BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, January 27, 1826 (approximately)

About now, Beethoven’s bowels and his eyes begin to bother him again, much like his illness of 1825, and he finds it difficult to walk. There are two undated letters to unpaid assistant Karl Holz that might date from about now.

Beethoven writes Holz: “I greet you! And I inform you that I am not going out today. I would be very pleased if you could perhaps see me in the evening after your office hours.”

“In haste, your friend, Beethoven.”

“I am not feeling well.”

Brandenburg Letter 2111; Anderson Letter 1460. The letter is on paper watermarked “Holland/1825,” which Beethoven used for two other letters dated January, 1826.

Sometime during 1825 or 1826, Beethoven writes a brief undated and unaddressed note in pencil to someone close to him, probably Karl Holz. “It is impossible this evening, as I have been lying in bed all day and have to stay there. Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 2103, Albrecht Letter 424. The original is held by the Bonn Beethovenhaus (NE 136). The autograph does not have a watermark, but the vellum paper could be of a type used during 1825 and 1826. The original letter can be seen here:

https://www.beethoven.de/de/media/view/5838112764723200/scan/0

This letter might relate to Beethoven’s illness in late January 1826, and it could be connected with the above letter and the plans for coming after Holz finishes work. If so, Holz does see Beethoven tomorrow instead, and the composer then dictates a letter to him.