Beethoven exhibition at the British Library

[Rolmill]

I'm likely to be in London on Saturday evening and could possibly come up early to see this exhibition.

Has anyone been - if so, is it worth a detour? How long should I allow for it?

Thanks in advance.

[LHC]

I'm likely to be in London on Saturday evening and could possibly come up early to see this exhibition.

Has anyone been - if so, is it worth a detour? How long should I allow for it?

Thanks in advance.

I went a few weeks ago.

It's quite a small exhibition, but I enjoyed it and think it is definitely worth seeing. You can see several of Beethoven's sketches and letters, as well as correspondence relating to the creation and early performances of the 9th symphony, including the full manuscript score in Beethoven’s hand. I thought the sketches and sketchbooks were fascinating as you could see the ideas for several works germinating at the same time

One of the interesting exhibits is a sounding board. You cover your ears with your hands, and then place your elbows on the board so that you 'hear' the sound of the recordings playing in the background from the vibrations transmitted through your bone structure, much as Beethoven did.

It only took me about 45 minutes to see the whole exhibition, so you might want to combine it with seeing something else at the Library, but I was very glad to have seen it.

Edited to say I went on a Sunday morning, and there were only 3 or 4 visitors to this exhibition, which made for a very relaxed visit. Most of the visitors at the Library were going to see the Elizabeth and Mary exhibition (which has now closed).

[kernelbogey]

Useful to know about this - thanks, both.

[Rolmill]

Many thanks LHC - ticket duly booked (allowing time for a visit to the Treasures Gallery as well).

[kernelbogey]

Many thanks LHC - ticket duly booked (allowing time for a visit to the Treasures Gallery as well).

I may be telling you what you know; there is a cafe run by an Italian family in Russell Square. north east corner. Plenty of accommodation, and on a sunny day, pleasant to sit out. Obliging staff serving good quality Italian cafe food.

[Rolmill]

I may be telling you what you know; there is a cafe run by an Italian family in Russell Square. north east corner. Plenty of accommodation, and on a sunny day, pleasant to sit out. Obliging staff serving good quality Italian cafe food.

Thanks for this kb - I don't know this area of London very well at all, so that's a useful recommendation. I may not get a chance to visit the cafe this time, but definitely worth filing the information for a future occasion!

[Rolmill]

…and in fact I did have time to enjoy a focaccia and coffee at the Russell Square cafe after all - excellent, so thanks for the tip kb! The Beethoven exhibition was interesting, though didn’t take me much more than 1/2 hour, leaving plenty of time for the fascinating Treasures Gallery.

A very nice way to spend an afternoon, before meeting daughter for dinner in Pimlico (and then seeing her play in Mahler 5 at St Gabriel’s Church)