Beethoven, Eroica, and Prince Lobkowitz | Jause, WoO 14
Many Beethoven pieces — such as the Eroica Symphony — had their first performances at Palais Lobkowitz in Vienna. In this episode, we’re talking with Dr. Thomas Trabitsch, from the Theater Museum in Palais Lobkowitz, about Prince Lobkowitz and his vital support to Beethoven.
TRANSCRIPT
So this palace was built in 1687 and purchased by the aristocratic Lobkowitz family in 1745. Beethoven was financially supported by the seventh Prince Lobkowitz. Can you tell us a little bit about him?
Dr. Thomas Trabitsch: He was a lover not only regarding music, but regarding arts all over. And he took care of having lots of concert performances in his palace.
He was a person who also took care of having his own orchestra and he spent enormous amounts of money — which actually finally meant his ruin because he spent so much money — not only in financing the musicians, but also he bought instruments. And, he didn't ask money from the musicians in order to be here. He just offered the house as an open house so that music could take place in here.
So he was real benevolent benefactor to the arts?
Absolutely. Total benefactor.
We're sitting in what has now become known as the Eroica-Saal. So, obviously that suggests that the Eroica had its first performance here. What other Beethoven pieces had their first performance here?
From what I know, the Fourth Piano Concerto, of course the Third Symphony, the Fourth Symphony, the Coriolan Overture had been performed in here first. Some first performances have been here for a private audience. So I'm not sure if we are allowed to call that as the first performance. Maybe yes, but premiered for a paying audience was, in many cases, way later.
It's interesting to hear these pieces — you know, the Eroica Symphony of course, Fourth Symphony, Coriolan Overture. I mean, these are monumental works which are heard in the large concert halls today, such as the Musikverein just down the way. So it's quite a different atmosphere here. How big is this space and how many people would it seat?
It was separated: a separated place for the audience, as well as for the musicians. And, not more than 50 persons could have a place in here.
But the rows of seats have been also different. So they wouldn't have been together one next to the other. They just were sitting around. There's a wonderful film about the Eroica — I'm not sure if you know that — that gives you an idea. People were coming in and walking out and while the music was performed.
It's an interesting insight into the way that music was experienced. And as we mentioned earlier, he was also a financial backer of Beethoven. He was one of the three aristocratic families that gave him a stipend.
You're talking about this famous contract, talking about Kinsky, Archduke Rudolph and, of course, Lobkowitz. When Beethoven had the chance to leave Austria in order to go to Kassel, they found a solution in offering him as much money as he would have had in Germany. That was the main reason why he stayed, which was in 1809.
So, Beethoven is a famously erratic character and also somewhat pushing against the ideas of the aristocracy — and yet having financial backing or relationships from Lobkowitz. What was their relationship like?
As we all know, Beethoven was not an easygoing character. And, of course, there were stories, but the aristocrats — especially Lobkowitz — knew what they had in Beethoven and how he would react. And they were maybe we can say sort of used to it, and they knew how to handle the situation.
They were a little forgiving of his character.
A little bit, of course.
Beethoven dedicated many pieces to Prince Lobkowitz through the years.
He dedicated a number of pieces to Lobkowitz — not only the Third Symphony, but more than that.
And, of course, he also dedicated a number of works to Archduke Rudolph, who was a musician and who played in an orchestra, even in the solo parts.