Beethoven and Goethe
"Beethoven had already read and studied Goethe’s works intensively during his youth in Bonn, long before their first personal encounter. His first Goethe settings were produced around 1790. Beethoven announced his Music to Egmont in a first letter to the poet in the spring of 1811 with the following words: “I am only able to approach you with the greatest veneration with an inexpressably deep feeling for your glorious creations.” He had already set 18 texts by Goethe, two others were to follow. Goethe therefore occupies a privileged position in Beethoven’s vocal works."
Read more about this topic: Beethoven And His Contemporaries
Famous quotes containing the words beethoven and/or goethe:
“No one should drive a hard bargain with an artist.”
—Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770–1827)
“To be sure, a good work of art can and will have moral consequences, but to demand of the artists moral intentions, means ruining their craft.”
—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)