BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, January 6, 1825

Conversation Book 80 starts being used today. Unfortunately, the book came apart at some point, and was rebound with the pages out of order. We have followed the tentative reconstruction of the German editors as well as the chronology of Professor Albrecht. The book today contains 20 leaves, though some appear to be missing here and there. Former unpaid assistant Anton Schindler, who later owned the book, may have handed pages out as souvenirs. Schindler incorrectly dated this book as being from Winter 1826, but it references concerts and other events that verifiably occurred in the first half of January, 1825.

Beethoven is celebrating the Feast of Epiphany today with Brother Johann and Nephew Karl in the late morning or very early afternoon. Ludwig expresses a wish to walk amongst nature again. Johann tells him he can do that when he comes to visit in Gneixendorf. He is in a quite secluded area, high on a hill. “A half hour away from me is the most beautiful forest with the most splendid view.” [Johann’s estate is still extant, and part of it is as it was in Beethoven’s time, though it is now surrounded by buildings. The house lies on top of a high plateau, as Johann says.]

Housekeeper Barbara Holzmann writes the single word, “Tomorrow.” Theodore Albrecht suggests that this may be the day she will start working for Beethoven again, or it may be when she will ask for her next leave of absence from the home for the aged poor.

Nephew Karl takes an inventory of the dishes, many of which have been broken over time. There are so few left in sound condition that they have been forced to borrow plates and small glasses. Karl suggests that he could go out and buy some plates and glasses yet before dinner. There are only 6 plates left, four of which are cracked. They are down to only 2 soup dishes. Karl believes they will need to buy 4 soup dishes, and 6 others. He notes that the expenses are coming together all too often at the moment; in a few days all the wood will be delivered and that will have to be paid for as well. Uncle Ludwig asks how much the wood will cost, and Karl replies 2 florins C.M. per measure for the wood itself, and 1 florin 35 kreutzers for splitting it or stacking it.

Ludwig has not shaved for several days over the holidays. Johann jokingly observes his beard has grown too long. He thinks all Ludwig’s razors need to be sharpened, since they will only get duller with time.

Conversation Book 80, 1r-1v, 19r.