BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, December 26, 1824
Beethoven writes an undated note, likely around today, to his friend Tobias Haslinger. He writes, “Best caro oggetto amabile [dear lovely object], Make sure that I get the overture back to my house, since it has already been sold off, and it can go as it has already gone–by the way, everything is beautiful about his Seyfriedlikeness. Dero amicus, Beethoven.”
Brandenburg Letter 1919; Anderson Letter 519. The original is held by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (A 84/28). The general time period can be established as being between September 1824 and January 1825, when Beethoven was using paper of this type with the watermark “J WHATMAN.” From the content, it almost certainly relates to getting back the Consecration of the House Overture score and parts. This work was conducted in yesterday’s Christmas benefit concert, and Brother Johann made sure that Seyfried had it secured. Seyfried likely returns the score and parts today or within the next few days, by December 29.
Brother Johann visits Ludwig in the late morning or early afternoon. Nephew Karl is also present. Johann mentions that Ignaz Schuppanzigh will be performing Ludwig’s third Razoumovsky quartet today. “Everyone is already happy. I am also going. Sometime you ought to go, too; there are enough music lovers.”
Ludwig complains again about the quality of food that he is getting from the servants. Johann suggests that he would be better off getting something sent over from The White Swan restaurant a block away every day. “You would live better, healthier, and cheaper.” One could eat mid-day dinner for a florin. The restaurant proprietors always have better quality items, because they buy in bulk.
Johann asks whether the Concerts spirituels have begun. They have not. [They do not start until February 24, when they will include Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.]
Johann mentions that he ran into oboist Ernest Krähmer and his wife clarinetist Caroline, whom Johann, like Karl, references by her maiden name, calling her Frau Schleicher.
There is discussion of how profitable Johann’s apothecary business is. From his shop in Linz he gets an income of 1800 florins C.M. annually. He has two buildings in Linz, and gets another 1800 fl. C.M. per year from a third one. Karl is amused to note that the vain Johann poured fresh dye on his hair today.
Karl and Johann depart for the Schuppanzigh Quartet concert, held at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde at 4:30 p.m.
Ludwig makes a note to buy fumigating candles, possibly due to the smell of the hair dye. As Prof. Albrecht observes, Ludwig will make a similar note on February 7, 1825, again after a visit from Johann.
When they return, probably around 7 p.m., Karl observes that the audience was much larger than last year. Uncle Ludwig’s quartet was received with the greatest applause. At the concert, Johann talked to several people who thought the Consecration of the House overture at the benefit concert last night “was the best thing.” Weber’s Jubel-Overture, which had opened the Christmas concert, was received very coldly. Other works were vocal pieces by Michele Carafa (1787-1872) and Saverio Mercadante (1795-1870). Johann mentions that Wiener Theater-Zeitung editor Adolf Bäuerle engages in the dubious practice of getting paid a great deal whenever he writes a favorable report about a particular singer.
There is discussion about getting Consecration of the House published. There is an offer outstanding for 50 pounds for it to be published in London. But Ludwig, Johann suggests, needs to be careful to have everything he composes published at the same time, to prevent piracy.
Johann mentions someone unnamed that they both know was recently treated for dropsy.
Conversation Book 79, 5v-8r.