BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, November 28, 1820

Having been brought up to date by his friend and agent Franz Brentano regarding the situation with Nikolaus Simrock and the Missa Solemnis, Beethoven writes to the publisher, in care of Brentano. He notes that when Simrock’s letter of September 23 arrived, he was living out in the country. Since the Archduke was demanding lessons two or three times per week “during the whole summer, my country life, which is very precious to me, was not a little disturbed.” Since he was moving about, he says he did not manage to read the letter thoroughly until October. “Since I understand nothing whatever about business affairs, I was waiting for my friend who, however, had not yet arrived in Vienna.” [This appears to be a reference to Franz Oliva, which if correct would confirm that Oliva was out of town for an extended period in October, as we theorized in our entry for September 15.]

Under Simrock’s offer Beethoven would be losing at least 100 gulden. “With my usual frankness I must confess to you that previously I could have had a fee of 200 gold ducats in Vienna.” But Beethoven gave preference to Simrock’s offer. Now it’s too late to cancel the arrangement.

Beethoven engages in some puffery, suggesting that the other firm that was to get the Missa Solemnis “has commissioned another big work from me.” [Nothing in the known record suggests any of this to be in the slightest true.]

In any event, Beethoven says he will forward the Mass on to Simrock through Brentano once the German text has been inserted into the score. The 100 pistoles fee, rather than 100 louis d’or, is acceptable even though it means an exchange loss of several hundred gulden. Since the translation of the latin Mass into German will cost 50 gulden, Beethoven asks that it be added to the fee [perhaps forgetting he had already proposed to Simrock using the same German translation that was used for the Mass in C, op.86.]

He closes by suggesting again that Simrock will get to publish Beethoven’s collected works, and hopes that the publisher will treat him all the more favorably. He also passes on his good wishes to his Bonn friend Franz Wegeler and family, and promises he will send him another handsome Bohemian drinking goblet. [Beethoven had previously sent Wegeler such a drinking goblet in September of 1816; it remained a Wegeler family heirloom.]

[Anderson letter 1037; Brandenburg letter 1418. Bonn Beethovenhaus H.C. Bodmer Collection Br 233. The original letter can be seen here: https://www.beethoven.de/de/media/view/5271714187444224/scan/0]

Beethoven then writes Brentano a cover letter forwarding the letter to Simrock. Beethoven bemoans, “Nothing can be done now but to accept what he offers, namely, the 100 pistoles.” He confides, “My situation at the moment is difficult and distressing. But the last person to whom one should write such a thing is a publisher.” Beethoven lays the blame on his “excessive devotion to others, including that weak Cardinal [Rudolph] who has led me into this swamp and who is unable to extricate himself.” [The last bit seems to blame the Archduke for requesting the Mass in the first place; the Missa Solemnis will take up in all around three years of Beethoven’s life and now it is being treated in this shabby manner. Resentment seems appropriate.]

[Anderson letter 1038; Brandenburg letter 1419. Bonn Beethovenhaus BH 22. The original letter can be seen here: https://www.beethoven.de/de/media/view/6392721858101248/scan/0]

The Wiener Zeitung of Tuesday December 5 will report that on this date, November 28th, Archduke Rudolph, still in Troppau, gives the sacrament of confirmation in the local parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (now a co-cathedral). Seen here is the interior of the cathedral today.