BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, February 15, 1826
Beethoven writes an undated letter to unpaid assistant Karl Holz, probably this morning.
“For his excellency H. m. Holz.”
“As Drangeld [earnest money], the cane performed its duty yesterday.”
“I think it’s much better if you find someone who follows the trail; perhaps [K.?] will find something better than you believe, and only then can you act on conviction, whatever it costs. I will gladly reimburse you, but the matter must be cleverly arranged. I beg you most sincerely, please have your sister, to whom I commend myself, buy two ells of flannel according to the pattern, which she can bring with her when she comes to see me this afternoon—”
“I am only sorry to be a burden to you in so many ways. Yours in haste, Beethoven.”
Brandenburg Letter 2117; Anderson Letter 1506. The letter is not known to survive; the text is derived from Kalischer’s edition of the letters, Nr.1181. Kalischer had the autograph before him, then in the possession of Kapellmeister Göttman in Berlin. Holz remarks at 6r of Conversation Book 104 that his sister Anna has completed the purchase of the flannel, so this letter likely was written earlier that same day. Holz will on February 19 also caution Beethoven against hitting the housekeeper, which is probably connected to the implication in the letter yesterday that Beethoven at least threatened her with his walking stick.
Holz comes to visit Beethoven later today. He says his sister Anna didn’t know how wide the flannel needed to be, so she took the widest. Beethoven asks how much that cost. Holz says 2 florins, 45 kreutzers per ell. The flannel is thick.
Talk turns to the discussion of the possible Akademie concert and the performance then of the Ninth Symphony. Since they won’t be able to get ready by the 28th, which was reserved for Beethoven, he could cede that date and make someone else very happy. Beethoven asks who they will have conduct. Holz says it won’t be Michael Umlauf again, who had conducted the premiere. Why is that, Beethoven asks. “It appears that he is annoyed that you have no longer mentioned him.” Schuppanzigh thinks Ignaz von Seyfried would be the best choice. Beethoven thinks that Joseph Weigl might be a good choice. Holz says that if he thinks so, he needs to write to Weigl soon to invite him to conduct.
Beethoven doesn’t have enough unbroken plates for dinner. Holz says that he’ll come the day after tomorrow [Friday, February 17] and they can go porcelain shopping.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel comes up. Holz is dismissive; “He never took originality seriously. It is more of a certain elegance than true art. He is not entirely pure.” For people like Hummel, “Music is, as Schiller says, ‘a good cow that provides them with butter.'” Holz accuses publisher Sigmund Anton Steiner of lying. “I’m not going there any more, except on your business.” Steiner distorts every word.
Holz’s stomach is better; “I am happy that I have recovered.”
Holz mentions that there is a superb book on astronomy, Populäre Astronomie, by J.J. Litrow. This publication had already been noted by Beethoven on December 27, 1825.
Beethoven suggests that Nephew Karl should have a new co-guardian with him. Holz says that he must first meet whomever is selected, so that he knows to keep a close eye on Karl. The young man is too hidden away at Schlemmer’s, and Schlemmer is not paying sufficient attention. Of course, it will be known to Karl that he’s being watched closely, but that might be more effective, since it will make him afraid of reports getting back to Uncle Ludwig.
Holz makes arrangements for Beethoven to meet him at lunchtime on Friday at his office at the Landhaus. At first, Beethoven is resistant, saying he will be an embarrassment if he goes in. Holz tells him to send the office servant in to get Holz then, if he doesn’t want to come inside himself.
Conversation Book 104, 6r-8v.
Beethoven later goes to read the newspapers at a coffee house, and makes a note of an ad from a book shop about widow’s institutions in the Austrian Monarchy. He also makes a note of an ad for a summer apartment in the village of Biedermannsdorf, an hour from Baden. He also makes note of a book on security locks at Wallishauser’s book shop, translated from the English.
He also makes a shopping list (in part for the porcelain shopping trip) in the conversation book:
++ Coffee bowls.
- Plates.
- Refined oil.
- Tablespoon for the riffraff.
- Pencils.
These notes are found on a leaf that seems to have been torn from Conversation Book 104 in this place, between leaves 8 and 9. The leaf is presently held by the Bonn Beethovenhaus and is part of the manuscript BH 53, pages 23-24.
In today’s fourth concert led by Herr Biesener, the “incomparable Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven” is performed in Berlin. Berliner allgemeine musikalische Zeitung of February 22, 1826 (Nr.8) at 61. The Sixth Symphony is here performed by Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philarmonic: