BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, June 20, 1823

At some point between Monday and today, Beethoven goes into the City and visits copyist Wenzel Schlemmer at his shop on the Kohlmarkt. Schlemmer understands from Schindler that Beethoven wants two copies sent off this month. It will be finished when Schlemmer gets it back from his employees. He assures Beethoven that the copying is completely correct.

Beethoven adds up a column of figures (incorrectly, reaching a sum of 110 when it is actually 120). He then accuses Schlemmer of letting others see or obtain his music. Schlemmer strenuously denies it. “No one has gotten so much as a note from me.” Schlemmer is suspicious that this doubt is Schindler’s handiwork. “You always have the misfortune to associate yourself with such shabby people.”

Schlemmer asks whether the commission for the Mass has arrived from Tuscany. Beethoven is sad to say it has not, but Schlemmer reassures him that it will. Beethoven does not think many more will subscribe at the price of 50 ducats; certainly not 100 will so subscribe!

On the afternoon of June 20th, Beethoven reads newspapers at a coffee shop or winehouse and makes note of the General Widows Pension Institute might be able to help out Karl’s mother Johanna. He also makes note of the postal coach and fiacres going to Hietzing and Schönnbrunn. He reminds himself to get Nankeen gloves.

Conversation Book 34, 12v-15r.

Sauer & Leidesdorf advertised several works by Beethoven’s former student Ferdinand Ries yesterday, and today it is Johann Cappi’s turn. At page 569 of the Wiener Zeitung, he advertises Ries’ Rondeau for the pianoforte on the Cavatina Una voce poco fà, from Rossini’s Barber of Seville; the Rondoletto for piano op.54; and the Variations brillant for pianoforte on the air “Non piu andrai” from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, op.54.

At page 570, Cappi & Diabelli advertises the Rondino #6 on an Original Motif for pianoforte, by Carl Czerny op.42, his Rondino #5 on a Motif by L. van Beethoven op.41, Rondino #4 on a Theme by Mr. Fesca op.39, Rondino #3 on a favorite theme from Rossini’s Armida op.30, Rondino #2 on a quintet from Rossini’s opera Corradino op.29, and the Rondino #1 on the Cavatina Cara deh attendimi from Rossini’s opera Zelmira op.22.

“Since their publication, the first two of these Rondinos have already enjoyed extremely enthusiastic applause, which continues to grow. The four following after make it clear that the author intended not just to deliver pieces for a moment’s entertainment, but also substantial works that constantly grow in interest. These have a threefold purpose: firstly, to be brilliant pieces of music, suitable for performance even in large venues; secondly, to satisfy the higher reaches of art (as much as is possible in this form) through the diligent and thorough execution of the chosen theme; and finally, by the choice of the generally popular motives on which they are baed, to provide music-lovers with a pleasant memory. The Sixth Rondino, on an original theme, will, we hope, appeal just as much through its tenderness as all the others through the brilliant effects. Thus, these 6 volumes form a whole that no friend of the fortepiano should be without.”

Czerny’s Rondino #6 in E-flat op.42, “Les jours passés,” is performed here by Martin Jones: