Ludwig van Beethoven, Musik zu Friedrich Dunckers Drama "Leonore Prohaska" WoO 96, Nr. 1 "Jäger-Chor" für vierstimmigen Männerchor, Partitur, Autograph

Despite Beethoven not successful

Little is known about Friedrich Leopold Duncker (died 1842). He was a Prussian cabinet secretary and went as part of King Friedrich Wilhelm III's entourage to the Congress in Vienna. During the general national euphoria surrounding Europe's victory over Napoleon, Duncker had written a tragedy about the Potsdam girl Leonore Prohaska (in other sources she is referred to as Johanna, following Joan of Arc). Disguised as a man, she had taken part in the wars of liberation against Napoleon together with the Lützow Jäger. She was wounded in the battle at Göhrde and died as a result on 5 October 1813. Without a doubt the subject reflected the mood of the times. Yet Duncker did not succeed in having his drama performed, not even in Vienna at the time of the Congress, despite the fact that concerts and theatrical works with a patriotic content were extremely popular. (The scheme also certainly failed because another play on the same topic was already enjoying great success.) For his part Beethoven was at the height of his success in 1814. In the hope of better sales, Duncker asked the composer to write the incidental music for his drama, and Beethoven willingly obliged (after all, he had already composed pieces for similar works and occasions). But Duncker was still out of luck! Despite the four numbers that Beethoven contributed, the play was neither performed nor printed. On his departure Duncker took the scores back to Berlin but he fared no better there. (J.R.)