BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, November 15, 1822

On today’s date, Beethoven’s former pupil and composer Ferdinand Ries writes from London. He passes on the Philharmonic Society’s offer of 50 pounds for the manuscript of a new symphony. They will require the exclusive right to use the symphony (except for publication), for a period of 18 months after receipt of the manuscript. They expect delivery of the work in London by March of 1823. It will not be ready until 1824, but the symphony will be worth waiting for, since it is the Ninth.

The letter is today lost, but its date and its contents are known from Beethoven’s response dated December 20, 1822. Brandenburg Letter 1510.