Beethoven writes a pair of letters today. The first is to the doctor who most recently treated his intestinal inflammation, Dr. Anton Georg Braunhofer, which begins in the form of a dialogue between doctor and patient. “Dear Friend! Dr.: How are you, patient? Patient: We’re not feeling well. Still very …
Beethoven changes his mind about going in to Vienna from Baden himself, probably not feeling well enough to make the trip. Instead, he writes an undated letter to Karl, probably today. “Dear son! I have just received your letter. I am still very weak and alone [he underlines the word …
Probably today or tomorrow, Beethoven talks to the administrator of Schloss Gutenbrunn where he is staying in Baden about using their carriage to go into Vienna in the coming days. They discuss what date he would like it; the administrator suggests that he drive in early on Saturday [May 14], …
Beethoven continues to settle into his new apartment in Baden. He is irked to find that the administrator of the Schloss Gutenbrunn has followed up on their conversation yesterday by bringing the 16-year-old daughter of the owner of the estate to meet Beethoven. He describes her as very well educated. …
Beethoven makes a note to himself to write to Franz Michael Reisser, the director of the Polytechnic Institute [actually the vice-director], who is also to act as Karl’s co-guardian while he attends classes there. Beethoven then makes a list of errands and shopping to do. +Pencil.+Pens.+25 kr. C.M. to Brother.+Burning …
Today, Conversation Book 89 begins being used. It is a little thinner than the last few, comprised of only 39 leaves. Former unpaid assistant Anton Schindler correctly dated this book to 1825 in Baden. The pages appear to be maintained in the correct order. The book covers approximately the next …
Johann comes to the door of Ludwig’s apartment. The composer is not ready for the move and is not dressed yet. He asks Johann where his things are being stored. They are being kept at the baker Obermayer’s, at Kothgasse Nr.61. “You must get dressed now, so that you get …
Beethoven is busy preparing for his move to Baden tomorrow. Nephew Karl lets him know that Brother Johann has done a dumb thing concerning Karl’s bed. Yesterday, Johann went to see the government official where Karl is to be rooming, but he was not there, only his wife Rosalia. Today, …
Beethoven is getting ready to move to Baden for the summer on Saturday May 7. This morning, Ludwig Rellstab stops by to pay one last brief call. He has just collected Beethoven’s letter to him from Steiner. Rellstab says in the conversation book, “I am traveling this evening. I bid …
Johann comes by Ludwig’s apartment. He saw Count Dietrichstein, who sends many greetings and hopes to hear Ludwig’s new grand oratorio [Der Sieg des Kreuzes] this upcoming winter. Ludwig brings up Carl Lippert, the opera singer, as being Karl’s new landlord. Karl corrects him, no, that’s the wrong Lippert. The …
Temporary housekeeper Barbara Holzmann is sticking around for a while, and will also move to Baden with Beethoven at least for a month. She makes preserves for him. Nephew Karl wants to go collect funds from Fries & Co., but he needs the official bill of exchange document to do …
This morning, Beethoven and his former housekeeper Barbara Holzmann take a fiacre to Baden bei Wien in order to secure a summer apartment for the composer. Holzmann is along to make sure that he will have what he needs during his summer stay. Brother Johann departs for his estate in …
Karl and Johann return to Ludwig’s apartment this morning. The old woman, Barbara Holzmann, will go with Ludwig to Baden to find a place for the summer in a couple of days; Johann has already arranged that with her. One of them tells Ludwig he should get beefsteak from the …
Beethoven’s things are being packed to move them out of the Johannesgasse apartment. Johann joins Ludwig and Nephew Karl. Ludwig, still not entirely well, asks Karl where his belongings are going. There is a storeroom in the house Johann is renting from his brother-in-law, Obermayer the baker, in the Kothgasse. …
Today and tomorrow are very busy days for Beethoven, since he needs to remove from his apartment in the Johannesgasse, his lease having been up five days ago. But he is still not feeling well. Nephew Karl comes by reminding the maid that she is to make nothing but salad …
Dr. Braunhofer checks in on his illustrious patient again today. He will prescribe drops for Beethoven to take in the evenings. After he leaves, Nephew Karl comes to the apartment. The first thing he writes is, “Almost.” [We suggest that Karl has almost completed the arrangements for the summer apartment …
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, and Handel’s Samson, in a new arrangement by Ignaz Franz von Mosel (1772-1844), are performed today at the Berlin Royal Opera House as part of a concert for the benefit of General Music Director Gaspare Spontini (1774-1851). The royal orchestra is conducted by Messrs. Spontini and Karl …
Despite his happiness at his leavetaking of Beethoven yesterday, Rellstab nevertheless cannot shake the dire sadness that Beethoven’s profound deafness at the piano impressed upon him. His trip to Pressburg appears to be delayed a day, which we believe would give him the opportunity to make the visit today that …
There appear to be a number of pages missing from the conversation books that would cover the first portion of today; Dr. Braunhofer’s visit is not reflected in the surviving pages, nor is the prospective housekeeper’s trial cooking. Karl also goes to the Bürgerspital to see whether old housekeeper Barbara …
Today is Georgi, or St. George’s Day, which is the typical end of the rental period in Vienna. Although the landlady has told Beethoven he has to go, he is still too ill to move. Yet he will have to leave soon, because the landlady has new tenants lined up …