Beethoven’s British joy

SIR – Philip Johnston (Comment, July 2) writes about the commandeering of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy by the EU.

It is worth noting that this music owes its existence to Britain. The Ninth Symphony was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society of London, which paid Beethoven £50. It was played in London before its first official performance in Vienna.

Beethoven was not forgotten by the society, which sent him a gift of £50 as he lay dying. Anton Schindler, his amanuensis, said “the society had comforted his last days, and even on the brink of the grave he thanked the society and the whole English nation for their great gift. God bless them.”

Britain rejoiced in the unforced bonds of our common European culture long before the EU existed. Anna Knowles

Llanwrtyd Wells, Breconshire