BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, March 19, 1826 (very approximately)

Beethoven writes a short undated note to Steiner & Co, again demanding the proof sheets of the four works that they are publishing, opp.114, 116, 117 and 118. “The Pater Noster Gäßel [a reference to the short street where Steiner’s shop was located] is to confirm receipt and also indicate when the proof sheets will arrive at my address. Otherwise, all misery will befall the wrongdoer, which will boil down like molten sealing wax upon him.”

“B.“

Brandenburg Letter 2139, Anderson Letter 711. Anderson suggests this letter dates from 1816. Sieghard Brandenburg argues that the letter is later, since it lacks the military epithets customarily used during that period. This suggests the letter relates to the failure of Steiner to provide Beethoven with the proof sheets for the March and Chorus op.114, Tremate, empi tremate, op.116; the King Stephan Overture, op.117; and the Elegischer Gesang, op.118, which continued through March of 1826 into April. If so, it probably comes after Brandenburg Letter 2134, since the tone seems to be increasingly upset about the delays. The original of the letter is held in the Vienna City and Provincial Library (I.N. 5781).