Concerto after the violin concerto op. 61 for piano and orchestra (D major) op. 61
Violin verson: November to December 1806, revised late April to early May 1807, piano version: 1807
Beethoven wrote his only violin concerto in the last two months of 1806. On 20 April 1807 he sold several works, including the concerto, to Muzio Clementi, a London publisher and pianist. A clever businessman, Clementi not only published the concerto but initiated an adaptation for piano and orchestra. There has been much discussion among scholars as to whether Beethoven himself or someone else adapted the piece. Beethoven's notes in the lower staves of the autograph score, where he adds drafts for a piano adaptation, indicate that he was the author. The version for piano and orchestra was published a good six months before the original version for violin. (J.R.)
