[1] Address
To the Admirers of Beethoven.
–
It has been considered in all ages as a sacred duty, to do honor to great men by the Erection of worthy and durable monuments and thereby to transmit to posterity the gratitude and the admiration of their Contemporaries. But – towards whom should this duty be rather and sooner fulfilled, than towards a man whose reputation has not only been spread by the most extraordinary productions, in the domain of a fine and noble art, among all the civilised nations of Europe, but has even penetrated into distant quarters of the Globe; whose name is the first that occurs, when we speak of the boldest and sublimest flights of fancy of an exhaustless flow of invention, and above all of the perfection of music as an independent Act, in one word towards Ludwig van Beethoven! Nine Symphonies, indisputably the noblest compositions that Instrumental music can produce; the incomparable Opera – Fidelio; Compositions for the Harpsichord, with which a new Era commenced for that instrument; Overtures, Quartets, Masses, Oratories, Cantatas, Songs etc. who is unacquainted with these immortal evidences of a peculiar genius indefatigable in opening new and unknown paths, and always aiming only at what was the most elevated and noble. Barely have the exertions of an artist been so important, so memorable as those of Beethoven. He had himself laid it down [2] as a rule, to commit nothing to writing that was not throughout new and equal to every demand and his mighty exuberant genius was so far from allowing him to choose an already beaten path, that in his numerous works he avoided resembling even himself, much more any other. Hence he gave a new direction leading to the most important results, to the activity of the whole musical world, so that art not only made gigantic strides in his own person, but his splendid example has had and will continue to have a most decisive and salutary influence on Artists his Contemporaries & successors.
So rare beneficient and widely influential a character deserves to be commemorated in an extraordinary manner, namely by a sculptured Monument of a noble description as may be practicable. Respecting the properest place for the erection of such a monument there can be no doubt. The city of Bonn on the Rhine, the Birthplace of the immortal Artist distinguished also by its agreeable situation, the resort of innumerable strangers seems to be equally entitled and bound to have the precedence in this undertaking and with this view an association has been formed here which has obtained the sanction of the King’s Ministers within whose resort affairs of this nature belong. But considering that if it is to be in any degree worthy of the great man to whom it [3] is designed to commemorate, ample means will be required to carry it into effect. We the undersigned venture to address to all the admirers of Beethoven a request that they would assist us in realising our intentions by their zealous cooperation – whether by private collections of subscriptions, by Concerts and dramatic representations for this express purpose. We are persuaded that we may confidently expect not only that all friends of musical science will attend such representations in great numbers but also that the artists who bear a part in them will readily embrace the opportunity of testifying by a small offering their reverence and gratitude for the deceased master to whom they owe so many and such excellent enjoyments.
All Editors of Journals & Periodicals are requested to insert the present address gratis, for the promotion of an object interesting to the German Nation, and likewise to be so good as to take the trouble of collecting contributions. The undersigned will consider it as a pleasing duty, to acquaint the public from time to time with the progress of the undertaking.
Bonn on Beethoven’s Birthday 17 December 1835.
The Bonn Association for Beethoven’s monument.
The acting Committee.
A. W. von Schlegel, President. Breidenstein. de Claer.
Gerhards. Kneisel. Nöggerath. von Salomon. Walter.
(Translated and transmitted to Lord Burghersh by favor of His Bar Exccellency the Baron Bulow.)
[4] Copy of Address
To the Admirers of Beethoven.
–
It has been considered in all ages as a sacred duty, to do honor to great men by the Erection of worthy and durable monuments and thereby to transmit to posterity the gratitude and the admiration of their Contemporaries. But – towards whom should this duty be rather and sooner fulfilled, than towards a man whose reputation has not only been spread by the most extraordinary productions, in the domain of a fine and noble art, among all the civilised nations of Europe, but has even penetrated into distant quarters of the Globe; whose name is the first that occurs, when we speak of the boldest and sublimest flights of fancy of an exhaustless flow of invention, and above all of the perfection of music as an independent Act, in one word towards Ludwig van Beethoven! Nine Symphonies, indisputably the noblest compositions that Instrumental music can produce; the incomparable Opera – Fidelio; Compositions for the Harpsichord, with which a new Era commenced for that instrument; Overtures, Quartets, Masses, Oratories, Cantatas, Songs etc. who is unacquainted with these immortal evidences of a peculiar genius indefatigable in opening new and unknown paths, and always aiming only at what was the most elevated and noble. Barely have the exertions of an artist been so important, so memorable as those of Beethoven. He had himself laid it down [2] as a rule, to commit nothing to writing that was not throughout new and equal to every demand and his mighty exuberant genius was so far from allowing him to choose an already beaten path, that in his numerous works he avoided resembling even himself, much more any other. Hence he gave a new direction leading to the most important results, to the activity of the whole musical world, so that art not only made gigantic strides in his own person, but his splendid example has had and will continue to have a most decisive and salutary influence on Artists his Contemporaries & successors.
So rare beneficient and widely influential a character deserves to be commemorated in an extraordinary manner, namely by a sculptured Monument of a noble description as may be practicable. Respecting the properest place for the erection of such a monument there can be no doubt. The city of Bonn on the Rhine, the Birthplace of the immortal Artist distinguished also by its agreeable situation, the resort of innumerable strangers seems to be equally entitled and bound to have the precedence in this undertaking and with this view an association has been formed here which has obtained the sanction of the King’s Ministers within whose resort affairs of this nature belong. But considering that if it is to be in any degree worthy of the great man to whom it [3] is designed to commemorate, ample means will be required to carry it into effect. We the undersigned venture to address to all the admirers of Beethoven a request that they would assist us in realising our intentions by their zealous cooperation – whether by private collections of subscriptions, by Concerts and dramatic representations for this express purpose. We are persuaded that we may confidently expect not only that all friends of musical science will attend such representations in great numbers but also that the artists who bear a part in them will readily embrace the opportunity of testifying by a small offering their reverence and gratitude for the deceased master to whom they owe so many and such excellent enjoyments.
All Editors of Journals & Periodicals are requested to insert the present address gratis, for the promotion of an object interesting to the German Nation, and likewise to be so good as to take the trouble of collecting contributions. The undersigned will consider it as a pleasing duty, to acquaint the public from time to time with the progress of the undertaking.
Bonn on Beethoven’s Birthday 17 December 1835.
The Bonn Association for Beethoven’s monument.
The acting Committee.
A. W. von Schlegel, President. Breidenstein. de Claer.
Gerhards. Kneisel. Nöggerath. von Salomon. Walter.
(Translated and transmitted to Lord Burghersh by favor of His Bar Exccellency the Baron Bulow.)
[4] Copy of Address
· Beiliegender Brief von/an A.W. Schlegel , 21.05.1837
· London, The British Library
· Royal Philharmonic Society MS 408: 1813–1927
· London, The British Library
· Royal Philharmonic Society MS 408: 1813–1927
