BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Friday, September 10, 1824

Beethoven is in his apartment in Vienna and makes a short list of items to pick up:

+Coffee.
+Small shelves for candles on the piano.

Nephew Karl mentions that he went twice to the apartment in the Himmelpfortgasse they visited on September 7th to see the building superintendent, in the morning and in the afternoon at 5. On the same day that they went there, the superintendent had the poster taken down immediately, because he was sure the Countess would not give the apartment to another applicant. But she should have feared that it would then bring in nothing at all. It was very cool on the drive there. Another man wanted to rent the carriage house. But he would have to allow for the Countess’s carriages, which would stay there, and he might not like that.

His Uncle not wanting to take no for an answer, Karl drafts a sample letter to the building superintendent: “Dear Sir! Since I received the news today through my nephew that the Countess’s reply turned out to be contrary to my wishes, but at the same time to him who had applied, but now appears to have withdrawn, therefore I find it necessary to ask you for a decisive answer as soon as possible. I consider it sufficient that you have communicated the Countess’s answer to him, he did not respond. Therefore you have the fullest right to give the apartment to a party whose conditions are even more agreeable to the Countess. As soon as I receive an affirmative word from you about this, I shall immediately send my nephew to Vienna; then he will deliver the deposit money and, if you wish it, also a half-year’s rent, to you immediately. Awaiting your reply soon, I am Your most devoted L. v. B.”

Brandenburg Letter 1874. (translation Theodore Albrecht.) Karl expects that they will get the building superintendent’s reply by tomorrow, and probably the apartment.

The housekeeper says that nothing can be made from the rabbit yet today.

Karl makes some financial computations from the 12 florins 30 kreutzers received: 6 florins for the coachman, 36 kreutzers for tolls, 1 florin 36 kr. for dinner, and 35 kr. for postage on a letter (probably that to Nägeli in Zurich).

After all the necessary errands are run, the Beethovens and housekeeper Barbara Holzmann return to Baden. They stop at Pfaffstädten to pay the tolls; going into the City is 12 kreutzers, while leaving the City is 9.

Back in Baden, they visit a restaurant or meat shop. The meat-cutter woman was going to boil the tongue for herself, but then realized it was ordered by Beethoven so she gave it to Holzmann. It was the last one they had. Holzmann says she would get fresh game from here, if she could come very early when the farmers and hunters come. She can buy directly from them, rather than from the meat women who sell it at high prices.

Karl mentions that at Streicher’s they were saying that the Archduchess Henriette declares living in the palace is not healthy for her. So Archduke Karl has to build another one in a different part of Baden.

Karl says he will go to visit the maid in the hospital in Dörfel. The sick people there get roasted meat three times per week. She cannot even enjoy the wild duck.

Uncle Ludwig would like Karl to follow up with Carl von Odelga, ambassador for Tuscany and Nassau, about the money for the Missa Solemnis subscriptions. Karl says that if Uncle Ludwig thinks that, Holzmann can go into the City to see Odelga. Karl wonders whether he [the administrator of the St. Marx’s Spital?] could be spoken to about taking her out of the commitment with the Old People’s Home, if she were to be retained by them permanently. Then he would not have to worry. [Professor Albrecht suggests they may be talking about Holzmann’s son, but the language Karl uses is less than clear.]

No progress has been made on the replacement for the sick maid. Holzmann knew one, but she was already in service. There was a farmer woman here earlier today, who is the mother of Marie, who had been their maid in Baden before. She cannot work for them either. The woman will be working in a vineyard tomorrow. Holzmann will keep looking for a maid; one woman in their street has promised to come tomorrow. But she hasn’t arranged anything yet. She is offering 18 kreutzers pay per day.

Conversation Book 75, 7v-13v.