Classical Musician
George Bridgetower was a violin virtuoso born in Poland to an Eastern European mother and a father of African descent. He is best remembered for his fleeting relationship with Ludwig von Beethoven, who initially dedicated the Sonata No 9 (Kreutzer Sonata) to Bridgetower.
Bridgetower’s father was a servant of a prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and musical instruments and music were a part of his youth. Bridgetower’s talents were such that he toured Europe - playing to crowds in Paris, London, Bristol and Bath before he had even reached puberty. The British Prince Regent George IV took charge of Bridgetower’s development and he was taught by the best classical trainers in the country. Bridgetower blossomed and played in concerts across London, whilst continuing to play to royals across Europe to universal praise.
Bridgetower eventually played with Beethoven at a well-attended morning concert in Vienna in 1803. The sheet music had been inked only hours before the concert and the young violinist had no time to practice the final amendments. However, he played it to perfection; as Beethoven was playing piano, Bridgetower at one point read the sheet music over his shoulder to the delight of the crowd. Later, Bridgetower launched into an improvised flourish, mirroring the notes that Beethoven had played. Beethoven paused the performance to embrace him, exclaiming “Noch einmal, mein lieber Bursch!” (Once more, my dear fellow!). As a reward for his performance, Beethoven gave Bridgetower his tuning fork, which now sits in the British Library. Beethoven also dedicated the sonata to Bridgetower, writing “Sonata per uno mulaticco lunattico” (sonata for a crazy mullato) atop the piece.
Whilst in Beethoven’s good books, many doors looked to be opening. However, within days, Bridgetower had mortally offended the composer, who withdrew the dedication the sonata and Bridgetower returned to England. Back in the UK, Bridgetower took up the piano. He also taught, following a music degree at Cambridge University. While he moved around Europe throughout his life, he spent most of his time in London. Although Bridgetower was one of the greatest musicians of his day, he died in a state of obscurity and relative penury in Peckham.
Attention has gathered for Bridgetower in recent years. The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Rita Dove penned a book of verse inspired by Bridgetower, entitled Sonata Mulattica. However, the brush with Beethoven remains the defining moment of his life.
Bridgetower’s father was a servant of a prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and musical instruments and music were a part of his youth. Bridgetower’s talents were such that he toured Europe - playing to crowds in Paris, London, Bristol and Bath before he had even reached puberty. The British Prince Regent George IV took charge of Bridgetower’s development and he was taught by the best classical trainers in the country. Bridgetower blossomed and played in concerts across London, whilst continuing to play to royals across Europe to universal praise.
Bridgetower eventually played with Beethoven at a well-attended morning concert in Vienna in 1803. The sheet music had been inked only hours before the concert and the young violinist had no time to practice the final amendments. However, he played it to perfection; as Beethoven was playing piano, Bridgetower at one point read the sheet music over his shoulder to the delight of the crowd. Later, Bridgetower launched into an improvised flourish, mirroring the notes that Beethoven had played. Beethoven paused the performance to embrace him, exclaiming “Noch einmal, mein lieber Bursch!” (Once more, my dear fellow!). As a reward for his performance, Beethoven gave Bridgetower his tuning fork, which now sits in the British Library. Beethoven also dedicated the sonata to Bridgetower, writing “Sonata per uno mulaticco lunattico” (sonata for a crazy mullato) atop the piece.
Whilst in Beethoven’s good books, many doors looked to be opening. However, within days, Bridgetower had mortally offended the composer, who withdrew the dedication the sonata and Bridgetower returned to England. Back in the UK, Bridgetower took up the piano. He also taught, following a music degree at Cambridge University. While he moved around Europe throughout his life, he spent most of his time in London. Although Bridgetower was one of the greatest musicians of his day, he died in a state of obscurity and relative penury in Peckham.
Attention has gathered for Bridgetower in recent years. The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Rita Dove penned a book of verse inspired by Bridgetower, entitled Sonata Mulattica. However, the brush with Beethoven remains the defining moment of his life.