[net.music] Erratum of various almanacs: Beethoven's birthday

gam@proper.UUCP (Gordon Moffett) (01/17/84)

As we collect dates for our calendars, I've run across a confusion
about Beethoven's birthday.  Some assert he was born Dec 16, 1770;
others Dec 15.  These dates are generally found in almanacs.  Some
times an almanac with simply state that Beethoven was christened
on Dec 17, and `The New Grove Beethoven' (biography) agrees with
this.

In all the (music) references I have read, Beethoven's birthday is said to
be `probably' the 16th, because people in those days were christened
soon after they were born.

Does anyone have any DEFINITIVE evidence on Beethoven's birthday?  Or
are we all just assuming it is the 16th of December?

martin@vax135.UUCP (Martin Levy) (01/23/84)

On the 16th on December i attended a perfomance of 'Beethovens 10th' a
play with Peter Ustinov. The reason for attending than nite was to be
present at the birthday party to take place after the play, hence i
would state that his birthday is the 16th.

On a related note, if you have not had the ability to see the play
'Beethovens 10th' then you should find time to see it.

martin levy.