BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, August 7, 1824

Music publisher Anton Diabelli today writes a letter to Beethoven in Baden. Since he has received no letter from Beethoven and has not seen him in the City, Diabelli would like to know what the status is of the piano sonata for four hands in F major that they had discussed Beethoven writing back in 1822. “I take the opportunity to ask whether I can definitely count on receiving a grand four-hand Sonata in F from your hand, since I have to organize my business operations according to the works to be preserved in publication. I am very interested in a grand Sonata for four hands, so I would like to ask you to let me know as soon as possible whether I may count on receiving it yet this year. At the same time, I would like to know the price of it. Waiting for a prompt reply, I remain with the utmost respect your most willing servant.”

Brandenburg Letter 1858; Albrecht Letter 377. The original of the letter is in the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (aut.35,44b). Diabelli addressed the letter to “famous composer Lud. van Beethoven” in Baden at Schloss Guttenbrunn, so he knew exactly where Beethoven was staying. Beethoven has written on the address page “Answered August 24th” and in pencil “Diabelli.” This proposed sonata for piano four hands will continue to be the subject of discussion but Beethoven does not appear to even make any sketches intended for it.