Young Beethoven's stomping grounds

The city had a vibrant music life from the early 18th century onwards. Its court orchestra and chorus were the object of these words of praise by the music journalist Carl Ludwig Junker: "It's rare to find a musical ensemble with such a harmonious confluence of sound. The tone quality in particular has a high degree of truth and perfection that one only very rarely encounters."

In 1784, Maximilian Franz of Habsburg-Lorraine (1756-1801) began his reign as prince-elector and archbishop of Cologne, taking up residence in Bonn and bringing along a music collection that eventually grew to 3,500 pieces by 270 composers. His court orchestra and theater performed the latest works from all over Europe, and he spent many hours of his free time singing or playing the viola.

The scene of many chamber music concerts, to which Maximilian Franz would invite select musicians from his orchestra. Apart from the young Ludwig van Beethoven, they included his teacher, Christian Gottlob Neefe and the soloists Andreas and Bernhard Romberg — musicians known far beyond the city.

Son of a singer and grandson of a court orchestra director, vice-organist, pianist at courtly concerts and violist in the theater orchestra: Could there be any better conditions for a promising career in music? Not least of all, Beethoven was favored and promoted by Maximilian Franz, and the sovereign remained interested in Beethoven's activities even after he'd moved to Vienna.

Who had the final say in their joint opus 1: the violinist Andreas Romberg (1767-1821) or the man portrayed here, his cousin, the cellist Bernhard Romberg (1767-1841)? Maybe that doesn't matter much: the Rombergs often appeared as a double act. The two successful young musicians were called to the court in Bonn and became Beethoven's musical companions.

Could one ever outgrow the epithet "pupil of…" if that instructor is Beethoven? Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838) was a family friend from Bonn who took instruction from Beethoven in Vienna. Later he moved to England and composed fanciful pieces for piano. Later still, he conducted works of his own at the Lower Rhenish music festivals and introduced the works of Beethoven to the people of his homeland.

Beethoven's hometown teacher Christian Gottlob Neefe (1748-1798), also hardly ever emerges from the shadow of his famous pupil — which is a shame, as his compositions sound fresh and inventive. The organist, orchestra director and musicologist was also interested in the political developments of his time and an advocate of the ideals of the Enlightenment — something else he shared with Beethoven.