Beethoven’s Charitable Works

More than any other month, December is associated with charity. In December 1811, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote to acquaintance Joseph von Garena in Graz in response to a request for music that could he performed to benefit the poor.

From my earliest childhood my enthusiasm to serve our poor suffering humanity in any way possible through my art has been unaccompanied by any baser motive. Or rather, the only reward I have asked for is the feeling of inner happiness that always results from such actions.

Therefore you are receiving herewith an oratorio which takes half an evening to perform, an overture, and fantasy with chorus. If the institutions for the poor in Graz have a warehouse for such goods, then deposit these three works there as anexpression of my sympathy for the poor in Graz, as the property of the promoter of concerts for the poor.

Additionally you will he receiving the overture to The Ruins of Athens; the score of which I’m having copied as quickly as possible. Also – a grand overture to Hungary’s First Benefactor. Both movements belong to two works that I have composed for the Hungarians for the opening of their new theater.

You will have the grand overture as soon as I get it back from Hungary, which will surely he in a few days. Maybe the amateur pianist in Graz will be able to perform the engraved fantasia with chorus.

In one chorus the publishers have changed the words, completely disregarding the expression. Therefore the words written in pencil should be sung. If you can use this oratorio I can also send you the parts written out so that the costs would he less burdensome for the poor.