The first quartets, the Heiligenstadt Testament, the Second Symphony

Autograph: The Heiligenstadt Testament

In 1802 Beethoven spent some time in Heiligenstadt, then a village just outside of Vienna, now part of the city’s suburbs. Suffering from increasing ill-health and despairing of his worsening deafness, the composer wrote a letter/will addressed to his two younger brothers in which he expressed the profound depth of his unhappiness.

Paradoxically the Second Symphony was also written during this stay in Heiligenstadt. Dedicated to Prince Lichnowsky (portrait, right, above) this charming, witty work gives no hint of the suicidal thoughts expressed in the Testament.
We will also consider two sets of quartets dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz: Beethoven’s Op.18 and Haydn’s Op. 77.

Scores:

String Quartet in F, Op.18 No.1
Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36

Music: (you must install Spotify to hear the music links below)

String Quartet in F, Op.18 No.1
Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36

Text:

English translation of the Heiligenstadt Testament.

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