Beethoven: Rage Over A Lost Penny

Even some of Beethoven's closest friends remembered him as a wildly emotional and temperamental man. Many memoirs and writings depict the great composer having intense passions and could easily be triggered into fiery fits of anger if one wasn't too careful. These huge shifts in emotions can definitely be seen in many of his greatest works. One such piece, The Rage over a Lost Penny, is nowadays regarded as a favorite among pianists, but this title was not actually written by Beethoven himself! This intense, but catchy little work was left incomplete at the time of the composer's death and was finished by Beethoven's publisher and musical colleague, Anton Diabelli. It was Diabelli who, perhaps in tribute to Beethoven's fiery character, gave the piece its catchy title.