Beethoven is in high spirits this morning and writes a letter that includes a comical biography of his friend Tobias Haslinger to the Schott publishing house in Mainz. But first, business must be addressed: “On January 16th, both works [the Missa Solemnis and Ninth Symphony] were delivered to Friess [Schott’s …
Nephew Karl is at Beethoven’s apartment this morning. He notes that the flour, which was out there, is used up. They seem to be having an issue with former housekeeper Barbara Holzmann, perhaps gossiping about them. Karl says, “Even if she hadn’t given us any evidence that she is against …
Brother Johann stops by Steiner’s music shop and talks to Tobias Haslinger, who shows him the letter from Johann Reinhold Schultz, written in December from London, asking whether he might have the publishing rights to Consecration of the House. Johann will be interested in selling this Overture to a new …
Now that the proofreading of the scores for Schott is finished, Ludwig can give more attention to the finishing touches on the new quartet, op.127. This morning, the new housekeeper stops by Karl’s apartment to tell him that she would like Uncle Ludwig to give her the money for shopping …
Nephew Karl and Brother Johann appear to go with Ludwig to the Fries banking institution to make sure that they are ready to accept the scores of the Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis (which are very nearly in final form), and to hand over the bills of exchange from Schott’s. …
The “old woman,” Barbara Holzmann, declares that the new housekeeper has arrived and is ready to take over. Holzmann will be returning to the St. Marx Spital home for the aged poor. She has to go there today, because it’s already the 11th and her leave expires today. She offers, …
Nephew Karl mentions that violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh will be coming to the apartment this afternoon, but he is giving lessons until 2 o’clock, so it will be after that. Schuppanzigh, as usual, refers to Beethoven in the third person, which we overlook here. Schuppanizgh eventually arrives, and Beethoven outlines the …
Beethoven is fretting about money and decides to ask for a short term loan from his friend, Tobias Haslinger at the Steiner music shop. Nephew Karl suggests that Ludwig write a few lines himself. Uncle Ludwig does not want to, and Karl says, “It’s from you, Good Fellow!” He adds …
Prince Nikolai Galitzin writes to Beethoven today from St. Petersburg. In response to Beethoven’s letter of December 18, he has ordered “the sum of 50 ducats in Hamburg marks” as the fee for the first quartet that was composed on his commission (op.127). He asks that the score be sent …
Cappi & Co. advertises the newest works by Beethoven’s former pupil, Carl Czerny, in today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.1) at 3-4. First is Czerny’s op.86, Introduction, Variations and Finale for pianoforte, on the popular Bavarian Folksong by Gaspare Spontini. The supporting commentary (probably written by Czerny himself, since such comments are …
Beethoven dictates to Nephew Karl an angry letter to Carl Wilhelm Henning (1784-1867) in Berlin today. In November, 1823, Beethoven had authorized the Berlin Theater to use the Consecration of the House Overture, op.124, for the opening of the new Königstädter Theater there last August 4. Henning was musical director …
It appears from comments in the January conversation books that Beethoven celebrates the new year this evening with a beer party at Steiner’s music shop, along with his friend Tobias Haslinger and presumably others. Such New Year’s celebrations there may have been a regular occurrence, which explains why in the …
Karl’s advertisement for a new housekeeper is repeated in today’s Intelligenzblatt supplement (Nr.299) to the Wiener Zeitung, at 824. The text is identical to the one published on Tuesday, December 28, and again asks for anyone interested to get more details at the apartment between 8 and 9 a.m. and …
Ludwig writes a short undated note to Brother Johann, probably this morning or possibly one of the last few days. “Dear brother! Please send everything, including the manuscript of the Bagatelles [op.126], as otherwise I cannot correct them. As soon as I have everything, you can decide where I should …
Nephew Karl this morning visits former housekeeper Barbara Holzmann at St. Marx’s home for the aged poor. He may have gone to see whether she could be granted another leave of absence to serve as housekeeper again. But he notes she is not well. [Prof. Albrecht notes that the walk …
Beethoven writes an undated note, likely around today, to his friend Tobias Haslinger. He writes, “Best caro oggetto amabile [dear lovely object], Make sure that I get the overture back to my house, since it has already been sold off, and it can go as it has already gone–by the …
Nephew Karl and Brother Johann are at Ludwig’s apartment to celebrate Christmas. For mid-day dinner they were to have roast duck, but something goes wrong and Ludwig is not happy with it. Johann suggests that Ludwig just get something from The White Swan restaurant nearby. Johann and Karl are not …
Brother Johann visits Ludwig again today. Nephew Karl is with them, and for part of the time writes on Johann’s behalf. They discuss the financial arrangements for the sale of the assorted works that Ludwig had given him in repayment of debts, including the Consecration of the House Overture, op.124, …
Nephew Karl mentions to his uncle that today is the first day of winter. Copyist Ferdinand Wolanek is back at Beethoven’s apartment, dropping off more copies for proofreading, and lets the composer know he will get the Gloria movement of the Missa Solemnis from Frau Josepha Schlemmer and copy it …
The menu for dinner today has some options: Vegetable soup, or herbal soup; almond horseradish or capers; sweet blue kraut with smoked chops; lamb or sheep brains. In the evening, young chicken and sheep brains. Copyist Ferdinand Wolanek comes back to see Beethoven this morning, though Karl mostly writes on …