Beethoven in the Copper Smith’s House

Life and work

Over 3 consecutive summers from 1821 to 1823, Ludwig van Beethoven resides in an apartment in Baden’s Kuferschmiedhaus, now the Beethovenhaus. Here he has a small reception, a bedroom and a living room at his disposal.

Since renovations in 2014 Beethoven’s rented lodgings shine like new with their original patterns and wall colours. The lively original colours inspire the remodelling of the furniture in the course of restorations. Although the originals from Beethoven’s time are gone, there is a pianoforte from a town house in Baden upon which the composer is supposed to have played.

Before Beethoven can start work on his 9th Symphony in the summer of 1823, he has to deal with a particular problem with his landlord, the copper smith Johann Bayer; he is demanding financial compensation for shutters damaged in the previous year.

This is the case because once, when Beethoven is out of paper to note down a musical idea, he scribbles a few bars on to the shutters. He is observed by spa tourists from the neighbouring house, clearly admirers of his, who buy up the shutters for good money from the owner of the house after Beethoven’s departure.

And although the copper smith has already made money out of the old shutters, he has Beethoven pay for the installation of new ones when he returns the next year.

Image: Interior furnishings, Beethovenhaus, Baden © Gerhard SIndelar, beyondarts