Christoph Gottlob Neefe is best known to history as one of Beethoven’s first music teachers. He first came to Bonn in 1778 as music director for the opera theater, and he later became organist at the court chapel. Neefe was an enthusiastic proponent of Enlightenment ideals and was an active member of the Illuminati, a progressive masonic order. The Illuminati opposed religious influence over public life and aimed to spread humanist ideals, though they were later outlawed and the Bonn branch ceased operating after 1785. Beethoven began studying with Neefe when he was around ten years old, and was soon filling in for him at the court chapel whenever Neefe was away. Besides instructing him in keyboard playing, Neefe encouraged Beethoven’s early efforts in composition, and arranged for the publication in 1783 of his Dressler Variations, composed at the age of twelve. Neefe also introduced Beethoven to the music of J. S. Bach.
Extent
15 x 15.5 cm
Rights Note
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