Beethoven's funeral as depicted by Franz Stober
Picture courtesy of timelines.com
Franz Schubert:
I am a friend of Beethoven. One who is suffering with the most terrible grief that my dearest friend is dead. Yet, I live to tell of Beethoven's funeral procession, so his people may read of how famous and great this composer was.
I was one of the torchbearers in Ludwig's funeral, along with Carl Czerny, Franz Gillparzer, and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. This morning, Beethoven's body was placed in the Wahring cemetery, northwest of Vienna. As his friends lay his body in the coffin, a wreath of white roses was placed upon Beethoven's head, and a wax-cross and a lily were placed in his hands. His very own Funeral March was played upon his wishes at his funeral.
Tens of thousands of citizens arrived to attend the funeral procession. It is said that there were around 30,000 witnesses to Beethoven's burial! Vienna itself mourned Beethoven's death, as theaters were closed, and many nobles attended the funeral as well to pay their last respects to the greatest Classical composer of all time.
This is all I have to say, for now, I must properly pay my respects to my most esteemed colleague.
Farewell, to all who loved Beethoven.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmm2k4fRUO4
Ludwig van Beethoven's final resting site in Vienna
Picture courtesy of timelines.com
