BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, June 15, 1825

After working on the quartet op.132, Beethoven goes to a coffee house in Baden and reads yesterday’s Vienna newspapers. He makes note of the fact that the National Bank is declaring a dividend on its bank shares in the amount of 30 florins, which can be paid out from that day forward. [At this point, Beethoven still has seven bank shares, so the 210-florin dividend would certainly be welcome.]

Conversation Book 90, 3v.

Former unpaid assistant Anton Schindler discovered several pages blank at this point in Conversation Book 90, and created many fictional conversations with Beethoven that make it appear as if they were in communication–which they were not. They include a good deal of theater gossip, especially relating to the financial problems of Count Palffy at the Theater an der Wien. These fraudulent entries cover pages 4r-7r, at which point genuine entries resume.

Beethoven also writes a fairly long and affectionate letter to Nephew Karl today. “My dear son! I hope you have timely received the 62 florins 30 kreutzers W.W. [sent yesterday to cover the tailor bill.] You could also have a pair of trousers made from the same cloth. Do that. You will hopefully have taken the best cloth available for 21 florins; in such cases you don’t have to deny yourself the best because of a few florins. Of the gray stuff for trousers, you could also take have 2 more pairs made, and they can be tailored afterwards; compute the additional costs for it and I will add it on top. “

“What the right hand does should not be known to the left–that is how noble people behave today. Unfortunately, you yourself are to blame if someone has to draw your attention to it. Don’t forget to go to Friess [Beethoven underlines the name three times; this appears to be in connection with Karl drawing on his father’s annuity.] Aurora is not just a means to awaken you, but also inspires your activity.”

“About the everyday household circumstances. The girl came back, but she is not staying. [The maid who had gone in to Vienna to redeem her overcoat from a pawnbroker where a friend had pawned it; she had promised to continue working for Beethoven.] In the meantime, I have spoken agitatedly to the old woman as much as one can speak to such people — away with this devilish stuff.”

“Herr Brother Asinaccio has written. [Johann in his letter to Karl earlier this month had mentioned he was writing a long letter to Ludwig, but it has not survived. Apparently Ludwig was not impressed at whatever Johann had to say, calling him a wretched ass.] Being alone at the table is the hardest thing for me, and it’s really surprising that I’m writing passably here at all.”

“Perhaps I’ll come into the City on Saturday. You could then perhaps come with me here at 6 o’clock in the evening?!– Now farewell, my heart, earn it, take what you need; it will also be bought for you when I come into the City.”

“I embrace you. Be my good, hardworking, noble son. As always, your faithful father.”

Beethoven adds a postscript: “I only wish to know that the money arrives properly. Do you know whether the accompanist has come?” [Sieghard Brandenburg suggests that Beethoven probably means student Jakob Klabs, born 1800, who is mentioned in the August 1826 conversation books.]

Brandenburg Letter 1996; Anderson Letter 1390. The original is in the Biblioteka Jagiellonska (Mus. ep. autogr. Beethoven 25).