LETTER WRITER ASKS BEETHOVEN TO GIVE DAUGHTER PIANO LESSONS
Vienna, Austria (JFK+50) On June 30, 1925, Associated Press reports "a letter addressed to...'Herr Ludwig Van Beethoven'*" recently arrived here in Vienna "a bit late."
Since the world renowned composer had died almost a century ago, postal authorities saw fit to open the letter.
They found that it was sent by a Galician** asking Professor Beethoven to give his daughter piano lessons for 200 crowns per lesson.
The letter was returned to the sender with the remark,,,
"Address o.k. but addressee migrated heavenward in 1827. Impossible to forward!"
JFK+50
Throughout his career, Beethoven was "comfortably middle class" but not "exceptionally wealthy." If he had received the letter, he might well have agreed to give piano lessons at 200 crowns a pop.
*Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was born in Bonn, Germany & became one of the most revered figures in the history of western music. His 1st major orchestral work, First Symphony, was completed in 1800.
**Galician is an ethnic group primarily of Galicia located in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula.
SOURCE
"Letter Seeking Beethoven Service 98 Years Too Late," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 30, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
