3309. Fate knocking at the door © Bruce Goodman 26 August 2025

They knew from Beethoven’s letters that he had composed a piano sonata in 1805 that was now apparently lost. He wrote in a letter that he had written a piano sonata and dedicated it to Napoleon, but since Napoleon’s troops had taken over Vienna the dedication was rescinded. “No one must ever play this sonata,” he wrote. “I have placed a curse on it.” Since when did Beethoven have the ability to place a curse? What silliness! It was obviously no more than a turn of phrase. Professor Reinhardt Krüger-Kraus thought the curse to be no more than a nonsense. He went in search of the lost sonata. There it was! In the Vienna library’s archives for all to see. Professor Reinhardt Krüger-Kraus made a copy and advertised the sonata’s premiere performance. The concert hall was packed. The performance was about to begin. All were on the edge of their seats! The pianist played the first note – it was Middle C – and stopped. She had gone stone deaf. What a coincidence! The concert was cancelled and the tickets refunded. There would be another concert with another pianist in two weeks. The performance was about to begin. All were on the edge of their seats! The pianist played the first note – it was Middle C – and stopped. He had gone stone deaf. The sonata is still sitting in the Vienna library’s archives for all to see. You’re welcome to try and play it any time. It starts on Middle C. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story