This morning, Beethoven is perusing his baptismal certificate that he acquired in 1810, looking at the Latin entries. He writes in the conversation book: septingetentesimus [sic] der 700Septugesimus the 70th septimus decimus 17thDecem et septem septem et decem 17 Frau Elisabeth Passy, the new housekeeper, is late for work on …
Beethoven works on a shopping and errand list (several items on this list had appeared at the end of the previous conversation book number 112): Nephew Karl comes to visit. He suggests that the maid, Marie Stiegel, not be oppressed. If she pays attention to the new housekeeper, Elisabeth Passy, …
Nephew Karl visits Uncle Ludwig today. He encountered prospective housekeeper Elisabeth Passy today. She had her letter of appointment from Beethoven and was going to show it to the cloth dealer Wolfmayer. [The latter, a strong supporter of Beethoven, may have been related to Passy.] Karl also mentions the encounter …
Beethoven is continuing to work on the op.131 string quartet in C-sharp minor, but it is probably nearing completion at this point. He puts sketches for the 7th movement of the quartet on leaf 39v of Conversation Book 112, in barely visible pencil; a detail from these sketches, enhanced for …
Beethoven works on an errand list relating to violinist Joseph Böhm: Beethoven goes out to mid-day dinner at a local restaurant or inn. Writer, composer and editor Friedrich August Kanne joins Beethoven. Kanne had recently written a libretto for the Kärntnertor Theater, Mainacht. Kanne appears to be unaware that the …
Beethoven makes a note that he needs new wicker chairs. Nephew Karl comes to visit. Uncle Ludwig asks whether the overcoats being repaired are ready from the tailor. Karl tells him that it has only been a couple of days. He had the tailor extend the old ones that were …
Nephew Karl comes to see his uncle as he had promised Sunday June 11 that he would do. He reports on Elisabeth Passy: “Today the housekeeper [candidate] who was here recently visited Frau Schlemmer [Karl’s landlady], in whom she found an old acquaintance; when she was still living in happier …
Beethoven works on a shopping list: Conversation Book 112, 21v. Part of today’s conversation book entries are found on two loose leaves held by the Bonn Beethovenhaus. BH 53, pp.35-38. The date can be determined from a reference to a court procession which occurs today. Unpaid assistant Karl Holz visits …
Nephew Karl comes to visit his Uncle again today. He asked the housekeeper, Elise Seidl, how she liked the applicant yesterday, Elisabeth Passy. “She says she thinks she would not work, only let herself be waited on.” Karl notes she speaks French. They discuss the possibility of going out to …
An applicant for the constantly-turning-over housekeeper position shows up, and tells Beethoven that she understands cooking. Karl adds that she lives in Mariahilf with Frau Seiss. He has made an appointment with another candidate for tomorrow; she came to him earlier today, but could not come today. She says that …
Nephew Karl stops by the apartment in the Schwarzspanierhaus briefly. His uncle invites him to mid-day dinner. “I cannot possibly stay for lunch, because I have written exams in the afternoon, every Friday; actually, I only came to see you and partly also because I have run out of pens …
Beethoven was to go to dinner with his friend Stephen von Breuning and his family this evening, but there is no reflection of that in the surviving conversation book. They may have used a separate book that no longer survives. Beethoven’s publisher in Mainz, B. Schott’s Sons, writes a letter …
Uncle Ludwig is feeling his compositions are unappreciated. Nephew Karl, who is with him, tries to cheer him up. “So many proofs you have about your works being praised and admired and—paid for; you should long ago be above such anxiety.” The current housekeeper, Elise Seidl, says she cannot make …
The candidate to serve as a maid, Marie Stiegel, arrives. She says she was sent by the bread seller. The housekeeper, Elise Seidl approves, saying, “She looks neat and lives with her husband.” Seidl would like to get a table cloth. Conversation Book 110, 55v. This concludes Conversation Book 110. …
The housekeeper, Elise Seidl, has to run out for an errand and tells Beethoven she will be back soon. Beethoven goes to a coffee house and reads today’s newspapers. He makes a note of an advertisement for “pique bedding in the English style.” Conversation Book 110, 55v. On the back …
A stray leaf torn from a conversation book that was used today or tomorrow survives at the Bonn Beethovenhaus, BH 53 pages 11-12. Unpaid assistant Karl Holz is talking to Beethoven about someone unidentified, who has been commissioned by the Musikverein to write a biography of Ignaz von Mosel. “He …
Nephew Karl visits his uncle to straighten out the maid situation for Ludwig. He has arranged for a new maid candidate [Marie Stiegel] to come, and if Uncle Ludwig finds her proper, he can take her on at once; Karl spoke to Frau Schlemmer yesterday, and she confirmed that this …
The new housekeeper, Elise Seidl, starts work today for Beethoven. The first order of business is shopping. She has Beethoven take a look at the pantry with her, so they can go through and see what is needed and she will go shopping. Since the most recent kitchen maid was …
Nephew Karl visits Uncle Ludwig today. He gives Ludwig at least two pair of gloves from Brother Johann. One pair cannot be cleaned at home; the other gloves can be. Karl observes that the maid washed her feet in the water bucket, and the kettle is leaking. Uncle Ludwig asks …
Nephew Karl comes to see Uncle Ludwig today to help sort out the transition between servants. Elise Seidl is being interviewed again for a position as housekeeper, possibly having her cooking trial. Probably after she leaves, Beethoven wants unpaid assistant Karl Holz to deliver his answer to publisher Mathias Artaria …