Ludwig van Beethoven, "Gedenke mein" für Singstimme und Klavier, WoO 130, und ein anderes Werk, Abschrift

Task for the pupil

"Vor der Abreise Sr Kaiserl. Hoheit des durchlauchtigsten Erzherzogs Rudolph / Aufgabe für seine Kaiserl. Hoheit unsern allgeliebtesten Erzherzog Rudolph von L. v. Beethoven / Mödling am 11t September 1820" (Before the departure of his Imperial Highness Archduke Rudolph / Task for his Imperial Highness our most beloved Archduke Rudolph from L. v. Beethoven / Mödling 11 September 1820) - the title line of the copy of the Lied "Gedenke mein" WoO 130 explains its genesis. Beethoven apparently wrote the Lied for his pupil Archduke Rudolph as a "task", that is as an exercise in composition. The composer had already formulated a similar task in 1819 (today WoO 200), for which Rudolph composed 40 variations, which was printed in 1820. In comparison the task connected with WoO 130 is relatively unknown. The Lied was published posthumously in 1844. The publisher Haslinger said that it was from Beethoven's estate. There is no known autograph score for the Lied. The copy NE 167 was first found in 1990 and is in a later hand. The formulation of the title leads us to suppose that it was made from the autograph score (similar headings by Beethoven have survived). Its authenticity is proven by a further source. In the index of the Archduke's music library there is a corresponding entry: "Task for his Imperial Majesty Archduke Rudolph before his departure. Mödling 11 September 1820." (J.R.)