1792 is a magical date in the history of Vienna. In that year, a young and talented artist , only 22 years old, arrived from Bonn: Ludwig van Beethoven. Perhaps he will be able to fill the tremendous void left here by Mozarts death last year, some people must have thought. But eyewitness accounts of Beethovens first performances tell us that he received only mixed reactions from the Viennese audiences. They admired his innovative sonorities and amazing improvisations, but were more shocked than pleased by the unrestrained, even hectoring quality of his compositions. No, most of the Viennese greeted this new music with incomprehension. Too blunt, too unconventional, too wild, too assertive. It cannot be denied that this gentleman goes his own way. But what a strange and laborious way it is. Not a trace of melody, everything sounds like a struggle. There is a constant seeking after strange modulations, unpleasant combinations, and a heaping-up of difficulties, so that one loses not only all ones patience but any possibility of enjoyment. Beethovens dry response: They understand nothing. His time had not yet come......