BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Monday, March 24, 1823

The morning is spent at nephew Karl’s oral examinations in Greek and Religion. It’s not entirely clear where these were held, but they may have been at Blöchlinger’s Institute. Beethoven is there with Schindler and Karl Peters, who had been nephew Karl’s co-guardian for a time. A military officer who is a friend of Peters is also present. Schindler cannot stay long because he needs to have rehearsal all day for the melodrama Der rasende Roland, with music by Franz Gläser. Beethoven is unimpressed by the other students, whom he calls “very mediocre.”

Afterwards, Peters would like to dine with Beethoven, but the composer says that he has arranged for dinner at home. It will be very modest, otherwise he would invite Peters to come. [Beethoven has been somewhat estranged from Peters for the last couple years, and thus seems to be making excuses for not spending the afternoon with him. It is possible that Beethoven is meeting Louis Schlösser for dinner again.] Peters says, “Karl has gotten so big that I hardly knew him any more. He did quite well on his examination.”

After leaving Peters, Beethoven makes a note of newly invented writing implements at Johann Kuhn’s shop on the Plankengasse. This may be related to the reference to pens in the March 22 shopping list. Beethoven also makes a note to inquire about how quickly the Mass could be printed. Finally, his wish list for a new apartment includes getting sunlight in midday and the evening.

Conversation Book 27, 19r-22v.

At home, Beethoven writes an acknowledgement to Ernst Christian Schleiermacher (1755-1844), Cabinet Secretary to the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, thanking Grand Duke Ludwig I (1753-1830) for deigning to accept the subscription to the Missa Solemnis. “I request you also give His Royal Highness my respectful thanks for the grace that I can count the same amongst my subscribers. It also gives me the highest honor in that H.R.H. is regarded as an appreciator and protector of all that is beautiful and good.” Most likely Beethoven gives the letter to Louis Schlösser for it to be sent through the proper channels.

Brandenburg Letter 1618, Anderson Letter 1160. The original is in the Hesse State Archive (Abt D 12 Nr. 3/19).