Klarinet Archive - Posting 000255.txt from 1998/10

From: "Tim Roberts" <timr@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Wagner
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 12:55:43 -0400

On 4 Oct 1998 10:57:14 EDT, you wrote:
>Not to really beat a dead horse on this subject, but I agree. I recall that
>Fidelio, (I think if memory serves me right, or is it Egmont?) was originally
>dedicated to Napoleon. Nappy did some horrible thing, (again, i don't
>remember what it was) and Beethoven tok his inscription right off the
>manuscript.

I'm sure you've already received a half-dozen replies on this, but I can't help
myself. I'm a natural born "corrector". My wife hates it.

The piece to which you're referring is his Third Symphony, the Eroica (which
basically means "heroic"). Beethoven originally dedicated it to Napoleon, whom
he truly admired. LVB felt that Napoleon had what it would take to unite
Europe in a new, peaceful coexistance. When he got a bit too, shall we say,
"Napoleonic", beginning his violent, military takeovers of the continent,
Beethoven removed the reference.

>I also recall Tchaikovsky having some skeletons in his closet. Unfortunately
>don't we all. It's sad when we find out horrible things about people we once
>admire.

Hmmm. Like William Jefferson Clinton, perhaps? :)

--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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