BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, March 19, 1823

When Beethoven gives Archduke Rudolph his composition lesson today, he comes bearing a lovely gift: the presentation copy of the Missa Solemnis. It is just after the third anniversary of his enthronement as archbishop of Olmütz on March 9, 1820. The Mass was begun in April, 1819 in order to be performed at the ceremony, but it has taken Beethoven four years to finish it. And in fact, he will still make some further changes to the score before publication (including the addition of trombones in early 1824).

The work is of course dedicated to the Archduke. The score was written out by three copyists, Wenzl Rampl and two unidentified assistants. The calligraphic title page is by an unknown hand. The original is today hidden in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, which purchased the score from the Archduke’s estate. The manuscript is catalogued there as A 85a. We have been unable to find any photographic reproductions of the score.

Today’s issue of the Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung at col. 192-194 reviews in some enthusiastic detail the publication of Beethoven’s “Archduke” Trio, op.97, by S.A. Steiner & Co. “The first movement (Allegro moderato – B-flat) is overflowing with artistic beauties, full of originality and furnished with elegant splendor….The Menuetto (Scherzo), together with its twin brother, the Trio, through its gloomy key B-flat minor, forms the dark side, so to speak, yet unfolds an immensely rich treasure trove of contrapuntal beauties for all its apparent frivolity. This is quite so the way of the true master who writes with knowledge without flaunting his erudition.”

“The third movement, an Andante with variations in D major, has an agreeable theme that is just as beautiful and appealingly invented, changed with skill and prudence. Yet without a real conclusion the composer prepares us for no.4, the Finale (Allegro moderato/B-flat major) in which all the sister instruments compete in lively, brilliant passages. Through means of an Inganno [interrupted cadence], We find ourselves in A major and a new tempo (Presto), after which a similar enharmonic confusion, brings us to conclusion with a fiery coda and even more vigorous acceleration.”

“The artists, united together in the accomplishment of this fine work, should honor it to the fullest extent as to be able to appropriate the poet’s spirit and to breathe the same into the performance. The most all-encompassing practice will fail where Prometheus fails to provide the invigorating spark of the gods.”

“The publishing house has for its part provided for a pleasing product in its typographical elements.”

The first movement of the “Archduke” Trio is here performed by Arthur Rubinstein, Jascha Heifetz, and Emanuel Feuermann:

On this day Johann Nepomuk Schelble (1789-1837), conductor and music director of the Frankfurt Cäcilien-Verein, agrees to subscribe to the Missa Solemnis on behalf of the music society. “I request that you, as soon as it pleases you, have a copy of your new Mass sent to me.” Beethoven had made a reminder note to himself in the Conversation Book 23 on February 7 to write to the Society. On February 11, Schindler asks whether the standard form should be used, or an individualized invitation. Opting for the individual touch in the invitation letter, which was probably sent within a day or two after February 11, has paid off. The subscription solicitation is not known to survive, but Schelble’s agreement to subscribe is held by the Berlin Staatsbibliothek as aut. 35,55. Brandenburg Letter 1613, Albrecht Letter 315.

But there is grim news in the mail, as Beethoven today receives Carl Friedrich Peters’ blistering letter rejecting all of the things that Beethoven has sent him as unworthy of the composer’s name. Beethoven notes the receipt date on his 1823 calendar, apparently as a reminder that he should promptly respond to Peters. But how to answer such a hurtful thing?

To make matters worse, this evening Beethoven loses his wallet with what little cash he had.

But in good news for those reading this feature, tomorrow the conversation books resume. [Since Schindler does not make mention of Peters in the conversation books after this date, it seems likely that Beethoven did not show him the letter, perhaps out of embarrassment. Schindler surely would have commented at length about it.]