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diff --git a/13272-0.txt b/13272-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d64ae6 --- /dev/null +++ b/13272-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8912 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13272 *** + +BEETHOVEN'S LETTERS. + +(1790-1826.) + +FROM THE COLLECTION OF DR. LUDWIG NOHL. + + +ALSO HIS + +LETTERS TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH, CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOP +OF OLMÜTZ, K.W., FROM THE COLLECTION OF DR. +LUDWIG RITTER VON KÖCHEL. + + +TRANSLATED BY +LADY WALLACE. + + +_WITH A PORTRAIT AND FAC-SIMILE._ + + +IN TWO VOLUMES. + +VOL. II. + + +BOSTON: +OLIVER DITSON & CO., 277 WASHINGTON STREET. +NEW YORK: C.H. DITSON & CO. + + + + +CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. + + +SECOND PART. + +LIFE'S MISSION. +1815-1822. +(_Continued._) + + +216. To Steiner & Co. +217. To the Same +218. To Tobias Haslinger +219. To the Same +220. To Baroness Dorothea von Ertmann +221. To Zmeskall +222. To Steiner & Co. +223. To G. del Rio +224. To the Same +225. To the Same +226. To the Same +227. To the Same +228. To Czerny +229. To the Same +230. To the Same +231. To Zmeskall +232. To G. del Rio +233. To Frau von Streicher +234. To the Same +235. To the Same +236. To F. Ries, London +237. To Zmeskall +238. To the Same +239. To Frau von Streicher +240. To G. del. Rio +241. To Zmeskall +242. To the Same +243. To the Same +244. To the Same +245. To Frau von Streicher +246. To the Same +247. To the Same +248. To the Same +249. To the Archduke Rudolph +250. To G. del Rio +251. To the Same +252. To the Archduke Rudolph +253. To G. del Rio +254. To the Same +255. To Czerny +256. To F. Ries, London +257. To the Rechnungsrath Vincenz Hauschka +258. To the Archduke Rudolph +259. To the Same +260. To Ferdinand Ries +261. To the Same +262. To the Same +263. To the Philharmonic Society in Laibach +264. To Ferdinand Ries, London +265. To the Archduke Rudolph +266. To the Same +267. To the Same +268. To the Same +269. To the Same +270. To the Same +271. To the Same +272. To the Same +273. To the Same +274. To the Same +275. To the Same +276. To Herr Blöchlinger +277. Canon on Herr Schlesinger +278. To Artaria, Vienna +279. A Sketch by Beethoven +280. To Artaria +281. Petition to the Magistracy +282. To F. Ries, London +283. To the Archduke Rudolph +284. Memorandum +285. To the Archduke Rudolph +286. To the Same +287. To the Royal and Imperial High Court of Appeal +288. To the Archduke Rudolph +289. Testimonial in favor of Herr von Kandeler +290. To Theodore Amadeus Hoffmann +291. To Haslinger +292. To the Same +293. To the Archduke Rudolph +294. To the Same +295. To Artaria & Co. +296. To Bolderini +297. To the Archduke Rudolph +298. To Artaria & Co. +299. To Haslinger +300. To the Archduke Rudolph +301. To the Same +302. To Steiner & Co. +303. To a Friend +304. To the Archduke Rudolph +305. To F. Ries, London +306. To Herren Peters & Co., Leipzig +307. To the Same +308. To the Same +309. To Artaria +310. To Herr Peters, Leipzig +311. To the Archduke Rudolph +312. To Herr Peters, Leipzig +313. To F. Ries, London +314. To Ignaz Ritter von Seyfried + + + + +THIRD PART. + +LIFE'S TROUBLES AND CLOSE +1823-1827. + + +315. To Zelter +316. To F. Ries, London +317. To Schindler +318. To the Same +319. To Herr Kind +320. To Cherubini +321. To Schindler +322. To Herr Peters, Leipzig +323. To Zelter +324. To the Archduke Rudolph +325. To Schindler +326. To F. Ries, London +327. To Herr Lissner, Petersburg +328. To Schindler +329. To the Same +330. To the Same +331. To the Same +332. To the Same +333. To the Same +334. To the Same +335. To the Same +336. To the Archduke Rudolph +337. To Schindler +338. To Pilat, editor of the "Austrian Observer" +339. To Schindler +340. To the Same +341. To the Same +342. To the Same +343. To the Same +344. To the Same +345. To the Archduke Rudolph +346. To F. Ries +347. To Herr von Könneritz +348. To Herr von Könneritz +349. To Schindler +350. To his Nephew +351. To the Archduke Rudolph +352. To the Same +353. To the Same +354. To F. Ries, London +355. To the Same +356. To the Archduke Rudolph +357. To the Same +358. To Schindler +359. To the Same +360. To the Same +361. To Herr Grillparzer +362. To Herr Probst, Leipzig +363. To Schindler +364. To Herr von Rzehatschek +365. To Prince Trautmannsdorf +366. To Count Moritz Lichnowsky +367. To Herr Schuppanzigh +368. To Schindler +369. To Herr von Sartorius +370. To Schindler +371. To the Same +372. To the Same +373. To the Same +374. To the Same +375. To Steiner & Co +376. To Haslinger +377. To Steiner & Co +378. To Haslinger +379. To the Same +380. To the Same +381. To M. Diabelli +382. To Herr Probst, Leipzig +383. To Haslinger +384. To Herr Schott, Mayence +385. To the Archduke Rudolph +386. To his Nephew +387. To Herr Peters +388. To Hans Georg Nägeli, Zurich +389. To his Nephew +390. To Herr Nägeli +391. To Herr Schott, Mayence +392. To Hauschka +393. To Herr Nägeli, Zurich +394. To the Archduke Rudolph +395. To Herr Schott, Mayence +396. To Carl Holz +397. To the Same +398. To Herr Schott, Mayence +399. To Friends +400. To Schindler +401. To Linke +402. To * * * +403. To F. Ries +404. To Herr Jenger, Vienna +405. To Schott +406. To Ludwig Rellstab +407. To * * * +408. To his brother Johann +409. To Herr von Schlemmer +410. To his Nephew +411. To the Same +412. To Dr. Braunhofer +413. To his Nephew +414. To the Same +415. To the Same +416. To the Same +417. To his Nephew +418. To the Same +419. To the Same +420. To the Same +421. To the Same +422. To the Same +423. To the Same +424. To the Same +425. To the Same +426. To the Same +427. To the Same +428. To the Same +429. To the Same +430. To the Same +431. To the Same +432. To the Same +433. To the Same +434. To his brother Johann, Gneixendorf +435. To his Nephew +436. To the Same +437. To the Same +438. To his Copyist +439. To his Nephew +440. To the Same +441. To Zmeskall +442. To Herr Friedrich Kuhlau +443. To his Nephew +444. To the Same +445. To Herr von Schlesinger +446. To his Nephew +447. To the Same +448. To the Same +449. To the Same +450. To the Abbé Maximilian Stadler +451. To Gottfried Weber +452. To Herr Probst, Leipzig +453. To Stephan von Breuning +454. To the Same +455. To the Same +456. Testimonial for C. Holz +457. To C. Holz +458. To the King of Prussia +459. To Wegeler +460. To Tobias Haslinger +461. To the Same +462. To Carl Holz +463. To Dr. Bach +464. To Wegeler +465. To Sir George Smart, London +466. To Herr Moscheles +467. To Schindler +468. To Baron von Pasqualati +469. To the Same +470. To Sir George Smart, London +471. To Baron von Pasqualati +472. To the Same +473. To Herr Moscheles +474. To Schindler +475. To Herr Moscheles +476. Codicil + + + + +BEETHOVEN'S LETTERS. + + +216. + +TO STEINER & CO. + +The Adjutant's innocence is admitted, and there is an end of it! + +We beg you to be so good as to send us two copies in score of the Symphony +in A. We likewise wish to know when we may expect a copy of the Sonata for +Baroness von Ertmann, as she leaves this, most probably, the day after +to-morrow. + +No. 3--I mean the enclosed note--is from a musical friend in Silesia, not a +rich man, for whom I have frequently had my scores written out. He wishes +to have these works of Mozart in his library; as my servant, however, has +the good fortune, by the grace of God, to be one of the greatest blockheads +in the world (which is saying a good deal), I cannot make use of him for +this purpose. Be so kind therefore as to send to Herr ---- (for the +_Generalissimus_ can have no dealings with a petty tradesman), and desire +him to _write down the price of each work_ and send it to me with my two +scores in A, and also an answer to my injunction about Ertmann, as early +to-day as you can (_presto, prestissimo_!)--_nota bene_, the _finale_ to be +_a march in double-quick time_. I recommend the best execution of these +orders, so that no further obstacle may intervene to my recovery. + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN, + + The best _generalissimus_ for the good, + But the devil himself for the bad! + + +217. + +TO STEINER. + +The Lieutenant-General is requested to send his _Diabolum_, that I may tell +him myself my opinion of the "Battle," which is _printed in the vilest +manner_. There is much to be altered. + +THE G----S. + + +218. + +TO TOBIAS HASLINGER. + +MY GOOD ADJUTANT,-- + +Best of all little fellows! Do see again about that house, and get it for +me. I am very anxious also to procure _the treatise on education_. It is of +some importance to me to be able to compare my own opinions on this subject +with those of others, and thus still further improve them. As for our +juvenile Adjutant, I think I shall soon have hit on the right system for +his education. Your + +CONTRA FA, + +_Manu propria._ + + +219. + +TO THE HIGH-BORN HERR HASLINGER, HONORARY MEMBER OF THE HÖFEN GRABENS AND +PATER NOSTER GÄSSCHEN. + +BEST OF ALL PRINTERS AND ENGRAVERS,-- + +Be kinder than kind, and throw off a hundred impressions of the +accompanying small plate.[1] I will repay you threefold and fourfold. +Farewell! + +Your + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: This is possibly the humorous visiting-card that Beethoven +sometimes sent to his friends, with the inscription _Wir bleiben die Alten_ +("We are the same as ever"), and on reversing the card, a couple of asses +stared them in the face! Frau Eyloff told me of a similar card that her +brother Schindler once got from Beethoven on a New Year's day.] + + +220. + +TO BARONESS DOROTHEA VON ERTMANN.[1] + +Feb. 23, 1817. + +MY DEAR AND VALUED DOROTHEA CECILIA,-- + +You have no doubt often misjudged me, from my apparently forbidding manner; +much of this arose from circumstances, especially in earlier days, when my +nature was less understood than at present. You know the manifestations of +those self-elected apostles who promote their interests by means very +different from those of the true Gospel. I did not wish to be included in +that number. Receive now what has been long intended for you,[2] and may it +serve as a proof of my admiration of your artistic talent, and likewise of +yourself! My not having heard you recently at Cz---- [Czerny's] was owing +to indisposition, which at last appears to be giving way to returning +health. + +I hope soon to hear how you get on at St. Polten [where her husband's +regiment was at that time quartered], and whether you still think of your +admirer and friend, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + +My kindest regards to your excellent husband. + +[Footnote 1: It was admitted that she played Beethoven's compositions with +the most admirable taste and feeling. Mendelssohn thought so in 1830 at +Milan, and mentions it in his _Letters from Italy and Switzerland_.] + +[Footnote 2: Undoubtedly the Sonata dedicated to her, Op. 101.] + + +221. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +DEAR Z.,-- + +I introduce to your notice the bearer of this, young Bocklet, who is a very +clever violin-player. If you can be of any service to him through your +acquaintances, do your best for him, especially as he is warmly recommended +to me from Prague.[1] + +As ever, your true friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Carl Maria Bocklet, a well-known and distinguished pianist in +Vienna. He told me himself that he came for the first time to Vienna in +1817, where he stayed six weeks. On April 8th he gave a violin concert in +the _Kleine Redoutensaale_. He brought a letter of introduction to +Beethoven, from his friend Dr. Berger in Prague.] + + +222. + +TO STEINER & CO. + +The Lieutenant-General is desired to afford all aid and help to the young +artist Bocklet from Prague. He is the bearer of this note, and a virtuoso +on the violin. We hope that our command will be obeyed, especially as we +subscribe ourselves, with the most vehement regard, your + +GENERALISSIMUS. + + +223. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +I only yesterday read your letter attentively at home. I am prepared to +give up Carl to you at any moment, although I think it best not to do so +till after the examination on Monday; but I will send him sooner if you +wish it. At all events it would be advisable afterwards to remove him from +here, and to send him to Mölk, or some place where he will neither see nor +hear anything more of his abominable mother. When he is in the midst of +strangers, he will meet with less support, and find that he can only gain +the love and esteem of others by his own merits. + +In haste, your + +BEETHOVEN. + + +224. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +I request you, my dear friend, to inquire whether in any of the houses in +your vicinity there are lodgings to be had at Michaelmas, consisting of a +few rooms. You must not fail to do this for me to-day or to-morrow. + +Your friend, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + +P.S.--N.B. Though I would gladly profit by your kind offer of living in +your garden-house, various circumstances render this impossible. My kind +regards to all your family. + + +225. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +HOUSE OF GIANNATASIO!-- + +The treatise on the piano is a general one,--that is, it is a kind of +compendium. Besides, I am pleased with the Swiss [probably Weber, a young +musician who had been recommended to him], but the "Guaden" is no longer +the fashion. + +In haste, the devoted servant and friend of the Giannatasio family, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +226. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +You herewith receive through Carl, my dear friend, the ensuing quarter due +to you. I beg you will attend more to the cultivation of his feelings and +kindness of heart, as the latter in particular is the lever of all that is +good; and no matter how a man's kindly feeling may be ridiculed or +depreciated, still our greatest authors, such as Goethe and others, +consider it an admirable quality; indeed, many maintain that without it no +man can ever be very distinguished, nor can any depth of character exist. + +My time is too limited to say more, but we can discuss verbally how in my +opinion Carl ought to be treated on this point. + +Your friend and servant, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + +Alser Vorstadt--Beim Apfel, 2ter Étage, +No. 12, Leiberz, Dressmaker. + + +227. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +This is at any rate the first time that it has been necessary to remind me +of an agreeable duty; very pressing business connected with my art, as well +as other causes, made me totally forget the account, but this shall not +occur again. As for my servant bringing home Carl in the evening, the +arrangement is already made. In the mean time I thank you for having been +so obliging as to send your servant for him yesterday, as I knew nothing +about it, so that Carl probably must otherwise have remained at Czerny's. +Carl's boots are too small, and he has repeatedly complained of this; +indeed, they are so bad that he can scarcely walk, and it will take some +time before they can be altered to fit him. This kind of thing ruins the +feet, so I beg you will not allow him to wear them again till they are made +larger. + +With regard to his pianoforte studies, I beg you will keep him strictly to +them; otherwise his music-master would be of no use. Yesterday Carl could +not play the whole day, I have repeatedly wished to hear him play over his +lessons, but have been obliged to come away without doing so. + + "_La musica merita d'esser studiata._" + +Besides, the couple of hours now appointed for his music lessons are quite +insufficient. I must therefore the more earnestly urge on you their being +strictly adhered to. It is by no means unusual that this point should be +attended to in an institute; an intimate friend of mine has also a boy at +school, who is to become a professor of music, where every facility for +study is afforded him; indeed, I was rather struck by finding the boy quite +alone in a distant room practising, neither disturbing others, nor being +himself disturbed. + +I beg you will allow me to send for Carl to-morrow about half-past ten +o'clock, as I wish to see what progress he has made, and to take him with +me to some musicians. + +I am, with all possible esteem, your friend, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +228. + +TO CZERNY. + +DEAR CZERNY,-- + +I beg you will treat Carl with as much patience as possible; for though he +does not as yet get on quite as you and I could wish, still I fear he will +soon do even less, because (though I do not want him to know it) he is +over-fatigued by the injudicious distribution of his lesson hours. +Unluckily it is not easy to alter this; so pray, however strict you may be, +show him every indulgence, which will, I am sure, have also a better effect +on Carl under such unfavorable circumstances. + +With respect to his playing with you, when he has finally acquired the +proper mode of fingering, and plays in right time, and gives the notes with +tolerable correctness, you must only then first direct his attention to the +mode of execution; and when he is sufficiently advanced, do not stop his +playing on account of little mistakes, but only point them out at the end +of the piece. Although I have myself given very little instruction, I have +always followed this system, which quickly forms a _musician_; and this is, +after all, one of the first objects of art, and less fatiguing both to +master and scholar. In certain passages, like the following,-- + +[Music: Treble clef, sixteenth notes.] + +I wish all the fingers to be used; and also in similar ones, such as +these,-- + +[Music: Treble clef, sixteenth notes.] &c. +[Music: Treble clef, sixteenth notes.] &c. + +so that they may go very smoothly; such passages can indeed be made to +sound very _perlés_, or like a pearl, played by fewer fingers, but +sometimes we wish for a different kind of jewel.[1] More as to this some +other time. I hope that you will receive these suggestions in the same +kindly spirit in which they are offered and intended. In any event I am, +and ever must remain, your debtor. May my candor serve as a pledge of my +wish to discharge this debt at some future day! + +Your true friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Carl Czerny relates in the Vienna _A.M. Zeitung_ of 1845, No. +113, as follows:--"Beethoven came to me usually every day himself with the +boy, and used to say to me, 'You must not think that you please me by +making Carl play my works; I am not so childish as to wish anything of the +kind. Give him whatever you think best.' I named Clementi. 'Yes, yes,' said +he, 'Clementi is very good indeed;' and, added he, laughing, 'Give Carl +occasionally what is _according to rule_, that he may hereafter come to +what is _contrary to rule_.' After a hit of this sort, which he introduced +into almost every speech, he used to burst into a loud peal of laughter. +Having in the earlier part of his career been often reproached by the +critics with his _irregularities_, he was in the habit of alluding to this +with gay humor."] + + +229. + +TO CZERNY. + +DEAR CZERNY,-- + +I beg you will say nothing _on that particular subject_ at Giannatasio's, +who dined with us on the day you were so good as to call on me; he +requested this himself. I _will tell you the reason_ when we meet. I hope +to be able to prove my gratitude for your patience with my nephew, that I +may not always remain your debtor. In haste, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +230. + +TO CZERNY. + +DEAR CZERNY,-- + +Can you in any way assist the man I now send to you (a pianoforte maker and +tuner from Baden) in selling his instruments? Though small in size, their +manufacture is solid. In haste, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +231. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +Wednesday, July 3, 1817. + +DEAR ZMESKALL,-- + +I have changed my mind. It might hurt the feelings of Carl's mother to see +her child in the house of a stranger, which would be more harsh than I +like; so I shall allow her to come to my house to-morrow; a certain tutor +at Puthon, of the name of Bihler, will also be present. I should be +_extremely_ glad if you could be with me about six o'clock, but not later. +Indeed, I earnestly beg you to come, as I am desirous to show the Court +that you are present, for there is no doubt that a _Court Secretary_ will +be held in higher estimation by them than a man _without an official +character, whatever his moral character may be!_ + +Now, jesting apart, independent of my real affection for you, your coming +will be of great service to me. I shall therefore expect you without fail. +I beg you will not take my _badinage_ amiss. I am, with sincere esteem, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN + + +232. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +Your friend has no doubt told you of my intention to send for Carl early +to-morrow. I wish to place his mother in a more creditable position with +the neighborhood; so I have agreed to pay her the compliment of taking her +son to see her in the company of a third person. This is to be done once a +month. + +As to all that is past, I beg you will never allude to it again, either in +speaking or writing, but forget it all--as I do. + + +233. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +I have been occupied in arranging my papers; an immense amount of patience +is required for such an affair as putting them in order, but having once +summoned it to our aid we must persevere, or the matter would never be +completed. My papers, both musical and unmusical, are nearly arranged at +last; it was like one of the seven labors of Hercules![1] + +[Footnote 1: Ries (in Wegeler's _Notizen_) relates: "Beethoven placed very +little value on the MSS. of his pieces written out by himself; when once +engraved they were usually scattered about the anteroom, or on the floor in +the middle of his apartment, together with other music. I often arranged +his music for him, but the moment Beethoven began to search for any piece, +it was all strewed about again."] + + +234. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +You see what servants are! [He had gone out and taken the key with him.] +Such is housekeeping! So long as I am ill, I would fain be on a different +footing with those around me; for dearly as I usually love solitude, it is +painful to me now, finding it scarcely possible, while taking baths and +medicine, to employ myself as usual,--to which is added the grievous +prospect that I may perhaps never get better. I place no confidence in my +present physician, who at length pronounces my malady to be _disease of the +lungs_. I will consider about engaging a housekeeper. If I could only have +the faintest hope, in this corrupt Austrian State, of finding an honest +person, the arrangement would be easily made; but--but!! [He wishes to hire +a piano and pay for it in advance; the tone to be as loud as possible, to +suit his defective hearing.] + +Perhaps you do not know, though I have not always had one of your pianos, +that since 1809 I have invariably preferred yours. + +It is peculiarly hard on me to be a burden on any one, being accustomed +rather to serve others than to be served by them. + + +235. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +I can only say that I am better; I thought much of death during the past +night, but such thoughts are familiar to me by day also. + + +236. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, July 9, 1817. + +MY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +The proposals in your esteemed letter of the 9th of June are very +flattering, and my reply will show you how much I value them. Were it not +for my unhappy infirmities, which entail both attendance and expense, +particularly on a journey to a foreign country, I would _unconditionally_ +accept the offer of the Philharmonic Society. But place yourself in my +position, and consider how many more obstacles I have to contend with than +any other artist, and then judge whether my demands (which I now annex) are +unreasonable. I beg you will convey my conditions to the Directors of the +above Society, namely:-- + +1. I shall be in London early in January. + +2. The two grand new symphonies shall be ready by that time; to become the +exclusive property of the Society. + +3. The Society to give me in return 300 guineas, and 100 for my travelling +expenses, which will, however, amount to much more, as I am obliged to +bring a companion. + +4. As I am now beginning to work at these grand symphonies for the Society, +I shall expect that (on receiving my consent) they will remit me here the +sum of 150 guineas, so that I may provide a carriage, and make my other +preparations at once for the journey. + +5. The conditions as to my non-appearance in any other public orchestra, my +not directing, and the preference always to be given to the Society on the +offer of equal terms by them, are accepted by me; indeed, they would at all +events have been dictated by my own sense of honor. + +6. I shall expect the aid of the Society in arranging one, or more, benefit +concerts in my behalf, as the case may be. The very friendly feeling of +some of the Directors in your valuable body, and the kind reception of my +works by all the artists, is a sufficient guaranty on this point, and will +be a still further inducement to me to endeavor not to disappoint their +expectations. + +7. I request that I may receive the assent to and confirmation of these +terms, signed by three Directors in the name of the Society. You may easily +imagine how much I rejoice at the thoughts of becoming acquainted with the +worthy Sir George Smart [Music Director], and seeing you and Mr. Neate +again; would that I could fly to you myself instead of this letter! + +Your sincere well wisher and friend, + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[P.S. ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER.] + +DEAR RIES,-- + +I cordially embrace you! I have purposely employed another hand in my +answer to the Society, that you might read it more easily, and present it +to them. I place the most implicit reliance on your kindly feelings toward +me. I hope that the Philharmonic Society may accept my proposals, and they +may rest assured that I shall employ all my energies to fulfil in the most +satisfactory manner the flattering commission of so eminent a society of +artists. What is the strength of your orchestra? How many violins, &c.? +Have you _one or two sets of wind instruments_? Is the concert room large +and sonorous? + + +237. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +NUSSDORF, July 23, 1817. + +MY DEAR GOOD ZMESKALL,-- + +I shall soon see you again in town. What is the proper price for fronting a +pair of boots? I have to pay my servant for this, who is always running +about. + +I am really in despair at being condemned by my defective hearing to pass +the greater part of my life with this most odious class of people, and to +be in some degree dependent on them. To-morrow, early, my servant will call +on you, and bring me back a _sealed answer_. + + +238. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +August 12, 1817. + +MY DEAR GOOD Z.,-- + +I heard of your indisposition with great regret. As for myself, I am often +in despair, and almost tempted to put an end to my life, for all these +remedies seem to have no end. May God have compassion on me, for I look +upon myself to be as good as lost! I have a great deal to say to you. That +this servant is a _thief_, I cannot doubt--he must be sent away; my health +requires living _at home_ and greater comfort. I shall be glad to have your +opinion on this point. If my condition is not altered, instead of being in +London I shall probably be in my grave. I thank God that the thread of my +life will soon be spun out. + +In haste, your + +BEETHOVEN. + +N.B. I wish you to buy me a quarter of a yard of green wax-cloth, green on +both sides. It seems incredible that I have not been able to get anything +of the kind from these _green_ people here. It is far.... [illegible]. + +[X. brought the Trio in C minor (Op. 1, No. 3) to show to Beethoven, having +arranged it as a quintet for stringed instruments (published by Artaria as +Op. 104). Beethoven evidently discovered a good many faults in the work; +still, the undertaking had sufficient attractions to induce him to correct +it himself, and to make many changes in it. A very different score was thus +of course produced from that of X., on the cover of whose work the genial +master, in a fit of good humor, inscribed with his own hand the following +title:-- + +A Terzet arranged as a Quintet, +by _Mr. Well-meaning_, + +translated from the semblance into the reality of five parts, and exalted +from the depths of wretchedness to a certain degree of excellence, + +by _Mr. Goodwill_. + +Vienna, Aug. 14, 1817. + +N.B. The original three-part score of the Quintet has been sacrificed as a +solemn burnt-offering to the subterranean gods.][1] + +[Footnote 1: This Quintet appeared as Op. 104 at Artaria's in Vienna.] + + +239. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +When we next meet, you will be surprised to hear what I have in the mean +time learned. My poor Carl was only misled for the moment; but there are +men who are brutes, and of this number is the priest here, who deserves to +be well cudgelled. + + +240. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +August 19, 1817. + +I unluckily received your letter yesterday too late, for she had already +been here; otherwise I would have shown her to the door, as she richly +deserved. I sincerely thank Fraulein N. for the trouble she took in writing +down the gossip of this woman. Though an enemy to all tattling and gossip, +still this is of importance to us; so I shall write to her, and also give +her letter to me to Herr A.S. [Advocate Schönauer?] I may possibly have let +fall some words in her presence in reference to the recent occurrence, and +the irregularity on your part, but I cannot in the slightest degree recall +ever having written to her about you. + +It was only an attempt on her side to exasperate you against me; and thus +to influence you and obtain more from you, in the same way that she +formerly reported to me all sorts of things that you had said about me; but +I took no heed of her talk. On this recent occasion I wished to try whether +she might not be improved by a more patient and conciliatory mode of +conduct: I imparted my intention to Herr A.S., but it has utterly failed; +and on Sunday I made up my mind to adhere to the former necessary severity, +as even during the glimpse she had of Carl, she contrived to inoculate him +with some of her venom. In short, we must be guided by the zodiac, and only +allow her to see Carl twelve times a year, and then barricade her so +effectually that she cannot smuggle in even a pin, whether he is with you +or me, or with a third person. I really thought that by entirely complying +with her wishes, it might have been an incitement to her to improve, and to +acknowledge my complete unselfishness. + +Perhaps I may see you to-morrow. Frau S. can order the shoes and stockings +and all that Carl requires, and I will remit her the money at once. I beg +that you will always order and buy anything Carl ought to have, without any +reference to me, merely informing me of the amount, which I will forthwith +discharge, without waiting for the end of the quarter. I will take care +that Carl has a new coat for the next examination. + +One thing more. The mother affects to receive her information from a person +in your house. If you cannot arrange with Czerny to bring Carl home, he +must not go at all; "_trau, schau, wem!_" [trust not till you try.] The +only impression that his mother ought to make on Carl is what I have +already told him,--namely, to respect her as _his mother_, but _not to +follow her example in any respect_; he must be strongly warned against +this. + +Yours truly, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +241. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +Sept. 11, 1817. + +DEAR Z.,-- + +The answer from London arrived yesterday [see No. 236], but in English. Do +you know any one who could translate it verbally for us? In haste, + +Your + +BEETHOVEN. + + +242. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +Oct. 20, 1817. + +DEAR Z.,-- + +The devil himself cannot persuade your _Famulus_ to take away the wine. +Pray forgive my behavior yesterday; I intended to have asked your pardon +this very afternoon. _In my present condition_ I require _indulgence_ from +every one, for I am a poor unfortunate creature! + +In haste, as ever, yours. + + +243. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +DEAR Z.,-- + +I give up the journey; at least I will not pledge myself on this point. The +matter must be more maturely considered. In the mean time the work is +already sent off to the Prince Regent. _If they want me they can have me_, +and I am still at _liberty_ to say _yes_! or _no_! Liberty!!!! what more +can any one desire!!! + + +244. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +DEAR Z.,-- + +Don't be angry about my note. Are you not aware of my present condition, +which is like that of Hercules with Queen Omphale??? I asked you to buy me +a looking-glass like yours, which I now return, but if you do not require +it, I wish you would send yours back to me to-day, for mine is broken. +Farewell, and do not write in such high-flown terms about me, for never +have I felt so strongly as now the strength and the weakness of human +nature. + +Continue your regard for me. + + +245. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +The Autumn of 1817. + +I have had an interview with your husband, whose sympathy did me both good +and harm, for Streicher almost upset my resignation. God alone knows the +result! but as I have always assisted my fellow-men when I had the power to +do so, I also rely on his mercy to me. + +Educate your daughter carefully, that she may make a good wife. + +To-day happens to be Sunday; so I will quote you something out of the +Bible,--"Love one another." I conclude with best regards to your best of +daughters, and with the wish that all your wounds may be healed. + +When you visit the ancient ruins [Frau Streicher was in Baden], do not +forget that Beethoven has often lingered there; when you stray through the +silent pine forests, do not forget that Beethoven often wrote poetry there, +or, as it is termed, _composed_. + + +246. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +How deeply am I indebted to you, my excellent friend, and I have become +such a poor creature that I have no means of repaying you. I am very +grateful to Streicher for all the trouble he has taken on my behalf [about +a house in the Gärtner Strasse], and beg he will continue his inquiries. +God will, I hope, one day enable me to return benefit for benefit, but this +being at present impossible, grieves me most of all.... + +Now Heaven be praised! [he thus winds up a long letter about a bad +servant,] I have contrived to collect all these particulars for you with no +little toil and trouble, and God grant that I may never, never more be +obliged to speak, or write, or think again on such a subject, for mud and +mire are not more pernicious to artistic soil, than such devilry to any +man!!! + + +247. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +As to Frau von Stein [stone], I beg she will not allow Herr von Steiner to +turn into stone, that he may still be of service to me; nor must Frau von +Stein become too stony towards Herr von Steiner, &c. + +My good Frau von Streicher, do not play any trick [Streiche] to your worthy +little husband, but rather be to all others Frau von Stein [stone]!!!! + +Where are the coverlets for the beds? + +[Music: Treble clef. +Where? where?] + + +248. + +TO FRAU VON STREICHER. + +... It is now very evident from all this that if _you_ do not kindly +superintend things for me, I, with my _infirmities_, must meet with the +_same fate_ as usual at the hands of these people. Their _ingratitude_ +towards you is what chiefly degrades both of them in my eyes. But I don't +understand your allusion about gossip? on one occasion alone can I remember +having forgotten myself for the moment, but _with very different people_. +This is all I can say on the subject. For my part I neither encourage nor +listen to the gossip of the lower orders. I have often given you hints on +the subject, without telling you a word of what I had heard. Away! away! +away! with such things! + + +249. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Nussdorf, Sept. 1, 1817. + +I hope to be able to join you in Baden; but my invalid condition still +continues, and though in some respects improved, my malady is far from +being entirely cured. I have had, and still have, recourse to remedies of +every kind and shape; I must now give up the long-cherished hope of ever +being wholly restored. I hear that Y.R.H. looks wonderfully well, and +though many false inferences may be drawn from this as to good health, +still every one tells me that Y.R.H. is much better, and in this I feel +sincerely interested. I also trust that when Y.R.H. again comes to town, I +may assist you in those works dedicated to the Muses. My confidence is +placed on Providence, who will vouchsafe to hear my prayer, and one day set +me free from all my troubles, for I have served Him faithfully from my +childhood, and done good whenever it has been in my power; so my trust is +in Him alone, and I feel that the Almighty will not allow me to be utterly +crushed by all my manifold trials. I wish Y.R.H. all possible good and +prosperity, and shall wait on you the moment you return to town. + +[K.] + + +250. + +TO G. DEL RIO + +Vienna, Nov. 12, 1817. + +My altered circumstances render it possible that I may not be able to leave +Carl under your care beyond the end of this quarter; so, as in duty bound, +I give you this _warning_ a quarter in advance. Though it is painful to +admit it, my straitened circumstances leave me no choice in the matter; had +it been otherwise, how gladly would I have presented you with an additional +quarter's payment when I removed Carl, as a slight tribute of my gratitude. +I do hope you will believe that such are my _genuine and sincere_ wishes on +the subject. If on the other hand I leave Carl with you for the ensuing +quarter, commencing in February, I will apprise you of it early in January, +1818. I trust you will grant me this _favor_, and that I shall not solicit +it in vain. If I ever enjoy better health, so that I can _earn more money_, +I shall not fail to evince my gratitude, knowing well how much more you +have done for Carl than I had any right to expect; and I can with truth say +that to be obliged to confess my inability to requite your services at this +moment, distresses me much. + +I am, with sincere esteem, your friend, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +251. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +MY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +I have been hitherto unable to answer your friendly letter, having been +much occupied and still far from well. + +As to your proposal, it merits both gratitude and consideration. I must say +that the same idea formerly occurred to me about Carl; at this moment, +however, I am in the most unsettled state. This was why I made the +stipulation to which I begged you to agree, namely, to let you know in the +last month of the present quarter whether Carl was to continue with you. In +this way our plans would neither be hurried nor demolished. I am, besides, +well aware that it can be no advantage to you to have Carl either on his +present terms, or according to your last proposal, and on that very account +I wished to point out to you in my letter how gladly, besides the usual +remuneration, I would have testified my gratitude in some additional +manner. + +When I spoke of my _inability_, I knew that his education would cost me +even more elsewhere than with you; but what I intended to convey was that +every father has a particular object in the education of his child, and it +is thus with me and Carl. No doubt we shall soon discover what is best for +him; whether to have a tutor here, or to go on as formerly. I do not wish +to tie myself down for the moment, but to remain free to act as his +interests may dictate. + +Carl daily costs me great sacrifices, but I only allude to them on his own +account. I know too well the influence his mother contrives to acquire over +him, for she seems resolved to show herself well worthy of the name of +"Queen of the Night." Besides, she everywhere spreads a report that I do +nothing whatever for Carl, whereas she pays everything!! As we have touched +on this point, I must thank you for your most considerate letter, which in +any event will be of great use to me. Pray ask Herr L.S. to be so kind as +to make my excuses to his brother for not having yet called on him. Partly +owing to business and also to indisposition, it has been nearly impossible +for me to do so. When I think of this oft-discussed affair, I should prefer +going to see him on any other subject. She has not applied to me; so it is +not my business to promote a meeting between her and her son. + +With regard to the other matter, I am told that in _this_ case we must have +recourse to compulsion, which will cost me more money, for which I have +chiefly to thank Herr Adlersburg [his advocate]. As Carl's education, +however, must be carried on so far as possible independent of his mother, +for the future as well as the present we must act as I have arranged. + +I am, with esteem, your attached friend, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +252. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Last day of December, 1817. + +The old year has nearly passed away, and a new one draws near. May it bring +Y.R.H. no sorrow, but rather may it bestow on you every imaginable +felicity! These are my wishes, all concentrated in the one I have just +expressed. If it be allowable to speak of myself, I may say that my health +is very variable and uncertain. I am unhappily obliged to live at a great +distance from Y.R.H., which shall not, however, prevent my having the +extreme gratification of waiting on you at the first opportunity. I commend +myself to your gracious consideration, though I may not appear to deserve +it. May Heaven, for the benefit of so many whom you befriend, enrich each +day of your life with an especial blessing! I am always, &c., &c. + +[K.] + + +253. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +Jan. 6, 1818. + +To prevent any mistake I take the liberty to inform you that it is finally +settled my nephew Carl should leave your excellent institution the end of +this month. My hands are also tied with regard to your other proposal, as +if I accepted it, my further projects for Carl's benefit would be entirely +frustrated; but I sincerely thank you for your kind intentions. + +Circumstances may cause me to remove Carl even before the end of the month, +and as I may not be here myself, I will appoint some one to fetch him. I +mention this to you now, that it may not appear strange when the time +comes; and let me add, that my nephew and I shall feel grateful to you +through life. I observe that Carl already feels thus, which is to me a +proof that although thoughtless, his disposition is not evil; far less has +he a bad heart. I am the more disposed to augur well of him from his having +been for two years under your admirable guidance. + +I am, with esteem, your friend, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +254. + +TO G. DEL RIO. + +Vienna, Jan. 24, 1818. + +I do not come to you myself, as it would be a kind of leave-taking, and +this I have all my life avoided. Pray accept my heartfelt thanks for the +zeal, rectitude, and integrity with which you have conducted the education +of my nephew. As soon as I am at all settled, we mean to pay you a visit; +but on account of the mother, I am anxious that the fact of my nephew being +with me should not be too much known. + +I send you my very best wishes, and I beg especially to thank Frau A.Z. for +her truly maternal care of Carl. + +I am, with sincere esteem, yours, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +255. + +TO CZERNY. + +MY DEAR GOOD KIND CZERNY,--[1] + +I have this moment heard that you are in a position I really never +suspected; you might certainly place confidence in me, and point out how +matters could be made better for you (without any pretensions to patronage +on my part). As soon as I have a moment to myself, I must speak to you. +Rest assured that I highly value you, and am prepared to prove this at any +moment by deeds. + +Yours, with sincere esteem, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Zellner, in his _Blätter für Musik_, relates what follows on +Czerny's own authority:--In 1818 Czerny was requested by Beethoven in a +letter (which he presented some years ago to Cocks, the London music +publisher) to play at one of his last concerts in the large _Redoutensaal_, +his E flat major Concerto, Op. 73. Czerny answered, in accordance with the +truth, that having gained his livelihood entirely for many years past by +giving lessons on the piano, for more than twelve hours daily, he had so +completely laid aside his pianoforte playing, that he could not venture to +attempt playing the concerto properly within the course of a few days +(which Beethoven desired). On which he received, in the above letter, a +touching proof of Beethoven's sympathy. He also learned subsequently that +Beethoven had exerted himself to procure him a permanent situation.] + + +256. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, March 5, 1818. + +MY DEAR RIES,-- + +In spite of my wishes it was impossible for me to go to London this year +[see No. 236]. I beg you will apprise the Philharmonic Society that my +feeble health prevented my coming; I trust, however, I shall be entirely +restored this spring, so that in the autumn I may avail myself of their +offers and fulfil all their conditions. + +Pray request Neate, in my name, to make no public use of the various works +of mine that he has in his hands, at least not until I come. Whatever he +may have to say for himself, I have cause to complain of him. + +Potter[1] called on me several times; he seems to be a worthy man, and to +have a talent for composition. My wish and hope for you is that your +circumstances may daily improve. I cannot, alas! say that such is the case +with my own.... I cannot bear to see others want, I must give; you may +therefore believe what a loser I am by this affair. I do beg that you will +write to me soon. If possible I shall try to get away from this earlier, in +the hope of escaping utter ruin, in which case I shall arrive in London by +the winter at latest. I know that you will assist an unfortunate friend. If +it had only been in my power, and had I not been chained to this place, as +I always have been, by circumstances, I certainly would have done far more +for you. + +Farewell; remember me to Neate, Smart, and Cramer. Although I hear that the +latter is a _counter subject_ both to you and to myself, still I rather +understand how to manage people of that kind; so notwithstanding all this +we shall yet succeed in producing an agreeable harmony in London. I embrace +you from my heart. Your friend, + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + +Many handsome compliments to your charming, (and as I hear) handsome wife. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler, in his _Biography_ (Vol. II. 254), states that +Cipriani Potter came to Vienna in 1817.] + + +257. + +TO THE RECHNUNGSRATH, VINCENZ HAUSCHKA.[1] + +1818. + +First and foremost member of our society, and grand cross of the +violon--cello! You wish for an _heroic_ subject, whereas I have none but a +_spiritual_ one! I am contented; still, I think an infusion of the +spiritual would be quite appropriate in such a mass. I have no objections +to H. v. Bernard, but you must pay him; I do not speak of myself. As you +call yourselves "Friends of Music," it is only natural that you should +expect a great deal to be done on the score of friendship. + +Now farewell, my good Hauschka! As for myself, I wander about here with +music paper, among the hills and dales and valleys, and scribble a great +deal to get my daily bread; for I have brought things to such a pass in +this mighty and ignominious _land of the Goths and Vandals_, that in order +to gain time for a great composition, I must always previously _scrawl +away_ a good deal for the sake of money, to enable me to complete an +important work. + +However, my health is much improved, and if the matter is urgent, I can do +as you wish now. + +In haste, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Hauschka was at that time on the committee, and agent for the +"Friends to Music" who commissioned Beethoven to write an Oratorio in 1815. +Schindler is of opinion that the repeated performance of the Abbé Stadler's +heroic Oratorio, _Die Befreiung von Jerusalem_, was the cause of the +Society in 1818 bespeaking, through Hauschka, "An oratorio of the heroic +order."] + + +258. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I have the honor to send the masterly variations[1] of Y.R.H. by the +copyist Schlemmer, and to-morrow I shall come in person to wait upon +Y.R.H., and much rejoice at being able to serve as a companion to my +illustrious pupil on the path of fame. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The letters 258 and 259, allude to the pianoforte variations +composed by the Archduke Rudolph and dedicated to his instructor.] + + +259. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Jan. 1, 1819. + +All that can be comprehended in one wish, or individually named,--health, +happiness, and prosperity,--all are included in the prayer I offer up for +Y.R.H. on this day. May the wish that I also form for myself be graciously +accepted by Y.R.H., namely, that I may continue to enjoy the favor of +Y.R.H. A dreadful occurrence[1] has lately taken place in my family, which +for a long time stunned my senses, and to this must be ascribed my not +having waited on Y.R.H., nor taken any notice of the masterly variations of +my much-honored and illustrious pupil, and favorite of the Muses. The +gratitude I feel for the surprise and the honor you have done me, I dare +not venture to express either verbally or in writing, for I am _too far +beneath you_, even if I _could_ or wished ever so ardently _to return like +for like_. May Heaven accept and listen with peculiar favor to my prayers +for Y.R.H.'s health. In the course of a few days I trust I shall myself +hear the masterpiece Y.R.H. has sent to me, and nothing will rejoice me +more than to assist Y.R.H. as early as possible, in taking the place +already prepared for you on Parnassus. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The "dreadful occurrence" which took place in the end of 1818 +in Beethoven's family cannot be discovered.] + + +260. + +TO RIES. + +Vienna, April [March?] 30, 1819. + +DEAR RIES,-- + +I am only now able to answer your letter of December 18th. Your sympathy +does me good. It is impossible for me to go to London at present, being +involved here in various ways; but God will, I trust, aid me, and enable me +to visit London next winter, when I shall bring the new symphonies with me. + +I every day expect the text for a new _oratorio_, which I am to write for +our Musical Society here, and no doubt it will be of use to us in London +also. Do what you can on my behalf, for I greatly need it. I should have +been glad to receive any commission from the Philharmonic, but Neate's +report of the all but failure of the three overtures vexed me much. Each in +its own style not only pleased here, but those in E flat major and C major +made a profound impression, so that the fate of those works at the +Philharmonic is quite incomprehensible to me. + +You have no doubt received the arrangement of the Quintet [Op. 104, see No. +238] and the Sonata [Op. 106]. See that both, especially the Quintet, be +engraved without loss of time. There is no such hurry about the Sonata, +though I should like it to appear within two or three months. Never having +received the previous letter to which you allude, I had no scruple in +disposing of both works here; but for Germany only. It will be at any rate +three months before the Sonata appears here, but you must make haste with +the Quintet. As soon as you forward me a check for the money, I will send +an authority to the publisher, securing him the exclusive right to these +works for England, Scotland, Ireland, France, &c., &c. + +You shall receive by the next post the _Tempi_ of the Sonata marked in +accordance with Maelzel's metronome. Prince Paul Esterhazy's courier, De +Smidt, took the Quintet and the Sonata with him. You shall also have my +portrait by the next opportunity, as I understand that you really wish for +it. + +Farewell! Continue your regard for me, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +All sorts of pretty compliments to your pretty wife!!! From me!!!! + + +261. + +TO RIES. + +Vienna, April 16, 1819. + +DEAR RIES,-- + +Here are the _Tempi_ of the Sonata. + +1st Allegro, Allegro (alone), erase the _assai_. Maelzel's metronome +[half-note] = 138. + +2d movement, Scherzoso. Maelzel's metronome [half-note] = 80. + +3d movement, Maelzel's metronome [eighth-note] = 92. + +Observe that a previous bar is to be inserted here, namely:-- + +[Music: New bar. Piano Staves (treble & bass), D major, 6/8 time.] + +4th movement, Introduzione--largo. Maelzel's metronome [sixteenth-note] = +76. + +5th and last movement, 3/4 time. Maelzel's metronome [half-note] = 144. + +[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major.] + +Pray forgive the confused way in which this is written. It would not +surprise you if you knew my situation; you would rather marvel that I +accomplish so much in spite of it. The Quintet can no longer be delayed, +and must shortly appear; but not the Sonata, until I get an answer from you +and the check, which I long to see. The name of the courier is De Smidt, by +whom you will receive both the Quintet and Sonata. I beg you will give me +an immediate answer. I will write more fully next time. + +In haste, your + +BEETHOVEN. + + +262. + +TO RIES. + +April 19, 1819. + +MY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +I ask your forgiveness a thousand times for the trouble I cause you. I +cannot understand how it is that there are so many mistakes in the copying +of the Sonata. This incorrectness no doubt proceeds from my no longer being +able to keep a copyist of my own; circumstances have brought this about. +May God send me more prosperity, till ---- is in a better position! This +will not be for a whole year to come. It is really dreadful the turn +affairs have taken, and the reduction of my salary, while no man can tell +what the issue is to be till the aforesaid year has elapsed. + +If the Sonata be not suitable for London, I could send another, or you +might omit the _Largo_, and begin at once with the _Fugue_ in the last +movement, or the first movement, _Adagio_, and the third the _Scherzo_, the +_Largo_, and the _Allegro risoluto_. I leave it to you to settle as you +think best. This Sonata was written at a time of great pressure. It is hard +to write for the sake of daily bread; and yet I have actually come to this! + +We can correspond again about my visit to London. To be rescued from this +wretched and miserable condition is my only hope of deliverance, for as it +is I can neither enjoy health, nor accomplish what I could do under more +favorable auspices. + + +263. + +TO THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY IN LAIBACH.[1] + +Vienna, May 4, 1819. + +I fully appreciate the high compliment paid to me by the respected members +of the Philharmonic Society, in acknowledgment of my poor musical deserts, +by electing me honorary member of their Society, and sending me the diploma +through Herr von Tuscher; and as a proof of my sense of this honor, I +intend in due course to forward to the Society an unpublished work of +mine.[2] Moreover, at any time when I can be of use to the Society, I shall +be prepared to forward their wishes. + +I remain, +the humble servant and honorary member +of the Philharmonic Society, + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: In Dr. Fr. Keesbacher's pamphlet, "_The Philharmonic Society +in Laibach, from 1702 to 1862_," he says:--"The Philharmonic Society, +always anxious to add to its lustre by attracting honorary members, +resolved to appoint the great master of harmony as one of these. This idea +had previously occurred to them in 1808. At that time they asked Dr. Anton +Schmidt whether he thought that the election of Beethoven, and also +Hummel's son, would contribute to the advancement of the Society. On that +occasion the Society appear to have had recourse to Haydn for the +composition of a Canon; whether they applied to him for a new one or an +already existing one is not known. Schmidt replied, 'I, for my part, with +such an object in view, would prefer giving my vote for the latter, +(Hummel's son, who is second Kapellmeister, Haydn being the first, to the +reigning Prince Niklas Esterhazy.) _Beethoven is as full of caprice as he +is devoid of complaisance._ I have not seen Father Haydn for a long time, +his residence being so distant. He is now in failing health and scarcely +ever writes; I will, however, shortly call on him and make the attempt to +get a Canon from him.' This discouraging picture of Beethoven, who had +indeed too often a repulsive manner, might well deprive the Society of all +courage to think any more of him as one of their honorary members. On the +15th of March, 1819, however, the Society prepared the diploma for +Beethoven, the usually stereotyped form being exceptionally varied in his +honor, and running thus:--'The Philharmonic Society here, whose aim it is +to promote refinement of feeling and cultivation of taste in the science of +music, and who strive by their incessant efforts to impart to the Society +both inwardly and outwardly, by the judicious selection of new members, +greater value, solidity, and distinction, are universally animated with the +desire to see their list adorned by the name of Beethoven. The organ of +this society, the undersigned directors, fulfil the general wish in thus +performing _their most agreeable duty_, and giving you, sir, the strongest +proof of their profound admiration, by appointing you one of their honorary +members.--Laibach, March 15, 1819.'" A fac-simile of Beethoven's +handwriting is hung up in a frame under glass in the hall of the Society +and affixed to Dr. Keesbacher's pamphlet.] + +[Footnote 2: We are told, "One work alone of Beethoven's in the collection +of the Society bears visible marks of coming from his own hand, and that is +the _Pastoral Symphony_." The above-mentioned copy is a MS. score (though +not in his writing); on the cover is written by himself in red pencil, now +almost illegible, "Sinfonie Pastorale;" and underneath are inscribed the +following words in ink by another hand: "Beethoven's writing in red +pencil." This score contains various corrections in pencil. Two of these +appear to be by Beethoven, but unluckily the pencil marks are so much +effaced that it is difficult to decide as to the writing. In the scene "By +the Rivulet," where the 12/8 time begins (in B flat major), these words are +written, "Violoncelli tutti con Basso." The B especially recalls his mode +of writing. Moreover the _tempo_ at the beginning of "The Shepherd's Song," +(in F, 6/8 time,) _allegretto_, is qualified by the same hand in pencil +thus, _Quasi allegro_. No direct proof exists of this being sent by him.] + + +264. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, May 25, 1819. + +... I was at the time burdened with cares beyond all I had ever in my life +known,[1] caused solely by my too lavish benefits to others. Do compose +industriously! My dear pupil the Archduke Rudolph and I frequently play +your works, and he says that my quondam pupil does honor to his master. Now +farewell! as I hear that your wife is so handsome, I venture to embrace her +in imagination only, though I hope to have that pleasure in person next +winter. + +Do not forget the Quintet, and the Sonata, and the money, I mean the +_Honoraire, avec ou sans honneur_. I hope soon to hear good news from you, +not in _allegro_ time, but _veloce prestissimo_. + +This letter will be given to you by an intelligent Englishman; they are +generally very able fellows, with whom I should like to pass some time in +their own country. + +_Prestissimo--Responsio +De suo amico e Maestro,_ + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: In Schindler's _Beethoven's Nachlass_ there is a large +calendar of the years 1819 used by Beethoven, in which he has marked, +"Arrived at Mödling May 12!!!--_miser sum pauper_." Carl too was again ill +at that time. Beethoven took him to Blöchlinger's Institution, June 22.] + + +265. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I learned with deep sorrow of your being again unwell; I trust it will only +be a passing indisposition. No doubt our very variable spring is the cause +of this. I intended to have brought the variations [see No. 259] yesterday; +they may well boldly face the light of day, and no doubt Y.R.H. will +receive an application for your consent on this point. I very much regret +being only able to express a _pia desideria_ for Y.R.H's. health. I +earnestly hope the skill of your Aesculapius may at length gain the victory +and procure permanent health for Y.R.H. + +[K.] + + +266. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Mödling, July 15, 1819. + +I have been very ill since my last visit to Y.R.H. in town; I hope however +to be much better by next week, in which case I will instantly join Y.R.H. +at Baden. Meanwhile I went several times to town to consult my physician. +My continued distress about my nephew, whose moral character has been +almost totally ruined, has been the main cause of my illness. At the +beginning of this week I was obliged to resume my guardianship, the other +guardian having resigned, and much has taken place for which he has asked +my forgiveness. The solicitor has also given up his office, because, having +interested himself in the good cause, he has been loudly accused of +partiality. Thus these endless perplexities go on, and no help, no +consolation! The whole fabric that I had reared now blown away as if by the +wind! A pupil of Pestalozzi, at present an inmate of the Institute where I +have placed my nephew, seems to think that it will be a difficult matter +for him and for my poor Carl to attain any desirable goal. But he is also +of opinion that the most advisable step is the removal of my nephew to a +foreign country! I hope that the health of Y.R.H., always so interesting to +me, leaves nothing to be desired, and I look forward with pleasure to soon +being with Y.R.H., that I may be enabled to prove my anxiety to serve you. + +[K.] + + +267. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +May I beg the favor of Y.R.H. to inform H.R.H. Archduke Ludwig of the +following circumstances. Y.R.H. no doubt remembers my mentioning the +necessary removal of my nephew from here, on account of his mother. My +intention was to present a petition to H.R.H. Archduke Ludwig on the +subject; no difficulties however have hitherto arisen on the subject, as +all the authorities concerned are in my favor. Among the chief of these are +the College of Privy Councillors, the Court of Guardians, and the guardian +himself, who all entirely agree with me in thinking that nothing can be +more conducive to the welfare of my nephew than being kept at the greatest +possible distance from his mother; moreover, all is admirably arranged for +the education of my nephew in Landshut, as the estimable and renowned +Professor Sailer is to superintend everything connected with the studies of +the youth, and I have also some relations there, so no doubt the most +desirable results may be thus attained for my nephew. Having, as I already +said, as yet encountered no obstacles, I had no wish whatever to trouble +H.R.H. the Archduke Ludwig, but I now understand that the mother of my +nephew intends to demand an audience from H.R.H. in order to _oppose_ my +scheme. She will not scruple to utter all sorts of _calumnies against me_, +but I trust these can be easily refuted by my well known and acknowledged +moral character, and I can fearlessly appeal to Y.R.H. for a testimony on +this point for the satisfaction of H.R.H. Archduke Ludwig. As for the +conduct of the mother of my nephew, it is easily to be inferred from the +fact of her having been declared by the Court wholly incapable of +undertaking the guardianship of her son. All that she _plotted_ in order to +ruin her poor child can only be credited from her own depravity, and thence +arises the _unanimous agreement_ about this affair, and the boy being +entirely withdrawn from her influence. Such is the natural and unnatural +state of the case. I therefore beg Y.R.H. to intercede with H.R.H. Archduke +Ludwig, and to warn him against listening to the slanders of the mother, +who would plunge her child into an abyss whence he could never be rescued. +That sense of justice which guides every party in our just Austrian land, +does not entirely exclude her either; at the same time, this _very same +sense of justice_ must render all her remonstrances unavailing. A religious +view of the Fourth Commandment is what chiefly decides the Court to send +away the son as far as possible. The difficulty those must have who conduct +the boy's education in not offending against this commandment, and the +necessity that the son should never be tempted to fail in this duty or to +repudiate it, ought certainly to be taken into consideration. Every effort +has been made by forbearance and generosity to amend this unnatural mother, +but all has been in vain. If necessary I will supply H.R.H. Archduke Ludwig +with a statement on the subject, and, favored by the advocacy of my +gracious master Y.R.H. the Archduke Rudolph, I shall certainly obtain +justice. + +[K.] + + +268. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I regret to say that, owing to a judicial meeting about the affairs of my +nephew (being unable to alter the hour fixed), I must give up the pleasure +of waiting on Y.R.H. this evening, but shall not fail to do so to-morrow at +half-past four o'clock. As for the affair itself, I know that I shall be +treated with indulgence. May Heaven at length bring it to a close! for my +mind suffers keenly from such a painful turmoil. + +[K.] + + +269. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Mödling, July 29, 1819. + +I heard with deep regret of Y.R.H.'s recent indisposition, and having +received no further reliable information on the subject, I am extremely +uneasy. I went to Vienna to search in Y.R.H.'s library for what was most +suitable to me. The chief object must be to _hit off our idea at once_, and +_in accordance with a high class of art_, unless the object in view should +require different and more _practical_ treatment. On this point the ancient +composers offer the best examples, as most of these possess real artistic +value (though among them the _German Handel_ and Sebastian Bach can alone +lay claim to _genius_); but _freedom_ and _progress_ are our true aim in +the world of art, just as in the great creation at large; and if we moderns +are not so far advanced as our _forefathers_ in _solidity_, still the +refinement of our ideas has contributed in many ways to their enlargement. +My illustrious musical pupil, himself a competitor for the laurels of fame, +must not incur the reproach of _onesidedness, et iterum venturus judicare +vivos et mortuos_. I send you three poems, from which Y.R.H. might select +one to set to music. The Austrians have now learned that the _spirit of +Apollo_ wakes afresh in the Imperial House; I receive from all sides +requests for something of yours. The editor of the "Mode Zeitung" is to +write to Y.R.H. on the subject. I only hope that I shall not be accused of +being _bribed_--to be _at court and yet no courtier_! After that, what is +not credible??!!! + +_I met with some opposition from His Excellency the Obersthofmeister[1] in +selecting the music._ It is not worth while to trouble Y.R.H. on the +subject in writing; but this I will say, that such conduct might have the +effect of repelling many talented, good, and noble-minded men, who had not +enjoyed the good fortune to learn from personal intercourse with Y.R.H. all +the admirable qualities of your mind and heart. I wish Y.R.H. a speedy, +speedy recovery, and, _for my own peace of mind_, that I may hear some good +tidings of Y.R.H. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: Probably the Obersthofmeister, Count Laurencin, by no means +approved of the manner in which Beethoven searched for music, which +accounts for this outbreak on the part of the irritable _maestro_.] + + +270. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I have unhappily only myself to blame! I went out yesterday for the first +time, feeling pretty well, but I forgot, or rather paid no attention to the +fact, that, being an invalid only just recovering, I ought to have gone +home early; I have consequently brought on another attack. I think, +however, that by staying at home to-day, all will be right by to-morrow, +when I hope to be able to wait on my esteemed and illustrious pupil without +fail. I beg Y.R.H. not to forget about Handel's works, as they certainly +offer to your mature musical genius the highest nourishment, and their +study will always be productive of admiration of this great man. + +[K.] + + +271. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Mödling, Aug. 31, 1819. + +I yesterday received the intelligence _of a fresh recognition and homage[1] +offered to the admirable qualities of your head and heart_. I beg that +Y.R.H. will graciously accept my congratulations. They spring from the +heart, and do not require to be suggested! I hope things will soon go +better with me also. So much annoyance has had a most prejudicial effect on +my health, and I am thus far from well; so for some time past I have been +obliged to undergo a course of medicine which has only permitted me to +devote myself for a few hours in the day to the most cherished boon of +Heaven, my art and the Muses. I hope, however, to be able to finish the +Mass[2] so that it can be performed on the 19th--if that day is still +fixed. I should really be in despair[3] were I prevented by bad health from +being ready by that time. I trust, however, that my sincere wishes for the +accomplishment of this task may be fulfilled. As to that _chef-d'oeuvre_, +the variations of Y.R.H., I think they should be published under the +following title:-- + +Theme or Subject +composed by L. van Beethoven, +forty times varied, +and dedicated to his Instructor, +by the Illustrious Author. + +The inquiries about this work are numerous, and yet, after all, this +excellent composition may be ushered into the world in mutilated copies, +for Y.R.H. yourself cannot possibly resist giving it first to one person +and then to another; so, in Heaven's name, together with the great homage +Y.R.H. now publicly receives, let the homage to Apollo (or the Christian +Cecilia) also be made public. Perhaps Y.R.H. may accuse me of _vanity_; but +I do assure you that precious as this dedication is to my heart, and truly +proud of it as I am, this is certainly not my chief object. Three +publishers have offered to take the work,--Artaria, Steiner, and a third +whose name does not at this moment occur to me. So of the two I have named, +which is to have the variations? I await the commands of Y.R.H. on this +point. They are to be engraved at the cost of either of those publishers, +according to their own offer. The question now is whether Y.R.H. _is +satisfied with the title_. My idea is that Y.R.H. should entirely close +your eyes to the fact of the publication; when it does appear, Y.R.H. may +deem it a misfortune, _but the world will consider it the reverse_. May +Providence protect Y.R.H., and shower down the richest blessings of His +grace on Y.R.H.'s sacred head, and preserve for me your gracious regard! +[On the cover] My indisposition must be my excuse with Y.R.H. for this +confused letter. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The Emperor Francis had sent the new Archbishop of Olmütz, +Archduke Rudolph, the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Stephen.] + +[Footnote 2: The Mass for the solemnities of the Archduke Rudolph's +enthronization in Olmütz (March 20, 1820) was not completed by Beethoven +till 1822.] + +[Footnote 3: Beethoven had, however, no cause for despair on the subject. +The kind-hearted Archduke showed the utmost indulgence to him on this +occasion as well as on many others, and even at a later period accepted the +dedication of this long delayed composition.] + + +272.[1] + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I perceive that Baron Schweiger has not informed Y.R.H. of the attack I had +yesterday. I was suddenly seized with such sharp fever that I entirely lost +consciousness; a bruised foot may have contributed to bring this on. It is +therefore impossible for me to leave the house to-day. I hope, however, to +be quite recovered by to-morrow, and I request Y.R.H. to appoint the +orchestra to come to-morrow afternoon at a quarter to three o'clock, that +the musicians may appear a little earlier, and leave sufficient time to try +over the two Overtures. If Y.R.H. wishes to hear these, I shall require +four horns; the Symphonies, however, require only two. For the proper +performance of the Symphonies we must have at least four violins, four +second, four first, two double basses, two violoncellos. I beg you will be +so good as to let me know what you decide on. No pleasure can ever be +greater to me than hearing my works performed before my illustrious pupil. +May God speedily restore your health, which often causes me anxiety! + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The letters 272, 273, 274, relate to arrangements for musical +meetings at which Beethoven caused his new works to be played for the +Archduke.] + + +273. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +I beg you will be so kind as to let Herr von Wranitzky[1] know your +commands about the music, and whether to bespeak two or four horns. I have +already spoken with him, and suggested his only selecting musicians who can +accomplish a performance, rather than a mere rehearsal. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: Anton Wranitzky (born 1760, died 1819), director of Prince +Lobkowitz's opera and band. His brother Paul (born 1756, died 1808) was +from 1785 to 1808 Kapellmeister at the Royal Opera in Vienna.] + + +274. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +It is impossible to double the parts by eleven o'clock to-morrow, most of +the copyists having so much to write this week. I think therefore you will +perhaps appoint next Saturday for our _resurrection day_, and by that time +I expect to be entirely recovered, and better able to conduct, which would +have been rather an arduous task for me to-morrow, in spite of my +good-will. On Friday I do hope to be able to go out and inquire for Y.R.H. + +[K.] + + +275. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1819. + +(_A Fragment._) + +The day when a High Mass of mine is performed in honor of the solemnities +for Y.R.H. will be the most delightful of my life, and God will enlighten +me so that my poor abilities may contribute to the splendors of that solemn +occasion. I send you the Sonata with heartfelt gratitude; I think the +violoncello part is wanting,--at least I could not lay my hand on it at the +moment. As the work is beautifully engraved, I have taken the liberty to +add a published copy, and also a violin quintet. In addition to the two +pieces written in my hand on Y.R.H.'s name-day, there are two more; the +last a grand _Fugato_, so that it forms one great sonata,[1] which is now +shortly to appear, and has been long _in my heart_ dedicated to Y.R.H. _The +recent occurrence connected with Y.R.H.[2] is not in the slightest degree +the cause of this._ I beg you will forgive my bad writing. I implore the +Lord to bestow His richest blessings on Y.R.H., whose love of humanity is +so comprehensive,--one of the choicest of all qualities; and in this +respect Y.R.H. will always, either in a _worldly_ or _spiritual_ point of +view, be one of our brightest examples. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The Grand Sonata with two movements, and two additional ones, +of which the last is a grand fugued one, can scarcely be any other than the +pianoforte Sonata (Op. 106) composed in 1818, dedicated to the Archduke +Rudolph, and published in September, 1819.] + +[Footnote 2: The "recent occurrence" to which Beethoven alludes is no doubt +his being appointed Archbishop.] + + +276. + +TO HERR BLÖCHLINGER. + +Mödling, Sept. 14, 1819. + +85 florins enclosed. + +DEAR SIR,-- + +I have the honor to send you payment for the ensuing month, which begins on +the 22d Sept., and I add 10 florins in order to provide for any unforeseen +expenses, which you will please account for to me on the 12th October. The +following persons alone are to have free access to my nephew: Herr von +Bernard, Herr von Oliva, Herr von Piuss. + +If any persons, exclusive of those I have named, wish to see my nephew, I +will give them a letter to you, when you will be so obliging as to admit +them; for the distance to your house is considerable, and those who go +there can only do so to oblige me, as, for example, the bandage-maker, &c., +&c. + +My nephew must never leave your house without a written permission from me. +From this you will at once plainly perceive your line of conduct towards +Carl's mother. I must impress on you the necessity of these rules +(proceeding from the magistrates and myself) being strictly enforced. You, +dear sir, are too little experienced in these circumstances, however +obvious your other merits are to me, to act on your own judgment in the +matter, as you have hitherto done. Credulity can in the present instance +only lead to embarrassment, the result of which might prove injurious to +you rather than beneficial, and this I wish to avoid for the sake of your +own credit. + +I hear that my nephew requires, or at all events wishes to have, a variety +of things from me; he has only to apply to myself. Be so good as to forward +all his letters through Herr Steiner & Co., Pater Noster Gässel, auf'm +Graben. + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN, + +_Sole guardian of my nephew Carl Van Beethoven._ + +N.B. Any outlay will be at once repaid. + + +277. + +Vienna, Sept. 21, 1819. + +In honor of the visit of Herr Schlesinger of Berlin. + +[Music: Four staves (SATB), B-flat major, 4/4 time, repeating. + Glaube und hoffe + Glaube und hoffe und hoffe + Glaube und hoffe, Glaube und hoffe +Glaube und hoffe, ] + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + + +278. + +TO HERR ARTARIA,--VIENNA. + +Oct. 1, 1819. + +MOST EXCELLENT AND MOST VIRTUOUS OF VIRTUOSI, AND NO HUMBUG! + +While informing you of all sorts of things from which we hope you will draw +the best conclusions, we request you to send us six (say 6) copies of the +Sonata in B flat major, and also six copies of the variations on the Scotch +songs, as the author's right. We beg you to forward them to Steiner, in +Pater Noster Gässel, whence they will be sent to us with some other things. + +In the hope that you are conducting yourself with all due propriety and +decorum, we are your, &c., + +B----. + + +279. + +A SKETCH WRITTEN BY BEETHOVEN,-- + +Corrected by Artaria's Bookkeeper, Wuister. + +1819. + +Having heard from Herr B. that Y.R. Highness [the Archduke Rudolph] has +written a most masterly work, we wish to be the first to have the great +honor of publishing Y.R. Highness's composition, that the world may become +acquainted with the admirable talents of so illustrious a Prince. We trust +Y. Royal Highness will comply with our respectful solicitation. + +FALSTAFF--[1] + +_Ragged Rascal!_ + +[Footnote 1: The name Beethoven gave to Artaria's partner, Bolderini.] + + +280. + +TO ARTARIA. + +Mödling, Oct. 12, 1819. + +Pray forgive me, dear A. (?), for plaguing you as follows:-- + +We are coming to town the day after to-morrow, and expect to arrive at four +o'clock. The two days' festival compels us to return the same day, as Carl +must prepare with his master here for the second examination, these very +holidays enabling the tutor to devote more time to him; but I must soon +return to town on account of the certificate of Carl's birth, which costs +more time and money than I like. I at all times dislike travelling by the +_diligence_, and this one has moreover one peculiarity, that you may wish +to go on what day you please, but it always turns out to be a Friday on +which it sets off; and though a good Christian, still one Friday in the +year is sufficient for me. I beg you will request the leader of the choir +(the devil alone knows what the office is!) to be so good as to give us +Carl's _certificate of birth_ on the afternoon of the same day if possible. +He might do so at seven o'clock in the morning, at the time we arrive; but +he ought to be punctual, for Carl is to appear at the examination at +half-past seven o'clock. So it must be _either to-morrow at_ seven, or _at +all events in the afternoon_. We shall call on you to-morrow before seven +o'clock to inquire about this, with the proviso of a visit later in the +day. In haste, and asking your pardon, + +Your + +L. VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +281. + +PETITION TO THE MAGISTRACY.[1] + +Oct. 30, 1819. + +GENTLEMEN,-- + +My brother, Carl van Beethoven, died on November 5, 1815, leaving a boy +twelve years old,--his son Carl. In his will, by clause 5, he bequeathed to +me the guardianship of the boy, and in the codicil B he expressed a wish +that his widow, Johanna, should have a share in this duty, adding that, for +the sake of his child, he recommended her to submit to my guidance. This +explicit declaration of the father, added to my legal claim, I being the +nearest relative (clause 198), entitles me clearly to the guardianship of +my nephew, Carl van Beethoven; and the Court of Justice, by their Decree E, +committed to me, under existing circumstances, the guardianship, to the +exclusion moreover of Beethoven's widow. A journey on business having +compelled me to be for some time absent, I did not object to an official +guardian supplying my place for the time, which was effected by the +nomination of the Town Sequestrator, Herr Nussböck. + +Being now, however, finally settled here, and the welfare of the boy very +precious to me, both love and duty demand that I should resume my rights; +especially as this talented lad is coming to an age when greater care and +expense must be bestowed on his education, on which his whole future +prospects depend. This duty ought not to be confided to any woman, far less +to his mother, who possesses neither the will nor the power to adopt those +measures indispensable to a manly and suitable education. + +I am the more anxious to reclaim my guardianship of Carl, as I understand +that, in consequence of want of means to defray the expenses of the school +where I placed him, he is to be removed, and his mother wishes him to live +with her, in order herself to spend his trifling provision, and thus save +the one half of her pension, which, according to the decree, she is bound +to apply to his use. + +I have hitherto taken a paternal charge of my nephew, and I intend to do +the same in future at my own expense, being resolved that the hopes of his +deceased father, and the expectations I have formed for this clever boy, +shall be fulfilled by his becoming an able man and a good citizen. + +With this view I accordingly request that the highly respected magistrates +whom I now address will be pleased to annul the Town Sequestrator +Nussböck's interim office, and forthwith transfer to me the sole +guardianship of my nephew Carl van Beethoven.[2] + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Evidently drawn up by his advocate, Dr. Bach, from Beethoven's +notes.] + +[Footnote 2: The magisterial decree of Nov. 4, 1819, was adverse to +Beethoven.] + + +282. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, Nov. 10, 1819. + +DEAR RIES,-- + +I write to let you know that the Sonata is already out, though only a +fortnight ago, and it is nearly six months since I sent you both the +Quintet and the Sonata. In the course of a few days I will send them both +to you engraved, and from them you can correct the two works. + +Having received no letter from you on the subject, I thought the thing was +at an end. I have indeed made shipwreck already with Neate this year! I +only wish you could contrive to get me the fifty ducats which I have yet to +receive, as I calculated on them, and really am in great want of money. I +shall say no more to-day, but must inform you that I have nearly completed +a _new Grand Mass_. Write to me whether you could do anything with this in +London; but soon, very soon, and send the money soon also for both works. I +will write more fully next time. In haste, + +Your true and faithful friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +283. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Dec. 14, 1819. + +Immediately on last leaving Y.R.H. I was taken ill, of which I apprised +Y.R.H., but owing to a change in my household, neither the letter in +question nor another to Y.R.H. was ever sent. In it I begged Y.R.H.'s +indulgence, having some works on hand that I was obliged to dispatch with +all speed, owing to which I was, alas! compelled to lay aside the Mass +also.[1] I hope Y.R.H. will ascribe the delay solely to the pressure of +circumstances. This is not the time to enter fully into the subject, but I +must do so as soon as the right moment arrives, that Y.R.H. may not form +too severe or undeserved a judgment of me. My heart is always with Y.R.H., +and I trust at length circumstances may in so far change, that I may be +able to contribute more than I have hitherto done, to perfecting your great +talent. I think, however, Y.R.H. is already aware of my good-will in this +respect, and is fully convinced that insurmountable obstacles alone can +ever detain me from the most excellent of all princes, so revered by me, +and so entwined with every feeling of my heart. I did not till yesterday +hear of the mistake about the two letters, and I now intend to bring them +myself, for I have no one in my service on whom I can depend. I will +present myself at your house this afternoon at half-past four o'clock. My +warmest thanks for Y.R.H.'s kind letter to me. When Y.R.H. thus vouchsafes +to declare your esteem for me, it only heightens and increases my impulse +to all that is good. + +[Footnote 1: Another allusion to the Grand Mass in D, which seemed likely +never to be completed.] + + +284. + +MEMORANDUM. + +1822. + +The Mass[1] will soon be all in Y.R.H.'s hands; it ought to have been, and +would have been so long ago, but--but--but--when Y.R.H. becomes acquainted +with my circumstances, you will be surprised that I have even now been able +to finish it. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The circumstances which prevented the completion of this work +were undoubtedly his perpetual state of strife with his nephew and his +sister-in-law.] + + +285. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +I heard with heartfelt sorrow of Y.R.H.'s indisposition, but hope soon to +hear of your recovery. Why am I also ill? for I might possibly discover the +best mode of restoring Y.R.H. I will call again to inquire after Y.R.H., +and hope to hear good news. + +[K.] + + +286. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +I have been rather an invalid all this time, though I try to think myself +tolerably well. I deeply regret to hear of Y.R.H.'s attack, especially as I +knew nothing of it, or I certainly should have hastened to inquire whether +it was in my power in any way to alleviate your sufferings. To-morrow, in +compliance with Y.R.H.'s wish, I shall certainly enjoy the pleasure of +seeing my own most dear and illustrious master. + +[K.] + + +287. + +TO THE ROYAL AND IMPERIAL HIGH COURT OF APPEAL. + +Jan. 7, 1820. + +GENTLEMEN,-- + +On the plea of the Decree A, I sought to have transferred to myself the +guardianship of my nephew, Carl v. Beethoven, but was referred by the +magistracy to the previous decision. On my consequent remonstrance the same +result ensued. + +I find myself the more aggrieved by this, inasmuch as not only are my own +rights set at naught, but even the welfare of my nephew is thus utterly +disregarded. I am therefore compelled to have recourse to the highest Court +of Appeal to lay before them my well-founded claim, and rightfully to +demand that the guardianship of my nephew should be restored to me. + +My reasons are the following:-- + +1st. I am entitled to the guardianship of my nephew, not only by his +father's will, but by law, and this the Court of Justice confirmed to the +exclusion of the mother. When business called me away from Vienna, I +conceded that Herr Nussböck should act for me _ad interim_. Having now, +however, taken up my residence here, the welfare of my nephew demands that +I should again undertake the office of his guardian. + +2d. My nephew has arrived at an age when he requires to be trained to a +higher degree of cultivation. Neither his mother nor his present guardian +are calculated to guide the boy in the pursuit of his studies. The former, +in the first place, because she is a woman; and as to her conduct, it has +been legally proved that, to say the least of it, she has no creditable +testimonials to bring forward,[1] on which account she was expressly +prohibited from acting by the Court of Justice. How the Honorable +Magistracy could nevertheless again appoint her is quite incomprehensible. +The latter is unfit; because, on the one hand, his office as sequestrator +and administrator of houses and lands, occupies his time too much to enable +him properly to undertake the duties of guardian to the boy; and, on the +other, because his previous occupation as a paper manufacturer, does not +inspire me with any confidence that he possesses the intelligence or +judgment indispensable to conduct a scientific education. + +3d. The welfare of my nephew is dearer to my heart than it can be to any +one else. I am myself childless, and have no relations except this boy, who +is full of talent, and I have good grounds to hope the best for him, if +properly trained. Now I am compelled to hear that he has been delayed a +whole year by remaining in his previous class, from want of means to defray +the expense, and that his mother intends to remove him from his present +school, and wishes him to live with her. What a misfortune to the boy, were +he to become a victim to the mismanagement of his mother, who would fain +squander on herself that portion of her pension which she is obliged to +devote to the education of her son! + +I have therefore declared in due form to the Honorable Magistracy that I am +myself willing to undertake the expenses of his present school, and also to +provide the various masters required. Being rather deaf, which is an +impediment to conversation, I have requested the aid of a colleague, and +suggested for this purpose Herr Peters, Councillor of Prince Lobkowitz, in +order that a person may forthwith be appointed to superintend the education +and progress of my nephew, that his moral character may one day command +esteem, and whose acquirements may be a sure guaranty to all those who feel +an interest in the youth's welfare, that he will undoubtedly receive the +education and culture necessary to develop his abilities. + +My efforts and wishes have no other aim than to give the boy the best +possible education,--his abilities justifying the brightest hopes,--and to +fulfil the trust placed in my brotherly love by his father. The shoot is +still flexible; but if longer neglected it will become crooked, and outgrow +the gardener's training hand, and upright bearing, intellect, and +character, be destroyed forever. + +I know no duty more sacred than the education and training of a child. The +chief duties of a guardian consist in knowing how to appreciate what is +good, and in adopting a right course; then alone has proper attention been +devoted to the welfare of his ward, whereas in opposing what is good he +neglects his duty. + +Indeed, keeping in view what is most for the benefit of the boy, I do not +object to the mother in so far sharing in the duties of a guardian that she +may visit her son, and see him, and be apprised of all the measures adopted +for his education; but to intrust her with the sole guardianship of the boy +without a strict guardian by her side, would cause the irrevocable ruin of +her son. + +On these cogent grounds I reiterate my well-founded solicitation, and feel +the more confident of a favorable answer, as the welfare of my nephew alone +guides my steps in this affair.[2] + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler states that during these law proceedings the widow +of Beethoven's brother had another child.] + +[Footnote 2: The Court excluded Carl's mother from all share in his +education, and from all direct influence over her son, and again restored +to Beethoven the full authority of a guardian.] + + +288. + +TO HIS HIGHNESS THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +[Music: Treble clef, C major. +Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit! +Dem Erzherzog Rudolph! +Dem geistlichen Fürsten! +Alles Gute! alles Schöne! +alles Gute! alles Schöne! +alles alles Gute, alles alles Schöne! +alles Gute! alles Schöne! +alles Gute, alles Schöne! +alles alles Gute, alles Schöne! +alles Gute, alles Schöne! +alles Gute, alles Schöne!] + +From your obedient servant, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + +Jan. 12, 1820. + + +289. + +TESTIMONIAL IN FAVOR OF HERR V. KANDELER. + +It is certainly the duty of every musical composer to become acquainted +with all the earlier as well as more modern poets, in order to select what +is most suitable to his purpose for songs. Such, however, not being +invariably the case, this present collection of Herr v. Kandeler's cannot +fail to be useful and commendable to many who wish to write songs, and also +tend to induce more able poets to contribute something in the same +direction. + +LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN.--M.P. + +I entirely agree with Herr v. Beethoven. + +JOS. WEIGEL. + + +290. + +TO THEODORE AMADEUS HOFFMANN.[1] + +Vienna, March 23, 1820. + +I seize the opportunity through Herr N. of approaching a man so gifted as +yourself. You have also written of my humble self, and Herr N.N. showed me +some lines of yours about me in his album; I have, therefore, every reason +to believe that you feel some interest in me. Permit me to say that, on the +part of so talented a man as yourself, this is truly gratifying to me. I +wish you all possible good and happiness, and remain, + +Sir, with esteem, your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: It is well known that Hoffmann, in the years 1809 to 1812, +wrote the first really important articles on Beethoven's works for the +_Leipzig A.M. Zeitung_ on his instrumental music, his trios, and masses, +&c., &c.] + + +291. + +TO HERR HASLINGER,--ADJUTANTERL. + +I request the Adjutant to lend me the score of the Overture in E flat, +which I will return as soon as the performance is over. I also beg he will +be so good as to send me Kirnberger's work to supply the place of mine, as +I am at this moment giving lessons in counterpoint, and have been unable to +find my own manuscript amid my confused mass of papers. Yours, + +MI CONTRA FA. + + +292. + +TO TOBIAS,--ADJUTANT. + +MOST WORTHY ADJUTANT,-- + +I have made a bet of ten florins, W.W., against the truth of your having +been obliged to pay a compensation of 2000 florins to Artaria for the new +edition of Mozart's works, which have been again and again engraved and +sold everywhere. I really wish to know the truth on this subject, for I +cannot possibly believe what is said. If it be the fact that you have been +so unhandsomely treated, then _Ah, dolce contento_ must pay the ten +florins. Send me a true report. Farewell; be a good Christian. Your + +BEETHOVEN. + + +293. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Vienna, April 3, 1820. + +YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,-- + +So far as I can recollect, when I was about to wait on you, I was told that +Y.R.H. was indisposed; I called on Sunday evening to inquire, having been +assured that Y.R.H. did not intend to set off on Monday. In accordance with +my usual custom, not to remain long in an anteroom, I hurried away after +receiving this information, though I observed that the gentleman in waiting +wished to say something to me. Unhappily I did not hear till Monday +afternoon that Y.R.H. had really gone to Olmütz. I must confess that this +caused me a very painful feeling, but my consciousness of never having +neglected my duty in any respect, induced me to suppose that the same may +have been the case on this occasion, as it often is in human life,--for I +can easily conceive that Y.R.H., immersed in ceremonies and novel +impressions, had very little time to spare in Olmütz for other things. I +should otherwise certainly have anticipated Y.R.H. in writing. May I ask +you graciously to inform me what length of stay you intend to make in +Olmütz? It was reported that Y.R.H. intended to return here towards the end +of May; but a few days ago I heard that you were to remain a year and a +half in Olmütz; owing to this I may perhaps have adopted wrong measures, +not with regard to Y.R.H., but myself. As soon as I receive information +from you on the subject, I will enter into further explanations. May I also +beg that in the mean time Y.R.H. will not listen to certain reports about +me? I have heard a great deal of what may be termed gossip here, which +people seem to think may be acceptable to Y.R.H. As Y.R.H. is pleased to +say that I am one of those whom you esteem, I can confidently declare that +Y.R.H. is the person whom I value most in the universe. Although no +courtier, I believe that Y.R.H. knows me too thoroughly to believe that +mere selfish interest has ever attached or attracted me towards Y.R.H., +but, on the contrary, true and heartfelt affection alone. I can with truth +say that a second Blondel has long since set forth on his pilgrimage, and +if no Richard can be found in this world for me, God shall be my Sovereign! + +It seems to me that my idea of giving a quartet is the best; even though +some works have been already performed on a grand scale at Olmütz, still +something might thus be introduced into Moravia to attract the attention of +the musical world, and for the benefit of Art. + +If, according to the above reports, Y.R.H. should return here in May, I +advise Y.R.H. to reserve your _spiritual children_ for me [see No. 279] +till then, because it would be better that I should hear them performed by +yourself. But if your stay in Olmütz is really to be of such long duration, +I will receive them now with the greatest pleasure, and strive to accompany +Y.R.H. to the summit of Parnassus. May God preserve Y.R.H. in health for +the good of humanity, and also for that of all your warm admirers. I beg +you will be graciously pleased soon to write to me. Y.R.H. cannot fail to +be convinced of my readiness at all times to fulfil your wishes. + +I am Y.R.H.'s humble and faithful servant, + +LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN + + +294. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Mödling, Aug. 3, 1820. + +I have this moment received the letter in which Y.R.H. informs me yourself +of your journey hither, and I sincerely thank Y.R.H. for such a mark of +attention. I intended to have hastened to town to-morrow to wait on Y.R.H., +but no carriage is to be had; I expect however to get one before next +Saturday, when I shall lose no time, and set off at an early hour to +inquire for Y.R.H. With regard to the sacrifice Y.R.H. intends to offer up +to the Muses, I will make a proposal verbally on the subject. I heartily +rejoice in knowing that Y.R.H. is once more so near me. May I in all +respects be enabled to assist in fulfilling your wishes! May Heaven bless +Y.R.H., and mature all your plans! + +[K.] + + +295. + +TO HERR ARTARIA, FALSTAFF, & CO. + +Vienna, Oct. 26, 1820. + +I politely request that you will hand over to Herr Oliva the sum of 300 +florins, which has no doubt already been received by you in full. Having +been entirely occupied by removing to my new lodgings, I could not do +myself the honor of expressing my thanks to you and Sir John Falstaff in +person. + +Your obedient servant, + +LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN. + + +296. + +TO BOLDERINI. + +MY VERY WORTHY FALSTAFF!-- + +I request, with all due civility, that you will send me a copy of each of +the two works for pianoforte and flute, with variations. As for the +receipt, you shall have it to-morrow; and I also beg you will forward it +forthwith. Give my compliments to Herr Artaria, and thank him from me for +his kind offer of an advance, but as I have received from abroad the money +due to me, I do not require to avail myself of his aid. Farewell, Knight +Falstaff; do not be too dissipated, read the Gospel, and be converted! + +We remain, your well-affected + +BEETHOVEN. + +To Sir John Falstaff, Knight. +To the care of Herr Artaria & Co. + + +297. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Mödling, Sept. 1820. + +Since last Tuesday evening I have been far from well, but hoped by Friday, +certainly, to have had the happiness of waiting on Y.R.H. This proved a +delusion, and it is only to-day that I am able to say confidently that I +expect to present myself before Y.R.H. next Monday or Tuesday at an early +hour. I ascribe my illness to having taken an open _calèche_, in order not +to miss my appointment with Y.R.H. The day was very wet and positively +_cold_ here towards the evening. Nature seems almost to have been offended +by the liberty I took, and by my audacity, and to have punished me in +consequence. May Heaven bestow on Y.R.H. all that is good and holy, as well +as every charm and blessing, and on _me_ your favor, _but only in so far as +justice sanctions_! + +[K.] + + +298. + +TO HERR ARTARIA & CO. + +Vienna, Dec. 17, 1820. + +I thank you warmly for the advance of 150 florins, for which I have made +out the receipt in the name of his Imperial Highness the Cardinal, and I +beg, as I am in danger of losing one of my bank shares, that you will +advance me another 150 florins, which I pledge myself to repay within three +months at latest from this date. As a proof of my gratitude, I engage in +this letter to make over to you, as your exclusive property, one of my +compositions, consisting of two or more movements, without claiming payment +for it hereafter. + +Your ever-complaisant + +BEETHOVEN. + +[L.S.] + + +299. + +TO TOBIAS V. HASLINGER. + +Baden, Sept. 10, 1821. + +MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +On my way to Vienna yesterday, sleep overtook me in my carriage, which was +by no means strange, for having been obliged to rise so early every +morning, I never had a good night's sleep. While thus slumbering I dreamt +that I had gone on a far journey, to no less a place than to Syria, on to +Judea, and back, and then all the way to Arabia, when at length I actually +arrived at Jerusalem. The Holy City gave rise to thoughts of the Holy +Books. No wonder then if the man Tobias occurred to me, which also +naturally led me to think of our own little Tobias and our great Tobias. +Now during my dream-journey, the following Canon came into my head:-- + +[Music: Bass clef, F major, 2/4 time. _Lively in the upper octave._ +O Tobias! +O Tobias! Dominus Ha--slinger o! +o! o Tobias!] + +But scarcely did I wake when away flew the Canon, and I could not recall +any part of it. On returning here however, next day, in the same carriage, +(that of a poor Austrian musician,) I resumed my dream-journey, being, +however, on this occasion wide awake, when lo and behold! in accordance +with the laws of the association of ideas the same Canon again flashed +across me; so being now awake I held it as fast as Menelaus did Proteus, +only permitting it to be changed into three parts. + +[Music: Treble, Tenor, and Bass clef staves, F major, 2/4 time. +O Tobias! +O Tobias! +Dominus Ha--slinger o!] + +Farewell! I intend to send next something composed on Steiner's name, to +show that his is no heart of stone [Stein]. Adieu, my good friend; it is my +most heartfelt wish that you may prosper as a publisher; may all credit be +given to you, and yet may you never require credit. Sing daily the Epistles +of St. Paul, and daily visit Father Werner, who can show you in his little +book how to go straight to heaven. See, how anxious I am about the welfare +of your soul! + +I remain always, with infinite pleasure, henceforth and forever, + +Your faithful debtor, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +300. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Unterdöbling, July 18, 1821. + +I yesterday heard of Y.R.H.'s arrival here; joyful tidings for me, but +saddened by knowing that it must be some time before I can have the good +fortune to wait on Y.R.H.; having been long very ill, at last _jaundice_ +declared itself, which I consider a most loathsome malady. I trust, +however, I shall be so far recovered as to see Y.R.H. before you leave +this. Last winter, too, I had some very severe rheumatic attacks. Much of +this proceeds from the melancholy state of my family affairs; I have +hitherto hoped, by every possible exertion on my part, at last to remedy +these. That Providence, who searches my inmost heart, and knows that as a +man I have striven sacredly to fulfil all the duties imposed on me by +humanity, God, and Nature, will no doubt one day extricate me from all +these troubles. The Mass [in D] will be delivered to Y.R.H. here. I hope +Y.R.H. will excuse my entering into the various causes of the delay. The +details could not be otherwise than painful to Y.R.H. I would often gladly +have written to Y.R.H. from here, but you told me to wait till I first +heard from you. What, then, was I to do? Y.R.H. might have been displeased +had I not attended to your injunction, and I know that there are people who +are glad to calumniate me to Y.R.H., which pains me exceedingly. I +therefore often think that my sole recourse is to keep quiet till Y.R.H. +expresses a wish either to see or to hear of me. I was told that Y.R.H. had +been indisposed, but I hope it was nothing serious. May Heaven shower down +its most precious blessings on Y.R.H.! I trust it may not be very long +before I shall be so fortunate as to assure Y.R.H. how entirely I am, &c., +&c. + +[K.] + + +301. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Unterdöbling, July 18, 1821. + +I have written a long and minute letter to Y.R.H., which my copyist +Schlemmer will deliver. I wrote it on hearing the day before yesterday of +the arrival of Y.R.H. How much I grieve that the attack of jaundice with +which I am affected prevents my at once hastening to Y.R.H. to express in +person my joy at your arrival. May the Lord of all things, for the sake of +so many others, take Y.R.H. under His protection! + +[K.] + + +302. + +TO THE MOST CELEBRATED MUSIC FIRM IN EUROPE, MESSRS. STEINER & CO., +PATERNOSTER-(MISERERE) GÄSSEL. + +I request Geh'-bauer[1] to send me two tickets, as some of my friends wish +to attend your hole-and-corner music. You probably have some of these +worthless admission tickets; so let me have one or two. + +The part I send belongs to the Chorus, of which Bauer has the other +portions. Your _amicus_ + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Gebauer established the "Concerts Spirituels" in 1819, and +died in 1822.] + + +303. + +ADDRESS UNKNOWN. + +Baden, Sept. 27, 1821. + +I hope, sir, that you will forgive the liberty I take in thus intruding on +you. The bearer of this, H. v. ----, has been commissioned by me to +exchange or sell a bank-note. Being ignorant of everything connected with +these matters, I beg you will be so good as to communicate your views and +advice to the bearer. The two illnesses I had last winter and summer rather +deranged all my calculations. I have been here since the 7th of September, +and must remain till the end of October. All this costs a great deal of +money, and prevents my earning it as usual. I indeed expect shortly to +receive money from abroad, but as bank-notes stand so high at present, I +consider this the easiest resource, and intend subsequently to purchase a +new bank-note in its place. + +Immediate--in haste. + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[This unsealed letter was enclosed in an envelope on which was written:] + +You will at once see what kind of commercial genius I am. After writing the +enclosed, I for the first time consulted a friend about the note, who +pointed out to me that all I had to do was to cut off a _coupon_, and the +affair was completed. I rejoice, therefore, not to be obliged to plague you +further on the subject. + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +304. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Feb. 27, 1822. + +I went to-day early to the Palace, not, indeed, with the intention of +meeting Y.R.H., (not being yet dressed), but only to beg Zips to mention +that I had called, and was sincerely rejoiced at your arrival here; but I +could no longer discover Y.R.H.'s apartments, and wherever I knocked in the +hope of finding Y.R.H., my dress seemed to be so closely scrutinized that I +hurried away, and write to-day to recommend myself to Y.R.H. To-morrow I +intend to pay my respects to Y.R.H., when I hope also to hear whether the +usual _musical and intellectual meetings_ are to continue, and when they +are to take place. My not having written all this time to Y.R.H. has indeed +a very bad appearance, but I delayed from day to day, hoping always to send +the Mass, the mistakes in which were really quite dreadful; so much so that +I was obliged to revise _every part_, and thus the delay occurred. Other +pressing occupations and various circumstances tended to impede me, which +is often the case when a man least expects it. That Y.R.H., however, was +ever present with me is shown by the following copies of some novelties,[1] +which have been lying finished by me for some time for Y.R.H., but I +resolved not to forward them till I could at the same time send the Mass. +The latter now only requires binding, when it shall be respectfully +delivered to Y.R.H. by myself. Sincerely rejoiced at the hope of soon +personally waiting on Y.R.H., I remain, with devoted homage, yours till +death. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The _novelties_ which Beethoven sends to the Archduke are:-- + +Six _bagatelles_ for the pianoforte, Op. 126 (composed in 1821). +Sonata for pianoforte in E major " 109 ( " " ?1821). + " " " A flat major " 110 ( " " 1821).] + + +305. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, April 6, 1822. + +MY DEAREST AND BEST RIES,-- + +Having been again in bad health during the last ten months, I have hitherto +been unable to answer your letter. I duly received the 26l. sterling, and +thank you sincerely; I have not, however, yet got the sonata you dedicated +to me. My greatest work is a _Grand Mass_ that I have recently written. As +time presses, I can only say what is most urgent. What would the +Philharmonic give me for a symphony? + +I still cherish the hope of going to London next spring, if my health +admits of it! You will find in me one who can thoroughly appreciate my dear +pupil, now become a great master, and who can tell what benefit art might +derive from our conjunction! I am, as ever, wholly devoted to my Muse, who +constitutes the sole happiness of my life, and I toil and act for others as +I best can. You have two children; I only one (my brother's son); but you +are married, so both yours will not cost you so much as my one costs me. + +Now farewell! kiss your handsome wife for me until I can perform this +solemn act in person. + +Your attached + +BEETHOVEN. + +Pray send me your dedication, that I may strive to return the compliment, +which I mean to do as soon as I receive your work. + + +306. + +TO HERREN PETERS & CO., MUSIC PUBLISHERS,--LEIPZIG. + +Vienna, June 5, 1822. + +GENTLEMEN,-- + +You did me the honor to address a letter to me at a time when I was much +occupied, and I have also been extremely unwell for the last five months. I +now only reply to the principal points. Although I met Steiner by chance a +few days ago, and asked him jestingly what he had brought me from Leipzig, +he did not make _the smallest_ allusion to _your commission or to +yourself_. He urged me, however, in the very strongest manner, to _pledge +myself to give him the exclusive right of publishing all my works, both +present and future_,--and indeed to _sign a contract to that +effect_,--which I declined. This _trait_ sufficiently proves to you why I +often give the preference to other publishers both home and foreign. I love +uprightness and integrity, and am of opinion that no one should drive a +hard bargain with artists, for, alas! however brilliant the exterior of +Fame may appear, an artist does not enjoy the privilege of being the daily +guest of Jupiter on Olympus; unhappily commonplace humanity only too often +unpleasantly drags him down from these pure ethereal heights. + +The _greatest_ work I have hitherto written is a _Grand Mass_ with +Choruses, and four _obbligati_ voice parts, and full orchestra. Several +persons have applied to me for this work, and I have been offered 100 Louis +d'or, hard cash, for it; but I demand at least 1000 florins C.M. [20 +florins to the mark], for which sum I will also furnish a pianoforte +arrangement. Variations on a waltz [Diabelli's] for the piano (they are +numerous), 30 ducats in gold,--N.B. Vienna ducats. With regard to songs, I +have several rather important descriptive ones: as, for example, a comic +Aria, with full orchestra, on Goethe's text, "Mit Mädeln sich vertragen;" +and another Aria, in the same style, 16 ducats each (furnishing also a +pianoforte arrangement if required); also several descriptive songs, with +pianoforte accompaniment, 12 ducats each; among these is a little Italian +Cantata, with Recitative; there is also a Song with recitative among the +German ones. A Song with pianoforte accompaniment, 8 ducats. An Elegy, four +voices, with the accompaniment of _two violins, viola, and violoncello_, 24 +ducats. A Dervise Chorus, with full orchestra, 20 ducats. + +Also the following instrumental music: a Grand March for full orchestra, +with pianoforte accompaniment, 12 ducats, written for the tragedy of +"Tarpeia." Romance for the violin (a solo with full orchestra), 15 ducats. +Grand Terzet for two oboes, and one English horn (which might be arranged +for other instruments), 30 ducats. Four military Marches with Turkish +music; when applied for, I will name the sum. _Bagatelles_, or minor +pianoforte solos, the price to be fixed when required. The above works are +all completed. Solo pianoforte Sonata, 40 ducats (which could soon be +delivered); Quartet for _two violins, tenor, and violoncello_, 50 ducats +(this will also soon be ready). I am by no means so anxious about these, +however, as about _a full and complete edition of my works_, being desirous +to edit them during my lifetime. I have indeed received many proposals on +this subject, but accompanied by stipulations to which I could scarcely +agree, and which I neither could nor would fulfil. I am willing to +undertake, in the course of two years, or possibly a year, or a year and a +half, with proper assistance, to edit and superintend a complete edition of +my works, and to furnish a new composition in each style; namely, a new +work in the style of variations, one in the sonata style, and so on in +every separate class of work that I have ever composed, and for the whole +combined I ask 10,000 florins C.M. + +I am no man of business, and only wish I were; as it is, I am guided by the +offers made to me by different competitors for my works, and such a +competition is rather strong just now. I request you to say nothing on the +subject, because, as you may perceive from the proceedings of these +gentlemen, I am exposed to a great deal of annoyance. When once my works +appear published by you, I shall no longer be plagued. I shall be very glad +if a connection be established between us, having heard you so well spoken +of. You will then also find that I infinitely prefer dealing with _one_ +person of your description than with a variety of people of the ordinary +stamp. + +Pray, let me have an immediate answer, as I am now on the verge of deciding +on the publication of various works. If you consider it worth while, be so +good as to send me a duplicate of the list with which you furnished Herr +Steiner. In the expectation of a speedy reply, I remain, with esteem, + +Your obedient + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +307. + +TO HERREN PETERS & CO. + +Vienna, July 26, 1822. + +I write merely to say that I agree to give you the Mass and pianoforte +arrangement of it for 1000 florins C.M. You shall receive the above, +written out in score, by the end of July, perhaps a few days sooner or +later. As I am always very much occupied, and have been indisposed for the +last five months, and works to be sent to a distance requiring the most +careful supervision, I must proceed rather more slowly than usual. At all +events, Steiner shall get nothing further from me, as he has just played me +a most Jewish trick; so he is not one of those who might have had the Mass. +The competition for my works is at present very great, for which I thank +the Almighty, as I have hitherto been such a loser. I am the foster-father +of my brother's destitute child, a boy who shows so much aptitude for +scientific pursuits that not only does his study of these, and his +maintenance, cost a great deal of money, but I must also strive to make +some future provision for him; being neither Indians nor Iroquois, who, as +we know, leave everything to Providence, whereas we consider a pauper's +existence to be a very sad one. + +I assure you on my honor, which, next to God, is what I prize most, that I +authorized no one to accept commissions for me. My fixed principle has +always been never to make any offer to publishers; not from pride, but +simply from a wish to ascertain how far the empire of my small talents +extended. + +I must conclude for to-day, and wishing you every success, I am, with +esteem, + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +308.[1] + +TO HERR PETERS. + +Vienna, August 3, 1822. + +I already wrote to you that my health was still far from being quite +restored. I am obliged to have recourse to baths and mineral waters as well +as to medicine; all this makes me rather unpunctual, especially as I must +go on writing; corrections, too, run away with a great deal of time. + +As to the songs and marches and other trifles, my choice is still +undecided, but by the 15th of this month everything shall be ready to be +sent off. I await your orders on the subject, and in the mean time shall +make no use of your bill of exchange. As soon as I know that the money for +the Mass and the other works has arrived here, all shall be ready for +delivery by the 15th; and after that date I must set off to some mineral +waters near this, when it will be most desirable for me to avoid all +business for a time. More as to other matters when less occupied. Pray, do +not suspect me of any ignoble motives. It pains me when I am obliged to +bargain. + +In haste. With esteem, yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler states that the advance of 360 florins C.M. was +made to Beethoven in August, 1822. The receipt is dated Nov. 30, 1825.] + + +309. + +TO HERR ARTARIA. + +August 22, 1822. + +Being overwhelmed with work, I can only briefly say that I will always do +what I can to repay your obliging kindness to me. With regard to the Mass, +I have been offered 1000 florins (C.M.) for it. My circumstances do not +permit me to accept a less sum from you; all that I can do is to give you +the preference. Rest assured that I do not ask you one farthing more than +others have offered me, which I can prove to you by written documents. You +can consider about this, but I must request you to send me an answer on the +subject to-morrow, it being a post-day, and my decision expected elsewhere. +With regard to the 150 florins for which I am your debtor, I intend to make +you a proposal, as I stand in great need of the 1000 florins. + +I beg you will observe strict secrecy as to the Mass. Now, as ever, + +Your grateful friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +310. + +TO HERR PETERS,--LEIPZIG + +Vienna, November 22, 1822. + +I now reply to your letter of the 9th November, in which I expected to find +just reproaches for my apparent negligence, you having sent me the money +and as yet received nothing in return. Unfair as this may appear, I know +you would be mollified towards me in a few minutes were we to meet. + +Everything is now ready for you, except selecting the songs, but at all +events you shall receive one more than our agreement. I can send you more +_bagatelles_ than I promised, as I have got ten others beside; if you write +to me immediately, I will send you these, or as many as you wish for, along +with the rest. + +My health, indeed, is not entirely reestablished by the baths, yet on the +whole I think I have improved. I had another annoyance here, owing to a +person having engaged an unsuitable lodging for me, which is hard on me, as +I cannot yet accustom myself to it, and my occupations are thus sadly +deranged. + +The case with regard to the Mass stands thus: I finished one long ago, and +another is in progress. There is always a certain degree of gossip about +people of our class, which has, no doubt, misled you. I don't yet know +which you are to get. Besieged on all sides, I am almost forced to testify +the reverse of the _dictum_ that "the spirit cannot be weighed." I send you +my best wishes, and trust that time will foster a beneficial and honorable +connection between us. + +BEETHOVEN. + + +311. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +I was extremely unwell both yesterday and the day before; unfortunately +there was no one whom I could send to apprise Y.R.H. of the fact. As I felt +better towards evening, I went into the town to make Schlemmer correct the +Sonata.[1] He was not at home, so I requested him to come here to-day. I +send the Sonata by him, and will come in to-day before four o'clock to wait +on Y.R.H. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The C minor pianoforte Sonata, Op. 111?] + + +312. + +TO HERR PETERS. + +Vienna, December 20, 1822. + +I take advantage of a moment's leisure to-day to answer your letter. Not +one of all the works that are your property is unfinished, but time is too +precious to particularize all the details that prevent the copying and +sending off the music to you. I recollect in a former letter having offered +you some more _bagatelles_, but I by no means press you to take them. If +you wish only to have the four, so be it; but in that case I must make a +different selection. Herr ---- has not as yet got anything from me. Herr +---- begged me to make him a present of the songs for the "Journal de la +Mode," which, in fact, I did not write for money; indeed, I find it quite +impossible to act in every case according to so much _per cent_. It is +painful for me to calculate in this manner oftener than is absolutely +necessary. My position is far from being so brilliant as you think, &c., +&c. It is not possible to listen to all these proposals at once, being far +too numerous, but many cannot be refused. A commission is not always quite +in accordance with the inclinations of an author. If my salary were not so +far reduced as to be no salary at all,[1] I would write nothing but +symphonies for a full orchestra, and church music, or at most quartets. + +Of my minor works, you can still have Variations for two oboes and one +English horn, on the theme from "Don Giovanni," "_La ci darem la mano_," +and a Gratulation Minuet for a full orchestra. I should be glad, likewise, +to have your opinion about the full edition of my works. + +In the most desperate haste, your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: It was reduced from 4000 gulden to 800.] + + +313. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON + +Vienna, December 20, 1822. + +MY DEAR RIES,-- + +I have been so overburdened with work that I am only now able to reply to +your letter of November 15. I accept with pleasure the proposal to write a +new symphony for the Philharmonic Society. Although the prices given by the +English cannot be compared with those paid by other nations, still I would +gladly write even gratis for those whom I consider the first artists in +Europe--were I not still, as ever, the poor Beethoven. + +If I were only in London, what would I not write for the Philharmonic! For +Beethoven, thank God! can write--if he can do nothing in the world besides! +If Providence only vouchsafes to restore my health, which is at least +improving, I shall then be able to respond to the many proposals from all +parts of Europe, and even North America, and may thus perhaps be some day +in clover. + + +314. + +TO IGNAZ RITTER VON SEYFRIED. + +1822. + +MY DEAR AND WORTHY BROTHER IN APOLLO,-- + +I heartily thank you for the trouble you have taken in aiding my +_charitable work_.[1] I rejoice that its success is universally admitted, +and hope you will never fail to let me know when it is in my power to serve +you by my poor talents. The worthy municipal corporation is, no doubt, +thoroughly convinced of my good-will; in order to give fresh proofs of it, +we ought to have a friendly interview as to the mode in which I can best +serve the corporation. When such a master as yourself takes an interest in +us, our pinions ought never to droop. + +I am, with the warmest esteem, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Seyfried, at a concert for the benefit of the Burgher +Hospital, performed Beethoven's grand fugue _Fest Ouverture_ (in C major, +in Op. 124), 1822, in celebration of the opening of the new Josephstadt +Theatre. The written parts were returned to him with the grateful thanks of +the committee.] + + + + +THIRD PART + + +LIFE'S TROUBLES AND CLOSE. +1823 TO 1827. + + + + +315. + +TO ZELTER.[1] + +Vienna, Feb. 8, 1823. + +MY BRAVE COLLEAGUE IN ART,-- + +I write, having a favor to ask of you, for we are now so distant from each +other that we can no longer converse together, and, indeed, unhappily, we +can seldom write either. I have written a grand mass, which might also be +given as an oratorio (for the benefit of the poor, a good established +custom here). I do not wish to publish it in the usual way, but to dispose +of it to some of the leading courts alone. I ask fifty ducats for it. No +copies are to be sold except those subscribed for, so that the mass will +be, as it were, in manuscript; but there must be a fair number of +subscribers, if any profit is to accrue to the author. I have made an +application to the Prussian embassy here, to know if the King of Prussia +would vouchsafe to take a copy, and I have also written to Prince +Radziwill, to ask him to interest himself in the affair. I beg you likewise +to do what you can for me. It is a work that might likewise be useful to +the Academy of Singing, for there is scarcely any portion of it that could +not be almost entirely executed by voices. The more these are increased and +multiplied in combination with instruments, the more effective would be the +result. It ought to be appropriate also as an oratorio, for such societies +as those for the benefit of the poor require marks of this kind. Having +been an invalid for some years past, and consequently my position anything +but brilliant, I have had recourse to this scheme. I have written much; but +as to profits, they are nearly _nil_! The more do I look upwards; but both +for his own sake, and that of others, man is obliged to turn his eyes +earthwards; for this, too, is part of the destiny of humanity. I embrace +you, my dear fellow-artist, and am, with sincere esteem, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Zelter was in Vienna in 1819.] + + +316. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +... Manage this as soon as you can for your poor friend. I also expect my +travelling route from you. Things have become quite too bad here, and I am +fleeced worse than ever. If I do not go at all, lo! and behold a _crimen +laesae_!... As it seems that you wish soon to have a dedication from me, I +gladly comply with your request, much more so than with that of any great +man; though, _entre nous_, the devil alone can tell how soon one may fall +into their hands! The dedication to you will be written on the new +symphony; and I hope I shall at length receive yours to me. + +B. is to open the letter he took charge of for the King [George IV.], in +which he will see what I have written to His Majesty on the subject of the +"Battle of Vittoria." The tenor of the enclosed is the same; but not a word +as to the mass.[1] Our amiable friend B. must try to get me at least a +battle-axe or a turtle for it! The engraved copy of the score of "The +Battle" must also be presented to the King. This letter will cost you a +good deal [seventeen shillings]; but I beg you will deduct it from your +remittance to me. How much I regret being so troublesome! May God prosper +you! + +Say all that is amiable to your wife till I come myself. Beware! you think +me old; but I am a young veteran! + +Yours, as ever, + +B. + +[Footnote 1: On February 24, 1823, Beethoven wrote to the King of England +that, so far back as 1813, he had sent him "Wellington's Victory," but +never had received any communication on the subject; he, therefore, now +sent an engraved copy of the work, which had been intended for him since +1815. He closed the letter by saying: "Convinced of the discrimination and +kindness which your Majesty has always evinced in protecting and +encouraging art and artists, the undersigned ventures to hope that your +Majesty will graciously take the matter into consideration, and vouchsafe +to comply with his respectful solicitation."] + + +317. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +MY VERY BEST OPTIMUS OPTIME,-- + +Pray try to hunt out a philanthropist who will advance me some money on a +bank-share, that I may not put the generosity of my friends too much to the +test, nor myself be placed in difficulty by the delay of this money, for +which I have to thank the fine plans and arrangements of my precious +brother. + +You must not let it appear that this money is really wanted. + + +318. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +DEAR SCHINDLER,-- + +Don't forget the bank-share. It is greatly needed; it would be very +annoying to be brought into court; indeed, I would not be so for the whole +world. My brother's conduct is quite worthy of him. The tailor is appointed +to come to-day, still I hope to be able to get rid of him for the present +by a few polite phrases. + + +319. + +TO HERR KIND. + +DEAR KIND,-- + +I intend to call on you at latest on Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock, +when I will settle everything. + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +320. + +TO CHERUBINI.[1] + +March 15, 1823. + +HIGHLY ESTEEMED SIR,-- + +I joyfully take advantage of this opportunity to address you. I have done +so frequently in spirit, as I prize your theatrical works beyond others. +The artistic world has only to lament that, in Germany at least, no new +dramatic piece of yours has appeared. Highly as all your works are valued +by true connoisseurs, still it is a great loss to art not to possess any +fresh production of your great genius for the theatre. + +True art is imperishable, and the true artist feels heartfelt pleasure in +grand works of genius, and that is what enchants me when I hear a new +composition of yours; in fact, I take greater interest in it than in my +own; in short, I love and honor you. Were it not that my continued bad +health prevents my going to see you in Paris, with what exceeding delight +would I discuss questions of art with you! Do not think that this is merely +intended to serve as an introduction to the favor I am about to ask of you. +I hope and feel convinced that you do not for a moment suspect me of such +base sentiments. + +I recently completed a grand solemn mass, and have resolved to offer it to +the various European courts, as it is not my intention to publish it at +present. I have therefore solicited the King of France, through the French +embassy here, to subscribe to this work, and I feel certain that his +Majesty would, at your recommendation, agree to do so. _Ma situation +critique demande que je ne fixe pas seulement, comme ordinnaire, mes voeux +au ciel; au contraire, il faut les fixer aussi_ ["_aussi_" in Beethoven's +hand] _en bas pour les nécessités de la vie._ Whatever may be the fate of +my request to you, I shall forever continue to love and esteem you, _et +vous resterez toujours celui de mes contemporains que je l'estime le plus. +Si vous me voulez faire un extrême plaisir, c'était si vous m'écrivez +quelques lignes, ce que me soulagera bien. L'art unit tout le monde_, how +much more, then, true artists, _et peut-être vous me dignez aussi_ to +include me in that number. _Avec le plus haut estime_, + +_Votre ami et serviteur_, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Cherubini declared that he never received this letter.] + + +321. + +TO SCHINDLER.[1] + +DEAR SCHINDLER,-- + +I am not sure whether the other copy was corrected or not, so I send you +this one instead. As to N. in S----, I beg you not to say a word; Bl. is +already very uneasy on the subject. In haste, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: We cannot understand what induced Beethoven, who lived in the +same house with Schindler, to write to him; but he often did so to persons +with whom he could easily have spoken, partly in order to get rid of the +matter while it was in his thoughts, and also because he was a great deal +from home; that is, going backwards and forwards from one lodging to +another, having often several at the same time.] + + +322. + +TO HERR PETERS,--LEIPZIG. + +Vienna, March 20, 1823. + +The other three marches are only to be sent off to-day, as I missed the +post last week. Irregular as I have been on this occasion in our +transactions, you would not think me so culpable if you were here, and +aware of my position, a description of which would be too tedious both for +you and me. + +I have now an observation to make with regard to what I have sent off to +you. + +Several sets of wind instruments may combine in the performance of the +Grand March, and if this cannot be done, and a regimental band is not +strong enough for its present arrangement, any bandmaster can easily adapt +it by omitting some of the parts. + +You can, no doubt, find some one in Leipzig to show you how this can be +managed with a smaller number, although I should regret if it were not to +appear engraved exactly as it is written. + +You must forgive the numerous corrections in the works I send; my old +copyist no longer sees distinctly, and the younger one has yet to be +trained, but at all events there are no errors left. + +It is impossible for me to comply at once with your request for a stringed +and a pianoforte quartet, but if you will write to me fixing the time you +wish to have both works, I will do what I can to complete them. I must, +however, apprise you that I cannot accept less than 50 ducats for a +stringed quartet, and 70 for a pianoforte one, without incurring loss; +indeed, I have repeatedly been offered more than 50 ducats for a violin +quartet. I am, however, always unwilling to ask more than necessary, so I +adhere to the sum of 50 ducats, which is, in fact, nowadays the usual +price. + +The other commission is indeed an uncommon one, and I, of course, accept +it, only I must beg you to let me know soon when it is required; otherwise, +willing as I am to give you the preference, I might find it almost +impossible to do so. You know I wrote to you formerly that quartets were +precisely what had risen most in value, which makes me feel positively +ashamed when I have to ask a price for a _really great work_. Still, such +is my position that it obliges me to secure every possible advantage. It is +very different, however, with the work itself; when I never, thank God, +think of _profit_, but solely of _how I write it_. It so happens that two +others besides yourself wish to have a mass of mine, and I am quite +disposed to write at least three. The first has long been finished, the +second not yet so, and the third not even begun. But in reference to +yourself, I must have a certainty, that I may in any event be secure. + +More of this next time I write; do not remit the money, at any rate till +you hear from me that the work is ready to be sent off. + +I must now conclude. I hope your distress is, by this time, in some degree +alleviated. + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +323. + +TO ZELTER. + +Vienna, March 25, 1823. + +SIR,-- + +I avail myself of the present opportunity to send you my best wishes. The +bearer of this asked me to recommend her to you; her name is Cornega; she +has a fine _mezzo soprano_, and is a very artistic singer, and has, +moreover, been favorably received in several operas. + +I have also specially considered your proposals about your Academy for +Singing. If the Mass is ever published, I will send you a copy free of all +charge. There is no doubt that it might be almost entirely executed _à la +capella_; in which case, however, the work would have to be arranged +accordingly; perhaps you have patience to do this. Besides, there is +already a movement in the work quite _à la capella_, and that style may be +specially termed the true church style. Thanks for your wish to be of +service to me, but never would I accept anything whatever from so highly +esteemed an artist as yourself. I honor you, and only wish I could have an +opportunity to prove this by my actions. + +I am, with high consideration, + +Your friend and servant, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +324. + +TO HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +The Spring of 1823. + +YOUR IMPERIAL HIGHNESS,-- + +It must still be some days before I can wait on you again, as I am in the +greatest hurry to send off the works that I named to your R.H. yesterday, +for if they are not punctually dispatched, I might lose all profit. Your +R.H. can easily understand how much time is occupied in getting copies +made, and looking through every part; indeed, it would not be easy to find +a more troublesome task. Your R.H. will, I am sure, gladly dispense with my +detailing all the toil caused by this kind of thing, but I am compelled to +allude to it candidly, though only in so far as is absolutely necessary to +prevent your R.H. being misled with regard to me, knowing, alas! only too +well what efforts are made to _prejudice your R.H. against_ me. But time +will prove that I have been in all respects most faithful and attached to +your R.H., and if my position were only as great as my zeal to serve your +R.H., no happier man than myself would exist. + +I am your R.H.'s faithful and obedient servant, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +325. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +_Imprimis._--Papageno, not a word of what I said about Prussia. No reliance +is to be placed on it; Martin Luther's table-talk alone can be compared to +it. I earnestly beg my brother also not to remove the padlock from his +lips, and not to allow anything to transpire beyond the +Selchwurst-Gasse.[1] + +_Finis._--Inquire of that arch-churl Diabelli when the French copy of the +Sonata in C minor [Op. 111] is to be published. I stipulated to have five +copies for myself, one of which is to be on fine paper, for the Cardinal +[the Archduke Rudolph]. If he attempts any of his usual impertinence on +this subject, I will sing him in person a bass aria in his warehouse which +shall cause it and all the street (Graben) to ring![2] + +[Footnote 1: Schindler relates: "The royal decision (to subscribe for a +copy of the mass) was brought to Beethoven by the Chancellor of the +Embassy, Hofrath Wernhard. Whether Prince Hatzfeld [the Ambassador] made +the following offer from his own impulse, or in consequence of a commission +from Berlin, is not known. At all events, the Hofrath put this question in +the name of the prince to the great composer, 'Whether he would be disposed +to prefer a royal order to the fifty ducats' [the sum demanded for the +mass]. Beethoven replied at once, 'The fifty ducats.' Scarcely had the +Chancellor left the room when Beethoven, in considerable excitement, +indulged in all kinds of sarcastic remarks on the manner in which many of +his contemporaries hunted after orders and decorations, these being in his +estimation generally gained at the cost of the sanctity of art."] + +[Footnote 2: Schindler relates that Diabelli had refused to let Beethoven +again have the MS. of the Sonata, which he had repeatedly sent for when in +the hands of the engraver, in order to correct and improve it. Diabelli +therefore coolly submitted to all this abuse of the enraged composer, and +wrote to him that he would note down the threatened bass aria, and publish +it, but would give him the usual gratuity for it, and that Beethoven had +better come to see him. On this Beethoven said no more. This Sonata is +dedicated to the Archduke Rudolph, and is also published by Schlesinger.] + + +326. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Vienna, April 25, 1823. + +DEAR RIES,-- + +The Cardinal's stay here of a month robbed me of a great deal of time, +being obliged to give him daily lessons of two or three hours each; and +after such lessons I was scarcely able next day to think, far less to +write. My continued melancholy situation compels me, however, to write +immediately what will bring me in sufficient money for present use. What a +sad revelation is this! I am, besides, far from well, owing to my many +troubles,--weak eyes among others. + +But do not be uneasy, you shall shortly receive the Symphony; really and +truly, my distressing condition is alone to blame for the delay. In the +course of a few weeks you shall have thirty-three new variations on a theme +[Valse, Op. 120] dedicated to your wife. + +Bauer [First Secretary to the Austrian Embassy] has the score of the +"Battle of Vittoria," which was dedicated to the then Prince Regent, and +for which I have still to receive the costs of copying. I do beg you, my +dear friend, to remit me as soon as possible anything you can get for it. +With regard to your tender conjugal discussion, you will always find an +opponent in me,--that is, not so much an opponent of yours as a partisan of +your wife's. I remain, as ever, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +327. + +TO HERR LISSNER,--PETERSBURG. + +Vienna, May 7, 1823. + +SIR,-- + +Herr v. Schuppanzigh assured me, when he was here, that you were anxious to +acquire some of my productions for your house. Perhaps the following works +might suit your purpose, namely: six _bagatelles_ for pianoforte, 20 gold +ducats; thirty-five variations on a favorite theme for pianoforte, forming +one entire work, 30 gold ducats; two grand airs with chorus, the poetry by +Goethe and Matthisson, which can be sung either with instrumental or +pianoforte accompaniment, 12 gold ducats. + +I request an answer as soon as possible, for others also wish to have my +works. + +I am, sir, your obedient + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +328.[1] + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Hetzendorf, 1823. + +SAMOTHRACIAN VAGABOND!--[2] + +You must hunt out from Schlemmer [the copyist] what is still wanting in the +"Kyrie;" show him the postscript, and so, _satis_, no more of such a +wretch! Farewell! arrange everything; I am to bind up my eyes at night, and +to spare them as much as possible; otherwise, says Smetana, I shall write +little more music in the time to come. + +[Footnote 1: "We arrived at Hetzendorf on May 17" is written by Carl in +Beethoven's note-book of 1823; and on this note is written, in the +"scamp's" hand, Hetzendorf, 1823.] + +[Footnote 2: "By the word 'Samothracian,' Beethoven alludes to the +Samothracian Mysteries, partly grounded on music. Their mutual +participation in the Beethoven Mysteries is intended to be thus indicated. +Among the initiated were also Brunswick, Lichnowsky, and Zmeskall." [From a +note of Schindler's on the subject.]] + + +329. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Hetzendorf, 1823 (?). + +Pray, forward the packet to-day, and inquire this afternoon, if possible, +about the housekeeper in the Glockengasse, No. 318, 3d Étage. She is a +widow, understands cookery, and is willing to serve merely for board and +lodging, to which, of course, I cannot consent, or only under certain +conditions. My present one is too shameful. I cannot invite you here, but +be assured of my gratitude. + + +330. + +TO SCHINDLER.[1] + +Hetzendorf, 1823. + +I enclose the letter to Herr v. Obreskow [Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian +Legation]; as soon as I receive the money, I will immediately send you 50 +florins for your trouble. Not a word more than what is absolutely +necessary! + +I have advertised your house. You can mention, merely as a casual remark at +the right moment, that France also remitted the money to you. + +Never forget that such persons represent Majesty itself. + +[Footnote 1: Louis VIII. sent a gold medal for his subscription copy of the +Mass on February 20, 1824.] + + +331. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I beg you will kindly write out the enclosed invitation neatly for me on +the paper I send you, for Carl has too much to do. I wish to dispatch it +early on Wednesday. I want to know where Grillparzer lives; perhaps I may +pay him a visit myself.[1] You must have a little patience about the 50 +florins; as yet it is impossible for me to send them, for which you are as +much to blame as I am. + +[Footnote 1: It is well known that in the winter of 1822-23 Beethoven was +engaged in the composition of an opera for the Royal Theatre; for which +purpose Grillparzer had given him his _Melusina_.] + + +332. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I send K.'s [Kanne's] book [libretto]. Except the first act, which is +rather insipid, it is written in such a masterly style that it does not by +any means require a first-rate composer. I will not say that on this very +account it would be the more suitable for me; still, if I can get rid of +previous engagements, who knows what may or will happen! Please acknowledge +the receipt of this. + + +333. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I wish to know about Esterhazy, and also about the post. A letter-carrier +from the Mauer [a place near Hetzendorf] was here; I only hope the message +has been properly delivered. Nothing as yet from Dresden [see No. 330]. I +mean to ask you to dine with me a few days hence, for I still suffer from +my weak eyes; to-day, however, for the first time, they seem to improve, +but I scarcely dare make any use of them as yet. + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +P.S. As for the Tokay,[1] it is better adapted for _summer_ than for +_autumn_, and also for some fiddler who could _respond_ to its noble fire, +and yet _stand firm as a rock_. + +[Footnote 1: A musical friend had sent the _maestro_ six bottles of genuine +Tokay, expressing his wish that it might tend to restore his strength. +Schindler, he says, wrote to Beethoven at Hetzendorf, to tell him of this, +and received the above answer, and the order through "Frau Schnaps" to do +as he pleased with the wine. He sent one bottle of it to Hetzendorf, but +Beethoven at that time had inflamed eyes.] + + +334. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I cannot at present accept these tempting invitations [from Sonntag and +Unger]; so far as my weak eyes permit, I am very busy, and when it is fine, +I go out. I will myself thank these two fair ladies for their amiability. +No tidings from Dresden. I shall wait till the end of this month, and then +apply to a lawyer in Dresden. I will write about Schoberlechner to-morrow. + + +335. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +June 18, 1823. + +You ought to have perfectly well known that I would have nothing to do with +the affair in question. With regard to my being "liberal," I think I have +shown you that I am so on principle; indeed, I suspect you must have +observed that I even have gone _beyond_ these principles. _Sapienti +sat._[1] + +[Footnote 1: Franz Schoberlechner, pianist in Vienna, wrote to Beethoven on +June 25, 1823, to ask him for letters of introduction to Leipzig, Dresden, +Berlin, and Russia, etc. The _maestro_, however, wrote across the letter, +"An active fellow requires no other recommendation than from one +respectable family to another," and gave it back to Schindler, who showed +it to Schoberlechner, and no doubt at his desire urged Beethoven to comply +with his request. Beethoven, however, did not know Schoberlechner, and had +no very high opinion of him, as he played chiefly _bravura_ pieces, and, +besides, on the bills of his concerts, he pompously paraded all his titles, +decorations, and as member of various societies, which gave ample subject +for many a sarcastic remark on the part of Beethoven.] + + +336. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Vienna, June 1, 1823. + +I have been always ailing since Y.R.H. left this, and latterly afflicted by +severe inflammation of the eyes, which has now in so far subsided that for +the last eight days I have been able once more to use my sight, though very +sparingly. Y.R.H. will perceive from the enclosed receipt of June 27, the +dispatch of some music. As Y.R.H. seemed to take pleasure in the C minor +Sonata,[1] I thought I did not take too much on myself by surprising Y.R.H. +with the dedication. The Variations[2] have been written out for at least +five or six weeks past, but the state of my eyes did not permit me to +revise them thoroughly myself. My hope of being entirely restored proved +vain. At last I made Schlemmer look them over, so, though they may not look +very neat, still they are correct. The C minor Sonata was engraved in Paris +in a very faulty manner, and being engraved here from that copy, I tried to +make it as correct as possible. I intend shortly to send you a beautifully +engraved copy of the Variations. With regard to the Mass[3] that Y.R.H. +wished should be more generally known, my continued bad health for some +years past, causing me to incur heavy debts, and compelling me to give up +my intention of going to England, induced me to ponder on some mode of +improving my condition. This Mass seemed well adapted to my purpose. I was +advised to offer it to different courts. Painful as this was to me, I felt +that I should have cause for self-reproach if I neglected doing so. I +therefore applied to various courts to subscribe to the Mass, fixing the +price at fifty ducats; the general opinion being that this was not too +much, and if there were a good many subscribers, the scheme would not be +unprofitable. Hitherto the subscription is indeed flattering to me, as +their Majesties of France and Prussia have each taken a copy. I also +received a letter from my friend Prince Nicolaus Gallizin a few days ago, +from Petersburg, in which this most amiable Prince mentions that H.M. the +Emperor of Russia had become a subscriber, and that I should soon hear +further on the subject from the Imperial Russian Embassy. Notwithstanding +all this (and though there are some other subscribers), I have not yet +realized as much as the sum a publisher offered me for it; the only +advantage being that the work remains _mine_. The costs of copying are also +great, and further increased by three new pieces being added, which, as +soon as they are completed, I will send to Y.R.H. Perhaps you would not +think it too much trouble to apply to H.R.H. the Grand Duke of Tuscany to +take a copy of this Mass. The application was indeed made some time ago to +the Grand Duke of Tuscany through the agent here, V. Odelga, who faithfully +assured me that the proposal would be graciously accepted. I place no great +faith, however, in this, as some months have elapsed, and no notice has +been again taken of the application. As the affair is now set agoing, it is +but natural that I should do all I can to attain my desired object. The +undertaking was from the first disagreeable to me, and still more so to +mention it to Y.R.H., or to allude to it at all, but "_necessity has no +law_." I only feel grateful to Him who dwells above the stars that I now +begin once more to be able to use my eyes. I am at present writing a new +symphony for England,[4] bespoken by the Philharmonic Society, and hope it +will be quite finished fourteen days hence. I cannot strain my eyes as yet +long at a time; I beg therefore Y.R.H.'s indulgence with regard to your +Variations,[5] which appear to me very charming, but still require closer +revision on my part. Y.R.H. has only to persevere, especially to accustom +yourself to write down your ideas at once at the piano, quickly and +briefly. For this purpose a small table ought to be placed close beside the +piano. By this means not only is the imagination strengthened; but you +learn instantly to hold fast the most fugitive ideas. It is equally +necessary to be able to write without any piano; and sometimes a simple +choral melody, to be carried out in simple or varied phrases, in +counterpoint, or in a free manner, will certainly entail no headache on +Y.R.H., but rather, in finding yourself thus right amid the centre of art, +cause you very great pleasure. The faculty of representing precisely what +we wish and feel comes by degrees; an essential _desideratum_ for a +noble-minded man. My eyes warn me to conclude. With every kind and good +wish for Y.R.H., I remain, &c., &c. + +[K.] + +POSTSCRIPT. + +If Y.R.H. should confer the happiness of a letter on me, I beg you will +address to me at Vienna, for I shall receive all my letters here safely +forwarded by the post from there. If agreeable to Y.R.H., I would beg you +to recommend the Mass to Prince Anton in Dresden,[6] so that the King of +Saxony may subscribe to it, which he will, no doubt, do if Y.R.H. shows any +interest in the matter. As soon as I know that you have actually done me +this favor, I will forthwith apply to the General-Director there[7] of the +Royal Theatre and of Music, whose office it is to arrange these things, and +send him a request to procure a subscription from the King of Saxony, which +I am reluctant to do without a recommendation from Y.R.H. + +My opera, "Fidelio," was performed with much applause in Dresden at the +festivities there in honor of the visit of the King of Bavaria, when their +Majesties were all present. I received this intelligence from the +above-named director-general, who asked me for the score through Weber, and +afterwards sent me really a very handsome present in return. I hope Y.R.H. +will excuse my intruding such a request on you, but Y.R.H. knows that I am +not usually importunate. Should, however, the slightest obstacle arise to +render my request disagreeable to you, I shall not be the less convinced of +your generosity and kindness. Neither avarice, nor the love of speculation, +which I have always avoided, prompted this scheme; but necessity compels me +to use every effort to rescue my self from my present condition. Candor is +best, for it will prevent my being too hardly judged. Owing to constant ill +health, which has prevented my writing as usual, I have incurred a debt of +200 to 300 florins C.M.,[8] which can only be discharged by vigorous +exertions on my part. If my subscription succeeds better than it has +hitherto done, it will be an effectual help, and if my health improves, of +which there is every hope, I shall be able once more to resume my +compositions with fresh energy. In the mean time I trust Y.R.H. will not be +offended by my candor. Had it not been the fear of being accused of not +sufficiently _bestirring_ myself, I would have persevered in my usual +silence. As to the recommendation, I am at all events convinced that Y.R.H. +is always glad to effect good results for others when _possible_, and that +you are not likely to make any exception in my case. + +[Footnote 1: This Sonata, Op. 111, dedicated to the Archduke Rudolph, was +composed in 1822, and published by Schlesinger in the beginning of 1823.] + +[Footnote 2: These _Variations_ are, no doubt, the 33 C major Variations +for pianoforte, Op. 120, on a waltz of Diabelli's, dedicated to Madame +Brentano, composed in 1823, and published in the June of the same year.] + +[Footnote 3: The Grand Mass in D.] + +[Footnote 4: The symphony which Beethoven declared he had completed in +fourteen days was the 9th in D minor, composed in 1822 or 1823, first +performed on the 7th May, and published in 1826.] + +[Footnote 5: The Archduke's Variations alluded to by Beethoven are not +published or now known.] + +[Footnote 6: In a letter from the Archduke Rudolph of July 31, 1823, he +says, "My brother-in-law, Prince Anton, has written to me that the King of +Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass."] + +[Footnote 7: The director-general of the musical Court band and opera in +Dresden (1823) was Von Könneritz.] + +[Footnote 8: This debt of 200 to 300 florins had only been incurred by +Beethoven in order not to sell out his shares in the Austrian Loan; he was +in no need.] + + +337. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Hetzendorf, July 1, 1823. + +I am myself writing to Wocher [cabinet courier to Prince Esterhazy? No. +333], and for more speed I send by Carl, who chances to be driving in, the +application to Prince E. Be so good as to inquire the result; I doubt its +being favorable, not expecting much kindly feeling on his part towards me, +judging from former days.[1] I believe that female influence alone ensures +success with him in such matters; at all events, I now know, by your +obliging inquiries, how I can safely write to this Scholz. The bad weather, +and more especially the bad atmosphere, prevented my paying her [Countess +Schafgotsch] a visit about this affair.[2] + +Your _amicus_, + +BEETHOVEN. + +P.S. Nothing yet from Dresden! Schlemmer [the copyist] has just been here +asking again for money. I have now advanced him 70 Gulden. Speculations are +for commercial men, and not for poor devils like myself. Hitherto the sole +fruit of this unlucky speculation [a subscription for his Mass] are only +more debts. You have, no doubt, seen that the "Gloria" is completed. If my +eyes were only strong again, so that I could resume my writing, I should do +well enough. [Written on the cover:] Are the Variations [Op. 120] sent off +yet to London? N.B.--So far as I can remember, it was not mentioned in the +application to Prince Esterhazy that the Mass was to be delivered in +manuscript only. What mischief may ensue from this! I suspect that such was +the intention of Herr Artaria in proposing to present the Mass _gratis_ to +the Prince, as it would give Artaria an opportunity for the third time to +steal one of my works. Wocher's attention must be called to this. + +Of course, there is nothing obligatory on Papageno in the matter. + +[Footnote 1: Beethoven wrote the Mass in C for him in the year 1807, which +was by no means satisfactory to the prince when performed at Eisenstadt in +the year following, and conducted by Beethoven himself.] + +[Footnote 2: Scholz, music director at Warmbrunn in Silesia, had written a +German text for the Mass in C. Beethoven also wished to have from him a +German translation from the Latin words adapted to the music of the Grand +Mass. Schindler says, that the words "prevented my visiting her" refer to +Countess Schafgotsch, whom Beethoven wished to see on account of Scholz, +who unhappily died in the ensuing year. His text, however, is given in the +_Cecilia_, 23-54.] + + +338. + +TO PILAT, EDITOR OF THE "AUSTRIAN OBSERVER." + +SIR,-- + +I shall feel highly honored if you will be so good as to mention in your +esteemed journal my nomination as an honorary member of the Royal Swedish +Musical Academy. Although neither vain nor ambitious, still I consider it +advisable not wholly to pass over such an occurrence, as in practical life +we must live and work for others, who may often eventually benefit by it. +Forgive my intrusion, and let me know if I can in any way serve you in +return, which it would give me much pleasure to do. + +I am, sir, with high consideration, + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +339. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Hetzendorf, July, 1823. + +MOST WORTHY RAGAMUFFIN OF EPIRUS AND BRUNDUSIUM!-- + +Give this letter to the editor of the "Observer," but write the address on +it first; ask him at the same time whether his daughter makes great +progress on the piano, and if I can be of any use to her by sending her a +copy of one of my compositions. I wrote that I was an "_honorary_ member;" +I don't know, however, whether this is correct; perhaps I ought to have +said, "a corresponding member;" neither knowing nor caring much about such +things. You had also better say something on the subject to _Bernardum non +sanctum_ (editor of the "Vienna Zeitschrift"). Make inquiries, too, from +Bernard about that knave Ruprecht; tell him of this queer business, and +find out from him how he can punish the villain. Ask both these +philosophical newspaper scribes whether this may be considered an honorable +or dishonorable nomination. + + +340. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Master flash in the pan, and wide of the mark! full of reasons, yet devoid +of reason!--Everything was ready yesterday for Gläser (the copyist). As for +you, I shall expect you in Hetzendorf to dinner at half-past two o'clock. +If you come later, dinner shall be kept for you. + + +341. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Hetzendorf, July 2, 1823. + +WORTHY HERR V. SCHINDLER,-- + +The incessant insolence of my landlord from the hour I entered his house up +to the present moment compels me to apply for aid to the police; so I beg +you will do so for me at once. As to the double winter windows, the +housekeeper was desired to see about them, and especially to state if they +were not necessary after such a violent storm, in case of the rain having +penetrated into the room; but her report was that the rain had not come in, +and, moreover, that it could not possibly do so. In accordance with her +statement, I locked the door to prevent this rude man entering my room +during my absence (which he had threatened). Say also further what his +conduct to you was, and that he put up a placard of the lodgings being to +let, without giving me notice, which, besides, he has no right to do till +St. James's Day. He is equally unfair in refusing to give up the receipt +from St. George's Day till St. James's, as the enclosure shows; I am +charged, too, for lighting, of which I know nothing. This detestable +lodging,[1] without any open stove, and the principal flue truly +abominable, has cost me (for extra outlay, exclusive of the rent) 259 +florins, in order merely to keep me alive while I was there during the +winter. It was a deliberate fraud, as I never was allowed to see the rooms +on the first floor, but only those on the second, that I might not become +aware of their many disagreeable drawbacks. I cannot understand how a flue +_so destructive to health can be tolerated by the Government_. You remember +the appearance of the walls of your room owing to smoke, and the large sum +it cost even to lessen in any degree this discomfort, although to do away +with it wholly was impossible. My chief anxiety at present is that he may +be ordered to take down his placard, and to give me a receipt for the +house-rent I have paid; but nothing will induce me to pay for the +abominable lighting, without which it cost me enough actually to preserve +my life in such a lodging. My eyes do not yet suffer me to encounter the +town atmosphere, or I would myself apply in person to the police. + +Your attached + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The Pfarrgasse, in the Laimgrube, where Schindler lived with +him.] + + +342. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I must have an attested copy of all the writings; I send you 45 kreutzers. +How could you possibly accept such a proposal from our churlish landlord +when accompanied by a threat? Where was your good sense? Where it always +is. + +To-morrow early I shall send for the Variations, copy and originals. It is +not certain whether the Pr. comes or not; so be so good as to stay at home +till eight o'clock. You can come to dinner either to-day or to-morrow; but +you must settle which you mean to do, as it is not easy _for me_ to provide +provisions. Not later than half-past two o'clock. The housekeeper will tell +you about a lodging in the Landstrasse. It is high time, truly! As soon as +you hear of anything to be had on the Bastei or the Landstrasse, you must +at once give me notice. We must find out what room the landlord uses on +account of the well.--_Vale!_ + + +343. + +TO SCHINDLER.[1] + +Hetzendorf, 1823. + +SAMOTHRACIAN VAGABOND!-- + +You were dispatched yesterday to the South Pole, whereas we went off to the +North Pole, a slight difference now equalized by Captain Parry. There were, +however, no mashed potatoes there. + +Bach [his lawyer], to whom I beg my best regards, is requested to say what +the lodging in Baden is to cost; we must also try to arrange that Carl +should come to me once every fortnight there (but cheaply; good heavens! +poverty and economy!). I intrust this matter to you, as you have your +friends and admirers among the drivers and liverymen. If you get this in +time, you had better go to Bach to-day, so that I may receive his answer +to-morrow forenoon. It is almost too late now. + +You might also take that rascal of a copyist by surprise; I don't expect +much good from him. He has now had the Variations for eight days. + +Your ["friend" stroked out] _amicus_, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: He no doubt alludes to Captain Parry, the celebrated +traveller, who wrote an article in the _A.M. Zeitung_ on the music of the +Esquimaux.] + + +344. + +TO SCHINDLER.[1] + +June, 1823. + +SAMOTHRACIAN!-- + +Don't trouble yourself to come here till you receive a _Hati Scherif_. I +must say you do not deserve the _golden_ cord. My fast-sailing frigate, the +worthy and well-born Frau Schnaps, will call every three or four days to +inquire after your health. + +Farewell! Bring _no one whatever_ with you: farewell! + +[Footnote 1: Schindler says in his _Biography_: "These _Variations_ [Op. +120] were completed in June, 1823, and delivered to the publisher, +Diabelli, without the usual amount of time bestowed on giving them the +finishing touches; and now he set to work at once at the ninth Symphony, +some jottings of which were already written down. Forthwith all the gay +humor that had made him more sociable, and in every respect more +accessible, at once disappeared. All visits were declined," &c.] + + +345. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Hetzendorf, July 15, 1823. + +I trust that you are in the best possible health. As for my eyes, they are +improving, though slowly, and in six or seven days at most I hope to have +the good fortune to wait on Y.R.H. If I were not obliged to use spectacles, +I should get better sooner. It is a most distressing occurrence, and has +thrown me back in everything. What soothes my feelings, however, is Y.R.H. +being fully aware that I am always to be of service to you. I have another +favor to ask of Y.R.H., which I hope you will graciously accede. Will +Y.R.H. be so kind as to grant me a testimonial to the following effect: +"That I wrote the Grand Mass expressly for Y.R.H.; that it has been for +some time in your possession; and that you have been pleased to permit me +to circulate it." This ought to have been the case, and being no untruth, I +hope I may claim this favor. Such a testimonial will be of great service to +me; for how could I have believed that my slight talents would have exposed +me to so much envy, persecution, and calumny. It has always been my +intention to ask Y.R.H.'s permission to circulate the Mass, but the +pressure of circumstances, and above all my inexperience in worldly +matters, as well as my feeble health, has caused this confusion. + +If the Mass is engraved hereafter, I hope to dedicate it to Y.R.H. when +published,[1] and not till then will the limited list of royal subscribers +appear. I shall ever consider Y.R.H. as my most illustrious patron, and +make this known to the world whenever it is in my power. In conclusion, I +entreat you again not to refuse my request about the testimonial. It will +only cost Y.R.H. a few lines, and ensure the best results for me. + +I will bring the Variations[2] of Y.R.H. with me. They require little +alteration, and cannot fail to become a very pretty pleasing work for all +lovers of music. I must indeed appear a most importunate suitor. I beg you +will kindly send me the testimonial as soon as possible, for I require it. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The Grand Mass (_Op._ 123) was published in 1827.] + +[Footnote 2: The _Variations_ composed by the Archduke Rudolph, mentioned +in the letters 345 and 351, are not the same as the published ones, and are +unknown.] + + +346. + +TO F. RIES. + +Hetzendorf, July 16, 1823. + +MY DEAR RIES,-- + +I received your letter with much pleasure the day before yesterday. The +Variations have, no doubt, arrived by this time. I could not write the +dedication to your wife, not knowing her name; so I beg you will write it +yourself on the part of your wife's friend and your own; let it be a +surprise to her, for the fair sex like that.--_Entre nous_, surprise is +always the greatest charm of the beautiful! As for the _Allegri di +Bravura_, I must make allowance for yours. To tell you the truth, I am no +great friend to that kind of thing, as it is apt to entail too much mere +mechanism; at least, such is the case with those I know. I have not yet +looked at yours, but I shall ask ---- about them. I recommend you to be +cautious in your intercourse with him. Could I not be of use to you in many +ways here? These printers, or rather _misprinters_, as they ought to be +called to deserve their names, pirate your works, and give you nothing in +return; this, surely, might be differently managed. I mean to send you some +choruses shortly, even if obliged to compose some new ones, for this is my +favorite style. + +Thanks for the proceeds of the _bagatelles_, with which I am quite +satisfied. Give nothing to the King of England. Pray accept anything you +can get for the Variations. I shall be perfectly contented. I only must +stipulate to take no other reward for the dedication to your wife than the +kiss which I am to receive in London. + +You name _guineas_, whereas I only get _pounds sterling_, and I hear there +is a difference between these. Do not be angry with _un pauvre musicien +autrichien_, who is still at a very low ebb. I am now writing a new violin +quartet. Might not this be offered to the musical or unmusical London +Jews?--_en vrai Juif_. + +I am, with cordial regard, +Your old friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +347. + +TO HERR GEHEIMRATH VON KÖNNERITZ,--DRESDEN,[1] +DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL ORCHESTRA AND THEATRE IN SAXONY. + +Hetzendorf, July 17, 1823. + +SIR,-- + +I have too long deferred sending you a signed receipt and thanks, but I +feel sure you will pardon the delay from my great pressure of business, +owing to my health having improved, and God knows how long this may +continue. The description given by my dear friend Maria Weber[2] of your +generous and noble disposition encourages me to apply to you on another +subject, namely, about a Grand Mass which I am now issuing in manuscript. +Though I have met with a previous refusal on this matter [337], still, as +my esteemed Cardinal, H.R. Highness the Archduke Rudolph, has written to +H.R.H. Prince Anton, requesting him to recommend the Mass to his Majesty +the King of Saxony, I think this fresh application might at all events be +made, as I should consider it a great honor to number among my +distinguished subscribers (such as the King of Prussia, the Emperor of +Russia, the King of France, &c.) so great a connoisseur in music as the +King of Saxony. + +I leave it to you, sir, to decide from this statement how and when you can +best effect my purpose. I am unable to send you to-day the application for +a subscription to my Mass to H.M. the King of Saxony, but I will do so by +the next post. In any event I feel assured that you will not think I am one +of those who compose for the sake of paltry gain; but how often do events +occur which constrain a man to act contrary to his inclinations and his +principles? My Cardinal is a benevolent Prince, but means are wanting! I +hope to receive your forgiveness for my apparent importunity. If my poor +abilities can in any way be employed in your service, what extreme pleasure +it would give me. + +I am, sir, with esteem, +Your expectant + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The director-general of the Dresden theatre at that time was +Von Könneritz, who sent Beethoven forty ducats (requesting a receipt) for +his opera of _Fidelio_, performed with great applause April 29, 1823, and +conducted by C.M. von Weber. Madame Schröder-Devrient made her _début_ in +the character of Leonore.] + +[Footnote 2: In Weber's _Biography_ it is stated (Vol. II. p. 465) that +Beethoven and Weber exchanged several letters about the performance of +_Fidelio_, and in fact Weber did receive letters from Beethoven on February +16, April 10, and June 9. Unhappily, no part of this correspondence has yet +been discovered, except a fragment of the sketch of a letter written by +Weber of January 28, 1823, which sufficiently proves that Beethoven was +right in calling him his _friend_. It is as follows:--"This mighty work, +teeming with German grandeur and depth of feeling, having been given under +my direction at Prague, had enabled me to acquire the most enthusiastic and +instructive knowledge of its inner essence, by means of which I hope to +produce it before the public here with full effect, provided as I am with +all possible accessories for the purpose. Each performance will be a +festival to me, permitting me to pay that homage to your mighty spirit +which dwells in the inmost recesses of my heart, where love and admiration +strive for the mastery." On October 5 of this year, Weber visited Beethoven +in Baden, with Haslinger and Benedict.] + + +348. + +TO HERR V. KÖNNERITZ,--DRESDEN. + +Vienna, July 25, 1823. + +SIR,-- + +Forgive my importunity in sending to your care the enclosed letter from me +to his R.H. Prince Anton of Saxony; it contains an application to his +Majesty the King of Saxony to subscribe to a mass of mine. I recently +mentioned to you that the Cardinal Archduke Rudolph had written to his M. +the King of Saxony about this Mass; I entreat you to use all your influence +in this matter, and I leave it entirely to your own judgment and knowledge +of local matters to act as you think best. Although I do not doubt that the +recommendation of my Cardinal will have considerable weight, still the +decision of his Majesty cannot fail to be much influenced by the advice of +the Administrator of objects connected with the fine arts. Hitherto, in +spite of apparent brilliant success, I have scarcely realized as much as a +publisher would have given me for the work, the expenses of copying being +so very great. It was the idea of my friends to circulate this Mass, for, +thank God! I am a mere novice in all speculations. In the mean time, there +is not a single _employé_ of our Government who has not been, like myself, +a loser. Had it not been for my continued bad health for many years past, a +foreign country would at least have enabled me to live free from all cares +except those for art. Judge me kindly, and not harshly; I live only for my +art, and my sole wish is to fulfil my duties as a man; but this, alas! +cannot always be accomplished without the influence of the _subterranean +powers_. While commending my cause to you, I also venture to hope that your +love of art, and above all your philanthropy, will induce you to be so good +as to write me a few lines, informing me of the result as soon as you are +acquainted with it. + +I am, sir, with high consideration, + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +349. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +August, 1823. + +YOU SAMOTHRACIAN VILLAIN!-- + +Make haste and come, for the weather is just right. Better early than +late--_presto, prestissimo_! We are to drive from here.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Beethoven had apartments in a summer residence of Baron +Pronay's on his beautiful property at Hetzendorf. Suddenly, however, the +_maestro_, deeply immersed in the _Ninth Symphony_, was no longer satisfied +with this abode, because "the Baron would persist in making him profound +bows every time that he met him." So, with the help of Schindler and Frau +Schnaps, he removed to Baden in August, 1823.] + + +350. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, August 16, 1823. + +MY DEAR BOY,-- + +I did not wish to say anything to you till I found my health improving +here, which, however, is scarcely even yet the case. I came here with a +cold and catarrh, which were very trying to me, my constitution being +naturally rheumatic, which will, I fear, soon cut the thread of my life, +or, still worse, gradually wear it away. The miserable state of my +digestive organs, too, can only be restored by medicines and diet, and for +this I have to thank my _faithful_ servants! You will learn how constantly +I am in the open air when I tell you that to-day for the first time I +properly (or improperly, though it was involuntary) resumed my suit to my +Muse. I _must_ work, but do not wish it to be known. Nothing can be more +tempting (to me at least) than the enjoyment of beautiful Nature at these +baths, but _nous sommes trop pauvres, et il faut écrire ou de n'avoir pas +de quoi_. Get on, and make every preparation for your examination, and be +unassuming, so that you may prove yourself higher and better than people +expect. Send your linen here at once; your gray trousers must still be +wearable, at all events at home; for, my dear son, you are indeed very +_dear_ to me! My address is, "At the coppersmith's," &c. Write instantly to +say that you have got this letter. I will send a few lines to that +contemptible creature, Schindler, though I am most unwilling to have +anything to do with such a wretch. If we could write as quickly as we think +and feel, I could say a great deal not a little remarkable; but for to-day +I can only add that I wish a certain Carl may prove worthy of all my love +and unwearied care, and learn fully to appreciate it. + +Though not certainly exacting, as you know, still there are many ways in +which we can show those who are better and nobler than ourselves that we +acknowledge their superiority. + +I embrace you from my heart. + +Your faithful and true + +FATHER. + + +351. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +August, 1823. + +I am really very ill, and not suffering from my eyes alone. I intend to +drag myself to-morrow to Baden, to look out for a lodging, and to go there +altogether in the course of a few days. The air in town has a very bad +effect on my whole organization, and has really injured my health, having +gone twice to town to consult my physicians. It will be easier for me to +repair to Y.R.H. in Baden. I am quite inconsolable, both on account of +Y.R.H. and myself, that my usefulness is thus limited. I have marked some +things in the Variations, but I can explain these better verbally. + +[K.] + + +352. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Baden, August 22, 1823. + +Your gracious letter led me to believe that Y.R.H. intended to return to +Baden, where I arrived on the 13th, very ill; but I am now better. I had +recently another inflammatory cold, having just recovered from one. My +digestion, too, was miserable, and my eyes very bad; in short, my whole +system seemed impaired. I was obliged to make the effort to come here, +without even being able to see Y.R.H. Thank God, my eyes are so much better +that I can again venture to make tolerable use of them by daylight. My +other maladies, too, are improving, and I cannot expect more in so short a +period. How I wish that Y.R.H. were only here, when in a few days we could +entirely make up for lost time. Perhaps I may still be so fortunate as to +see Y.R.H. here, and be able to show my zeal to serve Y.R.H. How deeply +does this cause me to lament my unhappy state of health. Much as I wish for +its entire restoration, still I greatly fear that this will never be the +case, and on this account I hope for Y.R.H.'s indulgence. As I can now at +length prove how gladly I place myself at Y.R.H.'s disposal, my most +anxious desire is that you would be pleased to make use of me. + +[K.] + + +353. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1823. + +I have just been enjoying a short walk and composing a Canon, "Grossen +Dank, ÷ ÷ ÷," when, on returning home, with the intention of writing it out +for Y.R.H., I find a petitioner who is under the delusion that his request +will be better received if made through me. What can I do? A good action +cannot be too soon performed, and even a whim must be sometimes humored. +The bearer of this is Kapellmeister Drechsler, of the Josephstadt and Baden +Theatre; he wishes to obtain the situation of second Court organist. He has +a good knowledge of thorough bass, and is also a good organist, besides +being favorably known as a composer,--all qualities that recommend him for +this situation. He _rightly_ thinks that the best recommendation to secure +him the appointment is that of Y.R.H., who, being yourself so great a +connoisseur and performer, know better than any one how to appreciate true +merit; and assuredly H.I. Majesty would prefer such testimony to every +other. I therefore add my entreaties, though with some hesitation, to those +of Herr D., relying on the indulgence and kindness of Y.R.H., and in the +hope that the illustrious patron and protector of all that is good will do +what lies in his power to be of use on this occasion. + +My Canon shall be sent to-morrow,[1] together with the confession of my +sins, intentional and unintentional, for which I beg your gracious +absolution. My eyes, alas! prevent me from saying to-day as I could wish my +hopes and desires that all good may attend you. + +P.S. I ought also to mention that Herr Drechsler is the unsalaried +professor of thorough bass at St. Anna's, and has been so for the last ten +years. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: The Canon, _Grossen Dank, ÷ ÷ ÷_, is not to be found in either +Breitkopf & Härtel's or Thayer's catalogue, nor anywhere else.] + + +354. + +TO F. RIES. + +Baden, September 5, 1823. + +MY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +You advise me to engage some one to look after my affairs; now I did so as +to the Variations; that is, my brother and Schindler took charge of them, +but how? + +The Variations were not to have appeared here till after being published in +London; but everything went wrong. The dedication to Brentano [Antonie v. +Brentano, _née_ Edlen von Birkenstock] was to be confined to Germany, I +being under great obligations to her, and having nothing else to spare at +the moment; indeed, Diabelli, the publisher, alone got it from me. But +everything went through Schindler's hands. No man on earth was ever more +contemptible,--an arch villain; but I soon sent him packing! I will +dedicate some other work to your wife in the place of this one. You, no +doubt, received my last letter [No. 346]. I think thirty ducats would be +enough for one of the _Allegri di Bravura_, but I should like to publish +them here at the same time, which might easily be arranged. Why should I +give up so much profit to these rogues here? It will not be published here +till I am told that it has arrived in London; moreover, you may yourself +fix the price, as you best know London customs. + +The copyist to-day at last finished the score of the Symphony; so +Kirchhoffer and I are only waiting for a favorable opportunity to send it +off. I am still here, being very ill when I arrived, and my health still +continues in a most precarious condition, and, good heavens! instead of +amusing myself like others at these baths, my necessities compel me to +write every day. I am also obliged to drink the mineral waters besides +bathing. The copy will shortly be sent off; I am only waiting till I hear +of an opportunity from Kirchhoffer, for it is too bulky to forward by post. + +My last letter must have given you an insight into everything. I will send +you some choruses; let me have any commissions for oratorios as soon as you +can, that I may fix the time at once. I am sorry about the Variations on +account of ----, as I wrote them more for London than here. This is not my +fault. Answer me very soon, both as to particulars and time. Kind regards +to your family. + + +355. + +TO F. RIES,--LONDON. + +Baden, September 5, 1823. + +MY DEAR KIND RIES,-- + +I have still no tidings of the Symphony, but you may depend on its soon +being in London. Were I not so poor as to be obliged to live by my pen, I +would accept nothing from the Philharmonic Society; but as it is, I must +wait till the money for the Symphony is made payable here; though as a +proof of my interest and confidence in that Society, I have already sent +off the new Overture, and I leave it to them to settle the payment as they +please. + +My brother, who keeps his carriage, wished also to profit by me; so without +asking my permission, he offered this Overture to Boosey, a London +publisher. Pray, tell him that my brother was mistaken with regard to the +Overture. I see now that he bought it from me in order to practise usury +with it. _O Frater!!_ + +I have never yet received the Symphony you dedicated to me. If I did not +regard this dedication as a kind of challenge to which I am bound to +respond, I would ere this have dedicated some work to you. I always, +however, wished first to see yours, and how joyfully would I then testify +my gratitude to you in one way or another. + +I am, indeed deeply your debtor for your kind services and many proofs of +attachment. Should my health improve by my intended course of baths, I hope +to kiss your wife in London in 1824. + +Yours, ever, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +356. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +1823. + +I have just heard that Y.R.H. is expected here to-morrow. If I am still +unable to follow the impulse of my heart, I hope you will ascribe it to the +state of my eyes. I am better, but for some days to come I dare not breathe +the town air, so prejudicial to my eyes. I only wish that the next time +Y.R.H. returns from Baden, you would be so good as to let me know, and also +name the hour at which I am to present myself, and once more have the good +fortune to see my gracious master. But as it is probable Y.R.H. will not +long remain here, it is the more incumbent on us to take advantage of the +short time at our disposal to carry out our artistic discussions and +practice. I will myself bring "Grossen Dank, ÷ ÷ ÷," as it must be sent to +Baden. Herr Drechsler thanked me to-day for the _liberty_ I had taken in +recommending him to Y.R.H., who received him so graciously that I beg to +express my warmest gratitude for your kindness. I trust that Y.R.H. will +continue firm, for it is said that Abbé Stadler is endeavoring to procure +the situation in question for some one else. It would also be very +beneficial to Drechsler if Y.R.H. would vouchsafe to speak to Count +Dietrichstein[1] on the subject. I once more request the favor of being +told the date of your return from Baden, when I will instantly hasten into +town to wait on the best master I have in this world. Y.R.H.'s health seems +to be good; Heaven be praised that it is so, for the sake of so many who +wish it, and among this number I may certainly be included. + +[K.] + +[Footnote 1: Count Moritz Dietrichstein was in 1823 Court director of the +royal band.] + + +357. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +I was very much affected on receiving your gracious letter yesterday. To +flourish under the shade of a stately verdant fruit-tree is refreshing to +any one capable of elevated thought and feeling, and thus it is with me +under the aegis of Y.R.H. My physician assured me yesterday that my malady +was disappearing, but I am still obliged to swallow a whole bottle of some +mixture every day, which weakens me exceedingly, and compels me, as Y.R.H. +will see from the enclosed instructions of the physician, to take a great +deal of exercise. I have every hope, however, that soon, even if not +entirely recovered, I shall be able to be a great deal with Y.R.H. during +your stay here. This hope will tend to recruit my health sooner than usual. +May Heaven bestow its blessings on me through Y.R.H., and may the Lord ever +guard and watch over you! Nothing can be more sublime than to draw nearer +to the Godhead than other men, and to diffuse here on earth these godlike +rays among mortals. Deeply impressed by the gracious consideration of +Y.R.H. towards me, I hope very soon to be able to wait on you. + +[K.] + + +358. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +Baden, September, 1823. + +SIGNORE PAPAGENO,-- + +That your scandalous reports may no longer distress the poor Dresdener, I +must tell you that the money reached me to-day, accompanied by every +possible mark of respect to myself. + +Though I should have been happy to offer you a _substantial_ acknowledgment +for the [illegible, effaced by Schindler] you have shown me, I cannot yet +accomplish to the full extent what I have so much at heart. I hope to be +more fortunate some weeks hence. [See No. 329.] + +_Per il Signore Nobile, Papageno Schindler._ + + +359. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +1823. + +The occurrence that took place yesterday, which you will see in the police +reports, is only too likely to attract the notice of the established police +to this affair. The testimony of a person whose name is not given entirely +coincides with yours. In such a case private individuals cannot act; the +authorities alone are empowered to do so.[1] + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler says, "Brother Johann, the apothecary, was ill in +the summer of 1823, and during that time his disreputable wife visited her +lover, an officer, in the barracks, and was often seen walking with him in +the most frequented places, besides receiving him in her own house. Her +husband, though confined to bed, could see her adorning herself to go in +search of amusement with her admirer. Beethoven, who was informed of this +scandal from various quarters, appealed vigorously to his brother, in the +hope of persuading him to separate from his ill-conducted wife, but failed +in his attempt, owing to the indolence of this ill-regulated man." It was +Schindler, too, who prevented Beethoven making any further application to +the police. The following note probably refers to this. In his note-book of +November, 1823, is a Canon written by Beethoven on his brother Johann and +his family, on these words, "Fettlümerl Bankert haben triumphirt," no doubt +an allusion to the disgraceful incident we have mentioned. Brother Johann's +wife had a very lovely daughter before she married him.] + + +360. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +WISEACRE! I kiss the hem of your garment! + + +361. + +TO HERR GRILLPARZER, COURT COMPOSER. + +ESTEEMED SIR,-- + +The directors wish to know your terms with regard to "Melusina." [See No. +331.] In so far she has asserted herself, which is certainly better than +being obliged to importune others on such matters. My household has been in +great disorder for some time past, otherwise I should have called on you, +and requested you to visit me in return.[1] Pray, write your conditions at +once, either to the directors or to myself, in which case I will undertake +to deliver them. I have been so busy that I could not call on you, nor can +I do so now, but hope to see you before long. My number is 323. + +In the afternoons you will find me in the coffee-house opposite the +"Goldene Birne." If you do come, I beg that you may be _alone_. That +obtrusive appendage, Schindler, has long been most obnoxious to me, as you +must have perceived when at Hetzendorf,[2] _otium est vitium_. I embrace +and esteem you from my heart. + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: In the note-book of 1823 is written, in Beethoven's hand: + + 8th or 9th November, bad humor. + Another bad day. + Another bad day. + +And underneath, in Schindler's hand: + + Devil take such a life!] + +[Footnote 2: The _Elegante Zeitung_ of 1858, No. 73, relates the following +anecdote about this visit:--"During the composition of the Opera many +conferences took place between the two artistic colleagues, when the new +work was zealously discussed on both sides. On one occasion the poet drove +out to visit the composer in the country. Beethoven's writing-desk was +placed somewhat like a sentry-box opposite a cupboard for provisions, the +contents of which compelled the housekeeper to be perpetually coming and +going, attracting thereby many an admonitory look askance in the midst of +his conversation from the deaf _maestro_. At last the clock struck the +dinner-hour. Beethoven went down to his cellar, and soon after returned +carrying four bottles of wine, two of which he placed beside the poet, +while the other two were allotted to the composer himself and a third +guest. After dinner Beethoven slipped out of the room, and held a short +parley with the coachman hired for the occasion, who was still waiting at +the door. When the time arrived for returning to town, Beethoven proposed +driving part of the way with his guests, and did not get out of the +carriage till close to the Burgthor. Scarcely was he gone when the +companions he had just quitted found some papers lying on the seat he had +vacated, which proved to be six _gulden_, the amount of the carriage-hire. +They instantly stopped the carriage, and shouted to their friend (who was +making off as quick as he could) that he had forgotten some money; but +Beethoven did not stand still till he was at a safe distance, when he waved +his hat, rejoicing with the glee of a child at the success of his trick. +There was no possibility of refusing his _naïf_ generosity, and they had +sufficient delicacy of feeling not to poison his enjoyment by any untimely +remonstrances."] + + +362. + +TO PROBST, MUSIC PUBLISHER,--LEIPZIG. + +Vienna, March 10, 1824. + +... These are all I can at present give you for publication. I must, alas! +now speak of myself, and say that this, the greatest work I have ever +written, is well worth 1000 florins C.M. It is a new grand symphony, with a +finale and voice parts introduced, solo and choruses, the words being those +of Schiller's immortal "Ode to Joy," in the style of my pianoforte Choral +Fantasia, only of much greater breadth. The price is 600 florins C.M. One +condition is, indeed, attached to this Symphony, that it is not to appear +till next year, July, 1825; but to compensate for this long delay, I will +give you a pianoforte arrangement of the work gratis, and in more important +engagements you shall always find me ready to oblige you. + + +363. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +1824. + +Frau S. [Schnaps] will provide what is required, so come to dinner to-day +at two o'clock. I have good news to tell you,[1] but this is quite _entre +nous_, for the _braineater_ [his brother Johann] must know nothing about +it. + +[Footnote 1: This no doubt refers to a letter from Prince Gallizin, March +11, 1824:--"I beg you will be so good as to let me know when I may expect +the Quartet, which I await with the utmost impatience. If you require +money, I request you will draw on Messrs. Stieglitz & Co., in St. +Petersburg, for the sum you wish to have, and it will be paid to your +order."] + + +364. + +TO HERR V. RZEHATSCHEK. + +1824. + +MY WORTHY HERR V. RZEHATSCHEK,-- + +Schuppanzigh assures me that you intend to be so kind as to lend me the +instruments required for my concert;[1] thus encouraged, I venture to ask +you to do so, and hope not to meet with a refusal when thus earnestly +soliciting you to comply with my request. + +Your obedient servant, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: It seems highly probable that this concert is the celebrated +one in the spring of 1824, when the Ninth Symphony and a portion of the +Grand Mass were performed.] + + +365. + +TO THE HIGH CHAMBERLAIN PRINCE TRAUTMANNSDORF.[1] + +I am deeply indebted to your Highness for your invariable politeness, which +I prize probably the more from Y.H. being by no means devoid of sympathy +for my art. I hope one day to have the opportunity of proving my esteem for +your H. + +[Footnote 1: Enclosed in a note to Schindler, who was to apply for the +great _Redoutensaal_ for the concert on April 8, 1824.] + + +366. + +TO COUNT MORITZ LICHNOWSKY.[1] + +Insincerity I despise; visit me no more; my concert is not to take place. + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The originals of these three well-known notes were found by +Schindler on the piano, where Beethoven usually left things of the kind, +which he intended his amanuensis to take charge of. Lichnowsky, +Schuppanzigh, and Schindler had all met at Beethoven's, as if by chance, in +order to discuss with him some difficulties which stood in the way of the +concert. The suspicious _maestro_ saw only collusion and treachery in this, +and wrote these notes, which Schindler did not allow to be sent.] + + +367. + +TO HERR SCHUPPANZIGH. + +Come no more to see me. I give no concert. + +BEETHOVEN. + + +368. + +TO HERR SCHINDLER. + +Do not come to me till I summon you. No concert. + +BEETHOVEN. + + +369. + +TO HERR V. SARTORIUS, ROYAL CENSOR. + +SIR,-- + +As I hear that obstacles are likely to arise on the part of the royal +censorship to a portion of sacred music being given at an evening concert +in the Theatre "an der Wien," I must inform you that I have been +particularly requested to give these pieces, that the copies for this +purpose have already caused serious expense, and the intervening time is +too short to produce other new works. Besides, only three sacred +compositions are to be given, and these under the title of hymns. I do +earnestly entreat you, sir, to interest yourself in this matter, as there +are always so many difficulties to contend with on similar occasions. +Should this permission not be granted, I do assure you that it will be +impossible to give a concert at all, and the whole outlay expended on the +copying be thrown away. I hope you have not quite forgotten me. + +I am, sir, with high consideration, yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +370. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +1824. + +If you have any information to give me, pray write it down; but seal the +note, for which purpose you will find wax and a seal on my table. Let me +know where Duport[1] lives, when he is usually to be met with, and whether +I could see him alone, or if it is probable that people will be there, and +who? + +I feel far from well. _Portez-vous bien._ I am still hesitating whether to +speak to Duport or to write to him, which I cannot do without bitterness. + +Do not wait dinner for me; I hope you will enjoy it. I do not intend to +come, being ill from our bad fare of yesterday. A flask of wine is ready +for you. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler says that on April 24, 1824, he applied to Duport, +at that time administrator of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, in Beethoven's +name, to sanction his giving a grand concert there, allowing him to have +the use of the house for the sum of 400 florins C.M. Further, that the +conducting of the concert should be intrusted to Umlauf and Schuppanzigh, +and the solos to Mesdames Unger and Sonntag, and to the bass singer +Preisinger.] + + +371.[1] + +TO SCHINDLER. + +I beg you will come to see me to-morrow, as I have a tale to tell you as +sour as vinegar. Duport said yesterday that he had written to me, though I +have not yet got his letter, but he expressed his satisfaction, which is +best of all. The chief feat however is not yet performed, that which is to +be acted in front of the _Proscenium_! + +[In Beethoven's writing:] Yours, _from C# below to high F_, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Written by his nephew.] + + +372. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +After six weeks of discussion, here, there, and everywhere, I am fairly +boiled, stewed, and roasted. What will be the result of this much-talked-of +concert if the prices are not raised? What shall I get in return for all my +outlay, as the copying alone costs so much? + + +373. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +At twelve o'clock to-day "in die Birne" [an inn on the +Landstrasse]--thirsty and hungry--then to the coffee-house, back again +here, and straight to Penzing, or I shall lose the lodging. + + +374. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +When you write to me, write exactly as I do to you, without any formal +address or signature--_vita brevis, ars longa_. No necessity for details; +only the needful! + + +375. + +TO HERR STEINER & CO. + +Baden, May 27, 1824. + +P.N.G. [PATERNOSTERGÄSSEL],-- + +Have the goodness to give me a proof of your great complaisance, by using +your hand-rostrum (ruler) (not _Rostrum Victoriatum_) to rule 202 lines of +music for me, somewhat in the style I now send, and also on equally fine +paper, which you must include in your account. Send it, if possible, +to-morrow evening by Carl, for I require it. + +Perhaps plenary indulgence may then be granted. + + +376. + +POUR M. DE HASLINGER, GÉNÉRAL MUSICIEN ET GÉNÉRAL-LIEUTENANT. + +MY DEAR FRIEND,-- + +You would really do me great injustice were you to suppose that negligence +prevented my sending you the tickets; I assure you that it was my intention +to do so, but I forgot it like many other things. I hope that some other +opportunity may occur to enable me to prove my sentiments with regard to +you. I am, I assure you, entirely innocent of all that Duport has done, in +the same way that it was _he_ who thought fit to represent the Terzet [Op. +116] as new, _not I_. You know too well my love of truth; but it is better +to be silent now on the subject, as it is not every one who is aware of the +true state of the case, and I, though innocent, might incur blame. I do not +at all care for the other proposals Duport makes, as by this concert I have +lost both time and money. In haste, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +377. + +TO STEINER & CO. + +MY KIND FRIEND,-- + +Be so good as to read the enclosed, and kindly forward it at once to the +authorities. + +Your servant and _amicus_, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +378. + +TO HERR TOBIAS PETER PHILIP HASLINGER. + +The horn part and the score are shortly to follow. We are immensely +indebted to you. Observe the laws. Sing often my Canon in silence,--_per +resurrectionem_, &c. Farewell! + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +379. + +TO HASLINGER. + +Have the goodness to send me my shoes and my sword. You can have the loan +of the "Eglantine" for six days, for which, however, you must give an +acknowledgment. Farewell! + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +380. + +TO HASLINGER. + +Baden, June 12. + +MY GOOD FRIEND,-- + +Something worth having has been put in your way; so make the most of it. +You will no doubt come off with a handsome fee, and all expenses paid. As +for the March with Chorus [in the "Ruins of Athens," Op. 114], you have yet +to send me the sheets for final revision, also the Overture in E flat ["To +King Stephen," Op. 117]; the Terzet [Op. 116]; the Elegy [Op. 118]; the +Cantata ["_Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt_," Op. 112]; and the Opera. +Out with them all! or I shall be on very little ceremony, your right having +already expired. My liberality alone confers on you a larger sum than you +do on me. I want the score of the Cantata for a few days, as I wish to +write a kind of recitative for it; mine is so torn that I cannot put it +together, so I must have it written out from the parts. Has the Leipzig +musical paper yet retracted its lies about the medal I got from the late +King of France? + +I no longer receive the paper, which is a shabby proceeding. If the editor +does not rectify the statement, I shall cause him and his consumptive chief +to be _harpooned_ in the northern waters among the whales. + +Even this barbarous Baden is becoming enlightened, and now instead of +_gutten Brunn_, people write _guten Brun_. But tell me what are they about +in Paternoster Street? + +I am, with all esteem for yourself, but with none for the barbarian +Paternoster-Gässel, + +Your devoted, _incomparativo_, + +B----N. + +Paternoster-Gässel _primus_ will no doubt, like Mephistopheles, emit fiery +flames from his jaws. + + +381. + +TO M. DIABELLI. + +SIR,-- + +Pray forgive my asking you to send me the score of my Mass,[1] being in +urgent need of it; but I repeat that no public use is to be made of it +until I can let you know _how_ and _when_. It will be at first performed +under my direction, with the addition of several new pieces composed +expressly for it, which I will with pleasure send to you afterwards. There +are certain conventionalities which must be observed, especially as I am so +dependent on foreign connections, for Austria does not furnish me with the +means of existence, and gives me nothing but vexation. I will soon appoint +a day for you to visit Carl. + +I remain, sir, with the highest esteem, yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: This letter seems to be addressed to Diabelli, who in the +summer of 1824 begged the loan of the Mass in D for a few days, but +neglected to return it.] + + +382. + +TO PROBST,--LEIPZIG. + +Vienna, July 3, 1824 + +SIR,-- + +Overwhelmed with work and concerts, it is only now in my power to inform +you that the works you wished to have are finished and transcribed, and can +be delivered at any time to Herr Glöggl [music publisher in Vienna]. I +therefore request you will transmit the 100 Viennese ducats to Herr Glöggl, +and let me know when you have done so. I must conclude for to-day, and +defer the pleasure of writing further till another opportunity. I am, with +esteem, yours obediently, + +BEETHOVEN.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Probst answered the letter as follows:-- + +"August 18, 1824. + +"The many gossiping reports about the differences between you and a +publisher here in a similar transaction are the cause, I frankly own, of my +wishing first to see your manuscript. The piracy in engraving, so universal +in Austria, often prevents the German publisher paying the price for a work +which it merits; and even at this moment in Vienna, with regard to your +compositions [Schindler mentions three songs with pianoforte accompaniment, +six _bagatelles_, and a grand overture], I can see that the birds of prey +are on the watch to rob me of them under the shelter of the law." + +On one of these letters Beethoven writes in pencil, "Do not listen to +gossip; I have no time at this moment to enter on the subject, but I have +all the proofs in my own hands; more of this hereafter."] + + +383. + +TO T. HASLINGER.[1] + +MY VERY WORTHY FRIEND,-- + +Have the goodness to send me the Rochlitz article on the Beethoven works, +and we will return it to you forthwith by the flying, driving, riding, or +migrating post. + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The _Rochlitz'sche article_ is probably the report in the +_A.M. Zeitung_ of the works performed at the grand concert of May 7.] + + +384. + +TO HERR SCHOTT,--MAYENCE. + +1824. + +The Overture[1] that you got from my brother was recently performed here, +and I received many eulogiums on the occasion. + +What is all this compared to the grandest of all masters of harmony above! +above! above! Rightfully the _Most High_! While here below all is a mere +mockery--_Dwarfs_--and the _Most High_!! + +You shall receive the Quartet with the other works. You are open and +candid, qualities which I never before found in publishers, and this +pleases me. I say so in writing, but who knows whether it may not soon be +in person? I wish you would transmit the sum due for the Quartet to P., as +at this moment I require a great deal of money, for I derive everything +from foreign sources, and sometimes a delay occurs--caused by myself. + +[Footnote 1: The Overture to which he alludes is no doubt Op. 124, in C +major, _Zur Weihe des Hauses_, published by Schott. It was performed in the +great concert of May 23 of this year (1824), which in the estimation of a +Beethoven, already absorbed in new great works, might well be termed +"recently performed." Schott himself says the letter is written between +July 3 and September 17, 1824.] + + +385. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +Baden, August 23, 1824. + +YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,-- + +I live--how?--the life of a snail. The unfavorable weather constantly +throws me back, and at these baths it is impossible to command one's +natural strength. A few days ago, Nägeli, a musical author and poet of +considerable repute, wrote to me from Zurich; he is about to publish 200 +poems, and among these some are suitable for musical composition. He urged +me much to apply to Y.R.H. to request that you would be graciously pleased +to subscribe to this collection. The price is very moderate, 20 groschen, +or 1 florin 80 kreutzers. Were Y.R.H. to subscribe for six copies, it would +immediately be noised abroad, although I am well aware that my illustrious +master does not care for anything of the kind; it will suffice for the +present if Y.R.H. will condescend to inform me of your will on the subject. +The money can be paid when the copies arrive, probably a couple of months +hence. I have conveyed Herr Nägeli's request, and now I must ask another +favor, on his account, from myself. Everything cannot be measured by line +and plummet; but Wieland says: "A little book may be well worth a few +_groschen_." Will Y.R.H. therefore honor these poems by permitting your +august name to be prefixed to them, as a token of your sympathy for the +benefit of this man? the work is not likely to be quite devoid of value. +Being convinced of Y.R.H.'s interest in all that is noble and beautiful, I +hope I shall not fail in my intercession for Nägeli, and I beg that Y.R.H. +will give me a written permission to inform Nägeli that you will be one of +his subscribers. + +I remain, with all dutiful fidelity and devotion, your R. Highness's +obedient servant, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +386. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, August 29, 1824. + +MY DEAR YOUNG SCAMP,-- + +How active our _mahogany Holz_ [wood] is! My plans are decided. We will +give the present quartet to Artaria, and the last to Peters. You see I have +learned something; I now perceive why I first _explored the path_; it was +for your sake, that you might find it smooth. My digestion is terribly out +of order, and no physician! I wish to have some ready-made pens, so send +some in a letter. Don't write to Peters on Saturday; we had better wait a +little, to show him our indifference on the subject. + +Since yesterday I have only taken some soup, and a couple of eggs, and +drank nothing but water; my tongue is discolored; and without medicine and +tonics, whatever my farcical doctor may say, my digestion will never +improve. + +The third quartet [in C sharp minor, Op. 131] also contains six movements, +and will certainly be finished in ten or twelve days at most. Continue to +love me, my dear boy; if I ever cause you pain, it is not from a wish to +grieve you, but for your eventual benefit. I now conclude. I embrace you +cordially. All I wish is that you should be loving, industrious, and +upright. Write to me, my dear son. I regret all the trouble I give you, but +it will not go on long. Holz seems inclined to become our friend. I expect +a letter soon from [illegible]. + +Your faithful + +FATHER. + + +387. + +ROUGH DRAFT OF A LETTER TO PETERS. + +1824. + +I wrote to you that a quartet ["and a grand one too" is effaced] is ready +for you; as soon, therefore, as you let me know that you will accept it for +the 360 florins C.M., or 80 ducats, I will at once forward it to you. My +works are now paid at a higher rate than ever; besides, you have only +yourself to blame in this affair. Your own letters show what you formerly +desired to have, and the works I sent you were _what they ought to have +been_ (the numerous pirated editions prove the truth of this); but the +Quartet will convince you that, so far from wishing to take my revenge, I +now give you what could not possibly be better, were it intended even for +my best friend. + +I beg that you will make no delay, so that I may receive your answer by the +next post; otherwise I must forthwith return you the 360 florins C.M. I +shall, at all events, be rather in a scrape, for there is a person who +wishes to have not only this but another newly finished work of mine, +though he does not care to take only one. It is solely because you have +waited so long (though you are yourself to blame for this) that I separate +the Quartet from the following one, now also completed. (Do you think that +the latter ought to be also offered here? but, of course, cunningly and +warily: _comme marchand coquin!_) You need have no misgivings that I am +sending you something merely to fulfil my promise; no, I assure you on my +honor as an artist that you may place me on a level with the lowest of men, +if you do not find that it is one of my very best works. + + +388. + +TO HANS GEORG NÄGELI,--ZURICH. + +Baden, September 9, 1824. + +MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,-- + +The Cardinal Archduke is in Vienna, and owing to my health, I am here. I +only yesterday received from him a gracious written consent to subscribe to +your poems, on account of the services you have rendered to the progress of +music. He takes six copies of your work. I will shortly send you the proper +address. An anonymous friend is also on the list of subscribers. I mean +myself, for as you do me the honor to become my panegyrist, I will on no +account allow my name to appear. How gladly would I have subscribed for +more copies, but my means are too straitened to do so. The father of an +adopted son, (the child of my deceased brother,) I must for his sake think +and act for the _future_ as well as for the _present_. I recollect that you +previously wrote to me about a subscription; but at that time I was in very +bad health, and continued an invalid for more than three years, but now I +am better. Send also the complete collection of your lectures direct to the +Archduke Rudolph, and, if possible, dedicate them to him; you are certain +at all events to receive a present, not a very large one probably, but +still better than nothing; put some complimentary expressions in the +preface, for he understands music, and it is his chief delight and +occupation. I do really regret, knowing his talents, that I cannot devote +myself to him as much as formerly. + +I have made various applications to procure you subscribers, and shall let +you know as soon as I receive the answers. I wish you would also send me +your lectures, and likewise Sebastian Bach's five-part Mass, when I will at +once remit you the money for both. Pray, do not imagine that I am at all +guided by self-interest; I am free from all petty vanity; in godlike Art +alone dwells the impulse which gives me strength to sacrifice the best part +of my life to the celestial Muse. From childhood my greatest pleasure and +felicity consisted in working for others; you may therefore conclude how +sincere is my delight in being in any degree of use to you, and in showing +you how highly I appreciate all your merits. As one of the votaries of +Apollo, I embrace you. + +Yours cordially, + +BEETHOVEN. + +Write to me soon about the Archduke, that I may introduce the subject to +his notice; you need take no steps towards seeking permission for the +dedication. It will and ought to be a surprise to him. + + +389. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, evening, September 14, 1824. + +MY DEAR SON,--, + +Whether it rains heavily to-morrow or not, stifling dust or pouring rain +would be equally prejudicial to me. It does grieve me to know that you are +so long with this demon; but, pray, strive to keep out of her way. You must +give her a letter, written in my name, to the manager of the hospital, in +which you must state that she did not come on the 1st, partly because she +was unwell, and also from various people having come here to meet me, +_Basta cosi_! + +I send you 40 florins for the singing-master [corépétiteur]. Get a written +receipt from him: how many mistakes are thus avoided! and this should be +done by every one who pays money for another. Did not Holz bring Rampel's +receipt [the copyist] unasked, and do not others act in the same way? Take +the white waistcoat for yourself, and have the other made for me. You can +bring the metronome with you; nothing can be done with it. Bring also your +linen sheets and two coverlets, and some lead-pencils and patterns; be sure +you get the former at the Brandstatt. And now farewell, my dear son; come +to my arms as early as you can,--perhaps to-morrow. [The paper is here torn +away.] + +As ever, your faithful + +FATHER. + +P.S. All that could be done was to send you by the old woman's _char à +banc_, which, however, including everything, costs 8 florins 36 kreutzers. + +Do not forget anything, and be careful of your health. + + +390. + +TO HERR NÄGELI. + +Vienna, September 16, 1824. + +MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,-- + +I gladly comply with your wish that I should arrange the vocal parts of my +last Grand Mass for the organ, or piano, for the use of the different +choral societies. This I am willing to do, chiefly because these choral +associations, by their private and still more by their church festivals, +make an unusually profound impression on the multitude, and my chief object +in the composition of this Grand Mass was to awaken, and deeply to impress, +religious feelings both on singers and hearers. As, however, a copy of this +kind and its repeated revision must cause a considerable outlay, I cannot, +I fear, ask less than 50 ducats for it, and leave it to you to make +inquiries on the subject, so that I may devote my time exclusively to it. + +I am, with high consideration, + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +391. + +TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE. + +Baden, near Vienna, September 17, 1824. + +The Quartet [Op. 127, in E flat major] you shall also certainly receive by +the middle of October. Overburdened by work, and suffering from bad health, +I really have some claim on the indulgence of others. I am here entirely +owing to my health, or rather to the want of it, although I already feel +better. Apollo and the Muses do not yet intend me to become the prey of the +bony Scytheman, as I have yet much to do for you, and much to bequeath +which my spirit dictates, and calls on me to complete, before I depart +hence for the Elysian fields; for I feel as if I had written scarcely more +than a few notes of music. + +I wish your efforts all possible success in the service of art; it is that +and science alone which point the way, and lead us to hope for a higher +life. I will write again soon. In haste, your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +392. + +TO HAUSCHKA. + +Baden, September 23, 1824. + +MY DEAR AND VALUED FRIEND,-- + +As soon as I arrive in town, I will write Bernard's Oratorio [see No. 257], +and I beg you will also transmit him payment for it. We can discuss when we +meet in town what we further require and think necessary, and in the +mean-time, I appoint you High and Puissant Intendant of all singing and +humming societies, Imperial Violoncello-General, Inspector of the Imperial +_Chasse_, as well as Deacon of my gracious master, without house or home, +and without a prebendary (like myself). I wish you all these, most faithful +servant of my illustrious master, as well as everything else in the world, +from which you may select what you like best.[1] That there may be no +mistake, I hereby declare that it is our intention to set to music the +Bernard Oratorio, the "Sieg des Kreuzes" and speedily to complete the same. +Witness this our sign and seal, + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +1st P.S. Take care that the venison is not devoured by rats or mice--you +understand? Strive for better choice and variety. + +Yours, as a Christian and in Apollo, + +B. + +2d P.S. As for the little flag on the white tower, we hope soon to see it +waving again! + +[Footnote 1: An allusion to Hauschka's subserviency to all persons in high +Court offices.] + + +393. + +TO HERR NÄGELI,--ZURICH. + +Vienna, November 17, 1824. + +MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,-- + +Deeply absorbed in work, and not sufficiently protected against this late +season of the year, I have again been ill; so believe me it was impossible +for me to write to you sooner. With regard to your subscription, I have +only succeeded in getting one subscriber for two copies, Herr v. Bihler, +tutor in the family of His Imperial Highness the Archduke Carl; he tried to +get the Archduke also, but failed. I have exerted myself with every one, +but, unluckily, people are here actually deluged with things of the same +kind. This is all that I can write to you in my hurry. I urged the matter, +too, on Haslinger, but in vain; we are really poor here in Austria, and the +continued pressure of the war leaves but little for art and science. I will +see that the subscriptions are paid, but let me know distinctly where the +money is to be sent to. I embrace you in spirit. Always rely on the high +esteem of your true friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +394. + +TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH. + +November 18, 1824. + +YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,-- + +On my return from Baden, illness prevented my waiting on Y.R.H. according +to my wish, being prohibited going out; thus yesterday was the first time I +dared to venture again into the open air. When your gracious letter +arrived, I was confined to bed, and under the influence of sudorifics, my +illness having been caused by a chill; so it was impossible for me to rise. +I feel sure that Y.R.H is well aware that I never would neglect the respect +so properly your due. I shall have the pleasure of waiting on you to-morrow +forenoon. Moreover, there will be no lack of opportunity here to awaken the +interest Y.R.H. takes in music, which cannot fail to prove so beneficial to +art,--ever my refuge, thank God! + +I remain Y.R.H.'s obedient servant, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +395. + +TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE. + +Vienna, November 18, 1824. + +I regret being obliged to tell you that some little time must yet elapse +before I can send off the works. There was not in reality much to revise in +the copies; but as I did not pass the summer here, I am obliged to make up +for this now, by giving two lessons a day to H.R.H. the Archduke Rudolph. +This exhausts me so much that it almost entirely unfits me for all else. +Moreover, I cannot live on my income, and my pen is my sole resource; but +_no consideration is shown either for my health or my precious time_. I do +hope that this may not long continue, when I will at once complete the +slight revision required. Some days ago I received a proposal which +concerns you also; its purport being that a foreign music publisher was +disposed, &c., &c., to form a connection with you, in order to guard +against piracy. I at once declined the offer, having had sufficiently +painful experience on these matters. (Perhaps this was only a pretext to +spy into my affairs!) + + +396. + +TO CARL HOLZ. + +I send you my greetings, and also wish to tell you that I am not going out +to-day. I should be glad to see you, perhaps this evening after your office +hours. + +In haste, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +I am by no means well. + + +397. + +TO CARL HOLZ. + +MY WORTHY HOLZ--BE NO LONGER HOLZ [WOOD]! + +The well-beloved government wishes to see me to-day at ten o'clock. I beg +you will go in my place; but first call on me, which you can arrange +entirely according to your own convenience. I have already written a letter +to the _powers that be_, which you can take with you. I much regret being +forced to be again so troublesome to you, but my going is out of the +question, and the affair must be brought to a close, + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +398. + +TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE. + +Vienna, December 17 [Beethoven's birthday], 1824. + +I write to say that a week must yet elapse before the works can be +dispatched to you. The Archduke only left this yesterday, and much precious +time was I obliged to spend with him. I am beloved and highly esteemed by +him, _but_--I cannot live on that, and the call from every quarter to +remember "that he who has a lamp ought to pour oil into it" finds no +response here. + +As the score ought to be correctly engraved, I must look it over repeatedly +myself, for I have no clever copyist at present. Pray, do not think ill of +me! _Never_ was I guilty of anything base! + + +399. + +March, 1825. + +MY GOOD FRIENDS,-- + +Each is herewith appointed to his own post, and formally taken into our +service, pledging his honor to do his best to distinguish himself, and each +to vie with the other in zeal. + +Every individual cooperating in this performance must subscribe his name to +this paper.[1] + + Schuppanzigh, (_Manu propria._) + Weiss. + Linke, (M.P.) +Confounded violoncello of the great masters. + Holz, (M.P.) +The _last_, but only as to his signature. + +[Footnote 1: In reference to the rehearsals of the first production of the +E flat major Quartet, Op. 127, in March, 1825.] + + +400. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +The Spring of 1825. + +I have waited till half-past one o'clock, but as the _caput confusum_ has +not come, I know nothing of what is likely to happen. Carl must be off to +the University in the Prater; so I am obliged to go, that Carl, who must +leave this early, may have his dinner first. I am to be found in the "Wilde +Mann" [an inn in the Prater]. + +To Herr Schindler, _Moravian numskull_.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Schindler was a Moravian.] + + +401. + +TO LINKE, VIOLONCELLIST.[1] + +DEAR LINKE,-- + +Having heard Herr v. Bocklet very highly spoken of, I think it would be +advisable to ask him kindly to play in the trio at your concert. I do not +know him myself, or I would have applied to him on your behalf. Always rely +on me when it is in my power to serve you. + +Yours truly, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Bocklet, a pianist in Vienna, tells me that he rehearsed the +Trio with Holz and Linke in 1825 or 1826 at Beethoven's.] + + +402.[1] + +TO * * * + +SIR,-- + +Through the stupidity of my housekeeper your mother was recently sent away +from my house, without my having been informed of her visit. I highly +disapprove of such incivility, especially as the lady was not even shown +into my apartments. The _rudeness_ and _coarseness_ of the persons whom I +am so unfortunate as to have in my service are well known to every one; I +therefore request your forgiveness. + +Your obedient servant, + +L. V. BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: In the New Vienna _Musik Zeitung_ the occasion of this note is +thus related:--"In 1825, a well-known artist and _dilettante_ in the +composition of music published a book of waltzes, each of these being +composed by the most popular and celebrated musicians of the day; as no one +declined giving a musical contribution to the editor, the profits being +intended to enable him to go to Carlsbad for the benefit of the waters +there. The work met with unusual support and sympathy. It then occurred to +the editor to apply for a contribution to the great Ludwig van Beethoven, +with whom he had been acquainted in former days through his father and +grandfather. The great musician at once, in the most gracious and amiable +manner, promised to comply with the request, and sent him not only a waltz, +but (the only one who did so) also a trio, desiring the editor to send in +the course of a month for these works, which would by that time be +completed. As the editor was in the mean time taken ill, he was not able to +call for the work himself, and was thus obliged to give up this interesting +visit. He therefore requested his mother to apply for the waltz, &c., and +to express his thanks; but the housekeeper, to whom she gave her name, +refused to admit her, saying she could not do so, 'for her master was in +such a crazy mood.' As at this very moment Beethoven chanced to put his +head in at the door, she hurried the lady into a dark room, saying, 'Hide +yourself, as it is quite impossible that anyone can speak to him to-day,' +getting out of the way herself as fast as she could. A couple of days +afterwards Beethoven sent the waltz, &c., to the house of the musical +editor in question, with the above letter."] + + +403. + +TO F. RIES. + +Vienna, April 9, 1825. + +MY DEAR GOOD RIES,-- + +I write only what is most pressing! So far as I can remember in the score +of the Symphony [the 9th] that I sent you, in the first hautboy, 242d bar, +there stands [Music: F E D] instead of [Music: F E E]. I have carefully +revised all the instrumental parts, but those of the brass instruments only +partially, though I believe they are tolerably correct. I would already +have sent you my score [for performance at the Aix musical festival], but I +have still a concert in prospect, if indeed my health admits of it, and +this MS. is the only score I possess. I must now soon go to the country, as +this is the only season when I profit by it. + +You will shortly receive the second copy of the "Opferlied;" mark it at +once as corrected by myself, that it may not be used along with the one you +already possess. It is a fine specimen of the wretched copyists I have had +since Schlemmer's death. It is scarcely possible to rely on a single note. +As you have now got all the parts of the _finale_ of the Symphony copied +out, I have likewise sent you the score of the choral parts. You can easily +score these before the chorus commences, and when the vocal parts begin, it +could be contrived, with a little management, to affix the instrumental +parts just above the scored vocal parts. It was impossible for me to write +all these out at once, and if we had hurried such a copyist, you would have +got nothing but mistakes. + +I send you an Overture in C, 6/8 time, not yet published; you shall have +the engraved parts by the next post. A _Kyrie_ and _Gloria_, two of the +principal movements (of the solemn Mass in D major), and an Italian vocal +duet, are also on their way to you. You will likewise receive a grand march +with chorus, well adapted for a musical performance on a great scale, but I +think you will find what I have already sent quite sufficient. + +Farewell! You are now in the regions of the Rhine [Ries at that time lived +at Godesberg, near Bonn], which will ever be so dear to me! I wish you and +your wife every good that life can bestow! My kindest and best regards to +your father, from your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +404. + +TO HERR JENGER,--VIENNA.[1] + +1824. + +MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,-- + +It will give me much pleasure to send you some day soon the score of +Matthisson's "Opferlied." The whole of it, published and unpublished, is +quite at your service. Would that my circumstances permitted me to place at +once at your disposal the greater works I have written, before they have +been heard. I am, alas! fettered on this point; but it is possible that +such an opportunity may hereafter occur, when I shall not fail to take +advantage of it. + +The enclosed letter is for Hofrath v. Kiesewetter. I beg you will be so +good as to deliver it, especially as it concerns yourself quite as much as +the Herr Hofrath. + +I am, with high esteem, your devoted friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: This note is addressed to Jenger in Vienna, a chancery +official and a musical amateur, connoisseur, factotum, and distinguished +pianist. The date is not known. The _Opferlied_ he refers to, is +undoubtedly the 2d arrangement, Op. 121-b, which according to the Leipzig +_A.M. Zeitung_ was performed as Beethoven's "most recent poetical and +musical work," at the concert in the Royal Redoutensaal, April 4, 1824.] + + +405. + +TO SCHOTT. + +I have much pleasure in herewith contributing to the "Cecilia"[1] and its +readers some Canons written by me, as a supplement to a humorous and +romantic biography of Herr Tobias Haslinger residing here, which is shortly +to appear in three parts. + +In the _first_ part, Tobias appears as the assistant of the celebrated and +solid Kapellmeister Fux, holding the ladder for his _Gradus ad Parnassum_. +Being, however, mischievously inclined, he contrives, by shaking and moving +the ladder, to cause many who had already climbed up a long way, suddenly +to fall down, and break their necks. + +He now takes leave of this earthly clod and comes to light again in the +_second_ part in the time of Albrechtsberger. The already existing Fux, +_nota cambiata_, is now dealt with in conjunction with Albrechtsberger. The +alternating subjects of the Canon are most fully illustrated. The art of +creating musical skeletons is carried to the utmost limit, &c. + +Tobias begins once more to spin his web as a caterpillar, and comes forth +again in the _third_ part, making his third appearance in the world. His +half-fledged wings bear him quickly to the Paternostergässel, of which he +becomes the Kapellmeister. Having emerged from the school of the _nota +cambiata_, he retains only the _cambiata_ and becomes a member of several +learned societies, &c. But here are the Canons. + +On a certain person of the name of Schwencke.[2] + +[Music: treble clef, key of F major, 3/4 time. +Schwen-ke dich, Schwen-ke dich oh-ne +Schwän-ke, oh-ne Schwän-ke, oh-ne Schwän-ke, oh-ne +Schwän-ke ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ +Schwen-ke dich, schwen-ke dich, schwen-ke dich ÷ ÷ +÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷] + +On a certain person of the name of Hoffmann. + +[Music: treble clef, key of C, 3/4 time. +Hoff-mann! Hoff-mann! Sei ja kein Hof-mann! +ja kein Hof-mann! nein, nein ÷ nein ÷ ÷ ÷ +ich hei-ße Hoff-mann und bin kein Hof-mann] + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: A periodical published for the musical world, and edited by a +society of _savants_, art-critics, and artists; Mayence, B. Schott & Sons. +The publishers applied to Beethoven, in the name of the editors, for a +contribution to the _Cecilia_.] + +[Footnote 2: It appears that Kapellmeister Schwencke in Hamburg, in many +complimentary and flowery phrases, had requested Beethoven to send him his +autograph. Perhaps Beethoven, to whom the sound of certain names appeared +comical, alludes here to this Hamburg Kapellmeister Schwencke.] + + +406. + +TO LUDWIG RELLSTAB. + +May 3, 1825. + +As I was just starting for the country yesterday, I was obliged to make +some preparations myself; so unluckily your visit to me was in vain. +Forgive me in consideration of my very delicate health. As perhaps I may +not see you again, I wish you every possible prosperity. Think of me when +writing your poems. + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +Convey my affectionate regards and esteem to Zelter,--that faithful prop of +true art. + +Though convalescent, I still feel very weak. Kindly accept the following +token of remembrance from + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Music: treble clef, C-major. +Das Schö-ne mit dem Guten.] + + +407. + +TO * * * + +Vienna. + +SIR,-- + +Being on the point of going into the country, and only very recently +recovered from an attack of internal inflammation, I can merely write you a +few words. In the passage in the "Opferlied," 2d strophe, where it runs +thus:-- + +[Music: C-clef on bottom line, A major, marked "Solostimme". +E-rde.] + +I wish it to be written thus:-- + +[Music: E-rde. (with different notes)] + + +408. + +TO HIS BROTHER JOHANN. + +Baden, May 6, 1825. + +The bell and bell-pulls, &c., &c., are on no account whatever to be left in +my former lodging. No proposal was ever made to these people to take any of +my things. Indisposition prevented my sending for it, and the locksmith had +not come during my stay to take down the bell; otherwise it might have been +at once removed and sent to me in town, as they have no right whatever to +retain it. Be this as it may, I am quite determined not to leave the bell +there, for I require one here, and therefore intend to use the one in +question for my purpose, as a similar one would cost me twice as much as in +Vienna, bell-pulls being the most expensive things locksmiths have. If +necessary, apply at once to the police. The window in my room is precisely +in the same state as when I took possession, but I am willing to pay for +it, and also for the one in the kitchen,--2 florins 12 kreutzers for the +two. The key I will not pay for, as I found none; on the contrary, the door +was fastened or nailed up when I came, and remained in the same condition +till I left; there never was a key, so of course neither I myself, nor +those who preceded me, could make use of one. Perhaps it is intended to +make a collection, in which case I am willing to put my hand in my pocket. + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +409. + +TO HERR VON SCHLEMMER.[1] + +SIR,-- + +It strikes me as very remarkable that Carl cannot be persuaded to go into +good society, where he might amuse himself in a creditable manner. This +almost leads me to suspect that he possibly finds recreations, both in the +evening and at night, in less respectable company. I entreat you to be on +your guard as to this, and on no pretext whatever to allow him to leave the +house at night, unless you receive a written request from me to that +effect, by Carl. He once paid a visit, with my sanction, to Herr Hofrath +Breuning. I strongly recommend this matter to your attention; it is far +from being indifferent, either to you or to me; so I would once more urge +you to practise the greatest vigilance. + +I am, sir, + +Your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: In 1825, his nephew lived with Schlemmer in the Alleengasse, +close to the Karlskirche.] + + +410. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Frau Schlemmer is to receive, or has already received, her money by our +housekeeper. Some letters must be written to-morrow. Let me know what time +would suit you best? Your + +UNCLE. + +I left my pocket-handkerchief with you. + + +411.[1] + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I have this moment got your letter. I still feel very weak and solitary, +and only read the horrid letter I enclose! I send you 25 florins to buy the +books at once, and you can spend the surplus when you require to do so. +Pray bring me back Reisser's note.[2] On Saturday, the 14th of May, I will +send a carriage into town to fetch you here; the charge is as yet very +reasonable. The old woman is to inquire what hour will suit you best; you +can set off at any time before six in the evening, so that you need neglect +nothing. Perhaps I may come myself, and then your shirts might be +purchased; in which case it would be as well if you were to be at liberty +by four o'clock; but if I do not come, which is very possible, drive +straight here at five or six o'clock in the evening. You will not thus feel +so much fatigued, and you can leave this again on Monday, if nothing is +neglected by the delay. You can take the money with you for the +Correpetitor. Are you aware that this affair of the Correpetitor, including +board and lodging, amounts to 2000 florins a year? I can write no more +to-day, I can scarcely guide my pen. Show this letter to Reisser. + +Your affectionate + +FATHER. + +[Footnote 1: I have arranged the following notes to his nephew in their +probable succession as to time. Schindler has given some of these in his +_Biography_, but quite at random, and disjointed, without any reliable +chronological order.] + +[Footnote 2: Reisser was Vice-Director of the Polytechnic Institution, +where the nephew had been placed for some time. Reisser had also undertaken +the office of his co-guardian. Beethoven sometimes writes _Reissig_.] + + +412. + +TO DR. BRAUNHOFER. + +Baden, May 13, 1825. + +MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,-- + +_Doctor._ "How does our patient get on?" + +_Patient._ "Still in a bad way, feeling weak and irritable, and I think +that at last we must have recourse to stronger medicines, and yet not too +violent; surely I might now drink white wine with water, for that +deleterious beer is quite detestable. My catarrhal condition is indicated +by the following symptoms. I spit a good deal of blood, though probably +only from the windpipe. I have constant bleeding from the nose, which has +been often the case this winter. There can be no doubt that my digestion is +terribly weakened, and in fact my whole system, and, so far as I know my +own constitution, my strength will never be recruited by its natural +powers." + +_Doctor._ "I will prescribe for you, and soon, very soon, shall your health +be restored." + +_Patient._ "How glad I should be to sit down at my writing-table, with some +cheerful companions. Reflect on this proposal." _Finis._ + +P.S. I will call on you as soon as I come to town, only tell Carl at what +hour I am likely to see you. It would be a good plan to give Carl +directions what I am to do. (I took the medicine only once, and have lost +it.) + +I am, with esteem and gratitude, + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Music: Treble clef, C major, 2/2 time. +Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt: +Rote hilft auch aus der Roth. +Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt: +Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.] + +Written on May 11th, 1825, in Baden, Helenenthal, second floor, +Anton's-Brücke, near Siechenfeld. + + +413. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, May 17. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +The weather here is abominable, and the cold greater even than yesterday; +so much so that I have scarcely the use of my fingers to write; this is the +case, however, only in the mountains, and more especially in Baden. I +forgot the chocolate to-day, and am sorry to be obliged to trouble you +about it, but all will go better soon. I enclose you 2 florins, to which +you must add 15 kreutzers; send it if possible with the post in the +afternoon; otherwise I shall have none the day after to-morrow; the people +of the house will assist you in this. May God bless you! I begin to write +again very tolerably; still, in this most dreary, cold stormy weather, it +is almost impossible to have any clear conceptions. Now as ever, + +Your good and loving + +FATHER. + + +414. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Noon, 1 o'clock. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I merely wish to let you know that the old woman is not yet returned,--why, +I cannot tell. Inquire immediately at Höbel's in the Kothgasse, whether the +Höbel who belongs to this place set off from Vienna to Baden? It is really +so distressing to me to depend on such people, that if life did not possess +higher charms, it would be utterly insupportable in my eyes. You no doubt +got my yesterday's letter, and the 2 florins for the chocolate. I shall be +obliged to drink coffee to-morrow; perhaps after all it is better for me +than chocolate, as the prescriptions of this B. [Braunhofer] have been +repeatedly wrong. Indeed he seems to me very ignorant, and a blockhead into +the bargain; he must have known about the asparagus. Having dined at the +inn to-day, I have a threatening of diarrhoea. I have no more white wine, +so I must get it from the inn, and such wine too! for which, however, I pay +3 florins! Two days ago the old woman wrote to me that she wished to end +her days in an alms-house; perhaps she will not return to me; so be it in +God's name! she will always be a wicked old woman. She ought to make +arrangements with the person whom she knows of. She wrote to me in a very +different strain from that in which she spoke to you on Sunday, and said +"that the people refused to give up the bell-pull." Who knows whether she +may not have some interest in the matter? She went into town yesterday at +six o'clock, and I begged her to make haste back here this forenoon; if she +still comes, I must go to town the day after to-morrow. Leave a written +message to say when I am to see you.... Write me a few lines immediately. +How much I regret troubling you, but you must see that I cannot do +otherwise.... Your attached + +FATHER. + +How distressing to be in such a state here! + +To Herr Carl van Beethoven, + +Vienna, Alleengasse 72, Karlskirche, 1ter Étage, at Herr Schlemmer's. + + +415. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I sent for the cabinet-maker to-day with the old--witch--to Asinanius'[1] +house. Don't forget the paintings, and the things sent in last summer; at +all events look for them. I may perhaps come on Saturday; if not, you must +come to me on Sunday. May God watch over you, my dear son. + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +I cannot write much. Send me a few words.[2] + +[Footnote 1: It was thus Beethoven named his _pseudo_-brother.] + +[Footnote 2: Underneath is written in pencil by another hand, "I shall be +at the usual place at three o'clock, _s'il vous plait_." The whole appears +to be afterwards stroked out.] + + +416. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Do send the chocolate at last by the old woman. If Ramler is not already +engaged, he may perhaps drive her over. I become daily thinner, and feel +far from well; and no physician, no sympathizing friends! If you can +possibly come on Sunday, pray do so; but I have no wish to deprive you of +any pleasure, were I only sure that you would spend your Sunday properly +away from me. + +I must strive to wean myself from everything; if I were only secure that my +great sacrifices would bring forth worthy fruits! + +Your attached + +FATHER. + + +417. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Wednesday, May 17. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +The old woman is just come, so you need be under no uneasiness; study +assiduously and rise early, as various things may occur to you in the +morning, which you could do for me. It cannot be otherwise than becoming in +a youth, now in his nineteenth year, to combine his duties towards his +benefactor and foster-father with those of his education and progress. I +fulfilled my obligations towards my own parents. In haste, + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +The old bell-pull is here. The date of my letter is wrong; it is not May +the 17th, but the 18th. + + +418. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +May 19. + +Ask the house agent about a lodging in the Landstrasse, Ungargasse, No. +345, adjoining the Bräuhaus,--four rooms and a kitchen, commanding a view +of the adjacent gardens. I hear there are various others too in the +Hauptstrasse. Give a gulden to the house agent in the Ungargasse, to +promise me the refusal of the lodgings till Saturday, when, if the weather +is not too bad, I mean to come on to fetch you. We must decide to-morrow +whether it is to be hired from Michaelmas or now. If I do come on Saturday, +take care that I find you at home. + +Your attached + +FATHER. + + +419. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Say everything that is kind and amiable from me to my esteemed +fellow-guardian, Dr. v. Reissig; I feel still too feeble to write to him +myself. I hope he will not object to your coming to me here every Saturday +evening. You are well aware that I _never abused_ such a permission when +you were at Blöchlinger's [see No. 276]. Besides, I feel sure of your +intercession _in support of my request_. + +Your attached father, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +420. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, May 23. + +I have been assured, though as yet it is only a matter of conjecture, that +a clandestine intercourse has been renewed between your mother and +yourself. Am I doomed again to experience such detestable ingratitude? No! +if the tie is to be severed, so be it! By such ingratitude you will incur +the hatred of all impartial persons. The expressions my brother made use of +yesterday before Dr. Reissig (as he says); and your own with respect to +Schönauer (who is naturally adverse to me, the judgment of the Court being +the _exact reverse of what he desired_), were such, that I will not mix +myself up with such shameful doings! No! never more! + +If you find the _Pactum_ oppressive, then, in God's name, I resign you to +His holy keeping! I have done my part, and on this score I do not dread +appearing before the Highest of all Judges. Do not be afraid to come to me +to-morrow; as yet I only _suspect_; God grant that those suspicions _may +not prove true_, for to you it would be an incalculable misfortune, with +whatever levity my rascally brother, and perhaps your mother also, may +treat the matter to the old woman. I shall expect you without fail. + + +421. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, May 31, 1825. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I intend to come to town on Saturday, and to return here either on Sunday +evening, or early on Monday. I beg you will therefore ask Dr. Bach +[advocate] at what hour I can see him, and also fetch the key from brother +Bäcker's [a brother-in-law of Johann Beethoven's], to see whether in the +room inhabited by my unbrotherly brother, the arrangements are such that I +can stay a night there; and if there is clean linen, &c., &c. As Thursday +is a holiday, and it is unlikely that you will come here (indeed I do not +desire that you should), you may easily execute these two commissions for +me. You can let me know the result when I arrive on Saturday. I don't send +you money, for if you want any, you can borrow a gulden at home. Moderation +is necessary for young people, and you do not appear to pay sufficient +attention to this, as you had _money without my knowledge, nor do I yet +know whence it came_. Fine doings! It is not advisable that you should go +to the theatre at _present_, on account of the distraction it causes. The 5 +florins procured by Dr. Reissig, I will pay off by instalments, punctually +every month. So enough of this! Misled as you have been, it would be no bad +thing were you at length to cultivate _simplicity and truth_, for my heart +has been so deeply wounded by your deceitful conduct, that it is difficult +to forget it. Even were I disposed to submit like an ox to so hard a yoke +without murmuring, if you pursue the same course towards others, you will +never succeed in gaining the love of any one. As God is my witness, I can +think of nothing but you, and my contemptible brother, and the detestable +family that I am afflicted with. May God vouchsafe to listen to my prayer, +for _never_ again can I trust you! + +Your Father, alas! + +Yet fortunately not your Father. + + +422. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, June 9, 1825. + +I wish you at least to come here on Sundays. In vain do I ask for an +answer. God help you and me! As ever, + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +I have written to Herr v. Reissig to desire you to come here on Sundays. +The _calèche_ leaves his house at six o'clock, from the _Kugel, auf der +Wieden_. You have only to work and study a little in advance, to lose +nothing. I regret being obliged to cause you this annoyance; you are to +return the same afternoon at five o'clock, with the _calèche_. Your place +is already paid for; you can shave here in the morning, and a shirt and +neckcloth will be ready for you, so that you may arrive at the right time. + +Farewell. If I reproach you it is not without good cause, and it would be +hard to have sacrificed so much, merely to bestow a _commonplace man_ on +the world. I hope to see you without fail. + +If the intrigues are already matured, say so frankly (and naturally), and +you will find one who will always be true to the good cause. The lodging A. +was again advertised in the paper on Tuesday; could you not have arranged +about this? You might at all events have done so through some one else, or +by writing, if you were at all indisposed. I should much prefer not moving, +if I were not compelled to do so. You know my mode of living here, and it +is far worse in this cold stormy weather. My continued solitude only still +further enfeebles me, and really my weakness often amounts to a swoon. Oh! +do not further grieve me, for the scythe of Death will grant me no long +delay! + +If I could find a good lodging in the Alleengasse, I would at once engage +it. + + +423. + +Tuesday Morning. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +The two patterns, one placed at the top and the other below, each 21 +florins, seem to me the best; the landlord can advise you. For the trousers +88--4-1/2. I enclose 62 florins W.W. 30 kreutzers. Give me an exact account +of how you spend this money, for it was hard to earn; still it is not worth +while, for the sake of a florin a yard, not to select the best material; so +choose, or get some one to choose for you, the best of the two at 21 +florins. Order the highest quality for your trousers also; remember you +ought never to wear your best clothes at home; no matter who comes, you +need never be well dressed in the house.[1] The moment you come home change +your good clothes, and be at your ease in those set aside for the purpose. +Farewell. Your attached + +FATHER. + +P.S. The creature went off yesterday and has not returned; we shall see how +this turns out. The old beast was determined to be off, being like a +restless wild animal devoid of purpose or reason. May Heaven have pity on +me! The new cooking began yesterday. + +[Footnote 1: See Weber's narrative in his _Biography_, Vol. II. 510. "The +square Cyclopean figure was attired in a shabby coat with torn sleeves."] + + +424. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, June 15. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I hope you received the 62 florins 30 kreutzers. If you wish to order +trousers of the same cloth, do so. You probably chose that at 25 florins, +and on such occasions the best quality should not be rejected for the sake +of a couple of florins. You may also order two pairs of trousers of the +gray cloth. You must let me know the amount of the tailor's bill, &c., &c., +which shall be paid by me. "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand +doeth." Such is the sentiment of noble-minded men. You have, alas! only +yourself to blame for my being forced to draw your attention to this. Do +not forget to call on Riess (??). May Aurora not only awaken you but speed +your industry. + +Now for my every-day household matters. The maid came indeed, but is not to +remain; in the mean time I have spoken pretty plainly to the old woman, _so +far_ as it is possible to speak to such people. + +But let us say no more of all this bedevilment. My brother _Asinanio_ has +written to me. What I find most trying of all is being alone at dinner, and +it is really surprising that I can write to you even tolerably from here. +Possibly I may come to town on Saturday, and if so you will perhaps drive +out here with me at six o'clock in the evening? + +Now farewell, my darling! deserve this name. Retain what money you require; +anything you want shall be purchased for you when I come in. I embrace you, +and hope you will be my good, studious, noble son. + +Now as ever, your attached + +FATHER. + +I should like to know that you received the money safely. Did the +Correpetitor come? + + +425. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I send you herewith the 90 florins. Get a written receipt from the landlady +to prevent all mistakes afterwards; this is the invariable custom with +those still under the control of guardians. My wafers are done; cannot you +manage to send me a box in some way or other? Acknowledge the receipt of +the money at once. God bless you! Do all you possibly can to rid me of that +old demon. + +Do not involve yourself in any clandestine doings with my brother; above +all do nothing clandestine towards me; towards your attached father. +Goodnight. Farewell! farewell! The old witch and Satan and I?! + + +426. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +I rejoice, my dear son, that you take pleasure in this new sphere, and such +being the case you must zealously strive to acquire what is necessary for +it. I did not recognize your writing; I indeed look only to the _sense_ and +_meaning_, but you must now attain some outward elegance also. If it is too +hard a task for you to come here, give it up; but if you can by any +possibility do so, I shall rejoice in my desert home to have a feeling +heart near me. If you do come, the housekeeper will settle that you leave +Vienna at five o'clock, which leaves you ample time for your studies. + +I embrace you cordially. + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +P.S. Don't forget to bring the "Morgenblatt" and Ries's letter.[1] + +[Footnote 1: A letter from Ries of this date, in the _Fischhof'sche +Handschrift_, is of sufficient interest to be given here at full length:-- + +Godesberg, June 9, 1825. + +Dearest Beethoven,--I returned a few days ago from Aix-la-Chapelle, and +feel the greatest pleasure in telling you that your new Symphony [the 9th] +was executed with the most extraordinary precision, and received with the +greatest applause. It was a hard nut to crack, and the last day I rehearsed +the _finale_ alone for three hours; but I in particular, and all the +others, were fully rewarded by the performance. It is a work beside which +no other can stand, and had you written nothing but this you would have +gained immortality. Whither will you lead us? + +As it will interest you to hear something of the performance, I will now +briefly describe it. The orchestra and choruses consisted of 422 persons, +and many very distinguished people among them. The first day commenced with +a new Symphony of mine, and afterwards Handel's _Alexander's Feast_. The +second day began with your new Symphony, followed by the _Davide Penitente_ +of Mozart, the overture to the _Flaute Magico_, and the _Mount of Olives_. +The applause of the public was almost terrific. I had been in +Aix-la-Chapelle from the 3d of May on purpose to conduct the rehearsals, +and as a mark of the satisfaction and enthusiasm of the public, I was +called forward at the close of the performance, when an ode and a laurel +crown were presented to me by a lady (a very pretty one too), and at the +same moment another poem and a shower of flowers followed from the upper +boxes. All was pleasure and contentment, and every one says that this is +the finest of the seven Whitsuntide festivals held here. + +I cannot sufficiently lament that your other music arrived too late to make +use of it. It was indeed utterly impossible to do so. I herewith send you, +my dear friend, a check for 40 Louis d'or on Heppenmayer & Co. in Vienna, +according to our agreement, and beg you will acknowledge the receipt, that +I may settle everything relating to Aix-la-Chapelle. + +I am glad that you have not accepted any engagement in England. If you +choose to reside there, you must previously take measures to ensure your +finding your account in it. From the Theatre alone Rossini got £2500. If +the English wish to do anything at all remarkable for you, they must +combine, so that it may be well worth your while to go there. You are sure +to receive enough of applause, and marks of homage, but you have had plenty +of these during your whole life. May all happiness attend you. Dear +Beethoven, yours ever, + +FERDINAND RIES.] + + +427. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, June 28, 1825. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +As in this heat you may perhaps wish to bathe, I send you two more florins. +You must be careful to take a written receipt from those to whom you pay +money; for that errors do occur is proved by the blue cloth, and the three +florins for the looking-glass. You are a thorough Viennese, and although I +do not expect you to become a W.W. (depreciated Vienna currency), still it +is no disgrace at your age to give an exact account of all that you +receive, as no one is considered to be of age till five and twenty, and +even if you had property of your own, you would be obliged to account for +it to your guardian at your present years. Let us not refer to the past; it +would be easy to do so, but only cause me pain; at last it would come to +this, "You are indeed a first-rate guardian," &c. If you had any depth of +feeling you would have acted very differently in most things. + +Now as to my domestic rabble; yesterday the kitchenmaid was off again and +got a fresh place; the cause is difficult to discover from my old witch, +who is now once more all smiles, and no longer persists in declaring that +she has incurred any _loss_ from the weekly bills; what do you think of +that? + +[The last page of this letter is an illegible fragment.] + + +428. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden. + +MY DEAR GOOD CARL,-- + +I have just got your letter this evening, and could not help laughing at +it. It was not right in the people at Mayence to have acted thus, but since +the thing has occurred, it does not signify. Our epoch requires strong +minds to scourge those frivolous, contemptible, malicious beings, repulsive +as it is to my feelings to cause pain to any man. Besides, I intended a +mere jest, and it was far from my intention to let such a thing be +printed.[1] + +You must ascertain instantly from a magistrate the proper mode of +converting the Bank obligations into Rothschild's Austrian Loan, that you +may get the authority from a magistrate (not from the _Court_ of those +_pseudo_-guardians!) + +Be good and honest; you have here an instance how people rejoice when such +men are properly estimated. Be my own dear precious son, and imitate my +virtues, but not my faults; still, though man is frail, do not at least +have worse defects than those of + +Your sincere and fondly attached + +FATHER. + +Write to me about the conversation on Sunday--it is of the _Court, +courtly_, so you must be on your guard. Holz did not come to-day; whether +he is trustworthy I cannot say. + +[Footnote 1: There is no doubt that he alludes to the severe castigation of +Haslinger in No. 405 and the _canonization_ of the two others. See also No. +440, which shows that there was something amiss with Haslinger.] + + +429. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +To-day is Friday, to-morrow Saturday. + +Here comes _Satanas_. To-day her raging fury and madness have somewhat +subsided, but if she applies to you, refer her to me the day after +to-morrow. During the whole week I was forced to submit and to suffer like +a saint. Avaunt! such dregs of the people! What a reproach to our +civilization to stand in need of a class like this, and to have those whom +we despise so constantly near us. Go with her to-morrow as formerly to the +Carolin Thor about the Seltzer water; if the small bottles are as genuine +as the larger ones, order some of them, but I think the larger size are +more likely to be the _safest_; _ce dépend de votre esprit, votre +distinction_, &c. Now farewell, my dear son; take care to get me the +genuine, and _not_ the artificial Seltzer water, and go yourself to see +about it, or I might get Heaven knows what! Farewell again, my good fellow; +we are well affected towards you, and shall expect you the day after +to-morrow at eight o'clock. Breakfast shall be ready for you, if that early +meal does not become as usual a late meal. _Ah! au diable avec ces grands +coquins de neveux, allez-vous en, soyez mon fils, mon fils bien aimé. +Adieu; je vous baise, votre père sincère comme toujours._ + + +430. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +The old goose is the bearer of this. She has given you the quills, and you +have again told an untruth. Alas! farewell. I await your report about the +book. She is going to-day to Katel, so she will have very little time for +her stupid blundering. May the Lord one day deliver me from her! _Libera me +Domine de illis_, &c. + + +431.[1] + +DEAR SON, DEAR BOY,-- + +Do not omit the point about "the happiness." I know from my experience of +the late Lichnowsky, that those so-called great personages do not like to +see an artist, who is at all events their equal, prosperous. _Voilà le même +cas, votre Altesse_, sometimes in the context V.A. The address "à son +Altesse Monseigneur le Prince," &c., &c. We cannot tell whether he may have +that weakness or not. A blank sheet ought to follow with my signature. You +might add that he must not regard the newspaper trash, the writers of +which, if I chose, would loudly trumpet forth my merits. The Quartet did +indeed fail the first time that it was played by Schuppanzigh; for on +account of his corpulence he requires more time than formerly to decipher a +piece at a glance, and many other circumstances concurred in preventing its +success, which were indeed predicted by me; for although Schuppanzigh and +two others receive pensions from royal personages [Rasumowsky], their +quartet-playing is not what it was when all four were in the habit of +constantly playing together. On the other hand, it has been six times +performed in the most admirable manner by other artists, and received with +the greatest applause; it was played twice over in one evening, and then +again after supper. A violinist of the name of Böhm means also to give it +at his benefit, and I must now let many others have it. + +Mention the Grand Quartet in your letter to Peters at Leipzig; lose no time +about this, and desire him to send me an early reply. Mischances of this +kind cannot well be avoided, and we must appear rather coy. Seal the +enclosed letter to my brother and send it to the post. Desire the tailor in +the Kärntnerstrasse to get lining for trousers for me, and to make them +long and without straps, one pair to be of kerseymere and the other of +cloth. The great-coat can be fetched from Wolf's. The shoemaker's shop is +in the "Stadt" in the Spiegelgasse, in front when coming from the Graben. +His name is Magnus Senn, at the Stadthaus, No. 1093. Call on Hönigstein [a +banker] and be _candid_, that we may really know _how this wretch has +acted_; it would be wise to ascertain this before the letter to Galitzin is +sent off. It is probable that something else may be found for you this +winter, but we can talk over the matter. Before coming here on Saturday +call on Zinbrachen in the Naglergasse about the knives, which you can send +at once; the old woman made a fine mess of it! When driving home yesterday +I met Clement, Holz, Linke, and Rtschaschek [Rzehatschek] in Neudorf; they +had all been to call on me while I was in town. They wish to have the +Quartet again. Holz drove straight back here from Neudorf and supped with +me in the evening, when I gave him the Quartet to take back with him. + +The attachment of genuine artists is not to be despised, and cannot be +otherwise than gratifying. + +Let me hear from you as soon as you have spoken with Hönigstein; write the +dedication of the Overture in C [Op. 124] to Galitzin. If the H.'s +undertake to forward it, give it to them, but look sharp about it. God be +with you, my dear son; I shall expect a letter from you without fail. May +God bless you and me. The end must soon come of your attached father. +Good-by, you scamp! + +N.B. Do not forget in your letter to Galitzin to mention that the Overture +is already announced and about to appear, engraved and dedicated to him. + +[Footnote 1: He refers to Prince Boris Gallizin and the Quartets he had +ordered. The production of the first of them in E flat major had been a +failure. See No. 399.] + + +432. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +Send this letter at once to my _pseudo_-brother, and add something +yourself. It is impossible to permit this to continue any longer; no soup +to-day, no beef, no eggs, and at last _broiled meat_ from the inn! + +When Holz was with me lately, there was really almost nothing to eat at +supper; and such is the woman's bold and insolent behavior, that I have +told her to-day I will not suffer her to remain beyond the end of the +month. No more to-day. All that is necessary about the magistrate is for me +to write a note authorizing you to draw the money, but it would be as well +were you to take the opportunity of asking what you are to do about +converting the bank shares into a share in Rothschild's Loan. I shall say +nothing further, except that I always look on you as my dear son, and one +who deserves to be so. _Little_ as I require what nourishes the body, as +you know, still the present state of things is really too bad, besides +being every moment in danger of being poisoned. + +Farewell! Be careful, my dear son, of your health in this heat; I trust you +will continue well. Shun all that may enervate or diminish your youthful +energies. Farewell! A pleasant talk together would be far better than all +this writing. Ever your loving and attached father, who fondly presses you +to his heart. + + +433. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +The enclosed will show you all. Write this letter to Schlesinger. + + To ---- Schlesinger, Berlin, + Emporium of Art and Science. + +You can couch some things in better terms. I think we may calculate on 80 +ducats. If indispensable, delay the letter to Galitzin, but be sure to +dispatch the one to Schlesinger on Saturday. I suppose you received the +packet? I beg you will bring me some shaving-soap, and at least one pair of +razors; the man who grinds them gets 2 florins. You will know if anything +is to be paid. Now pray practise economy, for you certainly receive too +much money. All in vain--a Viennese will always be a Viennese! I rejoiced +when I could assist my poor parents; what a contrast are you in your +conduct towards me! Thriftless boy, farewell! + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +Bring the newspaper with you. You have a great deal to do this time. You no +doubt will write before Sunday. Do not flatter that wretch ----. He is a +miserable, weak-minded fellow. I embrace you. My health is _no better_. + + +434. + +TO HIS BROTHER JOHANN,--GNEIXENDORF. + +Baden, July 13, 1825. + +MY WORTHY BROTHER,-- + +As you have taken such good care of the book, I beg you will take equal +care that it be returned to the proprietor here. Another pretty business! +As to your wish that I should come to see you, I long ago fully explained +myself on that point; so I request that you will never again allude to the +subject, for you will find me as immovable as ever. Pray spare me all +details, as I am unwilling to repeat what is disagreeable. You are happy, +and it is my desire that you should be so; continue thus, for every one is +best _in his own sphere_. + +I only once made use of your lodgings, but the baking-oven nearly made me +ill, so I did not go again; as I have now a lodging of my own, it is not +probable that I shall even _once_ make use of the room you offer me. When +you write, be sure to _seal_ your letters, and address them to the care of +Carl, in Vienna, as such letters cost a great deal here. I once more urge +you to restore the book belonging to the machinist, _an dem Graben_, for +such occurrences are really almost incredible, and place me in no small +embarrassment. So the book! the book! to be sent to Carl in Vienna with all +possible haste and speed. Farewell, most worthy brother! Yours, + +LUDWIG. + + +435. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, July 15. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +In your letter to Schlesinger don't forget to ask whether Prince Radziwill +is in Berlin. As to the 80 ducats, you can also write that they may be paid +in _Conventionsgulden_, at only 4 florins 30 kreutzers to the ducat; but I +leave this entirely to yourself, though gold ducats would not be too much +from one who has the right of publishing in England and also in France. You +must be quite decided too with respect to the four months' bill. A. +Mayseder receives 50 ducats for a set of violin variations! Do not fail to +call attention to the fact that my bad health and other circumstances +constrain me to look more closely after my interests than formerly. +Bargaining is odious to me, but it must be so! What are my feelings when I +find myself thus alone among these men! Be sure to forward my letter to my +brother, that the book may be restored--what a trick! I should have liked, +too, to do all I could to benefit my hearing, and here I should have had +time to do so. How melancholy to have such a brother! Alas! alas! Farewell! +I embrace you from my heart. + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +P.S. Do not be dilatory, and rise early. If you would rather not, pray do +not come on Sunday; but at all events write, though not at present, for if +you can come we can discuss all matters together. + + +436. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, July 18, Monday. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +You will see from the enclosure all that you wish to know; only observe +_moderation_. Fortune crowns my efforts, but do not lay the foundation of +misery by mistaken notions; be truthful and exact in the account of your +expenses, and give up the theatre for the present. Follow the advice of +your guide and father; be counselled by him whose exertions and aspirations +have always been directed to your moral welfare, though without neglecting +your temporal benefit. + +This Herr Thal will call on you, and he will also be at Herr Hönigstein's; +you can give him the Overture if you think fit. He is to stay three weeks. +You may invite him to dine here. Sunday would be best, as a certain scamp +comes on that day at an early hour, in a carriage that I will send for him. +Pray show some amiability of manner towards this man; art and science form +a link between the noblest spirits, and your future vocation[1] by no means +exempts you from this. You might take a _fiacre_ and drive to the copyist's +if you can spare time. With respect to the transcription of the Quartet, +you may tell him that I write very differently now, much more legibly than +during my illness; this Quartet must be written out twice, and I can send +it at once. I have had the offer of a copyist here, but I don't know what +he can do. I should be careful not to be too confidential at first with the +_Holz Christi_, or the splinter of the _Holz Christi_. + +Write to me forthwith. Perhaps the old goose may go to Vienna the day after +to-morrow. Farewell! Attend to my advice. + +Your attached + +FATHER, + +Who cordially embraces you. + +You may possibly go to D---- with this Herr Thal; do not, however, show too +much anxiety about the money. + +[Footnote 1: The nephew had now resolved on a commercial career, and on +this account entered the Polytechnic Institution.] + + +437. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +So let it be! Bring G----'s letter with you, for I have scarcely read it +myself. My _Signor Fratello_ came the day before yesterday with his +brother-in-law [see No. 435]--what a contemptible fellow! The old witch, +who went almost crazy again yesterday, will bring you the answer about the +book from his brother-in-law. If it does not convey a positive certainty on +the subject, send this letter at once to the base creature! When Cato +exclaimed, with regard to Caesar, "This man and myself!" what can be done +in such a case? I don't send the letter, for it will be time enough a +couple of days hence. It is too late to-day. I impress my love, as with a +seal, on your affectionate attachment to me. If you are likely to miss your +work by coming here, then stay where you are. + +As ever, your loving and anxious + +FATHER. + +Three times over: +________________ +|: Come soon! :| + + +438. + +TO THE COPYIST.[1] + +Read _violino 2do_--the passage in the first _Allegretto_ in the 1st +violin--thus:-- + +[Music: Treble clef, sixteenth notes.] &c. + +So write it in this way; in the first _Allegretto_, mark the signs of +expression in all the four parts: + +[Music: Treble and Bass clefs.] + +The notes are all right; so do not misunderstand me. + +Now, my good friend, as to your mode of writing--_obbligatissimo_; but the +signs [Music: piano crescendo decrescendo] &c., are shamefully neglected, +and often, very often, in the wrong place, which is no doubt owing to +haste. For Heaven's sake impress on Kempel [a copyist] to copy everything +just as it stands; look carefully over my present corrections, and you will +find all that you have to say to him. When [Music: staccato mark] is put +over a note, [Music: staccatissimo mark] is not to take its place, and +_vice versa_. It is not the same thing to write [Music: three staccatissimo +quarter notes] and [Music: three staccato quarter notes]. The [Music: +crescendo] are often purposely placed after the notes. For +instance:--[Music: three notes, decrescendo on second note]. The ties to be +just as they are now placed. It is not synonymous to write [Music: three +notes, slurred] or thus [Music: three notes, slur over first two notes]. +Such is our will and pleasure! I have passed no less than the whole +forenoon to-day, and yesterday afternoon, in correcting these two pieces, +and I am actually quite hoarse from stamping and swearing. + +In haste, yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +Pray excuse me for to-day, as it is just four o'clock. [The close of this +letter has not been deciphered by its possessor, who has traced over the +hieroglyphics with a pencil; it reads somewhat to this effect, "to go to +Carl at four o'clock. We were much amused," &c.] + +[Footnote 1: This letter is evidently written about the same time that the +copying of the A minor Quartet (Op. 132) took place, of which the letter +treats, and is probably "the enclosure" named in the following note. The +corrections, or we ought rather to say revisions, of Beethoven, are all +fully and accurately reproduced, at all events in Breitkopf & Härtel's +edition.] + + +439. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Tuesday, August 2. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +Send the enclosed to-morrow morning (Wednesday) to the post; as it refers +to corrections, _haste is absolutely necessary_. We must have done with +this evil old creature! I have scarcely enough to eat, and am forced also +to endure the sauciness and insolence of this most malicious old witch--and +with such wages too! I think I must ask my _pseudo_-brother to come, and +would be glad to engage again the woman from Winter's, in the Kothgasse, +who at least knew how to cook. + +Write me a few lines to-morrow, and direct here. I send you another florin. +Do not neglect your bathing; continue well, and guard against _illness_. +Spend your money _on good objects alone_. Be my dear son! What a frightful +discord would it be, were you to prove _false_ to me, as many persons +maintain that you already are! May God bless you! Your attached + +FATHER. + +N.B. Send off the letter to-morrow (Wednesday). I have heard nothing as yet +of the knives, and my made pens also begin to fail. + + +440. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, August + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I am in mortal anxiety about the Quartet--namely, the third, fourth, fifth, +and sixth parts, that Holz took away, while the first bars of the third +movement have been left here; the number of these sheets is 13. _I hear +nothing of Holz._ I wrote to him yesterday, and he is not usually remiss in +writing. What a sad business it will be if he has lost it! He drinks hard, +_entre nous_. Tranquillize me on this point as quickly as possible. You can +find out Linke's lodgings from Haslinger; he was here to-day and very +friendly, and brought some of the sheets and other things, and begged hard +for the new quartets. Never interfere in this kind of business; it can only +lead to what is unpleasant. For Heaven's sake pacify me about the +Quartet--a serious loss. The sketch is only written on small fragments of +paper, and I could not manage to write out the whole exactly from these. + +Your attached + +FATHER. + +I must remind you that next Sunday and Monday are holidays, so that you may +arrange accordingly. On this occasion you could perhaps, when I come in, +return with me here on Saturday evening, which would give you the whole of +Sunday morning to yourself. + + +441. + +TO ZMESKALL. + +1825. + +MY GOOD FRIEND,-- + +I had scarcely got home when I bethought me of the stuff I may have written +yesterday. Give the enclosed to Kuhlau; you know all the rest. Write to me +as soon as possible, or come here, next Thursday being a holiday, but write +beforehand. Ask if the cook understands anything about game, that she may +take the command of my game preserves for me. As to Carl, it would be +better for him to tell me about it at the _Atrapper_ at _Rosen_. All this +_prestissimo_! As for my friendship, think of me always as _Cantum firmum_. +Farewell! + +Ever your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +442. + +TO HERR FRIEDRICH KUHLAU. + +Baden, September 3, 1825. + +[Music: Alto clef, B-flat major, 4/4 time. +Kuhl nicht lau, nicht lau, Kuhl nicht lau, Kuh-lau nicht lau. +Kuhl nicht lau, Kuhl nicht lau, nicht lau. +Kuhl nicht lau, Kuhl nicht lau, Kuhl nicht lau.] + +I must admit that the champagne went a little to my head yesterday, and I +learned once more from experience, that such things rather prostrate than +promote my energies; for, though able to respond fluently at the moment, +still I can no longer recall what I wrote yesterday. + +Sometimes bear in mind your attached + +BEETHOVEN. + + +443. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +September 6, 1825. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +I see perfectly well how troublesome it would be for you all to come here; +we must therefore make an appointment to meet every Friday at +Schlesinger's, when I will come to town; for, in case any thing goes amiss, +I must be present. This is the best plan, and settles the affair. He was +here yesterday, and said that he would pay for the Quintet as soon as you +sent it to him. + +It will be enough if they play the new one only, but you can judge what is +best. If they prefer Thursday, I can be present then. Only see that they +come to an arrangement as quickly as possible, so that the money may be +transmitted to Peters in Leipzig, to whom, however, you must on no account +allude. Schlesinger scarcely expects to be still in Vienna on Sunday; haste +is therefore necessary. The ducats must be in gold; mention, as a +precedent, that others do this. + +Be sure to write to me by the old woman to-day. All I want is a rehearsal, +to see whether corrections are required. Make no delays, and take care that +the old woman sets off in good time. The best plan would be to fix where I +am to come to in town every Friday for rehearsals. If Schlesinger has +brought you the Quartet (the first), pray stand on no ceremony, for it is +clear he means to pay. + +Your letter has this moment come. So Holz is not to be here till Thursday, +and who can tell whether even this is certain? Your letter changes +everything, as Friday is now decided on. Holz can inform me whether we meet +here or in Vienna. Our main point now is with Schlesinger, for we must +delay no longer. If he is only waiting for the rehearsal, he certainly +shall not have it. He said yesterday that he would not publish the quartets +here; I told him it was a matter of entire indifference to me. May God +bless you and keep you! + +Your attached + +FATHER. + + +444. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +September. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +Do not forget to give Tobias [Haslinger] the receipt together with the +money. The gentleman ought to have come a little sooner; but as the affair +stands, you must do as he advises. I do not wish now that you should come +to me on the 19th of September. It is better to finish your studies. God +has never yet forsaken me, and no doubt some one will be found to close my +eyes. The whole thing seems to me to have been some artful collusion, in +which my brother (_pseudo_) has played a part. I also know that you have no +pleasure now in coming to me--which is only natural, for my atmosphere is +too pure for you. Last Sunday you again borrowed 1 florin 15 kreutzers from +the housekeeper, from a mean old kitchen wench,--this was already +forbidden,--and it is the same in all things. I could have gone on wearing +the out-of-doors coat for two years--to be sure I have the shabby custom of +putting on an old coat at home--but Herr Carl! What a disgrace it would be! +and why should he do so? Herr Ludwig van Beethoven's money-bags are +expressly for this purpose. + +You had better not come next Sunday, for true harmony and concord can never +exist with conduct such as yours. Why such hypocrisy? Avoid it, and you +will then become a better man, and not require to be deceitful nor +untruthful, which will eventually benefit your moral character. Such is the +impression you have made on my mind--for what avail even the most gentle +reproofs? They merely serve to embitter you. But do not be uneasy; I shall +continue to _care for you_ as much as ever. _What feelings_ were aroused in +me when I again found a florin and 15 kreutzers charged in the bill! + +Do not send any more such flimsy notes, for the housekeeper can see through +them in the light. I have just received this letter from Leipzig, but I +don't mean to send the Quartet yet; we can talk of this on Sunday. Three +years ago I only asked 40 ducats for a quartet; we must therefore refer to +the exact words you have written. + +Farewell! He who, though he did not give you life, has certainly provided +for it, and above all striven to perfect your mental culture, and been more +than a father to you, earnestly implores you to pursue steadily the only +true path to all that is good and right. Farewell! + +Bring back the letter with you on Sunday. + +Your attached and kind + +FATHER. + + +445. + +TO HERR VON SCHLESINGER. + +Vienna, September 26, 1825. + +[Music: Tenor clef, F major, 4/4 time. +Si non per Por-tus, per mu-ros, per mu-ros, per mu-ros.] + +My worthy friend, I wish you the loveliest bride! And I take this +opportunity of asking you to present my compliments to Herr Marx, in +Berlin, and beg him not to be too hard on me, and sometimes to allow me to +slip out at the backdoor. + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +446. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +Baden, October 4. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +Like the sage Odysseus, I know the best course to take; if you come on +Saturday, you need not fear the cold, for a portion of the old +window-shutters is still here, with which we can protect ourselves. I hope +also to get rid of my cold and catarrh here; at the same time this place is +a great risk in my rheumatic condition, for wind, or rather hurricanes, +still prevail here. As to Biedermann, you must inquire whether Schlesinger +gave him a commission; for if this be not the case, we ought to write at +once to Peters. You could scarcely write to me to-day, but I hope to hear +from you to-morrow, and to see you positively on Saturday. I wish you never +may have cause to feel ashamed of your want of love for me; if I alone +suffer, what matters it? I wish and hope that all the pretexts you made +here to go into Vienna may prove true. + +Rest assured that you may at all times expect every possible kindness from +me, but can I hope for the same from you? When you see me irritable, +ascribe it solely to my great anxiety on your account, for you are exposed +to many dangers. I hope at all events to get a letter from you to-morrow; +do not cause me uneasiness, but think of my sufferings. I ought not, +properly, to have any such apprehensions, but what sorrow have I not +already experienced?! + +As ever, your attached + +FATHER. + +Remember that I am all alone here, and subject to sudden illness. [On the +outside:] _N'oubliez pas de demander des quittances, et donnez-moi aussi +vite que possible des nouvelles._ + + +447. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +MY DEAR SON,-- + +Say no more! only come to my arms; not one harsh word shall you hear! For +God's sake do not bring misery on your own head. You shall be received as +lovingly as ever. We can discuss in a friendly manner what is to be done +and settled as to the future. I pledge my word of honor you shall meet with +no reproaches from me, which, indeed, could no longer avail. You need +expect only the most affectionate care and assistance from me. Only come! +Come to the faithful heart of-- + +Your father, + +BEETHOVEN. + +_Volti sub._ + +Set off the moment you receive this letter. _Si vous ne viendrez pas, vous +me tuerez sûrement. Lisez la lettre et restez à la maison chez vous. Venez +embrasser votre père, vous vraiment adonné. Soyez assuré que tout cela +restera entre nous._ For God's sake come home to-day, for we cannot tell +what risks you run,--hasten,--hasten to me! + + +448. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +October 5. + +DEAR AND MUCH-BELOVED SON,-- + +I have just received your letter. I was a prey to anguish, and resolved to +hurry into Vienna myself this very day. God be praised! this is not +necessary; follow my advice, and love and peace of mind, as well as worldly +happiness, will attend us, and you can then combine an inward and spiritual +existence with your outer life. But it is well that the _former_ should be +esteemed superior to the _latter_. _Il fait trop froid._ So I am to see you +on Saturday? Write to say whether you come early or in the evening, that I +may hasten to meet you. I embrace and kiss you a thousand times over, _not +my lost, but my new-born son_. + +I wrote to Schlemmer; do not take it amiss, but my heart is still too full +[a piece is here torn away]. Live! and my care of the son _I have found +again_ will show only love on the part of your father. [On the cover:] +_Ayez la bonté de m'envoyer_ a lucifer-match bottle and matches from +Rospini, _ou en portez avec vous, puisque de celle de Kärnthnerthor on ne +veut pas faire usage_. + + +449. + +TO HIS NEPHEW. + +_Immediate._ Baden, October 14. + +I write in the greatest haste to say, that even if it rains, I shall +certainly come in to-morrow forenoon; be sure, therefore, that I find you +at home. + +I rejoice at the thoughts of seeing you again, and if you detect any heavy +clouds lowering, do not attribute them to deliberate anger, for they will +be wholly chased away by your promise to strive more earnestly after the +true and pure happiness, based on active exertion. Something hovered before +me in my last letter, which though perhaps _not quite justly_ yet called +forth a dark mood; this, after all that has passed, was indeed very +possible; still who would not rejoice when the transgressor returns to the +right path?--and this I hope I shall live to see. I was especially pained +by your coming so late on Sunday, and hurrying away again so early. I mean +to come in to-morrow with the joiner and to send off these old hags; they +are too bad for anything. Until the other housekeeper arrives, I can make +use of the joiner. More of this when we meet, and I know you will think I +am right. Expect me then to-morrow without fail, whether it rains or not. + +Your loving + +FATHER, + +Who fondly embraces you. + + +450. + +TO THE ABBÉ MAXIMILIAN STADLER. + +February 6, 1826. + +REVEREND AND HONORED SIR,-- + +You have really done well in rendering justice to the _manes_ of Mozart by +your inimitable pamphlet, which so searchingly enters into the matter [the +Requiem], and you have earned the gratitude of the lay and the profane, as +well as of all who are musical, or have any pretensions to be so. To bring +a thing of this kind forward as H.W.[1] has done, a man must either be a +great personage, or a nonentity. Be it remembered also that it is said this +same person has written a book on composition, and yet has ascribed to +Mozart such passages as the following:-- + +[Music: Bass clef] + +and has added such things as,-- + +[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major. +A-gnus de-i +pec-ca-ta mun-di.] + +[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major. +Qui tol-lis pec-ca-ta, qui tol-lis pec-ca-ta,] + +as samples of his own composition! H.W.'s astonishing knowledge of harmony +and melody recall the old composers of the Empire,--Sterkel, [illegible,] +Kalkbrenner (the father), André, &c. + +_Requiescant in pace!_ I especially thank you, my dear friend, for the +pleasure you have conferred on me by your pamphlet. I have always accounted +myself one of Mozart's greatest admirers, and shall continue to be so to my +last breath. I beg, venerable sir, for your blessing, and I am, with +sincere esteem and veneration, yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Gottfried Weber, the well-known theorist, who was one of those +engaged in the dispute as to the genuineness of Mozart's Requiem.] + + +451. + +TO GOTTFRIED WEBER. + +April 3, 1826. + +Holz tells me that it is your intention to publish a larger size of the +engraving representing Handel's monument, in St. Peter's Church in London. +This affords me extreme pleasure, independent of the fact that I was the +person who suggested this. Accept my thanks beforehand. + +I am your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +452. + +TO HERR PROBST, MUSIC PUBLISHER,--LEIPZIG. + +Vienna, June 3, 1826. + +SIR,-- + +I always consider myself in some degree bound to make you the offer of my +compositions when it is possible to do so. I am at this moment more at +liberty than usual. I was obliged to give my minor works to those who took +the greater ones also, as without the former they refused to accept the +latter. So far as I remember, however, you wished to have nothing to do +with the greater works. In this view, I offer you an entirely new Quartet +for two violins, viola and violoncello; you must not, however, be surprised +at my demanding the sum of 80 gold ducats for it. I assure you, upon my +honor, that the same sum has been remitted to me for several quartets. I +must request you, in any event, to write to me on this point as soon as +possible. Should you accept my offer, I beg you will send the money to some +bank here, where I can receive it on delivery of the work. If the reverse +be the case, I shall equally expect an immediate reply, as other publishers +have already made me offers. I have also the following trifles ready, with +which I can supply you. A Serenade-congratulatory-Minuet, and an +_Entr'acte_, both for a full orchestra,--the two for 20 gold ducats. In the +hope of a speedy answer, + +I am, sir, your obedient + +BEETHOVEN. + + +453. + +TO STEPHAN V. BREUNING.[1] + +MY DEAR AND MUCH-LOVED STEPHAN,-- + +May our temporary estrangement be forever effaced by the portrait I now +send. I know that I have rent your heart. The emotion which you cannot fail +now to see in mine has sufficiently punished me for it. There was no malice +towards you in my heart, for then I should be no longer worthy of your +friendship. It was _passion_ both on _your_ part and on _mine_; but +mistrust was rife within me, for people had come between us, unworthy both +of _you_ and of _me_. + +My portrait[2] was long ago intended for you; you knew that it was destined +for some one--and to whom could I give it with such warmth of heart as to +you, my faithful, good, and noble Stephan? + +Forgive me for having grieved you; but I did not myself suffer less when I +no longer saw you near me. I then first keenly felt how dear you were, and +ever will be to my heart. Surely you will once more fly to my arms as you +formerly did. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler places this letter in the summer of 1826, when his +nephew attempted self-destruction in Baden, which reduced Beethoven to the +most miserable state of mind, and brought afresh to his recollection those +dear friends of his youth, whom he seemed almost to have forgotten in the +society of Holz and his colleagues. Schindler states that the more +immediate cause of this estrangement was Breuning having tried to dissuade +him from adopting his nephew. Dr. v. Breuning in Vienna is of opinion that +the reunion of the two old friends had already occurred in 1825, or even +perhaps at an earlier period. I am not at present capable of finally +deciding on this discrepancy, but I believe the latter assertion to be +correct.] + +[Footnote 2: Schindler says, "It was Stieler's lithograph, which the +_maestro_ had previously sent to Dr. Wegeler." See No. 459.] + + +454. + +TO STEPHAN VON BREUNING. + +MY BELOVED FRIEND,-- + +You are harassed by work, and so am I--besides, I am still far from well. I +would have invited you to dinner ere this, but I have been obliged to +entertain people whose most highly prized author is _the cook_, and not +finding his interesting productions at home, they hunt after them in the +kitchens and cellars of others [Holz for instance]. Such society would not +be very eligible for you, but all this will soon be altered. In the mean +time do not buy Czerny's "School for the Pianoforte;"[1] for in a day or +two I expect to get some information about another. Along with the "Journal +des Modes" that I promised to your wife, I also send something for your +children. I can always regularly transmit you the journal--you have only to +express your wish on any point, for me to comply with it at once. + +I am, with love and esteem, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +I hope we shall soon meet. + +[Footnote 1: Czerny, _The Vienna Pianoforte Teacher; or, theoretical and +practical mode of learning how to play the piano skilfully and beautifully +in a short time by a new and easy method_. Vienna: Haslinger. See No. 455.] + + +455. + +TO STEPHAN V. BREUNING + +MY DEAR GOOD FRIEND,-- + +I can at length realize my boast, and send you Clement's long-promised +"Pianoforte School" for Gerhard [Breuning's eldest son]. If he makes the +use of it that I advise, the results cannot fail to be good. I shall see +you very shortly now, and cordially embrace you. Your + +BEETHOVEN. + + +456.[1] + +TESTIMONIAL FOR C. HOLZ. + +Vienna, August 30, 1826. + +I am happy to give my friend Carl Holz the testimonial he wishes, namely, +that I consider him well fitted to write my Biography hereafter, if indeed +I may presume to think that this will be desired. I place the most implicit +confidence in his faithfully transmitting to posterity what I have imparted +to him for this purpose. + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Carl Holz ceded his rights to Dr. Gassner, who however died in +1851 without having completed any biography of Beethoven. In the +_maestro's_ bequest, which Gassner's widow was so kind as to show me, there +was nothing new (at least to me) except two letters included in this +collection and a couple of anecdotes. Schindler also states that Beethoven +subsequently repented of the authority he had given Holz and declared he +did so too hastily.] + + +457. + +TO CARL HOLZ. + +Both the gentlemen were here, but they have been admonished on every side +to observe the most strict secrecy with regard to the Order. Haslinger +declares that in this respect you are a son of the deceased Papageno. +_Prenez garde!_ + +I told Carl to-day it was definitively settled that he could not quit the +hospital except with you or me. I dine at home to-morrow, so I shall be +very glad if you can come. As you have no official work to-morrow you might +arrive later, but it is very necessary that you should come. _Portez-vous +bien, Monsieur terrible amoureux._[1] + +Your _indeclinable_ friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: This letter contains all kinds of dashes and flourishes, which +prove that the _maestro_ was in his happiest mood when he wrote it. His +nephew was at that time in the hospital, probably owing to his attempt at +suicide.] + + +458. + +TO THE KING OF PRUSSIA. + +YOUR MAJESTY,-- + +One of the greatest pieces of good fortune of my life is your Majesty +having graciously permitted me respectfully to dedicate my present work +[the 9th Symphony] to you. + +Your Majesty is not only the father of your subjects, but also a patron of +art and science; and how much more precious is your gracious permission to +me, from being myself so fortunate as to be numbered among your subjects, +being a citizen of Bonn. + +I beg your Majesty will vouchsafe to accept this work as a slender token of +the profound admiration with which I regard your virtues. + +I am, your Majesty's obedient humble servant, + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + + +459. + +TO WEGELER. + +Vienna, October 7, 1826. + +MY OLD AND BELOVED FRIEND,-- + +I really cannot express the pleasure your letter and that of your Lorchen +caused me. An answer speedy as an arrow's flight ought indeed to have +responded, but I am always rather indolent about writing, because I think +that the better class of men know me sufficiently without this. I often +compose the answer in my head, but when I wish to write it down I generally +throw aside the pen, from not being able to write as I feel. I recall all +the kindness you have ever shown me; for example, your causing my room to +be whitewashed, which was an agreeable surprise to me. It was just the same +with all the Breuning family. Our separation was in the usual course of +things; each striving to pursue and to attain his object; while at the same +time the everlasting and immutable principles of good still held us closely +united. I cannot unfortunately write so much to you to-day as I could wish, +being confined to bed,[1] so I limit my reply to some points in your +letter. + +You write that in some book I am declared to be the natural son of the late +King of Prussia; this was mentioned to me long ago, but I have made it a +rule never either to write anything about myself, or to answer anything +written by others about me. I therefore gladly devolve on you the duty of +making known to the world the respectability of my parents, and especially +that of my mother. + +You write to me about your son. There is no possible doubt that when he +comes here he will find a friend and a father in me, and whenever it may be +in my power to serve or to assist him, I will gladly do so. + +I still have the _silhouette_ of your Lorchen, by which you will see how +dear to me to this hour are all those who were kind and loving to me in the +days of my youth. As to my diploma, I may briefly state that I am an +Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Science in Sweden [see No. 338] and +in Amsterdam, and that I have been presented with the Honorary Citizenship +of Vienna. A Dr. Spiecker lately took with him to Berlin my last Grand +Symphony with Choruses; it is dedicated to the King, and I wrote the +dedication with my own hand. I had previously applied at the Embassy for +permission to dedicate the work to the King, which has now been +accorded.[2] By desire of Dr. Spiecker I gave him the manuscript I had +myself corrected, and with my own amendments, to present to the King, as it +is to be deposited in the Royal Library. I received a hint at the time +about the second class of the Order of the Red Eagle; I do not know what +the result may be, for I have never sought such distinctions, though in +these days for many reasons they would not be unwelcome to me. Besides, my +maxim has always been,--_Nulla dies sine linea_; and if I allow my Muse to +slumber, it is only that she may awake with fresh vigor. I hope yet to +usher some great works into the world, and then to close my earthly career +like an old child somewhere among good people.[3] You will soon receive +some music through the Brothers Schott, in Mayence. The portrait which I +now send you is indeed an artistic masterpiece, but not the last that has +been taken of me. I must tell you further, what I know you will rejoice to +hear, with regard to marks of distinction. The late King of France sent me +a medal with the inscription, _Donné par le Roi à M. Beethoven_, +accompanied by a very polite letter from _le premier gentilhomme du Roi, le +Duc de Châtres_. + +My beloved friend, excuse my writing more to-day, for the remembrance of +the past has deeply affected me, and not without many tears have I written +this letter. The oftener you write the more pleasure will you confer on me. +There can be no question on either side as to our friendship, so farewell. +I beg you will embrace your dear children and your Lorchen in my name, and +think of me when you do so. May God be with you all. + +As ever, your attached friend, with sincere esteem, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: On which account this letter is dictated, and only signed by +Beethoven, who was at that time at his brother's house in the +country--Gneixendorf, near Krems, on the Danube.] + +[Footnote 2: In consequence of his application to the King of Prussia to +subscribe to his Mass, of which he had sent the MS., Beethoven received the +following intimation:-- + +_To the Composer Ludwig van Beethoven._ + +Berlin, Nov. 25, 1826. + +"It gave me great pleasure to receive your new work, knowing the +acknowledged value of your compositions. I thank you for having sent it to +me, and present you with a ring of brilliants, as a token of my sincere +appreciation. + +"FRIEDRICH WILHELM." + +Schindler adds that the stones in the ring were false, and casts a +suspicion of fraud on the Chancery Director of that day, W----.] + +[Footnote 3: It was during those weeks that he wrote the second _Finale_ to +the B. flat major Quartet, Op. 130, little anticipating that this was to be +his "Swan song."] + + +460. + +TO TOBIAS HASLINGER.[1] + +[Music: Bass clef. C major. +Bester--] + +No time is left to-day for further words and vocalization. I beg you will +at once deliver the enclosed letter. Pray forgive my causing you this +trouble; but, as you are the owner of an artistic post-office, it is +scarcely possible not to take advantage of this. + +You will perceive that I am now at Gneixendorf. The name sounds like the +breaking of an axletree. The air is healthy. The _memento mori_ must be +applied to all else. Most marvellous and best of all Tobiases, we salute +you in the name of the arts and poets! + +I remain yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The music alone and the words "I remain" at the close, are in +Beethoven's writing. The rest is probably written by his nephew, with whom +he had been obliged to take refuge in the house of his odious brother near +Krems, because the police had intimated to the young delinquent that he +must leave Vienna. See No. 435 on the subject of Beethoven's repugnance to +live in his brother's family circle, whose ignoble wife treated the +gray-haired and suffering _maestro_ as badly as possible.] + + +461. + +TO TOBIAS HASLINGER. + +GNEIXENDORF, October 13, 1826. + +BEST OF ALL TOBIASES,-- + +[Here follow eight bars of music.] + +We are writing to you from the castle of our _Signor Fratello_. I must +again intrude on you by the polite request to post the two enclosed letters +without delay. + +I will repay you for the time I kept the "School for the Pianoforte" and +all the other expenses as soon as I return to Vienna. I am staying here +longer, owing to the weather being so fine, and also not having gone to the +country at all during the summer. A quartet[1] for Schlesinger is already +finished; only I don't know which is the safest way to send it to you, that +you may give it to Tendler and Manstein and receive the money in return. +Schlesinger will probably not make the remittance in _gold_, but if you can +contrive that I should get it, you would very much oblige me, as all my +publishers pay me in gold. Besides, my worthy _Tobiasserl_, we stand in +need of money, and it is by no means the same thing whether we have money +or not. If you get a sight of Holz make sure of him, and nail him at once. +The passion of love has so violently assailed him that he has almost taken +fire, and some one jestingly wrote that Holz was a son of the deceased +Papageno. + +Most astounding, most admirable, and most _unique_ of all Tobiases, +farewell! If not inconvenient, pray write me a few lines here. Is Dr. +Spiecker still in Vienna? I am, with highest consideration and fidelity, + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Probably the one in F, Op. 135.] + + +462. + +TO CARL HOLZ. + +Dec. 1826. + +YOUR OFFICIAL MAJESTY,-- + +I wrote to you on my arrival here a few days ago, but the letter was +mislaid; I then became so unwell that I thought it best to stay in bed. I +shall therefore be very glad if you will pay me a visit. You will find it +less inconvenient, because every one has left Döbling to go to town. I only +add, in conclusion,[1] + +[Music: Bass clef, C major, 3/4 time. +Wir ir-ren al-le Samt, Nur je-der ir-ret an-derst.] + +As ever, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Here Beethoven's own writing begins. The slight indisposition +that he mentions, in the course of a few days became a serious illness, the +result of which was dropsy, and from this the _maestro_ was doomed never to +recover. Indeed from that time he never again left his bed.] + + +463. + +TO DR. BACH.[1] + +Vienna, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1827. + +MY RESPECTED FRIEND,-- + +I hereby declare, at my decease, my beloved nephew, Carl van Beethoven, +sole heir of all my property, and of seven bank shares in particular, as +well as any ready money I may be possessed of. If the law prescribes any +modifications in this matter, pray endeavor to regulate these as much as +possible to his advantage. + +I appoint you his curator, and beg that, together with Hofrath Breuning, +his guardian, you will supply the place of a father to him. + +God bless you! A thousand thanks for all the love and friendship you have +shown towards me. + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: The signature alone is in Beethoven's writing.] + + +464. + +TO WEGELER. + +Vienna, February 17, 1827. + +MY OLD AND WORTHY FRIEND,-- + +I received your second letter safely through Breuning. I am still too +feeble to answer it, but you may be assured that its contents were most +welcome and agreeable to me.[1] My convalescence, if indeed I may call it +such, makes very slow progress, and there is reason to suspect that a +fourth operation will be necessary, although the medical men have not as +yet decided on this. I arm myself with patience, and reflect that all evil +leads to some good. I am quite surprised to find from your last letter that +you had not received mine. From this one you will see that I wrote to you +on the 10th of December last. It is the same with the portrait, as you will +perceive from the date, when you get it. "Frau Steffen spake the word:" +Michael Steffen insisted on sending them by some private hand; so they have +been lying here until this very day, and really it was a hard matter to get +them back even now. You will receive the portrait by the post, through the +Messrs. Schott, who have also sent you the music. + +How much is there that I would fain say to you to-day; but I am too +weak,[2] so I can only embrace you and your Lorchen in spirit. With true +friendship and attachment to you and yours, + +Your old and faithful friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Wegeler had reminded him of Blumenauer, who, after being +operated on for dropsy, lived for many years in perfect health. He at the +same time suggested to him the plan of going with him in the ensuing summer +to one of the Bohemian baths, proposing to travel by a circuitous route to +the Upper Rhine, and from thence to Coblenz.] + +[Footnote 2: Beethoven's last letter to Wegeler. The signature alone is +his.] + + +465. + +TO SIR GEORGE SMART,--LONDON. + +Feb. 22, 1827. + +I remember that some years ago the Philharmonic Society proposed to give a +concert for my benefit. This prompts me to request you, dear sir, to say to +the Philharmonic Society that if they be now disposed to renew their offer +it would be most welcome to me. Unhappily, since the beginning of December +I have been confined to bed by dropsy,--a most wearing malady, the result +of which cannot yet be ascertained. As you are already well aware, I live +entirely by the produce of my brains, and for a long time to come all idea +of writing is out of the question. My salary is in itself so small, that I +can scarcely contrive to defray my half-year's rent out of it. I therefore +entreat you kindly to use all your influence for the furtherance of this +project,--your generous sentiments towards me convincing me that you will +not be offended by my application. I intend also to write to Herr Moscheles +on this subject, being persuaded that he will gladly unite with you in +promoting my object. I am so weak that I can no longer write, so I only +dictate this. I hope, dear sir, that you will soon cheer me by an answer, +to say whether I may look forward to the fulfilment of my request. + +In the mean time, pray receive the assurance of the high esteem with which +I always remain, &c., &c. + + +466. + +TO HERR MOSCHELES. + +Vienna, Feb. 22, 1827. + +DEAR MOSCHELES,-- + +I feel sure that you will not take amiss my troubling you as well as Sir G. +Smart (to whom I enclose a letter) with a request. The matter is briefly +this. Some years since, the London Philharmonic Society made me the +handsome offer to give a concert in my behalf. At that time I was not, God +be praised! so situated as to render it necessary for me to take advantage +of this generous proposal. Things are, however, very different with me now, +as for fully three months past I have been entirely prostrated by that +tedious malady, dropsy. Schindler encloses a letter with further details. +You have long known my circumstances, and are aware how, and by what, I +live: a length of time must elapse before I can attempt to write again, so +that, unhappily, I might be reduced to actual want. You have not only an +extensive acquaintance in London, but also the greatest influence with the +Philharmonic; may I beg you, therefore, to exercise it, so far as you can, +in prevailing on the Society to resume their former intention, and to carry +it soon into effect. + +The letter I enclose to Sir Smart is to the same effect, as well as one I +already sent to Herr Stumpff.[1] I beg you will yourself give the enclosed +letter to Sir Smart, and unite with him and all my friends in London in +furthering my object. Your sincere friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Stumpff, a Thuringian maker of harps, came to Vienna in 1824, +recommended to our _maestro_ by Andreas Streicher in a letter of Sept. 24, +in these words:--"The bearer of this is Herr Stumpff, an excellent German, +who has lived for thirty-four years in London. The sole reason of his going +to Baden is to see you, my revered Beethoven, the man of whom Germany is so +proud. Pray receive him in a kind and friendly manner, as beseems the saint +to whose shrine the pious pilgrim has made so long a journey." In 1826 he +presented Beethoven with the English edition of Handel's works in 40 folio +volumes, which the _maestro_ constantly studied during his last illness. +Gerhard v. Breuning, when a youth of fourteen, either held up the separate +volumes for him, or propped them against the wall.] + + +467. + +TO SCHINDLER. + +The end of February, 1827. + +When we meet we can discuss the mischance that has befallen you. I can send +you some person without the smallest inconvenience. Do accept my offer; it +is, at least, something. Have you had no letters from Moscheles or Cramer? +There will be a fresh occasion for writing on Wednesday, and once more +urging my project. If you are still indisposed at that time, one of my +people can take the letter, and get a receipt from the post-office. + +_Vale et fave._ I need not assure you of my sympathy with your misfortune. +Pray allow me to supply board for you in the mean time. I offer this from +my heart. May Heaven preserve you! Your sincere friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + + +468. + +TO BARON VON PASQUALATI.[1] + +March 6, 1827. + +MY MUCH-ESTEEMED OLD FRIEND,-- + +My warmest thanks for the kind present you have sent me for the benefit of +my health; as soon as I have found what wine is most suitable for me I will +let you know, but not abuse your kindness. I like the _compote_ much, and +shall again apply to you for some. Even this costs me an effort. _Sapienti +pauca._ + +Your grateful friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Traced in feeble and trembling characters. Some other hand has +written on it, "March 6, 1827."] + + +469. + +TO BARON VON PASQUALATI. + +MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,-- + +I beg you will send me some more of the cherry _compote_, but without +lemons, and quite simple. I should also like a light pudding, almost +liquid, my worthy cook not being very experienced in invalid diet. I am +allowed to drink _champagne_, and I wish you would send me for to-day a +champagne glass with it. Now, as to wine, Malfatti wished me to drink +moselle, but declared that no genuine moselle could be got here; so he gave +me several bottles of _Krumbholzkirchner_,[1] deeming this best for my +health, as no really good moselle is to be had. Pray forgive my troubling +you, and ascribe it chiefly to my helpless condition. + +I am, with much esteem, your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Gumpoldskirchner--a celebrated and generous Austrian wine.] + + +470. + +TO SIR GEORGE SMART,--LONDON. + +March 6, 1827. + +DEAR SIR,-- + +I make no doubt that you have already received through Herr Moscheles my +letter of February 22, but as I found your address by chance among my +papers, I do not hesitate to write direct to yourself, to urge my request +once more on you in the strongest terms. + +I do not, alas! even up to the present hour, see any prospect of the +termination of my terrible malady; on the contrary, my sufferings, and +consequently my cares, have only increased. I underwent a fourth operation +on the 27th of February, and possibly fate may compel me to submit to this +a fifth time, and perhaps oftener. If this goes on, my illness will +certainly continue one half the summer, and in that case, what is to become +of me? How am I to subsist until I can succeed in arousing my decayed +powers, and once more earn my living by my pen? But I do not wish to plague +you by fresh complaints; so I only refer you to my letter of the 22d +February, and entreat you to use all your influence with the Philharmonic +Society to carry now into execution their former proposal of a concert for +my benefit. + + +471. + +TO BARON VON PASQUALATI. + +MY WORTHY FRIEND,-- + +I am still confined to my room; be so good, therefore, as to tell me, or +rather, I should say, write to me, the name of the person who values this +house, and where he is to be found. If you have any Muterhall [?] medicine +I beg you will think of your poor Austrian musician and citizen of the +guild. + +BEETHOVEN. + + +472.[1] + +TO BARON VON PASQUALATI. + +March 14, 1827. + +MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,-- + +Many thanks for the dish you sent me yesterday, which will suffice for +to-day also. I am allowed to have game; and the doctor said that fieldfares +were very wholesome for me. I only tell you this for information, as I do +not want them to-day. Forgive this stupid note, but I am exhausted from a +sleepless night. I embrace you, and am, with much esteem, your attached +friend. + +[Footnote 1: In a tremulous hand,--"March 14, 1827."] + + +473. + +TO HERR MOSCHELES. + +Vienna, March 14, 1827. + +MY DEAR MOSCHELES,-- + +I recently heard, through Herr Lewisey,[1] that in a letter to him of the +10th February, you had made inquiries as to the state of my health, about +which such various rumors have been circulated. Although I cannot possibly +doubt that you have by this time received my letter of February 22d, which +explains all you wish to know, still I cannot resist thanking you for your +sympathy with my sad condition, and again imploring you to attend to the +request contained in my first letter. I feel already certain that, in +conjunction with Sir Smart and other friends, you are sure to succeed in +obtaining a favorable result for me from the Philharmonic Society. I wrote +again to Sir Smart also on the subject. + +I was operated on for the fourth time on the 27th of February, and now +symptoms evidently exist which show that I must expect a fifth operation. +What is to be done? What is to become of me if this lasts much longer? Mine +has indeed been a hard doom; but I resign myself to the decrees of fate, +and only constantly pray to God that His holy will may ordain that while +thus condemned to suffer death in life, I may be shielded from want. The +Almighty will give me strength to endure my lot, however severe and +terrible, with resignation to His will. + +So once more, dear Moscheles, I commend my cause to you, and shall +anxiously await your answer, with highest esteem. Hummel is here, and has +several times come to see me. + +Your friend, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler mentions, on Beethoven's authority, that this +gentleman translated Beethoven's letters to Smart into English, which his +nephew had previously done.] + + +474.[1] + +TO SCHINDLER.-- + +March 17, 1827. + +WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL!-- + +Both the learned gentlemen are defeated, and I shall be saved solely by +Malfatti's skill! You must come to me for a few minutes without fail this +forenoon. + +Yours, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: Schindler dates this note March 17, 1827, and says that these +are the last lines Beethoven ever wrote. They certainly were the last that +he wrote to Schindler. On the back of the note, in another writing +(probably Schindler's), the receipt is given in pencil for the bath with +hay steeped in it, ordered by Malfatti, which the poor invalid thought had +saved his life. The "learned gentlemen" are Dr. Wawruch and the surgeon +Seibert, who had made the punctures.] + + +475. + +TO MOSCHELES. + +Vienna, March 18, 1827. + +No words can express my feelings on reading your letter of the 1st of +March. The noble liberality of the Philharmonic Society, which almost +anticipated my request, has touched me to my inmost soul.[1] I beg you, +therefore, dear Moscheles, to be my organ in conveying to the Society my +heartfelt thanks for their generous sympathy and aid. + +[Say[2] to these worthy men, that if God restores me to health, I shall +endeavor to prove the reality of my gratitude by my actions. I therefore +leave it to the Society to choose what I am to write for them--a symphony +(the 10th) lies fully sketched in my desk, and likewise a new overture and +some other things. With regard to the concert the Philharmonic had resolved +to give in my behalf, I would entreat them not to abandon their intention. +In short, I will strive to fulfil every wish of the Society, and never +shall I have begun any work with so much zeal as on this occasion. May +Heaven only soon grant me the restoration of my health, and then I will +show the noble-hearted English how highly I value their sympathy with my +sad fate.] I was compelled at once to draw for the whole sum of 1000 +gulden, being on the eve of borrowing money. + +Your generous conduct can never be forgotten by me, and I hope shortly to +convey my thanks to Sir Smart in particular, and to Herr Stumpff. I beg you +will deliver the metronomed 9th Symphony to the Society. I enclose the +proper markings. + +Your friend, with high esteem, + +BEETHOVEN. + +[Footnote 1: A hundred pounds had been sent at once.] + +[Footnote 2: In the original the words placed within brackets are dictated +by Beethoven himself, and were indeed the last he ever dictated--but they +are crossed out.] + + +476. + +CODICIL.[1] + +Vienna, March 23, 1827. + +I appoint my nephew Carl my sole heir. The capital of my bequest, however, +to devolve on his natural or testamentary heirs. + +LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.[2] + +[Footnote 1: See No. 463. Schindler relates:--"This testament contained no +restrictions or precautionary measures with regard to his heir-at-law, who, +after the legal forms connected with the inheritance were terminated, was +entitled to take immediate possession of the whole. The guardian and +curator, however, knowing the unexampled levity of the heir, had a valid +pretext for raising objections to these testamentary depositions. They +therefore suggested to the _maestro_, to alter his intentions in so far as +to place his property in trust; his nephew to draw the revenue, and at his +death the capital to pass to his direct heirs. Beethoven, however, +considered such restraints as too severe on the nephew whom he still so +dearly loved in his heart [since December of the previous year the young +man had been a cadet in a royal regiment at Iglau, in Moravia], so he +remonstrated against this advice; indeed he reproached Hofrath Breuning as +the person who had suggested such harsh measures. A note, still extant, +written by Breuning to Beethoven, shows the state of matters, in which he +still maintains, though in moderate language, the absolute necessity of the +above precautions. This mode of argument seemed to make an impression on +the _maestro_, who at last promised to yield his own wishes. By his desire, +Breuning laid the codicil of three lines before him, and Beethoven at once +proceeded to copy it, which was no easy matter for him. When it was +finished he exclaimed, 'There! now I write no more!' He was not a little +surprised to see on the paper the words 'heirs of his body' changed into +'natural heirs.' Breuning represented to him the disputes to which this +destination might give rise. Beethoven replied that the one term was as +good as the other, and that it should remain just as it was. _This was his +last contradiction._"] + +[Footnote 2: Next day, at noon, he lost consciousness, and a frightful +death-struggle began, which continued till the evening of March 26, 1827, +when, during a violent spring storm of thunder and lightning, the sublime +_maestro_ paid his last tribute to that humanity for which he had made so +many sacrifices in this world, to enter into life everlasting, which, from +his life and actions, few could look forward to more hopefully.] + + + + +INDEX. + + +Academies, concerts given by Beethoven, so called. + The grand concerts of the year 1824. + +Address and appeal to London artists, from Beethoven. + +Adlersburg, Dr. von, Court advocate and barrister at Vienna, "a most +inconsiderate character," for some time Beethoven's lawyer. + +Aesthetical observations on particular subjects. + +Albrechtsberger, the popular theorist and composer, Kapellmeister at St. +Stephen's in Vienna, for some time, about the year 1795, Beethoven's +instructor in musical composition. + +Amenda of Courland, afterwards rector in Talsen. + +"A.M.Z." _See_ Leipzig "Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung." + +André, composer and music publisher in Offenbach on the Maine. + +Archduke Carl. + +Arnim, Frau von. _See_ Brentano, Bettina. + +Artaria, print and music publisher in Vienna. + +Attorney, power of. + +Augarten, the well-known park near Vienna, in which morning concerts were +frequently given. + +Augsburg. + +Austria, Beethoven's sentiments respecting that country, his second +father-land. + + +Bach, Dr. Johann Baptist, Court advocate and barrister, from the year 1816 +Beethoven's lawyer at Vienna. + +Bach, Johann Sebastian. + +Baden, near Vienna, a favorite watering-place, to which Beethoven often +resorted. + +Bauer, chief secretary to the Austrian Embassy in London. + +Baumeister, private secretary to the Archduke Rudolph. + +Beethoven's brother Carl, born at Bonn in 1774, instructed in music by +Beethoven; afterwards came to Vienna, where he occupied the appointment of +cashier in the Government Revenue (died Nov. 15, 1815). + + His brother Johann, born in 1776, an apothecary, first in Linz, + afterwards in Vienna, and at a later period proprietor of Gneixendorf, an + estate near Krems, on the Danube; named by Beethoven, "Braineater," + "Pseudo-brother," "Asinanios," &c. + + His brother Ludwig Maria. + + His father, Johann, son of Ludwig van Beethoven, Kapellmeister to the + Elector of Cologne, Court tenor singer at the Electoral Chapel at Bonn, a + man possessing no considerable mental endowments, but an excellent + musician, and Beethoven's first instructor in music. Unhappily, he was so + addicted to habits of intemperance, that he greatly impoverished his + family, the care of which, owing to the father's recklessness, devolved + entirely upon his son Ludwig (died Dec. 1792). + + His grandfather, Ludwig van Beethoven, Kapellmeister to the Elector of + Cologne (died 1774). + + His mother, Maria Magdalena Kewerich, the wife, first of Leym of + Ehrenbreitstein, cook to the Elector of Treves, and afterwards of Johann + van Beethoven, in Bonn, Court tenor singer to the Elector of Cologne. She + gave birth to her illustrious son Ludwig on Dec. 17, 1770, and died July + 17, 1787. + + His nephew, Carl, son of his brother Carl, Beethoven's ward from the year + 1815. + Entered the Blöchlinger Institute, at Vienna, June 22, 1819. + Letters to him from Beethoven. + + His sister-in-law, Johanna, wife of his brother Carl and mother of his + nephew, named by Beethoven "The Queen of the Night." + +Beethoven's _Works. In General._ + +I. _For pianoforte only._ + Sonatas of the year 1783. + Op. 22. + Op. 31. + Op. 90. + Op. 106. + Op. 109. + Op. 111. + _Variations_. + _Bagatelles_. + "Allegri di Bravoura." + +II. _For pianoforte with obbligato instruments._ + For pianoforte and violin:--Sonatas. + Sonatas with violoncello. + Twelve Variations in F on the Theme from "Figaro," "Se vuol ballare." + Rondo. + Variations with violoncello and violin. + for hautboys and horn. + Trios. + Concertos. + Fantasia with chorus. + +III. _Quartets._ + +IV. _Instrumental pieces._ + Septet. + Quintets. + Violin Romance. + +V. _Orchestral music._ + Symphonies. + The Ninth. + Minuet and Interlude. + Music for the ballet of "Prometheus." + "Egmont." + "King Stephen." + "The Ruins of Athens." + "Wellington's Victory at Vittoria." + March to "Tarpeia." + Gratulation Minuet. + Marches. + Overtures. + +VI. _Vocal music._ + "Adelaide." + "Ah! Perfido." + "Heart, my Heart," and "Knowest Thou the Land?" + "To Hope." + Aria for bass voice with chorus. + Terzet on Count Lichnowsky. + Canon for Spohr. + "The Glorious Moment." + On Mdlle. Milder-Hauptmann. + Scotch songs. + Canon for Schlesinger; + for the Archduke Rudolph; + on Tobias Haslinger. + Various songs; + two grand songs with chorus from Goethe and Matthisson. + Choruses. + "Empitremate." + Elegy. + "Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt." + Opferlied. + Canons; + for Rellstab; + for Braunhofer; + for Kuhlau; + for Schlesinger. + Terzet. + +VII. _Operas._ + Grillparzer's "Melusina." + "Fidelio" in Dresden. + +VIII. _Church music and Oratorios._ + "Missa solennis." + +Benedict, Julius, in London, a composer, the pupil of C.M. von Weber. + +Berlin. + +Bernard, Carl, an author, editor of the "Wiener Zeitschrift." + +Bihler, J.N., a special admirer of Beethoven, one of the subscribers to, +and the bearer of, the address presented to Beethoven in the year 1824, in +which the master was requested again to present himself and his works to +the Viennese public. + +Birchall, music publisher in London. + +"Birne, zur goldnen," an eating-house in the Landstrasse, Vienna. + +Blöchlinger, proprietor of an educational institution at Vienna. + +Bocklet, Carl Maria, of Prague, pianist in Vienna. + +Böhm, Joseph, a distinguished concerto violinist, professor at the Vienna +Conservatory, and the teacher of Joachim. + +Bolderini. + +Bonn, residence of the Elector of Cologne, and Beethoven's birthplace, +which he left in the year 1792, never again to visit. + +Braunhofer, Dr., for some time Beethoven's surgeon at Vienna. + +Breitkopf & Härtel, the well-known book and music publishers in Leipzig. + +Brentano, Bettina, became Frau von Arnim in 1811. + +Brentano, Clemens, the poet. + +Brentano, F.A., merchant at Frankfort, an admirer of Beethoven's music. +_See also_ Tonie. + +Breuning, Christoph von. + +Breuning, Dr. Gerhard von, Court physician at Vienna, son of Stephan von +Breuning. + +Breuning, Eleonore von, daughter of Councillor von Breuning, in Bonn, the +friend and pupil of Beethoven; in 1802 became the wife of Dr. Wegeler, +afterwards consulting physician at Coblenz. + +Breuning, Frau von, widow of Councillor von Breuning, into whose house +Beethoven was received as one of the family, and where he received his +first musical impressions. + +Breuning, Lenz (Lorenz), youngest son of the "Frau Hofrath." + +Breuning, Stephan von, of Bonn; came to Vienna in the spring of 1800, where +he became councillor, and died in 1827. + +Browne, Count, of Vienna, an admirer of Beethoven's music. + +Brühl, the, a village and favorite pleasure resort near Vienna. + +Brunswick, Count Franz von, of Pesth, one of Beethoven's greatest admirers +and friends in Vienna. + +Bonaparte, Ludwig, King of Holland. + + +"Cäcilia, a Journal for the Musical World," &c. + +Carl, Archduke. _See_ Archduke Carl. + +Carlsbad. + +Cassel. + +Castlereagh, the well-known English minister. + +Cherubini. Visited Vienna in 1805. + +Clement, Franz, born 1784, died 1842, orchestral director at the "Theater +an der Wien." + +Clementi. + +Collin, the famous Austrian poet. + +Cornega, a singer in Vienna commended to Beethoven by Schindler. + +Court Theatre, Beethoven's letter to the directors of the. + +Cramer, John, the celebrated London pianist, also a music publisher. + +Czerny, Carl, in Vienna, the well known writer of pianoforte studies. + +Czerny, Joseph, in Vienna. + + +Deafness of Beethoven. + +De la Motte-Fouqué, the poet of "Undine," which he had arranged as an Opera +libretto for T.A. Hoffmann. + +Del Rio, Giannatasio, proprietor of an academy at Vienna, under whose care +Beethoven placed his nephew Carl from the year 1816 to 1818. + +Diabelli, Anton, composer and music publisher in Vienna. + +Döbling, Ober- and Unter-Döbling, near Vienna, Beethoven's occasional +summer residence. + +Dresden. + +Drossdick, Baroness Thérèse, to whom Beethoven was greatly attached. + +Duport, director of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre in the year 1823. + + +Eisenstadt, in Hungary, the residence of Prince Esterhazy, where Beethoven +remained on a visit in the years 1794 and 1808. + +English language, Beethoven's correspondence in the. + +Erdödy Countess, in Vienna, one of Beethoven's best friends. + +Ertmann, Baroness Dorothea (_née_ Graumann), a friend of Beethoven, and one +of the most accomplished pianists in Vienna; she especially excelled in the +performance of Beethoven's compositions. + +Esterhazy, Prince Paul, son of the protector of Haydn, and himself, at a +later period, an ardent admirer of that master. + + +France. + +Frank, Dr. + +Frank, Frau, in Vienna. + +"Frau Schnaps," Beethoven's housekeeper during the latter years of his +life; called also "The Fast-sailing Frigate" and "The Old Goose." + +French language, Beethoven's correspondence in the. + +Fries, Count, in Vienna, an admirer of Beethoven's works. + +Fux, the well-known old theorist and composer, in Vienna, author of the +"Gradus ad Parnassum." + + +Gallizin, Prince Nikolaus Boris, at St. Petersburg, a zealous friend of +art, from whom Beethoven received an order for his last quartet. + +Gebauer, Franz Xaver, founder of the "Concerts Spirituels" at Vienna. + +Gerardi, Mdlle. + +Girowetz, Court musical director at the "Burgtheater." + +Giuliani, a celebrated guitar player at Vienna. + +Gläser, Beethoven's copyist from the year 1823. + +Gleichenstein, Baron, of Rothweil, near Freiburg in Breisgau, a friend of +Beethoven at Vienna. He left Vienna about the year 1815, and only revisited +that city once afterwards, in 1824. + +Gneixendorf, the estate of Beethoven's brother Johann, near Krems, on the +Danube, which Beethoven visited, accompanied by his nephew, in the autumn +of 1826. + +Goethe. + +Gratz, in Styria. + +Grillparzer. + +Guicciardi, Countess Giulietta, Beethoven's "immortal beloved." + + +Hammer-Purgstall, the distinguished Orientalist in Vienna. + +Handel. + +Haslinger, Tobias, music publisher at Vienna. + +Hauschka, Vincenz, Government auditor, a friend of Beethoven. + +Heiligenstadt, near Vienna, a favorite summer residence of Beethoven, +where, among other works, the "Pastoral Symphony" was written by him. + +Hetzendorf, a favorite suburban residence near Vienna. + +Hoffmann, Th. Amadeus. + +Hofmeister, Kapellmeister and music publisher, first in Vienna, and +afterwards in company with Kühnel in Leipzig (now Peters's Bureau de +Musique). _See also_ Peters. + +Holz, Carl, Government official at Vienna, an accomplished violinist, born +in 1798; became a member of the Schuppanzigh Quartets in 1824, and +afterwards director of the Concerts Spirituels in that capital; a Viennese +of somewhat dissolute habits, by whom even the grave master himself was at +times unfavorably influenced. + +Homer, especially the Odyssey, a favorite study of Beethoven. + +Hönigstein, a banker in Vienna. + +Hummel, Johann Nepomuk, the celebrated composer and pianist, a pupil of +Mozart, and for some time Beethoven's rival in love matters, having married +the sister of the singer Röckel, to whom Beethoven also was much attached +(_see also_ Schindler's "Biography," i. 189). + +Hungary, Beethoven there. + + +Imperial Court at Vienna. + +Imperial High Court of Appeal, letter from Beethoven to the. + + +Jenger, Chancery officer in the Imperial War Office at Vienna, a passionate +lover of music. + + +Kalkbrenner. + +Kandeler, testimonial from Beethoven in favor of. + +Kanne, F.A., at Vienna, highly appreciated in his day as a poet, composer, +and critic, an intimate friend of Beethoven, and occasionally his guest +(_see also_ Schindler's "Biography," i. 228). + +Kauka, Dr., Beethoven's advocate in Prague. + +Kiesewetter, Councillor von, in Vienna, the popular writer on the science +of music, one of the subscribers to the great address presented to +Beethoven in February, 1824. + +Kinsky, Prince Ferdinand, of Bohemia, one of Beethoven's most devoted +patrons in Vienna. + +Kinsky, Princess. + +Kirnberger, of Berlin, the well-known theorist. + +Koch, Barbara, of Bonn, daughter of the landlord of the "Zehrgaden," the +friend of Eleonore von Breuning, an amiable and intelligent lady, at whose +house the leading persons of the town were accustomed to assemble; she +afterwards became governess to the children of Count Belderbusch, whom she +married in 1802. + +Könneritz, Von, principal director of the Court band and Opera in Dresden. + +Kraft, Anton, a celebrated violoncello-player in Vienna. + +Kuhlau, Friedrich, the distinguished flute-player, a great admirer of +Beethoven's music. + +Kühnel, in Leipzig. _See_ Hofmeister. + + +Laibach, the Philharmonic Society of. + +Landrecht, Beethoven's address to the honorable members of the. + +Leidesdorf, M.J., composer and music publisher in Vienna, a subscriber to +the great address presented to Beethoven in 1824. + +Leipzig "Allgemeine Zeitung," established in 1798; its remarks at first +unfavorable towards Beethoven. + +Lichnowsky, Count Moritz, brother of Prince Carl Lichnowsky, and, like him, +the friend and patron of Beethoven. Schindler, in his "Biography," i. 241, +n., relates as follows:--"The acute perception of the Count led him, on a +nearer acquaintance with the work, to surmise that it had been written with +some special intentions. On being questioned on this matter, the author +replied that he had intended to set the Count's love-story to music, and +that if he needed titles for it, he might write over the first piece, +'Fight between Head and Heart,' and over the second, 'Conversation with the +Loved One.' After the death of his first wife, the Count had fallen deeply +in love with a distinguished opera singer, but his friends protested +against such an alliance. After a contest of many years' duration, however, +he at last succeeded, in 1816, in removing all hindrances to their union." + +Lichnowsky, Prince Carl, a friend and pupil of Mozart, and afterwards a +most zealous patron of Beethoven in Vienna (died April 15, 1814). + +Liechtenstein, Princess, in Vienna, Beethoven's patroness. + +Linke, born 1783, a distinguished violoncello player, member of the +Rasumowsky Quartets. + +Lobkowitz, Prince, one of Beethoven's most zealous patrons in Vienna. + +London, England, and the English. + +Luther. + + +Maelzel, mechanician to the Imperial Court of Vienna, the well-known +inventor of the metronome. + +Malchus, a youthful friend of Beethoven in Bonn, in later years Minister of +Finance of the kingdom of Westphalia, and afterwards of that of Wirtemberg +(died at Stuttgart in 1840). + +Malfatti, Dr., a celebrated surgeon in Vienna; Beethoven under his +treatment in 1814. + +Marconi, contralto singer in Vienna. + +Marx, A.B., music director and professor at the University of Berlin; +edited, when in his twentieth year, the "Berliner Musikzeitung," a journal +whose publication, unfortunately, lasted but a few years only. Next to T.A. +Hofmann, he was the first who fully and thoroughly appreciated Beethoven's +music in all its depth and grandeur, and who manfully and intelligently +defended the lofty genius of the master against the base attacks to which +it was at times exposed; he has remained until the present day the most +efficient representative of the progress of musical art. + +Matthisson, the poet. + +Maximilian Franz, youngest brother of the Emperor Joseph II., Elector of +Cologne from the year 1785, and one of the noblest and most zealous patrons +of the young Beethoven, on whom, in 1785, he conferred the appointment of +Court organist, and in 1787, with a view to the further cultivation of his +talents, sent him to Vienna, assisting him in every way until the year +1794, at which period his country fell entirely under the dominion of +France (died in 1801). + +Maximilian, Friedrich, Elector of Cologne until the year 1784; the first +noble patron of Beethoven, whom he placed under the instruction of the +Court organist Von der Eeden, and afterwards, on the death of that +musician, under Neefe; as an acknowledgment for which kindness, and in +proof of the success which had attended his studies, the young composer, +then only eleven years of age, dedicated his first sonatas to his +benefactor. + +Mayseder, the celebrated violinist (died at Vienna in 1863). + +Meyer, Friedrich Sebastian, a singer (born 1773, died 1835), the husband of +Mozart's eldest sister-in-law, who frequently, even in Beethoven's +presence, made some boastful remark in praise of his deceased relative; +such as "My brother-in-law would not have written that!" + +Metronome, an instrument for measuring tune in music, invented about the +year 1815 by Maelzel, of Vienna, and often employed and spoken of by +Beethoven. + +Milder-Hauptmann, Mdlle., the celebrated singer, first in Vienna and +afterwards in Berlin. + +Mödling, a village near Vienna, and Beethoven's favorite summer residence. + +Mollo, music publisher in Vienna, afterwards the firm of Steiner & Co., and +at a later period that of Haslinger. + +Mölk, the celebrated abbey on the Danube. + +Mölker Bastei, the, at Vienna, on several occasions Beethoven's residence +in the house of Baron von Pasqualati (_see also_ Schindler's "Biography," +i. 187). + +Moscheles. + +Mosel, Hofrath Ignaz von, in Vienna, a well-known music writer, and the +founder of the Conservatory of Music in that capital. + +Mozart. + +Munich. + +Mythological subjects, reference made to, by Beethoven, who, as it is well +known, possessed a considerable acquaintance with ancient history. + + +Nägeli, Hans Georg, the distinguished founder of men's vocal unions in +Switzerland, also a popular composer of vocal music, a music publisher, +and, at a later period, educational inspector in Zurich. + +Napoleon, when General Bonaparte, so greatly admired by Beethoven, that on +the occasion of that General's appearance, the master was incited to +compose the "Eroica," which he dedicated to him ("Napoleon +Buonaparte--Luigi van Beethoven"). On hearing, however, of the coronation +of his hero as Emperor, he angrily cast aside the intended presentation +copy of his work, and refused to send it to him. + +Neate, Charles, a London artist, and a great admirer of Beethoven, with +whom he became acquainted in Vienna in the year 1816. + +Nussböck, town sequestrator at Vienna, for some time the guardian of +Beethoven's nephew. + +Nussdorf, a favorite summer residence on the Danube, near Vienna. + + +Oliva, a philologist and friend of Beethoven. According to Schindler +("Biography," i. 228), he repaired to St. Petersburg in 1817, in which city +he settled as professor of German literature; Schindler is, however, +mistaken in the date which he has given. + +Oppersdorf, Count Franz von, Beethoven's friend and patron. + + +Pachler-Koschak, Marie, of Gratz, to whom Beethoven was warmly attached. + +Papageno. + +Paris. + +Parry, Captain, wrote on the music of the Esquimaux. + +Pasqualati, Baron von, merchant in Vienna, an ardent admirer of Beethoven, +and his constant benefactor. In 1813 Beethoven again occupied apartments +appropriated to his use by the Baron at his residence on the Mölker Bastei, +and remained there until 1816. + +Penzing, a village near Vienna, a favorite summer residence. + +Peters, C.F., "Bureau de Musique" in Leipzig (_see also_ Hofmeister). + +Peters, councillor of Prince Lobkowitz at Vienna, a friend of Beethoven. + +Philharmonic Society in London. In Laibach. + +Pianoforte, Beethoven's remarks concerning the. + +Pilat, editor of the "Austrian Observer." + +Plutarch. + +Portraits of Beethoven. + +Potter, Cipriani, pianist in London. + +Prague. + +Prince Regent, the, afterwards George IV. of England. + +Probst, music publisher in Leipzig. + +Prussia. + +Punto (_alias_ Stich) a celebrated horn player, to whom Beethoven was +mainly indebted for his knowledge of that instrument (died 1804). + + +"Queen of the Night." _See_ Beethoven's sister-in-law. + + +Radziwill, Prince, at Berlin, a devoted patron of music and the composer of +music to "Faust." + +Rampel, Beethoven's copyist about the year 1824. + +Rasumowsky, Count, afterwards Prince, Russian ambassador at Vienna, an +ardent lover of music. + +Recke, Elise von der, the well-known poetess. + +Reisser, vice-director of the Polytechnic Institution at Vienna, +co-guardian of Beethoven's nephew in the year 1825. + +Religious and moral sentiments on particular subjects. + +Rellstab, Ludwig, a writer and poet, for many years editor of the +"Vossische Zeitung," in Berlin. + +Ries, Ferdinand, son of the preceding, a pupil of Beethoven and a +distinguished composer. Quitted Vienna in 1805, and, with the exception of +a short residence there, on his return from Russia in the autumn of 1808, +never again returned to that capital (Schindler, i. 227). + +Ries, Franz, Court musician to the Elector of Cologne, a helpful friend to +Beethoven (born 1755). + +Rochlitz, Friedrich, the well-known writer on the science of music, and for +nearly twenty-five years editor of the Leipzig "Allgemeine Musikzeitung," a +man who, notwithstanding his entire lack of historical acumen and his +limited acquaintance with the technicalities of music, did very much +towards liberating the art from its mechanical condition, and promoting its +intellectual appreciation by the public. He was in Vienna in the year 1822, +where he became personally acquainted with Beethoven, but never fully +appreciated the genius of the master,--a circumstance which Beethoven +himself most deeply felt, even after the retirement of Rochlitz from the +editorship of that journal, and which formed the subject of many ironical +remarks on the part of Beethoven respecting these representatives of the +so-called Old-German national composers. + +Röckel, singer of the part of Florestan in Vienna in 1806, still living at +Bath, in England. + +Rode, the celebrated violinist; came to Vienna in the winter of 1812-13, +where he became acquainted with Beethoven. + +Rudolph, Archduke, youngest brother of the Emperor Franz, born 1788, died +1831, a passionate lover of music, and himself a composer; he became +Beethoven's pupil in 1808, and in 1819 Cardinal-Archbishop of Olmütz. + +Russia. + +Rzehatschek, in Vienna. + + +Salieri, Kapellmeister at Vienna, a contemporary and rival of Haydn and +Mozart, for some time Beethoven's instructor in the dramatic style. + +Salomon, J.P., of Bonn, the celebrated violinist, until the year 1782 +director of the concerts of Prince Heinrich of Prussia; he afterwards came +to London, where he became chiefly instrumental in the introduction of +German music into that capital; as is well known, it was owing to him also +that J. Haydn was induced to visit England. + +Sarastro. + +Sartorius, royal censor at Vienna (_see also_ Schindler's "Biography," ii. +69). + +Saxony. _See also_ Dresden. + +Schade, Dr., advocate at Augsburg, a helpful friend of the young Beethoven. + +Schenk, the well-known composer of the "Village Barber," for some time +Beethoven's instructor in Vienna (died 1836). + +Schiller. + +Schindler, Anton, of Moravia, Beethoven's sincere friend and biographer +(born 1790, died 1864); he became acquainted with Beethoven towards the end +of March, 1814. + +Schlemmer, for many years Beethoven's copyist until 1823. + +Schlemmer, a gentleman living in the Alleengasse, auf der Wieden, in whose +house Beethoven placed his nephew Carl (not to be confounded with the +copyist of the same name). + +Schlesinger, Moritz, music publisher in Berlin and Paris. + +Schmidt, Dr., army surgeon in Vienna. + +Schoberlechner, Franz, pianist. + +Scholz, music director in Warmbrunn. + +Schönauer, Dr., Court advocate and barrister at Vienna, appointed by +Beethoven's brother Carl testamentary trustee to his nephew--an intriguing +lawsuit-pettifogger. + +Schott, music publisher in Mayence. + +Schröder, Wilhelmine, the great singer. + +Schuppanzigh, Ignaz, born 1776, died 1830, the celebrated violinist, whose +extraordinary corpulence was a frequent subject of Beethoven's witticisms; +he was, however, the first who fully appreciated Beethoven's music for +stringed instruments, which he performed in a masterly manner. Resided in +Russia from 1816 to 1823. + +Schweiger, Joseph Freiherr von, chamberlain to the Archduke Rudolph. + +Schweizer, Ed. Friedrich von, chamberlain to the Archduke Anton, an admirer +of Beethoven's music and subscriber to the address of February 1824. + +Sebald, Auguste, the singer. + +Seibert, Dr., surgeon in Vienna, Beethoven's operator. + +Seyfried, Ignaz Ritter von, the well-known composer, publisher of the +spurious edition of "Studies by Ludwig van Beethoven," Kapellmeister in +Vienna. + +Shakespeare, deeply read and greatly admired by Beethoven. + +Siboni, a distinguished tenorist in Vienna. + +Sight, Beethoven's weakness of. + +Simrock, Court musician (horn player) to the Elector of Cologne, and music +publisher in Bonn, a friend of Beethoven's early days. + + His son, the present proprietor of the business in Bonn, at Vienna in the + summer of 1816. + +Sketch by Beethoven. + +Smart, Sir George, music publisher in London, a great admirer of +Beethoven's music. + +Smetana, Dr., surgeon at Vienna; gained considerable popularity by his +treatment of deafness. + +"Society of Friends to Music in the Austrian States" at Vienna. + +Sonntag, Henriette, the celebrated singer. + +Spiecker. Dr., of Berlin. + +Spohr. + +Stadler, Abbé Maximilian (born 1748, died 1833), a composer, and the friend +of Mozart; an opponent of the Beethoven school of music (_see_ Schindler's +"Biography," i. 80; ii. 109). + +Standenheim, a celebrated physician in Vienna. + +Stein, pianoforte manufacturer at Vienna, brother of Frau Nanette +Streicher. + +Steiner, S.A., music publisher in Vienna, succeeded by T. Haslinger. + +Sterkel, Franz Xaver, a pleasing pianist and composer, whom Beethoven +visited at Aschaffenburg in 1791, and greatly astonished by his pianoforte +playing. + +Stoll, a young poet at Vienna. + +Streicher, Andreas, the well-known friend of Schiller's early days. He +married, when in his nineteenth year, Nanette Stein, only daughter of the +celebrated pianoforte manufacturer at Augsburg, whom he took with him to +Vienna, where he first became teacher of the pianoforte, and afterwards, by +the assistance of his wife, who had made herself acquainted with her +father's art, founder of the celebrated Streicher pianoforte manufactory. +Schindler, in his "Biography," i. 187, speaks of the interest taken by Frau +Streicher in Beethoven's domestic matters. + +Stumpff, harp manufacturer in London, an admirer of Beethoven's works. + +Swedish Academy of Music. + + +Theatres: + Josephstadt; + Kärnthnerthor; + "An der Wien." + +Tiedge, the poet of "Urania," and also of the song "An die Hoffnung," so +much admired by Beethoven, and several times set to music by him. + +Tonie, Antonie, of Birkenstock, daughter of a family in Vienna from which +Beethoven received great kindness from the first period of his residence in +that capital, and in which, in the year 1810, Bettina lived, who afterwards +became the wife of B.A. Brentano, a merchant in Frankfort, to whom +Beethoven was greatly indebted. + +Töplitz, in Bohemia. + +Trautmannsdorf, Prince, High Chamberlain. + +Travels and travelling projects of Beethoven. _See also_ London. + +Treitschke, stage poet at Vienna. + + +Unger, the celebrated singer. + +University, the, of Vienna. + +Ursulines, convent of the, at Gratz, in Styria, music supplied by Beethoven +in aid of. + + +Varenna, Kammerprocurator at Gratz. + +Varnhagen von Ense. + +Vering, Dr., army surgeon at Vienna. + +Vienna, Beethoven's settled residence from the year 1792, of which, +however, he never spoke favorably. + + +Wawruch, Dr., clinical professor, Beethoven's last surgeon. + +Weber, Carl Maria von. + +Weber, Gottfried, theorist and composer. + +Wegeler, Dr., of Bonn, an early friend of Beethoven. + +Weigl, Joseph, composer of the "Swiss Family," Kapellmeister at Vienna. + +Weinmüller, singer at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre. + +Weiss, tenor player at Vienna. + +Westphalia, Beethoven offered the appointment of Kapellmeister to the King +of, in 1808. + +Wieden, a suburb of Vienna, on several occasions Beethoven's residence. + +Wieland. + +Wills, Beethoven's. + +Wolf, Dr., advocate in Prague. + + +Zelter, the song composer and friend of Goethe, director of the Academy of +Vocal Music at Berlin. + +Zmeskall von Domanowecz, Court secretary at Vienna, one of Beethoven's +earliest friends in the Imperial city, a good violoncello player and also a +composer. + +Zulehner, music publisher at Mayence. + +Zurich. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Vol. 2, +by Lady Wallace + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13272 *** |