BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, September 5, 1826

Beethoven writes a short letter to unpaid assistant Karl Holz early this morning, or possibly last night.

“Dear friend!”

“I am finally able to fulfill my wish to take an escape of several days the day after tomorrow. In this regard, I ask you to tell Herr Mathias A.[rtaria] that I absolutely do not want to force him to take my piano reduction [of the Grosse Fuge for piano four hands]. I am therefore sending you the Halmian K.A. [piano arrangement of the Fugue], so that, as soon as you have received my K.[piano] reduction back, you can send M.[athias] A.[rtaria] the Halm[ian] to be handed over immediately. — but if Herr A. wants to keep my piano arrangement for the fee consisting of 12 ducats in gold, I demand nothing more than that this be set down in writing by him, or that the fee be handed over to you — +for which purpose I enclose the receipt here+ — the piano arrangement cannot in any way be imposed upon me as an obligation. —”

“As always yours, Beethoven.”

“You know my situation!”

Brandenburg Letter 2194; Anderson Letter 1529. As it happens, Artaria keeps his promise and later today pays Beethoven (or Holz on his behalf) the 12 ducats, according to Artaria’s expense book, which recites “5 September: Paid to Beethoven for the piano arrangement 12 ducats at 4 florins 47 kreutzers to the ducat.” Nottebohm, Zweite Beethoveniana at 365. Beethoven does not get several days in the country, however, and only spends one day, Friday, September 8, in Nussdorf.

Possibly while waiting at a coffee shop where he is meeting Holz and Berlin publisher Adolph Schlesinger, Beethoven makes a note that at Maussberger’s book shop, there is a subscription for a 30-volume set of Walter Scott’s works. The subscription price is 30 kreutzers C.M. per volume, with one being issued every two weeks. Allgemeine Theater-Zeitung, Nr.106, at 431.

Holz arrives with Schlesinger, who for the most part does not himself write in the conversation books. Instead, Holz writes for him. Schlesinger’s only purpose in making the journey to Vienna was to make Beethoven’s acquaintance. Adolph Bernhard Marx, editor of the Berliner allgemeine musikalische Zeitung that is published by Schlesinger, asks for a small Lied for his paper. Schlesinger invites Beethoven to come to Berlin; it would help with his recovery. They are awaiting the new opera from Beethoven.

Beethoven appears to tell Schlesinger he cannot accept the piano reduction of Oberon that Schlesinger has given him, but Schlesinger asks him to receive it as a souvenir of the visit, and that Beethoven’s new opera will appear in similar form when Schlesinger publishes it.

Beethoven’s collected works are also a possibility. “Whenever your works are going to be published, the property rights will have to be bought from the other publishers. Schlesinger will buy them right away, if you would be kind enough to speak to Haslinger about it.” Schlesinger is also interested in the oratorio Saul, and he would like to have a decision about publication of it now. Beethoven asks how long Schlesinger is staying in Vienna, and is told 10 days.

If not the oratorio, then he would like to get a piano concerto or a quartet, preferably a concerto. He also would like preludes and cadenzas for Beethoven’s earlier concertos. “You can see from this how much people think of you.” Schlesinger’s publisher son Maurice will start by printing the instrumental works for string instruments.

Schlesinger would also like to introduce Beethoven to his second son, Carl, who will take over the business in Berlin in the future. Schlesinger writes himself: “The name Schlesinger is going to remain in the world of music and books for a long time. 3 sons will continue the business, 1 in Paris, 2 in Berlin.”

Holz resumes writing for Schlesinger. He mentions that the presentation copy of the Ninth Symphony will be beautifully bound and sent with a letter to the King through Prince Franz Ludwig von Hatzfeld, the Prussian ambassador in 1822. [Hatzfeld was also the conduit for the King’s subscription copy of the Missa Solemnis and made arrangements for the dedication of the Ninth to be accepted.] Beethoven would like to receive an order as a result of the dedication; Schlesinger tells him that this desire could be presented by the ambassador, and then Beethoven would surely get it. Gasparo Spontini (1774-1851) had similarly been awarded the Order of the Prussian Red Eagle in 1822 by Friedrich Wilhelm III. Beethoven would like a similar honor. Schlesinger has heard about the gold medal presented to Beethoven by King Louis XVIII. Schlesinger wants to know as soon as the symphony is given to the ambassador, sending it to the King along with Beethoven’s request for the honor of an order. “Then he will simultaneously mention this present from Ludwig 18th in the Musikalische Zeitung, so that the Prussian King will be made aware of it.” Beethoven mentions that a reproduction of the medal was printed in the Vienna allgemeine musikalische Zeitung.

At some point during this conversation, Beethoven mentions that he has several unpublished marches that might be a suitable gift for the King. [WoO 18, 19, 20, and 24.]

Schlesinger appears to depart at this point, and Holz continues to talk with Beethoven. Holz recommends that Beethoven not make a decision at once; they should discuss the plan for the complete works first. Holz has something to do in the City, and will come back later. Beethoven asks Holz to see someone [possibly Stephan von Breuning about the guardianship]. When will Holz return from Baden, Beethoven asks, and is told Saturday evening [September 9].

Holz returns from his errands and they continue their discussions. Holz’s sister says she will arrange for the handkerchiefs to be made; they will not be expensive.

Regarding the collected works, when will the promised new pieces be ready, Holz asks. And Beethoven will need to write to the various publishers telling them that he plans to have his collected works published, and therefore they should be indemnified in some way, in order not to treat them unfairly. “Schlesinger will then pay for everything, as soon as he receives the news; however, he asks not to mention him for the time being, but to initiate everything under your name.” So, Beethoven asks, Schlesinger would buy up all their inventory of his works? No, Holz clarifies. It is not about buying up the entire stock from the previous publishers; rather, it is buying permission to publish the works from them. But Beethoven will need to say he will repurchase the cantata, Der glorreiche Augenblick, which Steiner had purchased over a decade ago but never published. Holz recommends that Beethoven not get involved in the cadenzas. “I think that then the Jew will publish your concertos in a new edition, including the cadenzas.”

The Musikverein will pay for the oratorio Saul, Holz understands. How much is Beethoven asking? He gives a figure that is more than 900 ducats; plus the opera would be another 1000 ducats. The oratorio could be sold in subscription to the courts again, as was done with the Missa Solemnis. [Beethoven recalls how much of a drain that subscription effort was, so he is probably unenthusiastic about repeating that procedure.]

Artaria can publish the piano reduction of the Grosse Fuge as op.132, Holz suggests, apparently forgetting that number has already been assigned to the string quartet in A minor. “He can have Halm’s arrangement gilded in fire.” While Halm’s arrangement was good, Holz thinks, it did not fit in with Beethoven’s tastes.

Holz has had enough to eat. He asks whether Beethoven will be at home on Friday [September 8, which is a holiday, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.] He intends to be out in the country. If Holz finds him an apartment in Baden, he will write at once and wait for an answer. Beethoven is stressed about moving all his things again, but Holz tells him he doesn’t need to bring very much.

Holz lists the key matters that need to be dealt with regarding Karl:
1) Breuning is declining to act as guardian, so a legal guardian will need to be appointed; and
2) After his recovery, Karl may not go to his mother, but to Uncle Ludwig.

“In case one of these points be neglected, you would feel compelled to not spend another penny on his future. I think that is all that is necessary; Bach said that anything else could do him more harm than good.” If the Magistrate accepts the threat of Karl going to live with his mother as true, then even stricter measures will need to be taken against Johanna. Beethoven asks where this threat is coming from. Holz tells him that Karl says he belongs there [with her.]

“Schlesinger is not entirely in favor of him going into business; he says that in Berlin your name would harm him more than it would be good for him. He says that there he would be in high demand and be invited, thereby being prevented from doing his business.” He takes no joy in it. It is not easy right now to join the military either.

Conversation Book 120, 17r-23r.

Today is also the deadline for Karl to make up his studies at the Polytechnic Institute. Conversation Book 116 at 34r. Since Karl is still in the hospital, that would have been impossible in any event.