BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, March 13, 1823 (approximately)

Beethoven is still concerned about nephew Karl getting caught up in the investigation of Prof. Niederstätter in Salzburg. Beethoven writes Schindler a short note on the back of a draft calligraphic title page for the presentation copy of the Missa Solemnis to Archduke Rudolph, which also contains a draft letter to Cherubini (another draft of which was written yesterday, and the final version of which will be mailed on March 15). Beethoven is unsure whether the other title page was corrected, so he is forwarding this one. Beethoven cautions Schindler to be absolutely silent about Niederstätter. Beethoven notes that Blöchlinger already does not trust Schindler too much on this point. Throughout the letter, Beethoven plays secret agent and refers to Schindler, Niederstätter and Blöchlinger only by the first initial of their last name. Schindler crosses out the reference to Blöchlinger not trusting him.

Brandenburg Letter 1603, Anderson Letter 1155. The autograph is held in the Berlin Staatsbibliothek, Mus. ep. autogr. Beethoven 45, fol. 1v.

Today’s Wiener Zeitung includes an advertisement at 240 from Cappi & Diabelli for a Fourth Rondino for piano solo, op.39, by “Charles Czerny” on a motif by violinist Friedrich Ernst Fesca (1789-1826).