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Updated: June 21, 2025
His father, Johann von Beethoven, was a tenor singer in the Electoral Chapel of the Archbishop of Cologne, at Bonn, and his mother, Maria Magdalena, was a daughter of the head cook at the castle of Ehrenbreitstein. The Beethoven family originally came from Louvain, in Belgium; but the composer's grandfather had settled in Bonn, first as a singer, and afterward as Capellmeister to the court.
Perhaps we shall find, in the course of next season, an Ortrud whom I should like a little younger than Frau X. From Hanover I have been asked to get the original score of the "Flying Dutchman" for Capellmeister Fischer there, who is recommended to me on good authority as a sincere and energetic admirer of your works.
"That was the highest point of the musical exhibition this evening. 'Now it is all over, thought I to myself. I shut the book, and got up from the piano-forte. But the baron, my ancient tenor, came up to me, and said; " 'My dear Herr Capellmeister, they say you play the most exquisite voluntaries! Now do play us one; only a short one, I entreat you!
Whoever enters the king's service is forgotten in Paris; and then to become an organist! A good appointment would be most welcome to me, but only that of a Capellmeister, and a well-paid one too. Now, farewell! Be careful of your health; place your trust in God, and then you will find consolation. My dearest mother is in the hands of the Almighty.
More is known of our mighty old Capellmeister Bach than of Shakespeare; less than of Miss Marie Corelli. The main thing is that he lived the greater part of his obscure life in Leipzig, turning out week by week the due amount of church music as an honest Capellmeister should. Other Capellmeisters did likewise; only, while their compositions were counterpoint, Bach's were masterworks.
I also think it an advantage that when a "High-School of Music" was first thought of, the promoters at once secured the services of an admirable PRACTICAL MASTER OF STYLE AND EXECUTION. If, to-day, I had to put a theatre capellmeister in the way of comprehending how he ought to conduct a piece, I would much rather refer him to Frau Lucca, than to the late Cantor Hauptmann at Leipzig, even if the latter were still alive.
On the other hand, when he heard Francesco Cavalli's opera, 'Le Nozze di Teti e di Peleo, he said the Capellmeister had borrowed the most sublime ideas from his own immortal works; for saying which he had a narrow escape of cudgellings, or even of knife-thrusts.
You will now have to go through capellmeister agonies of the first quality; so I can imagine, and my opera is just the kind of thing for that to one who takes a loving interest in it. Learn to know these sufferings; they are the daily bread I eat. May God give you strength and joy in your hard work. From my heart yours, DRESDEN, January 30th, 1848
"I can find you one at least," said the pastor; "he is a scholar of Frankh, the schoolmaster, and has a sweet voice." Josef was sent for and the schoolmaster soon returned leading him by the hand. "Well my little fellow," said the Capellmeister, drawing him to his knee, "can you make a shake?" "No sir, but neither can my cousin Frankh."
If Franz could prove his ability to enter this school, he would receive free education in return for his services. One fine morning in October, 1808, Franz in his homespun grey suit, spectacles shielding his bright, near-sighted eyes, his bushy black hair covered by an old fashioned hat, presented himself for examination by the Court Capellmeister and the singing master.
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