Carnegie Hall

It’s been famously said that Beethoven was not the easiest person with whom to get along, but he definitely wasn’t friendless either. While he frequently quarreled with friends—usually over money—there was a small circle who were dear to him. Here are a few of them, including a notable passing acquaintance.

Stephan von Breuning (1774–1827)

Stephan von Breuning met Beethoven in 1784. Despite a few squabbles between them, they remained lifelong friends. A poet, von Bruening helped revise the problematic libretto of Beethoven’s opera Fidelio and was executor of the composer’s will.

Gerhard von Breuning (1813–1892)

In Beethoven’s final years, Stephan von Breuning’s young son became a constant companion. Beethoven nicknamed the child hosenknopf (“trouser button”) because, according to Gerhard’s Memories of Beethoven, he stuck to the composer like a button on trousers. Published in 1874, the memoir is a touching look back at Beethoven.

Antonie Brentano (1780–1869)

The identity of Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” the woman to whom he penned a passionate love letter, has never been confirmed. Some scholars believe it might be Antonie Brentano. She was the wife of one Beethoven’s close friends, passionate about the arts, and dedicatee of the epic Diabelli Variations. A highly moral man, it’s unlikely Beethoven had a relationship with her, but there’s no doubt of the platonic love they shared.

Anton Schindler (1795–1864)

Anton Schindler was Beethoven’s unpaid private secretary and had a tempestuous relationship with the composer. Schindler managed some of the composer’s affairs, but after Beethoven’s death also helped himself to many of his belongings. Schindler’s biography of Beethoven—the first of note—has many inaccuracies and exaggerations but was the source of much of the Beethoven lore that lives to this day.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was the megastar poet of his day and Beethoven was an ardent fan, composing music for Goethe’s drama Egmont and setting a number of his poems to music. In the spring of 1812, the two exchanged letters. Beethoven hoped to meet the literary giant and perhaps collaborate on a work. That summer they met and spent much time together. Beethoven played the piano for the master and even proposed an opera project. Goethe seemed enthused, but they never met again. With tremendous insight, Goethe wrote, “Beethoven’s talent amazed me. However, he is an utterly untamed personality …”