Beethoven Monument, Bonn

Heinrich Carl Breidenstein, Germany's first musicologist, was an ardent Beethoven fan. In 1832 he put forward the idea of a memorial to his idol, Ludwig van Beethoven, who had died in 1827. The idea caught on.

In 1835 the newly formed Bonn Association for the Beethoven Monument, captained by August Wilhelm Schlegel, a Shakespearean scholar, issued a call for a Beethoven monument. Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt donated over 10,000 francs. Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn, and others quickly followed.

The contract was awarded to sculptor Ernst Julius Hahnel. The casting was done by Jakob Daniel Burgschmiedt of Nuremberg. The Beethovenfest began on Sunday, 10 August 1845. It was four days of music, dance, and fireworks.

The events were attended by Frederick William IV of Prussia, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Archduke Friedrich of Austria. Hector Berlioz came, Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn attended. Jenny Lind and Pauline Viardot showed with the mischievous Lola Montez, who embarrassed Liszt by dancing on a table.

The monument stands in front of the former Main Post Office on Munster Square ("Munsterplatz"). Most critics feel that the statue presents a good likeness of the composer. He stands on a base depicting instrumental, opera, spiritual and symphonic forms of music. His back is turned to the Old Main Post Office.

He glares into space, tight-lipped, chin up. He was reputed to be a rough character.