BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, May 10, 1825

Beethoven continues to settle into his new apartment in Baden. He is irked to find that the administrator of the Schloss Gutenbrunn has followed up on their conversation yesterday by bringing the 16-year-old daughter of the owner of the estate to meet Beethoven. He describes her as very well educated. “A splendidly good child, beloved by all who know her. She infinitely admires Herr von Beethoven [sic], to an appropriate degree.” Beethoven asks whether he expects that he will take her for a walk. “I sincerely beg you to do it; I am convinced that in the end, you will be happy to have this sincere and kind child along with you.”

Beethoven’s response is not recorded, but we can guess what it was from the fact that the administrator never mentions her again.

Conversation Book 89, 4r-4v.

Beethoven also finally gets around to registering his arrival in Baden today, according to the Cur und Fremdenliste Baden for 1825.

Beethoven’s former Italian vocal writing instructor, Antonio Salieri, who died Saturday, May 7, is buried today in the Matzleinsdorfer Cemetery in Vienna. The ceremony is attended by many court musicians. Beethoven, in Baden, does not attend the funeral.