I love Beethoven, have almost his entire works on CD.
Wow- you certainly have excellent taste Saturn. What do you think of the Hammerklavier sonata? I think it is momumental- probably the most epic piano music ever!
I know you don't agree with Suchet's opinion on the identity of The Immortal Beloved, but I would definitely recommend his novels.
Yes, they did look interesting. I do like John Suchet a lot and love the way he is so enthusiastic about Beethoven- the way he says "Beethoven" with such respect and admiration when he puts one of the compositions by the great Master on his radio show is great!
By the way check your PM....I have something you might like on there...
I think you overestimate the popularity of Beethoven in England at the time, he was known, in musical circles definitely, but the fame and revery he has attained today didn't really take off until Mendelssohn began conducting his symphonies later in the century.
Well, I'm not so sure Saturn- I have seen articles about the "celebrated Beethoven" in the Times- advertising his concerts, Beethoven had the Broadwood pianos sent over to Vienna and was invited to London a few times but was unable to go due to his growing deafness and stomach complaints ( making travel difficult)- he said in his letters that he wanted to go to London.I think if Ludwig hadn't been going deaf and hadn't been ill he would have gone to London and may even have settled here- London was a freer place for musicians ( independent publishers, not so much patronage) and we were less class driven as in Vienna. We also had the best pianos made by John Broadwood, more concert halls, more middle classes going to concerts, more interest in virtuoso piano performances.
I know all this as I had to study this on the Curtis Coursera course I have just finished, and for what I got 100%- distinction for!!!
The rigid class system was a big problem for Beethoven as he was a free spirit and hated being expected to bow to the aristocracy in the street and indeed refused to do it! Yet, he had some close aristocratic friends who had the highest regard for him- Beethoven commanded respect and he got it to a certain extent- it was his love life which suffered the most in that regard. Although here, aristocrats were expected to marry their own, we did have middle classes marrying into them- but in Vienna this was forbidden. Our aristocrats had much less political power by this time, unlike in Vienna. I think Beethoven would have had a happier life in England/London. He'd have had to learn English though lol! Certainly he would have found getting married an easier task than in Vienna.
If he was known at all to Keats and his circle it may have been for his piano sonatas and piano pieces. We forget now that composers like Schubert died virtually penniless and unknown outside of the Viennese musical scene.
I expect it may have been for his piano compositions but his latest works were known here.I will upload those Times articles into Box and link them tomorrow. I think Schubert was less known than Beethoven due to his youth and ill health- dying so young.