BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, July 19, 1826

Beethoven’s publisher B. Schott’s Sons in Mainz writes several letters related to Beethoven today. Neither of these letters survives, but their existence and general contents are known from other letters.

Schott’s sends Beethoven a bill of exchange for 40 ducats, representing the second half of the purchase price of the quartet op.131, which is payable in August, upon delivery of the manuscript. Schott’s also reminds Beethoven to provide the metronome markings for the Ninth Symphony, as they are presumably holding publication for these critical markings. Brandenburg Letter 2169.

Simultaneously, Schott’s writes to trading house Franck & Co. in Vienna to advise that it has drawn a second bill of exchange to Beethoven for 40 ducats, payable in August, 1826. The bill of exchange is to be paid to him upon delivery of the manuscript of the quartet op.131, but no earlier than the month of August. Brandenburg Letter 2170.

These letters are inferred from Beethoven’s letters of July 12 and July 29 to Schott’s (Brandenburg 2168 and 2173.)