Who Beethoven could rely on

Eleonore von Breuning is one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most long-standing friends. He met her in 1782 and remained faithful to her throughout his life. For them he composed two easy piano pieces, the Allegro and Adagio, WoO 51.

Eleonore's mother, the court councillor Helene von Breuning, engaged the young Beethoven as a piano teacher. Beethoven quickly became a kind of family member to the Breunings.

Unfortunately, Eleonore then married another - Beethoven's best friend, the doctor Franz Gerhard Wegeler. But even from their deathbed Beethoven wrote to them.

In 1790, when Beethoven was already 20 years old, he received this New Year greeting from Eleonore: "O would that your happiness / Much like my wishes! / Then it would take this year, / to reach the highest goal. / Dis hoft quite cordial / Your friend Lorchen / Breuning."

In one of his letters to his friend Wegeler, Beethoven also tells of a mysterious lover: "A dear magical girl (...) who loves me, and whom I love, it's been two years since some blessed moments, and it's the first time I feel that getting married could make me happy. "Unfortunately, she is not of my stature..."

Beethoven was often overwhelmed by the task of organizing his everyday life. For a year and a half his girlfriend Nanette Streicher helped him organize the household. At the same time she had to look after a flourishing piano factory herself.

Antonie Brentano met Beethoven in Vienna. Together they spent a summer in different health resorts. I wonder if Beethoven was in love with her. It's possible. Beethoven dedicated one of the tender songs based on poems by Goethe to her.

Antonie's husband, the wealthy merchant Franz Brentano, also repeatedly supported Beethoven with money. Beethoven expressed his thanks in his own way: with tips on where to buy the best wine.