BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Monday, May 12, 1823

Unpaid assistant Anton Schindler is working to get various things resolved before Beethoven moves to Hetzendorf later this week. A bell will need to be strung up in the new apartment, because the servants’ quarters are rather far from Beethoven’s own rooms. Schindler notes that the pulleys are there, and a cord is all that will be needed. That can be arranged before Beethoven gets out there. Beethoven is nevertheless distraught [editor Theodore Albrecht suggests possibly related to the loss of one of his trunks on his last move between the country and the City], and Schindler tries to reassure him. “Don’t lament about it before the fact; everything will go better than you believe.”

The manuscript of the Diabelli Variations still hasn’t been copied. Schindler asks for the manuscript so he can deliver it to copyist Wenzel Rampl. Or if Beethoven prefers, Rampl could come either to Beethoven in Hetzendorf, or to Johann’s place. Rampl is anxious to continue working on it, and Schindler promised him that he would get it either tomorrow or Wednesday [May 14]. Rampl can bring what he has finished each day, and that part can be given to Diabelli. And that procedure will, Schindler suggests, make Beethoven’s proofreading that much easier by bringing it in smaller chunks. Rampl only needs to do three or four variations per day to stay ahead of Diabelli’s engraving work, though he can do more as well. Schindler promises to discuss the practical procedures with Rampl in person in order to make sure that it goes smoothly and quickly. Schindler notes that everything about these variations has ended up being rushed. Again, Beethoven is upset and anxious, and Schindler reassures him that “everything will turn out; you’ll see. He will certainly do everything for you that you wish.”

Schindler goes out to run various errands, while Beethoven continues to pack his belongings. Schindler returns having visited Cappi & Diabelli. He spoke to Giovanni (Johann) Cappi, and he will forward three newspapers, the Wiener Zeitung, the Beobachter, and the Theater-Zeitung to Beethoven in Hetzendorf so he doesn’t miss anything.

He also spoke to Brother Johann, and his rheumatism is much better; the baking oven puts out a good deal of heat and that is helping. “If you warm yourself near the baking oven for just an hour, your rheumatism disappears.”

Prince Paul Anton Esterházy, the Austrian ambassador to England, has returned from London. Since he is quite rich, Schindler suggests that he might also be solicited for a subscription to the Missa Solemnis. “I know only this much: that he buys all church compositions, even competent scribbling.” The Prince recently paid Friedrich Starke 300 florins for a Mass.

Johann is still interested in selling his country estate in Gneixendorf, but the real estate market is bad. He is contemplating selling it by lottery for tickets at 20 florins each, but that would require state approval. The estate is profitable; the main problem is that it is so far from Vienna. He may just wait until the market has improved.

Beethoven has radicchio with butter for dinner this evening. It does not agree with him.

Conversation Book 32, 40v-44v, 46v.