Chronology Beethoven in Vienna

1795  
On 29 March first public appearance in Vienna. Beethoven plays a piano concerto (probably op. 15) in the Hofburg Theatre in an academy organized by Joseph Haydn. In July printed copies of Beethoven's Opus 1 (three Piano Trios) are distributed on a subscription basis.  

1796  
Only longer concert tour: via Prague (February to April), Dresden and Leipzig to Berlin (May to July).  

1798  
Piano Sonata op. 13 "Pathétique".  

1800  
On 2 April first concert for his own benefit in Vienna with the première of the First Symphony. Thus Beethoven had now composed a work for the third instrumental musical genre which had been given so much importance by Haydn and Mozart in the Viennese Classical period, the other genres being piano sonata (op. 2, 1795) and string quartet (op. 18, 1798 – 1800). 

1802  
"Heiligenstadt Testament" - a resigned monologue on his increasing deafness.  

1803  
Academy in the Theater an der Wien on 5 April: première of the Second Symphony, the Third Piano Concerto and the Oratorio "Christus on the Mount of Olives".  
"Kreutzer Sonata" op. 47.  

1804  
On 18 April Napoleon proclaims himself Emperor of France. Deeply disappointed by this Beethoven does not name the Third Symphony "Bonaparte" as originally planned.  

1805  
French troops occupy Vienna for the first time. The nobility leaves the city. The première of "Fidelio" (first version under the title "Leonore") on 20 November is not a success.  

1806  
From August to October Beethoven stays with Prince Lichnowsky, one of Beethoven's important patrons, at his castle in Grätz (Silesia). He returns to Vienna following a dispute with Lichnowsky.  
Première of the Violin Concerto.  
String Quartets op. 59 commissioned by Count Rasumowsky.  

1807  
Mass in C Major op. 86 for Prince Esterhazy in Eisenstadt.  

1808  
Academy in the Theater an der Wien on 22 December: première of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Fourth Piano Concerto and the Choral Fantasia, op. 80.  

1809  
Archduke Rudolph, Prince Lobkowitz and Prince Kinsky guarantee Beethoven an annuity. In return he promises to stay in Vienna and rejects the post of court musical director in Kassel, which Napoleon's brother Jérome had offered him.  
On 4 May the Emperor's family leaves Vienna due to the occupation of the city once again by French troops. The departure of Archduke Rudolph occasions him to write the Piano Sonata op. 81a "Das Lebewohl".  

1810  
Music for Goethe's "Egmont".  

1812  
Goes to Teplitz on account of his health. Letter to the "Immortal Beloved", whose identity is unknown. Meets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. On the return journey he pays his brother Johann, who has a pharmacy in Linz, a longer visit.  

1813  
Beethoven composes "Wellington's Victory or the Battle of Vittoria" op. 91 on a decisive victory over Napoleon. It was first perfomed together with the Seventh Symphony on 8 December.  

1814  
The Vienna Congress opens in September. Beethoven enjoys great success with occasional works (Congress Cantata "The glorious moment"), performances of his Seventh and Eighth Symphonies and the new Version of "Fidelio" due to the interest shown by the international high society.  

1815  
Probably Beethoven's last performance as pianist. 
Following the death of his brother Kaspar Karl on 15 November, Beethoven assumes custody of his nephew Karl.  
In the years that follow there are legal disputes over custody between Beethoven and his sister-in-law Johanna van Beethoven.  

1816  
Song cycle "An die ferne Geliebte".  

1818  
Conversation books become necessary: people now have to communicate with Beethoven in writing on account of his deafness.  
"Hammerklavier Sonata" op. 106.  

1820  
In March the Archduke Rudolph is enthroned as the Archbishop of Olmütz. Beethoven writes the Missa solemnis for this occasion, but he only completes in 1823.  

1822  
The last Piano Sonata: op. 111.  

1823  
"Diabelli Variations".  

1824  
7 May: première of the Ninth Symphony.  
Following this, Beethoven begins work on the last String Quartets, very important late works.  

1826  
His nephew Karl attempts suicide on 6 August. Last completed work: new Finale for the String Quartet op. 130.  

1827  
Beethoven dies on 26 March in the "Schwarzspanierhaus" in Vienna.