Tobias Haslinger and Prussian Royal Librarian Samuel Heinrich Spiker (1786-1858) visit Beethoven this morning regarding the dedication copy of the Ninth Symphony, which Haslinger is having bound. There are no conversation book entries for this conversation. However, Spiker published his recollections of the visit, in the obituary of Beethoven contained …
This morning, or possibly last evening, Stephan von Breuning visits Beethoven. He reports that Lieutenant Field Marshal Joseph Freiherr von Stutterheim (1764-1831) will take Karl into his Archduke Ludwig regiment. “If Karl can go out, he must come with me to see him Tuesday morning [September 26] at 8 o’clock, …
Beethoven writes a short note to his friend Stephan von Breuning about today, forwarding the Muzio Clementi piano method sent by Haslinger for Breuning’s son Gerhard: “Dear worthy! Finally, I can get the wind out of my windbaggery, here follows the promised Clement. Piano School for gerard. [sic.] If he …
Beethoven is in a good humor and writes an undated note, probably this morning, to publisher Tobias Haslinger. “Dearest Herr North American Music Dealer and Small Trader!” [A small pun between ‘Notenhändler” and “Klein Handelnder,” one who is acting in a petty manner.] “I am only here for half a …
Beethoven writes a quick letter to unpaid assistant Karl Holz, but is interrupted by the arrival of copyist Wenzel Rampl. “Did you come home today from the realm of love, since I wrote to you and Breuning? If not, you could still go with the letter to Breun. after your …
A fragment survives of a letter, most likely to unpaid assistant Karl Holz, written roughly about now since it makes reference to the negotiations for a collected edition with Adolph Martin Schlesinger. “I find this best. In a matter of discretion, I will not entrust myself to a person who …
Beethoven goes to see his friend Stephan von Breuning briefly before going to visit Nephew Karl at the hospital. Breuning assures him that he will take care of everything related to Karl’s military career. However, he wishes to speak to Karl himself. Unpaid assistant Karl Holz [probably still in Baden …
Beethoven writes a letter to his publisher B. Schott’s Sons in Mainz; the letter bears the date August 16, 1826, but based on its contents it must date from September. “Very worthy ones! Yesterday I finally received copies of the [Ninth] Symphony, Quartet [op.127], et[c]., for which I thank you …
Conversation Book 121 begins being used probably today. This is a book of 46 leaves, with writing on every leaf. The book covers September 15 through September 27, or just under two weeks. There are sufficient indicators and internal references throughout the book that we can be fairly confident of …
There is no conversation with Baron Stephan von Ertmann in the surviving conversation books; assuming he did indeed visit Beethoven today as was suggested in yesterday’s conversation book, then a separate book, now lost, must have been used. It’s possible his wife, pianist Dorothea von Ertmann, might have also come, …
Unpaid assistant Karl Holz leaves Baden for Vienna very early to take care of several matters for Beethoven. He spoke to Stephan von Breuning about the guardianship. He notes that Breuning also had a sad fate with his former guardianship. What happened, Beethoven asks. Holz reluctantly tells him, “A ward …
Beethoven writes an undated letter to Tobias Haslinger, probably this morning. “According to my exclusive privilege, the bearer of this has first to pluck, shake, etc. your right ear, cres: ——– then in your left ear ffmo —after this fruitful operation, he has to explain to you that I wish …
The chronology of the next week is somewhat confused. We have a few anchors, including unpaid assistant Karl Holz’s registration in Baden today, a step that is usually taken when one intends to stay five days or more. However, Holz also appears to be in Vienna on a daily basis …
Unpaid assistant Karl Holz returns from Baden today. Beethoven mentions that he has been thinking about Adolph Schlesinger publishing his complete works. Holz cautions that they need to be careful with Schlesinger; he is very smart. At minimum, they need to get in writing his declaration that he will pay …
Beethoven writes to unpaid assistant Karl Holz at his rooms in the Saeurhof hotel in Baden today. “Very worthy one! One can see what better and purer air, as well as the women, do, for in barely 3 days your icy crust has already thawed. I notice this from your …
This is a holiday, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Beethoven makes a day trip to the village of Nussdorf in the country today to escape the heat of the City. There are no remarks from this trip in Conversation Book 120, which suggests that another …
Uncle Ludwig visits Nephew Karl in the hospital again today, or possibly very early tomorrow before he goes to Nussdorf for the day. Ludwig asks Karl about his doctor. “The old physician is a doctor of medicine and therefore has little to do with me. The oldest one of the …
Unpaid assistant Karl Holz visits Beethoven briefly before he departs for Baden. He notes that it is the one-month anniversary [of Karl’s suicide attempt.] Beethoven asks how much this month in the hospital will cost; Holz tells him 40 florins. “I deposited the money. Without receipt. The bill will only …
Beethoven writes a short letter to unpaid assistant Karl Holz early this morning, or possibly last night. “Dear friend!” “I am finally able to fulfill my wish to take an escape of several days the day after tomorrow. In this regard, I ask you to tell Herr Mathias A.[rtaria] that …
Beethoven writes a short letter to unpaid assistant Karl Holz, sometime between September 2 and 5: “I hope and remember to see you at my table. Should you come here before then, and wish to make your way to Karl, it would be good to know when the chocolate must …