BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, September 25, 1824

Piano maker and friend of Beethoven Andreas Streicher writes today to music publisher C.F. Peters in Leipzig. After getting various other business and payments due out of the way, Streicher mentions that he was very happy to forward the letters from himself and Beethoven to Peters on behalf of the Leipzig singing society [soliciting a subscription to a vocal score with piano accompaniment for the Missa Solemnis, sent two days ago.] “You are the best known to all the people, and since you care so much, you will make it a point to ensure that this wonderful, inexpressibly beautiful and sublime work will be acquired by the association. Leipzig’s music lovers can expect real celebrations throughout the coming winter by listening to this work, which is the most significant that Beethoven has ever produced.” Streicher continues on with other discussions, including the fact he was disappointed Peters did not come to visit in August as they had expected.

Brandenburg Letter 1883. The original is held by the Leipzig Saxon State Archives (Musikverlag C.F. Peters Leipzig, Nr.2156.) Peters will respond on October 1, 1824, but that letter is not known to exist. The Leipzig singing society did not subscribe, likely due in part to the issues Peters had had dealing with Beethoven over the last two years, as well as the high asking price of 50 ducats.

Johann Andreas Stumpff, a harp maker originally from Thuringia, but having lived a long time in London, arrives today in Vienna and would like to meet Beethoven. He arrives from Munich by postal coach, in the company of a cavalry captain. Stumpff immediately seeks out Tobias Haslinger at Steiner’s music shop to try to arrange for such a meeting. Haslinger agrees to accompany him on the three to four hour walk to Baden in the next few days. Haslinger most likely sends a note to Ludwig to let him know that they will be coming soon, which Beethoven probably receives tomorrow.

Stumpff’s own account of the visit to Haslinger is as follows: “When we were quartered in Vienna, my first task was to find out where this ‘nondescript’ Beethoven lived, where he ate, and which inn he frequented! – Since I had a letter to a Mr. Haslinger in the Steiner music shop and had heard in London that he was very active in selling the restless Beethoven’s compositions and taking care of his letters and other matters, my first stop was to seek him out. Mr. H. received me with respect because he had already heard from me, which entitled me to do so. H. offered to accompany me to Baden, where Beethoven lived, which made me very happy.”

TDR V, 122. The word “nondescript” is in English in Stumpff’s account, which otherwise is in German.