The Original Manuscript of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony
The Allies’ relentless bombing of Germany may have helped to bring about the end of the war, but it may have also destroyed countless works of art. Some of the art was carted away and protected, other art was looted, and many pieces of art were destroyed by bombs. When a train car filled with art that was stolen by Hermann Goering was pillaged by locals, priceless works of art were found hidden, damaged, or re-purposed by locals. One 15th century tapestry was cut apart to make curtains and a child’s bed sheet.
When the war ended, the MFAA traveled to Germany and scoured the country to try and recover what art could be found. One area that was heavily bombed was the Rhineland in western Germany. Bonn, the location of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth home, was damaged. When the MFAA arrived, they were horrified to find that many of the irreplaceable artifacts of the brilliant composer were gone.
One of the pieces that was missing from the home was the original manuscript of Beethoven’s sixth symphony. This symphony, also known as his Pastoral Symphony, is one of his most treasured works. It was first performed in 1808 as part of a four-hour concert in the Theater an der Wien. It was written at the same time as the Fifth Symphony, which also debuted at the same concert.
To the relief of the MFAA, they were able to recover the original manuscript of the symphony in the Siegen copper mine. The mine was the location of the first treasure trove of art and artifacts that would be found in Germany. Inside the mine were 600 paintings and 100 sculptures, along with the prized handwritten symphony.