Ludwig van Beethoven, Musik zu August von Kotzebues Festspiel "Die Ruinen von Athen" op. 113, Nr. 1, Chor "Tochter des mächtigen Zeus", Partitur, Überprüfte Abschrift

Benefit concert with Hungarian music

Beethoven was commissioned to write his incidental music for "King Stephan" op. 117 and the "Ruins of Athens" op. 113 for the celebratory opening of the Pest Theatre in summer 1811. The works, which deal with events in Hungarian history, are seldom performed today. This is not only because of the bombastic patriotic subject matter, which we not longer feel to be up-to-date, but also because of the musical settings which are not amongst Beethoven's best. However, during his lifetime both works were certainly successful. In 1812 and 1813 Beethoven lent the orchestral parts for the music to Graz where Joseph von Varena was organizing a charity concert for the "girls' educational facility" run by the Ursuline nuns. As the overtures of the Hungarian music had been very well-received in 1812, it was decided a year later to also perform the choruses from the works. Due to the fact that it was a benefit concert, Beethoven not only gave performing rights but also had the copies made and sent to Graz at his own expense. The two copies shown here are scores of each of the first choruses for the Graz concert in 1813. (J.R.)