Ludwig van Beethoven

Biography

Ludwig van Beethoven is presented by Dolge as a composer whose demands drove piano makers to constant improvement. He first used a six-octave grand piano presented to him by Stein, which served him for years, but wanted still more compass for the symphonic ideas 'which raved in his soul.' Nannette Stein-Streicher, described as his admiring friend, met this demand by building him a six-and-a-half octave grand piano despite the era's technical difficulties, and Beethoven wrote her many testimonial letters in gratitude. When John Broadwood sent him one of his improved grand pianos from London, Beethoven—despite his friendship with Stein-Streicher—wrote back describing it as an altar for the offerings of his spirit to Apollo. Dolge characterizes Beethoven, like Bach, as powerful and titanic, admiring strength and force in an instrument. A portrait of Beethoven accompanies the text. The text notes that even Beethoven, with all his loyalty to Nannette Streicher, joined the chorus of admirers praising the Broadwood piano during the era when James Shudi Broadwood hosted his celebrated Saturday dinners for musicians and artists at 33 Great Poulteney Street, offered as evidence of the instrument's renown across languages and among the leading musical figures of the time.

Highlights

• Despite his loyalty to piano maker Nannette Streicher, was said to have joined the chorus of admirers praising Broadwood pianos
• Used a six-octave Stein grand piano for years before demanding greater compass
• Nannette Stein-Streicher built him a six-and-a-half octave grand piano to meet his demands
• Called a Broadwood piano sent from London 'an altar upon which I shall place the most beautiful offerings of my spirit to the divine Apollo'

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 245.

Public domain.