BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, June 25, 1823

Pianist Franz Schoberlechner (1797-1843) gives Schindler a letter for Beethoven, asking for letters of recommendation to Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and if possible also to Moscow, Warsaw and St. Petersburg. In the letter, Schoberlechner says that he makes the request at the encouragement of Schindler. Beethoven writes his own note on the letter, “A capable fellow needs no other recommendation other than those among good houses.” In a penciled note, Schindler adds that he merely said he could ask for a letter of recommendation. In a response indicating serious irritation with Schindler, Beethoven writes, “I beg, do not speak of me any more than is necessary.” Ludwig will complain on the weekend about this request to Nephew Karl, who finds it quite humorous, and will angrily write to Schindler about it, probably tomorrow.

Brandenburg Letter 1678 Anderson Letter 1198, Albrecht Letter 324. The original is held by the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (aut.35,53).

Music dealer Johann Cappi advertises in today’s Wiener Zeitung at 586 a number of compositions by Ferdinand Ries, Beethoven’s former composition student. These include a Rondeau for Pianoforte on the Cavatina Una voce poco fà, from Rossini’s Barber of Seville (op.88/2, 1819); a Rondoletto for pianoforte op.54/1 (1814), and Brilliant Variations for the piano on the aria Non più andrai, from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, op.51 (1807).