BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, July 28, 1824
Prince Nikolai Galitzin writes to “Louis van Beethoven” today from St. Petersburg. Anxious for Beethoven’s new works, he reminds the composer that he requested copies of the Consecration of the House Overture and the Ninth Symphony, and authorizes Beethoven to draw upon his bill of exchange at Stieglitz & Co. for whatever amount he wishes to charge for them.
“I have read in the newspapers the account of the brilliant Akademie concert that you gave in Vienna. This makes me desire even more ardently to become acquainted with this sublime masterpiece. What I would not have given to be in Vienna at that moment. The ingratitude of this capital towards you revolts me, and I think you would have been much better off if you had not decided to stay there. Even now, I am convinced that if you want to travel in Europe with no treasure other than your productions, and without any other recommendations than your immortal masterworks, you would see the universe open up before you. Your presence in Paris and London alone would make everyone else be forgotten, and the Akademies you would give there would not even resemble those in Vienna. You have enthusiasts everywhere, and many others who have hardly heard your compositions would soon become enthusiasts after attending the Akademies that you would give. What I tell you here, I desire as much for your interests as for your glory and the glory of science. Genius is revered by everyone, and everywhere you will find friends and admirers! Do not blame me for the wish I make to see you leave Vienna. I would like everyone to know how to appreciate you and admire you as I do.”
“It is said that you are working on an opera, Melusine, by Grillparzer, and a Cantata by Bernard. O that I may soon know all these masterpieces! As for my Quartets [Galitzin had commissioned three from Beethoven] my impatience requests them out of your friendship for me.”
Brandenburg Letter 1854; Albrecht Letter 374. The original is held by the Vienna Beethoven Society. Someone, probably postal workers, have crossed out “à Vienne,” and written “Baden” in red crayon on the letter and “at Baron Wetzler’s house in Guttenbrunn by Baden” in ink, indicating that it was forwarded to Beethoven there. Beethoven writes on the letter, “The address must indicate that the letter is to be submitted to Stieglitz & Comp.”
Galitzin in all likelihood had seen the review of the Akademie concert in the July 1, 1824 Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung, which expressly mentions that Beethoven is composing Grillparzer’s opera Melusine and a large cantata written by Bernard, as Galitzin paraphrases in this letter.
Anton Diabelli & Co. today advertises in the Wiener Zeitung (Nr.171) at 720 a lengthy list of piano works by Beethoven’s former pupil Ferdinand Ries, both recent and older. The list includes the Rondo elegant op.121; Fantasy on Favorite Themes from the Opera Zelmira by Rossini, op.122; Danse Cosaque with Introduction and Variations, op.40/1; Introduction and Variations on the English air Nelson, by J. Braham, op.96/4; Rondo on the Cavatina Di piacer mi balza from Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie, op.89; Rondoletto op.54; Rondeau on the Popular Cavatina Una voce poco fà from Rossini’s Barber of Seville, op.88/2; and the March followed by a Rondo op.78/2.
The Variations on a Cossack Dance op.40/1 by Ries are here performed by Michael Tsalka on fortepiano: