BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, July 29, 1825
Johann Andreas Stumpff, who visited Beethoven last year several times, writes to Beethoven today from London. The letter is to be carried to Beethoven by “Herr Georg Schmart” [Sir George Smart, who conducted the English premiere of the Ninth Symphony, and whom he calls his neighbor and his friend.] He would like to get to know the country that has sired, educated and perfected the creators of so many immortal musical works.
“Above all else, I must now most earnestly ask you for forgiveness for not yet having sent you the works by Handel that I promised you, although I sought them out without delay after my return to London, namely, on December 6th, and was also fortunate enough to obtain a well-preserved set, since the plates of the original edition were destroyed long ago and they were never engraved again. It is rather difficult to obtain a good, well-preserved, complete set. I allow myself to confess to you here that the main reason they have not yet been sent was that I believed I would have the indescribable pleasure, along with many others, of seeing the greatest of composers in London; and secondly, because I have lacked, and still lack, a secure means to send it to Vienna. Also, you had expressed a wish to have a second set for an imperial prince [Archduke Rudolph], and should you still be determined to have that, then I take the liberty of telling you that I have found a second set for this purpose. If the price of it, which is 40 pounds sterling, is acceptable, then both sets could be sent to Vienna in one box and perhaps through the mediation of the Austrian ambassador in London in the least expensive way, i.e., to the Imperial and Royal Prince’s address. His consent should not be difficult for you to obtain. I would therefore be very grateful, very highly esteemed friend, if you would be so kind as to inform me of your wishes in a letter, which I would then be prepared to grant without the slightest delay.”
“I also take the liberty of mentioning here that I am very sorry that the seven works of your composition, which your brother sent me for sale, are still with me, unsold despite all my efforts, and I am beginning to doubt a favorable outcome! None of the many art dealers in London wants to take them on.” [These works were the ones also sold to Schott’s, namely Opferlied, op.121b; Bundeslied, op.122; Consecration of the House Overture, op.124, along with the versions for two and four hands piano arranged by Carl Czerny; the Six Bagatelles, op.126; and Der Kuss, op.128.]
“I have made many inquiries regarding your Battle of Vittoria [Wellington’s Victory, op.91, as to which Beethoven had asked Stumpff to see whether King George IV would compensate Beethoven for the dedication of that piece over ten years earlier.] I have made many inquiries, even amongst those closest to the King, but have been able to find out nothing more than that I regret that they cannot be of assistance in this matter. Sir Benj. Bloomfield [(1768-1846)], who was then in charge of the musical department at court, is no longer in London, but has been away as ambassador to the Swedish Court for several years. Perhaps a favorable coincidence might offer an opportunity to remind the King of this obligation.”
“My throbbing heart still thanks the whims of fate that led me to dear Baden and allowed me to see face to face the darling of the people and master creator of the most sublime tonal creations that have ever flowed from the human spirit, who honored me with such a kind reception, which I will strive to earn all my life, and which filled me with admiration and warm gratitude.”
“In the expectation that you will enjoy lasting health, I have the honor to be your most highly reverent and most humble servant, J.A. Stumpff.
“P.S. I must also note here that the most famous edition [of Handel] is by Dr. Arnold, and is printed in two folio formats, both equally well, but it consists of 42 volumes, and one edition is printed on slightly smaller paper, and the one of better type of paper is intended for the Prince and should be for a price of 45 guineas in London.”
“I would also like to request the liberty of sending my warmest greetings to Hr. Streicher and his family.”
Brandenburg Letter 2018, Albrecht Letter 414. The letter itself is not known to exist, but two drafts are found in the British Library, Add. Ms. 29260 fol.4r-5r. Also, another draft was published by Friedrich Chrysander in the Jahrbüchen für Musikalische Wissenschaft 1 (1863), p.447f. The text above is a composite of the multiple surviving drafts, one of which bears today’s date. Chrysander indicated that the final letter had several changes, but does not specify what they were. George Smart will depart from London tomorrow, July 30 and will arrive in Vienna on September 4, according to the Wiener Zeitung.