.7,Cantata Op.136,"Battle" symphony

1816

(11Feb)-Count Deym's palace: Farewell concert by Schuppanzigh

(18Feb)-Romischer hotel: Farewell concert by Linke

1824

(7May)-Karntnerthor: Symphony No.9,"Consecration of the house"Overture,3 items from "Missa Solemnis"

(23May)-Redoutensaal: Symphony No.9,Kyrie from Mass,Vocal trio Op.116

1825

(6Mar) -Schuppanzigh Quartet: Quartet Op.127

(23Mar)-Bohm Quartet: Quartet Op.127

1826

(21Mar)-Schuppanzigh Quartet: Quartet Op.130

[Albert Gans]

Wow, that's quite a list ! Thanks !

[Lindegard]

Albert, a wonderful book on Beethoven's career as a pianist is Beethoven the Pianist by Tilman Skowroneck. It's on Google Books, but hard to read in that format. I was able to borrow a print copy of it through Interlibrary Loan in the USA, there may be similar options in Belgium.

Lindegard

[AeolianHarp]

Oh to have seen him play!