Since 1792, the Gesellschaft der Bildenden Künstler (Society of Fine Artists) raised money for their pension fund with masked balls held in the Hofburg — the Hapsburg Imperial Palace in the center of Vienna. In early years, Haydn and Dittersdorf contributed music for the event.
For the Gesellschaft der Bildenden Künstler ball held on 22 November 1795, new music was commissioned from Franz Xaver Süssmayr for the larger ballroom, and for the smaller ballroom from Beethoven, indicating that his talents as a composer were becoming increasing recognized.
The announcement of the 1795 ball stated that Beethoven had composed music “out of love for the artistic community,” suggesting that he wasn’t paid for this charity event. Beethoven instead earned money from the publication of piano arrangements of this music.
For the 1795 ball, Beethoven composed 12 minuets (WoO 7) and 12 German dances (WoO 8). This music was intended for dancing, so it is appropriately lightweight and not distinguished musically.
Nevertheless, these works mark Beethoven’s Vienna debut as an orchestral composer.
#Beethoven250 Day 64
12 Minuets for Orchestra (WoO 7), 1795
These minuets composed for the Gesellschaft der Bildenden Künstler ball are generally not performed in concert. This is a studio recording.