Hello everyone, my name is Luigi Bellofatto and I live in the province of Monza and Brianza. I joined this very interesting Forum because I have known Armando for a few years and helped out with his website (mainly the Beethoven Bibliography section). I have written several articles on Beethoven and his biographer Alexander Wheelock Thayer (recently even a book about him), and I have been collaborating for some time with the Beethoven Haus in Bonn and the Beethoven Center in the USA. I have had a passion for Beethoven since I was a child (my music research across 3 media was about him!) and I studied piano and cello at the Scuola Civica, but unfortunately, despite reaching the 6th-7th year of piano, I was unable to complete it due to my university studies running parallel to my musical ones.
I apologize if this introduction was a bit long, but thank you for letting me be part of your forum.
Do not believe Luigi at all! His modesty is proverbial. In all sincerity, we have with us one of the greatest and most illustrious connoisseurs of Beethoven's "Res". Not only—as he says—does he collaborate with the BH, but part of his personal objects form the basis for thematic exhibitions organized within the BH itself. His library includes all the sacred books of historical production, as well as absolute rarities. Furthermore, he personally knows the leading scholars: Dagmar Weise, Barry Cooper, Bill Kinderman.....etc.... excuse the others if I have not mentioned them) It is thanks to him that I was able to personally repair Beethoven's pendulum clock and meet all the personalities of Bonn. It is an honor for me to have him as a friend and companion on the forum. Our trips to Bonn have always been crowned with friendship and fraternity. Thank you, Luigi, for being here with us: the section dedicated to Beethoven is enriched by you with a true expert, but also with a fraternal friend!
Thank you Simone and Frank for your kind welcome. Dear friend Armando, I do not deserve all these compliments; what is important is having many dear friends with whom to share the passion (and for many, work) for music.
Great Luigi, I take great pleasure in your latest reflection on the sharing of knowledge and the discovery of new friendships. Many "cretins"—forgive the term—hold their knowledge close, either because they are unmotivatedly jealous, or because they are envious that others might steal their (most of the time small, in these individuals) baggage of knowledge. I believe that a wise person is one who wishes to share with great humility, one who has learned by leaving their own knowledge and thought as a legacy to future generations. A man of culture does not need to appear, and must demonstrate nothing to anyone.
I believe the transmission of culture is the purest, most fulfilling, and noblest thing there is.
Welcome Luigi, welcome to another Beethoven expert. Today, while studying, I was re-reading the Waldstein sonata and thinking that even He, the Great One, must have had to "lose himself" in that great world of his. The sonorities, the accents, the staccatos, the intentions are deeply personal. I do not consider myself a scholar or an in-depth student of his work, although I know all the sonatas (all read and some studied and performed), I love his quartets and I prefer the 3rd and 4th concerto. I perceive the attack of the "heel" of the third beat of that wonderful violin concerto.
Thank you for sharing with us the work of this Giant of Music.
Thank you all, my dearest new friends, for your words and as Armando knows, my friendships are yours; I am always available to give my contribution. Simone, I fully share your words. Thank you Paolo for your welcome. Very happy to be among you. Thank you again.
