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  • UNPUBLISHED SKETCH LEAF FOR EMPEROR CONCERTO AT SOTHEBY’S

    An unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s "Emperor” Concerto

    An unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto.  UPDATE: THIS MADE £377,000

    A previously undocumented and unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto comes up at Sotheby’s in London on October 20. Offered on the open market for the first time in a sale entitled  “The Library of an English Bibliophile, Part VI”, this sketch-leaf is one of the earliest for this great work, possibly containing Beethoven’s first draft of its famous themes. Most of the surviving drafts for the Fifth Piano Concerto are in two sketch-books in the Deutsche Staatsbibliothek, Berlin.

    Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in E Flat Major, Op. 73 is dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria (1788-1831), the brother of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Beethoven’s great friend, patron and pupil.  The Archduke began taking lessons from Beethoven aged 15 or 16 and he was the only pupil that Beethoven taught composition to. It is estimated at £150,000-200,000.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £377,000

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