BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, November 5, 1826

Marie Leopoldine Pachler writes to Beethoven from Graz today. “Herr v. Beethoven!”

“Due to a most peculiar confluence of circumstances, which the bearer of these lines can explain to you in more detail, you are only now receiving my letter, which should have been in your hands more than a year ago. I do not retract it, because one part of its content, namely, the expressions of my esteem for you, as well as what is said in recommendation of the aforementioned, still applies. As for the invitation, which I so gladly expected to be accepted, I merely postpone it until the next time I can again obtain such a pleasant and comfortable country estate for my summer stay, which I will probably manage to do next year as well. However, should you decide to travel this year and be accommodated in the city, it would be very convenient for us to receive you there in our house. We have a spacious apartment of twelve rooms, and our family is so small. Reconsider my proposal, Herr v. Beethoven, and do not add to the displeasure caused by the unfortunate fate of my letter the further displeasure of a negative reply.”

“Marie L. Pachler K[oschack]”

Brandenburg Letter 2226; Albrecht Letter 442. Pachler had written to Beethoven (Brandenburg Letter 2031) on August 15, 1825, inviting him to stay at her country estate in September of that year, but the letter was suppressed by an official who absconded and hence the invitation was delayed by over a year. She gives the letter to Johann Baptist Jenger, who personally delivers both letters to Beethoven in Vienna in December of 1826.