BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, July 13, 1825

Possibly today, Beethoven writes a lengthy undated letter to Nephew Karl.

“Dear son–dear boy– The point about bonheur [happiness] is worth touching on, because I have already learned from Lichnovsky (deceased) how these so-called great gentlemen do not like to see an artist, although he is their equal, also becoming wealthy. Voila le même cas[son] votre altesse! [Here is the same case, your highness!] In this context, sometimes V.A.–on the letter, à son Altesse Monseigneur le Prince etc.–one cannot know whether this weakness is not there.”

“Here follows a sheet already signed by me. You could also add this, that he is not bothered by the newspaper’s gossipmongering, which, if I wanted, would trumpet me quite a bit. It is true that the quartet was indeed unsuccessful the first time, when it was played by Schuppanzig [sic]. It was played in a shabby manner, since, due to his [Schuppanzigh’s] fatness, he needed more time than before until he was able to immediately understand anything, and many other circumstances contributed to the fact that [‘people don’t see the other three so easily’ is crossed out here] it could not succeed. I also predicted this to him, because despite the fact that Schuppanzig [sic] and two others receive a pension from Prince Rasoum.[ovsky], the quartet is no longer what it once was, when they were all together constantly.”

“However, it has been performed six times by other artists to the best of their ability and received with great acclaim. It was performed twice in a row on one evening, and once again after supper, just as a violinist named Böhm gave it as part of his benefit concert. And now I still have to give it to others.”

“With regard to the letter about the ‘grand quartet‘ to Peters in Leipzig, hurry with it, so that he writes me an answer immediately. These fatalities are necessary, since we have to wait sitting on our hind legs like a dog.”

“Close this letter to my Brother and send it to the post office. From the tailor on the Kärntnerstrasse, have him pick up the Sanclotin [Satin cloth] for a pair of trousers for me, made up as long trousers, but without suspenders, a Casimir [cashmere] and cloth pair of trousers. That can also be picked up after the Nezen [?] from old Wolfsmayer.”

“The shoemaker has his shop in the City in the Spiegelgasse, right opposite the entrance from the Graben. His name is: Magnus Senn, at the City of Paris, No.1095.

“Go to Hönigstein [Henikstein] and be open with him, so that one will know how this wretch acted. It would be good for them to have been informed before writing to Galitzin. I think we’re looking for something else for you this winter; we’ll talk about it–before you come here on Saturday, ask the man in the Naglergasse about knives. You could hand them in earlier. The old woman was doing stupid things.”

“Yesterday, on my way here, I met Herr Clement, Holz, Linke and Petschaschek in Neudorf. They all came out to see me, while I was in the City. They wanted to have the first quartet [op.127] back again. Holz even drove back here from Neudorf and dined with me in the evening, whereupon I gave him the quartet once more. The devotion of capable artists is not to be despised, and it makes one happy.”

“As soon as you have spoken with Hönigstein, write to me immediately. With regard to the Overture in C, the dedication should be made to Galitzin. If Hönigstein will take over the delivery, give it to them, but–perhaps in a closed package.”

“May God be with you. I am certainly expecting a letter from you, my dear son. God be with you and with me. It will soon come to an end for your faithful father.”

“Farewell, little scoundrel!”

“Nb. Regarding the Overture, it should be remembered in the letter to Galitzin that it has already been announced that it will appear dedicated to him in the engraving.”

Brandenburg Letter 2006; Anderson Letter 1394. The original is in the Biblioteka Jagiellonska in Krakow, (Mus. ep. autogr. Beethoven 32).

The letter is likely written the same day as the enclosure meant for Brother Johann, which is dated today, and follows:

“Dearest Brother! Since you have taken care of the book in such a good manner, I request that it be returned to its owner– again, a very nice story. Regarding your wish to see me stay with you, I have already explained myself long ago. I ask that you say nothing more about this, for you will find me here, as always, unshaken. Spare me the details, as I do not like to repeat unpleasant things. You are happy, this is indeed my wish, and remain so, for everyone is best in their own sphere.”

“I only used your apartment once, but the oven almost made me sick, therefore only once — since I already have an apartment, I will probably hardly use the other room that you are offering me. If you write, at least seal the letters and address them to Karl in Vienna, since such a letter costs too much to be sent here.” [In the days before prepaid post, the recipient of a letter had to pay to get it, so Ludwig was concerned about his own budget rather than Johann’s.]

“I implore you urgently once again to return the book belonging to the art machinist on the Graben, since such cases are truly almost unheard of, and I would find myself in no small embarrassment, so, the book, the book! Send it quickly and promptly to Karl in Vienna.”

“Farewell, my dear Brother. God bless you, yours, Ludwig.”

Brandenburg Letter 2005; Anderson Letter 1398. The letter is dated July 13, 1825 and addressed “To Herr Johann v. Beethoven, landowner in Gneixendorf, Krems Post.” The original is held in the London College of Music (Ms.4243.) The book in question belonged to Anton Schlosser, who had offices at Graben Nr.620. He manufactured medical devices, and Beethoven had inquired about having a hearing machine built by him. The book may have related to hearing disorders or acoustics. Ludwig had used Johann’s apartment on one visit to Vienna in June. The other apartment that Beethoven references is probably the small apartment he rented in the Krugerstrasse just before he moved to Baden.

After Beethoven mails these letters to Karl, he is surprised to get visitors: Brother Johann, and his brother-in-law Leopold Obermayer. They try to convince Ludwig that he should leave Baden and go to stay with Johann at his estate in Gneixendorf. Ludwig insists he will stay where he is.

Johann asks how Ludwig’s health is going now. He fills Johann in about the visit to Dr. Braunhofer yesterday, and how he should avoid taking the baths and take fewer medicines. Johann agrees at least with the latter point. “The best thing would be for you to suspend taking the medicine somewhat now, and then later…”

Ludwig asks whether he rented a carriage to come to Baden. No, he doesn’t have a rental carriage. Obermayer had something to do at the market in Mödling today, so they drove out together.

Conversation Book 90, 40v. This concludes Conversation Book 90; Conversation Book 91 begins being used probably tomorrow.

Today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.157) contains at 671 an ad from Anton Diabelli & Co. for the newly-published work by Beethoven’s former pupil Carl Czerny, the Second Grand Pot-pourri Concertant for 2 pianos and six hands, op.84. The first such Pot-pourri for the same forces, Czerny’s op.38, is also advertised. The publisher’s description (probably written by Czerny) of these unwieldy works is, “The publisher believes it has the right to draw particular attention to these two Pot-pourris, as they have already enjoyed undivided acclaim in private circles, are suitable for production in any locale, and, by using the most beautiful motifs of ancient and modern times, give three players every opportunity to demonstrate their virtuosity in a rewarding way.”