Warning: Today’s entries describe historical incidences of fat shaming in both words and music.
This is Ignaz Schuppanzigh, one of the most eminent violinists of his time. In the 1790s he played in Prince Lichnowsky’s string quartet, and beginning in 1808, in Count Razumovsky’s. He was closely associated with the early performances of Beethoven’s string quartets.
Beethoven could be a real dick sometimes. He teased Schuppanzigh mercilessly about his girth, calling him Mylord Falstaff, and then justifying the mockery: “He might be grateful to me if my insults were to make him slimmer.” (Anderson, ed. “Letters of Beethoven,” #92)
In another letter, Beethoven reports that “Schuppanzigh has got married — to somebody very like him, I am told — what will their family be like???” (Letter #143)
This went on for at least a quarter century. In an 1825 letter, Beethoven tells Schuppanzigh “I shall let you know as soon as that machine of mine is ready which will enable you to be lifted up quite comfortably to me on the fourth floor.” (Letter #1350)
Beethoven also mocked Schuppanzigh in music. On an end-page of the autograph of the Piano Sonata No. 15 (Day 141), Beethoven scrawled a short musical joke for three voices and chorus entitled “Lob auf den Dicken” (“In Praise of the Fatso”)
#Beethoven250 Day 142
“Lob auf den Dicken” for Three Voices & Chorus (WoO 100), 1801
Beethoven’s short musical joke “In Praise of the Fatso” mocks and fat shames Austrian violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh. An English translation follows.
“In Praise of the Fatso”
Schuppanzigh is a scoundrel,
Who doesn’t know him,
The fat sour-belly,
The puffed-up ass’s head?
O rogue Schuppanzigh,
O donkey Schuppanzigh
We all agree
That you’re the biggest ass.
O ass, hee-haw.
— words and music by Beethoven