BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, July 23, 1826
Unpaid assistant Karl Holz visits Beethoven early in the morning and suggests the composer come with him to Döbling in the country for the day. “I have a friend there, who has a house there, the broker [Franz Edler von] Bogner. A wonderful family.” They can be there by 8 o’clock. They can go out into the garden with all his children. Beethoven, probably missing his usual summer in the country, agrees. [Holz likely has an ulterior motive; he is interested in one of Bogner’s daughters, whom he will marry next year, and probably wants to impress her by introducing her to the famous composer.]
Holz points out the view from a bridge. On arrival at the Bogner home, they have as refreshment a glass of Mosel wine with seltzer water. Franz von Bogner shows the Dollond telescope they have at the house, from which Beethoven can see various area sights like the Schneeberg, the clock of St. Stephan, the Kahlenberg and various other landmarks. Bogner tells Beethoven that if it is light one can see Pressburg. Holz suggests that this kind of house would be suitable for composition work.
Bogner points out that the battle of Aspern (May 21-22, 1809) was fought within sight of his house. The headquarters of the Austrian army was in Breitenlee. Archduke Johann (1782-1859) and Archduke Karl Ludwig did not agree on the military operations, and Johann did not participate in the battle.
Holz mentions that piano maker Conrad Graf is also here in Döbling. The Bogners are good people; Franz is the vice president of the savings bank. “He would easily be able to find a position for Karl.” Holz often stays overnight here. Beethoven suggests that they come visit him in Vienna. Holz is pleased, and says he will invite them in Beethoven’s name.
The pair probably return to the City, since Holz talks about Bogner in detail. Holz mentions offhandedly, “He has mostly daughters. He is a very decent man. He also has a large income; the state handed over the redeeming of documents for the redemption fund to him, and by that he wins a lot legally.” He sold the house in the City where the Steiner music shop had been located in the Paternostergässel for 115,000 florins C.M. The bank he operates has 10 million C.M. in secure assets. Beethoven (possibly thinking of a position for Karl) asks if it is quite stable. Holz assures him that “As long as there is no war, the bank will hold on.”
Beethoven thinks he would like to live in that area. Holz suggests that they could go out some time to look at apartments. Beethoven would like to go to the baths at Ischl this summer. He should check with his physician first, Holz cautions. The baths at Ischl are very hot. There is also a mud bath in Ischl. Holz explains why he has been absent so much of the summer thus far: He goes out there to Döbling almost every day in his carriage. If the weather is fine, he comes back in the night; if the weather is bad, he returns the next day.
Beethoven brings up the violin sonatas that Holz intended to play through with Nephew Karl. Karl would have played them with Holz long ago, if he had known where to get copies. But right now Karl will be far too busy: “In God’s name we have to wait and see for the next couple of months, until the exams are over.” [Karl has written examinations over the next few weeks and then his oral examinations are scheduled to begin on August 9. Unbeknownst to Uncle Ludwig and Holz, Karl has stopped studying with his tutor and taking his examinations.]
The cook has prepared a dish for them on their return. Holz comments that “the old woman,” Barbara Holzmann made it the same way. He questions, though, whether the butter is fresh.
Ludwig asks whether Holz has seen anything of his Brother Johann; he rarely visited this summer. Yes, Johann visited him 4 days ago [so Wednesday, July 19th] to remit the taxes. He said that he would return to his estate in Gneixendorf right away, but he asked Holz not to tell Ludwig that he had been there. Ludwig comments that Johann keeps inviting him to Gneixendorf. Holz encourages him, “You should go to his estate and write an opera soon.” Ludwig mentions something his sister-in-law said that displeased him; Holz tells Beethoven, “Even if it is true, she does not have to say it.”
When Holz was dining at Dr. Vivenot’s, they talked only about Beethoven’s dear friend Stephan von Breuning. But Holz doesn’t believe Vivenot actually knows Breuning.
Ludwig asks when Johann is likely to return to Vienna. Holz thinks not until the end of August.
Holz says he ate very much at dinner with the Bogners; “I made up for last time.” He has dinner with them on Sundays, but otherwise only rarely. Ludwig would like learn more about the family. Holz answers, “He did not experience much happiness with his eldest daughter [Elisabeth Maria, whom Holz will eventually marry.] She was the fiancée of the flutist [Louis] Drouet, and the fellow took off and has not been heard of since. He only knew him for a short time while he was living in the house; by the way, our police, even Count Selinitzky, gave the best testimonials about his morality. Later they learned that he had been married to someone else in Paris for many years, and that he had performed similar pranks in other cities. He is said to be the son of the postmaster who betrayed King Ludwig 16th.” [The postmaster of St. Menehould, Jean Baptiste Drouet (1763-1824), who arranged for the arrest of Louis XVI when he was attempting to escape in Varennes.]
Holz adds that bankers usually have their daughters married to music dealers. “The ‘paternostergässler‘ have now become ex-sons-in-law.” Haslinger has moved into the former shop of Joseph Kaiser, who sold colorings, herbs and spices, amongst other goods. It doesn’t matter to Holz where he buys his musical items, though. Mathias Artaria always gives them to him at a cheaper price than usual.
Holz is reminded of a concert in which soprano Henriette Sontag gave a concert where Drouet and alto Caroline Unger and others also performed, as did Holz. “We had supper together, and after that we went to the Helenenthal, and Drouet and Unger got lost on the way up the mountain. We went to the entrance of the Thal without them, waited there for more than an hour; finally, Drouet appeared together with her. Both of them were flushed and embarrassed, and she had a big blood stain on her white dress…” When was this, Beethoven asks. “1822. [Domenico] Barbaja [impresario of the Kärntnertor Theater at the time] was also there. He took care of the table; he was just the right person for that. He invited himself to everything and asked if he could be part of the company. and in the end he paid for everything.”
The wallpaper hanger is supposed to come to see Beethoven tomorrow. When he comes, he can arrange everything. He can write, so he can use the conversation books. Or perhaps on Wednesday. Holz asks whether Beethoven has decided on what wallpaper he wants. Perhaps something similar to what Breuning has.
Holz takes his leave of Beethoven at the end of this long day.
Conversation Book 114, 20v-30v.