Bettina Brentano was one of the first to discover the true greatness of Beethoven, as can be reflected in her letter to Goethe: "It is Beethoven of whom I now wish to tell you, and in whose presence I forgot you and the world...he is far in advance of all educated humanity -- shall we ever catch up with him?
"To you I may surely confess that I believe in a divine magic which is the natural element of the spiritual life. This magic Beethoven exercises in his art."
@Egmont@2
The first performance of Beethoven's music to Goethe's Egmont was given on this day. It seems that Beethoven saw his own reflection in Goethe's hero: misunderstood, continually struggling against his persecuting fate, and filled with hopes for pure and ideal love.
