BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, March 7, 1826 (approximately)

There are no clear clues to when the next few days of entries, almost entirely with unpaid assistant Karl Holz, occur. We have divided them up into what seem like separate conversations with Holz over several days.

Holz comes to visit Beethoven for mid-day dinner. He collected Nephew Karl’s interest payments from the Magistrate’s office on his investments, and deducted the 8 florins 35 kreutzers that he was due from his accounting Sunday. Beethoven asks him what principal amount is being held, and Holz tells him 2,200 florins C.M.

Beethoven wants to do some shopping; Holz says that they can go to his office’s customary suppliers. They have a wide selection, and with it the cheapest prices. If Beethoven has time tomorrow, Holz will pick him up here.

Holz thinks that one can probably still get good wild game, but in another 4 weeks there won’t be anything good left except for the snipes. Roasted beef loin [Nierenbraten] is also not so good when it’s cold, because it’s too fatty.

Holz spoke to Court Agent Walcha, who acts as Notary for Prince Kinsky’s heirs. He would like to have the receipt soon, in order to send it on to Prague. “Walcha considers it a special honor to render you a service; he will also take care of the encashment every time. He is a notary and an agent of the Bohemian Empire….He said it would be a greater joy for him to carry out a task for Beethoven, than if minister Metternich would issue a commendation to him in the name of His Majesty.”

Beethoven wants his violins strung. Holz [himself a violinist] will see to it that they are strung and tuned, so that the violins keep in good working order.

Franz Kreibich (1728-1797), a violin virtuoso and chamber music director under Emperor Joseph II, comes up. Holz says his father knew him well. Holz imitates Kreibich’s manner of conducting to Beethoven.

As they eat dinner, Holz expresses annoyance at one of the housekeepers, probably Frau Lindner [Barbara Holzmann had complained about her forgetfulness]; he had to tell her four times to bring a roll, and she forgets everything.

Beethoven is toying with the idea of going elsewhere for the summer, possibly to Brother Johann’s estate in Gneixendorf. Holz thinks Beethoven could save some money that way; then Karl would only need a maid. Or would Ludwig need them both?

Beethoven makes a remark about someone, possibly musicians, not agreeing on or understanding his intentions properly. Holz answers [in second person plural form, as if Beethoven were royalty]: Good Fellow! If you didn’t leave behind anything but your sketchbooks, there would be no such argument, because they are hieroglyphics from which no man will be able to learn anything! These are the secrets of Isis and Osiris.”

Holz resumes his normal form of address. Mathias Artaria still wants to have the Quartet op.130 finished and ready by the time of the Easter Fair in Leipzig [which in 1826 begins on April 17.] But he thinks that’s impossible. “Even if I delivered the first proof (the most difficult one because of the many errors) by the end of this week, when must the new copy [second proof] be finished? When is it going to be looked through the second time? When is it going to be looked through by you?” Beethoven thinks he could publish the parts, even if the score isn’t ready. “Under no circumstances will he be able to publish the score at the same time; that is not good either.”

Beethoven mentions that Artaria expressed an interest in publishing lieder by him. [He may be thinking of digging out some of the old songs he had offered to C.F. Peters in 1822, including Liebe, Hess 137.]

https://unheardbeethoven.org/search.php?Identifier=hess137

Holz is enthusiastic about that possibility. “He would pay better for it than for the quartet (no relation).” Holz continues about Artaria’s desire for Beethoven works: “I go in with a mysterious expression on my face and whisper in his ear: Shall I make you happy? ‘Now, what is it?’ — Only something by Beethoven! — ‘For heaven’s sake, where do you have it?’ — Patience! You must show yourself to be an art dealer; without # [ducats] we cannot talk about it.”

The letter to Prince Hatzfeld has been delivered; poet Ignaz Castelli gave Holz the address that he wrote down, and Holz delivered the letter. [There had been discussion about Castelli acting as go-between, but Holz seems to have cut out the middleman.] Beethoven asks whether Castelli might not feel his importance diminished, and Holz makes a small joke: “One must also let him feel that he is only a Castello [castle] and not yet a Festung [fortress] — Castelli.”

As Holz departs, he mentions that it is very pleasant—even warm—out in the sun.

Conversation Book 106, 3r-7v.