BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, May 7, 1826 (very approximately)

Sometime around now, Beethoven writes an undated letter to fishmonger Therese Jonas (c.1775-1837), sending along 5 florins W.W.

“I respectfully request a carp of 3 or even 4 pounds, or better yet, a pike of at least 3 pounds. Should none of these fish be available, I request that you send another of approximately this weight. Please indicate the amount due.”

“Yours sincerely, Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 2138; Anderson Letter 1119. The letter is known today only from a photocopy of the autograph, held at Oxford at the Bodleian Library (Emily Anderson Papers, Ms. facs. b.59, fol.81-82). Jonas had been recommended to Beethoven by Karl Holz on about March 30, 1826, and this letter probably dates from not too long afterwards. Beethoven will starting later in May get regular deliveries of fish from Jonas, with monthly or quarterly payments agreed upon, but since money was enclosed, this letter likely dates from before that arrangement was set up. This letter and the reference to the amount still due may tie into Holz’s later remark on May 28th (Conversation Book 111, 6r) asking whether Beethoven has paid Jonas for the fish.