BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, January 11, 1824 (very approximately)

Beethoven writes a short, undated and unsigned note to Anton Schindler, telling him to come and be heard, expressly saying he is not specifying any date to do so.

Brandenburg Letter 1769, Anderson Letter 1328. This note, written in pencil, was traced over in ink by Schindler. It is held by the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (aut. 36,22). The page was earlier used as conversation material, since it includes a statement from Brother Johann that he will be over after dinner, since he has already eaten. This dates from sometime between late November 1823 and late May 1823 when Beethoven and Schindler were on speaking terms. The rather abrupt nature of the note suggests that Beethoven was not happy with Schindler. There are many possibilities for that, so it may be near the end of their relationship, or it may just be one of their periodic disagreements. We suggest that if it dates from about this time period, it might be in response to Beethoven’s anger at Schindler for having broached the subject of an Akademie with the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde prematurely.

On this date, the third in the current series of Schuppanzigh Quartet concerts is held. The works on the program are a Quartet by Ludwig Spohr in E minor [most likely Quartet #13 in E minor, op.45/2 (1818)], a Quartet by Mozart in A major [probably Quartet #18 K.464], and Beethoven’s Quartet #6 in B-flat, op.18/6.

Beethoven’s wonderful Quartet #6 in B-flat, op.18/6, is here performed by the Diogenes Quartett live December 1, 2017 in Vilagarcía, Spain: