In 1813, when news reached Vienna of the Duke of Wellington’s victory over the French army at Vittoria on June 21, Beethoven composed a commemorative piece for the Panharmonicon at Maelzel’s request. Beethoven’s original Panharmonicon composition far surpassed Cherubini’s in complexity, employing... Show moreIn 1813, when news reached Vienna of the Duke of Wellington’s victory over the French army at Vittoria on June 21, Beethoven composed a commemorative piece for the Panharmonicon at Maelzel’s request. Beethoven’s original Panharmonicon composition far surpassed Cherubini’s in complexity, employing the full range of wind and percussion instruments and including a fugato on “God Save the King.” Almost immediately, and apparently at Maelzel’s suggestion, Beethoven transcribed his piece for orchestra and added a new section illustrating the battle between the British and the French. The piece was an instant success following its premiere in December 1813, and Beethoven later published it as his Opus 91 (Wellington’s Victory at the Battle of Vittoria). View Beethoven's solo piano arrangement of Wellington's Victory in our digital collections of early editions: https://digitalcollections.sjsu.edu/islandora/object/islandora%3A8570 Show less
