Schloss Wasserhof

Schloss Wasserhof
The building in 2017
General information
Location	Gneixendorf
Country	Austria
Coordinates	48°26′28.56″N 15°37′20.53″E

Schloss Wasserhof is a privately owned building in Gneixendorf, near Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria. It is known particularly as the property in the early 19th century of Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven, brother of Ludwig van Beethoven; the composer stayed here at one time.

History

The earliest mention of the Gneixendorf estate is in 1141, when Otto von Machland [de], having no heirs, bequeathed the estate to Baumgartenberg Abbey [de].^[1] The present building dates from around 1550.^[2]

Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven

In 1819 Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven acquired the property.^[2]

In autumn 1826, his brother Ludwig van Beethoven visited him. During his stay the composer wrote the finale to his String Quartet Op. 130, the last music he completed. It was a replacement, composed at the suggestion of his publisher, of the Große Fuge, the original finale. He began the piece in September, and sent the manuscript to his publisher on 22 November 1826; he left Gneixendorf soon afterwards.^[3]

21st century

In recent years the building has been restored by the present owner, the architect Ernst Linsberger.^[2]

References

1. "Schloss (Wasserhof) und Ort" Gneixendorf. Version dated 4 August 2020 retrieved via Wayback Machine.
2. "Neues Leben für Beethoven-Schloss" noe.orf.at, 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
3. "Beethoven Finale: Allegro from String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130" Chamber Music Northwest. Version dated 29 August 2019 retrieved via Wayback Machine.