BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, September 15, 1824

Probably this morning in his Vienna apartment, Beethoven makes a cryptic note about, “11 neckties, as an indication.” He also makes a reminder that they need toothpicks.

Beethoven likely looks at some apartments but does not find anything of interest.

Perhaps at the Streichers’ piano shop or elsewhere in Vienna, Beethoven meets with Andreas Streicher. He is a little late on the news, and asks Beethoven about the gold medal given to him by the King of France some months before in honor of the Missa Solemnis. He asks what the inscription says. Beethoven tells him, “Donnée par le Roi à Monsieur Beethoven.”

Beethoven talks with Streicher a bit more about Streicher’s idea to solicit various singing societies for a set of parts to the Missa Solemnis with accompaniment by piano or organ. Beethoven should write out the letters authorizing Streicher to arrange for subscriptions, and Streicher will make the approach to the appropriate people. The letters can be sealed, but he would like to send them out by Friday morning, the 17th.

Later in the day, Ludwig meets Nephew Karl in a coffee house where they read newspapers searching for apartments. Ludwig points out one apartment and asks Karl whether that is not the one they were interested in that was not available. Karl says no, the one we wanted to take was No.87; this one is No.94, seven houses away. [Karl seems to be counting the houses on both sides of the street.]

Beethoven writes down advertisements for three apartments of interest. One in the City at Johannesgasse No.969 on the 4th floor [5th floor American] with five rooms, and two in the Hoher Markt area. They will probably visit those apartments tomorrow. [The apartment in the Johannesgasse is the one that Beethoven will end up renting. The advertisement in the Intelligenzblatt Nr.212 at 307 describes the apartment as “very beautiful.” It includes a kitchen as well as space in the attic and cellar, and would be available at Michaelmas, or September 29.]

Beethoven, likely with Karl’s assistance, works on drafting the letters for the singing societies as requested by Andreas Streicher this evening. That work will continue tomorrow.

Conversation Book 75, 20v-21r.

The Triennial meeting of the three choirs of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, England, takes place over three days beginning today in the city of Worcester. The first evening of concerts at the Worcester College Hall opens with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, with Mr. Charles Clarke, organist of the Cathedral, conducting the concert. Harmonicon Nr. XXII, October 1824 at 192.