BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, March 2, 1823

Beethoven makes today’s shopping list, including Ofner wine No.1, from the Ofen or Buda area of Hungary. This wine was available in several shops in Vienna, offered in numbered batches. He makes a note to write to Niederstätter to try to warn him about the trouble brewing as a result of Karl’s unguarded remarks. He considers writing in French to perhaps evade the secret police. Finally Beethoven makes a note that he should have brother Johann invite clarinetist Joseph Friedlowsky to dinner. Another letter from Beethoven to Friedlowsky may date from today; in that letter he writes that he would like Friedlowsky to come to dinner tomorrow about half past two. Brandenburg Letter 1598, Anderson Letter 1042. The original is held by the Bonn Beethovenhaus, H.C. Bodmer Collection Br 121.

This afternoon, after the Archduke’s lessons, Schindler arrives at Beethoven’s apartment with nephew Karl. Schindler had been at a concert in the Landständischen Saal by Leopoldine Blahetka (1809-1887), the twelve-year-old pianist prodigy. Steiner and Haslinger pretended not to see Schindler.

Blahetka and her father, who worked at the Traeg music publishing house, were good friends of Beethoven. She studied piano on Beethoven’s recommendation with Joseph Czerny, who also instructed Beethoven’s nephew Karl.

Among other items on the program is her performance of the first movement of Piano Concerto #2 in E-flat, op.22 by Beethoven’s pupil Ferdinand Ries. The March 22, 1823 Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung Nr.24 at col.191 notes that the work was played with fluency, correct expression and precise delivery, and received much applause. The concert concluded with a set of variations composed by Blahetka herself, called “the darling of the Viennese musical public.”

The Ries concerto is performed here by Christopher Hinterhuber, accompanied by Uwe Grodd conducting the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra:

Karl discusses the fact that the clocks in the churches of Vienna have all been ordered as of yesterday to be set at the same time as the clock in St. Stephan’s cathedral. Their time in turn is required to be set in accordance with the observatory.

There is some discussion about Niederstätter. Schindler suggests that the police need to identify who is making these accusations against Karl. One could make that inquiry at the Court Councillor’s, but they are seldom in the office after afternoon dinner.

There is no hope for rescuing Weigl’s opera, Der eiserne Pforte, and it will probably never be performed again. [Schindler is correct about that.] Schindler suggests that Beethoven might offer some advice to Weigl. Karl notes that this is the third disaster in a row for Weigl. Schindler suggests that it’s his own fault for taking part in the intrigues Weigl has been perpetrating at the theater. [In 1821, Weigl had drawn up a list of a dozen orchestra members, all of whom were dismissed in 1822.]

Karl asks whether uncle Ludwig has gotten around to reading the libretto for Alfred the Great. Schindler reports that Lichnowsky is boasting about bringing that libretto to Beethoven’s attention, while brother Johann is similarly claiming credit and has made all the arrangements.

Schindler asks how long the Archduke will be in Vienna. The expectation is that he will stay at least until Easter [March 30] since he gets 100 ducats for performing the High Mass on that day. [Compare that to the 50 ducats Beethoven was asking for subscriptions to the score of the Missa Solemnis.] Schindler does note that he has to give a banquet for various dignitaries out of that fee.

Karl’s foot is still not healed from the frostbite he suffered at Blöchlinger’s, even though he has been seeing a doctor who specializes in wounds. The toes are doing better, but his overshoes press against them. He expects to be able to walk in a week or so, with conditions. They have a large dinner, and Karl jokingly says that on Mondays, they always wonder why he has suddenly gotten fatter. [Schindler later remarks that there was enough food for six.]

Schindler notes that Caspar Bauer left for England last Wednesday, the 26th of February, and it takes him nine days to get there, so Beethoven cannot be expecting any response from Ries and the others he has written to just yet.

Karl leaves about 6:45 via carriage back to Blöchlinger’s in order to make the 7 PM curfew. Schindler remains behind and says Anton Diabelli was inquiring as to whom would be the dedicatee for the Variations. Beethoven says he considered the Archduke, but has decided against that. Schindler agrees that he has already dedicated a great many things to Archduke Rudolph already. Schindler suggests that they could be dedicated to Countess Johanna Stockhammer, wife of the Chamberlain. Although she is not a great pianist, she is still a great admirer of Beethoven, and her nine year old daughter plays Beethoven’s sonatas.

Schindler notes that people are envious of Beethoven’s esteem and friendship about him. [More likely they are annoyed at his boastfulness.’ Today, composer Joseph Gelinek (1758-1825) introduced Schindler to Conradin Kreutzer, saying, “An enthusiast and admirer of Beethoven’s; he absolutely will not hear of anyone else.”

Beethoven and Schindler have a light evening meal. Schindler notes the cheese is going bad and is drying out. Barbara Holtzmann (or another servant) takes exception and Schindler writes that she is too insolent. Beethoven is impatient for news about the subscriptions to the Missa Solemnis, but Schindler urges patients. Nothing can be expected for at least the next seven to eight days. But the King of Prussia has accepted, and that’s a start. Schindler urges patience. “The others will come, but slowly.” Sweden seems like a certainty, as is Tuscany.

The approval of Beethoven’s membership in the Swedish Royal Academy of Music should be approved soon, Schindler thinks. It would be a significant insult to the King of Sweden to turn it down. He will make inquiries as to whether it has already been approved. There is some discussion about the King’s son, Prince Oscar, who is said to be an extraordinarily handsome young man of 25.

Simon Sechter has forwarded to Beethoven a dedication copy of his Four Fugues for piano, op.5. Schindler dismisses them as tasteless, and not as good as the earlier fugues he has published as his op.1, 2, and 4. [Sechter wrote over 5,000 fugues over his lifetime.]

Herr von Hermann, who is making an adaptation of The Ruins of Athens, op.113, wishes to visit Beethoven and get his opinion as to what he is doing. Schindler departs.

Conversation Book 25, 43r-50v. This concludes Conversation Book 25. There are no extant conversation books covering March 3, 1823.