BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, February 6, 1825

Brother Johann comes to visit Ludwig at his apartment today. It’s no wonder Ludwig’s feet are bothering him badly. He has a corn on his foot, for which Johann prescribes Lapis Infernalis. [Fused silver nitrate, a primitive antiseptic commonly used at the time to treat and cauterize wounds and burns.] He will have that for him in two days. “Moreover, you have frozen your feet.”

Johann spoke to Ignaz Schuppanzigh again earlier today about the possible Akademie concerts. He would like a short written agreement, because otherwise he cannot undertake anything specific. [In particular, Schuppanzigh does not want to start incurring debts and obligations if he is not going to have a written assurance from Beethoven that he will be entitled to one-third of the profits after expenses.]

Ludwig remarks that it is very windy today. Johann mentions that the evening before last, as he was walking to Ludwig’s apartment, the wind was so strong he had to hang on trees for over ten minutes, or else the wind would have knocked him over. [The German editors indicate the daily meteorological reports for Friday included heavy wind and snow in the afternoon; the winds remained heavy today, Sunday.]

Nephew Karl makes a few notes about the possible Akademie benefit concerts. “200 persons.” [probably the number of musicians, soloists and choral members, stagehands, etc. that would be required.] “Lighting.” [This was more expensive in the May 1824 concerts than was anticipated.] “And the Magistrat.” [The expense and difficulty of getting the police to approve the concert.]

Karl thinks Brother Johann was very rude to Schuppanzigh.

Karl suggests that Ludwig drink wine with warm water. [If Ludwig’s feet were frozen, he probably could use some warmth for his circulation generally.]

Baron Joseph von Zedlitz has written a new play for the Burgtheater, which is to be performed soon. [Liebe findet ihre Wege (Love Finds a Way), which will be premiered April 15, 1825.]

Johann doesn’t get together with Joseph Bernard much any more. Bernard’s wife has a great deal of money and a house. The painting work alone on the house cost 1,000 florins. [Johann is always very interested in how much things cost other people.]

Karl and Johann depart for the Schuppanzigh Quartet concert, which takes place at 4:30 today at the hall of the Musikverein. The concert includes Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A, K.581, as well as Beethoven’s Quartet in F minor, op.95.

On their return, Karl mentions that before the concert, Schuppanzigh told Johann that only he completely understood Ludwig’s quartet. He is asking indirectly for the quartet [op.127] since he has already announced it would be part of his concert series, and he is being assaulted from all sides about it. [Schuppanizgh had announced it would be presented today, and op.95 was a substitution, so he likely heard a good deal about that from his subscribers.]

Johann again suggests that he and Ludwig should live together. “My legs become more miserable by the day.” Leaving behind his wife and stepdaughter is easy, but getting a second family is more difficult for Johann.

One of Beethoven’s servants gave her notice to Ludwig, but Johann tells her that since he employed her, she can resign only to him. Since she has not done so up to this point, no resignation will be accepted. Johann is pleased that Ludwig has a well-organized servant for a change.

Conversation Book 84, 10v-13v.