Mozart and Beethoven continued their exploration of Charleston with a visit to the EDMONDSTON-ALSTON HOUSE, one of the houses in Association with Middleton Place Foundation.
The house was built by shipping merchant Charles Edmondston at the height of his commercial success. In 1825, it was one of the first substantial houses to be built along the city's sea wall away from the noisy wharves and warehouses further up the Peninsula.
In the same year that this historic home was built, Beethoven was in Vienna recovering from illness. The recovery from this illness was in the forefront of the great composer's mind when he composed the slow movement of his Fifteenth Quartet, which Beethoven called "Holy song of thanks to the divinity, from one made well."
Beethoven was eager to visit this house and Mozart obliged - mainly because he heard the Edmondston-Alston House had a wonderful joggling board outside!
I thought to myself - what is a "joggling board" but I was so taken with the beauty of the architecture I forgot unitl I hear Mozart laugh....
Mozart: Hey Ludwig --You know what a “joggling board” is? Something you can court Charleston Ladies with!! See how much fun!! There’s a lady waiting inside - our director, Sandra Nikolajevs! I have now decided I want you to bring your music and wild stories to MY festival - BUT - Sandra may need some convincing!
Beethoven: Ah - you are too kind!! Yesss-- I wish to bring my enchanting "Beethoven: His Women & His Music" and join your merry making!! SO - Let us go meet this lady! I hope she is like the ladies in Vienna!!!
I took a tour of the amazing house, tagging along behind the composers - I hid behind a curtain as Herr Beethoven swept that Fraulein right off her feet! I snapped this shot - she was laughing at Beethoven's jokes and immediately called the media to begin promoting "Beethoven: His Women & His Music."
That night on the internet I received confirmation that indeed "Beethoven: His Women & His Music" will be the opening performance of the 2013 Mozart in the South Festival on Friday, September 20 at the College of Charleston Sottile Theater. Festival-goers will have to wait until the Finale on Sunday, September 22 to hear music of Mozart....but what a Finale it will be! Audience members will be treated to Mozart's masterful String Quintet in c minor in addition to guest artist Elizabeth Pitcairn performing on the legendary 1720 "Red Mendelssohn" Stradivarius violin for music of Kreisler and Tchaikovsky.
SPECIAL NOTE: purchase your Mozart in the South Tickets today! Visit www.MozartInTheSouth.org to order online or call 843.763.4941.
In the same year that this historic home was built, Beethoven was in Vienna recovering from illness. The recovery from this illness was in the forefront of the great composer's mind when he composed the slow movement of his Fifteenth Quartet, which Beethoven called "Holy song of thanks to the divinity, from one made well."
Beethoven was eager to visit this house and Mozart obliged - mainly because he heard the Edmondston-Alston House had a wonderful joggling board outside!
I thought to myself - what is a "joggling board" but I was so taken with the beauty of the architecture I forgot unitl I hear Mozart laugh....
Mozart: Hey Ludwig --You know what a “joggling board” is? Something you can court Charleston Ladies with!! See how much fun!! There’s a lady waiting inside - our director, Sandra Nikolajevs! I have now decided I want you to bring your music and wild stories to MY festival - BUT - Sandra may need some convincing!
Beethoven: Ah - you are too kind!! Yesss-- I wish to bring my enchanting "Beethoven: His Women & His Music" and join your merry making!! SO - Let us go meet this lady! I hope she is like the ladies in Vienna!!!
I took a tour of the amazing house, tagging along behind the composers - I hid behind a curtain as Herr Beethoven swept that Fraulein right off her feet! I snapped this shot - she was laughing at Beethoven's jokes and immediately called the media to begin promoting "Beethoven: His Women & His Music."
Chamber Music Charleston Director Sandra Nikolajevs
being courted by Beethoven and Mozart.
That night on the internet I received confirmation that indeed "Beethoven: His Women & His Music" will be the opening performance of the 2013 Mozart in the South Festival on Friday, September 20 at the College of Charleston Sottile Theater. Festival-goers will have to wait until the Finale on Sunday, September 22 to hear music of Mozart....but what a Finale it will be! Audience members will be treated to Mozart's masterful String Quintet in c minor in addition to guest artist Elizabeth Pitcairn performing on the legendary 1720 "Red Mendelssohn" Stradivarius violin for music of Kreisler and Tchaikovsky.
SPECIAL NOTE: purchase your Mozart in the South Tickets today! Visit www.MozartInTheSouth.org to order online or call 843.763.4941.
This is hilarious. Job well done. What an exciting event. I am so glad you have such a well renowned Viennese journalist to cover these unfolding events. Charleston will never be the same after our visit from Beethoven and Mozart.
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