Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832) - Anonymer Kupferstich

Friedrich Kuhlau, a composer from Uelzen, was appointed court composer in Copenhagen in 1818. He played a major role in smoothening the way for the Danish national opera. His musical version of Johan Ludvig Heiberg"s play "Elverhøj" was especially groundbreaking as Kuhlau included Danish folksongs in his composition. The composer is also famous for his piano sonatas and many compositions for flute.

In late summer of 1825 KUhlau visited Ludwig van Beethoven. Accompanied by some friends such as Tobias Haslinger, Karl Holz and Conrad Graf, the two composers spent an enjoyable and jolly day. On this occasion, Kuhlau improvised a canon named "B-a-c-h". Beethoven reacted with a canon of his own, following the words "Kühl, nicht lau" [(cold not tepid) WoO 191], thus alluding to Kuhlau"s surname. (S.B.)