BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, November 24, 1824

According to the anonymous anecdote in the Neues Wiener Musik-Zeitung of July 15, 1858 at 110, as you may recall, Carl Friedrich Müller’s mother came to Beethoven’s apartment a few days ago to collect the manuscript of the Waltz in E-flat WoO 84, and was roughly shoved into a dark closet and then sent back home empty-handed by Beethoven’s housekeeper. “A few days later, Beethoven sent the Waltz to the composer in question’s home with the following letter, the authenticity of which is proven, since the original is before us:”

“Your mother was recently turned away by the stupidity of my housekeeper, without me being informed of her presence. I rebuked her for this indecent behavior for not bringing her into my room. The uncouthness and rudeness of these people whom I am so unfortunate to have around me, is known to everyone, and I therefore beg your forgiveness.”

“Your most devoted servant, Louis van Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 1900; Anderson Letter 1454. The original is not known to exist, and the newspaper anecdote is the sole source of the letter.