Exhibitions

For Beethoven, who as a freelance composer was urgently dependent on protection and income from his compositions, the choice of dedicatees was of great importance. His teacher Joseph Haydn was a shining example to him, especially when it came to marketing his own works. Through his dedications, Beethoven specifically promoted social contacts that were important for his career. The dedication of his second ever printed work, the so-called Elector's Sonatas by the then 12-year-old Beethoven, contributed significantly to his permanent position at the court in Bonn. The choice of dedicatees remained important to Beethoven throughout his life. He benefited from the initially exclusive use for a certain period of time, which he granted his patrons in advance, or he hoped for more or less valuable or at least prestigious gifts of money or goods from the dedicatees. This culturally, historically and sociologically interesting aspect should be brought to the attention of a broad international audience.

From 29 September to 1 October 2011, a parallel academic conference dedicated to this multifaceted topic will take place in the Chamber Music Hall H.J. Abs of the Beethoven-Haus. The event is open to the public.

Brief Guide

Petit Guide