This Beethoven work, which until 1865 belonged to the publisher Diabelli, was then mysteriously lost. Only some drafts and sketches remain at the Beethoven-haus, including a page with the incipits of the three movements found in the Kafka Sketchbook. The bulk of the drafts relates to the second movement, "Largo," which is continuous.
Based on a correspondence – letters no. 13/14 - from November 1793 between Haydn, Beethoven's teacher in Vienna at that time, and Elector Maximilian Franz, we learn that it was probably revised in Vienna. Its exact dating goes back to the period between 1790 and 1792.
Recently, the "Largo" was reconstructed by the website Unheard Beethoven, and what resulted is, from my point of view, a delight, and I propose it here:
The description of this concerto is here: http://www.lvbeethoven.it/Opere/Beethoven-Midi-Mp3-Concerti.html#Hess012 In effect, very little remains of the Kafka, only from the second movement: these are sketches of the central part found on page 150 Versus, along with a small allegro moderato and a rondo - allegretto. The incipits are taken from a catalogue kept at the BH, (SBH 772) Published as Katalog der Handschriften des Beethoven-Haus und Beethoven Archivs Bonn, number 135, 1935. The first recording of the slow movement was recorded in the (for me) famous Rennes concert, in Brittany, which I attended. The conductor was Stefan Sanderling, son of the famous Kurt, who subjected us during dinner to the viewing of 5000 photographs of his son's wedding (the pianist Fazil Say was also present at the dinner, but he made himself scarce). Sanderling gave me the master for the publication (which never happened) for AVS Records of Beethoven orchestral rarities: The Oboe Concerto, the Tenth, Macbeth, A Minuet for Symphony... etc..... if anyone would like these unpublished recordings, I can provide a convenient link in future posts!
Hi everyone
PS: Roberto Diem Tigani did not want to include the reconstructed concerto in the Beethoven Rarities line; this is because he has been telling me for some time that the concerto exists - and is complete - although he hasn't yet given me many details regarding this certainty of his.. An investigation for Hercule Poirot's grey cells!
To tell you the truth Armando, a few years ago I had also heard news that this concert had been found; then, seeing no sign from either your site or other sources, I thought I had misunderstood or that it was a hoax.
Now, however, Tigani's statement makes me think that the news had some basis!
For the rest, dear Armando, keep posting links like crazy, every piece of news is always a celebration!
