BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, June 13, 1823 (approximately)

In an undated letter to Anton Diabelli, written from Hetzendorf shortly before June 16th, Beethoven asks for the corrected engraving of the Piano Sonata op.111 to be sent to him, along with the French example, so that he can add metronome markings. He also begs Diabelli to proofread it himself, since his eyes can barely stand to check them. In a postscript, he also asks for a corrected proof of the Diabelli Variations to check over. [Beethoven did not, however, provide the referenced metronome markings for the final sonata.]

Brandenburg Letter 1668, Anderson Letter 1202. The original is held by a private collector in the United States, but has been published in facsimile by Sonneck.

On some Friday during late May or June 1823, Beethoven writes a short undated note to Schindler, probably from Hetzendorf. Beethoven says that since his note was not in time for dinner today, Friday, he will expect him for dinner tomorrow. Beethoven must have a word with him. If he likes, he can come earlier and they can take a walk in the fresh air, which would do Schindler good. He signs himself “Urgently, Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 1657, Anderson Letter 1381. The original is held by the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (aut. 36,66.) Schindler dates the letter to 1825, but that is highly unlikely. It seems more probably part of the series of short undated notes to Schindler that went between Hetzendorf and Vienna during the early summer of 1823.

About now, brother Johann engages a nurse to look after him as he is bedridden and unable to lift a limb for himself. Karl and Ludwig still remain unaware that he is even sick. Unfortunately, the nurse is also quite deaf, though she tries her best and stays up nights looking after Johann, whose condition continues to be very serious.