BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, December 22, 1824

Nephew Karl mentions to his uncle that today is the first day of winter.

Copyist Ferdinand Wolanek is back at Beethoven’s apartment, dropping off more copies for proofreading, and lets the composer know he will get the Gloria movement of the Missa Solemnis from Frau Josepha Schlemmer and copy it at home, in order not to be in the way copying it at Beethoven’s apartment. “I can copy the Gloria over the holidays.”

After Wolanek leaves, Karl thumbs through the copies he left. “The score certainly isn’t bad to read, up to several places where–because of spots, etc.–it is hard to read; but very dirty. The main point is that the type-setter always understands.”

Later today, Brother Johann appears to come to visit, though if he does, Karl writes on his behalf. The bills of exchange for the works sold to Schott say 3 months after sight. After that time, they are no longer valid. But not that long [until the works can be delivered and the money claimed. Karl seems to misunderstand; the bills of exchange are not payable until 3 months after the works are turned in, as Johann will clarify in succeeding days.]

Ludwig doesn’t want the partridge that the housekeeper has bought. Either Johann or more likely Karl suggests that he should give it to someone, then. He could give it to Wolanek, the copyist. Ludwig asks why he would give it to him. Wolanek’s employer, Frau Schlemmer, is in a situation where, if she buys meat, the other items must be poor, because she knows they will remain with her. “It is too bad that eating costs so much money, and that none of it is enjoyable.”

Conversation Book 79, 1r-1v.

Today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.293) at 1251 includes an advertisement from the T. Weigl Art and Music Shop offering the Musical Gift for the New Year, a collection of 40 new waltzes for piano, including a final waltz with coda by F. Lachner. This compendium is commissioned and published by Carl Friedrich Müller. The composers are listed alphabetically, with Beethoven at the head. This is the first publication of his Waltz in E-flat, WoO 84, one of only two genuine waltzes written by the composer, though a multitude of such pieces were attributed to his pen after his death. The first part might better be called a German Dance, since it lacks waltz rhythms and phrasings. However, the trio does fit comfortably into the waltz category. The date on Beethoven’s manuscript is November 21, 1824. The price for this volume is 3 florins W.W.

On the same page, Sauer & Leidesdorf announces the new publication of the sixteenth volume of their set of the Complete Operas of Rossini, arranged for piano by Maximilian J. Leidesdorf, La gazza ladra, opera seria in two acts. The price is 10 florins W.W., or 6 for subscribers. In eight days, according to Sauer & Leidesdorf, the seventeenth volume, Demetrio e Polibio, will follow.

Today and tomorrow, December 23, the Pension Institute for the Widows and Children of Musicians, will hold a charitable benefit Akademie in the Hoftheater, featuring the oratorio Jeptha by Handel, which they bill as the composer’s final work. Wiener Zeitung of December 17, 1824 (Nr.289) at 1233.