Around the age of sixteen, Beethoven was a viola player in the court orchestra of the Elector of Bonn. The viola is also the binding factor on this CD, on which we hear Beethoven from his most youthful and light-footed side. He published the Serenade for flute, violin and viola op.25 in 1802. Apparently he was not embarrassed by this unpretentious fare at the time, although the year before he had
… handed over his calling card as a sky-storming giant with the String Quartets op.18. The Notturno op.42 for viola and piano is an arrangement of the Serenade op.8 (string trio), authorized by Beethoven, the younger sister of the aforementioned Fluitserenade. Finally, the Duo for viola and cello WoO.32 bears the subtitle: 'Mit zwei obligaten Augengläsern'. Perhaps this is a reference to the cellist Baron Zeimall, befriended by Beethoven, who, like the composer, wore glasses. (HJ)more
