BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, March 8, 1825 (approximately)

According to a later remark by Nephew Karl [Conversation Book 85, 15v], Schuppanzigh Quartet second violinist Karl Holz suggests to Ignaz Schuppanzigh that the quartet be played twice in a row at one of the Sunday concerts without other quartets, in order for listeners to understand and appreciate it better. [Schuppanzigh initially agrees and even informally lets it be known that he will do so, but as the date approaches–possibly because the quartet is still not coming together–thinks better of the idea and performs other works instead.]

At some point not long after the disastrous premiere of the op.127 quartet, Schuppanzigh visits Beethoven, requesting that he at least be allowed to repeat the performance of the piece at his concert this Sunday, March 13, in an attempt to redeem himself and the quartet. According to Thayer/Forbes at 940, “Schuppanzigh defended himself as vigorously as possible and was particularly vexed because Beethoven cited his brother’s opinion of the performance – that of a musical ignoramus.” Beethoven, in no uncertain terms, lights into Schuppanzigh and tells him that he may not do so. Schuppanzigh relents, saying the failure was not his fault individually; he could easily master the technical demands of the work, but the Quartet could not arrive at the spirit of the work and had had too few rehearsals. Beethoven is unconvinced and does not allow Schuppanzigh to give the quartet another go. The composer probably is still not sure what he wants to happen next with the quartet, but he knows that it will not be a performance by the Schuppanzigh Quartet.

The bad feelings resulting probably contribute to the cancellation of the planned Good Friday Akademie benefit concert set for April 7, which was to be organized by Schuppanzigh for one-third of the income, if that concert has not already been set aside.