BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, April 14, 1826
After working on the String Quartet in C-sharp minor, op.131 in the morning, Beethoven makes a short errand and shopping list:
- sugar.—
- to dr Bach [Beethoven’s attorney, Johann Baptist Bach, regarding the problems with the Steiner music shop and Tobias Haslinger]
- soap
Nephew Karl visits Uncle Ludwig today. Frogs will cost 3 kreutzers each. He opines that the Steiner music shop will get a real scolding if they keep the title [of opp.114 and 116] like that, suggesting that the works were written for piano, rather than orchestra. “In any case, they will not be allowed to.”
The laundry woman is there. She asks if she is to buy the water and what she should get. Water from the Danube, which Karl thinks is better, is 2 florins 30 kreutzers. He reminds his uncle to have the servants give him accounts of the finances every day.
The administrator of Schloss Gutenbrunn in Baden comes to see Beethoven; Karl writes on his behalf for the most part. He asks that Beethoven should write if he is interested in renting the apartment again this summer. The administrator will make sure the apartment remains Uncle Ludwig’s, and he would let him have it cheaper than last year. The administrator also notes there are several beautiful houses for sale in Baden. He then departs.
Karl makes arrangements for dinner: potatoes, and cabbage stewed with Kaiserfleisch [young, tender, smoked pork,] cut into pieces. Karl asks whether his uncle would like salad. The housekeeper asks for money to go shopping. She has spent 1 florin 46 kreutzers on the morning shopping, and now she is going out again.
Karl has to go, and tells his uncle “Tomorrow, I’ll see you at mid-day.”
After he leaves, Uncle Ludwig makes another note:
- Saturday 9 eggs.
Conversation Book 108, 21v-24v.
A benefit concert is held at the Hanover Square Rooms in London by Mr. Greatorex. The performance included a selection from a Mass by Beethoven, produced for the first time in this country. The Harmonicon for June 1826, Nr.XLII at 131. Since the Mass in C had been performed in England numerous times previously, this must have been part of the Missa Solemnis.