Christian
Gottlob Neefe The Court Organist and later director of the National
Theatre, Neefe was the most influential of Beethoven's early music
teachers. His lessons were thorough and systematic, and included training
in composition. He introduced Beethoven to the works of Bach and extended
the youth's horizons by introducing him to German literature and philosophy
as well. He appointed Beethoven, at age 11, to become assistant Court
Organist, thus enabling the younth to become a part of the Court's
musical establishment. It was as a student of Neefe that Beethoven
made his first compositions and through Neefe's influence, that he
made his first associations with Bonn's cultural elite, such as the
Breuning family whose residence he found to be a "happy refuge."
Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart
Sometime in 1787 Beethoven made his first visit to
Vienna where he met and auditioned for Mozart, then 30 years old,
and worshipped as the music genius of the time. Beethoven skillfully
improvised a series of variations; Mozart was impressed but suspected
that he had committed the pieces to memory. Beethoven asked for a
second hearing, proposing that Mozart himself suggest a theme. This
time greatly impressed, Mozart declared: "The world shall speak
of this youth!" There are no more documented meetings with Mozart
after this. His mother's serious illness - and subsequent death -
unfortunately sent Beethoven hurrying back home to Bonn.
Christian
Gottlob Neefe
Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart
UK
