Anhang 7
Concerto in D major for piano and orchestra (first movement).
H. (A) 6 – KH. (A) 7.
The musical samples and documents were made available to us by Dr. Alena Hónigová. (www.alenahonigova.com) Anyone wishing to consult or request these files can contact the author using our contact form.
Already considered an original work, in 1890 the movement was included as the final entry in the supplementary volume of the AGA (source of our PDF).
The erroneous attribution of the piece stems from a copy of the solo part and 17 orchestral parts transcribed by the Prague musician and school director Josef Bezecny (1803–1873) in the 1830s. The manuscript bore the inscription: “Concerto in D-dur / für Pianoforte / mit / Orchester / von / L. v. Beethoven” (“Concerto in D major / for piano / with / orchestra / by / L. v. Beethoven”).
This handwritten score, owned by the Bezecny family, was presented to the public by Guido Adler in a report from 1888 (Adler/Klavierkonzert); the copy has since been lost (Ladenburger/Konzerte). In 1925, Hans Engel was able to demonstrate that the movement should be attributed to a piano concerto by Johann Joseph Rösler (1771–1812), published in 1809 by J. André in Offenbach (plate number: PN 2831). For an illustration of the title page, see Ladenburger/Konzerte.
Bibliography:
- Adler/Klavierkonzert
- Engel/Konzertsatz
- Ladenburger/Konzerte
- (Th.-R., I, p. 346 – P., p. 208)
The work is, in fact, by Johann Joseph Rösler (1771–1812); for further details, see the article by Hans Engel:
Der angeblich Beethovensche Klavierkonzertsatz, in N.B.J., 1925, p. 167.
Johann Joseph Rösler, also known as Jan Josef Rösler, was born on August 22, 1771, in Banská Štiavnica (then part of the Kingdom of Hungary, now Slovakia), and died on January 28, 1813, in Prague. He was a distinguished Bohemian composer, pianist, and Kapellmeister, whose legacy has been overshadowed by mistaken attributions and historical confusion with other composers, notably Antonio Rosetti (František Antonín Rössler).
? Early Life and Education
Rösler was the son of Carl Anton Rösler, a mining official and later a government counselor in Prague. He received his first musical instruction from his father but was largely self-taught, developing his skills during his school years and philosophical studies.
- In 1795, Rösler became Kapellmeister of the Guardasoni Opera Company in Prague, a position he held for a decade.
- In 1805, he briefly served as Kapellmeister of the Court Opera Orchestra in Vienna.
- That same year, Prince Franz Joseph Maximilian von Lobkowitz appointed him Third Kapellmeister in Vienna and at the Lobkowitz estate in Raudnitz.
- From 1809, Rösler returned to Prague, continuing to receive his Kapellmeister salary until 1811.
Rösler was a prolific composer, with a catalog that includes: Nine operas in German and Italian (some later translated into Czech). Two pantomimes, one melodrama, and over thirty arrangements of other composers’ works. More than eighty vocal compositions, including: Two masses, Six cantatas, Two motets, Numerous arias, duets, trios, quartets, and songs in German and Italian. Instrumental works: Symphonies, Concertos (including piano concertos), Chamber music and Keyboard pieces for piano and harpsichord. One of his piano concertos was erroneously attributed to Beethoven, a confusion later corrected by musicologist Hans Engel in 1925.
Although Rösler’s name faded from mainstream recognition, recent scholarship and performances—such as the world premiere of his full Piano Concerto in D major in 2022—have revived interest in his work. His music is now being reassessed for its originality and contribution to the Classical era.
Publikace mohla být vydána díky laskavé podpoře těchto institucí: Státní fond kultury České Republiky. Archiv der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien – zvláštní dík náleží Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c. Otto Bibovi.
Publication has been possible through the support of State Fund for Culture of the Czech Republic Archiv der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien – special thanks to Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c. Otto Biba.
Obsazení sólový klavír s doprovodem orchestru (flétna, 2 hoboje, 2 fagoty, 2 lesní rohy, 2 trubky (clarini), tympány a smyčce)
Instrumentation solo piano and orchestra (flute, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings)
Editor: Alena Hónigová Překlad/Translation: Rhianydd Hallas Grafika/Graphics: Yellow Shapes
Pramen/Source: ROESLER, Joseph: Concerto pour Piano Forte, op. 15. Offenbach: J. André PN 2834 [Tištěné party/Printed parts]. Archiv der Gesellschaít der Musikfreunde in Wien, sign. VII 12990 (Q 16927).
© MgA. Alena Hónigová, Praha 2018
ISMN 979-0-9004041-0-7 (tištěná partitura/printed score)
ISMN 979-0-9004041-1-4 (tištěné party/printed parts)
ISMN 979-0-9004041-2-1 (digitální partitura/digital score)
ISMN 979-0-9004041-3-8 (digitální party/digital parts)
The world premiere of the Concerto in D major for piano and orchestra by Johann Joseph Rösler, performed in all three movements, took place on April 4, 2022, at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main Street, The Villages, FL 32159, U.S.A. The soloist was Maestro Giuseppe Bruno, who also composed the previously unpublished cadenzas for the concerto, with Maestro Pasquale Valerio conducting the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra.
For those wishing to discover these overseas musical excellences under the direction of Maestro Pasquale Valerio, here is the link to the .
Special thanks go to Alena Hónigová, Maestros Giuseppe Bruno and Pasquale Valerio, as well as to all the artists who made this unique and exceptionally beautiful concert possible.
Rösler’s concert – Anhang 7 is part of the “Research Becomes Art” project.
A New Life for the Unknown Works of Ludwig van Beethoven: An Artistic Exploration by pianista Maestro Giuseppe Bruno