BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, June 8, 1824

Preparations for Beethoven’s move to the country continue today. Nephew Karl asks how early the wagons are reserved for Thursday, June 10. No time has been fixed, but it will be in the morning.

Nothing has been heard from Maximilian Leidesdorf about publishing any of Ludwig’s works since Brother Johann, who was the principal contact, left Vienna about a week ago.

Karl notes that the first volume of the Mozin Lexicon is ready. He saw a copy at Schalbacher’s book shop, but he doesn’t think the paper or the printing is very good. The printing is small and unclear. But because the printing is small, it does save space.

The topic of the wash basin for Karl comes up again. It costs 3 florins, 45 kreutzers, and it had not yet been sold. He will go buy one right away.

Karl asks his uncle whether he wants the Stein piano moved to Penzing. Ludwig would like it to come along, as Stein has another hearing apparatus for him to try with it. [As editor Theodore Albrecht notes, this entry makes clear that Beethoven had in his possession more than just the Erard, Broadwood and Graf instruments that are usually associated with him, and was still using the piano to compose despite his increasingly bad hearing.]

Karl plans to buy his uncle a pound of sugar and a pound of coffee for his stay in the country. The total for that comes to 4 florins; If Uncle Ludwig wants 2 pounds of each, that would cost 8. They have some coffee that is already roasted, and Karl would take some of that. [Karl plainly lacks his uncle’s patience to count out the 60 beans, roast, and grind them for the day’s coffee.]

The driver of the transport wagon comes to Beethoven’s apartment. They will have two men who go along, so Beethoven’s chest will not be damaged, and they can unload it immediately out there. They want 6 florins for the conveyance.

Conversation Book 71, 26r-27v.

Composer Franz Schubert gets some unwelcome press today, as he is listed among the delinquent members of the Pension Institute for Widows and Orphans who are still in arrears with their contributions. “If they have not paid by the end of June, they will be mercilessly eliminated as members under the existing ground rules.” Intelligenzblatt Nr.130 at 945. Those members who have been exempted from the contribution or given allowances must legally prove that their awkward circumstances have not changed by the next meeting.