BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, August 27, 1826

The conversation book entries for today are very lengthy; they fill the rest of Conversation Book 118 and nearly half of Conversation Book 119. We are therefore forced to greatly compress the content for purposes of this column, retaining references to musical matters and the questioning by the examining police magistrate of Nephew Karl, which took place yesterday.

Beethoven mentions to unpaid assistant Karl Holz early this morning that he has decided to make the piano duet arrangement of the Grosse Fuge himself. Holz notes that the opening Allegro in 6/8 should be the easiest part to translate. Beethoven tells Holz his ideas for how to accomplish this arrangement, and Holz concedes that no one else would have been able to do it like that.

Ludwig has received a letter from Brother Johann in Gneixendorf. Holz reads it and comments that Johann appears to intentionally omit any mention of the name Karl; usually he writes a greeting to Karl. By the way, Karl said that he does not need a night lamp.

Beethoven wants to know about the magistrate’s questioning. Did Karl completely stop working on his classes? Yes, “he said that from the time he made his decision [to commit suicide], he did nothing more.” Holz believes that much more will be revealed once Karl is fully recovered, suggesting that the questioning did not last long. “Karl also said everywhere that he could twist you around his little finger; he could do what he wanted, as he would be able to rely on you anyway.”

Beethoven makes reference to the Joseph Stieler portrait of himself being a particularly good likeness. [Beethoven will show a lithograph of this portrait to the Bruenings tomorrow, so he likely has it in his hand, showing it to Holz during this conversation.] Holz agrees that “The true character of the physiognomy is not expressed anywhere else more clearly.” Portrait painter Moritz Daffinger (1790-1849) praises it very much; he only thinks that the left forearm and left hand are distorted. Daffinger would like the opportunity to paint Beethoven. [Daffinger had been trying since 1820, but was never able to convince the composer to sit for him.] “Not only because of your fame, but also because of your excellent features. Earlier I often heard it said: Today I saw Beethoven again! His scarf hung down! — or his hat did not sit right! and things like that. One sees, it was said, that this tremendous god-man has other things to think about than his clothes.”

Back to Nephew Karl: The priest does not leave his side. “He eats and sleeps with him. That is very good, because the mother etc. etc.” Holz will go to see Polytechnic Institute Vice Director Reisser tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Beethoven thinks it will be a waste of time; Holz says he will do it anyhow, since Reisser has shown so much sympathy. “Perhaps he will have some advice; he knows the fraternities. Who knows how he will be dealt with; all I know is this in general. On this point, just let the police have their say; they will do what is best for him!” Karl will probably be under police surveillance for the next 3 or 4 years, even if he is not locked up.

Will they ever get the real reason behind Karl’s actions? Holz tells him, “The Viennese police are the most famous in all of Europe; they have solved the most mysterious riddles.” But it was not that Karl was afraid of taking his examinations, Holz says. “I am convinced of that.” Why are you so sure, Beethoven asks him. “He also told me this.” He did not find it worthwhile to continue studying. “It was just weariness of life, because he sought in life something different from what you could reasonably and righteously approve of. Foul play! [Perhaps a reference to Karl cheating at gambling.] Paris would have been the right place for him. He can sooner become a Liguorian than a fool.” [This comment echoes Rosalia Schlemmer’s remark on July 25 about Karl’s “cleverness” at games, so that others were afraid to play with him.]

Karl can still do good things, Ludwig suggests. Holz disagrees. “I doubt dispositions for doing good things; what was good in him were your grafting shoots onto a withered stem.” Beethoven is annoyed that Karl’s landlord, Mathias Schlemmer, did not tell him sooner what was happening. Holz thinks it was not bad intentions on Schlemmer’s part. But he was not someone who could both help himself and someone else. Holz feels sorry for Frau Rosalia Schlemmer, who had grown quite close to Karl, and “the catastrophe which unfolded for her late and without warning; she cried like a child. She said, only God knows she is not to blame, but she had been terribly deceived.” Her husband Mathias was stupid enough to think that coming to Beethoven with this news would make himself a nuisance. What if Mathias had not taken away the pistol? “Then he would have been dead.” [The first set of pistols had too much gunpowder and would have killed him had they been discharged as he planned.]

Mathias Schlemmer comes to see Beethoven. He says that Karl puts all the blame on Uncle Ludwig, and it comes out as if Karl did it because Uncle Ludwig harassed him too much. “If you give him money, then it is also your right to demand accounts, and who would be indifferent to seeing that it was unnecessary.” Schlemmer thinks Ludwig should cut Karl loose; then he can do as he pleases. “I would not give him any money either, if he demands it. He is no longer a child, he knows how to judge. Schlemmer’s maid had to carry his books down the stairs and put them in the carriage when he sold them. Beethoven asks when this happened. “8 or 10 days before he performed the act — I myself saw them lying there, and my wife said that he had already started packing.” Beethoven wonders how to prevent a repetition of the suicide attempt. Schlemmer tells him, “You must never give the money directly to him; in the future you should just pay everything — pay it where it belongs, wherever that is.”

Beethoven writes in the conversation book himself, indicating that they may be in a public place such as a restaurant or coffee house. “I only aim at his recovery, because if he is now to be completely at his own mercy, even worse things could happen. He continuously played billiards with coachmen, etc.”

Beethoven also makes a memorandum that he needs to write the receipt to Prague [for Prince Kinsky’s share of his annuity. Beethoven will write out that receipt tomorrow.]

Holz mentions that “Schlemmer said that it was on July 27 that he had the books carried to the carriage, and had the coachman take them to the university. There is an antiquarian bookseller there. [Michael Zehetmayr’s antiquarian bookshop near the university.] There are works among them for which he could have gotten 50 to 60 florins.”

Beethoven asks whether the police will want to question him as well? Holz tells him not to accept any subpoena, unless Holz is there with him. The matter will now be dealt with at the local police station, not at the police headquarters.” Beethoven is anxious to go to the minister and force them to leave him alone. Holz urges that he be calm; they cannot go to the minister before there is a reason to complain. “The court will not pester you; the mother and Karl at the most.”

However, Holz cautions that the conversation books should be looked through once again. “Perhaps they will be requested by the court. There might be matters in them that do not have any relevance to this case, which you might not want to be communicated elsewhere.”

Beethoven mentions that he will continue to write out the main theme of the Grosse Fuge as two slurred eighth notes on the same tone. Hulz doesn’t quite understand, because on the violin, one cannot distinguish the two eighth notes from one another.

Holz recollects that Joseph Niemetz was the fellow that he saw Karl walking with on the Badnerstrasse last year.

Holz and Beethoven go to Reisser’s home, but he is not there. Holz says that he is away, busy with examinations. “I think it would be easier to find him at home on a Sunday morning.” But now, Beethoven can assume where his books have gone. Beethoven mourns that his set of Goethe is now probably sold off. Holz asks if that was the complete works of Goethe. If Karl committed a crime by making off with the books and selling them, he will be punished legally. What would the penalty be, Ludwig asks. “Imprisonment for 10 years, but the public shaming is waived out of consideration.”

They also visit the notary, Johann August Walcha, about how the receipt for the Kinsky annuity should be made out. He tells them that the receipt doesn’t need any particular form and can be issued as Beethoven wishes. Holz suggests that he issue it for 5 months, until September 1 for 500 florins W.W., or better, 200 florins C.M., since that would be a cheaper tax stamp, only 30 kreutzers.

Conversation Book 118, 36v-47v.

At this point, Beethoven and Holz shift to Conversation Book 119, probably after they return to the Schwarzspanierhaus. This is a volume with 52 leaves, each page of which contains writing. This book is used primarily today and tomorrow, August 28, though a few entries continue into the first day of September.

They continue discussing Karl and his mother Johanna. “During the investigation, he also said that he was always with his mother,” Holz says. The question is open as to where Karl will go after he has recovered. Something should be done about the guardianship, Beethoven suggests. Holz says he will present Beethoven’s decision to the councilor, Ignaz Czapka (1792-1881), which should be done in the next few days. Thus they will need to talk to Reisser [who is co-guardian under the present arrangement] before that. They can see whether they find Reisser at home later today. Beethoven does not want to go back to Reisser’s again. Then it would have to be at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning, and he will probably be home then.

What about attorney Johann Baptist Bach, Holz asks. “He can advise you [about the guardianship], perhaps also about an appropriate place for Karl.” Uncle Ludwig, still thinking Karl will be able to take his examinations asks how Karl will be able to study without his books. “He can borrow the books from a classmate,” Holz responds.

Holz suggests that they go today to Rannersdorf, a village southeast of Vienna. They can get a hired carriage. Beethoven likes the idea of traveling, but would prefer to go to Dornbach, where he can meet with Dorothea von Ertmann. They hire a carriage for 20 florins C.M. [Holz will again suggest going to Rannersdorf at the beginning of September.]

Holz shows Beethoven a letter from Karl written in English to his friend Joseph Niemetz sometime before the suicide attempt. “Just this passage here: How is your charming girl, your goddess? Have you seen her, and will you see her soon again, embrace her and kiss her, and…at the end, [write me] preferably in English. I had to write in such a hurry because of fear and anxiety to be discovered by the old fool.” Holz adds, “He writes: When will I, such a miserable creature, see you again? Have pity on me, and if it does not give you too much trouble, please send me a small letter informing me about when and where I can find you, but send it before dinner, for I have to go into the city at 12 o’clock.”

Holz suggests they could go for a walk first, but he will ask whether Ertmann is home. [She apparently is not at the moment, but is expected back later.] Holz knows a wonderful restaurant in Weidling, through the forest, which would be a pleasant walk but it is too far.

Nephew Karl has said that his mother will account for the 15 florins W.W. that Ludwig gave her. Holz says that he told them she ought to account for the money when Karl is discharged from the hospital. If she still needs something to pay for his care, Ludwig will send it. Karl wants it to go to Johanna personally, and not to the nurse; that would embarrass his mother. “I asked him if he smoked. He will be allowed to smoke in a few days. He asks you to send him his cigar tube and some cigars. He does not want to smoke tobacco from a pipe. He accepted your idea about a journey to Paris with happiness; he said he was longing to go there, and that kind of commercial trade was what he wanted. He would like to go to Schlesinger.” [Uncle Ludwig had forbidden Karl from going to Maurice Schlesinger in Paris to become an art and music dealer himself, which probably contributed to Karl’s resentments.]

While in Dornbach, they run into author and philologist Emerich Thomas Hohler (1781-1846) and Beethoven chats with him for a while. They then go and join Dorothea von Ertmann, who has returned home. She invites the pair to join them for mid-day dinner. She complains of a skin rash on her foot, for which she has consulted 3 doctors. Before they leave Vienna, she wants to consult Dr. Smetana. Beethoven asks when they are leaving, and she tells him in 14 days. [It will actually be more like 19 days, on September 16.]

At a restaurant over dinner, Ertmann says she has often thought about Beethoven. Holz points out Johann Hoffmann, who sang Beethoven’s Adelaide so beautifully in Schuppanzigh’s concert on March 21, 1826. Holz notes that at the Kärntnertor Theater, they have begun rehearsing the choruses from Fidelio for a planned performance. [That performance does not occur for another five years, for unclear reasons.] Hoffmann studied law, but he joined the theater instead. What voice does he have, Beethoven asks. A beautiful baritone, Holz answers. “He sings the A up in his chest voice; down to B natural; he seldom sings falsetto, but he can sing to D. The tenor part in Fidelio is too high for him.”

French aeronaut Elisa Garnerin will probably not be flying today. [She was supposed to demonstrate a hot-air balloon flight with a parachute jump at 5:30 p.m. today, but because of inclement weather it is postponed until tomorrow, August 28. Beethoven will watch the balloon ascent tomorrow with the Breuning family.]

Dorothea von Ertmann reminds Holz that she still wants to hear Beethoven’s newest quartet [op.131]. The Ertmanns appear to go their separate way not long afterwards, but Holz and Beethoven stay at the restaurant.

Holz and Ludwig continue to talk about Nephew Karl. Beethoven asks whether Niemetz has been questioned by the police yet. “He has already been summoned. For the moment, the police are less concerned with the punishment of others than with correcting Karl.” Beethoven agrees that redeeming Karl’s future is the main goal. Holz acknowledges, “This is now the main point over which secondary considerations must disappear. I think this is very good; for the others already have the black mark, and are always certain of that.” Ludwig still wants Niemetz and Johanna to be punished for their role in it. “All of that will happen,” Holz assures him.

“The main point now is the protagonist, the hero of the tragicomedy. If only you had heard what the councilor [Ignaz Czapka, who oversees Beethoven’s guardianship of Karl] said! You would have been absolutely convinced of how much your honorable intentions are recognized.” Beethoven asks what Czapka said. “He always said: It is unbelievable! To be so noble-minded and full of the best intentions, and yet everything was in vain.” He adds, “The councilor said that your only failure had been your too great love and kindness, which he knew all about, and he relied on. I did not tell him that you want to relinquish the guardianship. He said that if the nephew wants to go to his mother and the uncle disapproves, then we agree with him, he is absolutely right; however, on the other hand we cannot blame the son if he cannot to a certain extent deny the natural instinct; therefore, it is difficult to judge here.” Czapka is the youngest councilor at the magistrate’s office.

Holz indicates that the examining police magistrate recorded the minutes of their questioning of Karl very thoroughly. Beethoven asks whether he was aware of Johanna’s checkered past. “He had the entire criminal process of the mother in front of him.” Holz finds it strange that Karl told the court that Uncle Ludwig had prevented him from seeing his mother, yet he did not express the remotest wish to see his mother, and Holz can testify to that himself.

“Just let them decide about your nephew; if he goes away from here, then she can stay. If it is decided otherwise, then the way to the police is always open to you, and they will listen to you with sympathy, I am firmly convinced of that.” Beethoven asks how long Karl is likely to remain under religious instruction. Holz thinks it can be as long as 6 months; Czapka said it depends on Karl, and to what extent he repents. “I very much doubt that he will harm himself again, so far as I could understand from what he said.”

Holz mentions that Dorothea von Ertmann seems to be very well-educated. He also likes young Gerhard von Breuning very much. He mentions that he saw Steiner in the office recently. “He asked: What is His Disgrace doing?” [This is a pun on Euer Gnaden (Your Grace) and Ungnade (disgrace)]

Holz suggests that they can take the Gesellschaftswagen back to Vienna. Possibly on the way back, they continue their conversation about Karl. Holz says that if he recovers physically before recovering mentally, then he would be sent to house arrest. The problem is that the magistrate fears that since there are no private rooms, he would have to share it with other dissolute persons to bad effect. Therefore he thinks it best that Karl stays in the hospital even after his wound has healed, until the priest brings him to fully recognize his duties.

Was Karl writing to his mother, Ludwig asks. “Who knows whether he did not already then exchange letters with her through Niemetz?” Beethoven agrees that Karl may have done this in order to conceal what he was doing. “That was a hidden intention. He knew only too well how you were at odds with his mother.”

But Beethoven still cannot understand why Karl wanted to commit suicide. Holz reluctantly tells Beethoven, “He gives no other reason than the imprisonment with you.” Beethoven objects to the word, “imprisonment,” that he did no such thing. “He called it imprisonment, the prevention from doing what he wanted.” Karl will not go back to Uncle Ludwig, and Holz recommends that he not demand it. “I do not want him to come near you. Rather with Reisser than with you. It is not your duty any more now that you have relinquished guardianship.” Instead, Ludwig should wait and see how Karl develops.

Holz adds, “Even if it may sound strange, I would like to say something that might bring back his love for you: As he is blaming you for being the cause for his false step, then you should completely avoid making even any remote reference to this act. For it is psychologically certain that it will annoy him more to hear it from your mouth rather than leading him back to you. To seem to forget about it would be more desirable for him than if you forgave him.” Beethoven is resistant to the idea and wants to discuss it with Karl. Holz is adamant: “Do not mention it at all; leave all the rest up to the priest. I think I might be right. Do not praise him, but do not blame him either. In one word, do not talk about it.”

But Karl blames me, Beethoven says. “Meanwhile, that is his opinion, of which he will be taught otherwise by someone else. You are not the cause either. However, he blames you for having already tied him down earlier, as I told you before.” Beethoven says he cannot seriously be saying that he was imprisoning Karl; in the two weeks before his attempt, Uncle Ludwig barely saw him. Holz clarifies, “He is not talking of the imprisonment in the last days; he called his former life under your supervision imprisonment.”

Karl has talked about finishing his studies. “He said that he would have to catch up on 5 examinations. The easiest ones he would be able to do: exchange law, commercial science, and commercial style. He would have to give up the other two, mathematics and merchandise knowledge.” But he also says it makes no difference whether he takes these exams or not. “About the books, he said that he does not need any of them, apart from the one that he still has, by Potter [probably Greek Archaeology by Johann Potter.] Ludwig asks whether the examinations had any role in Karl attempting suicide. Holz does not think so: “I do not take it is the primary reason that he did not master his subjects, for they would not have been difficult until he had to take the exams. There are earlier motives.” Beethoven asks whether it was his lack of trust of Karl that made him feel this way. “Not your distrust, but the restrictions you set for his sensual desires.”

Beethoven wants the nurse to act as his spy and tell him everything. Holz thinks that will be difficult; it would cost her her job if it were to become known that she was telling everything she hears. Even with that, at most one could get a court order against Niemetz. But that is a secondary matter that should be set aside until everything has been straightened out with Karl. Have the magistrates spoken to the Schlemmers? Yes, they have already been questioned. Holz did not say anything to them about the interrogation yesterday. But Holz did ask Karl whether he still wanted to become a soldier. “He said there might be many obstacles.”

As they are approaching Vienna, it is getting dark. Holz recommends that they take a fiacre to the Schwarzspanierhaus so that they do not have to walk in the dust. Back at the apartment, the housekeeper (probably still Marie Stiegel) has some food for them for supper. It was fried at mid-day since she did not know they would not be back until late. Holz asks whether Beethoven wants salad.

Holz thinks it good that the change of guardianship was initiated at the same time as and through the criminal interrogations. In that way, Beethoven would be relieved of all other requests and suggestions. Beethoven wants Karl to come to him with love and appreciation, but if he does not, then it is best to forget about him. Holz tells him, “You spoke from my soul; the only method, if he does not want to come to you again, is to disown him completely! If that does not work, then he is beyond saving, and there is nothing more we can do.”

That concludes this very long day. Conversation Book 119, 1r-21r. Tomorrow will be another long day as they plan to see Reisser and Beethoven’s attorney, Johann Baptist Bach.