Bettina von Arnim, née Brentano, was a somewhat fanciful writer who had the good fortune to meet Beethoven and Goethe, as well as many other artists of the time. As she told – twenty years after the facts – she was the one who conceived the encounter of both universal artists in the small thermal city of Teplice, in July of 1812, when Beethoven spent the summer there to follow the treatments prescribed by his doctors. She also is who narrates the famous incident, when Beethoven and Goethe met the archduke Rodolfo and the empress, during a walk.
The incident
According to Bettina, Beethoven, who was twenty years younger than the elder Goethe, whispered in Goethe's ear as they passed the imperial princes: keep walking, take my arm, they are the ones who have to give us the step, not the other way around. But the poet respectfully stepped aside and took off his hat. Beethoven, on the other hand, continued his march unperturbed, without answering the greeting of the imperial family. After a while, he stopped to wait for Goethe. When he had him at his side, he said: "I have waited for you because I have great respect for you, and I admire your work, but it seems to me that you show too much esteem for these people". Bettina does not say what Goethe would have replied.
Goethe's impression
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(1749 - 1832)
Nothing was said at the time, we suppose, but Goethe did have an impression of the encounter, though not a very encouraging one.
In a later letter to his "musical assistant", Carl Zelter, he described Beethoven as "a surly and hostile personality who, although he is not wrong in saying that the world is detestable, does not make the slightest effort to make it more livable or bearable...".
However, in a letter to his wife around the same time, he expresses that Beethoven's talent had impressed him, for he had never before seen "a more concentrated, more energetic, and more profound artist."
"Egmont", incidental music
In contrast to other opportunities, musical assistant Zelter had no objections when Goethe decided to send Beethoven his tragedy "Egmont" in 1809 for the Bonn master to write the incidental music. Beethoven saw in it one more opportunity for glory and applied himself to the work with zeal. Very respectful, almost flattering, he thus wrote to Goethe announcing that he had already completed the commission.
"You will soon receive my music for Egmont, this wonderful drama which I read and felt and set to music with you warmly in mind. I am anxious to know what you think of it. Even censure will be beneficial to me and to my art, and will be as welcome as unreserved praise."
It is clear that Beethoven admired "unreservedly" the "greatest German poet", in his own words.
The drama
Goethe's work is about freedom. And it was this that excited Beethoven, who had already ventured into the subject with his opera Fidelio. The story of Egmont (a real character) takes place during the Spanish Inquisition's persecution of the Flemish people in the mid-16th century. Egmont is a Catholic count who is eventually killed even though the rebellion ends successfully.
Overture and nine scenes
The first performance of Goethe's drama with music by Beethoven took place on June 15, 1810. The complete work consists of nine scenes plus the overture, which opens in a somber mood, sostenuto ma non-troppo, depicting darkness and oppression. The subsequent allegro brings to mind the heroism of the struggle. Finally, the piece concludes in a triumphant and celebratory mood.
The rendition is by the Gewandhaus Orchestra, led by the German conductor Kurt Masur.
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