BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, May 19, 1826

Nephew Karl comes to see his uncle today. He advises Ludwig that the housekeeper [who gave her two weeks’ notice yesterday] recently told him that she does not think the maid will stay either. Karl didn’t say anything to the maid, though. If it comes to that, she will tell them herself. The housekeeper said that the maid had decided to tell Karl, so it was good to get ahead of her. If she does leave, she can start working for unpaid assistant Karl Holz. [Karl is probably not serious; Holz had jokingly stated a week earlier, on May 11, that if she left Beethoven’s employ, he would hire her.]

The locksmith arrives to make some repairs. He will have to come back; there’s an issue with the lock.

Karl looks back to the previous pages of the conversation book and sees Holz’s writing. Karl is surprised, and asks when Holz was here. Karl thinks it strange that Artaria has not yet given an answer about whether he is interested in the new quartet [op.131.] No mention of it is made to Artaria any more. [Artaria is apparently undergoing some financial difficulties currently.]

Karl mentions that Holz has a dog-like nature. “For the serving class it is more an acquired habit. In special moments where one is thrilled or struck by adoration, a tribute like that can take place. However, one sees that with him it is servility. Even more so his relaxed manner; elsewhere he has to keep a stiff neck [Holz worked in a government office], which he does not have to do here.

Karl gives the maid 14 days’ notice. She confirmed that she would have given the same notice and quit, so it is just as well. Uncle Ludwig asks about another candidate who was interested. Karl recognizes that she made a great effort to get the employment, but he doesn’t know where she ended up. Frau Schlemmer [Karl’s landlady] will give commission to get another maid. The current maid will continue to behave as she has behaved until now, she says.

The locksmith returns and repairs the lock. It is now in order, but the hook has to be made in another way.

Karl is having exams; he has exams from 3 until 4 today. He had to pay the fiacre 3 florins to get to the apartment quickly. Since his allowance was 12 florins 30 kreutzers, he has 9 florins 30 kreutzers left.

Karl comments on the weather; according to the May 21 Wiener Zeitung (Nr.115) at 491, it was rainy this afternoon in Vienna [which would also help explain why he took a fiacre, rather than walking as usual.]

Karl still has two articles of clothing in white that he can wear; the others are now too short. His brown overcoat would be just like new if it were properly repaired. The tailor will also be cheaper.

He spoke to piano maker Conrad Graf today. Graf says he will come next week and bring the sound machine [a sounding dome to try to make the piano audible to Uncle Ludwig.] “He said that only a lot of work had prevented him from starting on the piano sooner.

Uncle Ludwig mentions that Holz and he have had a dispute of some kind that is not reflected in the surviving conversation books. It likely is connected with Ludwig’s frustration over the delays and lack of communication with Holz’s friend Mathias Artaria publishing the op.130 quartet. “Then, Holz will not be invited [for dinner] tomorrow!” answers Karl. But it would be good to talk to him about the issue with Artaria. Artaria’s behavior is very strange, Karl thinks. He has to have spoken to Holz about it, so Karl will go visit him tomorrow [Saturday, May 20.] Karl thinks it better that he talk to Artaria directly. Holz did make an effort about the business with Artaria related to the new quartet. “Who knows why he suddenly did not answer to anything.” But otherwise, Holz has made great efforts to help Uncle Ludwig, and since an invitation would fulfill his greatest wishes, then it is best to do so when they are all together. They do not have to assume any gossip from the servants, etc.

Uncle Ludwig suggests that perhaps a conciliatory letter could be written to Holz. Karl asks if he wants to dictate a few lines to him. [A letter is written to Holz and sent the day after tomorrow.]

Karl warns him that because of the remarks he made about Holz above, Uncle Ludwig needs to be careful about letting him see this book since there is so much about him in it. [This explains why Conversation Book 111 starts being used on May 22, with Holz, when this book is still being used by Karl and others.]

Karl will come for dinner tomorrow, he promises.

Conversation Book 110, 29r-34r.