BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, November 3, 1825

Beethoven begins using Conversation Book 98 about today. This book of 38 leaves has writing on every page. Schindler correctly identified it as belonging to 1825. Thayer was able to pin it down to a period of about two weeks in the month of November, based on internal evidence. At least the first page, and possibly more, are missing, since Nephew Karl’s first entry begins mid-sentence.

Ludwig and Karl are discussing a potential new housekeeper, probably at a restaurant over mid-day dinner. Karl has interviewed her, and she already knows Beethoven. She doesn’t have anything to do with the previous housekeeper, the “Old Woman,” Barbara Holzmann, so Uncle Ludwig need not worry about them gossiping.

Uncle Ludwig mentions that someone [probably unpaid assistant Karl Holz] was told something unflattering about Karl by his landlord, Mathias Schlemmer, probably related to Karl’s tutor. Karl says he spoke to Schlemmer about it, and he denies having said it. Schlemmer could not have, since he doesn’t know anything about whether he needed the tutor or not.

Flutist Johann Sedlaczek (1789-1866) has sent an urgent request. He is going to Paris, and needs a letter of recommendation to composer Luigi Cherubini. He would like to pick it up at Beethoven’s apartment on Saturday morning, November 5. Uncle Ludwig asks why he needs it so quickly. Sedlaczek is departing already on Sunday, November 6. Uncle Ludwig asks what route he is taking. He’s going by way of Munich, Stuttgart, and Strasbourg.

If Uncle Ludwig can have the letter ready tomorrow morning, Karl offers to come pick it up by foot, even though it is difficult. [From the Polytechnic Institute to Beethoven’s apartment was about an hour’s walk.] He can be there tomorrow at 1 o’clock. He can’t come later in the day as Uncle Ludwig suggests, because tomorrow is the opening ceremonies for the I.R. Polytechnic Institute. Karl must be present for that event, and it will take up more of his time. [Classes will actually begin on Monday, November 7th.]

Uncle Ludwig asks again why Sedlaczek is in such a hurry. Karl repeats that he leaves on Sunday, November 6.

After this conversation, an unknown hand writes, “Prince Metternich” in the conversation book, referring to Prince Clemens Wenzel Lothar von Metternich (1773-1859), chancellor of Austria.

Conversation Book 98, 1r-2r.