Hess Anhang 17 – 2 Pieces for Violin and Piano, also for String Quartet.
Taken from the ballet Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus Opus 43
Hess Appendix 17 – Two Pieces for Violin and Piano, also for String Quartet
Derived from the ballet Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, Op. 43
These two pieces, catalogued as Nos. 12 and 14 (originally both numbered 14), are extracted from Beethoven’s ballet Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, Op. 43. They were presented by Charles Zulehner in arrangements for violin and piano as well as for string quartet, published by N. Simrock in Bonn in 1831.
Attribution and Source Issues
- No original autograph manuscripts of these arrangements have been located to date.
- The provenance of these transcriptions remains uncertain.
- The introduction to No. 14 appears to be a transposition of the original ballet number into G major.
Charles Zulehner: Transcriber or Pirate?
Charles Zulehner (1770–1841), a contemporary of Beethoven born in Mainz, was a prolific transcriber. However, his reputation is marred by questionable publishing practices. He frequently issued unauthorized editions of works by Beethoven and other composers, including Mozart.
A striking example is his unauthorized publication of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 17 for piano and horn. The title page reads:
“Sonate Pour le Forte-Piano avec un Cornu, Violon ou Violoncelle, Composée par Louis Van Beethoven, Ouvre (!) 17, Mayence, chez Charles Zulehner.”
The word “SONATE” is printed in a flamboyant “starburst” typeface. This edition was released without Beethoven’s consent, prompting the composer to publish a public notice in the Wiener Zeitung in November 1803:
“Mr. Carl Zulehner, engraver from Mainz, has announced a complete edition of my works for piano and strings. I consider it my public duty to inform all music lovers that I am in no way connected to this edition. I would never have agreed to collaborate on a collection of my works without first consulting the publishers of said separate edition, and seeing such imperfect editions of various works, I would never have approved their publication.”
