1999Released
3:08

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about Für Elise, WoO 59. By Songfacts®.

This is the popular name of one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most popular compositions "Bagatelle in A Minor." Anyone who's come across a child practicing piano has most likely heard this.

"Für Elise" (Or in English "For Elise") wasn't written for Elise at all. Beethoven's autographed manuscript reads: "Fur Therese am 27 zur Erinnerung and L v Bthvn" ("For Therese on the 27th April in remembrance of L. V Bthvn."), the Therese being Therese Malfatti (1792–1851), with whom Beethoven was in love. However the copyist misread Beethoven's untidy scrawl and gave his new piano piece the dedication "Für Elise." Therese Malfatti was a friend and student of Beethoven's to whom he proposed in 1810. Sadly, for Beethoven, she turned him down and later married the Austrian nobleman and state official Wilhelm von Droßdik in 1816.

American rapper Nas' 2002 hit single, "I Can," was built around samples of this piece.

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Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of Für Elise, WoO 59.
AKey
MinorMode
3/4Time Signature
127BPM

Album

The album Für Elise, WoO 59 is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released Für Elise, WoO 59.
RCA Victor
(P)1998 BMG Entertainment

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