BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, November 26, 1825 (approximately)

About now, Beethoven writes an undated note to Vice-Director Franz Michael Reisser of the Polytechnic Institute to try to get back the score of the Missa Solemnis that had been loaned to him to make a copy during the Summer. “Your excellency! You will forgive me for asking you for the score of my Mass, since I myself urgently need it. Incidentally, I must repeat that no public use is to be made of it until I can inform you how or when it is to be used. First of all, it will be performed under my direction, with new pieces written for it, which I will also be pleased to share with you afterwards. There are circumstances that one cannot possibly avoid all the more so because I am dependent on foreign interests, since Austria gives me nothing but annoyance and nothing to live on.”

“Because of Karl, I will have the pleasure of paying you a visit sooner.”

“Your excellency, with the highest respect, I remain, Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 2096; Anderson Letter 1301. The original of this letter is held by the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (aut. 35,28.) This letter was presumably sent to Holz along with the following letter, and with instructions to retrieve the score of the Missa Solemnis. Beethoven needed the score for a possible Akademie concert, as he had been urged by Schuppanzigh and others to undertake to raise money. Schindler in his biography of Beethoven misidentified this letter as being addressed to Anton Diabelli.

The cover letter to Holz is similarly undated, and reflects Beethoven’s once more growing suspicions about Nephew Karl. “Astonishing Worthy One! Here is the letter to the Vice-Director Reisser. I ask you to speak to him with all consideration and reserve about Karl. I am doing my part according to my insight and manner, and am convinced that the desired result will finally be achieved. We have not yet had any evidence that erring people will be corrected by new errors and erroneous treatment.”

“Please also inquire with Reisser whether or not it’s difficult for him to discuss things with me in writing, because I would then come to him myself.”

“Hasslinger already knew yesterday about the fleeing housekeeper. It’s not my fault. Incidentally, such a thing is not without precedent, otherwise the police order wouldn’t exist to report such a thing there immediately in order to restore such a person on the spot. Of course, I am the one who has to suffer since it doesn’t apply to me. I’m not a nurse, and in criminal cases, the causes that can make people do certain things are first investigated. Well, thank God, it’s not that far yet. But you will say to them that I’m acting too rashly. Of course, I don’t wait by the river until someone has drowned. Now, with the housekeeper, there’s another Viennese scoundrel arranged, and it will probably end up the same with Frau v. Vivenot [Franziska Vivenot, the wife of physician Dr. Dominick Vivenot, who was helping find a suitable housekeeper for Beethoven] because you’re all heartless. For Kastelli, this anecdote would be a good one for his bears.” [A reference to a popular anecdote collection Bears (Bären), published periodically by poet Ignaz Castelli.]

“If you pass by the Musikverein’s offices, I humbly request two tickets for Sunday. [At the first concert of the Society for the season on November 27, Beethoven’s Third Symphony is to be performed, along with other works.] I may not be one of the Society’s suns, but I do fertilize the musical soil so that many will thank me for it—now, farewell. I hope Veritas non odium parit [Truth does not breed hatred]—if it itches, scratch yourself.”

“I ask you to at least share the results of your conversation with me soon, since, according to the letter to R., as you will see, I need to know, until I find someone here with Diogenes’ lantern, I ask you to express some sympathy for me.” [A reference to Diogenes’ search with a lantern for an honest man.]

“As always, yours, Beethoven.”

“Postscript“

“It is impossible to keep everything secret from K., if R. knows nothing about him playing billiards.—Try to find out—cautiously—whether he really has five hours of lectures [Karl had told his uncle he had daily lectures from 9 to noon and again from 3 to 5]—to recommend the utmost secrecy to Herr v. R regarding Schlemmer, I have good reason—You will find the Herr Vice Director to be a true vice;—He should just tell you how to approach a professor regarding a place for Karl. Absolutely do not leave the Mass in his hands, the Massive Vice—What a situation for me, O God if I could only get far away from here! Suffering—always.—”

“Nb.
The long way into the Alleegassee from me and from everyone else, must be noted. Vale et Fave. You can also take the girl [the maid] with you to carry the Mass ad libitum—I will send her ad libitum tomorrow morning.”

“Read the letter to R.”
“3 months from November to the end of January are paid in advance, but I am also more than happy to lose this sum.” [This comment reflects the prepayment of rent that was due to Matthias Schlemmer for Karl’s room near the Polytechnic Institute.]

Brandenburg Letter 2097; Anderson Letter 1450. This letter survives in two pieces; the first two leaves are in the Bonn Beethovenhaus (NE 117), while the third leaf containing the lengthy Postscript is in the Library of the Paris Opera. The Bonn portion of the letter can be seen here:

https://www.beethoven.de/de/media/view/4612652428951552/scan/0

Holz will follow his instructions and will make several unsuccessful attempts to meet with Reisser over the next two weeks.