BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, March 23, 1826

Today is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. Beethoven pays Wenzel Rampl his fee for copying the Ninth Symphony, as noted in Beethoven’s household diary, Bonn Beethovenhaus NE 354 at page 3: “Rampel 10 fl fl C.M. for the symphony paid on the 23rd of March.”

Beethoven also gives notice to the housekeeper and her sister the maid today that they will be discharged in 14 days [i.e., on April 6th.] The housekeeper was only hired 11 days ago, and the maid 6. Beethoven’s note in NE 354 at the Bonn Beethovenhaus reads, “Maundy Thursday both servants dismissed with 14 days’ notice.” However, the housekeeper becomes ill shortly before the 14 days expires, so Beethoven cannot discharge her when he would like to; as Holz will explain, if he did discharge her while she was ill, he would become liable for her medical bills under the law in effect at the time. Her sister is kept on as maid while the housekeeper is ill.