WoO 48 – Rondo in C major for Piano – 1783 Bruers 313 – H. 51 – KH. (WoO) 48 – P. 4 – Sch. p. 170/4 – T. suppl. 6. NGAVII/6 AGA-SBG IX/1 (Hess 51).

The original manuscript is lost. Published in Speyer, 1783, Blumenlese für Klavierliebhaber, Bossler, with the song Schilderung eines Mädchens, which follows and which reports the name of Beethoven. Its authenticity is currently admitted. Modern publications: O. Irmer, Klavierstucke, page 49; Willy Hess, ninth issue of the Supplements zur GA.9 1965.

Origin and Publication: composed in Bonn in 1782/83. The original edition was published by Boßler in Speyer in October/November 1783. The Rondo is by an anonymous author in the weekly Boßler “Blumenlese für Klavierliebhaber” in the 44th week of 1783 (= 18th week of the 2nd part) immediately after the song “Schilderung eines Mädchens” (WoO 107) on page 69, where Beethoven is specified as the composer (“VVon Hrn: Ludw: van Beethoven alt eilf Jahr”).

Alexander W. Thayer’s hypothesis that this Rondo was an original piece by Beethoven (Thayer / 1865 page 184) was confirmed by Max Friedlaender (Friedlaender / WoO 48) and Gustav Lange (Lange / Tonschöpf), who wrote it almost simultaneously in 1899 and 1899. It was finally printed in the Supplemente zur G.A. in 1900. In addition to the stylistic aspects, the other two pieces published in the “Blumenlese für Klavierliebhaber”, namely the Rondo WoO 49 and the Lied for voice and piano “Schilderung eines Mädchens” WoO 107, also testify in favor of the authenticity of the piece.

All three pieces are cited by Carl Ludwig Junkers, musician and author of some contributions published in the “Blumenlese” in 1783. In the “Musikalischen Korrespondenz” of 1791 he stated that “dass von Beethoven dort 1783 (mehrere) “Sachen” veröffentlicht worden seien: ” or that Beethoven published (several) “things” there (in the Blumenlese) in 1783: “Noch hörte ich einen der größten Spieler auf dem Klavier, den lieben guten Bethofen; von welchem in der speierischen Blumenlese vom Jahr 1783 Sachen erschienen, die er schon im 11. Jahr gesetzt hat” (Junker/Korrespondenz page 380).

Taking into account the fact that Beethoven long considered 1771 to be the year of his birth (for this matter see Solomon / Birth Year), the indication “eleven years” on the notes of Lied WoO 107 indicates the year 1782 or 1783. The first execution is not known, just as the autograph sources have not survived. Original edition: 1783 (October/November). Speyer, H. P. Bossler, without VN/PN. – In: “Blumenlese / für / Klavierliebhaber, / Eine musikalische Wochenschrift, / Zweiter Theil, / Herausgegeben von H. R Bossler, Hochfürstl. Brandb. /Rath. / Speier. / 1783. Portrait format. – WoO 48 1783 / Eighteenth week”, pages 70-72. Title: “Rondo / Allegretto”, by anonymous author.  On page 69 the song “Schilderung eines Mädchens” (WoO 107) is printed with the inscription “Von Hrn: Ludw: van Beethoven alt eilf Jahr”, on page 72 after the Rondo, followed by the song “Karlinchen ein jahr alt. von Hrn. Rosetti.”

As for the rare Blumenlese (and Neue Blumenlese) für Klavierliebhaber, the Centro di Ricerche Musicali owns them all in original, and has dedicated an extensive article to them accompanied by numerous examples, edited by Graziano Denini and played by Sebastiano Mazzoleni: Articles – Blumenlese and Neue Blumenlese 01 Introduction – lvbeethoven