As is noted in Beethoven biographical literature, Beethoven's ‘creative energies' appear to have been set free by the settlement of ‘family matters'. In 1789, first evidences of Beethoven's renewed activity can be mainly traced in his attempts at furthering his intellect in the following ways:

His enrolment at the University of Bonn in courses for lay students, along with his friends Kuegelgen and Reicha may be considered one of the visible results of this process.

Moreover, Beethoven may also have begun to frequently attend meetings of the Bonn Lesegesellschaft (Reading Society)--albeit as g u e s t since university students were not allowed to become members. (This Reading Society had formed after the Bonn chapter of the Bavaria- based ‘Illuminati' disbanded voluntarily in 1784 after this secret society was officially outlawed. Beethoven's teacher Christian Gottlob Neefe is reported as having been an active member of both the ‘Illuminati' and the ‘Reading Society'. In this circle, German as well as foreign literature was discussed lively and it can be considered the second Bonn circle (in addition to the von Breuning household) in which Beethoven would have had the opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with Schiller's writings.

A third Bonn circle in which such discussions may have taken place and which may have ‘opened itself up' for Beethoven once he was relieved of his most pressing ‘domestic matters', was the Bonn tavern ‘Zehrgarten' that was operated by the widow Koch. Mme. Koch did not only serve food and drink, she also sold books in an adjoining room. Most Bonn intellectuals and artists frequented this meeting place.