Conversation Book 77 begins being used probably today. This book is comprised of 23 leaves, with all pages containing writing. Like the previous book, Anton Schindler misdated it to summer or autumn of 1825. Thayer corrects this to note that the contents in part relate to the wedding celebration that …
Today’s Vienna Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung (Nr.81) includes at 321 a flattering announcement that the Schuppanzigh Quartet’s new subscription series of six concerts will be every Sunday afternoon at 4:30, beginning October 17. Subscriptions are available at Steiner & Co. Art and Music for 10 florins W.W. In order to maintain …
Beethoven writes today from Baden to his former pupil, Carl Czerny. “My dear Czerny! Thank you endlessly for the love you have shown me. Unfortunately, my brother forgot to ask you for the 4-hand piano arrangement of the Overture [Consecration of the House, op.124.] With this in mind, I hope …
Beethoven writes to his friend Tobias Haslinger a followup to his panicked letter of last night. “Our Benjamin arrived here this morning, which is why I had 17 and half a cannon fired. Previous events without being his fault et sine mea culpa [and without being my fault] have made …
Johann Andreas Stumpff most likely goes back to Vienna today and bids farewell to Beethoven. His account of their parting: “Beethoven was the last to accompany me to the carriage that was now to separate me from him on this side of the grave! After a few silent minutes on …
Beethoven’s friend Tobias Haslinger and visitor from England Johann Andreas Stumpff (1769-1836) make the long (three to four hours) hike from Vienna to Baden bei Wien. Stumpff also bears a letter of introduction from piano maker Johann Andreas Streicher. The weather is foggy and cloudy early on, clearing up to …
Probably sometime about now, Beethoven writes an undated letter from Baden to his former pupil Carl Czerny. “At this moment I find out that you are in a situation that I really never suspected. If you would trust me and just show me how things can perhaps be better for …
Recovered for the moment from his stomach ailments, Nephew Karl has rejoined his Uncle Ludwig in Baden bei Wien at some point over the last few days. While he was in Vienna, Karl went to see Andreas Streicher, and explained to him Maximilian J. Leidesdorf’s plan to publish Uncle Ludwig’s …
Several new works from Beethoven’s former pupil, Carl Czerny, are advertised by Anton Diabelli & Co. in today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.217) at 910. These are his Piano Sonata Nr. 4, op.65, and Variations on God Save the King, op.77. Beethoven had written his own set of seven variations on God …
Beethoven, still in Vienna, dictates to Nephew Karl a cover letter to Andreas Streicher today, probably before going out to run errands. “Your wish is granted, my dear friend! The vocal parts for my last grand Mass with accompaniment for organ or piano may be offered to the various singing …
Apartment hunting in Vienna for the fall continues with Nephew Karl. The first apartment is rather pricey, at 700 florins W.W. The building superintendent is not there, so there is no key to visit it. Of the five rooms, only one looks out onto the street. [This would probably not …
Beethoven goes apartment hunting with Nephew Karl. Housekeeper Barbara Holzmann may, as Karl suggested, come along, but there is no positive indication of her presence in today’s conversation book entries. They look at an apartment in the Himmelpfortgasse that has an inconvenient place for a stove. Beethoven suggests another wall, …
Likely this morning, Beethoven writes a short penciled note to his friend, Nannette Streicher, of the family of piano makers. She is also in Baden. He is interested in seeing her son Johann Andreas’s new patent instrument in Vienna. “Dear Friend, I am ready to see this instrument with you …
Beethoven likely returned to Baden from Vienna last night, and works on the quartet op.127 and walks and takes the baths, but does not have any conversations in the latest conversation book. The Wiener musikalische Zeitung for today (Nr.70) at 280 slightly expands upon the advertisement a few days ago …
Conversation Book 74 starts being used, likely today. This book has 32 leaves. Leaves 15v and 17v are blank, but crossed out with Beethoven’s red crayon used for editing with a large “X” across each of the pages. Beethoven returns to Vienna about today from Baden. He makes a shopping …
Assuming his plans remain consistent with his statement to Nanette Streicher in his letter to her yesterday, Beethoven returns to Vienna today. Beethoven continues his to-do list. He begins with a repeat of an entry he made on Wednesday, August 25: +To [attorney Johann Baptist] Bach concerning the re-printing.+Karl to …
Beethoven writes today from Baden to publisher Anton Diabelli about his request for a grand four-hand piano sonata, which he had brought up again earlier this month. [The prospective sonata, which was never written, has been a topic of discussion between them for several years now.] Beethoven says it wasn’t …
Against his doctor’s advice, Carl Maria von Weber (needing money) accepts the offer from Charles Kemble to write an opera for Covent Garden. The result will be his final opera, Oberon, J.306. Weber will travel to England to better learn the language for purposes of understanding the English libretto.
Mainz music publisher B. Schott’s Sons writes to Beethoven today. They let him know that a new bill of exchange has been sent to the Fries bankers in Vienna as of August 12, and asks for the manuscripts for the Missa Solemnis and the Ninth Symphony. Brandenburg Letter 1863. The …
Today, Carl Maria von Weber receives an offer from Charles Kemble to write a new opera for Covent Garden. Kemble also asks Weber to come to London to produce his operas Der Freischütz and Preciosa. Weber thinks about the offer for three days. He also seeks out his doctor’s advice, …