BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, June 21, 1820 (approximately)

Conversation Book 14, leaves 54r through 55r

Beethoven makes notes to himself that early in the mornings at 4 a.m. he should go for a walk or study. If he studies, he should go for a walk after breakfast, “and no longer begin as earlier.” Beethoven is writing around the summer solstice, when Mödling would just be starting to have daylight at 4 a.m. While in the City, Beethoven was used to rising at 5 a.m. and beginning work. It seems that in the country he has been allowing himself to sleep later. He also reminds himself to drink more of something, possibly water.

He adds curtains and “body-wrapping” to his shopping list.

The urgency of filling Schlesinger’s commission has Beethoven putting the Missa Solemnis into a state where he can set it aside to work on the last two movements of the piano sonata #30, op.109. He will still continue to sketch materials for the Mass from time to time as things occur to him.