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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume
-III (of 3), by Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)
-
-Author: Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-Translator: Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
-Release Date: August 29, 2013 [EBook #43593]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF BEETHOVEN, VOL III ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
-produced from images generously made available by The
-Internet Archive/American Libraries and Google Print.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43593 ***
Transcriber's Note
@@ -54,7 +17,7 @@ Bold text is indicated by ~tildes~, and italics by _underscores_.
[Illustration: BEETHOVEN in 1814
-Engraved by Blasius Höfel
+Engraved by Blasius Höfel
After a crayon sketch by Louis Latronne]
@@ -99,9 +62,9 @@ Contents of Volume III
PAGE
- CHAPTER I. The Year 1819--Guardianship of Beethoven’s
+ CHAPTER I. The Year 1819--Guardianship of Beethoven’s
Nephew Karl--Mother and Uncle in a Legal Struggle--The
- Lad’s Education--Conversation Books--A Wedding
+ Lad’s Education--Conversation Books--A Wedding
Song--In Travail with the Mass in D--The
Commission for an Oratorio from the Gesellschaft
der Musikfreunde--Visits from Zelter and Friedrich
@@ -109,8 +72,8 @@ Contents of Volume III
CHAPTER II. End of the Litigation over the Guardianship of
the Nephew--A Costly Victory--E. T. A. Hoffmann--An
- Analytical Programme--Beethoven’s Financial Troubles--Adagios
- and English Hymn-Tunes--Stieler’s
+ Analytical Programme--Beethoven’s Financial Troubles--Adagios
+ and English Hymn-Tunes--Stieler’s
Portrait--Arrested as a Vagrant--Negotiations for the
Mass in D begun with Simrock--The Last Pianoforte
Sonatas--Compositions of the Years 1820 and 1821 24
@@ -118,10 +81,10 @@ Contents of Volume III
CHAPTER III. The Year 1822--The Mass in D--Beethoven
and His Publishers--Simrock--Schlesinger--C. F.
Peters--Phantom Masses--Johann van Beethoven:
- His Appearance and Character--Becomes His Brother’s
+ His Appearance and Character--Becomes His Brother’s
Agent--Meetings with Rochlitz and Rossini--Franz
- Schubert--“The Consecration of the House”--Revival
- of “Fidelio”--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The
+ Schubert--“The Consecration of the House”--Revival
+ of “Fidelio”--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The
Bagatelles--A Commission from America 51
CHAPTER IV. The Year 1823--The Roman Ritual and
@@ -129,32 +92,32 @@ Contents of Volume III
Courts--Incidents of the Appeal--Goethe and Cherubini
Enlisted as Agents--A Medal from the King of
France--Further Negotiations with Publishers and
- Societies--Operatic Projects--Consideration of Grillparzer’s
- “Melusine”--The Diabelli Variations--Summer
- Visitors--An Englishman’s Story--Weber and Julius
+ Societies--Operatic Projects--Consideration of Grillparzer’s
+ “Melusine”--The Diabelli Variations--Summer
+ Visitors--An Englishman’s Story--Weber and Julius
Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt
- and Beethoven’s Kiss 89
+ and Beethoven’s Kiss 89
CHAPTER V. The Year 1824--The Symphony in D
Minor--Its Technical History--The Choral Finale
- and Schiller’s “Ode to Joy”--First Performance of the
+ and Schiller’s “Ode to Joy”--First Performance of the
Work and Portions of the Mass--An Address to
Beethoven--Laborious and Protracted Preparations
- for the Concert--A Financial Failure--Beethoven’s
+ for the Concert--A Financial Failure--Beethoven’s
False Accusations against Friends and Helpers Drive
Them from the Dinner-Table 144
CHAPTER VI. Incidents and Labors of the Year 1824--A
Truce with the Hated Sister-in-Law--The Gesellschaft
- der Musikfreunde’s Oratorio--Bernard’s Libretto--The
+ der Musikfreunde’s Oratorio--Bernard’s Libretto--The
Society Forgives Beethoven His Debt and
- Elects Him an Honorary Member--Book of “The
- Victory of the Cross”--Summer Sojourn at Penzing
+ Elects Him an Honorary Member--Book of “The
+ Victory of the Cross”--Summer Sojourn at Penzing
Interrupted by Curious Visitors--The London Philharmonic
Society Receives the Symphony in D
Minor--Further Negotiations for the Mass--New
Publishers--Probst--Schott and Sons--A Visitor from
- London--Beethoven’s Opinion of His Predecessors--The
+ London--Beethoven’s Opinion of His Predecessors--The
Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127--Trip to England Determined
Upon 170
@@ -167,40 +130,40 @@ Contents of Volume III
from Schuppanzigh after a First Performance--Karl
Holz--Beethoven Authorizes Him to Write the History
of His Life--Early Biographers--Visits of Rellstab, Kuhlau,
- Smart and Others--Sir George Smart’s Recollections--
+ Smart and Others--Sir George Smart’s Recollections--
Dedication of the Mass in D--Stephan von
Breuning--Wegeler asks Beethoven to Defend the Honor
of His Mother--The Quartets in A Minor and B-flat 186
CHAPTER VIII. A Year of Sickness and Sorrow--The
Last String Quartets--Wolfmayer Commissions a
- “Requiem” and Pays in Advance--Many Works _in
+ “Requiem” and Pays in Advance--Many Works _in
petto_--Controversy with Prince Galitzin and His
- Son--The Fugue in the B-flat Quartet--“Muss es
- sein?”--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--The King
- of Prussia and His Gift of a Dubious Diamond--Abbé
- Stadler--Beethoven Defends Mozart’s “Requiem”--Friedrich
- Wieck--Beethoven Goes to His Brother’s
+ Son--The Fugue in the B-flat Quartet--“Muss es
+ sein?”--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--The King
+ of Prussia and His Gift of a Dubious Diamond--Abbé
+ Stadler--Beethoven Defends Mozart’s “Requiem”--Friedrich
+ Wieck--Beethoven Goes to His Brother’s
Summer Home--Life at Gneixendorf--Relations with
- His Brother’s Family--Young Oxen Thrown into a Panic
+ His Brother’s Family--Young Oxen Thrown into a Panic
Fear--The Quartet in F and a New Finale for the
- Quartet in B-flat--The Year 1826--Beethoven’s Last
+ Quartet in B-flat--The Year 1826--Beethoven’s Last
Compositions 218
CHAPTER IX. Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward
and an Unwise Guardian--Beethoven and his Graceless
Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father--A Profligate
- Youth--Effect of the Guardianship on Beethoven’s
+ Youth--Effect of the Guardianship on Beethoven’s
Character--An Unsuccessful Attempt at Self-destruction--
Karl is Made a Soldier 247
- CHAPTER X. The Last Days at Gneixendorf--A Brother’s
+ CHAPTER X. The Last Days at Gneixendorf--A Brother’s
Warning--Beethoven and His Kinspeople--The Fateful
Journey to Vienna--The Fatal Illness--The Physicians
and Their Treatment--The Nephew Exonerated
- from a Slanderous Accusation--Schindler’s Disingenuousness--
+ from a Slanderous Accusation--Schindler’s Disingenuousness--
Dr. Malfatti Forgets a Resentment Harbored
- for more than a Decade--Beethoven and Handel’s
+ for more than a Decade--Beethoven and Handel’s
Scores--A Gift of 100 Pounds Sterling from the London
Philharmonic Society--Eventual Disposition of the
Money--Metronome Marks for the Ninth Symphony--Death
@@ -220,7 +183,7 @@ Chapter I
The key-note for much that must occupy us in a survey of the year 1819
-is sounded by A New Year’s Greeting to Archduke Rudolph. Beethoven
+is sounded by A New Year’s Greeting to Archduke Rudolph. Beethoven
invokes all manner of blessings on the head of his pupil and patron
and, begging a continuance of gracious benevolences for himself, sets
forth a picture of his unhappy plight.
@@ -240,43 +203,43 @@ A little boy of eleven years runs away from his uncle to his indulgent
mother whom he, for months at a time, has not been allowed to see,
although both live within the same city limits. What else could be
expected than that this should now and then occur? What should be
-thought of the child’s heart if it did not? And when it did, who but
+thought of the child’s heart if it did not? And when it did, who but
Beethoven would have felt more than a passing disturbance of his
equanimity at an offense so natural under the circumstances? But to
-him it was a “terrible occurrence” which for a space robbed him of his
+him it was a “terrible occurrence” which for a space robbed him of his
reason. No one of ordinary sensibilities can read the story without
-strong feelings of compassion for him--not that the boy’s freak was
-in any sense in itself a grievous misfortune, but because the uncle’s
+strong feelings of compassion for him--not that the boy’s freak was
+in any sense in itself a grievous misfortune, but because the uncle’s
sufferings occasioned by it were so real and intense.
-There is no reason to doubt the mother’s assertion that she sent
+There is no reason to doubt the mother’s assertion that she sent
the child back through the intervention of the police, for this was
clearly her best policy, more especially because she and her advisers
found in the incident a wished-for occasion to renew her petition to
have her son admitted into the R. I. Convict. It was this petition,
-enforced by Hotschevar’s long paper and its accompanying documents,
-which had led to the question of Beethoven’s right to have his case
+enforced by Hotschevar’s long paper and its accompanying documents,
+which had led to the question of Beethoven’s right to have his case
tried by the tribunal of the nobility, and the negative decision which
transferred the whole matter to the City Magistracy. At this point a
few official data are wanting, and the suspension of Beethoven from the
guardianship of his nephew can only be stated as having been determined
by the magistrates immediately after the beginning of the new year,
and that, in consequence of this, the boy was for a few weeks with his
-mother. On January 10, Fanny Giannatasio writes in her diary: “What
-Müller tells me about Beethoven pains me deeply. The wicked woman has
+mother. On January 10, Fanny Giannatasio writes in her diary: “What
+Müller tells me about Beethoven pains me deeply. The wicked woman has
finally succeeded in triumphing over him. He has been removed from
the guardianship[1] and the wicked son returns to the source of his
-wickedness. I can imagine Beethoven’s grief. It is said that since
+wickedness. I can imagine Beethoven’s grief. It is said that since
yesterday he has been entirely alone and eats apart from the others. He
ought to know that Karl is glad to be with his mother; it would ease
-the pain of the separation.”
+the pain of the separation.”
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S APPEAL TO THE MAGISTRACY]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S APPEAL TO THE MAGISTRACY]
On January 7 the magistrates summoned Beethoven (who still lived in
-the Gärtnergasse), the boy, the mother, Hotschevar and the curator,
-Dr. Schönauer, to appear before them on January 11. Of what action was
-taken that day there is no record, but Hotschevar’s attack brought
+the G√§rtnergasse), the boy, the mother, Hotschevar and the curator,
+Dr. Schönauer, to appear before them on January 11. Of what action was
+taken that day there is no record, but Hotschevar’s attack brought
out a vigorous defense in the shape of a letter sent by Beethoven
to the Magistracy,[2] in which he maintained the superiority of the
educational plan which he was pursuing over that which had been
@@ -314,7 +277,7 @@ We can make room for only a few passages:
Gifts of fortune may be acquired; morality must be _implanted_
early, particularly when a child has had the misfortune to suck
- in such _mother’s milk_, was in her care for several years, was
+ in such _mother’s milk_, was in her care for several years, was
put to thoroughly bad uses, even had to help _deceive_ his father.
Furthermore he will _inherit from me_ and even now I could leave
him enough to _keep him from want_ while continuing his studies
@@ -323,7 +286,7 @@ We can make room for only a few passages:
have set will be attained.
Ought I now to reply to the intrigues of a Mr. Courtscrivener
- Hotschowa [Hotschevar] against me, or to the _priest of Mödling_,
+ Hotschowa [Hotschevar] against me, or to the _priest of Mödling_,
who is despised by his congregation, who is suspected of being
guilty of _illicit intercourse_, who lays his pupils military
fashion on a form to be thrashed and could not forgive me because I
@@ -361,7 +324,7 @@ lasted till the end of March, when he announced a desire to resign the
guardianship--persuaded to take this step, it is fair to presume, by
the magistrates who, in the end, would have been obliged to remove him.
Karl was living with his mother at the time. According to the court
-records, Beethoven left the matter of education “entirely to Kudlich,”
+records, Beethoven left the matter of education “entirely to Kudlich,”
with whom (if a passage in one of the Conversation Books is read
correctly) he seems also to have lived temporarily, and it was given
to him to propose the name of a guardian, either in place of himself
@@ -369,16 +332,16 @@ or as an associate. He consulted earnestly with his friends as to what
was to be done with the boy and who should be his guardian, and those
friends were sorely tried by his constitutional indecision. In these
consultations, the project of sending the boy away from Vienna, and
-the name of Sailer, were mooted.[3] “What must be done,” Bernard says,
-“is to select as guardian a man who has your entire confidence both as
+the name of Sailer, were mooted.[3] “What must be done,” Bernard says,
+“is to select as guardian a man who has your entire confidence both as
respects morality and pedagogical skill, and with whom you may always
remain on friendly terms concerning the affair. Since Kudlich has more
influence on Karl than Giannatasio, it is my opinion that you seek no
further for someone who would meet every requirement.--It would merely
-be very troublesome for you.” Beethoven seems to be in doubt; he had a
+be very troublesome for you.” Beethoven seems to be in doubt; he had a
preference for his friend the magisterial Councillor Tuscher, and the
project of sending him to Sailer in Landshut appealed to him. Bernard
-says again: “If you want peace of mind I think it wise that you name a
+says again: “If you want peace of mind I think it wise that you name a
guardian as you were willing to do yesterday. But if it is possible to
send the boy to Sailer at Landshut,[4] it would, of course, be better
still, since then you could feel assured that he was in the best of
@@ -390,58 +353,58 @@ if you send him away he will remain with Kudlich until a change has
been made. So long as you are guardian and Karl remains here, you will
not only have all the cares as heretofore, but also be compelled to
fight the mother and all her intrigues. Have Karl sent for the present
-again to Kudlich, meanwhile the matter may be straightened out.”[5]
+again to Kudlich, meanwhile the matter may be straightened out.”[5]
[Sidenote: A NEW GUARDIAN FOR KARL APPOINTED]
-Beethoven seems to have expressed a doubt as to Tuscher’s willingness
-to serve as guardian. Bernard continues: “Perhaps he might be more
+Beethoven seems to have expressed a doubt as to Tuscher’s willingness
+to serve as guardian. Bernard continues: “Perhaps he might be more
easily persuaded if a co-guardian like Kudlich were appointed.--It is
not necessary to settle everything by to-morrow. If we go to Omeyer
to-morrow morning, then to Tuscher and Kudlich, we can come to an
-understanding as to what will be the best thing to do.” Tuscher, if
+understanding as to what will be the best thing to do.” Tuscher, if
we are correct in recognizing his handwriting, permitted himself to
be persuaded, though a bit under protest; he foresaw difficulties.
The Magistracy at the suggestion of Beethoven thereupon appointed
the Magisterial Councillor Matthias von Tuscher guardian of the boy
-on March 26. He was commanded to place his ward, then “living with
-his mother, Johanna van Beethoven,” in another place for bringing
+on March 26. He was commanded to place his ward, then “living with
+his mother, Johanna van Beethoven,” in another place for bringing
up and education under proper care, and submit his opinion touching
the proposition of the mother and Hotschevar that he be entered in a
public institute of learning before the expiration of the second school
semester, that Beethoven contribute to the cost and that the share of
-the mother’s pension and the interest on the money deposited for the
+the mother’s pension and the interest on the money deposited for the
boy be applied to this end. Tuscher was decidedly of the opinion that
the boy must be sent away for a time and was agreed with the plan of
placing him with Prof. Sailer in Landshut after it had been broached to
him. For this the consent of the Magistracy and the police authorities
-and a passport were necessary. In the opinion of one of Beethoven’s
+and a passport were necessary. In the opinion of one of Beethoven’s
advisers (Bach) Tuscher was to be informed of the plan only after the
passport had been obtained, but before the mother, who had already
-found “a channel,” could take steps to communicate with Tuscher.
+found “a channel,” could take steps to communicate with Tuscher.
Beethoven applied to the city authorities for a passport for two years
for his ward. On April 23, the authorities asked of the Magistracy
if there were any objections to the proposed step. The Magistracy
-objected to the boy’s being sent into a foreign country, but asked
+objected to the boy’s being sent into a foreign country, but asked
Tuscher if he were not willing to withdraw his application and name an
institute in Austria. Tuscher declined and set forth the great hopes
which he placed in the training to be had of a man like Sailer, who,
-“because of his reverence for the talents of the composer, Beethoven,
-was especially bound to him,” and hence would bestow upon his charge
+“because of his reverence for the talents of the composer, Beethoven,
+was especially bound to him,” and hence would bestow upon his charge
the strictest oversight and care, which was of great importance in the
-case of a boy who was “extremely cunning and an adept in every sort of
-craftiness.” In replying to the municipal authorities the Magistracy
+case of a boy who was “extremely cunning and an adept in every sort of
+craftiness.” In replying to the municipal authorities the Magistracy
(on May 7) conceded the necessity of withdrawing the boy from his
-mother’s influence, but thought it unnecessary to send him out of the
+mother’s influence, but thought it unnecessary to send him out of the
country on this account, against which the mother had protested and the
-curator of the ward, Dr. Schönauer, had declared himself. The passport
+curator of the ward, Dr. Schönauer, had declared himself. The passport
was therefore refused. Beethoven had taken a step which seems to have
been made to prevent the widow from securing help for her plans from
a source higher than any that had yet been invoked and to enlist that
higher power in his own behalf. He appealed to Archduke Rudolph to use
his influence with Archduke Ludwig, the youngest brother of Emperor
Franz I, to aid him in his project of sending his nephew far away from
-the mother’s influence. In the letter written to the Archduke[6] he
+the mother’s influence. In the letter written to the Archduke[6] he
states that it had been his intention to petition Archduke Ludwig in
the premises, but there had thitherto appeared to be no occasion for
so doing for the reason that all the authorities who had jurisdiction
@@ -457,28 +420,28 @@ behalf.
The plan to send the nephew out of the country had been frustrated
and had to be abandoned. His mind being filled with artistic projects
of the greatest magnitude, Beethoven was desirous to pass the summer
-months again in Mödling, and after the experiences of the preceding
+months again in Mödling, and after the experiences of the preceding
year nothing could be hoped for his nephew in that quarter. He came
-to a realization of the advantages which Giannatasio’s institute had
+to a realization of the advantages which Giannatasio’s institute had
offered and in a letter to Giannatasio asked him again to take the lad
till other arrangements had been made. The Giannatasio family were
fearful lest such a proceeding might work harm to their institution,
-and on June 17 visited Beethoven at Mödling to tell him that his wishes
-could not be complied with. “Grievously as it pained us,” Fanny writes
-in her diary, “to refuse Beethoven anything, I am yet so convinced of
+and on June 17 visited Beethoven at Mödling to tell him that his wishes
+could not be complied with. “Grievously as it pained us,” Fanny writes
+in her diary, “to refuse Beethoven anything, I am yet so convinced of
the necessity of the step and that it could do us no good, but on the
-contrary harm, that I prefer to have it so.” Thereupon the lad was
-sent to the institute of Joseph Blöchlinger. Claudius Artaria, who was
+contrary harm, that I prefer to have it so.” Thereupon the lad was
+sent to the institute of Joseph Blöchlinger. Claudius Artaria, who was
one of the teachers there (1821-1824), recalled in later years that
-Karl was one of the older scholars, “naturally talented, but somewhat
-conceited because he was the nephew of Beethoven.” He also saw the
+Karl was one of the older scholars, “naturally talented, but somewhat
+conceited because he was the nephew of Beethoven.” He also saw the
mother there a few times, but remembered nothing in particular in
connection with her visits. The lad appears to have prospered during
the early part of his stay at this school. In December, 1819, an
unknown hand writes in a Conversation Book:
A great deal has been gained in that the boy has again become
- orderly in his public studies. Plöchlinger [_sic_] moreover, though
+ orderly in his public studies. Plöchlinger [_sic_] moreover, though
not exactly brilliant, seems to be good--the public school system
acts as a restraint on him.--Your nephew looks well; handsome
eyes--charm, a speaking physiognomy, and excellent bearing. I would
@@ -494,29 +457,29 @@ unknown hand writes in a Conversation Book:
Tuscher, a member of the Magistracy, was compelled to recognize that
his colleagues were wholly under the influence of Madame van Beethoven
and Hotschevar, and that he could do no service to his friend or his
-friend’s ward; on July 5, he applied to be relieved of the guardianship
-which, he said, had become “in every respect burdensome and vexatious,”
-on the ground that “the multiplicity of official duties as well as
+friend’s ward; on July 5, he applied to be relieved of the guardianship
+which, he said, had become “in every respect burdensome and vexatious,”
+on the ground that “the multiplicity of official duties as well as
various other considerations would not permit him longer to administer
-the office.” Beethoven took this action in very bad part, and Tuscher
+the office.” Beethoven took this action in very bad part, and Tuscher
shared the fate of many others of being for a space an object of the
-composer’s critical ill will. Beethoven now served notice on the
+composer’s critical ill will. Beethoven now served notice on the
Magistracy that he would resume the guardianship under the testamentary
-appointment and that he had placed his ward in Blöchlinger’s
+appointment and that he had placed his ward in Blöchlinger’s
institution. On July 15 he writes to Archduke Rudolph, lamenting that
confusion still reigns in his domestic affairs, no hope or comfort is
-in sight, all his structures are blown away, as if by the wind. “The
+in sight, all his structures are blown away, as if by the wind. “The
present proprietor of the institute in which I have placed my nephew,
a pupil of Pestalozzi, is of the opinion that it will be difficult
-to achieve a desirable outcome in the boy’s training--and also that
+to achieve a desirable outcome in the boy’s training--and also that
there could be nothing more profitable to my nephew than absence from
-the country.” In a letter of September 14 to Blöchlinger he writes:
-“_Only the following individuals have free access to my nephew, Mr. v.
+the country.” In a letter of September 14 to Blöchlinger he writes:
+“_Only the following individuals have free access to my nephew, Mr. v.
Bernard, Mr. v. Oliva, Mr. v. Piuk, Recording Secretary.... My nephew
is not to go out of the house without my written permission_--from
which it is plain what course is to be followed toward the mother--I
insist that in this respect _strict obedience_ be given to what the
-authorities and I have ordained.”
+authorities and I have ordained.”
It is not known whether the Magistracy was immediately informed
of the new steps which Beethoven had taken, or whether Madame van
@@ -524,17 +487,17 @@ Beethoven made a presentment of some sort on the subject. Be that as
it may, as chief guardian it determined if possible to put an end
to the continual friction and undertook an investigation of all the
educational experiments which had been made, arriving at the conclusion
-that the boy had been “subject to the whims of Beethoven and had been
+that the boy had been “subject to the whims of Beethoven and had been
tossed back and forth like a ball from one educational institution to
-another.” For this reason it decreed, on September 17, that Tuscher’s
+another.” For this reason it decreed, on September 17, that Tuscher’s
request be granted, but that the guardianship should not again be
entrusted to Beethoven but to the mother, the natural guardian under
the law, with a capable and honest man as co-guardian. To this office
-Leopold Nussböck, municipal Sequestrator, was appointed. Beethoven
+Leopold Nussböck, municipal Sequestrator, was appointed. Beethoven
protested against the action in a letter which the Magistracy received
-on October 31.[7] Having been absent from the city at the time, “on
-a matter of business,” he had made no objection to the appointment
-of Herr Nussböck as guardian of his nephew, but returning with the
+on October 31.[7] Having been absent from the city at the time, “on
+a matter of business,” he had made no objection to the appointment
+of Herr Nussböck as guardian of his nephew, but returning with the
intention of remaining in Vienna he wished to resume the guardianship,
as this was essential to the welfare of the boy, the mother having
neither the will nor the strength to look after his training. He was
@@ -544,16 +507,16 @@ institution which he had selected for him, and he charged that the
mother wished to take her son to her home so that she might be able
to expend his income, including the half of her pension which she was
obliged to devote to his education, upon herself. He asked that the
-intermediary guardianship be taken from Nussböck and be restored to
+intermediary guardianship be taken from Nussböck and be restored to
him without delay. About the same time (October 23) he wrote at great
length to Dr. Bach, who had now become his lawyer.[8] From this it
appears that Madame van Beethoven had addressed another communication
-to the Magistrates’ Court, in which she apparently said or intimated
+to the Magistrates’ Court, in which she apparently said or intimated
that Beethoven would, in consequence of the elevation of the Archduke
to the Archbishopric, be obliged to spend the greater part of his time
-in Olmütz, and had renewed her attacks upon his moral character. “His
-Imperial Highness, Eminence and Cardinal” would unhesitatingly bear
-witness to his morality, and, as to the twaddle about Olmütz, the
+in Olmütz, and had renewed her attacks upon his moral character. “His
+Imperial Highness, Eminence and Cardinal” would unhesitatingly bear
+witness to his morality, and, as to the twaddle about Olmütz, the
Archduke would probably spend not more than six weeks of the year there.
[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN INSISTS ON SOLE GUARDIANSHIP]
@@ -592,17 +555,17 @@ In a postscript he accuses the mother of wishing to gain possession of
her son in order to enjoy all of her pension. In view of this he had
taken counsel as to whether or not he should let her keep the money and
make it good from his own pocket. He had been advised not to do so,
-however, because she would make bad use of the money. “I have decided,
+however, because she would make bad use of the money. “I have decided,
therefore, to set aside the sum in time. You see again how foolishly
the Magistracy is acting in trying to tear my son wholly from me, since
when she dies the boy will lose this share of the pension and would get
-along _very poorly_ without my aid.” A few days later Beethoven wrote
+along _very poorly_ without my aid.” A few days later Beethoven wrote
to Dr. Bach again, this time to suggest that legal steps be taken to
-attach the widow’s pension, he having a suspicion that she was trying
-to evade payment of her son’s share because she had permitted nine
+attach the widow’s pension, he having a suspicion that she was trying
+to evade payment of her son’s share because she had permitted nine
months to pass without drawing the pension from the exchequer.
-The Magistracy disposed of Beethoven’s protest and application on
+The Magistracy disposed of Beethoven’s protest and application on
November 4, by curtly referring him to the disposition made of his
petition of September 17. Beethoven asked for a reconsideration of the
matter, but without avail, and the only recourse remaining to him was
@@ -617,15 +580,15 @@ December Bernard writes in a Conversation Book:
decided that you shall have the chief guardianship, but a 2d is
to be associated with you. As no objection can be made to Peters,
there will be no difficulty. The matter will be ordered according
- to your wishes and I will take care of Mr. Blöchlinger. The mother
+ to your wishes and I will take care of Mr. Blöchlinger. The mother
will not be admitted to the institute unless you are present, 4
times a year is enough--nor the guardian either?--The Magistracy
has compromised itself nicely.
Bach seems to have advised that the mother be accepted as co-guardian.
-He writes: “As co-guardian she will have no authority, only the
+He writes: “As co-guardian she will have no authority, only the
honor of being associated in the guardianship. She will be a mere
-figurehead.” Whether the conversations noted at the time referred to
+figurehead.” Whether the conversations noted at the time referred to
the case on appeal or to the application still pending before the
Magistracy, or some to the one, some to the other, it is impossible to
determine. The record of the refusal of the Magistracy has not been
@@ -634,13 +597,13 @@ its date.
[Sidenote: SCHINDLER AND THE CONVERSATION BOOKS]
-Frequent citations from the so-called “Conversation Books” made
+Frequent citations from the so-called “Conversation Books” made
in the course of the narrative touching the later phases of the
controversy over the guardianship call for some remarks upon this new
-source of information opened in this year. In the “Niederrheinische
-Musikzeitung,” No. 28 of 1854, Schindler wrote:
+source of information opened in this year. In the “Niederrheinische
+Musikzeitung,” No. 28 of 1854, Schindler wrote:
- Beethoven’s hearing had already become too weak for oral
+ Beethoven’s hearing had already become too weak for oral
conversation, even with the help of an ear-trumpet, in 1818,
and recourse had now to be had to writing. Only in the case of
intercourse with Archduke Rudolph, and here because of his gentle
@@ -664,7 +627,7 @@ months, the only one which he as guardian to the absent nephew could
make; so Breuning gave them to him. The Conversation Books, counting
in as such those which were really nothing but a sheet or two of paper
loosely folded, were only about 400 in number, or less than fifty per
-annum for the last eight and a half years of Beethoven’s life--that
+annum for the last eight and a half years of Beethoven’s life--that
being the period which they cover. Schindler, who spoke on this as on
so many other topics frankly and without reserve, said that he long
preserved the books and papers intact, but not finding any person
@@ -673,17 +636,17 @@ had led him in the course of his long unsettled life by degrees to
destroy those which he deemed to be of little or no importance. The
remainder were, in 1845, transferred to the Royal Library in Berlin,
and, in 1855, when they were examined for this work, numbered 138. It
-was but natural that those preserved are such as place Schindler’s
+was but natural that those preserved are such as place Schindler’s
relation to the master in the strongest light and those deemed by him
essential to the full understanding of the more important events of
-Beethoven’s last years. Most of them bear evidence of the deep interest
+Beethoven’s last years. Most of them bear evidence of the deep interest
with which Schindler, while they remained in his possession, lived
over the past in them. In many cases he appended the names of the
principal writers; so that one soon learns to distinguish their hands
without difficulty; and occasionally he enriched them with valuable
annotations.[9] The larger of them--ordinary blank note-books--are
only of a size and thickness fitted to be carried in the coat-pocket.
-It is obvious, therefore, on a moment’s reflection, that at a single
+It is obvious, therefore, on a moment’s reflection, that at a single
sitting with a few friends in an inn or coffee-house, the pages must
have filled rapidly as the book passed from hand to hand and one or
another wrote question or reply, remark or statement, a bit of news
@@ -700,14 +663,14 @@ The books, therefore, were for the most part for use when the composer
was away from home, although there were occasions when, it being
desirable to preserve what was written, they were also used there.
Hence, the collection in Berlin can be viewed as little more than
-scattered specimens of the conversations of the master’s friends and
+scattered specimens of the conversations of the master’s friends and
companions, most unequally distributed as to time. For months together
there is nothing or hardly anything; and then again a few days will
fill many scores of leaves. In a few instances Beethoven has himself
written--that is, when in some public place he did not trust his voice;
and memoranda of divers kinds, even of musical ideas from his pen, are
not infrequent. One is surprised to find so few distinguished names in
-literature, science and art--Grillparzer’s forms an exception and he
+literature, science and art--Grillparzer’s forms an exception and he
appears only in the later years; as for the rest, they are for the most
part of local Vienna celebrities.
@@ -723,8 +686,8 @@ narrative. The period in which it was used is approximately fixed by a
reference to a concert given by the violinist Franz Clement, at which
he played an introduction and variations on a theme by Beethoven.
This concert took place on April 4, 1819.[10] The last conversations
-in the book took place about the time of Beethoven’s removal to
-Mödling--shortly before and after.
+in the book took place about the time of Beethoven’s removal to
+Mödling--shortly before and after.
This explanatory digression may serve as a modulation to more cheerful
themes than that which has occupied us of late.
@@ -739,7 +702,7 @@ to supplement his verbal protestations of gratitude with a deed. Nanni,
the younger daughter of Giannatasio, was married on February 6, 1819,
to Leopold Schmerling. When the young couple returned to the house
after the ceremony they were greeted by a wedding hymn for tenor solo,
-men’s voices and pianoforte accompaniment. The performers were hidden
+men’s voices and pianoforte accompaniment. The performers were hidden
in a corner of the room. When they had finished they stepped forth from
their place of concealment. Beethoven was among them and he handed the
manuscript of the music which he had written to words of Prof. Stein,
@@ -750,7 +713,7 @@ Beethoven made a single appearance as conductor in this year. It was on
January 17 at a concert given for the benefit of the Widows and Orphans
of the Juridical Faculty of the University. The orchestra was largely
composed of amateurs and the programme began with the overture to
-“Prometheus” and ended with the Seventh Symphony. Among the listeners
+“Prometheus” and ended with the Seventh Symphony. Among the listeners
was P. D. A. Atterbom, the Swedish poet, who wrote a sympathetic
account of it.
@@ -760,25 +723,25 @@ an institution which had been founded in 1702 and revived, after
repeated interruptions, in 1816. The project of giving him the
distinction had been broached in the councils of the society in 1808,
but Anton Schmith, a physician in Vienna, whose opinion had been
-asked, had advised against it, saying: “Beethoven is as freakish as
-he is unserviceable.” Eleven years later the men of Laibach had more
+asked, had advised against it, saying: “Beethoven is as freakish as
+he is unserviceable.” Eleven years later the men of Laibach had more
knowledge or better counsel, and they sent him a diploma on March
15 through von Tuscher. Acknowledging the honor on May 4, Beethoven
stated that as a mark of appreciation he was sending, also through
-the magistrate, an “unpublished” composition and would hold himself
+the magistrate, an “unpublished” composition and would hold himself
in readiness to serve the society should it ever need him. There is
no direct evidence as to what composition he had in mind; but in the
archives of the Laibach society there is a manuscript copy of the Sixth
Symphony. It is not an autograph except as to its title, Beethoven
-having written “Sinfonia pastorale” on the cover in red crayon, and
+having written “Sinfonia pastorale” on the cover in red crayon, and
corrections in lead pencil in the music.[12]
-The time for Beethoven’s annual summer flitting had come. Mödling was
+The time for Beethoven’s annual summer flitting had come. Mödling was
chosen again for the country sojourn and Beethoven arrived there on May
12, taking lodgings as before in the Hafner house in the Hauptstrasse.
He had, evidently, brought a housekeeper with him and now engaged a
housemaid. The former endured two months.[13] Karl was placed under
-the tuition of Blöchlinger on June 22. Beethoven, as letters to the
+the tuition of Blöchlinger on June 22. Beethoven, as letters to the
Archduke dated July 15 and August 31[14] show, was not in the best of
health, but was hard at work on the mass, with an excursion now and
then into the symphony (Ninth). Schindler presents us with a pathetic,
@@ -788,8 +751,8 @@ lifted him (Ed. of 1860, I, 270):
[Sidenote: IN A FRENZY OF COMPOSITION]
Towards the end of August, accompanied by the musician Johann
- Horsalka still living in Vienna, I arrived at the master’s home in
- Mödling. It was 4 o’clock in the afternoon. As soon as we entered
+ Horsalka still living in Vienna, I arrived at the master’s home in
+ Mödling. It was 4 o’clock in the afternoon. As soon as we entered
we learned that in the morning both servants had gone away, and
that there had been a quarrel after midnight which had disturbed
all the neighbors, because as a consequence of a long vigil both
@@ -802,10 +765,10 @@ lifted him (Ed. of 1860, I, 270):
excite fear. He looked as if he had been in mortal combat with the
whole host of contrapuntists, his everlasting enemies. His first
utterances were confused, as if he had been disagreeably surprised
- at our having overheard him. Then he reached the day’s happenings
- and with obvious restraint he remarked: “Pretty doings, these!
- (_Saubere Wirthschaft_.) Everybody has run away and I haven’t
- had anything to eat since yesternoon!” I tried to calm him and
+ at our having overheard him. Then he reached the day’s happenings
+ and with obvious restraint he remarked: “Pretty doings, these!
+ (_Saubere Wirthschaft_.) Everybody has run away and I haven’t
+ had anything to eat since yesternoon!” I tried to calm him and
helped him to make his toilet. My companion hurried on in advance
to the restaurant of the bathing establishment to have something
made ready for the famished master. Then he complained about the
@@ -818,20 +781,20 @@ The fact that Beethoven received an advance payment on a commission
for an oratorio which he undertook to write for the Gesellschaft der
Musikfreunde has been mentioned. The sum was 400 florins. It was on
August 18. Four days later there was a meeting of the society at which
-Landgrave von Fürstenberg reported[16] that on the written application
+Landgrave von Fürstenberg reported[16] that on the written application
of Prince von Odescalchi, representing the President, Beethoven had
replied that he had long been desirous to compose a work which would
reflect honor on the society and that he would do his best to expedite
it. That seems to have been the end of the matter for the time being.
-There was also during the Mödling sojourn a continuation of the
+There was also during the Mödling sojourn a continuation of the
negotiations with Thomson. A Mr. Smith visited Beethoven bearing a
letter from the Scotch publisher which called out a playful rejoinder
in which Beethoven sought to turn an easy play upon German words into
French. Thomson suggested that the introductions and accompaniments
-to the Scotch songs be made easier (“lighter,” in the German idiom);
+to the Scotch songs be made easier (“lighter,” in the German idiom);
they would be so, Beethoven replied, if the compensation were made more
-difficult (“heavier” would have been his word had he been permitted to
-use the German equivalent). As it is, Beethoven’s humor becomes rather
+difficult (“heavier” would have been his word had he been permitted to
+use the German equivalent). As it is, Beethoven’s humor becomes rather
ponderous, as see the letter which was written in French by Beethoven
apparently without assistance:
@@ -839,25 +802,25 @@ apparently without assistance:
_Mon cher Ami!_
- _Vous ecrivés toujours facile très--je m’accomode tout mon
- possible, mais--mais--mais--l’honorare pourroit pourtant être
- plus difficile, ou plus-tôt pesante!!!!! Votre ami Mosieur Smith
- m’a fait grand plaisir a cause de sa visite chez moi--en Hâte,
+ _Vous ecrivés toujours facile très--je m’accomode tout mon
+ possible, mais--mais--mais--l’honorare pourroit pourtant être
+ plus difficile, ou plus-tôt pesante!!!!! Votre ami Mosieur Smith
+ m’a fait grand plaisir a cause de sa visite chez moi--en Hâte,
je vous assure, que je serais toujours avec plaisir a votres
- services--comme j’ai a present votre Addresse par Mr. Smith, je
- serai bientôt en Etat de vous écrire plus ample--l’honorare pour un
- Théme avec variations j’ai fixé, dans ma derniere letter à vous par
- Messieurs le Friess, a moien dix ducats en or, C’est, je vous jure
- malgre cela seulement par complaisance pour vous, puisque je n’ais
- pas besoin, de me méler avec de telles petites choses, mais il
+ services--comme j’ai a present votre Addresse par Mr. Smith, je
+ serai bientôt en Etat de vous écrire plus ample--l’honorare pour un
+ Théme avec variations j’ai fixé, dans ma derniere letter à vous par
+ Messieurs le Friess, a moien dix ducats en or, C’est, je vous jure
+ malgre cela seulement par complaisance pour vous, puisque je n’ais
+ pas besoin, de me méler avec de telles petites choses, mais il
faut toujours pourtant perdre du temps avec de telles bagatelles,
- et l’honneur ne permit pas, de dire a quelqu’un, ce qu’on en
+ et l’honneur ne permit pas, de dire a quelqu’un, ce qu’on en
gagne,--je vous souhaite toujours le bon gout pour la vrai Musique
et si vous cries facile--je crierai difficile pour facile!!!!_
-Thomson indorsed on this letter: “25 May, 1819. Beethoven. Some
+Thomson indorsed on this letter: “25 May, 1819. Beethoven. Some
pleasantry on my repeated requests to make his Symphs and accompgnts.
-to our National Airs Easy, sent by Mr. John Smith of Glasg.” Another
+to our National Airs Easy, sent by Mr. John Smith of Glasg.” Another
British commission was offered him about the same time. There are
two entries in a Conversation Book, apparently in the handwriting of
Schindler:
@@ -887,9 +850,9 @@ And again:
work. If you get 40 ducats for the Sonata he can doubtless pay 100.
By that time the answer may be here from Edinburgh.
-Great Britain’s monetary reward, had Beethoven accepted all its
-invitations, would no doubt have been all that the friend of “Mr.
-Donaldson of Edinburgh” stated and in proportion would have been the
+Great Britain’s monetary reward, had Beethoven accepted all its
+invitations, would no doubt have been all that the friend of “Mr.
+Donaldson of Edinburgh” stated and in proportion would have been the
appreciation which Beethoven would have found at the hands of the
English professional musicians, amateurs and musical laity.
@@ -906,18 +869,18 @@ subject. On August 16 he writes:
see all this digital manipulation around me while my fingers are
becoming useless one after the other. Lately Beethoven went into an
eating-house; he sat himself down to a table and lost himself in
- thought. After an hour he calls the waiter. “What do I owe?” “The
- gentleman has not eaten anything yet” “What shall I bring?” “Bring
- anything you please, but let me alone!”
+ thought. After an hour he calls the waiter. “What do I owe?” “The
+ gentleman has not eaten anything yet” “What shall I bring?” “Bring
+ anything you please, but let me alone!”
[Sidenote: MEETING BETWEEN BEETHOVEN AND ZELTER]
Zelter stays in Vienna from July to September, but sees nothing of
Beethoven. Then, on September 12, he sets out with Steiner to visit
-the master at Mödling. On the road they meet Beethoven, who is on his
+the master at Mödling. On the road they meet Beethoven, who is on his
way to the city. Leaving their carriages they embrace each other, but
conversation with a deaf man not being practicable on the highway
-they separate after agreeing to meet at Steiner’s at 4 o’clock in the
+they separate after agreeing to meet at Steiner’s at 4 o’clock in the
afternoon. Zelter was moved almost to tears. After a hurried meal he
and Steiner hastened back to Vienna. Let him relate the rest:
@@ -931,16 +894,16 @@ and Steiner hastened back to Vienna. Let him relate the rest:
or unjustly, he enjoys a popular respect such as is bestowed only
upon the most excellent. Steiner had given it out that Beethoven
would appear in his little office, which will hold only six or
- eight persons, for the first time in person at 4 o’clock, and
+ eight persons, for the first time in person at 4 o’clock, and
invited guests so generously that in a room crowded to the street,
half a hundred brilliant people waited in vain. I did not get an
explanation till next day, when I received a letter from Beethoven
in which he begged my pardon, for he, like me, had passed the time
set for the meeting in blissful sleep.
-Zelter’s letter calls for a slight rectification. It was not the
+Zelter’s letter calls for a slight rectification. It was not the
next day but four days later that Beethoven wrote him the letter of
-explanation, and Zelter’s statement that Beethoven had overslept
+explanation, and Zelter’s statement that Beethoven had overslept
himself as he had done was pure assumption--unless he learned it from
another source. Beethoven wrote:
@@ -967,7 +930,7 @@ the teacher of Mendelssohn, it is given here:
To see once more, face to face, in this life the man who brings
joy and edification to so many good people, among whom I of course
am glad to count myself--this was the purpose, worthy friend, for
- which I wished to visit you at Mödlingen. You met me, and my aim
+ which I wished to visit you at Mödlingen. You met me, and my aim
was at least not wholly frustrated, for I saw your face. I know of
the infirmity which burdens you and you have my sympathy, for I
am similarly afflicted. On the day after to-morrow I go from here
@@ -982,17 +945,17 @@ had received him graciously and that he, in turn, had heard the master
play the pianoforte, his improvisation being the most marvellous thing
he had ever listened to. In August, Johann van Beethoven bought an
estate near Gneixendorf. This brought the brothers together in Vienna
-during the winter. Johann was the “landowner” of a familiar story, and
-Beethoven, the “brain owner,” seemed at this time disposed to emulate
-him. At least he read advertisements of houses for sale in Mödling
+during the winter. Johann was the “landowner” of a familiar story, and
+Beethoven, the “brain owner,” seemed at this time disposed to emulate
+him. At least he read advertisements of houses for sale in Mödling
before the day set for the sale and advised him in the premises. In
the same letter[17] he advises Steiner to publish a set of variations
-composed by the Archduke. “I have mentioned your name in the matter,
+composed by the Archduke. “I have mentioned your name in the matter,
inasmuch as I do not believe that you will lose anything by the
transaction, and it is always honorable to print something by such a
-_Principe Professore_.” The variations were on a theme composed by
+_Principe Professore_.” The variations were on a theme composed by
Beethoven and given to his imperial pupil as a lesson, and had called
-out the obsequious remarks which may be read in the New Year’s letter
+out the obsequious remarks which may be read in the New Year’s letter
to the Archduke. His remark to Steiner is explained by the fact that on
August 31 he had written to the Archduke as follows:
@@ -1010,7 +973,7 @@ August 31 he had written to the Archduke as follows:
yourself not be able to avoid presenting copies here and there;
therefore, in the name of God, among the many consecrations which
Y. I. H. is receiving and of which the world is being informed, let
- the consecration of Apollo (or the Christian Cäcilia) also be made
+ the consecration of Apollo (or the Christian C√§cilia) also be made
known. True, Y. I. H. may accuse me of vanity; but I can assure you
that although this dedication is precious to me and I am really
proud of it, this is not at all my aim. 3 publishers have appealed
@@ -1024,19 +987,19 @@ August 31 he had written to the Archduke as follows:
misfortune; but _the world will think the contrary_.
Steiner printed the archducal work in the seventh number of his
-“Musical Museum” under a slightly changed title, viz.: “Theme
+“Musical Museum” under a slightly changed title, viz.: “Theme
(_Aufgabe_) composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, varied forty times and
-dedicated to the author by his pupil R[udolph], A[rch-]D[uke].”[18]
-Other evidences of Beethoven’s interest in Archduke Rudolph’s studies
+dedicated to the author by his pupil R[udolph], A[rch-]D[uke].”[18]
+Other evidences of Beethoven’s interest in Archduke Rudolph’s studies
in composition are to be noted about this time. On July 29 he wrote
-to his pupil from Mödling, sending him three poems and asking him
-to select one for composition, encouraging him in these words: “The
+to his pupil from Mödling, sending him three poems and asking him
+to select one for composition, encouraging him in these words: “The
Austrians now know already that the spirit of Apollo has newly awakened
in the Imperial family. From all quarters I receive requests for
something. The proprietor of the _Modezeitung_ will appeal to Y. I. H.
in writing. I hope I _shall not be accused of bribery--at Court and not
-a courtier_, what possibilities??!!!” In this letter, however, there
-are words of vaster import, as showing Beethoven’s attitude towards
+a courtier_, what possibilities??!!!” In this letter, however, there
+are words of vaster import, as showing Beethoven’s attitude towards
musical evolution. We quote:
... but _freedom_, _progress_, is the aim in the world of art as
@@ -1047,36 +1010,36 @@ musical evolution. We quote:
must not subject himself to the accusation of _onesidedness_,--_et
iterum venturus judicare vivos et mortuos_.[19]
-[Sidenote: A PAINTER’S PRESENCE FORGOTTEN]
+[Sidenote: A PAINTER’S PRESENCE FORGOTTEN]
-A number of incidents in Beethoven’s life may now be passed in hurried
+A number of incidents in Beethoven’s life may now be passed in hurried
chronological review: On October 1, he was made an honorary member of
-the Mercantile Association (_Kaufmännischer Verein_) in Vienna. In the
+the Mercantile Association (_Kaufm√§nnischer Verein_) in Vienna. In the
fall Ferdinand Schimon (1797-1852), who was musician and opera-singer
as well as painter, painted the portrait which afterward came into
the possession of Schindler, and was engraved by Eduard Eichers for
-Schindler’s biography.[20] Schimon had obtained permission through
-Schindler to set up his easel in the chamber adjoining Beethoven’s
+Schindler’s biography.[20] Schimon had obtained permission through
+Schindler to set up his easel in the chamber adjoining Beethoven’s
workroom, the composer having resolutely refused a sitting because he
was busy on the _Credo_ of the mass. From this point of vantage he made
his studies and had finished them all but the eyes--the most striking
feature in the portrait. Out of this dilemma Beethoven unconsciously
helped him. He had evidently been impressed with the discretion, or
-independence, of the young artist who came without a “good morning” and
-went without a “good evening,” and invited him to coffee. Thus Schimon
+independence, of the young artist who came without a “good morning” and
+went without a “good evening,” and invited him to coffee. Thus Schimon
had ample opportunity to supply the one deficiency in his sketches.
-At the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna from Mödling,
-taking lodging this time at No. 16 Josephstädter Glacis, opposite the
-Auersberg Palace and near the Blöchlinger Institute where Karl was
+At the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna from Mödling,
+taking lodging this time at No. 16 Josephst√§dter Glacis, opposite the
+Auersberg Palace and near the Blöchlinger Institute where Karl was
studying. The guardianship matter soon occupied his attention; spells
of indisposition tormented him; and financial distress so threatened
him that he attempted to negotiate a loan from the banker Hennickstein,
-and borrowed 750 florins from Steiner.[21] Countess Erdödy was in
+and borrowed 750 florins from Steiner.[21] Countess Erdödy was in
Vienna at the end of the year and he sent her a note on December 19,
promising to visit her soon and scratching down a musical phrase which
-he afterwards erased to make of it the New Year canon: “Glück, Glück
-zum neuen Jahr.”
+he afterwards erased to make of it the New Year canon: “Glück, Glück
+zum neuen Jahr.”
It is remarkable that Beethoven, under the circumstances which have
been set forth in this chapter, could continue his labors on the Mass
@@ -1084,7 +1047,7 @@ which were his principal occupation during the year; it was but another
proof of the absorbing possession which the composition of a great work
took of him when once fairly begun. So diligently did he apply himself
that he had hopes not only of finishing it in time for the installation
-of the Archduke as Archbishop of Olmütz, but wrote to Ries on November
+of the Archduke as Archbishop of Olmütz, but wrote to Ries on November
10 that he had already nearly completed it and would like to know what
could be done with it in London. To Schindler, however, in expressing
a doubt that he would have it done in time for the ceremonial, he said
@@ -1092,7 +1055,7 @@ that every movement had taken on larger dimensions than had originally
been contemplated. Schindler says also that when the day came, not
one of the movements was finished in the eyes of the composer; yet he
alleges that Beethoven brought the completed _Credo_ with him when
-he came back to Vienna from Mödling. There is this to be added to
+he came back to Vienna from Mödling. There is this to be added to
these statements: A pocket sketchbook used in 1820 (it is now in the
Beethoven House at Bonn) shows some sketches for the _Credo_; and
there are memoranda for the same movement in a Conversation Book used
@@ -1109,25 +1072,25 @@ Bernard (presumably) writes:
is to be performed.
The project is mentioned again by another friend, and Beethoven
-remarks: “It is too late for Christmas, but it might be possible in
-Lent.” That he worked occasionally on the Ninth Symphony, especially
-in the early part of the year, has already been said. Thomson’s
+remarks: “It is too late for Christmas, but it might be possible in
+Lent.” That he worked occasionally on the Ninth Symphony, especially
+in the early part of the year, has already been said. Thomson’s
commissions occupied some of his time, as well as a project to
extend his labors on folksongs into a wider field. The second set of
Variations on folksong themes which was published as Op. 107 in 1820,
must be assigned, at least in part, to this year. He also, as Schindler
tells us, composed a set of waltzes for a band of seven men who played
-at an inn in the valley of the Brühl near Mödling, and wrote out the
+at an inn in the valley of the Brühl near Mödling, and wrote out the
parts for the different instruments. These waltzes have disappeared;
Schindler tried in vain to find them a few years later. The canon
-“Glück zum neuen Jahr” was composed for Countess Erdödy on the last day
+“Glück zum neuen Jahr” was composed for Countess Erdödy on the last day
of December, if A. Fuchs, who says that he copied it from the original
manuscript, is correct. He also wrote a canon for Steiner in the
summer, as appears from a conversation recorded in a book of March 20,
1820. An unidentified hand writes:
Last summer you sent a _canon infinitus a due_ to Steiner from
- Mödling
+ Mödling
[Illustration]
@@ -1142,15 +1105,15 @@ summer, as appears from a conversation recorded in a book of March 20,
was the text.
]
- On September 21 he wrote a canon to the words “Glaube und hoffe”
+ On September 21 he wrote a canon to the words “Glaube und hoffe”
for the younger Schlesinger, afterwards publisher in Paris, who
- was a visitor in Vienna from Berlin at the time, as Beethoven’s
+ was a visitor in Vienna from Berlin at the time, as Beethoven’s
inscription on the autograph shows.[23]
[Sidenote: PUBLICATIONS OF THE YEAR 1819]
The publications of the year 1819 were (1) Two Sonatas for Pianoforte
-and Violoncello, Op. 102, dedicated to Countess Erdödy, by Artaria in
+and Violoncello, Op. 102, dedicated to Countess Erdödy, by Artaria in
Vienna (they had already been published by Simrock); (2) The Quintet
in C minor, Op. 104, arranged from the Trio, Op. 1, No. 3; (3) Themes
and Variations on Motives from Folksongs, for Pianoforte and Flute or
@@ -1160,7 +1123,7 @@ dedicated to Archduke Rudolph, by Artaria.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] He had not been removed, but only temporarily suspended; he
-retained the supervision of the boy’s education and at a later period
+retained the supervision of the boy’s education and at a later period
voluntarily resigned the guardianship for a time.
[2] See Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. p. 124 _et seq._ The letter was
@@ -1171,7 +1134,7 @@ dated erroneously February 1, 1818, instead of 1819.
[4] Landshut University. It was afterward removed to Munich.
[5] As a matter of fact the boy was with Kudlich after this and
-remained there until Beethoven went to Mödling. At the time of this
+remained there until Beethoven went to Mödling. At the time of this
consultation he was with his mother. Kudlich was instructed not to
permit any communication between him and his mother.
@@ -1187,13 +1150,13 @@ when they offered evidence in contradiction of his printed statements
is the conviction of this editor for reasons which will appear later.
[10] Apparently in reply to a question put by Beethoven an unidentified
-hand writes: “Poor stuff,--empty--totally ineffective--your theme was
+hand writes: “Poor stuff,--empty--totally ineffective--your theme was
in bad hands; with much monotony he made 15 or 20 variations and put
a cadenza (_fermate_) in every one, you may imagine what we had to
endure--he has fallen off greatly and looks too old to entertain with
-his acrobatics on the violin.”
+his acrobatics on the violin.”
-Thayer’s industry in the gathering and ordering of material for this
+Thayer’s industry in the gathering and ordering of material for this
biography, let it be remarked here in grateful tribute, is illustrated
in the fact that he made practically a complete transcript of the
Conversation Books, laboriously deciphering the frequently hieroglyphic
@@ -1206,95 +1169,95 @@ utility of the biographical material greatly enhanced.
[11] Madame Pessiak-Schmerling, a daughter of Nanni, recounted this
incident twice in the letters to Thayer. Madame Pessiak possessed a
copy of the song. Her mother had jealously preserved the original,
-but, together with Beethoven’s letters to Giannatasio, it was stolen.
+but, together with Beethoven’s letters to Giannatasio, it was stolen.
In 1861 Thayer found song and letters among the autographs owned by
William Witt of the firm of Ewer and Co. in London, and obtained copies
-of them, but Thayer’s copy of the song was not found by this Editor
+of them, but Thayer’s copy of the song was not found by this Editor
among the posthumous papers of the author when he examined them in
order to set aside the needful material for the completion of this
-biography. The music of Miss Nanni’s hymeneal ode was forty years later
+biography. The music of Miss Nanni’s hymeneal ode was forty years later
put to a right royal use. Transposed from C to A major it was published
for the first time by Ewer and Co. as a setting to English words on
the occasion of the marriage of Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen
Victoria, to Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Emperor Frederick
III) on January 25, 1858. The title of this publication, which is now
-out of print, was “The Wedding Song, written and by gracious permission
+out of print, was “The Wedding Song, written and by gracious permission
dedicated to Her Royal Highness Victoria, Princess Royal, on her
Wedding Day, by John Oxenford. The music composed by L. van Beethoven.
-Posthumous Work.” The inscription on the original manuscript, according
-to Thayer, was “Am 14ten Jenner 1819--für F. v. Giannatasio de Rio von
-L. v. Beethoven.”
+Posthumous Work.” The inscription on the original manuscript, according
+to Thayer, was “Am 14ten Jenner 1819--für F. v. Giannatasio de Rio von
+L. v. Beethoven.”
-At the Editor’s request Mr. J. S. Shedlock, in 1912, kindly made an
+At the Editor’s request Mr. J. S. Shedlock, in 1912, kindly made an
investigation and reported that so far as could be learned from the
public records the song had no place in the wedding ceremonies in 1858.
Messrs. Novello and Co. most courteously brought forth the old plates
-from their vaults and had a “pull” of them made for this Editor’s use.
+from their vaults and had a “pull” of them made for this Editor’s use.
The music can not be said to have any other than a curious interest. A
-single stanza will suffice to disclose the quality of Mr. Oxenford’s
+single stanza will suffice to disclose the quality of Mr. Oxenford’s
hymeneal ode:
- “Hail, Royal Pair, by love united;
- With ev’ry earthly blessing crown’d;
+ “Hail, Royal Pair, by love united;
+ With ev’ry earthly blessing crown’d;
A people lifts its voice delighted,
And distant nations hear the sound.
All hearts are now with gladness swelling,
All tongues are now of rapture telling,
- A day of heartfelt joy is found!”
+ A day of heartfelt joy is found!”
[12] Dr. F. Keesbacher, who published a history of the Laibach
Philharmonic Society in 1862, thought that this was the composition
-sent by Beethoven; but the “Pastoral” Symphony had been published
-nearly ten years before--by Breitkopf and Härtel in May, 1809.
+sent by Beethoven; but the “Pastoral” Symphony had been published
+nearly ten years before--by Breitkopf and H√§rtel in May, 1809.
[13] On the blank leaves of an Almanac for 1819, such as used to be
bound in those useful household publications for the reception of
-memoranda, Beethoven notes: “Came to Mödling, May 12.!!! _Miser sum
-pauper_....” “On May 14 the housemaid in Mr. came, to receive 6 florins
-a month.... On 29th May Dr. Hasenöhrl made his 3rd visit to K. Tuesday
-on the 22nd of June my nephew entered the institute of Mr. Blöchlinger
-at monthly payments in advance of 75 florins _W. W._ Began to take the
-baths here regularly (?) on 28th Monday, for the first (?) time daily.”
-Schindler adds: “On July 20 gave notice to the housekeeper.”
+memoranda, Beethoven notes: “Came to Mödling, May 12.!!! _Miser sum
+pauper_....” “On May 14 the housemaid in Mr. came, to receive 6 florins
+a month.... On 29th May Dr. Hasenöhrl made his 3rd visit to K. Tuesday
+on the 22nd of June my nephew entered the institute of Mr. Blöchlinger
+at monthly payments in advance of 75 florins _W. W._ Began to take the
+baths here regularly (?) on 28th Monday, for the first (?) time daily.”
+Schindler adds: “On July 20 gave notice to the housekeeper.”
[14] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. pp. 138 and 139.
-[15] In his draft for this chapter Thayer wrote: “In the hope of
-obtaining further particulars Horsalka’s attention was directed to
+[15] In his draft for this chapter Thayer wrote: “In the hope of
+obtaining further particulars Horsalka’s attention was directed to
this passage in the copy now before the writer. The result is written
-on the margin in Herr Luib’s hand: ‘Horsalka knows nothing of this’.
+on the margin in Herr Luib’s hand: ‘Horsalka knows nothing of this’.
This incident is doubtless true, but that Horsalka should not have
-remembered it if he was present, is incredible. Schindler’s queer
-memory has again proved treacherous in regard to his companion.”
+remembered it if he was present, is incredible. Schindler’s queer
+memory has again proved treacherous in regard to his companion.”
-[16] So Pohl, who wrote a history of the “Gesellschaft,” informed
+[16] So Pohl, who wrote a history of the “Gesellschaft,” informed
Thayer in a note.
[17] Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 144.
-[18] The theme was the melody written for a song beginning “O Hoffnung,
-du stählst die Herzen, vertreibst die Schmerzen,” from Tiedge’s
-“Urania.” Nohl, without giving an authority, quotes an inscription on
-the autograph as follows: “Composed in the spring of 1818 by L. v.
-Beethoven _in doloribus_ for H. Imp. Highness the Archduke Rudolph.”
+[18] The theme was the melody written for a song beginning “O Hoffnung,
+du stählst die Herzen, vertreibst die Schmerzen,” from Tiedge’s
+“Urania.” Nohl, without giving an authority, quotes an inscription on
+the autograph as follows: “Composed in the spring of 1818 by L. v.
+Beethoven _in doloribus_ for H. Imp. Highness the Archduke Rudolph.”
Thayer knows nothing about such an inscription, but it does not look
like an invention. In one of the Conversation Books somebody (Dr.
-Deiters opines it was Peters) writes: “Fräulein Spitzenberger played
+Deiters opines it was Peters) writes: “Fräulein Spitzenberger played
the 40 variations by the Archduke for me yesterday. I know nothing
about it, but it seems to me that they were pretty extensively
-corrected by you. The critics insist on the same thing.” We do not
+corrected by you. The critics insist on the same thing.” We do not
know what reply Beethoven made and it is a matter of small moment. The
same comment has been called out by many a royal composition since;
-it was Brahms who said: “Never criticize the composition of a Royal
-Highness;--you do not know who may have written it!” In justice to
+it was Brahms who said: “Never criticize the composition of a Royal
+Highness;--you do not know who may have written it!” In justice to
Archduke Rudolph, however, it deserves to be mentioned that a set of
-variations on a melody from Rossini’s “Zelmira” composed by him shows
+variations on a melody from Rossini’s “Zelmira” composed by him shows
pencil corrections in the hand of Beethoven and they are few and
trifling.
[19] There is a vagueness in this passage, and especially in the words
-which precede it, which has exercised the minds of Köchel, Nohl and
+which precede it, which has exercised the minds of Köchel, Nohl and
Deiters; but it is the opinion of the English Editor that the meaning
has been reproduced in the above translation. As the reader may,
however, wish to form his own opinion in the matter, which is certainly
@@ -1303,16 +1266,16 @@ be described as an expository rendering into English: _Ich war in
Wien, um aus der Bibliothek I. K. H. das mir Tauglichste auszusuchen.
Die Hauptabsicht ist das geschwinde Treffen und mit der bessern
Kunst-Vereinigung, wobei aber practische Absichten Ausnahmen machen,
-wofür die Alten zwar doppelt dienen, indem meistens reeller Kunstwerth
-(Genie hat doch nur der deutsche Händel und Seb. Bach gehabt) allein
-Freiheit, etc._, that is: “I was in Vienna to seek out some things best
+wofür die Alten zwar doppelt dienen, indem meistens reeller Kunstwerth
+(Genie hat doch nur der deutsche H√§ndel und Seb. Bach gehabt) allein
+Freiheit, etc._, that is: “I was in Vienna to seek out some things best
suited to my purpose. What is chiefly needed is a quick recognition of
the essential coupled with a better union of the arts [i. e., poetry
and music] in respect of which practical considerations sometimes
compel an exception, as we may learn in a twofold way from the old
composers, where we find chiefly stress laid upon the artistically
valuable (among them only the German Handel and Seb. Bach had genius)
-but freedom, etc.” Beethoven, presumably, was following the injunction
+but freedom, etc.” Beethoven, presumably, was following the injunction
noted in the _Tagebuch_ and, for the purposes of the work which then
engrossed him, was consulting authorities on ecclesiastical music.
That his mind was full of his Mass is indicated by the somewhat
@@ -1326,7 +1289,7 @@ Schindler deposited in Berlin.
[21] See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 151.
-[22] “Hol Euch der Teufel! B’hüt Euch Gott!”
+[22] “Hol Euch der Teufel! B’hüt Euch Gott!”
[23] Marx published it for the first time in _facsimile_ in the
appendix of Vol. II of his biography of Beethoven. In the Collected
@@ -1351,7 +1314,7 @@ near future, the question arises: Where, in these moments of doubt,
ill-health, trial, vexation of spirit and torment of body were the
old friends of Beethoven who in the earlier years had stood by him
faithfully and lovingly? Where was Stephan von Breuning? Alas! he
-seems to have been an early sacrifice to Beethoven’s obstinate course
+seems to have been an early sacrifice to Beethoven’s obstinate course
in respect of his nephew. Schindler says that he had advised against
the adoption of the boy and thus wounded Beethoven in his most
sensitive part. The temporary estrangement began in 1817. Some others
@@ -1359,13 +1322,13 @@ of the old friends may have been rebuffed in like manner; some, like
the faithful seneschal, Zmeskall, were ill; some were absent from
Vienna--Count Brunswick, Schuppanzigh; some were dead; in some the
flames of friendship may have died down because there was so little
-in Beethoven’s public life to challenge their sympathy and support.
+in Beethoven’s public life to challenge their sympathy and support.
Count Lichnowsky has dropped out of the narrative and does not appear
for some years. What had happened to the ardent friend of the youthful
days, Count Waldstein? There is no answer. Once a Conversation Book
awakens curiosity and a hope. Somebody warns Beethoven in a public
-place not to speak so loud, as everybody is listening. “Count Waldstein
-is sitting near; where does he live?” Beethoven’s answer is unrecorded
+place not to speak so loud, as everybody is listening. “Count Waldstein
+is sitting near; where does he live?” Beethoven’s answer is unrecorded
and thus passes the only opportunity which the known material offers
from which might have been learned what caused the death of that
beautiful friendship. Bernard, Schindler, Oliva, Peters and Bach were
@@ -1378,25 +1341,25 @@ deterred by the wide-spread reports of his suspicious, unapproachable,
almost repellant nature. But a miracle happens. Driven in upon
himself by the forces which seem to have been arrayed against
him, introspection opens wider and wider to him the doors of that
-imagination which in its creative function, as Ruskin tells us, is “an
+imagination which in its creative function, as Ruskin tells us, is “an
eminent beholder of things when and where they are not; a seer that is,
in the prophetic sense, calling the things that are not as though they
were; and for ever delighting to dwell on that which is not tangibly
-present.” Now he proclaims a new evangel, illustrates a higher union of
+present.” Now he proclaims a new evangel, illustrates a higher union of
beauty and truthfulness of expression, exalts art till it enters the
realm of religion.
In the _Tagebuch_ there stands a bold inscription written in February
-of the year 1820: “The moral law in us, and the starry sky above
-us--Kant.”[24] This and two other citations, the first of which
+of the year 1820: “The moral law in us, and the starry sky above
+us--Kant.”[24] This and two other citations, the first of which
Beethoven surely culled from some book, also deserve to be set down
here as mottoes applicable to the creative work which occupied his mind
during the year and thereafter:
- ’Tis said that art is long and life is fleeting:--
+ ’Tis said that art is long and life is fleeting:--
Nay; life is long and brief the span of art!
- If e’er her breath vouchsafes with gods a meeting,
- A moment’s favor ’tis of which we’ve had a part.
+ If e’er her breath vouchsafes with gods a meeting,
+ A moment’s favor ’tis of which we’ve had a part.
The world is a king and desires flattery in return for favor; but
true art is perverse and will not submit to the mould of flattery.
@@ -1405,10 +1368,10 @@ during the year and thereafter:
ground.
We can only record the fact that Beethoven began the year 1820, as
-he had begun its immediate predecessor, by sending a New Year’s
+he had begun its immediate predecessor, by sending a New Year’s
greeting to the august pupil who was now almost continually in his
mind--Archduke Rudolph, soon to be Archbishop and Cardinal[25]--before
-taking up the story of the incubus which oppressed the composer’s
+taking up the story of the incubus which oppressed the composer’s
mind, the clog which impeded his creative activities during much of
the year--the legal proceedings concerning the guardianship of nephew
Karl. Fortunately for the tinge of these pages the end is not distant.
@@ -1421,12 +1384,12 @@ set aside, but no regard had been shown for the welfare of his nephew.
Against this he now sought relief, and he set forth his grievances: (1)
He was testamentary appointee and the _Landrecht_ had confirmed him and
excluded the mother; circumstances compelling his absence from Vienna,
-he had arranged that Herr Nussböck should be appointed guardian _ad
-interim_; back permanently in the city, his nephew’s welfare required
+he had arranged that Herr Nussböck should be appointed guardian _ad
+interim_; back permanently in the city, his nephew’s welfare required
that he resume the guardianship; (2) The higher education which his
-nephew’s talents demanded neither the mother nor Nussböck could
+nephew’s talents demanded neither the mother nor Nussböck could
direct--the former because she was a woman and had conducted herself in
-a manner which had led the _Landrecht_ to exclude her, Nussböck because
+a manner which had led the _Landrecht_ to exclude her, Nussböck because
he was too much occupied with his duties as Municipal Sequestrator and,
having been no more than a paper-maker, he did not possess the insight
and judgment essential to the scientific education of the ward. (3)
@@ -1438,14 +1401,14 @@ care of his mother; by her mismanagement the boy would be sacrificed,
it being the aim of the mother to expend his share of the pension
money on herself. He had declared to the Magistracy his willingness
to defray the costs at the institute and also to engage other masters
-for the boy. Being “somewhat hard of hearing” communication with
+for the boy. Being “somewhat hard of hearing” communication with
him was difficult and therefore he had asked that a co-guardian
be appointed in the person of Herr Peters, Prince Lobkowitzsian
Councillor, whose knowledge and moral character would assure such a
-training and education as were justified by the boy’s capacity. “I know
-of no more sacred duty than the care and education of a child,” he
-observes. He would offer no objection to the mother’s having a “sort of
-joint-guardianship,” but its duties and privileges should be limited to
+training and education as were justified by the boy’s capacity. “I know
+of no more sacred duty than the care and education of a child,” he
+observes. He would offer no objection to the mother’s having a “sort of
+joint-guardianship,” but its duties and privileges should be limited to
her visiting him and learning what plans were making for his education;
to permit more would be to compass the ruin of the boy.[26]
@@ -1460,7 +1423,7 @@ to his deafness and his hatred of the mother of the ward, was incapable
of acting as guardian; (b) the guardianship belonged to the mother by
right of law; (c) the commission of an act of infidelity against her
husband in 1811, for which she had suffered punishment, was no longer a
-bar; (d) none of the alleged “injurious disturbances and interferences”
+bar; (d) none of the alleged “injurious disturbances and interferences”
had been definitely set forth or proven:
If under injurious disturbances we are to understand that the
@@ -1496,7 +1459,7 @@ we quote:
This exclusion can have nothing for its foundation except the
misdemeanor of which the mother was guilty in 1811, for all the
- rest contained in appellant’s exhibit F is unproven chatter to
+ rest contained in appellant’s exhibit F is unproven chatter to
which the _Landrecht_ could give no consideration, but which gives
speaking proof of how passionately and inimically the appellant
has always acted, and still acts, towards the mother, how little
@@ -1508,14 +1471,14 @@ we quote:
capable and fit for the guardianship of his son in his last will
and testament, directing that the son be not taken away from his
mother. Regardless of this the appellant last year, certainly not
- in the interest of the boy’s welfare, inasmuch as we have excellent
+ in the interest of the boy’s welfare, inasmuch as we have excellent
educational institutions here, but only to pain the mother, to
tear the heart out of her bosom, attempted to send him out of the
country to Landshut. Fortunately the government authorities, acting
on information derived from this court, frustrated the plan by
refusing a passport.
-[Sidenote: DEPRAVITY OF KARL’S MOTHER]
+[Sidenote: DEPRAVITY OF KARL’S MOTHER]
Let us try now to take a dispassionate view of the case as thus far
presented in the pleadings and documents. Not only the law of nature
@@ -1530,7 +1493,7 @@ position to judge of the propriety of their course, which seems to have
been in harmony with the judicial procedure of the place and period,
least of all to condemn them, so long as it was permitted them so to
do, for having made a stout resistance when their acts were impugned
-in the appeal to the higher court. The “Exhibit F,” filed in the
+in the appeal to the higher court. The “Exhibit F,” filed in the
proceedings before the _Landrecht_, has not been found and its contents
can only be guessed at from the allusions to it in the documents.
Obviously it contained aspersions on the moral character of Madame van
@@ -1538,20 +1501,20 @@ Beethoven, and it may have been, nay, probably was, true that they were
unsupported by evidence and therefore undeserving of consideration in
a court either of law or equity. Perhaps they were not susceptible of
legal proof. It has been thought that Beethoven felt some hesitancy in
-flaunting evidence of his sister-in-law’s infamy in the face of the
+flaunting evidence of his sister-in-law’s infamy in the face of the
world,[27] but he certainly showed no disposition to spare her in his
letters, nor did he hesitate to accuse her of unmentionable things
by innuendo. In a Conversation Book of this year (1820) he writes of
-her that she was “born for intrigue, accomplished in deceit, mistress
-of all the arts of dissimulation.” On the other hand, it is singular
+her that she was “born for intrigue, accomplished in deceit, mistress
+of all the arts of dissimulation.” On the other hand, it is singular
that the Magistrates in their final effort to justify their course
have nothing to say about the present moral standing of the woman
whose legal and natural rights they claimed to be upholding. Were they
in ignorance of what we now know, namely, that her conduct had not
only been reprehensible in 1811 (though condoned by her husband) but
-continued so after her husband’s death? Schindler says that she gave
+continued so after her husband’s death? Schindler says that she gave
birth to a child while the case was pending, and that is confirmed by
-a statement of Nephew Karl’s widow,[28] that in her old age Madame van
+a statement of Nephew Karl’s widow,[28] that in her old age Madame van
Beethoven lived in Baden with this illegitimate daughter, who was also
a dissolute woman.
@@ -1570,23 +1533,23 @@ and his lawyer tells him to engage him and one of his colleagues,
Schmerling, in conversation on the subject. Perhaps Winter himself
questioned the propriety of the proceeding, for in a Conversation Book
somebody, who had evidently acted as messenger in the delivery of
-the letter, writes: “I gave it to Herr v. Winter; he kept me waiting
+the letter, writes: “I gave it to Herr v. Winter; he kept me waiting
and then said that he could give no answer, nor involve himself in a
-correspondence.” The letter in question was written on March 6. In it
+correspondence.” The letter in question was written on March 6. In it
Beethoven says that he had prepared a memorial which he would place in
his hands in a few days. From the outline given it is plain that the
-memorial contained a review of the case since the death of Beethoven’s
-brother. It had been prepared, said Beethoven, “believing that I
+memorial contained a review of the case since the death of Beethoven’s
+brother. It had been prepared, said Beethoven, “believing that I
owed it to myself to expose the falsity of the many slanders which
have been uttered against me and to lay bare the intrigues of Madame
van Beethoven against me to the injury of her own child, as also to
-place in its proper light the conduct of the Magistrates’ Court.” He
+place in its proper light the conduct of the Magistrates’ Court.” He
charges that the Magistrates had summoned the widow and her son to a
hearing without his knowledge and, as his nephew had told him, he had
been urged and led on by his mother to make false accusations against
him. He had also forwarded a document which proved the wavering and
partisan conduct of the Magistrates. He repeats the charge about his
-nephew’s failure to advance in his studies and adds that the boy had
+nephew’s failure to advance in his studies and adds that the boy had
had a hemorrhage which, had he not been on hand, might almost have cost
him his life. These things were not attributable to Herr Tuscher for
the reason that the Magistrates had given him too little support and
@@ -1598,7 +1561,7 @@ saying that he had received nothing from the widow in nearly fourteen
months but would continue to pay the cost unselfishly in the future,
and had set apart 4,000 florins which was on deposit in bank and was to
go to his nephew on his death. Moreover, he had expectations from his
-relations with the Archbishop of Olmütz, etc.
+relations with the Archbishop of Olmütz, etc.
The case was prepared shrewdly, carefully and most discreetly by Dr.
Bach, who seems to have exerted an admirable influence on Beethoven
@@ -1606,19 +1569,19 @@ at this crisis. The nature of his advice may be learned from the
communication of Bernard in one of the recorded conversations. Bernard
is writing, and evidently giving the result of a consultation with
Dr. Bach. The Court of Appeals would ask another report from the
-Magistrates and on its receipt would adjudge the case. Nussböck,
+Magistrates and on its receipt would adjudge the case. Nussböck,
who Dr. Bach said was willing, should voluntarily retire from the
guardianship. Beethoven was asked as to the appointment of Tuscher;
had he resigned permanently or only temporarily in favor of Tuscher,
-the better to accomplish the nephew’s removal from his mother? In what
+the better to accomplish the nephew’s removal from his mother? In what
manner had Tuscher abdicated, and had the Magistracy informed Beethoven
of the fact? It was necessary, said the adviser, to proceed with
moderation in all things so as to avoid the appearance of malice, and
the mother should not be assailed if it was at all avoidable, stress
being laid only on the fact that as a woman she ought not to have the
-direction of the education of a boy of Karl’s age, not having the
+direction of the education of a boy of Karl’s age, not having the
requisite fitness. It would also be necessary for him, in case he were
-asked, to state his readiness to defray the cost of the boy’s education
+asked, to state his readiness to defray the cost of the boy’s education
in the future and this, if the worst came to the worst, might be
followed by a threat to withdraw wholly from his care. Reproaches might
be made against him concerning the period when he had the boy with him,
@@ -1631,15 +1594,15 @@ would be observed and scandal fomented.
Bach seems to have advised Beethoven to visit two of the judges, Winter
and Schmerling, and himself had an interview with the boy, who told his
uncle what the advocate had questioned him about. For the nonce Karl
-was on his good behavior. Blöchlinger reported favorably on his studies
+was on his good behavior. Blöchlinger reported favorably on his studies
to Bernard, and in a Conversation Book the boy apologized to his
uncle for some statements derogatory to him which he had made to the
-Magistrates. “She promised me so many things,” he said, “that I could
+Magistrates. “She promised me so many things,” he said, “that I could
not resist her; I am sorry that I was so weak at the time and beg your
forgiveness; I will not again permit myself to be led astray. I did not
know what results might follow when I told the Magistrates what I did;
but if there is another examination I will retract all the falsehoods
-I uttered.” The magisterial commission which followed on March 29, had
+I uttered.” The magisterial commission which followed on March 29, had
plainly been held at the instance of the Appellate Court. Beethoven
was solemnly admonished, and in answer to questions declared: (1) that
he still demanded the guardianship of his nephew under the will and
@@ -1654,12 +1617,12 @@ declaration on these points it is likely that the Court of Appeals
had some hope that Beethoven might voluntarily renounce or modify
his claims or the Magistrates recede from their attitude. Neither
contingency occurred, however, and on April 8 the reviewing court
-issued its decree in Beethoven’s favor, he and Peters being appointed
-joint guardians (_gemeinschaftliche Vormünde_), the mother and Nussböck
+issued its decree in Beethoven’s favor, he and Peters being appointed
+joint guardians (_gemeinschaftliche Vormünde_), the mother and Nussböck
being deposed. The widow now played her last card:--she appealed to
the Emperor, who upheld the Court of Appeals. There was nothing for
the Magistracy to do except to notify the result of the appeals to
-Beethoven, Madame van Beethoven, Peters and Nussböck. This was done on
+Beethoven, Madame van Beethoven, Peters and Nussböck. This was done on
July 24.
Beethoven had won at last. But at what a cost to himself, his art,
@@ -1676,16 +1639,16 @@ happiness of seeing the object of his love grow into a brilliant man
and a useful citizen. Was it vouchsafed him? Let us not in the midst
of his present happiness look too far into the future. Now his joy is
unbounded. He breaks into a jubilation when, in conveying the news
-to Pinterics--that Pinterics who had sung the bass in “Ta, ta, ta,”
-in honor of Mälzel: “Dr. Bach was my representative in this affair
+to Pinterics--that Pinterics who had sung the bass in “Ta, ta, ta,”
+in honor of Mälzel: “Dr. Bach was my representative in this affair
and this Brook (_Bach_) was joined by the sea, lightning, thunder, a
-tempest, and the magisterial brigantine suffered complete shipwreck!”
-Schindler says that “his happiness over the triumph which he had
+tempest, and the magisterial brigantine suffered complete shipwreck!”
+Schindler says that “his happiness over the triumph which he had
won over wickedness and trickery, but also because of the supposed
salvation from physical danger of his talented nephew, was so great
that he worked but little or not at all all summer--though this was
perhaps more apparent than real, the sketchbooks disclosing from now on
-only empty pages.” A wise qualification, for though the sketchbooks may
+only empty pages.” A wise qualification, for though the sketchbooks may
have been empty, there is evidence enough elsewhere of hard work. Yet
the Mass was not finished, and for this unfortunate circumstance the
guardianship trial was no doubt largely to blame. To this subject we
@@ -1693,16 +1656,16 @@ shall return presently.
Of Peters, who was appointed joint guardian with Beethoven of the
nephew, little is known beyond what we learn from Beethoven and
-Peters’s contributions to the Conversation Books. He was a tutor in
+Peters’s contributions to the Conversation Books. He was a tutor in
the house of Prince Lobkowitz and had been on terms of friendship with
Beethoven since 1816; his appointment by the court is a confirmation
-of Beethoven’s tribute to him as a man of intellectual parts and of
+of Beethoven’s tribute to him as a man of intellectual parts and of
good moral character. His wife had a good voice and was a great admirer
-of Beethoven, who presented her with a copy of the song cycle “An die
-ferne Geliebte.” A letter, once in the possession of John Ella in
+of Beethoven, who presented her with a copy of the song cycle “An die
+ferne Geliebte.” A letter, once in the possession of John Ella in
London, which may be of earlier date than 1821, to which year it is,
-however, most naturally assigned in view of the allusion to the “state
-burden” (the nephew), runs as follows:
+however, most naturally assigned in view of the allusion to the “state
+burden” (the nephew), runs as follows:
How are you? Are you well or ill? How is your wife? Permit me to
sing something for you:
@@ -1716,72 +1679,72 @@ burden” (the nephew), runs as follows:
Bernardus was a Saint? Ber-]
How are your young princes? Will you be at home this afternoon at 5
- o’clock? Perhaps I’ll visit you together with my _state_ burden.
+ o’clock? Perhaps I’ll visit you together with my _state_ burden.
[Sidenote: BAD CONDUCT OF NEPHEW KARL]
-Nephew Karl remained at Blöchlinger’s institute and continued to cause
+Nephew Karl remained at Blöchlinger’s institute and continued to cause
worry and anxiety to his uncle. Reports concerning his conduct and
studies were variable from different persons and at different times.
-Blöchlinger complained that he needed constant supervision: “Had we
-not always been strict with him, he would not be where he is now.”
+Blöchlinger complained that he needed constant supervision: “Had we
+not always been strict with him, he would not be where he is now.”
A cleric declares that he was at heart not a bad child but had been
-harmed by bad examples. “Karl has little feeling and in spite of the
-knowledge for which he is praised he has no reasoning powers,” writes
+harmed by bad examples. “Karl has little feeling and in spite of the
+knowledge for which he is praised he has no reasoning powers,” writes
an unidentified person in the Conversation Book, surely not to the
-satisfaction of the uncle who was always setting forth his nephew’s
+satisfaction of the uncle who was always setting forth his nephew’s
exceptional talent. In June somebody else (this time it may have
-been Oliva) feels constrained to write: “The boy lies every time he
-opens his mouth.” The “terrible occurrence” which had almost crushed
+been Oliva) feels constrained to write: “The boy lies every time he
+opens his mouth.” The “terrible occurrence” which had almost crushed
Beethoven in December, 1818, repeats itself, fortunately without such
dire results to the too sympathetic uncle: In June, instead of coming
-to an oral examination, Karl ran away to his mother. Madame Blöchlinger
+to an oral examination, Karl ran away to his mother. Madame Blöchlinger
had to take a coach and servant and bring him back to the school; and
to get him away from Madame van Beethoven, who was disposed to keep
him in concealment, had to promise to see to it that he should not
-be punished for his naughtiness. Now Blöchlinger, who says that the
-presence of Madame van Beethoven “poisons the air,” wants the woman
+be punished for his naughtiness. Now Blöchlinger, who says that the
+presence of Madame van Beethoven “poisons the air,” wants the woman
excluded from his house and asks for a power of attorney to call in
the help of the police every time that Karl shall go to his mother,
-whom he calls a “notorious strumpet,” of whose presence in his house
+whom he calls a “notorious strumpet,” of whose presence in his house
he must needs be ashamed. All this was told to Beethoven by Bernard,
-who had learned it from Blöchlinger. Beethoven went for advice to Bach,
+who had learned it from Blöchlinger. Beethoven went for advice to Bach,
who told his client that it was impracticable to get a judicial writ
against the mother enjoining her from meeting her son, and impossible
to prevent secret meetings and secret correspondence. The practical
-solution of the problem was to have Blöchlinger refuse to admit the
-woman to his institute and compel her to see Karl at his uncle’s home.
+solution of the problem was to have Blöchlinger refuse to admit the
+woman to his institute and compel her to see Karl at his uncle’s home.
This would serve the purpose to some extent, as the mother did not like
to meet her brother-in-law.
-The enthronization of Beethoven’s imperial pupil as Archbishop of
-Olmütz took place on March 20. The Mass which was to have been the
-composer’s tribute was still unfinished. The reader knows why, or at
+The enthronization of Beethoven’s imperial pupil as Archbishop of
+Olmütz took place on March 20. The Mass which was to have been the
+composer’s tribute was still unfinished. The reader knows why, or at
least has been provided with an opportunity to form an opinion as to
the reason. It may have been for the purpose of offering an explanation
to the new dignitary of the church, that Beethoven sought an audience
as he states in a letter of April 3. The Archducal Archbishop had gone
-to Olmütz and Beethoven wants to know his plans for the immediate
+to Olmütz and Beethoven wants to know his plans for the immediate
future. He had heard that H. I. H. was to return to Vienna in May,
but also that he intended to be absent for a year and a half. If so,
Beethoven deplores that he has made plans for himself which are unwise.
He begs H. I. H. not to give credence to the false reports concerning
-himself (Beethoven) which might reach his ears: “If Y. I. H. calls me
+himself (Beethoven) which might reach his ears: “If Y. I. H. calls me
one of your most treasured objects, I can honestly say that Y. I. H.
is to me one of the most treasured objects in the universe. Although
I am no courtier, I believe that Y. I. H. has learned to know me well
enough to know that no cold interest, but a sincere affection, has
always attached me to yourself and inspired me; and I might well say
that Blondel was found long ago, and if no Richard is to be found in
-the world for me, God will be my Richard.” He has evidently concerned
-himself about the music at the court in Olmütz: “It appears to me that
+the world for me, God will be my Richard.” He has evidently concerned
+himself about the music at the court in Olmütz: “It appears to me that
my idea to maintain a quartet will certainly be the best thing to do.
-If there are already productions on a large scale in Olmütz, something
-admirable might arise in Moravia through a quartet.” He advises
+If there are already productions on a large scale in Olmütz, something
+admirable might arise in Moravia through a quartet.” He advises
his pupil, in case it is his purpose to return in May, to keep his
compositions till then so as to play them first to him; but if his stay
is to be longer, he will receive the compositions with the greatest
-pleasure and seek to guide H. I. H. “to the highest peaks of Parnassus.”
+pleasure and seek to guide H. I. H. “to the highest peaks of Parnassus.”
[Sidenote: A PUNNING CANON ON HOFMANN]
@@ -1791,17 +1754,17 @@ to have been much in his head about this time and it is small wonder
that when an opportunity offered for the employment of the pun in a
canon it should have been embraced; in fact, it looks as if possibly he
had strained for the occasion, unless it should appear from evidence
-yet to be found that “One who was named Hoffmann,” in Beethoven’s
+yet to be found that “One who was named Hoffmann,” in Beethoven’s
words, was, as was long believed, the redoubtable E. T. A. Hoffmann,
who had surely deserved the tribute contained in a canon which
Beethoven wrote at this time. In the Conversation Book used in March,
-1820, a strange hand writes: “In the _Phantasie-Stücke_ by Hoffmann,
+1820, a strange hand writes: “In the _Phantasie-Stücke_ by Hoffmann,
you are often spoken of. Hoffmann was musical director in Bamberg; he
is now Government Councillor. Operas of his composition are performed
-in Berlin.” Beethoven remarks, in writing: “Hofmann du bist kein
-_Hofmann_.” Later in a conversation held at table, these words occur
-twice: “Hŏfmānn ÷ sei ja kein Hōfmănn--nein ÷ ÷ ÷ ich heisse Hŏfmānn
-und bin kein Hōfmănn.” These words are preceded by a measure of music,
+in Berlin.” Beethoven remarks, in writing: “Hofmann du bist kein
+_Hofmann_.” Later in a conversation held at table, these words occur
+twice: “Hŏfmānn ÷ sei ja kein Hōfmănn--nein ÷ ÷ ÷ ich heisse Hŏfmānn
+und bin kein Hōfmănn.” These words are preceded by a measure of music,
the beginning of the canon in question. Did Beethoven thus honor the
fantastic poet, musician, novelist, essayist, singer, scene-painter and
theatrical manager who had shown such keen critical appreciation of
@@ -1811,11 +1774,11 @@ On March 23 Beethoven had written a letter to Hoffmann, expressing his
gratification at having won the good opinion of a man gifted with such
excellent attributes as Hoffmann possessed. Had he written the canon
at this time he would surely have enclosed it in this letter and then,
-since it was preserved among Hoffmann’s papers, it would have been
+since it was preserved among Hoffmann’s papers, it would have been
found and given to the world with the letter. But Beethoven kept the
canon in his mind or had a copy of it, and printed it in 1825, when B.
-Schott’s Sons in Mayence asked him for a contribution to their musical
-journal “Cäcilia,” which had been founded a year before. Now comes
+Schott’s Sons in Mayence asked him for a contribution to their musical
+journal “Cäcilia,” which had been founded a year before. Now comes
Nottebohm with his evidence in the case. A man named Gross was once
the owner of the autograph and his son told Nottebohm that it had been
written in the Matschaker Hof, a tavern at which Beethoven was dining
@@ -1823,10 +1786,10 @@ at the time, and referred to a church musician named Vincenz Hoffmann,
as the informant remembered the name. Nottebohm looked through the
official lists of musicians in Vienna in the first decades of the
century; he did not find a Vincenz, but did find a Joachim Hoffmann who
-might have been an acquaintance of Beethoven’s; and so he set him down
-as the recipient of the composer’s tribute.[29]
+might have been an acquaintance of Beethoven’s; and so he set him down
+as the recipient of the composer’s tribute.[29]
-In the summer of 1820, Beethoven went to Mödling again, but he did not
+In the summer of 1820, Beethoven went to Mödling again, but he did not
take the lodgings in the Harfner house for the very sufficient reason
that the proprietor had served notice on him in 1819, that he could
not have it longer on account of the noisy disturbances which had
@@ -1836,55 +1799,55 @@ a view which was essential to his happiness. He takes the baths and
receives a visit from his nephew, who probably stays with him during
his school vacation; at any rate, the boy does not return to Vienna
until October 5, on which day the Giannatasios, making an excursion
-to Mödling, meet him with Karl driving to town. There is at this time
+to Mödling, meet him with Karl driving to town. There is at this time
considerable talk in the Conversation Book of publishing a complete
-edition of Beethoven’s works. Bernard, probably, tells him that Steiner
+edition of Beethoven’s works. Bernard, probably, tells him that Steiner
is already counting on it and Schindler, who is enthusiastic over the
project, gives it as his opinion that arrangements must be made with
a Vienna publisher so as to avoid voluminous correspondence. Somebody
-remarks: “Eckstein will so arrange it that you will always get all
+remarks: “Eckstein will so arrange it that you will always get all
the profits and will also publish your future works as your property.
-He thinks that every fourth or fifth piece should be a new one.” The
+He thinks that every fourth or fifth piece should be a new one.” The
plan appealed strongly to Beethoven, but nothing came of it at the
time, though we shall hear of it later. It was the discussion of it,
probably, by his friends which brought out a letter from Beethoven to
-Haslinger, “best of Adjutants,” asking him to decide a bet. Beethoven
+Haslinger, “best of Adjutants,” asking him to decide a bet. Beethoven
had wagered 10 florins that it was not true that the Steiners had
been obliged to pay Artaria 2000 florins damages for having published
-Mozart’s works, which were reprinted universally.
+Mozart’s works, which were reprinted universally.
Towards the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna and took
-lodgings at No. 244 Hauptstrasse in the Landstrasse, “the large house
-of the Augustinians” beside the church. There he was visited by Dr.
-W. Chr. Müller of Bremen, a philologist and musical amateur who had
-long admired Beethoven and, with the help of his “Family Concerts,”
-established in 1782, had created such a cult for Beethoven’s music as
+lodgings at No. 244 Hauptstrasse in the Landstrasse, “the large house
+of the Augustinians” beside the church. There he was visited by Dr.
+W. Chr. Müller of Bremen, a philologist and musical amateur who had
+long admired Beethoven and, with the help of his “Family Concerts,”
+established in 1782, had created such a cult for Beethoven’s music as
existed in no city in Germany in the second decade of the nineteenth
-century--according to Schindler. Müller’s daughter Elise played the
+century--according to Schindler. Müller’s daughter Elise played the
sonatas exceptionally well and was largely instrumental with her father
-in creating this cult. Müller was making an Italian tour, visited
+in creating this cult. Müller was making an Italian tour, visited
Vienna in October and November and published an account of his meetings
-with Beethoven in the “Allg. Musik. Zeit.” in 1827. In this he tells
-of Beethoven’s freedom of speech at public eating-houses, where he
+with Beethoven in the “Allg. Musik. Zeit.” in 1827. In this he tells
+of Beethoven’s freedom of speech at public eating-houses, where he
would criticize the Austrian government, the morals of the aristocracy,
the police, etc., without stint. The police paid no attention to his
utterances, either because they looked upon him as a harmless fantastic
-or had an overwhelming respect for his artistic genius. “Hence,” says
-Dr. Müller, “his opinion that nowhere was speech freer than in Vienna;
-but his ideal of a political constitution was the English one.” It was
-through Dr. Müller that we know somewhat of Beethoven’s views on the
+or had an overwhelming respect for his artistic genius. “Hence,” says
+Dr. Müller, “his opinion that nowhere was speech freer than in Vienna;
+but his ideal of a political constitution was the English one.” It was
+through Dr. Müller that we know somewhat of Beethoven’s views on the
subject of analytical programmes. Among the zealous promoters of the
Beethoven cult in Bremen, was a young poet named Dr. Karl Iken, editor
-of the “Bremer Zeitung,” who, inspired by the _Familien-Concerte_,
+of the “Bremer Zeitung,” who, inspired by the _Familien-Concerte_,
conceived the idea of helping the public to an understanding of
-Beethoven’s music by writing programmatic expositions of the symphonies
+Beethoven’s music by writing programmatic expositions of the symphonies
for perusal before the concerts. Some of his lucubrations were sent
-to Beethoven by Dr. Müller, and aroused the composer’s ire. Schindler
-found four of these “programmes” among Beethoven’s papers, and he gave
+to Beethoven by Dr. Müller, and aroused the composer’s ire. Schindler
+found four of these “programmes” among Beethoven’s papers, and he gave
the world a specimen. In the Seventh Symphony, Dr. Iken professed to
see a political revolution.
-[Sidenote: “PROGRAMME” FOR THE SEVENTH SYMPHONY]
+[Sidenote: “PROGRAMME” FOR THE SEVENTH SYMPHONY]
The sign of revolt is given; there is a rushing and running about
of the multitude; an innocent man, or party, is surrounded,
@@ -1906,7 +1869,7 @@ see a political revolution.
It is scarcely to be wondered at that such balderdash disgusted and
even enraged Beethoven. In the fall of 1819, he dictated a letter
-to Müller--it has, unfortunately been lost--in which he protested
+to Müller--it has, unfortunately been lost--in which he protested
energetically against such interpretations of his music. He pointed
out, says Schindler, who wrote the letter for him, the errors to
which such writings would inevitably give rise. If expositions
@@ -1914,12 +1877,12 @@ were necessary, they should be confined to characterization of the
composition in general terms, which could easily and correctly be done
by any educated musician.
-Beethoven’s complaints concerning his financial condition were chronic
+Beethoven’s complaints concerning his financial condition were chronic
and did not cease even in periods where extraordinary receipts make
them difficult to understand. That the lamentations in his letters
during the two years which we have in review were well-founded,
-however, is no doubt true. With so engrossing a work as the “Missa
-solemnis” on hand there could not have been much time for such
+however, is no doubt true. With so engrossing a work as the “Missa
+solemnis” on hand there could not have been much time for such
potboilers as he mentions and the other sources of revenue were not
many. From the records which are at hand, we know something about a
few of his monetary transactions. On October 26, 1820, he collected
@@ -1930,14 +1893,14 @@ a further loan of 150 to save himself the necessity of selling one
of his bank shares. These shares, it will be remembered in partial
extenuation or at least explanation of some of his actions which are
scarcely compatible with his protestations of his unswerving honesty
-in business transactions, had been set apart by him as his nephew’s
+in business transactions, had been set apart by him as his nephew’s
legacy and he clung to them as to a sacred pledge. He promises to repay
Artaria in three months and meanwhile to send him a composition in one,
two or more movements, without honorarium. An incident which shows
him in an unamiable light is connected with his financial relations
with the publisher Steiner. On December 29, 1820, Steiner wrote him a
-letter which did not see the public eye until published in the “Neue
-Freie Presse” newspaper of Vienna on August 17, 1900. Steiner had sent
+letter which did not see the public eye until published in the “Neue
+Freie Presse” newspaper of Vienna on August 17, 1900. Steiner had sent
Beethoven a dun, or at least a statement of account, and Beethoven had,
evidently, been both rude and unreasonable in his reply. We quote from
Steiner:
@@ -1981,18 +1944,18 @@ Steiner:
The letter contains pencil memoranda by Beethoven. He has evidently
added together the various sums which he owes Steiner and they amount
-to 2420 florins W. W. He remarks that 1300 florins was received
-“probably” in 1816 or 1817; 750 florins “perhaps” in 1819; 300
-florins “are debts which I assumed for Madame van Beethoven and
+to 2420 florins W. W. He remarks that 1300 florins was received
+“probably” in 1816 or 1817; 750 florins “perhaps” in 1819; 300
+florins “are debts which I assumed for Madame van Beethoven and
can be chargeable for only a few years; the 70 florins may have
been for myself in 1819. Payment may be made of 1200 florins a year
-in semi-annual payments.” A further memorandum on the cover notes
-Steiner’s willingness to accept payments on April 15 and October
+in semi-annual payments.” A further memorandum on the cover notes
+Steiner’s willingness to accept payments on April 15 and October
15, 1821. The settlements seem to have been made. On April 1, 1821,
Beethoven collected 600 florins from the estate of Kinsky, being
one-half of the annuity for the year September 1820 to September 1821.
He also persuaded his friend Franz Brentano to advance him money on
-the amount for which he sold the “Missa Solemnis” to Simrock in Bonn,
+the amount for which he sold the “Missa Solemnis” to Simrock in Bonn,
though he did not give him the Mass for publication in the end. But
this is a matter which can be better discussed in connection with the
incidents in the history of the compositions which fall within the
@@ -2001,37 +1964,37 @@ present period.
The beginning of the year 1821 found him still at his home in the
suburb Landstrasse, and, it would seem, working as hard as his health
permitted. When he went to the country for the summer he went to
-Unterdöbling and thence, after September, to Baden to take a cure
+Unterdöbling and thence, after September, to Baden to take a cure
prescribed by his physician, Dr. Staudenheimer. In Baden he lived
in the Rathshausgasse. He had suffered from rheumatism during the
preceding winter and now became a victim of jaundice, for which, no
doubt, he was sent to Baden, though he had gotten rid of the disease
to some extent at least by the end of August. The cure prescribed by
Staudenheimer was more severe than he could endure and, as he writes
-to Franz Brentano on November 12, 1821, he had to “flee to Vienna,”
+to Franz Brentano on November 12, 1821, he had to “flee to Vienna,”
where he was more comfortable. The attack of jaundice may have been an
_arant-courier_ of the disease of the liver which brought him to the
grave six years later. He expresses a fear in a letter to the Archduke
(July 18, 1821) that it might prevent him for a long time from waiting
upon his pupil. There is the usual monetary complaint in the letter,
-which concludes with: “God who knows my heart and how sacredly I
+which concludes with: “God who knows my heart and how sacredly I
fulfill all the duties commanded by humanity, God and nature will some
-day free me from this affliction.”
+day free me from this affliction.”
In 1820 the voice of an old English admirer reaches him with a request
which must have seemed strange to him. William Gardiner, as has been
told in the chapter in the first volume of this work devoted to the
compositions of the Bonn period, was one of the first proclaimers of
-Beethoven’s evangel in England. He had now compiled and composed a sort
-of _pasticcio_, an oratorio entitled “Judah,” piecing the work out
+Beethoven’s evangel in England. He had now compiled and composed a sort
+of _pasticcio_, an oratorio entitled “Judah,” piecing the work out
with original compositions where he had failed to find music written
-by others which he could use. In his book “Music and Friends” (III,
+by others which he could use. In his book “Music and Friends” (III,
377) he relates that he had hoped to get an original composition for
-“Judah” in the shape of an appropriate overture, and to this end had
+“Judah” in the shape of an appropriate overture, and to this end had
written a letter to Beethoven and forwarded it to Vienna through Baron
Neumann of the Austrian Embassy, who, on receiving it, had remarked
that it was doubtful if an answer would be received, as Beethoven held
-no communication with the world. Gardiner’s letter was as follows:
+no communication with the world. Gardiner’s letter was as follows:
To Louis van Beethoven.
@@ -2042,9 +2005,9 @@ no communication with the world. Gardiner’s letter was as follows:
and beauty gave me inexpressible delight; indeed it was a new
sense to me. Ever since I have anxiously endeavoured to procure
your compositions as much so as the war could permit. Allow me
- to present to you the first volume of my “Sacred Melodies” which
+ to present to you the first volume of my “Sacred Melodies” which
contain your divine Adagios appropriated to the British church. I
- am now engaged upon a work entitled “The Oratorio of Judah” giving
+ am now engaged upon a work entitled “The Oratorio of Judah” giving
a history of that peculiar people from the Jewish scriptures. The
object of this letter is to express a hope that I may induce you to
compose an Overture for this work upon which you can bring all the
@@ -2056,12 +2019,12 @@ no communication with the world. Gardiner’s letter was as follows:
Your faithful servant
William Gardiner.
-There is no date, but as “Judah” was criticized in “The Musical Review”
+There is no date, but as “Judah” was criticized in “The Musical Review”
in 1821, it is presumable that the letter was written in 1820. Gardiner
deplores the fact that he received no reply from Beethoven, although
-the Empress had thanked him for a copy of the “Sacred Melodies” which
+the Empress had thanked him for a copy of the “Sacred Melodies” which
he had sent to her. Evidently he did not realize that Beethoven was not
-the man to feel complimented by having his “divine Adagios” turned into
+the man to feel complimented by having his “divine Adagios” turned into
hymn-tunes. An occurrence which may have cost Beethoven a pang was the
loss of his faithful helper Oliva, who took his passport in December,
1820, and went to St. Petersburg, where he settled as a teacher of
@@ -2077,87 +2040,87 @@ in the latter year. He remained till some time in 1820 and made the
acquaintance of Beethoven through a letter of introduction probably
given to him by Brentano. Beethoven took a liking to him and gave
him some sittings--three, according to the testimony of the painter
-himself, thus disproving Schindler’s statement that “sitting after
-sitting was granted and never a complaint uttered.” On the contrary,
+himself, thus disproving Schindler’s statement that “sitting after
+sitting was granted and never a complaint uttered.” On the contrary,
the Conversation Book presents the artist as pleading for a little
more time; and because Beethoven refused to sit longer, Stieler had to
exercise his imagination or memory in painting the hands. In fact, the
painting never received the finishing touches but remained, as those
-who have seen it testify, “sketchy.” In March Stieler writes in the
-Conversation Book: “Have you written to Frankfort that I have begun
+who have seen it testify, “sketchy.” In March Stieler writes in the
+Conversation Book: “Have you written to Frankfort that I have begun
your portrait?--You must determine the destination of the picture.
-I say that I am painting it for myself.” In April Stieler asks the
-question: “In what key is your mass? I want to write on the sheet:
-(Mass in--)” Beethoven writes the answer: “_Missa solemnis in D_,” and
-Stieler: “After it has been exhibited I shall send it to Brentano--I
-thank you thousands and thousands of times for so much patience.”
-Beethoven’s friends refer frequently to the picture in their written
-conversations with Beethoven. One says: “That you have been painted _en
+I say that I am painting it for myself.” In April Stieler asks the
+question: “In what key is your mass? I want to write on the sheet:
+(Mass in--)” Beethoven writes the answer: “_Missa solemnis in D_,” and
+Stieler: “After it has been exhibited I shall send it to Brentano--I
+thank you thousands and thousands of times for so much patience.”
+Beethoven’s friends refer frequently to the picture in their written
+conversations with Beethoven. One says: “That you have been painted _en
face_ is the result of more extended study of your physiognomy. This
-view shows your spirit much better than a profile.” Schindler writes
-that he prefers the portrait by Schimon: “There is more character
+view shows your spirit much better than a profile.” Schindler writes
+that he prefers the portrait by Schimon: “There is more character
in it--all agree on that--You were very well two years ago; now you
-are always ailing.” J. Czerny writes: “We were just talking about
-your portrait. Oliva thinks you are well hit off.” The artist visits
-Beethoven again at Mödling in July and writes: “Before the exhibition
+are always ailing.” J. Czerny writes: “We were just talking about
+your portrait. Oliva thinks you are well hit off.” The artist visits
+Beethoven again at Mödling in July and writes: “Before the exhibition
I shall paint your portrait again, but full life-size. Your head makes
an excellent effect full face, and it was so appropriate because Haydn
-was on one side and Mozart on the other.” Stieler dated the canvass
-“1819,” but this can only refer to the time when it was begun. It
+was on one side and Mozart on the other.” Stieler dated the canvass
+“1819,” but this can only refer to the time when it was begun. It
remained for a while in the possession of the family of the painter,
then passed through several hands by purchase until it reached those of
Countess Sauerma in Berlin, in whose possession it was when Frimmel
and Kalischer inspected it for purposes of description. Schindler says
-it reproduces Beethoven’s characteristic expression faithfully and that
-it met with approval, though fault was found with the pose. Beethoven’s
+it reproduces Beethoven’s characteristic expression faithfully and that
+it met with approval, though fault was found with the pose. Beethoven’s
contemporaries were not used to see him with his head bowed down as
Stieler represents him; on the contrary, he carried his head high
even when suffering physical pain. A lithographic reproduction of the
-portrait was made by Fr. Dürck and published by Artaria in 1826.
+portrait was made by Fr. Dürck and published by Artaria in 1826.
In April, 1860, the author[31] had a conversation with Horzalka in
which the latter spoke very highly of Schindler and his disinterested
fidelity to Beethoven. Horzalka also said that in 1820 or 1821, as near
as he could recollect, the wife of a Major Baumgarten took boy boarders
-in a house then standing where the Musikverein’s hall now stands in
+in a house then standing where the Musikverein’s hall now stands in
Vienna. Her sister, Baroness Born, lived with her. Frau Baumgarten had
-a son who studied at Blöchlinger’s Institute, and Beethoven’s nephew
+a son who studied at Blöchlinger’s Institute, and Beethoven’s nephew
was amongst her boarders. One evening Horzalka called there and found
only the Baroness Born at home. Soon another caller came and stayed to
tea. It was Beethoven. Among other topics, Mozart came on the tapis and
-the Baroness asked Beethoven, in writing of course, which of Mozart’s
-operas he thought most of. “Die Zauberflöte,” said Beethoven and,
-suddenly clasping his hands and throwing up his eyes exclaimed, “Oh,
-Mozart!” As Horzalka had, as was the custom, always considered “Don
-Giovanni” the greatest of Mozart’s operas, this opinion by Beethoven
+the Baroness asked Beethoven, in writing of course, which of Mozart’s
+operas he thought most of. “Die Zauberflöte,” said Beethoven and,
+suddenly clasping his hands and throwing up his eyes exclaimed, “Oh,
+Mozart!” As Horzalka had, as was the custom, always considered “Don
+Giovanni” the greatest of Mozart’s operas, this opinion by Beethoven
made a very deep impression upon him. Beethoven invited the Baroness to
come to his lodgings and have a look at his Broadwood pianoforte.
[Sidenote: ARRESTED AS A VAGRANT]
-In 1820 Professor Höfel, who lived at Salzburg in the last years of his
+In 1820 Professor Höfel, who lived at Salzburg in the last years of his
life and who engraved the Latronne portrait of Beethoven for Artaria,
was appointed to a professorship of drawing in Wiener Neustadt. A year
or two afterward, as he said,[32] he was one evening with Eisner and
-other colleagues in the garden of the tavern “Zum Schleifen,” a little
+other colleagues in the garden of the tavern “Zum Schleifen,” a little
way out of town. The Commissioner of Police was a member of the party.
It was autumn and already dark when a constable came and said to the
-Commissioner: “Mr. Commissioner, we have arrested somebody who will
-give us no peace. He keeps on yelling that he is Beethoven; but he’s
+Commissioner: “Mr. Commissioner, we have arrested somebody who will
+give us no peace. He keeps on yelling that he is Beethoven; but he’s
a ragamuffin, has no hat, an old coat, etc.--nothing by which he can
-be identified.” (_Herr Commissär, wir haben Jemand arretirt, welcher
-uns kein’ Ruh gibt. Er schreit immer dass er Beethoven sei. Er ist
-aber ein Lump, hat kein’ Hut, alter Rock, etc., kein Aufweis wer er
+be identified.” (_Herr Commissär, wir haben Jemand arretirt, welcher
+uns kein’ Ruh gibt. Er schreit immer dass er Beethoven sei. Er ist
+aber ein Lump, hat kein’ Hut, alter Rock, etc., kein Aufweis wer er
ist, etc._) The Commissioner ordered that the man be kept under arrest
-until morning, “then we will examine him and learn who he is.” Next
+until morning, “then we will examine him and learn who he is.” Next
morning the company was very anxious to know how the affair turned
-out, and the Commissioner said that about 11 o’clock at night he was
+out, and the Commissioner said that about 11 o’clock at night he was
waked by a policeman with the information that the prisoner would
give them no peace and had demanded that Herzog, Musical Director in
Wiener Neustadt, be called to identify him. So the Commissioner got up,
dressed, went out and waked up Herzog, and in the middle of the night
went with him to the watchhouse. Herzog, as soon as he cast eyes on
-the man exclaimed, “That _is_ Beethoven!” He took him home with him,
+the man exclaimed, “That _is_ Beethoven!” He took him home with him,
gave him his best room, etc. Next day came the burgomaster, making all
manner of apologies. As it proved, Beethoven had got up early in the
morning, and, slipping on a miserable old coat and, without a hat, had
@@ -2167,19 +2130,19 @@ eat, he had continued on until he brought up at the canal-basin at the
Ungerthor. Here, not knowing where he was, he was seen looking in at
the windows of the houses, and as he looked so like a beggar the people
had called a constable who arrested him. Upon his arrest the composer
-said, “I am Beethoven.” “Of course, why not?” (_Warum nicht gar?_)
-said the policeman; “You’re a tramp: Beethoven doesn’t look so.” (_Ein
+said, “I am Beethoven.” “Of course, why not?” (_Warum nicht gar?_)
+said the policeman; “You’re a tramp: Beethoven doesn’t look so.” (_Ein
Lump sind Sie; so sieht der Beethoven nicht aus._) Herzog gave him
some decent clothes and the burgomaster sent him back to Baden, where
he was then living, in the magisterial state-coach. This simple story
is the foundation for the fine narrative related as a fact in Vienna
that Beethoven had got into this scrape following troops from Vienna
who had a sham battle near Wiener Neustadt, and taking notes for his
-“Wellington’s Victory”--which whole story thus goes to the wall.
+“Wellington’s Victory”--which whole story thus goes to the wall.
A letter written from Baden on September 10, 1821, to Tobias Haslinger
-accompanying a canon[33] on the words “O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger,
-O, O!” deserves to be given here to show that Beethoven’s high spirits
+accompanying a canon[33] on the words “O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger,
+O, O!” deserves to be given here to show that Beethoven’s high spirits
could at times dominate him in spite of his general misery.
Very best fellow!
@@ -2193,7 +2156,7 @@ could at times dominate him in spite of his general misery.
Writ and small wonder that the man Tobias now occurred to me, and
how natural that our little Tobias should enter my mind and the
_pertobiasser_, and now during my dream journey the following canon
- came to me: “O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger, O, O!” But scarcely
+ came to me: “O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger, O, O!” But scarcely
awakened, away went the canon and nothing of it would come back
to my memory. But when, next day, I was on my way hither in the
same conveyance (that of a poor Austrian musician) and continued
@@ -2210,7 +2173,7 @@ could at times dominate him in spite of his general misery.
either in receiving or paying--Sing the epistles of St. Paul every
day, go to pater Werner,[34] who will show you the little book by
which you may go to heaven in a jiffy. You see my anxiety for your
- soul’s salvation; and I remain with the greatest pleasure from
+ soul’s salvation; and I remain with the greatest pleasure from
everlasting to everlasting,
Your most faithful debtor
@@ -2223,13 +2186,13 @@ must be given to the Mass in D, which, though long in hand and destined
for a function in which Beethoven and his Imperial Archepiscopal pupil
were profoundly concerned, was yet incomplete when the time for that
function arrived. Archduke Rudolph was installed as Archbishop of
-Olmütz on March 20, 1820. Exactly what condition the Mass was in at
+Olmütz on March 20, 1820. Exactly what condition the Mass was in at
that time we have no means of knowing; it was, however, in a sufficient
state of forwardness to enable Beethoven to begin negotiations for its
publication. On March 18 he wrote to Simrock:
As regards the mass, I have pondered the matter carefully and might
- give it to you for the honorarium of 100 Louis d’ors which you
+ give it to you for the honorarium of 100 Louis d’ors which you
offered me, provided you agree to a few conditions which I shall
propose and which I think, will not be found burdensome by you. We
have gone through the plan for publication here and believe that
@@ -2238,61 +2201,61 @@ publication. On March 18 he wrote to Simrock:
the necessary changes soon.
This would seem to indicate that the work had been practically
-completed, and that this view obtained amongst Beethoven’s friends we
+completed, and that this view obtained amongst Beethoven’s friends we
know from the evidence of the Conversation Books. In the summer at
-Mödling he was frequently asked if it was finished and when it would
+Mödling he was frequently asked if it was finished and when it would
be performed. Some hurried sketches belonging to the _Credo_ are found
amongst the remarks of his friends, and also sketches for the _Agnus
-Dei_. Schindler asks him in August: “Is the _Benedictus_ written out in
-score? Are those sketches for the _Agnus_?” Rudolph had communicated
-to him his intention to spend a part of the summer in Mödling.
+Dei_. Schindler asks him in August: “Is the _Benedictus_ written out in
+score? Are those sketches for the _Agnus_?” Rudolph had communicated
+to him his intention to spend a part of the summer in Mödling.
Beethoven writes to him on August 3 and September 2, making apologies
for apparent neglect in not waiting upon him (he had no carriage the
first time, was in ill-health the second), but says not a word about
the mass. Some of the remarks in the Conversation Book are vague as to
the composition referred to, but many are plain enough to show that
Beethoven had informed his friends and advisers of the negotiations
-with Simrock. Surprise is expressed at Simrock’s delay. Beethoven is
+with Simrock. Surprise is expressed at Simrock’s delay. Beethoven is
advised to write to him and also to Brentano in Frankfort, who had
been authorized to collect the honorarium. In April somebody writes:
-“Have you written to Simrock that he _must not_ publish the mass at
-once, as you want first to send it or hand it to the Archduke?” Again:
-“If you send the _Recepisse_ of the stage-coach he will certainly send
-you the money _at once_.” And later: “It would be quicker to give the
+“Have you written to Simrock that he _must not_ publish the mass at
+once, as you want first to send it or hand it to the Archduke?” Again:
+“If you send the _Recepisse_ of the stage-coach he will certainly send
+you the money _at once_.” And later: “It would be quicker to give the
music to the stage-coach and send Brentano the receipt--at the same
time informing Simrock that Brentano had been assured of its despatch;
then Brentano can send you the money at once without waiting to receive
-the music.” In April again: “But he has not yet replied to your last
+the music.” In April again: “But he has not yet replied to your last
offer of the mass? I mean Simrock--200 ducats could help you out
greatly--Because of _your circumstances_. You must not delay writing to
Simrock or Brentano. Brentano can send you the money _at once_--or at
-least very soon.” “I am surprised that Simrock has not answered yet.”
-Meanwhile Simrock answers. “Leave Simrock’s letter with me,” says the
-mentor, “I’ll answer it and give you the letter this afternoon--if you
+least very soon.” “I am surprised that Simrock has not answered yet.”
+Meanwhile Simrock answers. “Leave Simrock’s letter with me,” says the
+mentor, “I’ll answer it and give you the letter this afternoon--if you
are satisfied with it you will sign it and I will post it to-morrow.
-There must be no delay.” “He says the mass can be used only by
-Catholics, which is not true.” “He is paying too little rather than too
-much with 200 ducats.”
+There must be no delay.” “He says the mass can be used only by
+Catholics, which is not true.” “He is paying too little rather than too
+much with 200 ducats.”
It is obvious that some difficulty had arisen between Beethoven and
Simrock. What that difficulty was is explained in a letter from
Simrock to Brentano dated November 12, 1820. It was a misunderstanding
-concerning the price of the “new grand musical mass” which the
-composer wished to sell for 100 Louis d’ors. The publisher had agreed
-to the price, understanding Louis d’ors to mean what the term meant
+concerning the price of the “new grand musical mass” which the
+composer wished to sell for 100 Louis d’ors. The publisher had agreed
+to the price, understanding Louis d’ors to mean what the term meant
in Bonn, Leipsic and throughout Germany, namely, the equivalent of
-Friedrichs d’ors, pistoles. In order to avoid unpleasantness after the
+Friedrichs d’ors, pistoles. In order to avoid unpleasantness after the
reception of the mass he had explained this clearly to Beethoven and in
-a letter, dated September 23, had repeated that by Louis d’ors he meant
-Friedrichs d’ors; he was not in a position to give more. He would hold
+a letter, dated September 23, had repeated that by Louis d’ors he meant
+Friedrichs d’ors; he was not in a position to give more. He would hold
the sum in readiness against the receipt of the mass, which Beethoven
had promised to provide with German as well as Latin words. He was also
under the impression that he had asked a speedy decision, as he did
not want to keep his money tied up in Frankfort. Hearing nothing for
four weeks he had quit counting on the mass and made other use of his
-money. Learning, however, from Brentano’s letter of November 8th that
+money. Learning, however, from Brentano’s letter of November 8th that
Beethoven had agreed to let him have the mass, he now finds himself in
-the embarrassment of not having the gold Louis d’ors on hand, but as
+the embarrassment of not having the gold Louis d’ors on hand, but as
Brentano had said nothing on the subject he would in the meantime try
to secure the coin, unless Brentano were willing to take the equivalent
in florins at the rate of 9.36. He asked to be informed of the arrival
@@ -2301,11 +2264,11 @@ on paying the sum mentioned.
Simrock waited four weeks before abandoning hope that Beethoven would
send the mass; it was ten weeks and more before Beethoven answered
-Simrock’s letter. Then he sent his reply to Brentano enclosed in a
+Simrock’s letter. Then he sent his reply to Brentano enclosed in a
letter dated November 28. The letter has not been found, or at least
not made public; but the letter to Brentano[35] makes it plain that
-Beethoven had acceded to Simrock’s offer and agreed to take pistoles
-for Louis d’ors. He says:
+Beethoven had acceded to Simrock’s offer and agreed to take pistoles
+for Louis d’ors. He says:
Your kindness permits me to hope that you will not refuse to have
the enclosure sent to Simrock, inasmuch as in it my views are set
@@ -2324,10 +2287,10 @@ for Louis d’ors. He says:
Thus matters stand with the Mass at the end of 1820, and thus they
seem to have remained throughout the next year. Simrock always was to
be but never was blest with the score. On July 18, 1821, Beethoven
-promises to put the work into the Archduke’s hands “while here”--i. e.,
-at Unterdöbling; he leaves the reasons for the delay to the imagination
-of his patron: “the details might prove anything but pleasant to Y. I.
-H.” In November he thinks again of Simrock and on the 12th writes to
+promises to put the work into the Archduke’s hands “while here”--i. e.,
+at Unterdöbling; he leaves the reasons for the delay to the imagination
+of his patron: “the details might prove anything but pleasant to Y. I.
+H.” In November he thinks again of Simrock and on the 12th writes to
Brentano:
The mass might have been sent before this, but had to be _carefully
@@ -2338,7 +2301,7 @@ Brentano:
everything I have been compelled to make a considerable number
of potboilers (as unfortunately I must call them). I think I am
justified in making an attempt to get Simrock to reckon the Louis
- d’ors at a higher rate, inasmuch as several applications have been
+ d’ors at a higher rate, inasmuch as several applications have been
made from other quarters, concerning which I shall write you soon.
As for the rest, do not question my honesty; frequently I think of
nothing except that your kind advance may soon be repaid.
@@ -2375,7 +2338,7 @@ inference:
Yours, etc.
I have received from here and elsewhere offers of 200 ducats in
- gold for the mass. I think I can get 100 florins W. W. more. On
+ gold for the mass. I think I can get 100 florins W. W. more. On
this point I am waiting for a letter which I will send you at once,
the matter might then be presented to Simrock, who will certainly
not expect me to lose so much. Till then please be patient and do
@@ -2390,35 +2353,35 @@ pianoforte sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, belong to this period.
Also the Bagatelles Op. 119, Nos. 7 to 11 inclusive. Their story
is known. Friedrich Starcke, Chapelmaster of an Austrian regiment
of infantry, had undertaken the publication of a pianoforte method
-which he called the “Wiener Pianoforteschule.” Part III of the work,
+which he called the “Wiener Pianoforteschule.” Part III of the work,
which appeared early in 1821, contained these five Bagatelles under
-the title “Trifles” (_Kleinigkeiten_). Above them Starcke printed:
-“A contribution from the great composer to the publisher.” They must
+the title “Trifles” (_Kleinigkeiten_). Above them Starcke printed:
+“A contribution from the great composer to the publisher.” They must
have been asked for in 1820. Somewhere about February of that year an
-unidentified hand writes in the Conversation Book: “Starcke wants a
+unidentified hand writes in the Conversation Book: “Starcke wants a
little music-piece by you for the second part of his _Klavierschule_,
for which he has contributions from the leading composers besides short
notices.... We must give him something. Notwithstanding his great
deserts in music and literature he is extremely modest, industrious
and humble.... He understands the art of compiling well. There are now
-weaklings everywhere even among the strong.” To this appeal Beethoven
+weaklings everywhere even among the strong.” To this appeal Beethoven
yielded. He wrote the five Bagatelles, sketches for which are found
amongst some for the Sonata in E major (Op. 109) and the _Benedictus_
of the mass. No. 6 is also sketched among studies for the _Credo_. No
-doubt these little pieces were some of the “potboilers” (_Brodarbeit_)
+doubt these little pieces were some of the “potboilers” (_Brodarbeit_)
referred to in the letter to Brentano; also some folksong arrangements;
and it may even be, that Beethoven included also the three great
sonatas. Schindler relates that when Beethoven heard that it was
bruited about that he had written himself out, his invention was
exhausted, and that he had taken up Scottish melodies like Haydn in
-his old age, he seemed amused and said: “Wait a while, you’ll soon
-learn differently.” Schindler then adds: “Late in the Fall (1820),
-returned from his summer sojourn in Mödling, where like a bee he had
+his old age, he seemed amused and said: “Wait a while, you’ll soon
+learn differently.” Schindler then adds: “Late in the Fall (1820),
+returned from his summer sojourn in Mödling, where like a bee he had
been engaged busily in gathering ideas, he sat himself down to his
-table and wrote out the three sonatas Op. 109, 110, 111 ‘in a single
-breath,’ as he expressed it in a letter to Count Brunswick in order to
-quiet the apprehension of his friends touching his mental condition.”
-Schindler was dubious about the “single breath” and, indeed, there was
+table and wrote out the three sonatas Op. 109, 110, 111 ‘in a single
+breath,’ as he expressed it in a letter to Count Brunswick in order to
+quiet the apprehension of his friends touching his mental condition.”
+Schindler was dubious about the “single breath” and, indeed, there was
a considerable lapse of time between the writing of the first of the
three sonatas and the last two. The Sonata in E belongs unquestionably
to the year 1820. The first theme is found in the Conversation Book of
@@ -2431,13 +2394,13 @@ by Schlesinger in Berlin.
Beethoven has himself left data concerning the other two sonatas. On
the autograph of that in A-flat major, Op. 110, he wrote the date
-“December 25, 1821.” Sketches for it follow sketches for the _Agnus
+“December 25, 1821.” Sketches for it follow sketches for the _Agnus
Dei_ of the mass, which were begun in 1820.[38] It was published
by Schlesinger in Berlin and Paris in 1822. There is evidence in a
-memorandum to Schindler found among the latter’s papers, and also in a
+memorandum to Schindler found among the latter’s papers, and also in a
letter to Schlesinger of 1823, that Beethoven intended to dedicate both
-of the last two sonatas to Madame Brentano. “Ries-nichts” (“nothing
-to Ries”), says the memorandum, significantly. Ideas utilized in the
+of the last two sonatas to Madame Brentano. “Ries-nichts” (“nothing
+to Ries”), says the memorandum, significantly. Ideas utilized in the
C minor Sonata, Op. 111, are found amongst those for Op. 110 and
particularly among some for the _Agnus Dei_. The autograph bears the
date January 13, 1822,[39] and it is plain that most of the work was
@@ -2449,73 +2412,73 @@ proof copies three times; twice his call was granted, the third time
it was refused.[40] This Sonata, Op. 111, was dedicated to Archduke
Rudolph. Beethoven had left the matter to Schlesinger, but he afterward
made a suggestion as to his wishes, for in a letter to the Archduke
-on June 1, 1823, he writes: “Y. I. H. seemed to find pleasure in
+on June 1, 1823, he writes: “Y. I. H. seemed to find pleasure in
the Sonata in C minor, and therefore I feel that it would not be
-presumptuous if I were to surprise you with its dedication.”
+presumptuous if I were to surprise you with its dedication.”
There are few other compositions of these two years to ask attention,
the Canons and five Bagatelles having been mentioned. There is a song,
-“Abendlied unter dem gestirnten Himmel,” words by Heinrich Göbel, the
+“Abendlied unter dem gestirnten Himmel,” words by Heinrich Göbel, the
original manuscript of which bears date March 4, 1820, and which was
-published as a supplement to the “Modenzeitung” on March 28, 1820,
+published as a supplement to the “Modenzeitung” on March 28, 1820,
with a dedication to Dr. Braunhofer.[41] The twenty-five Scotch Songs,
Op. 108, were published in 1821 by Schlesinger. The performances of
-Beethoven’s works in Vienna in 1820 and 1821 are quickly summed up. The
-Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde performed the “Eroica” on February 20,
+Beethoven’s works in Vienna in 1820 and 1821 are quickly summed up. The
+Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde performed the “Eroica” on February 20,
the C minor on April 9 and the F major on November 19. The Overture
in C, Op. 115, was played at a concert for the benefit of Widows and
Orphans on April 16, 1820. In the _Concerts spirituels_, conducted
by F. X. Gebauer in the season 1820-21, the Symphonies in C minor,
-A major, and F major, and the Oratorio “Christus am Ölberg,” were
+A major, and F major, and the Oratorio “Christus am Ölberg,” were
performed. Leopoldine Blahetka, a young woman of 18 who was creating
something of a furore by her pianoforte playing at the time, played the
Concerto in B-flat on April 3, having studied it with J. Czerny.
FOOTNOTES:
-[24] “Two things fill the soul with ever new and increasing wonder
+[24] “Two things fill the soul with ever new and increasing wonder
and reverence the oftener the mind dwells upon them--the starry sky
-above me and the moral law within me.”--Kant’s “Criticism of Practical
-Reason.”
+above me and the moral law within me.”--Kant’s “Criticism of Practical
+Reason.”
[25] The greeting was in the form of a four-part canon beginning with
-a short homophonic chorus, the words: “Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit! Dem
-Erzherzog Rudolph! Dem geistlichen Fürsten! Alles Gute, alles Schöne!”
+a short homophonic chorus, the words: “Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit! Dem
+Erzherzog Rudolph! Dem geistlichen Fürsten! Alles Gute, alles Schöne!”
The autograph is preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in
Vienna. B. and H. Ges. Aus. Series XXIII, page 187.
[26] The reader who desires to read the documents in full is referred
to the German edition of this biography for the decrees and minutes
of the courts and to the Kalischer-Shedlock collection of letters for
-Beethoven’s pleadings.
+Beethoven’s pleadings.
-[27] 11 Dr. Deiters remarks on this point: “No doubt Beethoven had
+[27] 11 Dr. Deiters remarks on this point: “No doubt Beethoven had
hoped to attain his ends by general statements and thus spare himself
the shame and humiliation which would have followed had he presented
the truth, even in disguise, touching the lewdness and shameless life
of his own sister-in-law; and her legal advisers and the members of the
-Magisterial Court knew how to turn this fact to their own advantage.”
+Magisterial Court knew how to turn this fact to their own advantage.”
[28] Made to Thayer.
[29] Here, as in several other cases, in which opinions only and
not definitely ascertained facts are concerned, the present Editor
-is inclined to attach as much importance to Thayer’s judgment as
-to that of his critics and revisers. Thayer’s working copy of his
-“Chronologisches Verzeichniss,” which contains annotations of a
-much later date than Nottebohm’s publication in the “Thematisches
-Verzeichniss” which he edited for Breitkopf and Härtel, pays no
-attention to Nottebohm’s conclusion.
+is inclined to attach as much importance to Thayer’s judgment as
+to that of his critics and revisers. Thayer’s working copy of his
+“Chronologisches Verzeichniss,” which contains annotations of a
+much later date than Nottebohm’s publication in the “Thematisches
+Verzeichniss” which he edited for Breitkopf and Härtel, pays no
+attention to Nottebohm’s conclusion.
[30] See the letter in the Kalischer-Shedlock Coll. II, 178.
[31] Thayer.
-[32] This anecdote is recorded in Thayer’s note-book as a memorandum of
-a conversation had with Höfel on June 23, 1860.
+[32] This anecdote is recorded in Thayer’s note-book as a memorandum of
+a conversation had with Höfel on June 23, 1860.
[33] For the music the reader is referred to Series XXIII of the
-Complete Edition of Beethoven’s works published by Breitkopf and Härtel.
+Complete Edition of Beethoven’s works published by Breitkopf and Härtel.
[34] The dramatic poet Zacharias Werner, who had become a convert
to Roman Catholicism and, now an ordained priest, was preaching to
@@ -2523,38 +2486,38 @@ great crowds of Viennese. The puns on the German word _Verleger_ and
_verlegen_ are untranslatable.
[35] The letter is preserved in the Beethoven House at Bonn. It was
-first published in the “Vossische Zeitung” by Dr. Kalischer on July 26,
+first published in the “Vossische Zeitung” by Dr. Kalischer on July 26,
1903. See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, 177.
-[36] Dr. Kalischer refers the remark about the “Jewish publisher”
+[36] Dr. Kalischer refers the remark about the “Jewish publisher”
to Schlesinger in Berlin; but this may be a mistake. In a later
correspondence with Peters, who suggests the term, Schlesinger is thus
referred to; but there is nothing to indicate that when correspondence
between Schlesinger and Beethoven had scarcely begun, Brentano was
called on to come to the rescue. Beethoven may mean a fling at Simrock
-for his action in the matter of the Louis d’ors.
+for his action in the matter of the Louis d’ors.
[37] See the letter to Franz Brentano of December 20, 1821, and the
note to his daughter dated December 6, 1821. (Kalischer-Shedlock, II,
189.)
-[38] See Nottebohm, “Zweit. Beeth.,” pp. 465 and 471.
+[38] See Nottebohm, “Zweit. Beeth.,” pp. 465 and 471.
-[39] Beethoven wrote, as if absentmindedly, “Ludwig Ludwig am 13ten
-Jenner 1822.”
+[39] Beethoven wrote, as if absentmindedly, “Ludwig Ludwig am 13ten
+Jenner 1822.”
-[40] It is noteworthy, as shown by Nottebohm (“Zweit. Beeth.,” pp.
+[40] It is noteworthy, as shown by Nottebohm (“Zweit. Beeth.,” pp.
467, 468) that the first theme of the first movement of the C minor
-Sonata was originally intended for a third movement in a “second
-sonata” which (Op. 109 being finished) can only have been the one in C
+Sonata was originally intended for a third movement in a “second
+sonata” which (Op. 109 being finished) can only have been the one in C
minor. It would seem as if the use of the theme in the first movement
did not occur to the composer until after he had conceived the theme
of the variations. But the theme had figured twenty years before in a
sketchbook used when the Sonata in A major, Op. 30, was in hand. Its
key then was F-sharp minor, and it may have been intended for Op. 30.
-[41] Published also, together with three other songs--“Geheimniss,”
-“Resignation” and “So oder so”--by Sauer and Leidesdorf as Op. 113 in
+[41] Published also, together with three other songs--“Geheimniss,”
+“Resignation” and “So oder so”--by Sauer and Leidesdorf as Op. 113 in
1821 or 1822. Beethoven presented a copy of it to Fanny Giannatasio on
April 19, 1820.
@@ -2565,8 +2528,8 @@ Chapter III
The Year 1822--The _Missa Solemnis_--Beethoven and His
Publishers--Brother Johann--Meetings with Rochlitz and
- Rossini--Overture: “The Consecration of the House”--A Revival
- of “Fidelio”--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The “Bagatelles”--A
+ Rossini--Overture: “The Consecration of the House”--A Revival
+ of “Fidelio”--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The “Bagatelles”--A
Commission from America.
@@ -2574,7 +2537,7 @@ It is now desirable to disregard the strict chronological sequence of
incident and dispose, so far as is possible, of the history of the
great Mass in D prior to the adoption of a new plan by which Beethoven
hoped to make it a source of extraordinary revenue. So far as it
-affects Beethoven’s character as a man not always scrupulous in his
+affects Beethoven’s character as a man not always scrupulous in his
observance of business obligations, the story does not need to extend
beyond the year 1822. Careful readers of this biography can easily
recall a number of lapses from high ideals of candor and justice in his
@@ -2602,14 +2565,14 @@ he had promised the mass to another) that he should be particularly
sorry if he were unable to give the mass into his hands; never more
forcefully and indignantly honest in appearance than when he informed
still another publisher that the second had importuned him for the
-mass (“bombarded” was the word), but that he had never even deigned
+mass (“bombarded” was the word), but that he had never even deigned
to answer his letters. But even this is far from compassing the
indictment; the counts are not even complete when it is added that in
a letter he states that the publisher whom he had told it would have
been a source of sorrow not to favor had never even been contemplated
amongst those who might receive the mass; that he permitted the friend
to whom he first promised the score to tie up some of his capital for
-a year and more so that “good Beethoven” should not have to wait a day
+a year and more so that “good Beethoven” should not have to wait a day
for his money; that after promising the mass to the third publisher he
sought to create the impression that it was not the _Missa Solemnis_
that had been bargained for, but one of two masses which he had in hand.
@@ -2620,11 +2583,11 @@ in extenuation of his conduct; but the facts can not be obscured or
ignored without distorting the picture of the man Beethoven as this
biography has consistently striven from the beginning to present it.
For English and American readers, moreover, the shock of surprise will
-be lessened by a recollection of Beethoven’s first transactions in
+be lessened by a recollection of Beethoven’s first transactions in
London, which more than five years before had called out the advice
-of the English publishers to Neate for God’s sake not to buy anything
+of the English publishers to Neate for God’s sake not to buy anything
of Beethoven! As for the rest it is right to remember that at this
-time many of the sources of Beethoven’s income had dried up. He was no
+time many of the sources of Beethoven’s income had dried up. He was no
longer able to offer his publishers symphonies in pairs, or sonatas and
chamber compositions in groups. He produced laboriously and, in the
case of compositions which were dear to his heart, with infinite and
@@ -2656,7 +2619,7 @@ bearing on a few other more or less inconsequential compositions.
On May 13, 1822, Simrock reminds Beethoven that a year has passed
since he promised to deliver the score into his hands by the end of
-April. Since October 25, 1820, he (Simrock) had kept 100 Louis d’ors
+April. Since October 25, 1820, he (Simrock) had kept 100 Louis d’ors
on deposit in Frankfort so that there would be no delay in the payment
of the remuneration. On March 19, Beethoven had written that he had
been sick abed for six weeks and was not yet entirely well. He had told
@@ -2673,8 +2636,8 @@ old friend and had brought out the scores in a style which he hoped
the composer would deem worthy. What Beethoven said in reply to this
letter is not known, his answer not having been given to the world;
it can be surmised, however, from the recital given to Brentano in a
-letter from Beethoven dated May 19. He had been troubled by “gout in
-the chest” for four months, he says, and able to do but little work;
+letter from Beethoven dated May 19. He had been troubled by “gout in
+the chest” for four months, he says, and able to do but little work;
nevertheless the Mass would be in Frankfort by the end of the next
month, that is, by the end of June, 1822. There was another reason for
the delay. Cardinal Rudolph, strongly disposed in favor of his music at
@@ -2692,7 +2655,7 @@ that the publication might not be hindered. How long it had been in the
hands of the Archduke no one can tell. Now, said Beethoven to Brentano,
the score will be copied again, carefully examined, which would take
some time owing to his ill health, but it would be in Frankfort at the
-end of June “at the latest,” by which time Simrock must be ready to
+end of June “at the latest,” by which time Simrock must be ready to
make payment. He had received better offers from Vienna and elsewhere,
but had rejected all of them because he had given his word to Simrock
and would abide by the agreement even if he lost money, trusting to
@@ -2709,7 +2672,7 @@ with Simrock even at a sacrifice. On March 1, however, he had written
to Schlesinger in Berlin:
In regard to my health, things are better. As to the Mass I beg
- of you to get everything, everything (_Alles, alles_, in Jahn’s
+ of you to get everything, everything (_Alles, alles_, in Jahn’s
transcript) in readiness as other publishers have asked for it and
many approaches have been made to me, especially from here, but I
resolved long ago that it should not be published here, as the
@@ -2731,10 +2694,10 @@ mistakenly says May 1). He answers the three at once, excusing his
delay on the ground that he had attended the fair in Leipsic, where he
fell ill, and had remained under the weather for several weeks after
his return to Berlin. Meanwhile business had accumulated. He accepts
-Beethoven’s terms for the mass and the two songs:
+Beethoven’s terms for the mass and the two songs:
Everything is in order about the Mass; pray send it and the two
- songs as soon as possible and draw on me at fourteen days’ sight
+ songs as soon as possible and draw on me at fourteen days’ sight
for 650 R. T. I will honor the draft at once and pay it. I have no
opportunity to make payment to you through Vienna. Although several
music dealers there are extensively in my debt I cannot count on
@@ -2743,7 +2706,7 @@ Beethoven’s terms for the mass and the two songs:
difficulty that they are brought to pay their accounts. The book
dealers are much sounder.
-By a coincidence Schlesinger’s son, who had established himself in
+By a coincidence Schlesinger’s son, who had established himself in
business in Paris, wrote to Beethoven on the same day and asked him
if a third movement of the Pianoforte Sonata in C minor (Op. 111),
which he was publishing, had not been forgotten at the copyists. He,
@@ -2752,19 +2715,19 @@ received as much music, measured in detached movements, as they had
paid for; they missed a rondo finale! The incident may have amused,
or (which is more likely) even angered Beethoven; but it can scarcely
account for the fact that Beethoven resolved about this time to have
-nothing more to do with Schlesinger _père_. On July 26 he writes to
+nothing more to do with Schlesinger _père_. On July 26 he writes to
Peters of Leipsic, with whom he has now entered into negotiations and
-to whom he has offered the Mass, “In no event will Schlesinger ever
+to whom he has offered the Mass, “In no event will Schlesinger ever
get anything more from me; he has played me a Jewish trick, but aside
-from that he is not among those who might have received the Mass.”
+from that he is not among those who might have received the Mass.”
When Beethoven was conducting the negotiations with Schott and Sons in
-Mayence which resulted in the firm’s getting the work, he recurred to
-the Schlesingers in a letter of January 22, 1824, and said: “Neither
-is Schlesinger to be trusted, for he takes where he can. Both _père
+Mayence which resulted in the firm’s getting the work, he recurred to
+the Schlesingers in a letter of January 22, 1824, and said: “Neither
+is Schlesinger to be trusted, for he takes where he can. Both _père
et fils_ bombarded me for the mass, but I did not deign to answer
either of them, since after thinking them over I had cast them out long
-before.” Beethoven’s threats were frequently mere _brutum fulmen_; the
-Schlesingers, _père et fils_, remained his friends to the end and got
+before.” Beethoven’s threats were frequently mere _brutum fulmen_; the
+Schlesingers, _père et fils_, remained his friends to the end and got
two of the last Quartets.
Both Simrock and Schlesinger are now waiting for Beethoven to send
@@ -2774,12 +2737,12 @@ who, however, is but trying to renew an association which had begun
more than 29 years earlier. Before entering upon this phase of the
history of the Mass it seems well to dispose finally of the Simrock
incident.[43] On August 22, 1822, Simrock wrote to Beethoven again.
-Beethoven’s answer followed on September 13 and, as it contains more
+Beethoven’s answer followed on September 13 and, as it contains more
than a mere implication why he refused to abide by his contract (a
point that has been a matter more or less of speculation from the time
when the negotiations ceased till now), it is given in full here:
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO SIMROCK’S GENEROSITY]
+[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO SIMROCK’S GENEROSITY]
Baden, September 13, 1822.
@@ -2822,14 +2785,14 @@ when the negotiations ceased till now), it is given in full here:
Beethoven.
This letter can scarcely be called ingenuous by the most zealous
-of Beethoven’s defenders. Aside from the fact that he had closed
+of Beethoven’s defenders. Aside from the fact that he had closed
the contract, had received an advance on the sum deposited and told
Brentano that he would keep his promise even at a sacrifice to himself,
the 1000 florins which he now asks Simrock to pay was not the minimum
sum which other publishers had offered but the maximum sum which he had
asked and all of them had agreed to pay--which, indeed, B. Schott and
Sons did pay a year and a half later. Under the circumstances it is
-scarcely to be wondered at if the appeal to Simrock’s generosity fell
+scarcely to be wondered at if the appeal to Simrock’s generosity fell
on stony soil; but we do not know that it did. The letter was evidently
answered by Simrock, who, despairing of ever getting the Mass, may
have suggested that he would accept other works in lieu of it, for on
@@ -2838,33 +2801,33 @@ in November, 1822) that he should surely receive a mass, for he had
written two and was only undecided which one to send. He asked Simrock
to be patient till Easter, when he would send one of them to Brentano.
He intended also to write a mass for the Emperor. As to other works, he
-offered the overture to “The Consecration of the House,” the music to
-“The Ruins of Athens,” the overture to “King Stephen,” some songs and
-“Kleinigkeiten” for the pianoforte. Only for the new overture did he
-fix a price (50 ducats), but he added: “You will surely receive one of
+offered the overture to “The Consecration of the House,” the music to
+“The Ruins of Athens,” the overture to “King Stephen,” some songs and
+“Kleinigkeiten” for the pianoforte. Only for the new overture did he
+fix a price (50 ducats), but he added: “You will surely receive one of
these two grand masses which are already composed; only be patient till
-after Easter, by which time I shall have decided which to send.” This
+after Easter, by which time I shall have decided which to send.” This
is the last letter between Beethoven and Simrock which has been found.
It leaves the composer promising _a_ mass instead of delivering _the_
Mass, and that promise unfulfilled;--of a necessity, for the work,
-though described as “already composed,” was never written.
+though described as “already composed,” was never written.
In 1814 C. F. Peters had purchased the Bureau de Musique founded in
-1798 by Hoffmeister and Kühnel, publishers of a number of Beethoven’s
+1798 by Hoffmeister and Kühnel, publishers of a number of Beethoven’s
compositions, including the First Symphony, between 1800 and 1805. On
May 18, 1822, Peters addressed a letter to Beethoven in which he said
that he had long wished to publish some of his compositions but had
refrained from applying to him because he did not wish to offend the
Viennese publishers; seeing now, however, that he was going outside
-with his compositions and giving them “even to the Jew Schlesinger,”
+with his compositions and giving them “even to the Jew Schlesinger,”
he would no longer give heed to such considerations. He had spoken to
Steiner on the subject at the last fair, who had offered no objections,
had, indeed, said that he would be glad if he (Peters) got the works
instead of Schlesinger, and had offered his services as mediary
between him and Beethoven, and asked for a list of compositions which
he wanted. Thereupon he had given Steiner such a list: symphonies,
-pianoforte quartets and trios, pianoforte solos “among which there
-might be small pieces,” songs, etc.--anything, in short, which
+pianoforte quartets and trios, pianoforte solos “among which there
+might be small pieces,” songs, etc.--anything, in short, which
Beethoven should send him would be welcome, for he wanted honor, not
profit, from the association. Beethoven replied on June 5:
@@ -2877,54 +2840,54 @@ profit, from the association. Beethoven replied on June 5:
publishers to local; I love straightforwardness and uprightness
and am of the opinion that the artist ought not to be belittled,
for alas! glittering as is the external aspect of fame, he is not
- permitted to be Jupiter’s guest on Olympus every day; too often
+ permitted to be Jupiter’s guest on Olympus every day; too often
and too repulsively the vulgar many drag him down from the pure
ethereal heights.
He now opened his budget of wares: the largest work was a Mass--many
-had striven for it, “100 weighty Louis d’ors” had been offered for it,
+had striven for it, “100 weighty Louis d’ors” had been offered for it,
but he had demanded at least 1,000 florins Convention Coin, for which
sum he would also prepare the pianoforte score; variations on a waltz
-(“there are many”) for pianoforte--30 ducats in gold; a comic air with
-orchestra on Goethe’s “Mit Mädeln sich vertragen,” and another air of
+(“there are many”) for pianoforte--30 ducats in gold; a comic air with
+orchestra on Goethe’s “Mit Mädeln sich vertragen,” and another air of
the same genre, 16 ducats each;[44] several rather extended songs with
pianoforte accompaniment, among them a little Italian cantata with
recitative,[45] 12 ducats each; there were also recitatives to some of
the German songs; 8 ducats each for songs; an elegy for four voices
and string quartet accompaniment,[46] 24 ducats; a chorus of Dervishes
with full orchestra, 20 ducats; a march for orchestra written for the
-tragedy “Tarpeia,” with arrangement for pianoforte, 12 ducats; Romance
+tragedy “Tarpeia,” with arrangement for pianoforte, 12 ducats; Romance
for violin solo and orchestra,[47] 15 ducats; Grand Trio for 2 oboi and
1 English horn,[48] which might be transcribed for other instruments,
-30 ducats; four military marches with percussion (“Turkish music”)
+30 ducats; four military marches with percussion (“Turkish music”)
prices on application; bagatelles, or trifles for pianoforte, prices on
application.
-The copy of the letter as printed contains the words here: “All
-these works are ready,” but they are wanting in the original draft.
-Beethoven now goes on with a list of compositions which Peters “might
-have soon”; a sonata for pianoforte solo,[49] 40 ducats; a string
+The copy of the letter as printed contains the words here: “All
+these works are ready,” but they are wanting in the original draft.
+Beethoven now goes on with a list of compositions which Peters “might
+have soon”; a sonata for pianoforte solo,[49] 40 ducats; a string
quartet, 50 ducats. More than anything else, however, he was desirous
to have a complete edition of his works, as he wished to look after the
publication in his lifetime. He had received a number of applications,
but could not, or would not, meet all the conditions. With some
necessary help he thought such an edition of his works might be brought
out in two years, possibly in one-and-a-half; a new work was to be
-added to each class, “to the Variations a new set of variations, to
-the Sonatas a new sonata,” etc., “and for all these together I ask
-10,000 florins Convention Coin.” He deplores the fact that he is no
+added to each class, “to the Variations a new set of variations, to
+the Sonatas a new sonata,” etc., “and for all these together I ask
+10,000 florins Convention Coin.” He deplores the fact that he is no
business man; he wishes that matters were different than they are, but
he is forced to act as he does by competition, and begs that secrecy be
observed touching the negotiations, to guard against trouble with other
publishers.
-He was not kept waiting for an answer;--Peters’ reply is dated June
-15. He regrets to hear of Steiner’s duplicity, but his conduct may
+He was not kept waiting for an answer;--Peters’ reply is dated June
+15. He regrets to hear of Steiner’s duplicity, but his conduct may
have been harmless in intention and caused by his weakness. The works
which he wanted and of which he had given a list to Steiner were a
quartet for strings, a trio of the same kind, a concert overture
-for full orchestra, songs and some small solos for pianoforte “such
-as capriccios, divertissements,” etc. Then he takes up Beethoven’s
+for full orchestra, songs and some small solos for pianoforte “such
+as capriccios, divertissements,” etc. Then he takes up Beethoven’s
detailed offer of compositions:
[Sidenote: THE MASS SOLD TO PETERS]
@@ -2932,7 +2895,7 @@ detailed offer of compositions:
The most admirable amongst them is your Grand Mass, which you offer
me together with the pianoforte score for one thousand florins
C. C. and to the acceptance of which at the price I confess my
- readiness.... Between honest men (_offenen Männern_) like us there
+ readiness.... Between honest men (_offenen M√§nnern_) like us there
is no need of a contract; but if you want one send it to me and
I will return it _signed_. If not, please state to me in writing
that I am to receive the Mass in question together with the
@@ -2960,7 +2923,7 @@ end he asks for some songs, a few bagatelles for pianoforte solo, the
four military marches; he would be glad to take also the new string
quartet, but 50 ducats is beyond his means. Beethoven is at liberty to
tell Steiner that he had applied to Beethoven with his knowledge and
-consent. Beethoven’s answer (incorrectly dated July instead of June 26)
+consent. Beethoven’s answer (incorrectly dated July instead of June 26)
says:
[Sidenote: SALE OF THE MASS TO PETERS CONFIRMED]
@@ -2981,7 +2944,7 @@ says:
aptitude for the sciences, his studies and support cost much money
now and he must be provided for in the future, we being neither
Indians nor Iroquois who, as is notorious, leave everything in the
- hands of God, and a pauper’s is a wretched lot. I keep silence
+ hands of God, and a pauper’s is a wretched lot. I keep silence
concerning everything between us _by preference_ and beg you to be
silent about the present connection with me. I will let you know
when it is time to speak, which is not at all necessary now....
@@ -3001,34 +2964,34 @@ says:
Peters answers this letter on July 3. He is willing to pay 40 ducats
for the songs and marches and to remit part of the honorarium in
-advance. Beethoven’s complaint about his financial affairs distresses
-him and he would like to help him. “It is wrong that a man like you
+advance. Beethoven’s complaint about his financial affairs distresses
+him and he would like to help him. “It is wrong that a man like you
is obliged to think about money matters. The great ones of the earth
should long ago have placed you in a position free from care, so that
-you would no longer have to live on art but only for art.” Before this
+you would no longer have to live on art but only for art.” Before this
letter was received Beethoven had written a second and supplementary
reply to the letter of June 13; it is dated July 6. He had reread
his letter and discovered that Peters wanted some of the bagatelles
-and a quartet for strings. For the former, “among which are some of
+and a quartet for strings. For the former, “among which are some of
_considerable length_--they might be published separately under the
-title ‘Kleinigkeiten’ (Trifles) No. 1, 2, etc.”--he asked 8 ducats
+title ‘Kleinigkeiten’ (Trifles) No. 1, 2, etc.”--he asked 8 ducats
each. The quartet was not fully completed, work on it having been
interrupted. Here it was difficult to lower the prices, as such works
were the most highly paid for--he might almost say, to the shame of
the general taste, which in art frequently falls below that of private
-taste. “I have written you everything concerning the Mass, and that
-is settled.” On July 12, Peters writes that he does not know how
+taste. “I have written you everything concerning the Mass, and that
+is settled.” On July 12, Peters writes that he does not know how
long the bagatelles are and so can not tell whether they are to be
printed separately or together; but he asks that a number be sent to
him together with word as to how many of such small pieces Beethoven
has on hand, as he might take them all. As for songs he would prefer
-to have some in the style of “Adelaide” or “Schloss Markenstein.”
+to have some in the style of “Adelaide” or “Schloss Markenstein.”
The honorarium for the compositions which were to be sent now would
amount to 200 or 300 florins in pieces of 20, but as he could not
determine the exact amount he asked Beethoven to collect the amount
from Meiss (Meisl) Brothers, bankers, on exhibition of receipt and
bill of shipment. It was all the same to him whether he collected the
-money now or later; it was waiting and at Beethoven’s disposal. In this
+money now or later; it was waiting and at Beethoven’s disposal. In this
manner, so convenient for Beethoven, he would make all his payments for
manuscripts purchased. On August 3 Beethoven writes:
@@ -3040,23 +3003,23 @@ manuscripts purchased. On August 3 Beethoven writes:
15th.
Peters was prompt in his remittance of the money which was to be
-subject to Beethoven’s order; Beethoven, though less prompt in getting
+subject to Beethoven’s order; Beethoven, though less prompt in getting
it, was yet ahead of his delivery of the manuscripts for which the
money was to pay. Singularly enough, the incident which provides for
-us knowledge of the time when the money was received by Peters’s agent
-served as evidence in Beethoven’s excuse for drawing the money without
+us knowledge of the time when the money was received by Peters’s agent
+served as evidence in Beethoven’s excuse for drawing the money without
keeping his part of the agreement. On July 25, about a fortnight after
-the date of Peters’s letter of advice, Piringer, associate conductor of
+the date of Peters’s letter of advice, Piringer, associate conductor of
the _Concerts spirituels_, who was on terms of intimacy with Beethoven,
wrote him as follows:
_Domine Generalissimo!_
- _Victoria_ in Döbling--fresh troops are advancing! The wholesalers,
+ _Victoria_ in Döbling--fresh troops are advancing! The wholesalers,
Meisl Bros, here in the Rauhensteingasse, their own house, 2nd
storey, have received advices from Hrn. Peters in Leipsic to pay
several hundred florins to Herrn Ludwig van Beethoven. I hasten on
- Degen’s pinions[50] to convey this report to _Illustrissimo_ at
+ Degen’s pinions[50] to convey this report to _Illustrissimo_ at
once. To-day is the first sad day in the Viennese calendar, because
yesterday was the last day of the Italian opera.
@@ -3070,13 +3033,13 @@ to Baden on the 15th and on whom he had to attend several times a week;
and work had been forced upon him by the opening of the Josephstadt
Theatre; also he wanted to write new trios to some of the marches and
revise other works, but illness and too much other employment had
-prevented. “You see from this at least that I am not an author for the
+prevented. “You see from this at least that I am not an author for the
sake of money.... You will recall that I begged you to keep everything
away from Steiner. Why? That I will reveal to you in time. I hope that
-God will protect me against the wiles of this wicked man Steiner.” On
+God will protect me against the wiles of this wicked man Steiner.” On
November 22, Beethoven writes again: he had been expecting reproaches
for his negligence but though he had delivered nothing he had received
-the honorarium. It looked wrong (“offensive” is his word), but he was
+the honorarium. It looked wrong (“offensive” is his word), but he was
sure that all would be set right could they but be together a few
minutes. All the music intended for Peters had been laid aside except
the songs, the selection of which had not yet been made; as a reward
@@ -3084,29 +3047,29 @@ for waiting, Peters should receive one more than the stipulated number.
He could deliver more than the four bagatelles agreed on, as he had
nine or ten extra ones on hand.
-[Sidenote: “A MASS” NOT “THE MASS” FOR PETERS]
+[Sidenote: “A MASS” NOT “THE MASS” FOR PETERS]
Now there enters a new element into the story of the Mass; let
-Beethoven introduce it in his own words: “This is the state of affairs
+Beethoven introduce it in his own words: “This is the state of affairs
with regard to the Mass: I completed one long ago, but another is
not yet finished. There will always be gossip about me, and you must
have been misled about it. I do not know which of the two you will
-receive.” The gossip against which Beethoven warned Peters, it is safe
+receive.” The gossip against which Beethoven warned Peters, it is safe
to assume, related to the compositions which the latter had purchased
but not received; in great likelihood rumors about the Mass had
reached Leipsic. Peters was in communication with Steiner and others;
and that he knew that the mass had been planned for the installation
-of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmütz he had indicated when he
-expressed the belief that it was something “right excellent” because
+of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmütz he had indicated when he
+expressed the belief that it was something “right excellent” because
it had been composed for an occasion. The mass which Beethoven had
agreed to deliver by the end of July could therefore have been none
other than the Mass in D. It is deserving of mention, however, that
there is evidence that Beethoven was thinking of more than one mass
at the time--in fact, that he had thoughts of three. In a sketchbook
-of the period is found a memorandum: “The _Kyrie_ in the second mass
-with wind-instruments and organ only”;[51] and in another place there
+of the period is found a memorandum: “The _Kyrie_ in the second mass
+with wind-instruments and organ only”;[51] and in another place there
are six measures of a theme for a _Dona nobis_ with the superscription
-“Mass in C-sharp minor.” To this _Dona_ there is still another
+“Mass in C-sharp minor.” To this _Dona_ there is still another
reference or two of a later date; but that is all. It is likely that
the second mass was intended for the Emperor, as we shall see later;
Beethoven himself says that he had thoughts of a third.
@@ -3114,15 +3077,15 @@ Beethoven himself says that he had thoughts of a third.
Peters is getting importunate, and on December 20 Beethoven writes to
him that nothing intended for him is entirely ready; there had been
delays in copying and sending, but he had no time to explain. The songs
-and marches would be sent “next week” and there would be six bagatelles
+and marches would be sent “next week” and there would be six bagatelles
instead of four, and he asks that payment be made for the extra two on
receipt. He had so many applications for his works that he could not
-attend to them all: “Were it not that my income brings in nothing[52] I
+attend to them all: “Were it not that my income brings in nothing[52] I
should compose only grand symphonies, church music or at the outside
-quartets in addition.” Of smaller works Peters might have variations
-for two oboes and English horn on a theme from “Don Giovanni”--_Da
-ci la mano_ wrote Beethoven, meaning _Là ci darem la mano_--and a
-Gratulatory Minuet;[53] he would like Peters’ opinion about the
+quartets in addition.” Of smaller works Peters might have variations
+for two oboes and English horn on a theme from “Don Giovanni”--_Da
+ci la mano_ wrote Beethoven, meaning _Là ci darem la mano_--and a
+Gratulatory Minuet;[53] he would like Peters’ opinion about the
complete edition. In a letter with the double date February 15 and 18,
1823, Peters is informed that three songs,[54] six bagatelles, one
march and a tattoo had been sent on the preceding Saturday--the tattoo
@@ -3146,11 +3109,11 @@ in place of one of the promised marches:
fault or desire. I shall soon write to you about the Mass, as the
decision which you are to have will presently be made.
-“Some time” before March 10, 1823, Beethoven repaid the loan of 300
-florins to Brentano, sending the money through Geimüller. In his letter
+“Some time” before March 10, 1823, Beethoven repaid the loan of 300
+florins to Brentano, sending the money through Geimüller. In his letter
of thanks on that date he encloses a letter to Simrock, unsealed
-evidently, and says to his friend, “You see from it the state of things
-concerning the Mass.” What that state was as it presented itself to the
+evidently, and says to his friend, “You see from it the state of things
+concerning the Mass.” What that state was as it presented itself to the
mind of Beethoven we have as yet no means of knowing; but we know that
Peters was still kept in a state of expectation, for on March 20, 1823,
Beethoven writes:
@@ -3174,8 +3137,8 @@ back from Beethoven some time after November, 1825. Peters did not
get the Mass; nor did Simrock; nor did Schlesinger; nor did Probst,
another Leipsic publisher with whom Beethoven carried on negotiations
for it and the Ninth Symphony, as will appear later; nor did Artaria,
-Beethoven’s old publisher who, in all likelihood, was one of the “two
-other men” of whom Beethoven wrote in the letter last quoted. On August
+Beethoven’s old publisher who, in all likelihood, was one of the “two
+other men” of whom Beethoven wrote in the letter last quoted. On August
23, 1822, Artaria received a letter which, as it seems to stand alone
so far as the Mass is concerned, may well be printed in full:
@@ -3205,7 +3168,7 @@ works which, so far as they had been fixed on paper at all, existed
only in the form of detached sketches; also some which, so far as we
know, existed only in the plans or purposes of the composer of which
the letters themselves are the only surviving records. It seems also
-to be a fair deduction from them that Beethoven’s attitude towards
+to be a fair deduction from them that Beethoven’s attitude towards
his publishers with reference to them depended to a considerable
extent on his temporary financial condition, and sometimes they are
an index of that consecration to high artistic ideals of which he
@@ -3228,7 +3191,7 @@ Johann van Beethoven back significantly into this history and invites
an inquiry into his character and his conduct with reference to his
famous brother. That, contemptible as his character may have been,
he has yet been maligned and his conduct towards Beethoven falsified
-by Schindler and the romance writers who have accepted Schindler’s
+by Schindler and the romance writers who have accepted Schindler’s
misrepresentations and embellished them with the products of their own
unscrupulous imaginations, is scarcely open to doubt.
@@ -3268,24 +3231,24 @@ Breuning described him thus:[55]
[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN]
-Breuning also says in his book “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” that
+Breuning also says in his book “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” that
he was sometimes seen driving in the Prater with two or four horses
in an old-fashioned phaeton, either handling the reins himself or
lolling carelessly in the seat with two gallooned servants on the box.
-Beethoven’s friends used to ridicule his brother to his face. In a
-Conversation Book of 1822-23 Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes: “Everybody
+Beethoven’s friends used to ridicule his brother to his face. In a
+Conversation Book of 1822-23 Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes: “Everybody
thinks him a fool; we call him only the Chevalier--all the world says
-of him that his only merit is that he bears your name.” No doubt there
-was something, even a good deal, of the parvenu in Johann’s character.
+of him that his only merit is that he bears your name.” No doubt there
+was something, even a good deal, of the parvenu in Johann’s character.
He had neither the intellectual nor moral poise to fit him for the
place which he thought he was entitled to fill by virtue of his wealth
and his relationship to one of the most famous men of his age. Nor
could he command respect from a social point of view. How far from
above reproach his wife was, Beethoven showed by his unjustifiable
conduct when he sought to have her ejected from Linz in order to
-separate her from his brother. That conduct Ludwig’s letters, soon to
+separate her from his brother. That conduct Ludwig’s letters, soon to
be quoted, show had been condoned by him, but a memorandum found among
-Schindler’s papers discloses that her conduct in Vienna was such that
+Schindler’s papers discloses that her conduct in Vienna was such that
Beethoven again thought of invoking the police.[56]
[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF THE OLDER BROTHER]
@@ -3296,31 +3259,31 @@ dictated by financial considerations and, no doubt, by the thoughts of
profits in which he hoped to share. But what would you? For what other
purposes had Beethoven asked him in to his councils? Surely not to get
his views on the artistic value of his work. He defers in his letters
-to his brother’s superior business sagacity--that is all. It does not
+to his brother’s superior business sagacity--that is all. It does not
anywhere appear that Johann ever attempted to overreach him or lead
him to financial injury. No doubt Beethoven in his fits of anger said
many things about him which put him in a bad light before his friends;
but did he not do the same thing in their own cases? Did Schindler
escape calumny? The better evidence is that offered by the letters
-which show that Beethoven had confidence in his brother’s honesty and
+which show that Beethoven had confidence in his brother’s honesty and
judgment, invited his help, and was solicitous lest he suffer loss
-from his efforts. If Johann lacked appreciation of his brother’s real
-significance in art, he was proud of the world’s appreciation of him,
+from his efforts. If Johann lacked appreciation of his brother’s real
+significance in art, he was proud of the world’s appreciation of him,
and if he could not have high regard for that high moral attitude in
the matter which had brought condemnation on his sister-in-law and
wife, he at least showed magnanimity in not trying to do his brother
injury and being always ready to help him when he could. It is very
likely that he was not at all musical and that his affectation of
-appreciation of his brother’s works made him a fair subject for
+appreciation of his brother’s works made him a fair subject for
ridicule. But surely there was little moral obliquity in that. In a
conversation in 1824 the nephew relates that his uncle had been present
at a chamber concert. Beethoven wants to know what he was doing there,
-and the nephew replies: “He wants to acquire taste; he is continually
-crying _bravo_.” So also Holz relates, in 1826, that Johann had
+and the nephew replies: “He wants to acquire taste; he is continually
+crying _bravo_.” So also Holz relates, in 1826, that Johann had
certainly heard the Quartet in E-flat major ten times, yet when it was
played in that year he said he was hearing it for the first time.[57]
-Beethoven needed Johann’s help; he had a good opinion of his business
+Beethoven needed Johann’s help; he had a good opinion of his business
ability, and it is possible that he had learned something of tolerance
from the trials and tribulations which his quarrels with his other
sister-in-law had brought him. It is certain that after a separation
@@ -3329,16 +3292,16 @@ for a perfect reconciliation and a closer union. Johann offers his
help, but it is Beethoven who expresses the wish that the two may
live together, it is Beethoven who asks his brother to come to him
and help him negotiate the sale of his compositions. Johann no doubt
-conducted some negotiations without his brother’s knowledge, but not
+conducted some negotiations without his brother’s knowledge, but not
without authority; and so far as the Mass is concerned it is put into
-the brother’s hands only after Johann has lent Beethoven 200 florins
+the brother’s hands only after Johann has lent Beethoven 200 florins
and the Mass has been promised not only to Peters but to Simrock before
him. No doubt Johann exceeded his authority; at least, something had
come to the ears of Count Moritz Lichnowsky, probably from Beethoven
-himself, which made him say in the conversation already cited, “You
+himself, which made him say in the conversation already cited, “You
ought to forbid him doing business or carrying on correspondence
without your signature. Perhaps he has already closed a contract in
-your name”; but would it not have been better for Beethoven’s present
+your name”; but would it not have been better for Beethoven’s present
reputation for business honesty--if we must distinguish between the
ethics of the counting-house and those of the rest of the world--if he
had closed and kept the contracts which he had made when he called his
@@ -3351,10 +3314,10 @@ Baden and probably did not see why he should burden his own business
enterprises in order to enable Beethoven to keep the bank shares intact
for the nephew. He was willing to be helpful, however, and repeatedly
offered his brother a house on his estate, and in 1824 tried to
-persuade him to take one rent free; but Beethoven’s antipathy to his
+persuade him to take one rent free; but Beethoven’s antipathy to his
sister-in-law would not let him accept.
-Exactly when Beethoven went to Oberdöbling in the summer of 1822
+Exactly when Beethoven went to Oberdöbling in the summer of 1822
is not known, but he was there in July, and an endorsement on the
Simrock letter of May 13 would seem to indicate that he was there in
that month. His lodgings were in No. 135 Alleegasse. In the spring or
@@ -3362,7 +3325,7 @@ early summer he writes to Johann begging him, instead of driving in
the Prater, to come to him with his wife and step-daughter. His whole
desire is for the good which would inevitably follow a union. He had
made inquiries about lodgings and found that it would not be necessary
-to pay much more than at Oberdöbling, and that, without sacrifice of
+to pay much more than at Oberdöbling, and that, without sacrifice of
any pleasure, much money might be saved for both. He says:
I have nothing against your wife; I only wish that she might
@@ -3379,7 +3342,7 @@ any pleasure, much money might be saved for both. He says:
that I and my good Karl lead a regular life which is so necessary
to me.
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN ASKS JOHANN’S HELP]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN ASKS JOHANN’S HELP]
Here there is no mention of business matters and hence it may be
assumed that the letter dates from an early period in the reunion of
@@ -3391,12 +3354,12 @@ his help and then accompany him to Baden and remain there a week. He
was engaged, he said, upon corrections of the Mass for which Peters was
to give him 1000 florins. Peters had also agreed to take some smaller
works and had sent 300 florins, but he had not yet accepted the money.
-Breitkopf and Härtel had also sent the Saxon _Chargé d’Affaires_ to him
+Breitkopf and Härtel had also sent the Saxon _Chargé d’Affaires_ to him
to talk about new works and inquiries had come from Paris and Diabelli
-in Vienna. Publishers were now struggling for his works: “What an
+in Vienna. Publishers were now struggling for his works: “What an
_unfortunate fortunate_ am I!!!--this Berliner has also turned up--if
-my health would return I might yet _feather my nest_ (_auf einen grünen
-Zweig kommen_).”
+my health would return I might yet _feather my nest_ (_auf einen grünen
+Zweig kommen_).”
The Archduke-Cardinal is here. I go to him twice a week. Though
there is nothing to be expected from him in the way of magnanimity
@@ -3407,10 +3370,10 @@ Zweig kommen_).”
In the same letter he says he might have had the 1000 florins from
Peters in advance but did not want to take them. He did not want to
-“expose” himself, and he therefore asked his brother for a loan,
+“expose” himself, and he therefore asked his brother for a loan,
so that his trip to Baden might not be delayed. There was no risk
involved, as he would return the 200 florins in September with thanks.
-“As a merchant you are a good counsellor,” are some of his words. The
+“As a merchant you are a good counsellor,” are some of his words. The
Steiners are also crowding him into a corner and trying to force him
into a written agreement to let them have all his compositions; but he
had declared that he would not enter into such an arrangement until his
@@ -3418,60 +3381,60 @@ account had been settled, and to that end he had proposed to them that
they take two pieces which he had written for Hungary[58] and which
might be looked upon as two little operas. They had before then taken
four of the numbers. The debt to the Steiners amounted to 3000 florins,
-but they had in the “most abominable manner” charged interest, to which
-he would not consent. Part of the debt had been Karl’s mother’s[59]
+but they had in the “most abominable manner” charged interest, to which
+he would not consent. Part of the debt had been Karl’s mother’s[59]
which he had assumed because he wanted to show himself as kindly
-disposed as possible, so that Karl’s interests would not be endangered.
+disposed as possible, so that Karl’s interests would not be endangered.
Again he urges him to come to Baden and to put pantry and cellar in the
best of condition against September, for presumably he and his little
son would set up headquarters with him and had formed the noble resolve
to eat him out of house and home.
In this letter was enclosed a memorandum of the deposit of 300 florins
-(from Peters) to his credit at Maisl’s; and another of no date, but
+(from Peters) to his credit at Maisl’s; and another of no date, but
evidently written at about the same time, stated that the money was
-at Maisl’s but in case of need he would rather make a loan than draw
-it, “for the Mass will be ready on the 15th of next month.” He went to
+at Maisl’s but in case of need he would rather make a loan than draw
+it, “for the Mass will be ready on the 15th of next month.” He went to
Baden on September 1, but before then wrote again to Johann expressing
a wish to see him so that the affair with Steiner might be settled, it
-being necessary to have the music to “The Ruins of Athens”[60] in print
+being necessary to have the music to “The Ruins of Athens”[60] in print
by the end of October, when the theatre for which it had been prepared
would be opened. A week after his arrival in Baden, on September 8,
he writes that he had been disturbed at the delay, partly because of
-his brother’s ill health, partly because he had had no report on the
+his brother’s ill health, partly because he had had no report on the
commission undertaken with Steiner. Simrock had written again about the
Mass, but had mentioned the old price; if he were written to, however,
he thought he would increase it. Two singers had called on him that day
-and asked to kiss his hands, “but as they were very pretty I suggested
-that they kiss my lips.” Another letter obviously written about the
+and asked to kiss his hands, “but as they were very pretty I suggested
+that they kiss my lips.” Another letter obviously written about the
same time but a little later tells of his temporary apprehension lest
his brother had fallen out with Steiner. He also suspected that his
brother might be angered at his not having mentioned the loan. In
this dilemma, fearful for the Mass, he had written to Simrock that he
-would let him have it for 1000 florins. “But as you write that you
+would let him have it for 1000 florins. “But as you write that you
want the Mass I am agreed, but I do not want you to lose anything by
-it.” Matters are not yet straightened out at Steiner’s, as appears
+it.” Matters are not yet straightened out at Steiner’s, as appears
from a letter which he encloses. Meanwhile the Josephstadt Theatre
has given him work to do which will be quite burdensome, in view of
his cure, Staudenheimer having advised him to take baths of one and a
-half hour’s duration. However, he already had written a chorus with
+half hour’s duration. However, he already had written a chorus with
dances and solo songs;[61] if his health allows, he will also write
a new overture. On October 6, he addresses his brother in a jocular
-mood: “Best of little Brothers! Owner of all the lands in the Danube
-near Krems! Director of the entire Austrian Pharmacy!” The letter
+mood: “Best of little Brothers! Owner of all the lands in the Danube
+near Krems! Director of the entire Austrian Pharmacy!” The letter
contains a proposition for Steiner concerning the Josephstadt Theatre
music. Steiner has two numbers already and has advertised one of them;
there are eight numbers left, including an overture. These Steiner can
have at the following rates: the overture 30 (perhaps he could get 40
ducats); four songs with instrumental accompaniment, 20 ducats each;
two wholly instrumental numbers, 10 ducats each:--total, 140 ducats.
-If “King Stephen” is wanted there are twelve numbers of which four are
+If “King Stephen” is wanted there are twelve numbers of which four are
to be reckoned at 20 ducats each, the others at 10 ducats and one at 5
-ducats--_summa summarum_ 155 ducats. “Concerning the new overture, you
+ducats--_summa summarum_ 155 ducats. “Concerning the new overture, you
may say to them that the old one could not remain, because in Hungary
the piece was given as a postlude, while here the theatre was opened
with it.... Ponder the matter of the Mass well, because I must answer
-Simrock; unless you lose nothing, I beg of you not to undertake it.”
+Simrock; unless you lose nothing, I beg of you not to undertake it.”
The story of the music composed and adapted for the Josephstadt Theatre
will be told in the chronological narrative of incidents belonging
@@ -3491,39 +3454,39 @@ January 1. He noted the conclusion of the C minor Sonata (Op. 111)
on the autograph manuscript on January 11. Bernhard Romberg, the
violoncello virtuoso, was in Vienna in the beginning of the year,
giving concerts with his daughter Bernhardine and a son of 11 years,
-who was also a budding virtuoso on his father’s instrument. On February
+who was also a budding virtuoso on his father’s instrument. On February
12, Beethoven writes to his old friend that if he was not present at
the concert, it would be because he had been attacked with an earache,
-the pain of which would be aggravated even by the concert-giver’s
-tones. He concluded the letter with the wish in addition “to the
+the pain of which would be aggravated even by the concert-giver’s
+tones. He concluded the letter with the wish in addition “to the
fullest tribute of applause, also the _metallic recognition_ which
-high art seldom receives in these days.” If Hanslick is correct in his
-history of concert life in Vienna, Beethoven’s wish was fulfilled:
-Romberg’s earnings during the Vienna season amounted to 10,000 florins.
+high art seldom receives in these days.” If Hanslick is correct in his
+history of concert life in Vienna, Beethoven’s wish was fulfilled:
+Romberg’s earnings during the Vienna season amounted to 10,000 florins.
[Sidenote: ADVICES FROM LONDON THROUGH NEATE]
-When Beethoven went to Oberdöbling he moved into the house Alleegasse
-135, but for the time being kept his lodgings in town. In Oberdöbling
+When Beethoven went to Oberdöbling he moved into the house Alleegasse
+135, but for the time being kept his lodgings in town. In Oberdöbling
he began a treatment consisting of taking powders and drinking the
waters. He worked on the Mass, the Ninth Symphony, and on smaller
compositions from which he expected quicker returns. He was expected to
visit Archduke Rudolph twice a week, but the attendance was irregular.
Applications for his works came to him from other cities and Breitkopf
-and Härtel sent the Chargé d’Affaires of the Saxon Legation to him
+and Härtel sent the Chargé d’Affaires of the Saxon Legation to him
with a letter regretting that the business connection which formerly
existed had been discontinued and expressing a desire to renew it with
-an opera. The messenger was Greisinger, Haydn’s first biographer, who
-had made Beethoven’s acquaintance as a young man. He was musical, and
+an opera. The messenger was Greisinger, Haydn’s first biographer, who
+had made Beethoven’s acquaintance as a young man. He was musical, and
Beethoven applied to him for advice the next year, when he sent an
invitation to the Saxon Court for a subscription to the Mass in D. On
September 2, Beethoven received a letter from Charles Neate, which
was plainly an answer to an appeal which had been sent by Beethoven,
concerning the publication in London of three quartets. Letters
from Ries refer to the same quartets, which as yet existed only in
-Beethoven’s intentions. Neate says that he had found it difficult
+Beethoven’s intentions. Neate says that he had found it difficult
to obtain subscriptions for the works. He thought, however, that he
-might still be able to raise £100, but could not get any money before
+might still be able to raise £100, but could not get any money before
the arrival of the works in London. There was also apprehension that
the compositions would be copied in Vienna. Beethoven had referred
to a quartet and possibly some successors in his correspondence with
@@ -3534,23 +3497,23 @@ Prince Galitzin--the incentive to which we owe three of the last five
Quartets.
There must now be recorded some of the facts connected with the
-visit to Beethoven of a distinguished musical littérateur from
+visit to Beethoven of a distinguished musical littérateur from
Leipsic--Friedrich Rochlitz. Rochlitz arrived in Vienna on May 24
and remained there till August 2. He wrote two letters about his
experiences in the Austrian capital, one under date of June 28, the
other of July 9. The latter contained his account of his meetings
-with Beethoven and is reprinted in Vol. IV of his “Für Freunde der
-Tonkunst.” He had never seen Beethoven in the flesh and was eager for
+with Beethoven and is reprinted in Vol. IV of his “Für Freunde der
+Tonkunst.” He had never seen Beethoven in the flesh and was eager for
a meeting. A friend to whom he went (it is very obvious that it was
Haslinger) told him that Beethoven was in the country and had grown
so shy of human society that a visit to him might prove unavailing;
-but it was Beethoven’s custom to come to Vienna every week and he was
+but it was Beethoven’s custom to come to Vienna every week and he was
then as a rule affable and approachable. He advised Rochlitz to wait,
and he did so until the following Saturday. The meeting was a pleasant
-one and enabled Rochlitz to study Beethoven’s appearance and manner;
+one and enabled Rochlitz to study Beethoven’s appearance and manner;
but the interview was suddenly terminated by Beethoven in the midst
-of the visitor’s confession of his own admiration and the enthusiasm
-which Beethoven’s symphonies created in Leipsic. From the beginning
+of the visitor’s confession of his own admiration and the enthusiasm
+which Beethoven’s symphonies created in Leipsic. From the beginning
Beethoven had listened, smiled and nodded, but after he had curtly
excused himself on the score of an engagement and departed abruptly,
Rochlitz learned that his auditor had not heard or understood a word
@@ -3570,7 +3533,7 @@ incessantly; his companions laughed, smiled and nodded approval.
sounded strange at times. Then he told many anecdotes of the French
and the two occupations of Vienna. He was not amiably disposed
towards them. He talked freely, without the least restraint,
- seasoning everything with highly original and naïve opinions and
+ seasoning everything with highly original and naïve opinions and
comical conceits.
[Sidenote: CONVERSATION WITH FRIEDRICH ROCHLITZ]
@@ -3587,10 +3550,10 @@ of Vienna and its music.
Of my works you hear nothing. Now--in summer.
- No; it’s the same in winter. What is there for them to hear?
- “Fidelio”? they can’t perform it and do not want to hear it. The
+ No; it’s the same in winter. What is there for them to hear?
+ “Fidelio”? they can’t perform it and do not want to hear it. The
symphonies? For these they have no time. The concertos? Everybody
- grinds out his own productions. The solos? They’re out of fashion
+ grinds out his own productions. The solos? They’re out of fashion
long ago--and fashion is everything. At the best, Schuppanzigh
occasionally digs up a quartet, etc.
@@ -3600,17 +3563,17 @@ started on a tour through Germany, Poland and Russia in 1815, from
which he did not return till 1823. Rochlitz is interesting, but it is
well to revise his utterances by occasional appeals to known facts. He
goes on: Beethoven asked him if he lived in Weimar and Rochlitz shook
-his head. “Then you do not know the great Goethe?” Rochlitz nodded
-violently in affirmation that he did know the great Goethe. “I do, too;
-I got acquainted with him in Carlsbad--God knows how long ago!” (But it
+his head. “Then you do not know the great Goethe?” Rochlitz nodded
+violently in affirmation that he did know the great Goethe. “I do, too;
+I got acquainted with him in Carlsbad--God knows how long ago!” (But it
was not in Carlsbad that Beethoven met Goethe; it was in Teplitz and
-ten years “ago.”) Beethoven continued: “I was not so deaf then as I am
+ten years “ago.”) Beethoven continued: “I was not so deaf then as I am
now, but hard of hearing. How patient the great man was with me!...
How happy he made me then! I would have gone to my death for him; yes,
ten times! It was while I was in the ardor of this enthusiasm that I
-thought out my music to his ‘Egmont’--and it is a success, isn’t it?” A
+thought out my music to his ‘Egmont’--and it is a success, isn’t it?” A
success, surely; but Beethoven is not likely to have forgotten that the
-music to “Egmont” was two years old when he met Goethe. Rochlitz, it is
+music to “Egmont” was two years old when he met Goethe. Rochlitz, it is
to be feared, is indulging his imagination again; but he is probably
correct on the whole. Let Beethoven proceed with his monologue:
@@ -3618,109 +3581,109 @@ correct on the whole. Let Beethoven proceed with his monologue:
has killed Klopstock for me. You are surprised? Now you smile? Aha!
You smile that I should have read Klopstock! I gave myself up to
him many years,--when I took my walks and at other times. Ah well!
- I didn’t understand him always. He is so restless; and he always
+ I didn’t understand him always. He is so restless; and he always
begins too far away, from on high down; always _Maestoso_, D-flat
- major! Isn’t it so? But he’s great, nevertheless, and uplifts the
+ major! Isn’t it so? But he’s great, nevertheless, and uplifts the
soul. When I did not understand I divined pretty nearly. But why
should he always want to die? That will come soon enough. Well; at
least he always sounds well, etc. But Goethe:--he lives and wants
- us all to live with him. That’s the reason he can be composed.
+ us all to live with him. That’s the reason he can be composed.
Nobody else can be so easily composed as he.
-Rochlitz had sought Beethoven with a commission from Härtel:--that he
-compose music for Goethe’s “Faust” like that written for “Egmont.” The
+Rochlitz had sought Beethoven with a commission from H√§rtel:--that he
+compose music for Goethe’s “Faust” like that written for “Egmont.” The
psychological moment for broaching the subject was arrived and Rochlitz
made the communication on the tablet.
- He read. “Ha!” he cried, and threw his hands high in the air. “That
- would be a piece of work! Something might come out of that!” He
+ He read. “Ha!” he cried, and threw his hands high in the air. “That
+ would be a piece of work! Something might come out of that!” He
continued for a while in this manner, elaborating his ideas at once
- and with bowed head staring at the ceiling. “But,” he continued,
- after a while, “I have been occupied for a considerable time with
+ and with bowed head staring at the ceiling. “But,” he continued,
+ after a while, “I have been occupied for a considerable time with
three other big works; much of them is already hatched out--i. e.,
in my head. I must rid myself of them first; two large symphonies
differing from each other, and an oratorio. They will take a long
- time; for, you see, for some time I can’t bring myself to write
+ time; for, you see, for some time I can’t bring myself to write
easily. I sit and think, and think. The ideas are there, but they
will not go down on the paper. I dread the beginning of great
- works; once begun, it’s all right.”
+ works; once begun, it’s all right.”
Most of this is in harmony with what we know from other sources. We
have seen how laboriously Beethoven developed the works of large
-dimensions in this period; we know that he had thought of “Faust” as a
+dimensions in this period; we know that he had thought of “Faust” as a
subject for composition as early as 1808[62] and that it pursued him
-in his last years. But Härtel’s proposition sent through Greisinger
+in his last years. But Härtel’s proposition sent through Greisinger
in the same year was for an opera, and it seems likely that the
-“Faust” idea was independent of it and possibly an original conceit of
-Rochlitz’s. Be that as it may, Rochlitz did make one proposition in
+“Faust” idea was independent of it and possibly an original conceit of
+Rochlitz’s. Be that as it may, Rochlitz did make one proposition in
which his interest was personal. After his return to Leipsic he wrote
a letter to Haslinger on September 10, 1822, in which he expressed
-the wish that Beethoven would give a musical setting to his poem “Der
-erste Ton,” and, if Schindler is correct, he suggested to Beethoven
-himself that he write music for his “Preis der Tonkunst.” Nothing came
+the wish that Beethoven would give a musical setting to his poem “Der
+erste Ton,” and, if Schindler is correct, he suggested to Beethoven
+himself that he write music for his “Preis der Tonkunst.” Nothing came
of the suggestions, though it would appear that Rochlitz had discussed
both poems with Beethoven. There was a third meeting at which the
-two, in company with another friend of Beethoven’s (Rochlitz says it
+two, in company with another friend of Beethoven’s (Rochlitz says it
was Gebauer), made a promenade through a valley which lasted from ten
-o’clock in the forenoon till six o’clock in the evening. Beethoven
+o’clock in the forenoon till six o’clock in the evening. Beethoven
enlivened the walk with conversation full of tirades against existing
-conditions, humorous anecdotes and drolleries. “In all seriousness,
+conditions, humorous anecdotes and drolleries. “In all seriousness,
he seems amiable, or, if this word startle you, I say: The gloomy,
unlicked bear is so winning and confiding, growls and shakes his hairy
coat so harmlessly and curiously, that it is delightful, and one could
not help liking him even if he were but a bear and had done nothing but
-what a bear can do.”
+what a bear can do.”
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S OPINION OF ROSSINI]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S OPINION OF ROSSINI]
The meeting between Rochlitz and Beethoven took place in Baden; but
as we have seen, the latter did not begin his sojourn there until
-September 1, and Rochlitz’s letter is dated July 9; so it would appear
-that Beethoven had come from Oberdöbling on a visit to Baden; Schindler
+September 1, and Rochlitz’s letter is dated July 9; so it would appear
+that Beethoven had come from Oberdöbling on a visit to Baden; Schindler
says nothing to the contrary. Earlier in 1822 Beethoven received a
visit from a man who lies considerably nearer the sympathies of the
generation for which this book is written than Rochlitz. This man was
Rossini. His operas had been on the current list in Vienna for several
years, and with the coming of the composer in person, in the spring of
1822, the enthusiasm for him and his music had grown into a fanatical
-adoration. Beethoven had seen the score of “Il Barbiere” and heard it
+adoration. Beethoven had seen the score of “Il Barbiere” and heard it
sung by the best Italian singers of the period. Moreover, he had a
high admiration for the Italian art of song and a very poor opinion of
-German singers. In Barbaja’s troupe were Lablache, Rubini, Donzelli and
+German singers. In Barbaja’s troupe were Lablache, Rubini, Donzelli and
Ambroggio, and the Demoiselles Sontag, Ungher, Lalande and Dardanelli.
Rossini was on his wedding trip, having but recently married Colbran,
and his elegant manners and brilliant conversation had made him the
-lion of aristocratic drawing-rooms in the Austrian capital. “Zelmira”
+lion of aristocratic drawing-rooms in the Austrian capital. “Zelmira”
had been written especially for the Vienna season, though it had been
tried at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the preceding December.
-It had its first performance at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre on April
-13.[63] Several of Beethoven’s utterances concerning the musician,
+It had its first performance at the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre on April
+13.[63] Several of Beethoven’s utterances concerning the musician,
who no doubt did much to divert the taste of the masses away from the
-German master’s compositions, have been preserved. Seyfried recorded
-that in answer to the question. “What is Rossini?” Beethoven replied,
-“A good scene-painter,” and Seyfried also makes note of this utterance:
-“The Bohemians are born musicians; the Italians ought to take them as
+German master’s compositions, have been preserved. Seyfried recorded
+that in answer to the question. “What is Rossini?” Beethoven replied,
+“A good scene-painter,” and Seyfried also makes note of this utterance:
+“The Bohemians are born musicians; the Italians ought to take them as
models. What have they to show for their famous conservatories? Behold
their idol--Rossini! If Dame Fortune had not given him a pretty talent
and pretty melodies by the bushel, what he learned at school would
-have brought him nothing but potatoes for his big belly!” Schindler
-says that after reading the score of “Il Barbiere” Beethoven said:
-“Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had frequently
-applied some blows _ad posteriora_.” To Freudenberg at Baden in 1824
-he remarked: “Rossini is a talented and a melodious composer; his
+have brought him nothing but potatoes for his big belly!” Schindler
+says that after reading the score of “Il Barbiere” Beethoven said:
+“Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had frequently
+applied some blows _ad posteriora_.” To Freudenberg at Baden in 1824
+he remarked: “Rossini is a talented and a melodious composer; his
music suits the frivolous and sensuous spirit of the times, and his
productivity is so great that he needs only as many weeks as the
-Germans need years to write an opera.”
+Germans need years to write an opera.”
The Rossini craze was no doubt largely responsible for some of
-Beethoven’s outbreaks concerning the taste of the Viennese, but on
+Beethoven’s outbreaks concerning the taste of the Viennese, but on
the whole he does not seem seriously to have been disturbed by it.
Schindler cites him as remarking on the change in the popular attitude:
-“Well, they can not rob me of my place in musical history.” As for the
+“Well, they can not rob me of my place in musical history.” As for the
Italian singers he thought so much of them that he told Caroline Ungher
-that he would write an Italian opera for Barbaja’s company.
+that he would write an Italian opera for Barbaja’s company.
-As for Rossini, he had heard some of Beethoven’s quartets played by
+As for Rossini, he had heard some of Beethoven’s quartets played by
Mayseder and his associates, and had enjoyed them enthusiastically. It
was therefore natural enough that he should want to visit the composer.
Schindler says that he went twice with Artaria to call upon him, after
@@ -3729,8 +3692,8 @@ Beethoven had asked to be excused from receiving him--a circumstance
which had given rise to considerable comment in Vienna. The story
is not true, but that it was current in Vienna four years afterward
appears from an entry in a Conversation Book of August 1826 where
-somebody asks: “It is true, isn’t it, that Rossini wanted to visit you
-and you refused to see him?” There is no written answer. We repeat:
+somebody asks: “It is true, isn’t it, that Rossini wanted to visit you
+and you refused to see him?” There is no written answer. We repeat:
the story is not true, though both Nohl and Wasielewski accepted it
without demur. Twice, at least, Rossini publicly denied it. In 1867 Dr.
Eduard Hanslick visited him with two friends in Paris. Concerning the
@@ -3738,22 +3701,22 @@ interview, Hanslick wrote:[64]
Suddenly, as if he intentionally wanted to call attention to
something loftier, he asked if the Mozart monument at Vienna
- was finished? And Beethoven’s? We three Austrians looked rather
- embarrassed. “I remember Beethoven well,” continued Rossini after
- a pause, “although it is nearly half a century ago. On my visit to
- Vienna I hastened to look him up.”
+ was finished? And Beethoven’s? We three Austrians looked rather
+ embarrassed. “I remember Beethoven well,” continued Rossini after
+ a pause, “although it is nearly half a century ago. On my visit to
+ Vienna I hastened to look him up.”
- “And he did not receive you, as Schindler and other biographers
- assure us.”
+ “And he did not receive you, as Schindler and other biographers
+ assure us.”
- “On the contrary,” said Rossini, correcting me: “I had Carpani, the
+ “On the contrary,” said Rossini, correcting me: “I had Carpani, the
Italian poet with whom I had already called upon Salieri, introduce
me, and he received me at once and very politely. True, the visit
did not last very long, for conversation with Beethoven was nothing
less than painful. His hearing was particularly bad on that day
and in spite of my loudest shoutings he could not understand me;
his little practice in Italian may have made conversation more
- difficult.”
+ difficult.”
This confirms what Rossini told Ferdinand Hiller in 1856:[65]
@@ -3764,21 +3727,21 @@ This confirms what Rossini told Ferdinand Hiller in 1856:[65]
[Sidenote: ALLEGED MEETING OF BEETHOVEN AND SCHUBERT]
-Quite as inaccurate is a statement of Schindler’s touching a meeting
-between Schubert and Beethoven in this year. Schindler’s story is to
+Quite as inaccurate is a statement of Schindler’s touching a meeting
+between Schubert and Beethoven in this year. Schindler’s story is to
the effect that Schubert, accompanied by Diabelli, went to Beethoven
and handed him the variations for pianoforte, four hands, which he had
dedicated to him; but that Schubert was so overwhelmed at the majestic
appearance of Beethoven that his courage oozed away and he was scarcely
able to write the answers to the questions which were put to him.
At length, when Beethoven pointed out a trifling error in harmony,
-remarking that it was “not a mortal sin,” Schubert lost control of
+remarking that it was “not a mortal sin,” Schubert lost control of
himself completely, regained his composure only after he had left the
-house, and never again had courage enough to appear in Beethoven’s
-presence. As opposed to this, Heinrich von Kreissle, Schubert’s
-biographer, adduces the testimony of Joseph Hüttenbrenner, a close
-friend of Schubert’s, who had it from the song composer himself that
-he had gone to Beethoven’s house with the variations, but the great
+house, and never again had courage enough to appear in Beethoven’s
+presence. As opposed to this, Heinrich von Kreissle, Schubert’s
+biographer, adduces the testimony of Joseph Hüttenbrenner, a close
+friend of Schubert’s, who had it from the song composer himself that
+he had gone to Beethoven’s house with the variations, but the great
man was not at home and the variations were left with the servant.
He had neither seen Beethoven nor spoken with him, but learned with
delight afterwards that Beethoven had been pleased with the variations
@@ -3792,16 +3755,16 @@ Josephstadt Theatre, which the director of the theatre, Carl Friedrich
Hensler, director also of the combined theatres of Pressburg and Baden,
asked of him immediately after his arrival at the watering-place.
Hensler (1761-1825) was a popular dramatist as well as manager and an
-old acquaintance of Beethoven’s, by whom he was greatly respected.
+old acquaintance of Beethoven’s, by whom he was greatly respected.
He had bought the privilege of the Josephstadt Theatre in Vienna.
Carl Meisl, who was a Commissioner of the Royal Imperial Navy, had
written two festival pieces for the opening, which had been set down
for October 3, 1822, the name-day of the Emperor. The first piece was
-a paraphrase of Kotzebue’s “Ruins of Athens,” written for the opening
+a paraphrase of Kotzebue’s “Ruins of Athens,” written for the opening
of the theatre in Pesth in 1812, for which Beethoven had composed the
-music. Meisl took Kotzebue’s text and made such alterations in it as
-were necessary to change “The Ruins of Athens” into “The Consecration
-of the House.” Nottebohm’s reprint in “Zweite Beethoveniana” (p. 385
+music. Meisl took Kotzebue’s text and made such alterations in it as
+were necessary to change “The Ruins of Athens” into “The Consecration
+of the House.” Nottebohm’s reprint in “Zweite Beethoveniana” (p. 385
_et seq._) enables a comparison to be made with the piece as it left
the hands of Meisl and the original. The new words did not always fit
the music and caused Beethoven considerable concern. A choral dance:
@@ -3814,22 +3777,22 @@ the music and caused Beethoven considerable concern. A choral dance:
was introduced and to this Beethoven had to write new music, which
he did in September. He also revised, altered and extended the march
with chorus.[66] Beethoven wrote a new overture also, that known as
-“Consecration of the House,” putting aside the overture to “The Ruins
-of Athens” because that play had served as a second piece, or epilogue,
+“Consecration of the House,” putting aside the overture to “The Ruins
+of Athens” because that play had served as a second piece, or epilogue,
at Pesth. Schindler says he began work on this occasional music in
July, after the last touches had been given to the Mass; but progress
was not as rapid as was desirable because of the extreme hot weather.
He also says it was in Baden and that he was there with him. The
letters to Johann show, however, that Beethoven did not go to Baden
-till September 1, having before that been in Oberdöbling. But he wrote
-the new pieces in Baden. On a revised copy of the chorus “Wo sich die
-Pulse” Beethoven wrote: “Written towards the end of September, 1823,
-performed on October 3 at the Josephstadt Theatre.” The 1823 should be
+till September 1, having before that been in Oberdöbling. But he wrote
+the new pieces in Baden. On a revised copy of the chorus “Wo sich die
+Pulse” Beethoven wrote: “Written towards the end of September, 1823,
+performed on October 3 at the Josephstadt Theatre.” The 1823 should be
1822, of course, but singularly enough the same blunder was made on a
-copy of the overture and another composition, the “Gratulatory Minuet,”
+copy of the overture and another composition, the “Gratulatory Minuet,”
which was written about the same time. The explanation is probably
that offered by Nottebohm, viz.: that Beethoven dated the copies
-when he sent them to the Archduke. Beethoven’s remark in a letter to
+when he sent them to the Archduke. Beethoven’s remark in a letter to
Johann that he had finished the chorus with dances and would write the
overture if his health allowed, also fixes the date of the composition
of the overture in September. This Schindler, though in error about the
@@ -3838,115 +3801,115 @@ overture:
Meanwhile September was come. It was therefore time to go to work
on the new overture, for the master had long ago seen that that
- to “The Ruins of Athens” was for obvious reasons unsuitable. One
+ to “The Ruins of Athens” was for obvious reasons unsuitable. One
day, while I was walking with him and his nephew in the lovely
Helenenthal near Baden, Beethoven told us to go on in advance and
join him at an appointed place. It was not long before he overtook
us, remarking that he had written down two motives for an overture.
At the same time he expressed himself also as to the manner in
which he purposed treating them--one in the free style and one
- in the strict, and, indeed, in Handel’s. As well as his voice
+ in the strict, and, indeed, in Handel’s. As well as his voice
permitted he sang the two motives and then asked us which we liked
the better. This shows the roseate mood into which for the moment
he was thrown by the discovery of two gems for which, perhaps, he
had been hunting a long time. The nephew decided in favor of both,
while I expressed a desire to see the fugal theme worked out for
the purpose mentioned. It is not to be understood that Beethoven
- wrote the overture “Zur Weihe des Hauses” as he did because I
+ wrote the overture “Zur Weihe des Hauses” as he did because I
wanted it so, but because he had long cherished the plan to write
an overture in the strict, expressly in the Handelian, style.
-The overture was written. “The newly organized orchestra of the
+The overture was written. “The newly organized orchestra of the
Josephstadt Theatre did not receive it till the afternoon before the
opening, and with innumerable mistakes in every part. The rehearsal
which took place in the presence of an almost filled parterre, scarcely
-sufficed for the correction of the worst of the copyist’s errors.” The
-overture and chorus written for “The Consecration of the House” are
-“occasionals” and were conceived and wrought out in a remarkably short
-time for that period in Beethoven’s activities. The first was offered
+sufficed for the correction of the worst of the copyist’s errors.” The
+overture and chorus written for “The Consecration of the House” are
+“occasionals” and were conceived and wrought out in a remarkably short
+time for that period in Beethoven’s activities. The first was offered
for publication to Steiner and, with other pieces, to Diabelli. The
negotiations failed and the overture finally appeared from the press of
Schott in 1825, with a dedication to Prince Galitzin.
[Sidenote: OPENING OF THE JOSEPHSTADT THEATRE]
-The performance of “The Consecration of the House” took place as
-projected, on October 3, the eve of the Emperor’s name-day. All of
+The performance of “The Consecration of the House” took place as
+projected, on October 3, the eve of the Emperor’s name-day. All of
the 400 reserved seats and 14 boxes had been sold several weeks
before. Beethoven had reserved the direction for himself and sat at
the pianoforte, the greater part of the orchestra within view, his
left ear turned towards the stage. He was still able to hear a little
with that ear, as we know from the fact related by Schindler, that he
-was fond of listening to Cherubini’s overture to “Medea” played by a
+was fond of listening to Cherubini’s overture to “Medea” played by a
musical clock which stood in a restaurant adjoining the Josephstadt
-Theatre. Chapelmaster Franz Gläser stood at his right, and Schindler,
+Theatre. Chapelmaster Franz Gl√§ser stood at his right, and Schindler,
who had recently abandoned the law, led the first violins. At the
dress rehearsal Fanny Heckermann sang timidly and dragged perceptibly
in the duet. Beethoven observed this and called the singer to him,
pointed out the places in which he wanted more animation, spoke some
words of encouragement and advised her to follow the tenor, who was
an experienced singer. He then had the number repeated and on its
-conclusion remarked: “Well done, this time, Fräulein Heckermann!” The
+conclusion remarked: “Well done, this time, Fräulein Heckermann!” The
tenor was Michael Greiner, with whom Beethoven was acquainted, from
-Baden, and Fräulein Kaiser sang the part of _Pallas_. The rehearsal
+Baden, and Fr√§ulein Kaiser sang the part of _Pallas_. The rehearsal
and the performance demonstrated plainly, Schindler says, that under
no circumstances was Beethoven able longer to conduct large bodies
of performers. The representation, despite the enthusiasm of the
-performers, stimulated by Beethoven’s encouraging speeches, was
+performers, stimulated by Beethoven’s encouraging speeches, was
not a success. Beethoven would take none of the fault to himself,
however, though his anxiety led him to hold back the music despite
the exertions of his two leaders, whom he admonished against too much
precipitancy, of which Schindler protests they were not guilty. There
were demonstrations of enthusiasm at the close and Beethoven was led
before the curtain by Director Hensler. The work was repeated on
-October 4, 5 and 6. Beethoven’s friendly feeling for Hensler gave rise
+October 4, 5 and 6. Beethoven’s friendly feeling for Hensler gave rise
to a new orchestral composition a few weeks later. The members of the
company paid a tribute to their director on his name-day, November 3.
-After a performance of Meisl’s drama “1722, 1822, 1922,” the audience
+After a performance of Meisl’s drama “1722, 1822, 1922,” the audience
having departed, the director was called to the festively decorated
and illuminated stage, and surrounded by his company in gala dress.
A poetical address was read to him by the stage-manager. After he
had gone back to his lodgings, the orchestra and chorus serenaded
-him, the programme consisting of an overture to “The Prodigal Son” by
-Chapelmaster Drechsel, a concerto for flute by Chapelmaster Gläser,
-and what Bäuerle’s “Theaterzeitung” called “a glorious new symphony”
+him, the programme consisting of an overture to “The Prodigal Son” by
+Chapelmaster Drechsel, a concerto for flute by Chapelmaster Gl√§ser,
+and what Bäuerle’s “Theaterzeitung” called “a glorious new symphony”
composed for the occasion by Beethoven, the whole ending with the
-march and chorus from Mozart’s “Titus.” The “new symphony” was the
-“Gratulatory Minuet” of which mention has been made. Nothing is said
-in the accounts about Beethoven’s presence at the serenade, and as
-“Fidelio” was performed that night at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, his
+march and chorus from Mozart’s “Titus.” The “new symphony” was the
+“Gratulatory Minuet” of which mention has been made. Nothing is said
+in the accounts about Beethoven’s presence at the serenade, and as
+“Fidelio” was performed that night at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, his
absence might easily be explained. On the next day[67] Hensler gave a
-dinner in the property-room of the theatre at 3 p.m. Beethoven, Gläser,
-Bäuerle, Gleich, Meisl, Hopp and others were present. Beethoven had
-a seat directly under the musical clock. Gläser told Reubl (Reichl?)
+dinner in the property-room of the theatre at 3 p.m. Beethoven, Gl√§ser,
+B√§uerle, Gleich, Meisl, Hopp and others were present. Beethoven had
+a seat directly under the musical clock. Gl√§ser told Reubl (Reichl?)
who provided the entertainment to set the clock to the overture to
-“Fidelio” and then wrote to Beethoven to listen, as he would soon hear
-it. Beethoven listened and then said: “It plays it better than the
-orchestra in the Kärnthnerthor.”
+“Fidelio” and then wrote to Beethoven to listen, as he would soon hear
+it. Beethoven listened and then said: “It plays it better than the
+orchestra in the Kärnthnerthor.”
-The “Gratulatory Minuet” was offered to Peters in the letter of
+The “Gratulatory Minuet” was offered to Peters in the letter of
December 20. Beethoven was evidently eager to realize quickly on a work
which had cost him but little labor--the product of a period in which
his fancy seemed to have regained its old-time fecundity and he his
old-time delight in work. He offered it elsewhere and gave a copy (the
one that he misdated) to Archduke Rudolph for his collection. Artaria
-published it in 1835 under the title “Allegretto (Gratulations-Menuet)”
+published it in 1835 under the title “Allegretto (Gratulations-Menuet)”
with a dedication to Carl Holz. The title on the autograph reads:
-“Tempo di Minuetto quasi Allegretto.” “Allegro non troppo” was
-originally written but was scratched out and “Gratulations-Menuet”
+“Tempo di Minuetto quasi Allegretto.” “Allegro non troppo” was
+originally written but was scratched out and “Gratulations-Menuet”
written in its place.
-[Sidenote: UNABLE TO CONDUCT “FIDELIO”]
+[Sidenote: UNABLE TO CONDUCT “FIDELIO”]
-Beethoven’s absence from the complimentary function to Hensler in
-the theatre may be explained by the revival of “Fidelio” which took
+Beethoven’s absence from the complimentary function to Hensler in
+the theatre may be explained by the revival of “Fidelio” which took
place on the same night, November 3, after an absence from the stage
of three years (not eight, as Schindler says), though we do not know
that he was present. It was a benefit performance for Wilhelmine
-Schröder, then 17 years old, afterwards the famous dramatic singer
-Madame Schröder-Devrient. Haitzinger sang _Florestan_, Zeltner _Rocco_,
-Forti _Pizarro_. Rauscher _Jaquino_, Nestroy _the Minister_, Fräulein
-Demmer _Marcelline_ and Fräulein Schröder _Leonore_. Schindler tells
+Schröder, then 17 years old, afterwards the famous dramatic singer
+Madame Schröder-Devrient. Haitzinger sang _Florestan_, Zeltner _Rocco_,
+Forti _Pizarro_. Rauscher _Jaquino_, Nestroy _the Minister_, Fr√§ulein
+Demmer _Marcelline_ and Fräulein Schröder _Leonore_. Schindler tells
a pathetic tale concerning the dress rehearsal. Together with his
friends, mindful of the happenings in the Hall of the University
in 1819 and in the Josephstadt Theatre only a short time before,
@@ -3957,7 +3920,7 @@ overture went well, the orchestra being well trained in it, but at the
first duet it became painfully manifest that Beethoven heard nothing
of what was going on on the stage. He slackened his beat and the
orchestra obeyed; the singers urged the movement onward. Umlauf stopped
-the performance at the rappings on the jailor’s lodge-gate but gave no
+the performance at the rappings on the jailor’s lodge-gate but gave no
reason to Beethoven. At the same place on the repetition there was the
same confusion. Let Schindler continue the narrative, the correctness
of which there seems to be no reason to question:
@@ -3965,14 +3928,14 @@ of which there seems to be no reason to question:
The impossibility of going ahead with the author of the work
was evident. But how, in what manner inform him of the fact?
Neither Duport, the director, nor Umlauf was willing to speak
- the saddening words: “It will not do; go away, you unhappy man!”
+ the saddening words: “It will not do; go away, you unhappy man!”
Beethoven, already uneasy in his seat, turned now to the right
now to the left, scrutinizing the faces to learn the cause of the
interruption. Everywhere silence. I had approached near him in
the orchestra. He banded me his note-book with an indication that
- I write what the trouble was. Hastily I wrote in effect: “Please
- do not go on; more at home.” With a bound he was in the parterre
- and said merely: “Out, quick!” Without stopping he ran towards his
+ I write what the trouble was. Hastily I wrote in effect: “Please
+ do not go on; more at home.” With a bound he was in the parterre
+ and said merely: “Out, quick!” Without stopping he ran towards his
lodgings, Pfarrgasse, Vorstadt Leimgrube. Inside he threw himself
on the sofa, covered his face with his hands and remained in this
attitude till we sat down to eat. During the meal not a word
@@ -3983,22 +3946,22 @@ of which there seems to be no reason to question:
who had gained some repute as an aurist.
Some details of the representation may be learned from the account in
-the “Theaterzeitung” of November 9. The day was the name-day of the
+the “Theaterzeitung” of November 9. The day was the name-day of the
Empress; the square about the Opera-house was illuminated; the national
-hymn, “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser,” was sung; the overture received
+hymn, “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser,” was sung; the overture received
such applause that it had to be repeated; the great duet and the canon
quartet also, and the soprano and tenor were recalled at the end of the
opera. Was Beethoven present? The question cannot be answered. Alfred
-von Wolzogen in his biography of Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient quotes
-from Claire von Glümer, who had access to the singer’s notes, in his
+von Wolzogen in his biography of Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient quotes
+from Claire von Glümer, who had access to the singer’s notes, in his
account of the affair. The incident of the rehearsal is told with a
-variation which strengthens Schindler’s narrative. At the performance,
-Claire von Glümer says, Beethoven sat behind the chapelmaster in the
+variation which strengthens Schindler’s narrative. At the performance,
+Claire von Glümer says, Beethoven sat behind the chapelmaster in the
orchestra so deeply wrapped in his cloak that only his gleaming eyes
were visible. The youthful prima donna was unspeakably alarmed, but
scarcely had she uttered her first words than she felt her whole body
infused with marvellous power. Beethoven--the public--everything
-vanished from view. She forgot that she had studied the rôle--she was
+vanished from view. She forgot that she had studied the rôle--she was
transformed into _Leonore_--she lived, she suffered the part, scene
after scene. Beethoven, the story proceeds, though he had heard not a
word but had observed the soul of her singing in her transfigured face,
@@ -4015,66 +3978,66 @@ had recognized his _Leonore_ in her.
The tale is amiable, and plausible enough; standing alone there
would seem to be no ground for doubting its correctness. But there
are circumstances which give our credence pause. Schindler, who was
-Beethoven’s constant companion in those days, who presents the story
+Beethoven’s constant companion in those days, who presents the story
of the rehearsal so convincingly, and who waited until it was time
-to go to the theatre, says not a word about Beethoven’s presence at
+to go to the theatre, says not a word about Beethoven’s presence at
the representation. Would he, after suffering such a heartbreaking
humiliation at the rehearsal, have gone to the theatre and taken a
conspicuous place in the orchestra? It does not seem likely. Moreover,
-in a letter published in the “Neue Berliner Musikzeitung” of July 30,
+in a letter published in the “Neue Berliner Musikzeitung” of July 30,
1851, Schindler, discussing an impersonation of _Fidelio_ by Frau
-Köster-Schlegel in Frankfort, says: “It may be remarked in passing
-that Beethoven never saw Schröder-Devrient as _Fidelio_, but was
+Köster-Schlegel in Frankfort, says: “It may be remarked in passing
+that Beethoven never saw Schröder-Devrient as _Fidelio_, but was
dissatisfied with her conception of the character as he had learned
to know it from the public prints and oral communications. His ideal
-was not an operatic heroine, etc.” This would seem to be conclusive,
-were there not evidence that Schindler’s memory had played him false
-again. “Fidelio” was repeated on November 4, and also on November
-26 and December 17, 1822, and March 3 and 18, 1823, and Bäuerle’s
-“Theaterzeitung” distinctly states that “Beethoven attended the second
-performance, sitting in a box in the first tier.” Moreover, Louis
-Schlösser, who was at this performance, adds confirmation by telling
+was not an operatic heroine, etc.” This would seem to be conclusive,
+were there not evidence that Schindler’s memory had played him false
+again. “Fidelio” was repeated on November 4, and also on November
+26 and December 17, 1822, and March 3 and 18, 1823, and Bäuerle’s
+“Theaterzeitung” distinctly states that “Beethoven attended the second
+performance, sitting in a box in the first tier.” Moreover, Louis
+Schlösser, who was at this performance, adds confirmation by telling
how he saw Beethoven leaving the theatre in the company of Schindler
and von Breuning. Beethoven may not have been able to form an opinion
of a performance which he could not hear, but the testimony of
-Schindler that he never saw Schröder-Devrient in the role of _Fidelio_
+Schindler that he never saw Schröder-Devrient in the role of _Fidelio_
is greatly weakened by this proved fact. But would he have made such a
statement if Beethoven had been present at the first performance and
paid so spectacular a tribute to the singer? It is easier to imagine
-that Schindler’s memory was treacherous concerning a later performance.
+that Schindler’s memory was treacherous concerning a later performance.
At best, the evidence is inconclusive, because contradictory. In
-March, 1823, Chapelmaster Reuling remarks in a Conversation Book: “I
-saw you in the theatre at the first performance of ‘Fidelio’.” Did
+March, 1823, Chapelmaster Reuling remarks in a Conversation Book: “I
+saw you in the theatre at the first performance of ‘Fidelio’.” Did
he mean the first performance in November, 1822, or the first of the
two performances in the month in which he was writing--March, 1823?
-Schröder-Devrient in her prime is reputed to have been the greatest of
+Schröder-Devrient in her prime is reputed to have been the greatest of
all _Fidelios_; but she did not reach her full artistic stature until
-after Beethoven’s death.
+after Beethoven’s death.
[Sidenote: TREATMENT FOR DEAFNESS RESUMED]
-Following Schindler’s narrative we learn that Beethoven’s woeful
+Following Schindler’s narrative we learn that Beethoven’s woeful
experience at the rehearsal led to a resolution on his part to make
another effort to be healed of his deafness. He went to Dr. Smetana,
who prescribed medicaments to be taken inwardly, thereby indicating,
as Schindler asserts, that he had no expectation of effecting a cure,
-but wanted only to occupy Beethoven’s mind, knowing what to expect
+but wanted only to occupy Beethoven’s mind, knowing what to expect
from so impatient, wilful and absent-minded a patient; for Beethoven
-was as unready to follow a physician’s advice as a musician’s, and was
+was as unready to follow a physician’s advice as a musician’s, and was
more likely to injure himself with overdoses of drugs than to invite
the benefit which the practitioner hoped for by obedience to the
-prescription. The usual thing happened; not only with Dr. Smetana’s
+prescription. The usual thing happened; not only with Dr. Smetana’s
treatment, but also with that of the priest, Pater Weiss, whom he had
consulted some 18 years before and to whom he now returned. For a
while he thought that the oil which the priest dropped into his ears
was beneficial, and Pater Weiss himself expressed the belief that
the left ear, at least, might permanently be helped; but Beethoven
grew skeptical, as he always did unless he experienced immediate
-relief, his work monopolized his attention, and despite the priest’s
+relief, his work monopolized his attention, and despite the priest’s
solicitations he abandoned the treatment and yielded himself to his
fate. Thenceforward no one heard him lament because of his deafness.
-The compositions which were in Beethoven’s hands at the close of the
+The compositions which were in Beethoven’s hands at the close of the
year were those which had occupied him in the earlier months. The Mass,
several times completed but never complete so long as it was within
reach, received what must now be looked upon as its finishing touches;
@@ -4082,18 +4045,18 @@ progress was made on the Ninth Symphony and thought given to a quartet,
perhaps several quartets. The Bagatelles for Pianoforte grouped under
Op. 119, some of which had been published a year before (Nos. 7-11),
were finished; Nos. 1 to 6 were ready for the publisher by the end of
-1822--the autograph manuscript bearing the inscription “Kleinigkeiten,
-1822 Novemb.” Nottebohm thinks that Nos. 2 to 5 were conceived between
+1822--the autograph manuscript bearing the inscription “Kleinigkeiten,
+1822 Novemb.” Nottebohm thinks that Nos. 2 to 5 were conceived between
1800 and 1804; a sketch for No. 5 (C minor, _Risoluto_) is found among
sketches made in 1802 for the Sonata in C minor Op. 30; Lenz says
-sketches for No. 3 (in D, _a l’Allemande_) are among sketches for the
-last movement of the “Eroica” Symphony; No. 6 (G major) is sketched on
+sketches for No. 3 (in D, _a l’Allemande_) are among sketches for the
+last movement of the “Eroica” Symphony; No. 6 (G major) is sketched on
a sheet containing experimental studies for a passage in the _Credo_ of
the Mass; sketches for Nos. 2 and 4 are among suggestions of a melody
-for Goethe’s “Erlkönig,” indicating an early period which cannot be
+for Goethe’s “Erlkönig,” indicating an early period which cannot be
determined. Of Nos. 7-11, enough has been said in a previous chapter.
The piece published as No. 12 and added to the set by Diabelli after
-Beethoven’s death was originally a song with pianoforte accompaniment
+Beethoven’s death was originally a song with pianoforte accompaniment
and had its origin in 1800 at the latest. Whether or not Beethoven made
the pianoforte piece out of the projected song, on which point nothing
of significance can be said, it is certain that it does not belong to
@@ -4106,7 +4069,7 @@ then a larger number; he sent six to the publisher on February 15,
the remark that they were not worth the price asked for them and
that Beethoven ought to consider it beneath his dignity to waste his
time on such trifles; anybody could write them. Schindler says that
-Peters’s action aggrieved Beethoven, which is easily believed; but
+Peters’s action aggrieved Beethoven, which is easily believed; but
Schindler confounded the Bagatelles Op. 119 with the set, Op. 126,
works of distinctly a higher order which were not composed at the time.
On February 25, 1823, Beethoven sent 11 Bagatelles to Ries in London
@@ -4117,91 +4080,91 @@ and Sauer and Leidesdorf issued them almost simultaneously in Vienna
with the same opus number. The number 119 appears to have been assigned
to the set after an agreement had been reached with Steiner concerning
the works now numbered 112 to 118. The last known song by Beethoven,
-“Der Kuss,” was finished at this time, though written down practically
+“Der Kuss,” was finished at this time, though written down practically
as we know it in 1798. Sketches involving the few changes made are
-found among some for the overture “The Consecration of the House”
-and the Ninth Symphony. The autograph is dated “December, 1822.” It
+found among some for the overture “The Consecration of the House”
+and the Ninth Symphony. The autograph is dated “December, 1822.” It
was sent to Peters, who did not print it; in 1825 it was sent to the
Schotts, numbered 128, and they published it.
[Sidenote: GALITZIN AND AN ORATORIO FOR BOSTON]
In the last weeks of the year a connection was established which
-was destined to be of great influence in Beethoven’s final creative
+was destined to be of great influence in Beethoven’s final creative
activities. Prince Nicolas Boris Galitzin, born in 1795, who as a young
man had taken part in the Napoleonic wars, was an influential factor
in the musical life of St. Petersburg. He played the violoncello, and
-his wife (_née_ Princess Saltykow) was an admirable pianist. Prince
-Galitzin was an ardent admirer of Beethoven’s music and had arranged
+his wife (_née_ Princess Saltykow) was an admirable pianist. Prince
+Galitzin was an ardent admirer of Beethoven’s music and had arranged
some of the works written for the pianoforte for strings. Whether
or not he had made the personal acquaintance of Beethoven has not
been established, but wanting to have as his private property some
composition by the master whom he revered, he addressed a letter to
Beethoven on November 9, 1822, saying that as a passionate amateur of
-music and an admirer of the master’s talent he asked him to compose for
+music and an admirer of the master’s talent he asked him to compose for
him one, two or three string quartets, for which he would be pleased
to pay any sum demanded and that he would accept the dedication of the
-works with gratitude. Beethoven’s answer, dated January 25, 1823, has
+works with gratitude. Beethoven’s answer, dated January 25, 1823, has
not been found but it is known that he accepted the commission and
fixed the honorarium at 50 ducats each. This is the prologue to the
story of the last Quartets.
-In Charles C. Perkins’s “History of the Handel and Haydn Society, of
-Boston,” Vol. I, p. 87, the author writes: “The most interesting matter
+In Charles C. Perkins’s “History of the Handel and Haydn Society, of
+Boston,” Vol. I, p. 87, the author writes: “The most interesting matter
connected with the history of the society in the year 1823 ... is the
-fact that Beethoven was commissioned to write an oratorio for it.”
+fact that Beethoven was commissioned to write an oratorio for it.”
The date is obviously wrong; it should be 1822, for in a letter dated
December 20, 1822, as will appear in the next chapter of this work,
Beethoven tells Ries that he has received requests from all parts of
-Europe “and even from North America.” The historian of the Boston
+Europe “and even from North America.” The historian of the Boston
Society adds:
That the commission was given is certain, but as it is not
mentioned in the records, Mr. A. W. Thayer is probably right in
thinking that it was given unofficially by Richardson and two or
three other members. In October 1854 Mr. Thayer wrote a letter to
- Mr. J. S. Dwight, the well-known editor of the “Musical Journal,”
- to say that he had questioned Schindler, Beethoven’s biographer,
+ Mr. J. S. Dwight, the well-known editor of the “Musical Journal,”
+ to say that he had questioned Schindler, Beethoven’s biographer,
on the subject and had learned from him that in 1823 a Boston
banker, whose name was unknown to him, having occasion to write
- to Geymüller, a Viennese banker, had sent an order to the great
+ to Geymüller, a Viennese banker, had sent an order to the great
musician to compose an oratorio for somebody or some society in
Boston and it was forwarded to its destination.... Wishing to know
the truth about the matter I wrote to Mr. Thayer, then, as now, U.
S. Consul at Trieste, for information, and in reply learned that in
- one of Beethoven’s note books he had found this passage: “Bühler
- writes: ‘The oratorio for Boston?’ (Beethoven) ‘I cannot write what
+ one of Beethoven’s note books he had found this passage: “Bühler
+ writes: ‘The oratorio for Boston?’ (Beethoven) ‘I cannot write what
I should like best to write, but that which the pressing need of
money obliges me to write. This is not saying that I write only for
money. When this period is past I hope to write what for me and for
- art is above all--Faust.’”
+ art is above all--Faust.’”
The passages cited are from a Conversation Book used in the early
days of April, 1823. In the fall of that year, on November 5, the
-“Morgenblatt für Gebildete Leser” closed an article on Beethoven with
-the words: “A symphony, quartets, a Biblical oratorio, sent to him in
+“Morgenblatt für Gebildete Leser” closed an article on Beethoven with
+the words: “A symphony, quartets, a Biblical oratorio, sent to him in
English by the consul of the United States, observe the United States,
-and possibly one of Grillparzer’s poems, may be expected.”
+and possibly one of Grillparzer’s poems, may be expected.”
FOOTNOTES:
[42] For this arraignment and defence (if defence it be) of Beethoven
-the present Editor wishes to assume entire responsibility. Thayer’s
+the present Editor wishes to assume entire responsibility. Thayer’s
notes fail him here, but the indictment, he is convinced, is not only
demanded by historical truth but also wholly within the spirit of
Thayer as manifested in the earlier volumes of this work. Dr. Deiters
makes no effort to conceal the facts, though he does not marshal them
so as to present the moral delinquency in the strong light in which
-it appears when Beethoven’s words and deeds are brought sharply into
+it appears when Beethoven’s words and deeds are brought sharply into
juxtaposition; nevertheless, after presenting a plea in extenuation
-fully and fairly, he says: “We pay the tribute of our profoundest
+fully and fairly, he says: “We pay the tribute of our profoundest
sympathy for Beethoven under these circumstances; we know sufficiently
well the noble impulses of his soul in all other fields; we are aware
of the reasons which compelled him to try everything which promised
to better his condition; but the conscientious reporter cannot ignore
facts which lie notoriously before him, and, hard as it may be, can not
acquit Beethoven of the reproach that his conduct was not in harmony
-with the principles of strict justice and uprightness.”
+with the principles of strict justice and uprightness.”
[43] This has been made possible for the editor by the courtesy of
the present representatives of the venerable house in Bonn, viz.:
@@ -4213,7 +4176,7 @@ childhood and a colleague in the orchestra at Bonn.
[44] Youthful works.
-[45] Probably “Primo amore,” though it has orchestral accompaniment.
+[45] Probably “Primo amore,” though it has orchestral accompaniment.
[46] Composed in 1814 in memory of Baroness Pasqualati.
@@ -4221,7 +4184,7 @@ childhood and a colleague in the orchestra at Bonn.
before, Beethoven must have had another one in mind.
[48] The Trio for wind-instruments, Op. 87, already in print. Beethoven
-had composed variations on “Là ci darem” from “Don Giovanni” for
+had composed variations on “Là ci darem” from “Don Giovanni” for
the same instruments and the composition was called a Terzetto when
performed in 1797. This was probably in his mind.
@@ -4229,20 +4192,20 @@ performed in 1797. This was probably in his mind.
Beethoven must have thought himself in readiness to write another if it
was desired; there was no lack of material in his sketchbooks.
-[50] Degen was a popular aëronaut who had long before excited the
+[50] Degen was a popular aëronaut who had long before excited the
interest of Beethoven.
-[51] Evidences of the second mass may be found in Nottebohm’s “Zweit.
-Beeth.,” pages 152 and 541-543.
+[51] Evidences of the second mass may be found in Nottebohm’s “Zweit.
+Beeth.,” pages 152 and 541-543.
-[52] Beethoven indulges in his propensity for puns: “Wäre mein Gehalt
-nicht ganz ohne Gehalt.”
+[52] Beethoven indulges in his propensity for puns: “Wäre mein Gehalt
+nicht ganz ohne Gehalt.”
[53] A composition written for a serenade given to Hensler, Director of
-the Josephstädter Theatre, as will appear later.
+the Josephst√§dter Theatre, as will appear later.
-[54] Nottebohm says that the three songs were “Opferlied,” “Bundeslied”
-and “Der Kuss.” Peters published none of them. The first appeared as
+[54] Nottebohm says that the three songs were “Opferlied,” “Bundeslied”
+and “Der Kuss.” Peters published none of them. The first appeared as
Op. 121, the second as Op. 122, the third as Op. 128, published by
Schott and Sons in 1825. This was the firm which eventually got the
Mass in D.
@@ -4250,9 +4213,9 @@ Mass in D.
[55] In a note to Thayer.
[56] No. 34 in Portfolio I of the Schindler papers in Berlin is a note
-as follows: “Mr. v. Schindler of course must not be mentioned in the
-presence (or by) the two persons, but I, certainly.” To this Schindler
-attached the following explanation: “The above lines were addressed to
+as follows: “Mr. v. Schindler of course must not be mentioned in the
+presence (or by) the two persons, but I, certainly.” To this Schindler
+attached the following explanation: “The above lines were addressed to
Police Commissioner Ungermann as an appendix to a detailed report to
him. The commissioner was requested by official or other means to help
him induce his brother to watch over the moral conduct of his wife, or
@@ -4265,37 +4228,37 @@ in 1823, to open scandal in the barracks where Madame van Beethoven had
visited her lovers (officers), with whom she was seen on the public
promenades. Then our Beethoven took energetic steps with his brother,
trying to persuade him to divorce his vicious wife, but made shipwreck
-on the indolence of this man, who was himself morally depraved.”
+on the indolence of this man, who was himself morally depraved.”
[57] Here, as in a former case, the editor of this English edition is
seeking to reproduce the spirit of Thayer, who was so eager to undo
-some of the injustice which had been visited upon Beethoven’s brothers
+some of the injustice which had been visited upon Beethoven’s brothers
Karl and Johann that he undertook their defense in a brochure entitled
-“Ein kritischer Beitrag zur Beethovenliteratur,” published in Berlin in
-1877. He also spoke with emphasis on the subject in a review of Nohl’s
-biography of Beethoven which he contributed to the “New York Tribune”
+“Ein kritischer Beitrag zur Beethovenliteratur,” published in Berlin in
+1877. He also spoke with emphasis on the subject in a review of Nohl’s
+biography of Beethoven which he contributed to the “New York Tribune”
in the spring of 1881.
-[58] “King Stephen” and “The Ruins of Athens.”
+[58] “King Stephen” and “The Ruins of Athens.”
[59] 300 florins.
-[60] Which he had adapted to “Die Weihe des Hauses.”
+[60] Which he had adapted to “Die Weihe des Hauses.”
-[61] “Wo sich die Pulse,” which Beethoven inscribed as having been
-written “Towards the end of September.”
+[61] “Wo sich die Pulse,” which Beethoven inscribed as having been
+written “Towards the end of September.”
[62] Nohl, II, 50.
[63] Archduke Rudolph wrote variations on one of the melodies from the
opera, which Beethoven corrected.
-[64] In an article in the “Neue Freie Presse” of July 21, 1867,
-reprinted in “Aus dem Concertsaal,” page 594.
+[64] In an article in the “Neue Freie Presse” of July 21, 1867,
+reprinted in “Aus dem Concertsaal,” page 594.
-[65] “Aus dem Tonleben, etc.,” II, 49.
+[65] “Aus dem Tonleben, etc.,” II, 49.
-[66] Published as Op. 114, and designated as “new” by Beethoven, though
+[66] Published as Op. 114, and designated as “new” by Beethoven, though
not a measure had been added, but only a few lines of text, and the
choral music simplified. Steiner published pianoforte arrangements for
two and four hands in 1822, and the score in 1824.
@@ -4309,61 +4272,61 @@ actor named Hopp who was present on the occasion.
Chapter IV
The Solemn Mass in D--A Royal Subscription--More Negotiations with
- England--Opera Projects--Grillparzer’s “Melusine”--The Diabelli
- Variations--Summer Visitors--An Englishman’s Account--Weber and
+ England--Opera Projects--Grillparzer’s “Melusine”--The Diabelli
+ Variations--Summer Visitors--An Englishman’s Account--Weber and
Julius Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt and
- Beethoven’s Kiss--The Year 1823.
+ Beethoven’s Kiss--The Year 1823.
When the year 1823 opens, the Mass in D is supposedly finished and
negotiations for its publication have been carried on in a manner the
contemplation of which must affect even the casual reader grievously.
The work had been originally intended for the functions attending the
-installation of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmütz--not merely
+installation of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmütz--not merely
as a personal tribute to the imperial, archepiscopal pupil, but for
actual performance at the ceremony of inthronization--a fact which
ought to be borne in mind during its study, for it throws light upon
-Beethoven’s attitude towards the Catholic Church (at least so far as
-that church’s rubrics are concerned) as well as towards religion in
+Beethoven’s attitude towards the Catholic Church (at least so far as
+that church’s rubrics are concerned) as well as towards religion in
general and art as its handmaiden and mistress. Archduke Rudolph had
been chosen Cardinal on April 24, 1819, and Archbishop on June 4 of
-the same year; he was installed as head of the see of Olmütz on March
+the same year; he was installed as head of the see of Olmütz on March
20, 1820; but the fact of his selection for the dignities was known in
Vienna amongst his friends as early as the middle of 1818. When the
-story of the year 1823 opens, therefore, Beethoven’s plan is nearly
+story of the year 1823 opens, therefore, Beethoven’s plan is nearly
five years old and Archduke Rudolph has been archbishop nearly a year.
We first hear of the Mass this year in a letter dated February 27, when
Beethoven apologizes to his august pupil for not having waited upon
him. He had delayed his visit, he said, because he wanted to send him a
copy of the Mass; but this had been held back by corrections and other
circumstances. Accompanying the letter were the copies of the overture
-to “The Consecration of the House” and the “Gratulatory Minuet.”
+to “The Consecration of the House” and the “Gratulatory Minuet.”
Finally, on March 19, 1823, on the very eve of the first anniversary of
the installation, Beethoven placed a manuscript copy of the Mass in
-the Archduke’s hands. In the catalogue of the Rudolphinian Collection,
+the Archduke’s hands. In the catalogue of the Rudolphinian Collection,
now preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, it is
-entered thus: “_Missa Solemnis_. Partitur. MS. This beautifully written
-MS. was delivered by the composer himself on March 19, 1823.”
+entered thus: “_Missa Solemnis_. Partitur. MS. This beautifully written
+MS. was delivered by the composer himself on March 19, 1823.”
The plan to write the Mass for the installation ceremonies seems to
have been original with Beethoven; it was not suggested by the Archduke
or any of his friends, so far as has ever been learned. He began work
upon it at once, for Schindler says he saw the beginning of the score
-in the fall of 1818. Nottebohm’s study of all the sketches which
+in the fall of 1818. Nottebohm’s study of all the sketches which
have been discovered (save a number now preserved in the Beethoven
House in Bonn which do not add materially to our knowledge) led him
to conclusions which may be summed up as follows: The movements were
taken up in the order in which the various portions of the text appear
in the Roman missal, but work was prosecuted on several movements
simultaneously. The _Kyrie_ was begun at the earliest in the middle
-of 1818, i. e., shortly after the fact of the Archduke’s appointment
+of 1818, i. e., shortly after the fact of the Archduke’s appointment
became known; the _Gloria_ was completely sketched by the end of 1819,
the _Credo_ in 1820; the entire Mass was complete in sketch-form in
the beginning of 1822. While sketching the Mass Beethoven composed the
Pianoforte Sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, the Variations, Op. 107, No.
-8, and several other small pieces, including the canons “O, Tobias,”
-“Gehabt euch wohl,” “Tugend ist kein leerer Name,” and “Gedenkt heute
-an Baden.” But with the elaboration of the sketches the Mass was not
+8, and several other small pieces, including the canons “O, Tobias,”
+“Gehabt euch wohl,” “Tugend ist kein leerer Name,” and “Gedenkt heute
+an Baden.” But with the elaboration of the sketches the Mass was not
really finished, for subsequently Beethoven undertook many changes.
The _Allegro molto_ which enters in the _Credo_ at the words _et
ascendit_ is shorter in the autograph than in the printed edition. At
@@ -4388,7 +4351,7 @@ changes in the tympani part of the _Agnus Dei_ that he wore a hole in
the very thick paper, his aim being, apparently, by means of a vague
rhythm to suggest the distance of the disturbers of the peace. That
he was sincere in his purpose to provide a mass for the installation
-ceremonies is to be found, outside of Schindler’s statement, in a
+ceremonies is to be found, outside of Schindler’s statement, in a
letter to the Archduke written in 1819, in which he says:
The day on which a high mass of my composition is performed at the
@@ -4427,21 +4390,21 @@ what may be called the technical history of the Mass, and is therefore
pertinent here. It was scarcely necessary for Beethoven to do so, but
he has nevertheless given us an explanation of his singular treatment
of the prayer for peace. Among the sketches for the movement is found
-the remark: “_dona nobis pacem_ darstellend den _innern_ und äussern
-Frieden” (“delineating internal and external peace”), and in agreement
+the remark: “_dona nobis pacem_ darstellend den _innern_ und äussern
+Frieden” (“delineating internal and external peace”), and in agreement
with this he superscribes the first _Allegro vivace_ in the autograph
with the same words. In the later copy this phrase is changed to
-“Prayer for internal and external peace,” thus showing an appreciation
+“Prayer for internal and external peace,” thus showing an appreciation
of the fact that the words alone contain the allusion to peace which in
its external aspect is disturbed by the sounds of war suggested by the
instruments. The petition for peace is emphasized by the threatening
tones of military instruments accompanying the agonizing appeal for
mercy sent up by the voices. The device is purely dramatic and it was
-not an entirely novel conceit of Beethoven’s. When the French invaded
-Styria in 1796, Haydn wrote a mass “In tempore belli” in which a soft
-drum-roll entered immediately after the words “Agnus Dei” and was
-gradually reinforced by trumpets and other wind-instruments “as if the
-enemy were heard approaching in the distance.”
+not an entirely novel conceit of Beethoven’s. When the French invaded
+Styria in 1796, Haydn wrote a mass “In tempore belli” in which a soft
+drum-roll entered immediately after the words “Agnus Dei” and was
+gradually reinforced by trumpets and other wind-instruments “as if the
+enemy were heard approaching in the distance.”
Whence came the plan of postponing the publication of the mass for
a period in order to sell manuscript copies of it by subscription
@@ -4462,8 +4425,8 @@ took so much of his time in requisition, indeed, that he offered to
pay him 50 florins after the collection of one of the subscription
fees, but Schindler records that he never received them nor would he
have accepted them. He was, as he informed the world for many years
-afterward on his visiting card, “L’Ami de Beethoven,” and his very
-considerable and entirely unselfish labors were “works of friendship”
+afterward on his visiting card, “L’Ami de Beethoven,” and his very
+considerable and entirely unselfish labors were “works of friendship”
for which he wanted no remuneration; but he was very naturally rejoiced
when Beethoven presented him with several autograph scores, and we
have seen how, after the death of Beethoven, Breuning gave him many
@@ -4480,13 +4443,13 @@ January. A letter to Schindler, evidently written in that month, asks
him to draw out a memorandum of courts from an almanac in which the
foreign embassies stationed at Vienna were listed. The invitations were
posted on the following dates: to the courts at Baden, Wurtemburg,
-Bavaria and Saxony on January 23; “to the other ambassadors” (as
+Bavaria and Saxony on January 23; “to the other ambassadors” (as
Beethoven notes) on January 26; to Weimar on February 4; to Mecklenburg
and Hesse-Darmstadt on February 5; to Berlin, Copenhagen, Hesse-Cassel
and Nassau on February 6; to Tuscany on February 17, and to Paris on
March 1. The invitation to the court at Hesse-Cassel had been written
-on January 23, but it was not sent because, as Schindler says, “it had
-been found that nothing was to be got from the little courts.” The
+on January 23, but it was not sent because, as Schindler says, “it had
+been found that nothing was to be got from the little courts.” The
letter came back to Beethoven and its preservation puts in our hands
the formula which, no doubt was followed in all the formal addresses.
We therefore give it here:
@@ -4512,18 +4475,18 @@ We therefore give it here:
Ludwig van Beethoven.
-Only the signature was in Beethoven’s handwriting. It is not known
-how many of these invitations were issued; Schindler’s account goes
+Only the signature was in Beethoven’s handwriting. It is not known
+how many of these invitations were issued; Schindler’s account goes
only to the subscriptions received and even here it is not entirely
accurate. There were ten acceptances. The first came from the King of
Prussia. Prince Hatzfeld acted in the matter for Berlin and Beethoven
also invoked the aid of Zelter. Court Councillor Wernhard, Director
of the Chancellary of the Embassy at Vienna, brought the report to
Beethoven and asked him if he would not prefer a royal order to the 50
-ducats. Without hesitation, Beethoven replied “50 ducats,” and after
+ducats. Without hesitation, Beethoven replied “50 ducats,” and after
Wernhard had gone he indulged in sarcastic comments on the pursuit
-of decorations by various contemporaries--“which in his opinion were
-gained at the cost of the sanctity of art.” Beethoven received the
+of decorations by various contemporaries--“which in his opinion were
+gained at the cost of the sanctity of art.” Beethoven received the
money, but the score was not delivered, owing, no doubt, to delay in
the copying, and in July Prince Hatzfeld feels compelled to remind the
composer of his remissness. Prince Radziwill in Berlin also subscribed,
@@ -4539,7 +4502,7 @@ when he should receive the Mass, so that he might show it in his
own justification in Berlin. Schindler says the fault lay with the
copyists; in every copy many pages had to be rewritten.
-Much to Beethoven’s vexation and impatience the Saxon court was
+Much to Beethoven’s vexation and impatience the Saxon court was
very tardy in its reply, or rather in subscribing, for at first the
invitation was declined; but Beethoven was not thus to be put off by a
court with which his imperial pupil was closely connected. He called
@@ -4584,13 +4547,13 @@ another. He continues:
matter having been undertaken, it is only natural that as much as
possible should have been done to attain the desired result. It
was hard for me to understand this, still harder for me to tell Y.
- I. H. of it or permit you to notice it, but “_Necessity knows no
- law_.” But I thank Him above the stars[71] that I am beginning to
+ I. H. of it or permit you to notice it, but “_Necessity knows no
+ law_.” But I thank Him above the stars[71] that I am beginning to
use my eyes again. I am now writing a new symphony for England,
for the Philharmonic Society, and hope to have it completely done
in a fortnight. I can not yet strain my eyes for a long period,
wherefore I beg Y. I. H. graciously to be patient in regard to Y.
- I. H.’s variations which seem to me charming but need carefully to
+ I. H.’s variations which seem to me charming but need carefully to
be looked through by me. Continue Y. I. H. to practice the custom
of briefly jotting down your ideas at the pianoforte; for this a
little table alongside the pianoforte will be necessary. By this
@@ -4615,7 +4578,7 @@ postscript in which he said:
at once address myself to the Director General of the Theatre and
Music there, who is in charge of such matters, and send him the
invitation to subscribe for the King of Saxony which, however, I
- do not wish to do. My opera “Fidelio” was performed with great
+ do not wish to do. My opera “Fidelio” was performed with great
success in Dresden at the festivities in honor of the visit of the
King of Bavaria, all their Majesties being present. I heard of
this from the above-mentioned Director General, who asked me for
@@ -4640,23 +4603,23 @@ postscript in which he said:
nevertheless convinced that Y. I. H. will always be glad to do good
_whenever possible_ and will make no exception in my case.
-Beethoven’s impatience with the Saxon Court was so great that some
+Beethoven’s impatience with the Saxon Court was so great that some
time before his hopes had been reanimated, probably by the application
-for his opera, he had said in a note to Schindler: “Nothing from
-Dresden. Wait till the end of the month then an advocate in Dresden.”
+for his opera, he had said in a note to Schindler: “Nothing from
+Dresden. Wait till the end of the month then an advocate in Dresden.”
These words led Schindler to the singular conclusion that Beethoven
had thoughts of compelling the King of Saxony to reach a decision by
-judicial means. Obviously, all that Beethoven meant by “advocate” was a
+judicial means. Obviously, all that Beethoven meant by “advocate” was a
pleader, an intercessor. He could have contemplated legal measures only
if he had sent a copy of the Mass to the King with the invitation, and
this we know he did not do from a letter written by Archduke Rudolph,
which says, that the King of Saxony had not received a score by July
31. Archduke Rudolph became the advocate through his brother-in-law
Prince Anton, brother to the King, and so did the Director General v.
-Könneritz, to whom Beethoven wrote on July 17 and again on July 25. In
+Könneritz, to whom Beethoven wrote on July 17 and again on July 25. In
the first letter he promises to send the invitation to the King and
in the next he does so. This must have been a second invitation, for
-Beethoven tells v. Könneritz that the original one had been declined. A
+Beethoven tells v. Könneritz that the original one had been declined. A
paragraph from each letter deserves reproduction.
I know that you will scarcely think of me as among those who
@@ -4671,7 +4634,7 @@ paragraph from each letter deserves reproduction.
thus circulating the Mass, for I, thank God, am a _layman_ in all
speculations. Besides, there is no citizen of our country who has
not suffered loss, and so have I. Were it not for my sickness of
- years’ standing, I should have received enough from foreign lands
+ years’ standing, I should have received enough from foreign lands
to live a care-free life, caring only for art. Judge me kindly and
not unfavorably, I live for my art alone and to fulfil my duties as
a man, but alas! that this can not always be done without the help
@@ -4681,37 +4644,37 @@ paragraph from each letter deserves reproduction.
These last efforts were successful; King Friedrich August subscribed
for the Mass, and on July 31 Archduke Rudolph wrote to his
-music-master: “My brother-in-law Prince Anton has already written to me
-that the King of Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass.” On September
+music-master: “My brother-in-law Prince Anton has already written to me
+that the King of Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass.” On September
12, Prince Anton wrote to Beethoven that he had no doubt his royal
brother would grant his wish, especially as he had spoken to him on the
subject in the name of his brother-in-law, the Cardinal. The money must
-have arrived soon afterward and Beethoven set Schindler’s mind at ease
+have arrived soon afterward and Beethoven set Schindler’s mind at ease
by writing to him:
In order that evil report may not longer injure the poor Dresdeners
too much, I inform you that the money reached me to-day, with all
marks of respect.
-According to Fürstenau the manuscript copy of the Mass is still in the
+According to Fürstenau the manuscript copy of the Mass is still in the
private music collection of the King of Saxony in Dresden.
The Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt was appealed to directly under date
of February 5, the letter, probably following the formula and signed
by Beethoven, being forwarded through the Hessian ambassador, Baron
-von Türckheim, a cultured art connoisseur and subsequently Intendant
-of the Grand Ducal Theatre in Darmstadt. Louis Schlösser was in Vienna
-at the time, and Baron von Türckheim, knowing that he wanted to make
-Beethoven’s acquaintance, gave him the opportunity by asking him
+von Türckheim, a cultured art connoisseur and subsequently Intendant
+of the Grand Ducal Theatre in Darmstadt. Louis Schlösser was in Vienna
+at the time, and Baron von Türckheim, knowing that he wanted to make
+Beethoven’s acquaintance, gave him the opportunity by asking him
to carry the information that the invitation had been accepted, to
Beethoven, handing him the dispatch with the Grand Ducal seal affixed
-for that purpose. Schlösser went to Beethoven, “No. 60 Kothgasse, first
-storey, door to the left,” and has left us a description of the visit,
+for that purpose. Schlösser went to Beethoven, “No. 60 Kothgasse, first
+storey, door to the left,” and has left us a description of the visit,
which must have been made in April or early in May, 1823. Beethoven
-read the document with great joy and said to Schlösser:
+read the document with great joy and said to Schlösser:
Such words as I have read do good. Your Grand Duke speaks not only
- like a princely Mæcenas but like a thorough musical connoisseur of
+ like a princely M√¶cenas but like a thorough musical connoisseur of
comprehensive knowledge. It is not alone the acceptance of my work
which rejoices me but the estimation which in general he places
upon my works.
@@ -4731,16 +4694,16 @@ and is worthy of being given in full:
immortal, never-aging works, and never forgetting the happy
hours spent in your company, it nevertheless happens that I must
recall myself to your recollection--I hope that you received the
- dedication to Your Excellency of “Meeresstille und glückliche
- Fahrt” composed by me. Because of their contrast they seemed to me
+ dedication to Your Excellency of “Meeresstille und glückliche
+ Fahrt” composed by me. Because of their contrast they seemed to me
adapted for music in which the same quality appears; how gladly
would I know whether I have fittingly united my harmonies with
yours; advice too, which would be accepted as very truth, would be
extremely welcome to me, for I love the latter above all things
and it shall never be said of me _veritas odium parit_. It is very
possible that a number of your poems which must ever remain unique,
- set to music by me, will soon be published, among them “Rastlose
- Liebe.” How highly would I value some general observations from
+ set to music by me, will soon be published, among them “Rastlose
+ Liebe.” How highly would I value some general observations from
you on the composition or setting to music of your poems! Now a
request to Y. E. I have composed a Grand Mass which, however, I
do not want to publish at present, but which is to be sent to the
@@ -4767,8 +4730,8 @@ and is worthy of being given in full:
that I make artistic journeys nor seize upon the many things which
yield money!?--If my health should be completely restored I might
expect other and better things. Y. E. must not think that it is
- because I am asking a favor that I have dedicated the “Meeresstille
- und glückliche Fahrt” to you--this was already done in May, 1822,
+ because I am asking a favor that I have dedicated the “Meeresstille
+ und glückliche Fahrt” to you--this was already done in May, 1822,
and this method of making the Mass known was not thought of till a
few weeks ago. The respect, love and esteem which I have cherished
for the only and immortal Goethe since the days of my youth have
@@ -4792,11 +4755,11 @@ and is worthy of being given in full:
According to Schindler, who surely was in a position to know, no answer
to this letter was ever received; nor did the Grand Duke subscribe.
That the invitation reached its destination may safely be assumed from
-Beethoven’s remark about the interest displayed in the plan at the
-embassy; but the document is not to be found in the archives. Goethe’s
+Beethoven’s remark about the interest displayed in the plan at the
+embassy; but the document is not to be found in the archives. Goethe’s
indifference, if he was indifferent in the premises, may be explained
on a number of grounds. If he ever was thoroughly appreciative of
-Beethoven’s music, it was only later in life. He was in the prime
+Beethoven’s music, it was only later in life. He was in the prime
of life with fixed tastes in music as well as the other arts before
Beethoven came with his new evangel. Reichardt, Zelter and men of their
stamp produced the music which was most to his liking. It is true that
@@ -4809,12 +4772,12 @@ true, that he resented the bad manners of which Beethoven is said to
have been guilty. But a long time had elapsed since the two great men
came together in 1812.
-Bavaria’s story is a short one. In a Conversation Book towards the
-close of May, Schindler writes: “A negative answer has come from
-Bavaria.” To the King of Naples, Beethoven sent a French copy of the
+Bavaria’s story is a short one. In a Conversation Book towards the
+close of May, Schindler writes: “A negative answer has come from
+Bavaria.” To the King of Naples, Beethoven sent a French copy of the
letter of invitation practically identical with the formula, and also
to the King of France.[72] In the latter case Cherubini was asked to be
-the advocate. The draft of Beethoven’s letter to him is still preserved
+the advocate. The draft of Beethoven’s letter to him is still preserved
among the Schindler papers in Berlin:
Highly respected Sir!
@@ -4842,12 +4805,12 @@ among the Schindler papers in Berlin:
etc.[73] That in this, etc. I know that if you will advise His
Majesty to take the Mass, he will surely do so. My situation _ma
critique demande que je ne fixe seulement come ordinaire mes
- pensées aux ciel aux contraire, il faut les fixer en bas pour les
+ pensées aux ciel aux contraire, il faut les fixer en bas pour les
necessites de la vie_. Whatever may be the fate of my request to
you, I shall always love and honor you _et vous resteres toujours
- celui de mes contemporains, que je l’estime le plus si vous me
- voulez faire une_ [sic] _estréme plaisir, c’etoit si m’ecrireess
- quelque lignes, ce que me soulagera bien--l’art unie touta_ [sic]
+ celui de mes contemporains, que je l’estime le plus si vous me
+ voulez faire une_ [sic] _estréme plaisir, c’etoit si m’ecrireess
+ quelque lignes, ce que me soulagera bien--l’art unie touta_ [sic]
_le monde_ and how much more true artists, _et peut etres vous me
dignes aussi, de me mettre_ also to be counted amongst this number,
@@ -4863,38 +4826,38 @@ The letter was despatched on March 15. Cherubini did not receive it,
and as late as 1841 expressed his great regret at the miscarriage
which, however, worked no harm to the enterprise. King Louis XVIII
not only subscribed for the Mass but within less than a year sent
-Beethoven a gold medal weighing twenty-one Louis d’ors, showing on
+Beethoven a gold medal weighing twenty-one Louis d’ors, showing on
the obverse side the bust of the King and on the reverse, within a
-wreath, the inscription: _Donnée par le Roi à Monsieur Beethoven_. Duke
-d’Achâts, First Chamberlain of the King, accompanied the gift with the
+wreath, the inscription: _Donnée par le Roi à Monsieur Beethoven_. Duke
+d’Achâts, First Chamberlain of the King, accompanied the gift with the
following letter:
- _Je m’empresse de vous prévenir, Monsieur, que le Roi a accueillé
- avec bonté l’hommage de la Partition de Votre Messe en Musique et
- m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir une medaille d’or à son effigie.
- Je me félicite d’avoir à vous transmettre le témoinage de la
- satisfaction de Sa Majesté et je saisis cette occasion de vous
- offrir l’assurance de ma considération distinguée._
+ _Je m’empresse de vous prévenir, Monsieur, que le Roi a accueillé
+ avec bonté l’hommage de la Partition de Votre Messe en Musique et
+ m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir une medaille d’or à son effigie.
+ Je me félicite d’avoir à vous transmettre le témoinage de la
+ satisfaction de Sa Majesté et je saisis cette occasion de vous
+ offrir l’assurance de ma considération distinguée._
_Le Premier Gentilhomme
de la Chambre du Roi_
- Aux Tuileries ce 20 Février 1824. Le duc d’Achâts.
+ Aux Tuileries ce 20 Février 1824. Le duc d’Achâts.
-“This was a distinction,” says Schindler, “than which one more
-significant never fell to the lot of the artist during his life”; but
+“This was a distinction,” says Schindler, “than which one more
+significant never fell to the lot of the artist during his life”; but
the biographer certainly is in error when he intimates that the medal
was given in payment of the subscription price. Beethoven informed
Archduke Rudolph that the King had accepted the invitation in his
letter of June 1, 1823; the medal was received early in 1824, over
-eight months later. Beethoven’s needs and the reply which he gave the
+eight months later. Beethoven’s needs and the reply which he gave the
messenger from Prussia when he offered a decoration instead of the 50
ducats, indicate plainly enough how he felt as to the remuneration.
Moreover, in a billet which he sent to Schindler instructing him
to call upon von Obreskow of the Russian Embassy to tell him how
-to pay the subscription of the Czar, Beethoven says: “let him know
+to pay the subscription of the Czar, Beethoven says: “let him know
incidentally, when opportunity offers, that France simply sent the
-money to you.” Evidently King Louis XVIII paid the money in the regular
+money to you.” Evidently King Louis XVIII paid the money in the regular
way and sent the medal as a special mark of distinction.
No subscription was received from the King of Naples. The negotiations
@@ -4909,9 +4872,9 @@ of Maria Louisa and offered to write to Count Neuberg, whom he knew,
on the subject. It looks also as if the case of the Grand Duke of
Tuscany had been exceptional, in that the Mass had been forwarded
before the subscription had been received; this at least might be
-the interpretation of a remark noted by Karl: “I shall go to Odelga
+the interpretation of a remark noted by Karl: “I shall go to Odelga
on Sunday. We must get to work, or they will keep the Mass and send
-nothing.”
+nothing.”
Schindler says that Beethoven sent a carefully written letter to the
King of Sweden to accompany the invitation; but nothing came of it. The
@@ -4923,7 +4886,7 @@ reported in a letter to Beethoven, dated June 2, that the invitation
had been accepted and the official notification would follow in due
course through the Russian Embassy. The money came soon afterwards. On
July 9, Schindler writes in a jocular vein, using a metaphor which had
-already done service in Beethoven’s correspondence:
+already done service in Beethoven’s correspondence:
I take pleasure in reporting to you herewith, that by command of
the Emperor of all the Russias, 50 horsemen in armor are arrived
@@ -4931,7 +4894,7 @@ already done service in Beethoven’s correspondence:
Fatherland. The leader of these choice troops is a Russian Court
Councillor. Herr Stein, pianoforte maker, has been commissioned
by him to quarter them on you. _Rien de nouveau chez nos voisins
- jusqu’ici._
+ jusqu’ici._
_Fidelissimus Papageno._[74]
@@ -4940,11 +4903,11 @@ Obreskow, had made inquiry as to how the fee was to be paid. Beethoven
wrote to Schindler to tell Obreskow to pay the bearer on delivery of a
receipt; to say (if it became opportune) that the King of France had
done so; and admonished him always to remember that such personages
-represented “Majesty itself”; also to “say nothing about the Mass
+represented “Majesty itself”; also to “say nothing about the Mass
not being finished, which is not true, for the new pieces are only
-additions.” Impatience at the non-delivery of the Mass at the expected
+additions.” Impatience at the non-delivery of the Mass at the expected
time must have been expressed by the Russian Embassy, for in a note
-which Schindler dates “in the winter of 1824,” Beethoven says:
+which Schindler dates “in the winter of 1824,” Beethoven says:
Mr. v. Schindler:
@@ -4954,29 +4917,29 @@ which Schindler dates “in the winter of 1824,” Beethoven says:
thank God I am in a position to prove that I do not deserve it in
any way nor will my honor permit it.[75]
-[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN’S SUBSCRIPTION]
+[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN’S SUBSCRIPTION]
Prince Galitzin, who had already expressed his delight in the new work
and who had also been invited to subscribe, suggested that the Mass
be published by popular subscription at four or five ducats, as there
were not many amateurs who could afford to pay 50 ducats for a written
-copy. “All that I can do,” the Prince writes in conclusion, “is to beg
+copy. “All that I can do,” the Prince writes in conclusion, “is to beg
you to put me down among your subscribers and to send me a copy as soon
as possible so that I may produce it at a concert for the benefit of
-the widows of musicians which takes place annually near Christmas.”
+the widows of musicians which takes place annually near Christmas.”
Plainly, this was a subscription in the existing category; there was no
other, and Beethoven, in view of the invitation to the courts, could
not at once entertain the subject of a popular subscription for a
printed edition. Galitzin also accedes to a request which had obviously
been made to him when the invitation was extended, that the 50 ducats
already deposited in Vienna by him for a quartet be applied to the
-account of the Mass. He writes on September 23 (October 3): “I have
+account of the Mass. He writes on September 23 (October 3): “I have
just received your letter of the 17th and hasten to answer that I have
instructed the house of Henikstein to pay you immediately the 50 ducats
-which I fancied had long ago been placed at your disposal.” The bankers
-Henikstein sent the Prince Beethoven’s receipt for the 50 ducats “which
+which I fancied had long ago been placed at your disposal.” The bankers
+Henikstein sent the Prince Beethoven’s receipt for the 50 ducats “which
we paid to him on the order and account of Your Highness as fee for
-the Mass which we have forwarded through the High State Chancellary.”
+the Mass which we have forwarded through the High State Chancellary.”
The score was in the hands of Prince Galitzin on November 29, but the
performance which he had projected did not take place until April 6,
1824. It was the first performance of the Mass anywhere, and Galitzin
@@ -4990,7 +4953,7 @@ efforts which were making at the time to secure a court appointment
for the composer. At the request of Artaria, however, an invitation
was sent to Prince Paul Esterhazy. Beethoven had little confidence in
the successful outcome of the appeal, probably with a recollection in
-his mind of the Prince’s attitude toward him on the occasion of the
+his mind of the Prince’s attitude toward him on the occasion of the
production of the Mass in C in 1807, to which he seems to refer in a
letter to Schindler dated June 1:[77]
@@ -5000,7 +4963,7 @@ letter to Schindler dated June 1:[77]
that such matters can only be successfully presented to him by
women.
-Beethoven’s suspicious nature had other food. On the outside of this
+Beethoven’s suspicious nature had other food. On the outside of this
letter he wrote:
N. B. So far as I can remember there was nothing said in the
@@ -5010,13 +4973,13 @@ letter he wrote:
Mass be offered to the Prince gratis was to enable him to steal a
work of mine for the third time.
-Beethoven’s lack of faith in the enterprise was justified; Esterhazy
+Beethoven’s lack of faith in the enterprise was justified; Esterhazy
did not subscribe.
No invitation was sent to the English court, probably because Beethoven
cherished a grudge in that quarter; but subscriptions were asked
of two large singing societies--the Singakademie of Berlin and the
-Cäcilien-Verein of Frankfort. Zelter was director of the Singakademie,
+C√§cilien-Verein of Frankfort. Zelter was director of the Singakademie,
and to him Beethoven wrote on February 8 as follows, after the
introductory compliments and reflections:
@@ -5040,14 +5003,14 @@ Radziwill. He then continues:
Poverty. More or less ill for several years and therefore not in
the most brilliant situation, I had recourse to this means. I have
written much but accumulated almost 0. Disposed to send my glances
- aloft--but man is compelled for his own and for others’ sake to
- direct them downwards; but this too is a part of man’s destiny.
+ aloft--but man is compelled for his own and for others’ sake to
+ direct them downwards; but this too is a part of man’s destiny.
[Sidenote: ZELTER AND THE SOLEMN MASS]
The letter will be seen, on comparison with that written on the same
day to Goethe, to be either a draft for the latter in part or an echo
-of it. There is the same pun on “geschrieben” and “erschrieben,” the
+of it. There is the same pun on “geschrieben” and “erschrieben,” the
same lament about having to keep his eyes on the ground while desirous
to keep them fixed on higher things, the same reference to the value
of the Mass for concert purposes in behalf of charity. As this last
@@ -5057,14 +5020,14 @@ to say that the Zelter letter was written first. It is an unpleasant
duty to call attention to a very significant difference between this
letter and the invitation issued to the courts as well as the letter
to Goethe. In the latter he distinctly says that the Mass will not be
-published in the ordinary way “for the present,” thus reserving the
+published in the ordinary way “for the present,” thus reserving the
privilege of printing it at a future time. To Zelter, and presumably
to the Frankfort society, he plainly intimates that there is to be no
publication in the ordinary way at all. It is not a violent presumption
that Zelter may have observed this discrepancy, which was of vital
moment to his society, and that this may have caused the termination of
the negotiations, which began auspiciously enough in a letter written
-by Zelter on February 22 in reply to Beethoven’s. In this letter he
+by Zelter on February 22 in reply to Beethoven’s. In this letter he
said he was ready to purchase the Mass for the Singakademie at his own
risk, provided Beethoven would adapt it to the use of the society--that
is, arrange it for performance practically without instruments--a
@@ -5096,15 +5059,15 @@ There were, therefore, as appears from this account and the list of
names sent in November, 1825, to the publishers of the Mass, ten
subscribers, namely: the Czar of Russia, the Kings of Prussia, Saxony,
France and Denmark, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and Hesse-Darmstadt,
-Princes Galitzin and Radziwill and the Cäcilia Society of Frankfort.
-Beethoven’s receipts, 500 ducats (£250 or about $1200), were very
+Princes Galitzin and Radziwill and the C√§cilia Society of Frankfort.
+Beethoven’s receipts, 500 ducats (£250 or about $1200), were very
materially reduced, how much we can not say, by the costs of copying.
In this work his principal helper was a professional copyist named
Schlemmer, who could best decipher his manuscript. But Schlemmer
was sickly and died before the year was over; his successor was
named Rampel, and seems to have caused Beethoven a great deal of
annoyance; he probably was made to bear a great deal of the blame for
-the tardiness of the work, for which, also, the composer’s frequent
+the tardiness of the work, for which, also, the composer’s frequent
alterations were in part responsible. One of the numerous letters to
Schindler from this period throws a little light on this subject:
@@ -5128,7 +5091,7 @@ Schindler from this period throws a little light on this subject:
[Sidenote: NEGOTIATIONS WITH DIABELLI]
-Beethoven’s thoughts in connection with the Mass were not all engrossed
+Beethoven’s thoughts in connection with the Mass were not all engrossed
during 1823 with the finishing touches on the composition and the
subscription; he was still thinking of the publication of the work.
His thoughts went to London, as a letter to Ries shows. The Mass
@@ -5187,11 +5150,11 @@ And in April:
Later, August 1 and September 1 are mentioned. Beethoven was firm in
his determination to keep faith with his subscribers. He writes to
-Schindler: “There are only two courses as regards the Mass, namely,
+Schindler: “There are only two courses as regards the Mass, namely,
that the publisher delay the publication a year and a day; or, if
-not, we can not accept a subscription.” Later he writes: “Nothing is
+not, we can not accept a subscription.” Later he writes: “Nothing is
to be changed in the Diabelli contract except that _the time_ when he
-is to receive the Mass from me be left undetermined.” The contract in
+is to receive the Mass from me be left undetermined.” The contract in
question which was thus to be amended concerned the Variations, but
presumably the Mass also. Beethoven writes:
@@ -5202,24 +5165,24 @@ presumably the Mass also. Beethoven writes:
to him.
Either this disagreement or some other in a matter in which Schindler
-acted as Beethoven’s agent brought out a letter from the latter to
-the former in which he expresses a belief that the business, “so
-disagreeable to you,” might be brought to a conclusion soon: “moreover
-I was not, unfortunately, entirely wrong in not wholly trusting Diab.”
+acted as Beethoven’s agent brought out a letter from the latter to
+the former in which he expresses a belief that the business, “so
+disagreeable to you,” might be brought to a conclusion soon: “moreover
+I was not, unfortunately, entirely wrong in not wholly trusting Diab.”
Schindler, in a gloss on this note, says that the disagreeable business
concerned the Mass. Diabelli had made plans which were not only
harmful to the work but humiliating as well to Beethoven. Schindler
pointed this out and Diabelli became violent and declared that since
the contract was as good as closed he would summon Schindler before a
-court of law if it were not kept. “But,” says Schindler, “the threat
-did no good; he had to take back the document.” The numerous notes to
+court of law if it were not kept. “But,” says Schindler, “the threat
+did no good; he had to take back the document.” The numerous notes to
Schindler about this period are undated and the times at which they
were written have been only approximately fixed by Schindler; there
is also some vagueness touching the time and order of the written
conversations, but the evidence thus far presented, together with a
significant remark in a billet to Schindler, to the effect that he
-had thought of a project which would “act like a pistol-shot on this
-fellow,” would seem to justify the assumption that Beethoven had
+had thought of a project which would “act like a pistol-shot on this
+fellow,” would seem to justify the assumption that Beethoven had
entered into the same kind of obligation with Diabelli as he had with
Simrock and Peters so far as the Mass was concerned, and that before
the execution of a formal contract, which seems to have been considered
@@ -5228,9 +5191,9 @@ Diabelli Waltz theme, Beethoven had embarked on his enterprise with
the sovereigns, which made the speedy publication of the Mass in the
ordinary way impossible with honor; further, that a threat to withhold
the Variations had been used to bring the irate publisher to terms. In
-the April Conversation Book Schindler says: “Won’t Diabelli make wry
+the April Conversation Book Schindler says: “Won’t Diabelli make wry
faces when your brother demands the document back almost as soon as he
-has received it!”
+has received it!”
[Sidenote: DUBIOUS ASPECT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS]
@@ -5247,7 +5210,7 @@ done much to exalt art and emancipate the artist, and what would have
caused little comment in the case of his predecessors amongst court
musicians was scarcely venial in him who preached a new ethic as well
as artistic evangel. And so, to minds untainted by trade and attuned
-to a love of moral as well as æsthetic beauty, the spectacle which
+to a love of moral as well as √¶sthetic beauty, the spectacle which
Beethoven presents in 1823 must be quite as saddening as that disclosed
by his dealings with the publishers in the years immediately preceding.
A greater measure of commiseration goes out to him now, however,
@@ -5266,22 +5229,22 @@ foster-son prompted him to make provision against the future. The royal
subscription was, no doubt, a welcome scheme which, if not suggested by
his advisers, was certainly encouraged by them; but it must have cost
his proud soul no little humiliation to have his application rejected
-after he had so deeply bent “the pregnant hinges of the knee.” The
+after he had so deeply bent “the pregnant hinges of the knee.” The
publishers gave him less concern. They were his natural enemies and he
-theirs--“hellhounds who licked and gnawed his brains,” as he expressed
+theirs--“hellhounds who licked and gnawed his brains,” as he expressed
it in a letter to Holz in 1825; yet he knew that he would need them,
and he knew also that as soon as he went to them, and the mass appeared
in print, the manuscript copies which he had sold would be all but
worthless. But this may have troubled him little, as he, in all
-likelihood, shared Schindler’s conviction that there was no permanency
+likelihood, shared Schindler’s conviction that there was no permanency
of interest in the work on the part of the crowned heads and that they
would not be troubled by the appearance of the work in print. Patronage
of art is part of the obligation which rests upon royalty, and it
would have been little less than a crime to withhold the Mass from
the public; but what of the exclusiveness of right which was implied,
if not expressed, in the letter to Zelter and presumably also in that
-to the Cæcilia Society of Frankfort? He had informed the kings, who
-might not even deign to glance at the Mass, that he had no “present”
+to the C√¶cilia Society of Frankfort? He had informed the kings, who
+might not even deign to glance at the Mass, that he had no “present”
intention to print the work, leaving them to gather that he would do so
later; but he plainly gives Zelter to understand that it is to remain
a manuscript. Here, too, the advice of his friends, who could see his
@@ -5297,18 +5260,18 @@ compelled the composer to yield to them.
Preliminary to the narrative of the other varied incidents of the year
1823, let us set down a brief mention of the fact that on January 20
Beethoven wrote a little piece for voice and pianoforte in the album
-of Countess Wimpfen, _née_ Eskeles, on the words of Goethe: “Der edle
-Mensch sei hülfreich und gut,” [_sic_] which was published in facsimile
-in the “Allgemeine Wiener Musikzeitung” on November 23, 1843. Having
+of Countess Wimpfen, _née_ Eskeles, on the words of Goethe: “Der edle
+Mensch sei hülfreich und gut,” [_sic_] which was published in facsimile
+in the “Allgemeine Wiener Musikzeitung” on November 23, 1843. Having
traversed the year in our search for material relating to the Mass
in D, the next most significant subject is that which concerned the
Symphony in D minor, on which he worked industriously and which had
been the subject of correspondence between himself and Ries (in London)
for some time before the year opened. On April 6, 1822, Beethoven had
-inquired of his old pupil: “What would the Philharmonic Society be
-likely to offer me for a symphony?” Ries, evidently, laid the matter
+inquired of his old pupil: “What would the Philharmonic Society be
+likely to offer me for a symphony?” Ries, evidently, laid the matter
before the directors of the society who, at a meeting on November 10,
-“resolved to offer Beethoven fifty pounds for a MS. symphony.”[80] Ries
+“resolved to offer Beethoven fifty pounds for a MS. symphony.”[80] Ries
conveyed the information to Beethoven in a letter dated November 15
and in a reply dated December 20, Beethoven, although he protested that
the remuneration was not to be compared with what other nations might
@@ -5325,7 +5288,7 @@ give, accepted the offer, adding:
A glimpse into the occupations, cares and perplexities which beset
Beethoven at this period is given by the first letter in the series
-written in the new year--on February 5, which Ries, in his “Notizen,”
+written in the new year--on February 5, which Ries, in his “Notizen,”
gives only in part:
I have no further news to give you about the _Sinfonie_ but
@@ -5379,30 +5342,30 @@ asks Ries to traffic, as best he can, with them and two sonatas. Had
he received a dedication from Ries, he says, he would at once have
inscribed the Overture to him. Not long afterward Beethoven wrote
again to Ries. The letter, which has been preserved only in part, is
-printed with a few omissions and changes in the “Notizen” (p. 154).
+printed with a few omissions and changes in the “Notizen” (p. 154).
Its significant remark about the new Symphony is that it is to bear a
dedication to Ries; its most valuable contribution, however, refers
to the Mass in D and the explanation which it offers of the fact that
Beethoven sent no invitation to the English court to subscribe for
-that work. “In addition to these hardships,” Beethoven writes, “I have
+that work. “In addition to these hardships,” Beethoven writes, “I have
many debts to pay, for which reason it would be agreeable to me if you
have disposed of the Mass to send me also the check for it, for by
that time the copy for London will have been made. There need be no
scruples because of the few _souverains_ who are to get copies of it.
If a local publisher made no objections, there ought to be still fewer
in London; moreover, I bind myself in writing that not a note of it
-shall appear either in print or otherwise.” The poor Archduke-Cardinal
+shall appear either in print or otherwise.” The poor Archduke-Cardinal
comes in for his customary drubbing, the special complaint now being
-that Beethoven is obliged to draw his “wretched salary” with the aid of
+that Beethoven is obliged to draw his “wretched salary” with the aid of
a stamp. The letter was placed for delivery in the hands of the amiable
gentleman of the Austrian Embassy whose name we now learn to be Bauer
and who was also the bearer of an address to King George IV[82] which
Ries was to ask Bauer to read, after which the latter was to see to its
delivery into the royal hands and if possible get in return at least
-a “butcher’s knife or a tortoise”; a printed copy of the “Battle of
-Vittoria” was to accompany it. The character of the address to the king
+a “butcher’s knife or a tortoise”; a printed copy of the “Battle of
+Vittoria” was to accompany it. The character of the address to the king
can be guessed at from the following draft for an earlier letter which
-was found amongst Schindler’s papers:
+was found amongst Schindler’s papers:
[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO THE KING OF ENGLAND]
@@ -5412,8 +5375,8 @@ was found amongst Schindler’s papers:
Already in the year 1823, the undersigned took the liberty, at
the frequent requests of several Englishmen then living here, to
- send his composition entitled “Wellington’s Battle and Victory at
- Vittoria” which no one possessed at that time (to Your Majesty).
+ send his composition entitled “Wellington’s Battle and Victory at
+ Vittoria” which no one possessed at that time (to Your Majesty).
The then Imperial Russian Ambassador, Prince Rasoumowsky, undertook
to send the work to Your Majesty by a courier.
@@ -5421,50 +5384,50 @@ was found amongst Schindler’s papers:
Majesty would graciously make known the receipt of his work to him;
but he has not yet been able to boast of this happiness, and had
to content himself with a brief notice from Mr. Ries, his former
- worthy pupil, who reported that Y. M. had been pleased graciously
+ worthy pupil, who reported that Y. M. had been pleased graciously
to deliver the work to the then Musical Director, Mr. Salomon
and Mr. Smart for public performance in Drury Lane Theatre. This
appears also from the English journals, which added, as did Mr.
Ries, that the work had been received with extraordinary favor
not only in London but elsewhere. Inasmuch as it was extremely
humiliating to the undersigned to learn all this from indirect
- sources, Y. M. will surely pardon his sensitiveness and graciously
+ sources, Y. M. will surely pardon his sensitiveness and graciously
permit him to observe that he spared neither time nor cost to lay
this work before your exalted person in the most proper manner in
- order to provide a pleasure for Y. M.
+ order to provide a pleasure for Y. M.
From this the undersigned concludes, that it may have been
- improperly submitted to Y. M. and inasmuch as the most obedient
+ improperly submitted to Y. M. and inasmuch as the most obedient
petition which is now submitted, enables him again to approach Y.
- M., he takes the privilege of handing to Y. M. accompanying printed
+ M., he takes the privilege of handing to Y. M. accompanying printed
copy of the Battle of Vittoria in score, which has been set aside
for this purpose ever since 1815 and which has been retained so
long because of the uncertainty felt by the undersigned concerning
the matter.
- Convinced of the lofty wisdom and graciousness which Y. M. has
+ Convinced of the lofty wisdom and graciousness which Y. M. has
hitherto shown toward art and artists to their appreciation and
good fortune, the undersigned flatters himself that Your Majesty
will graciously condescend to take all this in consideration and
grant his most humble petition.
- [_Convaincu de la haute sagesse dont Votre Majesté a toujours su
- apprecier l’art ainsi que de la haute faveur qu’elle accordé a
- l’artiste le soussigné se flatte que Votre Majesté prendra l’un
- et l’autre en consideration et vaudra en grace condescendre a sa
+ [_Convaincu de la haute sagesse dont Votre Majesté a toujours su
+ apprecier l’art ainsi que de la haute faveur qu’elle accordé a
+ l’artiste le soussigné se flatte que Votre Majesté prendra l’un
+ et l’autre en consideration et vaudra en grace condescendre a sa
tres-humble demande._]
_a Vienne le 24 fevrier._
There are other letters to Ries which must be considered later. They
-do not bear out Schindler’s contention that an estrangement had taken
-place between former master and pupil, but were it not that Beethoven’s
+do not bear out Schindler’s contention that an estrangement had taken
+place between former master and pupil, but were it not that Beethoven’s
utterances on that point were chronic when negotiating sales of his
works it might be said that they show that his burden of debt rested
with peculiar grievousness upon him at this time. That it did trouble
him more than ordinarily is otherwise evidenced. In April Schindler
-writes: “Don’t think night and day about your debts. When you are
-well again you’ll pay them without feeling it.” Steiner, who may have
+writes: “Don’t think night and day about your debts. When you are
+well again you’ll pay them without feeling it.” Steiner, who may have
thought that consideration was no longer incumbent on him, now that
Beethoven was offering his works to other publishers, pressed him
for the money which he had loaned him and threatened to sue him for
@@ -5495,8 +5458,8 @@ Another note to the same:
not myself get in need because of the withholding of this money due
to the beautiful arrangement made by my dear brother!
-On a separate scrap of paper is written: “It must not appear that the
-money is needed.” The date of this note is fixed by the circumstance
+On a separate scrap of paper is written: “It must not appear that the
+money is needed.” The date of this note is fixed by the circumstance
that it is the one in which Beethoven asks Schindler to draw up a list
of courts to which the invitations to subscribe to the Mass were to be
sent. In still another note he refers to bank shares which evidently
@@ -5518,14 +5481,14 @@ nephew his legal heir. On March 6, 1823, he wrote to Bach:
The words excluding Johann from the guardianship were written on the
third page of the document and on the first there was this addition:
-“NB. In the way of capital there are 7 shares of bank stock; whatever
-else is found in cash is like the bank shares to be his.” Shortly
+“NB. In the way of capital there are 7 shares of bank stock; whatever
+else is found in cash is like the bank shares to be his.” Shortly
before his death he reiterated this bequest with modifications entailed
by changed conditions.
The origin of a canon which Beethoven improvised at the coffee-house
-“Zur goldenen Birne” on February 20 to the words “Bester Herr Graf, Sie
-sind ein Schaf” is said by Schindler to have been a discussion between
+“Zur goldenen Birne” on February 20 to the words “Bester Herr Graf, Sie
+sind ein Schaf” is said by Schindler to have been a discussion between
the composer and Count Lichnowsky concerning a contract with Steiner.
Obviously, Beethoven and his adviser had disagreed.
@@ -5534,9 +5497,9 @@ Obviously, Beethoven and his adviser had disagreed.
In November 1822, Anton Tayber, Imperial Court Composer, died.
Beethoven applied for the appointment as his successor and Counts
Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein entered the lists for him. Beethoven made
-a personal appeal to Dietrichstein, who was the “Court Music-Count”
+a personal appeal to Dietrichstein, who was the “Court Music-Count”
who, on February 23, 1823, disclosed the plan which had been conceived
-to promote Beethoven’s interests with the Emperor in a letter to
+to promote Beethoven’s interests with the Emperor in a letter to
Lichnowsky:
It would have been my duty long ago to reply to good Beethoven,
@@ -5565,7 +5528,7 @@ Lichnowsky:
delay the transubstantiation, and--if I may add something on my
own account--the _Dona nobis pacem_ connected with the _Agnus Dei_
without marked interruption, and soft. In two masses by Handel
- (arranged from his anthems), two by Naumann and Abbé Stadler, this
+ (arranged from his anthems), two by Naumann and Abbé Stadler, this
makes a particularly beautiful effect. These in brief, as results
of my experience, are the things which are to be considered and
I should congratulate myself, the court and art if our great
@@ -5573,21 +5536,21 @@ Lichnowsky:
On March 10 Dietrichstein sent Beethoven three texts for graduals and
a like number for offertories from which to choose words to be used
-in the mass to be composed for the emperor. On the count’s letter
-Beethoven wrote the memorandum: “Treat the gradual as a symphony with
-song--does it follow the _Gloria_?” Here we have some light on the
-subject which came up for thought during the account of Beethoven’s
+in the mass to be composed for the emperor. On the count’s letter
+Beethoven wrote the memorandum: “Treat the gradual as a symphony with
+song--does it follow the _Gloria_?” Here we have some light on the
+subject which came up for thought during the account of Beethoven’s
negotiations with publishers for the Mass in D. It would seem to
appear that Beethoven was much pleased with the interest manifested
in his application by Count Dietrichstein, and looked with auspicious
-eye upon the latter’s plan to put him into the Emperor’s good books.
+eye upon the latter’s plan to put him into the Emperor’s good books.
There can scarcely be a doubt but that he gave considerable thought
to the proposed mass even while still at work on the Mass in D. He
conceived the plan of accompanying the _Kyrie_ with wind-instruments
-and organ only in a “new mass,” as he designates it, and sketches for
-a _Dona nobis pacem_ which have been found “for the mass in C-sharp
-minor” point to a treatment which may be said to be in harmony, so
-far as can be seen, with Count Dietrichstein’s suggestions. On one
+and organ only in a “new mass,” as he designates it, and sketches for
+a _Dona nobis pacem_ which have been found “for the mass in C-sharp
+minor” point to a treatment which may be said to be in harmony, so
+far as can be seen, with Count Dietrichstein’s suggestions. On one
occasion he writes to Peters that he had not made up his mind which
mass he should have, and on another that he had three masses, two
other publishers having asked for such works. He tells Schindler that
@@ -5604,7 +5567,7 @@ additional numbers, but many sketches are lost and there is no knowing
how much music which was never written out Beethoven carried in his
head.[83]
-Beethoven spoke of the “second” mass to others besides the publishers.
+Beethoven spoke of the “second” mass to others besides the publishers.
Nothing came of it, however. He decided to postpone work on the mass
for the Emperor, pleading the pressure of other obligations in the
letters of thanks which he sent to Counts Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein.
@@ -5615,55 +5578,55 @@ is to be believed, the Archduke and Lichnowsky rebuked him.[84]
In this period, too, the alluring vision of a new opera presented
itself, haunted the minds of Beethoven and his friends for a space
-and then disappeared in the limbo of unexecuted projects. “Fidelio”
-had been revived on November 3, 1822, at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre.
+and then disappeared in the limbo of unexecuted projects. “Fidelio”
+had been revived on November 3, 1822, at the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre.
Its success was so great that the management of the theatre offered
a commission to Beethoven for a new opera. Beethoven viewed the
proposition favorably and his friends hailed it with enthusiasm,
-especially Count Moritz Lichnowsky. Beethoven’s love for classic
+especially Count Moritz Lichnowsky. Beethoven’s love for classic
literature led him to express a desire for a libretto based on some
story of the antique world. He was told that such stories were all
worn threadbare. In the Conversation Books we see what suggestions
-were offered by others: a text by Schlegel; Voltaire’s tragedies;
-Schiller’s “Fiesco.” Local poets and would-be poets were willing to
+were offered by others: a text by Schlegel; Voltaire’s tragedies;
+Schiller’s “Fiesco.” Local poets and would-be poets were willing to
throw themselves into the breach. Friedrich August Kanne, editor of
the musical journal published by Steiner and Co., wrote a libretto
which Beethoven sent to Schindler with a note saying that except for
the fact that the first act was rather lukewarm it was so admirably
-written that it really did not require the collaboration of “one of the
-first composers,” adding, “I do not want to say that it is just the
+written that it really did not require the collaboration of “one of the
+first composers,” adding, “I do not want to say that it is just the
most suitable thing for me, but if I can rid myself of obligations to
-which I am bound, who knows what might--or will--happen!” Lichnowsky
+which I am bound, who knows what might--or will--happen!” Lichnowsky
tells Beethoven in February that he is determined to see Grillparzer,
-with whom he evidently wants to talk about an opera-book on “Macbeth”
-or “Romeo and Juliet.” Brother Johann brings Beethoven a proposition
+with whom he evidently wants to talk about an opera-book on “Macbeth”
+or “Romeo and Juliet.” Brother Johann brings Beethoven a proposition
from Johann Sporchil, historian and publicist, and Sporchil, receiving
encouragement, submitted a work act by act to the composer, who wrote
comments on the manuscripts but never did more.[85] Lichnowsky hears
-of an opera on “Alfred the Great,” said to be very beautiful and full
+of an opera on “Alfred the Great,” said to be very beautiful and full
of spectacular pomp. He will bring it to the composer in a few days.
The Count has also written to Grillparzer, and Beethoven, recalling
-that he is an old acquaintance, resolves to visit him. Lichnowsky’s
+that he is an old acquaintance, resolves to visit him. Lichnowsky’s
suggestion bore fruit of a kind. Grillparzer has left us an account
of his attempt to collaborate with Beethoven on an opera in his
-“Erinnerungen an Beethoven.”[86] The request for a libretto, he says,
+“Erinnerungen an Beethoven.”[86] The request for a libretto, he says,
came to him through Count Dietrichstein and was somewhat embarrassing
to him because of his unfamiliarity with the lyric drama and his doubts
-touching Beethoven’s ability, after his later works, to compose an
+touching Beethoven’s ability, after his later works, to compose an
opera. Finally, however, he decided to make the attempt, and submitted
-a subject to Beethoven’s friends and then to Beethoven himself. It
+a subject to Beethoven’s friends and then to Beethoven himself. It
was a semi-diabolical story drawn from Bohemian legendary history,
-entitled “Dragomira.” It met with Beethoven’s approval and he agreed to
+entitled “Dragomira.” It met with Beethoven’s approval and he agreed to
write it, but afterward changed his mind and took up the fairy tale of
Melusina. Of the manner in which he treated this subject Grillparzer
says:
-[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER AND HIS “MELUSINA”]
+[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER AND HIS “MELUSINA”]
So far as possible I banished the reflective element and sought,
by giving prominence to the chorus, creating powerful finales and
adopting the melodramatic style for the third act, to adjust myself
- to Beethoven’s last period. I avoided a preliminary conference with
+ to Beethoven’s last period. I avoided a preliminary conference with
the composer concerning the subject-matter, because I wanted to
preserve the independence of my views. Moreover, it was possible to
make alterations, and in the last instance it rested with him to
@@ -5677,7 +5640,7 @@ and the poet were necessary before it was brought into satisfactory
shape. Grillparzer had excluded much of the material in the old legend
which was unsuited to dramatic treatment, and strengthened the plot
with conceits of his own invention. As soon as he had sent the text he
-went to Beethoven at Schindler’s request. At first blush Beethoven was
+went to Beethoven at Schindler’s request. At first blush Beethoven was
much pleased with the book, and he wrote Grillparzer a letter which
delighted the poet. Grillparzer describes the visit to Beethoven at his
lodgings in the Kothgasse which he made in company with Schindler:
@@ -5693,14 +5656,14 @@ lodgings in the Kothgasse which he made in company with Schindler:
As we entered Beethoven arose from the bed, gave me his hand,
poured out his feelings of good-will and respect and at once
- broached the subject of the opera. “Your work lives here,” said
- he, pointing to his heart; “I am going to the country in a few
- days and shall at once begin to compose it. Only, I don’t know
- what to do with the hunters’ chorus which forms the introduction.
+ broached the subject of the opera. “Your work lives here,” said
+ he, pointing to his heart; “I am going to the country in a few
+ days and shall at once begin to compose it. Only, I don’t know
+ what to do with the hunters’ chorus which forms the introduction.
Weber used four horns; you see, therefore, that I must have eight;
- where will this lead to?” Although I was far from seeing the need
+ where will this lead to?” Although I was far from seeing the need
of such a conclusion I explained to him that without injury to the
- rest of the book the hunters’ chorus could be omitted, with which
+ rest of the book the hunters’ chorus could be omitted, with which
concession he seemed to be satisfied, and neither then nor later
did he offer any objection to the text or ask that a change be
made. He even insisted on closing a contract with me at once. The
@@ -5723,9 +5686,9 @@ lodgings in the Kothgasse which he made in company with Schindler:
moderate sum, and banished the matter from my thoughts. Whether or
not they made a contract I do not know.
-Otto Jahn’s notes of a conversation with Grillparzer state that
+Otto Jahn’s notes of a conversation with Grillparzer state that
Beethoven made a contract with Barbaja, who was the _de facto_ manager
-of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, for 6,000 florins, W. W. (2,500 C. M.).
+of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, for 6,000 florins, W. W. (2,500 C. M.).
Shortly afterward Barbaja abandoned the contract, saying to Beethoven
that he knew that though he was bound by it he could not use the opera.
Thereupon Beethoven tore up the document. On April 20, 1824, Duport
@@ -5743,7 +5706,7 @@ own words:
possible half in conversation, half in writing, while walking.
I still remember with emotion that when we sat down to table
Beethoven went into an adjoining room and himself brought forth
- five bottles. He set down one at Schindler’s plate, one at his own
+ five bottles. He set down one at Schindler’s plate, one at his own
and three in front of me, probably to make me understand in his
wild and simple way that I was master and should drink as much as I
liked. When I drove back to town without Schindler, who remained in
@@ -5765,8 +5728,8 @@ own words:
the money which had been given to me.[87]
In a Conversation Book used during the visit to Hetzendorf may be read
-one side of a conversation about “Melusine” which permits us to observe
-the poet’s capacity to look into the future:
+one side of a conversation about “Melusine” which permits us to observe
+the poet’s capacity to look into the future:
Are you still of the opinion that something else ought to be
substituted for the first chorus of our opera? Perhaps a few tones
@@ -5778,12 +5741,12 @@ the poet’s capacity to look into the future:
out of the same melody? I have thought of this melody as that to
which Melusine sings her first song.
-Grillparzer speaks of “Dragomira,” promises to send the plot to
+Grillparzer speaks of “Dragomira,” promises to send the plot to
Beethoven in writing and makes many observations concerning music and
musicians which must have interested Beethoven even when he did not
agree with him. He asserts that on the whole the North Germans know
-little of music--they will never produce anything higher than “Der
-Freischütz.” Also he has a good word for Italian opera:
+little of music--they will never produce anything higher than “Der
+Freischütz.” Also he has a good word for Italian opera:
And yet I cannot agree with those who unqualifiedly reject Italian
opera. To my mind there are two kinds of opera--one setting out
@@ -5798,32 +5761,32 @@ Freischütz.” Also he has a good word for Italian opera:
There are many others with whom Beethoven discussed the opera and
who came to him to tell him of their desire to see it written.
Duport is greatly interested, wants to read the book with care and
-asks Beethoven’s terms; Lichnowsky is willing to risk the financial
-outcome; “I will go security,” he says in October, “for the money
+asks Beethoven’s terms; Lichnowsky is willing to risk the financial
+outcome; “I will go security,” he says in October, “for the money
which you want for the opera. After selling the opera to the director
you can still reserve the right of disposing of it at home and
-abroad.” And again: “If you do not compose the opera it will be all
+abroad.” And again: “If you do not compose the opera it will be all
day with German opera--everybody says that. After the failure of
-Weber’s opera ‘Euryanthe’ many sent the books back. ‘Freischütz’ is
+Weber’s opera ‘Euryanthe’ many sent the books back. ‘Freischütz’ is
not a genuine opera. If you can use me in any way, you know me and
-how sincere I am”; and still again, towards the end of November: “You
+how sincere I am”; and still again, towards the end of November: “You
will get incomparably more without a contract; if you want one, the
director will make a contract with pleasure at once. Talk it over with
Grillparzer; it will also be all one to him. Duport already asked about
-the opera several days ago.” From other quarters Beethoven is urged
+the opera several days ago.” From other quarters Beethoven is urged
to write to Duport after the latter had written to him. In a letter
which must have been written late in the year, since Beethoven is back
in his town lodgings, he writes to Grillparzer telling him that the
-management had asked for his (Grillparzer’s) terms and suggesting that
+management had asked for his (Grillparzer’s) terms and suggesting that
he write directly to the management and he would do the same.[88] A
later conversation which must have taken place toward the close of
the year (and may have been the result of this letter) begins with a
complaint by Grillparzer against the censorship for having forbidden
-his “Ottokar.” Beethoven’s part in the dialogue may easily be supplied
+his “Ottokar.” Beethoven’s part in the dialogue may easily be supplied
by the imagination, and it will be seen that he is still unreconciled
to the opening chorus.
- You have again taken up “Melusine?” I have already appealed to
+ You have again taken up “Melusine?” I have already appealed to
the management twice but have had no answer.--I have already
said that I was compelled to ask 100 ducats for it.--Because as
a matter of fact, all the profits of an opera-book remain with
@@ -5835,24 +5798,24 @@ to the opening chorus.
compose?--Will you please write down for me where you want the
changes made?--Because then, nevertheless, the piece will _have_
to begin with a hunt.--Perhaps the last tones of a vanishing
- hunters’ chorus might blend with the introduction without having
+ hunters’ chorus might blend with the introduction without having
the hunters enter.--To begin with a chorus of nymphs might weaken
the effect of the chorus at the close of the first act.--I am
not quite versed in opera texts.--You want to deliver it to the
theatre by September.--The direction wants to make a creditable
- showing in the eyes of the public.--Doesn’t the text of the opera
+ showing in the eyes of the public.--Doesn’t the text of the opera
also seem too _long_ to you?--To whom are you thinking of giving
- the rôle of _Raimund_?--They are talking of a young tenor who may
- have made his début by that time. I believe his name is Cramolini;
+ the rôle of _Raimund_?--They are talking of a young tenor who may
+ have made his début by that time. I believe his name is Cramolini;
besides a handsome figure he is said to have a beautiful voice.--It
is said that the direction is having him educated.--Forti is a
little too gross.--Then I am to expect your written suggestion as
to alterations, soon?--I am not busy at present.--I am ready for
anything.
-For a space there is talk about oratorio texts (“Judith”) and the
+For a space there is talk about oratorio texts (“Judith”) and the
possibility of musical expression in the case of Christ. Then the text
-of “Dragomira” is referred to, concerning which Beethoven seems to have
+of “Dragomira” is referred to, concerning which Beethoven seems to have
asked. Grillparzer says:
Dragomira. Great variety--great characters, effects.--The mother
@@ -5866,27 +5829,27 @@ There is much more talk in the Conversation Book about the opera, but
neither sequence nor date can always be determined. Lichnowsky tells
him that the management of the theatre is willing to do anything
asked of it and is negotiating with Grillparzer. Brother Johann says:
-“Grillparzer is coming to-morrow--that is no affair of yours.--You
+“Grillparzer is coming to-morrow--that is no affair of yours.--You
wrote to the management to make arrangements with the poet, and to this
-it was agreed; hence Grillparzer must make terms.” In the same book
-Schikh, the editor, writes: “Why don’t you compose Grillparzer’s opera?
+it was agreed; hence Grillparzer must make terms.” In the same book
+Schikh, the editor, writes: “Why don’t you compose Grillparzer’s opera?
Write the opera first and then we shall be in a position to wish you
-also to write a Requiem.”
+also to write a Requiem.”
[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER PARTS WITH BEETHOVEN]
Grillparzer says that Beethoven told him in Hetzendorf that his opera
was ready (whether he meant in his head or in its essential elements
in the numerous sketchbooks, the poet could not say), but after the
-composer’s death not a single note was found which could indubitably
+composer’s death not a single note was found which could indubitably
be assigned to their common work. The poet had faithfully adhered to
-his resolve not to remind the composer of the work in any way and “was
+his resolve not to remind the composer of the work in any way and “was
never near him again until, clad in black and carrying a burning torch
-in my [his] hand,” he walked behind his coffin. Grillparzer’s memory
+in my [his] hand,” he walked behind his coffin. Grillparzer’s memory
is faulty in a few details. He says that he never met Beethoven after
the visit to Hetzendorf except once; but the two men were together
again in 1824. This, however, is inconsequential; the fact remains that
-Beethoven did not compose “Melusine.”--Why not? Many reasons must be
+Beethoven did not compose “Melusine.”--Why not? Many reasons must be
obvious to those who have followed this narrative closely: illness;
vexation of spirit; loss of initiative; a waning of the old capacity
to assimilate conceptions and ideas which did not originate in his
@@ -5895,13 +5858,13 @@ Moreover, it was the period of his greatest introspection; he was
communing more and more with his own soul, and separating himself more
and more from all agencies of utterance except the one which spoke most
truthfully and directly within him, and to which he entrusted his last
-revelations--the string quartet. “Melusine” was not composed, but the
+revelations--the string quartet. “Melusine” was not composed, but the
opera continued to occupy his attention at intervals until deep into
the next year, and unless Holz is in error, some of his last labors
were devoted to it. Too literal an acceptance must not, therefore, be
-given to Schindler’s statement that he “suddenly” abandoned the plan of
+given to Schindler’s statement that he “suddenly” abandoned the plan of
writing a German opera because he learned that the similarity between
-the subjects of “Melusine” and “Undine” would embarrass the production
+the subjects of “Melusine” and “Undine” would embarrass the production
of the former in Berlin.
[Illustration: B A C H]
@@ -5910,14 +5873,14 @@ A project which cropped out intermittently during 1823 was the writing
of an overture on the musical motive suggested by the letters composing
the name of Bach. The thought seems to have become fixed in his mind
in 1822, though the device of using as a motive in composition was
-at least as old as the Leipsic master’s “Art of Fugue,” and no doubt
+at least as old as the Leipsic master’s “Art of Fugue,” and no doubt
familiar to Beethoven. However, he was deeply engrossed in fugal
writing at this period and it is very likely, as Nottebohm suggests,
-that he conceived an overture on the motive as a tribute to Bach’s
+that he conceived an overture on the motive as a tribute to Bach’s
genius. Several sketches showing different forms of the theme appear
-in the books of 1823; and a collateral memorandum, “This overture with
+in the books of 1823; and a collateral memorandum, “This overture with
the new symphony, and we shall have a concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Kärnthnerthor Theatre,” amongst sketches for the last quartets in
+Kärnthnerthor Theatre,” amongst sketches for the last quartets in
1825, shows that he clung to the idea almost to the end. Had Beethoven
carried out all the plans for utilizing the theme which presented
themselves to him between 1822 and 1825, there would have been several
@@ -5935,16 +5898,16 @@ approaching concert.[89] Later in the Conversation Book:
Little Liszt has urgently requested me humbly to beg you for a
theme on which he wishes to improvise at his concert to-morrow. He
- will not break the seal till the time comes. The little fellow’s
+ will not break the seal till the time comes. The little fellow’s
improvisations do not seriously signify. The lad is a fine pianist,
but so far as his fancy is concerned it is far from the truth
to say that he really improvises (_was Phantasie anbelangt, so
ist es noch weit am Tage bis man sagen kann, er phantasiert_).
Czerny (Carl) is his teacher. Just eleven years. Do come; it will
certainly please Karl to hear how the little fellow plays. It is
- unfortunate that the lad is in Czerny’s hands.--You will make good
+ unfortunate that the lad is in Czerny’s hands.--You will make good
the rather unfriendly reception of recent date by coming to little
- Liszt’s concert?--It will encourage the boy.--Promise me to come.
+ Liszt’s concert?--It will encourage the boy.--Promise me to come.
Did Beethoven attend the concert, and did he afterwards go upon the
stage, lift up the prodigy and kiss him? So the world has long believed
@@ -5952,8 +5915,8 @@ on the authority of Nohl,[90] who got the story from Liszt himself.
Schindler ought to be a good witness in this case, since he pleaded
the cause of the little lad before his great friend; but unfortunately
Schindler in this instance gives testimony at one time which he
-impeaches at another. In the second edition of his “Biography of
-Beethoven” (Münster, 1845, second appendix, page 71, note) he says:
+impeaches at another. In the second edition of his “Biography of
+Beethoven” (Münster, 1845, second appendix, page 71, note) he says:
One can never know if a child will grow into a man, and if so what
kind of man; so I could not foresee when I introduced the promising
@@ -5969,7 +5932,7 @@ Beethoven” (Münster, 1845, second appendix, page 71, note) he says:
In the third edition of his book (1860, Part II, p. 178) he says:
- The author knows of only one reception to which the term “friendly”
+ The author knows of only one reception to which the term “friendly”
can not be applied. It was in the case of little Franz Liszt, who,
accompanied by his father, was presented by me. This unfriendliness
grew out of the excessive idolization of this truly sensational
@@ -5986,7 +5949,7 @@ In the third edition of his book (1860, Part II, p. 178) he says:
clogs to the equable development of extraordinary talents as soon
as they were made the darlings of the multitude. Sketches of the
life of Liszt have stated that Beethoven attended the farewell
- concert of 1823; in Schilling’s encyclopædia it is added that
+ concert of 1823; in Schilling’s encyclopædia it is added that
Beethoven at this concert shook the hand of little Liszt and
thereby designated him as worthy of the name of artist. Beethoven
did _not_ attend the concert; nor any private concert after
@@ -5995,13 +5958,13 @@ In the third edition of his book (1860, Part II, p. 178) he says:
The visit of Louis Schloesser, afterwards chapelmaster in Darmstadt,
who delivered the message from the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt,
took place in the spring of the year. His description of the visit
-was printed in the journal “Hallelujah” in 1885 (Nos. 20 and 21).
+was printed in the journal “Hallelujah” in 1885 (Nos. 20 and 21).
Schloesser revisited him later and met him afterwards in town, walking
with him to Steiner, whom he said he was about to take to task for a
-remissness. “When it comes to the publication of a new work,” Beethoven
-said, “they would like to postpone it as long as possible, even till
+remissness. “When it comes to the publication of a new work,” Beethoven
+said, “they would like to postpone it as long as possible, even till
after my death, thinking thus to do a better business with it; but I
-shall checkmate them.” Schloesser was surprised on this occasion to
+shall checkmate them.” Schloesser was surprised on this occasion to
find Beethoven dressed with unwonted elegance and remarked the fact to
Mayseder, who explained, with a smile, that it was not the first time
that his friends had stolen his old clothes at night and left new ones
@@ -6012,11 +5975,11 @@ Beethoven.
At the last meeting between the men Schloesser showed Beethoven one of
his compositions, a somewhat complicated work. Beethoven looked through
-it and observed: “You write too much; less would have been better.
-That’s the way of our young heaven-stormers who think that they can
+it and observed: “You write too much; less would have been better.
+That’s the way of our young heaven-stormers who think that they can
never do enough. But that will change with riper age, and I prefer a
-superabundance to a paucity of ideas.” To the question how this might
-be attained Schloesser says Beethoven replied “literally”:
+superabundance to a paucity of ideas.” To the question how this might
+be attained Schloesser says Beethoven replied “literally”:
I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, often a very long
time, before I write them down. Meanwhile my memory is so tenacious
@@ -6038,11 +6001,11 @@ be attained Schloesser says Beethoven replied “literally”:
roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.
At parting, Beethoven gave Schloesser a sheet containing a canon
-for six voices on the words, “Edel sei der Mensch, hülfreich und
-gut,” with the inscription: “Words by Goethe, tones by Beethoven.
-Vienna, May, 1823.” On the back he wrote: “A happy journey, my dear
+for six voices on the words, “Edel sei der Mensch, hülfreich und
+gut,” with the inscription: “Words by Goethe, tones by Beethoven.
+Vienna, May, 1823.” On the back he wrote: “A happy journey, my dear
Herr Schloesser, may all things which seem desirable come to meet
-you. Your devoted Beethoven.”[92] Judging by the position of the
+you. Your devoted Beethoven.”[92] Judging by the position of the
canon in the Rudolphinian Collection, Nottebohm was of the opinion
that it was composed at an earlier date, say 1819-20. Beethoven also
gave Schloesser, who was going to Paris, a letter of introduction
@@ -6057,56 +6020,56 @@ resumed, with Holz, Weiss and Linke as his associates.
[Sidenote: VARIATIONS ON A WALTZ BY DIABELLI]
Schindler places the incident which gave the incentive to the creation
-of the last of Beethoven’s characteristic works for the pianoforte,
-the “Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli,” Op. 120, in the winter of
-1822-’23. In this, as will appear presently, he was in error, as he
+of the last of Beethoven’s characteristic works for the pianoforte,
+the “Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli,” Op. 120, in the winter of
+1822-’23. In this, as will appear presently, he was in error, as he
was also touching the date of the completion of the composition, but
otherwise his story is no doubt correct. Anton Diabelli, head of the
music-publishing house of Diabelli and Co., having composed a waltz,
conceived the idea of having variations written on its melody by a
large group of the popular composers of the day. Beethoven was among
those who received the invitation, but, mindful of his experiences
-in 1808, when he contributed a setting of “In questa tomba” to a
+in 1808, when he contributed a setting of “In questa tomba” to a
similar conglomeration, he declared that he would never do so again.
Moreover, so Schindler says, he did not like the tune, which he called
-a _Schusterfleck_.[93] He declined Diabelli’s request, but not long
+a _Schusterfleck_.[93] He declined Diabelli’s request, but not long
afterward asked Schindler to inquire of Diabelli if he were disposed
to take from him a set of variations on the waltz, and if so, what
he would pay. Diabelli received the proposition with delight and
offered 80 ducats, requiring not more than six or seven variations.
The contract was formally closed and Beethoven remarked to Schindler:
-“Good; he shall have variations on his cobble!” This the story as told
+“Good; he shall have variations on his cobble!” This the story as told
by Schindler. Lenz, who claimed to have the authority of Holz for his
version, says that after receiving thirty-two variations from other
composers, Diabelli went to Beethoven and asked him for the one which
he had promised. Beethoven inquired how many variations he already had
-and when Diabelli replied “Thirty-two” he said: “Well, go and publish
-them and I alone will write you thirty-three.” This story, however,
+and when Diabelli replied “Thirty-two” he said: “Well, go and publish
+them and I alone will write you thirty-three.” This story, however,
lacks probability. Lenz himself says that Diabelli told him that
Beethoven had not agreed to write for him; hence he could not have
-asked for the “promised” variation. But Schindler is also wrong in
+asked for the “promised” variation. But Schindler is also wrong in
saying that the variations were the first work taken up by Beethoven
after his removal to Hetzendorf in the summer of 1823 and that they
were published in July. They were advertised as published by Diabelli
-in the “Wiener Zeitung” on June 16, 1823, and there are other dates
+in the “Wiener Zeitung” on June 16, 1823, and there are other dates
to corroborate the evidence that they were finished when Beethoven
removed to Hetzendorf on May 17. On May 7 Beethoven offered them for
publication to Lissner in St. Petersburg; on April 25 he wrote to
-Ries: “You will also receive in a few weeks 33 variations on a theme,
-dedicated to your wife,” and on July 16: “By this time the variations
-must be with you.” The date of Diabelli’s conception of the plan was
+Ries: “You will also receive in a few weeks 33 variations on a theme,
+dedicated to your wife,” and on July 16: “By this time the variations
+must be with you.” The date of Diabelli’s conception of the plan was
probably a whole year, even two years earlier than the date given by
Schindler. In a letter dated June 5, 1822, Beethoven offered to Peters
-“Variations on a Waltz for pianoforte solo (there are many)” for 30
+“Variations on a Waltz for pianoforte solo (there are many)” for 30
ducats; they must therefore have been far advanced in composition and
-fully planned at that time. Nottebohm says that Schubert’s contribution
-to the collection of variations bears on the autograph the date “March,
-1821.” The Variations appeared from the press of Diabelli and Co. in
+fully planned at that time. Nottebohm says that Schubert’s contribution
+to the collection of variations bears on the autograph the date “March,
+1821.” The Variations appeared from the press of Diabelli and Co. in
June, with a dedication to Mme. Antonia von Brentano; not, it will be
observed, to the wife of Ries. Had there been an English edition there
would have been such a dedication, but it is another case in which an
English publisher was disappointed in the conduct of the composer. Ries
-had complied with Beethoven’s solicitations and secured a publisher.
+had complied with Beethoven’s solicitations and secured a publisher.
He closed an agreement with Boosey; but when the manuscript reached
London, Boosey was already in possession of a copy of the Vienna
edition and the work had also been printed in Paris. The copy made
@@ -6123,7 +6086,7 @@ dated Baden September 5:
under obligations to her and could publish nothing else at the
time; besides only Diabelli, the publisher here, got them from
me. Everything was done by Schindler; a bigger wretch I never got
- acquainted with on God’s earth--an arch-scoundrel whom I have sent
+ acquainted with on God’s earth--an arch-scoundrel whom I have sent
about his business. I can dedicate another work to your wife in
place of it.
@@ -6131,54 +6094,54 @@ How much blame in this affair really attached to Schindler is not
known; it seems pretty apparent that though Beethoven was also fuming
against him at the time at home, he was doing duty in London as a
whipping-boy. Beethoven went right on calling in the help of the
-“biggest wretch on earth and arch-scoundrel.”
+“biggest wretch on earth and arch-scoundrel.”
[Sidenote: TROUBLED BY HIS EYES AT HETZENDORF]
After the labors and vexations of town life in the winter, the call of
the country in the summer was more than usually imperative, because the
-work which had long occupied Beethoven’s mind--the Ninth Symphony--was
+work which had long occupied Beethoven’s mind--the Ninth Symphony--was
demanding completion. His brother Johann had invited him to visit
him on his estate near Gneixendorf, but he had declined. His choice
for the summer sojourn fell upon Hetzendorf, a village not far from
Vienna, where he hit upon a villa, surrounded by a beautiful park,
-which belonged to Baron Müller-Pronay. There was some haggling about
+which belonged to Baron Müller-Pronay. There was some haggling about
the rent and some questioning about the post service--an important
matter in view of the many negotiations with publishers, in all of
which Schindler was depended on--but eventually all was arranged.
-Ill health marred the Hetzendorf sojourn. Beethoven’s other ailments
+Ill health marred the Hetzendorf sojourn. Beethoven’s other ailments
were augmented by a painful affection of the eyes which called for
medical treatment, retarded his work and caused him no small amount of
anxiety. Complaints on this score began in April and were continued
-through July, on the 15th of which month he writes to the Archduke, “My
+through July, on the 15th of which month he writes to the Archduke, “My
eyes are better, but improvement is slow. It would be more rapid if
I were not obliged to use glasses; it is an unfortunate circumstance
-which delays me in everything”; and later, when on a short visit to
-Vienna: “I have just heard here that Y. I. H. is coming to-morrow. If
+which delays me in everything”; and later, when on a short visit to
+Vienna: “I have just heard here that Y. I. H. is coming to-morrow. If
I cannot obey the wishes of my heart, please ascribe it to my eyes.
They are much better, but I must not breathe the town air for many
-more days, for it would have ill effects on my eyes.” In August, very
-shortly before his departure for Baden: “I am feeling really badly,
+more days, for it would have ill effects on my eyes.” In August, very
+shortly before his departure for Baden: “I am feeling really badly,
not my eyes alone. I purpose to drag myself to Baden to-morrow to take
lodgings and in a few days will have to go there to stay. The town air
has an injurious effect on my entire organization and I hurt myself
-by going twice to my physicians in the city.” From Baden on the 22nd
+by going twice to my physicians in the city.” From Baden on the 22nd
he complains of a catarrhal affection, the misery in his bowels and
-the trouble with his eyes, but adds: “Thank God, the eyes are so much
+the trouble with his eyes, but adds: “Thank God, the eyes are so much
improved that I can again use them considerably in the daytime. Things
are going better also with my other ailments; more could not be asked
-in this short time.”
+in this short time.”
Among the cheering incidents of the summer were the reports which
-reached him of the production of “Fidelio” under the direction of Weber
+reached him of the production of “Fidelio” under the direction of Weber
in Dresden. Weber opened a correspondence on January 28 and continued
-it with letters dated February 18, April 7 and June 5; Beethoven’s
+it with letters dated February 18, April 7 and June 5; Beethoven’s
answers were dated February 16, April 10 and June 9. Most unfortunately
all these letters have disappeared, and the only hints we have as to
-their contents are from the draft for Weber’s first communication
+their contents are from the draft for Weber’s first communication
discovered among the papers of the writer:
- “Fidelio.” To Beethoven. The performance in Prague under my
+ “Fidelio.” To Beethoven. The performance in Prague under my
direction of this mighty work, which bears testimony to German
grandeur and depth of feeling, gave me an intimacy, as inspiring
as it was instructive, with the essence through which I hope to
@@ -6189,20 +6152,20 @@ discovered among the papers of the writer:
and love for you struggle with each other.
Weber had received the score of the opera on April 10 from Beethoven,
-who had to borrow it from the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, whose musical
+who had to borrow it from the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre, whose musical
archives were in the care of Count Gallenberg. Through Schindler,
Gallenberg sent word to Beethoven that he would send the score,
provided two copies were on hand; if not, he would have a copy made.
Schindler, reporting the message to Beethoven, adds that Gallenberg had
-said he thought Beethoven himself had the score: “But when I assured
+said he thought Beethoven himself had the score: “But when I assured
him that you did not have it he said that its loss was a consequence
-of your irregularity and many changes of lodgings.”[94] Nevertheless,
+of your irregularity and many changes of lodgings.”[94] Nevertheless,
Weber got the score and after fourteen rehearsals the representation
-took place with great success. Von Könneritz, Director-General of the
+took place with great success. Von Könneritz, Director-General of the
Royal Chapel, reported the triumph to Beethoven and sent Beethoven a
fee of 40 ducats. Beethoven in acknowledging receipt on July 17 is
-emboldened “by the account which my dear friend Maria Weber gives me
-of the admirable and noble motives of Your Excellency” to ask his
+emboldened “by the account which my dear friend Maria Weber gives me
+of the admirable and noble motives of Your Excellency” to ask his
intercession with the Saxon court in behalf of the Mass in D, as has
already been recorded in this chapter.
@@ -6210,30 +6173,30 @@ A number of incidents may now hurriedly be marshalled. In 1822 the
Royal Academy of Music of Sweden had elected Beethoven to foreign
membership. The consent of the Austrian government was necessary to
his acceptance of the honor and this seems to have been deferred an
-unconscionably long time; at least Beethoven’s letters to the Academy
+unconscionably long time; at least Beethoven’s letters to the Academy
and to King Charles XIV (whom as General Bernadotte, then French
ambassador at Vienna, he had known 25 years before) are dated March
1, 1823. When permission came he wrote notes to the editors of the
-newspapers “Beobachter” and “Wiener Zeitschrift,” asking them to
+newspapers “Beobachter” and “Wiener Zeitschrift,” asking them to
announce the fact of his election--a circumstance which shows that
he was not always as indifferent to distinctions of all kinds as he
professed occasionally. Franz Schoberlechner, a young pianist, appealed
to him for letters of recommendation to be used on a concert-tour. The
letter reached Beethoven through Schindler, to whom he returned it with
-the curt indorsement: “A capable fellow has no need of recommendation
-other than from one good house to another.” Schindler importuned him
-again, and Beethoven wrote to him somewhat testily: “It must be plain
+the curt indorsement: “A capable fellow has no need of recommendation
+other than from one good house to another.” Schindler importuned him
+again, and Beethoven wrote to him somewhat testily: “It must be plain
to you that I do not want to have anything to do with this matter.
-As for ‘being noble’ I think I have shown you sufficiently that I am
+As for ‘being noble’ I think I have shown you sufficiently that I am
that on principle; I even think that you must have observed that I
-have never been otherwise. _Sapienti sat._” That ended the matter;
+have never been otherwise. _Sapienti sat._” That ended the matter;
but when Chapelmaster Dreschler of the Josephstadt Theatre became a
candidate for the post of second court organist, Beethoven recommended
him enthusiastically to Archduke Rudolph, whom in a second letter he
-urged to remain firm notwithstanding that Abbé Stadler had presented
+urged to remain firm notwithstanding that Abbé Stadler had presented
another candidate. Archduke Rudolph spoke to the emperor and Count
Dietrichstein in favor of Drechsler, but in vain. In his letters
-Beethoven referred to a canon, “Grossen Dank,” which he said he had
+Beethoven referred to a canon, “Grossen Dank,” which he said he had
written for the Archduke and which he intended to hand him in person.
Sketches for it have been found among those for the third movement of
the Ninth Symphony, but nothing has yet been heard of the completed
@@ -6241,9 +6204,9 @@ work.
[Sidenote: TROUBLES WITH A COUNTRY LANDLORD]
-Beethoven’s domestic affairs continued to plague him. While at
+Beethoven’s domestic affairs continued to plague him. While at
Hetzendorf he had the services of a housekeeper whom he described as
-“the swift-sailing frigate” Frau Schnaps, in letters to Schindler. He
+“the swift-sailing frigate” Frau Schnaps, in letters to Schindler. He
has no end of trouble about his town lodging in the Kothgasse where
Schindler was living, and must needs take time to write long letters to
his factotum on the subject. Here is one sent from Hetzendorf on July 2:
@@ -6258,8 +6221,8 @@ his factotum on the subject. Here is one sent from Hetzendorf on July 2:
that the brutal fellow could not open my room in my absence as he
threatened to do. Tell them further how he behaved towards you and
that he put up the bill without notice, which he has no right to do
- before St. James’s day.--He has also refused to give me a receipt
- from St. George’s to St. James’ as this paper shows because of the
+ before St. James’s day.--He has also refused to give me a receipt
+ from St. George’s to St. James’ as this paper shows because of the
demand that I pay a charge for lighting of which I knew nothing.
This abominable lodging _without a stove-flue_ and with the most
wretched sort of main chimney has cost me at least 259 florins W.
@@ -6287,7 +6250,7 @@ something-or-other from such a churl accompanied by a threat? Where was
his judgment? Where he always kept it, of course! The bill came down,
but Beethoven did not keep the lodging.
-Beethoven’s nephew Karl pursued his studies at Blöchlinger’s
+Beethoven’s nephew Karl pursued his studies at Blöchlinger’s
Institute till in August and then spent his vacation with his uncle
in Baden. He made himself useful as amanuensis and otherwise, and
his words are occasionally found among the notes of conversation.
@@ -6298,8 +6261,8 @@ the extreme of reprehensibleness in the summer of 1823, during a spell
of sickness which threw her husband on his back. The woman chose this
time to receive her lover in her house and to make a shameless public
parade of her moral laxness. The step-daughter was no less neglectful
-of her filial duties. Accounts of his sister-in-law’s misconduct
-reached Beethoven’s ears from various quarters and he was frank in his
+of her filial duties. Accounts of his sister-in-law’s misconduct
+reached Beethoven’s ears from various quarters and he was frank in his
denunciation of her to his brother and only a little more plain-spoken
than Schindler, who was asked by Beethoven to lay the matter before the
police, but managed to postpone that step for the time being.[95]
@@ -6308,17 +6271,17 @@ police, but managed to postpone that step for the time being.[95]
Meanwhile Beethoven was hard at work on the Ninth Symphony. It was so
ever-present with him that there was neither paradox nor hyperbole in
-his words: “I am never alone when I am alone.” He had much to irritate
+his words: “I am never alone when I am alone.” He had much to irritate
him while sketches and drafts of the symphony were piling up before
him in August, and finally, if Schindler is to be believed, he could
no longer endure the obsequious bows with which his landlord, Baron
Pronay, always greeted him, and resolved to abandon the pretty villa
at Hetzendorf and go to Baden. He may have formed the plan earlier in
-the year--probably had--but the baron’s excessive politeness helped
+the year--probably had--but the baron’s excessive politeness helped
to turn his departure into something like a bolt. He went to Baden on
a house-hunting expedition with Schindler, and returning, sent his
-“swift-sailing frigate” to Schindler with a billet commanding him to
-be up and off at 5 o’clock in the morning “_presto prestissimo_.” He
+“swift-sailing frigate” to Schindler with a billet commanding him to
+be up and off at 5 o’clock in the morning “_presto prestissimo_.” He
knew only one lodging in Baden suited to his requirements--the one
which he had occupied in 1822--but the owner refused to let him have it
again. This owner was a locksmith. To him Schindler was sent. In the
@@ -6331,7 +6294,7 @@ to do this, since he thought it necessary for the sake of his eyes.
The landlord had not divulged the reason for his demand. Beethoven was
in the habit of scrawling all kinds of memoranda on his shutters in
leadpencil--accounts, musical themes, etc. A family from North Germany
-had noticed this in the previous year and on Beethoven’s departure had
+had noticed this in the previous year and on Beethoven’s departure had
bought one of the shutters as a curiosity. The thrifty locksmith had an
eye for business and disposed of the remaining shutters to other summer
visitors.
@@ -6345,7 +6308,7 @@ following remarks from two letters to his nephew dated August 16 and 23:
about, for only to-day did I really begin my service to the muses;
I _must_, though that is not noticeable, for the baths invite me at
least to the enjoyment of beautiful nature, but _nous sommes trop
- pauvre et il faut écrire ou de n’avoir pas de quoi_.
+ pauvre et il faut écrire ou de n’avoir pas de quoi_.
He (Schindler) was with me only a day here to take a lodging,
as you know; slept in Hetzendorf, and as he said, went back to
@@ -6355,10 +6318,10 @@ following remarks from two letters to his nephew dated August 16 and 23:
the truth, for his evil character which is prone to trickery needs
to be handled seriously.
-Beethoven’s unamiable mood, which finds copious expression in abuse of
+Beethoven’s unamiable mood, which finds copious expression in abuse of
Schindler at this juncture, has some explanation (also extenuation, if
that is necessary) in the rage and humiliation with which contemplation
-of his brother’s domestic affairs filled him. Johann was convalescing
+of his brother’s domestic affairs filled him. Johann was convalescing
and wrote a letter to the composer which occasioned the following
outburst under date of August 13:
@@ -6385,7 +6348,7 @@ outburst under date of August 13:
come to rid you of these two _canailles_. This former and present
strumpet who received visits from her fellow no less than three
times while you were ill, and who in addition to everything else
- has your money wholly in her hands. O infamous disgrace! Isn’t
+ has your money wholly in her hands. O infamous disgrace! Isn’t
there a spark of manhood in you?!!!... About coming to you I will
write another time. Ought I so to _degrade_ myself as to associate
with such bad company? Mayhap this can be avoided and we yet pass
@@ -6398,9 +6361,9 @@ outburst under date of August 13:
There were several visitors to Beethoven at Baden in the summer of 1823
who have left accounts of their experiences. One was an Englishman,
-Edward Schulz, who published his story in the “Harmonicon” in January
+Edward Schulz, who published his story in the “Harmonicon” in January
1824. This extremely lively letter was reprinted by Moscheles in
-his translation (or rather, adaptation) of Schindler’s biography
+his translation (or rather, adaptation) of Schindler’s biography
of Beethoven and incorporated in the second German edition, where
Schindler accompanies it with several illuminative glosses which are
less necessary now than they were when the biographer wrote. Schulz
@@ -6409,51 +6372,51 @@ describes it as a _dies faustus_ for him and, as Schindler shrewdly
observes, it must also have been one for Beethoven, since he managed
to hear the conversation of his visitors without the aid of an
ear-trumpet. He talked with great animation, as was his wont when in
-good humor, but, says the English visitor, “one unlucky question, one
+good humor, but, says the English visitor, “one unlucky question, one
ill-judged piece of advice--for instance, concerning the cure of his
-deafness--is quite sufficient to estrange him from you forever.” He
+deafness--is quite sufficient to estrange him from you forever.” He
asked Haslinger about the highest possible note on the trombone, but
was dissatisfied with the answer which he received; introduced his
-nephew and showed his pride in the youth’s attainments by telling his
-guest that he might put to him “a riddle in Greek” if he liked. At
+nephew and showed his pride in the youth’s attainments by telling his
+guest that he might put to him “a riddle in Greek” if he liked. At
dinner during a visit to the Helenenthal he commented on the profusion
-of provisions at dinner, saying: “Why such a variety of dishes? Man is
+of provisions at dinner, saying: “Why such a variety of dishes? Man is
but little above other animals if his chief pleasure is confined to a
-dinner-table.” A few excerpts from the letter will serve to advance the
+dinner-table.” A few excerpts from the letter will serve to advance the
present narrative:
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S TRIBUTE TO HANDEL]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S TRIBUTE TO HANDEL]
In the whole course of our table-talk there was nothing so
interesting as what he said about Handel. I sat close by him
- and heard him assert very distinctly in German, “Handel is the
- greatest composer that ever lived.” I can not describe to you
+ and heard him assert very distinctly in German, “Handel is the
+ greatest composer that ever lived.” I can not describe to you
with what pathos, and I am inclined to say, with what sublimity
- of language, he spoke of the “Messiah” of this immortal genius.
- Every one of us was moved when he said, “I would uncover my head,
- and kneel down at his tomb!” H. and I tried repeatedly to turn the
+ of language, he spoke of the “Messiah” of this immortal genius.
+ Every one of us was moved when he said, “I would uncover my head,
+ and kneel down at his tomb!” H. and I tried repeatedly to turn the
conversation to Mozart, but without effect. I only heard him say,
- “In a monarchy we know who is the first”; which might or might
+ “In a monarchy we know who is the first”; which might or might
not apply to the subject.... He is engaged in writing a new opera
- called “Melusine,” the words by the famous but unfortunate poet
+ called “Melusine,” the words by the famous but unfortunate poet
Grillparzer. He concerns himself but very little about the newest
productions of living composers, insomuch, that when I asked about
- the “Freischütz,” he replied, “I believe _one_ Weber has written
- it”.... He appears uniformly to entertain the most favorable
- opinion of the British nation. “I like,” said he, “the noble
- simplicity of the English manners,” and added other praises. It
+ the “Freischütz,” he replied, “I believe _one_ Weber has written
+ it”.... He appears uniformly to entertain the most favorable
+ opinion of the British nation. “I like,” said he, “the noble
+ simplicity of the English manners,” and added other praises. It
seemed to me as if he had yet some hopes of visiting this country
together with his nephew. I should not forget to mention that I
heard a MS. trio of his for the pianoforte, violin and violoncello,
which I thought very beautiful, and as, I understood, to appear
shortly in London.
-Our author’s statement that he heard a manuscript pianoforte trio at
+Our author’s statement that he heard a manuscript pianoforte trio at
this time piques curiosity. Schindler disposes of the question as to
what it may have been in the manner more characteristic of the present
than the past attitude of German writers towards everything English or
-American. “Who knows what it was that the non-musical gentleman took
-for a trio?” he asks. Evidently Schindler was of the opinion that no
+American. “Who knows what it was that the non-musical gentleman took
+for a trio?” he asks. Evidently Schindler was of the opinion that no
Englishman except, possibly, a professional musician, could count
three or recognize the employment of pianoforte, violin and violoncello
in a piece of music. He is right in scouting the idea that it could
@@ -6463,109 +6426,109 @@ dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano; for though that was not published
at the time, it is not likely that Beethoven would produce it in 1823
as a novelty. There are in existence sketches for a Trio in F minor
made in 1815, but nothing to show that the work was ever written out.
-Had it been in Beethoven’s hands at a time when he was turning over
+Had it been in Beethoven’s hands at a time when he was turning over
the manuscripts of earlier days, it would surely have been offered to
a publisher; so that is out of the way. There is only one other known
-work which invites speculation--the “Adagio, Variations and Rondo,”
+work which invites speculation--the “Adagio, Variations and Rondo,”
for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, which Steiner and Co. gave to
the public in 1824, as Op. 121. The variations are on a melody from
-Wenzel Müller’s opera “Die Schwestern aus Prag” (“Ich bin der Schneider
-Kakadu”). It is at least remotely possible that this was the trio which
+Wenzel Müller’s opera “Die Schwestern aus Prag” (“Ich bin der Schneider
+Kakadu”). It is at least remotely possible that this was the trio which
the English traveller heard, and if so we have in the fact a hint as to
the time of its origin--the only hint yet given.
-[Sidenote: VON WEBER’S VISIT TO BEETHOVEN]
+[Sidenote: VON WEBER’S VISIT TO BEETHOVEN]
A few days after the one just recorded Beethoven received a visit
from a man of much greater moment than the English traveller. The new
-visitor was Carl Maria von Weber. That the composer of “Der Freischütz”
+visitor was Carl Maria von Weber. That the composer of “Der Freischütz”
was unable in his salad days to appreciate the individuality of
-Beethoven’s genius has already been set forth; and the author of the
-letter in the “Harmonicon” seems to have learned that Beethoven was
+Beethoven’s genius has already been set forth; and the author of the
+letter in the “Harmonicon” seems to have learned that Beethoven was
disposed to speak lightly of Weber only a month before he received
-him with most amiable distinction at Baden. Schindler’s explanation,
-that a memory of Weber’s criticism of the Fourth Symphony may at the
-moment have risen, ghost-like, in Beethoven’s mind and prompted the
+him with most amiable distinction at Baden. Schindler’s explanation,
+that a memory of Weber’s criticism of the Fourth Symphony may at the
+moment have risen, ghost-like, in Beethoven’s mind and prompted the
disparaging allusion quoted by Schulz, is far-fetched. It is not
-necessary to account for such moody remarks in Beethoven’s case. He was
+necessary to account for such moody remarks in Beethoven’s case. He was
often unjust in his comments on even his most devoted friends, and we
-may believe that to Schulz he did speak of the composer as “one Weber,”
+may believe that to Schulz he did speak of the composer as “one Weber,”
and at the same time accept the account which Max Maria von Weber gives
of the reception of his father by Beethoven. From the affectionate
biography written by the son, we learn that after the sensational
-success achieved by “Der Freischütz” Beethoven was led to study its
+success achieved by “Der Freischütz” Beethoven was led to study its
score and that he was so astonished at the originality of the music
-that he struck the book with his hand and exclaimed: “I never would
-have thought it of the gentle little man (_sonst weiche Männel_). Now
+that he struck the book with his hand and exclaimed: “I never would
+have thought it of the gentle little man (_sonst weiche M√§nnel_). Now
Weber must write operas; nothing but operas--one after the other and
without polishing them too much. _Casper_, the monster, stands out here
-like a house. Wherever the devil puts in his claws they are felt.” He
-learned to know “Euryanthe” later and was less impressed by it than
+like a house. Wherever the devil puts in his claws they are felt.” He
+learned to know “Euryanthe” later and was less impressed by it than
by its predecessor. After glancing through it hurriedly he remarked:
-“The man has taken too much pains.”[97] Whatever may have been their
+“The man has taken too much pains.”[97] Whatever may have been their
earlier feelings and convictions, however, the representations of
-“Fidelio” at Prague and Dresden under the direction of Weber warmed
-their hearts towards each other. Weber’s filial biographer says that
+“Fidelio” at Prague and Dresden under the direction of Weber warmed
+their hearts towards each other. Weber’s filial biographer says that
when the youthful sin of his father was called to the notice of
Beethoven, the latter showed some resentment, but there is no shadow
of this in the pictures which we have from the pens of Weber himself,
Max Maria von Weber and Julius Benedict, of the meeting between the two
men. Weber had come to Vienna, bringing with him his pupil Benedict,
-to conduct the first performance of “Euryanthe.” On his visit in the
-previous year, when “Der Freischütz” was produced, he had neglected
-to call on Beethoven, but now some kindly words about “Euryanthe”
+to conduct the first performance of “Euryanthe.” On his visit in the
+previous year, when “Der Freischütz” was produced, he had neglected
+to call on Beethoven, but now some kindly words about “Euryanthe”
spoken by Beethoven to Steiner being repeated to him, he made good his
dereliction and, announced by Haslinger, drove out to Baden to pay his
-respects. In his diary Weber noted the visit thus: “The 5th, Sunday
-(October, 1823), at 8 o’clock, drove with Burger (Piringer), Haslinger
+respects. In his diary Weber noted the visit thus: “The 5th, Sunday
+(October, 1823), at 8 o’clock, drove with Burger (Piringer), Haslinger
and Benedict to Baden; abominable weather; Saw spring and baths; to
Duport and _Beethoven_; received by him with great cordiality. Dined
with him, his nephew and Eckschlager at the Sauerhof. Very cheerful.
-Back again at 5 o’clock.” On the next day (though the letter is dated
-“October 5”) Weber wrote an account to his wife as follows:
+Back again at 5 o’clock.” On the next day (though the letter is dated
+“October 5”) Weber wrote an account to his wife as follows:
- I was right tired but had to get up yesterday at 6 o’clock
+ I was right tired but had to get up yesterday at 6 o’clock
because the excursion to Baden had been appointed for half-past 7
- o’clock. This took place with Hasslinger, Piringer and Benedict;
+ o’clock. This took place with Hasslinger, Piringer and Benedict;
but unfortunately the weather was atrocious. The main purpose
was to see Beethoven. He received me with an affection which was
touching; he embraced me most heartily at least six or seven times
- and finally exclaimed enthusiastically: “Indeed, you’re a devil
- of a fellow!--a good fellow!” We spent the afternoon very merrily
+ and finally exclaimed enthusiastically: “Indeed, you’re a devil
+ of a fellow!--a good fellow!” We spent the afternoon very merrily
and contentedly. This rough, repellant man actually paid court to
me, served me at table as if I had been his lady. In short, this
day will always remain remarkable in my memory as well as of those
present. It was uplifting for me to be overwhelmed with such loving
attention by this great genius. How saddening is his deafness!
Everything must be written down for him. We inspected the baths,
- drank the waters, and at 5 o’clock drove back to Vienna.
+ drank the waters, and at 5 o’clock drove back to Vienna.
Max Maria von Weber in his account of the incident says that Beethoven,
-in the conversation which followed his greeting of the “devil of
-a fellow,” railed at the management of the theatre, the concert
+in the conversation which followed his greeting of the “devil of
+a fellow,” railed at the management of the theatre, the concert
impresarios, the public, the Italians, the taste of the people,
and particularly at the ingratitude of his nephew. Weber, who was
deeply moved, advised him to tear himself away from his discouraging
environment and make an artistic tour through Germany, which would show
-him what the world thought of him. “Too late!” exclaimed Beethoven,
+him what the world thought of him. “Too late!” exclaimed Beethoven,
shaking his head and going through the motions of playing the
-pianoforte. “Then go to England, where you are admired,” wrote Weber.
-“Too late!” cried Beethoven, drew Weber’s arm into his and dragged him
+pianoforte. “Then go to England, where you are admired,” wrote Weber.
+“Too late!” cried Beethoven, drew Weber’s arm into his and dragged him
along to the Sauerhof, where they dined. At parting, Beethoven embraced
-and kissed him several times and cried: “Good luck to the new opera; if
-I can I’ll come to the first performance.”
+and kissed him several times and cried: “Good luck to the new opera; if
+I can I’ll come to the first performance.”
-[Sidenote: SIR JULIUS BENEDICT’S RECORD]
+[Sidenote: SIR JULIUS BENEDICT’S RECORD]
A generation later Sir Julius Benedict, who had also put his memory
-of those Vienna days at the service of Weber’s son, wrote down his
+of those Vienna days at the service of Weber’s son, wrote down his
recollections for his work in these words:
I endeavor, as I promised you, to recall the impressions I received
of Beethoven when I first met him in Vienna in October, 1823. He
then lived at Baden; but regularly, once a week, he came to the
city and he never failed to call on his old friends Steiner and
- Haslinger, whose music-store was then in the Paternostergässchen, a
+ Haslinger, whose music-store was then in the Paternosterg√§sschen, a
little street, no longer in existence, between the Graben and the
Kohlmarkt.
@@ -6574,8 +6537,8 @@ recollections for his work in these words:
my attention to a stout, short man with a very red face, small,
piercing eyes, and bushy eyebrows, dressed in a very long overcoat
which reached nearly to his ankles, who entered the shop about 12
- o’clock. Blahetka asked me: “Who do you think that is?” and I at
- once exclaimed: “It must be Beethoven!” because, notwithstanding
+ o’clock. Blahetka asked me: “Who do you think that is?” and I at
+ once exclaimed: “It must be Beethoven!” because, notwithstanding
the high color of his cheeks and his general untidiness, there was
in those small piercing eyes an expression which no painter could
render. It was a feeling of sublimity and melancholy combined. I
@@ -6585,21 +6548,21 @@ recollections for his work in these words:
questions pencilled to him by Messrs. Steiner and Haslinger. I was
not introduced to him on that occasion; but the second time, about
a week after, Mr. Steiner presented me to the great man as a pupil
- of Weber. The other persons present were the old Abbé Stadler and
- Seyfried. Beethoven said to Steiner: “I rejoice to hear that you
+ of Weber. The other persons present were the old Abbé Stadler and
+ Seyfried. Beethoven said to Steiner: “I rejoice to hear that you
publish once more a German work. I have heard much in praise of
- Weber’s opera and hope it will bring both you and him a great deal
- of glory.” Upon this Steiner seized the opportunity to say: “Here
- is a pupil of Weber’s”; when Beethoven most kindly offered me his
- hand, saying: “Pray tell M. de Weber how happy I shall be to see
- him at Baden, as I shall not come to Vienna before next month.” I
- was so confused at having the great man speak to me that I hadn’t
+ Weber’s opera and hope it will bring both you and him a great deal
+ of glory.” Upon this Steiner seized the opportunity to say: “Here
+ is a pupil of Weber’s”; when Beethoven most kindly offered me his
+ hand, saying: “Pray tell M. de Weber how happy I shall be to see
+ him at Baden, as I shall not come to Vienna before next month.” I
+ was so confused at having the great man speak to me that I hadn’t
the courage to ask any questions or continue the conversation with
him.
A few days afterwards I had the pleasure of accompanying Weber
and Haslinger with another friend to Baden, when they allowed me
- the great privilege of going with them to Beethoven’s residence.
+ the great privilege of going with them to Beethoven’s residence.
Nothing could be more cordial than his reception of my master. He
wanted to take us to the Helenenthal and to all the neighborhood;
but the weather was unfavorable, and we were obliged to renounce
@@ -6608,31 +6571,31 @@ recollections for his work in these words:
to their conversation.
In the month of November, when Beethoven came to town and paid
- his daily visit to the Paternostergässchen, I seldom missed the
+ his daily visit to the Paternosterg√§sschen, I seldom missed the
opportunity of being one of the circle of young admirers, eager
to show their reverence to the greatest musical genius as well as
hoping to be honored by his notice. Among those whom I met upon
this errand were Carl Maria von Bocklet, his pupil, Worzischek,
- Léon de St. Louvain, Mayseder, Holz, Böhm, Linke, Schuppanzigh,
+ Léon de St. Louvain, Mayseder, Holz, Böhm, Linke, Schuppanzigh,
Franz Schubert and Kanne.
- On the morning after the first performance of “Euryanthe,” when
- Steiner and Haslinger’s shop was filled with the musical and
+ On the morning after the first performance of “Euryanthe,” when
+ Steiner and Haslinger’s shop was filled with the musical and
literary authorities, Beethoven made his appearance and asked
- Haslinger: “Well, how did the opera go last night?” The reply
- was: “A great triumph.” “_Das freut mich, das freut mich_,” he
- exclaimed, and perceiving me he said: “I should so much have liked
- to go to the theatre, but,” pointing to his ears, “I go no more
- to those places.” Then he asked Gottdank, the régisseur; “How did
+ Haslinger: “Well, how did the opera go last night?” The reply
+ was: “A great triumph.” “_Das freut mich, das freut mich_,” he
+ exclaimed, and perceiving me he said: “I should so much have liked
+ to go to the theatre, but,” pointing to his ears, “I go no more
+ to those places.” Then he asked Gottdank, the régisseur; “How did
little Sontag get on? I take a great interest in her; and how
- is the book--good or bad?” Gottdank answered the first question
+ is the book--good or bad?” Gottdank answered the first question
affirmatively, but as to the other he shrugged his shoulders and
- made a negative sign, to which Beethoven replied: “Always the same
- story; the Germans cannot write a good libretto.” Upon which I took
- his little conversation book and wrote in it: “And ‘Fidelio’?” to
- which he answered: “That is a French and Italian book.” I asked him
- afterwards: “Which do you consider the best librettos?”; he replied
- “‘Wasserträger’ and ‘Vestalin.’”
+ made a negative sign, to which Beethoven replied: “Always the same
+ story; the Germans cannot write a good libretto.” Upon which I took
+ his little conversation book and wrote in it: “And ‘Fidelio’?” to
+ which he answered: “That is a French and Italian book.” I asked him
+ afterwards: “Which do you consider the best librettos?”; he replied
+ “‘Wasserträger’ and ‘Vestalin.’”
Further than this I cannot recall any distinct conversation,
although I often met him, and I had never the good fortune of
@@ -6649,7 +6612,7 @@ recollections for his work in these words:
appreciated I could but share the deep grief of all musical minds.
I may add that I heard the first public performance of one of his
- so-called “posthumous” quartets in his own presence. Schuppanzigh
+ so-called “posthumous” quartets in his own presence. Schuppanzigh
and his companions, who had been his interpreters before, were
scarcely equal to this occasion; as they did not seem to understand
the music themselves, they failed entirely to impart its meaning
@@ -6666,17 +6629,17 @@ in the summer of 1823, but we are told she searched for him in vain,
a fact which shows in what seclusion he must have dwelt some of the
time at least. She was more fortunate when she returned in September
to complete her cure; and when she left Baden she carried with her an
-autographic souvenir--a setting of “The beautiful to the good,” the
-concluding words of Matthison’s “Opferlied” which he had in hand in
+autographic souvenir--a setting of “The beautiful to the good,” the
+concluding words of Matthison’s “Opferlied” which he had in hand in
this year. Towards the close of October Beethoven returned to Vienna.
-We know the date approximately from Benedict’s account, the first
-performance of “Euryanthe” having taken place on October 25. He removed
+We know the date approximately from Benedict’s account, the first
+performance of “Euryanthe” having taken place on October 25. He removed
to new lodgings in the Ungarstrasse, where his nephew remained with him
as long as he continued a student at the university. Here he worked at
the Ninth Symphony, more particularly on the last movement.
The exact chronological order in which works were taken up in 1823
-cannot be recorded here. Matthison’s “Opferlied” was taken up several
+cannot be recorded here. Matthison’s “Opferlied” was taken up several
times--in 1794, then in 1801 and 1802; finally in 1822 and 1823. In its
last stages he extends its dimensions, adds the refrain for chorus and
an orchestral accompaniment.[99] Beethoven had offered it to Peters
@@ -6686,30 +6649,30 @@ violins and bassoon were added later. Why Peters did not publish the
song is not known; the manuscript does not seem to have been returned
to Beethoven. Nottebohm concludes that two or more versions were made
in 1822 and 1823 (possibly as late as 1824), and that the final form
-was that known as Op. 121b. On April 9, 1825 (“Notizen,” p. 161), a
-letter was written to Ries which said: “You will soon receive a second
-copy of the ‘Opferlied,’ which mark as corrected by me so that the one
+was that known as Op. 121b. On April 9, 1825 (“Notizen,” p. 161), a
+letter was written to Ries which said: “You will soon receive a second
+copy of the ‘Opferlied,’ which mark as corrected by me so that the one
which you already have may not be used. Here you have an illustration
of the miserable copyist whom I have, since Schlemmer died. You can
-depend on scarcely a note.” A sketchbook analyzed by Nottebohm,[100]
+depend on scarcely a note.” A sketchbook analyzed by Nottebohm,[100]
which contains sketches made at different times bound up with sketches
for the last quartets made in 1824, shows sketches for a pianoforte
sonata for four hands, the Ninth Symphony, the Mass in C-sharp minor,
-a fugue on B-a-c-h, and the “Bundeslied,” besides the latest form of
-the “Opferlied” but not wholly like the printed edition. The impetus
+a fugue on B-a-c-h, and the “Bundeslied,” besides the latest form of
+the “Opferlied” but not wholly like the printed edition. The impetus
to the C-sharp minor mass came in 1823 and the other sketches in all
likelihood were made in the same year. It is therefore to be concluded
-that he worked on the new “Opferlied” in 1823 and possibly carried it
+that he worked on the new “Opferlied” in 1823 and possibly carried it
over to the early part of 1824. Beethoven owed money to his brother and
-offered the song as Johann’s property, in a letter of November 1824,
+offered the song as Johann’s property, in a letter of November 1824,
to Schott and Sons, who published it in 1825; but he made alterations
-by letter as late as May 7, 1825. Schindler’s statement that the two
-songs “Opferlied” and “Bundeslied” were composed to be sung by the
-tenor Ehlers at a benefit concert in Pressburg, is wrong. Schindler’s
+by letter as late as May 7, 1825. Schindler’s statement that the two
+songs “Opferlied” and “Bundeslied” were composed to be sung by the
+tenor Ehlers at a benefit concert in Pressburg, is wrong. Schindler’s
inexactitude as to dates is shown by his statements that the concert
took place in 1822 and the song published in 1826. The first song was
written in the soprano clef; the second has tenor clef but two solo
-voices; neither was made for Ehlers. As to the “Bundeslied” (words by
+voices; neither was made for Ehlers. As to the “Bundeslied” (words by
Goethe) so far as the history of the song is concerned, the documentary
evidence is found in the sketchbook just mentioned; whether or not it
had its origin at an earlier date has not been ascertained,[101] but
@@ -6727,36 +6690,36 @@ in F major, which, according to the autograph preserved by Artaria,
was composed for the Bohemian _Landwehr_ in 1809 and then designated
as March No. 1. A copy more fully orchestrated than it is in the
printed form was dedicated to Prince Anton in that year.[102] A second
-autograph of later date (also in Artaria’s collection) is entitled
-“Zapfenstreich No. 1.” Here the march had a trio which has not become
+autograph of later date (also in Artaria’s collection) is entitled
+“Zapfenstreich No. 1.” Here the march had a trio which has not become
known. It was then, together with the one that follows, rewritten for
the tournament at Laxenburg held in honor of the birthday of Empress
Maria Ludovica on August 25, 1810, and this version has been printed
-in the Complete Edition of Beethoven’s works.[103] In the earliest
-print by Schlesinger it is number 37 in a collection of “Quick-steps
-for the Prussian Army. For the York Corps”; but Nottebohm says that
+in the Complete Edition of Beethoven’s works.[103] In the earliest
+print by Schlesinger it is number 37 in a collection of “Quick-steps
+for the Prussian Army. For the York Corps”; but Nottebohm says that
the version does not agree with any of the manuscripts mentioned.
Simultaneously with this march another was published which was composed
-in 1810 for Archduke Anton. An autograph at Haslinger’s bears the
-inscription “Zapfenstreich No. 3,” and below it “One step to each
-measure.” A copy in the archives of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
-is inscribed “March for H. I. Highness, the Archduke Anton, by Ludwig
-van Beethoven, 1810 on the 3rd of the Summermonth” (i. e., June). A
+in 1810 for Archduke Anton. An autograph at Haslinger’s bears the
+inscription “Zapfenstreich No. 3,” and below it “One step to each
+measure.” A copy in the archives of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
+is inscribed “March for H. I. Highness, the Archduke Anton, by Ludwig
+van Beethoven, 1810 on the 3rd of the Summermonth” (i. e., June). A
third form was prepared for the tournament of 1810, and this has been
-published. Artaria had a “Trio No. 3” in F minor, 6-4 time. This is
-followed in the “Gesammt-Ausgabe” by a third in C major with a trio
+published. Artaria had a “Trio No. 3” in F minor, 6-4 time. This is
+followed in the “Gesammt-Ausgabe” by a third in C major with a trio
in F major, which was published from a copy made by Nottebohm. This,
which has been published by Haslinger, Steger, and Liszt and Franke,
-was entitled “Zapfenstreich No. 2.” In Nottebohm’s opinion it belongs
+was entitled “Zapfenstreich No. 2.” In Nottebohm’s opinion it belongs
to the two others and like them had its origin between 1809 and June
1810. These were the three Tattoos which Beethoven sent to Peters,
who, however, did not publish them. The fourth March was the Military
March in D major composed in 1816.[104] It was first published in
-1827, after Beethoven’s death, in an arrangement for pianoforte, by
+1827, after Beethoven’s death, in an arrangement for pianoforte, by
Cappi and Czerny; a four-hand arrangement followed soon after and it
was given to the world in its original shape in the Complete Edition.
-It was composed at the personal request of F. X. Embel, “Magisterial
-Councillor and Lieut.-Colonel of the Civil Artillery,” who probably
+It was composed at the personal request of F. X. Embel, “Magisterial
+Councillor and Lieut.-Colonel of the Civil Artillery,” who probably
preferred his request in 1815, a sketch for it appearing in a book
used in 1815-1816.--The data concerning these old works are given here
because Beethoven brought them out of his portfolio and offered them to
@@ -6770,7 +6733,7 @@ that they were not finished until the middle of 1824. Nottebohm had
subjected them to a minute study which leads him to the conclusion that
the pieces were conceived as a homogeneous series, the numbers being
linked together by key-relationship. On the margin of a sketch for the
-first one Beethoven wrote “Cycle of Trifles” (“Kleinigkeiten”), which
+first one Beethoven wrote “Cycle of Trifles” (“Kleinigkeiten”), which
fact, their separation from each other (all but the first two) by the
uniform distance of a major third, taken in connection with their unity
of style, establishes a cyclical bond. When he offered them to Schott
@@ -6780,26 +6743,26 @@ had been pledged to his brother, in whose interest he offered them to
Schott. They were published by that firm, probably in the early part of
1825.
-In 1828 Diabelli and Co. published a “Rondo a Capriccio” in G which
-had been purchased at the auction sale of Beethoven’s effects after
-his death. It bore on its title-page the inscription: “Die Wuth über
-den Verlornen Groschen, ausgetobt in einer Caprice” (“Rage at the
-loss of a groat stormed out in a Caprice”). Nothing is known of its
+In 1828 Diabelli and Co. published a “Rondo a Capriccio” in G which
+had been purchased at the auction sale of Beethoven’s effects after
+his death. It bore on its title-page the inscription: “Die Wuth über
+den Verlornen Groschen, ausgetobt in einer Caprice” (“Rage at the
+loss of a groat stormed out in a Caprice”). Nothing is known of its
origin. In the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Czerny
-noted it as belonging to Beethoven’s youthful period; which may be
+noted it as belonging to Beethoven’s youthful period; which may be
true of its theme, but can not be of its treatment. Among the sketches
and drafts for the Bagatelles is a sketch for an arch and mischievous
piece evidently intended for strings,[105] and a two-part canon on the
-words “Te solo adoro” from Metastasio’s “Betulia liberata,” which, as
+words “Te solo adoro” from Metastasio’s “Betulia liberata,” which, as
transcribed by Nottebohm, has been printed in the Complete Edition.
FOOTNOTES:
[68] In a Conversation Book of 1820 we read this remark by Beethoven:
-“What I think of confession may be deduced from the fact that I myself
+“What I think of confession may be deduced from the fact that I myself
led Karl to the Abbot of St. Michael for confession. But the abbot
declared that as long as he had to visit his mother, confession would
-be of no avail.”
+be of no avail.”
[69] In Vol. IV of the German edition of this biography, Dr. Deiters
presents a long and extremely interesting descriptive and critical
@@ -6814,50 +6777,50 @@ the editor has sought to bring it back in this English edition.
[70] These pieces, we learn later, were to be an offertory, a graduale
and a _Tantum ergo_.
-[71] Beethoven’s mind reverts to the choral movement of the Ninth
+[71] Beethoven’s mind reverts to the choral movement of the Ninth
Symphony which is occupying him.
[72] Were it not for the very general confusion which still exists
touching musical terms, it might be set down as a bit singular that
neither Beethoven nor Schindler seems to have known that the French
-equivalent of “oratorio” is “oratorio,” and nothing else. The letter,
-however, reads: _elle se prète de même a etre executée en Oratoire_. In
+equivalent of “oratorio” is “oratorio,” and nothing else. The letter,
+however, reads: _elle se prète de même a etre executée en Oratoire_. In
France an _oratoire_ is still an oratory, a room for prayer.
[73] The blanks were filled according to the formula.
-[74] “Papageno” was the name applied to Schindler in his notes when
+[74] “Papageno” was the name applied to Schindler in his notes when
Beethoven wished to enjoin silence on his factotum; the allusion, of
-course, being to the lip-locked bird-catcher in Mozart’s “Magic Flute.”
+course, being to the lip-locked bird-catcher in Mozart’s “Magic Flute.”
-[75] If this note refers to the Mass, Schindler’s date must be a year
+[75] If this note refers to the Mass, Schindler’s date must be a year
too late.
[76] In view of what will have to be said later about the controversy
-which raged for years after Beethoven’s death about the financial
+which raged for years after Beethoven’s death about the financial
dealings between Prince Galitzin and Beethoven, it was thought best to
establish at this time the fact that Galitzin subscribed for the Mass
and paid the fee in the manner which has been set forth.
-[77] The letter is incorrectly dated July 1, by Kalischer. Thayer’s
+[77] The letter is incorrectly dated July 1, by Kalischer. Thayer’s
transcript and also one made by Dr. Kopfermann of the Royal Library at
Berlin for Dr. Deiters give June as the month.
[78] Beethoven had a number of nicknames for Schindler besides
_Papageno_ with its various qualifications. One of these was
_Lumpenkerl_; another _Hauptlumpenkerl_--Ragamuffin and Chief
-Ragamuffin. In this instance Schindler is a “Samothracian ragamuffin”
+Ragamuffin. In this instance Schindler is a “Samothracian ragamuffin”
and Schindler in a gloss tells us that the allusion was to the ancient
ceremonies of Samothrace, Schindler being thus designated as one
-initiated into the mysteries of Beethoven’s affairs and purposes. The
+initiated into the mysteries of Beethoven’s affairs and purposes. The
injunction of silence was understood, of course. Count Brunswick, Count
Lichnowsky and Zmeskall were also initiates. Wocher, to whom Beethoven
-sends his compliments, was Prince Esterhazy’s courier. Beethoven’s
+sends his compliments, was Prince Esterhazy’s courier. Beethoven’s
second thoughts seem frequently to have been bestowed on the trombones.
We have already seen how often this was the case in the alterations in
the Mass in D. An interesting illustration was found by the present
-editor among Thayer’s papers. The biographer owned a sheet of four
-pages containing, in Beethoven’s handwriting, the trombone parts of
+editor among Thayer’s papers. The biographer owned a sheet of four
+pages containing, in Beethoven’s handwriting, the trombone parts of
the Trio in the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony with instructions to the
copyist where they were to be introduced. As the trombones do not take
part in the first and third movements nor in the Scherzo outside of the
@@ -6866,24 +6829,24 @@ if Beethoven had thought of the beautiful effect which they produce in
the Trio after he had decided that they were necessary in the Finale.
[79] In Hetzendorf, while the negotiations with the courts are pending,
-Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes in a Conversation Book: “Can you not
+Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes in a Conversation Book: “Can you not
sell the Mass to publishers next year, so that it may become publicly
-useful?”
+useful?”
-[80] “The Philharmonic Society of London,” by George Hogarth, London,
+[80] “The Philharmonic Society of London,” by George Hogarth, London,
1862, page 31.
[81] _Sic._ Beethoven of course means the Embassy. The Overture was no
-doubt that to “The Consecration of the House,” Op. 124.
+doubt that to “The Consecration of the House,” Op. 124.
-[82] Bauer was in Beethoven’s company a short time before he went to
-England, and the incident of the sending of the score of “Wellington’s
-Victory, or the Battle of Vittoria” came up for conversation between
-them. We read in a Conversation Book, in Bauer’s hand: “I am of the
+[82] Bauer was in Beethoven’s company a short time before he went to
+England, and the incident of the sending of the score of “Wellington’s
+Victory, or the Battle of Vittoria” came up for conversation between
+them. We read in a Conversation Book, in Bauer’s hand: “I am of the
opinion that the King had it performed, but perhaps nobody reminded him
that on that account he ought to answer. I will carry a letter to the
King and direct it in a channel which will insure its delivery, since I
-cannot hand it over in person.” The story of King George’s action, or
+cannot hand it over in person.” The story of King George’s action, or
want of action, has been told in earlier pages of this work. From the
opening phrase of the address to the King it is fair to surmise that it
was to follow an invitation to subscribe for the Mass in D, and from
@@ -6895,45 +6858,45 @@ the Mass was without accompaniment. There being no _a cappella_ setting
of any section of the missal text in the Mass in D, it is likely that
Beethoven here, too, had the three additional pieces in mind. For this
speculation, however, as well as the hypothesis that the settings
-originally contemplated for the “second” mass in C-sharp minor were
+originally contemplated for the “second” mass in C-sharp minor were
transferred to the scheme of the _Missa Solemnis_, the present editor
is alone responsible. In a Conversation Book of 1823 an unidentified
-friend answers several questions about the hymn “Tantum ergo” and its
+friend answers several questions about the hymn “Tantum ergo” and its
introduction in the service.
[84] Schindler bases his statements on alleged testimony of the
-Archduke’s secretary Baumeister, but there is no word of reproval in
+Archduke’s secretary Baumeister, but there is no word of reproval in
any of the letters of the two men which have been found.
-[85] Sporchil’s drama bore the title “The Apotheosis in the Temple of
-Jupiter Ammon.” What it had to do with the new operatic project is not
+[85] Sporchil’s drama bore the title “The Apotheosis in the Temple of
+Jupiter Ammon.” What it had to do with the new operatic project is not
plain to this editor, for it was but a new text to be used to the music
-of “The Ruins of Athens.” Beethoven once described “The Ruins” as “a
-little opera” and his abiding and continued interest in it is disclosed
+of “The Ruins of Athens.” Beethoven once described “The Ruins” as “a
+little opera” and his abiding and continued interest in it is disclosed
by the fact that after he got into touch with Grillparzer he discussed
the possibility of its revival with that poet.
-[86] Grillparzer’s “Werke,” Vol. XVI, p. 228 _et seq._
+[86] Grillparzer’s “Werke,” Vol. XVI, p. 228 _et seq._
[87] Thayer saw Grillparzer on July 4, 1860, and got from him a
confirmation of both incidents here narrated.
[88] The concluding paragraph of the letter betrays his growing
-antipathy towards Schindler: “Afternoons you will find me in the
-coffee-house opposite the ‘Goldene Birne.’ If you want to come, please
+antipathy towards Schindler: “Afternoons you will find me in the
+coffee-house opposite the ‘Goldene Birne.’ If you want to come, please
come alone. This importunate appendix of a Schindler, as you must
have noticed in Hetzendorf, has long been extremely objectionable to
-me--_otium est citium_.”
+me--_otium est citium_.”
[89] Thayer copies the entry found in the Conversation Book, but doubts
-if the handwriting is that of Liszt _fils_. It is as follows: “I have
+if the handwriting is that of Liszt _fils_. It is as follows: “I have
often expressed the wish to Herr von Schindler to make your high
acquaintance and am rejoiced to be able now to do so. As I shall give a
concert on Sunday the 13th I most humbly beg you to give me your high
-presence.” The courtly language suggests the thought that the father
+presence.” The courtly language suggests the thought that the father
may have written the words for the boy.
-[90] “Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner,” p. 199.
+[90] “Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner,” p. 199.
[91] In view of the fact that Beethoven would not have been able to
hear a note of the music had he been present and that, unless deeply
@@ -6941,18 +6904,18 @@ moved, he would not have made a public exhibition of his feelings,
and that even Schindler does not seem to have heard of the story of
the kiss, it is very likely, in the opinion of the present editor,
that the whole story is a canard invented for advertising purposes.
-Thayer’s note on the copy which he made of the conversation at the
-time of the presentation of the lad is: “B. does not appear to have
-attended the concert, as some one reports to him that he ‘improvised on
-a Hungarian-German theme.’” But there are several versions of the story
-(see Frimmel, “Bausteine, etc.,” p 91) and Beethoven may at another
+Thayer’s note on the copy which he made of the conversation at the
+time of the presentation of the lad is: “B. does not appear to have
+attended the concert, as some one reports to him that he ‘improvised on
+a Hungarian-German theme.’” But there are several versions of the story
+(see Frimmel, “Bausteine, etc.,” p 91) and Beethoven may at another
time have kissed the boy.
[92] Nohl is mistaken in saying that the canon was written in
-Schloesser’s album. It is printed in the B. and H. “Ges. Ausg.,” Series
+Schloesser’s album. It is printed in the B. and H. “Ges. Ausg.,” Series
XXIII, No. 256.
-[93] A _Schusterfleck_, that is a cobble, or cobbler’s patch, like
+[93] A _Schusterfleck_, that is a cobble, or cobbler’s patch, like
_Vetter Michel_ and _Rosalia_ in the musical terminology of Germany, is
a tune largely made up of repetitions on different degrees of the scale
of a single figure or motive.
@@ -6960,7 +6923,7 @@ of a single figure or motive.
[94] See the conversation, Vol. I, p. 321.
[95] Here are a few extracts from a letter written to Beethoven on July
-3, 1823: “As I have been visiting him (Johann) three to four times a
+3, 1823: “As I have been visiting him (Johann) three to four times a
day ever since he took to his bed, and have entertained him by the
hour, I have had an opportunity carefully to observe these two persons;
hence I can assure you on my honor that, despite your venerable name,
@@ -6969,7 +6932,7 @@ the house of correction.... This illness came opportunely for both of
them, to enable them to go their ways without trammel. These beasts
would have let him rot if others had not taken pity on him. He might
have died a hundred times without the one in the Prater or at Nussdorf
-the other at the baker’s deigning to give him a look.... He often wept
+the other at the baker’s deigning to give him a look.... He often wept
over the conduct of his family and once he gave way completely to his
grief and begged me to let you know how he is being treated so that you
might come and give the two the beating they deserve.... It is most
@@ -6978,31 +6941,31 @@ lying ill, introduces her lover into his room, prinks herself like a
sleigh-horse in his presence and then goes driving with him, leaving
the sick husband languishing at home. She did this very often. Your
brother himself called my attention to it, and is a fool for tolerating
-it so long.”
+it so long.”
-[96] Meaning Johann’s wife and step-daughter. Very incomprehensibly
+[96] Meaning Johann’s wife and step-daughter. Very incomprehensibly
Kalischer thinks the _Lump_ was Schindler!
-[97] Schindler quotes Beethoven as remarking of “Euryanthe” that it was
-“an accumulation of diminished seventh-chords--all little backdoors!”
+[97] Schindler quotes Beethoven as remarking of “Euryanthe” that it was
+“an accumulation of diminished seventh-chords--all little backdoors!”
[98] The Quartet which Benedict heard was that in E-flat major, Op.
127, which had its performance on March 6, 1825, the year in which
Benedict left Vienna with Barbaja. His letter to Thayer, therefore,
carries us far beyond the period now under discussion. The conversation
-about the libretto of “Euryanthe” is said by Max Maria von Weber to
-have taken place at the dinner in Baden; but Benedict’s is the likelier
+about the libretto of “Euryanthe” is said by Max Maria von Weber to
+have taken place at the dinner in Baden; but Benedict’s is the likelier
story.
[99] It was performed for the first time at a concert of the
Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde on April 4, 1824, but it had been
completed a long time before.
-[100] “Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 540 _et seq._
+[100] “Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 540 _et seq._
[101] Czerny wrote in the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde concerning this song, the “Opferlied” and “Der Kuss,”
-“sketched at a very early period.” The note cannot be considered
+Musikfreunde concerning this song, the “Opferlied” and “Der Kuss,”
+“sketched at a very early period.” The note cannot be considered
seriously, as there is nothing to show that he had any information on
the subject.
@@ -7013,23 +6976,23 @@ the subject.
[104] See _ante_.
-[105] Nottebohm’s “Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 208.
+[105] Nottebohm’s “Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 208.
Chapter V
- The Symphony in D Minor--Its Technical History--Schiller’s “Ode to
- Joy”--An Address to Beethoven--The Concerts of 1824--Laborious and
+ The Symphony in D Minor--Its Technical History--Schiller’s “Ode to
+ Joy”--An Address to Beethoven--The Concerts of 1824--Laborious and
Protracted Preparations--Production of the Symphony and Mass in
D--Financial Failure--Negotiations with Publishers Resumed.
The Symphony in D minor, familiarly known the world over as the
-“Ninth,” and also as the “Choral” Symphony in England and America,
+“Ninth,” and also as the “Choral” Symphony in England and America,
was completed in February, 1824. The conclusion of the work upon it,
-Schindler says, had a cheering effect upon Beethoven’s spirits. He
+Schindler says, had a cheering effect upon Beethoven’s spirits. He
no longer grudged himself occasional recreation and was again seen
strolling through the streets of Vienna, gazing into the shop-windows
through eyeglasses which dangled at the end of a black ribbon, and,
@@ -7038,17 +7001,17 @@ passed. The history of the work is far more interesting than that of
any of his compositions, with the possible exception of the Mass in
D. Nottebohm has painstakingly extracted from the sketchbooks all the
evidence which they afford, touching the origin and development of the
-work, and presented it in a chapter of his “Zweite Beethoveniana”;[106]
+work, and presented it in a chapter of his “Zweite Beethoveniana”;[106]
and his conclusions have been adopted in the presentation of facts
which follow.
[Sidenote: GROWTH OF THE CHORAL SYMPHONY]
Thoughts of a symphony to succeed the Symphonies in A and F major (Nos.
-7 and 8), were in the composer’s mind while he was making sketches for
+7 and 8), were in the composer’s mind while he was making sketches for
those two works in 1812; but the memoranda there found tell us only
in what key the new symphony was to be; they are mere verbal notes:
-“2nd Sinfonie, D minor” and “Sinfonie in D minor--3rd Sinfonie.” A
+“2nd Sinfonie, D minor” and “Sinfonie in D minor--3rd Sinfonie.” A
fugue-theme, identical, so far as the first three measures go, with
that of the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony, presented itself to him
and was imprisoned in his note-book in 1815, being recorded among the
@@ -7062,10 +7025,10 @@ By the end of that year and the beginning of 1818 (presumably from
September to May) extended sketches of the movement were made. The
principal subject is definitively fixed, but the subsidiary material
is still missing. The fugue-theme of 1817 is assigned to the third
-movement. There is no suggestion of the use of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,”
+movement. There is no suggestion of the use of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,”
but a plain intimation of an instrumental finale. In 1818 a plan is
outlined for the introduction of voices into the slow movement of a
-symphony which is to follow the “Sinfonie in D.” It is as follows:
+symphony which is to follow the “Sinfonie in D.” It is as follows:
_Adagio Cantique._
@@ -7083,22 +7046,22 @@ It will be recalled that in 1822 Beethoven told Rochlitz that he had
two symphonies in his mind which were to differ from each other. One
difference at least is indicated here by the purpose to use voices in
a movement to be written in the old modes. His well-known love for
-classic subjects, no doubt, prompted the thought of the “pious orgies”
-of a Pagan festival. Schiller’s hymn is still absent from his mind.
+classic subjects, no doubt, prompted the thought of the “pious orgies”
+of a Pagan festival. Schiller’s hymn is still absent from his mind.
These sketches were all sidewise excursions undertaken while Beethoven
was chiefly occupied with the composition of the Pianoforte Sonata, Op.
106. What progress, if any, was made with the Symphony during the next
four years can not well be determined. The work was interrupted by
the composition of other works, notably the Mass in D, the last three
-Pianoforte Sonatas and the overture and chorus for “The Consecration of
-the House.” It was not until the Mass and the Josephstadt Theatre music
+Pianoforte Sonatas and the overture and chorus for “The Consecration of
+the House.” It was not until the Mass and the Josephstadt Theatre music
were finished in the sketches that he gave his attention largely to the
Symphony. In the sketches of 1822, there are evidences of considerable
progress on the first movement, little if any on the Scherzo (designed
to take third place in the scheme of movements), the fugue-themes of
1815 and 1817 appearing in them almost unchanged. There is no hint as
yet of the slow movement, but among the sketches appears the beginning
-of the melody of the “Ode to Joy” with the underlying words, assigned
+of the melody of the “Ode to Joy” with the underlying words, assigned
as a Finale. The thought of using the ode for a concluding movement had
presented itself, but only tentatively, not as a fixed determination.
Following this sketch, but of another date (to judge by the handwriting
@@ -7106,28 +7069,28 @@ and the contents), comes a memorandum indicating that the symphony in
mind was to consist of four movements--the first (no doubt, though it
is not mentioned) being the present first, the second in 2-4 time, the
third (presumably) in 6-8, while the fourth was to be built on the
-fugal theme of 1817 and to be “well fugued.” The next recognizable
+fugal theme of 1817 and to be “well fugued.” The next recognizable
sketch is for a Presto in 2-4 designated as a second movement and this
is followed by the beginning of the first movement preceded by four
-measures in triple time marked “_Alla Autrichien_.” A third sketch is
-marked as belonging to a “_Sinfonie allemand_.” It is a new melody to
-the words beginning Schiller’s ode to be used in a chorus; and again
-the accompanying memorandum reads: “_Sinfonie allemand_,” but now with
-this addition: “either with variations after which the chorus _Freude
-schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium_ enters or without variations.
-End of the Sinfonie with Turkish music and vocal chorus.” It is
+measures in triple time marked “_Alla Autrichien_.” A third sketch is
+marked as belonging to a “_Sinfonie allemand_.” It is a new melody to
+the words beginning Schiller’s ode to be used in a chorus; and again
+the accompanying memorandum reads: “_Sinfonie allemand_,” but now with
+this addition: “either with variations after which the chorus _Freude
+schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium_ enters or without variations.
+End of the Sinfonie with Turkish music and vocal chorus.” It is
possible that the melody had an earlier origin than that which appears
first in the sketches and was eventually used. The last relevant sketch
in the book of 1822 is a sort of thematic index to the symphony as it
-now lay planned in Beethoven’s purpose:
+now lay planned in Beethoven’s purpose:
[Illustration]
The second movement was to be a fugued Scherzo with the theme of 1815,
the fourth the Presto in 2-4 time which first appeared in this year,
-the fifth the “Ode to Joy.” In the midst of these sketches appears
-the significant remark: “Or perhaps instead of a new symphony, a new
-overture on _Bach_, well fugued with 3----.”[109]
+the fifth the “Ode to Joy.” In the midst of these sketches appears
+the significant remark: “Or perhaps instead of a new symphony, a new
+overture on _Bach_, well fugued with 3----.”[109]
[Sidenote: TWO SYMPHONIES IN CONTEMPLATION]
@@ -7143,14 +7106,14 @@ exception of a portion of the first movement, the Ninth Symphony was
still in a chaotic state. Taken in connection with negotiations which
had been concluded with the Philharmonic Society of London, it may be
assumed, however, that the present Symphony in D minor was associated
-in Beethoven’s mind with the English commission, and that the second,
+in Beethoven’s mind with the English commission, and that the second,
which he had thoughts of abandoning in favor of the overture, was to
-have been a “Sinfonie allemand.” For a time, at least, Beethoven is
+have been a “Sinfonie allemand.” For a time, at least, Beethoven is
not likely to have contemplated a choral movement with German words in
connection with the symphony for the London Philharmonic Society: this
was to have an instrumental finale. The linguistic objection would be
invalid in the case of the German symphony, however, and to this was
-now assigned the contemplated setting of Schiller’s poem.
+now assigned the contemplated setting of Schiller’s poem.
Work now proceeded with little interruption (except that occasioned
by the composition of the Variations, Op. 120), and most of the first
@@ -7165,8 +7128,8 @@ the sketches before the third--this was about August; the third before
the fourth--about the middle of October. The second theme of the slow
movement was perfected before the sketches for the first movement were
finished. In a Conversation Book used in the fall of the year 1823
-the nephew writes: “I am glad that you have brought in the beautiful
-andante.” The principal theme of the movement appears to have been
+the nephew writes: “I am glad that you have brought in the beautiful
+andante.” The principal theme of the movement appears to have been
conceived between May and July, 1823, but it had to submit to much
alteration before it acquired the lovely contours which we now admire.
This was the case, too, with the simple folksong-like tune of the
@@ -7175,9 +7138,9 @@ Finale.
[Sidenote: INTRODUCING THE ODE TO JOY]
Sketches for the Finale show that Beethoven had made considerable
-progress with the setting of Schiller’s ode before he decided to
+progress with the setting of Schiller’s ode before he decided to
incorporate it with the Symphony. In June or July, 1823, he wrote down
-a melody in D minor which he designated “_Finale instromentale_,” and
+a melody in D minor which he designated “_Finale instromentale_,” and
which, transposed into another key and slightly altered, was eventually
used in the finale of the Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. That it was
intended for the Finale of the symphony is proved by the fact that it
@@ -7187,18 +7150,18 @@ of the quartet at the time.
When he began work on the Finale, Beethoven took up the choral
part with the instrumental variations first and then attacked the
-instrumental introduction with the recitatives. The present “Joy”
+instrumental introduction with the recitatives. The present “Joy”
melody, as noted in the fall of 1822, was preceded by a different one
conceived later, if the sketches are taken as a guide. After adoption
the tune, especially its second period, underwent many transformations
before its definitive form was established. Among the musical sketches
occur several verbal memoranda containing hints which were carried out
-in part, for instance: “Turkish music in _Wer das nie gekonnt stehle_”;
-in sketches for the _Allegro alla marcia_: “Turkish music--first
+in part, for instance: “Turkish music in _Wer das nie gekonnt stehle_”;
+in sketches for the _Allegro alla marcia_: “Turkish music--first
_pianissimo_--a few sounds _pianissimo_--a few rests--then the full
-strength”; a third: “On _Welt Sternenzelt forte_ trombone blasts”; a
-fourth (in studies for the final chorus): “the height of the voices
-to be more by instruments” (which may be interpreted to mean that
+strength”; a third: “On _Welt Sternenzelt forte_ trombone blasts”; a
+fourth (in studies for the final chorus): “the height of the voices
+to be more by instruments” (which may be interpreted to mean that
Beethoven realized that he was carrying the voices into dangerous
altitudes and intended to give them instrumental support). Other
sketches indicate that Beethoven intended for a considerable time to
@@ -7206,29 +7169,29 @@ write an instrumental introduction with new themes for the Finale. For
this prelude there are a number of sketches of different kinds, some
of them conceived while sketches for the first movement were still in
hand. Before July, 1823, there are no hints of a combined vocal and
-instrumental bridge from the Adagio to the setting of the “Ode to Joy.”
+instrumental bridge from the Adagio to the setting of the “Ode to Joy.”
After that month there are evidences that he had conceived the idea
-of introducing the “Joy” melody played upon wind-instruments with a
+of introducing the “Joy” melody played upon wind-instruments with a
prelude in the recitative style, a reminiscence of the first movement
and premonitory suggestions of the fundamental melody. This was the
first step towards the eventual shape of the finale. The lacking
element was the verbal link which should connect the instrumental
-movements with the choral conclusion. The sketches bear out Schindler’s
-remark: “When he reached the development of the fourth movement there
+movements with the choral conclusion. The sketches bear out Schindler’s
+remark: “When he reached the development of the fourth movement there
began a struggle such as is seldom seen. The object was to find a
-proper manner of introducing Schiller’s ode. One day entering the
-room he exclaimed ‘I have it! I have it!’ With that he showed me the
-sketchbook bearing the words, ‘Let us sing the song of the immortal
-Schiller _Freude_.’”
+proper manner of introducing Schiller’s ode. One day entering the
+room he exclaimed ‘I have it! I have it!’ With that he showed me the
+sketchbook bearing the words, ‘Let us sing the song of the immortal
+Schiller _Freude_.’”
By grouping a number of sketches it is now possible to make a graphic
-representation of the ideas which passed through Beethoven’s mind
+representation of the ideas which passed through Beethoven’s mind
while seeking a way to bridge the chasm between instrumental and vocal
utterance by means of the formula of recitative. The sketches are in
parts illegible, in parts so obscure that Nottebohm and Deiters differ
in their readings; regard has been had for both in the following
version: Over a portion of an instrumental recitative (_a_) occur the
-words: “_Nein diese ... erinnern an unsere Verzweifl._” (No, these ...
+words: “_Nein diese ... erinnern an unsere Verzweifl._” (No, these ...
remind (us) of our despair); other sketches follow in the order here
indicated:
@@ -7255,18 +7218,18 @@ indicated:
ist es was ich fordere
- anderes gefällig
+ anderes gef√§llig
sondern nur etwas heiterer
but only a little merrier
auch dieses nicht ist nur Possen
- or (“besser”)
- etwas schöneres und bessers
+ or (“besser”)
+ etwas schöneres und bessers
nor this either it is but sport
(or no better)
- auch dieses es ist zu zärtl zärtl
+ auch dieses es ist zu z√§rtl z√§rtl
(nor this it is too tender tender)
etwas aufgewecktes[?] muss man suchen
@@ -7281,7 +7244,7 @@ indicated:
Dieses ist es Ha es ist nun gefunden Ich
This it is Ha now it is found I
- selbst werde vorsingen Freude schöner
+ selbst werde vorsingen Freude schöner
myself will intone it
Ha dieses ist es Es ist nun gefunden
@@ -7292,15 +7255,15 @@ indicated:
[Illustration: meilleur]
-Later comes the memorandum which Beethoven showed Schindler (“_I asst
-uns das Lied des unsterblichen Schillers singen, Freude, etc._”) and
+Later comes the memorandum which Beethoven showed Schindler (“_I asst
+uns das Lied des unsterblichen Schillers singen, Freude, etc._”) and
then:
[Illustration:
- _Bass_ nicht diese Töne fröhlichere
+ _Bass_ nicht diese Töne fröhlichere
_Voce_ Freude! Freude
- (“not these tones, more joyful ones”)
+ (“not these tones, more joyful ones”)
]
The entire Symphony was finished in sketch-form at the end of 1823 and
@@ -7319,32 +7282,32 @@ therefore, worked on the Symphony a little more than a year.
Those who cherish the fantastic notion that the Symphony was conceived
_ab initio_ as a celebration of joy, and therefore feel obliged to go
-back to Beethoven’s first design to compose music for Schiller’s ode,
+back to Beethoven’s first design to compose music for Schiller’s ode,
have a large territory for the play of their fancy. Beethoven formed
the plan of setting the ode while still living in Bonn in 1793. It
is heard of again in a sketchbook of 1798, where there is a melodic
-phrase adapted to the words, “Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.” Amongst
+phrase adapted to the words, “Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.” Amongst
sketches for the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies (say in 1811) there
crops up a melody for the beginning of the hymn, and possibly a little
later (1812) a more extended sketch amongst material used in the
Overture, Op. 115, into which he appears at one time to have thought
of introducing portions of it. All these sketches, of course, preceded
-the melody of 1812, conceived for use in a “_Sinfonie allemand_.”
+the melody of 1812, conceived for use in a “_Sinfonie allemand_.”
When Beethoven first took up the ode for setting it was to become a
-“durchkomponirtes Lied,” i. e., each stanza was to have an illustrative
+“durchkomponirtes Lied,” i. e., each stanza was to have an illustrative
setting; when he planned to incorporate it in an overture he proposed
to use only selected portions of the poem, for he accompanies the
-melodic sketch with the note: “Disjointed fragments like Princes
-are beggars, etc., not the whole”; and a little later: “disjointed
-fragments from Schiller’s _Freude_ connected into a whole.”[110]
+melodic sketch with the note: “Disjointed fragments like Princes
+are beggars, etc., not the whole”; and a little later: “disjointed
+fragments from Schiller’s _Freude_ connected into a whole.”[110]
The questions which have been raised by the choral finale are many
and have occupied the minds of musicians, professional and amateur,
ever since the great symphony was first given to the world. In 1852
Carl Czerny told Otto Jahn that Beethoven had thought, after the
performance, of composing a new finale without vocal parts for the
-work. Schindler[111] saw the note in Jahn’s papers and wrote in the
-margin: “That is not true”; but it must be remembered that there was a
+work. Schindler[111] saw the note in Jahn’s papers and wrote in the
+margin: “That is not true”; but it must be remembered that there was a
cessation of the great intimacy between Beethoven and Schindler which
began not long after the Symphony had been produced, and lasted almost
till Beethoven was on his deathbed. Schindler can not have been present
@@ -7354,14 +7317,14 @@ fact (to which Nottebohm directed attention) that Beethoven, if he made
the remark, either did not mean it to be taken seriously or afterwards
changed his mind; for after keeping the manuscript in his hands six
months he sent it to the publisher as we have it. Seyfried, writing
-in “Cäcilia” (Vol. IX, p. 236), faults Beethoven for not having taken
+in “Cäcilia” (Vol. IX, p. 236), faults Beethoven for not having taken
the advice of well-meaning friends and written a new finale as he did
for the Quartet in B-flat, Op. 130. Even if one of the well-meaning
friends was Seyfried himself, the statement has value as evidence that
-Beethoven was not as convinced as Czerny’s story would have it appear
+Beethoven was not as convinced as Czerny’s story would have it appear
that the choral finale was a mistake. Sonnleithner, in a letter to the
-editor of the “Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” in 1864, confirmed
-Jahn’s statement by saying that Czerny had repeatedly related as an
+editor of the “Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” in 1864, confirmed
+Jahn’s statement by saying that Czerny had repeatedly related as an
unimpeachable fact that some time after the first performance of the
Symphony Beethoven, in a circle of his most intimate friends, had
expressed himself positively to the effect that he perceived that he
@@ -7387,28 +7350,28 @@ For the chief facts in the story of the first performance of the D
minor Symphony in Vienna we are largely dependent on Schindler, who
was not only a witness of it but also an active agent. Beethoven was
thoroughly out of sympathy with the musical taste of Vienna, which had
-been diverted from German ideals by the superficial charm of Rossini’s
+been diverted from German ideals by the superficial charm of Rossini’s
melodies. He wanted much to produce his symphony, but despaired of
receiving adequate support or recognition from his home public. His
friends offered him encouragement, but his fear and suspicion that
his music was no longer understood by the Viennese and he no longer
admired, had grown into a deep-rooted conviction. The project of a
concert at which the Mass in D should be performed had been mooted
-months before. One day Sontag visited him and asked, “When are you
-going to give your concert?” We have a record of her speeches only;
-what Beethoven said must be supplied from the reader’s fancy. It is
+months before. One day Sontag visited him and asked, “When are you
+going to give your concert?” We have a record of her speeches only;
+what Beethoven said must be supplied from the reader’s fancy. It is
plain enough that instead of answering the question he expressed a
-doubt as to a successful financial outcome. “You give the concert,”
-said the singer, “and I will guarantee that the house will be full.”
+doubt as to a successful financial outcome. “You give the concert,”
+said the singer, “and I will guarantee that the house will be full.”
Still a moody suspicion, which the lady thinks it her right to rebuke:
-“You have too little confidence in yourself. Has not the homage of the
+“You have too little confidence in yourself. Has not the homage of the
whole world given you a little more pride? Who speaks of opposition?
Will you not learn to believe that everybody is longing to worship
-you again in new works? O obstinacy!” This was in January. Beethoven
-had inquired of Count Brühl in Berlin whether or not a performance of
-the new Mass and Symphony might be given in that city, and Brühl had
+you again in new works? O obstinacy!” This was in January. Beethoven
+had inquired of Count Brühl in Berlin whether or not a performance of
+the new Mass and Symphony might be given in that city, and Brühl had
favored the plan. When news of this fact became known in Vienna, a
-number of Beethoven’s friends addressed him in the following memorial:
+number of Beethoven’s friends addressed him in the following memorial:
[Sidenote: AN ADDRESS TO THE COMPOSER]
@@ -7432,7 +7395,7 @@ number of Beethoven’s friends addressed him in the following memorial:
It is the wish of those of our countrymen who reverence art to
which we desire more especially to give expression; for though
- Beethoven’s name and creations belong to all contemporaneous
+ Beethoven’s name and creations belong to all contemporaneous
humanity and every country which opens a susceptible bosom to art,
it is Austria which is best entitled to claim him as her own. Among
her inhabitants appreciation for the great and immortal works which
@@ -7518,33 +7481,33 @@ number of Beethoven’s friends addressed him in the following memorial:
Vienna, February, 1824.
-This address was signed by thirty of Beethoven’s friends and admirers,
+This address was signed by thirty of Beethoven’s friends and admirers,
among them being Prince Lichnowsky, Count Dietrichstein, Count
-Lichnowsky, Abbé Stadler, Count Palfy, Count Fries, Dr. Sonnleithner,
+Lichnowsky, Abbé Stadler, Count Palfy, Count Fries, Dr. Sonnleithner,
and the publishers Diabelli, Artaria, Leidesdorf and Steiner and Co.
The most active agent in securing signatures was Count Lichnowsky.
-It was published in Bäuerle’s “Theater-Zeitung” and also in Kanne’s
+It was published in Bäuerle’s “Theater-Zeitung” and also in Kanne’s
journal. This publication, and gossip to the effect that he had
prompted both writing and printing, annoyed Beethoven greatly. He gave
vent to his rage in a remark which he himself wrote in a Conversation
-Book: “Now that the thing has taken this turn I can no longer find
+Book: “Now that the thing has taken this turn I can no longer find
joy in it. The atrocity of attributing such an act to me sickens me
with the whole business and I am scarcely able to address even a few
words to men of such intellectual prominence. Not a single critic can
-boast of having received a letter from me. I have never----” there
+boast of having received a letter from me. I have never----” there
his outburst breaks off; he did not finish the sentence in writing.
-Schindler tried to ease his mind! “Your fears are groundless,” he
-wrote; “your honor has not been compromised--let that suffice you;
-nobody will accuse you of having been directly concerned in it.” Court
+Schindler tried to ease his mind! “Your fears are groundless,” he
+wrote; “your honor has not been compromised--let that suffice you;
+nobody will accuse you of having been directly concerned in it.” Court
Secretary von Felsburg and J. N. Bihler, a tutor in the imperial
household, waited upon Beethoven one afternoon to present the address,
and talk over its suggestions. Beethoven said he wanted to read it
when alone. Later Schindler went to him and found him with the letter
in his hand. He was manifestly moved by its expressions and handed it
to Schindler to read while he went to the window and gazed out for
-quite a while. Then he returned to Schindler, said briefly: “It is
-very beautiful!--it rejoices me greatly!” and when Schindler also had
-expressed his delight added: “Let us go out for a walk.” During the
+quite a while. Then he returned to Schindler, said briefly: “It is
+very beautiful!--it rejoices me greatly!” and when Schindler also had
+expressed his delight added: “Let us go out for a walk.” During the
walk he remained sunk in thought.
[Sidenote: A CONSPIRACY OF FRIENDS]
@@ -7552,12 +7515,12 @@ walk he remained sunk in thought.
The object had in view by the designers of the memorial was
accomplished;--Beethoven was lifted out of his despondent mood and
inspired with new determination. By March Schindler had been informed
-that the concert would be given in Vienna. He lauded Beethoven’s
+that the concert would be given in Vienna. He lauded Beethoven’s
decision and begged him not to distress himself with vain imaginings
about the outcome--everything would go gloriously and everybody
would esteem it an honor to participate. Expressions of satisfaction
poured in on the composer from all quarters, and also offers of help.
-Beethoven’s friends gathered together and discussed the details in the
+Beethoven’s friends gathered together and discussed the details in the
liveliest fashion--the time, the place, the programme, the choir and
orchestra, who should sing the solos, the price of seats, the number
of rehearsals. The concert-season was drawing to a close and delay was
@@ -7566,14 +7529,14 @@ of doubtings and suspicions, and there was a too great multiplicity
of counsellors. Schindler was kept extremely busy; Lichnowsky and
Schuppanzigh bestirred themselves mightily; Brother Johann came to
the fore with advice and suggestions, especially about the business
-administration; Nephew Karl, much to Schindler’s dissatisfaction,
+administration; Nephew Karl, much to Schindler’s dissatisfaction,
not only ran errands but volunteered his opinion on many topics. A
page from a Conversation Book will disclose how the consultations
-with Beethoven were carried on--for Beethoven’s consent to every step
+with Beethoven were carried on--for Beethoven’s consent to every step
had to be obtained, which was a pity. In the following excerpt it is
Schuppanzigh who is speaking to the composer, whom he, as was his wont,
-addresses in the third person--as was fitting to the dignity of “Mylord
-Falstaff.”
+addresses in the third person--as was fitting to the dignity of “Mylord
+Falstaff.”
How about the concert? It is getting late--Lent will not last much
longer. He ought to give three movements [the mass is meant, of
@@ -7613,7 +7576,7 @@ not Clement--at least, he asked that if Clement was to be displaced it
be done with as little injury to his feelings as possible. He therefore
suggested that Beethoven write a letter of explanation to Clement,
which he felt sure would solve the difficulty. Meanwhile Schindler had
-begun negotiations with Duport, director of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre.
+begun negotiations with Duport, director of the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre.
Duport was favorably inclined towards the enterprise and also towards
Schuppanzigh; but troublesome questions of another kind were now
precipitated--questions about prices of admission, the solo singers
@@ -7644,12 +7607,12 @@ characteristic fashion:
To Schindler. I request you not to come again until I send for you.
No concert.
-The three friends refused to take umbrage at Beethoven’s rudeness; the
+The three friends refused to take umbrage at Beethoven’s rudeness; the
notes were not accompanied by a silken rope; they gave him time to get
over his wrath and suspicion and then went on with the preparations
for the concert. In the Conversation Book there appears a record of a
consultation which may fairly be set down as that of the meeting at
-which Beethoven’s helpers employed their stratagem.[112] Schindler
+which Beethoven’s helpers employed their stratagem.[112] Schindler
opens a page formally thus:
Protocol of March 2.
@@ -7719,12 +7682,12 @@ The conversation continued (probably the next day):
to an understanding with Palfy. He will make use of the entire
orchestra of the theatre. He is coming to the Ridotto Room to-day,
as he hopes to find you there. The choruses at the theatre are
- also good; Schuppanzigh says that the women’s choir of the society
+ also good; Schuppanzigh says that the women’s choir of the society
is not of the best because they are all young girls; which is
true.--The Baron took the tempo just once again as fast, therefore
your advice was highly important; not until the second time did it
- go well.--Besides, the women’s choir is thoroughly bad. Falstaff
- was also convinced and is now glad that nothing but the men’s choir
+ go well.--Besides, the women’s choir is thoroughly bad. Falstaff
+ was also convinced and is now glad that nothing but the men’s choir
will be needed. The solo voices are much too weak for the room and
too--young.--The soprano singer is sixteen years old at the most.
Palfy is sending you word that he will send you his offer, which
@@ -7746,7 +7709,7 @@ The conversation continued (probably the next day):
shall take the trouble to write him a billet and tell him about
the matter. He will certainly be agreeable.--He [Schuppanzigh] has
become much quieter and more _commode_ since he was in Russia--his
- paunch is already beginning to embarrass him. Böhm will play first
+ paunch is already beginning to embarrass him. Böhm will play first
violin, Piringer will not play at the An-der-Wien, which is all one
to Schuppanzigh.
@@ -7760,13 +7723,13 @@ to Count Palfy, who knew that though you can lead a horse to water
you cannot make him drink. He said that he could command the men to
play under Schuppanzigh, but he did not want to be answerable for the
mischief which would result. Schindler advised Beethoven that if Palfy
-stood by Clement the contract for the Kärnthnerthor Theatre be closed
+stood by Clement the contract for the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre be closed
with Duport. Up to late in April it was as good as settled that the
-concert would be given at the Theater-an-der-Wien, though Beethoven’s
+concert would be given at the Theater-an-der-Wien, though Beethoven’s
fatal indecision left the point uncertain. With negotiations pending
with both theatres the Ridotto Room came up for consideration, and
finally (it would seem as a consequence of advice by the Steiner
-firm), also a fourth _locale_. This was the Landständischer Saal, a
+firm), also a fourth _locale_. This was the Landst√§ndischer Saal, a
small room in which the _Concerts Spirituels_ took place. Lichnowsky,
when he heard that Beethoven was considering such a step, hurried to
him with representations that if the hall were taken there would be
@@ -7781,21 +7744,21 @@ did not seek to hide their displeasure from Beethoven because of his
willingness to take the advice of others (meaning, no doubt, Brother
Johann, Nephew Karl and Steiner), in preference to theirs, but at
length circumstances compelled him to abandon all other plans and
-agree to take the Kärnthnerthor Theatre. He considered the noon hour as
+agree to take the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre. He considered the noon hour as
the time for the concert, but Johann told him that an evening concert
was worth 1500 florins more than one given in the daytime; he clung
-to the Landständischer Saal, but Schindler told him that on the day
+to the Landst√§ndischer Saal, but Schindler told him that on the day
which had been fixed upon there was to be a concert at the Ridotto
Room in which Sontag, Unger and the Italian singers would take part.
-“The girls” would therefore be unavailable for his concert and the
+“The girls” would therefore be unavailable for his concert and the
court would, of course, go to the fashionable place and affair. As
late as April 21, it was publicly announced that the concert would
be given in the Theater-an-der-Wien, but at length Beethoven made up
his mind, and Schindler was empowered to close with Duport for the
-Kärnthnerthor Theatre. Palfy yielded to the composer’s wishes, but
+Kärnthnerthor Theatre. Palfy yielded to the composer’s wishes, but
regretfully, saying that he would rather lose 1000 florins than the
honor of having the concert in his house. It would seem as if it was
-the cabal in the orchestra against Schuppanzigh which ended Beethoven’s
+the cabal in the orchestra against Schuppanzigh which ended Beethoven’s
irresolution. Beethoven now decided to take the Court theatre for 400
florins, chorus and orchestra being included as well as the lighting,
with the privilege of a repetition on the same terms in seven or eight
@@ -7817,17 +7780,17 @@ But many details remained to be settled, the most vexatious to
Beethoven being the prices of admission. Beethoven wanted an advance
on the regular tariff. Duport appealed to the Minister of Police, but
permission to raise the prices was refused. In the selection of solo
-singers Therese Grünbaum had been considered, but she was eventually
+singers Therese Grünbaum had been considered, but she was eventually
set aside in favor of Henrietta Sontag, for whom Beethoven had a
personal admiration (he could not know much, if anything, about her
-voice and art). She and Unger, who had a sincere love for Beethoven’s
-music, were the composer’s “pretty witches” and had been invited by
-him to dinner. Jäger had been suggested for the tenor part, but Anton
+voice and art). She and Unger, who had a sincere love for Beethoven’s
+music, were the composer’s “pretty witches” and had been invited by
+him to dinner. J√§ger had been suggested for the tenor part, but Anton
Haitzinger was chosen because, in a spirit of professional courtesy,
-Jäger refused to take a part away from a Kärnthnerthor singer. Forti
+J√§ger refused to take a part away from a K√§rnthnerthor singer. Forti
and Preisinger were rival candidates for the solo bass parts. The
latter was considered the more musical of the two and better fitted
-for Beethoven’s music, and was therefore selected. He took part in
+for Beethoven’s music, and was therefore selected. He took part in
the rehearsals, and for him Beethoven made a change in the music of
the recitative in the Symphony (Schindler gives it in his biography);
but at the last the _tessitura_ of the part was found to be too high
@@ -7842,8 +7805,8 @@ decided to omit the _Gloria_ of the mass, and after the rehearsals
had already begun he curtailed the list still more by eliding the
_Sanctus_. The large amount of copying involved was done by a staff
of men some of whom worked, apparently, under the supervision of the
-widow of Schlemmer, Beethoven’s favorite copyist who had died the year
-before. The composer angrily rejected Haslinger’s suggestion that
+widow of Schlemmer, Beethoven’s favorite copyist who had died the year
+before. The composer angrily rejected Haslinger’s suggestion that
the chorus parts be engraved, but consented to have them duplicated
by lithographic process. The church authorities were opposed to the
performance of missal music in a theatre and the censor therefore
@@ -7862,7 +7825,7 @@ agency of Count Lichnowsky, was the performance sanctioned.
[Sidenote: THE COMPOSER AND HONORARY TITLES]
One further detail of the preparations, as disclosed by a discussion
-in Beethoven’s ministerial cabinet, is too interesting to be omitted.
+in Beethoven’s ministerial cabinet, is too interesting to be omitted.
The time is come when bills must be posted in front of the theatre.
Schindler is the first speaker:
@@ -7884,7 +7847,7 @@ Schindler is the first speaker:
half-past 5.
This was, no doubt, another case in which it was thought judicious to
-get Beethoven’s consent beyond equivocation. There is record of another
+get Beethoven’s consent beyond equivocation. There is record of another
conversation on the subject. Schindler speaks again:
Well then, it shall appear on the bill to-morrow, Member of the
@@ -7895,13 +7858,13 @@ conversation on the subject. Schindler speaks again:
In neither of these consultations, which took place two days before
the concert, is there any indication that Beethoven objected to the
use of the title; on the contrary, he seems to have desired to make
-it more explicit by the inclusion of the words “Arts and Sciences.”
+it more explicit by the inclusion of the words “Arts and Sciences.”
But Schindler relates that when Bernard, in preparing an announcement
-for the public press, added to Beethoven’s name: “Honorary Member of
+for the public press, added to Beethoven’s name: “Honorary Member of
the Academies of Arts and Sciences at Stockholm and Amsterdam and also
-Honorary Citizen of the R. I. Capital and Residential City Vienna,”
-he rebuked the editor severely, not wanting to have such “silly and
-ridiculous playthings” figure in the announcement. As a matter of fact,
+Honorary Citizen of the R. I. Capital and Residential City Vienna,”
+he rebuked the editor severely, not wanting to have such “silly and
+ridiculous playthings” figure in the announcement. As a matter of fact,
all titles were omitted in the affiches of the two concerts, though
Otto Jahn found one for the second meeting in the Fuchs Collection
which contained them. It would seem that after one had been thus
@@ -7911,14 +7874,14 @@ The rehearsals were now in progress. Dirzka was making good headway
with the choruses and was satisfied; Schuppanzigh was holding
rehearsals for the strings in the rehearsal-room of the Ridotto;
the solo singers were studying under the supervision of Beethoven,
-sometimes in his lodgings, Umlauf assisting. Accustomed to Rossini’s
+sometimes in his lodgings, Umlauf assisting. Accustomed to Rossini’s
music, the principal singers found it difficult to assimilate the
Beethovenian manner, especially as it is exemplified in the concluding
movement of the symphony. They pleaded with the composer for changes
which would lighten their labors, but he was adamant. Unger called
-him a “tyrant over all the vocal organs” to his face, but when he
+him a “tyrant over all the vocal organs” to his face, but when he
still refused to grant her petitions she turned to Sontag and said:
-“Well, then we must go on torturing ourselves in the name of God!” The
+“Well, then we must go on torturing ourselves in the name of God!” The
choirmaster requested that the passage in the fugue of the _Credo_
where the sopranos enter on B-flat _in alt_ be altered, because none
of the singers could reach the note; but though Umlauf reinforced that
@@ -7932,8 +7895,8 @@ each movement he could not hear the music except with his mental ear.
The obvious thing happened;--the singers who could not reach the high
tones simply omitted them. Duport had allowed two full rehearsals.
There was to have been a third, but it was prevented by a rehearsal for
-a ballet. At the final meeting on May 6, Beethoven was “dissolved in
-devotion and emotion” at the performance of the _Kyrie_, and after the
+a ballet. At the final meeting on May 6, Beethoven was “dissolved in
+devotion and emotion” at the performance of the _Kyrie_, and after the
Symphony stationed himself at the door and embraced all the amateurs
who had taken part.[113] The official announcement of the concert read
as follows:
@@ -7944,7 +7907,7 @@ as follows:
MR. L. VAN BEETHOVEN
which will take place
To-morrow, May 7, 1824
- in the R. I. Court Theatre beside the Kärnthnerthor.
+ in the R. I. Court Theatre beside the K√§rnthnerthor.
The musical pieces to be performed are the latest works of Mr.
Ludwig van Beethoven.
@@ -7954,7 +7917,7 @@ as follows:
Second: Three Grand Hymns with Solo and Chorus Voices.
Third: A Grand Symphony with Solo and Chorus Voices entering in the
- finale on Schiller’s Ode to Joy.
+ finale on Schiller’s Ode to Joy.
The solos will be performed by the Demoiselles Sonntag and Unger
and the Messrs. Haizinger and Seipelt. Mr. Schuppanzigh has
@@ -7967,27 +7930,27 @@ as follows:
Prices of admission as usual.
- Beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening.
+ Beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening.
[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE]
-The overture was that to “The Consecration of the House.” Duport had
+The overture was that to “The Consecration of the House.” Duport had
a hand in the drafting of the announcement and wanted to include in
it the statement that Beethoven would conduct with Umlauf. Schindler
-in reporting the fact to Beethoven added: “I did not know what to
+in reporting the fact to Beethoven added: “I did not know what to
reply and so it was omitted this time. You _could_ surely conduct the
overture alone. It would put too severe a strain upon your ears and for
-that reason I would not advise you to conduct the whole.”
+that reason I would not advise you to conduct the whole.”
The theatre was crowded in every part except the imperial box; that
was empty. Beethoven had gone in person, accompanied by Schindler, to
invite the Imperial Family, and some of its members promised to attend;
but the Emperor and Empress had left Vienna a few days before and
Archduke Rudolph, who had naturally displayed interest in the affair,
-was in Olmütz. But we hear of several of Beethoven’s present and
+was in Olmütz. But we hear of several of Beethoven’s present and
former friends seated in various parts of the house;--poor, bedridden
Zmeskall was carried to his seat in a sedan chair. Some of the
-foremost musicians of Vienna were in the band--Mayseder, Böhm, Jansa,
+foremost musicians of Vienna were in the band--Mayseder, Böhm, Jansa,
Linke, etc. The performance was far from perfect. There was lack of a
homogeneous power, a paucity of nuance, a poor distribution of lights
and shades. Nevertheless, strange as the music must have sounded to the
@@ -7999,14 +7962,14 @@ it seemed as if a repetition then and there would be insisted upon. To
this Beethoven, no doubt engrossed by the music which he was following
in his mind, was oblivious. Either after the Scherzo or at the end
of the Symphony,[114] while Beethoven was still gazing at his score,
-Fräulein Unger, whose happiness can be imagined, plucked him by the
+Fr√§ulein Unger, whose happiness can be imagined, plucked him by the
sleeve and directed his attention to the clapping hands and waving hats
and handkerchiefs. Then he turned to the audience and bowed.
-After the concert Beethoven’s friends, as was natural, came together to
+After the concert Beethoven’s friends, as was natural, came together to
exchange comments and felicitate him. From Schindler Beethoven received
a report which is preserved in the Conversation Book. It gives us a
-glimpse of his own joy and the composer’s happy pride in having been
+glimpse of his own joy and the composer’s happy pride in having been
more enthusiastically greeted than the court:
Never in my life did I hear such frenetic and yet cordial
@@ -8025,9 +7988,9 @@ more enthusiastically greeted than the court:
it would have happened!--He surely never has been in the Court
Theatre. Well, _Pax tecum_!
-Joseph Hüttenbrenner went with Schindler when he escorted the composer
+Joseph Hüttenbrenner went with Schindler when he escorted the composer
to his lodgings. At this point there appears to be something like a
-flight of the imagination in Schindler’s narrative. Arrived at home
+flight of the imagination in Schindler’s narrative. Arrived at home
Schindler hands Beethoven the box-office report. He takes it, gives
it a glance and falls in a swoon. The two friends raise him from
the floor and carry him to a sofa, where he lies without uttering a
@@ -8039,27 +8002,27 @@ would have found a record of his own words which shows that he came
to Beethoven on the day after the concert and asked him to send his
nephew to meet him in the afternoon at the box-office of the theatre
where the accounts were to be settled. He did not know what the
-receipts were even then, for he remarks to Beethoven, “In Paris and
+receipts were even then, for he remarks to Beethoven, “In Paris and
London the concert would certainly have yielded from 12 to 15 thousand
-florins; here it may be as many hundreds.” And then he goes on: “After
+florins; here it may be as many hundreds.” And then he goes on: “After
yesterday you must now too plainly see that you are trampling upon
your own interests by remaining longer within these walls. In short, I
have no words to express my feelings at the wrong which you are doing
-yourself.... Have you recovered from yesterday’s exertions?”
+yourself.... Have you recovered from yesterday’s exertions?”
[Sidenote: FRIENDS ACCUSED OF DISHONESTY]
-The financial results of the concert fell far short of Beethoven’s
+The financial results of the concert fell far short of Beethoven’s
expectations. The gross receipts were 2200 florins in the depreciated
Vienna money, of which only 420 florins remained after paying the cost
of administration and copying; and against this pitiful sum some petty
expenses were still chargeable. Beethoven was not only disappointed; he
was chagrined and thrown into a fuming ill-humor. He invited Schindler,
-Umlauf and Schuppanzigh to dine with him at the restaurant “Zum wilden
-Mann” in the Prater. The composer came with his nephew; “his brow was
-clouded, his words were cold, peevish, captious,” says Schindler. He
-had ordered an “opulent” meal, but no sooner had the party sat down to
-the table than the “explosion which was imminent” came. In plainest
+Umlauf and Schuppanzigh to dine with him at the restaurant “Zum wilden
+Mann” in the Prater. The composer came with his nephew; “his brow was
+clouded, his words were cold, peevish, captious,” says Schindler. He
+had ordered an “opulent” meal, but no sooner had the party sat down to
+the table than the “explosion which was imminent” came. In plainest
terms he burst out with the charge that the management and Schindler
had cheated him. Umlauf and Schuppanzigh tried to convince him that
that was impossible, as every penny had passed through the hands of the
@@ -8071,15 +8034,15 @@ and Umlauf abruptly left the room. Schuppanzigh remained behind just
long enough to get a few stripes on his broad back and then joined
his companions in misery. Together they finished their meal at a
restaurant in the Leopoldstadt.[115] Schindler, after a disquisition
-on Beethoven’s habit of estranging his friends by insulting them and
+on Beethoven’s habit of estranging his friends by insulting them and
then winning them back by the frankness of his confessions and the
-sincerity of his contrition, says that after the composer’s return
-from Baden in November, he approached him in this winning mood, “and
-the entire occurrence was at once drowned in the waters of Lethe.” But
+sincerity of his contrition, says that after the composer’s return
+from Baden in November, he approached him in this winning mood, “and
+the entire occurrence was at once drowned in the waters of Lethe.” But
Schindler was not only in error as to the time of the incident--he
says it was after the second concert--he also seems to have forgotten
that he received a letter which on its face shows that he had written
-to Beethoven defending himself against the charges made. Beethoven’s
+to Beethoven defending himself against the charges made. Beethoven’s
letter was as follows:
I did not accuse you of any wrongdoing in connection with the
@@ -8090,8 +8053,8 @@ letter was as follows:
things. Moreover there are many times when I would rather try to
repay the services which you perform for me with a little gift than
with a _meal_, for I admit that I am often too greatly disturbed.
- If you do not see a pleasant face you say at once: “Bad weather
- again to-day”; for being commonplace yourself how can you help
+ If you do not see a pleasant face you say at once: “Bad weather
+ again to-day”; for being commonplace yourself how can you help
misunderstanding that which is not commonplace?
In short I love my independence too much. There will be no lack
@@ -8099,7 +8062,7 @@ letter was as follows:
continually, inasmuch as thereby all my affairs are disarranged.
Duport has consented to next Tuesday for the concert. For the
- Landständischen Saal, which I might have had for to-morrow, he
+ Landst√§ndischen Saal, which I might have had for to-morrow, he
again refuses to let me have the singers. He has also again
referred me to the police; therefore please go there with the bill
and learn if there is any objection to the second time. I would
@@ -8124,13 +8087,13 @@ profits should be divided equally between Beethoven and the exchequer
of the theatre. But he wanted a change made in the programme. To this
change, obviously designed as a concession to the popular taste,
Beethoven seems to have given his consent. The concert took place
-on Sunday, May 23rd, at midday--half-past 12 o’clock. Of the missal
+on Sunday, May 23rd, at midday--half-past 12 o’clock. Of the missal
hymns only one, the _Kyrie_, was performed; between the overture and
-it Beethoven’s trio, “Tremate, empj, tremate,” was sung by Madame
+it Beethoven’s trio, “Tremate, empj, tremate,” was sung by Madame
Dardanelli and Signori Donzelli and Botticelli. The original solo
singers sang in the _Kyrie_ and the Symphony, which numbers were
-separated by Rossini’s “Di tanti palpiti” in a transposed key sung by
-the tenor David “almost throughout in a falsetto voice.” Schindler says
+separated by Rossini’s “Di tanti palpiti” in a transposed key sung by
+the tenor David “almost throughout in a falsetto voice.” Schindler says
that Sontag also sang her favorite _aria di bravura_ by Mercadante, but
of this number there is no mention on the _affiche_. The delightful
weather lured the people into the open air, the house was not half full
@@ -8145,7 +8108,7 @@ Haslinger, who had bought but had not published it. Moreover, Haslinger
had been overlooked in the distribution of complimentary tickets.
Beethoven had to apologize to him for the oversight, which he protested
was due to an inadvertence, and also to explain that the announcement
-of the trio as a new work was of Duport’s doing, not his.
+of the trio as a new work was of Duport’s doing, not his.
FOOTNOTES:
@@ -8155,80 +8118,80 @@ FOOTNOTES:
of the Scherzo of the D minor symphony, which may be given for what
they are worth. Czerny says that the theme occurred to Beethoven while
listening to the twittering of sparrows in a garden. Holz told Jahn
-that one evening Beethoven was seated in the forest at Schönbrunn and
+that one evening Beethoven was seated in the forest at Schönbrunn and
in the gloaming fancied he saw all about him a multitude of gnomes
popping in and out of their hiding-places; and this stirred his fancy
to the invention of the theme. Another story has it that it flashed
into his mind with a sudden outbursting glitter of lights after he had
long been seated in the dark.
-[108] “Sinfonie at the beginning only 4 voices, 2 viol. viola, basso,
+[108] “Sinfonie at the beginning only 4 voices, 2 viol. viola, basso,
amongst them forte with other voices and if possible bring in all the
-other instruments one by one and gradually.”
+other instruments one by one and gradually.”
-[109] Nottebohm fills the hiatus with “Trombones? Subjects?”
+[109] Nottebohm fills the hiatus with “Trombones? Subjects?”
-[110] “Abgerissene Sätze wie Fürsten sind Bettler u. s. w.” The phrase
-is probably a record of Beethoven’s imperfect recollection of the line
-“_Bettler_ werden Fürstenbrüder,” which appeared in an early version
-of Schiller’s poem where now we read “_Alle Menschen werden Brüder_.”
+[110] “Abgerissene Sätze wie Fürsten sind Bettler u. s. w.” The phrase
+is probably a record of Beethoven’s imperfect recollection of the line
+“_Bettler_ werden Fürstenbrüder,” which appeared in an early version
+of Schiller’s poem where now we read “_Alle Menschen werden Brüder_.”
The thought lies near that it was the early form of the poem, when
-it was still an “Ode to Freedom” (not “to Joy”), which first aroused
-enthusiastic admiration for it in Beethoven’s mind. In a Conversation
-Book of 1824 Bernard says to Beethoven: “In your text it reads,”
-followed by the observation, “All this is due here to the direction
-of the aristocracy”--which may or may not have connection with a
+it was still an “Ode to Freedom” (not “to Joy”), which first aroused
+enthusiastic admiration for it in Beethoven’s mind. In a Conversation
+Book of 1824 Bernard says to Beethoven: “In your text it reads,”
+followed by the observation, “All this is due here to the direction
+of the aristocracy”--which may or may not have connection with a
conversation in which politics was playing a part.
[111] So Thayer remarks.
[112] For this assumption the present editor is alone responsible.
-Thayer, who says nothing on the subject, corrects Schindler’s date to
+Thayer, who says nothing on the subject, corrects Schindler’s date to
March 20, for no obvious reason.
[113] The statement about the _Kyrie_ was made by Holz to Jahn; that
about the Symphony, by Fuchs.
-[114] The incident is variously related. Schindler and Fräulein Unger
+[114] The incident is variously related. Schindler and Fr√§ulein Unger
(the latter of whom told it to George Grove in London in 1869) say
that it took place at the end of the concert. Thalberg, the pianist,
who was present, says that it was after the Scherzo. A note amongst
-Thayer’s papers reads: “November 23, 1860. I saw Thalberg in Paris.
-He told me as follows: He was present at Beethoven’s concert in the
-Kärnthnerthor Theatre 1824. Beethoven was dressed in black dress-coat,
+Thayer’s papers reads: “November 23, 1860. I saw Thalberg in Paris.
+He told me as follows: He was present at Beethoven’s concert in the
+K√§rnthnerthor Theatre 1824. Beethoven was dressed in black dress-coat,
white neckerchief, and waistcoat, black satin small-clothes, black silk
stockings, shoes with buckles. He saw after the Scherzo of the 9th
symphony, how B. stood turning over the leaves of his score utterly
deaf to the immense applause, and Unger pulled him by the sleeve and
then pointed to the audience when he turned and bowed. Umlauf told the
-choir and orchestra to pay no attention whatever to Beethoven’s beating
-of the time but all to watch him. Conradin Kreutzer was at the P. F.”
-Did Thalberg describe Beethoven’s dress correctly? Evidently not. In
+choir and orchestra to pay no attention whatever to Beethoven’s beating
+of the time but all to watch him. Conradin Kreutzer was at the P. F.”
+Did Thalberg describe Beethoven’s dress correctly? Evidently not. In
a conversation just before the concert Schindler, who is to call for
-Beethoven, tells him to make himself ready. “We will take everything
+Beethoven, tells him to make himself ready. “We will take everything
with us now; also take your green coat, which you can put on when you
conduct. The theatre will be dark and no one will notice it.... O,
great master, you do not own a black frock coat! The green one will
-have to do; in a few days the black one will be ready.”
+have to do; in a few days the black one will be ready.”
-[115] It is more than likely that Beethoven’s “credible” informant was
-his brother Johann. He was jealous of Schindler’s participation in the
-composer’s business affairs and probably took advantage of a favorable
-opportunity to strengthen Beethoven’s chronic suspicion and growing
-distrust of what the composer himself looked upon as Schindler’s
+[115] It is more than likely that Beethoven’s “credible” informant was
+his brother Johann. He was jealous of Schindler’s participation in the
+composer’s business affairs and probably took advantage of a favorable
+opportunity to strengthen Beethoven’s chronic suspicion and growing
+distrust of what the composer himself looked upon as Schindler’s
officiousness. In the Conversation Book used at the meeting after the
-concert, Karl tells his uncle: “Schindler knows from an ear-witness
+concert, Karl tells his uncle: “Schindler knows from an ear-witness
that your brother said in the presence of several persons that he was
only waiting for the concert to be over before driving S. out of the
-house.”
+house.”
Chapter VI
- Incidents and Labors of 1824--Bernard’s Oratorio--Visitors at
- Baden--New Publishers--A Visitor from London--Beethoven’s Opinion
+ Incidents and Labors of 1824--Bernard’s Oratorio--Visitors at
+ Baden--New Publishers--A Visitor from London--Beethoven’s Opinion
of his Predecessors--The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127.
@@ -8236,7 +8199,7 @@ At the end of the chapter preceding the last, which recorded the doings
of the year 1823, Beethoven was left in his lodgings in the Ungargasse,
occupied with work upon the Ninth Symphony, which was approaching
completion, oppressed with anxiety concerning his health and worried
-about his brother’s domestic affairs. As the story of his life is
+about his brother’s domestic affairs. As the story of his life is
resumed with the year 1824, there has been no serious change in his
physical condition, but complaints of ill health are frequent in his
communications with his friends. His eyes continue to trouble him till
@@ -8246,26 +8209,26 @@ from the glare of the light; and when Count Brunswick wants to take him
along with him to Hungary, Schindler advises him to take the trip, as
it might be beneficial for his eyes.
-[Sidenote: KIND INTEREST IN KARL’S MOTHER]
+[Sidenote: KIND INTEREST IN KARL’S MOTHER]
-For a moment we have a glimpse at the gentler side of the composer’s
+For a moment we have a glimpse at the gentler side of the composer’s
nature in a letter which he sends when the year is about a week old
to the widow of his brother, the wicked mother of his adopted son,
-in lieu of the New Year’s call which they had been prevented by work
+in lieu of the New Year’s call which they had been prevented by work
from making. He should have come to wish her happiness for the year,
-he says, had he been able: “but I know that, nevertheless, you expect
+he says, had he been able: “but I know that, nevertheless, you expect
nothing but the best of good wishes for your welfare from me as well
-as Karl.” She had complained of being in need, and he says he would
+as Karl.” She had complained of being in need, and he says he would
gladly have helped her, but had himself too many expenditures, debts
and delayed receipts to prove his willingness at the moment; but he
-would now give it to her “in writing” that thenceforth she might retain
+would now give it to her “in writing” that thenceforth she might retain
the portion of her pension which had been set apart for her son. If,
in the future, he could give her money to better her condition, he
would willingly do so; moreover, he had long before assumed the debt
of 280 florins and 20 kreutzers which she owed Steiner. Manifestly a
truce had been established between the woman and her brother-in-law,
and in the absence of any evidence that she was in any way concerned
-in an escapade of Karl’s later in the year, it would appear that she
+in an escapade of Karl’s later in the year, it would appear that she
never violated it; it was not the woman whom Beethoven hated, but the
youth whom he loved, who brought grief and an almost broken heart into
his last days. Nevertheless, there is more than passive contentment
@@ -8274,7 +8237,7 @@ finds even warmer expression in a letter which he seems to have written
at an earlier date to his friend Bernard. Bernard[116] had been helpful
to Beethoven in drawing up the memorial to the court in the matter of
the guardianship and was among the friends whom Beethoven consulted
-about Karl’s education and bringing up. To him Beethoven writes:
+about Karl’s education and bringing up. To him Beethoven writes:
I beg of you before the day is over to make inquiries about F. v.
B. [Frau van Beethoven] and if it is possible, to have her assured
@@ -8291,7 +8254,7 @@ about Karl’s education and bringing up. To him Beethoven writes:
The nephew was now attending the philological lectures at the
university and living in the winter and spring months with his uncle.
-He had left Blöchlinger’s Institute in August 1823 and matriculated
+He had left Blöchlinger’s Institute in August 1823 and matriculated
at the university. He was active in the service of Beethoven, doing
work as his amanuensis, carrying messages, making purchases, and so
on; in fact, Beethoven seems to have taken up more of his time than
@@ -8304,7 +8267,7 @@ him with great severity. The youth appears in the Conversation Books as
lively, clever and shrewd, and Beethoven, proud of his natural gifts
of mind, was indulgent of his comments on others, permitting him
apparently to speak lightly and discourteously of the men upon whose
-help and counsel he was obliged to depend. The result of Beethoven’s
+help and counsel he was obliged to depend. The result of Beethoven’s
extremes of harsh rebuke and loving admonition, of violent accusation
and tender solicitude, was to encourage him in his innate bent for
disingenuousness and deception, and he continued the course which he
@@ -8316,14 +8279,14 @@ this species of flattery he played upon the weakness of his uncle and
actually obtained an influence over him in the course of time which he
exploited to his own advantage in various directions. He was naturally
inclined to indolence and self-indulgence, and it is not strange that
-Beethoven’s self-sacrifice in his behalf never awakened in him any deep
+Beethoven’s self-sacrifice in his behalf never awakened in him any deep
sense of gratitude, while his unreasonable and ill-considered severity
aroused a spirit of rebellion in him which grew with his advance
towards adolescence. Beethoven never seems to have realized that he had
outgrown the period when he could be treated as a child, and it was a
-child’s submission which he asked of him.
+child’s submission which he asked of him.
-Grillparzer’s opera-book was a frequent subject of conversation between
+Grillparzer’s opera-book was a frequent subject of conversation between
Beethoven and his friends in the early months of 1824, but petitions
and advice were alike unfruitful. He did not go to work upon it nor
yet upon a composition which presented a more urgent obligation. This
@@ -8332,23 +8295,23 @@ der Musikfreunde and on which he had received an advance of money in
1819. Here the fatal procrastination, though it may have been agreeable
to Beethoven, was not altogether his fault. Bernard began the book,
but seems to have put it aside after a few weeks. In April, 1820, he
-tells Beethoven in a Conversation Book, “I must finish the oratorio
-completely this month so that it may be handed to you in Mödling.” In
-August, possibly, somebody writes: “I have put it seriously to _Sanctus
+tells Beethoven in a Conversation Book, “I must finish the oratorio
+completely this month so that it may be handed to you in Mödling.” In
+August, possibly, somebody writes: “I have put it seriously to _Sanctus
Bernardus_ that it is high time that it be done; that Hauschka was
urging a completion. He will finish it this month, _id est_ in 5 days,
-and see you this evening at Camehl’s.... When I told Bernard that
+and see you this evening at Camehl’s.... When I told Bernard that
Hauschka had come to you about it he was embarrassed and--it seems to
me that he is throwing the blame on you. He does not want to show his
-poetical impotency.”
+poetical impotency.”
[Sidenote: GROWING IMPATIENCE ABOUT AN ORATORIO]
For four years after giving the commission, the Gesellschaft der
Musikfreunde waited before it put any signs of impatience on record.
Towards the close of October, 1823, Bernard gave a copy of the text
-of the oratorio, which was entitled “Der Sieg des Kreutzes” (“The
-Victory of the Cross”), to Beethoven and also one to Sonnleithner for
+of the oratorio, which was entitled “Der Sieg des Kreutzes” (“The
+Victory of the Cross”), to Beethoven and also one to Sonnleithner for
the society. After waiting nearly three months, the directorate of the
society at a meeting held on January 9, 1824, took action, the nature
of which was notified to both Beethoven and Bernard. The latter was
@@ -8356,8 +8319,8 @@ informed that as the society had left the choice of the text which
he was to compose to Beethoven, it could not say whether or not the
society would make use of the poem which he had sent until Beethoven
had set it to music, and the censor had given it his sanction. He was
-also asked to coöperate with the society in stimulating Beethoven to
-finish the work “so long expected by the musical world.” Beethoven
+also asked to coöperate with the society in stimulating Beethoven to
+finish the work “so long expected by the musical world.” Beethoven
was told that the choice of a book for the oratorio which the society
had commissioned him to write four years before had been left to him;
that it had been informed that Bernard had undertaken to write it;
@@ -8372,7 +8335,7 @@ that the society could not use the text until it had been set and he
(Beethoven) had repeatedly expressed his intention to write a work
of the kind and confirmed the receipt of earnest money paid at his
request, the society asked him explicitly to say whether or not he
-intended to compose Bernard’s poem, and, if so, when the work might be
+intended to compose Bernard’s poem, and, if so, when the work might be
expected.
Beethoven answered the letter at great length. He said that he had not
@@ -8380,7 +8343,7 @@ asked Bernard to write the text but had been told that the society had
commissioned him to do so; Bernard being the editor of a newspaper it
was impossible for him to consult him often; moreover, consultations
of this character would be long drawn out and personally disagreeable,
-as Bernard had written nothing for music except “Libussa,” which had
+as Bernard had written nothing for music except “Libussa,” which had
not been performed at the time, but which he had known since 1809 and
which had required many alterations; he was compelled to be somewhat
skeptical about the collaboration and have the book before him in its
@@ -8395,7 +8358,7 @@ be made in the book. He would finish his suggestions and consult with
Bernard, for,
though I find the material good and the poem has a value, it cannot
- remain _as it is_. The poet and I wrote “Christus am Ölberg” in
+ remain _as it is_. The poet and I wrote “Christus am Ölberg” in
14 days, but that poet was musical and had written several things
for music and I could consult with him at any moment. Let us leave
out of consideration _the value_ of poems of this sort; we all
@@ -8443,14 +8406,14 @@ never interrupted, though the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde never got
the oratorio nor received back the money advanced on its commission.
The society afterward elected him to honorary membership.
-[Sidenote: CONTRADICTORY ADVICE AS TO BERNARD’S BOOK]
+[Sidenote: CONTRADICTORY ADVICE AS TO BERNARD’S BOOK]
-Beethoven was frequently urged to set to work on the music of “The
-Victory of the Cross”; but he was also advised not to compose it.
+Beethoven was frequently urged to set to work on the music of “The
+Victory of the Cross”; but he was also advised not to compose it.
Archduke Rudolph accepted the dedication of the poem and wrote to
Beethoven telling him of the fact and expressing a wish that he would
-set it to music. But Schikh said to him: “If I were Beethoven I would
-never compose the extremely tiresome text of this oratorio.” Beethoven
+set it to music. But Schikh said to him: “If I were Beethoven I would
+never compose the extremely tiresome text of this oratorio.” Beethoven
had expressed satisfaction with the subject and the quality of the
lines; he discussed changes which he wished to have made with Bernard
after he had had time to consider the work as a whole; he promised
@@ -8460,12 +8423,12 @@ seriously to work upon it, though at the end of the letter to Hauschka
(which bears date September 23, 1824) he reiterated his promise so that
he might, with mock solemnity, attest it by affixing his hand and seal.
-The book of “The Victory of the Cross” was based upon the ancient story
-of the apparition of the cross and the legend “_In hoc signo vinces_”
+The book of “The Victory of the Cross” was based upon the ancient story
+of the apparition of the cross and the legend “_In hoc signo vinces_”
to Constantine the Great. _Constantine_ has crossed the Alps into Italy
and lies encamped confronting his enemy _Maxentius_ before Rome. His
daughter _Julia_, who is represented as wife to _Maxentius_, attempts
-to avert the battle, but the vision strengthens _Constantine’s_
+to avert the battle, but the vision strengthens _Constantine’s_
resolve. _Julia_ hears the angelic canticles which accompany the
apparition and is converted to the true faith, persisting in it to
martyrdom, to which she is condemned by her husband. _Maxentius_ also
@@ -8475,13 +8438,13 @@ figures (_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_) inspire the Christian army.
Pious canticles on the one hand, harsh songs on the other, precede the
battle, the progress of which is related by a solo voice. _Constantine_
promises to raise the cross on the forum in Rome; the victory is won
-and celebrated with Christian hymns, “Hosanna!” and “Glory to God!”
-Beethoven’s copy of the libretto has been preserved, and in it there
+and celebrated with Christian hymns, “Hosanna!” and “Glory to God!”
+Beethoven’s copy of the libretto has been preserved, and in it there
are indications that he made some heroic excisions. He permitted
_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_ to remain, but banished _Hate_ and
_Discord_. It is pretty plain that Beethoven found nothing inspiring in
-the work. Holz told Jahn that he said to him, “How could I get up any
-enthusiasm about it?” Schindler says that Beethoven’s failure to set
+the work. Holz told Jahn that he said to him, “How could I get up any
+enthusiasm about it?” Schindler says that Beethoven’s failure to set
the book caused a rupture of the friendship which existed between him
and Bernard. The directors of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde dropped
the matter, neither importuning Beethoven more nor taking any steps to
@@ -8490,14 +8453,14 @@ recover the money paid on account.
One outcome of the concerts of May was the appearance of a new
portrait of Beethoven. It was a lithographic reproduction of a crayon
drawing made by Stephen Decker and was printed as a supplement to the
-“Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” edited by F. A. Kanne, on June 6,
+“Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” edited by F. A. Kanne, on June 6,
1824. In this and two subsequent numbers of the journal (June 9 and 16)
Kanne reviewed the concerts with discriminating appreciation, ending
-with an enthusiastic encomium of the composer. In 1827 Steinmüller made
-a plate of Decker’s drawing for Artaria. Schindler and Frimmel agree
+with an enthusiastic encomium of the composer. In 1827 Steinmüller made
+a plate of Decker’s drawing for Artaria. Schindler and Frimmel agree
in saying that the well-known portrait by Kriehuber is an imitation of
-Decker’s drawing, which was made, as Kanne’s journal stated, “a few
-days after his great concert in May, 1824.”[117]
+Decker’s drawing, which was made, as Kanne’s journal stated, “a few
+days after his great concert in May, 1824.”[117]
During the preparations for the concerts, thought was also given to
the usual summer sojourn, and various places--Grinzing, Heiligenstadt,
@@ -8506,13 +8469,13 @@ consultation with Beethoven by his friends. His brother had again
offered him a home on his estate and it was expected that Count
Brunswick would come for the concert and take Beethoven back with him
to Hungary. In all of the excursions which were made in the vicinity
-of Schönbrunn in search of a summer home, Schindler accompanied the
+of Schönbrunn in search of a summer home, Schindler accompanied the
composer to see, to advise, to negotiate. The choice fell upon Penzing,
where an apartment was found in the first storey of the house numbered
-43 belonging to a tailor in Vienna named Johann Hörr, who was rejoiced
+43 belonging to a tailor in Vienna named Johann Hörr, who was rejoiced
to have so distinguished a tenant. Beethoven took it for the summer
beginning on May 1, for a rental of 180 florins, C. M. The receipt is
-in existence, with a characteristic memorial of Beethoven’s violent
+in existence, with a characteristic memorial of Beethoven’s violent
and abrupt change of mind concerning men and things. The lodgings were
in all things adapted to his needs and Beethoven, entirely satisfied,
moved into them soon after the second concert. An old couple lived in
@@ -8522,7 +8485,7 @@ the Wien Fluss and people crossing it frequently stopped to gaze
into his rooms. He could have saved himself the annoyance by drawing
the curtains, but instead he flew into a rage, quarrelled with his
landlord, against whom he recorded his anger by scrawling the epithet
-“Schurke” (rogue, wretch, scoundrel, etc.) under his name on the
+“Schurke” (rogue, wretch, scoundrel, etc.) under his name on the
receipt, and removing to Baden (Gutenbrunn). He had been in the house
six weeks; in Baden he staid from about the 1st of August till some
time in November; and thus was again paying rent for three lodgings at
@@ -8540,35 +8503,35 @@ promised to deliver the Mass to Simrock long before, so also he had
contracted to give exclusive possession of the Symphony for eighteen
months to the Philharmonic Society of London, in March, 1823. It was
eleven months after that date that the score was finished and thirteen
-months before it was placed in the hands of the Philharmonic Society’s
+months before it was placed in the hands of the Philharmonic Society’s
agent in Vienna. Hogarth in his history of the Philharmonic Society is
-only technically correct when he says that it was not “received” by the
-society until “after it had been performed at Vienna.” It was handed
-to Ries’s representative on April 26 or 27, 1824; the first concert
+only technically correct when he says that it was not “received” by the
+society until “after it had been performed at Vienna.” It was handed
+to Ries’s representative on April 26 or 27, 1824; the first concert
took place on May 7th. When Beethoven took up the matter of publication
again he ignored Simrock, Peters, Schlesinger and the Vienna publishers
and turned to Schott and Sons of Mayence and H. A. Probst of Leipsic.
-Schott and Sons had sent him their journal “Cäcilia” with the request
+Schott and Sons had sent him their journal “Cäcilia” with the request
that he recommend a correspondent in the Austrian capital, and also
send them some compositions for publication. He answered on March 10,
1824, that he would gladly serve the paper if it were not that he
felt it to be a higher and more natural calling to manifest himself
through his musical compositions; but he had instigated a search for
a fit man to act as Viennese reviewer. Of his compositions he offered
-“a new Grand Mass with solo and chorus and full orchestra” which he
-considered his “greatest work,” and a new Grand Symphony with a finale
-in the style of his Pianoforte Fantasia with chorus “but on a much
-larger scale”; also a new quartet for strings.[118] The fees demanded
+“a new Grand Mass with solo and chorus and full orchestra” which he
+considered his “greatest work,” and a new Grand Symphony with a finale
+in the style of his Pianoforte Fantasia with chorus “but on a much
+larger scale”; also a new quartet for strings.[118] The fees demanded
were 1000 florins C. M. for the Mass, 600 florins for the Symphony and
-50 ducats for the Quartet. “This business only to oblige you.” On the
+50 ducats for the Quartet. “This business only to oblige you.” On the
same day he wrote to H. A. Probst offering the Mass and Symphony at
the same prices but stipulating that the latter should not be published
before July, 1825, though, to recompense the publisher for the delay,
he would let him have the pianoforte arrangement _gratis_. Only a
portion of this letter has been preserved, but the contents of the lost
-fragment can be gathered from Probst’s answer under date March 22, in
+fragment can be gathered from Probst’s answer under date March 22, in
which he promises to deposit at once with Joseph Loydl and Co. 100
-imperial ducats to Beethoven’s account, to be paid over on delivery of
+imperial ducats to Beethoven’s account, to be paid over on delivery of
three songs with pianoforte accompaniment (two of them to have parts
for other instruments, the third to be an arietta), six bagatelles
for pianoforte solo, and a grand overture with pianoforte arrangement
@@ -8576,18 +8539,18 @@ for 2 and 4 hands. What these works were may easily be guessed. After
this business had been arranged to the satisfaction of both parties,
Probst said, he would communicate his decision respecting the Mass.
Beethoven wrote, probably on July 3, explaining his delay on the score
-that the compositions “had just been finished” but were now ready for
-delivery at any moment to Herrn Glöggl, to whom he requested that the
+that the compositions “had just been finished” but were now ready for
+delivery at any moment to Herrn Glöggl, to whom he requested that the
money be sent. On August 9, Probst informed Beethoven that the 100
ducats had already been sent to Loydl and Co., in Vienna. A letter
written by Beethoven on the same day has been lost, but a portion of
-its contents can be deduced from Probst’s reply a week later--August
+its contents can be deduced from Probst’s reply a week later--August
16. The Leipsic publisher admitted that his action in depositing the
money to be delivered in exchange for the manuscripts had been due
to reports which had reached him touching difficulties which another
publisher had had with the composer. In purchasing manuscripts without
examination he was departing from his established rule of action and
-he trusted to the admiration which he felt for the composer’s genius
+he trusted to the admiration which he felt for the composer’s genius
that the latter had set apart works of excellence for him. He would
gladly have published the Symphony, but was deterred by the danger of
piracy which was peculiarly great in Austria. He promised a speedy and
@@ -8606,7 +8569,7 @@ consider any proposition which Beethoven had to make. The two letters,
dated respectively March 24 and April 10, remaining unanswered,
Schott and Sons again wrote on April 19 and still again on April 27;
introducing with the former letter Christian Rummel, Chapelmaster of
-the Duke of Nassau, and asking a contribution to “Cäcilia” in the
+the Duke of Nassau, and asking a contribution to “Cäcilia” in the
latter. In the midst of his preparations for the concert, Beethoven
replied and repeated his offer of the Mass and Symphony, but held the
matter of the Quartet in abeyance. He asked that payment for the other
@@ -8614,7 +8577,7 @@ works be made by bills drawn on a Vienna bank payable 600 florins in
one month, 500 florins in two months and 600 florins in four months.
On July 3 he also conceded the Quartet, which he promised to deliver
inside of six weeks. With this the business was concluded and, as an
-undated letter of Beethoven’s shows, much to his gratification; the
+undated letter of Beethoven’s shows, much to his gratification; the
business methods of Schott and Sons were extremely satisfactory to him.
But the year came to an end, and the Mayence publishers were still
waiting for their manuscripts, while Beethoven was kept busy writing
@@ -8627,7 +8590,7 @@ most certainly to be delivered to Fries and Co. within the current
week; on December 17 it will be another week before the works can be
delivered--the Archduke has but gone and he must look through the copy
of the score several times--and he begs his correspondents not to
-think ill of him, for he had “never done anything wrong,” intimating
+think ill of him, for he had “never done anything wrong,” intimating
that a certain publisher in Vienna was trying to seduce him from the
Mayence firm and to that end was seeking to make them suspicious,
etc.; meanwhile he offers for publication the overture which had been
@@ -8636,12 +8599,12 @@ his brother to whom they belong, the price 130 ducats in gold. These
were the works which Probst had agreed to purchase for 100 ducats and
the money for which had been sent to Vienna. Schott agreed to buy them
for 130 ducats and Beethoven wrote to his brother in Gneixendorf on
-December 24: “I inform you that Mayence will give 130 ducats in gold
+December 24: “I inform you that Mayence will give 130 ducats in gold
for your works: if Herr Probst will not pay as much, give them to
Mayence, who will at once send you a cheque; these are really honest,
-not mean, business men.” Johann promptly put himself in communication
+not mean, business men.” Johann promptly put himself in communication
with Schott and Sons and graciously confirmed the sale of the works at
-130 florins, “out of respect” for his brother.
+130 florins, “out of respect” for his brother.
Peters, who had been informed of the state of affairs concerning the
Mass, evidently sent a complaint, or protest, to Beethoven, for on
@@ -8664,10 +8627,10 @@ he should be completely satisfied. Then follows this rebuke:
happened to me before.[119] As soon as I can I will liquidate my
indebtedness to you, and meanwhile I remain, etc.
-In September of this year the interest of Beethoven’s old friend
+In September of this year the interest of Beethoven’s old friend
Andreas Streicher, whose wife was a visitor at Baden, seems to have
been awakened in a marked degree, and he gave himself to the devising
-of plans to ameliorate the composer’s financial position. He revived
+of plans to ameliorate the composer’s financial position. He revived
the project for a complete edition of the compositions which, as he
outlines it, he thinks might yield a profit of 10,000 florins, good
money; proposes six high-class subscription concerts in the approaching
@@ -8675,7 +8638,7 @@ winter, which, with 600 subscribers, would yield 4,800 florins; finally
he suggests that manuscript copies of the Mass in D with pianoforte
or organ accompaniment be sold to a number of singing societies.
Though this project had in a measure been attempted in the case of
-the Singverein of Berlin and achieved in that of the Cäcilienverein
+the Singverein of Berlin and achieved in that of the C√§cilienverein
of Frankfort, Beethoven seems to have authorized Streicher to make an
effort in the direction proposed, for two copies of a letter evidently
written to be communicated to singing societies or representative
@@ -8683,7 +8646,7 @@ members have been found. In the letter Beethoven suggests that owing to
the cost of copying, etc., the price be 50 ducats--just as much as he
had asked of his royal subscribers for the full orchestral score. None
of the projects came to execution, though the first, which lay close
-to Beethoven’s heart, came up for attention at a later date.
+to Beethoven’s heart, came up for attention at a later date.
[Sidenote: PRAISE FOR ENGLAND AND THE ENGLISH]
@@ -8692,7 +8655,7 @@ a resident of London, was among the visitors at Baden who were admitted
to intimate association with Beethoven. This was another Stumpff, not
the one who came to Vienna in 1818 with a letter from Thomas Broadwood,
and who tuned the new English pianoforte. He was a manufacturer of
-harps and an enthusiastic admirer of Beethoven’s music. Anticipating
+harps and an enthusiastic admirer of Beethoven’s music. Anticipating
a meeting with the composer, he had provided himself with a letter of
introduction to Haslinger, whose help to that end he asked. He had
also gotten a letter from Streicher, whose acquaintance he had made
@@ -8701,94 +8664,94 @@ account of his intercourse with Beethoven at Baden, whither Haslinger
had accompanied him on his first visit.[120] He was received by
Beethoven with extraordinary cordiality. The composer accepted an
invitation to dinner, entertained his host at dinner in return, played
-for him on his Broadwood pianoforte (after Stein, at Stumpff’s request,
+for him on his Broadwood pianoforte (after Stein, at Stumpff’s request,
had restored its ruins), and at parting gave him a print of one of
his portraits and promised to alight at his house if ever he came to
London. Much of his conversation, which Stumpff records, is devoted to
a condemnation of the frivolity and bad musical taste of the Viennese,
-and excessive laudation of everything English. “Beethoven,” Stumpff
-remarks, “had an exaggerated opinion of London and its highly cultured
-inhabitants,” and he quotes Beethoven as saying: “England stands high
+and excessive laudation of everything English. “Beethoven,” Stumpff
+remarks, “had an exaggerated opinion of London and its highly cultured
+inhabitants,” and he quotes Beethoven as saying: “England stands high
in culture. In London everybody knows something and knows it well; but
the man of Vienna can only talk of eating and drinking, and sings and
-pounds away at music of little significance or of his own making.” He
+pounds away at music of little significance or of his own making.” He
spoke a great deal about sending his nephew to London to make a man of
him, asked questions about the cost of living there and, in short, gave
proof that an English visit was filling a large part of his thoughts.
The incidents of the conclusion of the dinner which he gave to Stumpff
-may be told in the latter’s words:
+may be told in the latter’s words:
Beethoven now produced the small bottle. It contained the precious
wine of Tokay with which he filled the two glasses to the brim.
- “Now, my good German-Englishman, to your good health.” We drained
- the glasses, then, extending his hand, “A good journey to you
- and to a meeting again in London.” I beckoned to him to fill
- the glasses again and hurriedly wrote in his notebook: “Now
+ “Now, my good German-Englishman, to your good health.” We drained
+ the glasses, then, extending his hand, “A good journey to you
+ and to a meeting again in London.” I beckoned to him to fill
+ the glasses again and hurriedly wrote in his notebook: “Now
for a pledge to the welfare of the greatest living composer,
- Beethoven.”--I arose from my chair, he followed my example, emptied
- his glass and seizing my hand said: “To-day I am just what I am
- and what I ought to be,--all unbuttoned.” And now he unbosomed
+ Beethoven.”--I arose from my chair, he followed my example, emptied
+ his glass and seizing my hand said: “To-day I am just what I am
+ and what I ought to be,--all unbuttoned.” And now he unbosomed
himself on the subject of music which had been degraded and made a
- plaything of vulgar and impudent passions. “True music,” he said,
- “found little recognition in this age of Rossini and his consorts.”
+ plaything of vulgar and impudent passions. “True music,” he said,
+ “found little recognition in this age of Rossini and his consorts.”
Thereupon I took up the pencil and wrote in very distinct letters:
- “Whom do you consider the greatest composer that ever lived?”
+ “Whom do you consider the greatest composer that ever lived?”
- “Handel,” was his instantaneous reply; “to him I bow the knee,” and
+ “Handel,” was his instantaneous reply; “to him I bow the knee,” and
he bent one knee to the floor.
- “Mozart,” I wrote.
+ “Mozart,” I wrote.
- “Mozart,” he continued, “is good and admirable.”
+ “Mozart,” he continued, “is good and admirable.”
- “Yes,” wrote I, “who was able to glorify even Handel with his
- additional accompaniments to ‘The Messiah’.”
+ “Yes,” wrote I, “who was able to glorify even Handel with his
+ additional accompaniments to ‘The Messiah’.”
- “It would have lived without them,” was his answer.
+ “It would have lived without them,” was his answer.
- I continued writing. “Seb. Bach.”
+ I continued writing. “Seb. Bach.”
- “Why is he dead?”
+ “Why is he dead?”
- I answered immediately “He will return to life again.”
+ I answered immediately “He will return to life again.”
- “Yes, if he is studied, and for that there is now no time.”
+ “Yes, if he is studied, and for that there is now no time.”
- I took the liberty of writing: “As you yourself, a peerless artist
+ I took the liberty of writing: “As you yourself, a peerless artist
in the art of music, exalt the merits of Handel so highly above
- all, you must certainly own the scores of his principal works.”
+ all, you must certainly own the scores of his principal works.”
- “I? How should I, a poor devil, have gotten them? Yes, the scores
- of ‘The Messiah’ and ‘Alexander’s Feast’ went through my hands.”
+ “I? How should I, a poor devil, have gotten them? Yes, the scores
+ of ‘The Messiah’ and ‘Alexander’s Feast’ went through my hands.”
If it is possible for a blind man to help a cripple, and the two
attain an end which would be impossible to either one unaided, why
might not in the present case a similar result be effected by a
- similar coöperation? At that moment I made a secret vow: Beethoven,
+ similar coöperation? At that moment I made a secret vow: Beethoven,
you shall have the works for which your heart is longing if they
are anywhere to be found.
-Stumpff relates that Beethoven’s brother, who came into the room during
+Stumpff relates that Beethoven’s brother, who came into the room during
his visit, seemed glad to greet him and begged him most amiably to call
on him, as he desired to talk with him about a number of things. In
-saying farewell Beethoven accompanied him to the door and said: “That
+saying farewell Beethoven accompanied him to the door and said: “That
is my brother--have nothing to do with him--he is not an honest man.
You will hear me accused of many wrong actions of which he has been
-guilty.” Stumpff returned to London on December 6. He fulfilled his vow
-touching the gift of Handel’s works two years later.
+guilty.” Stumpff returned to London on December 6. He fulfilled his vow
+touching the gift of Handel’s works two years later.
On November 17, 1824, as the autograph attests, Beethoven wrote a
-four-part canon on the words “Schwenke dich ohne Schwänke,” which he
-sent to Schott and Sons for publication in the “Cäcilia,” where it
-appeared in April, 1825. There the title is “Canon on one who was
-called Schwenke.” The person whose name has thus been perpetuated
+four-part canon on the words “Schwenke dich ohne Schwänke,” which he
+sent to Schott and Sons for publication in the “Cäcilia,” where it
+appeared in April, 1825. There the title is “Canon on one who was
+called Schwenke.” The person whose name has thus been perpetuated
was Carl Schwenke, son of Christian Friedrich Gottlieb Schwenke,
Director of Church Music and Cantor at the Johanneum in Hamburg. Of the
acquaintanceship between Beethoven and him, the canon is the only relic.
In the latter part of the summer Beethoven accepted a commission from
-Diabelli for “a Sonata in F for pianoforte, four hands.” The project
+Diabelli for “a Sonata in F for pianoforte, four hands.” The project
seems to have originated with the publisher, who asked for such a
composition and specified the key in a letter dated August 7, 1824.
Beethoven waited a fortnight before replying and then agreed to compose
@@ -8801,7 +8764,7 @@ been found in the sketchbooks.
[Sidenote: The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127]
There is only one other work which calls for attention as having
-largely occupied Beethoven’s mind this year. It is the Quartet for
+largely occupied Beethoven’s mind this year. It is the Quartet for
Strings in E-flat, Op. 127. When Beethoven in January, 1823, accepted
the invitation of Prince Galitzin to write three quartets for him, he
had for some time been contemplating a return to the field which he had
@@ -8810,9 +8773,9 @@ completion of the quartet in F minor, Op. 95, in October, 1810. He had
held out a promise for speedy delivery of a quartet to Peters on June
5, 1822, but Peters declined the work in his next letter. Galitzin sent
the stipulated fee of 50 ducats promptly to his bankers in Vienna, but
-subsequently yielded to Beethoven’s request and permitted the money
+subsequently yielded to Beethoven’s request and permitted the money
to be applied to his subscription for the Mass. On March 10, 1824,
-Beethoven offered “a new quartet” to Schott and Sons for 50 ducats
+Beethoven offered “a new quartet” to Schott and Sons for 50 ducats
and the publishers promptly notified their acceptance of the offer to
him. Neate was informed by a letter dated March 19 that the Quartet
was finished; but, as usual, the word was used in a Pickwickian sense.
@@ -8828,32 +8791,32 @@ and Symphony on January 16, 1825, the Quartet is withheld but promised
in another week, and, after a month has passed, in still another
week. The Quartet is performed for the first time by Schuppanzigh on
March 6, 1825. At last Beethoven writes to Schott and Sons on May 7,
-1825: “You will have received the Quartet by this time--it is the one
-promised to you.” In March, 1826, its publication is announced in the
-“Cäcilia.” The autograph of the first movement is dated “1824” and no
+1825: “You will have received the Quartet by this time--it is the one
+promised to you.” In March, 1826, its publication is announced in the
+“Cäcilia.” The autograph of the first movement is dated “1824” and no
doubt the bulk of the work upon it was done in the latter part of the
year, though it must have existed at least in a fragmentary form in
-Beethoven’s head when he wrote to Neate in March that it was finished.
+Beethoven’s head when he wrote to Neate in March that it was finished.
-At the close of the year Beethoven’s nephew Karl is still pursuing
+At the close of the year Beethoven’s nephew Karl is still pursuing
his philological studies at the university and living with his uncle.
During the summer his holidays are spent in the country with Beethoven,
to whom he is the cause of no little anxiety, especially when towards
the end of the year he repeats his youthful escapade of running away
-from home. Beethoven, thinking of his foster-child’s welfare and
+from home. Beethoven, thinking of his foster-child’s welfare and
apparently made ill at ease by symptoms which made him apprehend that
-he was likely to die suddenly of an apoplectic stroke (“like my good
-grandfather, whom I resemble,” he wrote), sent a letter to Dr. Bach
+he was likely to die suddenly of an apoplectic stroke (“like my good
+grandfather, whom I resemble,” he wrote), sent a letter to Dr. Bach
on August 1, begging him to draw up a formal will and reiterating his
intention to make his nephew inheritor of all his property. He also
-directed: “As it is customary to make a bequest to relatives even if
-they are in no wise related,” that his French pianoforte be given to
-his brother. “As regards Steiner, let him be content with the assurance
+directed: “As it is customary to make a bequest to relatives even if
+they are in no wise related,” that his French pianoforte be given to
+his brother. “As regards Steiner, let him be content with the assurance
that he shall be paid in full by the end of September--for if anything
comes of the Mayence business it will not be before then and the first
600 florins must go to two of the noblest of mankind who, when I was
almost helpless, most kindly and disinterestedly came to my assistance
-with this sum.” No doubt the Brentanos were meant; Steiner had
+with this sum.” No doubt the Brentanos were meant; Steiner had
evidently been dunning him for the old debt.
About the beginning of November, Beethoven returned again to Vienna,
@@ -8862,7 +8825,7 @@ house owned by a family named Kletschka. He did not remain there long,
however, as the other tenants complained of his pianoforte playing
and the disturbance caused by his quarrels with his nephew and the
housekeeper. He received notice to quit and removed, presumably, to
-apartments in the second storey of a house in the Krügerstrasse, now
+apartments in the second storey of a house in the Krügerstrasse, now
known as No. 13.
[Sidenote: AN ENGLISH VISIT AGAIN CONTEMPLATED]
@@ -8871,24 +8834,24 @@ Thoughts of a visit to England had been revived early in the year by
a letter from Neate and, while the plans of the concert were making,
it had been determined, so far as it was possible to do so, that
the visit should be undertaken in the fall and that Schindler should
-accompany him. This is the key to Schindler’s forceful observation
+accompany him. This is the key to Schindler’s forceful observation
after the financial fiasco of the concert. A second letter bearing on
the subject was written by Neate on December 20. Consideration of it
belongs in the next chapter.
FOOTNOTES:
-[116] Beethoven’s letters to Bernard were published by Alexander
-Hajdecki in the February number, 1909, of “Nord und Süd”; Hajdecki
-found the letters in the hands of a niece of one of Bernard’s daughters
+[116] Beethoven’s letters to Bernard were published by Alexander
+Hajdecki in the February number, 1909, of “Nord und Süd”; Hajdecki
+found the letters in the hands of a niece of one of Bernard’s daughters
to whom he had bequeathed them. They are not included in the Kalischer
or Prelinger collections.
[117] Frimmel, however, placing faith in a tradition to that effect,
says that the Decker drawing was made in the fall of 1825 in the
-Schwarzspanier House. The print issued by the “Allgemeine Musikalische
-Zeitung” could not be found by Dr. Deiters; but Thayer, (who spells
-the name of the artist “Daker,”) saw one in the hands of Prof.
+Schwarzspanier House. The print issued by the “Allgemeine Musikalische
+Zeitung” could not be found by Dr. Deiters; but Thayer, (who spells
+the name of the artist “Daker,”) saw one in the hands of Prof.
Spatzenegger, a son-in-law of the artist, in Salzburg.
[118] This could only have been the Quartet in E-flat, which, however,
@@ -8897,15 +8860,15 @@ was far from finished.
[119] Only the Bagatelles, Op. 119, had been published when this was
written.
-[120] Stumpff’s manuscript, which also covered the principal incidents
+[120] Stumpff’s manuscript, which also covered the principal incidents
of a trip through Germany, after his death came into the possession of
his surviving partner, T. Martin, who permitted Thayer to transcribe
all of it relating to Beethoven. Many of his observations parallel
those made by Reichardt, Rochlitz, Schultz and other visitors, and
-their repetition here would add nothing to the story of Beethoven’s
+their repetition here would add nothing to the story of Beethoven’s
life and manners; besides, the account is too long to be inserted in
full. The reader who wishes to read all of it is referred to the German
-edition of Thayer’s biography. Vol. V, page 122 _et seq._
+edition of Thayer’s biography. Vol. V, page 122 _et seq._
@@ -8919,7 +8882,7 @@ Chapter VII
The letter from Neate referred to at the conclusion of the last
chapter brought with it an invitation from the Philharmonic Society of
-London which kept the thought of an English visit alive in Beethoven’s
+London which kept the thought of an English visit alive in Beethoven’s
irresolute mind for a considerable space longer. Neate wrote in an
extremely cordial vein. He had long wished to see Beethoven in England,
he said, where he believed that his genius was appreciated more than
@@ -8928,13 +8891,13 @@ the Philharmonic Society to invite him to come. He made no doubt but
that in a short time he would earn enough money richly to compensate
him for all the inconveniences of the journey. The Philharmonic Society
was disposed to give him 300 guineas for conducting at least one of
-his works at each of the Society’s concerts in the coming season, and
+his works at each of the Society’s concerts in the coming season, and
composing a new symphony which was to be produced during his visit
-but to remain the composer’s property. As an additional pecuniary
+but to remain the composer’s property. As an additional pecuniary
inducement he held out that Beethoven could give a concert of his own
-at which he would make at least £500, besides which there were many
+at which he would make at least £500, besides which there were many
other avenues of profit open to him. If he were to bring along the
-quartets of which he had written, they would yield him £100 more, and
+quartets of which he had written, they would yield him £100 more, and
he might therefore be sure of carrying back a large sum of money,
enough, indeed, to make all the remainder of his life much pleasanter
than the past had been. He told Beethoven that the new Symphony had
@@ -8951,7 +8914,7 @@ expenses of the trip, it being necessary that he buy a carriage for
the journey, and take a companion with him. He would bring a new
quartet. The rumor that there was a copy of the Symphony was not true;
it would, indeed, be published in Germany, but not before the year
-was past during which it was to remain the society’s property.[121]
+was past during which it was to remain the society’s property.[121]
He urged that separate string rehearsals be held and the choruses be
thoroughly studied above all, and directions for the _reprise_ in the
second movement, the marks for which had been forgotten in the copy.
@@ -8960,7 +8923,7 @@ work upon which he did not wish to begin before receiving an answer,
for while he did not write in the hope of gaining a fortune it was
necessary that he have assurance that he would earn a living. To this
letter Neate replied on February 1. He had conveyed the contents of
-Beethoven’s letter to the directors of the Philharmonic Society and had
+Beethoven’s letter to the directors of the Philharmonic Society and had
now regretfully to report that they had declined to make any change
in their offer. He was personally willing to give the advance asked,
but the individual directors were not masters of their conduct in all
@@ -8979,22 +8942,22 @@ reminded him that Neate had assured him he would make enough money to
be free of care for the rest of his life. Johann did not talk of the
financial advantage alone but said that he would benefit physically,
travel being good for the health. Apparently answering an objection of
-Beethoven’s on the score of his age, Karl reminded him that Haydn also
-went to London when he was fifty years old and he was “not so famous.”
-Schuppanzigh bursts out with his brusque third person singular: “I wish
+Beethoven’s on the score of his age, Karl reminded him that Haydn also
+went to London when he was fifty years old and he was “not so famous.”
+Schuppanzigh bursts out with his brusque third person singular: “I wish
he would pluck up enough courage to make the trip; he would not regret
-it.” Who should accompany him? Schindler had been recommended by Neate,
+it.” Who should accompany him? Schindler had been recommended by Neate,
but his name does not occur in these conversations; instead, there
is talk of Schuppanzigh and young Streicher. But as it turned out, no
one was to accompany him, nobody alight with him either at the house
-of Stumpff or the Hotel de la Sablonière in Leicester Square which
+of Stumpff or the Hotel de la Sablonière in Leicester Square which
Neate had recommended as a French house much visited by foreigners. His
doubts, suspicions, fears for his health, anxiety about his nephew,
his fatal indecision, prevailed;--he would make the visit some other
time--perhaps in the fall, as he wrote to Neate. Meanwhile would Neate
aid him in the matter of the quartets? He had finished one and was
at work on a second, which would be completed soon. Then he wrote
-again--on May 25; he was satisfied with the offer of £100 for the three
+again--on May 25; he was satisfied with the offer of £100 for the three
quartets, was Neate agreed to his plan of sending them to a banker
to be delivered on payment of the fee? If so he would send the first
quartet at once and the fee might be paid after he had given notice of
@@ -9002,7 +8965,7 @@ the completion of the other two.
[Sidenote: THE NINTH SYMPHONY AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE]
-The absence of Ries’s name in these negotiations is explained by the
+The absence of Ries’s name in these negotiations is explained by the
fact that he was no longer in London. He had purchased an estate in
Godesberg, near Bonn, and removed thither in 1824. He had invited
Beethoven to be his guest there and it would seem that he was advised
@@ -9012,7 +8975,7 @@ present efforts to dispose of the Ninth Symphony were tentative and
that the period during which the Philharmonic Society was to hold the
work would be scrupulously respected. It had never been sent to Bremen
or to Paris as had been reported. The occasion for this letter was one
-from Ries requesting metronome marks for “Christus am Ölberg,” and for
+from Ries requesting metronome marks for “Christus am Ölberg,” and for
the score of the Ninth Symphony for the approaching Lower Rhenish Music
Festival, which he had been engaged to conduct. These _Niederrheinische
Musikfeste_ had come into existence in 1817. The seventh meeting was
@@ -9025,40 +8988,40 @@ did not favor the production of the Symphony[122] but wrote for the
music nevertheless, and Beethoven sent him the score of the purely
instrumental movements and the parts of the finale. This was about
March 12; a week later, on March 19 (two days, by the way, before the
-first performance in London), he sent the chorusmaster’s score of the
+first performance in London), he sent the chorusmaster’s score of the
finale and suggested that the instrumental score might be written out
and appended. In the earlier letter in which Beethoven had promised
to send the Symphony and in which he enclosed the metronome marks for
-the “Christus am Ölberg,” Beethoven offered to send also the Mass in
-D, an overture which he had written “for the Philharmonic Society,”
+the “Christus am Ölberg,” Beethoven offered to send also the Mass in
+D, an overture which he had written “for the Philharmonic Society,”
and some smaller things for orchestra and chorus, which would enable
the festival managers to give two or three concerts instead of one. He
suggested that 40 Carolines would, perhaps, not be too much as a fee.
Beethoven explained to Ries that he had only one copy of the score of
the Ninth Symphony, and as there was a concert in prospect he could
not send it; so Ries had a score made of the finale for the festival
-performance. Beethoven had also sent the “Opferlied,” the Overture in
+performance. Beethoven had also sent the “Opferlied,” the Overture in
C (Op. 115, of course), the _Kyrie_ and _Gloria_ of the Mass and an
-Italian duet. He was still to send a grand march and chorus (from “The
-Ruins of Athens”), and might add an overture which was as yet unknown
+Italian duet. He was still to send a grand march and chorus (from “The
+Ruins of Athens”), and might add an overture which was as yet unknown
outside of Vienna, but thought he had sent enough. The Symphony and
-“Christus am Ölberg” were performed on the second day of the festival.
+“Christus am Ölberg” were performed on the second day of the festival.
The time was too short for the difficult music thoroughly to be learned
and at the performance portions of the slow movement and Scherzo of
-the Symphony were “regretfully” omitted. There were 422 performers
+the Symphony were “regretfully” omitted. There were 422 performers
in chorus and orchestra, and the popular reception of the music was
enthusiastic enough to enable Ries to report to Beethoven that the
-performance had been a success; and he sent him 40 Louis d’ors as a
+performance had been a success; and he sent him 40 Louis d’ors as a
fee. Ries recognized the symphony as a work without a fellow and told
Beethoven that had he written nothing else it would have made him
-immortal. “Whither will you yet lead us?” he asked. Very naturally,
+immortal. “Whither will you yet lead us?” he asked. Very naturally,
Beethoven had reported the negotiations touching a visit to England
to Ries, who expressed his satisfaction that he had not accepted the
-engagement and added: “If you want to go there you must make thorough
-preparations. Rossini got £2500 from the Opera alone. If Englishmen
+engagement and added: “If you want to go there you must make thorough
+preparations. Rossini got £2500 from the Opera alone. If Englishmen
want to do an extraordinary thing, they must all get together so as to
make it worth while. There will be no lack of applause and marks of
-honor, but you have probably had enough of these all your life.”
+honor, but you have probably had enough of these all your life.”
[Sidenote: A JOKE ON HASLINGER MISCARRIES]
@@ -9066,16 +9029,16 @@ Mass and symphony had been delivered to Fries, the banker, on January
16, to be forwarded to Schott and Sons. Beethoven informed the firm by
letter and took occasion to deny the report that it had been printed
elsewhere. However, he does not seem to be entirely at ease in the
-matter. “Schlesinger is not to be trusted, for he takes where he can;
-both _Père et fils_ bombarded me for the Mass, etc., but I did not
+matter. “Schlesinger is not to be trusted, for he takes where he can;
+both _Père et fils_ bombarded me for the Mass, etc., but I did not
deign to answer either of them, since after thinking them over I had
-cast them out long before.”[123] He asks their attention to his plan
+cast them out long before.”[123] He asks their attention to his plan
for a complete edition of his works, which he would like to prepare and
take a lump sum as an honorarium. He sends two canons for publication
-in the journal “Cäcilia,” and attempted a joke on his friend Haslinger
+in the journal “Cäcilia,” and attempted a joke on his friend Haslinger
which exercised his mind not a little during the next month or two.
This was a skit purporting to be an outline or draft for an article
-on Haslinger’s career. The Schotts, either not understanding the
+on Haslinger’s career. The Schotts, either not understanding the
joke or desiring to injure a rival who had spoken ill of them to
Beethoven, printed the communication together with the two canons as
if they belonged together. Beethoven either felt or affected to feel
@@ -9096,28 +9059,28 @@ should not occur again. Whether or not the communication was ever
printed does not appear; neither does it appear that Beethoven took
the matter so greatly to heart as his letter was calculated to make
the public believe, had it been printed. In August he wrote to his new
-friend Karl Holz: “I hear with amazement that the Mayence street-boys
+friend Karl Holz: “I hear with amazement that the Mayence street-boys
really abused a joke! It is contemptible; I assure you it was not
at all my intention. What I meant was to have Castelli write a poem
on these lines under the name of the musical Tobias, which I would
set to music. But since it has so happened, it must be accepted as a
-dispensation from heaven. It will form a companion-piece to Goethe’s
+dispensation from heaven. It will form a companion-piece to Goethe’s
Bardt _sans comparaison_ with all other authors. But I believe Tobias
has wronged you a little, etc.,--_Voila_ it is better to be revenged
-than to fall into the maw of a monster.[125] I can’t shed tears over it
-but must laugh like--.” To his nephew he wrote: “It was not right for
+than to fall into the maw of a monster.[125] I can’t shed tears over it
+but must laugh like--.” To his nephew he wrote: “It was not right for
Mayence to do a thing like that, but as it is done it will do no harm.
The times demand strong men to castigate these petty, tricky, miserable
-little fellows”; and then, as if repenting him of the sounding phrase,
-he wrote in the margin: “much as my heart rebels against doing a man
+little fellows”; and then, as if repenting him of the sounding phrase,
+he wrote in the margin: “much as my heart rebels against doing a man
harm; besides it was only a joke and I never thought of having it
-printed.” It would seem that Haslinger must have known of the skit
+printed.” It would seem that Haslinger must have known of the skit
before it was sent to Schott, for in a letter of February 5, Beethoven
-suggested to the firm, as a joke, to ask Haslinger for the “romantic
-biography” which Beethoven had written of him, and added: “That is the
+suggested to the firm, as a joke, to ask Haslinger for the “romantic
+biography” which Beethoven had written of him, and added: “That is the
way to handle this fellow, a heartless Viennese, who is the one who
-advised me not to deal with you. _Silentium!_” And he describes Steiner
-as a “rascally fellow and skinflint,” and Haslinger as a “weakling”
+advised me not to deal with you. _Silentium!_” And he describes Steiner
+as a “rascally fellow and skinflint,” and Haslinger as a “weakling”
whom he made useful to himself in some things. Haslinger may have
felt incensed at the publication, but he eventually accepted it in an
amiable spirit and it did not lead to any rupture of friendship between
@@ -9129,16 +9092,16 @@ shape of some extraordinary glosses on a letter from a copyist named
Wolanek, who was in his employ in the spring of the year. Wolanek was a
Bohemian. Beethoven had railed against him whenever sending corrections
to a publisher or apologizing for delays, and it is not difficult to
-imagine what the poor fellow had to endure from the composer’s voluble
+imagine what the poor fellow had to endure from the composer’s voluble
tongue and fecund imagination in the invention and application of
epithets. In delivering some manuscripts by messenger some time before
Easter, Wolanek ventured a defense of his dignity in a letter which,
though couched in polite phrase, was nevertheless decidedly ironical
-and cutting. He said that he was inclined to overlook Beethoven’s
+and cutting. He said that he was inclined to overlook Beethoven’s
conduct towards him with a smile; since there were so many dissonances
in the ideal world of tones, why not also in the world of reality?
For him there was comfort in the reflection that if Beethoven had
-been copyist to “those celebrated artists, Mozart and Haydn,” he
+been copyist to “those celebrated artists, Mozart and Haydn,” he
would have received similar treatment. He requested that he be not
associated with those wretches of copyists who were willing to be
treated as slaves simply for the sake of a livelihood, and concluded
@@ -9150,19 +9113,19 @@ was wholly to blame and realize how contemptible he looked in the eyes
of the composer. The reference to Mozart and Haydn was particularly
galling. Beethoven read the letter and drew lines across its face from
corner to corner. Then in letters two inches long he scrawled over
-the writing the words: “_Dummer, Eingebildeter, Eselhafter Kerl_”
-(“Stupid, Conceited, Asinine Fellow”). That was not enough. There was
+the writing the words: “_Dummer, Eingebildeter, Eselhafter Kerl_”
+(“Stupid, Conceited, Asinine Fellow”). That was not enough. There was
a wide margin at the bottom of the sheet, just large enough to hold
-Beethoven’s next ebullition: “Compliments for such a good-for-nothing,
-who pilfers one’s money?--better to pull his asinine ears!” Then
+Beethoven’s next ebullition: “Compliments for such a good-for-nothing,
+who pilfers one’s money?--better to pull his asinine ears!” Then
he turned the sheet over. A whole page invited him--and he filled
-it, margins and all. “Dirty Scribbler! Stupid Fellow! Correct the
+it, margins and all. “Dirty Scribbler! Stupid Fellow! Correct the
blunders which you have made in your ignorance, insolence, conceit and
stupidity--this would be more to the purpose than to try to teach me,
-which is as if a _Sow_ were to try to give lessons to Minerva!” “Do YOU
-do honor to Mozart and Haidn by never mentioning their names.” “It was
+which is as if a _Sow_ were to try to give lessons to Minerva!” “Do YOU
+do honor to Mozart and Haidn by never mentioning their names.” “It was
decided yesterday and even before then _not to have you write any more_
-for me.”
+for me.”
[Sidenote: FIRST PERFORMANCES OF THE E-FLAT QUARTET]
@@ -9171,36 +9134,36 @@ Schuppanzigh and his companions. Beethoven was greatly concerned about
the outcome and, as if at once to encourage and admonish them, he
drafted a document in which all pledged themselves to do their best
and sent it to them for signature. They obeyed, Linke adding to his
-name the words: “The Grand Master’s accursed violoncello.” and Holz:
-“The last--but only in signing.” The performance took place on March
+name the words: “The Grand Master’s accursed violoncello.” and Holz:
+“The last--but only in signing.” The performance took place on March
6, and the result was disappointing. The music was not understood
either by the players or the public and was all but ineffective.
Schuppanzigh was held responsible and his patience must have been
-severely taxed by Beethoven’s upbraidings and his determination to
+severely taxed by Beethoven’s upbraidings and his determination to
have an immediate repetition by other players. Schuppanzigh defended
himself as vigorously as possible and was particularly vexed because
-Beethoven cited his brother’s opinion of the performance--that of a
+Beethoven cited his brother’s opinion of the performance--that of a
musical ignoramus. He wanted to play the Quartet a second time, but
told Beethoven that he had no objections to the work being handed over
-to Böhm; yet he protested with no little energy, that the fault of the
+to Böhm; yet he protested with no little energy, that the fault of the
fiasco was not his individually, as Beethoven had been told. He could
easily master the technical difficulties, but it was hard to arrive at
the spirit of the work: the _ensemble_ was faulty, because of this fact
and too few rehearsals. Beethoven decided that the next hearing should
-be had from Böhm, and though Schuppanzigh had acquiesced, he harbored
-a grievance against the composer for some time. Böhm had been leader
-of the quartet concerts in Vienna during Schuppanzigh’s long absence.
+be had from Böhm, and though Schuppanzigh had acquiesced, he harbored
+a grievance against the composer for some time. Böhm had been leader
+of the quartet concerts in Vienna during Schuppanzigh’s long absence.
He has left an account of the incident, in which he plainly says that
-Schuppanzigh’s attitude toward the work was not sympathetic and that
+Schuppanzigh’s attitude toward the work was not sympathetic and that
he had wearied of the rehearsals, wherefore at the performance it made
-but a _succès d’estime_. Beethoven sent for him (Böhm) and curtly said:
-“You must play my Quartet”--and the business was settled; objections,
-questionings, doubts were of no avail against Beethoven’s will. The
-Quartet was newly studied under Beethoven’s own eyes, a circumstance
+but a _succès d’estime_. Beethoven sent for him (Böhm) and curtly said:
+“You must play my Quartet”--and the business was settled; objections,
+questionings, doubts were of no avail against Beethoven’s will. The
+Quartet was newly studied under Beethoven’s own eyes, a circumstance
which added to the severity of the rehearsals, for, though he could not
hear a tone, Beethoven watched the players keenly and detected even the
slightest variation in tempo or rhythm from the movement of the bows.
-Böhm tells a story in illustration of this:
+Böhm tells a story in illustration of this:
At the close of the last movement of the quartet there occurred
a _meno vivace_,[126] which seemed to me to weaken the general
@@ -9208,10 +9171,10 @@ Böhm tells a story in illustration of this:
tempo be maintained, which was done, to the betterment of the
effect. Beethoven, crouched in a corner, heard nothing, but watched
with strained attention. After the last stroke of the bows he said,
- laconically “Let it remain so,” went to the desks and crossed out
+ laconically “Let it remain so,” went to the desks and crossed out
the _meno vivace_ in the four parts.
-The Quartet was played twice by Böhm and his fellows at a morning
+The Quartet was played twice by Böhm and his fellows at a morning
concert in a coffee-house in the Prater, late in March or early in
April, and was enthusiastically received. Steiner, who had attended
one or more of the rehearsals, was particularly enraptured by it and
@@ -9220,7 +9183,7 @@ Beethoven did not fail to report to Schott and Sons when he sent the
manuscript to them. Subsequently Mayseder also played it at a private
concert in the house of Dembscher, an official or agent of the war
department of the Austrian Government, and this performance Holz
-described as a _réparation d’honneur_. Beethoven was now completely
+described as a _réparation d’honneur_. Beethoven was now completely
satisfied and, no doubt, went to work on its successor with a contented
mind.
@@ -9230,9 +9193,9 @@ It is now become necessary to pay attention to the new friend of
Beethoven whose name has been mentioned--the successor of Schindler,
as he had been of Oliva, in the office of factotum in ordinary. This
was Karl Holz, a young man (he was born in 1798) who occupied a post
-in the States’ Chancellary of Lower Austria. He had studied music with
-Glöggl in Linz and was so capable a violinist that, on Schuppanzigh’s
-return from Russia in 1823, he became second in the latter’s quartet.
+in the States’ Chancellary of Lower Austria. He had studied music with
+Glöggl in Linz and was so capable a violinist that, on Schuppanzigh’s
+return from Russia in 1823, he became second in the latter’s quartet.
He seems to have come into closer contact with Beethoven early in the
spring of 1825, probably when, having to conduct a performance of the
B-flat Symphony at a concert in the Ridotto Room, he asked an audience
@@ -9242,8 +9205,8 @@ occasionally conducted the _Concerts spirituels_ and eventually became
the regular director of these affairs. Emboldened by the kindness
with which he was first received he gradually drew nearer to the
composer and in August, 1825, an intimate friendship seems imminent,
-as is indicated by Beethoven’s remark in a letter to his nephew: “It
-seems as if Holz might become a friend.” He was good at figures, a
+as is indicated by Beethoven’s remark in a letter to his nephew: “It
+seems as if Holz might become a friend.” He was good at figures, a
quality which made him particularly serviceable to Beethoven (who was
woefully deficient in arithmetic)[127] at a time when he was dealing
with foreign publishers and there was great confusion in money values
@@ -9253,13 +9216,13 @@ person. All these qualities, no less than the fact that he was strong
and independent in his convictions and fearless in his proclamation
of them, recommended him to Beethoven, and he does not seem to have
hesitated to take advantage of the fact that he entered the inner
-circle of Beethoven’s companions at a time when the composer had begun
+circle of Beethoven’s companions at a time when the composer had begun
to feel a growing antipathy to Schindler. He promptly embraced the
opportunity which his willing usefulness brought him, to draw close to
the great man, to learn of him and also to exhibit himself to the world
as his confidential friend. He was not obsequious, and this pleased
Beethoven despite the fact that he himself was not indisposed to play
-upon his friends for his own purposes “like instruments,” as he himself
+upon his friends for his own purposes “like instruments,” as he himself
once confessed. In a short time Holz made himself indispensable and
acquired great influence over the composer. He aided him in the copying
of his works, looked into the affairs of Nephew Karl and reported upon
@@ -9271,34 +9234,34 @@ the choice of publishers and his dealings with them. His prepossessing
address, heightened by his independence of speech, made it less easy
to contradict him than Schindler. Moreover, the recorded conversations
show that he was witty, that he had a wider outlook on affairs than
-Beethoven’s other musical advisers, that his judgments were quickly
+Beethoven’s other musical advisers, that his judgments were quickly
reached and unhesitatingly pronounced. His speeches are not free from
frivolity nor always from flattery, but he lived at a time and among
a people accustomed to extravagant compliments and there can be no
-doubt of his reverence for Beethoven’s genius. Beethoven could endure
+doubt of his reverence for Beethoven’s genius. Beethoven could endure
a monstrous deal of lip-service, as all his friends knew, and surely
-took no offence when Holz said to him: “I am no flatterer, but I assure
+took no offence when Holz said to him: “I am no flatterer, but I assure
you that the mere thought of Beethovenian music makes me glad, first of
-all, that I am alive!”
+all, that I am alive!”
We owe much of our knowledge of the relations between Beethoven and
-Holz to Schindler’s statements as they appear in his biography,[128]
-two articles which appeared in the “Kölnische Zeitung” in 1845, and
+Holz to Schindler’s statements as they appear in his biography,[128]
+two articles which appeared in the “Kölnische Zeitung” in 1845, and
among the glosses on the Conversation Book. But many of his utterances
show ill-feeling, which it is not unfair to trace to a jealousy dating
-back to the time when Holz crowded Beethoven’s “Secretary _sans_
-salary” out of Beethoven’s service and good graces. There was no open
+back to the time when Holz crowded Beethoven’s “Secretary _sans_
+salary” out of Beethoven’s service and good graces. There was no open
rupture between Beethoven and Schindler, but a feeling of coolness and
indifference which grew with the advancement of the younger man in the
favor of the composer. There is considerably more to be read between
-Schindler’s lines than on their surface, and because of their personal
+Schindler’s lines than on their surface, and because of their personal
equation they ought to be received with caution. True, he does not deny
that Holz was possessed of excellent artistic capacities, that he was
well educated and entirely respectable as a man. He describes him as a
-prime specimen of the Viennese “Phæacians” of whom Beethoven was wont
+prime specimen of the Viennese “Phæacians” of whom Beethoven was wont
to speak with supreme contempt; and there is ample evidence that Holz
was indeed given to the pleasures which Beethoven attributed to the
-denizens of Scheria. But the results of Beethoven’s fellowship with a
+denizens of Scheria. But the results of Beethoven’s fellowship with a
cheery companion were certainly not so great as Schindler says, nor so
evil and grievous as he intimates. His earlier insinuation, that in
order to exhibit his influence to the public Holz led Beethoven into
@@ -9318,34 +9281,34 @@ but that he was more given to wine-drinking in 1825 and 1826 than at
any other period, we learn only from Schindler, whose credibility as
a witness on this point is impeached by the fact that, as he himself
confesses, he seldom saw Beethoven between March 1825 and August 1826.
-Nor is it true, as Schindler asserts, that Beethoven’s habits now
+Nor is it true, as Schindler asserts, that Beethoven’s habits now
cost him the loss of old friendships. On the contrary, it was in this
period that the cordial relations between him and Stephan von Breuning,
which had been interrupted many years before, were restored and became
-peculiarly warm. Czerny told Jahn that Beethoven’s hypochondria led to
+peculiarly warm. Czerny told Jahn that Beethoven’s hypochondria led to
many estrangements; but when he was ill, Count Lichnowsky, Haslinger
and Piringer were visitors at his bedside, and not even Schindler
seems to have been able to name a man whose sympathy the composer had
sacrificed. His life was solitary; but not more than it had been for
-years.[129] In Gerhard von Breuning’s recollections, as recorded in
-“Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” there is scarcely a mention of Holz and
+years.[129] In Gerhard von Breuning’s recollections, as recorded in
+“Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” there is scarcely a mention of Holz and
none at all of the dangers into which Beethoven is alleged to have been
led by him.
-Beethoven’s letters bear witness to the fond regard in which he held
+Beethoven’s letters bear witness to the fond regard in which he held
him. His name, which in German signifies wood and in the literature
of the church also cross, provided Beethoven with a welcome chance to
-indulge his extravagant fondness for punning. Thus in the composer’s
+indulge his extravagant fondness for punning. Thus in the composer’s
jovial address-book, not distinguished by reverence for anything sacred
-or profane, Holz becomes “Best Mahoghany,” “Best Splinter from the
-Cross of Christ,” “Best _lignum crucis_.” The tone of the letters is
+or profane, Holz becomes “Best Mahoghany,” “Best Splinter from the
+Cross of Christ,” “Best _lignum crucis_.” The tone of the letters is
always respectful, and once he begs his friend to forget an undescribed
happening. Holz had his entire confidence, and when the great
catastrophe of 1826 came, Holz was the strongest prop upon which he
-leaned. Schindler says that Beethoven was godfather to Holz’s child,
+leaned. Schindler says that Beethoven was godfather to Holz’s child,
but that is plainly an error; Holz was married in the early winter of
-1826, only three or four months before Beethoven’s death. The extent to
-which he had won Beethoven’s confidence and Beethoven’s high opinion of
+1826, only three or four months before Beethoven’s death. The extent to
+which he had won Beethoven’s confidence and Beethoven’s high opinion of
his character and ability are attested by the following document, which
was signed only a short time after the intimacy began:
@@ -9380,15 +9343,15 @@ that death was approaching, he requested Breuning and Schindler to
gather up his papers, make such use of them as could be done in strict
truth, and to write to Rochlitz. Two months after Beethoven had passed
away Breuning followed him, and Schindler was left alone to fulfil the
-composer’s wish. He wrote to Rochlitz, who regretfully declined the
+composer’s wish. He wrote to Rochlitz, who regretfully declined the
pious task on the ground that the state of his health did not permit
him to undertake so large a work. Thereupon Schindler let the matter
rest, waiting for time and circumstances to determine the course which
he should follow.
Stephan von Breuning had informed his brother-in-law, Dr. Wegeler, of
-Beethoven’s charge with reference to the papers, and Wegeler had sent
-Schindler notes on Beethoven’s boyhood years and his life in Bonn.
+Beethoven’s charge with reference to the papers, and Wegeler had sent
+Schindler notes on Beethoven’s boyhood years and his life in Bonn.
In 1833 Schindler visited Wegeler in Coblenz and consulted with him
about the biography which, as Wegeler knew, Rochlitz had been asked,
but declined, to write. Wegeler thereupon suggested that Schindler,
@@ -9405,12 +9368,12 @@ Wegeler became impatient and in October, 1844,[131] announced that his
notes were about to be published. They did not appear, however, and
Schindler tried again to work in company with Ries; but the latter
persisted in his purpose, and the project fell through a second time.
-This was in 1837, and the next year, shortly after Ries’s sudden
-death, appeared the “Biographische Notizen über Ludwig van Beethoven”
+This was in 1837, and the next year, shortly after Ries’s sudden
+death, appeared the “Biographische Notizen über Ludwig van Beethoven”
by Wegeler and Ries. In the remarks with which the men prefaced their
reminiscences there is no reference to the projected collaboration
described by Schindler, nor can it truthfully be said that anything in
-Ries’s observations bears out Schindler’s charge that he felt a grudge
+Ries’s observations bears out Schindler’s charge that he felt a grudge
against Beethoven and sought to feed it by telling unpleasant truths
about him.
@@ -9421,19 +9384,19 @@ appeared in 1840. Holz never made use of the _imprimatur_ which he
had received from Beethoven, but in 1843 formally relinquished his
authorization to Dr. Gassner, of Carlsruhe, promising to deliver all
the material which he held into his hands and to use his influence in
-the procurement of dates from authentic sources, “so that the errors
+the procurement of dates from authentic sources, “so that the errors
in the faulty biographies which have appeared up to the present time
-may be corrected.” That this was a fling at Schindler’s book is evident
+may be corrected.” That this was a fling at Schindler’s book is evident
from a document[132] in which, on November 1, 1845, Holz, at that time
director of the _Concerts spirituels_ in Vienna, declares that the
-forthcoming biography (by Gassner) would “not derive its dates from
+forthcoming biography (by Gassner) would “not derive its dates from
_fictitious_ or _stolen_ conversation books, and _unsophisticated_
evidence will also give more intimate information about Mr.
-Schindler.” Twice did Schindler attack Holz in the “Kölnische Zeitung”
+Schindler.” Twice did Schindler attack Holz in the “Kölnische Zeitung”
in 1845 and once, it would appear, Holz answered him, but anonymously.
The subject need not be continued here, however; it has a bearing only
on the credibility of the two men in the discussion of each other.
-Gassner’s biography never appeared.
+Gassner’s biography never appeared.
Perhaps it was characteristic of Beethoven, and also of the friends who
came to his help in need, that though Schindler had been written down
@@ -9441,9 +9404,9 @@ in his bad books before Holz established himself in his confidence,
and though there was never a serious estrangement between Beethoven
and Holz, it was Schindler upon whom Beethoven leaned most strongly
for help when the days of physical dissolution arrived--Schindler, not
-Holz. The latter’s devotion had either undergone a cooling process or
+Holz. The latter’s devotion had either undergone a cooling process or
been interfered with by his newly assumed domestic obligations. But
-Schindler’s statement that he was “dismissed” in December, 1826, is an
+Schindler’s statement that he was “dismissed” in December, 1826, is an
exaggeration, to say the least; Beethoven wrote him a letter a month
before he died, asking his help in collecting money from the Archduke.
Holz died on November 9, 1858. He had been helpful to Otto Jahn when
@@ -9463,24 +9426,24 @@ as such Beethoven described his ailment in letters to his brother and
to Schott and Sons. Dr. Staudenheimer had been in attendance on him
before and had insisted upon strict obedience to his prescriptions.
Beethoven now called in Dr. Braunhofer, who proved to be even less
-considerate of the patient’s wilfulness; he was so blunt and forceful
+considerate of the patient’s wilfulness; he was so blunt and forceful
in his demands for obedience that Beethoven was somewhat awed, and
beneficial results followed. Were it possible for the readers of these
pages who are curious on such subjects to consult the Conversation
Books of this period, they would there find interesting information as
to diagnosis and treatment in the case of the distinguished patient.
-Dr. Braunhofer did not want to “torment” Beethoven long with medicines,
-but he gave orders for a strict diet. “No wine; no coffee; no spices of
-any kind. I’ll arrange matters with the cook.”--“Patience, a sickness
-does not disappear in a day.” “I shall not trouble you much longer
-with medicine, but you must adhere to the diet; you’ll not starve on
-it.” “You must do some work in the daytime so that you can sleep at
+Dr. Braunhofer did not want to “torment” Beethoven long with medicines,
+but he gave orders for a strict diet. “No wine; no coffee; no spices of
+any kind. I’ll arrange matters with the cook.”--“Patience, a sickness
+does not disappear in a day.” “I shall not trouble you much longer
+with medicine, but you must adhere to the diet; you’ll not starve on
+it.” “You must do some work in the daytime so that you can sleep at
night. If you want to get entirely well and live a long time, you must
live according to nature. You are very liable to inflammatory attacks
and were close to a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels; the
-predisposition is still in your body. I’ll wager that if you take
-a drink of spirits you’ll be lying weak and exhausted on your back
-inside of an hour.” The doctor inspired him with courage and hope, and
+predisposition is still in your body. I’ll wager that if you take
+a drink of spirits you’ll be lying weak and exhausted on your back
+inside of an hour.” The doctor inspired him with courage and hope, and
admonished him to keep quiet and be patient. In dry weather he was to
take walks, but even after going to Baden he must take no baths so long
as the weather remained damp and symptoms of his illness remained.
@@ -9490,9 +9453,9 @@ arrival he reported his condition to Dr. Braunhofer in a semi-humorous
manner by writing down a dialogue between doctor and patient in which
the latter suggests desired changes in his treatment. He asks for
something strengthening to help him get to his desk, thinks that he
-might be permitted to drink white wine and water, as the “mephitic
-beer” revolts him; he is still very weak, expectorates blood freely
-“probably from the bronchial tubes,” etc. The physician had asked for
+might be permitted to drink white wine and water, as the “mephitic
+beer” revolts him; he is still very weak, expectorates blood freely
+“probably from the bronchial tubes,” etc. The physician had asked for
a few notes written by his own hand as a souvenir. Beethoven complies
with the request by sending him a canon written while taking a walk
on May 11. It looks like a sign of mingled apprehension and returning
@@ -9501,7 +9464,7 @@ spirits:
[Illustration:
Doktor sperrt das Thor dem Tod, Note hilft auch aus der Noth.
- Close the door ’gainst Death, I plead, Doctor, notes will help in
+ Close the door ’gainst Death, I plead, Doctor, notes will help in
need.
]
@@ -9518,34 +9481,34 @@ which he set out on March 21, was to see the composer. He reached
the Austrian capital in the last days of March or the first days of
April. His account of the meeting is like many others except that
it is written with literary elegance, albeit with that excessive
-fervor, that _Überschwänglichkeit_, which is characteristic of German
+fervor, that _√úberschw√§nglichkeit_, which is characteristic of German
hero-worshippers. Zelter had given him a letter of introduction and
had written that Rellstab wanted to write the libretto of an opera to
be set by the composer, and this was the first subject broached after
Beethoven had warmly greeted his visitor and expressed delight with
-Zelter’s letter. Beethoven is pleased at the prospect of getting an
+Zelter’s letter. Beethoven is pleased at the prospect of getting an
opera-book from Rellstab:
It is so difficult to get a good poem. Grillparzer promised me
one. He has already made one for me but we can not come to an
understanding with each other. I want one thing, he wants another.
- You’ll have trouble with me!... I care little what genre the works
+ You’ll have trouble with me!... I care little what genre the works
belong to, so the material be attractive to me. But it must be
something which I can take up with sincerity and love. I could not
- compose operas like “Don Juan” and “Figaro.” They are repugnant to
+ compose operas like “Don Juan” and “Figaro.” They are repugnant to
me. I could not have chosen such subjects; they are too frivolous
for me!
Rellstab had had it in mind to write an opera-book for Weber and
had pondered over many subjects, and he now gave a list of these to
-Beethoven--“Attila,” “Antigone,” “Belisarius,” “Orestes” and others.
+Beethoven--“Attila,” “Antigone,” “Belisarius,” “Orestes” and others.
Beethoven read the names thoughtfully and then apologized for the
trouble he was causing his visitor. Rellstab, seeing an expression
of weariness in his face, took his departure, after saying that he
would send him a specimen of his handiwork. In a Conversation Book
used in the middle of April there is further talk between Rellstab and
Beethoven about opera, but the notes, which are fragmentary, give no
-indications of Beethoven’s views. The most interesting incident of the
+indications of Beethoven’s views. The most interesting incident of the
meetings occurred at a subsequent visit. Rellstab had told that he had
been deeply moved (he dared not express a more specific opinion on the
subject, being in doubt himself) by the Quartet in E-flat, which he had
@@ -9564,12 +9527,12 @@ heard performed twice in succession.[135] He continues:
with my right hand in order to induce Beethoven to turn around;
but he seemed not to have heard it. A few moments later, however,
he turned to me, and, seeing my eyes fixed upon the instrument he
- said: “That is a beautiful pianoforte! I got it as a present from
- London. Look at these names.” He pointed to the cross-beam over
+ said: “That is a beautiful pianoforte! I got it as a present from
+ London. Look at these names.” He pointed to the cross-beam over
the keyboard. There I saw several names which I had not before
noticed--Moscheles, Kalkbrenner, Cramer, Clementi, Broadwood
- himself.... “That is a beautiful gift,” said Beethoven looking at
- me, “and it has such a beautiful tone,” he continued and moved his
+ himself.... “That is a beautiful gift,” said Beethoven looking at
+ me, “and it has such a beautiful tone,” he continued and moved his
hands towards the keys without taking his eyes off me. He gently
struck a chord. Never again will one enter my soul so poignant,
so heartbreaking as that one was! He struck C major with the
@@ -9588,44 +9551,44 @@ his return to the city he went to him to say farewell:
Beethoven spoke very frankly and with feeling. I expressed
my regret that in all the time of my sojourn in Vienna I had
heard, except one of his symphonies and a quartet, not a single
- composition of his in concert; why had “Fidelio” not been given?
+ composition of his in concert; why had “Fidelio” not been given?
This gave him an opportunity to express himself on the subject of
- the taste of the Vienna people. “Since the Italians (Barbaja) have
+ the taste of the Vienna people. “Since the Italians (Barbaja) have
gotten such a strong foothold here the best has been crowded out.
For the nobility, the chief thing at the theatre is the ballet.
Nothing can be said about their appreciation of art; they have
sense only for horses and dancers. We have always had this state
of things. But this gives me no concern; I want only to write that
- which gives me joy. If I were well it would be all the same to me!”
+ which gives me joy. If I were well it would be all the same to me!”
On his departure Beethoven, who had been absent from his lodgings when
Rellstab called for his final leavetaking, sent him a letter to Steiner
-and Co., containing a canon on the words from Matthison’s “Opferlied”
-of which he had made use on at least one earlier occasion (“Das Schöne
-zu dem Guten”).
+and Co., containing a canon on the words from Matthison’s “Opferlied”
+of which he had made use on at least one earlier occasion (“Das Schöne
+zu dem Guten”).
[Sidenote: AN UTTERANCE ON ECCLESIASTICAL MUSIC]
Karl Gottfried Freudenberg, a young musician who afterwards became
Head Organist at Breslau and wrote a book of reminiscences entitled
-“Erinnerungen eines alten Organisten,” visited Beethoven in July of the
+“Erinnerungen eines alten Organisten,” visited Beethoven in July of the
year and has left a record which is none the less interesting because
its lack of literary flourish is offset by succinct reports of the
-great composer’s estimate of some of his contemporaries, and his views
+great composer’s estimate of some of his contemporaries, and his views
on ecclesiastical music. Beethoven, according to Freudenberg, described
-Rossini as a “talented and a melodious composer; his music suits the
+Rossini as a “talented and a melodious composer; his music suits the
frivolous and sensuous spirit of the time, and his productivity is
such that he needs only as many weeks as the Germans do years to
-write an opera.” He said of Spontini: “There is much good in him;
+write an opera.” He said of Spontini: “There is much good in him;
he understands theatrical effects and the musical noises of warfare
-thoroughly”; of Spohr: “He is too rich in dissonances, pleasure in his
-music is marred by his chromatic melody”; of Bach: “His name ought not
+thoroughly”; of Spohr: “He is too rich in dissonances, pleasure in his
+music is marred by his chromatic melody”; of Bach: “His name ought not
to be Bach (brook) but Ocean, because of his infinite and inexhaustible
-wealth of combinations and harmonies. He was the ideal of an organist.”
-This led Beethoven into the subject of music for the church. “I, too,
-played the organ a great deal in my youth,” he said, “but my nerves
+wealth of combinations and harmonies. He was the ideal of an organist.”
+This led Beethoven into the subject of music for the church. “I, too,
+played the organ a great deal in my youth,” he said, “but my nerves
could not stand the power of the gigantic instrument. I place an
-organist who is master of his instrument, first among virtuosi.” Pure
+organist who is master of his instrument, first among virtuosi.” Pure
church music, he remarked, ought to be performed only by voices, unless
the text be a _Gloria_ or something of the kind. For this reason he
preferred Palestrina to all other composers of church music, but it
@@ -9638,7 +9601,7 @@ M. de Boer, a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, Carl
Czerny, Friedrich Kuhlau, Sir George Smart and Moritz Schlesinger were
among the visitors to Baden in the summer to whose meetings with the
composer the Conversation Books bear always interesting and sometimes
-diverting witness. Reichardt’s visit seems to have been brief, and it
+diverting witness. Reichardt’s visit seems to have been brief, and it
is safe to presume that the young man received scant encouragement to
remain long, for his talk was chiefly about himself, his desire to get
advice as to a good teacher and to have Beethoven look at some of his
@@ -9658,23 +9621,23 @@ took music from the publishers in exchange.
The visit of the Danish composer, flautist and director, Friedrich
Kuhlau, led to a right merry feast, for a description of which
-Seyfried found a place in the appendix of his “Studien.” That the
+Seyfried found a place in the appendix of his “Studien.” That the
boundaries of nice taste in conversation and story-telling may have
been strained a bit is an inference from the fact that several pages
of the Conversation Book containing the recorded relics of the affair
are missing. After a promenade through the Helenenthal in which
Beethoven amused himself by setting all manner of difficult tasks in
hill-climbing, the party sat down to dinner at an inn. Champagne flowed
-freely, and after the return to Beethoven’s lodgings red Vöslauer,
+freely, and after the return to Beethoven’s lodgings red Vöslauer,
brought from his closet or cellar, did its share still further to
elevate the spirits of the feasters. Beethoven seems to have held his
own in the van of the revel. Kuhlau improvised a canon on B-a-c-h, to
which Beethoven replied with the same notes as an opening motive and
-the words “Kühl, nicht lau” (“Cool, not lukewarm”)--a feeble play on
-the Danish musician’s name, but one which served to carry the music.
+the words “Kühl, nicht lau” (“Cool, not lukewarm”)--a feeble play on
+the Danish musician’s name, but one which served to carry the music.
Beethoven wrote his canon in the Conversation Book. The next day Kuhlau
confessed to Schlesinger that he did not know how he had gotten home
-and to bed: Beethoven’s post-festal reflections may be gathered from
+and to bed: Beethoven’s post-festal reflections may be gathered from
the letter which accompanied a copy of the canon which he sent to
Kuhlau by the hands of Holz:
@@ -9695,7 +9658,7 @@ might have made a dreadful mess of it on the day before.
Schlesinger, of Paris, son of the Berlin publisher, was a very
insistent as well as persistent courtier, with an auspicious eye to
business at all times. He wanted to purchase the two new quartets
-and did succeed in getting one of them, and he aroused Beethoven’s
+and did succeed in getting one of them, and he aroused Beethoven’s
suspicions by the pertinacity with which he pleaded for permission to
attend a rehearsal of the second; the pride of the composer revolted,
evidently, at the thought that a publisher should ask to hear a work of
@@ -9712,8 +9675,8 @@ to marry the pianist, Cibbini, was true.[136] The old page does not
tell us what answer Beethoven gave, but Schlesinger, who had disclosed
his own heartwounds and railed against the fair sex because of his
experiences, tells the composer that he shall be the first to make the
-bride’s acquaintance should he ever get married. Schlesinger appears
-desirous to become a sort of dealer _en gros_ in Beethoven’s products;
+bride’s acquaintance should he ever get married. Schlesinger appears
+desirous to become a sort of dealer _en gros_ in Beethoven’s products;
he would like the two new Quartets (in A minor and B-flat major); he
will publish a Complete Edition and begin with the chamber pieces, to
which ends he wants still another quartet and three quintets; he seeks
@@ -9725,16 +9688,16 @@ symphony and an overture ought to be and on the art of fugue, of which
he was now the sole repository. He knows how to approach genius on
its most susceptible side. Beethoven must go to England, where he is
so greatly admired; he reports that Cherubini had said to his pupils
-at the Conservatoire in Paris: “The greatest musical minds that ever
-lived or ever will live, are Beethoven and Mozart.” At dinner, at the
+at the Conservatoire in Paris: “The greatest musical minds that ever
+lived or ever will live, are Beethoven and Mozart.” At dinner, at the
suggestion of the same garrulous talker, the company drink the healths
of Goethe and Cherubini. Again Schlesinger urges Beethoven to go to
-London: “I repeat again that if you will go to England for three months
+London: “I repeat again that if you will go to England for three months
I will engage that, deducting your travelling expenses, you will make
-1000 pounds, or 25,000 florins W. W. at least, if you give only two
+1000 pounds, or 25,000 florins W. W. at least, if you give only two
concerts and produce some new music.... The Englishmen are proud enough
to count themselves fortunate if Beethoven would only be satisfied
-with them.” When the toast to Cherubini is drunk, Schlesinger takes
+with them.” When the toast to Cherubini is drunk, Schlesinger takes
occasion to satisfy the curiosity of Beethoven touching the status of
the composer whom he most admired among living men.
@@ -9742,10 +9705,10 @@ the composer whom he most admired among living men.
as well as the order of the Legion of Honor. It is a proof
of the recognition of his talent, for he did not seek it.
Napoleon, who appreciated him highly, once found fault with one
- of his compositions and Cherubini retorted: “Your Majesty knows
- no more about it than I about a battle.” Napoleon’s conduct
+ of his compositions and Cherubini retorted: “Your Majesty knows
+ no more about it than I about a battle.” Napoleon’s conduct
was contemptible. Because of the words that I have quoted he
- took away all of Cherubini’s offices and he had nothing to
+ took away all of Cherubini’s offices and he had nothing to
live on. Nevertheless, he did an infinite amount of good for
popular culture. If Napoleon, instead of becoming an insatiable
world-conqueror, had remained First Consul, he would have been one
@@ -9754,64 +9717,64 @@ the composer whom he most admired among living men.
Schlesinger had his way about hearing the new Quartet (in A minor, Op.
132), for it was rehearsed at his rooms on Wednesday, September 7,
preparatory to the performance, which was to take place at the tavern
-“Zum wilden Mann” at noon on September 9. Beethoven wanted the players
+“Zum wilden Mann” at noon on September 9. Beethoven wanted the players
to come to him at Baden for the final rehearsal, but that was found
-to be impracticable. On the day after the meeting at Schlesinger’s,
+to be impracticable. On the day after the meeting at Schlesinger’s,
however, Holz went out to Beethoven to tell him all about it. He
-reported that Wolfmayr “at the _Adagio_ wept like a child?” and that
-“Tobias scratched himself behind the ears when he heard the Quartet; he
-certainly regrets that the Jew Steiner did not take it.”
+reported that Wolfmayr “at the _Adagio_ wept like a child?” and that
+“Tobias scratched himself behind the ears when he heard the Quartet; he
+certainly regrets that the Jew Steiner did not take it.”
-We have an account of the performance at the “Wilden Mann” from
+We have an account of the performance at the “Wilden Mann” from
the English visitor whom Beethoven received at this time. This
was Sir George Smart, who, in the summer of 1825, made a tour of
Germany in company with Charles Kemble. He was with Mr. Kemble when
-that gentleman made the agreement with Weber for “Oberon,” but his
-“principal reason for the journey,” as he himself put it, “was to
+that gentleman made the agreement with Weber for “Oberon,” but his
+“principal reason for the journey,” as he himself put it, “was to
ascertain from Beethoven himself the exact times of the movements of
-his characteristic--and some of his other--Sinfonias.”[137] Sir George
+his characteristic--and some of his other--Sinfonias.”[137] Sir George
recorded the incidents of his meetings with Beethoven in his journal,
from which the following excerpts are taken:
-[Sidenote: SIR GEORGE SMART’S JOURNAL]
+[Sidenote: SIR GEORGE SMART’S JOURNAL]
On the 7th of September, at nine in the morning, I called on
Mayseder, who received me most politely.... We conversed about
- Beethoven’s Choral Symphony; our opinion agrees about it. When
+ Beethoven’s Choral Symphony; our opinion agrees about it. When
it was performed here Umlauf conducted it and Kletrinsky and
Schuppanzigh were the leaders. All the basses played in the
recitative, but they had the story that it was written for
Dragonetti only.
- Friday, September 9th.--We then went to Mecchetti’s music shop,
+ Friday, September 9th.--We then went to Mecchetti’s music shop,
they, too, are publishers, and bought three pieces for Birchall....
Mr. Holz, an amateur in some public office and a good violin
player, came in and said Beethoven had come from Baden this morning
- and would be at his nephew’s--Karl Beethoven, a young man aged
+ and would be at his nephew’s--Karl Beethoven, a young man aged
twenty--No. 72 Alleegasse.... At twelve I took Ries[138] to the
hotel Wildemann,[139] the lodgings of Mr. Schlesinger, the music
seller of Paris, as I understood from Mr. Holz that Beethoven
would be there, and there I found him. He received me in the most
flattering manner. There was a numerous assembly of professors
- to hear Beethoven’s second[140] new manuscript quartette, bought
+ to hear Beethoven’s second[140] new manuscript quartette, bought
by Mr. Schlesinger. This quartette is three-quarters of an hour
long. They played it twice. The four performers were Schuppanzigh,
Holz, Weiss, and Lincke. It is most chromatic and there is a
- slow movement entitled “Praise for the recovery of an invalid.”
+ slow movement entitled “Praise for the recovery of an invalid.”
Beethoven intended to allude to himself I suppose for he was very
ill during the early part of this year. He directed the performers,
and took off his coat, the room being warm and crowded. A staccato
passage not being expressed to the satisfaction of his eye, for
- alas, he could not hear, he seized Holz’s violin and played the
+ alas, he could not hear, he seized Holz’s violin and played the
passage a quarter of a tone too flat. I looked over the score
during the performance. All paid him the greatest attention.
About fourteen were present, those I knew were Boehm (violin),
- Marx (’cello), Carl Czerny, also Beethoven’s nephew, who is like
+ Marx (’cello), Carl Czerny, also Beethoven’s nephew, who is like
Count St. Antonio, so is Boehm, the violin player. The partner of
Steiner, the music seller, was also there. I fixed to go to Baden
on Sunday and left at twenty-five minutes past two.
- Saturday, September 10th. I called for the music at Artaria’s for
+ Saturday, September 10th. I called for the music at Artaria’s for
Birchall, for which I paid, and on our return found a visiting-card
from Earl Stanhope and also from Schlesinger of Paris with a
message that Beethoven would be at his hotel to-morrow at twelve,
@@ -9822,15 +9785,15 @@ from which the following excerpts are taken:
Symphony for our Philharmonic Society.
Sunday, September 11th.... From hence I went alone to
- Schlesinger’s, at the “Wildemann,” where was a larger party than
- the previous one. Among them was L’Abbé Stadler, a fine old man
+ Schlesinger’s, at the “Wildemann,” where was a larger party than
+ the previous one. Among them was L’Abbé Stadler, a fine old man
and a good composer of the old school, to whom I was introduced.
There was also present a pupil of Moscheles, a Mademoiselle Eskeles
and a Mademoiselle Cimia [Cibbini?], whom I understood to be a
professional player. When I entered Messrs. C. Czerny, Schuppanzigh
and Lincke had just begun the Trio, Op. 70, of Beethoven, after
- which the same performers played Beethoven’s Trio, Op. 79--both
- printed by Steiner. Then followed Beethoven’s quartette, the same
+ which the same performers played Beethoven’s Trio, Op. 79--both
+ printed by Steiner. Then followed Beethoven’s quartette, the same
that I had heard on September the 9th and it was played by the
same performers. Beethoven was seated near the pianoforte beating
time during the performance of these pieces. This ended, most of
@@ -9848,17 +9811,17 @@ from which the following excerpts are taken:
Moscheles gave me, his name should be mixed up with the other
professors. However he soon got over it. He was much pleased and
rather surprised at seeing in the oratorio bill I gave him that the
- “Mount of Olives” and his “Battle Symphony” were both performed the
+ “Mount of Olives” and his “Battle Symphony” were both performed the
same evening. He believes--I do not--that the high notes Handel
wrote for trumpets were played formerly by one particular man. I
gave him the oratorio book and bill. He invited me by his nephew to
Baden next Friday. After dinner he was coaxed to play extempore,
- observing in French to me, “Upon what subject shall I play?”
+ observing in French to me, “Upon what subject shall I play?”
Meanwhile he was touching the instrument thus
[Illustration]
- to which I answered, “Upon that.” On which theme he played for
+ to which I answered, “Upon that.” On which theme he played for
about twenty minutes in a most extraordinary manner, sometimes
very fortissimo, but full of genius.[141] When he arose at the
conclusion of his playing he appeared greatly agitated. No one
@@ -9866,19 +9829,19 @@ from which the following excerpts are taken:
to him by turns, but he can hear a little if you halloo quite close
to his left ear. He was very severe in his observations about the
Prince Regent never having noticed his present of the score of
- his “Battle Symphony.” His nephew regretted that his uncle had no
+ his “Battle Symphony.” His nephew regretted that his uncle had no
one to explain to him the profitable engagement offered by the
Philharmonic Society last year.
-Smart accepted Beethoven’s invitation to visit him at Baden on
+Smart accepted Beethoven’s invitation to visit him at Baden on
September 16, and at this meeting accomplished the specific purpose
of his visit to Vienna by getting Beethoven to give him the tempo of
various movements from his symphonies, by playing portions of them on
the pianoforte.[142]
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S INTEREST IN ENGLISH MATTERS]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S INTEREST IN ENGLISH MATTERS]
-Though he had been warned not to write in Beethoven’s book, Sir
+Though he had been warned not to write in Beethoven’s book, Sir
George did not, or was not always able to, obey the injunction. A
considerable portion of the conversation at the meeting is preserved
in a Conversation Book which covers three dates, September 16, 19, and
@@ -9888,10 +9851,10 @@ several years, and were in his mind up to the time of his death--the
English tour. Other matters bearing on points of history which have
been or may be mentioned, are included. The nephew has translated for
Beethoven the announcement of the Ninth Symphony as it appeared on
-the programme of the Philharmonic’s concert of March 21, viz.: “New
+the programme of the Philharmonic’s concert of March 21, viz.: “New
Grand Characteristic Sinfonia, MS. with vocal finale, the principal
parts to be sung by Madame Caradori, Miss Goodall, Mr. Vaughn and Mr.
-Phillips; composed expressly for this Society.” No doubt Beethoven
+Phillips; composed expressly for this Society.” No doubt Beethoven
gave expression, as he frequently had done, to his admiration for the
English people and possibly also for their national hymn, for Karl
translates the stanza:
@@ -9905,40 +9868,40 @@ translates the stanza:
The one-sided conversation proceeds:
_Smart._--You understand English writing?--_Extremement
- bien._----Winter _me dit que on l’intention de donner Fidelio a
+ bien._----Winter _me dit que on l’intention de donner Fidelio a
music_.
_Karl._--He would like to know the tempi of the finale of the last
- symphony. Haven’t you it here?--
+ symphony. Haven’t you it here?--
How long you worked on the symphony?--How long does it last?--1
hour and 3 minutes--3/4 hour--We are now going to take a walk.
-According to Smart’s journal, Beethoven now ordered dinner “with his
-funny old cook,” told his nephew to look after the wine, and the party
+According to Smart’s journal, Beethoven now ordered dinner “with his
+funny old cook,” told his nephew to look after the wine, and the party
of five took a walk in the course of which Schuppanzigh told Smart
that it was while sketching in the open air that Beethoven caught his
-deafness. “He was writing in a garden and was so absorbed that he
+deafness. “He was writing in a garden and was so absorbed that he
was not sensible of a pouring rain, till his music paper was so wet
-that he could no longer write.” The story is inconsequential unless
+that he could no longer write.” The story is inconsequential unless
Schuppanzigh had it from Beethoven who, as we have seen in an earlier
volume (Vol. I, p. 263 _et seq._), gave an entirely different account
of the origin of his deafness to Neate. Holz talks to Beethoven now
-about Schlesinger, telling him that it was the publisher’s purpose to
+about Schlesinger, telling him that it was the publisher’s purpose to
print the quartets in succession, which would postpone the appearance
of the thirteenth for two years, and advises Beethoven hereafter to
make immediate publication a condition of purchase. He suggests that if
he were to threaten not to compose the quintets under the circumstances
it might help.
- _Smart.--Elle est morte.--Kalkbrenner est à Paris.--Broadwood,
- Stodart, Tomkinson, Clementi and Co.--Les meilleurs Pièces à vendre
- à Londres sont les Duettos pour le Piano Forte.--Mais je dis pour
- nous de composer à présent.--Cramer, Moscheles, Neate, Potter....
- J’ai voyagé par le Rhine et par la Donau.--Je suis Protestant; le
- premier chose est d’être honnête homme.... Esterhazy.--Le nom de
+ _Smart.--Elle est morte.--Kalkbrenner est à Paris.--Broadwood,
+ Stodart, Tomkinson, Clementi and Co.--Les meilleurs Pièces à vendre
+ à Londres sont les Duettos pour le Piano Forte.--Mais je dis pour
+ nous de composer à présent.--Cramer, Moscheles, Neate, Potter....
+ J’ai voyagé par le Rhine et par la Donau.--Je suis Protestant; le
+ premier chose est d’être honnête homme.... Esterhazy.--Le nom de
Capitaine, ou comme tous les autres.--On faites de badinage contre
- moi en Allemagne--contre lui--moi je suis Garçon._
+ moi en Allemagne--contre lui--moi je suis Garçon._
_Karl._--He asked why you had not come before now; he said the 300
pounds of the Philhar. Society were not be to looked upon as the
@@ -9947,10 +9910,10 @@ it might help.
in a short time you could make at least 1000 pounds and carry it
away with you.--10,000 florins, Vienna money.--If you would only
go. The 1,000 pounds would be easily earned and more.--You can do
- better business with the publishers there than here.--And you’ll
+ better business with the publishers there than here.--And you’ll
find 1,000 friends, Smarth [_sic_] says, who will do everything
- to help you.--The sea fish.--In the Thames.... We’ll wait till
- the year is over before going to England.... You’ll not leave
+ to help you.--The sea fish.--In the Thames.... We’ll wait till
+ the year is over before going to England.... You’ll not leave
London so quickly if we are once there.--Others are living there
too, like Cramer, etc.--In two years at least 50,000 florins net.
Concerts.--I am convinced that if you were to want to go away from
@@ -9958,12 +9921,12 @@ it might help.
We shall let Smart conclude the story of the meeting:
- On our return [from the walk] we had dinner at two o’clock. It
+ On our return [from the walk] we had dinner at two o’clock. It
was a most curious one and so plentiful that dishes came in as we
came out, for, unfortunately, we were rather in a hurry to get to
the stage coach by four, it being the only one going to Vienna
- that evening. I overheard Beethoven say, “We will try how much the
- Englishman can drink.” _He_ had the worst of the trial. I gave
+ that evening. I overheard Beethoven say, “We will try how much the
+ Englishman can drink.” _He_ had the worst of the trial. I gave
him my diamond pin as a remembrance of the high gratification I
received by the honour of his invitation and kind reception and he
wrote me the following droll canon as fast as his pen could write
@@ -9971,11 +9934,11 @@ We shall let Smart conclude the story of the meeting:
[Illustration: Ars longa vita brevis]
- “Written on the 16th of September, 1825, in Baden, when my dear
+ “Written on the 16th of September, 1825, in Baden, when my dear
talented musical artist and friend Smart (from England) visited me
here.
- Ludwig van Beethoven.”
+ Ludwig van Beethoven.”
[Sidenote: A VISITOR FROM AMERICA]
@@ -9983,7 +9946,7 @@ Smart left Vienna on his return journey to London on September 20.
Three months later Beethoven received a visit from one who must have
raised more curious questionings in his mind than did the brilliant
young Englishman. With Smart he had corresponded years before. Smart
-had produced his oratorio and his “Wellington’s Victory” in England
+had produced his oratorio and his “Wellington’s Victory” in England
and conducted the first performance in London of his Ninth Symphony;
there were direct bonds of sympathy between them. The other visitor
brought a message of appreciation from across the wide Atlantic. It
@@ -9991,19 +9954,19 @@ was Theodore Molt, evidently a German or a man of German birth, who,
a music teacher in Quebec, was making a European tour and gained the
privilege of telling Beethoven to his face how greatly he admired him,
then asked the favor of a souvenir which he could carry back on a
-journey of “3,000 hours” as a precious keepsake. For him, on December
-16, Beethoven wrote the canon, “Freu dich des Lebens” (Ges. Aus. Series
+journey of “3,000 hours” as a precious keepsake. For him, on December
+16, Beethoven wrote the canon, “Freu dich des Lebens” (Ges. Aus. Series
XXV, 285, 5).[143]
To this period belongs an anecdote which is almost a parallel of one
related by Zelter to Goethe. It was told[144] by Mittag, a bassoon
player who had taken part in a performance of the Septet at a concert
on December 11. Going home one evening, Mittag stepped into a tavern
-known as “Zum Dachs” to drink a glass of beer. Smoking was not allowed
+known as “Zum Dachs” to drink a glass of beer. Smoking was not allowed
in the place and there were few guests. In a corner, however, sat
Beethoven in the attitude of one lost in thought. After Mittag had
-watched him a few minutes he jumped up and called to the waiter: “My
-bill!” “Already paid!” shrieked the waiter in his ear. Mittag, thinking
+watched him a few minutes he jumped up and called to the waiter: “My
+bill!” “Already paid!” shrieked the waiter in his ear. Mittag, thinking
that Beethoven ought not to be left alone, followed him without
betraying himself and saw him enter his house safely.
@@ -10012,7 +9975,7 @@ honorary membership in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde by the
directors (Cherubini, Spontini, Spohr, Catel and Weigl being among
them); the election was confirmed by the society on January 26, 1826,
but the diploma was not issued until October 26, and thus reached
-Beethoven’s hands only a few months before his death. On November
+Beethoven’s hands only a few months before his death. On November
25, Beethoven wrote to Schott and Sons promising to send them the
metronome marks for the Mass in D soon, telling them to print the list
of subscribers before the dedication, asking delay in the matter of the
@@ -10023,7 +9986,7 @@ as follows:
_MISSA
Composita et
Serenissimo ac Eminentissimo Domino Domino
- Rudolpho Joanni Cæsareo Principi et Archiduci Austriæ S. R. E.
+ Rudolpho Joanni C√¶sareo Principi et Archiduci Austri√¶ S. R. E.
Tit. S. Petri in monte aureo Cardinali Archiepiscopo Olomucensi
profundissima cum veneratione dicata_ [sic]
_a
@@ -10034,11 +9997,11 @@ recent letters had not been definite and certain. He wanted a specific
statement that the amount which he (Beethoven) had received as an
advance was 360 florins. If Peters was willing to take a quartet for
that sum he would send him one as soon as possible; if not, and he
-preferred to have the money, he would return it to him. “If you had
+preferred to have the money, he would return it to him. “If you had
done this at once you might have had two quartets; but you can not ask
me to be loser. If I wanted to draw the strings tighter I could ask a
-larger price. I will send nothing for examination.” This, then, was
-Beethoven’s ultimatum: Peters must pay 360 florins for the Quartet or
+larger price. I will send nothing for examination.” This, then, was
+Beethoven’s ultimatum: Peters must pay 360 florins for the Quartet or
receive back the money advanced three years before. Peters asked for
the money and it was paid over to Steiner and Co., on his order on
December 7.
@@ -10049,17 +10012,17 @@ In the renting season of St. Michael (September 29 to October 12)
Beethoven signed a lease for lodgings in the Schwarzspanierhaus,
Alservorstadt Glacis 200. Into this, which was the last lodging
occupied by Beethoven, he moved presumably on October 15. The house,
-which is fully described and pictured in Gerhard von Breuning’s book
-“Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” derived its name from the fact that it
+which is fully described and pictured in Gerhard von Breuning’s book
+“Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” derived its name from the fact that it
had been built by the Benedictines of Spain. In it Beethoven occupied
-four rooms on the second floor, besides a kitchen and servant’s
-quarters. One of the most important results of Beethoven’s removal to
-these quarters was a reëstablishment of the intimate relations which
+four rooms on the second floor, besides a kitchen and servant’s
+quarters. One of the most important results of Beethoven’s removal to
+these quarters was a reëstablishment of the intimate relations which
had existed for so many years with the friend of his youth Stephan
von Breuning, a Councillor in the War Department of the Austrian
Government, who lived hard by. Though there had been no open rupture
between him and Beethoven an estrangement had existed from the time
-when von Breuning had advised against Beethoven’s assumption of the
+when von Breuning had advised against Beethoven’s assumption of the
guardianship over his nephew. They had met occasionally _ad interim_,
but it was not until they became neighbors that the intimate friendship
which had existed in earlier years was restored. A beginning in this
@@ -10070,7 +10033,7 @@ a frequent visitor at the Breunings, dining with them frequently and
sometimes sending them a mess of fish, of which he was very fond.
Madame von Breuning meanwhile looked after the fitting out of his
kitchen and saw to the engagement of his servants. Concerning the
-relations which existed between Beethoven and her father’s family,
+relations which existed between Beethoven and her father’s family,
Marie, a daughter of Stephan von Breuning, wrote many years after:[145]
My mother once met Beethoven when on her way to the Kaiserbad
@@ -10088,28 +10051,28 @@ Marie, a daughter of Stephan von Breuning, wrote many years after:[145]
My mother often and repeatedly deplored the fact that she had never
heard him play--but my father, in his unbounded tenderness, always
- replied when she expressed a desire to hear him: “He doesn’t like
+ replied when she expressed a desire to hear him: “He doesn’t like
to do it, and I do not want to ask him because it might pain him
- not to hear himself.”
+ not to hear himself.”
Beethoven repeatedly invited my mother to coffee, or, as the
Viennese say, _zur Jause_; but my mother almost always declined, as
his domestic arrangements did not appear altogether appetizing.
- My mother often said to my father that Beethoven’s habit of
+ My mother often said to my father that Beethoven’s habit of
expectorating in the room, his neglected clothing and his
extravagant behavior were not particularly attractive. My father
- always replied: “And yet he has a great deal of success, especially
- with women.”
+ always replied: “And yet he has a great deal of success, especially
+ with women.”
Beethoven often told my mother that he longed greatly for domestic
happiness and much regretted that he had never married.
-Beethoven was fond of Stephan von Breuning’s son Gerhard, whom,
+Beethoven was fond of Stephan von Breuning’s son Gerhard, whom,
because of his attachment to his father, he dubbed _Hosen-knopf_
(Trousers-button) and because of his lightness of foot _Ariel_. He once
had the boy play for him, criticized the position of his hands and sent
-him Clementi’s Method as preferable to Czerny’s which the lad was using.
+him Clementi’s Method as preferable to Czerny’s which the lad was using.
There can be no doubt that the renewed association with von Breuning
frequently turned his thoughts to his old home and his boyhood friends
@@ -10121,10 +10084,10 @@ about their family, each other, friends and relations--real home
letters telling of births, marriages, careers and deaths. One would
think that they ought to have been answered at once, but Beethoven did
not find time or occasion to write a reply until the next year, despite
-this obvious challenge in Dr. von Wegeler’s letter:
+this obvious challenge in Dr. von Wegeler’s letter:
Why did you not avenge the honor of your mother when, in the
- Encyclopædia, and in France, you were set down as a love-child? The
+ Encyclop√¶dia, and in France, you were set down as a love-child? The
Englishman who tried to defend you gave the filth a cuff, as we say
in Bonn, and let your mother carry you in her womb 30 years, since
the King of Prussia, your alleged father, died already in 1740--an
@@ -10146,38 +10109,38 @@ the third that in B-flat. It was taken up immediately on the completion
of the E-flat Quartet. In March Beethoven had written to Neate that
the first of the three quartets which he thought of bringing with him
to London was written, that he was at work on the second and that it
-and the third would be finished “soon.” On the same day he wrote to
-Schott and Sons: “The violin quartets are in hand; the second is nearly
-finished.” The sketches of the A minor (as established by Nottebohm)
+and the third would be finished “soon.” On the same day he wrote to
+Schott and Sons: “The violin quartets are in hand; the second is nearly
+finished.” The sketches of the A minor (as established by Nottebohm)
date back to 1824. The work was originally to have the customary four
movements; labor on it was interrupted by the illness of April and
-then the plan was changed to include the “Song of Thanksgiving in
-the Lydian mode,” the short march before the last movement, and the
+then the plan was changed to include the “Song of Thanksgiving in
+the Lydian mode,” the short march before the last movement, and the
minuet. The work was finished by August at the latest. The passage in
eighth-notes in the second part of the first movement is practically
a quotation from one of the German dances written for the Ridotto
balls fully thirty years before, with the bar-lines shifted so
that the change of harmony occurs on the up-beats of the measures.
In a Conversation Book used in May or June, 1825, Beethoven wrote
-_Dankeshimne eines Kranken an Gott bei seiner Genesung. Gefühl neuer
-Kraft und wiedererwachtes Gefühl_ (“Hymn of Thanksgiving to God of an
+_Dankeshimne eines Kranken an Gott bei seiner Genesung. Gefühl neuer
+Kraft und wiedererwachtes Gefühl_ (“Hymn of Thanksgiving to God of an
Invalid on his Convalescence. Feeling of new strength and reawakened
-feeling”). In the original score this was changed to the reading:
-“Sacred Song of Thanksgiving of a Convalescent to the Divinity, in
-the Lydian Mode. N. B. This piece has always B instead of B-flat.” As
+feeling”). In the original score this was changed to the reading:
+“Sacred Song of Thanksgiving of a Convalescent to the Divinity, in
+the Lydian Mode. N. B. This piece has always B instead of B-flat.” As
has already been mentioned in the history of the Ninth Symphony, the
principal theme of the last movement was originally conceived for the
finale of that work. The B-flat Quartet was begun early in the year, as
the letters to Neate and Schott indicate. On August 29, Beethoven wrote
to his nephew that it would be wholly finished in ten or twelve days.
-In November he himself writes in the Conversation Book: “Title for the
-Quartet,” and a strange hand adds: “_31ème Quatuor. Pour deux Violons,
-Viola et Violoncello composé aux désirs de S. A. Monseigneur le Prince
-Nicolas Galitzin et dédié au même_,” to which Beethoven adds: “par L.
-v. B.” The Quartet, though more than half-promised to Schlesinger, who
+In November he himself writes in the Conversation Book: “Title for the
+Quartet,” and a strange hand adds: “_31ème Quatuor. Pour deux Violons,
+Viola et Violoncello composé aux désirs de S. A. Monseigneur le Prince
+Nicolas Galitzin et dédié au même_,” to which Beethoven adds: “par L.
+v. B.” The Quartet, though more than half-promised to Schlesinger, who
got the A minor Quartet, was sold to Artaria, and in January, 1826,
-Holz writes, “The Quartet will be printed at once; thus the third
-Quartet will appear before the first two.” This was the case, which
+Holz writes, “The Quartet will be printed at once; thus the third
+Quartet will appear before the first two.” This was the case, which
accounts for the incorrect numbering of them. It had its first public
performance in March, 1826. The Fugue in B-flat, Op. 133, originally
formed the finale of the work but was put aside after the first
@@ -10195,7 +10158,7 @@ did not Schlesinger would reprint the work in Paris without permission.
The latter made a strenuous effort to get the autograph score of
the A minor, but had perforce to content himself with a copy. Holz
represented to Beethoven that the autograph would be an asset for Karl
-in the future, and Karl was of the same opinion; he supported Holz’s
+in the future, and Karl was of the same opinion; he supported Holz’s
assertion with the argument that such _Capitalien_ grew more valuable
with age and that he was sure Schlesinger would get 30 ducats for the
manuscript. Beethoven expressed indifference as to which publisher got
@@ -10206,43 +10169,43 @@ who had undertaken to look after the copying of the B-flat, he wrote:
it must needs be so, only see that the answer is not delayed
too long. The hellhound in L. can wait and meanwhile entertain
himself with Mephistopheles (the Editor of the Musik. L. Zeit.) in
- Auerbach’s Cellar; he will soon be plucked by the ears by Belzebub
+ Auerbach’s Cellar; he will soon be plucked by the ears by Belzebub
the chief of devils.
-The Leipsic “hellhound” thus consigned to Belzebub was, of course,
+The Leipsic “hellhound” thus consigned to Belzebub was, of course,
Peters. It was about this time that Karl told his uncle an anecdote
to the effect that Cherubini, asked why he did not compose a quartet,
-replied: “If Beethoven had never written a quartet I would write
-quartets; as it is, I can not.” After the meetings at Schlesinger’s
-room in the inn “Zum wilden Mann” the Quartets in E-flat and A minor
+replied: “If Beethoven had never written a quartet I would write
+quartets; as it is, I can not.” After the meetings at Schlesinger’s
+room in the inn “Zum wilden Mann” the Quartets in E-flat and A minor
were played again at a concert in which Schuppanzigh was prevented from
taking part, and Holz played the first violin. Beethoven grew merry at
his expense and wrote a canon in the Conversation Book to the words:
-“Holz fiddles the quartets as if they were treading _Kraut_.”
+“Holz fiddles the quartets as if they were treading _Kraut_.”
[Sidenote: PRAISE FROM THE BEPRAISED]
Two trifles which kept company with the Quartets in this year were
-a Waltz in D and an Écossaise in E-flat for pianoforte, which were
-published in a collection of light music by C. F. Müller. There are
+a Waltz in D and an Écossaise in E-flat for pianoforte, which were
+published in a collection of light music by C. F. Müller. There are
several allusions to the oratorio commissioned by the Gesellschaft
der Musikfreunde in the Conversation Books of 1825, in one of which
Grillparzer is mentioned as a likely author for another book; but so
-far as is known no work was done on “The Victory of the Cross,” though
+far as is known no work was done on “The Victory of the Cross,” though
Bernard shortened the book. Before the end of the year the principal
theme of the Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, is noted, accompanied
-by the words written by Beethoven: “Only the praise of one who has
-enjoyed praise can give pleasure”;--it is, no doubt, a relic of some of
-the composer’s classic readings.[146]
+by the words written by Beethoven: “Only the praise of one who has
+enjoyed praise can give pleasure”;--it is, no doubt, a relic of some of
+the composer’s classic readings.[146]
FOOTNOTES:
[121] The correspondence nowhere shows a modification of the
stipulation that the Symphony was to be the exclusive property of the
-Society for 18 months. But Kirchhoffer, Ries’s representative, knew of
+Society for 18 months. But Kirchhoffer, Ries’s representative, knew of
the preparations for the Vienna performance.
-[122] Dr. Deiters thinks Ries’s hesitation was due to fear of
+[122] Dr. Deiters thinks Ries’s hesitation was due to fear of
difficulties in the performance--a fear which was realized; it is more
likely, however, as may be deduced from the context of the letter, that
Ries felt that his London friends were not being treated fairly in the
@@ -10252,7 +10215,7 @@ after the time of delivery.
[123] Had he wholly forgotten the letter in which he offered
Schlesinger the Mass in 1822 and said that it would grieve him very
-much if he could not give him “just this particular work”?
+much if he could not give him “just this particular work”?
[124] The canons were those on Hoffmann and Schwenke.
@@ -10261,7 +10224,7 @@ play on words--_Rache_ and _Rachen_. Beethoven professed friendship to
Haslinger to the end, though he lampooned him in private.
[126] The mark is _Allegro con moto_ in the Complete Edition;
-_Allo. commodo_ in others. Joachim’s edition gives the _commodo_ in
+_Allo. commodo_ in others. Joachim’s edition gives the _commodo_ in
parenthesis.
[127] There are pitiful proofs in the Conversation Books that simple
@@ -10270,103 +10233,103 @@ deathbed he studied the mysteries of multiplication.
[128] Vol. II. p. 107 _et seq._
-[129] Beethoven’s table habits were thus described by Holz to Jahn: “He
+[129] Beethoven’s table habits were thus described by Holz to Jahn: “He
was a stout eater of substantial food; he drank a great deal of wine at
table, but could stand a great deal, and in merry company he sometimes
became tipsy (_bekneipte er sich_). In the evening he drank beer or
-wine, generally the wine of Vöslau or red Hungarian. When he had drunk
-he never composed. After the meal he took a walk.”
+wine, generally the wine of Vöslau or red Hungarian. When he had drunk
+he never composed. After the meal he took a walk.”
[130] See the preface to his biography.
-[131] The date is Schindler’s, but a palpable error; it may have been
+[131] The date is Schindler’s, but a palpable error; it may have been
1834.
-[132] It was among Thayer’s papers.
+[132] It was among Thayer’s papers.
-[133] Notes of Jahn’s interviews with Holz were among Thayer’s papers.
+[133] Notes of Jahn’s interviews with Holz were among Thayer’s papers.
-[134] “Aus meinem Leben,” Berlin, 1861, Vol. II, p. 24 _et seq._
+[134] “Aus meinem Leben,” Berlin, 1861, Vol. II, p. 24 _et seq._
-[135] It was probably the performance by Böhm.
+[135] It was probably the performance by Böhm.
-[136] Antonia Cibbini, _née_ Koželuch, was among those who attended the
+[136] Antonia Cibbini, _née_ Koželuch, was among those who attended the
performance of the Quartet. In the conversation which followed, Karl
-tells his uncle: “The Cibbini looked to me like a bacchante when the
-Quartet was played; it pleased her so greatly.”
+tells his uncle: “The Cibbini looked to me like a bacchante when the
+Quartet was played; it pleased her so greatly.”
-[137] By the “Characteristic Symphony” Smart meant the Ninth, which
+[137] By the “Characteristic Symphony” Smart meant the Ninth, which
he had directed at its first performance in London on March 21, 1825.
Mr. Thayer visited Sir George in February, 1861, and received from
him permission to make a transcript of all the entries in his journal
touching the meetings with Beethoven, also supplementing them with oral
information. The journal remained in manuscript for forty years after
-Sir George’s death and then was edited by H. Bertram Cox and C. L. E.
+Sir George’s death and then was edited by H. Bertram Cox and C. L. E.
Cox and published by Longmans, Green and Co. in 1907, under the title:
-“Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart.” The extracts here
+“Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart.” The extracts here
quoted are from the book, and show signs of having been revised after
Thayer copied them.
[138] Not the composer, but a pianoforte maker of Vienna.
-[139] The Thayer transcript has it correctly: “at the inn _Zum wilden
-Mann_.”
+[139] The Thayer transcript has it correctly: “at the inn _Zum wilden
+Mann_.”
-[140] In the Thayer transcript: “the second of the three MSS.
-quartettes bought by Schlesinger.”
+[140] In the Thayer transcript: “the second of the three MSS.
+quartettes bought by Schlesinger.”
[141] Dr. Deiters prints in a foot-note a different version of this
-story from Castelli’s memoirs. According to this it was Castelli who
+story from Castelli’s memoirs. According to this it was Castelli who
set the theme for Beethoven, he having, after long urging, said,
-“Very well, in the name of the three devils; but Castelli, who has no
-idea of pianoforte playing, must give me a theme.” Thereupon Castelli
+“Very well, in the name of the three devils; but Castelli, who has no
+idea of pianoforte playing, must give me a theme.” Thereupon Castelli
brushed his finger up and down three adjacent keys of the pianoforte
and these notes Beethoven continually wove into the music which he
improvised for an hour, by the clock. Smart names the ten men who
-composed Schlesinger’s party; Castelli’s is not among them, and Smart’s
+composed Schlesinger’s party; Castelli’s is not among them, and Smart’s
story, noted in his journal at the time, is unquestionably correct.
-Schlesinger may have given another dinner, or Castelli’s imagination
+Schlesinger may have given another dinner, or Castelli’s imagination
been livelier than his memory.
[142] When Mr. Thayer visited Sir George Smart in London in 1861 he
made the following notes of the conversation: Smart spoke, or rather
-wrote on Beethoven’s slate;--he had been warned not to write in
-Beethoven’s books--in French, a language which Beethoven (as he says)
+wrote on Beethoven’s slate;--he had been warned not to write in
+Beethoven’s books--in French, a language which Beethoven (as he says)
spoke fluently. He (Smart) was particularly desirous of understanding
-Beethoven’s intentions as to the performance of the Choral Sym. and
+Beethoven’s intentions as to the performance of the Choral Sym. and
spoke with him about the recitative for instruments in the last
-movement. Beethoven’s reply was:
+movement. Beethoven’s reply was:
-“The recitative in strict time.”
+“The recitative in strict time.”
Smart objected, that so played, it was not a recitative nor had words
-to recite. Beethoven replied, “he called it so;” and finally closed
-the discussion with “I _wish_ it to go in strict time”; which, from
+to recite. Beethoven replied, “he called it so;” and finally closed
+the discussion with “I _wish_ it to go in strict time”; which, from
a composer, was of course decisive. The question of how the bass
recitatives ought to be played had already been discussed when the
rehearsals for the concert of 1824 were in progress, as may be seen
-in a Conversation Book of March: _Schindler_:--“How many contrabasses
+in a Conversation Book of March: _Schindler_:--“How many contrabasses
are to play the recitative?--All!--There would be no difficulty in
strict time, but to give it in a singing style will make careful study
necessary.--If old Krams were still alive we could let the matter go
unconcernedly, for he directed 12 contrabasses who had to do what he
wanted.--Good; then just as if words were under it?--If necessary I
-will write words under it so that they may learn to sing.”
+will write words under it so that they may learn to sing.”
-[143] From Thayer’s note-book of 1857: “Circumstance related to
+[143] From Thayer’s note-book of 1857: “Circumstance related to
me by the son of Mr. Molt. When Mr. Molt called upon Beethoven,
-December 16, 1825, (B.’s birthday) Beethoven showed him some verses
+December 16, 1825, (B.’s birthday) Beethoven showed him some verses
he had just written complimentary to a young lady and fell into
such enthusiasm talking about her that he passed entirely from his
musical conversation. Verses poor enough, Mr. Molt said. Mr. Molt also
-described the meanness of the rooms in which B. lived.”
+described the meanness of the rooms in which B. lived.”
[144] To Thayer; from his note-book.
[145] In a memorandum for Thayer.
-[146] _Laudari a viro laudate_--Nævius. _Lætus sum laudari me, inquit
-Hector, opinor apud Nævium, abs te, pater, a laudate viro_--Cicero _ad
+[146] _Laudari a viro laudate_--N√¶vius. _L√¶tus sum laudari me, inquit
+Hector, opinor apud N√¶vium, abs te, pater, a laudate viro_--Cicero _ad
fam._ XV, 6; _Cum tragicus ille apud nos ait magnificum esse laudari a
laudato viro, laude digno, ait._--Seneca, _Epist._ 102, 16.
@@ -10378,12 +10341,12 @@ Chapter VIII
A Year of Sickness and Sorrow: 1826--The Quartets in
B-Flat, C-Sharp Minor and F Major--Controversy with Prince
Galitzin--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--Life at
- Gneixendorf--Beethoven’s Last Compositions.
+ Gneixendorf--Beethoven’s Last Compositions.
[Sidenote: A REQUEST FOR THE GERMAN BIBLE]
-The year which witnessed the last of Beethoven’s completed labors,
+The year which witnessed the last of Beethoven’s completed labors,
and saw what by general consent might be set down as the greatest of
his string quartets, that in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, beheld also the
culmination of the grief and pain caused by the conduct of his nephew.
@@ -10403,17 +10366,17 @@ figure which stands out in highest relief throughout the year beside
that of the composer is that of Holz, whose concern for his welfare
goes into the smallest detail of his unfortunate domestic life and
includes also the major part of the labors and responsibilities caused
-by the tragical outcome of the nephew’s waywardness--his attempt at
+by the tragical outcome of the nephew’s waywardness--his attempt at
self-destruction. Schindler appears at intervals, but with jealous
reserve, chary of advice, waiting to be asked for his opinion and
pettishly protesting that after it once has been given it will not be
acted upon. Stephan von Breuning appears in all the nobility of his
nature; and in the attitude and acts of Brother Johann, though they
have been severely faulted and, we fear, maligned, there is evidence of
-something as near affectionate sympathy and interest as Beethoven’s
+something as near affectionate sympathy and interest as Beethoven’s
paradoxical conduct and nature invited of him. Among the other persons
whom the Conversation Books disclose as his occasional associates are
-Schuppanzigh, Kuffner, Grillparzer, Abbé Stadler and Mathias Artaria,
+Schuppanzigh, Kuffner, Grillparzer, Abbé Stadler and Mathias Artaria,
whose talk is chiefly about affairs in which they are concerned, though
Kuffner at one time entertains Beethoven with a discourse on things
ancient and modern which must have fascinated the artist whose mind
@@ -10431,57 +10394,57 @@ occupy him somewhat, but his friends and advisers more. His thoughts
are not with such things but in the congenial region of the Quartets;
for the little community of stringed instruments is become more than
ever his colporteur, confidant, comforter and oracle. Kuffner tells him
-through Holz that he has read Bernard’s oratorio book but cannot find
+through Holz that he has read Bernard’s oratorio book but cannot find
in it even the semblance of an oratorio, much less half-good execution.
Perhaps there is something of personal equation in this judgment, for
Kuffner is ready to write not only one but even two oratorio texts if
Beethoven will but undertake their composition. He presents the plan
-of a work to be called “The Four Elements,” in which man is to be
+of a work to be called “The Four Elements,” in which man is to be
brought into relationship with the imposing phenomena of nature, but
-Beethoven has been inspired by a study of Handel’s “Saul” with a desire
+Beethoven has been inspired by a study of Handel’s “Saul” with a desire
to undertake that subject and Kuffner submits specimens of his poetical
handiwork to him. He had become interested in the ancient modes (as
his Song of Thanksgiving in the Lydian mode in the A minor quartet had
already witnessed) and was now eager to read up on the ancient Hebrews.
He sends Holz to get him books on the subject and to a visitor, who to
us is a stranger (so far as the handwriting in the C. B. is concerned),
-he expresses a desire to get Luther’s translation of the Bible. He is
+he expresses a desire to get Luther’s translation of the Bible. He is
also interested in religious questions, as a long talk with his nephew
shows. Kuffner intended in his treatment of the story of Saul to make
it a representation of the triumph of the nobler impulses of man over
untamed desire, and said that he would be ready to deliver the book in
six weeks. Holz shows Beethoven some of the specimen sheets and points
out a place in which Beethoven might indulge in an excursion into
-antique art. “Here you might introduce a chorus in the Lydian mode,” he
+antique art. “Here you might introduce a chorus in the Lydian mode,” he
says. He also explains that Kuffner intended to treat the chorus as an
effective agent in the action, for which purpose it was to be divided
into two sections, like the dramatic chorus of the Greek tragedians.
Kuffner was sufficiently encouraged to write the book and Holz says
-that Beethoven finished the music of the first part “In his head”; if
+that Beethoven finished the music of the first part “In his head”; if
so, it staid there, so far as the sketchbooks bear testimony.
[Sidenote: WORKS WHICH WERE NEVER WRITTEN]
Grillparzer still hopes that the breath of musical life will be
-breathed into “Melusine”; Duport, having secured the Court Opera, asks
+breathed into “Melusine”; Duport, having secured the Court Opera, asks
for it, and Brother Johann and Karl urge that an opera is the most
remunerative enterprise to which he can now apply himself. Schlesinger,
-in Berlin, had told Count von Brühl that Beethoven was disposed to
-write an opera for the Royal Opera at the Prussian capital and Brühl
+in Berlin, had told Count von Brühl that Beethoven was disposed to
+write an opera for the Royal Opera at the Prussian capital and Brühl
had written to the composer that he would be glad to have an opera from
him and expressed a desire that he collaborate with Grillparzer in its
-making; but he did not want “Melusine,” because of the resemblance
-between its subject and that of de la Motte-Fouqué’s “Undine.” An
-adaptation to operatic uses of Goethe’s “Claudine von Villa Bella” was
+making; but he did not want “Melusine,” because of the resemblance
+between its subject and that of de la Motte-Fouqué’s “Undine.” An
+adaptation to operatic uses of Goethe’s “Claudine von Villa Bella” was
discussed, apparently with favor, but Kanne, who was designated to take
-the adaptation in hand, was afraid to meddle with the great poet’s
-drama. So nothing came of the Berlin project or of “Melusine,” though
+the adaptation in hand, was afraid to meddle with the great poet’s
+drama. So nothing came of the Berlin project or of “Melusine,” though
Grillparzer talked it over again with Beethoven and told Holz that
though he was not inclined to attach too great importance to it, he yet
thought it would be hard to find an opera text better adapted to its
purpose than it, from a musical and scenic point of view. To Schindler,
-Beethoven once held out a prospect that “something would come” of the
-idea of music for “Faust” which Rochlitz had implanted in Beethoven’s
+Beethoven once held out a prospect that “something would come” of the
+idea of music for “Faust” which Rochlitz had implanted in Beethoven’s
mind; but it shared the fate of opera and oratorio. His friends also
urged him to compose a Requiem mass and such a composition belongs in
the category with the oratorio as a work which he had been paid to
@@ -10489,36 +10452,36 @@ undertake. Among the ardent admirers of Beethoven and most zealous
patrons of the Schuppanzigh Quartets was Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer, a
much respected cloth merchant. One of the methods chosen by Wolfmayer
to show his appreciation of the composer was occasionally to have a new
-coat made for him which he would bring to Beethoven’s lodgings, place
+coat made for him which he would bring to Beethoven’s lodgings, place
upon a chair and then see to it that an old one disappeared from his
wardrobe. We have already heard a similar story from Mayseder. It is
-said that Wolfmayer sometimes had difficulty in getting the composer’s
+said that Wolfmayer sometimes had difficulty in getting the composer’s
consent to the exchange, but always managed to do it. Early in the
second decade of the century Wolfmayer commissioned Beethoven to write
a _Requiem_ for him and paid him 1,000 florins as an advance on the
honorarium. Beethoven promised, but never set to work: though Holz says
that he was firmly resolved to do so and, in talking about it, said
-that he was better satisfied with Cherubini’s setting of the text of
-the Mass for the Dead than with Mozart’s. A _Requiem_, he said, should
+that he was better satisfied with Cherubini’s setting of the text of
+the Mass for the Dead than with Mozart’s. A _Requiem_, he said, should
be a sorrowful memorial of the dead and have nothing in it of the
noises of the last trump and the day of judgment.
The sketchbooks bear witness, though not voluminously, to two other
-works of magnitude which were in Beethoven’s thoughts in this year but
+works of magnitude which were in Beethoven’s thoughts in this year but
never saw completion. These were a symphony and a string quintet. In
a book used towards the end of 1825, containing sketches for the last
movement of the Quartet in B-flat, there is a memorandum of a _Presto_
in C minor, 3-4 time, and of a short movement in A-flat, _Andante_,
-which Schindler marked as belonging to “the tenth symphony.” There
+which Schindler marked as belonging to “the tenth symphony.” There
are also some much longer sketches for an overture on B-a-c-h, in the
-midst of which Beethoven has written: “This overture together with
+midst of which Beethoven has written: “This overture together with
the new symphony and we shall have a new concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Kärnthnerthor.” Schindler published the sketches of the symphony in
-Hirschbach’s “Musikalisch-kritisches Repertorium” of January, 1844,
+Kärnthnerthor.” Schindler published the sketches of the symphony in
+Hirschbach’s “Musikalisch-kritisches Repertorium” of January, 1844,
and started the story of an uncompleted tenth symphony. Nottebohm, in
-his “Zweite Beethoveniana” (p. 12), scouts the idea that Beethoven
-occupied himself seriously with the composition of such a work. “It is
-not necessary,” he says, “to turn over many leaves of the sketchbooks
+his “Zweite Beethoveniana” (p. 12), scouts the idea that Beethoven
+occupied himself seriously with the composition of such a work. “It is
+not necessary,” he says, “to turn over many leaves of the sketchbooks
to prove the untenableness of the view that if Beethoven had written
a Tenth Symphony it would have been on the basis of these sketches.
We see in them only such momentary conceits as came to Beethoven by
@@ -10528,60 +10491,60 @@ To be big with a symphony argues persevering application to it. Of
such application there can be no talk in this case. The sketches in
question were never continued; there is not a vestige of them in the
books which follow. If Beethoven had written as many symphonies as
-he began we should have at least fifty.” Nottebohm’s argument does
+he began we should have at least fifty.” Nottebohm’s argument does
not dispose of the matter, though we shall presently find occasion to
think well of it. Lenz says that Holz wrote to him that Beethoven had
-played “the whole of the Tenth Symphony” for him on the pianoforte,
+played “the whole of the Tenth Symphony” for him on the pianoforte,
that it was finished in all of its movements in the sketches, but
that nobody but Beethoven could decipher them. Holz, however, made no
such broad statement to Otto Jahn, a much more conscientious reporter
than Lenz. To Jahn he said that there was an introduction in E-flat
major, a soft piece, and then a powerful Allegro in C minor, which were
-complete in Beethoven’s head and which he had played to him (Holz) on
+complete in Beethoven’s head and which he had played to him (Holz) on
the pianoforte. This is very different from an entire symphony. But
in the letter to Moscheles which Schindler says Beethoven dictated to
him on March 18, 1827, bearing a message of thanks to the Philharmonic
-Society of London, Beethoven says: “An entire sketched symphony lies
-in my desk, also a new overture and other things”; and a few days
-later Schindler writes to Moscheles: “Three days after receiving your
+Society of London, Beethoven says: “An entire sketched symphony lies
+in my desk, also a new overture and other things”; and a few days
+later Schindler writes to Moscheles: “Three days after receiving your
letter he was greatly excited and demanded the sketches of the Tenth
Symphony, concerning the plan of which he told me a great deal. He has
-now definitely decided that it shall go to the Philharmonic Society.”
-The reader is familiar with Beethoven’s habit of speaking of works as
+now definitely decided that it shall go to the Philharmonic Society.”
+The reader is familiar with Beethoven’s habit of speaking of works as
finished though not a note of them had been put on paper (as in the
case of the additional movements for the Mass in D, for instance), and
-if there were sketches for a finished symphony in Beethoven’s desk when
+if there were sketches for a finished symphony in Beethoven’s desk when
he died, it is passing strange that Schindler did not produce them
when he started the world to talking about its loss of a successor to
the Ninth. What Nottebohm saw in the books deposited by Schindler in
the Royal Library in Berlin seems to justify what he said, at least.
Moreover, Schindler says that the sketches for the Symphony dated back
to 1824, and the incorrectness of this statement can be shown beyond
-all peradventure by Nottebohm’s study of the sketchbooks. Of the other
+all peradventure by Nottebohm’s study of the sketchbooks. Of the other
works which play a part in the story of 1826, something will be said
hereafter.
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S FAVORITE QUARTET]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S FAVORITE QUARTET]
Opera, oratorio, the mass for the dead, symphony, beckoned to him, but
his affections were fixed in the higher and purer regions of chamber
music, the form which represents chaste ideals, lofty imagination,
profound learning; which exacts a mutual sympathy between composer,
performer and listener and binds them in something like that angelic
-wedlock which Weber said to Planché ought to unite librettist and
+wedlock which Weber said to Planché ought to unite librettist and
composer. When the year 1826 opened, Beethoven was looking forward
with no little eagerness to the first performance of the Quartet in
-B-flat--his “Liebquartett” it is once called in the Conversation Books.
+B-flat--his “Liebquartett” it is once called in the Conversation Books.
Schuppanzigh and his fellows had taken it in hand. They found the
concluding fugue extremely troublesome, but the Cavatina entranced them
at once; Schuppanzigh entered a record against any change in it. The
performance took place on March 21. The second and fourth movements had
to be repeated, but the fugue proved a _crux_ as, no doubt, the players
-had expected it would. Some of Beethoven’s friends argued that it had
+had expected it would. Some of Beethoven’s friends argued that it had
not been understood and that this objection would vanish with repeated
hearings; others, plainly a majority, asked that a new movement be
written to take its place. Johann van Beethoven told the composer that
-“the whole city” was delighted with the work. Schindler says that
+“the whole city” was delighted with the work. Schindler says that
the _Danza alla tedesca_, one of the movements which were demanded a
second time, was originally intended for another quartet, presumably
that in A minor. Lenz objects to the theory on critical grounds, but
@@ -10589,41 +10552,41 @@ Nottebohm points out that the first sketches appear in A before the
sketches for the B-flat Quartet and assigns them to the A minor Quartet
without qualification of any kind. Dr. Deiters suggests that the
movement was written for the A minor Quartet and put aside when the
-Song of Thanksgiving presented itself to Beethoven’s mind. There is
+Song of Thanksgiving presented itself to Beethoven’s mind. There is
another reason for believing that Nottebohm is right and Lenz, as he
so frequently is, is wrong. As has been mentioned, Beethoven recurred
to one of his old German dances, written for the Ridotto balls, in the
first movement of the A minor Quartet; what more likely than that,
thinking over the old German dance, he should have conceived the idea
-of a _Danza tedesca_? Schuppanzigh’s high opinion of the Cavatina was
+of a _Danza tedesca_? Schuppanzigh’s high opinion of the Cavatina was
shared by many and also by Beethoven himself. Holz said that it cost
the composer tears in the writing and brought out the confession that
nothing that he had written had so moved him; in fact, that merely to
revive it afterwards in his thoughts and feelings brought forth renewed
tributes of tears.
-The doubts about the effectiveness of the fugue felt by Beethoven’s
+The doubts about the effectiveness of the fugue felt by Beethoven’s
friends found an echo in the opinions of the critics. Mathias Artaria,
the publisher, who seems in this year to have entered the circle
-of the composer’s intimate associates, presented the matter to him
+of the composer’s intimate associates, presented the matter to him
in a practicable light. He had purchased the publishing rights of
the Quartet and after the performance he went to Beethoven with the
suggestion that he write a new finale and that the fugue be published
as an independent piece, for which he would remunerate him separately.
-Beethoven listened to the protests unwillingly, but, “vowing he would
-ne’er consent, consented” and requested the pianist Anton Halm, who
+Beethoven listened to the protests unwillingly, but, “vowing he would
+ne’er consent, consented” and requested the pianist Anton Halm, who
had played in the B-flat Trio at the concert, to make the pianoforte
-arrangements for which there had already been inquiries at Artaria’s
+arrangements for which there had already been inquiries at Artaria’s
shop. Halm accepted the commission and made the arrangement, with
-which Beethoven was not satisfied; “You have divided the parts too
-much between _prim_ and second,” he remarked to Halm,[147] referring
+which Beethoven was not satisfied; “You have divided the parts too
+much between _prim_ and second,” he remarked to Halm,[147] referring
to a device which the arranger had adopted to avoid crossing of
hands--giving passages to the right hand which should logically have
been given to the left, the effect being the same to the ear but not to
the eye. Nevertheless, Halm presented a claim for 40 florins to Artaria
for the work, and was paid. Beethoven then made an arrangement and
sent it to Artaria, also demanding a fee. To this Artaria demurred and
-asked Beethoven for Halm’s manuscript. Beethoven sent it by a messenger
+asked Beethoven for Halm’s manuscript. Beethoven sent it by a messenger
(probably Holz) with instructions to get his arrangement in return for
it, but at the same time told Artaria, that while he did not ask that
Artaria publish his work, he was under no obligations to give it to
@@ -10631,33 +10594,33 @@ him; he might have it for twelve ducats. Artaria reconciled himself
to the matter and paid Beethoven his fee on September 5. Schindler
incorrectly states that the arrangement which Artaria announced on
March 10, 1827, as Op. 134 (the original score being advertised at the
-same time as Op. 133), was Halm’s.
+same time as Op. 133), was Halm’s.
Other performances of the Quartet were planned, but it does not appear
that any took place. Schuppanzigh was indisposed to venture upon a
-repetition, but Böhm and Mayseder were eager to play it. The latter
+repetition, but Böhm and Mayseder were eager to play it. The latter
with his companions gave quartet parties at the house of Dembscher, an
agent of the Austrian War Department, and wanted to produce the Quartet
-there. But Dembscher had neglected to subscribe for Schuppanzigh’s
+there. But Dembscher had neglected to subscribe for Schuppanzigh’s
concert and had said that he would have it played at his house, since
it was easy for him to get manuscripts from Beethoven for that purpose.
He applied to Beethoven for the Quartet, but the latter refused to let
him have it, and Holz, as he related to Beethoven, told Dembscher in
the presence of other persons that Beethoven would not let him have
-any more music because he had not attended Schuppanzigh’s concert.
+any more music because he had not attended Schuppanzigh’s concert.
Dembscher stammered in confusion and begged Holz to find some means
-to restore him to Beethoven’s good graces. Holz said that the first
+to restore him to Beethoven’s good graces. Holz said that the first
step should be to send Schuppanzigh 50 florins, the price of the
-subscription. Dembscher laughingly asked, “Must it be?” (_Muss es
+subscription. Dembscher laughingly asked, “Must it be?” (_Muss es
sein?_). When Holz related the incident to Beethoven he too laughed and
-instantly wrote down a canon on the words: “It must be! Yes, yes, yes,
-it must be. Out with the purse!”[148]
+instantly wrote down a canon on the words: “It must be! Yes, yes, yes,
+it must be. Out with the purse!”[148]
-[Sidenote: ORIGIN OF “ES MUSS SEIN!”]
+[Sidenote: ORIGIN OF “ES MUSS SEIN!”]
Out of this joke in the late fall of the year grew the finale of the
last of the last five quartets, that in F major. Op. 135, to which
-Beethoven gave the superscription: “The difficult resolution” (_Der
+Beethoven gave the superscription: “The difficult resolution” (_Der
schwergefasste Entschluss_). The story, almost universally current and
still repeated, that the phrases: _Muss es sein_? _Es muss sein_, and
_Der schwergefasste Entschluss_ had their origin in
@@ -10677,23 +10640,23 @@ _Der schwergefasste Entschluss_ had their origin in
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, It must be!
]
-a scene frequently repeated when Beethoven’s housekeeper came to him
+a scene frequently repeated when Beethoven’s housekeeper came to him
of a Saturday for the weekly house-money, was spread by Schindler, who
was familiar in a way with the Dembscher incident but assigned it to
the Quartet in E-flat. Holz was an actor in the scene and is the better
witness, being confirmed, moreover, by the Conversation Book. Schindler
probably took his clue from a page in the Conversation Book used in
-December, 1826, in which Beethoven writes the phrases “Must it be?” and
-“It must be,” and Schindler, after a conversation in which Schuppanzigh
-takes part, concludes with: “It must be. The old woman is again in need
-of her weekly money.” The joke played a part in the conversations with
+December, 1826, in which Beethoven writes the phrases “Must it be?” and
+“It must be,” and Schindler, after a conversation in which Schuppanzigh
+takes part, concludes with: “It must be. The old woman is again in need
+of her weekly money.” The joke played a part in the conversations with
Beethoven for some time.
Holz says that when once he remarked to Beethoven that the one in
-B-flat was the greatest of his Quartets the composer replied: “Each
+B-flat was the greatest of his Quartets the composer replied: “Each
in its way. Art demands of us that we shall not stand still. You
will find a new manner of voice treatment (part writing) and, thank
-God! there _is less lack of fancy than ever before_.” Afterward he
+God! there _is less lack of fancy than ever before_.” Afterward he
declared the C-sharp minor Quartet to be his greatest. The first form
of the fugue-theme in this work, as has been noted, was written down
in a Conversation Book in the last days of December, 1825. The theme
@@ -10708,14 +10671,14 @@ publisher in July and Schott and Sons, who had bought it for 80 ducats
payable in two installments, sent the drafts early to accommodate
Beethoven, who spoke of being on the eve of a short journey--of which
nothing is known save that he did not make it. The score was turned
-over to Schott’s agent in Vienna on August 7. On the copy Beethoven
-had written “Put together from pilferings from one thing and another”
+over to Schott’s agent in Vienna on August 7. On the copy Beethoven
+had written “Put together from pilferings from one thing and another”
(_Zusammengestohlen aus Verschiedenem diesem und Jenem_). This alarmed
the publishers, who wrote to Beethoven about it and in reply received
-a letter stating: “You wrote me that the quartet must be an original
-one. As a joke I wrote on the copy ‘Put together, etc....’; but it is
-brand new.” It was published by Schott and Sons very shortly after
-Beethoven’s death in April, 1827, under the opus number 129. Beethoven
+a letter stating: “You wrote me that the quartet must be an original
+one. As a joke I wrote on the copy ‘Put together, etc....’; but it is
+brand new.” It was published by Schott and Sons very shortly after
+Beethoven’s death in April, 1827, under the opus number 129. Beethoven
originally intended to dedicate it to Wolfmayer but out of gratitude to
Baron von Stutterheim, Lieutenant Fieldmarshal, who had made a place
for Nephew Karl in his regiment, placed his name upon the title-page.
@@ -10730,17 +10693,17 @@ indeed, in a manner which insured him as large a share of immortality
as falls to the lot of a man--and meanwhile he had been privileged
to shine in the musical circles of St. Petersburg as one who stood
peculiarly close to the greatest of living composers. During the delay
-Prince Galitzin’s conduct was in the highest degree honorable. In his
+Prince Galitzin’s conduct was in the highest degree honorable. In his
letters he was most generous in his offers of assistance, practically
giving Beethoven _carte blanche_ to draw on his bankers in case of
need. He organized a performance of the _Missa solemnis_ (the first
given of the work or any portion of it), and presented his copy of the
written score to the Philharmonic Society of St. Petersburg. He was so
-proud of his collection of Beethoven’s music that he applied to the
+proud of his collection of Beethoven’s music that he applied to the
composer himself to help him make it complete. Too eager to wait for
the publishers, he commissioned Beethoven to have copies made of new
-works, like the Ninth Symphony and the overture to “The Consecration
-of the House,” at his expense. He entertained the idea of repeating
+works, like the Ninth Symphony and the overture to “The Consecration
+of the House,” at his expense. He entertained the idea of repeating
in St. Petersburg the concert which Beethoven had given in Vienna, at
which the Symphony had received its first performance. For a while
he contemplated a repetition of the Mass. Beethoven had dedicated the
@@ -10752,103 +10715,103 @@ the second and third sometime in February, 1826. He had followed up
his commission in 1823 with an order to his bankers, Henikstein and
Co. in Vienna, to pay Beethoven 50 ducats, the fee agreed upon, for
each Quartet. The money was paid over in October, 1823, but with his
-express consent, at Beethoven’s request, was applied to the payment
+express consent, at Beethoven’s request, was applied to the payment
of his subscription for the Mass. If there could be any doubt on this
point it would be dissipated by the letter in which Henikstein and
-Co., forwarded Beethoven’s receipt. This letter was written on October
+Co., forwarded Beethoven’s receipt. This letter was written on October
15, 1823, and stated that the sum had been paid _comme honoraire de la
-messe que nous expediée par l’entremise de la haute chancellerie de
-l’État_. On December 5, 1824, let us say six weeks or two months before
+messe que nous expediée par l’entremise de la haute chancellerie de
+l’État_. On December 5, 1824, let us say six weeks or two months before
he received the first Quartet, he sent another 50 ducats, which it is
fair to assume was the fee for that work and took the place of the sum
diverted to the payment for the Mass. These facts must be carefully
-noted and borne in mind, for the question of Galitzin’s indebtedness to
+noted and borne in mind, for the question of Galitzin’s indebtedness to
Beethoven became the subject of a scandalous controversy a long time
-after the composer’s death; it endured down to 1838 and might be opened
+after the composer’s death; it endured down to 1838 and might be opened
again were there a disposition in any quarter to do so. For the present
-the story of the Quartets during Beethoven’s lifetime may be pursued
+the story of the Quartets during Beethoven’s lifetime may be pursued
as it is disclosed by records in the Conversation Books and so much of
the correspondence as has been preserved.
In February, 1826, one of the Quartets, perhaps both of them, had been
-sent to St. Petersburg by special courier. (“Everything written by
-Beethoven ought to be sent to its destination by special courier,” is
-one of Schuppanzigh’s magnificent remarks when the question of sending
+sent to St. Petersburg by special courier. (“Everything written by
+Beethoven ought to be sent to its destination by special courier,” is
+one of Schuppanzigh’s magnificent remarks when the question of sending
the Quartet to the Prince is under discussion.) The money did not
come and Beethoven grew impatient and anxious. Karl tried to reassure
him. The Prince had written _Je vais_, he remarks in the Conversation
Book, plainly referring to a letter dated January 14, 1826, in which
-Prince Galitzin had said: “_Je vais faire remettre à M. Stieglitz_
-(his banker) _la valeur de 75 ducats pour vous être remis par M.
-Fries; 50 pour le quatuor et 25 pour l’ouverture qui est magnifique
-et que je vous remercie beaucoup de m’avoir dédiée_.” Still the money
+Prince Galitzin had said: “_Je vais faire remettre à M. Stieglitz_
+(his banker) _la valeur de 75 ducats pour vous être remis par M.
+Fries; 50 pour le quatuor et 25 pour l’ouverture qui est magnifique
+et que je vous remercie beaucoup de m’avoir dédiée_.” Still the money
did not come. In the middle of May Holz reports to Beethoven that a
letter had been received from the courier, whose name was Lipscher.
-He had called on Prince Galitzin, who had begged to be excused; “he
-had not time--call another day.” He had repeated the visit five or six
+He had called on Prince Galitzin, who had begged to be excused; “he
+had not time--call another day.” He had repeated the visit five or six
times, but each time was denied an audience on one pretext or another.
Finally, he had bribed a domestic with five florins and found his
way to the Prince, who seemed greatly embarrassed, fumbled amongst
his scores for a time and then asked him to come again before his
departure and he would give him the money. The courier had added that
-he considered it a “Russian trick” but that he was not to be disposed
+he considered it a “Russian trick” but that he was not to be disposed
of so easily. Lipscher would be back in Vienna in four or five days,
Holz added, and advised Beethoven to await his coming before writing
to him. Schindler, a short time after, gives his views in a style
characteristic of his attitude toward Beethoven during the period of
-Holz’s factotumship: “The matter of the Prince Galitzin is getting
+Holz’s factotumship: “The matter of the Prince Galitzin is getting
critical and I wish you a happy outcome. If you had obeyed me he would
have had only one quartet and with that _basta_. You never permitted
yourself to be deceived by flattery as you have by this princely
-braggart.” Again: “_Voila_, the letter to Count Lebzeltern (Russian
+braggart.” Again: “_Voila_, the letter to Count Lebzeltern (Russian
Ambassador) and the banker Stieglitz. They can go to-day as it is great
postday. What more is there to be considered? Wait, and wait--and no
results. Breuning is agreed. If Prince Galitzin could act in such
-contradiction to his letters nothing good is to be expected of him.”
+contradiction to his letters nothing good is to be expected of him.”
At a later date there came another letter from the courier. He had
tried seven times to see the Prince, but all in vain. Later (it was now
July) he had gone again; the Prince had been polite, but denied him
admittance. Still later in the same month Karl tells his uncle that he
-wants to write to Stieglitz, the Prince’s banker, upon whom Beethoven
+wants to write to Stieglitz, the Prince’s banker, upon whom Beethoven
had been told to draw in case he needed money. Karl does not use
-general terms as to the sum involved, but specifically says “the 125
-ducats.” On August 2 Beethoven wrote to Stieglitz and Co., from whom he
+general terms as to the sum involved, but specifically says “the 125
+ducats.” On August 2 Beethoven wrote to Stieglitz and Co., from whom he
received a letter dated August 13 saying that the Prince was absent,
but his attention should be directed to the matter. Evidently the
bankers kept their word, for on November 10-22, Prince Galitzin wrote
to Beethoven saying that he had received the two Quartets but had been
the victim of great losses and other misfortunes; he was now obliged to
-go to the wars in Persia, but before going would pay the “125 ducats”
+go to the wars in Persia, but before going would pay the “125 ducats”
which he owed, thus admitting the debt in specific terms. On January
10, 1827, Beethoven, already on his deathbed, dictated a letter of
inquiry to Stieglitz and Co., and the bankers again answered promptly:
they were still waiting for an answer from the Prince. Five days
before his death Beethoven made his last appeal to Stieglitz and Co.,
-reviewing the recent correspondence and Galitzin’s promise and asking
+reviewing the recent correspondence and Galitzin’s promise and asking
the bankers, if the money had been received, to forward it to Arnstein
and Eskeles, as he was greatly in need of it because of his protracted
sickness. Beethoven dictated the letter, but signed it himself and
-endorsed the draft: “To Prince Galitzin, concerning 125 ducats, March
-21, 1827.” He died on March 26.
+endorsed the draft: “To Prince Galitzin, concerning 125 ducats, March
+21, 1827.” He died on March 26.
[Sidenote: DID GALITZIN PAY FOR THE QUARTETS?]
-Thus stands the record at the time of Beethoven’s death. Prince
+Thus stands the record at the time of Beethoven’s death. Prince
Galitzin was back from the wars, but sent no money. On March 20, 1829,
Hotschevar as guardian of Karl van Beethoven appealed to the Imperial
Chancellary to ask the Embassy at St. Petersburg to collect the debt
of 125 ducats from the Prince. Galitzin demanded an explanation, but
after repeated requests from Karl agreed to pay 50 ducats in two
installments of 20 and 30 ducats each. The sums were paid, the latter,
-as Karl’s receipt shows, on November 9, 1832. Karl continued to make
+as Karl’s receipt shows, on November 9, 1832. Karl continued to make
representations to the Prince touching a balance of 75 ducats still
due and on June 2-14, 1835, Galitzin promised to pay the sum, not as
a balance due on his business transactions with Beethoven, but as a
-memorial _pour honorer sa mémoire, que m’est chère_. Even now the
+memorial _pour honorer sa mémoire, que m’est chère_. Even now the
money was not paid, but after a controversy had broken out between
-Schindler and the Prince over the former’s charge that Beethoven had
+Schindler and the Prince over the former’s charge that Beethoven had
never been paid for the Quartets, Galitzin sent the 75 ducats, and Karl
-complaisantly acquiesced in the Prince’s request and signed a receipt
+complaisantly acquiesced in the Prince’s request and signed a receipt
for the money, not as in payment of the debt, but as a voluntary
tribute to the dead composer.[149]
@@ -10861,7 +10824,7 @@ to send the monarch a manuscript copy, which, he said, would have no
value after the publication. The reward which he was looking forward to
in return was a decoration. The Conversation Books have considerable
to say about the dedication, but if the London Philharmonic Society
-ever entered Beethoven’s mind in connection with it, the record has
+ever entered Beethoven’s mind in connection with it, the record has
been lost. He wanted an Order, and had he received one in time for
the concert, its insignia would, in great likelihood, have graced his
breast on that occasion. He had repeatedly expressed contempt for the
@@ -10875,42 +10838,42 @@ Visitors called to see it and he permitted his intimate friends to
show it about, until Holz cautioned him to do so no more, as it was
showing marks of damage from a fall. In one conversation, Johann
suggests that the Symphony be dedicated to the Czar of Russia and from
-a remark in one of Prince Galitzin’s letters telling him that, by a
+a remark in one of Prince Galitzin’s letters telling him that, by a
recent decree, all foreigners who wished to dedicate works of art to
the Czar would have to obtain permission to do so from the Minister of
-Foreign Affairs, it would appear that Johann’s suggestion, or approval,
+Foreign Affairs, it would appear that Johann’s suggestion, or approval,
had also received his sanction. Ferdinand Ries was also a candidate
for the distinction (Beethoven had promised him the dedication in a
letter), his claim being put forward, without particular urgency, by
Franz Christian Kirchhoffer, a bookkeeper with whom Beethoven was
acquainted and through whom Ries carried on his correspondence with
the composer. On April 8, 1824, Karl wrote in a Conversation Book:
-“As soon as the Symphony has been sent to England it must be copied
+“As soon as the Symphony has been sent to England it must be copied
again handsomely on vellum paper and sent with an inscription to the
-King of France.” On the same day, apparently, Schindler asks: “Who has
+King of France.” On the same day, apparently, Schindler asks: “Who has
the preference in the matter of the dedication of the Symphony--Ries
or the King of Prussia?--It ought to be offered as a proof of your
gratitude, in these words.--There could be no better opportunity than
-just now for this purpose.” It is obvious that Schindler favors the
-King of France, for a day or two later he writes: “Schwaebl sends his
+just now for this purpose.” It is obvious that Schindler favors the
+King of France, for a day or two later he writes: “Schwaebl sends his
compliments and is highly delighted that you are pleased with the gift.
As regards the you-know-what he wants you to write to the Duke de la
-Chârtre [d’Âchats] yourself, but for the present nothing about the
-dedication--leave the reference till later.” The advice is repeated and
-the subject concluded with: “Good, then you will stick to France.”
+Chârtre [d’Âchats] yourself, but for the present nothing about the
+dedication--leave the reference till later.” The advice is repeated and
+the subject concluded with: “Good, then you will stick to France.”
These facts belong chronologically to the history of 1824, but they
have been made pertinent by the discussion of the dedication and
presentation of the Ninth Symphony to the King of Prussia, which took
place in 1826. They are also valuable to correct a misapprehension
-which has prevailed ever since the publication of Hogarth’s history
+which has prevailed ever since the publication of Hogarth’s history
of the London Philharmonic Society and was no doubt current before
then. Hogarth says that the directors of the society resolved to offer
-Beethoven £50 for a manuscript symphony on November 10, 1822, and adds,
-“the money was immediately advanced.” In a note to his translation of
-one of Beethoven’s letters (Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 448) Mr.
+Beethoven £50 for a manuscript symphony on November 10, 1822, and adds,
+“the money was immediately advanced.” In a note to his translation of
+one of Beethoven’s letters (Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 448) Mr.
Shedlock calls attention to the fact that there is a document in the
-British Museum, acknowledging receipt of £50 for a symphony composed
+British Museum, acknowledging receipt of £50 for a symphony composed
for the society, dated April 27, 1824. This document proves the date on
which Beethoven received the remuneration for the Symphony to have been
that indicated in the receipt beyond peradventure. On April 26 or 27
@@ -10932,7 +10895,7 @@ Karl writes, in the Conversation Book from which we have been quoting:
ourselves at once. He wants me to bring him the two documents and
the Symphony, when he will at once hand over the two shares. I
beg you therefore to sign this now so that I can be with him at
- 10 o’clock. I will bring the two shares at once.--The girl can
+ 10 o’clock. I will bring the two shares at once.--The girl can
carry the Symphony with me now.--As regards the dedication of the
Symphony it was only a question put for Ries by Kirchhoffer and
must in no case be. He would have liked to see Ries [get it?]
@@ -10942,7 +10905,7 @@ Karl writes, in the Conversation Book from which we have been quoting:
When finally, in 1826, Beethoven decided that the Symphony should be
dedicated to the King of Prussia, he obtained permission of Prince
-Hatzfeld, the Prussian Ambassador, to do so. Dr. Spicker, the King’s
+Hatzfeld, the Prussian Ambassador, to do so. Dr. Spicker, the King’s
librarian, was in Vienna at the time and arrangements were made
to transmit a copy of the score to Berlin through him. Holz had a
talk with him and he advised him concerning the preparation of the
@@ -10952,7 +10915,7 @@ on the title-page in his natural and habitual handwriting without any
attempt at beautification. This would enhance the value of the score
in the eyes of the King and he would put it in his private library. To
get the order would be an easy matter, for the King was predisposed in
-Beethoven’s favor. Spicker also visited Beethoven, being presented by
+Beethoven’s favor. Spicker also visited Beethoven, being presented by
Haslinger, but, unfortunately, the pages of the book which must have
recorded the conversation have not been preserved; or, if preserved,
not been made known. Beethoven wrote the title-page, the score was
@@ -10973,13 +10936,13 @@ Spicker with the following letter:
I beg of Your Majesty graciously to accept this work as a slight
token of the high reverence which I give to all your virtues.
- Your Majesty’s
+ Your Majesty’s
Most obedient servant
Ludwig van Beethoven.
[Sidenote: A ROYAL GIFT OF SMALL VALUE]
-The King’s acknowledgment was as follows:
+The King’s acknowledgment was as follows:
In view of the recognized worth of your compositions it was very
agreeable for me to receive the new work which you have sent me. I
@@ -10991,9 +10954,9 @@ The King’s acknowledgment was as follows:
To the composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
-Schindler says that when the case containing the King’s gift was
+Schindler says that when the case containing the King’s gift was
opened it was found to contain, not a diamond ring as the letter had
-described it, but one set with a stone of a “reddish” hue which the
+described it, but one set with a stone of a “reddish” hue which the
court jeweller to whom it was shown appraised at 300 florins, paper
money. Beethoven was very indignant and was with difficulty dissuaded
from sending it back to the Prussian Ambassador; eventually he sold
@@ -11003,49 +10966,49 @@ substituted for it (as was suspected in some quarters), has never been
determined.
Despite the cordial relations between Beethoven and Haslinger, which
-endured to the end of the composer’s life, there was continual friction
+endured to the end of the composer’s life, there was continual friction
between him and the Steiner firm, for which it would seem that Holz
was at this time responsible in a considerable degree; and it may have
-been he who put the notion into Beethoven’s head that it would be a
+been he who put the notion into Beethoven’s head that it would be a
stroke of business to buy back all of his manuscripts which Steiner had
acquired but had not yet published. Dissatisfaction with the policy
of publishers, however, was in Beethoven a confirmed mood; we have
heard him rail against the men who wanted to withhold his works till
he was dead, so as to profit from the public curiosity which would
follow. Beethoven made the proposition in a jocular letter to Haslinger
-offering to pay the same “shameful” price for all his unpublished
+offering to pay the same “shameful” price for all his unpublished
manuscripts which the firm had paid him. The transaction was not
consummated; if it had been there can be no doubt but that it would
have been highly advantageous to him, since both Schott and Artaria
were now eager to have his works.
-[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF MOZART’S “REQUIEM”]
+[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF MOZART’S “REQUIEM”]
-Among Beethoven’s intimate friends was Abbé Stadler, an old man and
-an old-fashioned musician, the horizon of whose æsthetic appreciation
+Among Beethoven’s intimate friends was Abbé Stadler, an old man and
+an old-fashioned musician, the horizon of whose √¶sthetic appreciation
was marked by the death-date of his friend Mozart. Castelli says that
-he used to call Beethoven’s music “pure nonsense”; certain it is that
+he used to call Beethoven’s music “pure nonsense”; certain it is that
he used to leave the concert-room whenever a composition by Beethoven
was to be played. Schuppanzigh offered as an excuse for him that he
had a long way home, and it does not appear that Beethoven ever took
umbrage at his conduct. Holz, telling Beethoven in February, 1825,
that as usual he had left the room when an overture by Beethoven was
-about to be played, added: “He is too old. He always says when Mozart
-is reached, ‘More I cannot understand.’” But once he staid and not
+about to be played, added: “He is too old. He always says when Mozart
+is reached, ‘More I cannot understand.’” But once he staid and not
only listened to a Beethoven piece but praised it. It was the Trio for
Strings, Op. 9, which had been composed nearly a generation before!
-Holz becomes sarcastic: “One might say A. B. C. D. (_Abbé cédait_).”
-Stadler now had occasion to court Beethoven’s favor, or at least to
+Holz becomes sarcastic: “One might say A. B. C. D. (_Abbé cédait_).”
+Stadler now had occasion to court Beethoven’s favor, or at least to
betray the fact that even if he could not appreciate his music he
yet had had a vast respect for his genius and reputation. In 1825,
Gottfried Weber had written an essay, which was published in the
-“Cäcilia” journal, attacking the authenticity of Mozart’s “Requiem.”
+“Cäcilia” journal, attacking the authenticity of Mozart’s “Requiem.”
The article angered Beethoven, as is evidenced by his marginal glosses
on the copy of the journal which he read, now in the possession of Dr.
-Prieger in Bonn. The glosses are two in number: “Oh, you arch ass!” and
-“Double ass!” Such a disposition of an attack on the artistic honor of
+Prieger in Bonn. The glosses are two in number: “Oh, you arch ass!” and
+“Double ass!” Such a disposition of an attack on the artistic honor of
his friend did not suffice Stadler. He published a defence of Mozart
-(“_Vertheidigung der Echtheit des Mozartschen Requiems_”) and sent a
+(“_Vertheidigung der Echtheit des Mozartschen Requiems_”) and sent a
copy to Beethoven, who acknowledged it thus:
On the 6th of Feby., 1826.
@@ -11074,7 +11037,7 @@ copy to Beethoven, who acknowledged it thus:
[Illustration: qui tollis peccata qui tollis peccata]
- we are reminded by Herr W’s amazing knowledge of harmony and melody
+ we are reminded by Herr W’s amazing knowledge of harmony and melody
of the old and dead Imperial Composers Sterkel, ...... (illegible),
Kalkbrenner (the father), Andre (_nicht der gar Andere_) etc.
@@ -11086,40 +11049,40 @@ copy to Beethoven, who acknowledged it thus:
Reverend Sir, _your blessing soon_.[151]
The concluding supplication recalls an anecdote related by Castelli
-in his memoirs: Beethoven and Abbé Stadler once met at Steiner’s.
-About to depart, Beethoven kneeled before the Abbé and said: “Reverend
-Sir, give me your blessing.” Stadler, not at all embarrassed, made the
+in his memoirs: Beethoven and Abbé Stadler once met at Steiner’s.
+About to depart, Beethoven kneeled before the Abbé and said: “Reverend
+Sir, give me your blessing.” Stadler, not at all embarrassed, made the
sign of the cross over the kneeling man and, as if mumbling a prayer,
-said: “Hilft’s nix, schadt’s nix” (“If it does no good, ’twill do no
-harm”). Beethoven thereupon kissed his hand amid the laughter of the
+said: “Hilft’s nix, schadt’s nix” (“If it does no good, ’twill do no
+harm”). Beethoven thereupon kissed his hand amid the laughter of the
bystanders. Jahn heard the same story from Fischoff.[152]
A remark in a Conversation Book of 1826 indicates that Stadler had
-urged Beethoven to write a mass. Holz says: “If Stadler tells you to
+urged Beethoven to write a mass. Holz says: “If Stadler tells you to
write a mass it is certain that something will be done for it. He
knows best of anybody which way the wind blows.--He has Dietrichstein
and Eybler in his pocket.--You are well cared for if Stadler favors
-it.” The conversations of Holz also provide a fleeting glimpse of
+it.” The conversations of Holz also provide a fleeting glimpse of
Schubert in this year. Holz tells Beethoven that he had seen the young
composer with either Artaria or Mosel (the allusion is vague) and that
-the two were reading a Handel score together. “He (Schubert) was very
-amiable and thanked me for the pleasure which Mylord’s [Schuppanzigh’s]
+the two were reading a Handel score together. “He (Schubert) was very
+amiable and thanked me for the pleasure which Mylord’s [Schuppanzigh’s]
Quartets gave him; he was always present.--He has a great gift for
-songs.--Do you know the ‘Erlking’? He spoke very mystically, always.”
+songs.--Do you know the ‘Erlking’? He spoke very mystically, always.”
[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND FRIEDRICH WIECK]
Friedrich Wieck, father of Clara Schumann, spent three hours with
Beethoven in May, having been presented by Andreas Stein, the
pianoforte maker. He told about the visit long afterward in a letter
-to his second wife which was reprinted in the “Signale” No. 57, in
-December, 1873, from the “Dresdener Nachrichten.” Beethoven gave his
+to his second wife which was reprinted in the “Signale” No. 57, in
+December, 1873, from the “Dresdener Nachrichten.” Beethoven gave his
guest wine (to which Wieck was not accustomed), improvised for him
over an hour and talked voluminously about
musical conditions in Leipsic--Rochlitz--Schicht--Gewandhaus--his
housekeeper--his many lodgings, none of which suited him--his
- promenades--Hietzing--Schönbrunn--his brother--various stupid
+ promenades--Hietzing--Schönbrunn--his brother--various stupid
people in Vienna--aristocracy--democracy--revolution--Napoleon--
Mara--Catalani--Malibran--Fodor--the excellent Italian singers
Lablache, Donzelli, Rubini and others, the perfection of Italian
@@ -11130,36 +11093,36 @@ over an hour and talked voluminously about
personality--my improved method of pianoforte teaching, etc.
Wieck says the meeting was in Hietzing, and that Beethoven played upon
-the pianoforte “presented to him by the city of London”--three obvious
+the pianoforte “presented to him by the city of London”--three obvious
mistakes, since Beethoven was not in Hietzing in May, but in Vienna,
and the Broadwood pianoforte, which was not presented to him by the
city of London but by Thomas Broadwood, was in the hands of Graf for
repairs in May.
-After Karl’s attempt to end his ill-spent life, with its crushing
+After Karl’s attempt to end his ill-spent life, with its crushing
effect upon the composer, the friends, Holz in particular, made many
-efforts to divert Beethoven’s mind from his disappointment and grief.
+efforts to divert Beethoven’s mind from his disappointment and grief.
They accompanied him on brief excursions into the country which he
loved so passionately and which had been closed to him, for the
-customary happy season, by his nephew’s act. Again did his brother
+customary happy season, by his nephew’s act. Again did his brother
offer him a haven at Gneixendorf in August, only to receive the curt
-answer: “I will not come. Your brother??????!!!! Ludwig.” His nephew
+answer: “I will not come. Your brother??????!!!! Ludwig.” His nephew
was lying in the hospital. He could not leave him then nor did he go
until it had become necessary to find an asylum for Karl as well as
a resting-place for himself. His brother came to the city late in
September; it was necessary that Karl should remain out of Vienna
until he could join a regiment of soldiery, and so Beethoven accepted
-Johann’s renewed invitation to make a sojourn at Gneixendorf. Meanwhile
+Johann’s renewed invitation to make a sojourn at Gneixendorf. Meanwhile
he was far from idle. He had begun a new quartet, in F major, and
-Schlesinger, _père_, who had come from Berlin, negotiated with him
+Schlesinger, _père_, who had come from Berlin, negotiated with him
for its publication. He had the new finale for the B-flat Quartet
on his mind and, as will appear later, several other works occupied
him. With Schlesinger he talked about the Complete Edition and some
military marches which the King of Prussia was to pay for, as they were
-to be written for the Royal Band. The chief obstacle to Beethoven’s
-acceptance of his brother’s repeated invitations to visit him at
-Gneixendorf came from the presence there of the brother’s wife. Her
-scandalous conduct had begotten an intense hatred in Beethoven’s mind.
+to be written for the Royal Band. The chief obstacle to Beethoven’s
+acceptance of his brother’s repeated invitations to visit him at
+Gneixendorf came from the presence there of the brother’s wife. Her
+scandalous conduct had begotten an intense hatred in Beethoven’s mind.
Urged on by his brother, Johann had once planned to put her away, but
there was an obstacle in the shape of a marriage contract, which gave
her half of his property, and though she was willing to surrender
@@ -11168,11 +11131,11 @@ the world with neither character nor means of subsistence. Besides,
Johann was loath to take the drastic methods which alone were open to
him. He was inclined, much to the indignation of his brother, to be
complaisant; he needed a housekeeper and for that she would serve.
-“I go my way and let her go hers,” he said, and he told his brother
+“I go my way and let her go hers,” he said, and he told his brother
when trying to persuade him to spend his summers, perhaps eventually
all his time, at Gneixendorf, that he need pay no heed whatever to
his sister-in-law. Much of the ill-feeling was due to the fact that
-Beethoven wanted to insure his brother’s fortune for Karl. The nephew
+Beethoven wanted to insure his brother’s fortune for Karl. The nephew
did eventually become his sole heir and inherited 42,000 florins from
him.
@@ -11180,43 +11143,43 @@ him.
On September 28, Beethoven and his nephew left Vienna for Gneixendorf,
intending to stay a week. A night was passed at a village _en route_,
-and Johann’s estate was reached in the afternoon of the next day--the
+and Johann’s estate was reached in the afternoon of the next day--the
29th--but not too late for the composer to walk through the fields
with his brother to take a look at the property. The next day the
walk was extended to the vineyards on the hill in the forenoon and
to Imbach in the afternoon. There Karl pointed out to his uncle some
-historical monuments: “This is the cloister where Margarethe, Ottocar’s
-wife, died; the scene occurs in Grillparzer’s piece.” Thus, with other
+historical monuments: “This is the cloister where Margarethe, Ottocar’s
+wife, died; the scene occurs in Grillparzer’s piece.” Thus, with other
excursions the next day, life at Gneixendorf began. [153] Gneixendorf
is a little village on a high plateau of the Danube Valley about an
-hour’s walk from Krems. It is a mean hamlet, with only one street and
+hour’s walk from Krems. It is a mean hamlet, with only one street and
that narrow, rough and dirty. The houses are low huts. Wasserhof,
as the place is now called, the Beethoven estate, lies opposite the
village and is reached by a wagon road which runs a large part of the
way along the edge of a ravine, which torrents have cut out of the
clayey soil. The plateau is almost treeless but covered with fields
-and vines. In Beethoven’s time there were two houses on the estate,
+and vines. In Beethoven’s time there were two houses on the estate,
both large and handsome, each with its garden and surrounding wall. The
houses were separated from each other by a road. A generation after
Beethoven had been a visitor there the gardens were found neglected
and the trees which surrounded the house, a two-storey structure
strongly built of stone with a covering of mortar, shut out a view of
-the surrounding country.[154] Beethoven’s rooms were on the east side,
+the surrounding country.[154] Beethoven’s rooms were on the east side,
and unless the trees interfered the composer had a magnificent view of
the Danubian valley stretching to the distant Styrian mountains. Johann
-van Beethoven’s possessions compassed nearly 400 acres, most of which
+van Beethoven’s possessions compassed nearly 400 acres, most of which
he leased to tenants. A lover of hills and forests like Beethoven must
have found Wasserhof dreary and monotonous in the extreme, yet the
distant view of the Danube seems to have compensated him in a measure,
for it reminded him of the Rhine.
-Gerhard von Breuning gives a distressful account of Beethoven’s
+Gerhard von Breuning gives a distressful account of Beethoven’s
reception and treatment at Gneixendorf. It is, indeed, too distressful
to be implicitly accepted as true, nor are all his accusations against
Johann borne out by the evidence of the Conversation Books and
-other indubitable facts. If the account in Breuning’s book “Aus dem
-Schwarzspanierhause” were literally true, we should have to picture to
-ourselves Beethoven, arrived at his brother’s place, being assigned
+other indubitable facts. If the account in Breuning’s book “Aus dem
+Schwarzspanierhause” were literally true, we should have to picture to
+ourselves Beethoven, arrived at his brother’s place, being assigned
rooms which were unfit for occupation in the cold, wet November weather
which ensued, denied facilities for proper heating, having fire-wood
stingily doled out to him, compelled to eat miserable food and forced
@@ -11227,31 +11190,31 @@ Beethoven, who had been offering hospitalities to his brother for
years, had done so only to make money out of him and had at last
succeeded in his design by taking advantage of the overwhelming
sorrow which had come upon him.[155] Beethoven is said to have made
-complaints in the nature of von Breuning’s accusations in a letter
+complaints in the nature of von Breuning’s accusations in a letter
written from Gneixendorf to Stephan von Breuning, and also to have
given expression to his feelings at being obliged to submit to the
-repulsive companionship of his brother’s wife and step-daughter. The
-letter is lost and was not printed by Breuning’s son in proof of the
+repulsive companionship of his brother’s wife and step-daughter. The
+letter is lost and was not printed by Breuning’s son in proof of the
charges; but if it had been it would not be conclusive in the minds
of dispassionate judges. Against it there would lie the evidences of
-the brother’s numerous acts of helpfulness, the many instances of
-Beethoven’s unreasonable suspicion and unjust judgment and, above
+the brother’s numerous acts of helpfulness, the many instances of
+Beethoven’s unreasonable suspicion and unjust judgment and, above
all, the testimony of the Conversation Books. As to the matter of an
-insufficient supply of fire-wood, there is a remark of Karl’s, made
-after a return to Vienna is already in contemplation: “As regards
+insufficient supply of fire-wood, there is a remark of Karl’s, made
+after a return to Vienna is already in contemplation: “As regards
expenses, wood is so cheap that it is inconceivable that your brother
should be at any considerable cost, for you can heat a long time with
-a cord and he is already overpaid.” Long before when Johann had been
+a cord and he is already overpaid.” Long before when Johann had been
trying in vain to induce him to come to Gneixendorf for the summer he
rebukes him for his unwillingness to accept his hospitality gratis.
-Once during the sojourn he says explicitly: “You do not need money
-here”; and at another time: “If you want to live with us you can have
+Once during the sojourn he says explicitly: “You do not need money
+here”; and at another time: “If you want to live with us you can have
everything for 40 florins Convention money a month, which makes only
-500 florins for a whole year,” and again: “You will need only half of
-your pension” and “I will charge nothing for the first fortnight; I
-would do more if I were not so hard-pressed with taxes.” Beethoven had
+500 florins for a whole year,” and again: “You will need only half of
+your pension” and “I will charge nothing for the first fortnight; I
+would do more if I were not so hard-pressed with taxes.” Beethoven had
planned at the outset to stay only a week, just long enough for the
-scar on Karl’s head to disappear sufficiently to make him presentable
+scar on Karl’s head to disappear sufficiently to make him presentable
to his commanding officer. Instead, the visit lasted two months and
Johann was short of money. He had still two payments to make on the
purchase-money for the estate, and collections were not good.
@@ -11274,36 +11237,36 @@ honest affection for his brother.
[Sidenote: ANECDOTES OF A RURAL SOJOURN]
Concerning his life in Gneixendorf, a number of interesting details
-were told in an article entitled “Beethoven in Gneixendorf,” published
-in the “Deutsche Musikzeitung” in 1862,[156] some of which are worth
+were told in an article entitled “Beethoven in Gneixendorf,” published
+in the “Deutsche Musikzeitung” in 1862,[156] some of which are worth
reciting again. One day Johann went to Langenfeld and Beethoven and
other people from Gneixendorf went with him. The purpose was to visit a
surgeon named Karrer, a friend of the brother. The surgeon was absent
on a sick-call, but his wife, flattered by a visit from the landowner,
entertained him lavishly. Noticing a man who held himself aloof from
the company, sitting silently on the bench behind the stove, and
-taking him for one of her guest’s servants, she filled a little jug
-with native wine and handed it to him with the remark: “He shall also
-have a drink.” When the surgeon returned home late at night and heard
-an account of the incident he exclaimed: “My dear wife, what have you
+taking him for one of her guest’s servants, she filled a little jug
+with native wine and handed it to him with the remark: “He shall also
+have a drink.” When the surgeon returned home late at night and heard
+an account of the incident he exclaimed: “My dear wife, what have you
done? The greatest composer of the century was in our house to-day and
-you treated him with such disrespect!”
+you treated him with such disrespect!”
Johann had occasion to visit the syndic Sterz in Langenlois on a
matter of business. Beethoven accompanied him. The conference lasted a
considerable time, during all of which Beethoven stood motionless at
-the door of the official’s office. At the leavetaking Sterz bowed often
+the door of the official’s office. At the leavetaking Sterz bowed often
and low to the stranger, and after he was gone asked his clerk, named
-Fux, an enthusiastic lover of music, especially of Beethoven’s; “Who do
-you think the man was who stood by the door?” Fux replied: “Considering
+Fux, an enthusiastic lover of music, especially of Beethoven’s; “Who do
+you think the man was who stood by the door?” Fux replied: “Considering
that you, Mr. Syndic, treated him with such politeness, his may be
an exceptional case; otherwise I should take him for an imbecile
-(_Trottel_).” The consternation of the clerk may be imagined when told
+(_Trottel_).” The consternation of the clerk may be imagined when told
the name of the man whom he had taken for an idiot.
-Johann’s wife had assigned Michael Krenn, son of one of her husband’s
-vinedressers, to look after Beethoven’s wants. At first the cook had to
-make up Beethoven’s bed. One day, while the woman was thus occupied,
+Johann’s wife had assigned Michael Krenn, son of one of her husband’s
+vinedressers, to look after Beethoven’s wants. At first the cook had to
+make up Beethoven’s bed. One day, while the woman was thus occupied,
Beethoven sat at a table gesticulating with his hands, beating time
with his feet, muttering and singing. The woman burst into a laugh,
which Beethoven observed. He drove her out of the room instanter.
@@ -11311,22 +11274,22 @@ Krenn tried to follow her, but Beethoven drew him back, gave him three
20-kreutzer pieces, told him not to be afraid, and said that hereafter
he should make the bed and clean the floor every day. Krenn said that
he was told to come to the room early, but generally had to knock a
-long time before Beethoven opened the door. It was Beethoven’s custom
-to get up at half-past 5 o’clock, seat himself at a table and write
+long time before Beethoven opened the door. It was Beethoven’s custom
+to get up at half-past 5 o’clock, seat himself at a table and write
while he beat time with hands and feet and sang. This frequently
-stirred Krenn’s risibles, and when he could no longer restrain his
+stirred Krenn’s risibles, and when he could no longer restrain his
laughter he used to leave the room. Gradually he grew accustomed to
-it. The family breakfast was eaten at half-past 7 o’clock, after which
+it. The family breakfast was eaten at half-past 7 o’clock, after which
Beethoven hurried out into the open air, rambled across the fields
shouting and waving his arms, sometimes walking very rapidly, sometimes
very slowly and stopping at times to write in a sort of pocketbook.
-This book he once lost and said: “Michael, run about and hunt my
-writings; I must have them again at any cost.” Michael luckily found
+This book he once lost and said: “Michael, run about and hunt my
+writings; I must have them again at any cost.” Michael luckily found
them. At half-past 12 Beethoven would come home for dinner, after which
-he went to his room until about 3 o’clock; then he roamed over the
+he went to his room until about 3 o’clock; then he roamed over the
fields until shortly before sunset, after which he never went out of
doors. Supper was at half-past 7, and after eating he went to his room,
-wrote till 10 o’clock and then went to bed. Occasionally Beethoven
+wrote till 10 o’clock and then went to bed. Occasionally Beethoven
played the pianoforte, which did not stand in his room but in the
salon. Nobody was permitted to enter his rooms except Michael, who had
to put them in order while Beethoven was out walking. In doing so he
@@ -11355,7 +11318,7 @@ abandoned.
[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN SCARES A YOKE OF OXEN]
Two old peasants told the owner of Wasserhof in 1862 stories which
-confirm Krenn’s account of Beethoven’s unusual behavior in the fields.
+confirm Krenn’s account of Beethoven’s unusual behavior in the fields.
Because of his unaccountable actions they at first took him for a
madman and kept out of his way. When they had become accustomed to his
singularities and learned that he was a brother of the landlord they
@@ -11365,7 +11328,7 @@ the time, had an adventure with Beethoven of a most comical nature. He
was driving a pair of young oxen, scarcely broken to the yoke, from the
tile-kiln toward the manor-house when he met Beethoven shouting and
waving his arms about in wild gesticulations. The peasant called to
-him: _A bissel stada!_ (“A little quieter”) but he paid no attention
+him: _A bissel stada!_ (“A little quieter”) but he paid no attention
to the request. The oxen took fright, ran down a steep hill and the
peasant had great difficulty in bringing them to a stand, turning them
and getting them back on the road. Again Beethoven came towards them,
@@ -11373,7 +11336,7 @@ still shouting and gesticulating. The yokel called to him a second
time, but in vain; and now the oxen rushed towards the house, where
they were stopped by one of the men employed there. When the driver
came up and asked who the fool was who had scared his oxen the man told
-him it was the proprietor’s brother. “A pretty brother, that he is!”
+him it was the proprietor’s brother. “A pretty brother, that he is!”
was the answering comment.
On October 7 Beethoven answered the letter which he had received many
@@ -11390,121 +11353,121 @@ made no reference to Karl. On the subject of his paternity he wrote:
my mother in particular.
He tells with pride of the gift from the King of France, of other
-distinctions which he had received, and of King Frederick William’s
+distinctions which he had received, and of King Frederick William’s
desire to have the autograph of his new Symphony for the Royal Library,
-and adds: “Something has been said to me in this connection about the
+and adds: “Something has been said to me in this connection about the
order of the Red Eagle, second class.[157] What the outcome will be I
do not know; I have never sought for such marks of honor, but at my
-present age they would not be unwelcome, for several reasons.”
+present age they would not be unwelcome, for several reasons.”
On October 13 he wrote a merry letter to Haslinger, whom he addresses
-in music as “First of all Tobiasses,” asking him to deliver a quartet
-(the one in F major published as Op. 135) to Schlesinger’s agent and
+in music as “First of all Tobiasses,” asking him to deliver a quartet
+(the one in F major published as Op. 135) to Schlesinger’s agent and
collect and forward the money, of which he stands in need. On the same
day he wrote to Schott and Sons enclosing the metronome marks for the
Ninth Symphony which the Conversation Book shows had been dictated to
Karl before the departure from Vienna. That he was not as grievously
disappointed by his surroundings at Gneixendorf as might have been
-expected is evidenced by the remark: “The scenes among which I am
+expected is evidenced by the remark: “The scenes among which I am
sojourning remind me somewhat of the Rhine country which I so greatly
-long to see again, having left them in my youth.”
+long to see again, having left them in my youth.”
[Sidenote: WORKS WRITTEN AT GNEIXENDORF]
The Quartet in F was completed at Gneixendorf. Beethoven sent it to
-Schlesinger’s agent on October 30, and had probably put the finishing
+Schlesinger’s agent on October 30, and had probably put the finishing
touches on it about the time when he wrote to Haslinger about its
delivery a fortnight before. Schlesinger had agreed to pay 80 ducats
for it. It had been in hand four months at least, for in July he told
-Holz that he intended to write another quartet and when Holz asked, “In
-what key?” and was told, he remarked, “But that will be the third in
+Holz that he intended to write another quartet and when Holz asked, “In
+what key?” and was told, he remarked, “But that will be the third in
F. There is none in D minor. It is singular that there is none among
-Haydn’s in A minor.” If there were positive evidence in the “Muss es
-sein?” incident, a still earlier date would have to be set for its
+Haydn’s in A minor.” If there were positive evidence in the “Muss es
+sein?” incident, a still earlier date would have to be set for its
origin, but here we are left to conjecture. There was considerable
merry-making over the Dembscher joke, and it is at least probable that
the first sketches for the Quartet and the Canon were written about the
same time. The point which cannot be definitely determined is whether
or not the motif of the Canon was destined from the first for the
-finale of the Quartet. It may have been in Beethoven’s mind for that
-purpose and the sudden inspiration on hearing the story of Dembscher’s
-query “Muss es sein?” may have gone only to the words and the use of
+finale of the Quartet. It may have been in Beethoven’s mind for that
+purpose and the sudden inspiration on hearing the story of Dembscher’s
+query “Muss es sein?” may have gone only to the words and the use of
them with the music for the Canon. That the Quartet was to be shorter
than the others was known before Beethoven left Vienna. Holz once says
to Beethoven before the departure that Schlesinger had asked about it
and that he had replied that Beethoven was at work upon it, and added:
-“You will not publish it if it is short. Even if it should have only
+“You will not publish it if it is short. Even if it should have only
three movements it would still be a quartet by Beethoven, and it would
-not cost so much to print it.”[158]
+not cost so much to print it.”[158]
The new finale for the Quartet in B-flat was also completed in
Gneixendorf, though it, too, had been worked out almost to a conclusion
in Vienna. It was delivered on November 25 to Artaria, who gave him 15
ducats for it. Schuppanzigh gave it a private performance in December
-and told Beethoven that the company thought it _köstlich_ and that
+and told Beethoven that the company thought it _köstlich_ and that
Artaria was overjoyed when he heard it. There were other compositions
on which Beethoven worked in Gneixendorf when he compelled laughter
-from the cook and frightened the peasant’s oxen. At Diabelli’s request
+from the cook and frightened the peasant’s oxen. At Diabelli’s request
he had said that he would write a quintet with flute. Sketches for a
quintet have been found, showing that the work was in a considerable
state of forwardness, but in them there are no signs of a flute. Holz
told Jahn that the first movement of a quintet in C for strings which
-Diabelli had bought for 100 ducats was finished in the composer’s
-head and the first page written out. In the catalogue of Beethoven’s
-posthumous effects No. 173 was “Fragment of a new Violin Quintet,
-of November, 1826, last work of the composer,” which was officially
+Diabelli had bought for 100 ducats was finished in the composer’s
+head and the first page written out. In the catalogue of Beethoven’s
+posthumous effects No. 173 was “Fragment of a new Violin Quintet,
+of November, 1826, last work of the composer,” which was officially
valued at 10 florins. It was bought by Diabelli at the auction sale
and published in pianoforte arrangements, two and four hands, with the
-title: “Ludwig van Beethoven’s last Musical Thought, after the original
-manuscript of November, 1826,” and the remark: “Sketch of the Quintet
+title: “Ludwig van Beethoven’s last Musical Thought, after the original
+manuscript of November, 1826,” and the remark: “Sketch of the Quintet
which the publishers, A. Diabelli and Co., commissioned Beethoven to
-write and purchased from his relics with proprietary rights.” The
+write and purchased from his relics with proprietary rights.” The
published work is a short movement in C in two divisions, having a
broad theme of a festal character, _Andante maestoso_ and Polonaise
rhythm. The autograph having disappeared it can not now be said how
much of the piece was actually written out by Beethoven. Nottebohm
-shows (“Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 79 _et seq._) that the sketches for the
+shows (“Zweit. Beeth.,” p. 79 _et seq._) that the sketches for the
quintet were written after Beethoven had begun to make a fair copy of
the last movement of the B-flat Quartet. Lenz, in volume V of his work
on Beethoven (p. 219), tells a story derived from Holz to the effect
that when Beethoven sent him the last movement of the B-flat Quartet
with injunctions to collect 12 ducats from Artaria, he accompanied
-it with a Canon on the words “Here is the work; get me the money”
+it with a Canon on the words “Here is the work; get me the money”
(_Hier ist das Werk, schafft mir das Geld_). According to a report
circulated in Vienna in 1889, a copy of this Canon was purchased from
-Holz’s son for the Beethoven Collection in Heiligenstadt. The lines and
+Holz’s son for the Beethoven Collection in Heiligenstadt. The lines and
notes were described as having been written by Beethoven, the words:
-_Hier ist das Werk, sorgt für das Geld--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
-10, 11, 12 Dukaten_, by Holz to Beethoven’s dictation. The story is
+_Hier ist das Werk, sorgt für das Geld--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
+10, 11, 12 Dukaten_, by Holz to Beethoven’s dictation. The story is
not altogether convincing. The movement was completed in Gneixendorf
and Artaria received and paid for it in November. He paid 15, not 12,
ducats; and it is not patent how Beethoven in Gneixendorf could dictate
to Holz in Vienna. He did not return to Vienna till December 2. There
are references to other works in the Conversation Books which are not
-clear. In January Mathias Artaria writes: “I hear of six fugues.--We
-will empty a bottle of champagne in their honor.” Holz asks: “Is it
+clear. In January Mathias Artaria writes: “I hear of six fugues.--We
+will empty a bottle of champagne in their honor.” Holz asks: “Is it
true that you sold a rondo to Dominik Artaria which he has not yet
received? It is said that you took it back and have not returned
-it.”--It is possible that the Rondo Caprice which was published by
+it.”--It is possible that the Rondo Caprice which was published by
Diabelli as Op. 129, the history of which is a blank, is the work
alluded to; but there is no evidence on the subject.
FOOTNOTES:
-[147] Halm’s personal explanation to Mr. Thayer.
+[147] Halm’s personal explanation to Mr. Thayer.
[148] The Editor has taken the liberty of transferring the music to
the treble clef and to interpret the notes which are indistinct in the
-autograph in accordance with Dr. Deiters’s transcript.
+autograph in accordance with Dr. Deiters’s transcript.
[149] It would scarcely be worth while to review the acrimonious
controversy on this subject. There were errors and misunderstandings
growing out of faulty memories and imperfect records. Mr. Thayer made
a painstaking study of the subject and secured all the available
correspondence from Prince George Galitzin and from other sources
-in 1861. His résumé as given in Grove’s “Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians” (Art. “Galitzin”) doubtless sets forth the fact of
-indebtedness and payment correctly. He says: “These (the last two
+in 1861. His résumé as given in Grove’s “Dictionary of Music and
+Musicians” (Art. “Galitzin”) doubtless sets forth the fact of
+indebtedness and payment correctly. He says: “These (the last two
Quartets) were received by the Prince together and were acknowledged
by him Nov. 22, 1826. He also received a MS. copy of the Mass in D and
printed copies of the Ninth Symphony and of the two overtures in C, the
@@ -11513,32 +11476,32 @@ Radzivill. Thus the whole claim against him was--Quartets 150 ducats;
Overture (Op. 115), 25 ducats; Mass, 50 ducats; loss on exchange, 4
ducats; total 229 ducats, not including various other pieces of music
sent. On the other hand he appears, notwithstanding all his promises,
-to have paid, up to the time of Beethoven’s death, only 104 ducats.
+to have paid, up to the time of Beethoven’s death, only 104 ducats.
It should be said that in 1826, war and insurrection had broken out
in Russia, which occupied the Prince and obliged him to live away
from Petersburg, and also put him to embarrassing expenses. After the
peace of Adrianople, (Sept. 14, 1829) when Beethoven had been dead
some years a correspondence was opened with him by Hotschevar, Karl
-van Beethoven’s guardian, which resulted in 1832 in a further payment
+van Beethoven’s guardian, which resulted in 1832 in a further payment
of 50 ducats, making a total of 154. Karl still urges his claim for
75 more to make up the 150 ducats for the Quartets, which Galitzin in
-1835 promises to pay but never does. In 1852, roused by Schindler’s
+1835 promises to pay but never does. In 1852, roused by Schindler’s
statement of the affair (ed. I. pp. 162, 163), he writes to the
_Gazette musicale_ of July 21, 1852, a letter stating correctly the
sum paid but incorrectly laying it all to the account of the Quartets.
Other letters passed between him and Karl Beethoven, but they are not
-essential to the elucidation of the transaction.”
+essential to the elucidation of the transaction.”
To this the present editor adds a bit of history derived chiefly from
-Mr. Thayer’s papers. In the course of time Schindler’s partly erroneous
+Mr. Thayer’s papers. In the course of time Schindler’s partly erroneous
statement that the debt which Galitzin owed Beethoven at the time
of his death was all on account of the quartets was magnified into
-the statement made by Heinrich Döring and Brendel that the Prince
-had “cheated” the composer out of the fee for the Quartets. Prince
+the statement made by Heinrich Döring and Brendel that the Prince
+had “cheated” the composer out of the fee for the Quartets. Prince
Nicolas Galitzin had withdrawn to his distant estates in Russia, but
at his instigation the cudgels were taken up in his behalf by his son
-Prince George, who, stirred into indignation by Döring’s biography
-in particular, sent that writer the following letter: “I can not and
+Prince George, who, stirred into indignation by Döring’s biography
+in particular, sent that writer the following letter: “I can not and
do not want to know anything of the past, all the less since it will
certainly not be expected of me to contradict the proofs produced by
him (his father). But as by the publication of your article you have
@@ -11553,16 +11516,16 @@ this question as a personal one! In case the family of Beethoven has
died out there will be no other disposition of the money deposited
with Banker Kaskel than to pay it over to a charity or some other
cause which may be directly associated with the name and works of the
-famous artist. Dresden, July 15-3, 1858.” Karl van Beethoven, sole
+famous artist. Dresden, July 15-3, 1858.” Karl van Beethoven, sole
heir of the composer, had died three months previously, leaving a
-widow and children, who were his heirs. Prince George’s money seemed
+widow and children, who were his heirs. Prince George’s money seemed
like a gift of Providence to the widow, who hastened, as soon as she
read the letter in a musical journal, to write to Holz as the friend
of the dead composer to collect the money for her and express her
gratitude to Prince George. Holz complied with part of her request
in a letter full of obsequiousness in which he accused Schindler of
scandalmongering and offered to provide the Prince with evidence of
-that gentleman’s rascality. But he did not collect the money, which
+that gentleman’s rascality. But he did not collect the money, which
lay still untouched in the vaults of Kaskel in 1861, when Madame van
Beethoven, having made a vain application to Prince George, addressed
a letter to Kaskel asking whether the money was still deposited with
@@ -11575,7 +11538,7 @@ April 28, 1861, she wrote to Reichel, reviewing the facts in the case
and stating her desire to apply the money, in case it was given to
her, to the musical education of her youngest daughter, Hermine van
Beethoven, then 8 years of age. Kaskel also wrote to Reichel, sending
-him Madame van Beethoven’s letter and saying that as he had not heard
+him Madame van Beethoven’s letter and saying that as he had not heard
anything from Prince Galitzin for several years he intended to turn the
money over to the Municipal Court of Dresden in order to spare himself
all further correspondence in the matter. Kaskel wrote to the Prince on
@@ -11583,36 +11546,36 @@ May 7, 1861, asking him to prescribe a disposition of the money, for,
if Kaskel carried out his determination to send it to the court, it
would be frittered away. He urged that the money be given to Madame van
Beethoven. This revival of interest in the subject was evidently due
-to Mr. Thayer’s activity in behalf of the widow and her daughter. Mr.
+to Mr. Thayer’s activity in behalf of the widow and her daughter. Mr.
Thayer was in London in 1860 and evidently took up the matter with the
Prince. He makes no mention of the subject in his notice written for
-Grove’s “Dictionary”; but among his letters the present writer found
+Grove’s “Dictionary”; but among his letters the present writer found
the following letter, evidently written on the eve of his departure
from England in February, 1861:
-“Dear Mr. Thayer. Prince Galitzin has asked me to remit to you the
+“Dear Mr. Thayer. Prince Galitzin has asked me to remit to you the
enclosed letters, praying you kindly to act for him in the affair, as
you will soon be on the spot. He begs you, however, to bear in mind the
necessity off proving that the money for these Quartets has not been
paid (I fear an impossibility!); but however vexatious this may be to
poor Mad. v. B. everyone must defer to the obstacle to her having the
-money: in the awkward light in which it places the Prince’s father.
+money: in the awkward light in which it places the Prince’s father.
From what I can gather from his conversation he will be most satisfied
to have the money appropriated for the purpose you suggested: the M. S.
S. At all events Prince G. is quite content to leave the matter in your
hands. Wishing you a pleasant journey and speedy return, believe me,
-dear Mr. Thayer, Yours sincerly Natalia Macfarren.”
+dear Mr. Thayer, Yours sincerly Natalia Macfarren.”
-The editor’s efforts to learn the ultimate disposition of the money
-deposited with Kaskel have been in vain. Mr. Thayer’s papers contain
-no hint of the steps which may have been taken after Mrs. Macfarren’s
+The editor’s efforts to learn the ultimate disposition of the money
+deposited with Kaskel have been in vain. Mr. Thayer’s papers contain
+no hint of the steps which may have been taken after Mrs. Macfarren’s
appeal to Prince George; the banking house of Kaskel is gone out
-of existence; Nephew Karl’s daughter, Hermine, is dead. For three
+of existence; Nephew Karl’s daughter, Hermine, is dead. For three
years, from 1866 to 1869, she was a student in the pianoforte and
harmonium classes of the Conservatory at Vienna, and it seems likely
that Mr. Thayer succeeded in having the Dresden deposit applied to her
education; but if so he left no memorandum of that fact amongst the
-papers which have come under the editor’s eyes.
+papers which have come under the editor’s eyes.
[150] Under the agreement it was to be the exclusive property of the
Philharmonic Society for a year and a half.
@@ -11626,20 +11589,20 @@ B. and H. Complete Edition, with this amusing anecdote:
[Illustration:
Signor Abbate! io sono, io sono, io sono ammalato!
- (Signor Abbate! I’m ailing, I’m ailing, I’m ailing, I am ailing!
+ (Signor Abbate! I’m ailing, I’m ailing, I’m ailing, I am ailing!
Santo Padre vieni e datemi la benedizione, la benedizione.
Holy Father! hasten, hasten to me, hasten to me, hasten, and give
me thy blessing!
- Hol’ Sie der Teufel, wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol’ Sie der Teufel,
- wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol’ Sie der Teufel!
+ Hol’ Sie der Teufel, wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol’ Sie der Teufel,
+ wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol’ Sie der Teufel!
Go to the devil, unless you hasten, go to the devil, unless you
hasten, go to the devil!)
]
-[153] “The name is something like the breaking of an axletree,” wrote
+[153] “The name is something like the breaking of an axletree,” wrote
Beethoven to Haslinger in October.
[154] The description is based on that made by Thayer when he visited
@@ -11653,33 +11616,33 @@ the evidence to the contrary afforded by the Conversation Books. The
proposition that the two make a common home in Vienna had come from
Ludwig and been urged by him. After Johann had acquired the estate
at Gneixendorf he made repeated efforts to persuade his brother to
-spend his summer vacation there. In 1823 Beethoven wrote: “He always
-wants me to come to his people--_non possibile per me_.” The obstacle
-was Johann’s wife, who had become one of “his people” because of the
-composer’s interference with Johann’s private affairs at Linz. Urged on
+spend his summer vacation there. In 1823 Beethoven wrote: “He always
+wants me to come to his people--_non possibile per me_.” The obstacle
+was Johann’s wife, who had become one of “his people” because of the
+composer’s interference with Johann’s private affairs at Linz. Urged on
by Ludwig, Johann had taken action against the woman and made himself
master of his household. In a Conversation Book of 1824 may be read
-in Johann’s hand: “My wife has surrendered her marriage contract and
+in Johann’s hand: “My wife has surrendered her marriage contract and
entered into an obligation permitting me to drive her away without
-notice at the first new acquaintance which she makes.” Beethoven seems
-to have asked, “Why do you not do it!” for Johann continues: “I cannot
-do that. I cannot know but that some misfortune might befall me.” Then
-Karl takes the pencil: “Your brother proposes that you spend the four
+notice at the first new acquaintance which she makes.” Beethoven seems
+to have asked, “Why do you not do it!” for Johann continues: “I cannot
+do that. I cannot know but that some misfortune might befall me.” Then
+Karl takes the pencil: “Your brother proposes that you spend the four
months at his place. You would have 4 or 5 rooms, very beautiful,
high and large. Everything is well arranged; you will find fowls,
oxen, cows, hares, etc. Moreover, as regards the wife, she is looked
upon as a housekeeper only and will not disturb you. The scenery is
glorious and it will not cost you a penny. There is a housekeeper;
water containing iron, an individual bathroom, etc. If you do not take
-it he will give up five rooms and announce the fact in the newspapers.”
-Beethoven, obviously, brings forward his objection to Johann’s wife,
-for Karl writes: “That matter has come to an end. You will scarcely see
+it he will give up five rooms and announce the fact in the newspapers.”
+Beethoven, obviously, brings forward his objection to Johann’s wife,
+for Karl writes: “That matter has come to an end. You will scarcely see
the woman. She looks after the housekeeping and works. All the more
since she is completely tamed. Besides, she has promised to conduct
-herself properly.” Other matters are discussed and then Johann writes:
-“It looks to me as if you did not want to come because it will not
+herself properly.” Other matters are discussed and then Johann writes:
+“It looks to me as if you did not want to come because it will not
cost you anything. Who will look after our household affairs? Who will
-endure our humors?” In another book Karl writes that Johann had often
+endure our humors?” In another book Karl writes that Johann had often
said that his brother could have everything for nothing at Gneixendorf.
[156] Page 77 _et seq._ The article was based largely on information
@@ -11689,9 +11652,9 @@ him for revision.
[157] Third class is what is talked about in the Conversation Books.
[158] Holz told Jahn that Schlesinger had bought it for 80 ducats and
-sent 360 florins in payment; whereupon Beethoven had said “If a Jew
-sends circumcised ducats he shall have a circumcised Quartet. That’s
-the reason it is so short.”
+sent 360 florins in payment; whereupon Beethoven had said “If a Jew
+sends circumcised ducats he shall have a circumcised Quartet. That’s
+the reason it is so short.”
@@ -11700,12 +11663,12 @@ Chapter IX
Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward and an Unwise
Guardian--Beethoven and His Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father
- and a Graceless, Profligate Nephew--Effect on Beethoven’s
+ and a Graceless, Profligate Nephew--Effect on Beethoven’s
Character of the Guardianship--An Unsuccessful Attempt at
Self-destruction--Karl is Made a Soldier.
-We are now to learn of the calamitous consequences of Beethoven’s
+We are now to learn of the calamitous consequences of Beethoven’s
effort to be a foster-father to the son of his dead brother Kaspar. The
tale is one that has been fruitful of fiction in most of the writings
which have dealt with the life-history of the great composer; nor is
@@ -11720,18 +11683,18 @@ which must have seemed to him more inscrutable than his own physical
calamity, he could not inspire a spark of love or a scintilla of
gratitude. It was an unwise devotion and an ill-directed effort, but
that does not alter the case. From the beginning, all of his friends
-recognized Beethoven’s unfitness for the office of guardian of his
+recognized Beethoven’s unfitness for the office of guardian of his
nephew. He was incapacitated for it by his occupation, his irregular
-mode of life, his lack of understanding of a child’s nature, his
+mode of life, his lack of understanding of a child’s nature, his
irresolute mind, his infirmities of temper, and the wretchedness of
his domestic surroundings due to his ignorance of and indifference to
the things essential to the amenities and comforts of social life.
He did not assume the guardianship in a spirit of gentle obedience
-to a dying brother’s request; he violently wrested it unto himself
-alone in defiance of that brother’s last entreaties. There can be no
+to a dying brother’s request; he violently wrested it unto himself
+alone in defiance of that brother’s last entreaties. There can be no
doubt but that he believed that in doing so he was performing a pious
duty toward his own flesh and blood and acting for the good of the
-child and the welfare of the community. He was proud of the boy’s
+child and the welfare of the community. He was proud of the boy’s
intellectual gifts, which were out of the ordinary; he dreamed of
seeing him great and respected in the eyes of the world; he wanted
loving companionship now, and in his old age; he hungered for sympathy
@@ -11750,14 +11713,14 @@ came it separated him from the oldest and truest friend that he had
in Vienna--Stephan von Breuning. It tested the patience and tried the
forbearance of those who helped him in his mistaken zeal.
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S MORAL NATURE MARRED]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S MORAL NATURE MARRED]
Moreover, it may be said without harshness or injustice to his memory
that its consequences to his own moral nature were most deplorable. In
a mind and heart prone to equity and tenderness it developed a strange
capacity for cruel injustice. Aided by his native irresolution it
twisted his judgment and turned his conduct into paradox. To satisfy
-his own love for the boy he strove fiercely to stifle a child’s natural
+his own love for the boy he strove fiercely to stifle a child’s natural
affection for its mother. He thought that love for himself would grow
out of hatred of the woman, though the passion which he tried to
evoke was abhorrent to every instinct of nature. It matters not that
@@ -11768,19 +11731,19 @@ he was compelled to admit that to a child under all circumstances a
mother is a mother still; but he made the confession to extenuate the
conduct of the boy, not to justify the solicitude of the woman. His
memory of his own mother, the sweet, patient sufferer of Bonn, was
-to him like a benison his whole life long. “Who was happier than I
-when I could still speak the sweet word ‘mother’ and have it heard,”
+to him like a benison his whole life long. “Who was happier than I
+when I could still speak the sweet word ‘mother’ and have it heard,”
he wrote to Dr. Schade, who had helped him on his sorrowful journey
from Vienna to Bonn in 1787. But from the time that his brother Kaspar
died until he himself gave up the ghost he was unswervingly occupied
-in preventing communication between Kaspar’s widow and her son. After
+in preventing communication between Kaspar’s widow and her son. After
more than twelve years he found that what he had tried to eradicate
in the child, still lived in the youth. He had fought against nature
and failed; and the failure filled him with bitterness, added to his
hatred of the woman and his disappointment with the son. Such intensity
of malevolence, though it may have had its origin in the profoundest
conviction of virtuous purpose, could not fail to be prejudicial to
-his own moral character. So, also, his solicitude for his ward’s
+his own moral character. So, also, his solicitude for his ward’s
material welfare, which extended to a time when he should no longer
be able to make provision for him, seems to have warped his nature.
It weakened his pride; distorted his moral view; subjected him, not
@@ -11791,7 +11754,7 @@ though possessed of property which might easily and quickly have been
converted into money to supply his last needs more than generously.
To protect him against indictment for these moral flaws, many of
-Beethoven’s biographers thought, and still think, it necessary or
+Beethoven’s biographers thought, and still think, it necessary or
justifiable to veil the truth and magnify the transgressions of his
kindred and friends. His earliest apologists may have had other
reasons besides these for so doing; his present biographers have
@@ -11800,13 +11763,13 @@ Schindler was embittered against Holz; Holz against Schindler; both
against Johann van Beethoven, the brother; Beethoven himself taught
his nephew to despise his uncle Johann as well as Schindler; and all
three--Schindler, Holz and Johann--commissioned to that end, reported
-their observations of the lad’s shortcomings to his guardian. He
+their observations of the lad’s shortcomings to his guardian. He
accepted everything they said against the boy as he did everything
they said against each other; indeed, his suspicious nature made him
prone to believe evil of everyone near to him; and we do not know of a
certainty that their reports were always within the bounds of strict
veracity. After the tragedy they were unanimous in condemnation of
-the misguided, wayward, wicked youth and in praise of Beethoven’s
+the misguided, wayward, wicked youth and in praise of Beethoven’s
magnanimity and self-sacrifice; but the evidence of helpful advice,
warning and admonition to the mariner who was sailing a craft on a sea
full of dangers to which nature had made him blind is not plentiful.
@@ -11815,11 +11778,11 @@ he seems to have been more lenient in his judgment than his elders,
though just as convinced of the dangers into which the young man was
running during the fateful last two years; but the few practical
suggestions which we find him making do not seem to have been accepted.
-He was himself, like everybody else, under suspicion in Beethoven’s
+He was himself, like everybody else, under suspicion in Beethoven’s
mind.
Concerning the details of the always disgraceful and at the end
-tragical conduct of Beethoven’s nephew much obscurity is left after the
+tragical conduct of Beethoven’s nephew much obscurity is left after the
most painstaking study of the evidence to be found in the contemporary
documents which have been preserved; but it is to these documents
that appeal must be made if the truth is to be learned, not to the
@@ -11832,15 +11795,15 @@ wholly unworthy to receive it; but they also help measurably to explain
why Beethoven defeated his own benevolent intentions. In them the
paradoxes in his nature are piled one on top of the other. Alternately
they breathe tender affection, gentle admonition and violent
-accusation; pride in the lad’s mental gifts, hope for his future, and
+accusation; pride in the lad’s mental gifts, hope for his future, and
loathing of his conduct; proclamations of his own self-sacrificing
-devotion set off against his ward’s ingratitude; pleadings that the boy
+devotion set off against his ward’s ingratitude; pleadings that the boy
love him and hate his mother; proud condemnation and piteous prayers
-for forgiveness; petitions for the boy’s reformation and promises of
+for forgiveness; petitions for the boy’s reformation and promises of
betterment in his own conduct. They give out the light in which the
story must be told, though they contribute but little to the record
of concrete facts. They leave us to conjecture and surmise as to many
-of the nephew’s motives and actual doings. It is from the pages of
+of the nephew’s motives and actual doings. It is from the pages of
the Conversation Books of 1825 and 1826 that practically all of the
attested truth concerning the happenings, their causes and effects,
must be learned. Letters and these records of conversations are at the
@@ -11848,7 +11811,7 @@ base of the following recital.[159]
[Sidenote: STUDY BECOMES IRKSOME TO KARL]
-Karl was taken from his studies at the Blöchlinger Institute in the
+Karl was taken from his studies at the Blöchlinger Institute in the
fall of 1823 and matriculated at the University of Vienna, where he
pursued studies in philology from that time until the summer of 1825.
Though his gifts were unquestioned and his attainments such as to make
@@ -11872,7 +11835,7 @@ entered him in the Polytechnic Institute, and arranged to have the
vice-director of the Institute, Dr. Reisser, appointed co-guardian in
place of Peters, with whom he took counsel as he also did, in great
likelihood, with Stephan von Breuning. There were two great admirers
-of Beethoven’s music in the Institute, Reisser and Dr. Ignaz von
+of Beethoven’s music in the Institute, Reisser and Dr. Ignaz von
Sonnleithner, one of the teachers, and after Karl had been placed
under the supervision of a government official named Schlemmer, who
lived in the Alleegasse adjacent to the Karlskirche, with whom the lad
@@ -11881,7 +11844,7 @@ about Easter, 1825, and, if his own statements are to be accepted
(Dr. Reisser, too, makes favorable reports of him), he made a good
beginning in his new studies. His Sundays and holidays during the
ensuing summer were spent with his uncle at Baden, where he was kept
-at work, too assiduously perhaps, writing Beethoven’s letters, and
+at work, too assiduously perhaps, writing Beethoven’s letters, and
filling numerous other commissions. But his zeal did not endure. He
became negligent in his studies; work became irksome and the pleasures
of the city alluring. He was drawn willingly into the maelstrom of
@@ -11894,29 +11857,29 @@ there are unseemly scenes between the two. At first Karl seeks to be
conciliatory, but it is only too plain that he is not always frank and
truthful in his replies. The chronological course of events as learned
from the Conversation Books cannot be set down with exactitude; nor
-is it necessary that it should. A young rake’s progress can easily
+is it necessary that it should. A young rake’s progress can easily
be imagined, but some incidents may be included in this narrative, as
showing the changing attitude of guardian and ward, uncle and nephew,
toward each other, and some of the steps which led to the final
catastrophe.
At an early date in this period Beethoven had become suspicious of
-the character of some of Karl’s associates, particularly of a lad
+the character of some of Karl’s associates, particularly of a lad
of his own age named Niemetz, whose acquaintance, it was said, he
-made at his mother’s. Whether or not this is true cannot be proved;
+made at his mother’s. Whether or not this is true cannot be proved;
but if Beethoven believed it that fact sufficed to convince him of
-the young man’s moral turpitude. Certain it is that the mother knew
+the young man’s moral turpitude. Certain it is that the mother knew
Niemetz and thought as well of him as the uncle thought ill, for one
of her exclamations after the attempt at self-destruction, reported
-to Beethoven, was, “What will good Niemetz say!” Beethoven forbade
+to Beethoven, was, “What will good Niemetz say!” Beethoven forbade
the association and a violent quarrel ensued in Baden, where Karl
introduced his friend to his uncle. It seems likely that the encounter
took place in a public room and that Beethoven could not wait until
he had reached the privacy of his lodgings before expressing his
dissatisfaction with the young man; for his remarks to Karl as well as
-the latter’s replies are written in the book. Beethoven’s denunciations
+the latter’s replies are written in the book. Beethoven’s denunciations
stir up a spirit of defiance in his ward; he finally declares flatly
-that Niemetz had cheered his unhappy hours at Blöchlinger’s and that he
+that Niemetz had cheered his unhappy hours at Blöchlinger’s and that he
would not now lie by saying that he would cease loving his friend or
admit that he had a bad character.
@@ -11933,52 +11896,52 @@ go less to the Josephstadt playhouse and oftener to the Burg, where
classical pieces are played; and learning that Karl attends the former
because it costs him nothing, ventures the statement that his uncle
will allow him money for the theatre if he will but go to the better
-place. Beethoven’s views on the subject are expressed in a letter:
-“Let the theatre alone for the present.” After the wicked deed, Holz
+place. Beethoven’s views on the subject are expressed in a letter:
+“Let the theatre alone for the present.” After the wicked deed, Holz
reminded Beethoven that Johann van Beethoven had said that Karl knew
every strumpet in Vienna and that investigation had disclosed that he
was right. Karl goes to dances; Beethoven is so solicitous as to their
character that he expressed a desire to go to some of them with Holz so
as to learn what they are like, and Holz dissuades him on the ground
that he would be stared at and it would cause public comment; but he
-offers to take him to a hall “of the reformed” in the Apollo Room,
-where he would be less observed. Beethoven fears that Karl’s passion
+offers to take him to a hall “of the reformed” in the Apollo Room,
+where he would be less observed. Beethoven fears that Karl’s passion
for billiards will lead him astray, and Holz says he will sometime go
with the lad to see how well he plays and thus learn whether or not
he plays much.[160] Karl is now nearly 20 years old, but Beethoven
does not, or will not, know that he is no longer to be disciplined as
a child. He commands Schlemmer that he is not to be permitted to go
out at night except on written permission signed by him. He exhausts
-Dr. Reisser’s patience with his frequent calls to learn of the young
-man’s habits and conduct. He takes upon himself the task of the
+Dr. Reisser’s patience with his frequent calls to learn of the young
+man’s habits and conduct. He takes upon himself the task of the
ancient pedagogue and waits for him upon the steps of the Institute to
accompany him home. His illness and melancholy, due to his solitary
life in Baden, increase and he is haunted by premonitions of death. In
a Conversation Book he once writes what seems to be the title of an
-imaginary composition “On the Death of Beethoven.” On June 9, 1825, he
-writes to Karl: “You know how I live here. To this is added the cold
+imaginary composition “On the Death of Beethoven.” On June 9, 1825, he
+writes to Karl: “You know how I live here. To this is added the cold
weather. This solitude weakens me still more, for my weakness really
often borders on a swoon. O, do not pain me more! The man with the
-scythe will not give me much more time.” In the same summer: “God will
-set me free from them. _Libera me domine de illis etc._” and “God be
-with you and me. It will soon be all over with your faithful father.”
-His loneliness oppresses him more and more as fears for his nephew’s
-fate and recognition of his own impotency to avert it pursue him. “God
-has never deserted me. Somebody will be found who will close my eyes,”
+scythe will not give me much more time.” In the same summer: “God will
+set me free from them. _Libera me domine de illis etc._” and “God be
+with you and me. It will soon be all over with your faithful father.”
+His loneliness oppresses him more and more as fears for his nephew’s
+fate and recognition of his own impotency to avert it pursue him. “God
+has never deserted me. Somebody will be found who will close my eyes,”
he writes on September 14. Tenderness and reproach alternate in the
-letters written from Baden in the summer of 1825. With the young man’s
+letters written from Baden in the summer of 1825. With the young man’s
habits of extravagance he has no patience whatever. He insists on a
strict accounting for every florin which he allows him and is enraged
when he hears that Karl has not forgotten his boyish trick of borrowing
from the servants. He contrasts his own habits of thrift with the
-prodigence of his ward: “I should have gotten along two years with the
+prodigence of his ward: “I should have gotten along two years with the
walking-coat. True, I have the bad habit of always wearing an old coat
at home, but Mr. Karl--O, what a shame! And why? The money-bag Mr. L.
-v. B-n is here only for this purpose.”
+v. B-n is here only for this purpose.”
The thought of laying down the guardianship occupies his mind over and
over again and his friends without exception urge him to do it; but he
-clings to the office, hoping against hope for his nephew’s reclamation.
+clings to the office, hoping against hope for his nephew’s reclamation.
Crises of apprehension and foreboding produce tender appeals and
piteous expostulations like these:
@@ -12021,7 +11984,7 @@ The letter has been mutilated and the remainder is unintelligible, all
but a request in bad French for matches. But his impatience to see the
returned prodigal was stronger than his purpose to wait for him in
Baden. He went to Vienna and evidently sent the following letter from
-Karl’s lodgings:
+Karl’s lodgings:
My precious son:
@@ -12039,30 +12002,30 @@ Karl’s lodgings:
Come home at once on getting this.
- _Si vous ne viendres pas rous me tuerés surement lisès la lettre et
- restés a la maison chez vous, venes de m’embrasser votre pere vous
- vraiment adonné soyes assurés, que tout cela resterá entre nous._
+ _Si vous ne viendres pas rous me tuerés surement lisès la lettre et
+ restés a la maison chez vous, venes de m’embrasser votre pere vous
+ vraiment adonné soyes assurés, que tout cela resterá entre nous._
- (On the margin): Only for God’s sake come back home to-day. It
+ (On the margin): Only for God’s sake come back home to-day. It
might bring you, who knows what danger. Hurry, hurry!
[Sidenote: THE NEPHEW RESENTS DISCIPLINE]
-In the summer of 1826, Beethoven’s plans with reference to the
+In the summer of 1826, Beethoven’s plans with reference to the
supervision of his nephew are divided between an abandonment of the
guardianship and taking the young man back into his own lodgings. The
-latter alternative at least did not meet with Karl’s approval, who
+latter alternative at least did not meet with Karl’s approval, who
pleads against it the great loss of time in coming and going to the
-distant Institute; besides, he says, “it is only one year more and
-then there will be no more separation.” With such feigned expressions
+distant Institute; besides, he says, “it is only one year more and
+then there will be no more separation.” With such feigned expressions
of gentle feeling, with smiles and occasional cajolings, Karl had
-learned that he could at any time bend “the old fool,” as he once
+learned that he could at any time bend “the old fool,” as he once
called him in a letter to Niemetz, to his wishes. The fact is that
-Beethoven’s attempts at discipline had long ago become irksome to his
+Beethoven’s attempts at discipline had long ago become irksome to his
nephew and his authority a burden which it was pleasant to forget in
the opportunities which freedom brought. He absents himself more and
-more from Beethoven’s lodgings and spends less and less time at his
-own. The “miserable brother” is told by Beethoven to find out why,
+more from Beethoven’s lodgings and spends less and less time at his
+own. The “miserable brother” is told by Beethoven to find out why,
and reports the result of a talk which he had upon the subject with
Karl, who had replied, in effect: the reason he did not come oftener
was that he dreaded the noisy encounters which always followed and the
@@ -12071,20 +12034,20 @@ between his uncle and the servants. Johann takes occasion to tell his
brother that he might win the young man to him by a different mode of
treatment. He is apprehensive of the consequences of idleness and urges
that as soon as Karl completes his studies at the Institute, a place
-be found for him in either a local or foreign business house. “In the
-latter case,” he continues, “place the guardianship in Bach’s hands.
-You are as little able as I to run after him always.” Beethoven’s
+be found for him in either a local or foreign business house. “In the
+latter case,” he continues, “place the guardianship in Bach’s hands.
+You are as little able as I to run after him always.” Beethoven’s
concern is so great that he is willing to take counsel of Schindler,
whom he had so unsparingly and, we believe, unjustly denounced to his
nephew. Schindler is ready with advice, but first takes advantage of
-the opportunity to air his grudge against Holz: “do not depend upon him
-in this matter,” he says in a recorded conversation. Karl’s requests
-for money excite his guardian’s misgivings and he demands to see the
+the opportunity to air his grudge against Holz: “do not depend upon him
+in this matter,” he says in a recorded conversation. Karl’s requests
+for money excite his guardian’s misgivings and he demands to see the
receipts for tuition fees and other expenditures. The growing feeling
between guardian and ward, and some of its causes, are reflected in
-the record of a conversation at Karl’s lodgings in 1826, when the
+the record of a conversation at Karl’s lodgings in 1826, when the
crisis is rapidly approaching. It is Karl who speaks, but the tenor of
-Beethoven’s utterances is easily to be surmised:
+Beethoven’s utterances is easily to be surmised:
You consider it insolence if, after you have upbraided me for hours
undeservedly, this time at least, I cannot turn from my bitter
@@ -12114,8 +12077,8 @@ that such exhibitions of independence and resentment, coupled with
intimations of still greater independence of conduct, frequently
filled Beethoven with consternation and apprehension. Once, to judge
of a recorded remark by Holz, Karl seems to have raised his hand in
-physical violence against the uncle. Holz says: “I came in just as
-he took you by the breast. At the door, as he was coming out.” It is
+physical violence against the uncle. Holz says: “I came in just as
+he took you by the breast. At the door, as he was coming out.” It is
the only allusion to the incident in the book and we know none of the
particulars; but it and other scenes of tumult and the utterances which
they provoked must have inspired the dreadful conflict of emotions
@@ -12126,10 +12089,10 @@ which finds expression in a letter written at this time:
quietly--Do not think of me otherwise than as governed wholly by
thoughts for your well-being, and from this point of view judge my
acts. Do not take a step which might make you unhappy and shorten
- _my_ life. I did not get asleep until 3 o’clock, for I coughed all
+ _my_ life. I did not get asleep until 3 o’clock, for I coughed all
night long. I embrace you cordially and am convinced that you will
soon cease longer to _misjudge_ me; it is thus that I also judge of
- your conduct yesterday. I expect you surely to-day at 1 o’clock.
+ your conduct yesterday. I expect you surely to-day at 1 o’clock.
Do not give me cause for further worry and apprehension. Meanwhile
farewell!
@@ -12144,7 +12107,7 @@ which finds expression in a letter written at this time:
[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN GROWS APPREHENSIVE]
A poor heart, indeed! One that knew not how to win the love for which
-it hungered; and a mind “perplex’d in the extreme.” That love still
+it hungered; and a mind “perplex’d in the extreme.” That love still
went out to the unworthy mother in spite of entreaties, warnings,
lamentations, threats. In May, 1826, already at Baden, Beethoven hears
that Karl has again visited her; and on the 22nd he writes:
@@ -12155,7 +12118,7 @@ that Karl has again visited her; and on the 22nd he writes:
No; if the bond is broken, be it so. You will make yourself hated
by all impartial persons who hear of this ingratitude.... I ought
not to mix into these miserable affairs. If the pact oppresses you
- then in God’s name--I leave you to Divine Providence. I have done
+ then in God’s name--I leave you to Divine Providence. I have done
my duty and am ready to appear before the Supreme Judge. Do not
fear to come to me to-morrow. As yet I only suspect--God grant that
_nothing_ be true, for your misfortune would truly be incalculable
@@ -12167,8 +12130,8 @@ and expressed by the nephew was carried to Beethoven. The date is
uncertain, but it was probably on Saturday, the 29th. The intention may
have been self-destruction, but it needed to be no more than a purpose
to go out into the world, beyond an irksome supervision, to fill
-Beethoven’s soul with a terrible fear. He called Holz and together they
-went to Schlemmer’s house in the Alleegasse. Schlemmer told all he knew
+Beethoven’s soul with a terrible fear. He called Holz and together they
+went to Schlemmer’s house in the Alleegasse. Schlemmer told all he knew
in a few phrases which must have seemed shrouded with a pall as they
fell upon the page of his book:
@@ -12182,15 +12145,15 @@ fell upon the page of his book:
is in my keeping. Be lenient with him or he will despair.
Holz went at once to the Polytechnic Institute and there found Karl,
-who agreed to go back with him to Schlemmer’s, but said that he must
-first go to a friend’s house and get some papers. Holz engaged Dr.
-Reisser in conversation while he waited for Karl to return. “A pistol!”
-remarked Reisser, “the young comedy hero!” But Karl had lied; he did
+who agreed to go back with him to Schlemmer’s, but said that he must
+first go to a friend’s house and get some papers. Holz engaged Dr.
+Reisser in conversation while he waited for Karl to return. “A pistol!”
+remarked Reisser, “the young comedy hero!” But Karl had lied; he did
not come back to the Institute and Holz returned to Beethoven with his
story:
He will not stay here. I could not detain him. He said he would go
- to Schlemmer’s, but wanted to get his papers from a friend while I
+ to Schlemmer’s, but wanted to get his papers from a friend while I
talked with Reisser. He would not be gone more than a quarter of an
hour.
@@ -12199,14 +12162,14 @@ Holz:
He would have run away from you just the same. If he has made up
his mind to injure himself no one can prevent him. He has till
- September 3 to make up his examinations.... He said to me: “What
+ September 3 to make up his examinations.... He said to me: “What
good will it do you to detain me? If I do not escape to-day I will
- at another time.”
+ at another time.”
Schlemmer reported the finding of another pistol. A new suspicion
seized upon the mind of Beethoven. For some reason, though he may
-also have uttered it orally, he wrote it down in the book: “He will
-drown himself.” Probably he did not want the bystanders to know his
+also have uttered it orally, he wrote it down in the book: “He will
+drown himself.” Probably he did not want the bystanders to know his
thoughts, and the fear was therefore committed to the written page
for the instruction of Holz. What else was said at the time we do not
know, for the book here shows a mutilation; some pages are missing.
@@ -12218,7 +12181,7 @@ might contain references to affairs which he did not want to bring
into public discussion. The missing pages might have helped us in the
chronology of the story, but the main facts are before us without them.
It was resolved first to go to the house of Niemetz, who it was thought
-might be privy to Karl’s intentions, and then if necessary, to call in
+might be privy to Karl’s intentions, and then if necessary, to call in
the help of the police.
[Sidenote: A BUNGLING ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE]
@@ -12239,102 +12202,102 @@ Holz said afterwards that, had he taken with him the pistols which he
was obliged to leave at his lodgings, he would have been a dead man;
their barrels were charged with powder and ball to above the middle.
A teamster came upon him lying among the ruins and, no doubt at his
-request, carried him to his mother’s house in the city. There Beethoven
+request, carried him to his mother’s house in the city. There Beethoven
found him, whether in a search for him or because of intelligence
brought by the teamster is not clear. The uncle is anxious to learn the
-particulars of the tragedy, but he receives a sullen answer; “It is
+particulars of the tragedy, but he receives a sullen answer; “It is
done. Now, only a surgeon who can hold his tongue. Smetana, if he is
here. Do not plague me with reproaches and lamentations; it is past.
-Later all matters may be adjusted.” “When did it happen?” Beethoven
-asks and the mother writes the answer: “He has just come. The teamster
+Later all matters may be adjusted.” “When did it happen?” Beethoven
+asks and the mother writes the answer: “He has just come. The teamster
carried him down from a rock in Baden and has just driven out to
you.--I beg of you to tell the surgeon not to make a report or they
will take him away from here at once, and we fear the worst. There is a
-bullet in his head on the left side.”
+bullet in his head on the left side.”
Smetana was the physician who had treated Karl when he was a boy at
-Giannatasio’s school. Beethoven knew him as a friend. To him he wrote:
+Giannatasio’s school. Beethoven knew him as a friend. To him he wrote:
A great misfortune has happened to Karl accidentally by his own
hand. I hope that he can yet be saved, especially by you if you
come quickly. Karl has a _bullet_ in his head, how, you shall
- learn--only quick, for God’s sake, quick!
+ learn--only quick, for God’s sake, quick!
- In order to save time it was necessary to take him to his mother’s,
+ In order to save time it was necessary to take him to his mother’s,
where he now is--the address follows.
Holz took this letter for delivery but before he left the place a
-surgeon named Dögl had been called in. Smetana said that Dögl was a
+surgeon named Dögl had been called in. Smetana said that Dögl was a
capable practitioner and that in order not to compromise him he would
-not come unless Dögl desired to see him in consultation. Karl expressed
-himself as satisfied and the case was left for the time being in Dögl’s
+not come unless Dögl desired to see him in consultation. Karl expressed
+himself as satisfied and the case was left for the time being in Dögl’s
hands. Beethoven went home, but Holz remained some time longer. The
matter had to be reported to the police and Holz thought it best to
do this himself, as he wanted to be able to inform Beethoven what the
-consequences of the young man’s act were likely to be in case of his
+consequences of the young man’s act were likely to be in case of his
recovery. He learned, and so reported, that there would be a severe
reprimand and thereafter police surveillance. He told Beethoven that,
-after he had left him, Karl had said, “If he would only not show
-himself again!” and “If he would only quit his reproaches!” He had
+after he had left him, Karl had said, “If he would only not show
+himself again!” and “If he would only quit his reproaches!” He had
also threatened to tear the bandage from the wound if another word was
spoken to him about his uncle.
On August 7th, the day being a Monday,[161] the wounded youth, who by
his act was fallen into the hands of the law, was removed from his
-mother’s house to the general hospital by the police authorities.
+mother’s house to the general hospital by the police authorities.
The deed was committed on a Sunday, as appears from parts of the
conversations which took place between Holz and Beethoven after the
-fact was known. Holz says: “He left me yesterday, went straight into
-the city, bought the pistols and drove to Baden”; and later: “He sold
-his watch on Saturday and with the proceeds bought two new pistols.”
+fact was known. Holz says: “He left me yesterday, went straight into
+the city, bought the pistols and drove to Baden”; and later: “He sold
+his watch on Saturday and with the proceeds bought two new pistols.”
The obvious conclusion would seem to be that Karl shot himself on
Sunday, August 6; but there is evidence pointing to an earlier date.
The police authorities were not informed until somewhat late in the
day. An investigation had to be made and formalities complied with
before the removal to the hospital could take place. Schlemmer, in
-reply to a question touching Karl’s indebtedness while Beethoven and
-Holz were probing for a cause, said that he had been paid “for this
-month, but not for August,” which indicates that the inquiry was made
+reply to a question touching Karl’s indebtedness while Beethoven and
+Holz were probing for a cause, said that he had been paid “for this
+month, but not for August,” which indicates that the inquiry was made
in July. On September 11th, discussing the disposition to be made of
the nephew when he should leave the hospital and trying to persuade
-Beethoven to grant Karl’s request that he be permitted to visit his
-mother, Holz says: “In my opinion _one_ day will make no difference,
-inasmuch as she was with him whole days after the shooting.” There are,
+Beethoven to grant Karl’s request that he be permitted to visit his
+mother, Holz says: “In my opinion _one_ day will make no difference,
+inasmuch as she was with him whole days after the shooting.” There are,
besides, evidences that conversations were held for several days during
which he was in the care of his mother. It is therefore probable that
the nephew made the attempt upon his life on Sunday, July 30. Schindler
-says “in August” without giving a specific date. The evidence is not
+says “in August” without giving a specific date. The evidence is not
entirely conclusive; but if Beethoven consented to leave the would-be
suicide in the hands of his mother for an entire week it was most
likely because the police authorities commanded it; he did not yield
her a day after her son came out of the hospital. At first, however,
-Beethoven’s spirit was broken by the awful blow and he may have been
+Beethoven’s spirit was broken by the awful blow and he may have been
more pliant than usual. Holz, reporting to Beethoven, tells of an
-interview at the hospital when he met the woman at her son’s bedside.
-“If you have anything on your mind,” she enjoined, “tell your uncle
+interview at the hospital when he met the woman at her son’s bedside.
+“If you have anything on your mind,” she enjoined, “tell your uncle
now. You see, this is the time; he is weak, and now he will surely do
-anything you want.” Karl replied, sullenly: “I know nothing.” “How,”
-Holz explains to Beethoven, “can any one find out a single trace so
-long as he persists in remaining silent?” And he tells his friend of
-the lack of “mercy” in the weeping mother for denouncing the conduct of
+anything you want.” Karl replied, sullenly: “I know nothing.” “How,”
+Holz explains to Beethoven, “can any one find out a single trace so
+long as he persists in remaining silent?” And he tells his friend of
+the lack of “mercy” in the weeping mother for denouncing the conduct of
the guardian of her son!
No doubt the blow was a crushing one to Beethoven. On the fateful
Sunday, or the day after, he met the wife of Stephan von Breuning and
-told her the tragical story. “And is he dead?” she inquired in tender
-solicitude. “No,” was the answer, “it was a glancing shot; he lives
+told her the tragical story. “And is he dead?” she inquired in tender
+solicitude. “No,” was the answer, “it was a glancing shot; he lives
and there is hope that he will be saved. But the disgrace which he has
-brought upon me! And I loved him so!” The occurrence was soon noised
+brought upon me! And I loved him so!” The occurrence was soon noised
about the city and much sympathy was expressed for Beethoven, as Holz
took occasion to inform him. Schindler says that the blow bowed the
proud figure of the composer and he soon looked like a man of seventy.
To add to his sufferings he was compelled to learn that many persons
placed part of the blame for the rash act upon him. Karl was placed
-in the “men’s three-florin” ward, which was under the care of a Dr.
+in the “men’s three-florin” ward, which was under the care of a Dr.
Gassner. He had an assistant named Dr. Seng, who told Gerhard von
Breuning long after, how Beethoven had come to visit his nephew and
-described him as a “dissolute fellow” and “rascal,” one “who did not
-deserve to be visited” and had been “spoiled by kindness.”
+described him as a “dissolute fellow” and “rascal,” one “who did not
+deserve to be visited” and had been “spoiled by kindness.”
[Sidenote: REASONS FOR THE DEED]
@@ -12350,24 +12313,24 @@ studies, he never himself advanced this as an excuse or explanation,
but explicitly denied it. In the hospital he told Holz that it would
have been easy for him to make himself fit to pass, but that, having
made up his mind to do away with himself long before, he had not
-thought it worth while to continue his studies. “He said that he
-was tired of life,” Holz reports to Beethoven, “because he saw in
+thought it worth while to continue his studies. “He said that he
+was tired of life,” Holz reports to Beethoven, “because he saw in
it something different from what you wisely and righteously could
-approve.” He also phrased it thus: “Weariness of imprisonment.” To the
+approve.” He also phrased it thus: “Weariness of imprisonment.” To the
examining police magistrate Karl said that his reason for shooting
-himself was that Beethoven “tormented him too much,” and also “I grew
-worse because my uncle wanted me to be better.” To Beethoven’s question
-if Karl had railed against him, Schlemmer replied: “He did not rail,
-but he complained that he always had trouble.” Holz’s explanation many
-years after to Otto Jahn was that Beethoven was “rigorous to excess
-in his treatment and would not allow him the slightest extravagance.”
+himself was that Beethoven “tormented him too much,” and also “I grew
+worse because my uncle wanted me to be better.” To Beethoven’s question
+if Karl had railed against him, Schlemmer replied: “He did not rail,
+but he complained that he always had trouble.” Holz’s explanation many
+years after to Otto Jahn was that Beethoven was “rigorous to excess
+in his treatment and would not allow him the slightest extravagance.”
The chief cause, in greatest probability, was that he had hopelessly
involved himself in debts by a dissolute life. Schindler told Beethoven
that he not only played billiards but played with low persons, coachmen
and the like; and that he did not always play honestly. There is a
memorandum in a Conversation Book which discloses that Beethoven
received specific reports about his conduct, and noted them for
-reference: “One night in the Prater.--2 nights did not sleep at home.”
+reference: “One night in the Prater.--2 nights did not sleep at home.”
Beethoven stinted him the matter of pocket-money, and the scores of
reckonings in the Conversation Books show how close was the watch
kept upon every kreutzer placed in his hands. So he had recourse to
@@ -12375,8 +12338,8 @@ borrowing and no doubt, though the fact does not appear plainly in
the books, he went into debt at the places which he frequented for
pleasure. When he shot himself he had paid his lodging bill for the
month but owed his tutor. A matter which gave Beethoven great concern
-was the discovery that he had disposed of some of the composer’s books
-at an antiquary’s. This was theft, a penal offence, and Beethoven seems
+was the discovery that he had disposed of some of the composer’s books
+at an antiquary’s. This was theft, a penal offence, and Beethoven seems
to have been in great trepidation lest the fact, and something more
dreadful still which he did not know, be discovered by the magistrate
charged with an examination into the case. Under the Austrian code an
@@ -12385,47 +12348,47 @@ and guilty persons were remanded in the care of priests who imparted
religious instruction until a profession of conversion could be
recorded. In the case of Karl, this medicine for the mind and soul
was administered by a Redemptorist, and, the Liguorian penances being
-proverbially strict, Holz inspired the hope in Beethoven that Karl’s
-secret would be discovered by the priest. “These Liguorians are like
-leeches,” is one of his remarks to the composer while Karl is lying at
+proverbially strict, Holz inspired the hope in Beethoven that Karl’s
+secret would be discovered by the priest. “These Liguorians are like
+leeches,” is one of his remarks to the composer while Karl is lying at
the hospital. It is pathetic to note that Beethoven himself, willing
as he was to charge his nephew with prevarication, extravagance,
deception and frivolity, yet sought an explanation for the act outside
of these delinquencies. In his hand appears a note in a Conversation
-Book: “Mental aberration and insanity; the heat, too--afflicted with
-headaches since childhood.”
+Book: “Mental aberration and insanity; the heat, too--afflicted with
+headaches since childhood.”
[Sidenote: PLANNING A MILITARY LIFE FOR KARL]
-Immediately after Karl’s removal to the hospital Holz visited him and
+Immediately after Karl’s removal to the hospital Holz visited him and
made a long report to Beethoven, from which it appears that there
was no delay in considering plans for the future. In fact, a prompt
decision was necessary, for it was the penal aspect of the case which
-had the greatest terrors for Beethoven. Holz says: “Here you see
+had the greatest terrors for Beethoven. Holz says: “Here you see
ingratitude as clear as the sun! Why do you want further to restrain
him? Once with the military, he will be under the strictest discipline,
and if you want to do anything more for him you need only make him a
small allowance monthly. A soldier at once.... Do you still doubt? This
-is a marvellous document.” The last remark may have been called out,
+is a marvellous document.” The last remark may have been called out,
indeed, it seems more than probable that it was, by the letter written
by the nephew on the eve of his attempt--a letter which has never been
-found. Holz also urges: “Resign the guardianship; this will make an
-impression on him.” Beethoven must now needs listen to upbraidings
-because of his lenient treatment of his ward: “If your good nature had
+found. Holz also urges: “Resign the guardianship; this will make an
+impression on him.” Beethoven must now needs listen to upbraidings
+because of his lenient treatment of his ward: “If your good nature had
not so often got the better of your firmness you would have driven him
-away long ago”; but Beethoven still hungers for the ingrate’s love. He
-asks about his feelings towards himself. Holz answers: “He said it was
-not hatred of you which he felt, but something entirely different”; and
-then he puts the question: “Did he mean fear?”
+away long ago”; but Beethoven still hungers for the ingrate’s love. He
+asks about his feelings towards himself. Holz answers: “He said it was
+not hatred of you which he felt, but something entirely different”; and
+then he puts the question: “Did he mean fear?”
The day after the deed, Stephan von Breuning, himself unable to come,
sent Gerhard to his friend with a message: his parents wanted him to
take his meals with them so as not to be alone. Then Breuning comes,
and now he will receive advice on the advisability of a military life
from one fitted to give it, for von Breuning is a court councillor in
-the war department. “A military life will be the best discipline for
+the war department. “A military life will be the best discipline for
one who cannot endure freedom; and it will teach him how to live on
-little,” is one of Breuning’s first utterances.
+little,” is one of Breuning’s first utterances.
Holz continues his visits to the hospital and his reports. His help was
now invaluable and he gave it unselfishly and ungrudgingly, winning
@@ -12434,44 +12397,44 @@ letter empowering him to write his biography. He tells Beethoven that
Karl receives visits from four physicians four times a day. That the
magistrate is investigating the case and will send a priest to give the
patient religious instruction, and that his release from the hands of
-the police authorities must wait upon his “complete conversion”; but
+the police authorities must wait upon his “complete conversion”; but
so long as there is danger of too much mental strain this instruction
will not be given. At ease in his mind touching the physical condition
of his ward, Beethoven is kept in a state of anxiety about the inquiry,
which is so protracted as to excite his apprehension that something
-awful may be disclosed. He wants to go himself to see the “Minister”
-(of Police, evidently) and dreads the ordeal of examination. “The court
-will not annoy you,” Holz, tells him; “the mother and Karl at the
-worst.”
+awful may be disclosed. He wants to go himself to see the “Minister”
+(of Police, evidently) and dreads the ordeal of examination. “The court
+will not annoy you,” Holz, tells him; “the mother and Karl at the
+worst.”
Dr. Bach joined Breuning, Schindler and Holz in advising Beethoven to
resign the guardianship; but while the other three favored placing
Karl in the army, Bach urged that he be sent off at once to some
business house in Trieste, Milan or Hamburg without waiting for him
to make up his studies and pass the examination which seems necessary
-to Beethoven. “Away with him from Vienna!” is the general cry, but
+to Beethoven. “Away with him from Vienna!” is the general cry, but
Beethoven hesitates; he still thinks that he must keep his ward
-under his eye. In the Conversation Book he writes: “I wanted only to
-accomplish his good; if he is abandoned now, something might happen.”
+under his eye. In the Conversation Book he writes: “I wanted only to
+accomplish his good; if he is abandoned now, something might happen.”
Meanwhile von Breuning in pursuance of his plan consulted Baron von
Stutterheim and persuaded him to give the young man a cadetship in
his regiment, and on September 11 Breuning is able to communicate
the success of his efforts to Beethoven who, as soon as he began to
consider the military proposition at all, had thought of his old
-friend, General von Ertmann, the husband of his “Dorothea-Cäcilia.”
+friend, General von Ertmann, the husband of his “Dorothea-Cäcilia.”
But the project failed, and Breuning carried the day for his plan and
agreed to accept the guardianship which had been laid down by Reisser.
The Court Councillor goes at matters in a practical way; he brings to
-Beethoven von Stutterheim’s advice as to the allowance: he must not
+Beethoven von Stutterheim’s advice as to the allowance: he must not
give more than 12 florins in silver a month, as that was all that the
richest cadet in the service received.
Karl was unwilling to see his uncle, and Beethoven knew it. The latter
wrote to his nephew, however, and the affectionate tenor of the letters
met with the disapproval of both Holz and Schindler. Beethoven hoped
-with them to win back his nephew’s love, but his advisers told him
+with them to win back his nephew’s love, but his advisers told him
they would do no good. He seems to have thought it necessary to learn
-Karl’s opinion before consenting to von Breuning’s plan. He visited
+Karl’s opinion before consenting to von Breuning’s plan. He visited
Karl at the hospital, who, after asking his uncle to say as little as
possible about that which was past alteration, said that a military
life was the one in which he could be most satisfied and that he was
@@ -12510,18 +12473,18 @@ compelled to live so meanly as to preclude his advancement, not be too
much restricted as to food and drink. The plans for this disposition
were made. He was to be presented to von Stutterheim as soon as he
was discharged from the hospital, take the oath of service the next
-day, and leave Vienna for Iglau, where von Stutterheim’s regiment was
+day, and leave Vienna for Iglau, where von Stutterheim’s regiment was
stationed, within five or six days. He was discharged as cured on
September 25. Breuning, who had assumed the guardianship, now found
himself confronted by a serious embarrassment. Where should the young
man be sent while the preparations for his entry into the military
-service were making? Karl did not want to go to his uncle’s, nor did
+service were making? Karl did not want to go to his uncle’s, nor did
von Breuning want to send him there, and frankly tells Beethoven his
-reason: “If he were here you would talk to him too much and that would
+reason: “If he were here you would talk to him too much and that would
cause new irritation; for he testified in the police court that the
reason why he had taken the step was because you harassed him too
-much.” Beethoven feared that the magistrate might allow him to go to
-his mother’s, and to guard against this he wrote two letters to that
+much.” Beethoven feared that the magistrate might allow him to go to
+his mother’s, and to guard against this he wrote two letters to that
official, a man kindly disposed toward him, named Czapka. In the first
he wrote:
@@ -12531,9 +12494,9 @@ he wrote:
that he be near his mother, this utterly depraved person. Her bad
and wickedly malicious character, the belief that she often tempted
Karl to lure money from me, the probability that she divided
- sums with him and was also in the confidence of Karl’s dissolute
+ sums with him and was also in the confidence of Karl’s dissolute
companion, the notice which she attracts with her illegitimate
- daughter, the likelihood that at his m--’s he would make the
+ daughter, the likelihood that at his m--’s he would make the
acquaintance of women who are anything but virtuous, justify my
solicitude and my request. Even the mere habit of being in the
company of such a person cannot possibly lead a young man to
@@ -12541,10 +12504,10 @@ he wrote:
In a second letter he suggests that the magistrate admonish the
young man and give him to understand that he will be under police
-surveillance while he is with his uncle. Beethoven’s brother was again
+surveillance while he is with his uncle. Beethoven’s brother was again
in Vienna. He had repeated his offer to give the composer a temporary
home and his nephew a harbor of refuge at Gneixendorf; but haste
-was imperative, both on account of his business affairs and Karl’s
+was imperative, both on account of his business affairs and Karl’s
status. In three days the business of finishing the corrections in
the manuscript copy of the Ninth Symphony which was to be sent to the
King of Prussia, placing it in the hands of Haslinger, who was to have
@@ -12553,16 +12516,16 @@ September 28 the two brothers and their nephew set out for Gneixendorf.
FOOTNOTES:
-[159] Beethoven’s letters to his nephew are presented in the original
-in Vol. V of Thayer’s biography as completed by Dr. Deiters and revised
+[159] Beethoven’s letters to his nephew are presented in the original
+in Vol. V of Thayer’s biography as completed by Dr. Deiters and revised
by Dr. Riemann. Also copious extracts from the Conversation Books.
-These books, in Thayer’s transcript, have been consulted anew by the
+These books, in Thayer’s transcript, have been consulted anew by the
present writer in his presentation of the case which he believes to
be in the spirit of Thayer, as he tried also to make the account
of the legal controversy over the guardianship. Nevertheless, the
editor believes it only right to assume full responsibility for his
utterances. The letters may be found in translation in Vol. II of Mr.
-Shedlock’s edition of the Kalischer collection.
+Shedlock’s edition of the Kalischer collection.
[160] It was Herbert Spencer who remarked to a young man who had beaten
him at billiards that while to be able to play well was a praiseworthy
@@ -12579,21 +12542,21 @@ stated that no history of the case could be found in the records.
Chapter X
- The Last Days in Gneixendorf--A Brother’s Warning--Beethoven
+ The Last Days in Gneixendorf--A Brother’s Warning--Beethoven
and his Kinspeople--The Fateful Journey to
- Vienna--Sickness--Schindler’s Disingenuousness--Conduct of the
+ Vienna--Sickness--Schindler’s Disingenuousness--Conduct of the
Physicians--Death and Burial.
The Conversation Books add nothing to the picturesque side of the
-account of Beethoven’s sojourn in Gneixendorf as it has been drawn from
+account of Beethoven’s sojourn in Gneixendorf as it has been drawn from
other sources. They indicate that there were some days of peace and
tranquility, and that not only Johann, but his wife and nephew also,
were concerned with making the composer comfortable and providing him
with such diversion as place and opportunity afforded. At the outset
Beethoven seems to have been in a conciliatory mood even towards the
woman whom he so heartily despised; and her willingness to please him
-is obvious. She talks with him about various things, praises Karl’s
+is obvious. She talks with him about various things, praises Karl’s
musical skill, which the nephew demonstrates by playing four-hand
marches with his great uncle. She discusses his food with him, and
if he ever was suspicious of the honesty in money matters of herself
@@ -12601,26 +12564,26 @@ and her family, he hides his distrust and permits her brother, the
baker, to collect money for him in Vienna, and the woman to go thither
to fetch it. There are frequent walks into the country round about
and drives to neighboring villages, and it would seem from one of
-Karl’s speeches that sometimes argument and warning were necessary to
+Karl’s speeches that sometimes argument and warning were necessary to
dissuade Beethoven from undertaking promenades in inclement weather.
Characteristic of the suspicious nature which his dreadful malady
had developed in him to an abnormal degree, and confirmatory also
-of Michael Krenn’s remark that he was always called upon to give an
+of Michael Krenn’s remark that he was always called upon to give an
account of the conversations at table, is the evidence that the wife,
Karl and even a woman boarder are questioned as to the goings-out and
comings-in of the inmates of the house. Before the departure from
-Gneixendorf, Karl begins to chafe under his uncle’s discipline. Johann
+Gneixendorf, Karl begins to chafe under his uncle’s discipline. Johann
is occupied with the affairs of the estate and Karl does errands for
him as well as his greater uncle in Krems, whither he is willing to
journey on foot as often as necessary, perhaps oftener, for there are
soldiers stationed at the village, there is a theatre, English circus
riders give an exhibition (to which Karl offers to accompany the
-composer) and, what is perhaps more to the young man’s liking, there
+composer) and, what is perhaps more to the young man’s liking, there
is a billiard-room. Of this fact, however, we are informed later by a
remark recorded in the Conversation Books by Johann after the return
-to Vienna. The old suspicions touching the reasons for Karl’s absence
-from Wasserhof again arise to plague Beethoven’s mind, nor are they
-dissipated by Madame van Beethoven’s repeated assurances that he will
+to Vienna. The old suspicions touching the reasons for Karl’s absence
+from Wasserhof again arise to plague Beethoven’s mind, nor are they
+dissipated by Madame van Beethoven’s repeated assurances that he will
return soon. It is plain that the young man is taken to task, not only
for these absences, but also for what his uncle looked upon as moody
and defiant silences when suffering rebuke. Thus we read:
@@ -12639,7 +12602,7 @@ man for his unwillingness to return to Vienna, Karl retorts:
same way to-day without cause. You must remember that other people
are also human beings.--These everlastingly unjust reproaches!--Why
do you make such a disturbance? Will you let me go out a bit
- to-day? I need recreation. I’ll come again later.--I only want to
+ to-day? I need recreation. I’ll come again later.--I only want to
go to my room.--I am not going out, I want only to be alone for a
little while.--Will you not let me go to my room?
@@ -12651,31 +12614,31 @@ no doubt--but still a man; and no matter how much he ought to have
been willing to sacrifice himself to make his uncle happy, it is a
question if there was any way in the world to that sure and permanent
result. He was not wise enough, nor self-sacrificing enough, to do
-that which not a single one of the composer’s maturer friends, not
+that which not a single one of the composer’s maturer friends, not
even Stephan von Breuning, had been able to do. Once in the Books he
shows a disposition to resort to the wheedling tactics which had been
frequently successful in earlier years, and urges as a reason for
tarrying longer in Gneixendorf that it will make possible their longer
-companionship. He is pleading for a week’s longer stay: Breuning had
+companionship. He is pleading for a week’s longer stay: Breuning had
said that he should not present himself to the Fieldmarshal until
-no evidences of the recent “incident” were longer visible; in a week
+no evidences of the recent “incident” were longer visible; in a week
more the scar would not be noticeable, nor would a stay be necessary
-had he provided himself with pomade; then he remarks: “The longer we
+had he provided himself with pomade; then he remarks: “The longer we
are here the longer we shall be together; for when we are in Vienna
-I shall, of course, have to go away soon.” It was after this speech
+I shall, of course, have to go away soon.” It was after this speech
that he made the remark already referred to about the cheapness of
fire-wood. Karl had plainly grown more than content with his life in
Gneixendorf and there is evidence to show that Beethoven had begun
to fear that he was wavering in his determination to enter the army.
Some drastic measure or occurrence was necessary to change the native
-irresolution of Beethoven’s mind. Schindler, in his desire to paint
+irresolution of Beethoven’s mind. Schindler, in his desire to paint
all the Beethovens, with the exception of the composer, with the
blackest pigments on his imaginative palette, does not scruple to
accuse Karl of undue intimacy with his aunt and offers this as a reason
for the departure. To this no reference can be found in the pages of
-the Conversation Books, unless it be a remark which preceded Karl’s
-outburst, last recorded. Here he tells his uncle that all his “talk
-about intrigues needs no refutation.” The reference is vague and it
+the Conversation Books, unless it be a remark which preceded Karl’s
+outburst, last recorded. Here he tells his uncle that all his “talk
+about intrigues needs no refutation.” The reference is vague and it
is extremely unlikely that the intrigues meant were those involved in
the vile insinuation of Schindler, for a reason which will be made
apparent presently. The house at Gneixendorf was not fitted for tenancy
@@ -12691,8 +12654,8 @@ a fortnight for recuperation and he had already been two months at
Gneixendorf, is proof that it was written near the end of November.
That the brothers discussed it and cognate matters while it was in
their hands is evidenced by the fact that it contains on its back the
-words in Johann’s writing: “Let us leave this until the day you go.--An
-old woman.--She has her share and will get no more.” The letter was as
+words in Johann’s writing: “Let us leave this until the day you go.--An
+old woman.--She has her share and will get no more.” The letter was as
follows:
My dear Brother:
@@ -12702,7 +12665,7 @@ follows:
life, the longer he lives as at present, the more difficult will
it be to bring him back to work. At his departure Breuning gave
him a fortnight to recuperate in, and now it is two months. You see
- from Breuning’s letter that it is his decided wish that Karl _shall
+ from Breuning’s letter that it is his decided wish that Karl _shall
hasten_ to his calling; the longer he is here the more unfortunate
will it be for him, for the harder will it be for him to get to
work, and it may be that we shall suffer harm.
@@ -12730,19 +12693,19 @@ Its wisdom temporarily disarmed Schindler, who forgot all of his
frequently wicked charges against Johann long enough to admit that
the document proved that he was not utterly without good qualities of
character. He adds that he was in a position to assert that Ludwig took
-his brother’s suggestion with bad grace and that before his departure
+his brother’s suggestion with bad grace and that before his departure
from Gneixendorf there was an exceedingly acrimonious quarrel between
-the brothers, growing out of Ludwig’s demand that Johann make a will
+the brothers, growing out of Ludwig’s demand that Johann make a will
in favor of Karl, thus cutting off his wife. It is to this that the
penciled endorsement on the letter refers. This subject, Schindler
says, was the real cause of the estrangement between the brothers
-during the last five or six years of Ludwig’s life. The blame, he adds,
-rested with Ludwig, who, “constantly at odds with himself and all the
-world, loved and hated without reason.” Weeks afterward, while he lay
-dying in Vienna, Beethoven’s thoughts were still occupied with the
-purpose of persuading his brother to make a will in Karl’s favor.[162]
-A moment’s reflection on a single fact will serve to give the quietus
-to Schindler’s insinuation as to improper relationship between the
+during the last five or six years of Ludwig’s life. The blame, he adds,
+rested with Ludwig, who, “constantly at odds with himself and all the
+world, loved and hated without reason.” Weeks afterward, while he lay
+dying in Vienna, Beethoven’s thoughts were still occupied with the
+purpose of persuading his brother to make a will in Karl’s favor.[162]
+A moment’s reflection on a single fact will serve to give the quietus
+to Schindler’s insinuation as to improper relationship between the
young man of 19 and his aunt of 40; at the time that Karl is pleading
to stay in the country, Johann is urging his brother to send him about
his duty, and Beethoven is halting in irresolution, the woman is in
@@ -12750,39 +12713,39 @@ Vienna.
[Sidenote: THE FATEFUL JOURNEY FROM GNEIXENDORF]
-It must be assumed that the Monday referred to in Johann’s letter
+It must be assumed that the Monday referred to in Johann’s letter
was Monday, November 27; but several days must have elapsed between
this date and the time when Beethoven and Karl set out on the fateful
journey to Vienna. A determination seems to have been reached when
-the Book shows Johann as saying: “If you are to start on Monday the
-carriage must be ordered on Sunday.” There is no recorded conversation
-touching the use of Johann’s carriage, which, so far as anything is
+the Book shows Johann as saying: “If you are to start on Monday the
+carriage must be ordered on Sunday.” There is no recorded conversation
+touching the use of Johann’s carriage, which, so far as anything is
known to the contrary, may have still been in Vienna, whither, it is
-safe to assume, it had carried Johann’s wife, and whither it was to
+safe to assume, it had carried Johann’s wife, and whither it was to
carry its owner as soon as he could make a satisfactory adjustment
of his financial affairs. That means of conveyance were discussed is
-proved by Johann’s remark and also by a report made by Karl to the
-composer: “There is no postchaise to Vienna, but only to St. Pölten....
-From here there is no opportunity except by a stagecoach.”
+proved by Johann’s remark and also by a report made by Karl to the
+composer: “There is no postchaise to Vienna, but only to St. Pölten....
+From here there is no opportunity except by a stagecoach.”
Exactly when and how the travellers set out it is not possible to
-determine. Schindler says that owing to Johann’s refusal to let his
+determine. Schindler says that owing to Johann’s refusal to let his
brother use his closed carriage, Beethoven was obliged to make the
-journey in an “open calash.” This is his statement in the first edition
+journey in an “open calash.” This is his statement in the first edition
of the biography, but in the third, for an unexplained reason, the
-“open calash” is the vehicle used from Gneixendorf to Krems only, a
+“open calash” is the vehicle used from Gneixendorf to Krems only, a
distance which was easily traversed on foot inside of an hour. If Dr.
-Wawruch, Beethoven’s attending physician during the illness which
+Wawruch, Beethoven’s attending physician during the illness which
ended in his death, is correct, Beethoven told him that he had made
-the journey “in the devil’s most wretched vehicle, a milk-wagon.”
+the journey “in the devil’s most wretched vehicle, a milk-wagon.”
Later Dr. Wawruch calls the vehicle in which he arrived in Vienna
-a “Leiterwagen,” from which we might gather, which is utterly
+a “Leiterwagen,” from which we might gather, which is utterly
preposterous, that it was a rack vehicle. Beethoven arrived in Vienna
on Saturday, December 2, and as there is a reference to only one night
spent in transit (as there had been one on the journey from Vienna
to Gneixendorf), it is likely that he left Gneixendorf early in the
-morning of Friday, December 1. “That December,” says Dr. Wawruch, “was
-raw, wet and frosty; Beethoven’s clothing anything but adapted to the
+morning of Friday, December 1. “That December,” says Dr. Wawruch, “was
+raw, wet and frosty; Beethoven’s clothing anything but adapted to the
unfriendly season of the year, and yet he was urged on by an internal
unrest and a gloomy foreboding of misfortune. He was compelled to
spend a night in a village tavern where, besides wretched shelter, he
@@ -12792,46 +12755,46 @@ violent thirst and cutting pains in the sides. When seized with the
fever he drank a few measures of ice-cold water and longed, helplessly,
for the first rays of the morning light. Weak and ill, he permitted
himself to be lifted into the _Leiterwagen_ and arrived, at last,
-weak, exhausted and without strength, in Vienna.” Wawruch derived his
+weak, exhausted and without strength, in Vienna.” Wawruch derived his
information from Beethoven, possibly in part also from Karl, the only
witness from whom a succinct and absolutely correct account was to have
been expected; unhappily the tale, which Karl must have been called
upon to tell many times, was never reported. The untrustworthiness
-of Schindler’s statements about the incidents of which he had no
+of Schindler’s statements about the incidents of which he had no
personal knowledge is emphasized by obvious efforts made to falsify and
emasculate the record in the Conversation Books, concerning which it
will soon become necessary to speak.
-[Sidenote: ONE OF SCHINDLER’S SLANDERS REFUTED]
+[Sidenote: ONE OF SCHINDLER’S SLANDERS REFUTED]
It was Saturday, December 2nd, 1826, then, that Beethoven arrived
in Vienna from Gneixendorf and went to his lodgings in the
Schwarzspanierhaus. It does not appear that he considered himself
seriously ill, for in a letter to Holz which must have been written
two, or more likely three, days later, he says merely that he is
-“unpässlich,” that is, indisposed. The letter was the second of its
+“unpässlich,” that is, indisposed. The letter was the second of its
kind, the first having been mislaid. In this letter he asked Holz to
come to him. It was written from dictation, but before appending his
-signature Beethoven wrote, “Finally, I add to this ‘We all err, only
-each in a different way’,” setting the quoted words to music for a
+signature Beethoven wrote, “Finally, I add to this ‘We all err, only
+each in a different way’,” setting the quoted words to music for a
canon. This canon, of which an autograph copy on a separate sheet
of paper is preserved in the Royal Library at Berlin, points to a
possibility that some misunderstanding had arisen between Beethoven
and Holz just before the former started for Gneixendorf. Inasmuch as
-Holz is at Beethoven’s side at least ten days before Schindler appears
+Holz is at Beethoven’s side at least ten days before Schindler appears
there, and gives his services to the sick man until the end, though
-not to the extent that Schindler does after his coming, the latter’s
+not to the extent that Schindler does after his coming, the latter’s
efforts to create the impression that Beethoven had sent Holz away
-from him is disingenuous, to say the least. Holz’s first act convicts
+from him is disingenuous, to say the least. Holz’s first act convicts
Schindler of an error which can scarcely be set down as an innocent
one. The story involves one of the slanders against Karl which has
-been repeated from Schindler’s day to this, although its refutation
+been repeated from Schindler’s day to this, although its refutation
needed only a glance into the Conversation Books of December, 1826.
-Schindler says that he did not learn of Beethoven’s condition until
-“several days” after his return to Vienna. That he then hurried to
+Schindler says that he did not learn of Beethoven’s condition until
+“several days” after his return to Vienna. That he then hurried to
him and learned that neither Dr. Braunhofer nor Dr. Staudenheimer,
though sent for by Beethoven, had answered the summons and that Dr.
-Wawruch’s coming was due to something only a little better than an
+Wawruch’s coming was due to something only a little better than an
accident. Karl, though charged with the duty of summoning a physician,
had forgotten, or neglected, to so do, for several days. His commission
occurred to him while playing at billiards, and he incidentally asked
@@ -12841,23 +12804,23 @@ mentioned the matter some time later to Dr. Wawruch at the hospital
to which he had been taken. This story of unexampled heartlessness,
to which Dr. Gerhard von Breuning also gave currency, Schindler said
he had heard from Dr. Wawruch; but it is branded as a shameless
-fabrication by Dr. Wawruch’s published statement and the evidence of
-the Conversation Book. Dr. Wawruch wrote a history of Beethoven’s
-illness entitled “Ärztlicher Rückblick auf Ludwig van Beethoven’s
-letzte Lebensepoche” under date of May 20, 1827, which was published
-by Aloys Fuchs in the “Wiener Zeitschrift” of April 30, 1842. In
-this report Dr. Wawruch says, “I was not called in until the third
-day.” This third day would be December 5th, and the date has twofold
-confirmation in the Conversation Book. A fortnight after Beethoven’s
-return to Vienna there is an entry in Karl’s handwriting of the
-physician’s visits beginning with December 5th and ending with December
+fabrication by Dr. Wawruch’s published statement and the evidence of
+the Conversation Book. Dr. Wawruch wrote a history of Beethoven’s
+illness entitled “Ärztlicher Rückblick auf Ludwig van Beethoven’s
+letzte Lebensepoche” under date of May 20, 1827, which was published
+by Aloys Fuchs in the “Wiener Zeitschrift” of April 30, 1842. In
+this report Dr. Wawruch says, “I was not called in until the third
+day.” This third day would be December 5th, and the date has twofold
+confirmation in the Conversation Book. A fortnight after Beethoven’s
+return to Vienna there is an entry in Karl’s handwriting of the
+physician’s visits beginning with December 5th and ending with December
14, which shows that within this period Dr. Wawruch made daily visits
-and on one day came twice. Schindler’s name does not appear until some
+and on one day came twice. Schindler’s name does not appear until some
time after this entry, and it is recorded in a manner which indicates
plainly that it was his first meeting with the sick man. As the book
was folded and renumbered by Schindler the page on which this entry
appears is made to look as if it preceded others which are filled with
-evidences of Holz’s helpfulness, but the records of the first call of
+evidences of Holz’s helpfulness, but the records of the first call of
the physician are plain and undisputable. It was Holz who sent for him
and he did so on December 5, the day on which the first visit is noted.
Evidently Holz had hastened to Beethoven on receiving the letter asking
@@ -12867,7 +12830,7 @@ in the handwriting of Holz does:
I have had Professor Wawruch called for you; Vivenot is himself
sick. I do not know Wawruch personally, but he is known here as one
- of the most skillful physicians.--He is Bogner’s doctor.--He is
+ of the most skillful physicians.--He is Bogner’s doctor.--He is
professor in the hospital.--He will come after dinner.
Vivenot was a physician. In all probability Beethoven had exhausted the
@@ -12878,13 +12841,13 @@ Holz succeeded in securing the attendance of Wawruch.[163] According
to the accepted story, Braunhofer, who had been the last physician to
treat Beethoven before the misfortunes of the summer, had declined
the call because of the too great distance between his house and
-Beethoven’s, and Staudenheimer, whom Braunhofer had displaced, promised
+Beethoven’s, and Staudenheimer, whom Braunhofer had displaced, promised
to come but did not. The latter, probably both, took part later in the
consultations. Wawruch was an amateur violoncello player and an ardent
-admirer of Beethoven’s music. When he comes to his august patient,
+admirer of Beethoven’s music. When he comes to his august patient,
though he permits Karl to write the questions, he takes the pencil
-himself to tell who he is: “One who greatly reveres your name will do
-everything possible to give you speedy relief--Prof. Wawruch.” In his
+himself to tell who he is: “One who greatly reveres your name will do
+everything possible to give you speedy relief--Prof. Wawruch.” In his
history of the case Wawruch writes:
I found Beethoven afflicted with serious symptoms of inflammation
@@ -12909,25 +12872,25 @@ difficulty in breathing, and that afterwards his lungs were found to be
sound. Wawruch, however, an experienced physician, is speaking of what
he observed on his first visit and is not likely to have erred in so
obvious a matter as incipient lobar pneumonia, the general history of
-which as now understood agrees with the recorded account of Beethoven’s
+which as now understood agrees with the recorded account of Beethoven’s
case, even in such details as the critical period reached on the fifth
day. The subsequent strength of the lungs is not inconsistent with
the theory that in the first week Beethoven weathered an attack of
pneumonia.
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S HEALTH IN THE COUNTRY]
+[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S HEALTH IN THE COUNTRY]
-There are few references to the state of Beethoven’s health during the
+There are few references to the state of Beethoven’s health during the
sojourn at Gneixendorf, but that he was ill when he arrived there is
indicated by an early remark by Johann attributing an improvement in
-the condition of his eyes to the good air “without rosewater.” Johann
+the condition of his eyes to the good air “without rosewater.” Johann
wrote later that, when with him, Beethoven ate little. When the food
-was not prepared to his taste he ate soft-boiled eggs for dinner “and
-drank all the more wine.” He had frequent attacks of diarrhœa. His
+was not prepared to his taste he ate soft-boiled eggs for dinner “and
+drank all the more wine.” He had frequent attacks of diarrhœa. His
abdomen also became distended so that he wore a bandage for comfort.
-Wawruch had no knowledge of his patient’s previous medical history and
+Wawruch had no knowledge of his patient’s previous medical history and
was compelled to discover for himself what his colleagues, to whom the
-sick man’s call was first extended, would have known from their earlier
+sick man’s call was first extended, would have known from their earlier
experiences with him. Schindler attacks Wawruch on the ground that he
had said that Beethoven was addicted to the use of spirituous liquors.
The Conversation Books and other testimony plentifully indicate that
@@ -12935,10 +12898,10 @@ the great composer was fond of wine and that his physicians had
difficulty in enforcing abstinence upon him; but the only one who, by
indirection, accused Beethoven of drinking to excess, was Schindler,
whose statements on that point are not free from the suspicion that
-they were made only for the purpose of hitting Holz over Wawruch’s
+they were made only for the purpose of hitting Holz over Wawruch’s
shoulders.[164]
-Wawruch’s report continues:
+Wawruch’s report continues:
But on the eighth day I was alarmed not a little. At the morning
visit I found him greatly disturbed and jaundiced all over
@@ -12960,24 +12923,24 @@ Wawruch’s report continues:
bursting.
After Dr. Wawruch had reached this decision, Dr. Staudenheimer was
-called in consultation and he confirmed the attending physician’s
+called in consultation and he confirmed the attending physician’s
opinion as to the necessity of an operation. Beethoven was told.
-“After a few moments of serious thought he gave his consent.” The
+“After a few moments of serious thought he gave his consent.” The
servant Thekla, who had, apparently, come from Gneixendorf (as her
name appears in the Conversation Book used there), in the midst of
the preparations for the operation had been found to be dishonest and
-dismissed. The composer’s brother had arrived in Vienna about December
+dismissed. The composer’s brother had arrived in Vienna about December
10 and thereafter is found constant in his attendance, a fact which it
becomes necessary to mention because of the obvious effort of Schindler
to create the impression that the burden of the care of Beethoven had
-been assumed by him, von Breuning and the latter’s son Gerhard. Wawruch
-had retained Dr. Seibert, principal surgeon (_Primärwundarzt_) at the
+been assumed by him, von Breuning and the latter’s son Gerhard. Wawruch
+had retained Dr. Seibert, principal surgeon (_Prim√§rwundarzt_) at the
hospital, to perform the operation. The date was December 20 (not 18,
as Schindler says). Those present were Johann, Karl and Schindler.
-Beethoven’s sense of humor did not desert him. When, the incision
+Beethoven’s sense of humor did not desert him. When, the incision
having been made, Dr. Seibert introduced the tube and the water spurted
-out, Beethoven said: “Professor, you remind me of Moses striking the
-rock with his staff.”[165] Wawruch writes in the Conversation Book:
+out, Beethoven said: “Professor, you remind me of Moses striking the
+rock with his staff.”[165] Wawruch writes in the Conversation Book:
Thank God, it is happily over!--Do you already feel relief?--If
you feel ill you must tell me.--Did the incision give you any
@@ -12987,47 +12950,47 @@ rock with his staff.”[165] Wawruch writes in the Conversation Book:
measures and a half.--I hope that you will sleep more quietly
to-night.... You bore yourself like a knight.
-[Sidenote: MULTIPLICATION AND HANDEL’S SCORES]
+[Sidenote: MULTIPLICATION AND HANDEL’S SCORES]
-In the early days after Beethoven’s return to Vienna there is a
+In the early days after Beethoven’s return to Vienna there is a
continuation of the correspondence with Schott and Sons concerning the
publication of the works which they had purchased, and before the end
of December, probably in the third week, occurs the incident of the
disappointing gift from the King of Prussia which makes its appearance
-in the record with something like a shout of “Good news!” from
+in the record with something like a shout of “Good news!” from
Schindler. Karl is busily occupied in preparations for his military
career and upon him, until the arrival of Holz, appears to devolve
the labor of writing and of carrying messages. The Conversation Book
used by him on the 4th of December and the two following days bears a
-pathetic proof of Beethoven’s helplessness in the matter of figures. A
+pathetic proof of Beethoven’s helplessness in the matter of figures. A
page or so is filled with examples in simple multiplication--tables,
-without answers, of threes, fours, sevens, etc.--and the remark, “Then
-backwards.” Later Karl writes an explanation: “Multiplication is a
+without answers, of threes, fours, sevens, etc.--and the remark, “Then
+backwards.” Later Karl writes an explanation: “Multiplication is a
simplified form of addition, wherefore examples are performed in the
same manner. Each product is set under its proper place. If it consists
of two digits, the left one is added to the product of the next. Here a
-small illustration: 2348 multiplied by 2.” It was thus that the great
+small illustration: 2348 multiplied by 2.” It was thus that the great
genius approaching his 56th birthday was employing his time while
waiting in vain for the physicians who would not or could not answer
his summons!
One joyful event brightened the solitary gloom of the sick-chamber in
the middle of December. From Stumpff, of London, Beethoven received the
-40 volumes of Dr. Arnold’s edition of the works of Handel which the
+40 volumes of Dr. Arnold’s edition of the works of Handel which the
donor had resolved to send Beethoven on his visit in 1824. Gerhard von
Breuning pictures the joy of Beethoven at the reception of the gift,
which he described as royal compared with that of the King of Prussia.
One day the boy was asked to hand the big books from the pianoforte
-where they rested to the bed. “I have long wanted them,” said the
-composer to his faithful little friend, “for Handel is the greatest,
-the ablest composer that ever lived. I can still learn from him.” He
+where they rested to the bed. “I have long wanted them,” said the
+composer to his faithful little friend, “for Handel is the greatest,
+the ablest composer that ever lived. I can still learn from him.” He
leaned the books against the wall, turned over the pages, and ever and
anon paused to break out into new expressions of praise. Von Breuning
places these incidents in the middle of February, 1827, but his memory
was plainly at fault. Schindler says the books arrived in December, and
he is right, for Stumpff preserved the receipt for them, a letter and
-Reichardt’s “Taschenbuch für Reisende,” which is dated “December 14,
-1826.” The gift was sent through the son of Stumpff’s friend Streicher.
+Reichardt’s “Taschenbuch für Reisende,” which is dated “December 14,
+1826.” The gift was sent through the son of Stumpff’s friend Streicher.
Stephan von Breuning had called on Beethoven shortly after his arrival
and the work of making a soldier of Karl was begun at once. It was
@@ -13041,39 +13004,39 @@ monthly allowance to be fixed. All this was disposed of by the date
of the first tapping, and it was expected that he would set out to
join his regiment at Iglau before the Christmas holidays. There is
no evidence of a change in the attitude towards each other of uncle
-and nephew. Some of Karl’s entries in the Conversation Books betray a
-testiness which is in marked contrast to Beethoven’s obvious solicitude
-for the young man’s position and comfort in his regiment; but the
+and nephew. Some of Karl’s entries in the Conversation Books betray a
+testiness which is in marked contrast to Beethoven’s obvious solicitude
+for the young man’s position and comfort in his regiment; but the
entries also indicate that illness had not sweetened the disposition of
the sufferer. His outbursts of rage are the subject of warnings from
-physicians and friends. We have Schindler’s word for it that Beethoven
-became cheerful after the graceless youth’s departure for Iglau on
+physicians and friends. We have Schindler’s word for it that Beethoven
+became cheerful after the graceless youth’s departure for Iglau on
January 2nd, and the testimony of the Conversation Book that the old
year closed upon a quarrel between the two. Karl writes this greeting
-on New Year’s day: “I wish you a happy new year, and it grieves me that
+on New Year’s day: “I wish you a happy new year, and it grieves me that
I should have been compelled already in the first night to give cause
for displeasure. It might easily have been avoided, however, if you had
-but given the order to have my meal taken to my room.”
+but given the order to have my meal taken to my room.”
-It is very possible that Beethoven’s spirits grew lighter after the
+It is very possible that Beethoven’s spirits grew lighter after the
departure of his nephew. The service which Karl gave his uncle seems
frequently to have been given grudgingly and no doubt looked more
ungracious than it may really have been, when accompanied by protests
that he would not be found failing in duty and petulant requests that
he be spared upbraidings and torments. To satisfy the singular mixture
-of affectionate solicitude and suspicion which filled Beethoven’s heart
+of affectionate solicitude and suspicion which filled Beethoven’s heart
and mind would perhaps have taxed the philosophy of a wiser as well
-as gentler being than this young man, who, as Johann’s wife told the
+as gentler being than this young man, who, as Johann’s wife told the
composer in Gneixendorf, had inherited the testy family temper. When
open quarrels were no longer possible, it is likely that a greater
-contentment than had lodged there for a long time filled Beethoven’s
+contentment than had lodged there for a long time filled Beethoven’s
soul. There is no record of the parting, and it is safe to assume
that it passed off without emotional demonstration of any kind. But
-Beethoven’s thoughts went swiftly towards his self-assumed duty of
-providing for the young man’s future. The very next day he wrote the
+Beethoven’s thoughts went swiftly towards his self-assumed duty of
+providing for the young man’s future. The very next day he wrote the
following letter to Dr. Bach:
-[Sidenote: PROVIDING FOR THE NEPHEW’S FUTURE]
+[Sidenote: PROVIDING FOR THE NEPHEW’S FUTURE]
Vienna, Wednesday January 3, 1827.
@@ -13088,7 +13051,7 @@ following letter to Dr. Bach:
(L. S.) Ludwig van Beethoven.
-From Gerhard von Breuning’s account of the last days of Beethoven it
+From Gerhard von Breuning’s account of the last days of Beethoven it
would seem that this letter, though written on January 3rd, and then
addressed to his legal adviser, was not signed until shortly before
his death, and that at intervals in the interim it was the subject
@@ -13102,7 +13065,7 @@ unrestricted possession of the property immediately upon the death of
his uncle. In his letter he pointed out that till now Karl had shown
himself frivolous and that there was no knowing what turn his character
might take as a result of the new life upon which he had entered. He
-therefore advised that for the young man’s own good and future safety
+therefore advised that for the young man’s own good and future safety
he be prohibited from disposing of the capital of his inheritance,
either during his lifetime or for a term of years after he had reached
his majority, which under the Austrian law then prevailing was the age
@@ -13120,19 +13083,19 @@ There is little that need be added to the story of the nephew. He was
with his regiment at Iglau. Through Schindler, Beethoven wrote him
a letter. It is lost, but apparently it contained an expression of
dissatisfaction with Dr. Wawruch, for in the reply, which has been
-preserved, Karl says: “Concerning yourself I am rejoiced to know that
+preserved, Karl says: “Concerning yourself I am rejoiced to know that
you are in good hands. I, too, had felt some distrust of the treatment
of your former (or, perhaps, present?) physician; I hope improvement
-will now follow.” He reports about his situation in the regiment, asks
+will now follow.” He reports about his situation in the regiment, asks
for money and the flute part of the Pianoforte Concerto in B-flat
(Op. 19), which one of the officers of the regiment wished to play,
-and adds in a postscript: “Do not think that the little privations
+and adds in a postscript: “Do not think that the little privations
to which I am now subjected have made me dissatisfied with my lot.
On the contrary, rest assured that I am living in contentment, and
regret only that I am separated so far from you. In time, however,
-this will be different.” But communications from the young man are
-not many, and Schindler’s rebukes and complaints in the Conversation
-Books about his undutifulness are probably only a reflex of Beethoven’s
+this will be different.” But communications from the young man are
+not many, and Schindler’s rebukes and complaints in the Conversation
+Books about his undutifulness are probably only a reflex of Beethoven’s
moods and utterances. One cause of dissatisfaction was the fact that
a letter to Smart had been sent to him for translation and was not
promptly returned. But he acknowledges the receipt of money towards
@@ -13151,49 +13114,49 @@ never saw his uncle in life again, nor even in death, for he was not
present at the funeral--as indeed in those days of tardy communication
and slow conveyance he could not be.
-[Sidenote: SCENES IN THE COMPOSER’S SICK-ROOM]
+[Sidenote: SCENES IN THE COMPOSER’S SICK-ROOM]
Notwithstanding that they do not make a complete record, since the
-slate was also, and indeed largely, used by Beethoven’s visitors,
+slate was also, and indeed largely, used by Beethoven’s visitors,
and despite the fact that they have not been left intact, but bear
evidences of mutilation and falsification, the Conversation Books
-furnish a more vivid and also a more pathetic picture of Beethoven’s
+furnish a more vivid and also a more pathetic picture of Beethoven’s
sick-room than the writings of Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning.
Busy about the couch of the patient we see his brother Johann and his
nephew Karl, besides Schindler, Holz and Stephan von Breuning. The
visits of the last are interrupted by illness and his official labors,
but his son, the lad Gerhard, frequently lends a gracious touch to the
-scene by his familiar mode of address, his gossip about his father’s
+scene by his familiar mode of address, his gossip about his father’s
domestic affairs and his suggestions of intellectual pabulum for his
august friend. He is a daily message-bearer between the two households.
Even at a sacrifice of space it is necessary to recount a few incidents
of small intrinsic interest in order that some errors in history may
-be rectified. Notwithstanding Schindler’s obvious efforts to have
+be rectified. Notwithstanding Schindler’s obvious efforts to have
the contrary appear, Holz continues to be faithful in attendance,
though his visits are not so numerous as they were during the weeks
-of Beethoven’s great trial in the summer. The reason was obvious and
+of Beethoven’s great trial in the summer. The reason was obvious and
certainly not to his discredit, though Schindler attempted to belittle
it. Holz took unto himself a wife about the time that Beethoven
returned to Vienna. Thitherto he had been able to devote a large
portion of the time not given to official duties to his friend. Now,
this was no longer possible; nor was it necessary after Dr. Wawruch
-had assumed care of the case. Beethoven’s brother also returned to
-Vienna and Schindler found his way back to the composer’s side within
+had assumed care of the case. Beethoven’s brother also returned to
+Vienna and Schindler found his way back to the composer’s side within
a fortnight. It is Holz, however, who looks after the correction and
publication of the last compositions, and collects his annuity; and if
-it were necessary, his apologists might find evidence of Beethoven’s
+it were necessary, his apologists might find evidence of Beethoven’s
confidence in his friendship and integrity in the fact that there is
no indication that he ever questioned his honesty in money matters,
-while there is proof in Schindler’s own handwriting that Beethoven
+while there is proof in Schindler’s own handwriting that Beethoven
thought _him_ capable of theft. It is pitiful that while Schindler is
sacrificing himself in almost menial labors, Beethoven forces him to a
pained protestation that he had returned the balance of a sum placed
in his hands wherewith to make purchases. Schindler himself records
-the fact of Beethoven’s suspicion with sorrow. A livelier sense of
+the fact of Beethoven’s suspicion with sorrow. A livelier sense of
gratitude took possession of the sufferer later and found expression in
gifts of autograph scores (of the Ninth Symphony, for instance, now in
the Royal Library[166] at Berlin), and a promise, which he was unable
-to fulfill, to take part in a concert for Schindler’s benefit.
+to fulfill, to take part in a concert for Schindler’s benefit.
Whether Schindler was always as scrupulously honest in his attitude
towards the public as he was in his dealings with Beethoven may be
@@ -13202,67 +13165,67 @@ Conversation Books which it is difficult to believe were not made for
the purpose of bolstering up mistaken statements in his biography,
which had already been published when the documents passed out of his
hands into the possession of the Royal Library. Here is a case in
-point: Schuppanzigh has called and reported that one of Beethoven’s
+point: Schuppanzigh has called and reported that one of Beethoven’s
quartets had been enthusiastically received by the public at a
performance on the preceding Sunday (December 10, 1826). To what seems
to have been an oral comment, Beethovens adds the words and music of
-the motto from the Quartet in F: “Muss es sein? Es muss sein.” This
-moves Schuppanzigh to say: “But does he”--(Beethoven, of course, whom
-Schuppanzigh addresses in the third person as usual)--“does he know
-that the dirty fellow has become my enemy on that account?” Here we
+the motto from the Quartet in F: “Muss es sein? Es muss sein.” This
+moves Schuppanzigh to say: “But does he”--(Beethoven, of course, whom
+Schuppanzigh addresses in the third person as usual)--“does he know
+that the dirty fellow has become my enemy on that account?” Here we
have an unmistakable allusion to the anecdote about Dembscher and the
origin of the Canon on the theme of the finale of the F major Quartet.
A few pages later Schindler is the writer and has just brought the
news of the arrival of the ring presented to Beethoven by the King of
Prussia. He had been asked to carry the ring to Beethoven, but had
-been unwilling to accept it unless he could give Beethoven’s receipt
-for it in exchange. He adds the words “Es muss sein” as if in answer
+been unwilling to accept it unless he could give Beethoven’s receipt
+for it in exchange. He adds the words “Es muss sein” as if in answer
to a question by Beethoven. Now appear squeezed in between the music
-and the edge of the sheet the words: “The Old Woman (_Die Alte_) is
-again in need of her weekly allowance.” The handwriting is plainly of
-a different date and at the time of the conversation the “Old Woman”
-was not in Beethoven’s employ.[167] It is not easy to acquit Schindler
+and the edge of the sheet the words: “The Old Woman (_Die Alte_) is
+again in need of her weekly allowance.” The handwriting is plainly of
+a different date and at the time of the conversation the “Old Woman”
+was not in Beethoven’s employ.[167] It is not easy to acquit Schindler
of a sinister motive here nor to avoid the suspicion that it was his
hand which made an attempt to obliterate the entry on December 5, which
proves that Holz sent for Dr. Wawruch on that date and thus gives the
lie to the infamous story about Karl and the billiard _marqueur_. The
-evidences of Schindler’s eagerness to encourage Beethoven’s detestation
+evidences of Schindler’s eagerness to encourage Beethoven’s detestation
of his brother and his suspicion of his nephew are too numerous to be
overlooked, and some of them may call for mention later.
An offer by Gerhard von Breuning to bring one of his school-books
containing pictures of classic antiquities is an evidence of the
-lad’s familiarity with Beethoven’s literary tastes. It was Brother
+lad’s familiarity with Beethoven’s literary tastes. It was Brother
Johann, however, who suggested the novels of Sir Walter Scott for his
entertainment, and the impression conveyed by the story that after
-beginning “Kenilworth” Beethoven threw the volume down with the angry
-remark: “To the devil with the scribbling! The fellow writes only for
-money,” that the composer would have no more of the novelist, is rudely
-disturbed by evidence that Beethoven read all of Scott’s works which
+beginning “Kenilworth” Beethoven threw the volume down with the angry
+remark: “To the devil with the scribbling! The fellow writes only for
+money,” that the composer would have no more of the novelist, is rudely
+disturbed by evidence that Beethoven read all of Scott’s works which
were to be found in translation in the circulating library. Beethoven
-later himself calls for Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”; and his interest in
+later himself calls for Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”; and his interest in
international politics is so keen that he is not content with an
-abstract of Channing’s great speech of December 12, 1826, but expresses
+abstract of Channing’s great speech of December 12, 1826, but expresses
a desire to read a full report.
[Sidenote: DISSATISFIED WITH HIS PHYSICIAN]
-While Beethoven’s friends are discussing with Dr. Wawruch the necessity
+While Beethoven’s friends are discussing with Dr. Wawruch the necessity
of a second tapping, and Karl is packing his boxes for Iglau, the year
1826 ends. The surgeon Seibert seems to have advised a postponement of
the operation. In a conversation on January 6, 1827, Schindler says
-to Beethoven: “Then Hr. Seibert was really right in still postponing
-the second operation, for it will probably make a third unnecessary.”
-There are now signs of Beethoven’s dissatisfaction with the attending
+to Beethoven: “Then Hr. Seibert was really right in still postponing
+the second operation, for it will probably make a third unnecessary.”
+There are now signs of Beethoven’s dissatisfaction with the attending
physician. Gerhard von Breuning has much to say on the point in his
little book, and Schindler joins in the criticism many years after
-Beethoven’s death; but in the Conversation Books he appears more than
-once as Wawruch’s defender. From von Breuning we learn that while at
-a later date Malfatti’s coming was awaited with eagerness and hailed
-with unfeigned gladness, Wawruch’s visits were ungraciously received,
-Beethoven sometimes turning his face to the wall and exclaiming “Oh!
-the ass!” when he heard his name announced. But in the first week of
-January, Schindler is still concerned in keeping up the patient’s faith
+Beethoven’s death; but in the Conversation Books he appears more than
+once as Wawruch’s defender. From von Breuning we learn that while at
+a later date Malfatti’s coming was awaited with eagerness and hailed
+with unfeigned gladness, Wawruch’s visits were ungraciously received,
+Beethoven sometimes turning his face to the wall and exclaiming “Oh!
+the ass!” when he heard his name announced. But in the first week of
+January, Schindler is still concerned in keeping up the patient’s faith
in the skill of his physician. In a Conversation Book he writes shortly
after the remark about the surgeon:
@@ -13290,27 +13253,27 @@ water was clearer and the outflow greater than the first time. Ten
measures were drawn off. On January 11 there was a consultation of
physicians to which, besides either Dr. Braunhofer or Staudenheimer,
Dr. Malfatti had been called. It had become an ardent wish of
-Beethoven’s that Malfatti undertake his case, but Malfatti had refused,
+Beethoven’s that Malfatti undertake his case, but Malfatti had refused,
pleading professional ethics, but no doubt actuated by reasons of a
more personal character. Many years before, probably as early as 1813,
-he had been not only Beethoven’s physician but also his friend; indeed,
+he had been not only Beethoven’s physician but also his friend; indeed,
he was an uncle of the Therese Malfatti to whom the composer once made
an offer of marriage. He made, what it is easy to imagine to have been,
the experience of all the medical men who undertook the care of the
great man. Beethoven was ever a disobedient and impatient patient.
-He became dissatisfied with Dr. Malfatti’s treatment and commented
+He became dissatisfied with Dr. Malfatti’s treatment and commented
upon it and him in such a manner as to cause a serious and lasting
estrangement. Ten years at least had elapsed between this incident
-and the time when Beethoven’s longing went out towards his one-time
-professional friend. Schindler’s story of the disappointments which
+and the time when Beethoven’s longing went out towards his one-time
+professional friend. Schindler’s story of the disappointments which
he suffered when first he tried to persuade Dr. Malfatti to take the
-case in hand was printed in the “Frankfurter Konversationsblatt” of
+case in hand was printed in the “Frankfurter Konversationsblatt” of
July 14, 1842. It was a long time afterward, and we can not withhold
a suspicion that it is rather highly colored, but since the coming of
Malfatti was a matter of large moment to Beethoven and the treatment
which he recommended (strictly speaking, he can not be said to have
prescribed it, for Dr. Wawruch remained in charge of the case to the
-end) has a large bearing upon Beethoven’s physical condition and its
+end) has a large bearing upon Beethoven’s physical condition and its
causes, it may be told here. Schindler writes, in his communication to
the Frankfort newspaper:
@@ -13322,20 +13285,20 @@ the Frankfort newspaper:
was ruining him with too much medicine. He had already been
compelled to empty 75 bottles, without counting various powders,
he had no confidence in this physician, etc. To all of these
- representations Malfatti answered me coldly and drily: “Say to
+ representations Malfatti answered me coldly and drily: “Say to
Beethoven that he, as a master of harmony, must know that I must
- also live in harmony with my colleagues.” Beethoven wept bitter
+ also live in harmony with my colleagues.” Beethoven wept bitter
tears when I brought him this reply, which, hard as it was, I had
to do, so that he might no longer look for help to that quarter....
Though Malfatti finally took pity on poor Beethoven and abolished
- Wawruch’s medicine bottles at once and prescribed an entirely
+ Wawruch’s medicine bottles at once and prescribed an entirely
different course of treatment, despite the pleadings of the patient
he refused to remain his _ordinarius_ and visit him often. On the
contrary, he came only at long intervals and contented himself with
- occasional reports from me as to the sick man’s condition. He was
+ occasional reports from me as to the sick man’s condition. He was
not willing even to send one of his assistants to Beethoven and
consequently Dr. Wawruch remained his daily visitor in spite of
- Beethoven’s protests.
+ Beethoven’s protests.
[Sidenote: RECONCILIATION WITH DR. MALFATTI]
@@ -13343,19 +13306,19 @@ On January 19, after a second visit to Dr. Malfatti, Schindler wrote to
Beethoven saying that the Doctor would come to him and begging him to
seek a reconciliation, inasmuch as Malfatti still cherished resentment
because of the treatment which he had received a decade before at
-Beethoven’s hands. Malfatti came, a reconciliation was effected,
+Beethoven’s hands. Malfatti came, a reconciliation was effected,
and under the inspiration of the changed treatment which Malfatti
-introduced Beethoven’s spirits rose buoyantly, his physical condition
+introduced Beethoven’s spirits rose buoyantly, his physical condition
responded and the despair which had begun to fill the sufferer gave
way to a confident hope of recovery. The treatment was simple, but the
improvement which it brought about was not lasting. Malfatti put away
the drugs and decoctions and prescribed frozen punch, and rubbing the
-patient’s abdomen with ice-cold water. Dr. Wawruch in his history of
-the case confirms Schindler’s statement of the beneficial results which
+patient’s abdomen with ice-cold water. Dr. Wawruch in his history of
+the case confirms Schindler’s statement of the beneficial results which
were at first attained. He says:
Then Dr. Malfatti, who thenceforth supported me with his advice,
- and who, as a friend of Beethoven of long years’ standing
+ and who, as a friend of Beethoven of long years’ standing
understood his predominant inclination for spirituous liquors,
hit upon the notion of administering frozen punch. I must confess
that the treatment produced excellent effects for a few days
@@ -13363,7 +13326,7 @@ were at first attained. He says:
its alcoholic contents that already in the first night he slept
quietly throughout the night and began to perspire profusely. He
grew cheerful and was full of witty conceits and even dreamed of
- being able to complete the oratorio “Saul and David”[168] which
+ being able to complete the oratorio “Saul and David”[168] which
he had begun. But this joy, as was to have been foreseen, did not
last long. He began to abuse the prescription and applied himself
right bravely to the frozen punch. The spirits soon caused a
@@ -13372,21 +13335,21 @@ were at first attained. He says:
in his speech, and a few times inflammatory pains in the throat
were paired with hoarseness and even aphony. He became more
unruly and when, because of the cooling of the bowels, colic and
- diarrhœa resulted, it was high time to deprive him of this precious
+ diarrhœa resulted, it was high time to deprive him of this precious
refreshment.
-Wawruch’s remark here about Beethoven’s predilection for spirituous
-liquors formed the basis for Schindler’s charge, which has already
+Wawruch’s remark here about Beethoven’s predilection for spirituous
+liquors formed the basis for Schindler’s charge, which has already
been discussed, that the physician had slandered Beethoven and had
tried to create the impression that he had contracted dropsy by
inordinate use of alcoholic drinks. The account of the beneficial
-effect of Malfatti’s coming, no less than the treatment which he
+effect of Malfatti’s coming, no less than the treatment which he
prescribed, is reasonable enough. Beethoven no doubt, in the warm
glow of a recovered friendship, gave the physician a full measure of
confidence and hailed in him much more than the ordinary professional
leech. It is also safe to assume that Malfatti knew from the beginning
that a cure was impossible and strove at once for temporary relief,
-which in Beethoven’s case was the surest of means for cheering him
+which in Beethoven’s case was the surest of means for cheering him
up and reanimating hope within him. By administering frozen punch
he stimulated the jaded organs more successfully than Wawruch had
succeeded in doing; at the same time he warned against excess in its
@@ -13406,20 +13369,20 @@ waived all injunctions as to quantity. Schindler says:
March 17--nine days before his death--the very last page which the
immortal master wrote with his own hands:
- “Miracles! Miracles! Miracles! The highly learned gentlemen are
- both defeated! Only through Malfatti’s science shall I be saved. It
- is necessary that you come to me for a moment this forenoon.”
+ “Miracles! Miracles! Miracles! The highly learned gentlemen are
+ both defeated! Only through Malfatti’s science shall I be saved. It
+ is necessary that you come to me for a moment this forenoon.”
-The reiteration of the word “miracles” is indicated by the usual
-musical sign of repetition 𝄎. There is no date in Beethoven’s
-handwriting, but Schindler has endorsed it: “Beethoven’s last lines
-to Schindler on March 17, 1827.” The endorsement is of a later date
+The reiteration of the word “miracles” is indicated by the usual
+musical sign of repetition ùÑé. There is no date in Beethoven‚Äôs
+handwriting, but Schindler has endorsed it: “Beethoven’s last lines
+to Schindler on March 17, 1827.” The endorsement is of a later date
and marks another obvious error of memory. It is not possible that
Beethoven wrote the letter after he had himself abandoned all hope
of recovery, as he had before the date affixed by Schindler. Most
obviously the pathetic document is an outburst of jubilation on feeling
-the exhilaration consequent on Malfatti’s prescription, as mentioned
-in Dr. Wawruch’s report. Schindler says that the “learned gentlemen”
+the exhilaration consequent on Malfatti’s prescription, as mentioned
+in Dr. Wawruch’s report. Schindler says that the “learned gentlemen”
referred to were Wawruch and Seibert. Wawruch says that Beethoven
abandoned hope after the fourth tapping; Johann van Beethoven records
that the physicians declared him lost on March 16. Schindler in his
@@ -13434,7 +13397,7 @@ far from unqualified in his praise of Malfatti. He says:
But the usually brilliant physician seems to have been little
inspired in the presence of Beethoven. The frozen punch which he
prescribed to restore the tone of the digestive organs, excessively
- weakened by Wawruch’s overload of medicaments, had, indeed, the
+ weakened by Wawruch’s overload of medicaments, had, indeed, the
desired restorative effect; but it was too transient. On the
other hand a sort of sweat-bath prescribed a few days after the
second[169] operation was so obviously injurious to the patient,
@@ -13454,8 +13417,8 @@ The story of this sweat-bath needs to be told, if for no other reason
than because it is the basis of another of the romances still current,
which were retailed for the single purpose of presenting Beethoven as
a sufferer from the niggardliness of Johann. On January 25 (the date
-is fixed by a remark of Johann’s in the Conversation Book) Schindler
-brought word to Beethoven that the mother of the singer Fräulein
+is fixed by a remark of Johann’s in the Conversation Book) Schindler
+brought word to Beethoven that the mother of the singer Fr√§ulein
Schechner had sent for him that morning to tell him about two remedies
which had proved efficacious in the case of her father, who had also
been afflicted with dropsy. One of these was Juniperberry tea, the
@@ -13463,7 +13426,7 @@ other a vapor bath from a decoction, the ingredients of which were
a head of cabbage, two handfuls of caraway seeds and three handfuls
of hayseed (_Heublumen_). These remedies had been prescribed by the
physician of the late King of Bavaria and had worked a cure in the case
-of Madame Schechner’s father when he was 70 years old. Dr. Malfatti
+of Madame Schechner’s father when he was 70 years old. Dr. Malfatti
seems to have been told of these remedies and to have prescribed the
bath, which, it is said in the Conversation Books, he recognized at
once as a cure used by Dr. Harz, the Royal Physician mentioned. Within
@@ -13474,25 +13437,25 @@ procured from another source, Johann had said that he had plenty of
that sort and that his was dryer. Unwilling, apparently, to admit
that Johann might have been honest in his belief that the hay from
his stable was not fit for medicinal purposes, Schindler writes for
-Beethoven’s perusal: “Is it not abominable that he is unwilling even to
-give hay for a single bath!” Yet this monster of inhumanity, unwilling
+Beethoven’s perusal: “Is it not abominable that he is unwilling even to
+give hay for a single bath!” Yet this monster of inhumanity, unwilling
to sacrifice even a wisp of hay for a dying brother, was at the time in
daily attendance upon that brother and had taken upon himself a great
deal of the onerous and disagreeable labor of the sick-room!
-Among Beethoven’s visitors in February, near the end of the month,
+Among Beethoven’s visitors in February, near the end of the month,
when Beethoven was at an extremity of his suffering, was the singer
Demoiselle Schechner, who almost forced her way to the bedside to
tell him of her great admiration for his music, of her successes in
-“Fidelio,” and that it was through singing his “Adelaide” that she had
+“Fidelio,” and that it was through singing his “Adelaide” that she had
won her way to the operatic stage. Under date of February there also
came to the composer a cheery letter from his old playmate Wegeler,
calling to his mind some of his early flames--Jeanette Honrath and
-Fräulein Westerholt--and playfully outlining a plan by which the old
+Fr√§ulein Westerholt--and playfully outlining a plan by which the old
friends might enjoy a reunion: he would send, he said, one of his
patients to Carlsbad and go there with him as soon as Beethoven should
arrange also to go there for his convalescence. Then, after a three
-weeks’ trip through South Germany, there should be a final visit to the
+weeks’ trip through South Germany, there should be a final visit to the
home of their childhood. And, as before, Eleonore sends a postscript
emphasizing the pleasures of the reunion. Beethoven answered the letter
on February 17, and told his old friend how he had tried to send him a
@@ -13515,7 +13478,7 @@ real friendship:
[Sidenote: COMFORT RECEIVED FROM ENGLAND]
Though Beethoven had received the Handel scores in December, he does
-not seem to have had an opportunity to enjoy Stumpff’s gift thoroughly
+not seem to have had an opportunity to enjoy Stumpff’s gift thoroughly
until he turned to them for intellectual refreshment on his bed of
pain. He had signed the receipt for them in December, but it was
not until his thoughts turned to his English friends in the hope of
@@ -13541,7 +13504,7 @@ February 8.[170]
me if they would come to this determination now. It might save me
from all the needs which confront me. On this account I am writing
to Mr. S. [Smart] and if you, my dear friend, can do anything
- toward this end I beg of you to coöperate with Mr. S. Moscheles
+ toward this end I beg of you to coöperate with Mr. S. Moscheles
will also be written to about it and if all my friends unite I
believe that something can be done for me in this matter.
@@ -13555,32 +13518,32 @@ February 8.[170]
described it close to your benevolent heart and while wishing you
all things good and beautiful, I commend myself to you.
-Stumpff had already been informed of Beethoven’s illness by Streicher.
+Stumpff had already been informed of Beethoven’s illness by Streicher.
It is evident that he went at once to Smart and Moscheles, and
-knowledge of Beethoven’s condition and request was communicated to the
+knowledge of Beethoven’s condition and request was communicated to the
directors of the Philharmonic Society forthwith. Beethoven, meanwhile,
had written to both Smart and Moscheles, enclosing the letter of the
former in the letter to the latter; but the quick and sympathetic
action of the Society was no doubt due primarily to the initiative of
Stumpff, for the letters could by no means have reached London when the
directors held a meeting on February 28. Mr. Dance presided, and those
-present, as recorded in the Society’s minutes, were F. Cramer, Horsley,
+present, as recorded in the Society’s minutes, were F. Cramer, Horsley,
Moralt, Dragonetti, Neate, Dizi, Beale, T. Cooke, Sir G. Smart, Welsh,
Latour, Spagnoletti, Calkin, J. B. Cramer, Cipriani Potter and Watts.
The minutes continue:
It was moved by Mr. Neate, and seconded by Mr. Latour:
- “That this Society do lend the sum of One Hundred Pounds to its
+ “That this Society do lend the sum of One Hundred Pounds to its
own members to be sent through the hands of Mr. Moscheles to some
confidential friend of Beethoven, to be applied to his comforts and
- necessities during his illness.”
+ necessities during his illness.”
Carried unanimously.
Both Stumpff and Moscheles wrote the good news to Beethoven the
-next day. Moscheles’s letter appears in his translation, or rather
-paraphrase, of Schindler’s biography. In it he said:
+next day. Moscheles’s letter appears in his translation, or rather
+paraphrase, of Schindler’s biography. In it he said:
The Philharmonic Society resolved to express their good will
and lively sympathy by requesting your acceptance of 100 pounds
@@ -13589,9 +13552,9 @@ paraphrase, of Schindler’s biography. In it he said:
order by Mr. Rau, of the house of Eskeles, either in separate sums
or all at once as you desire.
-He added an expression of the Philharmonic Society’s willingness to aid
+He added an expression of the Philharmonic Society’s willingness to aid
him further whenever he should inform it of his need of assistance.
-Beethoven’s impatience was so great that, having found Smart’s address
+Beethoven’s impatience was so great that, having found Smart’s address
among his papers, he wrote him a second letter on March 6th, being
able now to mention the fact of the fourth tapping on February 27th
and to utter the apprehension that the operation might have to be
@@ -13619,7 +13582,7 @@ nephew which must not be encroached upon. The letters to Smart and
Moscheles are mentioned several times in the Conversation Books, but
there is no record of a protest by Schindler or Breuning. Inasmuch,
however, as much of the conversation with Beethoven was at this time
-carried on with the help of a slate, it is very likely that Schindler’s
+carried on with the help of a slate, it is very likely that Schindler’s
statement is correct. At any rate it serves to give a quietus to the
fantastic notion of the romancers that Beethoven had forgotten that
he had the shares. Not only were they talked about by his friends,
@@ -13663,8 +13626,8 @@ reproduce in full in his biography:
in my sad fate. Their noble act will never be forgotten by me and I
shall follow this with especial thanks to Sir Smart and Mr. Stumpff.
-Schindler relates that Beethoven on March 24, whispered to him, “write
-to Smart and Stumpff,” and that he would have done so on the morrow had
+Schindler relates that Beethoven on March 24, whispered to him, “write
+to Smart and Stumpff,” and that he would have done so on the morrow had
Beethoven been able to sign his name. In a translation of the letter to
Moscheles printed in a pamphlet published by the Philharmonic Society
in 1871,[171] it concluded as follows:
@@ -13678,28 +13641,28 @@ in 1871,[171] it concluded as follows:
Philharmonic Society a metronomic list of the movements of my ninth
Symphony.
- Allegro ma non troppo 88 = 𝅘𝅥
- Molto vivace 116 = 𝅗𝅥
- Presto 116 = 𝅗𝅥
- Adagio primo 60 = 𝅘𝅥
- Andante moderato 63 = 𝅗𝅥
- Finale presto 96 = 𝅘𝅥
- Allegro ma non tanto 88 = 𝅘𝅥
- Allegro assai 80 = 𝅗𝅥
- Alla marcia 84 = 𝅘𝅥
- Andante maestoso 72 = 𝅗𝅥
- Adagio divoto 60 = 𝅗𝅥
- Allegro energico 84 = 𝅗𝅥
- Allegro ma non tanto 120 = 𝅗𝅥
- Prestissimo 132 = 𝅗𝅥
- Maestoso 60 = 𝅘𝅥
-
-The history of the Philharmonic Society’s benefaction may properly be
-completed at this point. The money, as is to be seen from Beethoven’s
+ Allegro ma non troppo 88 = ùÖü
+ Molto vivace 116 = ùÖû
+ Presto 116 = ùÖû
+ Adagio primo 60 = ùÖü
+ Andante moderato 63 = ùÖû
+ Finale presto 96 = ùÖü
+ Allegro ma non tanto 88 = ùÖü
+ Allegro assai 80 = ùÖû
+ Alla marcia 84 = ùÖü
+ Andante maestoso 72 = ùÖû
+ Adagio divoto 60 = ùÖû
+ Allegro energico 84 = ùÖû
+ Allegro ma non tanto 120 = ùÖû
+ Prestissimo 132 = ùÖû
+ Maestoso 60 = ùÖü
+
+The history of the Philharmonic Society’s benefaction may properly be
+completed at this point. The money, as is to be seen from Beethoven’s
acknowledgment, was collected by the composer at once. Herr Rau, of the
banking-house of Eskeles to whom it had been entrusted, called upon
Beethoven immediately on receiving advices from London. It was on March
-15, and two days later he enclosed Beethoven’s receipt (dated March 16)
+15, and two days later he enclosed Beethoven’s receipt (dated March 16)
in a letter to Moscheles which the latter transmitted to Mr. W. Watts,
Secretary of the Philharmonic Society. Rau wrote:
@@ -13750,18 +13713,18 @@ In a letter, dated March 24, Schindler wrote to Moscheles:
and I agreed with Rau to recommend this course, but he (Beethoven)
preferred acting on the last part of your letter. Care and anxiety
seemed at once to vanish when he had received the money, and he
- said to me quite happily, “Now we can again look forward to some
- comfortable days.” We had only 340 florins, W. W. remaining and
+ said to me quite happily, “Now we can again look forward to some
+ comfortable days.” We had only 340 florins, W. W. remaining and
we had been obliged to be very economical for some time in our
housekeeping.... His delight on receiving this gift from the
Philharmonic Society resembled that of a child. A letter from that
worthy man Stumpff arrived here two days before yours and all this
affected Beethoven very much. Numberless times during the day he
- exclaimed. “May God reward them a thousandfold.”
+ exclaimed. “May God reward them a thousandfold.”
On March 28 Rau wrote again to Moscheles:
- Beethoven is no more; he died on the 26th inst. at five o’clock
+ Beethoven is no more; he died on the 26th inst. at five o’clock
in the afternoon, in the most dreadful agonies of pain. He was,
as I mentioned to you in my last letter, according to his own
statement, without any relief, without any money, consequently in
@@ -13776,27 +13739,27 @@ On March 28 Rau wrote again to Moscheles:
orders.[172] but was compelled to deposit them with the magistrate
until a further communication from that Society arrives. I could,
of course, not permit the expenses of the burial to be paid out of
- this money without the consent of the Society. Beethoven’s nephew
+ this money without the consent of the Society. Beethoven’s nephew
now succeeds to all his property. I hope to hear from you soon and
explicitly what I am to do, and you may rest perfectly assured of
my promptness and exactitude.
[Sidenote: MOSCHELES REPORTS TO LONDON]
-Moscheles, “by return post,” as he assures Mr. Watts, asked Rau to send
-the £100 back to the Philharmonic Society “according to the conditions
-under which the money was sent.” A correspondence ensued between
+Moscheles, “by return post,” as he assures Mr. Watts, asked Rau to send
+the £100 back to the Philharmonic Society “according to the conditions
+under which the money was sent.” A correspondence ensued between
Moscheles and Hotschevar, who was appointed guardian of the nephew
-after Breuning’s death (on June 4, 1827), which ended in Moscheles’ (as
+after Breuning’s death (on June 4, 1827), which ended in Moscheles’ (as
he himself says) laying before the Philharmonic Society the case of
-young Beethoven (then under age) and soliciting them “not to reclaim
-the £100, but, in honor of the great deceased, to allow the small
-patrimony to remain untouched.” Meanwhile it appears from a letter from
+young Beethoven (then under age) and soliciting them “not to reclaim
+the £100, but, in honor of the great deceased, to allow the small
+patrimony to remain untouched.” Meanwhile it appears from a letter from
Schindler to Smart dated March 31,[173] that Schindler and Breuning
applied a portion of the sum to the payment of the funeral expenses;
-“otherwise,” says the letter, “we could not have had him decently
+“otherwise,” says the letter, “we could not have had him decently
buried without selling one of the seven bank-shares which constitute
-his entire estate.” The sum thus expended is shown to have been 650
+his entire estate.” The sum thus expended is shown to have been 650
florins C. M. by the inventory preserved by Fischoff.
There are evidences outside of the importunate letters to London that
@@ -13808,13 +13771,13 @@ which his financial condition gave him (more imaginary than real in
view of the easily convertible bank-shares), and some presumably to
disappointment and chagrin at the conduct of his nephew, who had not
answered his letter to Iglau. Breuning explained that the negligence
-might be due to Karl’s time and attention being engrossed by the
+might be due to Karl’s time and attention being engrossed by the
carnival gayeties at the military post, and warned Beethoven that
to give way to melancholy was to stand in the way of recovery. We
learn this from the Conversation Books, which also give glimpses of
-friendly visits calculated to divert the sick man’s mind and keep
+friendly visits calculated to divert the sick man’s mind and keep
him in touch with the affairs of the city, theatre and the world at
-large. Doležalek, Schuppanzigh, and apparently Linke also, came in a
+large. Doležalek, Schuppanzigh, and apparently Linke also, came in a
group; Beethoven showed them the Handel scores and the conversation
ran out into a discussion of international politics. Moritz Lichnowsky
made a call and entertained him with the gossip of the theatres.
@@ -13822,18 +13785,18 @@ Gleichenstein made several visits, and once brought with him his
wife and son. The Countess was a sister of Therese Malfatti, to whom
Beethoven had once made an offer of marriage, and was disappointed
when Beethoven did not recognize her. About the middle of February
-Diabelli gave Beethoven a print-picture of Haydn’s birthplace, which
+Diabelli gave Beethoven a print-picture of Haydn’s birthplace, which
he had published; Beethoven showed it to his little friend Gerhard von
-Breuning and said: “Look, I got this to-day. See this little house, and
-in it so great a man was born!”
+Breuning and said: “Look, I got this to-day. See this little house, and
+in it so great a man was born!”
[Sidenote: FRIENDS AROUND THE DEATH-BED]
On February 25 Holz is called by letter to look after the collection
-of Beethoven’s annuity. His visits have been infrequent, but evidently
+of Beethoven’s annuity. His visits have been infrequent, but evidently
there are some things which Beethoven either cannot or will not
entrust to anybody else. Schindler is ceaselessly and tirelessly busy
-with Beethoven’s affairs, but his statement that Breuning and he were
+with Beethoven’s affairs, but his statement that Breuning and he were
the only persons who were much with the composer during his illness,
except the lad, Gerhard von Breuning, must be taken with some grains
of allowance. On 123 pages of the Conversation Books, covering the
@@ -13841,17 +13804,17 @@ months of January and February, 1827 (the evidence of which can not be
gainsaid, since the books were long in the hand of Schindler to do with
as he willed), there are forty-eight entries by Johann van Beethoven,
forty-six by Gerhard von Breuning and thirty by Breuning the elder.
-Schindler’s entries number 103. Other writers in the Books are Bernhard
+Schindler’s entries number 103. Other writers in the Books are Bernhard
(1), Holz (7), Bach (2), Piringer (6), Haslinger (11), Schikh (1),
-Doležalek (4), Schuppanzigh (6), Moritz Lichnowsky (1), Gleichenstein
-(1), Jekel (1), Marie Schindler, Anton’s sister (1) and Wolfmayer (1).
+Doležalek (4), Schuppanzigh (6), Moritz Lichnowsky (1), Gleichenstein
+(1), Jekel (1), Marie Schindler, Anton’s sister (1) and Wolfmayer (1).
-Sometime in February--it was probably at the time when Beethoven’s
+Sometime in February--it was probably at the time when Beethoven’s
mind was so fixedly bent on obtaining help from London--Schindler was
either ill or suffering from an accident which kept him for a brief
-space from Beethoven’s bedside. The composer sent him a gift--a repast,
+space from Beethoven’s bedside. The composer sent him a gift--a repast,
evidently--and a letter of sympathy so disjointed in phrase as to give
-pitiful confirmation of Schindler’s statement that it was the last
+pitiful confirmation of Schindler’s statement that it was the last
letter which Beethoven wrote with his own hand, and that at the time he
could no longer think connectedly. It ran:
@@ -13871,31 +13834,31 @@ So wretched are his surroundings that it is scarcely impossible
to avoid the conviction that not poverty alone but ignorance and
carelessness were contributary to the woeful lack of ordinary sick-room
conveniences. Gerhard von Breuning says that after the operation
-the fluid which was drained from the patient’s body flowed half-way
+the fluid which was drained from the patient’s body flowed half-way
across the floor to the middle of the room; and in the C. B. there is
a mention of saturated bedclothing and the physician suggests that
oilcloth be procured and spread over the couch. Beethoven now gave
-up hope. Dr. Wawruch says: “No words of comfort could brace him up,
+up hope. Dr. Wawruch says: “No words of comfort could brace him up,
and when I promised him alleviation of his sufferings with the coming
-of the vitalizing weather of Spring he answered with a smile: ‘My
-day’s work is finished. If there were a physician could help me his
-name should be called Wonderful.’ This pathetic allusion to Handel’s
-‘Messiah’ touched me so deeply that I had to confess its correctness
-to myself with profound emotion.” The incident so sympathetically
-described bears evidence of veracity on its face; Handel’s scores were
-always in Beethoven’s mind during the last weeks of his life.
-
-Among Beethoven’s visitors in February was Wolfmayer, whose coming must
+of the vitalizing weather of Spring he answered with a smile: ‘My
+day’s work is finished. If there were a physician could help me his
+name should be called Wonderful.’ This pathetic allusion to Handel’s
+‘Messiah’ touched me so deeply that I had to confess its correctness
+to myself with profound emotion.” The incident so sympathetically
+described bears evidence of veracity on its face; Handel’s scores were
+always in Beethoven’s mind during the last weeks of his life.
+
+Among Beethoven’s visitors in February was Wolfmayer, whose coming must
have called up a sense of a long-standing obligation and purpose in
-the composer’s mind.[175] On February 22nd he dictated a letter to the
-Schotts asking that the Quartet in C-sharp minor be dedicated to “my
-friend Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer.” The letter then proceeds:
+the composer’s mind.[175] On February 22nd he dictated a letter to the
+Schotts asking that the Quartet in C-sharp minor be dedicated to “my
+friend Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer.” The letter then proceeds:
Now, however, I come with a very important request.--My doctor
orders me to drink very good old Rhinewine. To get a thing of that
kind unadulterated is not possible at any price. If, therefore, I
were to receive a few small bottles I would show my gratitude to
- you in the Cæcilia. I think something would be done for me at the
+ you in the C√¶cilia. I think something would be done for me at the
customs so that the transport would not cost too much. As soon as
my strength allows you shall receive the metronomic marks for the
Mass, for I am just in the period when the fourth operation is
@@ -13924,7 +13887,7 @@ On March 1st he repeated his request:
[Sidenote: WINE AND DELICACIES FOR THE SUFFERER]
On March 8 the Schotts answered that they had forwarded a case of
-twelve bottles of Rüdesheimer Berg of the vintage of 1806, _via_
+twelve bottles of Rüdesheimer Berg of the vintage of 1806, _via_
Frankfort, but in order that he might the sooner receive a slight
refreshment, they had sent that day four bottles of the same wine, two
pure and two mixed with herbs, to be used as a medicine which had been
@@ -13995,7 +13958,7 @@ Still another:
Many thanks for the food of yesterday, which will also serve
for to-day.--I am allowed to eat game; the doctor thinks that
- _Krametsvögel_ (Fieldfares) are good and wholesome for me. This for
+ _Krametsvögel_ (Fieldfares) are good and wholesome for me. This for
your information, but it need not be to-day. Pardon my senseless
writing--Weary of night vigils--I embrace and reverence you.
@@ -14021,27 +13984,27 @@ to the bedside of the dying man, but the account given by Schindler is
probably correct in the main. On page 136 of the second volume of his
biography of Beethoven, Schindler says:
- As only a few of Franz Schubert’s compositions were known to him
+ As only a few of Franz Schubert’s compositions were known to him
and obsequious persons had always been busily engaged in throwing
suspicion on his talent, I took advantage of the favorable moment
- to place before him several of the greater songs, such as “Die
- junge Nonne,” “Die Bürgschaft,” “Der Taucher,” “Elysium” and the
+ to place before him several of the greater songs, such as “Die
+ junge Nonne,” “Die Bürgschaft,” “Der Taucher,” “Elysium” and the
Ossianic songs, acquaintance with which gave the master great
pleasure; so much, indeed, that he spoke his judgment in these
- words: “Truly, the divine spark lives in Schubert,” and so forth.
- At the time, however, only a small number of Schubert’s works had
+ words: “Truly, the divine spark lives in Schubert,” and so forth.
+ At the time, however, only a small number of Schubert’s works had
appeared in print.
Here no date is fixed for the incident and a little suspicion was cast
-upon the story because of the fact that only “Die junge Nonne” of all
-the songs mentioned had been published at the time of Beethoven’s
+upon the story because of the fact that only “Die junge Nonne” of all
+the songs mentioned had been published at the time of Beethoven’s
death. Schindler helped himself measurably out of the dilemma by saying
-in an article published in the “Theaterzeitung” of May 3, 1831, that
+in an article published in the “Theaterzeitung” of May 3, 1831, that
many of the songs which he laid before Beethoven were in manuscript. He
contradicts his statement made in the biography, however, by saying:
-“What would the great master have said had he seen, for instance
-the Ossianic songs, ‘Die Bürgschaft,’ ‘Elysium,’ ‘Der Taucher’ and
-other great ones which have only recently been published?” As usual,
+“What would the great master have said had he seen, for instance
+the Ossianic songs, ‘Die Bürgschaft,’ ‘Elysium,’ ‘Der Taucher’ and
+other great ones which have only recently been published?” As usual,
Schindler becomes more explicit when he comes to explain one of his
utterances. Now he says:
@@ -14049,79 +14012,79 @@ utterances. Now he says:
months of suffering from the beginning made his ordinary mental
activity impossible, a diversion had to be thought of which would
fit his mind and inclinations. And so it came about that I placed
- before him a collection of Schubert’s songs, about 60 in number,
+ before him a collection of Schubert’s songs, about 60 in number,
among them many which were then still in manuscript. This was done
not only to provide him with a pleasant entertainment, but also
to give him an opportunity to get acquainted with Schubert in his
- essence in order to get from him a favorable opinion of Schubert’s
+ essence in order to get from him a favorable opinion of Schubert’s
talent, which had been impugned, as had that of others by some of
the exalted ones. The great master, who before then had not known
- five songs of Schubert’s, was amazed at their number and refused
+ five songs of Schubert’s, was amazed at their number and refused
to believe that up to that time (February, 1827) he had already
composed over 500 of them. But if he was astonished at the number
he was filled with the highest admiration as soon as he discovered
their contents. For several days he could not separate himself from
- them, and every day he spent hours with Iphigenia’s monologue,
- “Die Grenzen der Menschheit,” “Die Allmacht,” “Die junge Nonne,”
- “Viola,” the “Müllerlieder,” and others. With joyous enthusiasm he
- cried out repeatedly: “Truly, a divine spark dwells in Schubert;
- if I had had this poem I would have set it to music”; this in the
+ them, and every day he spent hours with Iphigenia’s monologue,
+ “Die Grenzen der Menschheit,” “Die Allmacht,” “Die junge Nonne,”
+ “Viola,” the “Müllerlieder,” and others. With joyous enthusiasm he
+ cried out repeatedly: “Truly, a divine spark dwells in Schubert;
+ if I had had this poem I would have set it to music”; this in the
case of the majority of poems whose material contents and original
treatment by Schubert he could not praise sufficiently. Nor could
- he understand how Schubert had time to “take in hand such long
- poems, many of which contained ten others,” as he expressed it....
+ he understand how Schubert had time to “take in hand such long
+ poems, many of which contained ten others,” as he expressed it....
What would the master have said had he seen, for instance, the
- Ossianic songs, “Die Bürgschaft,” “Elysium,” “Der Taucher” and
+ Ossianic songs, “Die Bürgschaft,” “Elysium,” “Der Taucher” and
other great ones which have only recently been published? In short,
- the respect which Beethoven acquired for Schubert’s talent was so
+ the respect which Beethoven acquired for Schubert’s talent was so
great that he now wanted to see his operas and pianoforte pieces;
but his illness had now become so severe that he could no longer
gratify this wish. But he often spoke of Schubert and predicted of
- him that he “would make a great sensation in the world,” and often
+ him that he “would make a great sensation in the world,” and often
regretted that he had not learned to know him earlier.
-It is likely that the remark, “Truly, the divine spark dwells in
-Schubert,” as Schindler quoted it in his biography, came more than
-once from Beethoven’s lips. Luib heard Hüttenbrenner say that one day
-Beethoven said of Schubert, “He has the divine spark!” Schindler’s
-article in the “Theaterzeitung” was a defense of the opinion which he
+It is likely that the remark, “Truly, the divine spark dwells in
+Schubert,” as Schindler quoted it in his biography, came more than
+once from Beethoven’s lips. Luib heard Hüttenbrenner say that one day
+Beethoven said of Schubert, “He has the divine spark!” Schindler’s
+article in the “Theaterzeitung” was a defense of the opinion which he
had expressed that Schubert was a greater song-composer than Beethoven,
and for this reason it may be assumed that it was a little high-pitched
in expression. Beethoven knew a little about Schubert, but not much, as
appears from a remark quoted from Holz in one of the Conversation Books
-of 1826. It may have been Schindler’s ambition to appear as having
+of 1826. It may have been Schindler’s ambition to appear as having
stood sponsor for Schubert before Beethoven which led him to ignore
-Holz’s remark concerning Schubert’s unique genius as a writer of songs,
-his interest in Handel and his patronage of Schuppanzigh’s quartet
-parties. Beethoven and Schubert had met. Anselm Hüttenbrenner wrote to
+Holz’s remark concerning Schubert’s unique genius as a writer of songs,
+his interest in Handel and his patronage of Schuppanzigh’s quartet
+parties. Beethoven and Schubert had met. Anselm Hüttenbrenner wrote to
Luib:[176]
But this I know positively, that about eight days before
- Beethoven’s death Prof. Schindler, Schubert and I visited the sick
+ Beethoven’s death Prof. Schindler, Schubert and I visited the sick
man, Schindler announced us two and asked Beethoven whom he would
- see first. He said: “Let Schubert come first.”
+ see first. He said: “Let Schubert come first.”
It is characteristic of Schindler that he makes no mention of this
incident. Another incident recorded by Gerhard von Breuning deserves
-to be told here. When Beethoven’s friends called they usually reported
+to be told here. When Beethoven’s friends called they usually reported
to Beethoven about the performances of his works. One day Gerhard von
Breuning found that a visitor had written in the Conversation Book:
-“Your Quartet which Schuppanzigh played yesterday did not please.”
+“Your Quartet which Schuppanzigh played yesterday did not please.”
Beethoven was asleep when Gerhard came and when he awoke the lad
-pointed to the entry. Beethoven remarked, laconically: “It will please
-them some day,” adding that he wrote only as he thought best and would
+pointed to the entry. Beethoven remarked, laconically: “It will please
+them some day,” adding that he wrote only as he thought best and would
not permit himself to be deceived by the judgment of the day, saying at
-the end: “I know that I am an artist.”
+the end: “I know that I am an artist.”
-[Sidenote: FERDINAND HILLER’S LAST VISIT]
+[Sidenote: FERDINAND HILLER’S LAST VISIT]
-In a letter which Schindler wrote to Moscheles, forwarding Beethoven’s,
-he said: “Hummel and his wife are here; he came in haste to see
+In a letter which Schindler wrote to Moscheles, forwarding Beethoven’s,
+he said: “Hummel and his wife are here; he came in haste to see
Beethoven once again alive, for it is generally reported in Germany
that he is on his deathbed. It was a most touching sight last Thursday
-to see these two friends meet again.” The letter was written on March
-14 and the “last Thursday” was March 8th. We have an account of this
-meeting in Ferdinand Hiller’s “Aus dem Tonleben unserer Zeit.”[177]
+to see these two friends meet again.” The letter was written on March
+14 and the “last Thursday” was March 8th. We have an account of this
+meeting in Ferdinand Hiller’s “Aus dem Tonleben unserer Zeit.”[177]
Hiller was then fifteen years old and had come to the Austrian Capital
with Hummel, who was his teacher. Hummel had heard in Weimar that
Beethoven was hopelessly ill and had reached Vienna on March 6; two
@@ -14129,7 +14092,7 @@ days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
Through a spacious anteroom in which high cabinets were piled
with thick, tied-up parcels of music we reached--how my heart
- beat!--Beethoven’s living-room, and were not a little astonished
+ beat!--Beethoven’s living-room, and were not a little astonished
to find the master sitting in apparent comfort at the window. He
wore a long, gray sleeping-robe, open at the time, and high boots
reaching to his knees. Emaciated by long and severe illness he
@@ -14160,24 +14123,24 @@ days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
The conversation at first turned, as is usual, on domestic
affair,--the journey and sojourn, my relations with Hummel and
- matters of that kind. Beethoven asked about Goethe’s health with
+ matters of that kind. Beethoven asked about Goethe’s health with
extraordinary solicitude and we were able to make the best of
reports, since only a few days before the great poet had written
in my album. Concerning his own state, poor Beethoven complained
- much. “Here I have been lying for four months,” he cried out,
- “one must at last lose patience!” Other things in Vienna did not
+ much. “Here I have been lying for four months,” he cried out,
+ “one must at last lose patience!” Other things in Vienna did not
seem to be to his liking and he spoke with the utmost severity
- of “the present taste in art,” and “the dilettantism which is
- ruining everything.” Nor did he spare the government, up to the
- most exalted regions. “Write a volume of penitential hymns and
- dedicate it to the Empress,” he remarked with a gloomy smile to
+ of “the present taste in art,” and “the dilettantism which is
+ ruining everything.” Nor did he spare the government, up to the
+ most exalted regions. “Write a volume of penitential hymns and
+ dedicate it to the Empress,” he remarked with a gloomy smile to
Hummel, who, however, made no use of the well-meant advice. Hummel,
- who was a practical man, took advantage of Beethoven’s condition
+ who was a practical man, took advantage of Beethoven’s condition
to ask his attention to a matter which occupied a long time. It
- was about the theft of one of Hummel’s concertos, which had been
+ was about the theft of one of Hummel’s concertos, which had been
printed illicitly before it had been brought out by the lawful
publisher. Hummel wanted to appeal to the Bundestag against this
- wretched business, and to this end desired to have Beethoven’s
+ wretched business, and to this end desired to have Beethoven’s
signature, which seemed to him of great value. He sat down to
explain the matter in writing and meanwhile I was permitted to
carry on the conversation with Beethoven. I did my best, and the
@@ -14186,13 +14149,13 @@ days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
to his nephew, whom he had loved greatly, who, as is known, caused
him much trouble and at that time, because of a few trifles (thus
Beethoven at least seemed to consider them), had gotten into
- trouble with the officials. “Little thieves are hanged, but big
- ones are allowed to go free!” he exclaimed ill-humoredly. He
- asked about my studies and, encouraging me, said: “Art must be
- propagated ceaselessly,” and when I spoke of the exclusive interest
+ trouble with the officials. “Little thieves are hanged, but big
+ ones are allowed to go free!” he exclaimed ill-humoredly. He
+ asked about my studies and, encouraging me, said: “Art must be
+ propagated ceaselessly,” and when I spoke of the exclusive interest
in Italian opera which then prevailed in Vienna, he gave utterance
- to the memorable words: “It is said _vox populi, vox dei_. I never
- believed it.”
+ to the memorable words: “It is said _vox populi, vox dei_. I never
+ believed it.”
On March 13 Hummel took me with him a second time to Beethoven. We
found his condition to be materially worse. He lay in bed, seemed
@@ -14200,69 +14163,69 @@ days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
fact that he spoke much and animatedly. Now he seemed to take it
much to heart that he had not married. Already at our first visit
he had joked about it with Hummel, whose wife he had known as a
- young and beautiful maiden. “You are a lucky man,” he said to him
- now smilingly, “you have a wife who takes care of you, who is in
- love with you--but poor me!” and he sighed heavily. He also begged
+ young and beautiful maiden. “You are a lucky man,” he said to him
+ now smilingly, “you have a wife who takes care of you, who is in
+ love with you--but poor me!” and he sighed heavily. He also begged
of Hummel to bring his wife to see him, she not having been able
to persuade herself to see in his present state the man whom she
had known at the zenith of his powers. A short time before he had
received a present of a picture of the house in which Haydn was
- born. He kept it close at hand and showed it to us. “It gave me a
- childish pleasure,” he said, “the cradle of so great a man!” Then
+ born. He kept it close at hand and showed it to us. “It gave me a
+ childish pleasure,” he said, “the cradle of so great a man!” Then
he appealed to Hummel in behalf of Schindler, of whom so much was
- spoken afterwards. “He is a good man,” he said, “who has taken a
+ spoken afterwards. “He is a good man,” he said, “who has taken a
great deal of trouble on my account. He is to give a concert soon
- at which I promised my coöperation. But now nothing is likely
+ at which I promised my coöperation. But now nothing is likely
to come of that. Now I should like to have you do me the favor
- of playing. We must always help poor artists.” As a matter of
+ of playing. We must always help poor artists.” As a matter of
course, Hummel consented. The concert took place--ten days after
- Beethoven’s death--in the Josephstadt-Theater. Hummel improvised
+ Beethoven’s death--in the Josephstadt-Theater. Hummel improvised
in an obviously exalted mood on the Allegretto of the A major
Symphony; the public knew why he participated and the performance
and its reception formed a truly inspiring incident.
Shortly after our second visit the report spread throughout Vienna
- that the Philharmonic Society of London had sent Beethoven £100
+ that the Philharmonic Society of London had sent Beethoven £100
in order to ease his sick-bed. It was added that this surprise
had made so great an impression on the great poor man that it had
also brought physical relief. When we stood again at his bedside,
on the 20th, we could educe from his utterances how greatly he had
been rejoiced by this altruism; but he was very weak and spoke
- only in faint and disconnected phrases. “I shall, no doubt, soon
- be going above,” he whispered after our first greeting. Similar
+ only in faint and disconnected phrases. “I shall, no doubt, soon
+ be going above,” he whispered after our first greeting. Similar
remarks recurred frequently. In the intervals, however, he spoke of
projects and hopes which were destined not to be realized. Speaking
of the noble conduct of the Philharmonic Society and in praise of
the English people, he expressed the intention, as soon as matters
- were better with him, to undertake the journey to London. “I will
- compose a grand overture for them and a grand symphony.” Then, too,
+ were better with him, to undertake the journey to London. “I will
+ compose a grand overture for them and a grand symphony.” Then, too,
he would visit Madame Hummel (she had come along with her husband)
and go to I do not know how many places. It did not occur to us to
write anything for him. His eyes, which were still lively when we
saw him last, dropped and closed to-day and it was difficult from
time to time for him to raise himself. It was no longer possible to
- deceive one’s self--the worst was to be feared.
+ deceive one’s self--the worst was to be feared.
Hopeless was the picture presented by the extraordinary man when
we sought him again on March 23rd. It was to be the last time. He
lay, weak and miserable, sighing deeply at intervals. Not a word
fell from his lips; sweat stood upon his forehead. His handkerchief
- not being conveniently at hand, Hummel’s wife took her fine cambric
+ not being conveniently at hand, Hummel’s wife took her fine cambric
handkerchief and dried his face several times. Never shall I forget
the grateful glance with which his broken eye looked upon her. On
March 26, while we were with a merry company in the art-loving
house of Herr von Liebenberg (who had formerly been a pupil of
- Hummel’s), we were surprised by a severe storm between five and
- six o’clock. A thick snow-flurry was accompanied by loud peals of
+ Hummel’s), we were surprised by a severe storm between five and
+ six o’clock. A thick snow-flurry was accompanied by loud peals of
thunder and flashes of lightning, which lighted up the room. A few
hours later guests arrived with the intelligence that Ludwig van
- Beethoven was no more;--he had died at 4:45 o’clock.
+ Beethoven was no more;--he had died at 4:45 o’clock.
[Sidenote: THE SIGNING OF THE WILL]
The consultations between Beethoven and his legal advisers, Bach,
Breuning and others, concerning the proper disposition of his estate
-by will, which had begun soon after Karl’s departure for Iglau, had
+by will, which had begun soon after Karl’s departure for Iglau, had
not been brought to a conclusion when it became apparent to all that
it was high time that the document formally be executed. Dr. Bach does
not seem to have been consulted at this crisis; haste was necessary,
@@ -14275,48 +14238,48 @@ this end a trust was to be created and he was to have the income during
life, the reversion being to his legitimate heirs. With this Beethoven
at length declared himself satisfied; but when Breuning placed the
draft before the dying man, who had yielded unwillingly, he copied
-it laboriously but substituted the word “natural” for “legitimate.”
+it laboriously but substituted the word “natural” for “legitimate.”
Schindler says the copying was a labor, and when Beethoven finished it
-and appended his signature he said: “There; now I’ll write no more.”
+and appended his signature he said: “There; now I’ll write no more.”
Breuning called his attention to the fact that controversy would ensue
from his change in the text, but Beethoven insisted that the words
-meant the same thing and there should be no change. “This,” says
-Schindler, “was his last contradiction.” Hiller’s description of the
+meant the same thing and there should be no change. “This,” says
+Schindler, “was his last contradiction.” Hiller’s description of the
last visit of Hummel, pictures the condition of the dying man on this
-day, and Schindler’s statement that it was laborious for Beethoven to
+day, and Schindler’s statement that it was laborious for Beethoven to
copy even the few words of the will is pathetically verified by the
orthography of the document which, _verb. et lit._, is as follows:
Mein Neffe Karl Soll alleiniger Erbe seyn, das Kapital meines
- Nachlasses soll jedoch Seinen natürlichen oder testamentarischen
+ Nachlasses soll jedoch Seinen natürlichen oder testamentarischen
Erben zufallen.
- Wien am 23 März 1827.
+ Wien am 23 M√§rz 1827.
Ludwig van Beethoven mp.
According to Gerhard von Breuning, signatures were necessary to
several documents--the will, the transfer of the guardianship of the
nephew to von Breuning and the letter of January 3, which also made a
-testamentary disposition of Beethoven’s property. These signatures were
+testamentary disposition of Beethoven’s property. These signatures were
all obtained with great difficulty. The younger von Breuning places
the date on March 24th. After von Breuning, Schindler and the dying
-man’s brother had indicated to Beethoven, who lay in a half-stupor,
+man’s brother had indicated to Beethoven, who lay in a half-stupor,
that his signature was required they raised him as much as possible and
pushed pillows under him for support. Then the documents, one after the
other, were laid before him and von Breuning put the inked pen in his
-hand. “The dying man, who ordinarily wrote boldly in a lapidary style,
+hand. “The dying man, who ordinarily wrote boldly in a lapidary style,
repeatedly signed his immortal name, laboriously, with trembling hand,
for the last time; still legibly, indeed, but each time forgetting one
-of the middle letters--once an _h_, another time an_e_.”
+of the middle letters--once an _h_, another time an_e_.”
-[Sidenote: “COMŒDIA FINITA EST.”]
+[Sidenote: “COMŒDIA FINITA EST.”]
On the day which saw the signing of the will, Beethoven made an
utterance, eminently characteristic of him, but which, because of an
interpretation which it has received, has caused no small amount of
-comment. The date is fixed as March 23rd by Schindler’s letter to
-Moscheles of March 24th in which he says: “Yesterday he said to me and
-Breuning, ‘Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est’.” Though the phrase
+comment. The date is fixed as March 23rd by Schindler’s letter to
+Moscheles of March 24th in which he says: “Yesterday he said to me and
+Breuning, ‘Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est’.” Though the phrase
does not seem to be a literal quotation from any author known to have
been familiar to Beethoven, it is obviously a paraphrase of something
which he had read. According to Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning
@@ -14329,33 +14292,33 @@ of some of his devout admirers. It needed not have done so; the phrase
is almost a literary commonplace and its significance has never been in
question.[178]
-When Beethoven’s friends saw the end approaching, they were naturally
+When Beethoven’s friends saw the end approaching, they were naturally
desirous that he receive the spiritual comfort which the offices of the
Roman Catholic church offer to the dying and it was equally natural
that Beethoven, brought up as a child of the church though careless of
his duties toward it, should, at the last, be ready to accept them.
Johann van Beethoven relates that a few days after the 16th of March,
when the physicians gave him up for lost, he had begged his brother to
-make his peace with God, to which request he acceded “with the greatest
-readiness.” Confirmation of this is found in Dr. Wawruch’s report.
+make his peace with God, to which request he acceded “with the greatest
+readiness.” Confirmation of this is found in Dr. Wawruch’s report.
Wawruch, it will be remembered, had, at the beginning of his studies,
intended to enter the priesthood. At the crisis described by Johann he
-says he called Beethoven’s attention to his impending dissolution “so
-that he might do his duty as a citizen and to religion.” He continues:
+says he called Beethoven’s attention to his impending dissolution “so
+that he might do his duty as a citizen and to religion.” He continues:
With the greatest delicacy I wrote the words of admonition on a
sheet of paper.... Beethoven read the writing with unexampled
composure, slowly and thoughtfully, his countenance like that of
one transfigured; cordially and solemnly he held out his hand to
- me and said: “Have the priest called.” Then he lay quietly lost in
- thought and amiably indicated by a nod his “I shall soon see you
- again.” Soon thereafter Beethoven performed his devotions with a
+ me and said: “Have the priest called.” Then he lay quietly lost in
+ thought and amiably indicated by a nod his “I shall soon see you
+ again.” Soon thereafter Beethoven performed his devotions with a
pious resignation which looked confidently into eternity and turned
- to the friends around him with the words, “Plaudite, amici, finita
- est comœdia!”
+ to the friends around him with the words, “Plaudite, amici, finita
+ est comœdia!”
Wawruch was not present at the time when the words were spoken.
-Schindler’s account, in a letter to the “Cäcilia” dated April 12, 1827,
+Schindler’s account, in a letter to the “Cäcilia” dated April 12, 1827,
and printed in that journal in May, is as follows:
On the day before (the 23rd) there remained with us only one
@@ -14363,20 +14326,20 @@ and printed in that journal in May, is as follows:
at the same time that he had ended his life a true Christian. The
Professor in Ordinary [Wawruch] therefore wrote and begged him
in the name of all his friends to receive the holy sacrament; to
- which he replied quietly and firmly (_gefasst_), “I wish it.” The
+ which he replied quietly and firmly (_gefasst_), “I wish it.” The
physician went away and left us to care for it.
Schindler describes the administration of the sacrament, which
Beethoven received with edification, and adds that now for the first
-time he seemed to believe that he was about to die; for “scarcely
+time he seemed to believe that he was about to die; for “scarcely
had the priest left the room before he said to me and young von
-Breuning, ‘Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est. Did I not always
-say that it would end thus?’” (“_Habe ich nicht immer gesagt, dass
-es so kommen wird?_”) Here there is agreement with Wawruch, but, to
+Breuning, ‘Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est. Did I not always
+say that it would end thus?’” (“_Habe ich nicht immer gesagt, dass
+es so kommen wird?_”) Here there is agreement with Wawruch, but, to
Gerhard von Breuning, Schindler said that Beethoven made the remark at
the conclusion of a long consultation after the physicians had gone
away; and this is confirmed by Gerhard von Breuning. In 1860 Anselm
-Hüttenbrenner wrote:[179]
+Hüttenbrenner wrote:[179]
It is not true, as has been reported, that I begged Beethoven to
receive the sacrament for the dying; but I did bring it about at
@@ -14384,19 +14347,19 @@ Hüttenbrenner wrote:[179]
now deceased, that Beethoven was asked in the gentlest manner by
Herr Johann Baptist Jenger and Madame van Beethoven, wife of the
landowner, to strengthen himself by receiving holy communion. It
- is a pure invention that Beethoven spoke the words “Plaudite,
- amici! Comœdia finita est!” to me, for I was not present when
+ is a pure invention that Beethoven spoke the words “Plaudite,
+ amici! Comœdia finita est!” to me, for I was not present when
the rite was administered in the forenoon of March 24, 1827. And
surely Beethoven did not make to others an utterance so completely
at variance with his sturdy character. But on the day of her
- brother-in-law’s death Frau v. Beethoven told me that after
- receiving the viaticum he said to the priest, “I thank you, ghostly
- sir! You have brought me comfort!”
+ brother-in-law’s death Frau v. Beethoven told me that after
+ receiving the viaticum he said to the priest, “I thank you, ghostly
+ sir! You have brought me comfort!”
-Hüttenbrenner is confirmed by Johann van Beethoven, who wrote in his
-brief review of his brother’s last illness that when the priest was
-leaving the room Beethoven said to him, “I thank you for this last
-service.”
+Hüttenbrenner is confirmed by Johann van Beethoven, who wrote in his
+brief review of his brother’s last illness that when the priest was
+leaving the room Beethoven said to him, “I thank you for this last
+service.”
[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE FINAL STRUGGLE]
@@ -14409,14 +14372,14 @@ Quartet to the Schotts. It was drawn up and his signature to it, the
last which he wrote, was attested by Schindler and Breuning. He also
spoke of a letter of thanks to the Philharmonic Society of London and
in suggesting its tenor, comprehended the whole English people with a
-fervent “God bless them!” About one o’clock the special shipment of
+fervent “God bless them!” About one o’clock the special shipment of
wine and wine mixed with herbs came from Mayence, and Schindler placed
the bottles upon the table near the bed. Beethoven looked at them and
-murmured, “Pity, pity--too late!” He spoke no more. A little of the
+murmured, “Pity, pity--too late!” He spoke no more. A little of the
wine was administered to him in spoonfuls at intervals, as long as
he could swallow it. Towards evening he lost consciousness and the
-death-struggle began. It lasted two days. “From towards the evening of
-the 24th to his last breath he was almost continually _in delirio_,”
+death-struggle began. It lasted two days. “From towards the evening of
+the 24th to his last breath he was almost continually _in delirio_,”
wrote Schindler to Moscheles. We have a description from Gerhard von
Breuning:[180]
@@ -14433,51 +14396,51 @@ Breuning:[180]
26th--breathing, if that was possible, more stertorously than on
the day before.
-The only witnesses of Beethoven’s death were his sister-in-law and
-Anselm Hüttenbrenner. From the latter we have a description of the last
+The only witnesses of Beethoven’s death were his sister-in-law and
+Anselm Hüttenbrenner. From the latter we have a description of the last
scene.[181]
- When I entered Beethoven’s bedroom on March 26, 1827 at about 3
- o’clock in the afternoon, I found there Court Councillor Breuning,
+ When I entered Beethoven’s bedroom on March 26, 1827 at about 3
+ o’clock in the afternoon, I found there Court Councillor Breuning,
his son, Frau van Beethoven, wife of Johann van Beethoven,
landowner and apothecary of Lenz, and my friend Joseph Teltscher,
portrait painter. I think that Prof. Schindler was also present.
-Gerhard von Breuning says that Beethoven’s brother was in the room, and
-also the housekeeper Sali; Schindler adds a nurse from Dr. Wawruch’s
+Gerhard von Breuning says that Beethoven’s brother was in the room, and
+also the housekeeper Sali; Schindler adds a nurse from Dr. Wawruch’s
clinic. No doubt all were present at one moment or another; they came
-and went as occasion or duty called. Hüttenbrenner says that Teltscher
-began drawing the face of the dying man, which grated on Breuning’s
+and went as occasion or duty called. Hüttenbrenner says that Teltscher
+began drawing the face of the dying man, which grated on Breuning’s
feelings and he made a remonstrance, whereupon the painter left the
room. Then Breuning and Schindler went away to choose a spot for the
-grave. Hüttenbrenner continues:
+grave. Hüttenbrenner continues:
Frau van Beethoven and I only were in the death-chamber during
- the last moments of Beethoven’s life. After Beethoven had lain
- unconscious, the death-rattle in his throat from 3 o’clock in the
+ the last moments of Beethoven’s life. After Beethoven had lain
+ unconscious, the death-rattle in his throat from 3 o’clock in the
afternoon till after 5, there came a flash of lightning accompanied
by a violent clap of thunder, which garishly illuminated the
- death-chamber. (Snow lay before Beethoven’s dwelling.) After
+ death-chamber. (Snow lay before Beethoven’s dwelling.) After
this unexpected phenomenon of nature, which startled me greatly,
Beethoven opened his eyes, lifted his right hand and looked up
for several seconds with his fist clenched and a very serious,
- threatening expression as if he wanted to say: “Inimical powers,
- I defy you! Away with you! God is with me!” It also seemed as if,
+ threatening expression as if he wanted to say: “Inimical powers,
+ I defy you! Away with you! God is with me!” It also seemed as if,
like a brave commander, he wished to call out to his wavering
- troops: “Courage, soldiers! Forward! Trust in me! Victory is
- assured!”[182]. When he let the raised hand sink to the bed, his
+ troops: “Courage, soldiers! Forward! Trust in me! Victory is
+ assured!”[182]. When he let the raised hand sink to the bed, his
eyes closed half-way. My right hand was under his head, my left
rested on his breast. Not another breath, not a heartbeat more!
The genius of the great master of tones fled from this world of
delusion into the realm of truth!--I pressed down the half-open
eyelids of the dead man, kissed them, then his forehead, mouth and
hands.--At my request Frau van Beethoven cut a lock of hair from
- his head and handed it to me as a sacred souvenir of Beethoven’s
+ his head and handed it to me as a sacred souvenir of Beethoven’s
last hour. Thereupon I hurried, deeply moved, into the city,
- carried the intelligence of Beethoven’s death to Herr Tobias
+ carried the intelligence of Beethoven’s death to Herr Tobias
Haslinger, and after a few hours returned to my home in Styria.
-[Sidenote: THE CAUSE OF BEETHOVEN’S DEATH]
+[Sidenote: THE CAUSE OF BEETHOVEN’S DEATH]
It remained for modern science to give the right name to the disease
which caused the death of the greatest of all tone-poets. Dropsy, said
@@ -14488,15 +14451,15 @@ malady was cirrhosis of the liver, of which _ascites_, or _hydrops
abdominalis_, was a consequence. Beethoven had suffered from disorders
of the liver years before. In 1821, as has been noted, he suffered an
attack of jaundice. In his medical history of the case, Dr. Wawruch
-stated that the cause of the disease was to be found in an “antiquated”
+stated that the cause of the disease was to be found in an “antiquated”
ailment of liver as well as defects in the abdominal organs. When he
-observed the first aggravation of the disease he recorded that “the
-liver plainly showed traces of hard knots, the jaundice increased.” In
-his report of the autopsy, Dr. Wagner said: “The liver seemed to have
+observed the first aggravation of the disease he recorded that “the
+liver plainly showed traces of hard knots, the jaundice increased.” In
+his report of the autopsy, Dr. Wagner said: “The liver seemed to have
shrunk to one half its normal size, to have a leathery hardness, a
greenish-blue color, and its lumpy surface, as well as its substance,
was interwoven with knots the size of a bean. All the blood-vessels
-were narrow, with thickened walls and empty.” The treatment prescribed
+were narrow, with thickened walls and empty.” The treatment prescribed
by Dr. Wawruch and adopted empirically at the suggestion of friends was
designed, not to go to the seat of the difficulty but to relieve the
dropsical condition of the abdominal cavity;--medicaments, decoctions,
@@ -14505,20 +14468,20 @@ evacuations from the bowels, increase the secretion of urine and induce
perspiration; the final resort was to _paracentesis_.[183]
When Breuning and Schindler left the dying man in the care of
-Hüttenbrenner and Frau van Beethoven, they went to the cemetery of the
-little village of Währing, and selected a place for Beethoven’s grave
+Hüttenbrenner and Frau van Beethoven, they went to the cemetery of the
+little village of Währing, and selected a place for Beethoven’s grave
in the vicinity of the burial plot of the Vering family, to which
-Breuning’s first wife had belonged. Their return was retarded by the
-storm. When they reëntered the sick-room they were greeted with the
-words: “It is finished!” The immediate activities of the friends were
+Breuning’s first wife had belonged. Their return was retarded by the
+storm. When they reëntered the sick-room they were greeted with the
+words: “It is finished!” The immediate activities of the friends were
now directed to preparations for the funeral, the preservation of the
physical likeness of the great composer and, so far as was necessary,
the safeguarding of his possessions. In respect of the latter Gerhard
von Breuning tells of a painful incident which happened on the day
-after Beethoven’s death.
+after Beethoven’s death.
Breuning, Schindler, Johann van Beethoven and Holz were met in the
-lodgings to gather up the dead man’s papers, particularly to look
+lodgings to gather up the dead man’s papers, particularly to look
for the seven bank-shares which the will had given to the nephew. In
spite of strenuous search they were not found and Johann let fall an
insinuation that the search was a sham. This angered von Breuning and
@@ -14526,20 +14489,20 @@ he left the house in a state of vexation and excitement. He returned
to the lodgings in the afternoon and the search was resumed. Then Holz
pulled out a protruding nail in a cabinet, whereupon a drawer fell
out and in it were the certificates. In later years Holz explained to
-Otto Jahn: “Beethoven kept his bank-shares in a secret drawer, the
+Otto Jahn: “Beethoven kept his bank-shares in a secret drawer, the
existence of which was known only to Holz. While Beethoven lay dying
-his brother in vain tried to find out where it was.” On a copy of this
-memorandum,[184] Schindler wrote: “First of all after the death, Johann
+his brother in vain tried to find out where it was.” On a copy of this
+memorandum,[184] Schindler wrote: “First of all after the death, Johann
van Beethoven searched for the shares, and not finding them cried out:
-‘Breuning and Schindler must produce them!’ Holz was requested to come
+‘Breuning and Schindler must produce them!’ Holz was requested to come
by Breuning and asked if he did not know where they were concealed. He
-knew the secret drawer in an old cabinet in which they were preserved.”
+knew the secret drawer in an old cabinet in which they were preserved.”
Even this simple incident has given rise to contradictory stories.
Schindler, in his biography, says the place of concealment was a
-secret drawer in a _Kassette_; Breuning, “in a secret compartment of
-a writing-desk.” In 1863, Schindler explained to Gerhard von Breuning
+secret drawer in a _Kassette_; Breuning, “in a secret compartment of
+a writing-desk.” In 1863, Schindler explained to Gerhard von Breuning
that the article of furniture was an ordinary clothes-press. With the
-certificates were found the letter to the “Immortal Beloved” and the
+certificates were found the letter to the “Immortal Beloved” and the
portrait of the Countess von Brunswick.[185]
On March 27th, an autopsy was performed by Dr. Johann Wagner in the
@@ -14547,32 +14510,32 @@ presence of Dr. Wawruch. Its significant disclosures have already been
printed here. In order to facilitate an examination of the organs of
hearing the temporal bones were sawed out and carried away. Joseph
Danhauser, a young painter who chanced to be in Vienna, received
-permission from Breuning to make a plaster cast of the dead man’s face.
+permission from Breuning to make a plaster cast of the dead man’s face.
This he did on March 28th, but the cast has little value as a portrait,
inasmuch as it was made after the autopsy, which had greatly disfigured
-the features. On the same day (not “immediately after death,” as has
+the features. On the same day (not “immediately after death,” as has
incorrectly been stated) Danhauser made a drawing of the head of
Beethoven, which he reproduced by lithographic process. This picture
-bears the inscription: “Beethoven, March 28, drawn at his death-bed,
-1827,” and to the left, “Danhauser.” This drawing, too, was made after
+bears the inscription: “Beethoven, March 28, drawn at his death-bed,
+1827,” and to the left, “Danhauser.” This drawing, too, was made after
the autopsy. For a bust which he modeled, the artist made use of the
cast taken by Klein in 1812. Danhauser never came in contact with
Beethoven alive.
[Sidenote: IMPOSING FUNERAL CEREMONIES]
-The funeral took place at 3 o’clock in the afternoon of March 29th.
+The funeral took place at 3 o’clock in the afternoon of March 29th.
It was one of the most imposing functions of its kind ever witnessed
in Vienna.[186] Breuning and Schindler had made the arrangements.
-Cards of invitation were given out at Haslinger’s music-shop. Hours
+Cards of invitation were given out at Haslinger’s music-shop. Hours
before the appointed time a multitude assembled in front of the
Schwarzspanierhaus, and the mass grew moment by moment. Into the square
in front of the house, it is said, 20,000 persons were crowded. All the
notable representatives of art were present. The schools were closed.
For the preservation of order, Breuning had asked the help of the
-military. In its report “Der Sammler” said:
+military. In its report “Der Sammler” said:
- The crowd was so great that after the roomy court of Beethoven’s
+ The crowd was so great that after the roomy court of Beethoven’s
residence could no longer hold it the gates had to be closed until
the procession moved. The coffin containing the corpse of the great
composer had been placed on view in the court. After the clergy
@@ -14595,22 +14558,22 @@ Minorites in the Alserstrasse. It was difficult to order the procession
because of the surging multitude. Johann van Beethoven, von Breuning
and his son and Schindler, found their places with difficulty. Eight
chapelmasters--Eybler, Weigl, Hummel, Seyfried, Kreutzer, Gyrowetz,
-Würfel and Gänsbacher--carried the edges of the pall. At the sides
+Würfel and Gänsbacher--carried the edges of the pall. At the sides
walked the torch-bearers, among them Schubert, Castelli, Bernard,
-Böhm, Czerny, Grillparzer, Haslinger, Holz, Linke, Mayseder, Piringer,
+Böhm, Czerny, Grillparzer, Haslinger, Holz, Linke, Mayseder, Piringer,
Schuppanzigh, Streicher, Steiner and Wolfmayer. In the procession
were also Mosel and the pupils of Drechsler. While passing the Rothes
-Haus the sounds of the funeral march from Beethoven’s Sonata, Op.
-26, were heard. The cortège moved through the crowded streets to the
+Haus the sounds of the funeral march from Beethoven’s Sonata, Op.
+26, were heard. The cortège moved through the crowded streets to the
parish church in the Alserstrasse, where the service for the dead
was concluded with the _Libera nos Domine_ in 16 parts _a cappella_,
composed by Seyfried, sung by the choristers.
-The account of the “Sammler” continues: “The coffin was now placed in
-the hearse drawn by four horses, and taken to the cemetery at Währing.
+The account of the “Sammler” continues: “The coffin was now placed in
+the hearse drawn by four horses, and taken to the cemetery at W√§hring.
There, too, a multitude had assembled to do the last honors to the dead
-man....” The rules of the cemetery prohibiting all public speaking
-within its precincts, the actor Anschütz delivered a funeral oration
+man....” The rules of the cemetery prohibiting all public speaking
+within its precincts, the actor Anschütz delivered a funeral oration
written by Grillparzer over the coffin at the cemetery gate. After the
coffin had been lowered into the grave, Haslinger handed three laurel
wreaths to Hummel, who placed them upon the coffin. A poem by Castelli
@@ -14618,9 +14581,9 @@ had been distributed at the house of mourning, and one by Baron von
Schlechta at the cemetery; but there was no more speaking or singing at
the burial.
-Mozart’s “Requiem” was sung at the Church of the Augustinians, Lablache
-taking part, on April 3rd, and Cherubini’s at the Karlskirche two days
-later. The grave in the cemetery at Währing was marked by a simple
+Mozart’s “Requiem” was sung at the Church of the Augustinians, Lablache
+taking part, on April 3rd, and Cherubini’s at the Karlskirche two days
+later. The grave in the cemetery at W√§hring was marked by a simple
pyramid bearing the one word
BEETHOVEN
@@ -14636,18 +14599,18 @@ FINIS.
FOOTNOTES:
[162] He did not live to see this wish fulfilled; but it was in the
-end. Therese van Beethoven, Johann’s wife, died on November 20, 1828,
+end. Therese van Beethoven, Johann’s wife, died on November 20, 1828,
at Wasserhof; Johann died in Vienna on January 12, 1848, and though
-one of Beethoven’s sensation-mongering biographers at one time printed
-the monstrous falsehood that he had married his wife’s illegitimate
+one of Beethoven’s sensation-mongering biographers at one time printed
+the monstrous falsehood that he had married his wife’s illegitimate
daughter in order to keep the family possessions in his hands, and
at another that he had invested his money so that he might use it up
during his life and leave nothing to his heirs, the fact is that Johann
made Karl his sole heir and that under the will, after paying the costs
of probate and administration and a legacy to his housekeeper, over
-42,000 florins passed into his nephew’s hands.
+42,000 florins passed into his nephew’s hands.
-[163] Wawruch was a native of Nemtschütz in Moravia. At Olmütz he was
+[163] Wawruch was a native of Nemtschütz in Moravia. At Olmütz he was
a student of theology, but before consecration to the priesthood he
came to Vienna as tutor and there decided to abandon the church for
medicine. In the course of time he became assistant and also son-in-law
@@ -14658,16 +14621,16 @@ medical clinics in the surgical department of the Hospital. He died
in 1842. He was accused of adhering to old-fashioned theories in his
practice and of having been antagonistic to the determinations of
pathological anatomy, and the criticisms of von Breuning and others
-have pursued him through all the books devoted to Beethoven’s life;
+have pursued him through all the books devoted to Beethoven’s life;
yet the scientific determinations of to-day offer justification of his
-diagnosis and treatment of Beethoven’s case so far as it is possible to
+diagnosis and treatment of Beethoven’s case so far as it is possible to
judge at this late day.
-[164] Holz’s statement on this point has already been given in an
-earlier chapter. To Otto Jahn Dr. Bertolini said: “Beethoven liked to
-drink a glass of wine, but he was never a drinker or a gourmand.”
+[164] Holz’s statement on this point has already been given in an
+earlier chapter. To Otto Jahn Dr. Bertolini said: “Beethoven liked to
+drink a glass of wine, but he was never a drinker or a gourmand.”
-[165] “Better from my belly than from my pen,” is another remark
+[165] “Better from my belly than from my pen,” is another remark
credited to him by Seyfried.
[166] The Royal Library acquired the autograph manuscripts of the
@@ -14680,7 +14643,7 @@ Henry Phillips. In July, 1907, it was purchased at a public sale by Mr.
Edward Speyer, its owner at the present writing. The autograph of the
Finale, too, had been mutilated, a page containing the five measures
immediately preceding the _Allegro energico_, 6-4 time, with the words
-“Über Sternen muss er wohnen,” having been removed. It was sold by an
+“Über Sternen muss er wohnen,” having been removed. It was sold by an
autograph dealer of Berlin to Charles Malherbe, of Paris, who on his
death bequeathed it to the Conservatoire. As published, the _Allegro
non tanto_ contains eight measures which Beethoven did not write in the
@@ -14690,130 +14653,130 @@ publish it in _facsimile_.
[167] Mr. Thayer, who has given expression in these pages to his
belief that Schindler was honest, in transcribing this page of the
-Conversation Book writes these words: “It is to be noted, first, that
-the writing (‘The Old Woman,’ etc.) does not correspond with the rest,
-and secondly, that _Die Alte_ was no longer in Beethoven’s service.
+Conversation Book writes these words: “It is to be noted, first, that
+the writing (‘The Old Woman,’ etc.) does not correspond with the rest,
+and secondly, that _Die Alte_ was no longer in Beethoven’s service.
It is evident on inspection and from the talk in these last books
about Thekla and other servants that Schindler inserted these words
-long afterwards. The ‘Es muss sein’ can only refer here to Beethoven’s
-receipt for the ring.” Whether or not Thayer suspected what may have
-been Schindler’s purpose in making the interlineation does not appear.
+long afterwards. The ‘Es muss sein’ can only refer here to Beethoven’s
+receipt for the ring.” Whether or not Thayer suspected what may have
+been Schindler’s purpose in making the interlineation does not appear.
-[168] Schindler, impeaching Dr. Wawruch’s accuracy here, denies that
-Beethoven worked on oratorio of “Saul and David” during his last
+[168] Schindler, impeaching Dr. Wawruch’s accuracy here, denies that
+Beethoven worked on oratorio of “Saul and David” during his last
illness. Thayer in a note directs attention to the fact that Beethoven
-was confessedly deeply absorbed in Handel’s scores, which he had
+was confessedly deeply absorbed in Handel’s scores, which he had
received only a short time before, and that before the end of December
Kiesewetter sent a request through Holz for a return of the pianoforte
-score of “Saul” as no longer necessary, now that the scores were come.
+score of “Saul” as no longer necessary, now that the scores were come.
-[169] Dr. von Breuning should have said “third.”
+[169] Dr. von Breuning should have said “third.”
[170] Thayer procured a copy of this letter in London along with the
other Stumpff papers already mentioned. Only a fragment of the letter
-has been printed hitherto in the collections of Beethoven’s letters and
+has been printed hitherto in the collections of Beethoven’s letters and
that, in great probability, from the draft preserved by Schindler. The
-newspaper article referred to was printed in the “Modezeitung.”
+newspaper article referred to was printed in the “Modezeitung.”
-[171] “Documents, Letters etc., relating to the Bust of Ludwig van
+[171] “Documents, Letters etc., relating to the Bust of Ludwig van
Beethoven, presented to the Philharmonic Society of London, by Frau
-Fanny Linzbauer (_née_ Ponsing). Translated and Arranged for the
+Fanny Linzbauer (_née_ Ponsing). Translated and Arranged for the
Society by Doyne C. Bell, London: Published for the Philharmonic
-Society by Lamborn Cock and Co., 63 New Bond Street, W. 1871.”
+Society by Lamborn Cock and Co., 63 New Bond Street, W. 1871.”
-[172] Schindler had accompanied Beethoven’s application to Moscheles
+[172] Schindler had accompanied Beethoven’s application to Moscheles
for relief with a personal letter in which he advised that the
Philharmonic Society, in case it should accede to his request, explain
to Beethoven that the amount would be sent to a responsible person
in Vienna from whom it might be drawn by degrees according to his
-requirements; and that this precautionary step was taken “because, as
+requirements; and that this precautionary step was taken “because, as
they well knew, some of his relations who are with him do not act quite
-uprightly towards him”--a fling, of course, at the composer’s brother
+uprightly towards him”--a fling, of course, at the composer’s brother
whom he so cordially hated; the nephew was not in Vienna.
-[173] Among Mr. Thayer’s papers.
+[173] Among Mr. Thayer’s papers.
[174] The third operation was performed on February 2, not January 28,
as Schindler says.
-[175] Wolfmayer had commissioned him years before to write a “Requiem,”
+[175] Wolfmayer had commissioned him years before to write a “Requiem,”
and paid him for it.
-[176] Letter among Mr. Thayer’s papers.
+[176] Letter among Mr. Thayer’s papers.
[177] Neue Folge, 1871, p. 169 _et seq._
-[178] “Rabelais being very sick, Cardinal du Bellay sent his page to
-him to have an account of his condition; his answer was, ‘Tell my Lord
+[178] “Rabelais being very sick, Cardinal du Bellay sent his page to
+him to have an account of his condition; his answer was, ‘Tell my Lord
in what circumstances thou findest me; I am going to leap into the
dark. He is up in the cockloft, bid him keep where he is. As for thee,
-thou’lt always be a fool: let down the curtain, the farce is done.’”
+thou’lt always be a fool: let down the curtain, the farce is done.’”
... An author (Thov. His. de Jean Clopinel) who styles Rabelais a man
of excellent learning, writes, that he being importuned by some to
sign a will whereby they had made him bestow on them legacies that
exceeded his ability, he, to be no more disturbed, complied at last
with their desires; but when they came to ask him where they should
-find a fund answerable to what he gave; ‘as for that,’ replied he,
-‘you must do like the spaniel, look about and search’; then, adds that
-author, having said, ‘Draw the curtain, the farce is over,’ he died.
+find a fund answerable to what he gave; ‘as for that,’ replied he,
+‘you must do like the spaniel, look about and search’; then, adds that
+author, having said, ‘Draw the curtain, the farce is over,’ he died.
Likewise a monk (P. de St. Romuald, _Rel. Feuillant_) not only tells us
that he ended his life with that jest, but that he left a paper sealed
-up wherein were found three articles as his last will: ‘I owe much,
-I have nothing, I give the rest to the poor.’ The last story or that
+up wherein were found three articles as his last will: ‘I owe much,
+I have nothing, I give the rest to the poor.’ The last story or that
before it must undoubtedly be false; and perhaps both are so as well
as the message by the page; though Fregius (_Comment. in Orat. Cic._,
-tom. I) relates also that Rabelais said when he was dying, ‘Draw the
-curtain,’ etc. But if he said so, many great men have said much the
-same. Thus Augustus (_Nunquid vitæ mimum commode peregisset_) near his
+tom. I) relates also that Rabelais said when he was dying, ‘Draw the
+curtain,’ etc. But if he said so, many great men have said much the
+same. Thus Augustus (_Nunquid vit√¶ mimum commode peregisset_) near his
death, asked his friends whether he had not very well acted the farce
of life? And Demonax, one of the best philosophers, when he saw that he
could not, by reason of his great age, live any longer, without being
a burden to others, as well as to himself, said to those who were near
-him what the herald used to say when the public games were ended, ‘You
-may withdraw, the show is over,’ and refusing to eat, kept his usual
+him what the herald used to say when the public games were ended, ‘You
+may withdraw, the show is over,’ and refusing to eat, kept his usual
gaiety to the last, and set himself at ease. (Lucian)--_From Peter
-Motteux’s Life of Rabelais prefaced to the English translation made by
+Motteux’s Life of Rabelais prefaced to the English translation made by
himself and Sir Thomas Urquhart._
-[179] In a letter to Mr. Thayer which was found among Hüttenbrenner’s
-posthumous papers and printed in the “Gratzer Tagespost” of October
+[179] In a letter to Mr. Thayer which was found among Hüttenbrenner’s
+posthumous papers and printed in the “Gratzer Tagespost” of October
23rd, 1868.
-[180] “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” p. 108.
+[180] “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” p. 108.
-[181] Mr. Thayer visited Hüttenbrenner in Gratz in June, 1860. His
-transcript of what Hüttenbrenner told him is reprinted in “Music and
-Manners in the Classical Period,” by Henry Edward Krehbiel (New York,
+[181] Mr. Thayer visited Hüttenbrenner in Gratz in June, 1860. His
+transcript of what Hüttenbrenner told him is reprinted in “Music and
+Manners in the Classical Period,” by Henry Edward Krehbiel (New York,
1898). The account in the body of the text is that contained in a
letter to Mr. Thayer.
-[182] The transcript in Mr. Thayer’s note-book of Hüttenbrenner’s
-oral recital is more sententious and dramatic: “At this startling,
+[182] The transcript in Mr. Thayer’s note-book of Hüttenbrenner’s
+oral recital is more sententious and dramatic: “At this startling,
awful, peal of thunder, the dying man suddenly raised his head
-from Hüttenbrenner’s arm, stretched out his own right arm
-majestically--‘like a general giving orders to an army’. This was but
-for an instant; the arm sunk back; he fell back; Beethoven was dead.”
+from Hüttenbrenner’s arm, stretched out his own right arm
+majestically--‘like a general giving orders to an army’. This was but
+for an instant; the arm sunk back; he fell back; Beethoven was dead.”
-[183] The revised edition of Grove’s “Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians,” 1904, says: “The cold had developed into an inflammation
-of the lungs, and on this dropsy supervened.” Dr. Wawruch was
+[183] The revised edition of Grove’s “Dictionary of Music and
+Musicians,” 1904, says: “The cold had developed into an inflammation
+of the lungs, and on this dropsy supervened.” Dr. Wawruch was
unquestionably correct in his diagnosis not only in regard to the
inflammation of the lungs but also in regard to the diseased condition
of the liver.
-[184] Preserved amongst Thayer’s papers.
+[184] Preserved amongst Thayer’s papers.
-[185] The attested inventory of the sale of Beethoven’s effects, which,
+[185] The attested inventory of the sale of Beethoven’s effects, which,
preserved by Fischoff, passed through the hands of Otto Jahn into those
of Mr. Thayer, showed that his estate amounted to 9,885 florins, 13
kreutzer, silver, and 600 florins, paper (Vienna standard). The market
value of the bank-shares, including an unpaid coupon attached to each,
-was 1,063 florins on the day of Beethoven’s death. In the item of cash
-is included the £100 received from the London Philharmonic Society,
+was 1,063 florins on the day of Beethoven’s death. In the item of cash
+is included the £100 received from the London Philharmonic Society,
which, as has been stated, was found intact. The official summary was
set forth as follows:
- Cash 1215 fl. (C. M.) 600 fl. (W. W.)
+ Cash 1215 fl. (C. M.) 600 fl. (W. W.)
Bank-shares 7441 fl.
Debts receivable (annuity) 144 fl. 33 k.
Jewels and silverware 314 fl. 30 k.
@@ -14824,24 +14787,24 @@ set forth as follows:
Music and manuscripts 480 fl. 30 k.
Books 18 fl. 20 k.
------------------------------
- 9885 fl. 13 k. 600 fl. (W. W.)
+ 9885 fl. 13 k. 600 fl. (W. W.)
According to a statement by Aloys Fuchs to Jahn the sum realized from
the sale of the musical compositions, autographic and otherwise,
sketch-books, etc., was 1063 florins. In view of the difference
in purchasing power of money in 1827 and 1913 it may be said that
-Beethoven’s estate amounted to the equivalent of £3,000, or about
+Beethoven’s estate amounted to the equivalent of £3,000, or about
$15,000.
-[186] See “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” p. 113; Hiller’s “Aus dem
-Tonleben, etc.” p. 177 _et seq._; “Der Sammler,” April 14, 1827;
-Seyfried’s “Beethoven-Studien,” appendix, p. 50 _et seq._
+[186] See “Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause,” p. 113; Hiller’s “Aus dem
+Tonleben, etc.” p. 177 _et seq._; “Der Sammler,” April 14, 1827;
+Seyfried’s “Beethoven-Studien,” appendix, p. 50 _et seq._
[187] The _Miserere_ sung in the court of the Schwarzspanierhaus and
its complement, _Amplius lava me_, were arrangements for male chorus
made by Seyfried of the Equale for Trombones composed by Beethoven in
-Linz in 1812 at the request of Glöggl for use on All Souls’ Day. They
-may be found in Seyfried’s “Studien.”
+Linz in 1812 at the request of Glöggl for use on All Souls’ Day. They
+may be found in Seyfried’s “Studien.”
@@ -14867,41 +14830,41 @@ INDEX
General Index
- ~Abaco, Giuseppe dall’~: “Componimento per Musica,” I, 14.
+ ~Abaco, Giuseppe dall’~: “Componimento per Musica,” I, 14.
~Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey~: I, 139.
- ~Abercrombie, General~: Not commemorated in the “Eroica,” II, 25.
+ ~Abercrombie, General~: Not commemorated in the “Eroica,” II, 25.
- “~Abyssian Prince~”: Sobriquet of Bridgetower, II, 11.
+ “~Abyssian Prince~”: Sobriquet of Bridgetower, II, 11.
- ~Achâts, Duc des~: III, 101, 232.
+ ~Ach√¢ts, Duc des~: III, 101, 232.
- ~Adamberger, Antonie~: Studies “Egmont” music with B., II, 171.
+ ~Adamberger, Antonie~: Studies “Egmont” music with B., II, 171.
- ~Adams, Mrs. Mehetabel~: Provides funds for Thayer’s researches, I, x.
+ ~Adams, Mrs. Mehetabel~: Provides funds for Thayer’s researches, I, x.
~Addison, John~: Partner of J. B. Cramer: II, 318.
~Addison, Joseph~: Quoted, I, 323.
- “~Adelheit von Veltheim~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 37.
+ “~Adelheit von Veltheim~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 37.
~Adler, Guido~: I, 75.
- ~Adlersburg, Carl, Edler von~: Affidavit against Mälzel, II, 275, 289.
+ ~Adlersburg, Carl, Edler von~: Affidavit against M√§lzel, II, 275, 289.
- “~Aerndtetanz, Der~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 32.
+ “~Aerndtetanz, Der~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 32.
- “~Agnes Bernauer~”: II, 61.
+ “~Agnes Bernauer~”: II, 61.
~Albrechtsberger~: Gives instruction to B., I, 155 _et seq._;
- “Anweisung zur Composition,” 155, 190;
+ “Anweisung zur Composition,” 155, 190;
II, 380.
- “~Alceste~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
+ “~Alceste~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
- “~Alchymist, Der~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 31, 107, 108.
+ “~Alchymist, Der~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 31, 107, 108.
~Aldrich, Richard~: Dedication; II, 333.
@@ -14910,24 +14873,24 @@ General Index
II, 20, 305;
III, 49, 86.
- “~Alexander~”: Opera-text (by Schikaneder?), II, 20.
+ “~Alexander~”: Opera-text (by Schikaneder?), II, 20.
- “~Alexander’s Feast~”: Oratorio by Handel, III, 182.
+ “~Alexander’s Feast~”: Oratorio by Handel, III, 182.
- “~Alfred the Great~”: Suggested to B. as subject for an opera, III,
+ “~Alfred the Great~”: Suggested to B. as subject for an opera, III,
118.
- ~Allègre, d’~: French Commander, I, 6.
+ ~Allègre, d’~: French Commander, I, 6.
- “~Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung~”: Criticisms on B’s. works, I,
+ “~Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung~”: Criticisms on B’s. works, I,
305, 306, 307;
taken to task by B., I, 282, 287. (See INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS.)
- ~Alstädter, Count~: Music-lover in Bonn, I, 38.
+ ~Alst√§dter, Count~: Music-lover in Bonn, I, 38.
- ~Altmann, W.~: “Ein vergessenes Streichquartett von B.”, I, 349.
+ ~Altmann, W.~: “Ein vergessenes Streichquartett von B.”, I, 349.
- “~Amant jaloux, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 107.
+ “~Amant jaloux, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 107.
~Ambroggio~: III, 77.
@@ -14938,36 +14901,36 @@ General Index
letter from B., 297;
II, 314.
- “~Ami de la Maison, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 86.
+ “~Ami de la Maison, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 86.
- “~Amitié à l’Épreuve, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
+ “~Amitié à l’Épreuve, L’~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
- “~Amore artigiano, L’~”: Opera by Gassmann, I, 46.
+ “~Amore artigiano, L’~”: Opera by Gassmann, I, 46.
- “~Amore marinaro, L’~”: Opera by Weigl, I, 235.
+ “~Amore marinaro, L’~”: Opera by Weigl, I, 235.
- “~Amor’s Guckkasten~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
+ “~Amor’s Guckkasten~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
- “~Amour filial, L’~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 37.
+ “~Amour filial, L’~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 37.
- “~Analgilda~”: Opera, I, 14.
+ “~Analgilda~”: Opera, I, 14.
~Andante and Andantino~: B. asks difference between, II, 246.
- ~André~: Opera, “Der Antiquitäten-Sammler,” I, 32.
+ ~André~: Opera, “Der Antiquitäten-Sammler,” I, 32.
- ~André, Joseph~: I, 357.
+ ~André, Joseph~: I, 357.
- ~Anfossi~: Opera, “Il Geloso in Cimento,” I, 32;
- “L’Avaro inamorato,” I, 108.
+ ~Anfossi~: Opera, “Il Geloso in Cimento,” I, 32;
+ “L’Avaro inamorato,” I, 108.
- ~Anschütz, Actor~: Delivers funeral oration for B., III, 312.
+ ~Anschütz, Actor~: Delivers funeral oration for B., III, 312.
- “~Antiquitäten-Sammler, Der~”: Opera by André, I, 32.
+ “~Antiquitäten-Sammler, Der~”: Opera by André, I, 32.
- ~Antoine, d’~: Operas, “Das tartarische Gesetz,” I, 31;
- “Das Mädchen im Eichthale” (“Maid of the Oaks”), I, 32;
- “Ende gut, Alles gut,” I, 109.
+ ~Antoine, d’~: Operas, “Das tartarische Gesetz,” I, 31;
+ “Das Mädchen im Eichthale” (“Maid of the Oaks”), I, 32;
+ “Ende gut, Alles gut,” I, 109.
~Anton, Archduke~: Dedication of March in D, II, 160.
@@ -14975,9 +14938,9 @@ General Index
~Antwerp~: Beethoven families living in, I, 42.
- “~Apotheke, Die~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
+ “~Apotheke, Die~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
- “~Apotheosis in the Temple of Jupiter Ammon~”: Drama by Sporchil,
+ “~Apotheosis in the Temple of Jupiter Ammon~”: Drama by Sporchil,
III, 118.
~Appleby, Samuel~: I, 218;
@@ -14985,19 +14948,19 @@ General Index
~Appony, Count~: Asks B. for quartet, I, 187, 274.
- “~Arbore di Diana, L’~”: Opera by Martini, I, 107.
+ “~Arbore di Diana, L’~”: Opera by Martini, I, 107.
- “~Argene, Regina di Granata~”: Opera by Reicha, I, 310.
+ “~Argene, Regina di Granata~”: Opera by Reicha, I, 310.
- “~Ariadne auf Naxos~”; Musical drama by Benda, I, 29, 107, 108.
+ “~Ariadne auf Naxos~”; Musical drama by Benda, I, 29, 107, 108.
- “~Ariodante~”: Opera by Méhul, II, 23.
+ “~Ariodante~”: Opera by Méhul, II, 23.
- “~Arlequino fortunato~”: Pantomime, I, 26.
+ “~Arlequino fortunato~”: Pantomime, I, 26.
- “~Armida~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 86.
+ “~Armida~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 86.
- ~Ärndtetanz.~ See AERNDTETANZ.
+ ~Ärndtetanz.~ See AERNDTETANZ.
~Arneth, von,~ archeologist: II, 171.
@@ -15006,9 +14969,9 @@ General Index
II, her association with B. and Goethe, 178 _et seq._;
controversy over her letters, 179 _et seq._;
letters to Goethe, 180, 190;
- letter to Pückler-Muskau, 180;
- “Ilius Pamphilius,” 184;
- makes B’s acquaintance, 185;
+ letter to Pückler-Muskau, 180;
+ “Ilius Pamphilius,” 184;
+ makes B’s acquaintance, 185;
letter from B., 186, 190;
her admiration reported to B. by Goethe, 198;
with her husband at Teplitz, 222, 223;
@@ -15016,7 +14979,7 @@ General Index
~Arnold, Samuel J.~: II, 310.
- ~Arrangements~: B’s opinion on, I, 349, 350.
+ ~Arrangements~: B’s opinion on, I, 349, 350.
~Artaria and Co.,~ Publishers: I, 202, 203;
charged with unauthorized publication of a quintet, 293
@@ -15026,7 +14989,7 @@ General Index
~Attwood, Thomas~: II, 12.
- ~Aubert, F. S. A.~: Opera “Esther,” I, 14.
+ ~Aubert, F. S. A.~: Opera “Esther,” I, 14.
~Auernhammer, Mme.~: II, 2.
@@ -15039,29 +15002,29 @@ General Index
musical culture of the nobility in, I, 166;
dance-music of, II, 122.
- ~Autographs~: B’s indifference to his, I, 141.
+ ~Autographs~: B’s indifference to his, I, 141.
- “~Avaro inamorato~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 108.
+ “~Avaro inamorato~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 108.
~Averdonk, Johanna Helena~, Court singer: I, 24;
pupil of Johann van B., 49;
- sings at B’s first concert, 59, 67;
+ sings at B’s first concert, 59, 67;
~Severin~, author of text of Funeral Cantata, I, 131.
- “~Axur~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 109, 163.
+ “~Axur~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 109, 163.
~Ayrton, G.~: II, 370.
- “~Azalia~”: Opera by Johann Küchler, I, 32.
+ “~Azalia~”: Opera by Johann Küchler, I, 32.
- “~Bacchus~”: Opera-book by Rudolph von
+ “~Bacchus~”: Opera-book by Rudolph von
Berger, II, 314.
- “~Bacco, Diane ed il Reno~”: Serenata, I, 26.
+ “~Bacco, Diane ed il Reno~”: Serenata, I, 26.
- ~Bach, C. P. E.~: I, 13, 35; “Versuch, etc.,” 70, 159;
- “The Israelites in the Wilderness,” II, 388.
+ ~Bach, C. P. E.~: I, 13, 35; “Versuch, etc.,” 70, 159;
+ “The Israelites in the Wilderness,” II, 388.
~Bach, Dr. Johann B.~: II, 377;
III, 24, 30, 115;
@@ -15069,15 +15032,15 @@ General Index
instructed by B. to make Nephew Karl his heir, 278.
~Bach, Johann Sebastian~: I, 13, 35;
- “Well-Tempered Clavichord,” 69, 143;
+ “Well-Tempered Clavichord,” 69, 143;
B. on the publication of his works, 281, 286;
B. subscribes for destitute daughter of, 287;
publication project, 303, 304;
relief for the daughter, 308;
B. offers to publish a composition for her benefit, 308;
II, 355;
- “Art of Fugue,” III, 123;
- “Not a brook but an ocean,” 203.
+ “Art of Fugue,” III, 123;
+ “Not a brook but an ocean,” 203.
~B-a-c-h~: Overtures on, III, 123, 147.
@@ -15090,14 +15053,14 @@ General Index
III, 77;
wants an opera from B., 119.
- “~Barbiere di Siviglia, II~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108;
+ “~Barbiere di Siviglia, II~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108;
opera by Rossini, III, 77.
- ~Baroni~: Opera “La Moda,” I, 27.
+ ~Baroni~: Opera “La Moda,” I, 27.
~Bates, Joah~: Bridgetower turns music for, II, 12.
- “~Bathmendi~”: Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 304.
+ “~Bathmendi~”: Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 304.
~Bathyany, Count~: I, 168.
@@ -15107,9 +15070,9 @@ General Index
~Bauer, Harold~: I, xviii, 140.
- ~Bäuerle, Adolph~: II, 359.
+ ~B√§uerle, Adolph~: II, 359.
- “~Baum der Diana, Der~” (_L’Arbore di Diana_): Opera by Martini,
+ “~Baum der Diana, Der~” (_L’Arbore di Diana_): Opera by Martini,
I, 107.
~Baumeister~: Letters to, 218.
@@ -15119,14 +15082,14 @@ General Index
~Bavaria, King of~: Dedication of Choral Fantasia, II, 207, 209;
declines to subscribe for Mass in D, III, 99.
- ~Bechstein~: “Natural History of Birds”;
+ ~Bechstein~: “Natural History of Birds”;
B. asks for, II, 148.
~Beethoven, ancestry~ of the family in Belgium: I, 42, 43, 44;
William (great-great-grandfather of the composer), 42;
Henry Adelard (great-grandfather), 42;
Louis, Louis Jacob, 42;
- Beethoven families in Bonn before the arrival of the composer’s
+ Beethoven families in Bonn before the arrival of the composer’s
grandfather (Cornelius, Cornelius (2nd), Michael), 44;
branch of the family in Malines, 44.
@@ -15134,8 +15097,8 @@ General Index
work, I, xviii, 140.
~Beethoven-Haus Verein~, in Bonn: I, xii, xvii, 52;
- custodian of portrait of B’s mother, 51;
- B’s quartet of instruments, 277;
+ custodian of portrait of B’s mother, 51;
+ B’s quartet of instruments, 277;
of the portrait of Countess Brunswick, 318.
~Beethoven, Johann~, father of the composer: Petitions for appointment
@@ -15176,7 +15139,7 @@ General Index
news of his death received by the composer, 148;
his wife, Maria Magdalena Keverich, widow Laym, 49;
appearance and character of, 50;
- the composer’s love for her, 50;
+ the composer’s love for her, 50;
alleged portrait of, 51;
death mourned by the composer, 92;
record of her death, 93.
@@ -15184,7 +15147,7 @@ General Index
~Beethoven, Johann Nikolaus~, brother of the composer: Vol. I.
Birth of, 57;
apprenticed to an apothecary, 104, 190, 191, 265;
- looks for bank shares after composer’s death, 326;
+ looks for bank shares after composer’s death, 326;
comes into possession of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
his name omitted from the document, 352;
defended by the author, 357 _et seq._;
@@ -15197,22 +15160,22 @@ General Index
defeats his brother by marrying his housekeeper, 232.--Vol. III.
Buys estate near Gneixendorf, 19;
cuts a ridiculous figure in Vienna, 66;
- takes his brother’s compositions as security for loan, 66;
+ takes his brother’s compositions as security for loan, 66;
defense of his actions by the author, 68;
seeks reconciliation with his brother, and offers home in
Gneixendorf, 69;
letter, 72;
charged with dishonest conduct by his brother, 111, 112;
- his wife’s misconduct, 132, 134;
+ his wife’s misconduct, 132, 134;
completes transaction with Schott and Sons for his brother, 180;
B. warns a visitor against him, 182;
offers B. a home in the country, 237;
- condones his wife’s licentiousness, 238;
- the cause of B’s hatred of his wife, 238;
+ condones his wife’s licentiousness, 238;
+ the cause of B’s hatred of his wife, 238;
takes action against his wife, 239;
persuades B. to go to Gneixendorf, 266;
his wife accused of improper intimacy with her nephew, 269;
- date of his wife’s death, 270;
+ date of his wife’s death, 270;
makes Nephew Karl his sole heir, 270;
in constant attendance on B. during his last illness, 276;
wrongly accused by Schindler of inhuman niggardliness, 287.
@@ -15222,11 +15185,11 @@ General Index
official career of, 265;
composes music, 266;
letters to publishers, 295, 348, 357;
- charged with surreptitious sale of B’s works, 350;
+ charged with surreptitious sale of B’s works, 350;
the Heiligenstadt Will, 353;
defended from charge of wrongdoing, 357 _et seq._;
appearance of, 358;
- Ries’s charge of misconduct, 361.--Vol. II. Accused by Simrock, 13;
+ Ries’s charge of misconduct, 361.--Vol. II. Accused by Simrock, 13;
marriage of, 65;
end of business relations with the composer, 143;
illness of, 241;
@@ -15239,12 +15202,12 @@ General Index
admonishes widow and brother to mutual forbearance, 321;
his wife, Theresia (Johanna) Reiss, marries, 65;
her infidelity, 65;
- inherits her husband’s property, 320;
+ inherits her husband’s property, 320;
made guardian under will, 321;
appointed by court, 322;
B. secures her removal as co-guardian, 331;
court grants her permission to see her son, 332;
- compelled to share in expense of her son’s education, 368;
+ compelled to share in expense of her son’s education, 368;
efforts to see her son, 372, 393;
her son encouraged to revile her, 396;
seeks to gain possession of her son, 400;
@@ -15259,55 +15222,55 @@ General Index
~Beethoven, Karl~, nephew of the composer: Vol. I, disposes of picture
of Countess Brunswick, 335.--Vol. II. His father declares wish
that mother and uncle be his guardians, 241;
- sent to Giannatasio’s institute, 332;
+ sent to Giannatasio’s institute, 332;
surgical operation on, 341;
receives inheritance from Joseph Hametsch, 353;
instructed in music by Czerny, 374;
- placed in care of a priest at Mödling, 392;
+ placed in care of a priest at Mödling, 392;
encouraged to revile his mother, 396;
- dismissed from the priest’s class, 397;
+ dismissed from the priest’s class, 397;
runs away from his uncle, 402;
testimony on court, 407;
- returned to Giannatasio’s care, 410.--Vol. III. Returns to his
+ returned to Giannatasio’s care, 410.--Vol. III. Returns to his
mother, 1;
studies under private tutor, 4;
runs away from the institute, 33;
B. names him as his heir, 115, 132;
- B’s pride in his attainments, 135;
+ B’s pride in his attainments, 135;
philological student at university, 171;
encouraged in disingenuousness by B., 172;
spends summer with his uncle, 184;
runs away from home, 184;
- translates “God Save the King” for B., 209;
+ translates “God Save the King” for B., 209;
date of his death, 230; his waywardness, 250 _et seq._;
- B’s appealing letters, 230, 254;
+ B’s appealing letters, 230, 254;
leaves university for Polytechnic Institute, 250, 251;
evil companionship and amusements, 252;
held to strict accountability, 253;
discipline becomes irksome, 255;
upbraids and attacks his uncle, 256;
- B’s suspicion of a suicidal purpose, 257;
+ B’s suspicion of a suicidal purpose, 257;
prepares to kill himself, 258;
shoots himself, 258 _et seq._;
effect of the attempt on B., 260, 261;
reasons for the attempt, 261;
his future discussed by B. and his friends, 262, 263 _et seq._;
- B’s fear of police inquiry, 263;
+ B’s fear of police inquiry, 263;
Karl defends his mother, 264;
life at Gneixendorf, 267 _et seq._;
accused of improper intimacy with his aunt, 269;
- made sole heir of his uncle Johann’s estate, 270;
+ made sole heir of his uncle Johann’s estate, 270;
slandered in regard to his care of B. in last illness, 273
_et seq._;
preparations for a military career, 277;
quarrels with B. on eve of his departure from Vienna, 278;
- made heir by B’s will, 278;
+ made heir by B’s will, 278;
letter to B., 279;
- inheritance under B’s formal will, 303. (For further details as to
+ inheritance under B’s formal will, 303. (For further details as to
education, contest for his possession, etc., see foregoing and
sub-title _Guardianship_ under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN.) His widow
visited by Thayer, I, xi, 192;
- possessor of Mähler portrait, II, 16;
+ possessor of M√§hler portrait, II, 16;
asks for money deposited as forfeit by Prince George Galitzin,
III, 230;
her daughter, Hermine, 231.
@@ -15321,7 +15284,7 @@ General Index
Lucchesi succeeds him as Chapelmaster, 23;
parentage and baptism, 42;
leaves home in Antwerp and becomes church singer in Louvain, 43;
- appointed singing-master at St. Peter’s, 43;
+ appointed singing-master at St. Peter’s, 43;
becomes Court Musician at Bonn, 43;
marries, 45; his children, 45;
services in Electoral Chapel, 45, 46;
@@ -15329,11 +15292,11 @@ General Index
last appearance, 47;
death of, 47;
an inebriate wife, 47;
- displeased at son’s marriage, 47, 50;
+ displeased at son’s marriage, 47, 50;
death of widow, 56;
length of court service, 73;
composer asks for his portrait, 301;
- B’s affectionate remembrance of him, III, 184.
+ B’s affectionate remembrance of him, III, 184.
~Beethoven, Ludwig van~, the composer:
_Birth of, date and place_, I, xvii, 51, 53;
@@ -15352,14 +15315,14 @@ General Index
B. collects from Kinsky at Teplitz, 205;
reduction by depreciation of currency, 211 _et seq._;
payments by Archduke Rudolph, 217, 219;
- B. collects from Kinsky’s heirs, 222;
+ B. collects from Kinsky’s heirs, 222;
non-payment by Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 242 _et seq._;
Kinsky and Rudolph agree to pay in notes of redemption, 242;
B. blames Rudolph for getting him into the contract, 250, 266;
- controversy with Kinsky’s heirs, 259, 288, 289;
+ controversy with Kinsky’s heirs, 259, 288, 289;
settlement, 306;
sums received by B. from the subscribers till his death, 306;
- honorable conduct of Kinsky and Lobkowitz, and B’s aspersions on
+ honorable conduct of Kinsky and Lobkowitz, and B’s aspersions on
their character, 308;
B. seeks advice as to his right to leave Austria under the
contract, 366;
@@ -15394,7 +15357,7 @@ General Index
carelessness about dates, 281, 331, 344;
recommends virtue to his brothers, 353;
may have used his brothers as screen, 363.
- Vol. II. Displeased because not placed at prince’s table, 32;
+ Vol. II. Displeased because not placed at prince’s table, 32;
suspicious nature, 62, 63;
carelessness about dates, 66;
pride leads him to leave Prince Lichnowsky in anger, 68, 69;
@@ -15403,7 +15366,7 @@ General Index
protests against holding improper relations with married
women, 85;
his opinion of his predecessors, 89;
- violence of temper, throws a dish of food in a waiter’s face, 91;
+ violence of temper, throws a dish of food in a waiter’s face, 91;
feelings toward his relations, 91;
indifference to his own manuscripts, 92;
uncouth and awkward, 92;
@@ -15412,7 +15375,7 @@ General Index
dislike of being disturbed at work, 93;
fondness for punning, 95;
his handwriting, 95;
- denounces his friends as “princely rabble,” 105, 127;
+ denounces his friends as “princely rabble,” 105, 127;
hatred of French, 117;
longing for opera-texts, 118;
disingenuous treatment of friends, 123;
@@ -15430,10 +15393,10 @@ General Index
his only animal pet, 174;
refuses to accept commission on sale of a pianoforte, 174;
conviviality, 175;
- “electrical by nature,” 182, 189;
+ “electrical by nature,” 182, 189;
how music came to him, 188;
love of nature, 193;
- Goethe’s description of him, 224;
+ Goethe’s description of him, 224;
self-esteem, 226;
finds fault with his friends, 237;
longing for domesticity, 240;
@@ -15441,7 +15404,7 @@ General Index
rails at Archduke Rudolph for getting him an annuity, 250;
whimsical designations for his friends, 280;
absent-mindedness, 287;
- Weissenbach’s description of him, 294;
+ Weissenbach’s description of him, 294;
condemns popular virtuosi, 298;
his puns, 214, 286;
aspersions on the character of Princes Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 307;
@@ -15466,7 +15429,7 @@ General Index
neglects food in frenzy of composition, 15;
forgets to eat at a restaurant, 17;
dealings with publishers, 39, 44, 51 _et seq._; 62, 65 (see
- “MASS IN D” and “SYMPHONY IN D MINOR” in Index of Compositions);
+ “MASS IN D” and “SYMPHONY IN D MINOR” in Index of Compositions);
arrested as a tramp, 42;
his puns, 63;
attitude toward Archduke Rudolph, 70;
@@ -15479,7 +15442,7 @@ General Index
indifference to dress, 126;
accuses Schindler of being an evil character, 133;
uses house-shutters for memoranda, 133;
- rails against his brother’s wife and daughter, 134;
+ rails against his brother’s wife and daughter, 134;
contradictory conduct concerning titles of honor, 163;
drives his friends away from him after the first performance of
the Ninth Symphony, 167;
@@ -15487,7 +15450,7 @@ General Index
abuses his landlord, 177;
rebukes publisher for complaining that he had not received a work
which he had bought, 180;
- attempts a joke at Haslinger’s expense, 190;
+ attempts a joke at Haslinger’s expense, 190;
enraged by a copyist, 191;
denounces one publisher to another, 191;
a poor arithmetician, 194, 277;
@@ -15497,8 +15460,8 @@ General Index
loud voice and laugh, 213;
reluctance to play in private, 213;
disagreeable manners, 214;
- his publisher a “hell-hound,” 216;
- asks for Luther’s Bible, 219;
+ his publisher a “hell-hound,” 216;
+ asks for Luther’s Bible, 219;
accepts money for a Requiem which he does not compose, 220;
proud of a medal sent by the King of France, 230;
ignores promise to dedicate the Ninth Symphony to Ries, 231;
@@ -15507,7 +15470,7 @@ General Index
hatred of his sister-in-law because of her lewdness, 238;
looked upon by a law-clerk as an imbecile, 241;
treated as a menial by a stranger, 241;
- refuses to dine with his brother’s family, 243;
+ refuses to dine with his brother’s family, 243;
gesticulations while composing frighten an ox-team, 243;
welcomes royal distinctions, 244;
prone to believe evil of everybody, 249;
@@ -15516,25 +15479,25 @@ General Index
charges Schindler with pilfering a petty sum of money, 281;
wants to read a full report of a speech by Channing, 283;
remarks while undergoing a surgical operation, 276;
- ungracious reception of his physician’s ministration, 283;
+ ungracious reception of his physician’s ministration, 283;
confident that his last compositions will eventually be
recognized, 300;
- “Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est,” 304 _et seq._
+ “Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est,” 304 _et seq._
_Compositions_ (INDEX OF COMPOSITIONS).
_Concert appearances as player or conductor_:
First public appearance, I, 59;
first appearance as virtuoso, 184, 185;
- plays at Romberg’s concert, 199;
- at Schuppanzigh’s, 191, 200, 214;
+ plays at Romberg’s concert, 199;
+ at Schuppanzigh’s, 191, 200, 214;
in Prague, 217;
at Burgtheater, 266;
- at Punto’s concert, 267, 282;
+ at Punto’s concert, 267, 282;
asks use of Court Theatre, II, 99;
his conducting, 117, 127, 128;
- Spohr’s account of his manner, II, 257;
- Franz Wild’s description, II, 268; III, 14;
+ Spohr’s account of his manner, II, 257;
+ Franz Wild’s description, II, 268; III, 14;
the concert of 1808, II, 127;
failure of charity concert in 1809, II, 149, 172, 215;
benefit of sufferers by fire at Baden, 225;
@@ -15545,7 +15508,7 @@ General Index
concerts of 1814 299, 300, 327, 388;
proposed concert in 1819, III, 22;
opening of Josephstadt Theatre, 81;
- breaks down conducting “Fidelio,” 83;
+ breaks down conducting “Fidelio,” 83;
concerts of 1824, 176.
_Conversation Books_:
@@ -15553,19 +15516,19 @@ General Index
preserved in the Royal Library in Berlin, 377;
given to Schindler, III. 11;
their number and kind, 11;
- Thayer’s labor upon them, 12, 87, 89;
+ Thayer’s labor upon them, 12, 87, 89;
alterations by Schindler, III, 273, 281.
_Deafness_:
Origin of, I, 218, 245, 261, 298;
- B’s strange account, 300; III, 210;
+ B’s strange account, 300; III, 210;
desire to conceal it, I, 300;
phenomena, 300;
- B’s reflections in the Heiligenstadt Will, 352;
- Ries’s account, 352;
- Seyfried’s account, II, 95, 96;
+ B’s reflections in the Heiligenstadt Will, 352;
+ Ries’s account, 352;
+ Seyfried’s account, II, 95, 96;
B. Hides from the noise of bombardment, 145;
- Mälzel makes ear-trumpets, 233;
+ M√§lzel makes ear-trumpets, 233;
III, Dr. Smetana prescribes for the malady, 85;
cure attempted by Pater Weiss, II, 96; III, 85;
unaffected by dissonance, III, 202.
@@ -15598,18 +15561,18 @@ General Index
his disparagement of Haydn as teacher, 152, 158;
rupture with Haydn, 155, 189;
lessons from Schenk, 152 _et seq._;
- Fux’s “Gradus,” 153;
+ Fux’s “Gradus,” 153;
lessons from Salieri, 154;
from Albrechtsberger, 155, 156 _et seq._;
violin instruction from Schuppanzigh, 156;
- Seyfried’s “Studien, etc.,” 159;
+ Seyfried’s “Studien, etc.,” 159;
Fux, 159;
- Türk, 159;
+ Türk, 159;
C. P. E. Bach, 159;
Kirnberger, 159;
Salieri, 160;
refuses to attend lectures on Kant, 182;
- Plato’s supposed influence, 213, 214;
+ Plato’s supposed influence, 213, 214;
effect on his character of defective training, 246;
imperfections in letters, 255;
studies made for Archduke Rudolph, II, 147, 150, 151;
@@ -15640,23 +15603,23 @@ General Index
B. appeals to Archduke Rudolph for a passport to Landshut, 6;
the plan frustrated, 6;
Giannatasio refuses to readmit Karl, 6;
- he is sent to Blöchlinger’s Institute, 7;
+ he is sent to Blöchlinger’s Institute, 7;
Tuscher surrenders guardianship, and B. desires to resume it, 7;
is refused, 8;
- the mother reappointed, with Nussböck as co-guardian, over B’s
+ the mother reappointed, with Nussböck as co-guardian, over B’s
protest, 8, 10;
B. appeals to the Landrecht, 10, 26;
Councillor Peters suggested as co-guardian, 10;
- Blöchlinger takes charge of the ward, 14;
+ Blöchlinger takes charge of the ward, 14;
facts and merits of the case, 28 _et seq._;
B. makes personal appeal to the court, 29;
Dr. Bach a judicious adviser, 30;
the court appoints B. and Peters co-guardians, 31;
widow makes vain appeal to the Emperor, 31;
- cost of B’s victory, 31;
+ cost of B’s victory, 31;
his joy, 32;
Karl runs away from the Institute, 33;
- effect of B’s administration of the trust on himself and his
+ effect of B’s administration of the trust on himself and his
ward, 247 _et seq._;
Dr. Reisser appointed in place of Peters, 251;
Breuning persuades B. to resign and takes his place, 264;
@@ -15679,7 +15642,7 @@ General Index
gifts of wines and delicacies, 287 _et seq._;
Hummel at the death-bed, 301;
signing the will, 303 _et seq._;
- “Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est,” 304 _et seq._;
+ “Plaudite, amici, comœdia finita est,” 304 _et seq._;
B. receives extreme unction, 305;
the death-struggle, 307;
death caused by cirrhosis of the liver, 308;
@@ -15688,14 +15651,14 @@ General Index
funeral, 312;
performances of masses for the dead by Mozart and Cherubini, 312;
pall and torch-bearers, 312;
- burial at Währing, 312;
+ burial at W√§hring, 312;
exhumation of the body and reburial, 312.
- _Improvisation_: B’s skill at an early age, I, 63;
+ _Improvisation_: B’s skill at an early age, I, 63;
discomfits a singer by his harmonization, 87, 119, 152, 182, 188;
- Czerny’s account, 196;
+ Czerny’s account, 196;
at the Singakademie in Berlin, 197, 217;
- on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman,” 217, 266.--Vol. II, 15;
+ on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman,” 217, 266.--Vol. II, 15;
on theme from a quartet by Pleyel, 44, 90, 375; III, 208.
_Letters_: To Amenda, I, 297;
@@ -15712,7 +15675,7 @@ General Index
Bigot, II, 84;
Birchall, II, 319, 325, 336, 346, 350;
Brauchle, II, 317;
- Breitkopf and Härtel, I, 286, 294, 349, 368, 369; II, 66, 67, 136,
+ Breitkopf and H√§rtel, I, 286, 294, 349, 368, 369; II, 66, 67, 136,
142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206, 214, 226;
Brentano, III, 46, 47;
Breuning, Leonore von, I, 177, 179;
@@ -15723,7 +15686,7 @@ General Index
Cherubini, III, 100;
Collin, von, II, 149;
Czerny, Carl, I, 316; II, 338, 374;
- Erdödy, Countess, II, 144;
+ Erdödy, Countess, II, 144;
Ertmann, Baroness, II, 365;
Esterhazy, Prince, II, 107;
Frank, Mme. de, I, 283;
@@ -15731,19 +15694,19 @@ General Index
Gleichenstein, Count, II, 114, 140, 141, 155, 174, 175;
Goethe, II, 197; III, 98;
Haslinger, III, 44;
- Hoffmeister and Kühnel, I, 271, 281, 286, 299, 366, 370; II, 16;
+ Hoffmeister and Kühnel, I, 271, 281, 286, 299, 366, 370; II, 16;
Holz, III, 216;
Hummel, I, 240; II, 267;
Kanka, II, 353;
King of England, III, 113;
Kinsky, Princess, II, 243;
- Könneritz, von, III, 97;
+ Könneritz, von, III, 97;
Kotzebue, II, 213;
Kuhlau, III, 204;
Lichnowsky, Count Moritz, II, 262; III, 158;
London Musicians, II, 274;
Macco, Alexander, II, 19;
- Mähler, II, 16;
+ M√§hler, II, 16;
Malfatti, Therese, II, 176;
Matthisson, I, 202;
Moscheles, III, 291;
@@ -15768,7 +15731,7 @@ General Index
III, 44, 56;
Smart, Sir George, II, 311, 351;
Smetana, Dr., III, 259;
- Stadler, Abbé, III, 235;
+ Stadler, Abbé, III, 235;
Steiner, II, 364;
III, 38;
Streicher, Nanette, II, 394;
@@ -15790,20 +15753,20 @@ General Index
_Lodgings_ (in Vienna): Alsergasse, with Prince Lichnowsky, I,
148, 269;
Bartenstein House, II, 271, 286;
- Gärtnerstrasse, II, 362, 367, 368;
+ G√§rtnerstrasse, II, 362, 367, 368;
Giorgi, II, 368;
Hamberger House, I, 355;
Johannesgasse, III, 184;
- Josefstädter Glacis, III, 21;
+ Josefst√§dter Glacis, III, 21;
Kothgasse, III, 97;
Kreuzgasse (Ogylisches Haus), I, 269;
- Krügergasse, III, 144;
- Pasqualati’s House, on the Mölkerbastei, II, 31, 44, 123,
+ Krügergasse, III, 144;
+ Pasqualati’s House, on the Mölkerbastei, II, 31, 44, 123,
196, 219;
Petersplatz, I, 256;
II, 12;
Rothes Haus, II, 271, 286;
- Sailerstätte, II, 315, 361;
+ Sailerst√§tte, II, 315, 361;
Schwarzspanierhaus, III, 212, 273, 311;
in the Theater-an-der-Wien, II, 12, 23, 35, 44;
Tiefen Graben, I, 269, 288;
@@ -15811,7 +15774,7 @@ General Index
Walfischgasse, II, 145, 155. (In the country): Baden, II, 13,
102, 106, 107, 145, 244, 249, 251, 315;
III, 39, 70, 71, 133, 134, 137, 177, 200;
- Döbling, II, 14, 31;
+ Döbling, II, 14, 31;
Gneixendorf, III, 237, 238, 239, 244, 267, 271;
Heiligenstadt, I, 349, 351;
II, 107, 110, 119, 120. 369;
@@ -15819,39 +15782,39 @@ General Index
II, 45, 47, 367;
III, 95, 122, 129;
Landstrasse, III, 36, 39, 73;
- Mödling, II, 380, 396;
+ Mödling, II, 380, 396;
III, 6, 14, 17, 35, 48;
Nussdorf, II, 369;
- Oberdöbling, III, 69, 73;
+ Oberdöbling, III, 69, 73;
Penzing, III, 176;
- Unterdöbling, I, 269;
+ Unterdöbling, I, 269;
III, 39, 47.
_London Philharmonic Society_: Neate buys overtures for, II, 333;
- the Society’s disappointment, 334;
+ the Society’s disappointment, 334;
its membership roll, 334;
B. offers to write new works for, 352, 367;
invites B. to visit London, 370, 378, 379, 380, 395, 413;
- III, Hogarth’s history of, 110;
+ III, Hogarth’s history of, 110;
the Society and the Ninth Symphony, 110 _et seq._;
149, 177, 207, 209, 230, 232 _et seq._;
again invites B. to visit London, 186;
appealed to by B. for aid, 289;
- 100 pounds voted for B’s relief, 290 _et seq._;
- gift reclaimed after B’s death, but released, 293, 294;
+ 100 pounds voted for B’s relief, 290 _et seq._;
+ gift reclaimed after B’s death, but released, 293, 294;
part of the sum applied to funeral expenses, 302.
- _Love Affairs, Marriage Projects, B’s relations with Women_:
- (see also “Character,” etc.), I, xvi, xxi, 120;
- susceptibility to women’s charms, I, 121 _et seq._, 235, 317
+ _Love Affairs, Marriage Projects, B’s relations with Women_:
+ (see also “Character,” etc.), I, xvi, xxi, 120;
+ susceptibility to women’s charms, I, 121 _et seq._, 235, 317
_et seq._, 334;
- encounter with a prince’s mistress, II, 33;
- passion no influence in “Fidelio,” II, 166;
- the “Immortal Beloved,” I, xxi, 281, 292, 326, 328 _et seq._;
+ encounter with a prince’s mistress, II, 33;
+ passion no influence in “Fidelio,” II, 166;
+ the “Immortal Beloved,” I, xxi, 281, 292, 326, 328 _et seq._;
II, 66, 105, 106, 222, 343, 336 _et seq._, 342 (see writings in
- controversy under “Grove,” “La Mara,” “Storck,” “Prelinger,”
- “Chantonoine,” “Rolland,” “Schindler,” “Nohl,” “Kalischer,”
- “Frimmel,” “Volbach,” “Thomas-San-Galli,” “Hale,” “Tenger”);
+ controversy under “Grove,” “La Mara,” “Storck,” “Prelinger,”
+ “Chantonoine,” “Rolland,” “Schindler,” “Nohl,” “Kalischer,”
+ “Frimmel,” “Volbach,” “Thomas-San-Galli,” “Hale,” “Tenger”);
Countess Therese Brunswick, I, 326;
relations interviewed, 340;
memoirs of, 344;
@@ -15866,8 +15829,8 @@ General Index
II, 383;
Bettina von Arnim, II, 366;
Fanny Giannatasio, II, 362;
- an alleged “Autumnal love,” II, 383;
- B’s contemplation of marriage, I, xvi;
+ an alleged “Autumnal love,” II, 383;
+ B’s contemplation of marriage, I, xvi;
offers hand to Magdalena Willmann, I, 242;
his celibacy, 242, 245, 326;
alleged proposal to Therese Malfatti, II, 178;
@@ -15875,27 +15838,27 @@ General Index
a confession of disappointed love, 342;
reputed proposal to Cibbini, III, 205, 207.
- _Opera Projects_ (see “FIDELIO,” in Index of Compositions): At
+ _Opera Projects_ (see “FIDELIO,” in Index of Compositions): At
work on an opera when he became deaf, I, 263;
his constant longing for a text, II, 118, 202;
applies to Kotzebue for a book, II, 213;
licentious plots repugnant to him, III, 201;
- subjects considered: “Macbeth” by Collin, II, 119, 151, 153;
- “Bradamante” by Collin, II, 119;
+ subjects considered: “Macbeth” by Collin, II, 119, 151, 153;
+ “Bradamante” by Collin, II, 119;
intended collaboration with Varnhagen von Ense, II, 204;
- “Alexander” by Schikaneder(?), II, 19, 20;
- Grillparzer’s “Melusine,” III, 118 _et seq._;
+ “Alexander” by Schikaneder(?), II, 19, 20;
+ Grillparzer’s “Melusine,” III, 118 _et seq._;
135, 220;
- Körner’s “Return of Ulysses,” II, 237;
- Rudolph von Berger’s “Bacchus,” II, 314, 328;
- “Romulus and Remus,” 304, 381;
- “Macbeth” (not by Collin), III, 117;
- “Romeo and Juliet,” 117;
- Schiller’s “Fiesco,” 117;
- Voltaire’s tragedies, III, 117;
- Grillparzer’s “Dragomira,” III, 118, 120, 122.
-
- _Orchestra and Organ_, B’s experience with: Lessons on violin and
+ Körner’s “Return of Ulysses,” II, 237;
+ Rudolph von Berger’s “Bacchus,” II, 314, 328;
+ “Romulus and Remus,” 304, 381;
+ “Macbeth” (not by Collin), III, 117;
+ “Romeo and Juliet,” 117;
+ Schiller’s “Fiesco,” 117;
+ Voltaire’s tragedies, III, 117;
+ Grillparzer’s “Dragomira,” III, 118, 120, 122.
+
+ _Orchestra and Organ_, B’s experience with: Lessons on violin and
viola from Rovantini, I, 64;
from Ries, 99;
from Schuppanzigh, 156;
@@ -15903,14 +15866,14 @@ General Index
Schindler in error, 239;
studies organ-playing with Van den Eeden, I, 61, 64; with
Willibald Koch and Zenser, 64;
- assumes Neefe’s duties as organist, 69;
+ assumes Neefe’s duties as organist, 69;
assistant to Neefe, 71;
appointed assistant organist in the Electoral Chapel, 74;
recommended for Court Organistship, 83, 105;
his playing, 110.
_Personal Appearance and Portraits_: I,76, 146, 147;
- “Ugly and half crazy,” 243;
+ “Ugly and half crazy,” 243;
described by Baillot, II, 55;
described by Weissenbach, II, 294;
described by Julius Benedict, III, 139, 125.--Dress, I, 147, 322;
@@ -15918,35 +15881,35 @@ General Index
changes new coat for old one for dinner, II, 186;
negligent appearance, 88, 287.--Portraits: Silhouette by
Neesen, I, 122;
- paintings by Mähler, II, 15, 16;
- Frimmel’s discussion of B’s portraits, II, 15;
+ paintings by M√§hler, II, 15, 16;
+ Frimmel’s discussion of B’s portraits, II, 15;
miniature by Hornemann, II, 33;
- Klein’s mask and Danhauser’s bust, II, 221;
- Latronne’s crayon drawing engraved by Höfel, II, 287;
+ Klein’s mask and Danhauser’s bust, II, 221;
+ Latronne’s crayon drawing engraved by Höfel, II, 287;
painting by Heckel, II, 338;
- painting by August von Klöber, II, 399;
- lithograph by Dürck, III, 42;
+ painting by August von Klöber, II, 399;
+ lithograph by Dürck, III, 42;
painting by Ferdinand Schimon, III, 21, 41;
portrait by Joseph Stieler, III, 41;
death-mask and drawing by Danhauser, III, 310;
crayon drawing by Decker, imitated by Kriehuber, III, 176.
- _Pianoforte Study and Playing_ (see “EDUCATION”): Studies
+ _Pianoforte Study and Playing_ (see “EDUCATION”): Studies
pianoforte with his father, I, 58;
skill as a boy described by Neefe, 69, 111;
- plays for Abbé Sterkel, 114;
+ plays for Abbé Sterkel, 114;
duties as pianist to the Elector, 135;
- Bach’s fugues, 175;
+ Bach’s fugues, 175;
skill in sight-reading, 180;
- his playing compared with Wölffl’s, 215;
+ his playing compared with Wölffl’s, 215;
described by Tomaschek, 217;
- Cherubini’s comments on, 220;
- Spohr’s criticism, II, 269;
+ Cherubini’s comments on, 220;
+ Spohr’s criticism, II, 269;
last public appearance as pianist, 270;
- his playing of “The Well-Tempered Clavichord,” II, 355;
+ his playing of “The Well-Tempered Clavichord,” II, 355;
advice to Czerny as to instruction of his nephew, II, 374.
- _Religion_: Character of B’s religious belief, II, 167 _et seq._;
+ _Religion_: Character of B’s religious belief, II, 167 _et seq._;
transcription of Egyptian texts preserved by him, 168;
prayers in his note-books, 169, 249;
an expression of faith, 187;
@@ -15956,50 +15919,50 @@ General Index
the Mass in D, III, 91;
receives the rites for the dying, 305 _et seq._
- _Sketchbooks_: Gelinek finds the cause of B’s faults in them,
+ _Sketchbooks_: Gelinek finds the cause of B’s faults in them,
I, 257;
- Nottebohm’s analysis, I, 257 _et seq._, 364;
- Kafka’s, I, 205, 206, 209, 210;
+ Nottebohm’s analysis, I, 257 _et seq._, 364;
+ Kafka’s, I, 205, 206, 209, 210;
Sketches in the British Museum, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261;
Petter Collection, I, 274, 290;
II, 118, 129, 151, 209, 296;
Grassnick Collection, I, 275;
II, 160;
- Kessler’s, I, 289, 368, 371;
- Landsberger’s, II, 73;
+ Kessler’s, I, 289, 368, 371;
+ Landsberger’s, II, 73;
Meinert Collection, II, 150, 161;
- the “Fidelio” sketches, II, 285;
+ the “Fidelio” sketches, II, 285;
Mendelssohn Collection, II, 310.
- “~Beiden Savoyarden, Die~” (“Les deux petits Savoyards”):
+ “~Beiden Savoyarden, Die~” (“Les deux petits Savoyards”):
Opera by Dalayrac, I, 109.
~Belderbusch, Kaspar Anton~: Prime Minister of Elector Max
Friedrich I, 14, 15;
- assumes paternity of Elector’s illegitimate children, 16;
+ assumes paternity of Elector’s illegitimate children, 16;
death of, 33;
- secures Neefe’s appointment as Court Organist, 36;
+ secures Neefe’s appointment as Court Organist, 36;
a musical amateur, 37, 118;
Countess Belderbusch, a clavier player, I, 37.
~Belgium~: Beethoven families residing in, in the 17th century, I, 42.
- ~Bell, Doyne C.~: “Documents, Letters, etc., relating to the Bust of
+ ~Bell, Doyne C.~: “Documents, Letters, etc., relating to the Bust of
Ludwig van Beethoven presented to the Philharmonic Society of
- London by Fanny Linzbauer,” III, 291.
+ London by Fanny Linzbauer,” III, 291.
~Bellamy, Mr.~, English singer: II, 310.
~Belzer, Frau von~, Musical amateur in Bonn: I, 38.
- ~Benda, George~: His opera “Ariadne auf Naxos,” I, 29, 107, 108;
- “Romeo and Juliet,” I, 31, 107, 108;
- conductor of Seydler’s company, 30.
+ ~Benda, George~: His opera “Ariadne auf Naxos,” I, 29, 107, 108;
+ “Romeo and Juliet,” I, 31, 107, 108;
+ conductor of Seydler’s company, 30.
~Benedict, Sir Julius~: III, 137;
his visit to B., 138 _et seq._
- ~Berger, Rudolph von~: His opera-book “Bacchus,” II, 314.
+ ~Berger, Rudolph von~: His opera-book “Bacchus,” II, 314.
~Berlin~: B. visits, I, 192, 195;
faults public for not applauding, 197;
@@ -16007,28 +15970,28 @@ General Index
plays for the Singakademie, I, 197;
the Singakademie and the Mass in D, III, 104, 180.
- ~Bernadotte, General J. B.~: His association with the “Eroica,”
+ ~Bernadotte, General J. B.~: His association with the “Eroica,”
I, _212 et seq._;
King of Sweden, III, 139.
~Bernard, Joseph Carl~: II, 332, 359, 398;
III, 24, 30, 171;
- his “Libussa,” 173;
- “Der Sieg des Kreuzes,” 172 _et seq._
+ his “Libussa,” 173;
+ “Der Sieg des Kreuzes,” 172 _et seq._
- “~Bernardsberg, Der.~” (See “ELISE.”)
+ “~Bernardsberg, Der.~” (See “ELISE.”)
~Bertinotti, Mme.~: II, 75.
- ~Bertolini, Dr.~: On B’s susceptibility to women, I, 318;
- on the origin of the “Eroica,” II, 25;
- on B’s dilatoriness, 76, 87;
- “Un lieto brindisi,” II, 280, 305, 322;
+ ~Bertolini, Dr.~: On B’s susceptibility to women, I, 318;
+ on the origin of the “Eroica,” II, 25;
+ on B’s dilatoriness, 76, 87;
+ “Un lieto brindisi,” II, 280, 305, 322;
rupture of friendship with B., 341, 369.
- “~Betulia liberata~”: III, 143.
+ “~Betulia liberata~”: III, 143.
- ~Betz~: “Il Riso d’Apolline,” I, 26.
+ ~Betz~: “Il Riso d’Apolline,” I, 26.
~Beyer, Dr.~: Letter to, II, 259.
@@ -16039,8 +16002,8 @@ General Index
~Biographers of B.~: Early, III, 197 _et seq._
- “~Biographische Notizen.~” (See “WEGELER, F. G.” and
- “RIES, FERDINAND.”)
+ “~Biographische Notizen.~” (See “WEGELER, F. G.” and
+ “RIES, FERDINAND.”)
~Birchall, Robert,~ English publisher: II, 319, 324, 325;
difficulty in getting a receipt from B., 355, _et seq._,
@@ -16055,19 +16018,19 @@ General Index
~Bland, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
- “~Blendwerk, Das~” (“La fausse Magie”): Opera by Grétry, I, 107.
+ “~Blendwerk, Das~” (“La fausse Magie”): Opera by Grétry, I, 107.
- ~Blöchlinger, Joseph Karl~: III, 7, 23. (See _Guardianship_ under
- “BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN,” and “BEETHOVEN, KARL.”)
+ ~Blöchlinger, Joseph Karl~: III, 7, 23. (See _Guardianship_ under
+ “BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN,” and “BEETHOVEN, KARL.”)
~Boer, S. M. de~: Visits B., III, 203.
~Bohemian Nobility~: Musical culture of the, I, 168.
- ~Böhm~, Violinist: Plays the Quartet Op. 127, III, 192, 193;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ ~Böhm~, Violinist: Plays the Quartet Op. 127, III, 192, 193;
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
- ~Böhm’s Theatrical Company~: I, 86.
+ ~Böhm’s Theatrical Company~: I, 86.
~Bolla, Signora~: B. plays at her concert, I, 191.
@@ -16077,9 +16040,9 @@ General Index
~Bonaparte, Louis~, King of Holland: II, 245, 247.
~Bonaparte, Napoleon~: Threatens invasion of Vienna, I, 199, 200;
- the “Eroica,” 213; II, 24;
- B’s remark: “I would conquer him!” 117;
- neglects opportunity to hear the “Eroica,” 149;
+ the “Eroica,” 213; II, 24;
+ B’s remark: “I would conquer him!” 117;
+ neglects opportunity to hear the “Eroica,” 149;
marches on Moscow, 221;
holds court at Dresden, 221;
effect of his downfall, 295;
@@ -16091,14 +16054,14 @@ General Index
restored to archbishopric of Cologne, 6;
improved by Elector Clemens August, 7;
the Comedy House, 30;
- professional and amateur musicians in B’s time, 31;
+ professional and amateur musicians in B’s time, 31;
appearance of the city, 38 _et seq._;
- Beethovens in before the arrival of the composer’s grandfather, 44;
- music in Max Franz’s reign, 88;
+ Beethovens in before the arrival of the composer’s grandfather, 44;
+ music in Max Franz’s reign, 88;
theatrical companies, 112;
- B’s friends, 117, 125, 126;
+ B’s friends, 117, 125, 126;
B. leaves the city forever, 125;
- B’s compositions in, 129 _et seq._;
+ B’s compositions in, 129 _et seq._;
Beethoven Festival of 1845, II, 177.
~Boosey~, Music publisher in London: III, 111, 128;
@@ -16116,34 +16079,34 @@ General Index
~Bowater, Mrs.~: I, 134, 145;
III, 40.
- “~Bradamante~”: Opera-book by Collin, II, 19.
+ “~Bradamante~”: Opera-book by Collin, II, 19.
~Brahms, Johannes~: Confirms authenticity of Bonn cantatas, I, 131;
comment on the compositions of royal personages, III, 20.
- ~Brauchle~: Tutor of Count Erdödy’s children, I, 320;
+ ~Brauchle~: Tutor of Count Erdödy’s children, I, 320;
II, 317.
~Braun, Baron~: I, 168;
invites the Rombergs to give a concert, 199, 244, 290, 348, 350;
- engages Ries at B’s solicitation, 360;
+ engages Ries at B’s solicitation, 360;
engages Cherubini to compose operas, II, 3;
dismisses Schikaneder, 23, 34, 35;
- withdraws “Fidelio,” 63;
+ withdraws “Fidelio,” 63;
ends his management of the Theater-an-der-Wien, 78.
--~Baroness~, I, 225, 244;
dedication of the Horn Sonata, 290.
- ~Braunhofer, Dr.~: Dedication of the “Abendlied,” III, 50, 199;
+ ~Braunhofer, Dr.~: Dedication of the “Abendlied,” III, 50, 199;
canon for, 200, 219, 373;
declines call to B., 272, 274.
~Breimann~: II, 125.
- ~Breitkopf and Härtel~: Acquire publication rights of this
+ ~Breitkopf and H√§rtel~: Acquire publication rights of this
biography, I, xv;
employ Dr. Riemann to revise German edition, xv;
- B’s letters to, I, 286, 294, 348, 349, 364, 369;
+ B’s letters to, I, 286, 294, 348, 349, 364, 369;
II, 66, 67, 142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206;
B. offers them all his works, 67;
attempt to renew association with B., III, 73.
@@ -16168,7 +16131,7 @@ General Index
~Breuning, Eleonore Brigitte von~: Wife of Franz Gerhard Wegeler,
I, 99, 118, 119;
- lines on B’s birthday, 122;
+ lines on B’s birthday, 122;
inscription in his album, 125, 138, 300;
III, 214, 288.
@@ -16177,10 +16140,10 @@ General Index
~Breuning, Georg Joseph von~: I, 98.
~Breuning, Dr. Gerhard~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi 96, 99, 100, 300;
- opinion of B’s brother Karl, II, 322, 362;
+ opinion of B’s brother Karl, II, 322, 362;
description of Johann van B., III, 66;
- B’s interest in him as a lad, III, 214;
- on B’s last illness, 247;
+ B’s interest in him as a lad, III, 214;
+ on B’s last illness, 247;
on the medical treatment of B., 287, 300.
~Breuning, Johann Lorenz von~: I, 98.
@@ -16189,7 +16152,7 @@ General Index
~Breuning, Johann Lorenz (Lenz) von~: I, 99, 119, 198;
reports to Romberg about B., 199;
- B’s lines in his album, 201, 202.
+ B’s lines in his album, 201, 202.
~Breuning, Madame von~: I, 99;
selects B. as teacher for her children, 100;
@@ -16205,14 +16168,14 @@ General Index
returns to Vienna, 288, 301;
B. advises his employment by the Teutonic Order, 303;
his relations with B. in Vienna, 310 _et seq._;
- B’s injustice toward him, 311.
+ B’s injustice toward him, 311.
--II, becomes clerk in Austrian war department, 14;
quarrels with B., 27 _et seq._;
reconciliation, 32;
receives miniature from B., 33;
- poem for the second performance of “Fidelio,” 61;
+ poem for the second performance of “Fidelio,” 61;
letter concerning the opera, 57;
- B’s concern for his health, 155;
+ B’s concern for his health, 155;
death of his wife, 155;
dedication of the Violin Concerto, 162;
warns B. against his brother Karl, 322.
@@ -16220,11 +16183,11 @@ General Index
intimacy with B resumed, 213;
persuades B. to resign guardianship, 264;
objects to unqualified bequest to Nephew Karl, 279;
- finds B’s bank stock and the love-letter, 376.
+ finds B’s bank stock and the love-letter, 376.
~Bridgetower, George Augustus Polgreen~, Violinist: I, 186;
his career, II, 8 _et seq._;
- his notes on the “Kreutzer Sonata,” 10.
+ his notes on the “Kreutzer Sonata,” 10.
~Bridi, Joseph Anton~: II, 391.
@@ -16234,10 +16197,10 @@ General Index
Presents pianoforte to B., II, 390 _et seq._; III, 201, 237.
~Browne, Count~: I, 199;
- B. calls him his “first Mæcenas,” 222, 244; II, 20.
+ B. calls him his “first Mæcenas,” 222, 244; II, 20.
--~Countess~, I, 200, 209, 227, 244.
- ~Brühl, Count~: III, 153.
+ ~Brühl, Count~: III, 153.
~Brunswick, Count Franz~: I, 322;
the Rasoumowsky quartets, II, 104;
@@ -16246,14 +16209,14 @@ General Index
dedication of Fantasia Op. 77, 195; III, 24, 170;
offers summer sojourn in Hungary to B., 179.
- ~Brunswick, Count Géza~: I, 340, 341.
+ ~Brunswick, Count Géza~: I, 340, 341.
~Brunswick, Countess Marie~: I, 340.
~Brunswick, Countess Therese~: I, xvi, 279;
her relations with B., 317, 322, 335 _et seq._;
sends her portrait to B., 335;
- B’s message to her brother, “Kiss your sister Therese,”
+ B’s message to her brother, “Kiss your sister Therese,”
II, 105, 161, 173;
dedication of the Sonata Op. 78, 195;
portrait of, 202;
@@ -16261,39 +16224,39 @@ General Index
~Bryant, William Cullen~: Quoted I, 252.
- ~Buda-Pesth~: National Museum of, gets B’s Broadwood pianoforte,
+ ~Buda-Pesth~: National Museum of, gets B’s Broadwood pianoforte,
II, 392.
- “~Buona Figliuola, La~”: Opera by Piccini, I, 25, 32.
+ “~Buona Figliuola, La~”: Opera by Piccini, I, 25, 32.
- ~Burbure, Léon~: Supplies information concerning the Belgian
+ ~Burbure, Léon~: Supplies information concerning the Belgian
Beethovens, I, 42.
- ~Bureau d’Arts et Industrie~: Established, II, 35.
+ ~Bureau d’Arts et Industrie~: Established, II, 35.
- ~Burney, Dr. Charles~: “Present State, etc.,” quoted, I, 174.
+ ~Burney, Dr. Charles~: “Present State, etc.,” quoted, I, 174.
- ~Cache~, Singer at first performance of “Fidelio”, II, 51.
+ ~Cache~, Singer at first performance of “Fidelio”, II, 51.
- ~Cäcilien-Verein~ of Frankfort: Subscription to the Mass in D, III,
+ ~C√§cilien-Verein~ of Frankfort: Subscription to the Mass in D, III,
104, 106, 110, 180.
- “~Calamità di Cuori, La~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 26.
+ “~Calamità di Cuori, La~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 26.
- ~Caldara~: Opera “Gioas, Re di Giuda,” I, 184.
+ ~Caldara~: Opera “Gioas, Re di Giuda,” I, 184.
- ~Campbell, Thomas~: “The Battle of the Baltic,” II, 203.
+ ~Campbell, Thomas~: “The Battle of the Baltic,” II, 203.
~Capponi, Marchese~: I, 341.
~Carlyle, Thomas~: II, 360.
~Carpani~:
- Italian text for Haydn’s “Creation,” II, 116;
+ Italian text for Haydn’s “Creation,” II, 116;
introduces Rossini to B., 360.
- ~Carriere, Moriz~: Dubious of the genuineness of B’s letters to
+ ~Carriere, Moriz~: Dubious of the genuineness of B’s letters to
Bettina von Arnim, II, 185.
~Cassel~: B. invited to become chapelmaster at, II, 122, 124,
@@ -16303,13 +16266,13 @@ General Index
~Castelli~:
On failure of the Concerto in E-flat, II, 215;
- torchbearer and poet at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ torchbearer and poet at B’s funeral, III, 312.
~Castlereagh, Viscount~: II, 291.
~Catalani~: II, 310.
- ~Catalogue, Classified~, of B’s works: II, 38.
+ ~Catalogue, Classified~, of B’s works: II, 38.
~Catherine II~, Empress of Russia: II, 81.
@@ -16325,36 +16288,36 @@ General Index
~Charles XIV~ (Bernadotte), King of Sweden: III, 130.
~Cherubini, Luigi~:
- On B’s playing, I, 220, 324;
+ On B’s playing, I, 220, 324;
engaged to compose operas for Vienna, II, 3, 47;
- B’s respect for, 48;
- opinion of “Fidelio,” 63, 64, 202;
- “Les deux Journées,” II, 3, 36; III, 139;
- “Lodoiska,” II, 3;
- “Elise,” 3;
- “Medea,” 3;
- “Faniska,” 110;
+ B’s respect for, 48;
+ opinion of “Fidelio,” 63, 64, 202;
+ “Les deux Journées,” II, 3, 36; III, 139;
+ “Lodoiska,” II, 3;
+ “Elise,” 3;
+ “Medea,” 3;
+ “Faniska,” 110;
asked by B. to urge subscription to Mass on King of France,
III, 100, 126;
on B. and Mozart, 205;
Schlesinger on, 206;
- on B’s quartets, 216;
- his “Requiem” sung at B’s funeral, 312.
+ on B’s quartets, 216;
+ his “Requiem” sung at B’s funeral, 312.
- ~Cherubini, Madame~: On B’s social conduct, I, 121.
+ ~Cherubini, Madame~: On B’s social conduct, I, 121.
- ~Chorley, Henry F.~: Receives and publishes B’s letter to Bettina
+ ~Chorley, Henry F.~: Receives and publishes B’s letter to Bettina
von Arnim, II, 182, 184, 316.
~Churchill, John~, Earl of Marlborough: I, 6.
- ~Church Music~: B’s views on, III, 203.
+ ~Church Music~: B’s views on, III, 203.
- ~Cibbini, Antonia~: B’s offer of marriage to, III, 205, 207.
+ ~Cibbini, Antonia~: B’s offer of marriage to, III, 205, 207.
~Cimarosa, Domenico~:
- “L’Italiana in Londra,” I, 32;
- “Il Matrimonio segreto,” 164.
+ “L’Italiana in Londra,” I, 32;
+ “Il Matrimonio segreto,” 164.
~Clam-Gallas, Count Christian~: I, 194.
@@ -16371,16 +16334,16 @@ General Index
entry into Bonn, 9;
his music-chapel, 9;
appoints Van den Eeden Court Organist, 10;
- increases salary of B’s grandfather, 10;
+ increases salary of B’s grandfather, 10;
music in his reign, 14;
his theatre, 30;
- appoints B’s grandfather Court Musician, 43.
+ appoints B’s grandfather Court Musician, 43.
~Clement, Franz~, Violinist: II, 2;
conductor, 42;
- B’s Violin Concerto, 76;
- succeeds Häring as conductor in Vienna, 112;
- produces “Mount of Olives,” 156, 209, and the Ninth Symphony,
+ B’s Violin Concerto, 76;
+ succeeds H√§ring as conductor in Vienna, 112;
+ produces “Mount of Olives,” 156, 209, and the Ninth Symphony,
III, 157 _et seq._
~Clementi, Muzio~: I, 33;
@@ -16393,10 +16356,10 @@ General Index
~Collard, F. W.~, Partner of Clementi: II, 102, 103.
~Collin, von~:
- “Coriolan,” II, 101, 102;
- “Bradamante,” II, 119;
- “Macbeth,” II, 119, 151;
- “Jerusalem Delivered,” II, 119, 151;
+ “Coriolan,” II, 101, 102;
+ “Bradamante,” II, 119;
+ “Macbeth,” II, 119, 151;
+ “Jerusalem Delivered,” II, 119, 151;
Letter to, II, 149;
asked to write a drama for Pesth, 88, 201.
@@ -16405,23 +16368,23 @@ General Index
Archbishop Engelbert, 3;
civil income of Electorate, 7.
- “~Colonie, Die~” (“L’Isola d’Amore”): Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
+ “~Colonie, Die~” (“L’Isola d’Amore”): Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
- ~Complete Editions~ of B’s Works planned: II, 18, 38, 192;
+ ~Complete Editions~ of B’s Works planned: II, 18, 38, 192;
III, 36, 54, 190, 205, 237;
- Archduke Rudolph’s Collection, II, 200.
+ Archduke Rudolph’s Collection, II, 200.
~Congress of Vienna~: II, 288, 289.
- ~Consecutive Fifths~: B’s dictum on II, 89.
+ ~Consecutive Fifths~: B’s dictum on II, 89.
- “~Contadina in Corte, La~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 26.
+ “~Contadina in Corte, La~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 26.
~Conti~: I, 282; II, 2.
- “~Convivo, Il~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
+ “~Convivo, Il~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
- “~Corsar aus Liebe~”: Opera by Weigl, I, 268; II, 2.
+ “~Corsar aus Liebe~”: Opera by Weigl, I, 268; II, 2.
~Courts of Europe~: Invited to subscribe to the Mass in D,
III, 93 _et seq._
@@ -16435,12 +16398,12 @@ General Index
~Cramer, John Baptist~: I, 186;
sketch of, 218, 219;
- makes B’s acquaintance, 218;
+ makes B’s acquaintance, 218;
his admiration for B., 219;
- on B’s playing, 210; II, 318;
- B’s opinion of him as pianist, 381.
+ on B’s playing, 210; II, 318;
+ B’s opinion of him as pianist, 381.
- “~Creation, The~,” Haydn’s oratorio: I, 243, 266, 282, 284, 285;
+ “~Creation, The~,” Haydn’s oratorio: I, 243, 266, 282, 284, 285;
II, 89, 116, 120;
receives the first metronomic marks, 223.
@@ -16456,7 +16419,7 @@ General Index
~Czerny, Carl~: I, 85;
anecdote about B. and Gelinek, 152;
- on B’s extempore playing, 196;
+ on B’s extempore playing, 196;
use of high registers of pianoforte, 223, 236;
pupil of B., 314;
duet playing with Ries, 314;
@@ -16464,26 +16427,26 @@ General Index
memory of, 315;
rebuked by B. for changing his music, 316;
letters, 316, 322;
- on the reception of the “Eroica,” II, 35;
+ on the reception of the “Eroica,” II, 35;
on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, 75;
- on B’s playing and teaching, 90;
- on B’s character, 91;
+ on B’s playing and teaching, 90;
+ on B’s character, 91;
on the theme of the _Credo_ in the Mass in C, 107;
on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 215, 314;
rebuked by B. for changing his music, 337;
letter, 338;
- B’s advice as to instruction of Nephew Karl, 374;
+ B’s advice as to instruction of Nephew Karl, 374;
inaccuracies as biographer, 376;
visits B., III, 203;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Czerny, Wenzel~: I, 236.
~Czerwensky~, Oboist: I, 239.
- ~Dalayrac~: Operas “Nina,” I, 107, 108;
- “Les deux petits Savoyards,” 109.
+ ~Dalayrac~: Operas “Nina,” I, 107, 108;
+ “Les deux petits Savoyards,” 109.
~Danhauser~: Makes bust of B., II, 221;
death-mask, III, 310.
@@ -16492,46 +16455,46 @@ General Index
~Decker~: Makes crayon drawing of B., III, 176.
- ~Degen~, Aëronaut: III, 62.
+ ~Degen~, Aëronaut: III, 62.
- ~Deiters, Dr. Hermann~, German translator of Thayer’s work:
+ ~Deiters, Dr. Hermann~, German translator of Thayer’s work:
I, Dedication; 88;
writes conclusion of the biography, xv, 75, 103;
discusses date of a letter to Wegeler, 177;
on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- B’s letters to Bettina von Arnim, II, 197;
- B’s conduct towards Simrock, III, 53.
+ B’s letters to Bettina von Arnim, II, 197;
+ B’s conduct towards Simrock, III, 53.
- ~De la Borde~: Opera “Die Müllerin,” I, 109.
+ ~De la Borde~: Opera “Die Müllerin,” I, 109.
- ~Deler~ (Teller, Deller?): “Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe,” opera,
+ ~Deler~ (Teller, Deller?): “Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe,” opera,
I, 31.
~Dembscher~: III, 193;
- canon, “Muss es sein?” 224, 244.
+ canon, “Muss es sein?” 224, 244.
- ~Demmer~: Singer at first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 50, 61;
+ ~Demmer~: Singer at first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 50, 61;
III, 83.
- ~Demmer, Joseph~: Petitions for the post of B’s grandfather, I, 22;
+ ~Demmer, Joseph~: Petitions for the post of B’s grandfather, I, 22;
appointed, 23.
~Denmark, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 102, 105.
- ~Desaides~: Opera “Julie,” I, 29, 107;
- “Die Reue vor der That,” 32;
+ ~Desaides~: Opera “Julie,” I, 29, 107;
+ “Die Reue vor der That,” 32;
his operas in Bonn, 86;
- “Les trois Fermiers,” 107.
+ “Les trois Fermiers,” 107.
~Descriptive Music~: B. and, II, 120.
- “~Déserteur, Le~”: Opera by Monsigny, I, 31, 46.
+ “~Déserteur, Le~”: Opera by Monsigny, I, 31, 46.
- ~Dessauer, Joseph~: Buys autograph score of “Eroica,” II, 24.
+ ~Dessauer, Joseph~: Buys autograph score of “Eroica,” II, 24.
- “~Deux Journées, Les~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3; III, 139.
+ “~Deux Journées, Les~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3; III, 139.
- ~Devenne~: “Battle of Gemappe,” II, 252.
+ ~Devenne~: “Battle of Gemappe,” II, 252.
~Deym, Countess Isabelle~: I, 342; II, 105.
@@ -16544,38 +16507,38 @@ General Index
~Dickens, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
- “~Die beiden Caliphen~”: Opera by Meyerbeer, II, 297.
+ “~Die beiden Caliphen~”: Opera by Meyerbeer, II, 297.
- “~Die Müllerin~”: Opera by De la Borde, I, 109.
+ “~Die Müllerin~”: Opera by De la Borde, I, 109.
~Dietrichstein, Count~: Tries to have B. appointed Imperial
Court Composer, III, 115;
sends B. texts for missal hymns, 116.
- ~Dittersdorf~: Operas “Doktor und Apotheker,” I, 108, 109;
- “Hieronymus Knicker,” 109;
- “Das rothe Käppchen,” 109, 139, 176, 183.
+ ~Dittersdorf~: Operas “Doktor und Apotheker,” I, 108, 109;
+ “Hieronymus Knicker,” 109;
+ “Das rothe Käppchen,” 109, 139, 176, 183.
- ~Dobbeler, Abbé Clemens~: Carries Trio Op. 3 to England, I,
+ ~Dobbeler, Abbé Clemens~: Carries Trio Op. 3 to England, I,
134, 145.
- ~Dobbler’s Dramatic Company~: I, 28.
+ ~Dobbler’s Dramatic Company~: I, 28.
- “~Dr. Murner~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
+ “~Dr. Murner~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
- “~Doktor und Apotheker~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 108, 109.
+ “~Doktor und Apotheker~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 108, 109.
- ~Doležalek, Johann Emanuel~: I, 239;
+ ~Doležalek, Johann Emanuel~: I, 239;
sketch of, 368;
on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
III, 294.
~Donaldson~, Edinburgh publisher: III, 42.
- “~Don Giovanni~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 91, 107, 163, 193;
+ “~Don Giovanni~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 91, 107, 163, 193;
II, 204; III, 42.
- “~Donne sempre Donne, Le~”: Opera by Lucchesi, I, 26.
+ “~Donne sempre Donne, Le~”: Opera by Lucchesi, I, 26.
~Dont, Jacob~: II, 399.
@@ -16583,16 +16546,16 @@ General Index
~Donzelli~, Singer: III, 169.
- “~Dorfbarbier, Der~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 36.
+ “~Dorfbarbier, Der~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 36.
- “~Dorfdeputirten, Die~”: Opera by Schubauer, I, 109.
+ “~Dorfdeputirten, Die~”: Opera by Schubauer, I, 109.
~Dousmoulin.~ (See TOUCHEMOULIN.)
- “~Dragomira~”: Drama by Grillparzer, III, 118, 120, 122.
+ “~Dragomira~”: Drama by Grillparzer, III, 118, 120, 122.
~Dragonetti, Domenico~:
- Makes B’s acquaintance, I, 218;
+ Makes B’s acquaintance, I, 218;
skill on double-bass, 218; II, 124;
Trio in Fifth Symphony, 126, 256;
recitatives in Ninth Symphony, III, 207.
@@ -16601,53 +16564,53 @@ General Index
I, 28 _et seq._
~Drechsler~, Chapelmaster: III, 131;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
- ~Dresden~: B’s intended visit to, I, 192.
+ ~Dresden~: B’s intended visit to, I, 192.
~Drewer, Ferdinand~, Violinist: I, 23, 24.
- ~Drieberg, Baron F. J.~: “Les Ruines de Babilone,” II, 202.
+ ~Drieberg, Baron F. J.~: “Les Ruines de Babilone,” II, 202.
~Drosdick, Baroness~: II, 86.
- ~Duncker, Friedrich~: “Leonore Prohaska,” II, 298.
+ ~Duncker, Friedrich~: “Leonore Prohaska,” II, 298.
- ~Duni~: Opera, “Die Jäger und das Waldmädchen,” I, 29.
+ ~Duni~: Opera, “Die Jäger und das Waldmädchen,” I, 29.
- ~Duport~: Director of the Kärnthnerthor Theatre, and the
+ ~Duport~: Director of the K√§rnthnerthor Theatre, and the
Ninth Symphony, III, 157.
~Duport, Pierre~, Violoncellist: I, 195, 205.
- ~Dürck, F.~: His lithograph of Stieler’s portrait, III, 42.
+ ~Dürck, F.~: His lithograph of Stieler’s portrait, III, 42.
~Duschek, Madame~: I, 194, 226.
- ~Düsseldorf~: Electoral archives at, I, 5.
+ ~Düsseldorf~: Electoral archives at, I, 5.
- ~Dutillier~: Operas, “Nanerina e Pandolfo,” I, 165;
- “Trionfo d’Amore,” 165.
+ ~Dutillier~: Operas, “Nanerina e Pandolfo,” I, 165;
+ “Trionfo d’Amore,” 165.
~Eberl, Anton~: I, 172; II, 2.
~Ecclesiastical States~ of Germany: Former, I, 1, 15.
- ~Edwards, F. G.~: His sketch of Bridgetower’s career, II, 11.
+ ~Edwards, F. G.~: His sketch of Bridgetower’s career, II, 11.
~Egyptian Text~: Preserved by B., II, 168.
- “~Ehrenpforte, Die~”: Drama by Treitschke, II, 317.
+ “~Ehrenpforte, Die~”: Drama by Treitschke, II, 317.
- “~Eifersucht auf der Probe~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
+ “~Eifersucht auf der Probe~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
- “~Eifersüchtige Liebhaber, Der~” (“L’Amant jaloux”): Opera
- by Grétry, I, 31, 107.
+ “~Eifersüchtige Liebhaber, Der~” (“L’Amant jaloux”): Opera
+ by Grétry, I, 31, 107.
- “~Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe~”: Opera by Deler (?), I, 31.
+ “~Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe~”: Opera by Deler (?), I, 31.
- “~Einsprüche, Die~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
+ “~Einsprüche, Die~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
~Electoral Chapels~: Appointments in, I, 9.
@@ -16657,47 +16620,47 @@ General Index
~Embel, F. X.~: III, 142.
- “~Ende gut, Alles gut~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 109.
+ “~Ende gut, Alles gut~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 109.
~Engelbert~, Archbishop of Cologne: I, 3.
- ~England~: B’s plan to visit, II, 142;
+ ~England~: B’s plan to visit, II, 142;
his admiration for the English people and government, III,
36, 76, 181, 303;
court of, not invited to subscribe to Mass in D, 104, 112.
- (See “PRINCE REGENT.”)
+ (See “PRINCE REGENT.”)
- ~English plays~ produced at Max Friedrich’s court: I, 29, 30, 31.
+ ~English plays~ produced at Max Friedrich’s court: I, 29, 30, 31.
- “~Entführung aus dem Serail~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 32, 107, 109.
+ “~Entführung aus dem Serail~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 32, 107, 109.
~Eppinger, Heinrich~, Amateur violinist: I, 235, 274, 306; II, 2.
~Eppinger, Dr. Joseph~: II, 335.
- ~Erard, Sébastien~: Presents pianoforte to B., II, 21.
+ ~Erard, Sébastien~: Presents pianoforte to B., II, 21.
- ~Erdödy, Count~: I, 172;
+ ~Erdödy, Count~: I, 172;
continued friendship for B., II, 82, 215, 271.
- ~Erdödy, Countess Marie~: Said by Schindler to have been one
- of B’s loves, I, 324;
+ ~Erdödy, Countess Marie~: Said by Schindler to have been one
+ of B’s loves, I, 324;
sketch, II, 82, 124;
dedication of Trios Op. 70, 132;
proposes plan to keep B. in Vienna, 136, 141;
letter of apology from B., 144, 162, 315, 319;
- B’s letter of condolence of death of her child, 339;
+ B’s letter of condolence of death of her child, 339;
dedication of Op. 102, 357; III, 21;
dedication, 23.
- ~Erk and Böhme~: “Deutscher Liederhort,” I, 278.
+ ~Erk and Böhme~: “Deutscher Liederhort,” I, 278.
- “~Erlkönig~”: Song by Schubert, I, 230; III, 236.
+ “~Erlkönig~”: Song by Schubert, I, 230; III, 236.
~Ernst~, Violinist: Purchaser of the Heiligenstadt Will, I, 351;
- and B’s last quartets, III, 139.
+ and B’s last quartets, III, 139.
- “~Ernst und Lucinda~” (“Eraste et Lucinde”): Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
+ “~Ernst und Lucinda~” (“Eraste et Lucinde”): Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
~Ertmann, Baroness Dorothea~: Pupil of B., I, 322; II, 2, 83, 215;
B. consoles her grief by playing the pianoforte, 356;
@@ -16723,83 +16686,83 @@ General Index
~Esterhazy, Princess~: Dedication of the Marches Op. 45,
I, 351; II, 40, 108.
- “~Esther~”: Opera by S. F. A. Auber, I, 14.
+ “~Esther~”: Opera by S. F. A. Auber, I, 14.
- “~Euryanthe~”: Opera by Weber, III, 139, 140.
+ “~Euryanthe~”: Opera by Weber, III, 139, 140.
- “~Évènements imprévus, Les~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 32.
+ “~Évènements imprévus, Les~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 32.
~Ewer and Co.~: III, 13.
~Eybler, Joseph~: I, 165;
- B’s respect for him, 242;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ B’s respect for him, 242;
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
~Facius~, the Brothers: Amateurs in Bonn, I, 38.
- ~Falsification of B’s age~: I, 55, 70, 71.
+ ~Falsification of B’s age~: I, 55, 70, 71.
- “~Falstaff, ossia le Tre Burli~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 227.
+ “~Falstaff, ossia le Tre Burli~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 227.
- “~Faniska~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 110.
+ “~Faniska~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 110.
- “~Fassbinder, Der~”: Opera by Oudinet, I, 29.
+ “~Fassbinder, Der~”: Opera by Oudinet, I, 29.
- “~Fausse Magie, La~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 107.
+ “~Fausse Magie, La~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 107.
- “~Faust~,” Goethe’s: II, 119; III, 75, 220.
+ “~Faust~,” Goethe’s: II, 119; III, 75, 220.
- “~Félix, ou l’Enfant trouvé~”: Opera by Monsigny, I, 32, 109.
+ “~Félix, ou l’Enfant trouvé~”: Opera by Monsigny, I, 32, 109.
~Felsburg, Count Stainer von~: II, 338; III, 156.
- “~Fermiers, Les trois~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
+ “~Fermiers, Les trois~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
~Fidelissimo Papageno~: Nickname for Schindler, III, 102.
- “~Fiesco~”: Drama by Schiller, III, 117.
+ “~Fiesco~”: Drama by Schiller, III, 117.
- “~Filosofo di Campagna~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
+ “~Filosofo di Campagna~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
- ~Finanz-Patent~, Austrian: Its effect on B’s annuity,
+ ~Finanz-Patent~, Austrian: Its effect on B’s annuity,
II, 211 _et seq._
- “~Finta Giardiniera, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
+ “~Finta Giardiniera, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
- ~Fischer, Cäcilie~: I, xviii, 57, 58.
+ ~Fischer, C√§cilie~: I, xviii, 57, 58.
~Fischer, Gottfried~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
~Fischer Manuscript~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
- ~Fischer~: Opera, “Swetard’s Zaubergürtel,” II, 49.
+ ~Fischer~: Opera, “Swetard’s Zaubergürtel,” II, 49.
~Fodor, Singer~: III, 121.
~Fontaine, Mortier de~: II, 73.
~Forkel, J. N.~: Biography of Bach, I, 303;
- “History of Music in Examples,” II, 34.
+ “History of Music in Examples,” II, 34.
~Forray, Baron Andreas von~: II, 220.
- ~Förster, Emanuel Aloys~: I, 172;
- influences B’s chamber music, 273;
- his son’s lessons from B., II, 31, 125, 315, 380.
+ ~Förster, Emanuel Aloys~: I, 172;
+ influences B’s chamber music, 273;
+ his son’s lessons from B., II, 31, 125, 315, 380.
~Forti, Singer~: II, 286.
~Fouche, Mary de~: I, 186.
- ~Fouqué, Baron de la Motte~: II, 330.
+ ~Fouqué, Baron de la Motte~: II, 330.
- “~Four Elements, The~”: Oratorio planned by Kuffner, III, 219.
+ “~Four Elements, The~”: Oratorio planned by Kuffner, III, 219.
- ~Fox, Mrs. Jabez~: Acquires Thayer’s posthumous papers, I, xiv;
- her copy of Mähler’s portrait of B., II, 16.
+ ~Fox, Mrs. Jabez~: Acquires Thayer’s posthumous papers, I, xiv;
+ her copy of Mähler’s portrait of B., II, 16.
- “~Fra due Litiganti~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 86, 109.
+ “~Fra due Litiganti~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 86, 109.
~France, King of~: Subscribes for Mass in D and strikes
medal, III, 99, 105, 230.
@@ -16810,13 +16773,13 @@ General Index
~Frank, Madame.~ (See GERARDI.)
- ~Frankfort~: Cäcilien-Verein in, III, 104, 106, 111, 180.
+ ~Frankfort~: C√§cilien-Verein in, III, 104, 106, 111, 180.
~Franz (Francis)~, Emperor of Austria: I, 214; III, 296.
~Franzensbrunn~: II, 223.
- “~Frascatana, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
+ “~Frascatana, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
~Frederick II~, King of Prussia: I, 195;
reputed father of B., III, 214.
@@ -16826,31 +16789,31 @@ General Index
~Frederick William III~, King of Prussia: I, 194, 195, 205.
- “~Freischütz, Der~”: Opera by Weber, III, 121, 135.
+ “~Freischütz, Der~”: Opera by Weber, III, 121, 135.
~Freudenberg, Karl Gottfried~: Visits B., III, 202.
~Freund, Philip~: Variation, I, 300.
- “~Freundschaft auf der Probe~” (“L’Amitié á l’Épreuve”): Opera
- by Grétry, I, 131.
+ “~Freundschaft auf der Probe~” (“L’Amitié á l’Épreuve”): Opera
+ by Grétry, I, 131.
- ~Friedelberg~: I, 199; “Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir,” 200.
+ ~Friedelberg~: I, 199; “Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir,” 200.
~Friedlowsky~, Clarinettist; I, 329.
~Fries, Count Moritz~: I, 172;
dedication of Violin Sonatas, 290;
Quintet Op, 29, 294;
- collects funds for Bach’s daughter, 308.
+ collects funds for Bach’s daughter, 308.
- ~Frimmel~: “Beethoven Jahrbuch,” I, 255;
- “Beethoven’s Wohnungen,” 269;
+ ~Frimmel~: “Beethoven Jahrbuch,” I, 255;
+ “Beethoven’s Wohnungen,” 269;
on the Bagatelles, 362, 337;
- on Beethoven’s portraits, II, 15.
+ on Beethoven’s portraits, II, 15.
- ~Fritzieri (Fridzeri, Frizer)~: Opera “Die seidenen
- Schuhe,” I, 32, 86.
+ ~Fritzieri (Fridzeri, Frizer)~: Opera “Die seidenen
+ Schuhe,” I, 32, 86.
~Fry, William Henry~, American critic: II, 358.
@@ -16859,19 +16822,19 @@ General Index
owner of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
solo singer in Troppau, II, 208, 368.
- ~Fuchs~: “Battle of Jena” arranged for two flutes, II, 252.
+ ~Fuchs~: “Battle of Jena” arranged for two flutes, II, 252.
~Fugger, Countess~: Favorite of Elector Joseph Clemens, I, 3.
- ~Fugues~: B’s opinion on, II, 289.
+ ~Fugues~: B’s opinion on, II, 289.
- ~Fürstenberg, Cardinal~: I, 3;
+ ~Fürstenberg, Cardinal~: I, 3;
his government of the Electorate, 5;
political vicissitudes, 5, 14.
- ~Fuss, Johann~: Opera “Romulus and Remus,” II, 304.
+ ~Fuss, Johann~: Opera “Romulus and Remus,” II, 304.
- ~Fux, Joseph~: “Gradus ad Parnassum,” I, 158, 159.
+ ~Fux, Joseph~: “Gradus ad Parnassum,” I, 158, 159.
~Galitzin, Prince George~: III, 230.
@@ -16889,73 +16852,73 @@ General Index
~Gallenberg, Count~: Son of Countess Guicciardi, I, 340.
- ~Galuppi~: Operas “Il Filosofo di Campagna,” I, 25;
- “La Calamità di Cuori,” 26;
- “Tre Amanti ridicoli,” 27.
+ ~Galuppi~: Operas “Il Filosofo di Campagna,” I, 25;
+ “La Calamità di Cuori,” 26;
+ “Tre Amanti ridicoli,” 27.
- ~Gänsbacher~: On Vogler’s playing, II, 15;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ ~Gänsbacher~: On Vogler’s playing, II, 15;
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
- ~Gardiner, William~: “Italy, Her Arts, etc.,” I, 131;
+ ~Gardiner, William~: “Italy, Her Arts, etc.,” I, 131;
on the Trios Op. 3, 135;
- “Sacred Melodies,” III, 40;
+ “Sacred Melodies,” III, 40;
offers B. 100 guineas for an overture, 40.
- ~Garzia, Francesco~: “Schiava finta,” I, 26.
+ ~Garzia, Francesco~: “Schiava finta,” I, 26.
- ~Gassmann~: Opera “Die Liebe unter den Handwerkern” (“L’Amore
- artigiano”), I, 31, 46.
+ ~Gassmann~: Opera “Die Liebe unter den Handwerkern” (“L’Amore
+ artigiano”), I, 31, 46.
~Gassner~: His projected biography of B., III, 198.
- ~Gaveaux~: “Léonore, ou l’Amour conjugal,” II, 35, 36;
- “L’Amour filial,” 37;
- “Le petit Matelot,” 36.
+ ~Gaveaux~: “Léonore, ou l’Amour conjugal,” II, 35, 36;
+ “L’Amour filial,” 37;
+ “Le petit Matelot,” 36.
- ~Gazanello~: Pupil of B’s father, I, 49.
+ ~Gazanello~: Pupil of B’s father, I, 49.
- “~Geitzigen in der Falle, Die~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
+ “~Geitzigen in der Falle, Die~”: Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
- ~Gelinek, Abbé Joseph~: Recommends B. to Schenk, I, 152;
+ ~Gelinek, Abbé Joseph~: Recommends B. to Schenk, I, 152;
his hatred of B., 152;
- Czerny’s anecdote, 152;
- on B’s sketchbooks, 257.
+ Czerny’s anecdote, 152;
+ on B’s sketchbooks, 257.
- “~Gelosie villane, Le~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 32.
+ “~Gelosie villane, Le~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 32.
- “~Geloso in Cimento, II~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
+ “~Geloso in Cimento, II~”: Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
~Genney, Countess von~: II, 367.
~George IV~, King of England (see PRINCE REGENT): II, 11;
- B’s address to, III, 112, 113.
+ B’s address to, III, 112, 113.
~Gerardi, Christine von~, Amateur singer: I, 243;
marries Joseph Frank, 243, 282;
letter to, 283; II, 3.
- ~Gesellschaft der bildenden Künstler~: I, 182, 202.
+ ~Gesellschaft der bildenden Künstler~: I, 182, 202.
~Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde~: I, 136, 203, 225, 230, 315; II, 15;
commissions B. to write an oratorio, 325, 330, 397; III, 15,
172 _et seq._; 175, 216;
elects B. Hon. Mem., 175, 212.
- “~Giafar~”: Opera-book projected for B., II, 205.
+ “~Giafar~”: Opera-book projected for B., II, 205.
- ~Giannatasio, Cajetan del Rio~: B’s Nephew in his care, 331 _et seq._;
+ ~Giannatasio, Cajetan del Rio~: B’s Nephew in his care, 331 _et seq._;
letters, 332, 349;
B. authorizes him to punish his ward, 373, 338, 392, 402, 410;
a wedding hymn, III, 13.
- ~Giannatasio, Fanny~: On Archduke Rudolph as B’s pupil, II, 80;
+ ~Giannatasio, Fanny~: On Archduke Rudolph as B’s pupil, II, 80;
her diary, 341, 361, 403; III, 2, 50.
- “~Gioas, Re di Giuda~”: Oratorio by Caldara, I, 184.
+ “~Gioas, Re di Giuda~”: Oratorio by Caldara, I, 184.
~Girando, M. F. de~: I, 346.
- ~Gläser, Franz~: III, 81.
+ ~Gl√§ser, Franz~: III, 81.
~Gleichenstein, Count Ignaz von~: I, 333;
becomes clerk in the War Department of Austria, II, 14, 89, 104;
@@ -16964,30 +16927,30 @@ General Index
~Gleimer, Claire von~: III, 84.
- ~Glöggl, Franz~: B’s visit to Linz, II, 230, 256.
+ ~Glöggl, Franz~: B’s visit to Linz, II, 230, 256.
- ~Gluck~: Operas “Die Pilgrimme von Mekka,” I, 32, 108;
- “Alceste,” I, 86;
- “Orfeo,” 86;
- “Iphigenia in Tauris,” 315; II, 119.
+ ~Gluck~: Operas “Die Pilgrimme von Mekka,” I, 32, 108;
+ “Alceste,” I, 86;
+ “Orfeo,” 86;
+ “Iphigenia in Tauris,” 315; II, 119.
~Gneixendorf~: Johann v. B. buys estate near, III, 19.
(See LODGINGS and JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN.)
- “~God save the King~” (see INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS): II, 252, 310;
+ “~God save the King~” (see INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS): II, 252, 310;
Karl translates stanza for B., III, 209.
- ~Goethe~: B’s admiration for his poetry, I, 254; II, 147.
- --Vol. II: “Faust,” 119;
- “Egmont,” 153 (see COMPOSITIONS);
- “Israel in der Wüste,” 167;
- “West-Östliches Divan,” 167;
- “Wilhelm Meister,” 176;
+ ~Goethe~: B’s admiration for his poetry, I, 254; II, 147.
+ --Vol. II: “Faust,” 119;
+ “Egmont,” 153 (see COMPOSITIONS);
+ “Israel in der Wüste,” 167;
+ “West-Östliches Divan,” 167;
+ “Wilhelm Meister,” 176;
letter from Bettina von Arnim, 178;
letter to Bettina, 186, 189;
asks for songs composed by B., 189;
letter from Bettina, 190;
- B’s admiration, 194;
+ B’s admiration, 194;
letter from B., 197;
letter to B., 197;
at Teplitz, 222 _et seq._;
@@ -16996,18 +16959,18 @@ General Index
describes B., 224;
rebuked by B. for his deference to royalty, 224, 226, 227;
the meeting at Teplitz, 226.
- --Vol. III. B’s account to Rochlitz of his meeting, 75;
- “Faust” music, 75, 220;
+ --Vol. III. B’s account to Rochlitz of his meeting, 75;
+ “Faust” music, 75, 220;
asked by B. to get subscription of Grand Duke of Weimar, 98, 104;
his taste in music, 99.
~Gossec~: I, 86.
- “~Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser~”: I, 200; III, 84.
+ “~Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser~”: I, 200; III, 84.
~Gottwaldt~, Chamber Music Director at Bonn: II, 11, 12.
- “~Graf Armand.~” (See LES DEUX JOURNÉES.)
+ “~Graf Armand.~” (See LES DEUX JOURNÉES.)
~Grahame~, Scottish poet: His tribute to B., II, 290.
@@ -17018,35 +16981,35 @@ General Index
~Gratz~: B. sends music for Ursulines, II, 214, 246 _et seq._;
Musik-Verein at, elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 72.
- ~Graun~: His “Tod Jesu,” II, 89;
- B’s judgment on a fugue, 89.
+ ~Graun~: His “Tod Jesu,” II, 89;
+ B’s judgment on a fugue, 89.
- “~Great Mogul~”: Haydn’s designation of B., I, 248.
+ “~Great Mogul~”: Haydn’s designation of B., I, 248.
~Greiner, Michael~, Tenor: III, 81.
- ~Grétry~: Operas “Silvain,” I, 86;
- “L’Amant jaloux,” 31, 107;
- “L’Ami de la Maison,” 31, 86;
- “L’Amitié à l’Épreuve,” 31;
- “Lucille,” 31, 86;
- “Mariage des Samnites,” 31;
- “Eraste et Lucinde,” 31;
- “Zémire et Azor,” 32, 86;
- “Les Évènements imprévus,” 32;
- “Le Magnifique,” 86;
- “L’Amant jaloux,” “La fausse Magie,” 107;
- “Richard, Cœur de Lion,” 226, 305.
-
- ~Griesinger~: “Biographische Notizen über Joseph Haydn,”
+ ~Grétry~: Operas “Silvain,” I, 86;
+ “L’Amant jaloux,” 31, 107;
+ “L’Ami de la Maison,” 31, 86;
+ “L’Amitié à l’Épreuve,” 31;
+ “Lucille,” 31, 86;
+ “Mariage des Samnites,” 31;
+ “Eraste et Lucinde,” 31;
+ “Zémire et Azor,” 32, 86;
+ “Les Évènements imprévus,” 32;
+ “Le Magnifique,” 86;
+ “L’Amant jaloux,” “La fausse Magie,” 107;
+ “Richard, Cœur de Lion,” 226, 305.
+
+ ~Griesinger~: “Biographische Notizen über Joseph Haydn,”
I, 249; III, 73, 76.
~Grillparzer~: I, 270;
- on B’s dress, 322; III, 117;
- “Dragomira,” 118, 122;
- “Ottokar,” 121;
- “Melusine,” 118 _et seq._; 135, 220;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312;
+ on B’s dress, 322; III, 117;
+ “Dragomira,” 118, 122;
+ “Ottokar,” 121;
+ “Melusine,” 118 _et seq._; 135, 220;
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312;
writes funeral oration, 312;
mother of the poet, I, 270.
@@ -17058,7 +17021,7 @@ General Index
~Grossmann and Helmuth~: I, 35, 36, 63, 69.
- “~Grotta di Trofonio, La~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
+ “~Grotta di Trofonio, La~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
~Grove, Sir George~: I, x, xii, xiii, xv, 336; II, 122.
@@ -17066,7 +17029,7 @@ General Index
~Gudenau, Baron von~: I, 88.
- ~Guglielmo~: Opera “Robert und Callista,” I, 31, 109.
+ ~Guglielmo~: Opera “Robert und Callista,” I, 31, 109.
~Guicciardi, Countess Giulietta~: I, 243, 244;
dedication of the Sonata in C-sharp minor, 292, 322, 370;
@@ -17076,51 +17039,51 @@ General Index
her portrait, 355, 341;
the Rondo in G, 370;
Vol. II: 47, 106.
- (See “LOVE AFFAIRS,” under “B., L. v.”)
+ (See “LOVE AFFAIRS,” under “B., L. v.”)
- “~Günther von Schwarzburg~”: Opera by Holzbauer, I, 31, 86.
+ “~Günther von Schwarzburg~”: Opera by Holzbauer, I, 31, 86.
- “~Gute Nachricht~”: Drama by Treitschke, II, 268, 270, 277, 317.
+ “~Gute Nachricht~”: Drama by Treitschke, II, 268, 270, 277, 317.
~Gyrowetz~: Respected by B., I, 241;
on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
~Habich~, Dancing-master: I, 133.
~Hagen, J. A. Freiherr von~: I, 29;
- “Wir haben Ihn wieder,” 31.
+ “Wir haben Ihn wieder,” 31.
- ~Hahn, Christine Elizabeth~: Wife of Bürger, II, 141.
+ ~Hahn, Christine Elizabeth~: Wife of Bürger, II, 141.
~Haitzinger, Singer~: III, 83.
- ~Hale, Philip~: On the “Immortal Beloved,” I, 346.
+ ~Hale, Philip~: On the “Immortal Beloved,” I, 346.
~Halm, Anton~, Pianist: II, 326, 388;
arranges Fugue in B-flat, III, 223.
- “~Hammerklavier~”: II, 364.
+ “~Hammerklavier~”: II, 364.
~Hammer-Purgstall~: Book of an oratorio, II, 118;
influence on B., 167.
~Handel~: I, 13;
duel with Matthison, 72, 85;
- “Judas Maccabæus,” 202, 205.
+ “Judas Maccabæus,” 202, 205.
--Vol. II. Commemoration of, 12;
- “Messiah,” 12, 310, 312;
- B’s admiration for, 89;
- “Acis and Galatea,” 209, 171;
- “Timotheus,” 216;
- “Samson,” 359;
- “Belshazzar,” 359.
- --Vol. III. B. on “Messiah,” 135;
- “Alexander’s Feast,” 182;
- B’s estimate, 182;
+ “Messiah,” 12, 310, 312;
+ B’s admiration for, 89;
+ “Acis and Galatea,” 209, 171;
+ “Timotheus,” 216;
+ “Samson,” 359;
+ “Belshazzar,” 359.
+ --Vol. III. B. on “Messiah,” 135;
+ “Alexander’s Feast,” 182;
+ B’s estimate, 182;
on his trumpets, 208;
- “Saul,” 219;
+ “Saul,” 219;
gift of his scores to B., 277, 288, 289, 294, 296.
~Handel and Haydn Society of Boston~: Commissions B. to write
@@ -17128,36 +17091,36 @@ General Index
~Hanslick, Dr. Eduard~: Makes known the discovery of the Bonn
cantatas, I, 130;
- “Geschichte des Concertwesens in Wien,” 223.
+ “Geschichte des Concertwesens in Wien,” 223.
~Hardenburg, von~, Prussian Chancellor: II, 302.
- ~Häring~, Banker and amateur musician: I, 236; II, 112.
+ ~H√§ring~, Banker and amateur musician: I, 236; II, 112.
~Harrach, Count~: I, 172.
- ~Härtel, G. C.~: B. sends a letter of condolence, II, 200.
+ ~H√§rtel, G. C.~: B. sends a letter of condolence, II, 200.
~Hartl, Joseph~, Director of Court Theatres: II, 127;
resignation, 201.
~Haslinger, Tobias~, Music publisher: II, 279;
- “Ideal einer Schlacht,” 279;
+ “Ideal einer Schlacht,” 279;
Canon on, III, 43, 44, 137, 169;
B. attempts a joke on him, 190;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Hatzfeld, Countess~: I, 16, 37, 139.
~Hatzfeld, Prince~: III, 94.
- ~Hauschka~: “Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser,” I, 200.
+ ~Hauschka~: “Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser,” I, 200.
- “~Hausfreund, Der~” (“L’Ami de la Maison”): Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
+ “~Hausfreund, Der~” (“L’Ami de la Maison”): Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
~Hausmann~: Music lover in Berlin, I, xii.
- ~Häussler’sche Gesellschaft~: Theatre in Bonn, I, 112.
+ ~Häussler’sche Gesellschaft~: Theatre in Bonn, I, 112.
~Haveckas, Ernest~: I, 12.
@@ -17170,42 +17133,42 @@ General Index
B. shows him a cantata, 116;
B. proposed as his pupil, 123;
plans to take B. to London, 125;
- B’s introduction to, 140;
+ B’s introduction to, 140;
gives B. lessons, 150 _et seq._;
- B’s disparagement of him as a teacher, 152;
+ B’s disparagement of him as a teacher, 152;
rupture between the two, 155, 189;
his imitative music, 171;
- “The Seasons,” 171;
+ “The Seasons,” 171;
his judgment on the Trios Op. 1, 175;
dedication of the Sonata Op. 2, 186;
B. plays at his concert, 188;
writes dances for Ridotto Room, 188;
the Austrian National Hymn, 200;
- “Seven Last Words,” 214;
- “The Creation,” 243, 266, 284, 285;
- Griesinger’s biography, 249;
- Koželuch, 271;
- on B’s “Prometheus,” 285.
- --Vol. II: Said to have been Bridgetower’s teacher, 11;
+ “Seven Last Words,” 214;
+ “The Creation,” 243, 266, 284, 285;
+ Griesinger’s biography, 249;
+ Koželuch, 271;
+ on B’s “Prometheus,” 285.
+ --Vol. II: Said to have been Bridgetower’s teacher, 11;
the Salomon concerts, 12;
comment on Anna Milder, 49;
his settings of Scotch songs, 70;
Marie Bigot, 89;
- “The Creation” performed at birthday concert, 116, 126;
- “Ritorno di Tobia,” 131;
+ “The Creation” performed at birthday concert, 116, 126;
+ “Ritorno di Tobia,” 131;
Scotch songs for Thomson, 219, 416.
- --Vol. III: Mass “In tempore belli,” 92;
+ --Vol. III: Mass “In tempore belli,” 92;
picture of his birthplace shown to B. on his death-bed, 302.
~Heckermann~, Fanny: III, 81.
- “~Heilige Grab, Das~”: Oratorio by Paër, II, 2.
+ “~Heilige Grab, Das~”: Oratorio by Paër, II, 2.
~Heiligenstadt Will~: I, 339, 351 _et seq._; II, 164.
~Heim, Johann, Th.~: II, 8.
- “~Heinrich und Lyda~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
+ “~Heinrich und Lyda~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
~Heller, Ferdinand~: I, 87.
@@ -17219,7 +17182,7 @@ General Index
~Hennes~: Sees B. as child weeping at pianoforte, I, 58.
- ~Hensel, Fanny~: On the overture “Leonore No. I,” II, 59.
+ ~Hensel, Fanny~: On the overture “Leonore No. I,” II, 59.
~Hensler, Carl Friedrich~: III, 64, 79, 82.
@@ -17227,9 +17190,9 @@ General Index
~Herder~: II, 167, 193.
- “~Hermann von Staufen~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
+ “~Hermann von Staufen~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
- “~Hermann von Unna~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
+ “~Hermann von Unna~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
~Herzog~, Man and Wife, servants of B: II, 156.
@@ -17240,24 +17203,24 @@ General Index
~Hesse-Darmstadt~: Grand Duke of, and the Mass in D, III, 97, 106.
- “~Hieronymus Knicker~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109.
+ “~Hieronymus Knicker~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109.
- ~Hiller, Ferdinand~: Gives Rossini’s account of his meeting
+ ~Hiller, Ferdinand~: Gives Rossini’s account of his meeting
with B., III, 78;
- his account of Hummel’s visit to B’s death-bed, 301 _et seq._
+ his account of Hummel’s visit to B’s death-bed, 301 _et seq._
- ~Hiller, J. A.~: Operas “Die Jagd,” I, 32;
- “Der Ärndetanz,” 32;
- “Dorfbarbier,” 36;
- “Wöchentliche Nachrichten,” 35.
+ ~Hiller, J. A.~: Operas “Die Jagd,” I, 32;
+ “Der Ärndetanz,” 32;
+ “Dorfbarbier,” 36;
+ “Wöchentliche Nachrichten,” 35.
~Himmel, F. H.~: Intercourse with B. in Berlin, I, 196.
~Hofdemel, Mme.~: B. refuses to play for her because of a
scandal, I, 254.
- ~Höfel, Blasius~: Engraves Latronne’s crayon portrait of B., II, 287;
- his story of B’s arrest as a tramp, III, 42.
+ ~Höfel, Blasius~: Engraves Latronne’s crayon portrait of B., II, 287;
+ his story of B’s arrest as a tramp, III, 42.
~Hoffmann, E. T. A~: On the C minor Symphony, I, 307; II, 186;
the canon on the name, III, 34.
@@ -17268,15 +17231,15 @@ General Index
~Hoffmeister, Franz Anton~: I, 271;
letter, 271.
- (See HOFFMEISTER AND KÜHNEL.)
+ (See HOFFMEISTER AND K√úHNEL.)
- ~Hoffmeister and Kühnel~: Origin of firm, I, 271;
+ ~Hoffmeister and Kühnel~: Origin of firm, I, 271;
letters, 281, 286, 294, 366, 370; III, 57;
publish the works of Bach, I, 303.
- “~Hofschmied, Der~”: Opera by Philidor, I, 29.
+ “~Hofschmied, Der~”: Opera by Philidor, I, 29.
- ~Hogarth, George~: “The Philharmonic Society of London,” III, 110.
+ ~Hogarth, George~: “The Philharmonic Society of London,” III, 110.
~Hohenlohe, Princess Marie~: II, 392.
@@ -17285,8 +17248,8 @@ General Index
~Holz, Carl~: I, 269, 276;
and the bank stock, 326.
- --Vol. III: Becomes B’s factotum, 194 _et seq._;
- B’s jests on his name, 196;
+ --Vol. III: Becomes B’s factotum, 194 _et seq._;
+ B’s jests on his name, 196;
authorized by B. to write his biography, 197;
insinuations against Schindler, 198;
letter from B., 216;
@@ -17298,100 +17261,100 @@ General Index
collects last annuity payment, 295;
torchbearer at the funeral, 312.
- ~Holzbauer~: Opera “Günther von Schwarzburg,” I, 31, 86.
+ ~Holzbauer~: Opera “Günther von Schwarzburg,” I, 31, 86.
~Homer~: Admiration felt for by B., I, 147.
- ~Hönig~: Singer in “Fidelio,” II, 278.
+ ~Hönig~: Singer in “Fidelio,” II, 278.
- ~Honrath, Jeannette d’~: I, 120, 122; III, 288.
+ ~Honrath, Jeannette d’~: I, 120, 122; III, 288.
~Horsalka, Johann~: III, 15, 42.
~Hotschevar, Jacob~: I, 351; II, 401, 405;
- guardian of B’s nephew, III, 292.
+ guardian of B’s nephew, III, 292.
~Hradezky~, Horn-player: I, 239.
~Huber, Franz Xaver~: I, 289; II, 7.
- ~Hummel, Elizabeth~: On B’s admiration for women, II, 181.
+ ~Hummel, Elizabeth~: On B’s admiration for women, II, 181.
- ~Hummel, Johann Nepomuk~: Mozart’s pupil, I, 91;
+ ~Hummel, Johann Nepomuk~: Mozart’s pupil, I, 91;
sketch of 240;
letters from B., 240, 274, 267;
his falling-out with B., II, 108 _et seq._;
- his wife a sister of Röckel, 142;
- in performance of “Wellington’s Victory,” 262;
- begins Pf. score of “Fidelio,” 283;
+ his wife a sister of Röckel, 142;
+ in performance of “Wellington’s Victory,” 262;
+ begins Pf. score of “Fidelio,” 283;
canon for his album, 338; III, 290;
- at B’s death-bed, 301;
+ at B’s death-bed, 301;
improvises at concert, 302;
pallbearer at funeral, 312.
~Hungary~: Visited by B. in 1809, II, 154.
- ~Hüttenbrenner, Anselm~: Visited by Thayer I, x;
- report of Salieri’s remarks on “Fidelio,” II, 64, 355;
- overture to Schiller’s “Robbers,” 355;
- his account of B’s death, III, 300, 306, 307 _et seq._
+ ~Hüttenbrenner, Anselm~: Visited by Thayer I, x;
+ report of Salieri’s remarks on “Fidelio,” II, 64, 355;
+ overture to Schiller’s “Robbers,” 355;
+ his account of B’s death, III, 300, 306, 307 _et seq._
- ~Hüttenbrenner, Joseph~: III, 79, 166.
+ ~Hüttenbrenner, Joseph~: III, 79, 166.
- “~Idomeneus~”: Opera by Mozart, II, 101.
+ “~Idomeneus~”: Opera by Mozart, II, 101.
~Iken, Dr. Karl~: A programme for the Seventh Symphony, III, 37.
~Imitative Music~: II, 120.
- “~Immortal Beloved, The~”: I, xvi.
+ “~Immortal Beloved, The~”: I, xvi.
(See LOVE AFFAIRS, etc.)
- “~Improvvisata (L’) o sia la Galanteria disturbata~”: Opera
+ “~Improvvisata (L’) o sia la Galanteria disturbata~”: Opera
by Lucchesi, I, 27.
- “~Incognito, L’~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 86.
+ “~Incognito, L’~”: Opera by Sarti, I, 86.
- “~Inganno scoperto, L’~”: Opera by Lucchesi, I, 27, 47.
+ “~Inganno scoperto, L’~”: Opera by Lucchesi, I, 27, 47.
~Instruments~ owned by B.: I, 276.
- “~Iphigenia in Tauris~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 315; II, 119.
+ “~Iphigenia in Tauris~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 315; II, 119.
- “~Isola d’Amore, L’~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
+ “~Isola d’Amore, L’~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
- “~Israel in the Wilderness~”: Oratorio by C. P. E. Bach, II. 388.
+ “~Israel in the Wilderness~”: Oratorio by C. P. E. Bach, II. 388.
- “~Italiana in Londra, L’~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 32.
+ “~Italiana in Londra, L’~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 32.
~Italy~: B. projects journey to, II, 202.
~Jacobs, Jacob~: I, 42.
- ~Jadin~: “Battle of Austerlitz,” II, 252.
+ ~Jadin~: “Battle of Austerlitz,” II, 252.
- “~Jagd, Die~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 31.
+ “~Jagd, Die~”: Opera by Hiller, I, 31.
- “~Jäger und das Waldmädchen, Der~”: Opera by Duni, I, 29.
+ “~Jäger und das Waldmädchen, Der~”: Opera by Duni, I, 29.
~Jahn, Otto~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 63, 85;
- his account of B’s visit to Mozart, 90, 153, 171, 329;
- on Countess Guicciardi’s marriage, 321;
+ his account of B’s visit to Mozart, 90, 153, 171, 329;
+ on Countess Guicciardi’s marriage, 321;
interview with the Countess, 322;
examines love-letter, 328;
- his edition of “Fidelio,” II, 45, 285;
+ his edition of “Fidelio,” II, 45, 285;
note on the compositions sold to Clementi, 104;
his opinion on Schindler as biographer, 376.
- ~Jeitteles, Alois~: “An die ferne Geliebte,” II, 243.
+ ~Jeitteles, Alois~: “An die ferne Geliebte,” II, 243.
~Joachim, Joseph~: I, xii.
~Joseph Clemens,~ Elector of Cologne: I, 1, 3 _et seq._;
his favorites, 3;
- consecrated by Fénelon, 3, 6;
+ consecrated by Fénelon, 3, 6;
a unique composer, 4;
his music-chapel, 5;
sides with Louis IV in war, 5;
@@ -17406,28 +17369,28 @@ General Index
~Josephstadt Theatre~: Opening of, II, 81.
- “~Judah~”: Oratorio by Gardiner, III, 40.
+ “~Judah~”: Oratorio by Gardiner, III, 40.
- “~Judas Maccabæus~”: Oratorio by Handel, I, 202, 205.
+ “~Judas Maccabæus~”: Oratorio by Handel, I, 202, 205.
- “~Julie~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 29, 107.
+ “~Julie~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 29, 107.
- ~Junker, Carl Ludwig~: Describes B’s Pf. playing, I, 114.
+ ~Junker, Carl Ludwig~: Describes B’s Pf. playing, I, 114.
~Kafka, J. N.~: His sketchbook, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261, 362.
- ~Kaiser, Fräulein~, Singer: III, 81.
+ ~Kaiser, Fr√§ulein~, Singer: III, 81.
~Kalischer, Dr. A. C.~: I, 235;
- his collection of B’s letters, 255, 278, 293;
- and the “Immortal Beloved,” 336, 337.
+ his collection of B’s letters, 255, 278, 293;
+ and the “Immortal Beloved,” 336, 337.
~Kanka~, Councillor: I, 194, 195.
~Kanka, Jeannette~: I, 195.
- ~Kanka, Dr. Johann~: Effects compromise with Kinsky’s heirs,
+ ~Kanka, Dr. Johann~: Effects compromise with Kinsky’s heirs,
II, 288, 353.
~Kanne, Friedrich August~: II, 358; III, 117, 176.
@@ -17439,28 +17402,28 @@ General Index
~Karl, Duke of Lorraine~, Archduke of Austria: I, 77, 288; II, 12.
- ~Karlsbad~: B’s visit to, II, 223.
+ ~Karlsbad~: B’s visit to, II, 223.
~Karth, Frau~: I, 75, 103, 117, 119;
- description of B’s brothers, 358.
+ description of B’s brothers, 358.
- ~Kastner, Emil~: His estimate of B’s letters, I, 255.
+ ~Kastner, Emil~: His estimate of B’s letters, I, 255.
- ~Kaufmännischer Verein~ of Vienna: Elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 21.
+ ~Kaufm√§nnischer Verein~ of Vienna: Elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 21.
- “~Kaufmann von Smyrna, Der~”: Opera by Juste, I, 32.
+ “~Kaufmann von Smyrna, Der~”: Opera by Juste, I, 32.
~Kayser, Joseph~, Instrument maker: I, 10.
~Kees, von~, Court Councillor: I, 166, 170.
- ~Keglevich, Countess “Babette”~: I, 209, 227, 245;
- said to have been one of B’s loves, 318;
+ ~Keglevich, Countess “Babette”~: I, 209, 227, 245;
+ said to have been one of B’s loves, 318;
dedication to her, 318.
~Keglevich de Busin, Count Karl~: I, 245.
- “~Kein Dienst bleibt unbelohnt~”: Opera, I, 108.
+ “~Kein Dienst bleibt unbelohnt~”: Opera, I, 108.
~Kerich, Abraham~, ~Helene~ (Mme. von Breuning), and
~Stephen~: I, 98, 99, 101.
@@ -17472,7 +17435,7 @@ General Index
~Kiesewetter, R. G.~: I, 230.
- ~Kilitzky, Fräulein~: II, 129.
+ ~Kilitzky, Fr√§ulein~: II, 129.
~Kinsky, Prince Ferdinand~: I, 170, 172; II, 113;
subscribes in the Annuity Contract, 139, 146;
@@ -17490,13 +17453,13 @@ General Index
~Kirnberger~: I, 159.
- ~Klein, Prof.~: Makes mask of B’s face, II, 221; III, 311.
+ ~Klein, Prof.~: Makes mask of B’s face, II, 221; III, 311.
- ~Klingemann~: His drama “Moses,” II, 297.
+ ~Klingemann~: His drama “Moses,” II, 297.
- ~Klober, August von~: Paints B’s portrait, II, 399.
+ ~Klober, August von~: Paints B’s portrait, II, 399.
- ~Klopstock~: B’s admiration for his poetry, I, 254; III, 75.
+ ~Klopstock~: B’s admiration for his poetry, I, 254; III, 75.
~Klos Theatrical Troupe~: I, 105.
@@ -17504,40 +17467,40 @@ General Index
~Kobler Family~: I, 285.
- ~Koch, Barbara~ (“Babette”): I, 117, 118, 178.
+ ~Koch, Barbara~ (“Babette”): I, 117, 118, 178.
~Koch, Friar Willibald~: Gives organ lessons to B., I, 64.
- ~Köchel~: Collection of B’s letters, II, 248.
+ ~Köchel~: Collection of B’s letters, II, 248.
- ~Koczwara~: “Battle of Prague,” II, 252.
+ ~Koczwara~: “Battle of Prague,” II, 252.
- “~König Axur~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 109.
+ “~König Axur~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 109.
- “~König von Venedig~” (“Il Re Teodoro”): Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
+ “~König von Venedig~” (“Il Re Teodoro”): Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
- ~Könneritz, von~: The Mass in D, III, 96, 97, 130.
+ ~Könneritz, von~: The Mass in D, III, 96, 97, 130.
~Kopfermann, Albert~: I, 280.
- ~Körner, Theodor~: On failure of the E-flat Concerto, II, 215.
+ ~Körner, Theodor~: On failure of the E-flat Concerto, II, 215.
~Koschak, Marie~: I, 318.
- ~Köster-Schlegel~, Singer: III, 85.
+ ~Köster-Schlegel~, Singer: III, 85.
- ~Kotzebue~: Founds “Der Freymüthige,” II, 1;
+ ~Kotzebue~: Founds “Der Freymüthige,” II, 1;
account of music in Vienna, 1;
- “Der Leibkutscher Peters III.” 1;
- “Ruinen von Athen,” 161, 201;
+ “Der Leibkutscher Peters III.” 1;
+ “Ruinen von Athen,” 161, 201;
B. asks him for opera-book, 213.
- ~Koželuch, Leopold~: I, 172;
+ ~Koželuch, Leopold~: I, 172;
dances for the Ridotto, 188;
on the Trio in C minor, 271;
Haydn, 271;
- and Thomson’s songs, II, 70;
- B’s “Miserabilis,” 219;
+ and Thomson’s songs, II, 70;
+ B’s “Miserabilis,” 219;
Scotch airs for Thomson, 200.
~Kraft, Anton~: I, 170;
@@ -17545,19 +17508,19 @@ General Index
~Krasinsky, Rochus~: II, 270.
- ~Krehbiel, H. E.~: Undertakes English version of Thayer’s
+ ~Krehbiel, H. E.~: Undertakes English version of Thayer’s
biography, I, viii, xiii;
use of original manuscript, viii;
communications with Thayer and Deiters, viii;
his procedure, xv;
on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- “The Pianoforte and its Music,” 292;
- defense of Thayer’s hypothesis concerning the
- “Immortal Beloved,” 317;
+ “The Pianoforte and its Music,” 292;
+ defense of Thayer’s hypothesis concerning the
+ “Immortal Beloved,” 317;
on the love-letter, 336 _et seq._;
- “Music and Manners in the Classical Period,”
+ “Music and Manners in the Classical Period,”
II, 11; III, 307;
- on the overtures to “Fidelio,” II, 59.
+ on the overtures to “Fidelio,” II, 59.
~Kreissle, Heinrich von~: III, 79.
@@ -17565,20 +17528,20 @@ General Index
~Krenn~, Music Director: II, 369.
- ~Kretschmer~: “Deutsche Volkslieder,” I, 278.
+ ~Kretschmer~: “Deutsche Volkslieder,” I, 278.
~Kreutzer, Conradin~: III, 166;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Kreutzer, Rudolph~: II, 9, 21.
- ~Kriehuber~: Imitates Decker’s portrait of B., III, 176.
+ ~Kriehuber~: Imitates Decker’s portrait of B., III, 176.
- ~Krupp~: Court Councillor, on B’s boyhood, I, 61.
+ ~Krupp~: Court Councillor, on B’s boyhood, I, 61.
- ~Küchler, Johann~: Opera “A alia,” I, 32.
+ ~Küchler, Johann~: Opera “A alia,” I, 32.
- ~Kudlich, Joseph~: Tutor of B’s nephew, III, 4.
+ ~Kudlich, Joseph~: Tutor of B’s nephew, III, 4.
~Kuenberg, Countess~: I, 340.
@@ -17588,7 +17551,7 @@ General Index
~Kuhlau, Friedrich~: Visit to B, III, 204.
- ~Künstler-Pensions-Institut~: I, 211.
+ ~Künstler-Pensions-Institut~: I, 211.
~Kurzbeck, Mme.~, Amateur pianist: II, 2.
@@ -17603,41 +17566,41 @@ General Index
~Lalande~: III, 77.
~La Mara (Marie Lipsius)~: I, 292, 336;
- letter from Thayer on the “Immortal Beloved,” I, 339;
+ letter from Thayer on the “Immortal Beloved,” I, 339;
her book, 339;
- “Classisches und Romantisches aus der Tonwelt,” 338; II, 203.
+ “Classisches und Romantisches aus der Tonwelt,” 338; II, 203.
~Landsberger~: Sketches, II, 73.
~Landshut University~: III, 4.
- ~Languider, Karoline~: On B’s love-affairs, I, 341.
+ ~Languider, Karoline~: On B’s love-affairs, I, 341.
- ~Latilla~: Opera “La Pastorella al Soglio,” I, 26.
+ ~Latilla~: Opera “La Pastorella al Soglio,” I, 26.
~Latronne~: Makes crayon portrait of B., II, 287.
- ~Laym, Maria Magdalena (or Leym)~: B’s mother.
+ ~Laym, Maria Magdalena (or Leym)~: B’s mother.
(See BEETHOVEN, JOHANN VAN.)
~Lebewohl~ and ~Adieu~: Differentiated by B., II, 207.
~Ledermeyer~, Editor in Vienna: II, 359.
- ~Leipsic~: B’s intended visit to, I, 192, 198.
+ ~Leipsic~: B’s intended visit to, I, 192, 198.
- “~Leipsic Oxen~”: B’s term for critics, I, 282, 304.
+ “~Leipsic Oxen~”: B’s term for critics, I, 282, 304.
~Lentner, Mme.~, Court singer: I, 18, 19.
- ~Lenz~: Critical catalogue of B’s works, I, 272;
+ ~Lenz~: Critical catalogue of B’s works, I, 272;
on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75.
- “~Leonora~”: Opera by Paër, II, 35, 37.
+ “~Leonora~”: Opera by Paër, II, 35, 37.
- “~Leonore Prohaska~”: Drama by Duncker, II, 298.
+ “~Leonore Prohaska~”: Drama by Duncker, II, 298.
- “~Léonore, ou l’Amour conjugal~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 35, 36.
+ “~Léonore, ou l’Amour conjugal~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 35, 36.
~Leopold I~, Emperor of Germany: I, 5, 6.
@@ -17645,7 +17608,7 @@ General Index
~Levin, Rahel~: II, 204.
- “~Libussa~”: Opera-book by Bernard, III, 173.
+ “~Libussa~”: Opera-book by Bernard, III, 173.
~Lichnowsky, Prince Carl~: Takes B. into his lodgings,
I, 148, 168, 170;
@@ -17672,33 +17635,33 @@ General Index
~Lichnowsky, Count Moritz~: I, 213, 235;
dedication to, 369;
- story of Bonaparte and the “Eroica,” II, 24;
+ story of Bonaparte and the “Eroica,” II, 24;
letters from B., 262, 290;
marriage with an opera-singer, 291; III, 24;
on Johann van B., 67;
- B’s musical jest, 115;
- agrees to guarantee Grillparzer’s opera, 121, 158, 294.
+ B’s musical jest, 115;
+ agrees to guarantee Grillparzer’s opera, 121, 158, 294.
- “~Liebe unter den Handwerkern~” (“L’Amore artigiano”):
+ “~Liebe unter den Handwerkern~” (“L’Amore artigiano”):
Opera by Gassmann, I, 31.
~Liebich, Carl~: General Manager of Bohemian Theatres, II, 110.
~Liechtenstein, Baron Carl August~: I, 286, 304;
- “Bathmendi,” 304;
- “Die steinerne Braut,” 305; II, 2.
+ “Bathmendi,” 304;
+ “Die steinerne Braut,” 305; II, 2.
~Liechtenstein, Prince Johann Joseph~: I, 171, 244.
~Liechtenstein, Princess~: I, 244;
dedication to, 291.
- “~Lilla~”: Opera by Martini, I, 108, 109.
+ “~Lilla~”: Opera by Martini, I, 108, 109.
~Lincoln, Abraham~, President of the U. S.: appoints
Thayer Consul, I, x.
- ~Lind~: B’s tailor, II, 164.
+ ~Lind~: B’s tailor, II, 164.
~Lind-Goldschmid, Jenny~: Once owner of the Heiligenstadt
Will, I, 351.
@@ -17708,14 +17671,14 @@ General Index
~Linke~, Violoncellist: I, 174, 316; II, 124, 125, 316,
319, 337; III, 294, 312.
- ~Linz~: B’s visit to his brother at, I, 229.
+ ~Linz~: B’s visit to his brother at, I, 229.
~Lipsius.~ (See LA MARA.)
- “~Listige Bauernmädchen, Das~” (“La finta Giardiniera”):
+ “~Listige Bauernmädchen, Das~” (“La finta Giardiniera”):
Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
- ~Liszt, Franz~: Gets B’s Broadwood Pf., II, 392;
+ ~Liszt, Franz~: Gets B’s Broadwood Pf., II, 392;
is presented to B., III, 124;
the alleged kiss, 124.
@@ -17723,11 +17686,11 @@ General Index
amateur violinist, 169;
his orchestra, 239;
dedication of quartets, 276, 290;
- II, B’s epithet, “Lobkowitzian ass,” 51, 98;
+ II, B’s epithet, “Lobkowitzian ass,” 51, 98;
suggests engagement of B. at Court Theatres, 99;
- dedication of “Eroica,” 77, 110, 113;
+ dedication of “Eroica,” 77, 110, 113;
subscribes to annuity contract, 139, 146;
- dedication of “Harp” Quartet, 160;
+ dedication of “Harp” Quartet, 160;
dedication of Fifth Symphony, 162;
the Annuity Fund, 170, 172;
dedication of Quartet, Op. 74, 195;
@@ -17737,16 +17700,16 @@ General Index
ruined by theatrical management, 250;
the annuity obligation, 289;
settlement of, 306;
- B’s aspersions on his character, 307;
+ B’s aspersions on his character, 307;
cantata on his birthday, 354.
- “~Lodoïska~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
+ “~Lodoïska~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
~Lodron, Count~: II, 98.
~Loewe, Ludwig~: Actor for whom B. acts as love messenger, II, 205.
- ~London Musicians~: B’s appeal to, II, 273.
+ ~London Musicians~: B’s appeal to, II, 273.
~Longfellow, Henry W.~: II, 193.
@@ -17756,55 +17719,55 @@ General Index
~Lonsdale, Robert~: II, 319.
~Louis XVIII~, King of France: Subscribes for the Mass
- in D and strikes medal in B’s honor, III, 100.
+ in D and strikes medal in B’s honor, III, 100.
~Louis Ferdinand~, Prince of Prussia: Amateur musician
complimented by B., I, 196;
- and the “Eroica,” II, 26, 32, 302.
+ and the “Eroica,” II, 26, 32, 302.
~Lower Rhenish Festival~: III, 188.
- ~Lucchesi, Andrea~: Appointed successor to B’s grandfather, I, 22;
- “L’Inganno scoperto,” 27, 47;
- “Le Donne sempre donne,” 26;
- “Il Natale di Giove,” 26;
- “L’Improvvisata,” 27;
+ ~Lucchesi, Andrea~: Appointed successor to B’s grandfather, I, 22;
+ “L’Inganno scoperto,” 27, 47;
+ “Le Donne sempre donne,” 26;
+ “Il Natale di Giove,” 26;
+ “L’Improvvisata,” 27;
sketch of, 34, 71, 73, 74, 82.
- “~Lucille~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 86.
+ “~Lucille~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31, 86.
- “~Lügnerin aus Liebe~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 32.
+ “~Lügnerin aus Liebe~”: Opera by Salieri, I, 32.
~Luib, Ferdinand~: I, 269, 356.
~Lwoff~, Russian Privy Councillor: II, 75.
- “~Macbeth~”: Opera-book by Collin, II, 119, 151, 158;
+ “~Macbeth~”: Opera-book by Collin, II, 119, 151, 158;
another, III, 117.
~Macco, Alexander~: II, 18, 124.
~Macfarren, Natalie~: III, 231.
- “~Mädchen im Eichthale~” (“Maid of the Oaks”): Opera by
- d’Antoine, I, 32.
+ “~Mädchen im Eichthale~” (“Maid of the Oaks”): Opera by
+ d’Antoine, I, 32.
- “~Mädchen von Frascati, Das~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
+ “~Mädchen von Frascati, Das~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
- “~Magnifique, Le~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 86.
+ “~Magnifique, Le~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 86.
- ~Mähler, Willibrord Joseph~, Painter: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 146;
+ ~M√§hler, Willibrord Joseph~, Painter: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 146;
II, paints portrait of B., 15, 305;
- anecdote about “Fidelio,” 51;
+ anecdote about “Fidelio,” 51;
invited by B., 198.
- “~Maid of the Oaks~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 32.
+ “~Maid of the Oaks~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 32.
~Malfatti, Dr.~: II, 86, 141;
sends B. to Teplitz, 202, 280;
insulted by B., 345, 369;
- III, at B’s last illness, 274, 288;
+ III, at B’s last illness, 274, 288;
estrangement and reconciliation, 284, 285;
his treatment of B., 286, 287, 292.
@@ -17817,24 +17780,24 @@ General Index
~Malines~: Van Beethoven families living in, I, 44.
- ~Mälzel, Johann Nepomuk~: Career of, II, 232 _et seq._;
+ ~M√§lzel, Johann Nepomuk~: Career of, II, 232 _et seq._;
makes ear-trumpet for B., 233;
invents metronome, 233;
the canon on his name, 234 _et seq._;
lends B. money, 245;
- conceives “Wellington’s Victory,” 251 _et seq._;
+ conceives “Wellington’s Victory,” 251 _et seq._;
his mechanical trumpeter, 251, 257, 261;
his panharmonicon, 251;
contemplates accompanying B. to England, 251, 255;
- projects concert for production of “Wellington’s Victory,” 256;
- B’s note of thanks to, 258;
+ projects concert for production of “Wellington’s Victory,” 256;
+ B’s note of thanks to, 258;
quarrels with B., 259;
legal proceedings, 271 _et seq._;
American career and death of, 276, 384.
~Mandycewski, Eusebius~: I, 210, 223.
- “~Marchese Tulipano, Il~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
+ “~Marchese Tulipano, Il~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
~Marconi~, Singer: II, 129.
@@ -17844,7 +17807,7 @@ General Index
dedication of Septet, 278, 283;
sings part in an opera by Reicha, 310.
- “~Mariage des Samnites, Le~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
+ “~Mariage des Samnites, Le~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
~Marie Antoinette~: I, 78.
@@ -17857,22 +17820,22 @@ General Index
~Marshall, Julian~: I, 140.
~Martini~: I, 87;
- “Arbore di Diana, L’,” 107;
- “Lilla,” 108, 109.
+ “Arbore di Diana, L’,” 107;
+ “Lilla,” 108, 109.
~Marx, A. B.~: On the Sonata Op. 81a, II, 143;
- disputes genuineness of B’s letter to Bettina von Arnim, 183.
+ disputes genuineness of B’s letter to Bettina von Arnim, 183.
~Mason, Lowell~: Employs Thayer in his library, I, x;
provides funds for his researches, x.
~Mastiaux, Johann Gottlieb~: Amateur in Bonn, I, 38, 89.
- “~Materialien für Contrapunkt~”: II, 147, 150.
+ “~Materialien für Contrapunkt~”: II, 147, 150.
- “~Materialien für Generalbass~”: II, 147, 150.
+ “~Materialien für Generalbass~”: II, 147, 150.
- “~Matrimonio segreto, Il~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 164.
+ “~Matrimonio segreto, Il~”: Opera by Cimarosa, I, 164.
~Matthison~: His duel with Handel, I, 72.
@@ -17880,7 +17843,7 @@ General Index
~Mattioli, Cajetano~, Sketch of: I, 34, 82.
- ~Mäurer, B. J.~, Court violoncellist: I, 24, 61, 62, 65.
+ ~M√§urer, B. J.~, Court violoncellist: I, 24, 61, 62, 65.
~Max Franz~, Elector of Cologne: I, 16;
shares his mistress with his Prime Minister, 16;
@@ -17913,15 +17876,15 @@ General Index
his popularity, 14;
described by Henry Swinburne, 16;
music at his court, 16;
- appoints B’s grandfather Chapelmaster, 17;
- promises composer’s father a salary, 17;
+ appoints B’s grandfather Chapelmaster, 17;
+ promises composer’s father a salary, 17;
grants an increase, 19, 22;
- appoints Lucchesi successor to B’s grandfather, 23;
+ appoints Lucchesi successor to B’s grandfather, 23;
opera performed at his court, 25 _et seq._;
birthday celebration, 26;
plays at his theatre, 27, 28, 29;
theatre closed because of his death, 33;
- dedication of B’s boyhood Sonatas, 72;
+ dedication of B’s boyhood Sonatas, 72;
assumes all costs of Electoral Theatre, 73;
appoints B. Assistant Court Organist, 74;
death of, 74;
@@ -17939,68 +17902,68 @@ General Index
~Mayseder, Joseph~: I, 274; II, 41, 125, 216;
E-flat Sonata Quartet, II, 193;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
- “~Medea~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
+ “~Medea~”: Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
~Medina, Maria~: Wife of Vigano, dancer, I, 283, 284.
- ~Méhul~: Opera “Ariodante,” II, 23.
+ ~Méhul~: Opera “Ariodante,” II, 23.
- ~Meier, Sebastian~: Mozart’s brother-in-law, II, 4, 50;
- letter to, about “Fidelio,” 61, 209.
+ ~Meier, Sebastian~: Mozart’s brother-in-law, II, 4, 50;
+ letter to, about “Fidelio,” 61, 209.
~Meinert~: Sketchbook, II, 150, 161.
- ~Meisl, Carl~: Changes “Ruins of Athens” to “Consecration
- of the House,” III, 79;
+ ~Meisl, Carl~: Changes “Ruins of Athens” to “Consecration
+ of the House,” III, 79;
drama, 82.
~Meissner, Prof. A. G.~: Oratorio text, II, 19.
~Melichar, Ilka~: I, 342.
- “~Melusine~”: Opera-book by Grillparzer, III, 118 _et seq._; 135, 220.
+ “~Melusine~”: Opera-book by Grillparzer, III, 118 _et seq._; 135, 220.
~Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix~: Description of Dorothea
Ertmann, II, 83.
~Mendelssohn, Paul~: I, xii;
- owner of sketches for “Fidelio,” II, 45.
+ owner of sketches for “Fidelio,” II, 45.
- ~Merz, Julius~: Publishes B’s letter to Bettina von Arnim,
+ ~Merz, Julius~: Publishes B’s letter to Bettina von Arnim,
II, 182, 185.
- “~Messiah~”: Handel’s oratorio, II, 310, 312; III, 135, 182, 296.
+ “~Messiah~”: Handel’s oratorio, II, 310, 312; III, 135, 182, 296.
- ~Metastasio~: “Olimpiade,” I, 204;
- “Betulia liberata,” III, 143.
+ ~Metastasio~: “Olimpiade,” I, 204;
+ “Betulia liberata,” III, 143.
- ~Metronome~ (see MÄLZEL): II, 382;
+ ~Metronome~ (see MÄLZEL): II, 382;
marks for the Ninth Symphony, III, 244.
~Meyer, Court Councillor von~: Amateur, I, 172.
~Meyerbeer, Giacomo~: II, 39, 256;
- beats drum at performance of “Wellington’s Victory,” 258;
- B’s opinion of, 297;
- “Die beiden Caliphen,” 297.
+ beats drum at performance of “Wellington’s Victory,” 258;
+ B’s opinion of, 297;
+ “Die beiden Caliphen,” 297.
~Mickley, Joseph J.~: II, 385.
- ~Mihl~ (or ~Mühle~): Opera “Milton und Elmire,” I, 31.
+ ~Mihl~ (or ~Mühle~): Opera “Milton und Elmire,” I, 31.
~Milder-Hauptmann, Anna~: II, 49;
- and “Fidelio,” 64;
+ and “Fidelio,” 64;
quarrels with B., 129, 263, 278, 284, 329.
~Milton, John~: II, 169.
- “~Milton und Elmire~”: Opera by Mihl, I, 31.
+ “~Milton und Elmire~”: Opera by Mihl, I, 31.
- “~Moda, La~”: Opera by Baroni, I, 27.
+ “~Moda, La~”: Opera by Baroni, I, 27.
- “~Molinara, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 187.
+ “~Molinara, La~”: Opera by Paisiello, I, 187.
~Molitor~: Amateur in Vienna, II, 2.
@@ -18010,79 +17973,79 @@ General Index
~Mombelli~, Singer: I, 188.
- ~Monsigny~: Operas “Le Déserteur,” I, 31;
- “Félix, ou l’Enfant trouvé,” 32, 109;
- “Rose et Colas,” 29, 86.
+ ~Monsigny~: Operas “Le Déserteur,” I, 31;
+ “Félix, ou l’Enfant trouvé,” 32, 109;
+ “Rose et Colas,” 29, 86.
- ~Moor, The~: Haydn’s nickname for B., I, 146.
+ ~Moor, The~: Haydn’s nickname for B., I, 146.
~Moravian nobility~: Their musical culture, I, 168.
- ~Morris, Jack~: Brings score of “Mount of Olives” to London, II, 309.
+ ~Morris, Jack~: Brings score of “Mount of Olives” to London, II, 309.
- “~Morte d’Abel, La~”: Opera, I, 14.
+ “~Morte d’Abel, La~”: Opera, I, 14.
- ~Moscheles, Ignaz~: His English paraphrase of Schindler’s
+ ~Moscheles, Ignaz~: His English paraphrase of Schindler’s
biography, I, ix;
visited by Thayer, xi, 241;
on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
- composes marches for Mälzel’s panharmonicon, 351;
- tells of the composition of “Wellington’s Victory,” 253;
+ composes marches for Mälzel’s panharmonicon, 351;
+ tells of the composition of “Wellington’s Victory,” 253;
his account of the performance, 358;
on the Trio, Op. 97, 270;
- makes Pf. score of “Fidelio,” 281, 282;
+ makes Pf. score of “Fidelio,” 281, 282;
first meeting with B., 282;
- “Fidelio,” 303;
- B’s opinion of as a pianist, 381; III, 289, 290, 291, 293.
+ “Fidelio,” 303;
+ B’s opinion of as a pianist, 381; III, 289, 290, 291, 293.
~Mosel, Ignaz von~: II, 358, 386;
- at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ at B’s funeral, III, 312.
- ~Möser~: Violinist in Vienna, II, 8.
+ ~Möser~: Violinist in Vienna, II, 8.
~Mozart~: Education derived from his father, I, 85;
- B’s visit to, 89, 90;
+ B’s visit to, 89, 90;
his morning concerts in Vienna, 166;
relations with Mme. Hofdemel, 254, 305;
- B’s admiration for the Concerto in C minor, 219;
- B’s appreciation, II, 89; III, 42;
- Cherubini’s estimate of his genius, 205;
- B. defends authenticity of his “Requiem,” III, 233;
- the “Requiem” played at B’s funeral, 312;
- his operas “Die Entführung aus dem Serail,” I, 32, 107, 109;
- “Don Giovanni,” I, 91, 107, 163, 193, 204; II, 204; III, 42;
- “Le Nozze di Figaro,” I, 82, 108, 163, 193;
- “Il Re Pastore,” I, 81;
- “Die Zauberflöte,” I, 164, 226, 304; II, 22; III, 36;
- “La Clemenza di Tito,” I, 194; II, 110;
- “Idomeneus,” II, 101.
-
- ~Müller, Adolph~: And B’s orchestration of the funeral march
+ B’s admiration for the Concerto in C minor, 219;
+ B’s appreciation, II, 89; III, 42;
+ Cherubini’s estimate of his genius, 205;
+ B. defends authenticity of his “Requiem,” III, 233;
+ the “Requiem” played at B’s funeral, 312;
+ his operas “Die Entführung aus dem Serail,” I, 32, 107, 109;
+ “Don Giovanni,” I, 91, 107, 163, 193, 204; II, 204; III, 42;
+ “Le Nozze di Figaro,” I, 82, 108, 163, 193;
+ “Il Re Pastore,” I, 81;
+ “Die Zauberflöte,” I, 164, 226, 304; II, 22; III, 36;
+ “La Clemenza di Tito,” I, 194; II, 110;
+ “Idomeneus,” II, 101.
+
+ ~Müller, Adolph~: And B’s orchestration of the funeral march
from the Sonata in E-flat, Op. 26, II, 295.
- ~Müller, Chancellor~: II, 180.
+ ~Müller, Chancellor~: II, 180.
- ~Müller, Louise~: Singer at first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 49.
+ ~Müller, Louise~: Singer at first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 49.
- ~Müller, Wenzel~, Chapelmaster: I, 164.
+ ~Müller, Wenzel~, Chapelmaster: I, 164.
- ~Müller, W. Christian~: His account of B., III, 36.
+ ~Müller, W. Christian~: His account of B., III, 36.
~Mylich~: I, 210, 231.
- “~Nach Frankreichs unheilvollem Sturz~”: Cantata text left
+ “~Nach Frankreichs unheilvollem Sturz~”: Cantata text left
uncomposed, II, 292.
- ~Nagel, W.~: “Beethoven und seine Klaviersonaten,” I, 293.
+ ~Nagel, W.~: “Beethoven und seine Klaviersonaten,” I, 293.
- ~Nägele~: Projects publication of Bach’s works, I, 304;
+ ~Nägele~: Projects publication of Bach’s works, I, 304;
publishes sonata with interpolated measures, 367;
- “Répertoire des Clavecinistes,” II, 20, 38.
+ “Répertoire des Clavecinistes,” II, 20, 38.
- “~Nanerina e Pandolfo~”: Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
+ “~Nanerina e Pandolfo~”: Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
- ~Napier, William~: Publishes Haydn’s arrangements of Scottish
+ ~Napier, William~: Publishes Haydn’s arrangements of Scottish
songs, II, 70.
~Naples~: A call thither for B., II, 194;
@@ -18095,62 +18058,62 @@ General Index
~Naumann~, Chapelmaster: II, 19.
~Neate, Charles~: English pianist, visited by Thayer, I, xi;
- B’s story on origin of his deafness, 263;
+ B’s story on origin of his deafness, 263;
II, introduced to B., 315;
buys overtures for the London Philharmonic Society, 333;
- defends himself against B’s charges, 349;
+ defends himself against B’s charges, 349;
unable to help B. in London, 337;
letters from B., 339, 351, 352, 367;
- III, enjoined “For God’s sake buy nothing of B.,” 52;
+ III, enjoined “For God’s sake buy nothing of B.,” 52;
seeks publisher for B. in London, 73, 183, 186.
~Neefe, C. G.~: Appointed successor to Van den Eeden as Court
Organist, I, 25;
joins Dramatic Co. at Bonn, 30;
music for court festival, 31;
- opera “Heinrich und Lyda,” 31, 36;
- “Die Apotheke,” 31;
- “Sophonisba,” 31;
+ opera “Heinrich und Lyda,” 31, 36;
+ “Die Apotheke,” 31;
+ “Sophonisba,” 31;
describes musicians in Bonn 33;
career of 34;
- “Amor’s Guckkasten,” 36;
- “Die Einsprüche,” 36;
- “Zemire und Azor,” 36, 37;
+ “Amor’s Guckkasten,” 36;
+ “Die Einsprüche,” 36;
+ “Zemire und Azor,” 36, 37;
instrumental compositions, 36;
- “Adelheit von Veltheim,” 37;
+ “Adelheit von Veltheim,” 37;
ode, 37;
teaches B., 61, 62, 67 _et seq._;
leaves his duties as organist to the boy B., 69;
- “Materialien für Contrapunkt,” 70;
+ “Materialien für Contrapunkt,” 70;
his duties as Court Organist, 71, 73;
dismissed, 73;
- with Klos’ troupe, 105;
- B’s appreciation of him as teacher, 68, 124, 142;
+ with Klos’ troupe, 105;
+ B’s appreciation of him as teacher, 68, 124, 142;
his daughter, 304.
- ~Nelson, Lord~: Not commemorated in the “Eroica,” II, 25.
+ ~Nelson, Lord~: Not commemorated in the “Eroica,” II, 25.
- ~Niemetz~: Dissolute companion of B’s nephew, III, 252, 255, 258.
+ ~Niemetz~: Dissolute companion of B’s nephew, III, 252, 255, 258.
~Nikelsberg, Carl Nikl Edler von~: I, 222;
dedication of Concerto in B-flat, I, 290.
- “~Nina~”: Opera by Dalayrac, I, 107, 108.
+ “~Nina~”: Opera by Dalayrac, I, 107, 108.
- “~Nobilità delusa, La~”: Opera, I, 26.
+ “~Nobilità delusa, La~”: Opera, I, 26.
~Nohl, Ludwig~: I, 292;
on B. and Countess Guicciardi, 321;
on Therese Malfatti, 333, 339;
on the letter to Bettina von Arnim, II, 185;
- “Eine stille Liebe zu Beethoven,” 362;
- “Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner,” III, 124.
-
- ~Nottebohm~: “Zweite Beethoveniana,” I, 71, 76, 261;
- “Beethoven’s Studien,” I, 156, 216;
- “Beethoveniana,” I, 156, 261;
- “Ein Skizzenbuch von Beethoven,” 258, 304;
- on B’s studies with Albrechtsberger and Haydn, 151, 158;
+ “Eine stille Liebe zu Beethoven,” 362;
+ “Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner,” III, 124.
+
+ ~Nottebohm~: “Zweite Beethoveniana,” I, 71, 76, 261;
+ “Beethoven’s Studien,” I, 156, 216;
+ “Beethoveniana,” I, 156, 261;
+ “Ein Skizzenbuch von Beethoven,” 258, 304;
+ on B’s studies with Albrechtsberger and Haydn, 151, 158;
on the text of the Choral Fantasia, II, 133;
on the date of the Petter sketchbook, II, 151;
on the canon on Hoffmann, III, 35.
@@ -18159,18 +18122,18 @@ General Index
~Novello, Vincent~: II, 12.
- “~Nozze, Le~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
+ “~Nozze, Le~”: Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
- “~Nozze di Figaro, Le~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 82, 108, 163, 193.
+ “~Nozze di Figaro, Le~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 82, 108, 163, 193.
- “~Nozze disturbata, Le~”: Ballet by Vigano, I, 188, 193.
+ “~Nozze disturbata, Le~”: Ballet by Vigano, I, 188, 193.
- ~Nussböck, Leopold~: Guardian of B’s nephew, III, 8.
+ ~Nussböck, Leopold~: Guardian of B’s nephew, III, 8.
~Nussdorf.~ (See LODGINGS.)
- “~Oberon~”: Opera by Wranitzky, I, 165.
+ “~Oberon~”: Opera by Wranitzky, I, 165.
~Obreskow~: Russian official, III, 101, 102.
@@ -18183,16 +18146,16 @@ General Index
taught by B., 322;
dedication to, 368, 369.
- “~Ode to Joy~”: Schiller’s, I, 132, 275; II, 152, 295, 414;
+ “~Ode to Joy~”: Schiller’s, I, 132, 275; II, 152, 295, 414;
III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._
- “~Odyssey~”: Homer’s, I, 252.
+ “~Odyssey~”: Homer’s, I, 252.
- “~Olimpiade~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 32.
+ “~Olimpiade~”: Opera by Sacchini, I, 32.
~Oliva, Franz~: His relations with B., II, 143;
dedication to, 161;
- delivers B’s letter to Goethe, 197, 202;
+ delivers B’s letter to Goethe, 197, 202;
plans to accompany B. to England, 220;
estrangement with B., 220; III, 24;
goes to St. Petersburg, 41.
@@ -18203,57 +18166,57 @@ General Index
~Oppersdorff, Count~: The Symphony in B-flat, II, 68, 101, 122,
123, 124, 162.
- “~Orfeo~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
+ “~Orfeo~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
- ~Ossian~: B’s appreciation of, II, 147.
+ ~Ossian~: B’s appreciation of, II, 147.
- ~Oudinot~: “Der Fassbinder,” I, 29.
+ ~Oudinot~: “Der Fassbinder,” I, 29.
- ~Ovid~: His “Metamorphoses” called for by B. on his death-bed,
+ ~Ovid~: His “Metamorphoses” called for by B. on his death-bed,
III, 283.
- ~Pachler-Koschak, Mme.~: B’s friendship for, II, 282; III, 140.
+ ~Pachler-Koschak, Mme.~: B’s friendship for, II, 282; III, 140.
- “~Pächter, Die drei~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
+ “~Pächter, Die drei~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
- ~Paër, Ferdinand~: I, 282;
+ ~Paër, Ferdinand~: I, 282;
his funeral march and that in the Sonata Op. 26, 290;
- “Achilles,” 290;
- “Das heilige Grab,” II, 2;
- “Leonora,” II, 35, 37.
+ “Achilles,” 290;
+ “Das heilige Grab,” II, 2;
+ “Leonora,” II, 35, 37.
~Paisiello~: Operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- “La Frascatana,” 107;
- “Il Barbiere,” 108;
- “Il Re Teodoro,” 108;
- “La Finta Giardiniera,” 108;
- “La Molinara,” 187;
- “Il Marchese Tulipano,” 108; II, 204.
+ “La Frascatana,” 107;
+ “Il Barbiere,” 108;
+ “Il Re Teodoro,” 108;
+ “La Finta Giardiniera,” 108;
+ “La Molinara,” 187;
+ “Il Marchese Tulipano,” 108; II, 204.
~Palestrina~: Preferred over all church composers by B., III, 203.
~Palffy, Count Ferdinand~: II, 98;
supposed grudge against B., 100, 146;
accepts direction of Court Theatres, 201;
- produces “Fidelio” for the Congress of Vienna, 293;
+ produces “Fidelio” for the Congress of Vienna, 293;
and the concert of 1814, 299;
and the Ninth Symphony, III, 157 _et seq._
- “~Paradise Lost~”: II, 310.
+ “~Paradise Lost~”: II, 310.
- ~Parke~: “Musical Memories,” II, 12.
+ ~Parke~: “Musical Memories,” II, 12.
~Parma, Duchess of~: Asked by B. to urge Grand Duke of Tuscany
to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 101.
- ~Pasqualati, Baron Johann~: Witnesses Karl van B’s declaration
+ ~Pasqualati, Baron Johann~: Witnesses Karl van B’s declaration
as to the guardianship of his son, II, 241;
- signs affidavit against Mälzel, 288;
- the “Elegiac Song” in memory of his wife, 288, 306; III, 58.
+ signs affidavit against M√§lzel, 288;
+ the “Elegiac Song” in memory of his wife, 288, 306; III, 58.
(See LODGINGS.)
- “~Pastorella al Soglio, La~”: Opera, I, 26.
+ “~Pastorella al Soglio, La~”: Opera, I, 26.
~Paul~, Czar of Russia: II, 81.
@@ -18261,12 +18224,12 @@ General Index
~Perger, A. von~: Discovers minuets by B., I, 211.
- ~Pergolesi~: “La Serva Padrona,” I, 108.
+ ~Pergolesi~: “La Serva Padrona,” I, 108.
- ~Perkins, Charles C.~: “History of the Handel and Haydn Society
- of Boston,” III, 87.
+ ~Perkins, Charles C.~: “History of the Handel and Haydn Society
+ of Boston,” III, 87.
- ~Persian Literature~: B’s interest in, II, 167.
+ ~Persian Literature~: B’s interest in, II, 167.
~Pessiak, Mme.~: II, 362; III, 13.
@@ -18277,15 +18240,15 @@ General Index
other works, I, 271, 55, 57 _et seq._, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64,;
refuses to publish works sent by B., 65;
advance payment by, 70;
- rejects “Bagatelles,” 86;
- complains of B’s treatment of him, 180;
+ rejects “Bagatelles,” 86;
+ complains of B’s treatment of him, 180;
receives rebuke and ultimatum, 212;
- B. calls him a “hell-hound,” 216.
+ B. calls him a “hell-hound,” 216.
- ~Peters~: Tutor to Prince Lobkowitz and co-guardian of B’s nephew,
+ ~Peters~: Tutor to Prince Lobkowitz and co-guardian of B’s nephew,
II, 326, 354; III, 10, 24, 32.
- “~Petit Matelot, Le~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 36.
+ “~Petit Matelot, Le~”: Opera by Gaveaux, II, 36.
~Petter Collection~: Sketches by B., I, 274, 290; II, 118, 151, 209.
@@ -18293,7 +18256,7 @@ General Index
~Philharmonic Society of London.~ (See under B., LUDWIG VAN.)
- ~Philidor~: “Der Hofschmied,” I, 29;
+ ~Philidor~: “Der Hofschmied,” I, 29;
his operas at Bonn, 86.
~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Erard, II, 21.
@@ -18301,20 +18264,20 @@ General Index
~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Broadwood, II, 390 _et seq._;
III, 214, 237.
- ~Piccini~: Operas “La buona Figluola;” I, 25, 26, 32;
- “Le Aventure di Rodolfo,” 26;
- “La Schiava,” 32.
+ ~Piccini~: Operas “La buona Figluola;” I, 25, 26, 32;
+ “Le Aventure di Rodolfo,” 26;
+ “La Schiava,” 32.
~Pictures and Music~: II, 249, 262.
~Pilat, Joseph~: II, 359.
- “~Pilgrimme von Mecca, Die~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 32, 108.
+ “~Pilgrimme von Mecca, Die~”: Opera by Gluck, I, 32, 108.
~Pinterics, Captain~: II, 235, 327; III, 32.
~Piringer~: III, 62, 137, 157;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Plato~: His influence on B., I, 213.
@@ -18327,30 +18290,30 @@ General Index
~Polledro~: Joins B. in concert for sufferers at Baden, II, 225.
- ~Popularity of B’s Works~: II, 38.
+ ~Popularity of B’s Works~: II, 38.
~Portenschlag~, Viennese editor: II, 359.
- “~Prächtige, Der~” (“Le Magnifique”): Opera by Grétry, I, 86.
+ “~Prächtige, Der~” (“Le Magnifique”): Opera by Grétry, I, 86.
~Prague~: B. plays in, I, 192;
music in, 193;
B. gives concert in, 217;
- production of “Fidelio” in, II, 110;
+ production of “Fidelio” in, II, 110;
visit of B. in 1812, 222.
~Preisinger~, Bass singer: III, 164.
- ~Prelinger~, Editor of a collection of B’s letters: I, 336.
+ ~Prelinger~, Editor of a collection of B’s letters: I, 336.
~Prichnowsky, Prince~: II, 8.
~Prieger, Dr. E.~: I, 88;
owner of fragment of Wind Quintet, 206, 211;
publishes _facsimile_ of Sonata Op. 26, 291;
- reprint of original “Fidelio,” II, 45, 58.
+ reprint of original “Fidelio,” II, 45, 58.
- ~Prince Regent of England~: B. sends him “Wellington’s Victory,”
+ ~Prince Regent of England~: B. sends him “Wellington’s Victory,”
II, 310, 311, 318, 336, 339; III, 112, 208.
~Probst, H. A.~, Publisher: B offers him the Ninth Symphony and
@@ -18369,7 +18332,7 @@ General Index
sends B. a ring 133, 276, 282;
Frederick II reputed to be the father of B., III, 243.
- ~Pückler-Muskau~: Bettina von Arnim’s letter to, II, 186, 188, 223.
+ ~Pückler-Muskau~: Bettina von Arnim’s letter to, II, 186, 188, 223.
~Punto, Giovanni~ (Johannes Stich), Horn-player: I, 239, 267, 277.
@@ -18378,11 +18341,11 @@ General Index
~Quartet of Instruments~: Presented to B., I, 354.
- “~Queen of Night~”: B’s nickname for his sister-in-law, II,
+ “~Queen of Night~”: B’s nickname for his sister-in-law, II,
332, 341, 393.
- ~Rabelais~: His last words and B’s, III, 305.
+ ~Rabelais~: His last words and B’s, III, 305.
~Raday, Count~: Ruined by theatrical management, II, 154.
@@ -18391,14 +18354,14 @@ General Index
~Radichi~, Singer: II, 265.
~Radziwill, Prince Anton~: II, 302;
- his “Faust” music, 302;
+ his “Faust” music, 302;
subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 104, 106.
~Ramm, Friedrich~, Oboist: I, 207; II, 33, 34.
- “~Raoul, Sire de Croqui~”: Ballet by Vignano, I, 283.
+ “~Raoul, Sire de Croqui~”: Ballet by Vignano, I, 283.
- “~Raptus~”: Mme. Breuning’s expression for B’s occasional state,
+ “~Raptus~”: Mme. Breuning’s expression for B’s occasional state,
I, 118, 120, 301; II, 182, 189.
~Rasoumowsky, Count Andreas~: Appeals to B. for lessons in
@@ -18413,30 +18376,30 @@ General Index
destruction of his palace, 301;
the Quartet, 316.
- ~Rau~, Viennese banker: Reports receipt of Philharmonic Society’s
+ ~Rau~, Viennese banker: Reports receipt of Philharmonic Society’s
gift to B., III, 292;
- reports B’s death to Moscheles, 293.
+ reports B’s death to Moscheles, 293.
~Raysbeck, Mme.~: One of the favorites of Elector Joseph Clemens,
I, 3, 4.
~Redoutensaal~: Dances for, I, 188, 289.
- ~Reeve, Dr. Henry~: Criticism on “Fidelio,” II, 52.
+ ~Reeve, Dr. Henry~: Criticism on “Fidelio,” II, 52.
~Reicha, Anton~: I, 105;
career of 106, 117;
comes to Vienna, 288, 300;
- opera “Ubaldi,” 310, 355; II, 55.
+ opera “Ubaldi,” 310, 355; II, 55.
~Reicha, Joseph~: I, 82, 84, 105;
career of, 100, 111.
~Reichardt, Johann Friedrich~: Chapelmaster in Berlin, I, 196;
- on Countess Erdödy, II, 82;
- on Streicher’s pianofortes, 87, 124;
- account of B’s concert, 129;
- and B’s call to Jerome Bonaparte’s court, 141;
+ on Countess Erdödy, II, 82;
+ on Streicher’s pianofortes, 87, 124;
+ account of B’s concert, 129;
+ and B’s call to Jerome Bonaparte’s court, 141;
value of his letters, 165.
~Reichardt, Karl August~: Visits B., III, 203.
@@ -18447,22 +18410,22 @@ General Index
~Reissig, C. L.~: His poems, II, 147;
denounced by B., 148;
- “Blümchen der Einsamkeit,” 160;
+ “Blümchen der Einsamkeit,” 160;
songs published, 195.
~Rellstab, Ludwig~: visits B., III, 200.
- “~Reue vor der That, Die~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 32.
+ “~Reue vor der That, Die~”: Opera by Desaides, I, 32.
~Rhine~: Inundation, I, 75;
journey on, of the Electoral Chapel, 112.
- “~Richard Cœur de Lion~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 226, 305.
+ “~Richard Cœur de Lion~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 226, 305.
~Riemann, Dr. Hugo~: Completes revision of the German edition
of this biography, I, xv;
- on the authenticity of the “Jena” Symphony, 211;
- upholds charges against B’s brothers, 360;
+ on the authenticity of the “Jena” Symphony, 211;
+ upholds charges against B’s brothers, 360;
asserts that B. wanted to marry Therese Malfatti, 336;
his theory concerning the love-letter, II, 239.
@@ -18470,43 +18433,43 @@ General Index
~Ries, Ferdinand~:
Vol. I.
- “Biographische Notizen,” etc., ix, xi, 90, 313, 315;
- on B’s manuscripts, 141;
+ “Biographische Notizen,” etc., ix, xi, 90, 313, 315;
+ on B’s manuscripts, 141;
on his studies with Haydn, 152;
- on B’s teachers, 161;
+ on B’s teachers, 161;
on the first performance of the Trios Op. 1, 175;
- B’s riding-horse, 200;
+ B’s riding-horse, 200;
Quintet Op. 16, 207;
Quintet Op. 29, 203, 312;
his career, 312 _et seq._;
- B’s kindness toward, 313;
+ B’s kindness toward, 313;
instruction from B., 314;
- arrangements of B’s works, 350;
+ arrangements of B’s works, 350;
origin of the Marches for four hands, 350;
- on B’s deafness, 352;
+ on B’s deafness, 352;
charge of misconduct against Karl Kaspar v. B., 361;
- B’s interest in him, 363;
+ B’s interest in him, 363;
B. aids him to employment, 366
--Vol. II.
- His account of first performance of “The Mount of Olives,” 7;
+ His account of first performance of “The Mount of Olives,” 7;
his account of the first meeting between B. and Clementi, 23;
- on the origin of the “Eroica,” 24;
- an alleged false entry in the “Eroica,” 26;
+ on the origin of the “Eroica,” 24;
+ an alleged false entry in the “Eroica,” 26;
plays at a sentimental scene for B., 29;
letters from B., 27, 28, 29, 334, 338, 340, 371, 395, 412, 413;
plays the C minor concerto, 30, 82;
significant hiatus in his book, 41;
B. greets him with lathered face, 48;
- not permitted to hear a reading of “Fidelio,” 48;
+ not permitted to hear a reading of “Fidelio,” 48;
conscripted, 49;
- on B’s disregard of etiquette, 80, 124;
+ on B’s disregard of etiquette, 80, 124;
orchestra refuses to play for B., 128;
the Concertos in C minor and G, 131;
- on B’s call to Cassel, 140, 310, 324, 325;
+ on B’s call to Cassel, 140, 310, 324, 325;
invites B. to London, 370;
relations with B., 372.
--Vol. III.
- B’s “Nothing for Ries,” 49, 110, 111;
+ B’s “Nothing for Ries,” 49, 110, 111;
makes contract for B. with Boosey, 128;
B. promises a dedication to his wife, 128;
removes to Godesberg, 188, 189.
@@ -18520,27 +18483,27 @@ General Index
~Ries, Johann~, Court Trumpeter at Bonn: I, 11, 18, 51, 87.
- ~Righini, Vincenzo~: “Venni amore,” I, 114, 138.
+ ~Righini, Vincenzo~: “Venni amore,” I, 114, 138.
~Risbeck, Kaspar~: Description of the Rhenish States, I, 15.
- “~Riso d’Apolline, Il~”: Opera by Betz, I, 126.
+ “~Riso d’Apolline, Il~”: Opera by Betz, I, 126.
- “~Ritorno di Tobia~”: Oratorio by Haydn, II, 131.
+ “~Ritorno di Tobia~”: Oratorio by Haydn, II, 131.
- “~Robert und Callista~”: Opera by Guglielmo, I, 31, 109.
+ “~Robert und Callista~”: Opera by Guglielmo, I, 31, 109.
- ~Röckel, Elizabeth~: On B’s susceptibility, II, 181.
+ ~Röckel, Elizabeth~: On B’s susceptibility, II, 181.
- ~Röckel, J. A.~: Career of, II, 53;
- his notes on “Fidelio,” 53, 60, 62;
- B’s liking for, 92;
- on B’s desire to compose operas, 119;
+ ~Röckel, J. A.~: Career of, II, 53;
+ his notes on “Fidelio,” 53, 60, 62;
+ B’s liking for, 92;
+ on B’s desire to compose operas, 119;
letter, 128;
- on B’s desire to travel, 142;
- on the revision of “Fidelio” in 1814, 265.
+ on B’s desire to travel, 142;
+ on the revision of “Fidelio” in 1814, 265.
- ~Roda, Cecilio de~: B’s sketches for the last Quartets, I, 277.
+ ~Roda, Cecilio de~: B’s sketches for the last Quartets, I, 277.
~Rode, Pierre~: B. composes Sonata for him, II, 235, 236.
@@ -18553,27 +18516,27 @@ General Index
career of, 106, 111, 117, 121, 199, 205;
and first Rasoumowsky Quartet, II, 75; III, 72.
- “~Romeo und Juliet~”: Opera by Benda, I, 31, 107, 108.
+ “~Romeo und Juliet~”: Opera by Benda, I, 31, 107, 108.
Opera by Zingarelli, II, 172.
Considered by B., III, 117.
- “~Romulus and Remus~”: Opera by Johann Fuss, II, 304;
+ “~Romulus and Remus~”: Opera by Johann Fuss, II, 304;
opera-book by Treitschke, II, 304, 381.
- “~Röschen und Colas~” (“Rose et Colas”): Opera by Monsigny, I, 29.
+ “~Röschen und Colas~” (“Rose et Colas”): Opera by Monsigny, I, 29.
- ~Rösner, Felia~: Daughter of Neefe, I, 304.
+ ~Rösner, Felia~: Daughter of Neefe, I, 304.
- ~Rothe~: Singer in “Fidelio,” II, 51.
+ ~Rothe~: Singer in “Fidelio,” II, 51.
- “~Rothkäppchen, Das~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109, 176, 188.
+ “~Rothkäppchen, Das~”: Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109, 176, 188.
~Rovantini, Franz Georg~: Gives violin instruction to B., I, 64, 67.
- ~Royal Library~ at Berlin: Acquires B.’s memorabilia, I, xi;
+ ~Royal Library~ at Berlin: Acquires B.’s memorabilia, I, xi;
sends Conversation Books to Thayer, xi;
- owns B.’s quartet of viols, 277;
- gets B’s posthumous papers from Schindler, III, 11.
+ owns B.’s quartet of viols, 277;
+ gets B’s posthumous papers from Schindler, III, 11.
~Rubini~: III, 77.
@@ -18591,11 +18554,11 @@ General Index
B. wearies of teaching him, 194, 199;
letters, 199, 206, 225, 235, 248, 250, 266, 286;
B. tells Goethe of disciplining him, 227;
- and calls his duty “servitude,” 240;
+ and calls his duty “servitude,” 240;
compelled to quit pianoforte playing, 266;
lessons irksome to B., 381;
charged by B. with his misfortunes, 396;
- installation as Archbishop of Olmütz, 398, 412;
+ installation as Archbishop of Olmütz, 398, 412;
dedication of Op. 101, 414;
--III, letters from B., 1, 9, 19, 20, 34;
asked to help send nephew to Landshut, 6;
@@ -18608,12 +18571,12 @@ General Index
asked to urge subscription to Mass on Grand Duke of Tuscany
and King of Saxony, 95, 96;
B. rails against him, 112;
- urges B. to compose Bernard’s oratorio, 175;
+ urges B. to compose Bernard’s oratorio, 175;
dedication of the Mass in D, 212.
- “~Ruines de Babilone~”: II, 202.
+ “~Ruines de Babilone~”: II, 202.
- “~Rule, Britannia~”: II, 252.
+ “~Rule, Britannia~”: II, 252.
(See VARIATIONS, in Index of Compositions.)
~Ruschowitz, Constanze~: I, 99.
@@ -18625,7 +18588,7 @@ General Index
dedication of the Ninth Symphony considered, 231.
~Russian Melodies~: In the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 74;
- in “Ruins of Athens,” 162.
+ in “Ruins of Athens,” 162.
~Rust, Wilhelm~: Description of B., II, 117;
on B. and the French, 146.
@@ -18636,22 +18599,22 @@ General Index
~Saal~, Singers: I, 266.
~Sacchini~: His operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- “La Contadina in Corte,” 26;
- “L’Olimpiade,” 32;
- “L’Isola d’Amore,” 108.
+ “La Contadina in Corte,” 26;
+ “L’Olimpiade,” 32;
+ “L’Isola d’Amore,” 108.
~Saint-Foix, Georges~: I, 139.
- ~Salieri~: “Armida,” I, 86;
- “La Grotta di Trofonio,” 107;
- “König Axur in Ormus,” 109, 163;
- “Falstaff,” 227;
+ ~Salieri~: “Armida,” I, 86;
+ “La Grotta di Trofonio,” 107;
+ “König Axur in Ormus,” 109, 163;
+ “Falstaff,” 227;
gives B. lessons in composition, 154, 160;
Violin Sonata dedicated to him, 163, 214;
respected by B., 241; II, 2;
- “The pupil B. was here,” 64;
+ “The pupil B. was here,” 64;
accused of enmity by B., 136;
- conducts percussion instruments in “Wellington’s Victory,” 262.
+ conducts percussion instruments in “Wellington’s Victory,” 262.
~Salm-Reifferscheid, Count~: I, 73, 74.
@@ -18668,27 +18631,27 @@ General Index
~Samaroff, Olga~: I, 140.
- “~Samnitische Vermählungsfeier, Die~” (“Le Mariage des Samnites”):
- Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
+ “~Samnitische Vermählungsfeier, Die~” (“Le Mariage des Samnites”):
+ Opera by Grétry, I, 31.
- “~Samori~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 23.
+ “~Samori~”: Opera by Vogler, II, 23.
- “~Samson~”: Oratorio by Handel, II, 359.
+ “~Samson~”: Oratorio by Handel, II, 359.
~Santerrini~: Alleged teacher of B., I, 62.
- “~Sargino~”: Opera, II, 61.
+ “~Sargino~”: Opera, II, 61.
- ~Sarti~: Operas “Fra due Litiganti,” I, 86, 109;
- “L’Incognito,” 86;
- “La Gelosie villane,” 109.
+ ~Sarti~: Operas “Fra due Litiganti,” I, 86, 109;
+ “L’Incognito,” 86;
+ “La Gelosie villane,” 109.
~Satzenhofen, Countess~ and Abbess: Mistress of Elector
Max Friedrich, I, 16.
~Sauerma, Countess~: III, 41.
- “~Saul~”: Oratorio by Handel, III, 219, 285.
+ “~Saul~”: Oratorio by Handel, III, 219, 285.
~Saxony, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 96, 99, 105.
@@ -18699,7 +18662,7 @@ General Index
~Schebek, Edmund~: II, 8.
- ~Schechner, Fräulein~, Singer: III, 287, 288.
+ ~Schechner, Fr√§ulein~, Singer: III, 287, 288.
~Scheidl, Cesarius~: Musical prodigy, I, 91.
@@ -18712,51 +18675,51 @@ General Index
an opera-text for B., 19;
sells interest in Theater-an-der-Wien, 22, 34.
- ~Schiller~: “Ode to Joy,” I, 132; II, 152, 295, 414;
+ ~Schiller~: “Ode to Joy,” I, 132; II, 152, 295, 414;
III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._;
- B’s appreciation of, II, 147, 153;
+ B’s appreciation of, II, 147, 153;
popularity of his plays, 153;
- “Die Sendung Moses,” 167;
- “Die Flüsse,” 196;
- “Fiesco,” 117.
+ “Die Sendung Moses,” 167;
+ “Die Flüsse,” 196;
+ “Fiesco,” 117.
- ~Schimon, Ferdinand~: Paints B’s portrait, III, 21;
- B’s preference for it, 41.
+ ~Schimon, Ferdinand~: Paints B’s portrait, III, 21;
+ B’s preference for it, 41.
- ~Schindler, Anton~, B’s biographer: I, ix, xi;
+ ~Schindler, Anton~, B’s biographer: I, ix, xi;
sells memorabilia to Berlin, x;
visited by Thayer, x;
- on B’s studies with Haydn, 151;
- on Bernadotte and the “Eroica,” 213;
- on B’s relations with the musicians in Vienna, 241;
- in error about B’s want of familiarity with the orchestra, 239;
- on B’s sojourn in Hetzendorf, 289;
- on Hoffmeister’s edition of Bach, 303;
- his theory about B’s love, 318 _et seq._;
+ on B’s studies with Haydn, 151;
+ on Bernadotte and the “Eroica,” 213;
+ on B’s relations with the musicians in Vienna, 241;
+ in error about B’s want of familiarity with the orchestra, 239;
+ on B’s sojourn in Hetzendorf, 289;
+ on Hoffmeister’s edition of Bach, 303;
+ his theory about B’s love, 318 _et seq._;
conversation with B. about Countess Guicciardi, 320;
defects as an investigator, 323;
- --II, On B’s religion, 168;
- division of B’s work into periods, 171;
- the canon on Mälzel and the Allegretto of the
+ --II, On B’s religion, 168;
+ division of B’s work into periods, 171;
+ the canon on M√§lzel and the Allegretto of the
Eighth Symphony, 234;
- makes B’s acquaintance, 270;
- his account of the quarrel with Mälzel disputed, 270 _et seq._;
+ makes B’s acquaintance, 270;
+ his account of the quarrel with M√§lzel disputed, 270 _et seq._;
growth of familiarity with B., 327;
- wrong as to B’s relations with Ries, 372;
+ wrong as to B’s relations with Ries, 372;
trustworthiness as a biographer, 376;
beginning of an intimacy with B., 378;
- in error as to the story of B’s noble birth, 410;
- --III, Sells B’s papers to the Royal Library, 11;
+ in error as to the story of B’s noble birth, 410;
+ --III, Sells B’s papers to the Royal Library, 11;
praised by Horzalka, 42;
on Johann v. B, 67;
his story about Schubert and B., 79;
- gets B’s papers, 93;
- “L’Ami de Beethoven,” 93;
+ gets B’s papers, 93;
+ “L’Ami de Beethoven,” 93;
his nickname, 106;
B. calls him a scoundrel, 128, 133, 158;
- on B’s drinking habits, 196;
+ on B’s drinking habits, 196;
his biography of B., 197 _et seq._;
- false tale of Nephew Karl’s negligence, 272;
+ false tale of Nephew Karl’s negligence, 272;
falsification of the Conversation Books, 273, 281;
charged by B. with theft of a petty sum, 281;
gets autograph of Ninth Symphony, 281;
@@ -18772,25 +18735,25 @@ General Index
~Schlesinger~, Publisher in Berlin: III, 54;
denounced by B., 55;
accepts Mass in D, 55, 190;
- B’s treatment of, 190.
+ B’s treatment of, 190.
~Schlesinger, Moritz~, Publisher in Paris: Visits B.,
III, 203, 204, 206.
- ~Schlösser, Louis~: Visits B., III, 125;
+ ~Schlösser, Louis~: Visits B., III, 125;
and the Mass in D, 97.
- “~Schmaus, Der~” (“Il Convivo”): Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
+ “~Schmaus, Der~” (“Il Convivo”): Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
~Schmidgen~: II, 125.
~Schmidt, Dr. Johann~: I, 278, 302, 348, 349, 353.
- ~Schmidt, Leopold~: Publishes B’s letter to Simrock, II, 13.
+ ~Schmidt, Leopold~: Publishes B’s letter to Simrock, II, 13.
~Schmith, Antoinette~: III, 14.
- ~Schnaps, Frau~: B’s housekeeper, III, 131.
+ ~Schnaps, Frau~: B’s housekeeper, III, 131.
~Schneider, Friedrich~: Visits B., III, 18.
@@ -18800,11 +18763,11 @@ General Index
~Schoberlechner, Franz~: III, 130.
- ~Schönauer, Dr.~: II, 320, 321, 331.
+ ~Schönauer, Dr.~: II, 320, 321, 331.
- ~Schönbrunn~, Garden of: I, 288.
+ ~Schönbrunn~, Garden of: I, 288.
- “~Schöne Schusterin, Die~”: Opera by Umlauf, I, 108, 142, 165, 204.
+ “~Schöne Schusterin, Die~”: Opera by Umlauf, I, 108, 142, 165, 204.
~Schott and Sons~, Publishers: The Mass in D, III, 55,
57, 177, 178, 189;
@@ -18816,21 +18779,21 @@ General Index
~Schreyvogel, von~: II, 304.
- ~Schreyvogel and Rizzi~: Publish catalogue of B’s works, II, 38.
+ ~Schreyvogel and Rizzi~: Publish catalogue of B’s works, II, 38.
~Schroeder-Devrient, Mme.~: III, 83, 84, 85.
- ~Schubauer~: Opera “Die Dorfdeputirten,” I, 109.
+ ~Schubauer~: Opera “Die Dorfdeputirten,” I, 109.
- ~Schubert, Franz~: His “Erlkönig,” I, 230; II, 327, 355;
+ ~Schubert, Franz~: His “Erlkönig,” I, 230; II, 327, 355;
III, his meeting with B., 79;
takes Rochlitz to look at B., 74;
- his variations on Diabelli’s waltz, 128;
+ his variations on Diabelli’s waltz, 128;
B. and his songs, 298 _et seq._;
- B’s remark “A divine spark dwells in S.,” 300, 301;
- at B’s death-bed, 298 _et seq._;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312;
- his grave beside B’s, 312.
+ B’s remark “A divine spark dwells in S.,” 300, 301;
+ at B’s death-bed, 298 _et seq._;
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312;
+ his grave beside B’s, 312.
~Schultz, Edward~: Visit to B., III, 134.
@@ -18848,17 +18811,17 @@ General Index
teacher of Mayseder, 41;
his quartet concerts, 41;
Augarten Concerts, 42, 172;
- B’s joke on his marriage, 105, 125, 150, 167;
+ B’s joke on his marriage, 105, 125, 150, 167;
goes to Russia, 327, 337.
--III, 24, 75, 126;
and the last Quartets, 139, 156, 157, 184;
fails in E-flat Quartet, 193, 294, 312.
- ~Schuster~: Operas “Der Alchymist,” I, 31, 107, 108;
- “Die Geitzigen in der Falle,” 108;
- “Dr. Murner,” 108.
+ ~Schuster~: Operas “Der Alchymist,” I, 31, 107, 108;
+ “Die Geitzigen in der Falle,” 108;
+ “Dr. Murner,” 108.
- ~Schwachhofer, Mme.~, Court Singer: Disciplined by B’s
+ ~Schwachhofer, Mme.~, Court Singer: Disciplined by B’s
grandfather, I, 20.
~Schwarzenberg, Prince~: I, 168, 172, 208;
@@ -18869,43 +18832,43 @@ General Index
~Scott, Sir Walter~: I, 252; II, 214, 194;
B. reads his novels on his death-bed, III, 282.
- “~Seasons, The~”: Oratorio by Haydn, I, 171; II, 120.
+ “~Seasons, The~”: Oratorio by Haydn, I, 171; II, 120.
- ~Sebald, Amalie~: B’s relations with, I, 337; II, 205;
+ ~Sebald, Amalie~: B’s relations with, I, 337; II, 205;
letter from B, 228;
inscription in her album, 229;
- B’s infatuation for, 239, 343.
+ B’s infatuation for, 239, 343.
~Sebald, Auguste~: II, 205.
- ~Sedlažek, Jean~, Flautist: III, 208.
+ ~Sedlažek, Jean~, Flautist: III, 208.
- “~Seidenen Schuhe, Die~”: Opera by Fridzeri, I, 32.
+ “~Seidenen Schuhe, Die~”: Opera by Fridzeri, I, 32.
- “~Serva Padrona, La~”: Opera by Pergolesi, I, 108.
+ “~Serva Padrona, La~”: Opera by Pergolesi, I, 108.
~Sessi, Mme.~, Singer: II, 2, 215.
- ~Seume~: His poem “Die Beterin” and the C-sharp minor Sonata,
+ ~Seume~: His poem “Die Beterin” and the C-sharp minor Sonata,
I, 292, 339;
B. visits his grave, II, 205.
- “~Seven Last Words~”: Cantata by Haydn, I, 214.
+ “~Seven Last Words~”: Cantata by Haydn, I, 214.
- ~Seyfried, Ignaz von~: “Beethoven’s Studies in Thoroughbass,”
+ ~Seyfried, Ignaz von~: “Beethoven’s Studies in Thoroughbass,”
I, 159, 215, 249; II, 147, 152, 183;
- on B’s playing, I, 216;
+ on B’s playing, I, 216;
on the character of his brothers, 361; II, 2, 6;
and the C minor Concerto, 7;
- conducts rehearsals of “Fidelio,” 51;
+ conducts rehearsals of “Fidelio,” 51;
asked by B. to conduct the opera, 61;
his description of B., 93 _et seq._,
on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 131;
his writing for four horns, 285;
- music for “Moses,” 297, 358, 388; III, 157;
- arranges and composes music for B’s funeral and is pallbearer, 312.
+ music for “Moses,” 297, 358, 388; III, 157;
+ arranges and composes music for B’s funeral and is pallbearer, 312.
- ~Seyler’s Dramatic Co.~: I, 28, 30, 35.
+ ~Seyler’s Dramatic Co.~: I, 28, 30, 35.
~Shakespeare~: Recommended by B., II, 176.
@@ -18913,14 +18876,14 @@ General Index
~Siboni~, Tenor: II, 215, 267.
- “~Silvain~”: Musical comedy by Grétry, I, 26, 86.
+ “~Silvain~”: Musical comedy by Grétry, I, 26, 86.
~Simonetti~, Tenor of Electoral Chapel: I, 112.
~Simoni~, Singer in Vienna: I, 282.
~Simrock, Nicolaus~, Court Hornist in Bonn: I, 24, 51, 105;
- B’s association with him as publisher, 183 (see MASS IN D);
+ B’s association with him as publisher, 183 (see MASS IN D);
letters, 8, 183; II, 21;
B. offers him compositions, II, 105;
the Mass in C, 142;
@@ -18939,14 +18902,14 @@ General Index
visits B. in Vienna, III, 206 _et seq._; 289, 389.
~Smetana, Dr.~: Performs surgical operation on Nephew Karl, II, 341;
- prescribes for B’s deafness, 85;
- informed by B. of nephew’s attempt at suicide, 259, 274.
+ prescribes for B’s deafness, 85;
+ informed by B. of nephew’s attempt at suicide, 259, 274.
~Smith, John~, of Glasgow: III, 16.
~Sobieski, John~: I, 7.
- “~Soliman II~”: Opera by Süssmayr, I, 227.
+ “~Soliman II~”: Opera by Süssmayr, I, 227.
~Soltikoff, Count~: II, 75.
@@ -18964,9 +18927,9 @@ General Index
~Sontag, Henrietta~: III, 77, 139, 153, 162, 164.
- “~Sophonisba~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31.
+ “~Sophonisba~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 31.
- ~Spain~: B’s desire to travel in, II, 142.
+ ~Spain~: B’s desire to travel in, II, 142.
~Spaun, Baron~: I, 338.
@@ -18976,29 +18939,29 @@ General Index
~Speyer, E.~: II, 216.
- “~Spiegel von Arkadien~”: Opera by Süssmayer, II, 49.
+ “~Spiegel von Arkadien~”: Opera by Süssmayer, II, 49.
- ~Spina~: Gets B’s Broadwood Pf., II, 392.
+ ~Spina~: Gets B’s Broadwood Pf., II, 392.
- ~Spohr, Ludwig~: His accounts of B’s conducting, II, 128, 257;
+ ~Spohr, Ludwig~: His accounts of B’s conducting, II, 128, 257;
his opinion of Rode, 235;
his intercourse with B., 236;
- on B’s music and playing, 269;
- B’s opinion on his music, III, 203.
+ on B’s music and playing, 269;
+ B’s opinion on his music, III, 203.
- ~Spontini~: Opera “La Vestale,” II, 36, 202, 296; III, 139;
- B’s opinion of his music, 203.
+ ~Spontini~: Opera “La Vestale,” II, 36, 202, 296; III, 139;
+ B’s opinion of his music, 203.
~Sporchil, Johann~: Submits opera-text to B., III, 118.
- ~Stadler, Abbé~: I, 376;
+ ~Stadler, Abbé~: I, 376;
statement as to Trio of Seventh Symphony, II, 216;
anecdote, 234;
canon, 236.
~Starcke, Friedrich~: The Bagatelles, III, 48.
- ~Staudenheimer, Dr.~, B’s physician: Sends him to Karlsbad,
+ ~Staudenheimer, Dr.~, B’s physician: Sends him to Karlsbad,
II, 223; III, 39, 199, 273, 276.
~Stauffen, Franz~, Youthful pianist: II, 327.
@@ -19012,49 +18975,49 @@ General Index
~Stein, Friedrich~, Pianist: II, 117;
and Concertos in C minor and G, 131.
- ~Stein, Dr. Fritz~: Publishes the “Jena” Symphony, I, 211.
+ ~Stein, Dr. Fritz~: Publishes the “Jena” Symphony, I, 211.
~Stein, Nanette.~ (See STREICHER, NANETTE.)
- ~Stein, Matthäus~: II, 87.
+ ~Stein, Matth√§us~: II, 87.
~Steiner, Sigmund Anton~ (and Steiner and Co.): II, 279, 364;
III, lends B. money, 21;
- canon, “Hol’ euch der Teufel,” 23;
+ canon, “Hol’ euch der Teufel,” 23;
letter, 38;
duns B. for money, 38, 58, 59, 71, 114, 184;
friction with B., 234;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
- “~Steinerne Braut, Die~”: Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 305.
+ “~Steinerne Braut, Die~”: Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 305.
- ~Sterkel, Abbé~: I, 113.
+ ~Sterkel, Abbé~: I, 113.
~Stich, Johann Wenzel.~ (See PUNTO.)
- ~Stieler, Joseph~: Paints B’s portrait, III, 41.
+ ~Stieler, Joseph~: Paints B’s portrait, III, 41.
~Storck~: I, 336.
~Streicher, Andreas~: I, 91, 92;
- collects funds for Bach’s daughter, 308; II, 391; III, 180;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ collects funds for Bach’s daughter, 308; II, 391; III, 180;
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Streicher~, pianofortes: II, 87.
~Streicher, Nanette~: II, 87;
- puts B’s house in order, 244;
+ puts B’s house in order, 244;
letter from B., 394.
- ~Stummer, Fräulein~, Singer: Marries Count Lichnowsky, II, 291.
+ ~Stummer, Fr√§ulein~, Singer: Marries Count Lichnowsky, II, 291.
~Stumpf~, Pianoforte tuner of London: II, 391.
~Stumpff, Johann~: His visit to B., III, 181 _et seq._;
- gives Handel’s scores to B., 182, 277, 289, 290, 291.
+ gives Handel’s scores to B., 182, 277, 289, 290, 291.
- ~Sturm, Christian~: “Beobachtungen über die Werke Gottes,
- etc.,” I, 252; II, 55, 165.
+ ~Sturm, Christian~: “Beobachtungen über die Werke Gottes,
+ etc.,” I, 252; II, 55, 165.
~Stutterheim, Baron von~: Gives Nephew of B. cadetship, III, 264;
dedication, 297.
@@ -19063,17 +19026,17 @@ General Index
~Sumner, Charles~: Recommends Thayer for consulship, I, x.
- “~Sündfluth, Die~”: Oratorio, II, 156.
+ “~Sündfluth, Die~”: Oratorio, II, 156.
- ~Süssmayer, F. X.~: I, 165, 188;
- “Soliman II.,” 327; II, 2;
- “Spiegel von Arkadien,” 49.
+ ~Süssmayer, F. X.~: I, 165, 188;
+ “Soliman II.,” 327; II, 2;
+ “Spiegel von Arkadien,” 49.
~Sweden, King of~: Subscription for the Mass in D, III, 102.
~Sweden~, Royal Academy of: Elects B. Hon. Mem., 130, 163.
- “~Swetard’s Zaubergürtel~”: Opera by Fischer, II, 49.
+ “~Swetard’s Zaubergürtel~”: Opera by Fischer, II, 49.
~Swieten, Gottfried Freiherr von~: I, 171;
bids B. bring his night-cap, 175, 205;
@@ -19084,11 +19047,11 @@ General Index
~Swinburne, Henry~: Description of Bonn and its Electors, I, 16, 78.
- “~Tage der Gefahr, Die.~” (See LES DEUX JOURNÉES.)
+ “~Tage der Gefahr, Die.~” (See LES DEUX JOURNÉES.)
- “~Tantum ergo sacramentum~”: III, 116.
+ “~Tantum ergo sacramentum~”: III, 116.
- “~Tartarische Gesetz, Das~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 31.
+ “~Tartarische Gesetz, Das~”: Opera by d’Antoine, I, 31.
~Taxis, Mme. de~: I, 16.
@@ -19099,11 +19062,11 @@ General Index
~Telemann~: I, 13;
his fluency in composition, 85.
- ~Tenger, Mariam~: “Beethoven’s unsterbliche Geliebte,” I, 338.
+ ~Tenger, Mariam~: “Beethoven’s unsterbliche Geliebte,” I, 338.
- ~Teplitz~: B’s visit to, II, 202, 204 _et seq._;
+ ~Teplitz~: B’s visit to, II, 202, 204 _et seq._;
meeting-place of political magnates, 221;
- B’s second visit in 1812, 222.
+ B’s second visit in 1812, 222.
~Teutonic Order~: Clemens August elected Grand Master of, I, 7;
opens the strong box, 8;
@@ -19120,9 +19083,9 @@ General Index
~Thayer, Alexander Wheelock~: Vicissitudes of his biography of
B., I, vii _et seq._;
- the “Chronologisches Verzeichniss,” ix, 74, 75;
+ the “Chronologisches Verzeichniss,” ix, 74, 75;
sketch of his life and labors, ix _et seq._;
- connected with the “New York Tribune,” ix;
+ connected with the “New York Tribune,” ix;
second visit to Europe, x;
receives funds for research work, x;
visits all surviving friends of B., x;
@@ -19142,7 +19105,7 @@ General Index
on the commission from the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, 88;
visits Sir George Smart, 208 _et seq._
- ~Thomas-San-Galli, Dr. Wolfgang~: His book on B’s love-affairs,
+ ~Thomas-San-Galli, Dr. Wolfgang~: His book on B’s love-affairs,
I, 337; II, 239.
~Thomson, George~, Publisher of National Songs: II, 17 _et seq._;
@@ -19153,20 +19116,20 @@ General Index
~Thun, Countess Elizabeth~: II, 81.
~Thun, Countess~: I, 244;
- dedication of Pf. arrangement of “Prometheus,” I, 290.
+ dedication of Pf. arrangement of “Prometheus,” I, 290.
~Thun, Count Franz Joseph von~: I, 181.
- ~Tiedge~: B’s association with him at Teplitz, II, 204, 206, 208.
+ ~Tiedge~: B’s association with him at Teplitz, II, 204, 206, 208.
~Tiller, Theresia~: Sells apothecary shop to Johann v. B., II, 115.
- “~Timotheus~”: Oratorio by Handel, II, 216.
+ “~Timotheus~”: Oratorio by Handel, II, 216.
- “~Tod Jesu~”: Oratorio by Graun, II, 89.
+ “~Tod Jesu~”: Oratorio by Graun, II, 89.
- ~Tomaschek~: Describes B’s Pf. playing, I, 217, 257;
- on “Wellington’s Victory,” II, 256;
+ ~Tomaschek~: Describes B’s Pf. playing, I, 217, 257;
+ on “Wellington’s Victory,” II, 256;
meeting with B., 297.
~Tomasini, Luigi~, Singer: II, 2.
@@ -19175,30 +19138,30 @@ General Index
~Trautmannsdorf, Prince~: I, 172.
- “~Tre Amanti ridicoli, Li~”: Opera, I, 27.
+ “~Tre Amanti ridicoli, Li~”: Opera, I, 27.
~Treitschke, Georg Friedrich~: II. 35;
- revises text of “Fidelio,” 264;
- “Gute Nachricht,” 268, 270, 302, 317;
+ revises text of “Fidelio,” 264;
+ “Gute Nachricht,” 268, 270, 302, 317;
letters, 273, 277, 281, 284;
- “Romulus and Remus,” 304, 381;
- “Die Ehrenpforten,” 317.
+ “Romulus and Remus,” 304, 381;
+ “Die Ehrenpforten,” 317.
~Tribolet, Mme.~: I, 200, 242.
- “~Tribune, The New York~”: Thayer on its editorial staff, I, ix;
+ “~Tribune, The New York~”: Thayer on its editorial staff, I, ix;
W. H. Fry, musical critic, 358; III, 68.
- “~Trionfo d’Amore~”: Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
+ “~Trionfo d’Amore~”: Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
- “~Trofonio’s Zaubergürtel~” (“Grotta di Trofonio”):
+ “~Trofonio’s Zaubergürtel~” (“Grotta di Trofonio”):
Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
~Truchsee-Waldburg, Count~: II, 124.
~Tschiska, Dr.~: III, 3.
- ~Türkheim, Anton von~: I, 288; III, 97.
+ ~Türkheim, Anton von~: I, 288; III, 97.
~Tuscany, Grand Duke of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D,
III, 95, 101, 105.
@@ -19209,18 +19172,18 @@ General Index
~Ulm~: Captured by the French, II, 51.
- ~Umlauf, Ignaz~: “Die schöne Schusterin,” I, 108, 165, 204;
+ ~Umlauf, Ignaz~: “Die schöne Schusterin,” I, 108, 165, 204;
saves performance at which B. conducts, II, 263;
- conducts “Fidelio,” 279; III, 157.
+ conducts “Fidelio,” 279; III, 157.
~Ungermann~, Police Director: III, 132.
~Ungher, Caroline~: III, 77, 78, 161, 162, 164, 166.
- “~Unterbrochene Opferfest, Das~”: Opera by Winter, I, 227.
+ “~Unterbrochene Opferfest, Das~”: Opera by Winter, I, 227.
- “~Van~”: not a predicate of noble birth, II, 404, 408.
+ “~Van~”: not a predicate of noble birth, II, 404, 408.
~Van den Eeden, Heinrich~: I, 5;
appointed second Court Organist at Bonn, I, 10;
@@ -19232,21 +19195,21 @@ General Index
~Varena, Ritter von~: II, 205;
asks for music for Ursulines at Gratz, 214;
- B’s letters to, II, 218, 246, 247, 249.
+ B’s letters to, II, 218, 246, 247, 249.
- ~Varnhagen von Ense~: His account of B’s sojourn at Teplitz,
+ ~Varnhagen von Ense~: His account of B’s sojourn at Teplitz,
II, 204, 222, 302.
~Vering, Dr.~: Treats B., I, 300, 302, 348.
- “~Vestale, La~”: Opera by Spontini, II, 36, 296; III, 139.
+ “~Vestale, La~”: Opera by Spontini, II, 36, 296; III, 139.
- “~Vesta’s Feuer~”: Opera by Weigl, II, 49.
+ “~Vesta’s Feuer~”: Opera by Weigl, II, 49.
~Victoria, Princess of England~: Wedding hymn on her marriage
to Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
- ~Vienna~: B’s first visit to, I, 89;
+ ~Vienna~: B’s first visit to, I, 89;
second journey, 124;
route travelled and incidents, 126;
arrival in the city, 128, 146;
@@ -19256,7 +19219,7 @@ General Index
performing musicians, 170;
composers, 172, 174;
private theatres, 173;
- B’s position in Society, 174 _et seq._
+ B’s position in Society, 174 _et seq._
--II, Music in 1803, 2;
lapse of public concerts, 42;
entered by French, 52;
@@ -19274,12 +19237,12 @@ General Index
--III, Society of Merchants elects B. Hon. Mem., 21;
taste denounced by B., 202.
- ~Vigano, Salvatore~: Ballet “Le Nozze disturbata,” I, 188;
+ ~Vigano, Salvatore~: Ballet “Le Nozze disturbata,” I, 188;
sketch of, 283;
- ballet “Raoul, Sire de Croqui,” 283;
- “Prometheus,” 284 _et seq._
+ ballet “Raoul, Sire de Croqui,” 283;
+ “Prometheus,” 284 _et seq._
- “~Villanella di spirito, La~”: Opera, I, 108.
+ “~Villanella di spirito, La~”: Opera, I, 108.
~Viotti~: II, 12.
@@ -19287,11 +19250,11 @@ General Index
~Vogl, Johann Michael~: I, 230.
- ~Vogler, Abbé Georg Joseph~: In Bonn, I, 123;
+ ~Vogler, Abbé Georg Joseph~: In Bonn, I, 123;
engaged to compose operas in Vienna, II, 2, 4;
- “Hermann von Staufen” and “Hermann von Unna,” 4, 12;
+ “Hermann von Staufen” and “Hermann von Unna,” 4, 12;
his extempore playing, 15;
- his opera “Samori,” 23.
+ his opera “Samori,” 23.
~Volbach~: I, 337.
@@ -19302,14 +19265,14 @@ General Index
~Waldstein, Count Emanuel Philip~: I, 101.
- ~Waldstein, Count Ferdinand Gabriel~: B’s first meeting with,
+ ~Waldstein, Count Ferdinand Gabriel~: B’s first meeting with,
I, 93 _et seq._; 101, 102;
knighted by Max Franz, 102;
absolved from his vow of celibacy and marries, 103;
his aid to B., 103, 117;
- the book of the “Ritter-Ballet,” 108, 122;
- inscription in B’s album, 126;
- The “Ritter-Ballet,” 133;
+ the book of the “Ritter-Ballet,” 108, 122;
+ inscription in B’s album, 126;
+ The “Ritter-Ballet,” 133;
family connections of, 174, 244;
second marriage of, II, 111, 146; III, 24.
(See SONATA OP. 53.)
@@ -19324,75 +19287,75 @@ General Index
~Wawruch, Dr.~: In attendance on B. at his last illness,
III, 273 _et seq._;
- B’s dissatisfaction with him, 283;
- report on B’s illness and death, 275 _et seq._
+ B’s dissatisfaction with him, 283;
+ report on B’s illness and death, 275 _et seq._
~Weber, Carl Maria von~: I, 112;
his first visit to Vienna, II, 23;
interest in Amalie Sebald, 205;
- produces “Fidelio” in Dresden, III, 129;
+ produces “Fidelio” in Dresden, III, 129;
visits B., 136 _et seq._;
- “Der Freischütz,” 131, 135, 137;
- “Euryanthe,” 131, 137, 139, 140.
+ “Der Freischütz,” 131, 135, 137;
+ “Euryanthe,” 131, 137, 139, 140.
~Weber, Dionysius~: II, 282.
~Weber, Franz Anton von~: I, 112.
~Weber, Gottfried~: Publishes letters by B., II, 183, 384;
- attacks authenticity of Mozart’s “Requiem,” 235.
+ attacks authenticity of Mozart’s “Requiem,” 235.
~Weber, Max Maria von~: III, 138.
- ~Weber, W.~: Sells publishing rights in Thayer’s biography
- to Breitkopf and Härtel, I, xv.
+ ~Weber, W.~: Sells publishing rights in Thayer’s biography
+ to Breitkopf and H√§rtel, I, xv.
~Wedding Song~: Arranged for the wedding of Princess Victoria
of England and Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
- ~Wegeler, F. G.~: His “Biographische Notizen,” I, ix, xi, 79,
+ ~Wegeler, F. G.~: His “Biographische Notizen,” I, ix, xi, 79,
89, 94, _et seq._; 99, 117;
comes to Vienna, 179;
- his account of B’s status there, 180;
+ his account of B’s status there, 180;
letters from B., 181, 182;
on B. as a lover, 182, 186;
said to have recommended B. as teacher to the Breuning family, 100;
on Count Waldstein, 102;
- on B’s susceptibility to women, 122;
+ on B’s susceptibility to women, 122;
letters from B., 299, 301;
error in date of an important letter, 308.
--II, B. asks him to get the certificate of his baptism, 177;
- publication of B’s letters, 183.
+ publication of B’s letters, 183.
--III, 197, 214, 288, 297.
~Wegeler, Karl~: I, 96, 102, 181.
~Weigl, Joseph~, Chapelmaster and composer: I, 163;
- “L’Amore marinaro,” 225;
+ “L’Amore marinaro,” 225;
respected by B., 241;
- “Corsar aus Liebe,” 268;
+ “Corsar aus Liebe,” 268;
the same, II, 2;
- “Die Schweizerfamilie,” 2;
- “Vesta’s Feuer,” 49, 279;
- pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ “Die Schweizerfamilie,” 2;
+ “Vesta’s Feuer,” 49, 279;
+ pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
~Weimar, Grand Duke of~: The Mass in D, III, 98;
B. contemplates a visit to, II, 198.
- ~Weinkopf~: Singer in first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 50.
+ ~Weinkopf~: Singer in first performance of “Fidelio,” II, 50.
- ~Weinmüller~, Bass singer: II, 267, 285, 286.
+ ~Weinmüller~, Bass singer: II, 267, 285, 286.
~Weiss, Franz~, Viola player: I, 170, 274; II, 125, 337.
~Weiss, Dr. Leopold~: II, 303.
- ~Weiss, Pater~: Attempts to cure B’s deafness, II, 96; III, 85.
+ ~Weiss, Pater~: Attempts to cure B’s deafness, II, 96; III, 85.
- ~Weissenbach, Dr. Alois~: His “Reise zum Congress,” I, 263;
+ ~Weissenbach, Dr. Alois~: His “Reise zum Congress,” I, 263;
description of B., II, 293;
his dramas, 293;
- “Der glorreiche Augenblick,” 294.
+ “Der glorreiche Augenblick,” 294.
~Weissenthurm, Mme.~: I, 133.
@@ -19403,7 +19366,7 @@ General Index
~Westerholt, Count Friedrich Rudolph Anton~: And his family,
I, 121, 137.
- ~Westerholt, Fräulein~: I, 120, 121, 122.
+ ~Westerholt, Fr√§ulein~: I, 120, 121, 122.
~Westphalia.~ (See BONAPARTE, JEROME, and CASSEL.)
@@ -19427,59 +19390,59 @@ General Index
~Winneberger~: Chapelmaster at Wallenstein, I, 114.
- ~Winter~: Opera “Das unterbrochene Opferfest,” I, 227.
+ ~Winter~: Opera “Das unterbrochene Opferfest,” I, 227.
~Winter, Karl~: Judge of the Austrian Court of Appeals, III, 29.
- ~Wolanek~, Copyist: Excites B’s ire, III, 191.
+ ~Wolanek~, Copyist: Excites B’s ire, III, 191.
- ~Wolf~: Opera “Das Rosenfest,” I, 32.
+ ~Wolf~: Opera “Das Rosenfest,” I, 32.
- ~Wölffl, Joseph~, Pianist: I, 214;
- his playing compared with B’s, 215;
+ ~Wölffl, Joseph~, Pianist: I, 214;
+ his playing compared with B’s, 215;
dedicates Sonata to B., 217.
- ~Wolfmayer, Johann Nepomuk~: Substitutes new coat for B’s old,
+ ~Wolfmayer, Johann Nepomuk~: Substitutes new coat for B’s old,
III, 230;
pays B. for a Requiem which is never composed, 220, 296;
- torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
+ torchbearer at B’s funeral, 312.
~Wranitzky, Anton~: II, 125.
~Wranitzky, Paul~: I, 165;
- “Oberon,” 165;
- “Das Waldmädchen,” 210.
+ “Oberon,” 165;
+ “Das Waldmädchen,” 210.
- ~Würfel~, Chapelmaster: Pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
+ ~Würfel~, Chapelmaster: Pallbearer at B’s funeral, III, 312.
- ~Würth and Fellner~: Organize concerts in Vienna, II, 42.
+ ~Würth and Fellner~: Organize concerts in Vienna, II, 42.
~Wyzewa, Theodore~: I, 139.
- ~Yellowhammer~: Song of, in the “Pastoral” Symphony, II, 120, 121.
+ ~Yellowhammer~: Song of, in the “Pastoral” Symphony, II, 120, 121.
~Zambona~: Gives B. lessons in Latin, I, 65.
- “~Zauberflöte, Die~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 164, 226, 304.
+ “~Zauberflöte, Die~”: Opera by Mozart, I, 164, 226, 304.
~Zeithammer, Dr. Ottokar~: The Lobkowitz cantata, II, 354.
- “~Zelmira~”: Opera by Rossini, III, 20, 77.
+ “~Zelmira~”: Opera by Rossini, III, 20, 77.
~Zelter, Karl Friedrich~: Association with B., III, 16, 18, 104, 110.
- “~Zémire et Azor~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 32, 86.
+ “~Zémire et Azor~”: Opera by Grétry, I, 32, 86.
- “~Zemire und Azor~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
+ “~Zemire und Azor~”: Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
~Zenser~: Reputed to have taught organ to B., I, 64.
~Zichy, Count Stephen~: II, 98.
- ~Zingarelli~: Opera “Romeo and Juliet,” II, 172.
+ ~Zingarelli~: Opera “Romeo and Juliet,” II, 172.
- ~Zitterbarth~: Buys interest in Schikaneder’s theatre, II, 22.
+ ~Zitterbarth~: Buys interest in Schikaneder’s theatre, II, 22.
~Zizius, Dr. Johann~: II, 88.
@@ -19489,7 +19452,7 @@ General Index
letters from B., 231; II, 88, 97, 144, 155, 174, 208,
217, 245, 246, 247, 248, 262, 271, 330, 349; II, 113, 144;
the Quartet in F minor, 193, 351;
- and Mälzel’s metronome, 384 _et seq._; III, 24, 42, 288.
+ and Mälzel’s metronome, 384 _et seq._; III, 24, 42, 288.
~Zuccalmaglio~: I, 278.
@@ -19514,7 +19477,7 @@ Index to Compositions
arranged as Pf. Trio, II, 40;
arranged as Quintet, II, 113.
- No. 3, E-flat major, Op. 55 (“Eroica”)--I, 212; II, 14, 20, 24
+ No. 3, E-flat major, Op. 55 (“Eroica”)--I, 212; II, 14, 20, 24
_et seq._; 33, 40;
first public performances of, 42 _et seq._; 66, 67;
publication of, 77, 112, 116, 149, 369; III, 50;
@@ -19528,7 +19491,7 @@ Index to Compositions
correction of error in Scherzo of, 192; 216, 250, 334, 348,
369, 379; III, 50.
- No. 6, F major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”)--I, 349, 354; II, 73, 110,
+ No. 6, F major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”)--I, 349, 354; II, 73, 110,
119, 120;
country musicians parodied in Scherzo, 121, 122; 127, 131,
141, 162, 166, 209, 316; III, 14, 50.
@@ -19541,17 +19504,17 @@ Index to Compositions
144, 302.
No. 8, F major, Op. 93--II, 152, 166, 232;
- the Allegretto and the canon on Mälzel, 234 _et seq._; 237,
+ the Allegretto and the canon on M√§lzel, 234 _et seq._; 237,
240, 267, 268, 311, 312, 313, 318, 357, 388; III, 144.
No. 9, D minor, Op. 125 (with vocal solos and chorus)--I, xi;
trombone parts, II, 7; 73, 90, 133, 152, 378, 411, 414; III,
15, 22, 87, 95;
- and the Philharmonic Society of London, 110 (see “London
- Philharmonic Society” under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG V.); 128, 132;
+ and the Philharmonic Society of London, 110 (see “London
+ Philharmonic Society” under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG V.); 128, 132;
composition, first performance, repetition, 144 _et seq._;
origin of the theme of the Scherzo, 145;
- B.’s doubts concerning the finale, 152, 153;
+ B.’s doubts concerning the finale, 152, 153;
address to B. by his friends, 153 _et seq._;
a conspiracy to further the performance, 158, 159;
trouble about orchestra leader, 157, 160;
@@ -19559,7 +19522,7 @@ Index to Compositions
rehearsals, 163;
programme of the concert, 164;
incidents of the first performance, 165 _et seq._;
- financial failure and B.’s disappointment, 167;
+ financial failure and B.’s disappointment, 167;
B. upbraids his friends and dines alone, 167;
the second performance, 168 _et seq._; 170;
offer of score to Schott, 177;
@@ -19571,14 +19534,14 @@ Index to Compositions
metronome marks, 244, 292;
the autograph manuscript, 266.
- “Wellington’s Victory, or The Battle of Victoria,” Op. 91--II,
+ “Wellington’s Victory, or The Battle of Victoria,” Op. 91--II,
251 _et seq._; 262 _et seq._; 259, 267, 268, 271, 272, 283,
290, 299, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 335,
339, 340, 353, 356; III, 113, 208, 211.
- “Jena”--I, 211.
+ “Jena”--I, 211.
- Sketches for uncompleted symphonies--A “Tenth,” II, 414; III, 221
+ Sketches for uncompleted symphonies--A “Tenth,” II, 414; III, 221
_et seq._;
in B minor, II, 310, 328;
in C minor, I, 210.
@@ -19586,38 +19549,38 @@ Index to Compositions
~Overtures, Ballets, Marches, Dances~, etc.:
- Overture, “Coriolan,” Op. 62--II, 101, 102, 105, 112, 117, 124,
+ Overture, “Coriolan,” Op. 62--II, 101, 102, 105, 112, 117, 124,
127, 133, 172, 209, 216, 268, 284.
- Overture in C, Op. 124, “Consecration of the House.” (See WEIHE
+ Overture in C, Op. 124, “Consecration of the House.” (See WEIHE
DES HAUSES, under (c) Choral Works, etc.)
- Overture to “Fidelio.” (See “FIDELIO.”)
+ Overture to “Fidelio.” (See “FIDELIO.”)
- Overtures, “Leonore,” Nos. 1, 2 and 3. (See “FIDELIO.”)
+ Overtures, “Leonore,” Nos. 1, 2 and 3. (See “FIDELIO.”)
Overture in C, Op. 115--II, 292, 296, 302, 303, 311, 312, 313,
316, 327, 334, 335, 413; III, 50.
- Overture to “König Stephan” (“King Stephen”), Op. 117--II, 208,
+ Overture to “König Stephan” (“King Stephen”), Op. 117--II, 208,
209, 213, 214, 218, 246, 313, 316, 334, 413; III, 57, 70, 72.
- “Ritter-Ballet”--I, 108, 111, 117, 133, 142.
+ “Ritter-Ballet”--I, 108, 111, 117, 133, 142.
- Ballet, “Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus” (“The Men of Prometheus”),
+ Ballet, “Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus” (“The Men of Prometheus”),
Op. 43--I, 280;
history of, 283 _et seq._; 290, 304, 364, 370; II, 5, 39, 52, 102,
112, 216, 356; III, 14.
Dances for the Ridotto Room--I, 188, 192, 202, 210, 211, 289.
- Contradances and “Ländrische”--I, 289, 364, 365.
+ Contradances and “Ländrische”--I, 289, 364, 365.
- Écossaises (Twelve) for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
+ Écossaises (Twelve) for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
- Écossaise for Military Band--II, 194.
+ Écossaise for Military Band--II, 194.
- “Gratulatory Minuet”--III, 64, 80, 82, 89.
+ “Gratulatory Minuet”--III, 64, 80, 82, 89.
Polonaise for Military Band--II, 194.
@@ -19629,15 +19592,15 @@ Index to Compositions
Military Marches, in F--II, 160, 162, 195; III, 64, 141.
- Funeral March for “Leonore Prohaska,” arranged from the Sonata
+ Funeral March for “Leonore Prohaska,” arranged from the Sonata
Op. 26--II, 298, 299; III, 312.
Rondino for Wind-instruments--I, 134.
- Triumphal March, for Küffner’s “Tarpeja”--II, 245, 250, 259; III, 58.
+ Triumphal March, for Küffner’s “Tarpeja”--II, 245, 250, 259; III, 58.
Equale for Three Trombones--II, 237;
- arranged for voices and sung at B.’s funeral, III, 311.
+ arranged for voices and sung at B.’s funeral, III, 311.
(b) INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS WITH ORCHESTRA
@@ -19685,9 +19648,9 @@ Index to Compositions
(c) CHORAL WORKS AND PIECES FOR SOLI AND CHORUS
- Abschiedsgesang, for Men’s Voices--II, 303.
+ Abschiedsgesang, for Men’s Voices--II, 303.
- “Ah, perfido! spergiuro,” Scena for Soprano and Orchestra,
+ “Ah, perfido! spergiuro,” Scena for Soprano and Orchestra,
Op. 65--I, 143, 206, 209; II, 6, 56, 129.
Birthday Cantata for Archduke Rudolph--III, 25.
@@ -19700,58 +19663,58 @@ Index to Compositions
Cantata on the Elevation of Leopold II--I, 130, 131.
- “Christus am Ölberg,” Oratorio, Op. 85--I, 143, 289, 364; II, 2;
+ “Christus am Ölberg,” Oratorio, Op. 85--I, 143, 289, 364; II, 2;
first performance of, 5 _et seq._;
criticism of, 8, 35; 45, 52, 74, 156, 199, 204, 210, 246, 250,
309, 310, 327; III, 50, 174, 189, 208.
- “Der glorreiche Augenblick,” Cantata, Op. 136--II, 294, 299, 300,
+ “Der glorreiche Augenblick,” Cantata, Op. 136--II, 294, 299, 300,
303, 305, 313, 318, 333, 339, 352.
- “Egmont,” incidental music for, Op. 84--Commission for, II, 153, 166;
+ “Egmont,” incidental music for, Op. 84--Commission for, II, 153, 166;
composition and first performance of, 171, 181, 192, 194, 197, 198;
209, 214, 216, 224, 238, 268; III, 75.
Elegiac Song, for four Voices and Strings, composed in memory of
Baroness Pasqualati, Op. 118--II, 288, 303; III, 58.
- “Es ist vollbracht,” Chorus for “Die Ehrenpforten”--II, 317, 328.
+ “Es ist vollbracht,” Chorus for “Die Ehrenpforten”--II, 317, 328.
Fantasia for Pianoforte, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 80--I, 203;
II, 90, 127, 129 _et seq._; 131, 133, 136, 160, 166, 192, 199;
dedication of, 207; 209, 369, 388; III, 177.
- “Fidelio,” Opera, Op. 72--I, 145, 230, 263, 320; II, 19, 20, 35, 40;
+ “Fidelio,” Opera, Op. 72--I, 145, 230, 263, 320; II, 19, 20, 35, 40;
composition of, 41; 45 _et seq._;
first performance, 49 _et seq._;
criticisms, 52;
first revision of, 53, 55, 56;
repetition and revision, 57 _et seq._;
- overtures, “Fidelio” and “Leonore” Nos. 1, 2 and 3, 58 _et seq._;
+ overtures, “Fidelio” and “Leonore” Nos. 1, 2 and 3, 58 _et seq._;
60, 110, 111, 278, 279;
- Röckel’s account of the withdrawal of, 63;
- Salieri’s advice asked and rejected, 64;
+ Röckel’s account of the withdrawal of, 63;
+ Salieri’s advice asked and rejected, 64;
Milder-Hauptmann and the great scena, 64;
- Cherubini’s opinion, 63, 64;
+ Cherubini’s opinion, 63, 64;
offered to Berlin, 64;
- Pf. score offered to Breitkopf and Härtel, 66;
+ Pf. score offered to Breitkopf and H√§rtel, 66;
sketches for, 73, 100;
in Prague, 110;
revival in 1814, 263 _et seq._; 268, 273 _et seq._; 280;
- publication as “Leonore,” 285 _et seq._;
+ publication as “Leonore,” 285 _et seq._;
Pf. score by Moscheles pirated, 283; 284, 285;
- “Abscheulicher,” 285; 286, 293, 296, 303, 305, 307, 311, 313, 318,
+ “Abscheulicher,” 285; 286, 293, 296, 303, 305, 307, 311, 313, 318,
330, 350, 351, 352, 353, 381; III, 82 _et seq._; 117;
in Dresden, 129 _et seq._; 139, 202, 288.
- “Germania, wie stehst Du jetzt,” Chorus--II, 269, 277, 279, 302,
+ “Germania, wie stehst Du jetzt,” Chorus--II, 269, 277, 279, 302,
303, 317.
- “Ihr weisen Gründer,” Chorus--II, 288, 292, 303.
+ “Ihr weisen Gründer,” Chorus--II, 288, 292, 303.
- “Leonore Prohaska,” incidental music for--II, 298, 303.
+ “Leonore Prohaska,” incidental music for--II, 298, 303.
- “Lob auf den Dicken,” jest on Schuppanzigh--I, 238.
+ “Lob auf den Dicken,” jest on Schuppanzigh--I, 238.
Mass in C major, Op. 86--II, 107 _et seq._; 108, 112, 127, 142;
performed at Troppau, 208; 223, 238, 310; III, 103.
@@ -19776,80 +19739,80 @@ Index to Compositions
Sketches for a Mass in C-sharp minor--III, 63, 116, 117, 141.
- “Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt,” Cantata, Op. 112--II, 300,
+ “Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt,” Cantata, Op. 112--II, 300,
310, 327, 328.
- “Mit Mädeln sich vertragen,” Song with Orchestra. (See SONGS.)
+ “Mit Mädeln sich vertragen,” Song with Orchestra. (See SONGS.)
- “Mount of Olives, The.” (See “CHRISTUS AM ÖLBERG.”)
+ “Mount of Olives, The.” (See “CHRISTUS AM ÖLBERG.”)
- “Opferlied,” for Soprano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 121b--I, 203,
+ “Opferlied,” for Soprano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 121b--I, 203,
275, 364; III, 64.
- “Praise of Music, The” and “Preis der Tonkunst.” (See “DER GLORREICHE
- AUGENBLICK.”)
+ “Praise of Music, The” and “Preis der Tonkunst.” (See “DER GLORREICHE
+ AUGENBLICK.”)
- “Primo Amore,” Song with Orch.--III, 58.
+ “Primo Amore,” Song with Orch.--III, 58.
- “Prüfung des Küssens.” (See SONGS.)
+ “Prüfung des Küssens.” (See SONGS.)
- “Rasch tritt der Tod,” Chorus of Monks from Schiller’s
- “William Tell”--II, 365, 368, 388.
+ “Rasch tritt der Tod,” Chorus of Monks from Schiller’s
+ “William Tell”--II, 365, 368, 388.
- “Ruinen von Athen” (“The Ruins of Athens”), incidental music
+ “Ruinen von Athen” (“The Ruins of Athens”), incidental music
for, Op. 113--II, 161, 201, 207, 208, 209, 213, 214, 216,
246, 249, 262, 264, 278, 311, 313, 316, 334; III, 57, 70,
71, 79, 80;
- B.’s “Little opera,” 118; 189.
+ B.’s “Little opera,” 118; 189.
- Airs from “Die schöne Schusterin”--I, 204, 224.
+ Airs from “Die schöne Schusterin”--I, 204, 224.
- “Tremate, empj, tremate,” Terzetto with Orch., Op. 116--I, 365;
+ “Tremate, empj, tremate,” Terzetto with Orch., Op. 116--I, 365;
II, 6, 267, 302, 313; III, 169.
Un lieto Brindisi, for four Voices and Pf.--II, 280, 302.
- “Weihe des Hauses, Die,” incidental music for;
+ “Weihe des Hauses, Die,” incidental music for;
Overture, Op. 124--II, 26; III, 57, 79, 80, 81, 89, 111, 146,
162, 165, 226;
- “Wo sich die Pulse,” Chorus, III, 72, 80.
-
-
- ~Canons and Rounds~: “Alles Gute, alles Schöne,” III, 25;
- “Ars longa” (for Hummel), II, 338;
- “Airs longa” (for Smart), III, 211;
- “Bester Graf,” III, 115;
- “Das Schöne zu dem Guten,” III, 140, 202;
- “Doktor, sperrt das Thor,” III, 200;
- “Edel sei der Mensch,” III, 110, 126;
- “Freu’ dich des Lebens,” III, 211;
- “Gedenkt heute an Baden,” III, 90;
- “Gehabt euch wohl,” III, 90;
- “Glaube und hoffe,” III, 23;
- “Glück fehl Dir,” II, 363;
- “Glück zum neuen Jahre,” II, 328, 356; III, 21, 22;
- “Grossen Dank,” III, 131;
- “Hier ist das Werk,” III, 246;
- “Hol’ euch der Teufel,” III, 22;
- “Hoffmann, sei ja kein Hōfmann,” III, 35, 190;
- “Kühl, nicht lau,” III, 204;
- “Kurz ist der Schmerz” (for Naue), II, 259;
- “Kurz ist der Schmerz” (for Spohr), II, 303;
- “Lerne schweigen, O Freund,” II, 328, 333, 389;
- “Muss es sein?”, III, 224, 244;
- “O Tobias,” III, 43, 90;
- “Rede, rede,” II, 328, 333;
- “Sankt Petrus war ein Fels,” III, 32;
- “Schwenke dich,” III, 182, 190;
- “Signor Abbate,” III, 236;
- “Ta, ta, ta, lieber Mälzel,” II, 234 _et seq._;
- “Te solo adoro,” III, 143;
- “Tugend is kein leerer Name,” III, 90.
+ “Wo sich die Pulse,” Chorus, III, 72, 80.
+
+
+ ~Canons and Rounds~: “Alles Gute, alles Schöne,” III, 25;
+ “Ars longa” (for Hummel), II, 338;
+ “Airs longa” (for Smart), III, 211;
+ “Bester Graf,” III, 115;
+ “Das Schöne zu dem Guten,” III, 140, 202;
+ “Doktor, sperrt das Thor,” III, 200;
+ “Edel sei der Mensch,” III, 110, 126;
+ “Freu’ dich des Lebens,” III, 211;
+ “Gedenkt heute an Baden,” III, 90;
+ “Gehabt euch wohl,” III, 90;
+ “Glaube und hoffe,” III, 23;
+ “Glück fehl Dir,” II, 363;
+ “Glück zum neuen Jahre,” II, 328, 356; III, 21, 22;
+ “Grossen Dank,” III, 131;
+ “Hier ist das Werk,” III, 246;
+ “Hol’ euch der Teufel,” III, 22;
+ “Hoffmann, sei ja kein Hōfmann,” III, 35, 190;
+ “Kühl, nicht lau,” III, 204;
+ “Kurz ist der Schmerz” (for Naue), II, 259;
+ “Kurz ist der Schmerz” (for Spohr), II, 303;
+ “Lerne schweigen, O Freund,” II, 328, 333, 389;
+ “Muss es sein?”, III, 224, 244;
+ “O Tobias,” III, 43, 90;
+ “Rede, rede,” II, 328, 333;
+ “Sankt Petrus war ein Fels,” III, 32;
+ “Schwenke dich,” III, 182, 190;
+ “Signor Abbate,” III, 236;
+ “Ta, ta, ta, lieber Mälzel,” II, 234 _et seq._;
+ “Te solo adoro,” III, 143;
+ “Tugend is kein leerer Name,” III, 90.
(d) INSTRUMENTAL DUOS, TRIOS, QUARTETS, etc.
- “Duet mit zwei Augengläsern,” for Viola and Violoncello--I, 205.
+ “Duet mit zwei Augengläsern,” for Viola and Violoncello--I, 205.
Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon--I, 205.
@@ -19911,7 +19874,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Trio in one Movement, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello (for Maximiliane
Brentano)--II, 221, 237; III, 136.
- Trio, Adagio, Variations (on “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu”) and
+ Trio, Adagio, Variations (on “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu”) and
Rondo, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, Op. 121a--III, 136.
Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in D (attributed to Mozart:
@@ -19919,17 +19882,17 @@ Index to Compositions
Trio for Pf., Flute and Bassoon--I, 137.
- Trio (Variations on “Là ci darem”) for two Oboes and English
+ Trio (Variations on “Là ci darem”) for two Oboes and English
Horn--I, 202, 206; III, 64.
Quartets (Six) for Strings, in F, G, D, C minor, A and B-flat,
Op. 18--I, 227, 228, 235, 272 _et seq._; 277, 279, 280,
290, 298, 307; II, 77, 89.
- Quartets (Three) in F, E minor, and C, Op. 59 (“Rasoumowsky”)--II,
+ Quartets (Three) in F, E minor, and C, Op. 59 (“Rasoumowsky”)--II,
65, 68, 73, 75 _et seq._; 82, 97, 103, 104, 105, 133, 337.
- Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 74 (“Harp”)--II, 155, 159, 160,
+ Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 74 (“Harp”)--II, 155, 159, 160,
195, 198.
Quartet for Strings, in F minor, Op. 95--II, 172, 193, 195, 219,
@@ -19967,7 +19930,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Quartet in E-flat, for Pf., Violin, Viola and Violoncello,
arranged by B. from Quintet Op. 16--I, 208, 350.
- Quartet (arrangement of the “Eroica” Symphony as Pf. Quartet)--II,
+ Quartet (arrangement of the “Eroica” Symphony as Pf. Quartet)--II,
113.
Quintet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 4 (an arrangement of the Octet,
@@ -19995,7 +19958,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Sextet in E-flat, for Strings and Horns, Op. 81b--I, 207; II, 195.
Septet in E-flat, Op. 20--I, 209, 227, 266, 267;
- B.’s dislike of it, 267;
+ B.’s dislike of it, 267;
origin of the theme of the variations, 267, 272, 275, 277, 278;
dedication, 278;
first performance, 278, 282, 286, 299, 350, 364; II, 29, 214, 316,
@@ -20028,7 +19991,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Three Sonatas for Pf. and Violin, in A, C minor and G, Op. 30--I,
364, 365; II. 20, 305.
- Sonata in A, for Pf. and Violin, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer”)--I, 140, 365;
+ Sonata in A, for Pf. and Violin, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer”)--I, 140, 365;
II, 9, 13, 20, 21.
Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in G, Op. 96--II, 237, 312, 313, 319,
@@ -20044,7 +20007,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Six Allemandes for Pf. and Violin--II, 303.
- Variations on “Se vuol ballare,” for Pf. and Violin--I, 132,
+ Variations on “Se vuol ballare,” for Pf. and Violin--I, 132,
138, 176, 178, 179.
Sonata in B-flat for Pf. and Flute--I, 138.
@@ -20069,15 +20032,15 @@ Index to Compositions
Two Sonatas for Pf. and Violoncello, in C and G, Op. 102--II, 316,
328, 338, 339, 340, 352, 357, 367, 389; III, 23.
- Variations on “See the Conquering Hero Comes,” from “Judas
- Maccabæus,” for Pf. and Violoncello--I, 202, 205.
+ Variations on “See the Conquering Hero Comes,” from “Judas
+ Maccabæus,” for Pf. and Violoncello--I, 202, 205.
Variations in E-flat, Op. 44, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello--I, 137.
- Variations on “Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen,” for Pf. and
+ Variations on “Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen,” for Pf. and
Violoncello--I, 364.
- Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen,” for Pf. and
+ Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen,” for Pf. and
Violoncello--I, 226, 305.
Arrangement of Trio, Op. 3, for Pf. and Violoncello, Op. 64--II, 113.
@@ -20085,7 +20048,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Sonata for Pf. and Horn, Op. 17--I, 239, 244, 267, 274, 277,
279, 290; II, 39.
- Sketches from “Pastoral” Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello--II, 310.
+ Sketches from “Pastoral” Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello--II, 310.
(f) FOR PIANOFORTE ALONE
@@ -20101,7 +20064,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Sonata in D major, Op. 10, No. 3--I, 205, 224, 244.
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”)--I, 209, 221, 225,
+ Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”)--I, 209, 221, 225,
227, 307; II, 90.
Sonata in E major, Op. 14, No. 1--I, 225, 226, 244;
@@ -20122,10 +20085,10 @@ Index to Compositions
Sonata quasi una Fantasia, in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2--I,
244, 289, 291, 292, 293;
dedication of, 322;
- B.’s opinion of, 322; 338, 339;
+ B.’s opinion of, 322; 338, 339;
published, 364.
- Sonata in D major, Op. 28 (“Pastoral”)--I, 289, 292.
+ Sonata in D major, Op. 28 (“Pastoral”)--I, 289, 292.
Sonata in G major, Op. 31, No. 1--I, 364, 365; II, 20.
@@ -20137,28 +20100,28 @@ Index to Compositions
Two Sonatas, No. 1 in G minor, No. 2 in G major, Op. 49--I,
206, 209, 225, 278; II, 55.
- Sonata in C major, Op. 53 (“Waldstein”)--I, 103, 140; II, 31,
+ Sonata in C major, Op. 53 (“Waldstein”)--I, 103, 140; II, 31,
37, 40, 55, 77.
(See ANDANTE FAVORI.)
Sonata in F major, Op. 54--II, 31, 40, 56, 76.
- Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 (“Appassionata”)--I, 140; II, 31, 40,
+ Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 (“Appassionata”)--I, 140; II, 31, 40,
73, 77, 113, 335.
- Sonata in F-sharp major, Op. 78--B.’s opinion of, I, 292; 323,
+ Sonata in F-sharp major, Op. 78--B.’s opinion of, I, 292; 323,
336, 338; II, 148, 154, 160, 161;
dedication, 195.
Sonatina in G major, Op. 79--II, 148, 160, 161;
publication of, 195.
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 81a (“Les Adieux, l’Absence et le Retour”)--II,
+ Sonata in E-flat, Op. 81a (“Les Adieux, l’Absence et le Retour”)--II,
143, 146, 148, 159, 160, 161, 192, 199, 200, 207, 210, 219.
Sonata in E minor, Op. 90--II, 288, 291, 303, 328.
- Sonata in A major, Op. 101 (“für Hammerklavier”)--II, 328, 338,
+ Sonata in A major, Op. 101 (“für Hammerklavier”)--II, 328, 338,
356, 364, 365, 389, 412.
Sonata in B-flat, Op. 106--II, 376, 378, 382, 388, 389, 396, 411,
@@ -20196,15 +20159,15 @@ Index to Compositions
Bagatelles (B. and H. Supplement, XXV, 295)--I, 210.
- “Beethoven’s letzter Gedanke” (“Dernière Pensée musicale”)--II, 415.
+ “Beethoven’s letzter Gedanke” (“Dernière Pensée musicale”)--II, 415.
- Écossaise in E-flat--III, 216.
+ Écossaise in E-flat--III, 216.
- Écossaises (Twelve)--II, 113; III, 216.
+ Écossaises (Twelve)--II, 113; III, 216.
Fantasia, Op. 77--I, 293; II, 91, 148, 154, 160, 161, 195.
- Ländler (Six)--I, 364, 365. (Also for Orchestra.)
+ L√§ndler (Six)--I, 364, 365. (Also for Orchestra.)
Contradances (Six)--I, 289, 364. (Also for Orchestra.)
@@ -20225,7 +20188,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Rondo Allegretto--I, 75.
- Rondo a Capriccio (“Die Wuth über den verlornen Groschen”),
+ Rondo a Capriccio (“Die Wuth über den verlornen Groschen”),
Op. 129--III, 143, 246.
Rondo in C (Youthful, anonymous)--I, 72, 140.
@@ -20233,10 +20196,10 @@ Index to Compositions
Variations (Six) on an Original Theme, Op. 34--I, 314, 364, 365, 370;
dedication, 368; II, 20.
- Variations (Fifteen) with a Fugue, on a Theme from “Prometheus,”
+ Variations (Fifteen) with a Fugue, on a Theme from “Prometheus,”
Op. 35--I, 364, 365, 368, 369, 370; II, 20.
- Variations in D, on a Theme used afterwards in “The Ruins of Athens,”
+ Variations in D, on a Theme used afterwards in “The Ruins of Athens,”
Op. 76--II, 148, 160, 161, 195.
Variations (Thirty-three) on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120--III, 107,
@@ -20247,52 +20210,52 @@ Index to Compositions
Variations (Nine) on a March by Dressler, in C minor--I, 69, 70, 72.
- Variations (Twenty-four) on “Venni amore,” in D--I, 7, 114, 117, 138.
+ Variations (Twenty-four) on “Venni amore,” in D--I, 7, 114, 117, 138.
- Variations (Thirteen) on “Es war einmal,” by Dittersdorf--I, 139, 176,
+ Variations (Thirteen) on “Es war einmal,” by Dittersdorf--I, 139, 176,
183, 184.
- Variations (Nine) on “Quant è più bello,” by Paisiello, in A--I, 187.
+ Variations (Nine) on “Quant è più bello,” by Paisiello, in A--I, 187.
- Variations on “Nel cor più non mi sento,” by Paisiello--I, 187, 192.
+ Variations on “Nel cor più non mi sento,” by Paisiello--I, 187, 192.
- Variations on the “Minuet à la Vigano”--I, 188, 192.
+ Variations on the “Minuet à la Vigano”--I, 188, 192.
- Variations (Twelve) on a Russian Dance from “Das Waldmädchen”--I,
+ Variations (Twelve) on a Russian Dance from “Das Waldmädchen”--I,
200, 209, 244.
Variations (Six easy) on a Swiss Air, for Harpsichord or Harp--I, 227.
- Variations on “Une fièvre brûlante,” by Grétry--I, 226, 227, 305.
+ Variations on “Une fièvre brûlante,” by Grétry--I, 226, 227, 305.
- Variations (Ten) on “La Stessa, la stessissima,” by Salieri--I, 227,
+ Variations (Ten) on “La Stessa, la stessissima,” by Salieri--I, 227,
244, 275.
- Variations (Eight) on “Tändeln und Scherzen,” by Süssmayer--I, 227.
+ Variations (Eight) on “Tändeln und Scherzen,” by Süssmayer--I, 227.
- Variations (Nine) on “Kind, willst Du?” by Winter--I, 227, 275.
+ Variations (Nine) on “Kind, willst Du?” by Winter--I, 227, 275.
- Variations (Seven) on “God save the King”--I, 140, 305, 370; II, 40.
+ Variations (Seven) on “God save the King”--I, 140, 305, 370; II, 40.
- Variations on “Rule Britannia”--I, 370; II, 40.
+ Variations on “Rule Britannia”--I, 370; II, 40.
Variations (Thirty-two) in C minor--II, 76, 113, 117.
- Variations for four hands on “Ich denke Dein”--II, 55.
+ Variations for four hands on “Ich denke Dein”--II, 55.
- Variations on a Theme from “Le Nozze disturbate.” (See “MINUET
- À LA VIGANO.”)
+ Variations on a Theme from “Le Nozze disturbate.” (See “MINUET
+ À LA VIGANO.”)
- Variations on “Ich denke Dein”--I, 277, 279, 335, 362; II, 55,
+ Variations on “Ich denke Dein”--I, 277, 279, 335, 362; II, 55,
147, 148.
- Variations, très faciles, in G--I, 277, 279, 290.
+ Variations, très faciles, in G--I, 277, 279, 290.
Waltz in D--III, 216.
Waltzes (Twelve), also published for Strings and Wind--II. 113.
- Cadenza for Mozart’s Concerto in D minor--I, 185.
+ Cadenza for Mozart’s Concerto in D minor--I, 185.
Movement for a Clock--I, 76.
@@ -20307,14 +20270,14 @@ Index to Compositions
Abendlied--III, 50.
- Abschiedsgesang an Wiens Bürger--I, 199; II, 303.
+ Abschiedsgesang an Wiens Bürger--I, 199; II, 303.
Adelaide, Op. 46--I, 143, 202, 203, 207, 230; II, 6, 306,
338; III, 61.
Als die Geliebte sich trennen wollte--II, 72, 162.
- Amante impaziente, L’--II, 160.
+ Amante impaziente, L’--II, 160.
Andenken--II, 160, 195.
@@ -20324,7 +20287,7 @@ Index to Compositions
An die Hoffnung--II, 55, 306, 328, 338, 356; III, 20.
- An einen Säugling--I, 75.
+ An einen S√§ugling--I, 75.
An Minna--I, 132.
@@ -20334,7 +20297,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Bitten--II, 20.
- Blümchen Wunderhold, Das--I, 362.
+ Blümchen Wunderhold, Das--I, 362.
Bundeslied--III, 64.
@@ -20342,9 +20305,9 @@ Index to Compositions
Che fa il mio bene (Seria)--II, 209.
- Der Jüngling in der Fremde--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
+ Der Jüngling in der Fremde--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
- Die Trommel gerühret (See EGMONT.)
+ Die Trommel gerühret (See EGMONT.)
Dimmi ben mio--II, 209.
@@ -20356,7 +20319,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Elegie auf den Tod eines Pudels--I, 132.
- Es war einmal ein König--II, 195, 363.
+ Es war einmal ein König--II, 195, 363.
Feuerfarb--I, 132, 134, 137.
@@ -20368,19 +20331,19 @@ Index to Compositions
Geheimniss, Das--II, 72, 328, 356; III, 50.
- Gellert: Six Sacred Songs--“Bitten,” “Die Liebe des Nächsten,”
- “Vom Tode,” “Die Ehre Gottes in der Natur,” “Gottes Macht
- und Vorsehung” and “Busslied”--II, 20.
+ Gellert: Six Sacred Songs--“Bitten,” “Die Liebe des Nächsten,”
+ “Vom Tode,” “Die Ehre Gottes in der Natur,” “Gottes Macht
+ und Vorsehung” and “Busslied”--II, 20.
- Glück der Freundschaft, Das--II, 20.
+ Glück der Freundschaft, Das--II, 20.
Gottes Macht--II, 20.
- Gretel’s Warnung--II, 160, 195.
+ Gretel’s Warnung--II, 160, 195.
Herz, mein Herz--II, 191, 194, 195.
- Horch, wie schallt’s (“Der Wachtelschlag”)--I, 370; II, 40.
+ Horch, wie schallt’s (“Der Wachtelschlag”)--I, 370; II, 40.
Ich denke Dein--I, 275, 277, 279, 335; II, 55, 147, 148.
@@ -20405,7 +20368,7 @@ Index to Compositions
La Partenza--II, 20.
- Liebe des Nächsten, Die--II, 20.
+ Liebe des N√§chsten, Die--II, 20.
Liebende, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
@@ -20427,27 +20390,27 @@ Index to Compositions
Mit Liebesblick--II, 160, 195.
- Mit Mädchen sich vertragen--I, 132; III, 58.
+ Mit M√§dchen sich vertragen--I, 132; III, 58.
- National Songs--II, 17. (See “Irish,” “Scottish” and “Welsh.”)
+ National Songs--II, 17. (See “Irish,” “Scottish” and “Welsh.”)
No, non turbate (Scena and air)--I, 364.
- Nord oder Süd--II, 386, 388, 389; III, 50.
+ Nord oder Süd--II, 386, 388, 389; III, 50.
O care selve--I, 204.
- Odi l’Aura (Duet)--II, 160, 209.
+ Odi l’Aura (Duet)--II, 160, 209.
Opferlied--I, 203, 275, 364; III, 64, 140, 141, 189, 202.
(See WORKS FOR CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA.)
- O, welch’ ein Leben--I, 204. (See also “Die schöne Schusterin,”
+ O, welch’ ein Leben--I, 204. (See also “Die schöne Schusterin,”
under CHORAL WORKS.)
- Plaisir d’aimer--I, 228.
+ Plaisir d’aimer--I, 228.
- Prüfung des Küssens--I, 131.
+ Prüfung des Küssens--I, 131.
Punschlied--I, 133.
@@ -20455,7 +20418,7 @@ Index to Compositions
Ruf vom Berge--II, 356, 389.
- Schilderung eines Mädchens--I, 72.
+ Schilderung eines M√§dchens--I, 72.
Scottish Songs (Twelve)--II, 328, 416.
@@ -20468,23 +20431,23 @@ Index to Compositions
Six Songs, Op. 75--II, 192, 195.
- “Soll ein Schuh nicht drücken” (from “Die schöne Schusterin”)--I,
+ “Soll ein Schuh nicht drücken” (from “Die schöne Schusterin”)--I,
204, 224.
Three Songs, Op. 83--II, 192, 199.
- T’intendo--II, 209.
+ T’intendo--II, 209.
- Trinklied (“Erhebt das Glas”)--I, 132, 199.
+ Trinklied (“Erhebt das Glas”)--I, 132, 199.
- Trinklied (“Lasst das Herz uns froh erheben”)--I, 199. (See
- “Abschiedsgesang.”)
+ Trinklied (“Lasst das Herz uns froh erheben”)--I, 199. (See
+ “Abschiedsgesang.”)
Trocknet nicht--II, 186, 194, 210.
Turteltaube--I, 204.
- Urian’s Reise--I, 88, 132.
+ Urian’s Reise--I, 88, 132.
Wachtelschlag, Der--I, 370; II, 40.
@@ -20498,11 +20461,11 @@ Index to Compositions
Zufriedene, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
- Zwar schuf das Glück--II, 148, 160, 195.
+ Zwar schuf das Glück--II, 148, 160, 195.
- Sketches for uncompleted songs: “Erlkönig”--III, 86;
- “Haidenröslein”--II, 415;
- “Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht”--I, 275.
+ Sketches for uncompleted songs: “Erlkönig”--III, 86;
+ “Haidenröslein”--II, 415;
+ “Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht”--I, 275.
* * * * *
@@ -20525,16 +20488,16 @@ p. 17 "fouud" changed to "found"
p. 20 (note) "aristically" changed to "artistically"
-p. 20 "A[rch-]D[uke]." changed to "A[rch-]D[uke].”"
+p. 20 "A[rch-]D[uke]." changed to "A[rch-]D[uke].”"
p. 42 "the the greatest" changed to "the greatest"
-p. 49 (note) "“Zweit. Beeth.”, pp. 467" changed to "“Zweit. Beeth.,”
+p. 49 (note) "“Zweit. Beeth.”, pp. 467" changed to "“Zweit. Beeth.,”
pp. 467"
p. 60 "expecially" changed to "especially"
-p. 76 "all right." changed to "all right.”"
+p. 76 "all right." changed to "all right.”"
p. 83 "to to Hensler" changed to "to Hensler"
@@ -20562,7 +20525,7 @@ p. 161 "vexations" changed to "vexatious"
p. 196 "castrophe" changed to "catastrophe"
-p. 215 "_31ème Quatuor." changed to "“_31ème Quatuor."
+p. 215 "_31ème Quatuor." changed to "“_31ème Quatuor."
p. 219 "semblence" changed to "semblance"
@@ -20570,7 +20533,7 @@ p. 222 "Leibquartett" changed to "Liebquartett"
p. 224 "he, remarked" changed to "he remarked"
-p. 224 "“Must it be?" changed to "“Must it be?”"
+p. 224 "“Must it be?" changed to "“Must it be?”"
p. 227 "life, time" changed to "lifetime"
@@ -20590,14 +20553,14 @@ p. 294 "ensured" changed to "ensued"
p. 304 "but Beetthoven" changed to "but Beethoven"
-p. 305 (note) "farce is done.’" changed to "farce is done.’”"
+p. 305 (note) "farce is done.’" changed to "farce is done.’”"
-p. 309 "Beethovens death" changed to "Beethoven’s death"
+p. 309 "Beethovens death" changed to "Beethoven’s death"
-p. 310 "preserved." changed to "preserved.”"
+p. 310 "preserved." changed to "preserved.”"
-p. 315 "‘~Alfred the Great~”" changed to "“~Alfred the
-Great~”"
+p. 315 "‘~Alfred the Great~”" changed to "“~Alfred the
+Great~”"
p. 316 "42," changed to "42."
@@ -20629,7 +20592,7 @@ p. 322 "37; 118" changed to "37, 118"
p. 323 "200; 219" changed to "200, 219"
-p. 324 "“Fidelio”; II" changed to "“Fidelio”, II"
+p. 324 "“Fidelio”; II" changed to "“Fidelio”, II"
p. 324 "_et seq._; 141." changed to "_et seq._, 141."
@@ -20645,7 +20608,7 @@ p. 326 "Singer, III: 169." changed to "Singer: III, 169."
p. 326 "court, I, 29," changed to "court: I, 29,"
-p. 328 "Künstler~”" changed to "Künstler~"
+p. 328 "Künstler~”" changed to "Künstler~"
p. 328 "182, 202," changed to "182, 202."
@@ -20662,9 +20625,9 @@ p. 329 "teacher, 11," changed to "teacher, 11;"
p. 330 "Oratorio by by C. P. E. Bach" changed to "Oratorio by C. P. E.
Bach"
-p. 332 "La finta Giardiniera”" changed to "“La finta Giardiniera”"
+p. 332 "La finta Giardiniera”" changed to "“La finta Giardiniera”"
-p. 334 "B’s visit to 89, 90;" changed to "B’s visit to, 89, 90;"
+p. 334 "B’s visit to 89, 90;" changed to "B’s visit to, 89, 90;"
p. 334 "Mihl, 31" changed to "Mihl, I, 31"
@@ -20678,12 +20641,12 @@ p. 337 "plays the the C minor" changed to "plays the C minor"
p. 338 "Rzwuska" changed to "Rzewuska"
-p. 339 "“~Seidenen Schuhe,” Die~" changed to "“~Seidenen Schuhe,
-Die~”"
+p. 339 "“~Seidenen Schuhe,” Die~" changed to "“~Seidenen Schuhe,
+Die~”"
p. 341 "III, 77, 78; III, 161," changed to "III, 77, 78, 161,"
-p. 346 "Hoffmann, sei" changed to "“Hoffmann, sei"
+p. 346 "Hoffmann, sei" changed to "“Hoffmann, sei"
The following possible errors have not been changed:
@@ -20709,7 +20672,7 @@ Haslinger and Hasslinger
hellhound and hell-hound
-Lodoïska and Lodoiska
+Lodoïska and Lodoiska
notebook and note-book
@@ -20719,13 +20682,13 @@ sketchbooks and sketch-books
stagecoach and stage-coach
-Süssmayer and Süssmayr
+Süssmayer and Süssmayr
Theaterzeitung and Theater-Zeitung
-W.W. and W. W.
+W.W. and W. W.
-Zémire and Zemire
+Zémire and Zemire
@@ -20735,361 +20698,4 @@ Zémire and Zemire
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+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43593 ***
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume
-III (of 3), by Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)
-
-Author: Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-Translator: Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
-Release Date: August 29, 2013 [EBook #43593]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF BEETHOVEN, VOL III ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
-produced from images generously made available by The
-Internet Archive/American Libraries and Google Print.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Transcriber's Note
-
-Bold text is indicated by ~tildes~, and italics by _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
- THE LIFE OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
- VOLUME III
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration: BEETHOVEN in 1814
-
-Engraved by Blasius Hfel
-
-After a crayon sketch by Louis Latronne]
-
-
-
-
- The Life of
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven
-
- _By_ Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
- Edited, revised and amended from the original
- English manuscript and the German editions
- of Hermann Deiters and Hugo Riemann, concluded,
- and all the documents newly translated
-
- By
- Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
- Volume III
-
- Published by
- The Beethoven Association
- New York
-
-
-
-
- _SECOND PRINTING_
-
- Copyright, 1921,
- By Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
- From the press of G. Schirmer, Inc., New York
- Printed in the U. S. A.
-
-
-
-
-Contents of Volume III
-
-
- PAGE
- CHAPTER I. The Year 1819--Guardianship of Beethoven's
- Nephew Karl--Mother and Uncle in a Legal Struggle--The
- Lad's Education--Conversation Books--A Wedding
- Song--In Travail with the Mass in D--The
- Commission for an Oratorio from the Gesellschaft
- der Musikfreunde--Visits from Zelter and Friedrich
- Schneider--Creative Work of the Year 1
-
- CHAPTER II. End of the Litigation over the Guardianship of
- the Nephew--A Costly Victory--E. T. A. Hoffmann--An
- Analytical Programme--Beethoven's Financial Troubles--Adagios
- and English Hymn-Tunes--Stieler's
- Portrait--Arrested as a Vagrant--Negotiations for the
- Mass in D begun with Simrock--The Last Pianoforte
- Sonatas--Compositions of the Years 1820 and 1821 24
-
- CHAPTER III. The Year 1822--The Mass in D--Beethoven
- and His Publishers--Simrock--Schlesinger--C. F.
- Peters--Phantom Masses--Johann van Beethoven:
- His Appearance and Character--Becomes His Brother's
- Agent--Meetings with Rochlitz and Rossini--Franz
- Schubert--"The Consecration of the House"--Revival
- of "Fidelio"--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The
- Bagatelles--A Commission from America 51
-
- CHAPTER IV. The Year 1823--The Roman Ritual and
- the Mass in D--Subscriptions Asked from Royal
- Courts--Incidents of the Appeal--Goethe and Cherubini
- Enlisted as Agents--A Medal from the King of
- France--Further Negotiations with Publishers and
- Societies--Operatic Projects--Consideration of Grillparzer's
- "Melusine"--The Diabelli Variations--Summer
- Visitors--An Englishman's Story--Weber and Julius
- Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt
- and Beethoven's Kiss 89
-
- CHAPTER V. The Year 1824--The Symphony in D
- Minor--Its Technical History--The Choral Finale
- and Schiller's "Ode to Joy"--First Performance of the
- Work and Portions of the Mass--An Address to
- Beethoven--Laborious and Protracted Preparations
- for the Concert--A Financial Failure--Beethoven's
- False Accusations against Friends and Helpers Drive
- Them from the Dinner-Table 144
-
- CHAPTER VI. Incidents and Labors of the Year 1824--A
- Truce with the Hated Sister-in-Law--The Gesellschaft
- der Musikfreunde's Oratorio--Bernard's Libretto--The
- Society Forgives Beethoven His Debt and
- Elects Him an Honorary Member--Book of "The
- Victory of the Cross"--Summer Sojourn at Penzing
- Interrupted by Curious Visitors--The London Philharmonic
- Society Receives the Symphony in D
- Minor--Further Negotiations for the Mass--New
- Publishers--Probst--Schott and Sons--A Visitor from
- London--Beethoven's Opinion of His Predecessors--The
- Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127--Trip to England Determined
- Upon 170
-
- CHAPTER VII. The Year 1825. The Invitation from the
- Philharmonic Society of London--The Ninth Symphony
- Performed at Aix-la-Chapelle--Mass and Symphony
- Delivered to Schott and Sons--Unpleasant Results of an
- Attempted Joke on Haslinger--Beethoven and a
- Copyist--The String Quartet in E-flat Taken Away
- from Schuppanzigh after a First Performance--Karl
- Holz--Beethoven Authorizes Him to Write the History
- of His Life--Early Biographers--Visits of Rellstab, Kuhlau,
- Smart and Others--Sir George Smart's Recollections--
- Dedication of the Mass in D--Stephan von
- Breuning--Wegeler asks Beethoven to Defend the Honor
- of His Mother--The Quartets in A Minor and B-flat 186
-
- CHAPTER VIII. A Year of Sickness and Sorrow--The
- Last String Quartets--Wolfmayer Commissions a
- "Requiem" and Pays in Advance--Many Works _in
- petto_--Controversy with Prince Galitzin and His
- Son--The Fugue in the B-flat Quartet--"Muss es
- sein?"--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--The King
- of Prussia and His Gift of a Dubious Diamond--Abb
- Stadler--Beethoven Defends Mozart's "Requiem"--Friedrich
- Wieck--Beethoven Goes to His Brother's
- Summer Home--Life at Gneixendorf--Relations with
- His Brother's Family--Young Oxen Thrown into a Panic
- Fear--The Quartet in F and a New Finale for the
- Quartet in B-flat--The Year 1826--Beethoven's Last
- Compositions 218
-
- CHAPTER IX. Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward
- and an Unwise Guardian--Beethoven and his Graceless
- Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father--A Profligate
- Youth--Effect of the Guardianship on Beethoven's
- Character--An Unsuccessful Attempt at Self-destruction--
- Karl is Made a Soldier 247
-
- CHAPTER X. The Last Days at Gneixendorf--A Brother's
- Warning--Beethoven and His Kinspeople--The Fateful
- Journey to Vienna--The Fatal Illness--The Physicians
- and Their Treatment--The Nephew Exonerated
- from a Slanderous Accusation--Schindler's Disingenuousness--
- Dr. Malfatti Forgets a Resentment Harbored
- for more than a Decade--Beethoven and Handel's
- Scores--A Gift of 100 Pounds Sterling from the London
- Philharmonic Society--Eventual Disposition of the
- Money--Metronome Marks for the Ninth Symphony--Death
- and Burial of Beethoven--His Estate 267
-
- GENERAL INDEX 315
-
- INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS 344
-
-
-
-
-Chapter I
-
- The Contest for the Guardianship of Nephew Karl--The Conversation
- Books--A Wedding Song--In Travail with the Mass--The Year 1819.
-
-
-The key-note for much that must occupy us in a survey of the year 1819
-is sounded by A New Year's Greeting to Archduke Rudolph. Beethoven
-invokes all manner of blessings on the head of his pupil and patron
-and, begging a continuance of gracious benevolences for himself, sets
-forth a picture of his unhappy plight.
-
- A terrible occurrence has recently taken place in my family affairs
- which for a time robbed me of all my reasoning powers; and to this
- must be charged the circumstance that I have not called upon Y.
- R. H. in person nor made mention of the masterly Variations of my
- highly honored and exalted pupil, the favorite of the Muses. I do
- not dare to express either by word of mouth or in writing my thanks
- for the surprise and favor with which I have been honored, inasmuch
- as I occupy _much too humble_ a position, nor dare I, much as I
- would like and ardently as I long to do so, _requite like with
- like_.
-
-A little boy of eleven years runs away from his uncle to his indulgent
-mother whom he, for months at a time, has not been allowed to see,
-although both live within the same city limits. What else could be
-expected than that this should now and then occur? What should be
-thought of the child's heart if it did not? And when it did, who but
-Beethoven would have felt more than a passing disturbance of his
-equanimity at an offense so natural under the circumstances? But to
-him it was a "terrible occurrence" which for a space robbed him of his
-reason. No one of ordinary sensibilities can read the story without
-strong feelings of compassion for him--not that the boy's freak was
-in any sense in itself a grievous misfortune, but because the uncle's
-sufferings occasioned by it were so real and intense.
-
-There is no reason to doubt the mother's assertion that she sent
-the child back through the intervention of the police, for this was
-clearly her best policy, more especially because she and her advisers
-found in the incident a wished-for occasion to renew her petition to
-have her son admitted into the R. I. Convict. It was this petition,
-enforced by Hotschevar's long paper and its accompanying documents,
-which had led to the question of Beethoven's right to have his case
-tried by the tribunal of the nobility, and the negative decision which
-transferred the whole matter to the City Magistracy. At this point a
-few official data are wanting, and the suspension of Beethoven from the
-guardianship of his nephew can only be stated as having been determined
-by the magistrates immediately after the beginning of the new year,
-and that, in consequence of this, the boy was for a few weeks with his
-mother. On January 10, Fanny Giannatasio writes in her diary: "What
-Mller tells me about Beethoven pains me deeply. The wicked woman has
-finally succeeded in triumphing over him. He has been removed from
-the guardianship[1] and the wicked son returns to the source of his
-wickedness. I can imagine Beethoven's grief. It is said that since
-yesterday he has been entirely alone and eats apart from the others. He
-ought to know that Karl is glad to be with his mother; it would ease
-the pain of the separation."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S APPEAL TO THE MAGISTRACY]
-
-On January 7 the magistrates summoned Beethoven (who still lived in
-the Grtnergasse), the boy, the mother, Hotschevar and the curator,
-Dr. Schnauer, to appear before them on January 11. Of what action was
-taken that day there is no record, but Hotschevar's attack brought
-out a vigorous defense in the shape of a letter sent by Beethoven
-to the Magistracy,[2] in which he maintained the superiority of the
-educational plan which he was pursuing over that which had been
-proposed by the mother, proclaimed the magnanimity and virtuousness of
-all his acts and discharged a broadside of accusation and insinuation
-against Madame van Beethoven and the priest who had come to her help.
-We can make room for only a few passages:
-
- His exceptional capacity, and partly also his peculiarities,
- call for exceptional measures; and I never did a more beneficial
- or magnanimous act than when I took my nephew to myself and
- personally assumed charge of his education. Seeing that (according
- to Plutarch) a Philip did not think it beneath his dignity to
- direct the education of his son Alexander and give him the great
- Aristotle for a teacher because he did not consider the ordinary
- teachers suitable, and a Laudon looked after the education of
- his son _himself_, why should not such beautiful and sublime
- examples be followed by others? Already during his lifetime his
- father entrusted my nephew to me and I confess that I feel myself
- better fitted than anybody else _to incite my nephew to virtue and
- industry by my own example_.
-
-
- Had the mother been able to subdue her wicked disposition and
- permitted my plans to take their quiet development a very favorable
- result would have followed; but when a _mother of this sort_ seeks
- to involve her child in the secrets of her own vulgar and evil
- surroundings, and in his tender years (a plague for children!!!)
- leads aim astray to deception, to bribery of my servants, to
- _untruthfulness_, by _laughing at him_ when he tells the truth,
- yes, even _giving him money_ to awaken in him lusts and desires
- which are harmful, tells him that things are trifles which _in me
- and others would be accounted_ grave faults, the already difficult
- task becomes more difficult and dangerous.
-
- Gifts of fortune may be acquired; morality must be _implanted_
- early, particularly when a child has had the misfortune to suck
- in such _mother's milk_, was in her care for several years, was
- put to thoroughly bad uses, even had to help _deceive_ his father.
- Furthermore he will _inherit from me_ and even now I could leave
- him enough to _keep him from want_ while continuing his studies
- until he should receive an appointment. We need only _quiet and no
- more interference_ from the mother, and the beautiful goal which I
- have set will be attained.
-
- Ought I now to reply to the intrigues of a Mr. Courtscrivener
- Hotschowa [Hotschevar] against me, or to the _priest of Mdling_,
- who is despised by his congregation, who is suspected of being
- guilty of _illicit intercourse_, who lays his pupils military
- fashion on a form to be thrashed and could not forgive me because I
- kept watch on him and would not permit my nephew to be caned like a
- _brute_--ought I? No; the association of these men with Madame van
- Beethoven _bears witness_ against them both, and _only such_ could
- make _common cause_ with Madame van Beethoven _against me_.
-
-Beethoven accompanied this address with a private letter presumably to
-Dr. Tschiska (or Tschischka), an official of the Magistracy, in which
-he said:
-
- I am not a guardian from self-interest, but I want to rear a new
- monument to myself in my nephew. I do not need my nephew, but he
- needs me. Gossip, calumny, are beneath the dignity of a man who is
- raising himself up! What is to be done when they even touch the
- laundry!?!? I might be very sensitive, but the just man must be
- able to endure injustice without departing an iota from the right.
- In this sense I shall endure every trial, nothing shall shake
- my resolution. A great responsibility would be incurred were my
- nephew to be wholly withdrawn from me; moral and even political
- consequences would follow to him. I commend him to you and appeal
- to your heart for his welfare. My actions must commend me for his
- sake, not mine.
-
-We do not know the particulars, but for the present Beethoven retained
-the right to look after the further education of the boy; the right, at
-least, was not judicially taken away from him or given to another. He
-did not send him again to a public school, but engaged a private tutor
-under whose care he continued his studies in an institute conducted by
-Joseph Kudlich, of whom he spoke in great praise. Besides the ordinary
-subjects, he received instruction in French, drawing and music; his
-religious training was entrusted to a priest. This state of affairs
-lasted till the end of March, when he announced a desire to resign the
-guardianship--persuaded to take this step, it is fair to presume, by
-the magistrates who, in the end, would have been obliged to remove him.
-Karl was living with his mother at the time. According to the court
-records, Beethoven left the matter of education "entirely to Kudlich,"
-with whom (if a passage in one of the Conversation Books is read
-correctly) he seems also to have lived temporarily, and it was given
-to him to propose the name of a guardian, either in place of himself
-or as an associate. He consulted earnestly with his friends as to what
-was to be done with the boy and who should be his guardian, and those
-friends were sorely tried by his constitutional indecision. In these
-consultations, the project of sending the boy away from Vienna, and
-the name of Sailer, were mooted.[3] "What must be done," Bernard says,
-"is to select as guardian a man who has your entire confidence both as
-respects morality and pedagogical skill, and with whom you may always
-remain on friendly terms concerning the affair. Since Kudlich has more
-influence on Karl than Giannatasio, it is my opinion that you seek no
-further for someone who would meet every requirement.--It would merely
-be very troublesome for you." Beethoven seems to be in doubt; he had a
-preference for his friend the magisterial Councillor Tuscher, and the
-project of sending him to Sailer in Landshut appealed to him. Bernard
-says again: "If you want peace of mind I think it wise that you name a
-guardian as you were willing to do yesterday. But if it is possible to
-send the boy to Sailer at Landshut,[4] it would, of course, be better
-still, since then you could feel assured that he was in the best of
-hands. Even if you have Tuscher as co-guardian, your case will not be
-bettered, inasmuch as all cares will still rest on you. Perhaps Tuscher
-and Kudlich might jointly assume the guardianship--this might be very
-advantageous. All the same, everything will remain as heretofore, even
-if you send him away he will remain with Kudlich until a change has
-been made. So long as you are guardian and Karl remains here, you will
-not only have all the cares as heretofore, but also be compelled to
-fight the mother and all her intrigues. Have Karl sent for the present
-again to Kudlich, meanwhile the matter may be straightened out."[5]
-
-[Sidenote: A NEW GUARDIAN FOR KARL APPOINTED]
-
-Beethoven seems to have expressed a doubt as to Tuscher's willingness
-to serve as guardian. Bernard continues: "Perhaps he might be more
-easily persuaded if a co-guardian like Kudlich were appointed.--It is
-not necessary to settle everything by to-morrow. If we go to Omeyer
-to-morrow morning, then to Tuscher and Kudlich, we can come to an
-understanding as to what will be the best thing to do." Tuscher, if
-we are correct in recognizing his handwriting, permitted himself to
-be persuaded, though a bit under protest; he foresaw difficulties.
-The Magistracy at the suggestion of Beethoven thereupon appointed
-the Magisterial Councillor Matthias von Tuscher guardian of the boy
-on March 26. He was commanded to place his ward, then "living with
-his mother, Johanna van Beethoven," in another place for bringing
-up and education under proper care, and submit his opinion touching
-the proposition of the mother and Hotschevar that he be entered in a
-public institute of learning before the expiration of the second school
-semester, that Beethoven contribute to the cost and that the share of
-the mother's pension and the interest on the money deposited for the
-boy be applied to this end. Tuscher was decidedly of the opinion that
-the boy must be sent away for a time and was agreed with the plan of
-placing him with Prof. Sailer in Landshut after it had been broached to
-him. For this the consent of the Magistracy and the police authorities
-and a passport were necessary. In the opinion of one of Beethoven's
-advisers (Bach) Tuscher was to be informed of the plan only after the
-passport had been obtained, but before the mother, who had already
-found "a channel," could take steps to communicate with Tuscher.
-Beethoven applied to the city authorities for a passport for two years
-for his ward. On April 23, the authorities asked of the Magistracy
-if there were any objections to the proposed step. The Magistracy
-objected to the boy's being sent into a foreign country, but asked
-Tuscher if he were not willing to withdraw his application and name an
-institute in Austria. Tuscher declined and set forth the great hopes
-which he placed in the training to be had of a man like Sailer, who,
-"because of his reverence for the talents of the composer, Beethoven,
-was especially bound to him," and hence would bestow upon his charge
-the strictest oversight and care, which was of great importance in the
-case of a boy who was "extremely cunning and an adept in every sort of
-craftiness." In replying to the municipal authorities the Magistracy
-(on May 7) conceded the necessity of withdrawing the boy from his
-mother's influence, but thought it unnecessary to send him out of the
-country on this account, against which the mother had protested and the
-curator of the ward, Dr. Schnauer, had declared himself. The passport
-was therefore refused. Beethoven had taken a step which seems to have
-been made to prevent the widow from securing help for her plans from
-a source higher than any that had yet been invoked and to enlist that
-higher power in his own behalf. He appealed to Archduke Rudolph to use
-his influence with Archduke Ludwig, the youngest brother of Emperor
-Franz I, to aid him in his project of sending his nephew far away from
-the mother's influence. In the letter written to the Archduke[6] he
-states that it had been his intention to petition Archduke Ludwig in
-the premises, but there had thitherto appeared to be no occasion for
-so doing for the reason that all the authorities who had jurisdiction
-in the matter were convinced of the advisability of the step, viz.:
-the Police, the Supervisory Guardianship Court and the guardian. He
-had heard, however, that the mother intended to seek an audience of
-Archduke Ludwig to prevent the execution of his plan. Convinced that
-she would stop at nothing in the way of calumination, he expressed the
-hope that his reputation for morality would suffice as a refutation of
-her slanders, and that Archduke Rudolph would bear testimony in his
-behalf.
-
-The plan to send the nephew out of the country had been frustrated
-and had to be abandoned. His mind being filled with artistic projects
-of the greatest magnitude, Beethoven was desirous to pass the summer
-months again in Mdling, and after the experiences of the preceding
-year nothing could be hoped for his nephew in that quarter. He came
-to a realization of the advantages which Giannatasio's institute had
-offered and in a letter to Giannatasio asked him again to take the lad
-till other arrangements had been made. The Giannatasio family were
-fearful lest such a proceeding might work harm to their institution,
-and on June 17 visited Beethoven at Mdling to tell him that his wishes
-could not be complied with. "Grievously as it pained us," Fanny writes
-in her diary, "to refuse Beethoven anything, I am yet so convinced of
-the necessity of the step and that it could do us no good, but on the
-contrary harm, that I prefer to have it so." Thereupon the lad was
-sent to the institute of Joseph Blchlinger. Claudius Artaria, who was
-one of the teachers there (1821-1824), recalled in later years that
-Karl was one of the older scholars, "naturally talented, but somewhat
-conceited because he was the nephew of Beethoven." He also saw the
-mother there a few times, but remembered nothing in particular in
-connection with her visits. The lad appears to have prospered during
-the early part of his stay at this school. In December, 1819, an
-unknown hand writes in a Conversation Book:
-
- A great deal has been gained in that the boy has again become
- orderly in his public studies. Plchlinger [_sic_] moreover, though
- not exactly brilliant, seems to be good--the public school system
- acts as a restraint on him.--Your nephew looks well; handsome
- eyes--charm, a speaking physiognomy, and excellent bearing. I would
- continue his education for only two years more.--He is always
- present, and thus she can do him no harm. But he is agreed that she
- spoils the boy.--When you have acquired the sole guardianship, then
- do you decide and he will obey.--Your views are admirable but not
- always reconcilable with this wretched world.--Would that everybody
- might understand and appreciate your love for your nephew.
-
-[Sidenote: TUSCHER RELIEVED OF THE GUARDIANSHIP]
-
-Tuscher, a member of the Magistracy, was compelled to recognize that
-his colleagues were wholly under the influence of Madame van Beethoven
-and Hotschevar, and that he could do no service to his friend or his
-friend's ward; on July 5, he applied to be relieved of the guardianship
-which, he said, had become "in every respect burdensome and vexatious,"
-on the ground that "the multiplicity of official duties as well as
-various other considerations would not permit him longer to administer
-the office." Beethoven took this action in very bad part, and Tuscher
-shared the fate of many others of being for a space an object of the
-composer's critical ill will. Beethoven now served notice on the
-Magistracy that he would resume the guardianship under the testamentary
-appointment and that he had placed his ward in Blchlinger's
-institution. On July 15 he writes to Archduke Rudolph, lamenting that
-confusion still reigns in his domestic affairs, no hope or comfort is
-in sight, all his structures are blown away, as if by the wind. "The
-present proprietor of the institute in which I have placed my nephew,
-a pupil of Pestalozzi, is of the opinion that it will be difficult
-to achieve a desirable outcome in the boy's training--and also that
-there could be nothing more profitable to my nephew than absence from
-the country." In a letter of September 14 to Blchlinger he writes:
-"_Only the following individuals have free access to my nephew, Mr. v.
-Bernard, Mr. v. Oliva, Mr. v. Piuk, Recording Secretary.... My nephew
-is not to go out of the house without my written permission_--from
-which it is plain what course is to be followed toward the mother--I
-insist that in this respect _strict obedience_ be given to what the
-authorities and I have ordained."
-
-It is not known whether the Magistracy was immediately informed
-of the new steps which Beethoven had taken, or whether Madame van
-Beethoven made a presentment of some sort on the subject. Be that as
-it may, as chief guardian it determined if possible to put an end
-to the continual friction and undertook an investigation of all the
-educational experiments which had been made, arriving at the conclusion
-that the boy had been "subject to the whims of Beethoven and had been
-tossed back and forth like a ball from one educational institution to
-another." For this reason it decreed, on September 17, that Tuscher's
-request be granted, but that the guardianship should not again be
-entrusted to Beethoven but to the mother, the natural guardian under
-the law, with a capable and honest man as co-guardian. To this office
-Leopold Nussbck, municipal Sequestrator, was appointed. Beethoven
-protested against the action in a letter which the Magistracy received
-on October 31.[7] Having been absent from the city at the time, "on
-a matter of business," he had made no objection to the appointment
-of Herr Nussbck as guardian of his nephew, but returning with the
-intention of remaining in Vienna he wished to resume the guardianship,
-as this was essential to the welfare of the boy, the mother having
-neither the will nor the strength to look after his training. He was
-the more insistent on a resumption of this duty since he had learned
-that owing to lack of money the boy was to be removed from the
-institution which he had selected for him, and he charged that the
-mother wished to take her son to her home so that she might be able
-to expend his income, including the half of her pension which she was
-obliged to devote to his education, upon herself. He asked that the
-intermediary guardianship be taken from Nussbck and be restored to
-him without delay. About the same time (October 23) he wrote at great
-length to Dr. Bach, who had now become his lawyer.[8] From this it
-appears that Madame van Beethoven had addressed another communication
-to the Magistrates' Court, in which she apparently said or intimated
-that Beethoven would, in consequence of the elevation of the Archduke
-to the Archbishopric, be obliged to spend the greater part of his time
-in Olmtz, and had renewed her attacks upon his moral character. "His
-Imperial Highness, Eminence and Cardinal" would unhesitatingly bear
-witness to his morality, and, as to the twaddle about Olmtz, the
-Archduke would probably spend not more than six weeks of the year there.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN INSISTS ON SOLE GUARDIANSHIP]
-
- The chief points are that I be recognized at once as sole guardian,
- I will accept no co-guardian, that the mother be excluded from
- intercourse with her son in the _Institute_ because in view of
- her _immorality_ there cannot be enough watchmen there and she
- confuses the teacher by her false statements and lies. She also
- has led her son to tell shameful lies and make charges _against
- me_, and accuses me herself of having given him too much or too
- little; but that the claims of humanity may not be overlooked, she
- may see her son occasionally at my home in the presence of his
- teachers and other excellent men.... It is my opinion that you
- should insist stoutly and irrevocably that I be _sole_ guardian
- and that this unnatural mother shall see her son only at _my
- house_; my well known humanity and culture are a guarantee that
- my treatment of her will be no less generous than that given to
- her son. Moreover, I think that all this should be done quickly
- and that if possible we ought to get the Appellate Court to assume
- the superior guardianship, as I want my nephew to be placed in a
- higher category; neither he nor I belong to the Magistracy under
- whose guardianship are only innkeepers, shoemakers and tailors. As
- regards his present maintenance, it shall be cared for as long as
- I live. For the future he has 7,000 florins _W.W._ of which his
- mother has the usufruct during life; also 2,000 fl. (or a little
- more since I have reinvested it), the interest on which belongs to
- _him_, and 4,000 florins in silver of _mine_ are lying in the bank;
- as he is to inherit all my property this belongs to his capital.
- You will observe that while because of his _great talent_ (to which
- the Honorable Magistracy is indifferent) he will not be able at
- once to support himself, there is already a superfluity in case of
- my death.
-
-In a postscript he accuses the mother of wishing to gain possession of
-her son in order to enjoy all of her pension. In view of this he had
-taken counsel as to whether or not he should let her keep the money and
-make it good from his own pocket. He had been advised not to do so,
-however, because she would make bad use of the money. "I have decided,
-therefore, to set aside the sum in time. You see again how foolishly
-the Magistracy is acting in trying to tear my son wholly from me, since
-when she dies the boy will lose this share of the pension and would get
-along _very poorly_ without my aid." A few days later Beethoven wrote
-to Dr. Bach again, this time to suggest that legal steps be taken to
-attach the widow's pension, he having a suspicion that she was trying
-to evade payment of her son's share because she had permitted nine
-months to pass without drawing the pension from the exchequer.
-
-The Magistracy disposed of Beethoven's protest and application on
-November 4, by curtly referring him to the disposition made of his
-petition of September 17. Beethoven asked for a reconsideration of the
-matter, but without avail, and the only recourse remaining to him was
-the appeal to the higher court which had already been suggested to Dr.
-Bach. The story of that appeal belongs to the year 1820. Meanwhile
-the association of Councillor Peters with him in the guardianship had
-been broached and was the subject of discussion with his friends. In
-December Bernard writes in a Conversation Book:
-
- The Magistracy has till now only made a minute of the proceedings
- and will now hold a session to arrive at a decision. It is already
- decided that you shall have the chief guardianship, but a 2d is
- to be associated with you. As no objection can be made to Peters,
- there will be no difficulty. The matter will be ordered according
- to your wishes and I will take care of Mr. Blchlinger. The mother
- will not be admitted to the institute unless you are present, 4
- times a year is enough--nor the guardian either?--The Magistracy
- has compromised itself nicely.
-
-Bach seems to have advised that the mother be accepted as co-guardian.
-He writes: "As co-guardian she will have no authority, only the
-honor of being associated in the guardianship. She will be a mere
-figurehead." Whether the conversations noted at the time referred to
-the case on appeal or to the application still pending before the
-Magistracy, or some to the one, some to the other, it is impossible to
-determine. The record of the refusal of the Magistracy has not been
-procured, but the decree of the Appellate Court gives December 20 as
-its date.
-
-[Sidenote: SCHINDLER AND THE CONVERSATION BOOKS]
-
-Frequent citations from the so-called "Conversation Books" made
-in the course of the narrative touching the later phases of the
-controversy over the guardianship call for some remarks upon this new
-source of information opened in this year. In the "Niederrheinische
-Musikzeitung," No. 28 of 1854, Schindler wrote:
-
- Beethoven's hearing had already become too weak for oral
- conversation, even with the help of an ear-trumpet, in 1818,
- and recourse had now to be had to writing. Only in the case of
- intercourse with Archduke Rudolph, and here because of his gentle
- voice, the smallest of the ear-trumpets remained of service for
- several years more.
-
-That he was able, partly by the ear and partly by the eye, to judge of
-the correctness of the performance of his music, Schindler states in
-the same article--a fact also known from many other sources; this was
-the case even to his last year. When, after the death of Beethoven,
-such of his manuscripts and papers as were thought to be salable
-were set apart, there remained in the hands of von Breuning a lot of
-letters, documents and Conversation Books. The estimated value in the
-inventory of the manuscripts and the price obtained for them at the
-auction sale, indicate how utterly worthless from a pecuniary point
-of view that other collection was thought to be; as, however, they
-might be of use to some future biographer, it was well to have them
-preserved, and doubtless a small gratification to Schindler for his
-great sacrifices and very valuable services to Beethoven in these last
-months, the only one which he as guardian to the absent nephew could
-make; so Breuning gave them to him. The Conversation Books, counting
-in as such those which were really nothing but a sheet or two of paper
-loosely folded, were only about 400 in number, or less than fifty per
-annum for the last eight and a half years of Beethoven's life--that
-being the period which they cover. Schindler, who spoke on this as on
-so many other topics frankly and without reserve, said that he long
-preserved the books and papers intact, but not finding any person
-but himself who placed any value upon them, their weight and bulk
-had led him in the course of his long unsettled life by degrees to
-destroy those which he deemed to be of little or no importance. The
-remainder were, in 1845, transferred to the Royal Library in Berlin,
-and, in 1855, when they were examined for this work, numbered 138. It
-was but natural that those preserved are such as place Schindler's
-relation to the master in the strongest light and those deemed by him
-essential to the full understanding of the more important events of
-Beethoven's last years. Most of them bear evidence of the deep interest
-with which Schindler, while they remained in his possession, lived
-over the past in them. In many cases he appended the names of the
-principal writers; so that one soon learns to distinguish their hands
-without difficulty; and occasionally he enriched them with valuable
-annotations.[9] The larger of them--ordinary blank note-books--are
-only of a size and thickness fitted to be carried in the coat-pocket.
-It is obvious, therefore, on a moment's reflection, that at a single
-sitting with a few friends in an inn or coffee-house, the pages must
-have filled rapidly as the book passed from hand to hand and one or
-another wrote question or reply, remark or statement, a bit of news
-or a piece of advice. A few such conversations, one sees, would fill
-a book, all the sooner as there is no thought of economizing space
-and each new sentence is usually also a new paragraph. It strikes
-one, therefore, that the whole 400 could have contained but a small
-portion of the conversations of the period they covered. This was so.
-At home a slate or any loose scraps of paper were commonly used, thus
-saving a heavy item of expense; moreover, many who conversed with
-Beethoven would only write upon the slate in order to obliterate it
-immediately, that nothing should remain exposed to the eyes of others.
-The books, therefore, were for the most part for use when the composer
-was away from home, although there were occasions when, it being
-desirable to preserve what was written, they were also used there.
-Hence, the collection in Berlin can be viewed as little more than
-scattered specimens of the conversations of the master's friends and
-companions, most unequally distributed as to time. For months together
-there is nothing or hardly anything; and then again a few days will
-fill many scores of leaves. In a few instances Beethoven has himself
-written--that is, when in some public place he did not trust his voice;
-and memoranda of divers kinds, even of musical ideas from his pen, are
-not infrequent. One is surprised to find so few distinguished names in
-literature, science and art--Grillparzer's forms an exception and he
-appears only in the later years; as for the rest, they are for the most
-part of local Vienna celebrities.
-
-There is no source of information for the biography of Beethoven
-which at first sight appears so rich and productive and yet, to the
-conscientious writer, proves so provokingly defective and requires such
-extreme caution in its use as these Conversation Books. The oldest of
-them belongs to the time before us (1819) and was evidently preserved
-by Schindler on account of the protracted conversations on the topic of
-the nephew. We have already made several citations from it and shall
-have frequent occasion to have recourse to it in the progress of this
-narrative. The period in which it was used is approximately fixed by a
-reference to a concert given by the violinist Franz Clement, at which
-he played an introduction and variations on a theme by Beethoven.
-This concert took place on April 4, 1819.[10] The last conversations
-in the book took place about the time of Beethoven's removal to
-Mdling--shortly before and after.
-
-This explanatory digression may serve as a modulation to more cheerful
-themes than that which has occupied us of late.
-
-[Sidenote: MUSICAL SURPRISE AT A WEDDING]
-
-Though Karl was no longer a member of the Giannatasio household or
-pupil of the institute, and though there were, in consequence, fewer
-meetings between Beethoven and his self-sacrificing friends, their
-relations remained pleasant, and early in 1819 Beethoven found occasion
-to supplement his verbal protestations of gratitude with a deed. Nanni,
-the younger daughter of Giannatasio, was married on February 6, 1819,
-to Leopold Schmerling. When the young couple returned to the house
-after the ceremony they were greeted by a wedding hymn for tenor solo,
-men's voices and pianoforte accompaniment. The performers were hidden
-in a corner of the room. When they had finished they stepped forth from
-their place of concealment. Beethoven was among them and he handed the
-manuscript of the music which he had written to words of Prof. Stein,
-who occupied a chair of philosophy at the University and was also tutor
-in the imperial household,[11] to the bride.
-
-Beethoven made a single appearance as conductor in this year. It was on
-January 17 at a concert given for the benefit of the Widows and Orphans
-of the Juridical Faculty of the University. The orchestra was largely
-composed of amateurs and the programme began with the overture to
-"Prometheus" and ended with the Seventh Symphony. Among the listeners
-was P. D. A. Atterbom, the Swedish poet, who wrote a sympathetic
-account of it.
-
-In the midst of the worries occasioned by the guardianship, Beethoven
-was elected Honorary Member of the Philharmonic Society of Laibach,
-an institution which had been founded in 1702 and revived, after
-repeated interruptions, in 1816. The project of giving him the
-distinction had been broached in the councils of the society in 1808,
-but Anton Schmith, a physician in Vienna, whose opinion had been
-asked, had advised against it, saying: "Beethoven is as freakish as
-he is unserviceable." Eleven years later the men of Laibach had more
-knowledge or better counsel, and they sent him a diploma on March
-15 through von Tuscher. Acknowledging the honor on May 4, Beethoven
-stated that as a mark of appreciation he was sending, also through
-the magistrate, an "unpublished" composition and would hold himself
-in readiness to serve the society should it ever need him. There is
-no direct evidence as to what composition he had in mind; but in the
-archives of the Laibach society there is a manuscript copy of the Sixth
-Symphony. It is not an autograph except as to its title, Beethoven
-having written "Sinfonia pastorale" on the cover in red crayon, and
-corrections in lead pencil in the music.[12]
-
-The time for Beethoven's annual summer flitting had come. Mdling was
-chosen again for the country sojourn and Beethoven arrived there on May
-12, taking lodgings as before in the Hafner house in the Hauptstrasse.
-He had, evidently, brought a housekeeper with him and now engaged a
-housemaid. The former endured two months.[13] Karl was placed under
-the tuition of Blchlinger on June 22. Beethoven, as letters to the
-Archduke dated July 15 and August 31[14] show, was not in the best of
-health, but was hard at work on the mass, with an excursion now and
-then into the symphony (Ninth). Schindler presents us with a pathetic,
-impressive, almost terrifying picture of the state to which his labors
-lifted him (Ed. of 1860, I, 270):
-
-[Sidenote: IN A FRENZY OF COMPOSITION]
-
- Towards the end of August, accompanied by the musician Johann
- Horsalka still living in Vienna, I arrived at the master's home in
- Mdling. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. As soon as we entered
- we learned that in the morning both servants had gone away, and
- that there had been a quarrel after midnight which had disturbed
- all the neighbors, because as a consequence of a long vigil both
- had gone to sleep and the food which had been prepared had become
- unpalatable. In the living-room, behind a locked door, we heard
- the master singing parts of the fugue in the _Credo_--singing,
- howling, stamping. After we had been listening a long time to this
- almost awful scene, and were about to go away, the door opened and
- Beethoven stood before us with distorted features, calculated to
- excite fear. He looked as if he had been in mortal combat with the
- whole host of contrapuntists, his everlasting enemies. His first
- utterances were confused, as if he had been disagreeably surprised
- at our having overheard him. Then he reached the day's happenings
- and with obvious restraint he remarked: "Pretty doings, these!
- (_Saubere Wirthschaft_.) Everybody has run away and I haven't
- had anything to eat since yesternoon!" I tried to calm him and
- helped him to make his toilet. My companion hurried on in advance
- to the restaurant of the bathing establishment to have something
- made ready for the famished master. Then he complained about the
- wretched state of his domestic affairs, but here, for reasons
- already stated, there was nothing to be done. Never, it may be
- said, did so great an artwork as is the _Missa Solemnis_ see its
- creation under more adverse circumstances.[15]
-
-The fact that Beethoven received an advance payment on a commission
-for an oratorio which he undertook to write for the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde has been mentioned. The sum was 400 florins. It was on
-August 18. Four days later there was a meeting of the society at which
-Landgrave von Frstenberg reported[16] that on the written application
-of Prince von Odescalchi, representing the President, Beethoven had
-replied that he had long been desirous to compose a work which would
-reflect honor on the society and that he would do his best to expedite
-it. That seems to have been the end of the matter for the time being.
-There was also during the Mdling sojourn a continuation of the
-negotiations with Thomson. A Mr. Smith visited Beethoven bearing a
-letter from the Scotch publisher which called out a playful rejoinder
-in which Beethoven sought to turn an easy play upon German words into
-French. Thomson suggested that the introductions and accompaniments
-to the Scotch songs be made easier ("lighter," in the German idiom);
-they would be so, Beethoven replied, if the compensation were made more
-difficult ("heavier" would have been his word had he been permitted to
-use the German equivalent). As it is, Beethoven's humor becomes rather
-ponderous, as see the letter which was written in French by Beethoven
-apparently without assistance:
-
- _Vienne le 25me Maj, 1819._
-
- _Mon cher Ami!_
-
- _Vous ecrivs toujours facile trs--je m'accomode tout mon
- possible, mais--mais--mais--l'honorare pourroit pourtant tre
- plus difficile, ou plus-tt pesante!!!!! Votre ami Mosieur Smith
- m'a fait grand plaisir a cause de sa visite chez moi--en Hte,
- je vous assure, que je serais toujours avec plaisir a votres
- services--comme j'ai a present votre Addresse par Mr. Smith, je
- serai bientt en Etat de vous crire plus ample--l'honorare pour un
- Thme avec variations j'ai fix, dans ma derniere letter vous par
- Messieurs le Friess, a moien dix ducats en or, C'est, je vous jure
- malgre cela seulement par complaisance pour vous, puisque je n'ais
- pas besoin, de me mler avec de telles petites choses, mais il
- faut toujours pourtant perdre du temps avec de telles bagatelles,
- et l'honneur ne permit pas, de dire a quelqu'un, ce qu'on en
- gagne,--je vous souhaite toujours le bon gout pour la vrai Musique
- et si vous cries facile--je crierai difficile pour facile!!!!_
-
-Thomson indorsed on this letter: "25 May, 1819. Beethoven. Some
-pleasantry on my repeated requests to make his Symphs and accompgnts.
-to our National Airs Easy, sent by Mr. John Smith of Glasg." Another
-British commission was offered him about the same time. There are
-two entries in a Conversation Book, apparently in the handwriting of
-Schindler:
-
- The Englishman brought me your letter yesterday and evening
- before last I received another one for you through Fries. Another
- commission was brought by the other Englishman, the friend of
- Smith. A Mr. Donaldson in Edinburgh wants to know if you will not
- write a Trio for 3 pianofortes and in the style of your Quintet in
- E-flat. He wants to announce it as his property--The remuneration
- which you demand is to be paid to you in any way you may
- select--All the parts of the Trio must be obbligato. If you do not,
- write to Donaldson in Edinburgh direct. These Englishmen speak of
- nothing else than their wish to have you come to England--they give
- assurance that if you come for a single winter to England, Scotland
- and Ireland, you will earn so much that you can live the rest of
- your life on the interest.
-
-And again:
-
- The gentleman is going to write to
- Donaldson--Edinburgh--to-day--the answer can be here in 4 weeks and
- the gentleman can be here that long. Tell him how much you want,
- when it might be finished and how you want the payment made. He
- is very desirous to have a composition from you and there is no
- possibility of its being left on your hands--Moreover it is a great
- work. If you get 40 ducats for the Sonata he can doubtless pay 100.
- By that time the answer may be here from Edinburgh.
-
-Great Britain's monetary reward, had Beethoven accepted all its
-invitations, would no doubt have been all that the friend of "Mr.
-Donaldson of Edinburgh" stated and in proportion would have been the
-appreciation which Beethoven would have found at the hands of the
-English professional musicians, amateurs and musical laity.
-
-Pathetic and diverting are the incidents which Karl Friedrich
-Zelter relates in letters to Goethe of his attempts to form a
-closer acquaintance with Beethoven. Zelter came to Vienna in July.
-He says that he wanted to call upon Beethoven, but he was in the
-country--nobody knew where. This in his first letter which mentions the
-subject. On August 16 he writes:
-
- It is said that he is intolerably _maussade_. Some say that he is a
- lunatic. It is easy to talk. God forgive us all our sins! The poor
- man is reported as being totally deaf. Now I know what it means to
- see all this digital manipulation around me while my fingers are
- becoming useless one after the other. Lately Beethoven went into an
- eating-house; he sat himself down to a table and lost himself in
- thought. After an hour he calls the waiter. "What do I owe?" "The
- gentleman has not eaten anything yet" "What shall I bring?" "Bring
- anything you please, but let me alone!"
-
-[Sidenote: MEETING BETWEEN BEETHOVEN AND ZELTER]
-
-Zelter stays in Vienna from July to September, but sees nothing of
-Beethoven. Then, on September 12, he sets out with Steiner to visit
-the master at Mdling. On the road they meet Beethoven, who is on his
-way to the city. Leaving their carriages they embrace each other, but
-conversation with a deaf man not being practicable on the highway
-they separate after agreeing to meet at Steiner's at 4 o'clock in the
-afternoon. Zelter was moved almost to tears. After a hurried meal he
-and Steiner hastened back to Vienna. Let him relate the rest:
-
- After eating we drove back to Vienna at once. Full as a badger
- and tired as a dog I lie down and sleep away the time, sleep so
- soundly that not a thing enters my mind. Then I go to the theatre
- and when I see Beethoven there I feel as if I had been struck by
- lightning. The same thing happens to him at sight of me, and this
- is not the place for explanations with a deaf man. Now comes the
- point: In spite of the things of which Beethoven is accused justly
- or unjustly, he enjoys a popular respect such as is bestowed only
- upon the most excellent. Steiner had given it out that Beethoven
- would appear in his little office, which will hold only six or
- eight persons, for the first time in person at 4 o'clock, and
- invited guests so generously that in a room crowded to the street,
- half a hundred brilliant people waited in vain. I did not get an
- explanation till next day, when I received a letter from Beethoven
- in which he begged my pardon, for he, like me, had passed the time
- set for the meeting in blissful sleep.
-
-Zelter's letter calls for a slight rectification. It was not the
-next day but four days later that Beethoven wrote him the letter of
-explanation, and Zelter's statement that Beethoven had overslept
-himself as he had done was pure assumption--unless he learned it from
-another source. Beethoven wrote:
-
- Highly respected Sir:
-
- It is my fault that you were lately besmeared (_angeschmiert_,
- that is, deceived, cheated) as we say here, by me. Unforeseen
- circumstances robbed me of the pleasure of passing a few lovely and
- enjoyable hours, which would have been profitable to art, with you.
- I hear that you are already leaving Vienna day after to-morrow. My
- country life, to which I am forced by my poor health, is, however,
- not as beneficial as usual to me this year. It may be that I shall
- come in again day after to-morrow and if you are not already gone
- in the afternoon I hope to tell you by word of mouth with true
- cordiality how much I esteem you and desire your friendship (to be
- near to you).
-
-The autograph of this letter contains what appears to be either a
-transcript or a draft of a letter which Zelter either sent or planned
-to send to Beethoven. In view of the fact that it shows a different
-feeling towards the great composer than that formerly entertained by
-the teacher of Mendelssohn, it is given here:
-
- To see once more, face to face, in this life the man who brings
- joy and edification to so many good people, among whom I of course
- am glad to count myself--this was the purpose, worthy friend, for
- which I wished to visit you at Mdlingen. You met me, and my aim
- was at least not wholly frustrated, for I saw your face. I know of
- the infirmity which burdens you and you have my sympathy, for I
- am similarly afflicted. On the day after to-morrow I go from here
- to resume my labors, but I shall never cease to hold you in high
- respect and to love you.
-
-[Sidenote: A COMPOSITION BY ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH]
-
-Friedrich Schneider, of Dessau, visited Vienna in the fall of the year
-and caused a sensation by his organ-playing. He reported that Beethoven
-had received him graciously and that he, in turn, had heard the master
-play the pianoforte, his improvisation being the most marvellous thing
-he had ever listened to. In August, Johann van Beethoven bought an
-estate near Gneixendorf. This brought the brothers together in Vienna
-during the winter. Johann was the "landowner" of a familiar story, and
-Beethoven, the "brain owner," seemed at this time disposed to emulate
-him. At least he read advertisements of houses for sale in Mdling
-before the day set for the sale and advised him in the premises. In
-the same letter[17] he advises Steiner to publish a set of variations
-composed by the Archduke. "I have mentioned your name in the matter,
-inasmuch as I do not believe that you will lose anything by the
-transaction, and it is always honorable to print something by such a
-_Principe Professore_." The variations were on a theme composed by
-Beethoven and given to his imperial pupil as a lesson, and had called
-out the obsequious remarks which may be read in the New Year's letter
-to the Archduke. His remark to Steiner is explained by the fact that on
-August 31 he had written to the Archduke as follows:
-
- As regards the masterly variations of Y. I. H. I think they might
- be published under the following title, namely:
-
- Theme, or Task
- set by L. v. Beeth.
- forty times varied
- and dedicated to his teacher
- by the Most Serene Author.
-
- There are so many requests for them, and eventually this honorable
- work will reach the public in garbled copies. Y. I. H. will
- yourself not be able to avoid presenting copies here and there;
- therefore, in the name of God, among the many consecrations which
- Y. I. H. is receiving and of which the world is being informed, let
- the consecration of Apollo (or the Christian Ccilia) also be made
- known. True, Y. I. H. may accuse me of vanity; but I can assure you
- that although this dedication is precious to me and I am really
- proud of it, this is not at all my aim. 3 publishers have appealed
- for it, Artaria, Steiner and a third whose name does not occur
- to me. To which of the first two shall the Variations be given?
- On this point I await the commands of Y. I. H. Both of them have
- offered to print the variations at _their own cost_. The question
- now is whether Y. I. H. is _satisfied with the title_? To the
- question whether or not the variations ought to be published, Y. I.
- H. ought to close your eyes; if it is done, Y. I. H. may call it a
- misfortune; but _the world will think the contrary_.
-
-Steiner printed the archducal work in the seventh number of his
-"Musical Museum" under a slightly changed title, viz.: "Theme
-(_Aufgabe_) composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, varied forty times and
-dedicated to the author by his pupil R[udolph], A[rch-]D[uke]."[18]
-Other evidences of Beethoven's interest in Archduke Rudolph's studies
-in composition are to be noted about this time. On July 29 he wrote
-to his pupil from Mdling, sending him three poems and asking him
-to select one for composition, encouraging him in these words: "The
-Austrians now know already that the spirit of Apollo has newly awakened
-in the Imperial family. From all quarters I receive requests for
-something. The proprietor of the _Modezeitung_ will appeal to Y. I. H.
-in writing. I hope I _shall not be accused of bribery--at Court and not
-a courtier_, what possibilities??!!!" In this letter, however, there
-are words of vaster import, as showing Beethoven's attitude towards
-musical evolution. We quote:
-
- ... but _freedom_, _progress_, is the aim in the world of art as
- in the whole great universe, and even if we moderns are not so far
- advanced in sound technique (_Festigkeit_) as our _forefathers_,
- refinement in manners has opened many things to us. My exalted
- pupil in music, already a fellow-contestant for the laurel of fame,
- must not subject himself to the accusation of _onesidedness_,--_et
- iterum venturus judicare vivos et mortuos_.[19]
-
-[Sidenote: A PAINTER'S PRESENCE FORGOTTEN]
-
-A number of incidents in Beethoven's life may now be passed in hurried
-chronological review: On October 1, he was made an honorary member of
-the Mercantile Association (_Kaufmnnischer Verein_) in Vienna. In the
-fall Ferdinand Schimon (1797-1852), who was musician and opera-singer
-as well as painter, painted the portrait which afterward came into
-the possession of Schindler, and was engraved by Eduard Eichers for
-Schindler's biography.[20] Schimon had obtained permission through
-Schindler to set up his easel in the chamber adjoining Beethoven's
-workroom, the composer having resolutely refused a sitting because he
-was busy on the _Credo_ of the mass. From this point of vantage he made
-his studies and had finished them all but the eyes--the most striking
-feature in the portrait. Out of this dilemma Beethoven unconsciously
-helped him. He had evidently been impressed with the discretion, or
-independence, of the young artist who came without a "good morning" and
-went without a "good evening," and invited him to coffee. Thus Schimon
-had ample opportunity to supply the one deficiency in his sketches.
-
-At the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna from Mdling,
-taking lodging this time at No. 16 Josephstdter Glacis, opposite the
-Auersberg Palace and near the Blchlinger Institute where Karl was
-studying. The guardianship matter soon occupied his attention; spells
-of indisposition tormented him; and financial distress so threatened
-him that he attempted to negotiate a loan from the banker Hennickstein,
-and borrowed 750 florins from Steiner.[21] Countess Erddy was in
-Vienna at the end of the year and he sent her a note on December 19,
-promising to visit her soon and scratching down a musical phrase which
-he afterwards erased to make of it the New Year canon: "Glck, Glck
-zum neuen Jahr."
-
-It is remarkable that Beethoven, under the circumstances which have
-been set forth in this chapter, could continue his labors on the Mass
-which were his principal occupation during the year; it was but another
-proof of the absorbing possession which the composition of a great work
-took of him when once fairly begun. So diligently did he apply himself
-that he had hopes not only of finishing it in time for the installation
-of the Archduke as Archbishop of Olmtz, but wrote to Ries on November
-10 that he had already nearly completed it and would like to know what
-could be done with it in London. To Schindler, however, in expressing
-a doubt that he would have it done in time for the ceremonial, he said
-that every movement had taken on larger dimensions than had originally
-been contemplated. Schindler says also that when the day came, not
-one of the movements was finished in the eyes of the composer; yet he
-alleges that Beethoven brought the completed _Credo_ with him when
-he came back to Vienna from Mdling. There is this to be added to
-these statements: A pocket sketchbook used in 1820 (it is now in the
-Beethoven House at Bonn) shows some sketches for the _Credo_; and
-there are memoranda for the same movement in a Conversation Book used
-near the close of the year. That the _Gloria_ had received its final
-shape is a fair deduction from a Conversation Book of the same period.
-Bernard (presumably) writes:
-
- It was decided yesterday that you give a concert either on
- Christmas or some other day. Count Stadion will give the use of the
- room, and Schick, Czerny and Janitschek will care for the rest. The
- programme is to include a symphony, the _Gloria_ from your mass,
- the new Sonata played by you and a grand final chorus. All your
- works. 4,000 florins are guaranteed. Only one movement of the mass
- is to be performed.
-
-The project is mentioned again by another friend, and Beethoven
-remarks: "It is too late for Christmas, but it might be possible in
-Lent." That he worked occasionally on the Ninth Symphony, especially
-in the early part of the year, has already been said. Thomson's
-commissions occupied some of his time, as well as a project to
-extend his labors on folksongs into a wider field. The second set of
-Variations on folksong themes which was published as Op. 107 in 1820,
-must be assigned, at least in part, to this year. He also, as Schindler
-tells us, composed a set of waltzes for a band of seven men who played
-at an inn in the valley of the Brhl near Mdling, and wrote out the
-parts for the different instruments. These waltzes have disappeared;
-Schindler tried in vain to find them a few years later. The canon
-"Glck zum neuen Jahr" was composed for Countess Erddy on the last day
-of December, if A. Fuchs, who says that he copied it from the original
-manuscript, is correct. He also wrote a canon for Steiner in the
-summer, as appears from a conversation recorded in a book of March 20,
-1820. An unidentified hand writes:
-
- Last summer you sent a _canon infinitus a due_ to Steiner from
- Mdling
-
- [Illustration]
-
- Nobody has solved it, but I have solved it. The second voice enters
- on the second:
-
- [Illustration:
-
- it is infinite.
- Go to the devil[22]
- God protect you
- was the text.
- ]
-
- On September 21 he wrote a canon to the words "Glaube und hoffe"
- for the younger Schlesinger, afterwards publisher in Paris, who
- was a visitor in Vienna from Berlin at the time, as Beethoven's
- inscription on the autograph shows.[23]
-
-[Sidenote: PUBLICATIONS OF THE YEAR 1819]
-
-The publications of the year 1819 were (1) Two Sonatas for Pianoforte
-and Violoncello, Op. 102, dedicated to Countess Erddy, by Artaria in
-Vienna (they had already been published by Simrock); (2) The Quintet
-in C minor, Op. 104, arranged from the Trio, Op. 1, No. 3; (3) Themes
-and Variations on Motives from Folksongs, for Pianoforte and Flute or
-Violin, Op. 105, by Artaria; Pianoforte Sonata in B-flat, Op. 106,
-dedicated to Archduke Rudolph, by Artaria.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[1] He had not been removed, but only temporarily suspended; he
-retained the supervision of the boy's education and at a later period
-voluntarily resigned the guardianship for a time.
-
-[2] See Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. p. 124 _et seq._ The letter was
-dated erroneously February 1, 1818, instead of 1819.
-
-[3] These citations are from the Conversation Books.
-
-[4] Landshut University. It was afterward removed to Munich.
-
-[5] As a matter of fact the boy was with Kudlich after this and
-remained there until Beethoven went to Mdling. At the time of this
-consultation he was with his mother. Kudlich was instructed not to
-permit any communication between him and his mother.
-
-[6] It is undated, but to judge by its contents and the sequence of
-events was written in May. See Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 134.
-
-[7] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 149.
-
-[8] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 145.
-
-[9] That he was not always scrupulous in preserving their integrity
-when they offered evidence in contradiction of his printed statements
-is the conviction of this editor for reasons which will appear later.
-
-[10] Apparently in reply to a question put by Beethoven an unidentified
-hand writes: "Poor stuff,--empty--totally ineffective--your theme was
-in bad hands; with much monotony he made 15 or 20 variations and put
-a cadenza (_fermate_) in every one, you may imagine what we had to
-endure--he has fallen off greatly and looks too old to entertain with
-his acrobatics on the violin."
-
-Thayer's industry in the gathering and ordering of material for this
-biography, let it be remarked here in grateful tribute, is illustrated
-in the fact that he made practically a complete transcript of the
-Conversation Books, laboriously deciphering the frequently hieroglyphic
-scrawls, and compiled a mass of supplementary material for the purpose
-of fixing the chronological order of the conversations. The dates of
-all concerts and other public events alluded to were established by the
-examination of newspapers and other contemporaneous records and the
-utility of the biographical material greatly enhanced.
-
-[11] Madame Pessiak-Schmerling, a daughter of Nanni, recounted this
-incident twice in the letters to Thayer. Madame Pessiak possessed a
-copy of the song. Her mother had jealously preserved the original,
-but, together with Beethoven's letters to Giannatasio, it was stolen.
-In 1861 Thayer found song and letters among the autographs owned by
-William Witt of the firm of Ewer and Co. in London, and obtained copies
-of them, but Thayer's copy of the song was not found by this Editor
-among the posthumous papers of the author when he examined them in
-order to set aside the needful material for the completion of this
-biography. The music of Miss Nanni's hymeneal ode was forty years later
-put to a right royal use. Transposed from C to A major it was published
-for the first time by Ewer and Co. as a setting to English words on
-the occasion of the marriage of Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen
-Victoria, to Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Emperor Frederick
-III) on January 25, 1858. The title of this publication, which is now
-out of print, was "The Wedding Song, written and by gracious permission
-dedicated to Her Royal Highness Victoria, Princess Royal, on her
-Wedding Day, by John Oxenford. The music composed by L. van Beethoven.
-Posthumous Work." The inscription on the original manuscript, according
-to Thayer, was "Am 14ten Jenner 1819--fr F. v. Giannatasio de Rio von
-L. v. Beethoven."
-
-At the Editor's request Mr. J. S. Shedlock, in 1912, kindly made an
-investigation and reported that so far as could be learned from the
-public records the song had no place in the wedding ceremonies in 1858.
-Messrs. Novello and Co. most courteously brought forth the old plates
-from their vaults and had a "pull" of them made for this Editor's use.
-The music can not be said to have any other than a curious interest. A
-single stanza will suffice to disclose the quality of Mr. Oxenford's
-hymeneal ode:
-
- "Hail, Royal Pair, by love united;
- With ev'ry earthly blessing crown'd;
- A people lifts its voice delighted,
- And distant nations hear the sound.
- All hearts are now with gladness swelling,
- All tongues are now of rapture telling,
- A day of heartfelt joy is found!"
-
-
-[12] Dr. F. Keesbacher, who published a history of the Laibach
-Philharmonic Society in 1862, thought that this was the composition
-sent by Beethoven; but the "Pastoral" Symphony had been published
-nearly ten years before--by Breitkopf and Hrtel in May, 1809.
-
-[13] On the blank leaves of an Almanac for 1819, such as used to be
-bound in those useful household publications for the reception of
-memoranda, Beethoven notes: "Came to Mdling, May 12.!!! _Miser sum
-pauper_...." "On May 14 the housemaid in Mr. came, to receive 6 florins
-a month.... On 29th May Dr. Hasenhrl made his 3rd visit to K. Tuesday
-on the 22nd of June my nephew entered the institute of Mr. Blchlinger
-at monthly payments in advance of 75 florins _W.W._ Began to take the
-baths here regularly (?) on 28th Monday, for the first (?) time daily."
-Schindler adds: "On July 20 gave notice to the housekeeper."
-
-[14] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. pp. 138 and 139.
-
-[15] In his draft for this chapter Thayer wrote: "In the hope of
-obtaining further particulars Horsalka's attention was directed to
-this passage in the copy now before the writer. The result is written
-on the margin in Herr Luib's hand: 'Horsalka knows nothing of this'.
-This incident is doubtless true, but that Horsalka should not have
-remembered it if he was present, is incredible. Schindler's queer
-memory has again proved treacherous in regard to his companion."
-
-[16] So Pohl, who wrote a history of the "Gesellschaft," informed
-Thayer in a note.
-
-[17] Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 144.
-
-[18] The theme was the melody written for a song beginning "O Hoffnung,
-du sthlst die Herzen, vertreibst die Schmerzen," from Tiedge's
-"Urania." Nohl, without giving an authority, quotes an inscription on
-the autograph as follows: "Composed in the spring of 1818 by L. v.
-Beethoven _in doloribus_ for H. Imp. Highness the Archduke Rudolph."
-Thayer knows nothing about such an inscription, but it does not look
-like an invention. In one of the Conversation Books somebody (Dr.
-Deiters opines it was Peters) writes: "Frulein Spitzenberger played
-the 40 variations by the Archduke for me yesterday. I know nothing
-about it, but it seems to me that they were pretty extensively
-corrected by you. The critics insist on the same thing." We do not
-know what reply Beethoven made and it is a matter of small moment. The
-same comment has been called out by many a royal composition since;
-it was Brahms who said: "Never criticize the composition of a Royal
-Highness;--you do not know who may have written it!" In justice to
-Archduke Rudolph, however, it deserves to be mentioned that a set of
-variations on a melody from Rossini's "Zelmira" composed by him shows
-pencil corrections in the hand of Beethoven and they are few and
-trifling.
-
-[19] There is a vagueness in this passage, and especially in the words
-which precede it, which has exercised the minds of Kchel, Nohl and
-Deiters; but it is the opinion of the English Editor that the meaning
-has been reproduced in the above translation. As the reader may,
-however, wish to form his own opinion in the matter, which is certainly
-most interesting, the context is given in the original and what might
-be described as an expository rendering into English: _Ich war in
-Wien, um aus der Bibliothek I. K. H. das mir Tauglichste auszusuchen.
-Die Hauptabsicht ist das geschwinde Treffen und mit der bessern
-Kunst-Vereinigung, wobei aber practische Absichten Ausnahmen machen,
-wofr die Alten zwar doppelt dienen, indem meistens reeller Kunstwerth
-(Genie hat doch nur der deutsche Hndel und Seb. Bach gehabt) allein
-Freiheit, etc._, that is: "I was in Vienna to seek out some things best
-suited to my purpose. What is chiefly needed is a quick recognition of
-the essential coupled with a better union of the arts [i. e., poetry
-and music] in respect of which practical considerations sometimes
-compel an exception, as we may learn in a twofold way from the old
-composers, where we find chiefly stress laid upon the artistically
-valuable (among them only the German Handel and Seb. Bach had genius)
-but freedom, etc." Beethoven, presumably, was following the injunction
-noted in the _Tagebuch_ and, for the purposes of the work which then
-engrossed him, was consulting authorities on ecclesiastical music.
-That his mind was full of his Mass is indicated by the somewhat
-irrelevant quotation from the text of the _Credo_. Was he not essaying
-a union between the technical perfection of the old masters and a more
-truthful, or literal, illustration of the missal text, wherefor freedom
-was necessary?
-
-[20] The picture is now preserved among the rest of the relics which
-Schindler deposited in Berlin.
-
-[21] See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 151.
-
-[22] "Hol Euch der Teufel! B'ht Euch Gott!"
-
-[23] Marx published it for the first time in _facsimile_ in the
-appendix of Vol. II of his biography of Beethoven. In the Collected
-Works it appears on page 275, Series 25.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter II
-
- The Years 1820 and 1821--End of the Guardianship Litigation--A
- Costly Victory--E. T. A. Hoffmann--Financial Troubles--Adagios and
- English Hymn-tunes--Arrested as a Vagrant--Negotiations for the
- Mass in D--The Last Pianoforte Sonatas.
-
-
-[Sidenote: DEPARTURE OF OLD FRIENDS]
-
-Almost involuntarily, in passing in review the incidents of the year
-whose story has just been told and projecting a glance into the
-near future, the question arises: Where, in these moments of doubt,
-ill-health, trial, vexation of spirit and torment of body were the
-old friends of Beethoven who in the earlier years had stood by him
-faithfully and lovingly? Where was Stephan von Breuning? Alas! he
-seems to have been an early sacrifice to Beethoven's obstinate course
-in respect of his nephew. Schindler says that he had advised against
-the adoption of the boy and thus wounded Beethoven in his most
-sensitive part. The temporary estrangement began in 1817. Some others
-of the old friends may have been rebuffed in like manner; some, like
-the faithful seneschal, Zmeskall, were ill; some were absent from
-Vienna--Count Brunswick, Schuppanzigh; some were dead; in some the
-flames of friendship may have died down because there was so little
-in Beethoven's public life to challenge their sympathy and support.
-Count Lichnowsky has dropped out of the narrative and does not appear
-for some years. What had happened to the ardent friend of the youthful
-days, Count Waldstein? There is no answer. Once a Conversation Book
-awakens curiosity and a hope. Somebody warns Beethoven in a public
-place not to speak so loud, as everybody is listening. "Count Waldstein
-is sitting near; where does he live?" Beethoven's answer is unrecorded
-and thus passes the only opportunity which the known material offers
-from which might have been learned what caused the death of that
-beautiful friendship. Bernard, Schindler, Oliva, Peters and Bach were
-near to him, and the last was of incalculable value to him in his
-great trial. But could they replace those who were gone?
-
-Beethoven was become a lonely man--an enforced seeker of solitude. No
-doubt many who would have been glad to give him their friendship were
-deterred by the wide-spread reports of his suspicious, unapproachable,
-almost repellant nature. But a miracle happens. Driven in upon
-himself by the forces which seem to have been arrayed against
-him, introspection opens wider and wider to him the doors of that
-imagination which in its creative function, as Ruskin tells us, is "an
-eminent beholder of things when and where they are not; a seer that is,
-in the prophetic sense, calling the things that are not as though they
-were; and for ever delighting to dwell on that which is not tangibly
-present." Now he proclaims a new evangel, illustrates a higher union of
-beauty and truthfulness of expression, exalts art till it enters the
-realm of religion.
-
-In the _Tagebuch_ there stands a bold inscription written in February
-of the year 1820: "The moral law in us, and the starry sky above
-us--Kant."[24] This and two other citations, the first of which
-Beethoven surely culled from some book, also deserve to be set down
-here as mottoes applicable to the creative work which occupied his mind
-during the year and thereafter:
-
- 'Tis said that art is long and life is fleeting:--
- Nay; life is long and brief the span of art!
- If e'er her breath vouchsafes with gods a meeting,
- A moment's favor 'tis of which we've had a part.
-
- The world is a king and desires flattery in return for favor; but
- true art is perverse and will not submit to the mould of flattery.
- Famous artists always labor under an embarrassment;--therefore,
- first works are the best, though they may have sprung from dark
- ground.
-
-We can only record the fact that Beethoven began the year 1820, as
-he had begun its immediate predecessor, by sending a New Year's
-greeting to the august pupil who was now almost continually in his
-mind--Archduke Rudolph, soon to be Archbishop and Cardinal[25]--before
-taking up the story of the incubus which oppressed the composer's
-mind, the clog which impeded his creative activities during much of
-the year--the legal proceedings concerning the guardianship of nephew
-Karl. Fortunately for the tinge of these pages the end is not distant.
-
-Two applications made by Beethoven to the Court of Magistrates had been
-denied and he now asked for a review of these decisions by the Court
-of Appeals. The action of the Magistracy had grievously pained him, so
-he informed the superior tribunal, and not only had his rights been
-set aside, but no regard had been shown for the welfare of his nephew.
-Against this he now sought relief, and he set forth his grievances: (1)
-He was testamentary appointee and the _Landrecht_ had confirmed him and
-excluded the mother; circumstances compelling his absence from Vienna,
-he had arranged that Herr Nussbck should be appointed guardian _ad
-interim_; back permanently in the city, his nephew's welfare required
-that he resume the guardianship; (2) The higher education which his
-nephew's talents demanded neither the mother nor Nussbck could
-direct--the former because she was a woman and had conducted herself in
-a manner which had led the _Landrecht_ to exclude her, Nussbck because
-he was too much occupied with his duties as Municipal Sequestrator and,
-having been no more than a paper-maker, he did not possess the insight
-and judgment essential to the scientific education of the ward. (3)
-Having no child of his own, his hopes were set on the boy, who was
-unusually talented, yet he had been told that he had been held back
-a year in his studies and that owing to a lack of funds he was to be
-taken from the institution in which he had been placed and given in the
-care of his mother; by her mismanagement the boy would be sacrificed,
-it being the aim of the mother to expend his share of the pension
-money on herself. He had declared to the Magistracy his willingness
-to defray the costs at the institute and also to engage other masters
-for the boy. Being "somewhat hard of hearing" communication with
-him was difficult and therefore he had asked that a co-guardian
-be appointed in the person of Herr Peters, Prince Lobkowitzsian
-Councillor, whose knowledge and moral character would assure such a
-training and education as were justified by the boy's capacity. "I know
-of no more sacred duty than the care and education of a child," he
-observes. He would offer no objection to the mother's having a "sort of
-joint-guardianship," but its duties and privileges should be limited to
-her visiting him and learning what plans were making for his education;
-to permit more would be to compass the ruin of the boy.[26]
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT]
-
-This petition was filed on January 7, 1820; three days later the
-Appellate Court commanded the Magistracy to file a report of the
-proceedings had before it, together with all minutes and documents. The
-Magistracy complied on February 5, citing its decision of September 17,
-1819, and defending its action on the grounds that (a) Beethoven, owing
-to his deafness and his hatred of the mother of the ward, was incapable
-of acting as guardian; (b) the guardianship belonged to the mother by
-right of law; (c) the commission of an act of infidelity against her
-husband in 1811, for which she had suffered punishment, was no longer a
-bar; (d) none of the alleged "injurious disturbances and interferences"
-had been definitely set forth or proven:
-
- If under injurious disturbances we are to understand that the
- mother is desirous to see her child once every 14 days or 4 weeks,
- or to convince herself about the wear and cleanliness of his
- clothing, or to learn of his conduct toward his teachers, these can
- appear injurious only in the eyes of the appellant; the rest of the
- world, however, would find it amiss in a mother if she made inquiry
- concerning her child only once a fortnight or month.
-
-Answering the second charge, the magistrates urged that the appellant
-seemed to ask of the mother and other guardian that they themselves
-educate the boy in the sciences. For this not even the appellant was
-fitted, at least he had not demonstrated such a fitness; he had left
-the preparation for the higher studies to others and this the mother
-and guardian could also do, having, indeed, a better plan, which was to
-send the boy to the R. I. Convict, where he would surely make better
-progress at smaller expense. _Ad tertium_, the failure of the boy to
-advance in his classes could not be laid to the mother or guardian, but
-must be charged against the appellant, who had taken the boy away from
-his studies for the university after two months, kept him at home three
-months, and sent him to another institution of learning at the end of
-June; naturally enough he lost a school year.
-
-The Court of Appeals demanded a more explicit report, which the
-Magistracy filed on February 28, taking advantage of the opportunity to
-review the proceedings had before the _Landrecht_ from the beginning,
-and to make severe strictures on the conduct of Beethoven in filing
-an exhibit (F) with his petition in support of which no evidence was
-offered, though because of it the _Landrecht_ was asked to exclude the
-mother from the guardianship which belonged to her under the law. Again
-we quote:
-
- This exclusion can have nothing for its foundation except the
- misdemeanor of which the mother was guilty in 1811, for all the
- rest contained in appellant's exhibit F is unproven chatter to
- which the _Landrecht_ could give no consideration, but which gives
- speaking proof of how passionately and inimically the appellant
- has always acted, and still acts, towards the mother, how little
- he recks of tearing open wounds that were healed, since after
- having endured punishment she stood rehabilitated; and yet he
- reproaches her with a transgression for which she had atoned years
- before, which had been pardoned by the injured husband himself who
- petitioned for leniency in her sentence and who had declared her
- capable and fit for the guardianship of his son in his last will
- and testament, directing that the son be not taken away from his
- mother. Regardless of this the appellant last year, certainly not
- in the interest of the boy's welfare, inasmuch as we have excellent
- educational institutions here, but only to pain the mother, to
- tear the heart out of her bosom, attempted to send him out of the
- country to Landshut. Fortunately the government authorities, acting
- on information derived from this court, frustrated the plan by
- refusing a passport.
-
-[Sidenote: DEPRAVITY OF KARL'S MOTHER]
-
-Let us try now to take a dispassionate view of the case as thus far
-presented in the pleadings and documents. Not only the law of nature
-but the laws of the land justified the mother in asserting her right
-to look after the physical well-being of her child and seeking to
-enforce it. Dr. Bach seems to have impressed that fact upon Beethoven,
-wherefore he declares his willingness in the bill of appeal to
-associate her with himself in the guardianship to that extent. That the
-Magistrates displayed unusual, not to say unjudicial zeal in her behalf
-while defending their own course is indubitable; but we are in no
-position to judge of the propriety of their course, which seems to have
-been in harmony with the judicial procedure of the place and period,
-least of all to condemn them, so long as it was permitted them so to
-do, for having made a stout resistance when their acts were impugned
-in the appeal to the higher court. The "Exhibit F," filed in the
-proceedings before the _Landrecht_, has not been found and its contents
-can only be guessed at from the allusions to it in the documents.
-Obviously it contained aspersions on the moral character of Madame van
-Beethoven, and it may have been, nay, probably was, true that they were
-unsupported by evidence and therefore undeserving of consideration in
-a court either of law or equity. Perhaps they were not susceptible of
-legal proof. It has been thought that Beethoven felt some hesitancy in
-flaunting evidence of his sister-in-law's infamy in the face of the
-world,[27] but he certainly showed no disposition to spare her in his
-letters, nor did he hesitate to accuse her of unmentionable things
-by innuendo. In a Conversation Book of this year (1820) he writes of
-her that she was "born for intrigue, accomplished in deceit, mistress
-of all the arts of dissimulation." On the other hand, it is singular
-that the Magistrates in their final effort to justify their course
-have nothing to say about the present moral standing of the woman
-whose legal and natural rights they claimed to be upholding. Were they
-in ignorance of what we now know, namely, that her conduct had not
-only been reprehensible in 1811 (though condoned by her husband) but
-continued so after her husband's death? Schindler says that she gave
-birth to a child while the case was pending, and that is confirmed by
-a statement of Nephew Karl's widow,[28] that in her old age Madame van
-Beethoven lived in Baden with this illegitimate daughter, who was also
-a dissolute woman.
-
-But there are many anomalous things to the studious mind in the
-proceedings which we are reporting, which differ greatly from anything
-which could happen in a court of chancery or probate in Great Britain
-or America to-day. It is certainly repugnant to our present legal
-ethics that having filed a petition to reverse the action of one
-court Beethoven should not only have written private letters to a
-judge of the court of review, pleading his case on personal grounds,
-but that his counsel should have advised him to visit members of the
-higher court to present arguments in his behalf. But, no doubt, this
-was consistent with the customs of Austria a century ago; and it is
-what happened. Beethoven writes to Karl Winter, an _Appellationsrat_,
-and his lawyer tells him to engage him and one of his colleagues,
-Schmerling, in conversation on the subject. Perhaps Winter himself
-questioned the propriety of the proceeding, for in a Conversation Book
-somebody, who had evidently acted as messenger in the delivery of
-the letter, writes: "I gave it to Herr v. Winter; he kept me waiting
-and then said that he could give no answer, nor involve himself in a
-correspondence." The letter in question was written on March 6. In it
-Beethoven says that he had prepared a memorial which he would place in
-his hands in a few days. From the outline given it is plain that the
-memorial contained a review of the case since the death of Beethoven's
-brother. It had been prepared, said Beethoven, "believing that I
-owed it to myself to expose the falsity of the many slanders which
-have been uttered against me and to lay bare the intrigues of Madame
-van Beethoven against me to the injury of her own child, as also to
-place in its proper light the conduct of the Magistrates' Court." He
-charges that the Magistrates had summoned the widow and her son to a
-hearing without his knowledge and, as his nephew had told him, he had
-been urged and led on by his mother to make false accusations against
-him. He had also forwarded a document which proved the wavering and
-partisan conduct of the Magistrates. He repeats the charge about his
-nephew's failure to advance in his studies and adds that the boy had
-had a hemorrhage which, had he not been on hand, might almost have cost
-him his life. These things were not attributable to Herr Tuscher for
-the reason that the Magistrates had given him too little support and
-he could not proceed with sufficient energy--this the writer could do
-in his capacity of uncle, guardian and defrayer of expenses. He asks
-that if it becomes necessary he and his nephew be examined, cites his
-expenditures to keep the boy two years in an educational institution,
-saying that he had received nothing from the widow in nearly fourteen
-months but would continue to pay the cost unselfishly in the future,
-and had set apart 4,000 florins which was on deposit in bank and was to
-go to his nephew on his death. Moreover, he had expectations from his
-relations with the Archbishop of Olmtz, etc.
-
-The case was prepared shrewdly, carefully and most discreetly by Dr.
-Bach, who seems to have exerted an admirable influence on Beethoven
-at this crisis. The nature of his advice may be learned from the
-communication of Bernard in one of the recorded conversations. Bernard
-is writing, and evidently giving the result of a consultation with
-Dr. Bach. The Court of Appeals would ask another report from the
-Magistrates and on its receipt would adjudge the case. Nussbck,
-who Dr. Bach said was willing, should voluntarily retire from the
-guardianship. Beethoven was asked as to the appointment of Tuscher;
-had he resigned permanently or only temporarily in favor of Tuscher,
-the better to accomplish the nephew's removal from his mother? In what
-manner had Tuscher abdicated, and had the Magistracy informed Beethoven
-of the fact? It was necessary, said the adviser, to proceed with
-moderation in all things so as to avoid the appearance of malice, and
-the mother should not be assailed if it was at all avoidable, stress
-being laid only on the fact that as a woman she ought not to have the
-direction of the education of a boy of Karl's age, not having the
-requisite fitness. It would also be necessary for him, in case he were
-asked, to state his readiness to defray the cost of the boy's education
-in the future and this, if the worst came to the worst, might be
-followed by a threat to withdraw wholly from his care. Reproaches might
-be made against him concerning the period when he had the boy with him,
-the priests having taken to meddling in the matter, and it would be
-well in the future not to take the boy to public eating-houses where he
-would be observed and scandal fomented.
-
-[Sidenote: APPOINTMENT OF A JOINT GUARDIANSHIP]
-
-Bach seems to have advised Beethoven to visit two of the judges, Winter
-and Schmerling, and himself had an interview with the boy, who told his
-uncle what the advocate had questioned him about. For the nonce Karl
-was on his good behavior. Blchlinger reported favorably on his studies
-to Bernard, and in a Conversation Book the boy apologized to his
-uncle for some statements derogatory to him which he had made to the
-Magistrates. "She promised me so many things," he said, "that I could
-not resist her; I am sorry that I was so weak at the time and beg your
-forgiveness; I will not again permit myself to be led astray. I did not
-know what results might follow when I told the Magistrates what I did;
-but if there is another examination I will retract all the falsehoods
-I uttered." The magisterial commission which followed on March 29, had
-plainly been held at the instance of the Appellate Court. Beethoven
-was solemnly admonished, and in answer to questions declared: (1) that
-he still demanded the guardianship of his nephew under the will and
-would not relinquish his claim; (2) that he requested the appointment
-of Councillor Peters as associate guardian; (3) that he demanded that
-Madame van Beethoven be excluded from the guardianship as she had been
-by the _Landrecht_, and (4) he reiterated his readiness to provide
-financially for the care of his ward; he would accept an associate
-guardian, but not a sole guardian, as he was convinced that no guardian
-would care for his nephew as well as he. In insisting on a renewed
-declaration on these points it is likely that the Court of Appeals
-had some hope that Beethoven might voluntarily renounce or modify
-his claims or the Magistrates recede from their attitude. Neither
-contingency occurred, however, and on April 8 the reviewing court
-issued its decree in Beethoven's favor, he and Peters being appointed
-joint guardians (_gemeinschaftliche Vormnde_), the mother and Nussbck
-being deposed. The widow now played her last card:--she appealed to
-the Emperor, who upheld the Court of Appeals. There was nothing for
-the Magistracy to do except to notify the result of the appeals to
-Beethoven, Madame van Beethoven, Peters and Nussbck. This was done on
-July 24.
-
-Beethoven had won at last. But at what a cost to himself, his art,
-the world! What time, what labor, what energy had he not taken away
-from his artistic creations! What had he not expended in the way of
-peace of mind, of friendship, of physical comfort, of wear of brain
-and nerve-force, for the privilege of keeping the boy to himself,
-of watching unmolested over his physical welfare and directing his
-intellectual and moral training unhindered! Surely such sacrifices,
-inspired, as we know they were, by a transcendent sense of duty and
-profoundest love, merited the rich reward of which he had dreamed--the
-devotion of one who ought to have been all that a son could be, the
-happiness of seeing the object of his love grow into a brilliant man
-and a useful citizen. Was it vouchsafed him? Let us not in the midst
-of his present happiness look too far into the future. Now his joy is
-unbounded. He breaks into a jubilation when, in conveying the news
-to Pinterics--that Pinterics who had sung the bass in "Ta, ta, ta,"
-in honor of Mlzel: "Dr. Bach was my representative in this affair
-and this Brook (_Bach_) was joined by the sea, lightning, thunder, a
-tempest, and the magisterial brigantine suffered complete shipwreck!"
-Schindler says that "his happiness over the triumph which he had
-won over wickedness and trickery, but also because of the supposed
-salvation from physical danger of his talented nephew, was so great
-that he worked but little or not at all all summer--though this was
-perhaps more apparent than real, the sketchbooks disclosing from now on
-only empty pages." A wise qualification, for though the sketchbooks may
-have been empty, there is evidence enough elsewhere of hard work. Yet
-the Mass was not finished, and for this unfortunate circumstance the
-guardianship trial was no doubt largely to blame. To this subject we
-shall return presently.
-
-Of Peters, who was appointed joint guardian with Beethoven of the
-nephew, little is known beyond what we learn from Beethoven and
-Peters's contributions to the Conversation Books. He was a tutor in
-the house of Prince Lobkowitz and had been on terms of friendship with
-Beethoven since 1816; his appointment by the court is a confirmation
-of Beethoven's tribute to him as a man of intellectual parts and of
-good moral character. His wife had a good voice and was a great admirer
-of Beethoven, who presented her with a copy of the song cycle "An die
-ferne Geliebte." A letter, once in the possession of John Ella in
-London, which may be of earlier date than 1821, to which year it is,
-however, most naturally assigned in view of the allusion to the "state
-burden" (the nephew), runs as follows:
-
- How are you? Are you well or ill? How is your wife? Permit me to
- sing something for you:
-
- [Illustration: Canon (Lively)
-
- Saint Peter was a rock! St.]
-
- [Illustration: Canon (Drawn out and dragged)
-
- Bernardus was a Saint? Ber-]
-
- How are your young princes? Will you be at home this afternoon at 5
- o'clock? Perhaps I'll visit you together with my _state_ burden.
-
-[Sidenote: BAD CONDUCT OF NEPHEW KARL]
-
-Nephew Karl remained at Blchlinger's institute and continued to cause
-worry and anxiety to his uncle. Reports concerning his conduct and
-studies were variable from different persons and at different times.
-Blchlinger complained that he needed constant supervision: "Had we
-not always been strict with him, he would not be where he is now."
-A cleric declares that he was at heart not a bad child but had been
-harmed by bad examples. "Karl has little feeling and in spite of the
-knowledge for which he is praised he has no reasoning powers," writes
-an unidentified person in the Conversation Book, surely not to the
-satisfaction of the uncle who was always setting forth his nephew's
-exceptional talent. In June somebody else (this time it may have
-been Oliva) feels constrained to write: "The boy lies every time he
-opens his mouth." The "terrible occurrence" which had almost crushed
-Beethoven in December, 1818, repeats itself, fortunately without such
-dire results to the too sympathetic uncle: In June, instead of coming
-to an oral examination, Karl ran away to his mother. Madame Blchlinger
-had to take a coach and servant and bring him back to the school; and
-to get him away from Madame van Beethoven, who was disposed to keep
-him in concealment, had to promise to see to it that he should not
-be punished for his naughtiness. Now Blchlinger, who says that the
-presence of Madame van Beethoven "poisons the air," wants the woman
-excluded from his house and asks for a power of attorney to call in
-the help of the police every time that Karl shall go to his mother,
-whom he calls a "notorious strumpet," of whose presence in his house
-he must needs be ashamed. All this was told to Beethoven by Bernard,
-who had learned it from Blchlinger. Beethoven went for advice to Bach,
-who told his client that it was impracticable to get a judicial writ
-against the mother enjoining her from meeting her son, and impossible
-to prevent secret meetings and secret correspondence. The practical
-solution of the problem was to have Blchlinger refuse to admit the
-woman to his institute and compel her to see Karl at his uncle's home.
-This would serve the purpose to some extent, as the mother did not like
-to meet her brother-in-law.
-
-The enthronization of Beethoven's imperial pupil as Archbishop of
-Olmtz took place on March 20. The Mass which was to have been the
-composer's tribute was still unfinished. The reader knows why, or at
-least has been provided with an opportunity to form an opinion as to
-the reason. It may have been for the purpose of offering an explanation
-to the new dignitary of the church, that Beethoven sought an audience
-as he states in a letter of April 3. The Archducal Archbishop had gone
-to Olmtz and Beethoven wants to know his plans for the immediate
-future. He had heard that H. I. H. was to return to Vienna in May,
-but also that he intended to be absent for a year and a half. If so,
-Beethoven deplores that he has made plans for himself which are unwise.
-He begs H. I. H. not to give credence to the false reports concerning
-himself (Beethoven) which might reach his ears: "If Y. I. H. calls me
-one of your most treasured objects, I can honestly say that Y. I. H.
-is to me one of the most treasured objects in the universe. Although
-I am no courtier, I believe that Y. I. H. has learned to know me well
-enough to know that no cold interest, but a sincere affection, has
-always attached me to yourself and inspired me; and I might well say
-that Blondel was found long ago, and if no Richard is to be found in
-the world for me, God will be my Richard." He has evidently concerned
-himself about the music at the court in Olmtz: "It appears to me that
-my idea to maintain a quartet will certainly be the best thing to do.
-If there are already productions on a large scale in Olmtz, something
-admirable might arise in Moravia through a quartet." He advises
-his pupil, in case it is his purpose to return in May, to keep his
-compositions till then so as to play them first to him; but if his stay
-is to be longer, he will receive the compositions with the greatest
-pleasure and seek to guide H. I. H. "to the highest peaks of Parnassus."
-
-[Sidenote: A PUNNING CANON ON HOFMANN]
-
-A reference to himself as one who was at court yet not a courtier had
-been made by Beethoven in an earlier letter. This play on words seems
-to have been much in his head about this time and it is small wonder
-that when an opportunity offered for the employment of the pun in a
-canon it should have been embraced; in fact, it looks as if possibly he
-had strained for the occasion, unless it should appear from evidence
-yet to be found that "One who was named Hoffmann," in Beethoven's
-words, was, as was long believed, the redoubtable E. T. A. Hoffmann,
-who had surely deserved the tribute contained in a canon which
-Beethoven wrote at this time. In the Conversation Book used in March,
-1820, a strange hand writes: "In the _Phantasie-Stcke_ by Hoffmann,
-you are often spoken of. Hoffmann was musical director in Bamberg; he
-is now Government Councillor. Operas of his composition are performed
-in Berlin." Beethoven remarks, in writing: "Hofmann du bist kein
-_Hofmann_." Later in a conversation held at table, these words occur
-twice: "Hofmann sei ja kein Hofmann--nein ich heisse Hofmann
-und bin kein Hofmann." These words are preceded by a measure of music,
-the beginning of the canon in question. Did Beethoven thus honor the
-fantastic poet, musician, novelist, essayist, singer, scene-painter and
-theatrical manager who had shown such keen critical appreciation of
-his symphonies? It was long a pleasure to believe so and natural, too,
-until Nottebohm came with his iconoclastic evidence to the contrary.
-On March 23 Beethoven had written a letter to Hoffmann, expressing his
-gratification at having won the good opinion of a man gifted with such
-excellent attributes as Hoffmann possessed. Had he written the canon
-at this time he would surely have enclosed it in this letter and then,
-since it was preserved among Hoffmann's papers, it would have been
-found and given to the world with the letter. But Beethoven kept the
-canon in his mind or had a copy of it, and printed it in 1825, when B.
-Schott's Sons in Mayence asked him for a contribution to their musical
-journal "Ccilia," which had been founded a year before. Now comes
-Nottebohm with his evidence in the case. A man named Gross was once
-the owner of the autograph and his son told Nottebohm that it had been
-written in the Matschaker Hof, a tavern at which Beethoven was dining
-at the time, and referred to a church musician named Vincenz Hoffmann,
-as the informant remembered the name. Nottebohm looked through the
-official lists of musicians in Vienna in the first decades of the
-century; he did not find a Vincenz, but did find a Joachim Hoffmann who
-might have been an acquaintance of Beethoven's; and so he set him down
-as the recipient of the composer's tribute.[29]
-
-In the summer of 1820, Beethoven went to Mdling again, but he did not
-take the lodgings in the Harfner house for the very sufficient reason
-that the proprietor had served notice on him in 1819, that he could
-not have it longer on account of the noisy disturbances which had
-taken place there. He took a house instead in the Babenbergerstrasse
-and paid twelve florins extra for the use of a balcony which commanded
-a view which was essential to his happiness. He takes the baths and
-receives a visit from his nephew, who probably stays with him during
-his school vacation; at any rate, the boy does not return to Vienna
-until October 5, on which day the Giannatasios, making an excursion
-to Mdling, meet him with Karl driving to town. There is at this time
-considerable talk in the Conversation Book of publishing a complete
-edition of Beethoven's works. Bernard, probably, tells him that Steiner
-is already counting on it and Schindler, who is enthusiastic over the
-project, gives it as his opinion that arrangements must be made with
-a Vienna publisher so as to avoid voluminous correspondence. Somebody
-remarks: "Eckstein will so arrange it that you will always get all
-the profits and will also publish your future works as your property.
-He thinks that every fourth or fifth piece should be a new one." The
-plan appealed strongly to Beethoven, but nothing came of it at the
-time, though we shall hear of it later. It was the discussion of it,
-probably, by his friends which brought out a letter from Beethoven to
-Haslinger, "best of Adjutants," asking him to decide a bet. Beethoven
-had wagered 10 florins that it was not true that the Steiners had
-been obliged to pay Artaria 2000 florins damages for having published
-Mozart's works, which were reprinted universally.
-
-Towards the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna and took
-lodgings at No. 244 Hauptstrasse in the Landstrasse, "the large house
-of the Augustinians" beside the church. There he was visited by Dr.
-W. Chr. Mller of Bremen, a philologist and musical amateur who had
-long admired Beethoven and, with the help of his "Family Concerts,"
-established in 1782, had created such a cult for Beethoven's music as
-existed in no city in Germany in the second decade of the nineteenth
-century--according to Schindler. Mller's daughter Elise played the
-sonatas exceptionally well and was largely instrumental with her father
-in creating this cult. Mller was making an Italian tour, visited
-Vienna in October and November and published an account of his meetings
-with Beethoven in the "Allg. Musik. Zeit." in 1827. In this he tells
-of Beethoven's freedom of speech at public eating-houses, where he
-would criticize the Austrian government, the morals of the aristocracy,
-the police, etc., without stint. The police paid no attention to his
-utterances, either because they looked upon him as a harmless fantastic
-or had an overwhelming respect for his artistic genius. "Hence," says
-Dr. Mller, "his opinion that nowhere was speech freer than in Vienna;
-but his ideal of a political constitution was the English one." It was
-through Dr. Mller that we know somewhat of Beethoven's views on the
-subject of analytical programmes. Among the zealous promoters of the
-Beethoven cult in Bremen, was a young poet named Dr. Karl Iken, editor
-of the "Bremer Zeitung," who, inspired by the _Familien-Concerte_,
-conceived the idea of helping the public to an understanding of
-Beethoven's music by writing programmatic expositions of the symphonies
-for perusal before the concerts. Some of his lucubrations were sent
-to Beethoven by Dr. Mller, and aroused the composer's ire. Schindler
-found four of these "programmes" among Beethoven's papers, and he gave
-the world a specimen. In the Seventh Symphony, Dr. Iken professed to
-see a political revolution.
-
-[Sidenote: "PROGRAMME" FOR THE SEVENTH SYMPHONY]
-
- The sign of revolt is given; there is a rushing and running about
- of the multitude; an innocent man, or party, is surrounded,
- overpowered after a struggle and haled before a legal tribunal.
- Innocency weeps; the judge pronounces a harsh sentence; sympathetic
- voices mingle in laments and denunciations--they are those of
- widows and orphans; in the second part of the first movement the
- parties have become equal in numbers and the magistrates are now
- scarcely able to quiet the wild tumult. The uprising is suppressed,
- but the people are not quieted; hope smiles cheeringly and suddenly
- the voice of the people pronounces the decision in harmonious
- agreement.... But now, in the last movement, the classes and the
- masses mix in a variegated picture of unrestrained revelry. The
- quality still speak aloofly in the wind-instruments,--strange
- bacchantic madness in related chords--pauses, now here, now
- there--now on a sunny hill, anon on flowery meadow where in merry
- May all the jubilating children of nature vie with each other with
- joyful voices--float past the fancy.
-
-It is scarcely to be wondered at that such balderdash disgusted and
-even enraged Beethoven. In the fall of 1819, he dictated a letter
-to Mller--it has, unfortunately been lost--in which he protested
-energetically against such interpretations of his music. He pointed
-out, says Schindler, who wrote the letter for him, the errors to
-which such writings would inevitably give rise. If expositions
-were necessary, they should be confined to characterization of the
-composition in general terms, which could easily and correctly be done
-by any educated musician.
-
-Beethoven's complaints concerning his financial condition were chronic
-and did not cease even in periods where extraordinary receipts make
-them difficult to understand. That the lamentations in his letters
-during the two years which we have in review were well-founded,
-however, is no doubt true. With so engrossing a work as the "Missa
-solemnis" on hand there could not have been much time for such
-potboilers as he mentions and the other sources of revenue were not
-many. From the records which are at hand, we know something about a
-few of his monetary transactions. On October 26, 1820, he collected
-300 florins on account, apparently, from Artaria and Co., through his
-old friend Oliva. Shortly after his return to Vienna from the country,
-he asks the same firm, from which he had borrowed 750 florins,[30] for
-a further loan of 150 to save himself the necessity of selling one
-of his bank shares. These shares, it will be remembered in partial
-extenuation or at least explanation of some of his actions which are
-scarcely compatible with his protestations of his unswerving honesty
-in business transactions, had been set apart by him as his nephew's
-legacy and he clung to them as to a sacred pledge. He promises to repay
-Artaria in three months and meanwhile to send him a composition in one,
-two or more movements, without honorarium. An incident which shows
-him in an unamiable light is connected with his financial relations
-with the publisher Steiner. On December 29, 1820, Steiner wrote him a
-letter which did not see the public eye until published in the "Neue
-Freie Presse" newspaper of Vienna on August 17, 1900. Steiner had sent
-Beethoven a dun, or at least a statement of account, and Beethoven had,
-evidently, been both rude and unreasonable in his reply. We quote from
-Steiner:
-
-[Sidenote: INDEBTEDNESS TO STEINER]
-
- I cannot rest content with your remarks concerning the account
- sent you; for the cash money loaned you I have charged you only 6%
- interest, while for the money which you deposited with me I paid
- you 8% promptly in advance and also repaid the capital promptly.
- What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (_Was also
- dem Einen recht ist, muss dem Andern billig sein_). I am not in a
- position to lend money without interest. As a friend I came to your
- help in need, I trusted your word of honor and believe that I have
- not been importunate, nor have I plagued you in any way; wherefore
- I must solemnly protest against your upbraidings. If you recall
- that my loan to you was made in part 5 years ago, you will yourself
- confess that I am not an urgent creditor. I would spare you even
- now and wait patiently if I were not on my honor in need of cash
- for my business. If I were less convinced that you are really in a
- position to give me relief and able to keep your _word of honor_
- I would, difficult as it would be for me, right gladly remain
- patient a while longer; but when I remember that I myself returned
- to you 4,000 florins, conventional coin, or 10,000 florins, Vienna
- Standard, as capital 17 months ago and at your request did not
- deduct the amount due me, it is doubly painful to me now to be
- embarrassed because of my good will and my trust in your word of
- honor. Every man knows best where the shoe pinches and I am in this
- case; wherefore I conjure you again not to leave me in the lurch
- and to find means to liquidate my account as soon as possible.
-
- As for the rest I beg you to accept from me the compliments of the
- season together with the request that you continue to give me your
- favor and friendship. It will rejoice me if you keep your word
- and honor me soon with a visit; it rejoices me more that you have
- happily withstood your illness and are again restored to health.
- God preserve you long in health, contentment and enjoyment, this is
- the wish of your wholly devoted
-
- S. A. Steiner.
-
-The letter contains pencil memoranda by Beethoven. He has evidently
-added together the various sums which he owes Steiner and they amount
-to 2420 florins W.W. He remarks that 1300 florins was received
-"probably" in 1816 or 1817; 750 florins "perhaps" in 1819; 300
-florins "are debts which I assumed for Madame van Beethoven and
-can be chargeable for only a few years; the 70 florins may have
-been for myself in 1819. Payment may be made of 1200 florins a year
-in semi-annual payments." A further memorandum on the cover notes
-Steiner's willingness to accept payments on April 15 and October
-15, 1821. The settlements seem to have been made. On April 1, 1821,
-Beethoven collected 600 florins from the estate of Kinsky, being
-one-half of the annuity for the year September 1820 to September 1821.
-He also persuaded his friend Franz Brentano to advance him money on
-the amount for which he sold the "Missa Solemnis" to Simrock in Bonn,
-though he did not give him the Mass for publication in the end. But
-this is a matter which can be better discussed in connection with the
-incidents in the history of the compositions which fall within the
-present period.
-
-The beginning of the year 1821 found him still at his home in the
-suburb Landstrasse, and, it would seem, working as hard as his health
-permitted. When he went to the country for the summer he went to
-Unterdbling and thence, after September, to Baden to take a cure
-prescribed by his physician, Dr. Staudenheimer. In Baden he lived
-in the Rathshausgasse. He had suffered from rheumatism during the
-preceding winter and now became a victim of jaundice, for which, no
-doubt, he was sent to Baden, though he had gotten rid of the disease
-to some extent at least by the end of August. The cure prescribed by
-Staudenheimer was more severe than he could endure and, as he writes
-to Franz Brentano on November 12, 1821, he had to "flee to Vienna,"
-where he was more comfortable. The attack of jaundice may have been an
-_arant-courier_ of the disease of the liver which brought him to the
-grave six years later. He expresses a fear in a letter to the Archduke
-(July 18, 1821) that it might prevent him for a long time from waiting
-upon his pupil. There is the usual monetary complaint in the letter,
-which concludes with: "God who knows my heart and how sacredly I
-fulfill all the duties commanded by humanity, God and nature will some
-day free me from this affliction."
-
-In 1820 the voice of an old English admirer reaches him with a request
-which must have seemed strange to him. William Gardiner, as has been
-told in the chapter in the first volume of this work devoted to the
-compositions of the Bonn period, was one of the first proclaimers of
-Beethoven's evangel in England. He had now compiled and composed a sort
-of _pasticcio_, an oratorio entitled "Judah," piecing the work out
-with original compositions where he had failed to find music written
-by others which he could use. In his book "Music and Friends" (III,
-377) he relates that he had hoped to get an original composition for
-"Judah" in the shape of an appropriate overture, and to this end had
-written a letter to Beethoven and forwarded it to Vienna through Baron
-Neumann of the Austrian Embassy, who, on receiving it, had remarked
-that it was doubtful if an answer would be received, as Beethoven held
-no communication with the world. Gardiner's letter was as follows:
-
- To Louis van Beethoven.
-
- Dear Sir:
-
- At the house of Lady Bowater in Leicestershire in 1796, I met with
- your Trio in E-flat (for Violin, Viola and Bass). Its originality
- and beauty gave me inexpressible delight; indeed it was a new
- sense to me. Ever since I have anxiously endeavoured to procure
- your compositions as much so as the war could permit. Allow me
- to present to you the first volume of my "Sacred Melodies" which
- contain your divine Adagios appropriated to the British church. I
- am now engaged upon a work entitled "The Oratorio of Judah" giving
- a history of that peculiar people from the Jewish scriptures. The
- object of this letter is to express a hope that I may induce you to
- compose an Overture for this work upon which you can bring all the
- force of your sublime imagination (if it please you) in the key of
- D minor. For this service my friend Mr. Clementi will accept your
- draft upon him for one hundred guineas.
-
- I have the honour to be, dear Sir,
- Your faithful servant
- William Gardiner.
-
-There is no date, but as "Judah" was criticized in "The Musical Review"
-in 1821, it is presumable that the letter was written in 1820. Gardiner
-deplores the fact that he received no reply from Beethoven, although
-the Empress had thanked him for a copy of the "Sacred Melodies" which
-he had sent to her. Evidently he did not realize that Beethoven was not
-the man to feel complimented by having his "divine Adagios" turned into
-hymn-tunes. An occurrence which may have cost Beethoven a pang was the
-loss of his faithful helper Oliva, who took his passport in December,
-1820, and went to St. Petersburg, where he settled as a teacher of
-languages.
-
-[Sidenote: A PORTRAIT PAINTED BY STIELER]
-
-Another of the portraits of Beethoven which have been made familiar
-by reproductions was painted in 1820, though begun in 1819. Joseph
-Stieler, who enjoyed wide reputation as a portrait painter, had
-come to Vienna from Munich to paint the portrait of Emperor Franz
-in the latter year. He remained till some time in 1820 and made the
-acquaintance of Beethoven through a letter of introduction probably
-given to him by Brentano. Beethoven took a liking to him and gave
-him some sittings--three, according to the testimony of the painter
-himself, thus disproving Schindler's statement that "sitting after
-sitting was granted and never a complaint uttered." On the contrary,
-the Conversation Book presents the artist as pleading for a little
-more time; and because Beethoven refused to sit longer, Stieler had to
-exercise his imagination or memory in painting the hands. In fact, the
-painting never received the finishing touches but remained, as those
-who have seen it testify, "sketchy." In March Stieler writes in the
-Conversation Book: "Have you written to Frankfort that I have begun
-your portrait?--You must determine the destination of the picture.
-I say that I am painting it for myself." In April Stieler asks the
-question: "In what key is your mass? I want to write on the sheet:
-(Mass in--)" Beethoven writes the answer: "_Missa solemnis in D_," and
-Stieler: "After it has been exhibited I shall send it to Brentano--I
-thank you thousands and thousands of times for so much patience."
-Beethoven's friends refer frequently to the picture in their written
-conversations with Beethoven. One says: "That you have been painted _en
-face_ is the result of more extended study of your physiognomy. This
-view shows your spirit much better than a profile." Schindler writes
-that he prefers the portrait by Schimon: "There is more character
-in it--all agree on that--You were very well two years ago; now you
-are always ailing." J. Czerny writes: "We were just talking about
-your portrait. Oliva thinks you are well hit off." The artist visits
-Beethoven again at Mdling in July and writes: "Before the exhibition
-I shall paint your portrait again, but full life-size. Your head makes
-an excellent effect full face, and it was so appropriate because Haydn
-was on one side and Mozart on the other." Stieler dated the canvass
-"1819," but this can only refer to the time when it was begun. It
-remained for a while in the possession of the family of the painter,
-then passed through several hands by purchase until it reached those of
-Countess Sauerma in Berlin, in whose possession it was when Frimmel
-and Kalischer inspected it for purposes of description. Schindler says
-it reproduces Beethoven's characteristic expression faithfully and that
-it met with approval, though fault was found with the pose. Beethoven's
-contemporaries were not used to see him with his head bowed down as
-Stieler represents him; on the contrary, he carried his head high
-even when suffering physical pain. A lithographic reproduction of the
-portrait was made by Fr. Drck and published by Artaria in 1826.
-
-In April, 1860, the author[31] had a conversation with Horzalka in
-which the latter spoke very highly of Schindler and his disinterested
-fidelity to Beethoven. Horzalka also said that in 1820 or 1821, as near
-as he could recollect, the wife of a Major Baumgarten took boy boarders
-in a house then standing where the Musikverein's hall now stands in
-Vienna. Her sister, Baroness Born, lived with her. Frau Baumgarten had
-a son who studied at Blchlinger's Institute, and Beethoven's nephew
-was amongst her boarders. One evening Horzalka called there and found
-only the Baroness Born at home. Soon another caller came and stayed to
-tea. It was Beethoven. Among other topics, Mozart came on the tapis and
-the Baroness asked Beethoven, in writing of course, which of Mozart's
-operas he thought most of. "Die Zauberflte," said Beethoven and,
-suddenly clasping his hands and throwing up his eyes exclaimed, "Oh,
-Mozart!" As Horzalka had, as was the custom, always considered "Don
-Giovanni" the greatest of Mozart's operas, this opinion by Beethoven
-made a very deep impression upon him. Beethoven invited the Baroness to
-come to his lodgings and have a look at his Broadwood pianoforte.
-
-[Sidenote: ARRESTED AS A VAGRANT]
-
-In 1820 Professor Hfel, who lived at Salzburg in the last years of his
-life and who engraved the Latronne portrait of Beethoven for Artaria,
-was appointed to a professorship of drawing in Wiener Neustadt. A year
-or two afterward, as he said,[32] he was one evening with Eisner and
-other colleagues in the garden of the tavern "Zum Schleifen," a little
-way out of town. The Commissioner of Police was a member of the party.
-It was autumn and already dark when a constable came and said to the
-Commissioner: "Mr. Commissioner, we have arrested somebody who will
-give us no peace. He keeps on yelling that he is Beethoven; but he's
-a ragamuffin, has no hat, an old coat, etc.--nothing by which he can
-be identified." (_Herr Commissr, wir haben Jemand arretirt, welcher
-uns kein' Ruh gibt. Er schreit immer dass er Beethoven sei. Er ist
-aber ein Lump, hat kein' Hut, alter Rock, etc., kein Aufweis wer er
-ist, etc._) The Commissioner ordered that the man be kept under arrest
-until morning, "then we will examine him and learn who he is." Next
-morning the company was very anxious to know how the affair turned
-out, and the Commissioner said that about 11 o'clock at night he was
-waked by a policeman with the information that the prisoner would
-give them no peace and had demanded that Herzog, Musical Director in
-Wiener Neustadt, be called to identify him. So the Commissioner got up,
-dressed, went out and waked up Herzog, and in the middle of the night
-went with him to the watchhouse. Herzog, as soon as he cast eyes on
-the man exclaimed, "That _is_ Beethoven!" He took him home with him,
-gave him his best room, etc. Next day came the burgomaster, making all
-manner of apologies. As it proved, Beethoven had got up early in the
-morning, and, slipping on a miserable old coat and, without a hat, had
-gone out to walk a little. He got upon the towpath of the canal and
-kept on and on; seems to have lost his direction, for, with nothing to
-eat, he had continued on until he brought up at the canal-basin at the
-Ungerthor. Here, not knowing where he was, he was seen looking in at
-the windows of the houses, and as he looked so like a beggar the people
-had called a constable who arrested him. Upon his arrest the composer
-said, "I am Beethoven." "Of course, why not?" (_Warum nicht gar?_)
-said the policeman; "You're a tramp: Beethoven doesn't look so." (_Ein
-Lump sind Sie; so sieht der Beethoven nicht aus._) Herzog gave him
-some decent clothes and the burgomaster sent him back to Baden, where
-he was then living, in the magisterial state-coach. This simple story
-is the foundation for the fine narrative related as a fact in Vienna
-that Beethoven had got into this scrape following troops from Vienna
-who had a sham battle near Wiener Neustadt, and taking notes for his
-"Wellington's Victory"--which whole story thus goes to the wall.
-
-A letter written from Baden on September 10, 1821, to Tobias Haslinger
-accompanying a canon[33] on the words "O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger,
-O, O!" deserves to be given here to show that Beethoven's high spirits
-could at times dominate him in spite of his general misery.
-
- Very best fellow!
-
- Yesterday, in the carriage on the way to Vienna, I was overcome by
- sleep, naturally enough, since (because of my early rising here)
- I had never slept well. While thus slumbering I dreamed that I
- had made a long journey--to no less distant a country than Syria,
- no less than India, back again, no less than Arabia, finally I
- reached Jerusalem; the Holy City aroused in me thoughts of Holy
- Writ and small wonder that the man Tobias now occurred to me, and
- how natural that our little Tobias should enter my mind and the
- _pertobiasser_, and now during my dream journey the following canon
- came to me: "O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger, O, O!" But scarcely
- awakened, away went the canon and nothing of it would come back
- to my memory. But when, next day, I was on my way hither in the
- same conveyance (that of a poor Austrian musician) and continued
- the dream journey of the day before, now awake, behold, according
- to the laws of association of ideas, the same canon occurred to
- me again; now fully awake I held it fast, as erst Menelaus held
- Proteus, only allowing it to change itself into 3 voices.
-
- Farewell. Presently I shall send you something on Steiner to show
- you that he has no stony (_steinernes_) heart. Farewell, very best
- of fellows, we ever wish that you will always belie your name of
- publisher (_Verleger_) and never become embarrassed (_verlegen_)
- but remain a publisher (_Verleger_) never at a loss (_verlegen_)
- either in receiving or paying--Sing the epistles of St. Paul every
- day, go to pater Werner,[34] who will show you the little book by
- which you may go to heaven in a jiffy. You see my anxiety for your
- soul's salvation; and I remain with the greatest pleasure from
- everlasting to everlasting,
-
- Your most faithful debtor
- Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE MASS IN D]
-
-And now as to the creative work of the two years. Paramount attention
-must be given to the Mass in D, which, though long in hand and destined
-for a function in which Beethoven and his Imperial Archepiscopal pupil
-were profoundly concerned, was yet incomplete when the time for that
-function arrived. Archduke Rudolph was installed as Archbishop of
-Olmtz on March 20, 1820. Exactly what condition the Mass was in at
-that time we have no means of knowing; it was, however, in a sufficient
-state of forwardness to enable Beethoven to begin negotiations for its
-publication. On March 18 he wrote to Simrock:
-
- As regards the mass, I have pondered the matter carefully and might
- give it to you for the honorarium of 100 Louis d'ors which you
- offered me, provided you agree to a few conditions which I shall
- propose and which I think, will not be found burdensome by you. We
- have gone through the plan for publication here and believe that
- with a few modifications it can be put into effect very soon, which
- is very necessary; wherefore I shall make haste to inform you of
- the necessary changes soon.
-
-This would seem to indicate that the work had been practically
-completed, and that this view obtained amongst Beethoven's friends we
-know from the evidence of the Conversation Books. In the summer at
-Mdling he was frequently asked if it was finished and when it would
-be performed. Some hurried sketches belonging to the _Credo_ are found
-amongst the remarks of his friends, and also sketches for the _Agnus
-Dei_. Schindler asks him in August: "Is the _Benedictus_ written out in
-score? Are those sketches for the _Agnus_?" Rudolph had communicated
-to him his intention to spend a part of the summer in Mdling.
-Beethoven writes to him on August 3 and September 2, making apologies
-for apparent neglect in not waiting upon him (he had no carriage the
-first time, was in ill-health the second), but says not a word about
-the mass. Some of the remarks in the Conversation Book are vague as to
-the composition referred to, but many are plain enough to show that
-Beethoven had informed his friends and advisers of the negotiations
-with Simrock. Surprise is expressed at Simrock's delay. Beethoven is
-advised to write to him and also to Brentano in Frankfort, who had
-been authorized to collect the honorarium. In April somebody writes:
-"Have you written to Simrock that he _must not_ publish the mass at
-once, as you want first to send it or hand it to the Archduke?" Again:
-"If you send the _Recepisse_ of the stage-coach he will certainly send
-you the money _at once_." And later: "It would be quicker to give the
-music to the stage-coach and send Brentano the receipt--at the same
-time informing Simrock that Brentano had been assured of its despatch;
-then Brentano can send you the money at once without waiting to receive
-the music." In April again: "But he has not yet replied to your last
-offer of the mass? I mean Simrock--200 ducats could help you out
-greatly--Because of _your circumstances_. You must not delay writing to
-Simrock or Brentano. Brentano can send you the money _at once_--or at
-least very soon." "I am surprised that Simrock has not answered yet."
-Meanwhile Simrock answers. "Leave Simrock's letter with me," says the
-mentor, "I'll answer it and give you the letter this afternoon--if you
-are satisfied with it you will sign it and I will post it to-morrow.
-There must be no delay." "He says the mass can be used only by
-Catholics, which is not true." "He is paying too little rather than too
-much with 200 ducats."
-
-It is obvious that some difficulty had arisen between Beethoven and
-Simrock. What that difficulty was is explained in a letter from
-Simrock to Brentano dated November 12, 1820. It was a misunderstanding
-concerning the price of the "new grand musical mass" which the
-composer wished to sell for 100 Louis d'ors. The publisher had agreed
-to the price, understanding Louis d'ors to mean what the term meant
-in Bonn, Leipsic and throughout Germany, namely, the equivalent of
-Friedrichs d'ors, pistoles. In order to avoid unpleasantness after the
-reception of the mass he had explained this clearly to Beethoven and in
-a letter, dated September 23, had repeated that by Louis d'ors he meant
-Friedrichs d'ors; he was not in a position to give more. He would hold
-the sum in readiness against the receipt of the mass, which Beethoven
-had promised to provide with German as well as Latin words. He was also
-under the impression that he had asked a speedy decision, as he did
-not want to keep his money tied up in Frankfort. Hearing nothing for
-four weeks he had quit counting on the mass and made other use of his
-money. Learning, however, from Brentano's letter of November 8th that
-Beethoven had agreed to let him have the mass, he now finds himself in
-the embarrassment of not having the gold Louis d'ors on hand, but as
-Brentano had said nothing on the subject he would in the meantime try
-to secure the coin, unless Brentano were willing to take the equivalent
-in florins at the rate of 9.36. He asked to be informed of the arrival
-of the music so that he might instruct Heinrich Verhuven to receive it
-on paying the sum mentioned.
-
-Simrock waited four weeks before abandoning hope that Beethoven would
-send the mass; it was ten weeks and more before Beethoven answered
-Simrock's letter. Then he sent his reply to Brentano enclosed in a
-letter dated November 28. The letter has not been found, or at least
-not made public; but the letter to Brentano[35] makes it plain that
-Beethoven had acceded to Simrock's offer and agreed to take pistoles
-for Louis d'ors. He says:
-
- Your kindness permits me to hope that you will not refuse to have
- the enclosure sent to Simrock, inasmuch as in it my views are set
- forth concerning the whole matter. Nothing remains now except to
- take what he offers, namely the 100 pistoles and as much more as
- you, an expert in the business, can get for me by the rate of
- exchange. I am convinced of your kind disposition in this regard.
- I am very hard-pressed just now, but such things are to be told
- _last of all to a publisher_; it is, thank God, not my fault, but
- my sacrifices for others, chiefly, too, for the weak Cardinal who
- led me into this morass and does not know how to help himself. As
- soon as the translation is finished I shall trouble you again by
- sending you the mass, and I pray you give a little attention then
- to securing what you can for me from the Jewish[36] publisher.
-
-Thus matters stand with the Mass at the end of 1820, and thus they
-seem to have remained throughout the next year. Simrock always was to
-be but never was blest with the score. On July 18, 1821, Beethoven
-promises to put the work into the Archduke's hands "while here"--i. e.,
-at Unterdbling; he leaves the reasons for the delay to the imagination
-of his patron: "the details might prove anything but pleasant to Y. I.
-H." In November he thinks again of Simrock and on the 12th writes to
-Brentano:
-
- The mass might have been sent before this, but had to be _carefully
- looked through_, for the publishers in other countries do not get
- along well with my manuscript, as I know from experience, and a
- copy for the engraver must be examined note by note. Moreover,
- I could not come because of illness, the more since despite
- everything I have been compelled to make a considerable number
- of potboilers (as unfortunately I must call them). I think I am
- justified in making an attempt to get Simrock to reckon the Louis
- d'ors at a higher rate, inasmuch as several applications have been
- made from other quarters, concerning which I shall write you soon.
- As for the rest, do not question my honesty; frequently I think of
- nothing except that your kind advance may soon be repaid.
-
-[Sidenote: LOAN ADVANCED ON THE MASS]
-
-It seems a fair inference from the concluding remark, together with
-the advice of his friend or friends in the Conversation Book of the
-previous summer concerning a collection through Brentano as soon as the
-mass had been handed over to the stage-coach, that Beethoven had got an
-advance from Brentano on the money which was awaiting the arrival of
-the work in Frankfort. The following letter to Brentano strengthens the
-inference:
-
- Vienna, December 20, 1821.
-
- Noble man!
-
- I am awaiting another letter respecting the mass, which I shall
- send you to give you an insight into the whole affair. In any event
- the entire honorarium will be paid to you whereupon you will please
- deduct the amount of my indebtedness to you, my gratitude to you
- will always be unbounded. I was so presumptuous as without asking
- to dedicate a composition of mine to your daughter Maxe, please
- accept the deed as a mark of my continual devotion to you and your
- entire family--do not misinterpret the dedication as prompted by
- interest or as a recompense--this would pain me greatly. There are
- nobler motives to which such things may be ascribed if reasons must
- be found. The new year is about to enter, may it fulfil all your
- wishes and daily increase your happiness as the father of a family
- in your children. I embrace you cordially and beg you to present
- my compliments to your excellent, only and glorious Toni.
-
- Yours, etc.
-
- I have received from here and elsewhere offers of 200 ducats in
- gold for the mass. I think I can get 100 florins W.W. more. On
- this point I am waiting for a letter which I will send you at once,
- the matter might then be presented to Simrock, who will certainly
- not expect me to lose so much. Till then please be patient and do
- not think that you have acted magnanimously towards an unworthy man.
-
-[Sidenote: THREE SONATAS AT A BREATH]
-
-Brentano informed Simrock of the situation; but the subject is now
-carried over into the next year and must be left for the nonce, while
-we take up the history of some other compositions. The last three
-pianoforte sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, belong to this period.
-Also the Bagatelles Op. 119, Nos. 7 to 11 inclusive. Their story
-is known. Friedrich Starcke, Chapelmaster of an Austrian regiment
-of infantry, had undertaken the publication of a pianoforte method
-which he called the "Wiener Pianoforteschule." Part III of the work,
-which appeared early in 1821, contained these five Bagatelles under
-the title "Trifles" (_Kleinigkeiten_). Above them Starcke printed:
-"A contribution from the great composer to the publisher." They must
-have been asked for in 1820. Somewhere about February of that year an
-unidentified hand writes in the Conversation Book: "Starcke wants a
-little music-piece by you for the second part of his _Klavierschule_,
-for which he has contributions from the leading composers besides short
-notices.... We must give him something. Notwithstanding his great
-deserts in music and literature he is extremely modest, industrious
-and humble.... He understands the art of compiling well. There are now
-weaklings everywhere even among the strong." To this appeal Beethoven
-yielded. He wrote the five Bagatelles, sketches for which are found
-amongst some for the Sonata in E major (Op. 109) and the _Benedictus_
-of the mass. No. 6 is also sketched among studies for the _Credo_. No
-doubt these little pieces were some of the "potboilers" (_Brodarbeit_)
-referred to in the letter to Brentano; also some folksong arrangements;
-and it may even be, that Beethoven included also the three great
-sonatas. Schindler relates that when Beethoven heard that it was
-bruited about that he had written himself out, his invention was
-exhausted, and that he had taken up Scottish melodies like Haydn in
-his old age, he seemed amused and said: "Wait a while, you'll soon
-learn differently." Schindler then adds: "Late in the Fall (1820),
-returned from his summer sojourn in Mdling, where like a bee he had
-been engaged busily in gathering ideas, he sat himself down to his
-table and wrote out the three sonatas Op. 109, 110, 111 'in a single
-breath,' as he expressed it in a letter to Count Brunswick in order to
-quiet the apprehension of his friends touching his mental condition."
-Schindler was dubious about the "single breath" and, indeed, there was
-a considerable lapse of time between the writing of the first of the
-three sonatas and the last two. The Sonata in E belongs unquestionably
-to the year 1820. The first theme is found in the Conversation Book of
-April, and the work was sketched before he began the _Benedictus_ of
-the mass and while he was at work on this movement, the _Credo_, the
-_Agnus Dei_ and the Bagatelles for Starcke. Before the end of the year
-Archduke Rudolph received the manuscript for his collection. It was
-dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano,[37] and published in November, 1821,
-by Schlesinger in Berlin.
-
-Beethoven has himself left data concerning the other two sonatas. On
-the autograph of that in A-flat major, Op. 110, he wrote the date
-"December 25, 1821." Sketches for it follow sketches for the _Agnus
-Dei_ of the mass, which were begun in 1820.[38] It was published
-by Schlesinger in Berlin and Paris in 1822. There is evidence in a
-memorandum to Schindler found among the latter's papers, and also in a
-letter to Schlesinger of 1823, that Beethoven intended to dedicate both
-of the last two sonatas to Madame Brentano. "Ries-nichts" ("nothing
-to Ries"), says the memorandum, significantly. Ideas utilized in the
-C minor Sonata, Op. 111, are found amongst those for Op. 110 and
-particularly among some for the _Agnus Dei_. The autograph bears the
-date January 13, 1822,[39] and it is plain that most of the work was
-done in 1821. It was published by Schlesinger in April, 1823, after
-Beethoven had offered it to Peters of Leipsic. Corrections for these
-three sonatas occupied a great deal of time; the engraving of the
-French edition of the C minor was so faulty that Beethoven demanded
-proof copies three times; twice his call was granted, the third time
-it was refused.[40] This Sonata, Op. 111, was dedicated to Archduke
-Rudolph. Beethoven had left the matter to Schlesinger, but he afterward
-made a suggestion as to his wishes, for in a letter to the Archduke
-on June 1, 1823, he writes: "Y. I. H. seemed to find pleasure in
-the Sonata in C minor, and therefore I feel that it would not be
-presumptuous if I were to surprise you with its dedication."
-
-There are few other compositions of these two years to ask attention,
-the Canons and five Bagatelles having been mentioned. There is a song,
-"Abendlied unter dem gestirnten Himmel," words by Heinrich Gbel, the
-original manuscript of which bears date March 4, 1820, and which was
-published as a supplement to the "Modenzeitung" on March 28, 1820,
-with a dedication to Dr. Braunhofer.[41] The twenty-five Scotch Songs,
-Op. 108, were published in 1821 by Schlesinger. The performances of
-Beethoven's works in Vienna in 1820 and 1821 are quickly summed up. The
-Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde performed the "Eroica" on February 20,
-the C minor on April 9 and the F major on November 19. The Overture
-in C, Op. 115, was played at a concert for the benefit of Widows and
-Orphans on April 16, 1820. In the _Concerts spirituels_, conducted
-by F. X. Gebauer in the season 1820-21, the Symphonies in C minor,
-A major, and F major, and the Oratorio "Christus am lberg," were
-performed. Leopoldine Blahetka, a young woman of 18 who was creating
-something of a furore by her pianoforte playing at the time, played the
-Concerto in B-flat on April 3, having studied it with J. Czerny.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[24] "Two things fill the soul with ever new and increasing wonder
-and reverence the oftener the mind dwells upon them--the starry sky
-above me and the moral law within me."--Kant's "Criticism of Practical
-Reason."
-
-[25] The greeting was in the form of a four-part canon beginning with
-a short homophonic chorus, the words: "Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit! Dem
-Erzherzog Rudolph! Dem geistlichen Frsten! Alles Gute, alles Schne!"
-The autograph is preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in
-Vienna. B. and H. Ges. Aus. Series XXIII, page 187.
-
-[26] The reader who desires to read the documents in full is referred
-to the German edition of this biography for the decrees and minutes
-of the courts and to the Kalischer-Shedlock collection of letters for
-Beethoven's pleadings.
-
-[27] 11 Dr. Deiters remarks on this point: "No doubt Beethoven had
-hoped to attain his ends by general statements and thus spare himself
-the shame and humiliation which would have followed had he presented
-the truth, even in disguise, touching the lewdness and shameless life
-of his own sister-in-law; and her legal advisers and the members of the
-Magisterial Court knew how to turn this fact to their own advantage."
-
-[28] Made to Thayer.
-
-[29] Here, as in several other cases, in which opinions only and
-not definitely ascertained facts are concerned, the present Editor
-is inclined to attach as much importance to Thayer's judgment as
-to that of his critics and revisers. Thayer's working copy of his
-"Chronologisches Verzeichniss," which contains annotations of a
-much later date than Nottebohm's publication in the "Thematisches
-Verzeichniss" which he edited for Breitkopf and Hrtel, pays no
-attention to Nottebohm's conclusion.
-
-[30] See the letter in the Kalischer-Shedlock Coll. II, 178.
-
-[31] Thayer.
-
-[32] This anecdote is recorded in Thayer's note-book as a memorandum of
-a conversation had with Hfel on June 23, 1860.
-
-[33] For the music the reader is referred to Series XXIII of the
-Complete Edition of Beethoven's works published by Breitkopf and Hrtel.
-
-[34] The dramatic poet Zacharias Werner, who had become a convert
-to Roman Catholicism and, now an ordained priest, was preaching to
-great crowds of Viennese. The puns on the German word _Verleger_ and
-_verlegen_ are untranslatable.
-
-[35] The letter is preserved in the Beethoven House at Bonn. It was
-first published in the "Vossische Zeitung" by Dr. Kalischer on July 26,
-1903. See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, 177.
-
-[36] Dr. Kalischer refers the remark about the "Jewish publisher"
-to Schlesinger in Berlin; but this may be a mistake. In a later
-correspondence with Peters, who suggests the term, Schlesinger is thus
-referred to; but there is nothing to indicate that when correspondence
-between Schlesinger and Beethoven had scarcely begun, Brentano was
-called on to come to the rescue. Beethoven may mean a fling at Simrock
-for his action in the matter of the Louis d'ors.
-
-[37] See the letter to Franz Brentano of December 20, 1821, and the
-note to his daughter dated December 6, 1821. (Kalischer-Shedlock, II,
-189.)
-
-[38] See Nottebohm, "Zweit. Beeth.," pp. 465 and 471.
-
-[39] Beethoven wrote, as if absentmindedly, "Ludwig Ludwig am 13ten
-Jenner 1822."
-
-[40] It is noteworthy, as shown by Nottebohm ("Zweit. Beeth.," pp.
-467, 468) that the first theme of the first movement of the C minor
-Sonata was originally intended for a third movement in a "second
-sonata" which (Op. 109 being finished) can only have been the one in C
-minor. It would seem as if the use of the theme in the first movement
-did not occur to the composer until after he had conceived the theme
-of the variations. But the theme had figured twenty years before in a
-sketchbook used when the Sonata in A major, Op. 30, was in hand. Its
-key then was F-sharp minor, and it may have been intended for Op. 30.
-
-[41] Published also, together with three other songs--"Geheimniss,"
-"Resignation" and "So oder so"--by Sauer and Leidesdorf as Op. 113 in
-1821 or 1822. Beethoven presented a copy of it to Fanny Giannatasio on
-April 19, 1820.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter III
-
- The Year 1822--The _Missa Solemnis_--Beethoven and His
- Publishers--Brother Johann--Meetings with Rochlitz and
- Rossini--Overture: "The Consecration of the House"--A Revival
- of "Fidelio"--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The "Bagatelles"--A
- Commission from America.
-
-
-It is now desirable to disregard the strict chronological sequence of
-incident and dispose, so far as is possible, of the history of the
-great Mass in D prior to the adoption of a new plan by which Beethoven
-hoped to make it a source of extraordinary revenue. So far as it
-affects Beethoven's character as a man not always scrupulous in his
-observance of business obligations, the story does not need to extend
-beyond the year 1822. Careful readers of this biography can easily
-recall a number of lapses from high ideals of candor and justice in his
-treatment of his friends and of a nice sense of honor and honesty in
-his dealings with his publishers; but at no time have these blemishes
-been so numerous or so patent as they are in his negotiations for the
-publication of the _Missa Solemnis_--a circumstance which is thrown
-into a particularly strong light by the frequency and vehemence of
-his protestations of moral rectitude in the letters which have risen
-like ghosts to accuse him, and by the strange paradox that the period
-is one in which his artistic thoughts and imagination dwelt in the
-highest regions to which they ever soared. He was never louder in his
-protestations of business morality than when he was promising the
-mass to four or more publishers practically at the same time, and
-giving it to none of them; never more apparently frank than when he
-was making ignoble use of a gentleman, whom he himself described as
-one of the best friends on earth, as an intermediary between himself
-and another friend to whom he was bound by business ties and childhood
-associations which challenged confidence; never more obsequious (for
-even this word must now be used in describing his attitude towards
-Franz Brentano) than after he had secured a loan from that friend in
-the nature of an advance on a contract which he never carried out;
-never more apparently sincere than when he told one publisher (after
-he had promised the mass to another) that he should be particularly
-sorry if he were unable to give the mass into his hands; never more
-forcefully and indignantly honest in appearance than when he informed
-still another publisher that the second had importuned him for the
-mass ("bombarded" was the word), but that he had never even deigned
-to answer his letters. But even this is far from compassing the
-indictment; the counts are not even complete when it is added that in
-a letter he states that the publisher whom he had told it would have
-been a source of sorrow not to favor had never even been contemplated
-amongst those who might receive the mass; that he permitted the friend
-to whom he first promised the score to tie up some of his capital for
-a year and more so that "good Beethoven" should not have to wait a day
-for his money; that after promising the mass to the third publisher he
-sought to create the impression that it was not the _Missa Solemnis_
-that had been bargained for, but one of two masses which he had in hand.
-
-It is not only proper, but a duty, to give all possible weight to
-the circumstances which can be, ought to be, must indeed be pleaded
-in extenuation of his conduct; but the facts can not be obscured or
-ignored without distorting the picture of the man Beethoven as this
-biography has consistently striven from the beginning to present it.
-For English and American readers, moreover, the shock of surprise will
-be lessened by a recollection of Beethoven's first transactions in
-London, which more than five years before had called out the advice
-of the English publishers to Neate for God's sake not to buy anything
-of Beethoven! As for the rest it is right to remember that at this
-time many of the sources of Beethoven's income had dried up. He was no
-longer able to offer his publishers symphonies in pairs, or sonatas and
-chamber compositions in groups. He produced laboriously and, in the
-case of compositions which were dear to his heart, with infinite and
-untiring care and insatiable desire for perfection. Engrossed in such
-works, he gave no thought to pecuniary reward; but, rudely disturbed
-by material demands, he sought the first means at hand to supply
-the need. Hence his resurrection of works composed and laid aside
-years before; his acceptance of commissions which he was never able
-to perform; his promise of speedy delivery of works scarcely begun;
-his acceptance of advances on contracts which he could not fulfil;
-his strange confidence (this we feel we are justified in assuming)
-in his ability to bring forth works of magnitude in time to keep his
-obligations even when the works which he had in mind had already been
-there for years; his ill-health which brought with it loss of creative
-vitality, of fecundity in ideas and facility in execution in inverse
-ratio to the growth of his artistic ideals; the obsession of his whole
-being by his idolatrous love for his nephew and the mental distress and
-monetary sacrifice which his self-assumed obligation entailed and which
-compelled him to become the debtor of his publishers lest he encroach
-upon the emoluments of the Vienna Congress which he had solemnly
-consecrated to his foster-son. Let all these things be remembered when
-the story of his shortcomings is told.[42]
-
-And now let the story of the Mass be resumed from the point where it
-was dropped in the preceding chapter; with it will be found statements
-bearing on a few other more or less inconsequential compositions.
-
-[Sidenote: REPREHENSIBLE CONDUCT TOWARDS SIMROCK]
-
-On May 13, 1822, Simrock reminds Beethoven that a year has passed
-since he promised to deliver the score into his hands by the end of
-April. Since October 25, 1820, he (Simrock) had kept 100 Louis d'ors
-on deposit in Frankfort so that there would be no delay in the payment
-of the remuneration. On March 19, Beethoven had written that he had
-been sick abed for six weeks and was not yet entirely well. He had told
-the publisher to rest easy in his mind, that being the sole purpose
-of the letter. The publisher had gone to the autumn fair of 1821 and
-to the Easter fair of 1822 and asked Brentano for the mass; but been
-told that it had not been received. He begs for a few words on the
-subject. It would seem as if Simrock had preserved his temper very
-well. The letter brings another evidence of his unchanged good will, He
-had resolved at an earlier period to publish the six symphonies which
-were in his catalogue in a new edition, but had not done so because it
-would not pay. Now, he said, he wanted to rear a monument to his worthy
-old friend and had brought out the scores in a style which he hoped
-the composer would deem worthy. What Beethoven said in reply to this
-letter is not known, his answer not having been given to the world;
-it can be surmised, however, from the recital given to Brentano in a
-letter from Beethoven dated May 19. He had been troubled by "gout in
-the chest" for four months, he says, and able to do but little work;
-nevertheless the Mass would be in Frankfort by the end of the next
-month, that is, by the end of June, 1822. There was another reason for
-the delay. Cardinal Rudolph, strongly disposed in favor of his music at
-all times, did not want the Mass published so early and had returned
-to the composer the score and parts only three days before. Here we
-have a very significant statement. What may be called the official copy
-of the Mass in D was formally presented to Archduke Rudolph on March
-19, 1823; here, ten months earlier, he speaks of a score and parts
-which the Archduke had returned to him three days before. The Mass,
-therefore, must have had what, for the time being (Beethoven never
-considered it finished so long as it was in his hands), was looked upon
-as a definitive shape at the time when Beethoven promised to send it to
-Brentano for Simrock. The Archduke returned it, as Beethoven says, so
-that the publication might not be hindered. How long it had been in the
-hands of the Archduke no one can tell. Now, said Beethoven to Brentano,
-the score will be copied again, carefully examined, which would take
-some time owing to his ill health, but it would be in Frankfort at the
-end of June "at the latest," by which time Simrock must be ready to
-make payment. He had received better offers from Vienna and elsewhere,
-but had rejected all of them because he had given his word to Simrock
-and would abide by the agreement even if he lost money, trusting to
-make his losses good by other sales to Simrock who, moreover, might
-be disposed to make a contract for the Complete Edition. Brentano
-communicated with Simrock at once and received a letter from the
-publisher on May 29 expressing regret that sickness had been partly
-responsible for the delay. He had been expecting the Mass every day for
-more than a year, during which time the money had lain with Heinrich
-Verhuven because he did not want Beethoven to wait a single day for it.
-
-Thus on May 19, Beethoven tells Brentano that he will keep the faith
-with Simrock even at a sacrifice. On March 1, however, he had written
-to Schlesinger in Berlin:
-
- In regard to my health, things are better. As to the Mass I beg
- of you to get everything, everything (_Alles, alles_, in Jahn's
- transcript) in readiness as other publishers have asked for it and
- many approaches have been made to me, especially from here, but I
- resolved long ago that it should not be published here, as the
- matter is a very important one for me. For the present I ask of
- you only that you signify to me whether you accept my last offer
- of the Mass together with the two songs; as regards the payment of
- the honorarium, it may wait for more than four weeks. I must insist
- upon an early answer, chiefly because two other publishers who want
- to have it in their catalogues have been waiting for a definite
- answer from me for a considerable time. Farewell, and write to me
- at once; it would grieve me very much if _I could not give you just
- this particular work_.
-
-[Sidenote: THE MASS SOLD TO SCHLESINGER]
-
-Schlesinger, as we learn from a letter dated July 2, 1822, had received
-letters from Beethoven under date of April 9, May 29 and June (he
-mistakenly says May 1). He answers the three at once, excusing his
-delay on the ground that he had attended the fair in Leipsic, where he
-fell ill, and had remained under the weather for several weeks after
-his return to Berlin. Meanwhile business had accumulated. He accepts
-Beethoven's terms for the mass and the two songs:
-
- Everything is in order about the Mass; pray send it and the two
- songs as soon as possible and draw on me at fourteen days' sight
- for 650 R. T. I will honor the draft at once and pay it. I have no
- opportunity to make payment to you through Vienna. Although several
- music dealers there are extensively in my debt I cannot count on
- prompt payment from any of them. These gentlemen have two very ugly
- traits: 1), they do not respect property rights and 2), it is with
- difficulty that they are brought to pay their accounts. The book
- dealers are much sounder.
-
-By a coincidence Schlesinger's son, who had established himself in
-business in Paris, wrote to Beethoven on the same day and asked him
-if a third movement of the Pianoforte Sonata in C minor (Op. 111),
-which he was publishing, had not been forgotten at the copyists. He,
-like his father a little later, evidently suspected that they had not
-received as much music, measured in detached movements, as they had
-paid for; they missed a rondo finale! The incident may have amused,
-or (which is more likely) even angered Beethoven; but it can scarcely
-account for the fact that Beethoven resolved about this time to have
-nothing more to do with Schlesinger _pre_. On July 26 he writes to
-Peters of Leipsic, with whom he has now entered into negotiations and
-to whom he has offered the Mass, "In no event will Schlesinger ever
-get anything more from me; he has played me a Jewish trick, but aside
-from that he is not among those who might have received the Mass."
-When Beethoven was conducting the negotiations with Schott and Sons in
-Mayence which resulted in the firm's getting the work, he recurred to
-the Schlesingers in a letter of January 22, 1824, and said: "Neither
-is Schlesinger to be trusted, for he takes where he can. Both _pre
-et fils_ bombarded me for the mass, but I did not deign to answer
-either of them, since after thinking them over I had cast them out long
-before." Beethoven's threats were frequently mere _brutum fulmen_; the
-Schlesingers, _pre et fils_, remained his friends to the end and got
-two of the last Quartets.
-
-Both Simrock and Schlesinger are now waiting for Beethoven to send
-them the Mass and the fee is waiting for the composer at Frankfort.
-Meanwhile negotiations have been taken up with a newcomer in the field,
-who, however, is but trying to renew an association which had begun
-more than 29 years earlier. Before entering upon this phase of the
-history of the Mass it seems well to dispose finally of the Simrock
-incident.[43] On August 22, 1822, Simrock wrote to Beethoven again.
-Beethoven's answer followed on September 13 and, as it contains more
-than a mere implication why he refused to abide by his contract (a
-point that has been a matter more or less of speculation from the time
-when the negotiations ceased till now), it is given in full here:
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO SIMROCK'S GENEROSITY]
-
- Baden, September 13, 1822.
-
- My dear and valued Simrock:
-
- You will receive this letter from Baden, where I am taking the
- baths, as my illness which has lasted a year and a half is not yet
- ended. Much as I should like to write to you about many things I
- must yet be brief and only reply to your last of August 22nd. As
- regards the Mass you know that at an earlier date I wrote you that
- a larger honorarium had been offered me. I would not be so sordid
- as to haggle with you for a hundred or few more florins; but my
- poor health and many other unpleasant circumstances compel me to
- insist upon it. The minimum that at least four publishers have
- offered me for the mass is 1000 florins Convention Coin at the
- rate of twenty, or counting the florin at 3 Austrian florins C. C.
- Much as I shall regret if we must part just because of this work,
- I know that your generosity (_Biederherzigkeit_) will not allow me
- to lose money on this work, which is perhaps the greatest that I
- have composed. You know that I am not boastful and that I do not
- like to show the letters of others or even quote from them; if it
- were not so I might submit proofs from far and near. But I very
- much wish to have the matter about the Mass settled as soon as
- possible, for I have had to endure plots of all sorts on account
- of it. It would be agreeable if you would let me know as soon as
- possible if you will pay me this honorarium. If you will, you need
- only deposit the difference with Brentano, whereupon I will at once
- send you a well corrected score of the Mass which will suffice
- you for the engraving. I hope my dear Simrock, whom I consider the
- richest of all these publishers, will not permit his old friend to
- go elsewhere for the sake of a few hundred florins. Concerning all
- other matters I will write you soon; I shall remain here till the
- beginning of October. I shall receive all letters which you may
- write, safely as I did your last, only I beg you to write soon.
- Farewell, greet the family cordially for me; as soon as I can I
- will write to them myself.
-
- Cordially your old friend,
-
- Beethoven.
-
-This letter can scarcely be called ingenuous by the most zealous
-of Beethoven's defenders. Aside from the fact that he had closed
-the contract, had received an advance on the sum deposited and told
-Brentano that he would keep his promise even at a sacrifice to himself,
-the 1000 florins which he now asks Simrock to pay was not the minimum
-sum which other publishers had offered but the maximum sum which he had
-asked and all of them had agreed to pay--which, indeed, B. Schott and
-Sons did pay a year and a half later. Under the circumstances it is
-scarcely to be wondered at if the appeal to Simrock's generosity fell
-on stony soil; but we do not know that it did. The letter was evidently
-answered by Simrock, who, despairing of ever getting the Mass, may
-have suggested that he would accept other works in lieu of it, for on
-March 10, 1823, Beethoven writes again saying (as he had said to Peters
-in November, 1822) that he should surely receive a mass, for he had
-written two and was only undecided which one to send. He asked Simrock
-to be patient till Easter, when he would send one of them to Brentano.
-He intended also to write a mass for the Emperor. As to other works, he
-offered the overture to "The Consecration of the House," the music to
-"The Ruins of Athens," the overture to "King Stephen," some songs and
-"Kleinigkeiten" for the pianoforte. Only for the new overture did he
-fix a price (50 ducats), but he added: "You will surely receive one of
-these two grand masses which are already composed; only be patient till
-after Easter, by which time I shall have decided which to send." This
-is the last letter between Beethoven and Simrock which has been found.
-It leaves the composer promising _a_ mass instead of delivering _the_
-Mass, and that promise unfulfilled;--of a necessity, for the work,
-though described as "already composed," was never written.
-
-In 1814 C. F. Peters had purchased the Bureau de Musique founded in
-1798 by Hoffmeister and Khnel, publishers of a number of Beethoven's
-compositions, including the First Symphony, between 1800 and 1805. On
-May 18, 1822, Peters addressed a letter to Beethoven in which he said
-that he had long wished to publish some of his compositions but had
-refrained from applying to him because he did not wish to offend the
-Viennese publishers; seeing now, however, that he was going outside
-with his compositions and giving them "even to the Jew Schlesinger,"
-he would no longer give heed to such considerations. He had spoken to
-Steiner on the subject at the last fair, who had offered no objections,
-had, indeed, said that he would be glad if he (Peters) got the works
-instead of Schlesinger, and had offered his services as mediary
-between him and Beethoven, and asked for a list of compositions which
-he wanted. Thereupon he had given Steiner such a list: symphonies,
-pianoforte quartets and trios, pianoforte solos "among which there
-might be small pieces," songs, etc.--anything, in short, which
-Beethoven should send him would be welcome, for he wanted honor, not
-profit, from the association. Beethoven replied on June 5:
-
- Although I met Steiner several days ago and asked him jocularly
- what he had brought for me from Leipsic, he did not mention _your
- commission_, even in a _syllable_, nor _you_, but earnestly pleaded
- with me to assure him that _I would give him and him alone all my
- present and future works_ and this _contract-wise_; I declined.
- This trait suffices to show you why I often prefer foreign
- publishers to local; I love straightforwardness and uprightness
- and am of the opinion that the artist ought not to be belittled,
- for alas! glittering as is the external aspect of fame, he is not
- permitted to be Jupiter's guest on Olympus every day; too often
- and too repulsively the vulgar many drag him down from the pure
- ethereal heights.
-
-He now opened his budget of wares: the largest work was a Mass--many
-had striven for it, "100 weighty Louis d'ors" had been offered for it,
-but he had demanded at least 1,000 florins Convention Coin, for which
-sum he would also prepare the pianoforte score; variations on a waltz
-("there are many") for pianoforte--30 ducats in gold; a comic air with
-orchestra on Goethe's "Mit Mdeln sich vertragen," and another air of
-the same genre, 16 ducats each;[44] several rather extended songs with
-pianoforte accompaniment, among them a little Italian cantata with
-recitative,[45] 12 ducats each; there were also recitatives to some of
-the German songs; 8 ducats each for songs; an elegy for four voices
-and string quartet accompaniment,[46] 24 ducats; a chorus of Dervishes
-with full orchestra, 20 ducats; a march for orchestra written for the
-tragedy "Tarpeia," with arrangement for pianoforte, 12 ducats; Romance
-for violin solo and orchestra,[47] 15 ducats; Grand Trio for 2 oboi and
-1 English horn,[48] which might be transcribed for other instruments,
-30 ducats; four military marches with percussion ("Turkish music")
-prices on application; bagatelles, or trifles for pianoforte, prices on
-application.
-
-The copy of the letter as printed contains the words here: "All
-these works are ready," but they are wanting in the original draft.
-Beethoven now goes on with a list of compositions which Peters "might
-have soon"; a sonata for pianoforte solo,[49] 40 ducats; a string
-quartet, 50 ducats. More than anything else, however, he was desirous
-to have a complete edition of his works, as he wished to look after the
-publication in his lifetime. He had received a number of applications,
-but could not, or would not, meet all the conditions. With some
-necessary help he thought such an edition of his works might be brought
-out in two years, possibly in one-and-a-half; a new work was to be
-added to each class, "to the Variations a new set of variations, to
-the Sonatas a new sonata," etc., "and for all these together I ask
-10,000 florins Convention Coin." He deplores the fact that he is no
-business man; he wishes that matters were different than they are, but
-he is forced to act as he does by competition, and begs that secrecy be
-observed touching the negotiations, to guard against trouble with other
-publishers.
-
-He was not kept waiting for an answer;--Peters' reply is dated June
-15. He regrets to hear of Steiner's duplicity, but his conduct may
-have been harmless in intention and caused by his weakness. The works
-which he wanted and of which he had given a list to Steiner were a
-quartet for strings, a trio of the same kind, a concert overture
-for full orchestra, songs and some small solos for pianoforte "such
-as capriccios, divertissements," etc. Then he takes up Beethoven's
-detailed offer of compositions:
-
-[Sidenote: THE MASS SOLD TO PETERS]
-
- The most admirable amongst them is your Grand Mass, which you offer
- me together with the pianoforte score for one thousand florins
- C. C. and to the acceptance of which at the price I confess my
- readiness.... Between honest men (_offenen Mnnern_) like us there
- is no need of a contract; but if you want one send it to me and
- I will return it _signed_. If not, please state to me in writing
- that I am to receive the Mass in question together with the
- pianoforte score for 1000 florins in 20-florin pieces, and indicate
- when I am to receive it and that it is to be my _sole property for
- ever_. I want the first so that I may look upon this transaction
- as _concluded_, and the time I want to know so that I can arrange
- about the publication. If I were a rich man I would pay you very
- differently for this Mass, for I opine that it is something right
- excellent, especially because it was composed for an occasion;
- but for me 1000 florins for a Mass is a large expenditure and the
- entire transaction, on my word, is undertaken only in order to show
- myself to you and the world as a publisher who does something for
- art. I must ask another consideration, namely, that _nobody_ learn
- how much I have paid for the Mass--at least not for some time; I am
- not a man of large means, but must worry and drudge; nevertheless
- I pay artists as well as I can and in general better than other
- publishers.
-
-For the present, Peters adds, he does not want to publish larger vocal
-works by Beethoven nor the Mass singly but along with other works, to
-show the Viennese publishers that there is a contract between him and
-Beethoven which obliges the latter to send him compositions. To that
-end he asks for some songs, a few bagatelles for pianoforte solo, the
-four military marches; he would be glad to take also the new string
-quartet, but 50 ducats is beyond his means. Beethoven is at liberty to
-tell Steiner that he had applied to Beethoven with his knowledge and
-consent. Beethoven's answer (incorrectly dated July instead of June 26)
-says:
-
-[Sidenote: SALE OF THE MASS TO PETERS CONFIRMED]
-
- I write you now only that I give you the Mass together with the
- pianoforte score for the sum of 1000 florins, C. C. in 20-florin
- pieces. You will in all likelihood receive the score in copy by
- the end of July--perhaps a few days earlier or later. As I am
- always busy and have been ailing for five months and works must
- be carefully examined, if they go to a distance this always is
- a slower matter with me. In no event will _Schlesinger_ ever
- get anything more from me; he has played me a Jewish trick, but
- aside from that he is not among those who might have received the
- Mass. The competition for my works is very strong at present for
- which I thank the Almighty, for I have also already lost much.
- Moreover, I am the foster-father of the child of my brother, who
- died destitute. As this boy at the age of 15 years shows so much
- aptitude for the sciences, his studies and support cost much money
- now and he must be provided for in the future, we being neither
- Indians nor Iroquois who, as is notorious, leave everything in the
- hands of God, and a pauper's is a wretched lot. I keep silence
- concerning everything between us _by preference_ and beg you to be
- silent about the present connection with me. I will let you know
- when it is time to speak, which is not at all necessary now....
- I assure you on my honor, which I hold highest after God, that I
- never asked Steiner to receive orders for me. It has always been my
- chief principle never to appeal to a publisher, not out of pride
- but because I have wanted to see how extended is the province which
- my fame has reached.... As for the songs, I have already spoken.
- I think that an honorarium of 40 ducats is not _too much_ for the
- 3 songs and 4 marches. You can write to me on the subject. As soon
- as the Mass is ready I will let you know and ask you to remit the
- honorarium to a house here and I will deliver the work as soon as
- I have received it. I will take care to be present at the delivery
- to the post and that the freight charge shall not be too great. I
- should like soon to be made acquainted with your plan concerning
- the complete edition which is so close to my heart.
-
-Peters answers this letter on July 3. He is willing to pay 40 ducats
-for the songs and marches and to remit part of the honorarium in
-advance. Beethoven's complaint about his financial affairs distresses
-him and he would like to help him. "It is wrong that a man like you
-is obliged to think about money matters. The great ones of the earth
-should long ago have placed you in a position free from care, so that
-you would no longer have to live on art but only for art." Before this
-letter was received Beethoven had written a second and supplementary
-reply to the letter of June 13; it is dated July 6. He had reread
-his letter and discovered that Peters wanted some of the bagatelles
-and a quartet for strings. For the former, "among which are some of
-_considerable length_--they might be published separately under the
-title 'Kleinigkeiten' (Trifles) No. 1, 2, etc."--he asked 8 ducats
-each. The quartet was not fully completed, work on it having been
-interrupted. Here it was difficult to lower the prices, as such works
-were the most highly paid for--he might almost say, to the shame of
-the general taste, which in art frequently falls below that of private
-taste. "I have written you everything concerning the Mass, and that
-is settled." On July 12, Peters writes that he does not know how
-long the bagatelles are and so can not tell whether they are to be
-printed separately or together; but he asks that a number be sent to
-him together with word as to how many of such small pieces Beethoven
-has on hand, as he might take them all. As for songs he would prefer
-to have some in the style of "Adelaide" or "Schloss Markenstein."
-The honorarium for the compositions which were to be sent now would
-amount to 200 or 300 florins in pieces of 20, but as he could not
-determine the exact amount he asked Beethoven to collect the amount
-from Meiss (Meisl) Brothers, bankers, on exhibition of receipt and
-bill of shipment. It was all the same to him whether he collected the
-money now or later; it was waiting and at Beethoven's disposal. In this
-manner, so convenient for Beethoven, he would make all his payments for
-manuscripts purchased. On August 3 Beethoven writes:
-
- I have not made up my mind as to the selection of songs and
- _Kleinigkeiten_, but everything will be delivered by August 13. I
- await your advices in the matter and will make no use of your bill
- of exchange. As soon as I know that the honorarium for the Mass and
- the other works is here all these things can be delivered by the
- 15th.
-
-Peters was prompt in his remittance of the money which was to be
-subject to Beethoven's order; Beethoven, though less prompt in getting
-it, was yet ahead of his delivery of the manuscripts for which the
-money was to pay. Singularly enough, the incident which provides for
-us knowledge of the time when the money was received by Peters's agent
-served as evidence in Beethoven's excuse for drawing the money without
-keeping his part of the agreement. On July 25, about a fortnight after
-the date of Peters's letter of advice, Piringer, associate conductor of
-the _Concerts spirituels_, who was on terms of intimacy with Beethoven,
-wrote him as follows:
-
- _Domine Generalissimo!_
-
- _Victoria_ in Dbling--fresh troops are advancing! The wholesalers,
- Meisl Bros, here in the Rauhensteingasse, their own house, 2nd
- storey, have received advices from Hrn. Peters in Leipsic to pay
- several hundred florins to Herrn Ludwig van Beethoven. I hasten on
- Degen's pinions[50] to convey this report to _Illustrissimo_ at
- once. To-day is the first sad day in the Viennese calendar, because
- yesterday was the last day of the Italian opera.
-
-This letter Beethoven sent to Peters from Baden on September 13 in
-evidence of his presumption that Piringer, who was a daily caller at
-the Steiner establishment, had gossipped about the relations between
-him and Peters. He was sorry that Peters had sent the money so early,
-but fearing talk he had collected the money. He would send all the
-little things soon. He had been pressed by the Cardinal, who had come
-to Baden on the 15th and on whom he had to attend several times a week;
-and work had been forced upon him by the opening of the Josephstadt
-Theatre; also he wanted to write new trios to some of the marches and
-revise other works, but illness and too much other employment had
-prevented. "You see from this at least that I am not an author for the
-sake of money.... You will recall that I begged you to keep everything
-away from Steiner. Why? That I will reveal to you in time. I hope that
-God will protect me against the wiles of this wicked man Steiner." On
-November 22, Beethoven writes again: he had been expecting reproaches
-for his negligence but though he had delivered nothing he had received
-the honorarium. It looked wrong ("offensive" is his word), but he was
-sure that all would be set right could they but be together a few
-minutes. All the music intended for Peters had been laid aside except
-the songs, the selection of which had not yet been made; as a reward
-for waiting, Peters should receive one more than the stipulated number.
-He could deliver more than the four bagatelles agreed on, as he had
-nine or ten extra ones on hand.
-
-[Sidenote: "A MASS" NOT "THE MASS" FOR PETERS]
-
-Now there enters a new element into the story of the Mass; let
-Beethoven introduce it in his own words: "This is the state of affairs
-with regard to the Mass: I completed one long ago, but another is
-not yet finished. There will always be gossip about me, and you must
-have been misled about it. I do not know which of the two you will
-receive." The gossip against which Beethoven warned Peters, it is safe
-to assume, related to the compositions which the latter had purchased
-but not received; in great likelihood rumors about the Mass had
-reached Leipsic. Peters was in communication with Steiner and others;
-and that he knew that the mass had been planned for the installation
-of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmtz he had indicated when he
-expressed the belief that it was something "right excellent" because
-it had been composed for an occasion. The mass which Beethoven had
-agreed to deliver by the end of July could therefore have been none
-other than the Mass in D. It is deserving of mention, however, that
-there is evidence that Beethoven was thinking of more than one mass
-at the time--in fact, that he had thoughts of three. In a sketchbook
-of the period is found a memorandum: "The _Kyrie_ in the second mass
-with wind-instruments and organ only";[51] and in another place there
-are six measures of a theme for a _Dona nobis_ with the superscription
-"Mass in C-sharp minor." To this _Dona_ there is still another
-reference or two of a later date; but that is all. It is likely that
-the second mass was intended for the Emperor, as we shall see later;
-Beethoven himself says that he had thoughts of a third.
-
-Peters is getting importunate, and on December 20 Beethoven writes to
-him that nothing intended for him is entirely ready; there had been
-delays in copying and sending, but he had no time to explain. The songs
-and marches would be sent "next week" and there would be six bagatelles
-instead of four, and he asks that payment be made for the extra two on
-receipt. He had so many applications for his works that he could not
-attend to them all: "Were it not that my income brings in nothing[52] I
-should compose only grand symphonies, church music or at the outside
-quartets in addition." Of smaller works Peters might have variations
-for two oboes and English horn on a theme from "Don Giovanni"--_Da
-ci la mano_ wrote Beethoven, meaning _L ci darem la mano_--and a
-Gratulatory Minuet;[53] he would like Peters' opinion about the
-complete edition. In a letter with the double date February 15 and 18,
-1823, Peters is informed that three songs,[54] six bagatelles, one
-march and a tattoo had been sent on the preceding Saturday--the tattoo
-in place of one of the promised marches:
-
- You will pardon the delay I believe, if you could see into my heart
- you would not accuse me of intentional wrongdoing. To-day I give
- the lacking two tattoos and the fourth grand march to the post. I
- thought it best to send three tattoos and a march instead of four
- marches, although the former can be used as marches. Regimental
- chapelmasters can best judge how to use such things and moreover
- pianoforte arrangements of them might be made. My conduct as an
- artist you may judge from the songs; one has an accompaniment for
- two clarinets, one horn, violas and violoncellos and can be sung to
- these instruments alone or with the pianoforte without them. The
- second song is with accompaniment for two clarinets, two horns and
- two bassoons, and can also be sung to them alone or with pianoforte
- accompaniment alone. Both songs have choruses and the third is a
- quite extended arietta with pianoforte alone. I hope you are now
- reassured. I should be sorry if these delays were attributed to my
- fault or desire. I shall soon write to you about the Mass, as the
- decision which you are to have will presently be made.
-
-"Some time" before March 10, 1823, Beethoven repaid the loan of 300
-florins to Brentano, sending the money through Geimller. In his letter
-of thanks on that date he encloses a letter to Simrock, unsealed
-evidently, and says to his friend, "You see from it the state of things
-concerning the Mass." What that state was as it presented itself to the
-mind of Beethoven we have as yet no means of knowing; but we know that
-Peters was still kept in a state of expectation, for on March 20, 1823,
-Beethoven writes:
-
- As regards the Mass I will also send you a document which I beg
- you to sign, for in any event the time is approaching when you
- will receive one or the other. Besides yourself there are two
- other men who also desire each a mass. I am resolved to write
- at least three--the first is entirely finished, the second _not
- yet_, the third not even begun; but in view of them I must have an
- understanding so that I may be secured in any case. You may have
- the Mass whenever you pay 1000 C. C.
-
-[Sidenote: THREE PURCHASERS FAIL TO GET THE MASS]
-
-So far as Peters is concerned the matter must be dropped for a space;
-he published none of the works sent to him, did not receive the Mass,
-and, refusing to take a quartet in return for the 360 florins which
-Beethoven collected in advance, placing the blame on him, got the money
-back from Beethoven some time after November, 1825. Peters did not
-get the Mass; nor did Simrock; nor did Schlesinger; nor did Probst,
-another Leipsic publisher with whom Beethoven carried on negotiations
-for it and the Ninth Symphony, as will appear later; nor did Artaria,
-Beethoven's old publisher who, in all likelihood, was one of the "two
-other men" of whom Beethoven wrote in the letter last quoted. On August
-23, 1822, Artaria received a letter which, as it seems to stand alone
-so far as the Mass is concerned, may well be printed in full:
-
- Being just now overwhelmed with work, I can only say briefly that I
- have always returned your favors whenever possible. As regards the
- Mass I have been offered 1000 florins, C. C. for it. The state of
- my affairs do not permit me to take a smaller honorarium from you.
- All that I can do is to _give you the preference_. Rest assured
- that I do not _take a heller more from you than_ has been _offered
- me by others_. I could prove this to you in writing. You may think
- this over but I beg of you to send me an answer by _to-morrow noon_
- as to-morrow is postday and my decision is expected in other places.
-
- I will make a proposition to you concerning the 150 florins C. C.
- which I owe you, but the sum must not be deducted now, as I am in
- urgent need of the 1000 florins. In addition I beg of you to keep
- everything secret about the Mass.
-
-It must long ago have been observed by the studious reader of these
-pages that a great deal of illuminative material in the life-story
-of Beethoven is found in the correspondence between the composer and
-his publishers; but these letters in the later years of his life, and
-especially in the period with which we are now concerned, were but
-sorry guides to the state of forwardness in which compositions found
-themselves at any stated time. Frequently they offer for publication
-works which, so far as they had been fixed on paper at all, existed
-only in the form of detached sketches; also some which, so far as we
-know, existed only in the plans or purposes of the composer of which
-the letters themselves are the only surviving records. It seems also
-to be a fair deduction from them that Beethoven's attitude towards
-his publishers with reference to them depended to a considerable
-extent on his temporary financial condition, and sometimes they are
-an index of that consecration to high artistic ideals of which he
-remains an unapproached exemplar. The Mass in D is almost always
-ready for delivery when he is in financial extremities; but when he
-has helped himself with loans or the collection of advances, or
-the sale of old manuscripts or potboilers, his insatiable desire to
-revise, amend and improve his great work takes possession of him, and
-the vast amount of rewriting and recopying thus entailed pushes its
-ultimate completion into the future and precipitates another period
-of distress. He borrowed money from Brentano on the strength of the
-deposit which Simrock had made in Frankfort; collected the honorarium
-which Peters had advanced on the purchase of long undelivered songs,
-bagatelles and marches; postponed the evil day of liquidation with
-Steiner; finally borrowed money from his brother Johann, and to secure
-the debt practically hypothecated to him all the manuscripts which
-lay finished and unfinished in his desk by placing their sale in his
-hands, subject to his instructions and advice. This circumstance brings
-Johann van Beethoven back significantly into this history and invites
-an inquiry into his character and his conduct with reference to his
-famous brother. That, contemptible as his character may have been,
-he has yet been maligned and his conduct towards Beethoven falsified
-by Schindler and the romance writers who have accepted Schindler's
-misrepresentations and embellished them with the products of their own
-unscrupulous imaginations, is scarcely open to doubt.
-
-Something of the earlier history of Johann van Beethoven has been
-told in the chapters of this biography which deal with the incidents
-of the years 1808 and 1812. The brother, whose association with a
-woman obnoxious to him because of her frivolousness and moral laxity
-Beethoven sought to prevent by police methods and thereby only
-precipitated a marriage, had grown rich enough in the interim to buy
-some farm property near Gneixendorf and to make his winter residence
-in Vienna. There we find him in the spring of 1822 living in the house
-of his brother-in-law, a baker named Obermayer, at the intersection of
-Koth- and Pfarrgassen. Thenceforward for a number of years, because of
-his relationship to his famous brother, his idiosyncrasies, habits and
-public behavior (and to a smaller number, the conduct of his wife), he
-became a conspicuous and rather comical figure in Vienna. Gerhard von
-Breuning described him thus:[55]
-
- His hair was blackish-brown; hat well brushed; clothing clean
- but suggesting that of a man who wishes to be elegantly clad on
- Sundays; somewhat old-fashioned and uncouth, an effect which was
- caused by his bone-structure, which was angular and unlovely. His
- waist was rather small; no sign of embonpoint; shoulders broad; if
- my memory serves me rightly, his shoulders were a trifle uneven,
- or it may have been his angular figure which made him look
- unsymmetrical; his clothing generally consisted of a blue frockcoat
- with brass buttons, white necktie, light trousers (I think corn
- color), loose linen-thread gloves, the fingers too long so that
- they folded at the ends or stuck out loosely. His hands were broad
- and bony. He was not exactly tall of stature, but much taller than
- Ludwig. His nose was large and rather long, the position of his
- eyes, crooked, the effect being as if he squinted a little with one
- eye. The mouth was crooked, one corner drawn upwards giving him
- the expression of a mocking smile. In his garb he affected to be
- a well-to-do elegant, but the role did not suit his angular, bony
- figure. He did not in the least resemble his brother Ludwig.
-
-[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN]
-
-Breuning also says in his book "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," that
-he was sometimes seen driving in the Prater with two or four horses
-in an old-fashioned phaeton, either handling the reins himself or
-lolling carelessly in the seat with two gallooned servants on the box.
-Beethoven's friends used to ridicule his brother to his face. In a
-Conversation Book of 1822-23 Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes: "Everybody
-thinks him a fool; we call him only the Chevalier--all the world says
-of him that his only merit is that he bears your name." No doubt there
-was something, even a good deal, of the parvenu in Johann's character.
-He had neither the intellectual nor moral poise to fit him for the
-place which he thought he was entitled to fill by virtue of his wealth
-and his relationship to one of the most famous men of his age. Nor
-could he command respect from a social point of view. How far from
-above reproach his wife was, Beethoven showed by his unjustifiable
-conduct when he sought to have her ejected from Linz in order to
-separate her from his brother. That conduct Ludwig's letters, soon to
-be quoted, show had been condoned by him, but a memorandum found among
-Schindler's papers discloses that her conduct in Vienna was such that
-Beethoven again thought of invoking the police.[56]
-
-[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF THE OLDER BROTHER]
-
-That Johann van Beethoven was fond of money is indicated in his remarks
-in the Conversation Books, when his advice to his brother is always
-dictated by financial considerations and, no doubt, by the thoughts of
-profits in which he hoped to share. But what would you? For what other
-purposes had Beethoven asked him in to his councils? Surely not to get
-his views on the artistic value of his work. He defers in his letters
-to his brother's superior business sagacity--that is all. It does not
-anywhere appear that Johann ever attempted to overreach him or lead
-him to financial injury. No doubt Beethoven in his fits of anger said
-many things about him which put him in a bad light before his friends;
-but did he not do the same thing in their own cases? Did Schindler
-escape calumny? The better evidence is that offered by the letters
-which show that Beethoven had confidence in his brother's honesty and
-judgment, invited his help, and was solicitous lest he suffer loss
-from his efforts. If Johann lacked appreciation of his brother's real
-significance in art, he was proud of the world's appreciation of him,
-and if he could not have high regard for that high moral attitude in
-the matter which had brought condemnation on his sister-in-law and
-wife, he at least showed magnanimity in not trying to do his brother
-injury and being always ready to help him when he could. It is very
-likely that he was not at all musical and that his affectation of
-appreciation of his brother's works made him a fair subject for
-ridicule. But surely there was little moral obliquity in that. In a
-conversation in 1824 the nephew relates that his uncle had been present
-at a chamber concert. Beethoven wants to know what he was doing there,
-and the nephew replies: "He wants to acquire taste; he is continually
-crying _bravo_." So also Holz relates, in 1826, that Johann had
-certainly heard the Quartet in E-flat major ten times, yet when it was
-played in that year he said he was hearing it for the first time.[57]
-
-Beethoven needed Johann's help; he had a good opinion of his business
-ability, and it is possible that he had learned something of tolerance
-from the trials and tribulations which his quarrels with his other
-sister-in-law had brought him. It is certain that after a separation
-of nine years from his brother he was not merely desirous but eager
-for a perfect reconciliation and a closer union. Johann offers his
-help, but it is Beethoven who expresses the wish that the two may
-live together, it is Beethoven who asks his brother to come to him
-and help him negotiate the sale of his compositions. Johann no doubt
-conducted some negotiations without his brother's knowledge, but not
-without authority; and so far as the Mass is concerned it is put into
-the brother's hands only after Johann has lent Beethoven 200 florins
-and the Mass has been promised not only to Peters but to Simrock before
-him. No doubt Johann exceeded his authority; at least, something had
-come to the ears of Count Moritz Lichnowsky, probably from Beethoven
-himself, which made him say in the conversation already cited, "You
-ought to forbid him doing business or carrying on correspondence
-without your signature. Perhaps he has already closed a contract in
-your name"; but would it not have been better for Beethoven's present
-reputation for business honesty--if we must distinguish between the
-ethics of the counting-house and those of the rest of the world--if he
-had closed and kept the contracts which he had made when he called his
-brother to help him with his correspondence? Schindler accuses Johann
-of having persuaded Beethoven to take unfit lodgings; but Beethoven
-expressly exonerates him from blame. He reproaches Johann for not
-having provided his brother with money to pay his debts or offering his
-security for them; but Johann lent him 200 florins before he went to
-Baden and probably did not see why he should burden his own business
-enterprises in order to enable Beethoven to keep the bank shares intact
-for the nephew. He was willing to be helpful, however, and repeatedly
-offered his brother a house on his estate, and in 1824 tried to
-persuade him to take one rent free; but Beethoven's antipathy to his
-sister-in-law would not let him accept.
-
-Exactly when Beethoven went to Oberdbling in the summer of 1822
-is not known, but he was there in July, and an endorsement on the
-Simrock letter of May 13 would seem to indicate that he was there in
-that month. His lodgings were in No. 135 Alleegasse. In the spring or
-early summer he writes to Johann begging him, instead of driving in
-the Prater, to come to him with his wife and step-daughter. His whole
-desire is for the good which would inevitably follow a union. He had
-made inquiries about lodgings and found that it would not be necessary
-to pay much more than at Oberdbling, and that, without sacrifice of
-any pleasure, much money might be saved for both. He says:
-
- I have nothing against your wife; I only wish that she might
- realize how much you might benefit from being with me and that all
- the miserable trifles of this life ought to cause no disturbances.
-
- Peace, peace be with us. God grant that the most natural tie
- between brothers be not unnaturally broken. At the best my life
- may not be of long duration. I say again that I have nothing
- against your wife, although her behavior towards me has struck me
- as strange several times of late; besides, I have been ailing for
- three and a half months and extremely sensitive and irritable. But
- away with everything which does not _promote the object_, which is,
- that I and my good Karl lead a regular life which is so necessary
- to me.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN ASKS JOHANN'S HELP]
-
-Here there is no mention of business matters and hence it may be
-assumed that the letter dates from an early period in the reunion of
-the brothers. But business considerations prompt a letter of July 26 in
-which he tells Johann that his physician had ordered him to go to Baden
-to take thirty baths and that he would make the journey on August 6 or
-7. Meanwhile he would like to have his brother come to him and give him
-his help and then accompany him to Baden and remain there a week. He
-was engaged, he said, upon corrections of the Mass for which Peters was
-to give him 1000 florins. Peters had also agreed to take some smaller
-works and had sent 300 florins, but he had not yet accepted the money.
-Breitkopf and Hrtel had also sent the Saxon _Charg d'Affaires_ to him
-to talk about new works and inquiries had come from Paris and Diabelli
-in Vienna. Publishers were now struggling for his works: "What an
-_unfortunate fortunate_ am I!!!--this Berliner has also turned up--if
-my health would return I might yet _feather my nest_ (_auf einen grnen
-Zweig kommen_)."
-
- The Archduke-Cardinal is here. I go to him twice a week. Though
- there is nothing to be expected from him in the way of magnanimity
- or money, I am on such a good and confidential footing with him
- that it would be extremely painful not to show him some agreeable
- attention; moreover, I do not think that his apparent niggardliness
- is his fault.
-
-In the same letter he says he might have had the 1000 florins from
-Peters in advance but did not want to take them. He did not want to
-"expose" himself, and he therefore asked his brother for a loan,
-so that his trip to Baden might not be delayed. There was no risk
-involved, as he would return the 200 florins in September with thanks.
-"As a merchant you are a good counsellor," are some of his words. The
-Steiners are also crowding him into a corner and trying to force him
-into a written agreement to let them have all his compositions; but he
-had declared that he would not enter into such an arrangement until his
-account had been settled, and to that end he had proposed to them that
-they take two pieces which he had written for Hungary[58] and which
-might be looked upon as two little operas. They had before then taken
-four of the numbers. The debt to the Steiners amounted to 3000 florins,
-but they had in the "most abominable manner" charged interest, to which
-he would not consent. Part of the debt had been Karl's mother's[59]
-which he had assumed because he wanted to show himself as kindly
-disposed as possible, so that Karl's interests would not be endangered.
-Again he urges him to come to Baden and to put pantry and cellar in the
-best of condition against September, for presumably he and his little
-son would set up headquarters with him and had formed the noble resolve
-to eat him out of house and home.
-
-In this letter was enclosed a memorandum of the deposit of 300 florins
-(from Peters) to his credit at Maisl's; and another of no date, but
-evidently written at about the same time, stated that the money was
-at Maisl's but in case of need he would rather make a loan than draw
-it, "for the Mass will be ready on the 15th of next month." He went to
-Baden on September 1, but before then wrote again to Johann expressing
-a wish to see him so that the affair with Steiner might be settled, it
-being necessary to have the music to "The Ruins of Athens"[60] in print
-by the end of October, when the theatre for which it had been prepared
-would be opened. A week after his arrival in Baden, on September 8,
-he writes that he had been disturbed at the delay, partly because of
-his brother's ill health, partly because he had had no report on the
-commission undertaken with Steiner. Simrock had written again about the
-Mass, but had mentioned the old price; if he were written to, however,
-he thought he would increase it. Two singers had called on him that day
-and asked to kiss his hands, "but as they were very pretty I suggested
-that they kiss my lips." Another letter obviously written about the
-same time but a little later tells of his temporary apprehension lest
-his brother had fallen out with Steiner. He also suspected that his
-brother might be angered at his not having mentioned the loan. In
-this dilemma, fearful for the Mass, he had written to Simrock that he
-would let him have it for 1000 florins. "But as you write that you
-want the Mass I am agreed, but I do not want you to lose anything by
-it." Matters are not yet straightened out at Steiner's, as appears
-from a letter which he encloses. Meanwhile the Josephstadt Theatre
-has given him work to do which will be quite burdensome, in view of
-his cure, Staudenheimer having advised him to take baths of one and a
-half hour's duration. However, he already had written a chorus with
-dances and solo songs;[61] if his health allows, he will also write
-a new overture. On October 6, he addresses his brother in a jocular
-mood: "Best of little Brothers! Owner of all the lands in the Danube
-near Krems! Director of the entire Austrian Pharmacy!" The letter
-contains a proposition for Steiner concerning the Josephstadt Theatre
-music. Steiner has two numbers already and has advertised one of them;
-there are eight numbers left, including an overture. These Steiner can
-have at the following rates: the overture 30 (perhaps he could get 40
-ducats); four songs with instrumental accompaniment, 20 ducats each;
-two wholly instrumental numbers, 10 ducats each:--total, 140 ducats.
-If "King Stephen" is wanted there are twelve numbers of which four are
-to be reckoned at 20 ducats each, the others at 10 ducats and one at 5
-ducats--_summa summarum_ 155 ducats. "Concerning the new overture, you
-may say to them that the old one could not remain, because in Hungary
-the piece was given as a postlude, while here the theatre was opened
-with it.... Ponder the matter of the Mass well, because I must answer
-Simrock; unless you lose nothing, I beg of you not to undertake it."
-
-The story of the music composed and adapted for the Josephstadt Theatre
-will be told in the chronological narrative of incidents belonging
-to the year; as for the Mass let it be noted that after Johann had
-expressed a desire to take it in hand we hear nothing more of the
-correspondence with Peters for a long time. The autograph score was
-ready; Beethoven had it copied, but continued making alterations in it;
-not until the next year was it delivered into the hands of the Archduke
-and new efforts made towards its publication.
-
-At the beginning of 1822, Beethoven still lived at No. 244
-Hauptstrasse, Landstrasse, Vienna. The first significant happening
-to him in the new year was his election as honorary member of the
-Musik-Verein of Steiermark in Gratz, whose diploma, couched in the
-extravagantly sentimental verbiage of the day and country, bore date
-January 1. He noted the conclusion of the C minor Sonata (Op. 111)
-on the autograph manuscript on January 11. Bernhard Romberg, the
-violoncello virtuoso, was in Vienna in the beginning of the year,
-giving concerts with his daughter Bernhardine and a son of 11 years,
-who was also a budding virtuoso on his father's instrument. On February
-12, Beethoven writes to his old friend that if he was not present at
-the concert, it would be because he had been attacked with an earache,
-the pain of which would be aggravated even by the concert-giver's
-tones. He concluded the letter with the wish in addition "to the
-fullest tribute of applause, also the _metallic recognition_ which
-high art seldom receives in these days." If Hanslick is correct in his
-history of concert life in Vienna, Beethoven's wish was fulfilled:
-Romberg's earnings during the Vienna season amounted to 10,000 florins.
-
-[Sidenote: ADVICES FROM LONDON THROUGH NEATE]
-
-When Beethoven went to Oberdbling he moved into the house Alleegasse
-135, but for the time being kept his lodgings in town. In Oberdbling
-he began a treatment consisting of taking powders and drinking the
-waters. He worked on the Mass, the Ninth Symphony, and on smaller
-compositions from which he expected quicker returns. He was expected to
-visit Archduke Rudolph twice a week, but the attendance was irregular.
-Applications for his works came to him from other cities and Breitkopf
-and Hrtel sent the Charg d'Affaires of the Saxon Legation to him
-with a letter regretting that the business connection which formerly
-existed had been discontinued and expressing a desire to renew it with
-an opera. The messenger was Greisinger, Haydn's first biographer, who
-had made Beethoven's acquaintance as a young man. He was musical, and
-Beethoven applied to him for advice the next year, when he sent an
-invitation to the Saxon Court for a subscription to the Mass in D. On
-September 2, Beethoven received a letter from Charles Neate, which
-was plainly an answer to an appeal which had been sent by Beethoven,
-concerning the publication in London of three quartets. Letters
-from Ries refer to the same quartets, which as yet existed only in
-Beethoven's intentions. Neate says that he had found it difficult
-to obtain subscriptions for the works. He thought, however, that he
-might still be able to raise 100, but could not get any money before
-the arrival of the works in London. There was also apprehension that
-the compositions would be copied in Vienna. Beethoven had referred
-to a quartet and possibly some successors in his correspondence with
-Peters, so that it is more than likely that a determination to return
-to the quartet field had been formed by Beethoven before the practical
-and material incentive came to him in the last month of the year from
-Prince Galitzin--the incentive to which we owe three of the last five
-Quartets.
-
-There must now be recorded some of the facts connected with the
-visit to Beethoven of a distinguished musical littrateur from
-Leipsic--Friedrich Rochlitz. Rochlitz arrived in Vienna on May 24
-and remained there till August 2. He wrote two letters about his
-experiences in the Austrian capital, one under date of June 28, the
-other of July 9. The latter contained his account of his meetings
-with Beethoven and is reprinted in Vol. IV of his "Fr Freunde der
-Tonkunst." He had never seen Beethoven in the flesh and was eager for
-a meeting. A friend to whom he went (it is very obvious that it was
-Haslinger) told him that Beethoven was in the country and had grown
-so shy of human society that a visit to him might prove unavailing;
-but it was Beethoven's custom to come to Vienna every week and he was
-then as a rule affable and approachable. He advised Rochlitz to wait,
-and he did so until the following Saturday. The meeting was a pleasant
-one and enabled Rochlitz to study Beethoven's appearance and manner;
-but the interview was suddenly terminated by Beethoven in the midst
-of the visitor's confession of his own admiration and the enthusiasm
-which Beethoven's symphonies created in Leipsic. From the beginning
-Beethoven had listened, smiled and nodded, but after he had curtly
-excused himself on the score of an engagement and departed abruptly,
-Rochlitz learned that his auditor had not heard or understood a word
-of all that he had said. A fortnight later Rochlitz met Franz Schubert
-in the street, who told him that if he wanted to see Beethoven in
-an unconstrained and jovial mood he should go along with him to an
-eating-house where the great man dined. He went and found Beethoven
-sitting with a party of friends whom the chronicler did not know.
-Though he got a nod of recognition for his greeting he did not join
-the party but took a seat near enough to observe Beethoven and hear
-what he said, for he spoke in a loud voice. It was not a conversation
-so much as a monologue to which he listened. Beethoven talked almost
-incessantly; his companions laughed, smiled and nodded approval.
-
- He philosophised and politicised in his manner. He spoke of England
- and the English, whom he surrounded with incomparable glory--which
- sounded strange at times. Then he told many anecdotes of the French
- and the two occupations of Vienna. He was not amiably disposed
- towards them. He talked freely, without the least restraint,
- seasoning everything with highly original and nave opinions and
- comical conceits.
-
-[Sidenote: CONVERSATION WITH FRIEDRICH ROCHLITZ]
-
-After finishing his meal Beethoven approached Rochlitz and beckoned him
-into a little anteroom, where conversation was carried on with the help
-of a tablet which Beethoven produced. He began with praise of Leipsic
-and its music, especially the performances in church, concert-room and
-theatre; outside of these things he knows nothing of Leipsic, through
-which he passed as a youth on his way to Vienna. (No doubt it was the
-Berlin trip to which Beethoven referred, of which Rochlitz appears to
-be ignorant.) Praise of Leipsic was followed by violent condemnation
-of Vienna and its music.
-
- Of my works you hear nothing. Now--in summer.
-
- No; it's the same in winter. What is there for them to hear?
- "Fidelio"? they can't perform it and do not want to hear it. The
- symphonies? For these they have no time. The concertos? Everybody
- grinds out his own productions. The solos? They're out of fashion
- long ago--and fashion is everything. At the best, Schuppanzigh
- occasionally digs up a quartet, etc.
-
-Rochlitz is here probably helping out his memory by drawing a bit
-on his fancy; Schuppanzigh was at this time still in Russia, having
-started on a tour through Germany, Poland and Russia in 1815, from
-which he did not return till 1823. Rochlitz is interesting, but it is
-well to revise his utterances by occasional appeals to known facts. He
-goes on: Beethoven asked him if he lived in Weimar and Rochlitz shook
-his head. "Then you do not know the great Goethe?" Rochlitz nodded
-violently in affirmation that he did know the great Goethe. "I do, too;
-I got acquainted with him in Carlsbad--God knows how long ago!" (But it
-was not in Carlsbad that Beethoven met Goethe; it was in Teplitz and
-ten years "ago.") Beethoven continued: "I was not so deaf then as I am
-now, but hard of hearing. How patient the great man was with me!...
-How happy he made me then! I would have gone to my death for him; yes,
-ten times! It was while I was in the ardor of this enthusiasm that I
-thought out my music to his 'Egmont'--and it is a success, isn't it?" A
-success, surely; but Beethoven is not likely to have forgotten that the
-music to "Egmont" was two years old when he met Goethe. Rochlitz, it is
-to be feared, is indulging his imagination again; but he is probably
-correct on the whole. Let Beethoven proceed with his monologue:
-
- Since that summer I read Goethe every day, when I read at all. He
- has killed Klopstock for me. You are surprised? Now you smile? Aha!
- You smile that I should have read Klopstock! I gave myself up to
- him many years,--when I took my walks and at other times. Ah well!
- I didn't understand him always. He is so restless; and he always
- begins too far away, from on high down; always _Maestoso_, D-flat
- major! Isn't it so? But he's great, nevertheless, and uplifts the
- soul. When I did not understand I divined pretty nearly. But why
- should he always want to die? That will come soon enough. Well; at
- least he always sounds well, etc. But Goethe:--he lives and wants
- us all to live with him. That's the reason he can be composed.
- Nobody else can be so easily composed as he.
-
-Rochlitz had sought Beethoven with a commission from Hrtel:--that he
-compose music for Goethe's "Faust" like that written for "Egmont." The
-psychological moment for broaching the subject was arrived and Rochlitz
-made the communication on the tablet.
-
- He read. "Ha!" he cried, and threw his hands high in the air. "That
- would be a piece of work! Something might come out of that!" He
- continued for a while in this manner, elaborating his ideas at once
- and with bowed head staring at the ceiling. "But," he continued,
- after a while, "I have been occupied for a considerable time with
- three other big works; much of them is already hatched out--i. e.,
- in my head. I must rid myself of them first; two large symphonies
- differing from each other, and an oratorio. They will take a long
- time; for, you see, for some time I can't bring myself to write
- easily. I sit and think, and think. The ideas are there, but they
- will not go down on the paper. I dread the beginning of great
- works; once begun, it's all right."
-
-Most of this is in harmony with what we know from other sources. We
-have seen how laboriously Beethoven developed the works of large
-dimensions in this period; we know that he had thought of "Faust" as a
-subject for composition as early as 1808[62] and that it pursued him
-in his last years. But Hrtel's proposition sent through Greisinger
-in the same year was for an opera, and it seems likely that the
-"Faust" idea was independent of it and possibly an original conceit of
-Rochlitz's. Be that as it may, Rochlitz did make one proposition in
-which his interest was personal. After his return to Leipsic he wrote
-a letter to Haslinger on September 10, 1822, in which he expressed
-the wish that Beethoven would give a musical setting to his poem "Der
-erste Ton," and, if Schindler is correct, he suggested to Beethoven
-himself that he write music for his "Preis der Tonkunst." Nothing came
-of the suggestions, though it would appear that Rochlitz had discussed
-both poems with Beethoven. There was a third meeting at which the
-two, in company with another friend of Beethoven's (Rochlitz says it
-was Gebauer), made a promenade through a valley which lasted from ten
-o'clock in the forenoon till six o'clock in the evening. Beethoven
-enlivened the walk with conversation full of tirades against existing
-conditions, humorous anecdotes and drolleries. "In all seriousness,
-he seems amiable, or, if this word startle you, I say: The gloomy,
-unlicked bear is so winning and confiding, growls and shakes his hairy
-coat so harmlessly and curiously, that it is delightful, and one could
-not help liking him even if he were but a bear and had done nothing but
-what a bear can do."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S OPINION OF ROSSINI]
-
-The meeting between Rochlitz and Beethoven took place in Baden; but
-as we have seen, the latter did not begin his sojourn there until
-September 1, and Rochlitz's letter is dated July 9; so it would appear
-that Beethoven had come from Oberdbling on a visit to Baden; Schindler
-says nothing to the contrary. Earlier in 1822 Beethoven received a
-visit from a man who lies considerably nearer the sympathies of the
-generation for which this book is written than Rochlitz. This man was
-Rossini. His operas had been on the current list in Vienna for several
-years, and with the coming of the composer in person, in the spring of
-1822, the enthusiasm for him and his music had grown into a fanatical
-adoration. Beethoven had seen the score of "Il Barbiere" and heard it
-sung by the best Italian singers of the period. Moreover, he had a
-high admiration for the Italian art of song and a very poor opinion of
-German singers. In Barbaja's troupe were Lablache, Rubini, Donzelli and
-Ambroggio, and the Demoiselles Sontag, Ungher, Lalande and Dardanelli.
-Rossini was on his wedding trip, having but recently married Colbran,
-and his elegant manners and brilliant conversation had made him the
-lion of aristocratic drawing-rooms in the Austrian capital. "Zelmira"
-had been written especially for the Vienna season, though it had been
-tried at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the preceding December.
-It had its first performance at the Krnthnerthor Theatre on April
-13.[63] Several of Beethoven's utterances concerning the musician,
-who no doubt did much to divert the taste of the masses away from the
-German master's compositions, have been preserved. Seyfried recorded
-that in answer to the question. "What is Rossini?" Beethoven replied,
-"A good scene-painter," and Seyfried also makes note of this utterance:
-"The Bohemians are born musicians; the Italians ought to take them as
-models. What have they to show for their famous conservatories? Behold
-their idol--Rossini! If Dame Fortune had not given him a pretty talent
-and pretty melodies by the bushel, what he learned at school would
-have brought him nothing but potatoes for his big belly!" Schindler
-says that after reading the score of "Il Barbiere" Beethoven said:
-"Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had frequently
-applied some blows _ad posteriora_." To Freudenberg at Baden in 1824
-he remarked: "Rossini is a talented and a melodious composer; his
-music suits the frivolous and sensuous spirit of the times, and his
-productivity is so great that he needs only as many weeks as the
-Germans need years to write an opera."
-
-The Rossini craze was no doubt largely responsible for some of
-Beethoven's outbreaks concerning the taste of the Viennese, but on
-the whole he does not seem seriously to have been disturbed by it.
-Schindler cites him as remarking on the change in the popular attitude:
-"Well, they can not rob me of my place in musical history." As for the
-Italian singers he thought so much of them that he told Caroline Ungher
-that he would write an Italian opera for Barbaja's company.
-
-As for Rossini, he had heard some of Beethoven's quartets played by
-Mayseder and his associates, and had enjoyed them enthusiastically. It
-was therefore natural enough that he should want to visit the composer.
-Schindler says that he went twice with Artaria to call upon him, after
-Artaria had each time asked permission, but that on both occasions
-Beethoven had asked to be excused from receiving him--a circumstance
-which had given rise to considerable comment in Vienna. The story
-is not true, but that it was current in Vienna four years afterward
-appears from an entry in a Conversation Book of August 1826 where
-somebody asks: "It is true, isn't it, that Rossini wanted to visit you
-and you refused to see him?" There is no written answer. We repeat:
-the story is not true, though both Nohl and Wasielewski accepted it
-without demur. Twice, at least, Rossini publicly denied it. In 1867 Dr.
-Eduard Hanslick visited him with two friends in Paris. Concerning the
-interview, Hanslick wrote:[64]
-
- Suddenly, as if he intentionally wanted to call attention to
- something loftier, he asked if the Mozart monument at Vienna
- was finished? And Beethoven's? We three Austrians looked rather
- embarrassed. "I remember Beethoven well," continued Rossini after
- a pause, "although it is nearly half a century ago. On my visit to
- Vienna I hastened to look him up."
-
- "And he did not receive you, as Schindler and other biographers
- assure us."
-
- "On the contrary," said Rossini, correcting me: "I had Carpani, the
- Italian poet with whom I had already called upon Salieri, introduce
- me, and he received me at once and very politely. True, the visit
- did not last very long, for conversation with Beethoven was nothing
- less than painful. His hearing was particularly bad on that day
- and in spite of my loudest shoutings he could not understand me;
- his little practice in Italian may have made conversation more
- difficult."
-
-This confirms what Rossini told Ferdinand Hiller in 1856:[65]
-
- During my sojourn in Vienna I had myself introduced to him by old
- Calpani [_sic_]; but between his deafness and my ignorance of
- German, conversation was impossible. But I am glad that I saw him,
- at least.
-
-[Sidenote: ALLEGED MEETING OF BEETHOVEN AND SCHUBERT]
-
-Quite as inaccurate is a statement of Schindler's touching a meeting
-between Schubert and Beethoven in this year. Schindler's story is to
-the effect that Schubert, accompanied by Diabelli, went to Beethoven
-and handed him the variations for pianoforte, four hands, which he had
-dedicated to him; but that Schubert was so overwhelmed at the majestic
-appearance of Beethoven that his courage oozed away and he was scarcely
-able to write the answers to the questions which were put to him.
-At length, when Beethoven pointed out a trifling error in harmony,
-remarking that it was "not a mortal sin," Schubert lost control of
-himself completely, regained his composure only after he had left the
-house, and never again had courage enough to appear in Beethoven's
-presence. As opposed to this, Heinrich von Kreissle, Schubert's
-biographer, adduces the testimony of Joseph Httenbrenner, a close
-friend of Schubert's, who had it from the song composer himself that
-he had gone to Beethoven's house with the variations, but the great
-man was not at home and the variations were left with the servant.
-He had neither seen Beethoven nor spoken with him, but learned with
-delight afterwards that Beethoven had been pleased with the variations
-and often played them with his nephew Karl. Now, had Schindler been an
-eyewitness of the scene which he describes, he would have mentioned the
-fact; but he was not yet living with Beethoven.
-
-While in Baden, Beethoven began the work which was to call him
-back into public notice. This was the music for the opening of the
-Josephstadt Theatre, which the director of the theatre, Carl Friedrich
-Hensler, director also of the combined theatres of Pressburg and Baden,
-asked of him immediately after his arrival at the watering-place.
-Hensler (1761-1825) was a popular dramatist as well as manager and an
-old acquaintance of Beethoven's, by whom he was greatly respected.
-He had bought the privilege of the Josephstadt Theatre in Vienna.
-Carl Meisl, who was a Commissioner of the Royal Imperial Navy, had
-written two festival pieces for the opening, which had been set down
-for October 3, 1822, the name-day of the Emperor. The first piece was
-a paraphrase of Kotzebue's "Ruins of Athens," written for the opening
-of the theatre in Pesth in 1812, for which Beethoven had composed the
-music. Meisl took Kotzebue's text and made such alterations in it as
-were necessary to change "The Ruins of Athens" into "The Consecration
-of the House." Nottebohm's reprint in "Zweite Beethoveniana" (p. 385
-_et seq._) enables a comparison to be made with the piece as it left
-the hands of Meisl and the original. The new words did not always fit
-the music and caused Beethoven considerable concern. A choral dance:
-
- Wo sich die Pulse
- jugendlich jagen,
- Schwebet im Tanze
- das Leben dahin, etc.
-
-was introduced and to this Beethoven had to write new music, which
-he did in September. He also revised, altered and extended the march
-with chorus.[66] Beethoven wrote a new overture also, that known as
-"Consecration of the House," putting aside the overture to "The Ruins
-of Athens" because that play had served as a second piece, or epilogue,
-at Pesth. Schindler says he began work on this occasional music in
-July, after the last touches had been given to the Mass; but progress
-was not as rapid as was desirable because of the extreme hot weather.
-He also says it was in Baden and that he was there with him. The
-letters to Johann show, however, that Beethoven did not go to Baden
-till September 1, having before that been in Oberdbling. But he wrote
-the new pieces in Baden. On a revised copy of the chorus "Wo sich die
-Pulse" Beethoven wrote: "Written towards the end of September, 1823,
-performed on October 3 at the Josephstadt Theatre." The 1823 should be
-1822, of course, but singularly enough the same blunder was made on a
-copy of the overture and another composition, the "Gratulatory Minuet,"
-which was written about the same time. The explanation is probably
-that offered by Nottebohm, viz.: that Beethoven dated the copies
-when he sent them to the Archduke. Beethoven's remark in a letter to
-Johann that he had finished the chorus with dances and would write the
-overture if his health allowed, also fixes the date of the composition
-of the overture in September. This Schindler, though in error about the
-work done in July, confirms in this anecdote about the origin of the
-overture:
-
- Meanwhile September was come. It was therefore time to go to work
- on the new overture, for the master had long ago seen that that
- to "The Ruins of Athens" was for obvious reasons unsuitable. One
- day, while I was walking with him and his nephew in the lovely
- Helenenthal near Baden, Beethoven told us to go on in advance and
- join him at an appointed place. It was not long before he overtook
- us, remarking that he had written down two motives for an overture.
- At the same time he expressed himself also as to the manner in
- which he purposed treating them--one in the free style and one
- in the strict, and, indeed, in Handel's. As well as his voice
- permitted he sang the two motives and then asked us which we liked
- the better. This shows the roseate mood into which for the moment
- he was thrown by the discovery of two gems for which, perhaps, he
- had been hunting a long time. The nephew decided in favor of both,
- while I expressed a desire to see the fugal theme worked out for
- the purpose mentioned. It is not to be understood that Beethoven
- wrote the overture "Zur Weihe des Hauses" as he did because I
- wanted it so, but because he had long cherished the plan to write
- an overture in the strict, expressly in the Handelian, style.
-
-The overture was written. "The newly organized orchestra of the
-Josephstadt Theatre did not receive it till the afternoon before the
-opening, and with innumerable mistakes in every part. The rehearsal
-which took place in the presence of an almost filled parterre, scarcely
-sufficed for the correction of the worst of the copyist's errors." The
-overture and chorus written for "The Consecration of the House" are
-"occasionals" and were conceived and wrought out in a remarkably short
-time for that period in Beethoven's activities. The first was offered
-for publication to Steiner and, with other pieces, to Diabelli. The
-negotiations failed and the overture finally appeared from the press of
-Schott in 1825, with a dedication to Prince Galitzin.
-
-[Sidenote: OPENING OF THE JOSEPHSTADT THEATRE]
-
-The performance of "The Consecration of the House" took place as
-projected, on October 3, the eve of the Emperor's name-day. All of
-the 400 reserved seats and 14 boxes had been sold several weeks
-before. Beethoven had reserved the direction for himself and sat at
-the pianoforte, the greater part of the orchestra within view, his
-left ear turned towards the stage. He was still able to hear a little
-with that ear, as we know from the fact related by Schindler, that he
-was fond of listening to Cherubini's overture to "Medea" played by a
-musical clock which stood in a restaurant adjoining the Josephstadt
-Theatre. Chapelmaster Franz Glser stood at his right, and Schindler,
-who had recently abandoned the law, led the first violins. At the
-dress rehearsal Fanny Heckermann sang timidly and dragged perceptibly
-in the duet. Beethoven observed this and called the singer to him,
-pointed out the places in which he wanted more animation, spoke some
-words of encouragement and advised her to follow the tenor, who was
-an experienced singer. He then had the number repeated and on its
-conclusion remarked: "Well done, this time, Frulein Heckermann!" The
-tenor was Michael Greiner, with whom Beethoven was acquainted, from
-Baden, and Frulein Kaiser sang the part of _Pallas_. The rehearsal
-and the performance demonstrated plainly, Schindler says, that under
-no circumstances was Beethoven able longer to conduct large bodies
-of performers. The representation, despite the enthusiasm of the
-performers, stimulated by Beethoven's encouraging speeches, was
-not a success. Beethoven would take none of the fault to himself,
-however, though his anxiety led him to hold back the music despite
-the exertions of his two leaders, whom he admonished against too much
-precipitancy, of which Schindler protests they were not guilty. There
-were demonstrations of enthusiasm at the close and Beethoven was led
-before the curtain by Director Hensler. The work was repeated on
-October 4, 5 and 6. Beethoven's friendly feeling for Hensler gave rise
-to a new orchestral composition a few weeks later. The members of the
-company paid a tribute to their director on his name-day, November 3.
-After a performance of Meisl's drama "1722, 1822, 1922," the audience
-having departed, the director was called to the festively decorated
-and illuminated stage, and surrounded by his company in gala dress.
-A poetical address was read to him by the stage-manager. After he
-had gone back to his lodgings, the orchestra and chorus serenaded
-him, the programme consisting of an overture to "The Prodigal Son" by
-Chapelmaster Drechsel, a concerto for flute by Chapelmaster Glser,
-and what Buerle's "Theaterzeitung" called "a glorious new symphony"
-composed for the occasion by Beethoven, the whole ending with the
-march and chorus from Mozart's "Titus." The "new symphony" was the
-"Gratulatory Minuet" of which mention has been made. Nothing is said
-in the accounts about Beethoven's presence at the serenade, and as
-"Fidelio" was performed that night at the Krnthnerthor Theatre, his
-absence might easily be explained. On the next day[67] Hensler gave a
-dinner in the property-room of the theatre at 3 p.m. Beethoven, Glser,
-Buerle, Gleich, Meisl, Hopp and others were present. Beethoven had
-a seat directly under the musical clock. Glser told Reubl (Reichl?)
-who provided the entertainment to set the clock to the overture to
-"Fidelio" and then wrote to Beethoven to listen, as he would soon hear
-it. Beethoven listened and then said: "It plays it better than the
-orchestra in the Krnthnerthor."
-
-The "Gratulatory Minuet" was offered to Peters in the letter of
-December 20. Beethoven was evidently eager to realize quickly on a work
-which had cost him but little labor--the product of a period in which
-his fancy seemed to have regained its old-time fecundity and he his
-old-time delight in work. He offered it elsewhere and gave a copy (the
-one that he misdated) to Archduke Rudolph for his collection. Artaria
-published it in 1835 under the title "Allegretto (Gratulations-Menuet)"
-with a dedication to Carl Holz. The title on the autograph reads:
-"Tempo di Minuetto quasi Allegretto." "Allegro non troppo" was
-originally written but was scratched out and "Gratulations-Menuet"
-written in its place.
-
-[Sidenote: UNABLE TO CONDUCT "FIDELIO"]
-
-Beethoven's absence from the complimentary function to Hensler in
-the theatre may be explained by the revival of "Fidelio" which took
-place on the same night, November 3, after an absence from the stage
-of three years (not eight, as Schindler says), though we do not know
-that he was present. It was a benefit performance for Wilhelmine
-Schrder, then 17 years old, afterwards the famous dramatic singer
-Madame Schrder-Devrient. Haitzinger sang _Florestan_, Zeltner _Rocco_,
-Forti _Pizarro_. Rauscher _Jaquino_, Nestroy _the Minister_, Frulein
-Demmer _Marcelline_ and Frulein Schrder _Leonore_. Schindler tells
-a pathetic tale concerning the dress rehearsal. Together with his
-friends, mindful of the happenings in the Hall of the University
-in 1819 and in the Josephstadt Theatre only a short time before,
-Schindler advised Beethoven not to attempt to conduct the performance.
-He hesitated for a few days, then announced his intention to direct
-with the help of Umlauf. Schindler escorted him to the rehearsal. The
-overture went well, the orchestra being well trained in it, but at the
-first duet it became painfully manifest that Beethoven heard nothing
-of what was going on on the stage. He slackened his beat and the
-orchestra obeyed; the singers urged the movement onward. Umlauf stopped
-the performance at the rappings on the jailor's lodge-gate but gave no
-reason to Beethoven. At the same place on the repetition there was the
-same confusion. Let Schindler continue the narrative, the correctness
-of which there seems to be no reason to question:
-
- The impossibility of going ahead with the author of the work
- was evident. But how, in what manner inform him of the fact?
- Neither Duport, the director, nor Umlauf was willing to speak
- the saddening words: "It will not do; go away, you unhappy man!"
- Beethoven, already uneasy in his seat, turned now to the right
- now to the left, scrutinizing the faces to learn the cause of the
- interruption. Everywhere silence. I had approached near him in
- the orchestra. He banded me his note-book with an indication that
- I write what the trouble was. Hastily I wrote in effect: "Please
- do not go on; more at home." With a bound he was in the parterre
- and said merely: "Out, quick!" Without stopping he ran towards his
- lodgings, Pfarrgasse, Vorstadt Leimgrube. Inside he threw himself
- on the sofa, covered his face with his hands and remained in this
- attitude till we sat down to eat. During the meal not a word
- came from his lips; he was a picture of profound melancholy and
- depression. When I tried to go away after the meal he begged me not
- to leave him until it was time to go to the theatre. At parting he
- asked me to go with him next day to his physician, Dr. Smetana,
- who had gained some repute as an aurist.
-
-Some details of the representation may be learned from the account in
-the "Theaterzeitung" of November 9. The day was the name-day of the
-Empress; the square about the Opera-house was illuminated; the national
-hymn, "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser," was sung; the overture received
-such applause that it had to be repeated; the great duet and the canon
-quartet also, and the soprano and tenor were recalled at the end of the
-opera. Was Beethoven present? The question cannot be answered. Alfred
-von Wolzogen in his biography of Wilhelmine Schrder-Devrient quotes
-from Claire von Glmer, who had access to the singer's notes, in his
-account of the affair. The incident of the rehearsal is told with a
-variation which strengthens Schindler's narrative. At the performance,
-Claire von Glmer says, Beethoven sat behind the chapelmaster in the
-orchestra so deeply wrapped in his cloak that only his gleaming eyes
-were visible. The youthful prima donna was unspeakably alarmed, but
-scarcely had she uttered her first words than she felt her whole body
-infused with marvellous power. Beethoven--the public--everything
-vanished from view. She forgot that she had studied the rle--she was
-transformed into _Leonore_--she lived, she suffered the part, scene
-after scene. Beethoven, the story proceeds, though he had heard not a
-word but had observed the soul of her singing in her transfigured face,
-had recognized his _Leonore_ in her.
-
- After the performance he went to her; his usually threatening
- eyes smiled upon her, he patted her cheeks, thanked her for her
- _Fidelio_ and promised to compose a new opera for her--a promise
- which, unfortunately was never fulfilled. Wilhelmine never met the
- master again, but of all the evidences of homage paid to the famous
- woman in later years her most precious recollection were the words
- of appreciation which Beethoven spoke to her.
-
-The tale is amiable, and plausible enough; standing alone there
-would seem to be no ground for doubting its correctness. But there
-are circumstances which give our credence pause. Schindler, who was
-Beethoven's constant companion in those days, who presents the story
-of the rehearsal so convincingly, and who waited until it was time
-to go to the theatre, says not a word about Beethoven's presence at
-the representation. Would he, after suffering such a heartbreaking
-humiliation at the rehearsal, have gone to the theatre and taken a
-conspicuous place in the orchestra? It does not seem likely. Moreover,
-in a letter published in the "Neue Berliner Musikzeitung" of July 30,
-1851, Schindler, discussing an impersonation of _Fidelio_ by Frau
-Kster-Schlegel in Frankfort, says: "It may be remarked in passing
-that Beethoven never saw Schrder-Devrient as _Fidelio_, but was
-dissatisfied with her conception of the character as he had learned
-to know it from the public prints and oral communications. His ideal
-was not an operatic heroine, etc." This would seem to be conclusive,
-were there not evidence that Schindler's memory had played him false
-again. "Fidelio" was repeated on November 4, and also on November
-26 and December 17, 1822, and March 3 and 18, 1823, and Buerle's
-"Theaterzeitung" distinctly states that "Beethoven attended the second
-performance, sitting in a box in the first tier." Moreover, Louis
-Schlsser, who was at this performance, adds confirmation by telling
-how he saw Beethoven leaving the theatre in the company of Schindler
-and von Breuning. Beethoven may not have been able to form an opinion
-of a performance which he could not hear, but the testimony of
-Schindler that he never saw Schrder-Devrient in the role of _Fidelio_
-is greatly weakened by this proved fact. But would he have made such a
-statement if Beethoven had been present at the first performance and
-paid so spectacular a tribute to the singer? It is easier to imagine
-that Schindler's memory was treacherous concerning a later performance.
-At best, the evidence is inconclusive, because contradictory. In
-March, 1823, Chapelmaster Reuling remarks in a Conversation Book: "I
-saw you in the theatre at the first performance of 'Fidelio'." Did
-he mean the first performance in November, 1822, or the first of the
-two performances in the month in which he was writing--March, 1823?
-Schrder-Devrient in her prime is reputed to have been the greatest of
-all _Fidelios_; but she did not reach her full artistic stature until
-after Beethoven's death.
-
-[Sidenote: TREATMENT FOR DEAFNESS RESUMED]
-
-Following Schindler's narrative we learn that Beethoven's woeful
-experience at the rehearsal led to a resolution on his part to make
-another effort to be healed of his deafness. He went to Dr. Smetana,
-who prescribed medicaments to be taken inwardly, thereby indicating,
-as Schindler asserts, that he had no expectation of effecting a cure,
-but wanted only to occupy Beethoven's mind, knowing what to expect
-from so impatient, wilful and absent-minded a patient; for Beethoven
-was as unready to follow a physician's advice as a musician's, and was
-more likely to injure himself with overdoses of drugs than to invite
-the benefit which the practitioner hoped for by obedience to the
-prescription. The usual thing happened; not only with Dr. Smetana's
-treatment, but also with that of the priest, Pater Weiss, whom he had
-consulted some 18 years before and to whom he now returned. For a
-while he thought that the oil which the priest dropped into his ears
-was beneficial, and Pater Weiss himself expressed the belief that
-the left ear, at least, might permanently be helped; but Beethoven
-grew skeptical, as he always did unless he experienced immediate
-relief, his work monopolized his attention, and despite the priest's
-solicitations he abandoned the treatment and yielded himself to his
-fate. Thenceforward no one heard him lament because of his deafness.
-
-The compositions which were in Beethoven's hands at the close of the
-year were those which had occupied him in the earlier months. The Mass,
-several times completed but never complete so long as it was within
-reach, received what must now be looked upon as its finishing touches;
-progress was made on the Ninth Symphony and thought given to a quartet,
-perhaps several quartets. The Bagatelles for Pianoforte grouped under
-Op. 119, some of which had been published a year before (Nos. 7-11),
-were finished; Nos. 1 to 6 were ready for the publisher by the end of
-1822--the autograph manuscript bearing the inscription "Kleinigkeiten,
-1822 Novemb." Nottebohm thinks that Nos. 2 to 5 were conceived between
-1800 and 1804; a sketch for No. 5 (C minor, _Risoluto_) is found among
-sketches made in 1802 for the Sonata in C minor Op. 30; Lenz says
-sketches for No. 3 (in D, _a l'Allemande_) are among sketches for the
-last movement of the "Eroica" Symphony; No. 6 (G major) is sketched on
-a sheet containing experimental studies for a passage in the _Credo_ of
-the Mass; sketches for Nos. 2 and 4 are among suggestions of a melody
-for Goethe's "Erlknig," indicating an early period which cannot be
-determined. Of Nos. 7-11, enough has been said in a previous chapter.
-The piece published as No. 12 and added to the set by Diabelli after
-Beethoven's death was originally a song with pianoforte accompaniment
-and had its origin in 1800 at the latest. Whether or not Beethoven made
-the pianoforte piece out of the projected song, on which point nothing
-of significance can be said, it is certain that it does not belong to
-the set, which consists of 11 numbers only in the old editions and in
-the manuscripts of the Rudolphinian Collection.
-
-Beethoven offered a number of Bagatelles to Peters--at first four,
-then a larger number; he sent six to the publisher on February 15,
-1823. Peters returned them--Beethoven receiving them on March 19--with
-the remark that they were not worth the price asked for them and
-that Beethoven ought to consider it beneath his dignity to waste his
-time on such trifles; anybody could write them. Schindler says that
-Peters's action aggrieved Beethoven, which is easily believed; but
-Schindler confounded the Bagatelles Op. 119 with the set, Op. 126,
-works of distinctly a higher order which were not composed at the time.
-On February 25, 1823, Beethoven sent 11 Bagatelles to Ries in London
-with instructions to sell them as best he could. Naturally, Op. 119 is
-meant. On May 7, 1823, six were offered to Lissner in St. Petersburg.
-Schlesinger published the set in Paris at the end of 1823, as Op. 112,
-and Sauer and Leidesdorf issued them almost simultaneously in Vienna
-with the same opus number. The number 119 appears to have been assigned
-to the set after an agreement had been reached with Steiner concerning
-the works now numbered 112 to 118. The last known song by Beethoven,
-"Der Kuss," was finished at this time, though written down practically
-as we know it in 1798. Sketches involving the few changes made are
-found among some for the overture "The Consecration of the House"
-and the Ninth Symphony. The autograph is dated "December, 1822." It
-was sent to Peters, who did not print it; in 1825 it was sent to the
-Schotts, numbered 128, and they published it.
-
-[Sidenote: GALITZIN AND AN ORATORIO FOR BOSTON]
-
-In the last weeks of the year a connection was established which
-was destined to be of great influence in Beethoven's final creative
-activities. Prince Nicolas Boris Galitzin, born in 1795, who as a young
-man had taken part in the Napoleonic wars, was an influential factor
-in the musical life of St. Petersburg. He played the violoncello, and
-his wife (_ne_ Princess Saltykow) was an admirable pianist. Prince
-Galitzin was an ardent admirer of Beethoven's music and had arranged
-some of the works written for the pianoforte for strings. Whether
-or not he had made the personal acquaintance of Beethoven has not
-been established, but wanting to have as his private property some
-composition by the master whom he revered, he addressed a letter to
-Beethoven on November 9, 1822, saying that as a passionate amateur of
-music and an admirer of the master's talent he asked him to compose for
-him one, two or three string quartets, for which he would be pleased
-to pay any sum demanded and that he would accept the dedication of the
-works with gratitude. Beethoven's answer, dated January 25, 1823, has
-not been found but it is known that he accepted the commission and
-fixed the honorarium at 50 ducats each. This is the prologue to the
-story of the last Quartets.
-
-In Charles C. Perkins's "History of the Handel and Haydn Society, of
-Boston," Vol. I, p. 87, the author writes: "The most interesting matter
-connected with the history of the society in the year 1823 ... is the
-fact that Beethoven was commissioned to write an oratorio for it."
-The date is obviously wrong; it should be 1822, for in a letter dated
-December 20, 1822, as will appear in the next chapter of this work,
-Beethoven tells Ries that he has received requests from all parts of
-Europe "and even from North America." The historian of the Boston
-Society adds:
-
- That the commission was given is certain, but as it is not
- mentioned in the records, Mr. A. W. Thayer is probably right in
- thinking that it was given unofficially by Richardson and two or
- three other members. In October 1854 Mr. Thayer wrote a letter to
- Mr. J. S. Dwight, the well-known editor of the "Musical Journal,"
- to say that he had questioned Schindler, Beethoven's biographer,
- on the subject and had learned from him that in 1823 a Boston
- banker, whose name was unknown to him, having occasion to write
- to Geymller, a Viennese banker, had sent an order to the great
- musician to compose an oratorio for somebody or some society in
- Boston and it was forwarded to its destination.... Wishing to know
- the truth about the matter I wrote to Mr. Thayer, then, as now, U.
- S. Consul at Trieste, for information, and in reply learned that in
- one of Beethoven's note books he had found this passage: "Bhler
- writes: 'The oratorio for Boston?' (Beethoven) 'I cannot write what
- I should like best to write, but that which the pressing need of
- money obliges me to write. This is not saying that I write only for
- money. When this period is past I hope to write what for me and for
- art is above all--Faust.'"
-
-The passages cited are from a Conversation Book used in the early
-days of April, 1823. In the fall of that year, on November 5, the
-"Morgenblatt fr Gebildete Leser" closed an article on Beethoven with
-the words: "A symphony, quartets, a Biblical oratorio, sent to him in
-English by the consul of the United States, observe the United States,
-and possibly one of Grillparzer's poems, may be expected."
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[42] For this arraignment and defence (if defence it be) of Beethoven
-the present Editor wishes to assume entire responsibility. Thayer's
-notes fail him here, but the indictment, he is convinced, is not only
-demanded by historical truth but also wholly within the spirit of
-Thayer as manifested in the earlier volumes of this work. Dr. Deiters
-makes no effort to conceal the facts, though he does not marshal them
-so as to present the moral delinquency in the strong light in which
-it appears when Beethoven's words and deeds are brought sharply into
-juxtaposition; nevertheless, after presenting a plea in extenuation
-fully and fairly, he says: "We pay the tribute of our profoundest
-sympathy for Beethoven under these circumstances; we know sufficiently
-well the noble impulses of his soul in all other fields; we are aware
-of the reasons which compelled him to try everything which promised
-to better his condition; but the conscientious reporter cannot ignore
-facts which lie notoriously before him, and, hard as it may be, can not
-acquit Beethoven of the reproach that his conduct was not in harmony
-with the principles of strict justice and uprightness."
-
-[43] This has been made possible for the editor by the courtesy of
-the present representatives of the venerable house in Bonn, viz.:
-N. Simrock G. m. b. H. in Berlin, who in 1909 issued a handsome
-book containing all the letters which passed between N. Simrock and
-Beethoven in a period beginning in 1794 and ending in 1823. Nicolaus
-Simrock, the reader may be reminded, was a friend of Beethoven in his
-childhood and a colleague in the orchestra at Bonn.
-
-[44] Youthful works.
-
-[45] Probably "Primo amore," though it has orchestral accompaniment.
-
-[46] Composed in 1814 in memory of Baroness Pasqualati.
-
-[47] The Romances for Violin Op. 40 and 50 having been published long
-before, Beethoven must have had another one in mind.
-
-[48] The Trio for wind-instruments, Op. 87, already in print. Beethoven
-had composed variations on "L ci darem" from "Don Giovanni" for
-the same instruments and the composition was called a Terzetto when
-performed in 1797. This was probably in his mind.
-
-[49] The last three sonatas as we know them being out of the question,
-Beethoven must have thought himself in readiness to write another if it
-was desired; there was no lack of material in his sketchbooks.
-
-[50] Degen was a popular aronaut who had long before excited the
-interest of Beethoven.
-
-[51] Evidences of the second mass may be found in Nottebohm's "Zweit.
-Beeth.," pages 152 and 541-543.
-
-[52] Beethoven indulges in his propensity for puns: "Wre mein Gehalt
-nicht ganz ohne Gehalt."
-
-[53] A composition written for a serenade given to Hensler, Director of
-the Josephstdter Theatre, as will appear later.
-
-[54] Nottebohm says that the three songs were "Opferlied," "Bundeslied"
-and "Der Kuss." Peters published none of them. The first appeared as
-Op. 121, the second as Op. 122, the third as Op. 128, published by
-Schott and Sons in 1825. This was the firm which eventually got the
-Mass in D.
-
-[55] In a note to Thayer.
-
-[56] No. 34 in Portfolio I of the Schindler papers in Berlin is a note
-as follows: "Mr. v. Schindler of course must not be mentioned in the
-presence (or by) the two persons, but I, certainly." To this Schindler
-attached the following explanation: "The above lines were addressed to
-Police Commissioner Ungermann as an appendix to a detailed report to
-him. The commissioner was requested by official or other means to help
-him induce his brother to watch over the moral conduct of his wife, or
-to have it overseen by others, since her excesses had reached a pass
-which already subjected her and her husband to public censure. But the
-efforts of Beethoven and the public official were fruitless because his
-brother could not be persuaded to take energetic action. The excesses
-of the licentious woman grew greater from year to year until they led,
-in 1823, to open scandal in the barracks where Madame van Beethoven had
-visited her lovers (officers), with whom she was seen on the public
-promenades. Then our Beethoven took energetic steps with his brother,
-trying to persuade him to divorce his vicious wife, but made shipwreck
-on the indolence of this man, who was himself morally depraved."
-
-[57] Here, as in a former case, the editor of this English edition is
-seeking to reproduce the spirit of Thayer, who was so eager to undo
-some of the injustice which had been visited upon Beethoven's brothers
-Karl and Johann that he undertook their defense in a brochure entitled
-"Ein kritischer Beitrag zur Beethovenliteratur," published in Berlin in
-1877. He also spoke with emphasis on the subject in a review of Nohl's
-biography of Beethoven which he contributed to the "New York Tribune"
-in the spring of 1881.
-
-[58] "King Stephen" and "The Ruins of Athens."
-
-[59] 300 florins.
-
-[60] Which he had adapted to "Die Weihe des Hauses."
-
-[61] "Wo sich die Pulse," which Beethoven inscribed as having been
-written "Towards the end of September."
-
-[62] Nohl, II, 50.
-
-[63] Archduke Rudolph wrote variations on one of the melodies from the
-opera, which Beethoven corrected.
-
-[64] In an article in the "Neue Freie Presse" of July 21, 1867,
-reprinted in "Aus dem Concertsaal," page 594.
-
-[65] "Aus dem Tonleben, etc.," II, 49.
-
-[66] Published as Op. 114, and designated as "new" by Beethoven, though
-not a measure had been added, but only a few lines of text, and the
-choral music simplified. Steiner published pianoforte arrangements for
-two and four hands in 1822, and the score in 1824.
-
-[67] This anecdote was told to Thayer on October 28, 1859 by an old
-actor named Hopp who was present on the occasion.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter IV
-
- The Solemn Mass in D--A Royal Subscription--More Negotiations with
- England--Opera Projects--Grillparzer's "Melusine"--The Diabelli
- Variations--Summer Visitors--An Englishman's Account--Weber and
- Julius Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt and
- Beethoven's Kiss--The Year 1823.
-
-
-When the year 1823 opens, the Mass in D is supposedly finished and
-negotiations for its publication have been carried on in a manner the
-contemplation of which must affect even the casual reader grievously.
-The work had been originally intended for the functions attending the
-installation of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmtz--not merely
-as a personal tribute to the imperial, archepiscopal pupil, but for
-actual performance at the ceremony of inthronization--a fact which
-ought to be borne in mind during its study, for it throws light upon
-Beethoven's attitude towards the Catholic Church (at least so far as
-that church's rubrics are concerned) as well as towards religion in
-general and art as its handmaiden and mistress. Archduke Rudolph had
-been chosen Cardinal on April 24, 1819, and Archbishop on June 4 of
-the same year; he was installed as head of the see of Olmtz on March
-20, 1820; but the fact of his selection for the dignities was known in
-Vienna amongst his friends as early as the middle of 1818. When the
-story of the year 1823 opens, therefore, Beethoven's plan is nearly
-five years old and Archduke Rudolph has been archbishop nearly a year.
-We first hear of the Mass this year in a letter dated February 27, when
-Beethoven apologizes to his august pupil for not having waited upon
-him. He had delayed his visit, he said, because he wanted to send him a
-copy of the Mass; but this had been held back by corrections and other
-circumstances. Accompanying the letter were the copies of the overture
-to "The Consecration of the House" and the "Gratulatory Minuet."
-Finally, on March 19, 1823, on the very eve of the first anniversary of
-the installation, Beethoven placed a manuscript copy of the Mass in
-the Archduke's hands. In the catalogue of the Rudolphinian Collection,
-now preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, it is
-entered thus: "_Missa Solemnis_. Partitur. MS. This beautifully written
-MS. was delivered by the composer himself on March 19, 1823."
-
-The plan to write the Mass for the installation ceremonies seems to
-have been original with Beethoven; it was not suggested by the Archduke
-or any of his friends, so far as has ever been learned. He began work
-upon it at once, for Schindler says he saw the beginning of the score
-in the fall of 1818. Nottebohm's study of all the sketches which
-have been discovered (save a number now preserved in the Beethoven
-House in Bonn which do not add materially to our knowledge) led him
-to conclusions which may be summed up as follows: The movements were
-taken up in the order in which the various portions of the text appear
-in the Roman missal, but work was prosecuted on several movements
-simultaneously. The _Kyrie_ was begun at the earliest in the middle
-of 1818, i. e., shortly after the fact of the Archduke's appointment
-became known; the _Gloria_ was completely sketched by the end of 1819,
-the _Credo_ in 1820; the entire Mass was complete in sketch-form in
-the beginning of 1822. While sketching the Mass Beethoven composed the
-Pianoforte Sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, the Variations, Op. 107, No.
-8, and several other small pieces, including the canons "O, Tobias,"
-"Gehabt euch wohl," "Tugend ist kein leerer Name," and "Gedenkt heute
-an Baden." But with the elaboration of the sketches the Mass was not
-really finished, for subsequently Beethoven undertook many changes.
-The _Allegro molto_ which enters in the _Credo_ at the words _et
-ascendit_ is shorter in the autograph than in the printed edition. At
-the entrance of the words _et iterum_ and _cujus regni_ the autograph
-is in each case two measures shorter than in the printed score. In the
-autograph, and also in the copy which Beethoven gave to the Archduke,
-the trombones do not enter till the words _judicare vivos et mortuos_.
-There are no trombones in the _Gloria_. The trombone passage which
-now appears just before the entrance of the chorus on _judicare_ was
-formerly set for the horns. After the words _et mortuos_ the trombones
-are silent till the end of the _Credo_ in the autograph; they enter
-again in the beginning of the _Sanctus_, but are silent at the next
-_Allegro_. They occur in the _Benedictus_, but are wanting in the
-_Agnus Dei_. From the nature of these supplementary alterations it is
-to be concluded that considerable time must have elapsed before they
-could all be made and the Mass be given the shape in which we know it.
-Holding to the date on which the copy was delivered to the Archduke
-(March 19, 1823), the earliest date at which the Mass can have received
-its definitive shape must be set down as the middle of 1823. Beethoven,
-therefore, devoted about five years to its composition. He made so many
-changes in the tympani part of the _Agnus Dei_ that he wore a hole in
-the very thick paper, his aim being, apparently, by means of a vague
-rhythm to suggest the distance of the disturbers of the peace. That
-he was sincere in his purpose to provide a mass for the installation
-ceremonies is to be found, outside of Schindler's statement, in a
-letter to the Archduke written in 1819, in which he says:
-
- The day on which a high mass of my composition is performed at the
- ceremony for Y. I. H. will be to me the most beautiful in my life
- and God will enlighten me so that my poor powers may contribute to
- the glory of this solemn day.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND RELIGION]
-
-Something was said, in the conclusion of the chapter of this biography
-devoted to a review of the incidents of the years 1807 to 1809,
-concerning the views Beethoven entertained on the subject of religion
-and dogmatic and sectarian Christianity. His attitude towards the Roman
-Catholic Church becomes an almost necessary subject of contemplation in
-a study of the Solemn Mass in D; but it is one into which the personal
-equation of the student must perforce largely enter. The obedient
-churchman of a Roman Catholic country will attach both less and more
-importance, than one brought up in a Protestant land, to the fact that
-he admonished his nephew when a lad to say his prayers and said them
-with him (as the boy testified in the guardianship proceedings), that
-he himself at least once led him to the door of the confessional,[68]
-that he consented to the summoning of a priest when _in extremis_
-and that he seemed to derive comfort and edification from the sacred
-function. It is not necessary, however, to go very deeply into a
-critical study of the Mass in order to say that while the composition
-shows respect for traditions in some portions and while it is possible
-to become eloquent without going beyond the demonstration contained
-in the music itself, in describing the overwhelming puissance of
-his proclamation of the fatherhood of God and belief in Him as the
-Creator of all things visible and invisible, the most obvious fact
-which confronts the analytical student is that Beethoven approached
-the missal text chiefly with the imagination and the emotions of an
-artist, and that its poetical, not to say dramatic elements were those
-which he was most eager to delineate.[69] One proof of this is found in
-what may be called the technical history of the Mass, and is therefore
-pertinent here. It was scarcely necessary for Beethoven to do so, but
-he has nevertheless given us an explanation of his singular treatment
-of the prayer for peace. Among the sketches for the movement is found
-the remark: "_dona nobis pacem_ darstellend den _innern_ und ussern
-Frieden" ("delineating internal and external peace"), and in agreement
-with this he superscribes the first _Allegro vivace_ in the autograph
-with the same words. In the later copy this phrase is changed to
-"Prayer for internal and external peace," thus showing an appreciation
-of the fact that the words alone contain the allusion to peace which in
-its external aspect is disturbed by the sounds of war suggested by the
-instruments. The petition for peace is emphasized by the threatening
-tones of military instruments accompanying the agonizing appeal for
-mercy sent up by the voices. The device is purely dramatic and it was
-not an entirely novel conceit of Beethoven's. When the French invaded
-Styria in 1796, Haydn wrote a mass "In tempore belli" in which a soft
-drum-roll entered immediately after the words "Agnus Dei" and was
-gradually reinforced by trumpets and other wind-instruments "as if the
-enemy were heard approaching in the distance."
-
-Whence came the plan of postponing the publication of the mass for
-a period in order to sell manuscript copies of it by subscription
-to the sovereigns of Europe does not appear. Beethoven had it under
-consideration at the beginning of 1823, for the year was only a week
-old when he sent his brother Johann with a letter to Griesinger of the
-Saxon Legation asking him to give advice on the subject to the bearer
-of the letter, apologizing for not coming in person on the ground
-of indisposition. Whether or not Griesinger came to his assistance
-we do not know, but within a fortnight work on the project had been
-energetically begun. Schindler was now called upon to write, fetch
-and carry as steadily and industriously as if he were, in fact, what
-he described himself to be--a private secretary. Among his papers in
-Berlin are found many billets and loose memoranda bearing on the
-subject, without date, but grouped as to periods by Schindler himself
-and provided with occasional glosses touching their contents. Beethoven
-took so much of his time in requisition, indeed, that he offered to
-pay him 50 florins after the collection of one of the subscription
-fees, but Schindler records that he never received them nor would he
-have accepted them. He was, as he informed the world for many years
-afterward on his visiting card, "L'Ami de Beethoven," and his very
-considerable and entirely unselfish labors were "works of friendship"
-for which he wanted no remuneration; but he was very naturally rejoiced
-when Beethoven presented him with several autograph scores, and we
-have seen how, after the death of Beethoven, Breuning gave him many
-papers which seemed valueless then but are looked upon as invaluable
-now. Moreover, he disposed of his Beethoven _memorabilia_ to the
-Royal Library of Berlin for an annuity of 400 thalers--all of which,
-however, does not detract from the disinterestedness of his labors for
-Beethoven, alive, suffering and so frequently helpless.
-
-[Sidenote: ROYAL SUBSCRIPTIONS INVITED]
-
-The invitations to the courts were issued in part before the end of
-January. A letter to Schindler, evidently written in that month, asks
-him to draw out a memorandum of courts from an almanac in which the
-foreign embassies stationed at Vienna were listed. The invitations were
-posted on the following dates: to the courts at Baden, Wurtemburg,
-Bavaria and Saxony on January 23; "to the other ambassadors" (as
-Beethoven notes) on January 26; to Weimar on February 4; to Mecklenburg
-and Hesse-Darmstadt on February 5; to Berlin, Copenhagen, Hesse-Cassel
-and Nassau on February 6; to Tuscany on February 17, and to Paris on
-March 1. The invitation to the court at Hesse-Cassel had been written
-on January 23, but it was not sent because, as Schindler says, "it had
-been found that nothing was to be got from the little courts." The
-letter came back to Beethoven and its preservation puts in our hands
-the formula which, no doubt was followed in all the formal addresses.
-We therefore give it here:
-
- The undersigned cherishes the wish to send his latest work, which
- he regards as the most successful of his intellectual products, to
- the Most Exalted Court of Cassel.
-
- It is a grand solemn mass for 4 solo voices with choruses and
- complete grand orchestra in score, which can also be used as a
- grand oratorio.
-
- He therefore begs the High Embassy of His Royal Highness, the
- Elector of Hesse-Cassel, to be pleased to procure for him the
- necessary permission of your Exalted Court.
-
- Inasmuch, however, as the copying of the score will entail a
- considerable expense the author does not think it excessive if he
- fixes an honorarium at 50 ducats in gold. The work in question,
- moreover, will not be published for the present.
-
- Vienna, 23 January, 1823.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-Only the signature was in Beethoven's handwriting. It is not known
-how many of these invitations were issued; Schindler's account goes
-only to the subscriptions received and even here it is not entirely
-accurate. There were ten acceptances. The first came from the King of
-Prussia. Prince Hatzfeld acted in the matter for Berlin and Beethoven
-also invoked the aid of Zelter. Court Councillor Wernhard, Director
-of the Chancellary of the Embassy at Vienna, brought the report to
-Beethoven and asked him if he would not prefer a royal order to the 50
-ducats. Without hesitation, Beethoven replied "50 ducats," and after
-Wernhard had gone he indulged in sarcastic comments on the pursuit
-of decorations by various contemporaries--"which in his opinion were
-gained at the cost of the sanctity of art." Beethoven received the
-money, but the score was not delivered, owing, no doubt, to delay in
-the copying, and in July Prince Hatzfeld feels compelled to remind the
-composer of his remissness. Prince Radziwill in Berlin also subscribed,
-but he did not receive his copy till more than a year later. On June
-28, 1824, a representative of the Prince politely informed Beethoven
-that he had sent a cheque for 50 ducats to him with a request for a
-receipt and a copy of the score, but had received neither. On July
-3, Schindler informed Beethoven that Hatzfeld had earnestly inquired
-whether he was now going to receive the Mass. He was being so pestered
-about the matter from Berlin that it was becoming burdensome. He
-asked that Beethoven write to the Prince without delay, telling him
-when he should receive the Mass, so that he might show it in his
-own justification in Berlin. Schindler says the fault lay with the
-copyists; in every copy many pages had to be rewritten.
-
-Much to Beethoven's vexation and impatience the Saxon court was
-very tardy in its reply, or rather in subscribing, for at first the
-invitation was declined; but Beethoven was not thus to be put off by a
-court with which his imperial pupil was closely connected. He called
-in the help of Archduke Rudolph, to whom on July 1, 1823, he wrote a
-letter. He complains in this letter of pain in the eyes from which he
-has been suffering for a week. He was forced to make sparing use of
-them and therefore had not been able to look through some variations
-composed by the Archduke, but had been obliged to leave the task to
-another. He continues:
-
-[Sidenote: AN ARCHDUKE ASKED TO BE SOLICITOR]
-
- In regard to the Mass which Y. I. H. wished to see made more
- generally useful: the continuously poor state of my health for
- several years, more especially the heavy debts which I have
- incurred and the fact that I had to forgo the visit to England
- which I was invited to make, compelled me to think of means for
- bettering my condition. For this the Mass seemed suitable. I was
- advised to offer it to several courts. Hard as it was for me to
- do this I nevertheless did not think that I ought to subject
- myself to reproach by not doing it. I therefore invited several
- courts to subscribe for the Mass, fixed the fee at 50 ducats, as
- it was thought that would not be too much and, if a number of
- subscribers were found, also not unprofitable. Thus far, indeed,
- the subscription does me honor, their Royal Majesties of France and
- Prussia having accepted. I also a few days ago received a letter
- from my friend Prince Gallitzin [_sic_] in St. Petersburg, in which
- this truly amiable prince informs me that His Imperial Majesty
- of Russia had accepted and I should soon hear the details from
- the Imperial Russian embassy here. In spite of all this, however,
- though others have also become subscribers I do not get as much as
- I would as fee from a publisher, only I have the advantage that
- the work remains _mine_. The costs of copying are large and will
- be increased by the new pieces[70] which are to be added, which I
- shall send to Y. I. H. as soon as I have finished them. Perhaps Y.
- I. H. will not find it burdensome graciously to ask H. R. H. the
- Grand Duke of Tuscany to take a copy of the Mass. The invitation
- was sent some time ago to the Grand Duke of Tuscany through the
- agent v. Odelgha, and O. solemnly assures me that the invitation
- will surely be accepted, but I am not entirely confident, since
- it was several months ago and no answer has been received. The
- matter having been undertaken, it is only natural that as much as
- possible should have been done to attain the desired result. It
- was hard for me to understand this, still harder for me to tell Y.
- I. H. of it or permit you to notice it, but "_Necessity knows no
- law_." But I thank Him above the stars[71] that I am beginning to
- use my eyes again. I am now writing a new symphony for England,
- for the Philharmonic Society, and hope to have it completely done
- in a fortnight. I can not yet strain my eyes for a long period,
- wherefore I beg Y. I. H. graciously to be patient in regard to Y.
- I. H.'s variations which seem to me charming but need carefully to
- be looked through by me. Continue Y. I. H. to practice the custom
- of briefly jotting down your ideas at the pianoforte; for this a
- little table alongside the pianoforte will be necessary. By this
- means the fancy will not only be strengthened but one learns to
- fix at once the most remote ideas. It is also necessary to write
- without the pianoforte, and sometimes to develop a simple chorale
- melody now with simple, and anon with varied figurations in
- counterpoint and this will cause no headache to Y. I. H. but rather
- a great pleasure at finding yourself absorbed in the art. Gradually
- there comes the capacity to represent just that only which we wish
- to feel, an essential need in the case of men of noble mould. My
- eyes command me to stop, etc.
-
-This letter was written in Vienna, but from Hetzendorf he sent a
-postscript in which he said:
-
- If convenient, will Y. I. H. graciously recommend the Mass to
- Prince Anton in Dresden, so that His Royal Majesty of Saxony may
- be induced to subscribe to the Mass, which will surely happen if
- Y. I. H. shows the slightest interest in the matter. As soon as
- I have been informed that you have shown me this favor, I shall
- at once address myself to the Director General of the Theatre and
- Music there, who is in charge of such matters, and send him the
- invitation to subscribe for the King of Saxony which, however, I
- do not wish to do. My opera "Fidelio" was performed with great
- success in Dresden at the festivities in honor of the visit of the
- King of Bavaria, all their Majesties being present. I heard of
- this from the above-mentioned Director General, who asked me for
- the score through Weber and afterwards made me a handsome present
- in return. Y. I. H. will pardon me for inconveniencing you by such
- requests but Y. I. H. knows how little importunate I am as a rule;
- but if there should be the least thing unpleasant to you in the
- affair you will understand as a matter of course that I am none
- the less convinced of your magnanimity and graciousness. It is not
- greed, not the desire for speculation, which I have always avoided,
- but need which compels me to do everything possible to extricate
- myself from this position. In order not to be too harshly judged,
- it is perhaps best to be frank. Because of my continual illness,
- which prevented me from writing as much as usual, I am burdened
- with a debt of 2300 florins C. M. which can be liquidated only by
- extraordinary exertions. If these subscriptions help matters, for
- which there are the best of hopes, I shall be able to get a firm
- foothold again through my compositions. Meanwhile, may Y. I. H. be
- pleased to receive my frankness not ungraciously. If ever I should
- be charged with not being as active as formerly, I should keep
- silent as I always have done. As regards the recommendations I am
- nevertheless convinced that Y. I. H. will always be glad to do good
- _whenever possible_ and will make no exception in my case.
-
-Beethoven's impatience with the Saxon Court was so great that some
-time before his hopes had been reanimated, probably by the application
-for his opera, he had said in a note to Schindler: "Nothing from
-Dresden. Wait till the end of the month then an advocate in Dresden."
-These words led Schindler to the singular conclusion that Beethoven
-had thoughts of compelling the King of Saxony to reach a decision by
-judicial means. Obviously, all that Beethoven meant by "advocate" was a
-pleader, an intercessor. He could have contemplated legal measures only
-if he had sent a copy of the Mass to the King with the invitation, and
-this we know he did not do from a letter written by Archduke Rudolph,
-which says, that the King of Saxony had not received a score by July
-31. Archduke Rudolph became the advocate through his brother-in-law
-Prince Anton, brother to the King, and so did the Director General v.
-Knneritz, to whom Beethoven wrote on July 17 and again on July 25. In
-the first letter he promises to send the invitation to the King and
-in the next he does so. This must have been a second invitation, for
-Beethoven tells v. Knneritz that the original one had been declined. A
-paragraph from each letter deserves reproduction.
-
- I know that you will scarcely think of me as among those who
- write simply for vulgar gain, but when do not circumstances
- sometimes compel a man to act contrary to his habits of thought and
- principles!! My Cardinal is a good-hearted prince, but he lacks
- means.
-
- Up to now, in spite of all external glory, I have scarcely received
- for the work what I would have been paid by a publisher, the costs
- of copying having been so great. My friends conceived the idea of
- thus circulating the Mass, for I, thank God, am a _layman_ in all
- speculations. Besides, there is no citizen of our country who has
- not suffered loss, and so have I. Were it not for my sickness of
- years' standing, I should have received enough from foreign lands
- to live a care-free life, caring only for art. Judge me kindly and
- not unfavorably, I live for my art alone and to fulfil my duties as
- a man, but alas! that this can not always be done without the help
- of the _subterrestrial powers_.
-
-[Sidenote: SUBSCRIPTIONS BY REGAL COURTS]
-
-These last efforts were successful; King Friedrich August subscribed
-for the Mass, and on July 31 Archduke Rudolph wrote to his
-music-master: "My brother-in-law Prince Anton has already written to me
-that the King of Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass." On September
-12, Prince Anton wrote to Beethoven that he had no doubt his royal
-brother would grant his wish, especially as he had spoken to him on the
-subject in the name of his brother-in-law, the Cardinal. The money must
-have arrived soon afterward and Beethoven set Schindler's mind at ease
-by writing to him:
-
- In order that evil report may not longer injure the poor Dresdeners
- too much, I inform you that the money reached me to-day, with all
- marks of respect.
-
-According to Frstenau the manuscript copy of the Mass is still in the
-private music collection of the King of Saxony in Dresden.
-
-The Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt was appealed to directly under date
-of February 5, the letter, probably following the formula and signed
-by Beethoven, being forwarded through the Hessian ambassador, Baron
-von Trckheim, a cultured art connoisseur and subsequently Intendant
-of the Grand Ducal Theatre in Darmstadt. Louis Schlsser was in Vienna
-at the time, and Baron von Trckheim, knowing that he wanted to make
-Beethoven's acquaintance, gave him the opportunity by asking him
-to carry the information that the invitation had been accepted, to
-Beethoven, handing him the dispatch with the Grand Ducal seal affixed
-for that purpose. Schlsser went to Beethoven, "No. 60 Kothgasse, first
-storey, door to the left," and has left us a description of the visit,
-which must have been made in April or early in May, 1823. Beethoven
-read the document with great joy and said to Schlsser:
-
- Such words as I have read do good. Your Grand Duke speaks not only
- like a princely Mcenas but like a thorough musical connoisseur of
- comprehensive knowledge. It is not alone the acceptance of my work
- which rejoices me but the estimation which in general he places
- upon my works.
-
-[Sidenote: A VAIN APPEAL TO GOETHE]
-
-No success was met with at the cultivated Court of Weimar, though here
-Beethoven invoked the assistance of no less a dignitary than Goethe.
-His letter to the poet is still preserved in the Grand Ducal archives
-and is worthy of being given in full:
-
- Vienna, February 8th, 1823.
-
- Your Excellency!
-
- Still living as I have lived from my youthful years in your
- immortal, never-aging works, and never forgetting the happy
- hours spent in your company, it nevertheless happens that I must
- recall myself to your recollection--I hope that you received the
- dedication to Your Excellency of "Meeresstille und glckliche
- Fahrt" composed by me. Because of their contrast they seemed to me
- adapted for music in which the same quality appears; how gladly
- would I know whether I have fittingly united my harmonies with
- yours; advice too, which would be accepted as very truth, would be
- extremely welcome to me, for I love the latter above all things
- and it shall never be said of me _veritas odium parit_. It is very
- possible that a number of your poems which must ever remain unique,
- set to music by me, will soon be published, among them "Rastlose
- Liebe." How highly would I value some general observations from
- you on the composition or setting to music of your poems! Now a
- request to Y. E. I have composed a Grand Mass which, however, I
- do not want to publish at present, but which is to be sent to the
- principal courts. The honorarium for the same is 50 ducats only. I
- have addressed myself in the matter to the Grand Ducal Weimarian
- Embassy, which has accepted the appeal to His Serene Highness and
- promised to deliver it. The Mass can also be used as an oratorio
- and who does not know that the benevolent societies are suffering
- from the lack of such things. My request consists in this, that
- Y. E. call the attention of His Serene Highness, the Grand Duke,
- to this matter so that His Highness may subscribe for the Mass.
- The Grand Ducal Weimarian Embassy gave me to understand that it
- would be very beneficial if the Grand Duke could be induced to
- regard the matter favorably in advance. I have written much but
- accumulated scarcely anything, and now I am no longer alone but
- have for more than six years been father to a son of my deceased
- brother, a promising youth in his sixteenth year, wholly devoted to
- science and already at home in the rich shafts of Hellenism; but in
- these countries such things cost a great deal and, in the case of
- young students, not only the present but also the future must be
- borne in mind, and as much as I formerly kept my thoughts directed
- aloft I must now extend my glances _downwards_. My income is all
- outgo--the condition of my health for years has not permitted
- that I make artistic journeys nor seize upon the many things which
- yield money!?--If my health should be completely restored I might
- expect other and better things. Y. E. must not think that it is
- because I am asking a favor that I have dedicated the "Meeresstille
- und glckliche Fahrt" to you--this was already done in May, 1822,
- and this method of making the Mass known was not thought of till a
- few weeks ago. The respect, love and esteem which I have cherished
- for the only and immortal Goethe since the days of my youth have
- remained with me. Things like this are not easily put into words,
- especially by a bungler like myself, who has always been bent only
- on making tones his own, but a singular feeling impels me always to
- tell you this, inasmuch as I live in your works. I know that you
- will not refuse to help an artist who feels only too keenly how far
- mere _monetary reward_ is from _her_ (art) now that he is compelled
- by _need_ and constrained to work and labor _because of others for
- others_. The good is always plain to us and therefore I know that
- Y. E. will not deny my request.
-
- A few words from you would fill me with happiness.
-
- I remain, Your Excellency, with the sincerest and most unbounded
- respect,
-
- Beethoven.
-
-According to Schindler, who surely was in a position to know, no answer
-to this letter was ever received; nor did the Grand Duke subscribe.
-That the invitation reached its destination may safely be assumed from
-Beethoven's remark about the interest displayed in the plan at the
-embassy; but the document is not to be found in the archives. Goethe's
-indifference, if he was indifferent in the premises, may be explained
-on a number of grounds. If he ever was thoroughly appreciative of
-Beethoven's music, it was only later in life. He was in the prime
-of life with fixed tastes in music as well as the other arts before
-Beethoven came with his new evangel. Reichardt, Zelter and men of their
-stamp produced the music which was most to his liking. It is true that
-in July, 1812, he wrote a letter in which he said that he had never
-seen a more self-contained, energetic and sincere artist than Beethoven
-and that he could well understand why he appeared singular in the eyes
-of the world; but it is doubtful if he ever felt any real attachment
-to the man, and not altogether impossible, if the Teplitz stories are
-true, that he resented the bad manners of which Beethoven is said to
-have been guilty. But a long time had elapsed since the two great men
-came together in 1812.
-
-Bavaria's story is a short one. In a Conversation Book towards the
-close of May, Schindler writes: "A negative answer has come from
-Bavaria." To the King of Naples, Beethoven sent a French copy of the
-letter of invitation practically identical with the formula, and also
-to the King of France.[72] In the latter case Cherubini was asked to be
-the advocate. The draft of Beethoven's letter to him is still preserved
-among the Schindler papers in Berlin:
-
- Highly respected Sir!
-
- It is with great pleasure that I embrace the opportunity to
- approach you in writing; in spirit I am with you often enough,
- inasmuch as I value your works more than all others written for
- the stage, though the beautiful world of art must deplore the fact
- that for a considerable period no new theatrical work of yours
- of large dimensions has appeared, at least not in our Germany;
- high as your other works are esteemed by true connoisseurs, it is
- yet a veritable loss to art not to possess a new product of your
- great mind. True art remains imperishable and the genuine artist
- feels sincere pleasure in real and great products of genius, and
- so I, too, am enraptured whenever I hear a new work of yours and
- feel as great an interest in it as in my own works.--In brief, I
- honor and love you--If it were not for my continual ill health and
- I could see you in Paris, with what extraordinary delight would
- I discuss art matters with you?! I must add that to every artist
- and art-lover I always speak of you with _Enthusiasm_, otherwise
- you might (_illegible word_) believe, since I am about to ask a
- favor of you, that this was merely an introduction to the subject.
- I hope, however, that you will not attribute such lowmindedness,
- so contemptible an action, to me. My request consists in this,
- etc.[73] That in this, etc. I know that if you will advise His
- Majesty to take the Mass, he will surely do so. My situation _ma
- critique demande que je ne fixe seulement come ordinaire mes
- penses aux ciel aux contraire, il faut les fixer en bas pour les
- necessites de la vie_. Whatever may be the fate of my request to
- you, I shall always love and honor you _et vous resteres toujours
- celui de mes contemporains, que je l'estime le plus si vous me
- voulez faire une_ [sic] _estrme plaisir, c'etoit si m'ecrireess
- quelque lignes, ce que me soulagera bien--l'art unie touta_ [sic]
- _le monde_ and how much more true artists, _et peut etres vous me
- dignes aussi, de me mettre_ also to be counted amongst this number,
-
- _avec la plus haute
- estime
- votre ami
- e serviteur
- Beeth._
-
-[Sidenote: A MEDAL FROM THE KING OF FRANCE]
-
-The letter was despatched on March 15. Cherubini did not receive it,
-and as late as 1841 expressed his great regret at the miscarriage
-which, however, worked no harm to the enterprise. King Louis XVIII
-not only subscribed for the Mass but within less than a year sent
-Beethoven a gold medal weighing twenty-one Louis d'ors, showing on
-the obverse side the bust of the King and on the reverse, within a
-wreath, the inscription: _Donne par le Roi Monsieur Beethoven_. Duke
-d'Achts, First Chamberlain of the King, accompanied the gift with the
-following letter:
-
- _Je m'empresse de vous prvenir, Monsieur, que le Roi a accueill
- avec bont l'hommage de la Partition de Votre Messe en Musique et
- m'a charg de vous faire parvenir une medaille d'or son effigie.
- Je me flicite d'avoir vous transmettre le tmoinage de la
- satisfaction de Sa Majest et je saisis cette occasion de vous
- offrir l'assurance de ma considration distingue._
-
- _Le Premier Gentilhomme
- de la Chambre du Roi_
-
- Aux Tuileries ce 20 Fvrier 1824. Le duc d'Achts.
-
-"This was a distinction," says Schindler, "than which one more
-significant never fell to the lot of the artist during his life"; but
-the biographer certainly is in error when he intimates that the medal
-was given in payment of the subscription price. Beethoven informed
-Archduke Rudolph that the King had accepted the invitation in his
-letter of June 1, 1823; the medal was received early in 1824, over
-eight months later. Beethoven's needs and the reply which he gave the
-messenger from Prussia when he offered a decoration instead of the 50
-ducats, indicate plainly enough how he felt as to the remuneration.
-Moreover, in a billet which he sent to Schindler instructing him
-to call upon von Obreskow of the Russian Embassy to tell him how
-to pay the subscription of the Czar, Beethoven says: "let him know
-incidentally, when opportunity offers, that France simply sent the
-money to you." Evidently King Louis XVIII paid the money in the regular
-way and sent the medal as a special mark of distinction.
-
-No subscription was received from the King of Naples. The negotiations
-with the Grand Duke of Tuscany were more successful, though they
-dragged on into the next year. They were a subject of discussion
-in the Conversation Book in which Count Lichnowsky, Brother Johann
-and Nephew Karl took part. From remarks there recorded it appears
-that an appeal was also made to Ex-Empress Maria Louisa, Duchess of
-Parma. Here the agent was Odelga and there was a plan to interest
-Countess Neuberg. Count Lichnowsky seems to have suggested the name
-of Maria Louisa and offered to write to Count Neuberg, whom he knew,
-on the subject. It looks also as if the case of the Grand Duke of
-Tuscany had been exceptional, in that the Mass had been forwarded
-before the subscription had been received; this at least might be
-the interpretation of a remark noted by Karl: "I shall go to Odelga
-on Sunday. We must get to work, or they will keep the Mass and send
-nothing."
-
-Schindler says that Beethoven sent a carefully written letter to the
-King of Sweden to accompany the invitation; but nothing came of it. The
-King of Denmark subscribed, but as we hear nothing of the particulars,
-it is most likely that everything went smoothly in his case.
-
-Prince Galitzin was asked to make a plea to the Russian Court and
-reported in a letter to Beethoven, dated June 2, that the invitation
-had been accepted and the official notification would follow in due
-course through the Russian Embassy. The money came soon afterwards. On
-July 9, Schindler writes in a jocular vein, using a metaphor which had
-already done service in Beethoven's correspondence:
-
- I take pleasure in reporting to you herewith, that by command of
- the Emperor of all the Russias, 50 horsemen in armor are arrived
- here as a Russian contingent to do battle under you for the
- Fatherland. The leader of these choice troops is a Russian Court
- Councillor. Herr Stein, pianoforte maker, has been commissioned
- by him to quarter them on you. _Rien de nouveau chez nos voisins
- jusqu'ici._
-
- _Fidelissimus Papageno._[74]
-
-The director of the business affairs of the Russian Embassy, von
-Obreskow, had made inquiry as to how the fee was to be paid. Beethoven
-wrote to Schindler to tell Obreskow to pay the bearer on delivery of a
-receipt; to say (if it became opportune) that the King of France had
-done so; and admonished him always to remember that such personages
-represented "Majesty itself"; also to "say nothing about the Mass
-not being finished, which is not true, for the new pieces are only
-additions." Impatience at the non-delivery of the Mass at the expected
-time must have been expressed by the Russian Embassy, for in a note
-which Schindler dates "in the winter of 1824," Beethoven says:
-
- Mr. v. Schindler:
-
- Here the _Paquett_ for the Russian Embassy, please look after it at
- once, moreover say that I shall soon visit him in person, inasmuch
- as it hurts me that lack of confidence has been felt in me and I
- thank God I am in a position to prove that I do not deserve it in
- any way nor will my honor permit it.[75]
-
-[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN'S SUBSCRIPTION]
-
-Prince Galitzin, who had already expressed his delight in the new work
-and who had also been invited to subscribe, suggested that the Mass
-be published by popular subscription at four or five ducats, as there
-were not many amateurs who could afford to pay 50 ducats for a written
-copy. "All that I can do," the Prince writes in conclusion, "is to beg
-you to put me down among your subscribers and to send me a copy as soon
-as possible so that I may produce it at a concert for the benefit of
-the widows of musicians which takes place annually near Christmas."
-Plainly, this was a subscription in the existing category; there was no
-other, and Beethoven, in view of the invitation to the courts, could
-not at once entertain the subject of a popular subscription for a
-printed edition. Galitzin also accedes to a request which had obviously
-been made to him when the invitation was extended, that the 50 ducats
-already deposited in Vienna by him for a quartet be applied to the
-account of the Mass. He writes on September 23 (October 3): "I have
-just received your letter of the 17th and hasten to answer that I have
-instructed the house of Henikstein to pay you immediately the 50 ducats
-which I fancied had long ago been placed at your disposal." The bankers
-Henikstein sent the Prince Beethoven's receipt for the 50 ducats "which
-we paid to him on the order and account of Your Highness as fee for
-the Mass which we have forwarded through the High State Chancellary."
-The score was in the hands of Prince Galitzin on November 29, but the
-performance which he had projected did not take place until April 6,
-1824. It was the first performance of the Mass anywhere, and Galitzin
-wrote an enthusiastic account of it to Beethoven under date of April
-8.[76]
-
-A special invitation to subscribe to the Mass was not extended to the
-Austrian court for reasons which, no doubt, were understood between
-Beethoven and Archduke Rudolph and which may have been connected with
-efforts which were making at the time to secure a court appointment
-for the composer. At the request of Artaria, however, an invitation
-was sent to Prince Paul Esterhazy. Beethoven had little confidence in
-the successful outcome of the appeal, probably with a recollection in
-his mind of the Prince's attitude toward him on the occasion of the
-production of the Mass in C in 1807, to which he seems to refer in a
-letter to Schindler dated June 1:[77]
-
- /# You will kindly again make inquiry of (_illegible_) for a
- report. I doubt if it will be favorable for I do not expect a good
- opinion from him, at least not to judge by earlier times! I think
- that such matters can only be successfully presented to him by
- women.
-
-Beethoven's suspicious nature had other food. On the outside of this
-letter he wrote:
-
- N. B. So far as I can remember there was nothing said in the
- invitation to Prince Esterhazy about the Mass being distributed
- only in manuscript. What mischief may not result from this. I
- suspect that the purpose of Herr Artaria in suggesting that the
- Mass be offered to the Prince gratis was to enable him to steal a
- work of mine for the third time.
-
-Beethoven's lack of faith in the enterprise was justified; Esterhazy
-did not subscribe.
-
-No invitation was sent to the English court, probably because Beethoven
-cherished a grudge in that quarter; but subscriptions were asked
-of two large singing societies--the Singakademie of Berlin and the
-Ccilien-Verein of Frankfort. Zelter was director of the Singakademie,
-and to him Beethoven wrote on February 8 as follows, after the
-introductory compliments and reflections:
-
- I wrote a Grand Mass, which might also be performed as an oratorio
- (for the benefit of the poor, as is the good custom that has been
- introduced) but did not want to publish it in print in the ordinary
- way, but to give it to the principal courts only. The fee amounts
- to 50 ducats. Except the copies subscribed for, none will be
- issued, so that the Mass is practically only a manuscript.
-
-He informs Zelter that an appeal has been sent to the King of Prussia
-and that he has asked the intercession in its behalf of Prince
-Radziwill. He then continues:
-
- I ask of you that you do what you can in the matter. A work of
- this kind might also be of service to the Singakademie, for there
- is little wanting to make it practicable for voices alone; but the
- more doubled and multiplied the latter in combination with the
- instruments, the more effective it would be. It might also be in
- place as an oratorio, such as is in demand for the Societies for
- Poverty. More or less ill for several years and therefore not in
- the most brilliant situation, I had recourse to this means. I have
- written much but accumulated almost 0. Disposed to send my glances
- aloft--but man is compelled for his own and for others' sake to
- direct them downwards; but this too is a part of man's destiny.
-
-[Sidenote: ZELTER AND THE SOLEMN MASS]
-
-The letter will be seen, on comparison with that written on the same
-day to Goethe, to be either a draft for the latter in part or an echo
-of it. There is the same pun on "geschrieben" and "erschrieben," the
-same lament about having to keep his eyes on the ground while desirous
-to keep them fixed on higher things, the same reference to the value
-of the Mass for concert purposes in behalf of charity. As this last
-point is one which would naturally occur to the writer in addressing a
-musician and not at all naturally in an appeal to a poet, it is safe
-to say that the Zelter letter was written first. It is an unpleasant
-duty to call attention to a very significant difference between this
-letter and the invitation issued to the courts as well as the letter
-to Goethe. In the latter he distinctly says that the Mass will not be
-published in the ordinary way "for the present," thus reserving the
-privilege of printing it at a future time. To Zelter, and presumably
-to the Frankfort society, he plainly intimates that there is to be no
-publication in the ordinary way at all. It is not a violent presumption
-that Zelter may have observed this discrepancy, which was of vital
-moment to his society, and that this may have caused the termination of
-the negotiations, which began auspiciously enough in a letter written
-by Zelter on February 22 in reply to Beethoven's. In this letter he
-said he was ready to purchase the Mass for the Singakademie at his own
-risk, provided Beethoven would adapt it to the use of the society--that
-is, arrange it for performance practically without instruments--a
-proceeding, he explained, which would make it practicable for all
-similar concert institutions. To this letter Beethoven replied on March
-25:
-
- I have carefully considered your suggestion for the Singakademie.
- If it should ever appear in print I will send you a copy without
- pay. It is true that it might almost be performed _a la capella_,
- but to this end the whole would have to be arranged. Perhaps you
- have the patience to do this. Besides, there is already a movement
- in it which is entirely _a la capella_ and I am inclined to call
- this style the only true church style. I thank you for your
- readiness. From such an artist as you are, _with honor_, I would
- never accept anything. I honor you and desire only an opportunity
- to prove this to you in deed.
-
-There the matter ended, so far as is known. The negotiations with
-the Frankfort society were more successful. On May 19, 1823, J. N.
-Schelble, director, wrote saying:
-
- The hope of receiving a new composition from you, great master,
- inspires all the members and reinvigorates their musical zeal. I
- therefore request you as soon as it is convenient to you to forward
- a copy of your Mass to me.
-
-There were, therefore, as appears from this account and the list of
-names sent in November, 1825, to the publishers of the Mass, ten
-subscribers, namely: the Czar of Russia, the Kings of Prussia, Saxony,
-France and Denmark, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and Hesse-Darmstadt,
-Princes Galitzin and Radziwill and the Ccilia Society of Frankfort.
-Beethoven's receipts, 500 ducats (250 or about $1200), were very
-materially reduced, how much we can not say, by the costs of copying.
-In this work his principal helper was a professional copyist named
-Schlemmer, who could best decipher his manuscript. But Schlemmer
-was sickly and died before the year was over; his successor was
-named Rampel, and seems to have caused Beethoven a great deal of
-annoyance; he probably was made to bear a great deal of the blame for
-the tardiness of the work, for which, also, the composer's frequent
-alterations were in part responsible. One of the numerous letters to
-Schindler from this period throws a little light on this subject:
-
- Samothracian L----l.[78]
-
- How about the trombone part. It is certain that the youngster still
- has it, as he did not return it when he brought back the _Gloria_.
- There was so much to do in looking over the wretched scribbling
- that to carry back the trombone part was forgotten. If necessary,
- I shall come to Vienna about the police matter. Here, for Rampel,
- is first the theme of the _Var._ which is to be copied for me on
- a separate sheet--then he is to copy the rest to _Var._ 13 or to
- the end of _Var._ 12, and so an end of this. Get from Schlemmer
- what remains of the _Kyrie_:--show him the postscript and herewith
- _satis_.--for such _Hauptl----ls_ there is nothing more to be done.
- Farewell--attend to everything--I am obliged to bind up my eyes
- at night and must be very sparing in my use of them. Otherwise,
- Smettana writes, I shall write but few more notes. To Wocher,
- whom I shall visit myself as soon as I come to town, my prettiest
- compliments and has he yet sent away the _Var._?
-
-[Sidenote: NEGOTIATIONS WITH DIABELLI]
-
-Beethoven's thoughts in connection with the Mass were not all engrossed
-during 1823 with the finishing touches on the composition and the
-subscription; he was still thinking of the publication of the work.
-His thoughts went to London, as a letter to Ries shows. The Mass
-also came up in his dealings with Diabelli in Vienna. There were,
-probably, other negotiations, of which we are not advised. An agreement
-had been reached with Diabelli concerning the Variations, Op. 120
-(on the Diabelli waltz theme), and the Mass had also been mentioned.
-Whatever the nature of the negotiations may have been, Diabelli now
-seems to have been insisting on conditions which Beethoven could not
-accept without breach of contract with his subscribers or revoking the
-subscriptions. In March Diabelli called Schindler into his shop and
-had a talk with him which is detailed in a Conversation Book. It is
-Schindler who is speaking:
-
- Diabelli called me in to-day while I was passing and said to
- me that he would take the Mass and publish it in two months by
- subscription. He guarantees you the 1000 florins, as he says he has
- already told you. You can have as many copies as you want--Diabelli
- only asks of you that you let him know your decision within a
- few days, then he will have work begun at once and promises that
- everything shall be ready by the end of May. You, however, will not
- have any further care in the matter. I think the proposition a very
- good one, the more, because the work will be printed at once.
-
-Beethoven appears to have doubts or scruples on the score of the
-invitations sent to the sovereigns.
-
- It will make no difference to the most exalted courts if printed
- copies are put out. Do you want the 1000 florins in cash at once
- or later?--he assures me that they will be guaranteed to you; the
- business now is that you come to an understanding.
-
-It appears, now, that Diabelli wants to publish the three supplementary
-pieces also; but Beethoven still hesitates:
-
- It would be best if you were to persuade Diabelli to print the
- work at once, but wait a few months with the publication by
- subscription. Then you will not be compromised in the matter, nor
- he either.
-
-Later (there has plainly been another consultation between Schindler
-and Diabelli):
-
- Diabelli agrees to wait until the tardy answers have been received
- before opening the subscription. But he is not willing to wait a
- whole year.
-
-And in April:
-
- Are you agreed? The only question is whether you give Diab. the
- privilege of announcing the subscription a month before he pays. It
- is his wish not to put the Mass in hand until he has paid. About
- Diabelli then--do you want to leave the matter to me or consider
- the publication by yourself? Diabelli wants the Mass by July 1 in
- order to have it ready by the St. Michael Fair.
-
-Later, August 1 and September 1 are mentioned. Beethoven was firm in
-his determination to keep faith with his subscribers. He writes to
-Schindler: "There are only two courses as regards the Mass, namely,
-that the publisher delay the publication a year and a day; or, if
-not, we can not accept a subscription." Later he writes: "Nothing is
-to be changed in the Diabelli contract except that _the time_ when he
-is to receive the Mass from me be left undetermined." The contract in
-question which was thus to be amended concerned the Variations, but
-presumably the Mass also. Beethoven writes:
-
- From my little book I see that you have doubts in the matter of the
- Mass and Diab., wherefore, I beg you to come soon, for in that case
- we will not give him the Var. either, as my brother knows somebody
- who wants to take them both. We are therefore in a position to talk
- to him.
-
-Either this disagreement or some other in a matter in which Schindler
-acted as Beethoven's agent brought out a letter from the latter to
-the former in which he expresses a belief that the business, "so
-disagreeable to you," might be brought to a conclusion soon: "moreover
-I was not, unfortunately, entirely wrong in not wholly trusting Diab."
-Schindler, in a gloss on this note, says that the disagreeable business
-concerned the Mass. Diabelli had made plans which were not only
-harmful to the work but humiliating as well to Beethoven. Schindler
-pointed this out and Diabelli became violent and declared that since
-the contract was as good as closed he would summon Schindler before a
-court of law if it were not kept. "But," says Schindler, "the threat
-did no good; he had to take back the document." The numerous notes to
-Schindler about this period are undated and the times at which they
-were written have been only approximately fixed by Schindler; there
-is also some vagueness touching the time and order of the written
-conversations, but the evidence thus far presented, together with a
-significant remark in a billet to Schindler, to the effect that he
-had thought of a project which would "act like a pistol-shot on this
-fellow," would seem to justify the assumption that Beethoven had
-entered into the same kind of obligation with Diabelli as he had with
-Simrock and Peters so far as the Mass was concerned, and that before
-the execution of a formal contract, which seems to have been considered
-necessary in this case, which was to include the Variations on the
-Diabelli Waltz theme, Beethoven had embarked on his enterprise with
-the sovereigns, which made the speedy publication of the Mass in the
-ordinary way impossible with honor; further, that a threat to withhold
-the Variations had been used to bring the irate publisher to terms. In
-the April Conversation Book Schindler says: "Won't Diabelli make wry
-faces when your brother demands the document back almost as soon as he
-has received it!"
-
-[Sidenote: DUBIOUS ASPECT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS]
-
-To the commercialized mind of to-day it is possible that the picture
-which has just been presented here of a superlatively great artist
-hawking his creations in the courts of Europe, appealing to his friends
-and patrons among the great to act as his go-betweens, railing against
-the tardy and permitting those who were prompt in payment to wait
-unconscionable periods for their property, may seem to present as
-little of the aspect of debasement of genius and its products as it
-did at a time when great musicians were menials in the households of
-the highborn, and thrift could only follow fawning. But Beethoven had
-done much to exalt art and emancipate the artist, and what would have
-caused little comment in the case of his predecessors amongst court
-musicians was scarcely venial in him who preached a new ethic as well
-as artistic evangel. And so, to minds untainted by trade and attuned
-to a love of moral as well as sthetic beauty, the spectacle which
-Beethoven presents in 1823 must be quite as saddening as that disclosed
-by his dealings with the publishers in the years immediately preceding.
-A greater measure of commiseration goes out to him now, however,
-because of the evidence that the new phase cost him greater qualms
-of conscience and that the exigencies which impelled him were more
-pressing. His physical ailments were increasing; his deafness had put a
-stop to his appearances in public as an artist; his eyes were troubling
-him; there was no lessening of his concern about his ward, but an
-increase in the cost of his maintenance; his income was continually
-dwindling because of his lessening productivity, notwithstanding that
-the fees which he could command for new works (and even the remnants
-of his youthful activity) had reached dimensions of which he had
-never dreamed in the heyday of his powers; he felt the oppressive
-burden of his debts more and more as his unreasoning love for his
-foster-son prompted him to make provision against the future. The royal
-subscription was, no doubt, a welcome scheme which, if not suggested by
-his advisers, was certainly encouraged by them; but it must have cost
-his proud soul no little humiliation to have his application rejected
-after he had so deeply bent "the pregnant hinges of the knee." The
-publishers gave him less concern. They were his natural enemies and he
-theirs--"hellhounds who licked and gnawed his brains," as he expressed
-it in a letter to Holz in 1825; yet he knew that he would need them,
-and he knew also that as soon as he went to them, and the mass appeared
-in print, the manuscript copies which he had sold would be all but
-worthless. But this may have troubled him little, as he, in all
-likelihood, shared Schindler's conviction that there was no permanency
-of interest in the work on the part of the crowned heads and that they
-would not be troubled by the appearance of the work in print. Patronage
-of art is part of the obligation which rests upon royalty, and it
-would have been little less than a crime to withhold the Mass from
-the public; but what of the exclusiveness of right which was implied,
-if not expressed, in the letter to Zelter and presumably also in that
-to the Ccilia Society of Frankfort? He had informed the kings, who
-might not even deign to glance at the Mass, that he had no "present"
-intention to print the work, leaving them to gather that he would do so
-later; but he plainly gives Zelter to understand that it is to remain
-a manuscript. Here, too, the advice of his friends, who could see his
-need but did not feel the moral responsibility which he may, or ought
-to, have felt, must have been persuasive and also comforting.[79] The
-world has too long enjoyed the great work to distress itself about the
-circumstances of its creation and publication; but the historian and
-moralist may yet as deeply deplore them as pity the conditions which
-compelled the composer to yield to them.
-
-[Sidenote: DEALINGS WITH THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC]
-
-Preliminary to the narrative of the other varied incidents of the year
-1823, let us set down a brief mention of the fact that on January 20
-Beethoven wrote a little piece for voice and pianoforte in the album
-of Countess Wimpfen, _ne_ Eskeles, on the words of Goethe: "Der edle
-Mensch sei hlfreich und gut," [_sic_] which was published in facsimile
-in the "Allgemeine Wiener Musikzeitung" on November 23, 1843. Having
-traversed the year in our search for material relating to the Mass
-in D, the next most significant subject is that which concerned the
-Symphony in D minor, on which he worked industriously and which had
-been the subject of correspondence between himself and Ries (in London)
-for some time before the year opened. On April 6, 1822, Beethoven had
-inquired of his old pupil: "What would the Philharmonic Society be
-likely to offer me for a symphony?" Ries, evidently, laid the matter
-before the directors of the society who, at a meeting on November 10,
-"resolved to offer Beethoven fifty pounds for a MS. symphony."[80] Ries
-conveyed the information to Beethoven in a letter dated November 15
-and in a reply dated December 20, Beethoven, although he protested that
-the remuneration was not to be compared with what other nations might
-give, accepted the offer, adding:
-
- I would write _gratis_ for the first artists of Europe, if I were
- not still poor Beethoven. If I were in London, what would I not
- write for the Philharmonic Society! For Beethoven can write, God be
- thanked, though he can do nothing else in this world. If God gives
- me back my health, which has at least improved somewhat, I shall
- yet be able to comply with all the requests which have come from
- all parts of Europe, and even from North America, and I might yet
- feather my nest.
-
-A glimpse into the occupations, cares and perplexities which beset
-Beethoven at this period is given by the first letter in the series
-written in the new year--on February 5, which Ries, in his "Notizen,"
-gives only in part:
-
- I have no further news to give you about the _Sinfonie_ but
- meanwhile you may confidently count on it. Since I have made the
- acquaintance here of a very amiable and cultivated man, who holds
- an appointment in our imperial embassy at London, he will undertake
- later to forward the Symphony to you in London, so that _it will
- soon be in London_. Were I not so poor that I am obliged to live by
- my pen I would accept nothing at all from the Ph. Society; as it is
- I must wait until the fee for the Sinfonie is deposited here. But
- to give you an evidence of my affection for and confidence in the
- society I have already delivered the new Overture referred to in my
- last letter, to the gentleman of the Imperial society.[81] As he is
- to start from here for London in a few days he will deliver it to
- you in person in London. Goldschmidt will no doubt know where you
- live; if not, please tell him, so that this accommodating gentleman
- will not be obliged long to hunt you. I leave to the Society all
- the arrangements about the Overture which, like the Symphony, it
- can keep for 18 months. Not until after the lapse of that time
- shall I publish it. And now another request: my brother here, who
- keeps his carriage, wanted a lift from me and so, without asking
- me, he offered the Overture in question to a publisher in London
- named Bosey [Boosey]. Let him wait, and tell him that at present
- it is impossible to say whether he can have the Overture or not;
- I will write to him myself. It all depends on the Philharmonic
- Society; say to him please that my brother made a mistake in the
- matter of the Overture; as to the other works which he wrote about,
- he may have them. My brother _bought them_ of me in order to
- traffic with them, as I observe. _O frater!_ I beg of you to write
- to me as soon as possible after you have received the Overture,
- whether the Philharmonic Society will take it, for otherwise I
- shall publish it soon.
-
- I have heard nothing of your _Sinfonie_ dedicated to me. If I did
- not look upon the _Dedicat_ as a sort of challenge for which I
- might give you _Revanche_ I should long ago have dedicated some
- work to you. As it is, I have always thought that I must first
- see your work. How willingly would I show you my gratitude in
- some manner. I am deeply your debtor for so many proofs of your
- affection and for favors. If my health is improved by a bath-cure
- which I am to take in the coming summer I will kiss your wife in
- London in 1824.
-
-What justification Beethoven had, or imagined he had, for imputing a
-dishonorable act to his brother, cannot be said; it is noteworthy,
-however, that he does not even mention him in a letter written twenty
-days later which reiterates much that had already been set forth,
-and offers to send the Symphony at once on receiving word from Ries
-accompanied by a draft. He also intends to send six Bagatelles and
-asks Ries to traffic, as best he can, with them and two sonatas. Had
-he received a dedication from Ries, he says, he would at once have
-inscribed the Overture to him. Not long afterward Beethoven wrote
-again to Ries. The letter, which has been preserved only in part, is
-printed with a few omissions and changes in the "Notizen" (p. 154).
-Its significant remark about the new Symphony is that it is to bear a
-dedication to Ries; its most valuable contribution, however, refers
-to the Mass in D and the explanation which it offers of the fact that
-Beethoven sent no invitation to the English court to subscribe for
-that work. "In addition to these hardships," Beethoven writes, "I have
-many debts to pay, for which reason it would be agreeable to me if you
-have disposed of the Mass to send me also the check for it, for by
-that time the copy for London will have been made. There need be no
-scruples because of the few _souverains_ who are to get copies of it.
-If a local publisher made no objections, there ought to be still fewer
-in London; moreover, I bind myself in writing that not a note of it
-shall appear either in print or otherwise." The poor Archduke-Cardinal
-comes in for his customary drubbing, the special complaint now being
-that Beethoven is obliged to draw his "wretched salary" with the aid of
-a stamp. The letter was placed for delivery in the hands of the amiable
-gentleman of the Austrian Embassy whose name we now learn to be Bauer
-and who was also the bearer of an address to King George IV[82] which
-Ries was to ask Bauer to read, after which the latter was to see to its
-delivery into the royal hands and if possible get in return at least
-a "butcher's knife or a tortoise"; a printed copy of the "Battle of
-Vittoria" was to accompany it. The character of the address to the king
-can be guessed at from the following draft for an earlier letter which
-was found amongst Schindler's papers:
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO THE KING OF ENGLAND]
-
- In thus presuming, herewith, to submit my most obedient prayer to
- Your Majesty, I venture at the same time to supplement it with a
- second.
-
- Already in the year 1823, the undersigned took the liberty, at
- the frequent requests of several Englishmen then living here, to
- send his composition entitled "Wellington's Battle and Victory at
- Vittoria" which no one possessed at that time (to Your Majesty).
- The then Imperial Russian Ambassador, Prince Rasoumowsky, undertook
- to send the work to Your Majesty by a courier.
-
- For many years the undersigned cherished the sweet wish that Your
- Majesty would graciously make known the receipt of his work to him;
- but he has not yet been able to boast of this happiness, and had
- to content himself with a brief notice from Mr. Ries, his former
- worthy pupil, who reported that Y.M. had been pleased graciously
- to deliver the work to the then Musical Director, Mr. Salomon
- and Mr. Smart for public performance in Drury Lane Theatre. This
- appears also from the English journals, which added, as did Mr.
- Ries, that the work had been received with extraordinary favor
- not only in London but elsewhere. Inasmuch as it was extremely
- humiliating to the undersigned to learn all this from indirect
- sources, Y.M. will surely pardon his sensitiveness and graciously
- permit him to observe that he spared neither time nor cost to lay
- this work before your exalted person in the most proper manner in
- order to provide a pleasure for Y.M.
-
- From this the undersigned concludes, that it may have been
- improperly submitted to Y.M. and inasmuch as the most obedient
- petition which is now submitted, enables him again to approach Y.
- M., he takes the privilege of handing to Y.M. accompanying printed
- copy of the Battle of Vittoria in score, which has been set aside
- for this purpose ever since 1815 and which has been retained so
- long because of the uncertainty felt by the undersigned concerning
- the matter.
-
- Convinced of the lofty wisdom and graciousness which Y.M. has
- hitherto shown toward art and artists to their appreciation and
- good fortune, the undersigned flatters himself that Your Majesty
- will graciously condescend to take all this in consideration and
- grant his most humble petition.
-
- [_Convaincu de la haute sagesse dont Votre Majest a toujours su
- apprecier l'art ainsi que de la haute faveur qu'elle accord a
- l'artiste le soussign se flatte que Votre Majest prendra l'un
- et l'autre en consideration et vaudra en grace condescendre a sa
- tres-humble demande._]
-
- _a Vienne le 24 fevrier._
-
-There are other letters to Ries which must be considered later. They
-do not bear out Schindler's contention that an estrangement had taken
-place between former master and pupil, but were it not that Beethoven's
-utterances on that point were chronic when negotiating sales of his
-works it might be said that they show that his burden of debt rested
-with peculiar grievousness upon him at this time. That it did trouble
-him more than ordinarily is otherwise evidenced. In April Schindler
-writes: "Don't think night and day about your debts. When you are
-well again you'll pay them without feeling it." Steiner, who may have
-thought that consideration was no longer incumbent on him, now that
-Beethoven was offering his works to other publishers, pressed him
-for the money which he had loaned him and threatened to sue him for
-800 florins. Beethoven presented a counter-claim and demanded that
-Steiner publish a number of compositions which he had purchased but had
-not issued. The debt to Brentano also distressed him. He had as yet
-received nothing from the royal subscribers to the _Missa Solemnis_. He
-appealed to his brother Johann to go security for him, but he refused.
-Then he consulted Dr. Bach, who advised him to dispose of one of the
-seven shares of bank stock which he had purchased after his stroke of
-fortune at the time of the Congress of Vienna. Schindler was called on
-to act as fiscal agent in what must have seemed a complicated matter to
-Beethoven, since at another time he had wanted to hypothecate a share
-and, on getting it out of its hiding-place, learned that all he had to
-do to get the money he needed was to cut off a coupon and collect it.
-Now he writes to Schindler:
-
- Do not forget the B. A. (bank share); it is highly necessary. I
- should not like to be sued for nothing and less than nothing. The
- conduct of my brother is worthy of him. The tailor is coming to-day
- and I hope to turn him away without unpleasantness.
-
-Another note to the same:
-
- Try to find some philanthropist who will make me a loan on a bank
- share, so that, first, I need not put too severe a strain on the
- generosity of my only (the word is indistinct) friend v. B. and may
- not myself get in need because of the withholding of this money due
- to the beautiful arrangement made by my dear brother!
-
-On a separate scrap of paper is written: "It must not appear that the
-money is needed." The date of this note is fixed by the circumstance
-that it is the one in which Beethoven asks Schindler to draw up a list
-of courts to which the invitations to subscribe to the Mass were to be
-sent. In still another note he refers to bank shares which evidently
-were to be hypothecated. It was while in this distressful state
-concerning his debts that he took the first steps toward making his
-nephew his legal heir. On March 6, 1823, he wrote to Bach:
-
- Death might come unannounced and give no time to make a legal
- will; therefore I hereby attest with my own hand that I declare my
- nephew Karl van Beethoven to be my universal heir and that after
- my death everything without exception _which can be called my
- property shall belong to him_. I appoint you to be his curator, and
- if there should be no testament after this you are also authorized
- and requested to find a guardian for my beloved nephew--to the
- exclusion of my brother Johann van Beethoven--and secure his
- appointment according to law. I declare this writing to be valid
- for all time as being my last will before my death. I embrace you
- with all my heart.
-
-The words excluding Johann from the guardianship were written on the
-third page of the document and on the first there was this addition:
-"NB. In the way of capital there are 7 shares of bank stock; whatever
-else is found in cash is like the bank shares to be his." Shortly
-before his death he reiterated this bequest with modifications entailed
-by changed conditions.
-
-The origin of a canon which Beethoven improvised at the coffee-house
-"Zur goldenen Birne" on February 20 to the words "Bester Herr Graf, Sie
-sind ein Schaf" is said by Schindler to have been a discussion between
-the composer and Count Lichnowsky concerning a contract with Steiner.
-Obviously, Beethoven and his adviser had disagreed.
-
-[Sidenote: SEEKS APPOINTMENT AS COURT COMPOSER]
-
-In November 1822, Anton Tayber, Imperial Court Composer, died.
-Beethoven applied for the appointment as his successor and Counts
-Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein entered the lists for him. Beethoven made
-a personal appeal to Dietrichstein, who was the "Court Music-Count"
-who, on February 23, 1823, disclosed the plan which had been conceived
-to promote Beethoven's interests with the Emperor in a letter to
-Lichnowsky:
-
- It would have been my duty long ago to reply to good Beethoven,
- since he came to me so trustfully. But after I had spoken with
- you I decided to break silence only after I had received definite
- information on the subject in question. I can now tell you
- positively that the post held by the deceased Tayber--who was not
- Chamber but Court Composer--is not to be filled again. I do not
- want to write to Beethoven because I do not like to disappoint a
- man whom I so sincerely respect, and therefore I beg of you when
- occasion offers to let him know the fact and then to inform me when
- and where I may meet him, as I have forgotten where he lives.
-
- I am also sending you herewith the score of a mass by Reutter
- which Beethoven wished to see. It is true that H. M. the Emperor
- is fond of this style, but Beethoven, if he writes a mass, need
- not adhere to it. Let him follow the bent of his great genius and
- have a care only that the mass be not too long or too difficult
- to perform;--that it be a _tutti_ mass and have only short
- soprano and alto solos in the voices (for which I have two fine
- singing-boys)--but no tenor, bass or organ solos. If he wishes he
- may introduce a violin, oboe or clarinet solo.
-
- His Majesty likes to have fugues well worked out but not too long;
- the _Sanctus_ and _Osanna_ as short as possible, in order not to
- delay the transubstantiation, and--if I may add something on my
- own account--the _Dona nobis pacem_ connected with the _Agnus Dei_
- without marked interruption, and soft. In two masses by Handel
- (arranged from his anthems), two by Naumann and Abb Stadler, this
- makes a particularly beautiful effect. These in brief, as results
- of my experience, are the things which are to be considered and
- I should congratulate myself, the court and art if our great
- Beethoven were soon to take the work in hand.
-
-On March 10 Dietrichstein sent Beethoven three texts for graduals and
-a like number for offertories from which to choose words to be used
-in the mass to be composed for the emperor. On the count's letter
-Beethoven wrote the memorandum: "Treat the gradual as a symphony with
-song--does it follow the _Gloria_?" Here we have some light on the
-subject which came up for thought during the account of Beethoven's
-negotiations with publishers for the Mass in D. It would seem to
-appear that Beethoven was much pleased with the interest manifested
-in his application by Count Dietrichstein, and looked with auspicious
-eye upon the latter's plan to put him into the Emperor's good books.
-There can scarcely be a doubt but that he gave considerable thought
-to the proposed mass even while still at work on the Mass in D. He
-conceived the plan of accompanying the _Kyrie_ with wind-instruments
-and organ only in a "new mass," as he designates it, and sketches for
-a _Dona nobis pacem_ which have been found "for the mass in C-sharp
-minor" point to a treatment which may be said to be in harmony, so
-far as can be seen, with Count Dietrichstein's suggestions. On one
-occasion he writes to Peters that he had not made up his mind which
-mass he should have, and on another that he had three masses, two
-other publishers having asked for such works. He tells Schindler that
-reports that the Mass in D was not finished were to be denied because
-they were not true, the unfinished numbers being additions. So also
-he writes to the Archduke. These additions were to be a gradual, an
-offertory, and a setting of the hymn _Tantum ergo sacramentum_, and it
-is a fair presumption, since appropriate texts for the first two were
-sent to Beethoven by Count Dietrichstein, that they were contemplated
-in connection with the mass for the emperor and that possibly after
-the abandonment of that project they were associated with the Mass in
-D. Nothing is known of the music which Beethoven had in mind for these
-additional numbers, but many sketches are lost and there is no knowing
-how much music which was never written out Beethoven carried in his
-head.[83]
-
-Beethoven spoke of the "second" mass to others besides the publishers.
-Nothing came of it, however. He decided to postpone work on the mass
-for the Emperor, pleading the pressure of other obligations in the
-letters of thanks which he sent to Counts Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein.
-They and Archduke Rudolph were greatly disappointed and, if Schindler
-is to be believed, the Archduke and Lichnowsky rebuked him.[84]
-
-[Sidenote: CONSIDERATION OF OPERATIC SUBJECTS]
-
-In this period, too, the alluring vision of a new opera presented
-itself, haunted the minds of Beethoven and his friends for a space
-and then disappeared in the limbo of unexecuted projects. "Fidelio"
-had been revived on November 3, 1822, at the Krnthnerthor Theatre.
-Its success was so great that the management of the theatre offered
-a commission to Beethoven for a new opera. Beethoven viewed the
-proposition favorably and his friends hailed it with enthusiasm,
-especially Count Moritz Lichnowsky. Beethoven's love for classic
-literature led him to express a desire for a libretto based on some
-story of the antique world. He was told that such stories were all
-worn threadbare. In the Conversation Books we see what suggestions
-were offered by others: a text by Schlegel; Voltaire's tragedies;
-Schiller's "Fiesco." Local poets and would-be poets were willing to
-throw themselves into the breach. Friedrich August Kanne, editor of
-the musical journal published by Steiner and Co., wrote a libretto
-which Beethoven sent to Schindler with a note saying that except for
-the fact that the first act was rather lukewarm it was so admirably
-written that it really did not require the collaboration of "one of the
-first composers," adding, "I do not want to say that it is just the
-most suitable thing for me, but if I can rid myself of obligations to
-which I am bound, who knows what might--or will--happen!" Lichnowsky
-tells Beethoven in February that he is determined to see Grillparzer,
-with whom he evidently wants to talk about an opera-book on "Macbeth"
-or "Romeo and Juliet." Brother Johann brings Beethoven a proposition
-from Johann Sporchil, historian and publicist, and Sporchil, receiving
-encouragement, submitted a work act by act to the composer, who wrote
-comments on the manuscripts but never did more.[85] Lichnowsky hears
-of an opera on "Alfred the Great," said to be very beautiful and full
-of spectacular pomp. He will bring it to the composer in a few days.
-The Count has also written to Grillparzer, and Beethoven, recalling
-that he is an old acquaintance, resolves to visit him. Lichnowsky's
-suggestion bore fruit of a kind. Grillparzer has left us an account
-of his attempt to collaborate with Beethoven on an opera in his
-"Erinnerungen an Beethoven."[86] The request for a libretto, he says,
-came to him through Count Dietrichstein and was somewhat embarrassing
-to him because of his unfamiliarity with the lyric drama and his doubts
-touching Beethoven's ability, after his later works, to compose an
-opera. Finally, however, he decided to make the attempt, and submitted
-a subject to Beethoven's friends and then to Beethoven himself. It
-was a semi-diabolical story drawn from Bohemian legendary history,
-entitled "Dragomira." It met with Beethoven's approval and he agreed to
-write it, but afterward changed his mind and took up the fairy tale of
-Melusina. Of the manner in which he treated this subject Grillparzer
-says:
-
-[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER AND HIS "MELUSINA"]
-
- So far as possible I banished the reflective element and sought,
- by giving prominence to the chorus, creating powerful finales and
- adopting the melodramatic style for the third act, to adjust myself
- to Beethoven's last period. I avoided a preliminary conference with
- the composer concerning the subject-matter, because I wanted to
- preserve the independence of my views. Moreover, it was possible to
- make alterations, and in the last instance it rested with him to
- compose the book or not to compose it, as he listed. In order not
- to coerce him in the least I sent him the book by the same channel
- which had brought me the call. He was not to be influenced by
- personal considerations or embarrassed in any manner whatsoever.
-
-The book appealed to Beethoven, but several conferences between him
-and the poet were necessary before it was brought into satisfactory
-shape. Grillparzer had excluded much of the material in the old legend
-which was unsuited to dramatic treatment, and strengthened the plot
-with conceits of his own invention. As soon as he had sent the text he
-went to Beethoven at Schindler's request. At first blush Beethoven was
-much pleased with the book, and he wrote Grillparzer a letter which
-delighted the poet. Grillparzer describes the visit to Beethoven at his
-lodgings in the Kothgasse which he made in company with Schindler:
-
- I found him lying in soiled night wear on a disordered bed, a book
- in his hand. At the head of the bed was a small door which, as I
- observed later, opened into the dining-room and which Beethoven
- seemed in a manner to be guarding, for when subsequently a maid
- came through it with butter and eggs he could not restrain himself,
- in the middle of an earnest conversation, from throwing a searching
- glance at the quantity of the provisions served--which gave me a
- painful picture of the disorder prevailing in his domestic economy.
-
- As we entered Beethoven arose from the bed, gave me his hand,
- poured out his feelings of good-will and respect and at once
- broached the subject of the opera. "Your work lives here," said
- he, pointing to his heart; "I am going to the country in a few
- days and shall at once begin to compose it. Only, I don't know
- what to do with the hunters' chorus which forms the introduction.
- Weber used four horns; you see, therefore, that I must have eight;
- where will this lead to?" Although I was far from seeing the need
- of such a conclusion I explained to him that without injury to the
- rest of the book the hunters' chorus could be omitted, with which
- concession he seemed to be satisfied, and neither then nor later
- did he offer any objection to the text or ask that a change be
- made. He even insisted on closing a contract with me at once. The
- profits of the opera should be divided evenly between us, etc. I
- declared to him, and truthfully, that I had not thought of a fee
- or anything of the kind while at work.... Least of all was it to
- be the subject of conversation between us. He was to do with the
- book what he pleased--I would never make a contract with him. After
- a good deal of talk (or rather of writing, for he could no longer
- hear speech) back and forth, I took my leave, promising to visit
- him in Hetzendorf after he had settled himself there.
-
- I had hoped that he had given up all thoughts of business in regard
- to the matter; but a few days later my publisher, Wallishauser,
- came to me and said that Beethoven insisted upon the execution of
- a contract. If I could not make up my mind, Wallishauser suggested
- that I assign the property-right in the book to him and he would
- arrange with Beethoven, who was already advised of such a step.
- I was glad to get rid of the business, let Wallishauser pay me a
- moderate sum, and banished the matter from my thoughts. Whether or
- not they made a contract I do not know.
-
-Otto Jahn's notes of a conversation with Grillparzer state that
-Beethoven made a contract with Barbaja, who was the _de facto_ manager
-of the Krnthnerthor Theatre, for 6,000 florins, W.W. (2,500 C. M.).
-Shortly afterward Barbaja abandoned the contract, saying to Beethoven
-that he knew that though he was bound by it he could not use the opera.
-Thereupon Beethoven tore up the document. On April 20, 1824, Duport
-wrote to Beethoven that Barbaja had sent word from Naples that he would
-like to have an opera by Beethoven and would give time and terms as
-soon as he received assurance that his contract for the theatre would
-be extended from December 1. The extension was not granted. Schindler
-denied that a contract between manager and composer ever existed.
-
-Grillparzer kept his promise to visit Beethoven at Hetzendorf, going
-thither with Schindler. Part of his account may best be given in his
-own words:
-
- We took a promenade and entertained each other as well as was
- possible half in conversation, half in writing, while walking.
- I still remember with emotion that when we sat down to table
- Beethoven went into an adjoining room and himself brought forth
- five bottles. He set down one at Schindler's plate, one at his own
- and three in front of me, probably to make me understand in his
- wild and simple way that I was master and should drink as much as I
- liked. When I drove back to town without Schindler, who remained in
- Hetzendorf, Beethoven insisted on accompanying me. He sat himself
- beside me in the open carriage but instead of going only to the
- edge of the village, he drove with me to the city, getting out
- at the gates and, after a cordial handshake, starting back alone
- on the journey of an hour and a half homeward. As he left the
- carriage I noticed a bit of paper lying on the seat which he had
- just vacated. I thought that he had forgotten it and beckoned him
- to come back; but he shook his head and with a loud laugh, as at
- the success of a ruse, he ran the faster in the opposite direction.
- I unrolled the paper and it contained exactly the amount of the
- carriage-hire which I had agreed upon with the driver. His manner
- of life had so estranged him from all the habits and customs of
- the world that it probably never occurred to him that under other
- circumstances he would have been guilty of a gross offence. I took
- the matter as it was intended and laughingly paid my coachman with
- the money which had been given to me.[87]
-
-In a Conversation Book used during the visit to Hetzendorf may be read
-one side of a conversation about "Melusine" which permits us to observe
-the poet's capacity to look into the future:
-
- Are you still of the opinion that something else ought to be
- substituted for the first chorus of our opera? Perhaps a few tones
- of the hunting-horns might be continued by an invisible chorus of
- nymphs. I have been thinking if it might not be possible to mark
- every appearance of Melusine or of her influence in the action by a
- recurrent and easily grasped melody. Might not the overture begin
- with this and after the rushing _Allegro_ the introduction be made
- out of the same melody? I have thought of this melody as that to
- which Melusine sings her first song.
-
-Grillparzer speaks of "Dragomira," promises to send the plot to
-Beethoven in writing and makes many observations concerning music and
-musicians which must have interested Beethoven even when he did not
-agree with him. He asserts that on the whole the North Germans know
-little of music--they will never produce anything higher than "Der
-Freischtz." Also he has a good word for Italian opera:
-
- And yet I cannot agree with those who unqualifiedly reject Italian
- opera. To my mind there are two kinds of opera--one setting out
- from the text, the other from the music. The latter is the Italian
- opera. Lablache, and in a degree Fodor, are better actors than the
- Germans ever had. Perhaps Mozart formed himself on the Italian
- opera. It is worse now. You would have trouble to find singers for
- your opera.
-
-[Sidenote: ADVICE SOUGHT FROM FRIENDS]
-
-There are many others with whom Beethoven discussed the opera and
-who came to him to tell him of their desire to see it written.
-Duport is greatly interested, wants to read the book with care and
-asks Beethoven's terms; Lichnowsky is willing to risk the financial
-outcome; "I will go security," he says in October, "for the money
-which you want for the opera. After selling the opera to the director
-you can still reserve the right of disposing of it at home and
-abroad." And again: "If you do not compose the opera it will be all
-day with German opera--everybody says that. After the failure of
-Weber's opera 'Euryanthe' many sent the books back. 'Freischtz' is
-not a genuine opera. If you can use me in any way, you know me and
-how sincere I am"; and still again, towards the end of November: "You
-will get incomparably more without a contract; if you want one, the
-director will make a contract with pleasure at once. Talk it over with
-Grillparzer; it will also be all one to him. Duport already asked about
-the opera several days ago." From other quarters Beethoven is urged
-to write to Duport after the latter had written to him. In a letter
-which must have been written late in the year, since Beethoven is back
-in his town lodgings, he writes to Grillparzer telling him that the
-management had asked for his (Grillparzer's) terms and suggesting that
-he write directly to the management and he would do the same.[88] A
-later conversation which must have taken place toward the close of
-the year (and may have been the result of this letter) begins with a
-complaint by Grillparzer against the censorship for having forbidden
-his "Ottokar." Beethoven's part in the dialogue may easily be supplied
-by the imagination, and it will be seen that he is still unreconciled
-to the opening chorus.
-
- You have again taken up "Melusine?" I have already appealed to
- the management twice but have had no answer.--I have already
- said that I was compelled to ask 100 ducats for it.--Because as
- a matter of fact, all the profits of an opera-book remain with
- the theatre in which it is performed for the first time.--I could
- have made a spoken drama out of the same material which would have
- brought me three times as much--I _must_ ask so much in order to
- meet my obligations to Wallishauser. For ordinary opera-books
- they pay up to 300 florins C. M. Have you already begun to
- compose?--Will you please write down for me where you want the
- changes made?--Because then, nevertheless, the piece will _have_
- to begin with a hunt.--Perhaps the last tones of a vanishing
- hunters' chorus might blend with the introduction without having
- the hunters enter.--To begin with a chorus of nymphs might weaken
- the effect of the chorus at the close of the first act.--I am
- not quite versed in opera texts.--You want to deliver it to the
- theatre by September.--The direction wants to make a creditable
- showing in the eyes of the public.--Doesn't the text of the opera
- also seem too _long_ to you?--To whom are you thinking of giving
- the rle of _Raimund_?--They are talking of a young tenor who may
- have made his dbut by that time. I believe his name is Cramolini;
- besides a handsome figure he is said to have a beautiful voice.--It
- is said that the direction is having him educated.--Forti is a
- little too gross.--Then I am to expect your written suggestion as
- to alterations, soon?--I am not busy at present.--I am ready for
- anything.
-
-For a space there is talk about oratorio texts ("Judith") and the
-possibility of musical expression in the case of Christ. Then the text
-of "Dragomira" is referred to, concerning which Beethoven seems to have
-asked. Grillparzer says:
-
- Dragomira. Great variety--great characters, effects.--The mother
- of St. Wenzelaus, the Duke of Bohemia.--One of her sons kills the
- other. She herself is a pagan, the better son is a Christian. They
- still show the spot in Prague where she was swallowed up by the
- earth with horses and equipage.--After I have lost all hope _here_
- I shall send it to Berlin.
-
-There is much more talk in the Conversation Book about the opera, but
-neither sequence nor date can always be determined. Lichnowsky tells
-him that the management of the theatre is willing to do anything
-asked of it and is negotiating with Grillparzer. Brother Johann says:
-"Grillparzer is coming to-morrow--that is no affair of yours.--You
-wrote to the management to make arrangements with the poet, and to this
-it was agreed; hence Grillparzer must make terms." In the same book
-Schikh, the editor, writes: "Why don't you compose Grillparzer's opera?
-Write the opera first and then we shall be in a position to wish you
-also to write a Requiem."
-
-[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER PARTS WITH BEETHOVEN]
-
-Grillparzer says that Beethoven told him in Hetzendorf that his opera
-was ready (whether he meant in his head or in its essential elements
-in the numerous sketchbooks, the poet could not say), but after the
-composer's death not a single note was found which could indubitably
-be assigned to their common work. The poet had faithfully adhered to
-his resolve not to remind the composer of the work in any way and "was
-never near him again until, clad in black and carrying a burning torch
-in my [his] hand," he walked behind his coffin. Grillparzer's memory
-is faulty in a few details. He says that he never met Beethoven after
-the visit to Hetzendorf except once; but the two men were together
-again in 1824. This, however, is inconsequential; the fact remains that
-Beethoven did not compose "Melusine."--Why not? Many reasons must be
-obvious to those who have followed this narrative closely: illness;
-vexation of spirit; loss of initiative; a waning of the old capacity
-to assimilate conceptions and ideas which did not originate in his
-own consciousness and were not in harmony with his own predilections.
-Moreover, it was the period of his greatest introspection; he was
-communing more and more with his own soul, and separating himself more
-and more from all agencies of utterance except the one which spoke most
-truthfully and directly within him, and to which he entrusted his last
-revelations--the string quartet. "Melusine" was not composed, but the
-opera continued to occupy his attention at intervals until deep into
-the next year, and unless Holz is in error, some of his last labors
-were devoted to it. Too literal an acceptance must not, therefore, be
-given to Schindler's statement that he "suddenly" abandoned the plan of
-writing a German opera because he learned that the similarity between
-the subjects of "Melusine" and "Undine" would embarrass the production
-of the former in Berlin.
-
-[Illustration: B A C H]
-
-A project which cropped out intermittently during 1823 was the writing
-of an overture on the musical motive suggested by the letters composing
-the name of Bach. The thought seems to have become fixed in his mind
-in 1822, though the device of using as a motive in composition was
-at least as old as the Leipsic master's "Art of Fugue," and no doubt
-familiar to Beethoven. However, he was deeply engrossed in fugal
-writing at this period and it is very likely, as Nottebohm suggests,
-that he conceived an overture on the motive as a tribute to Bach's
-genius. Several sketches showing different forms of the theme appear
-in the books of 1823; and a collateral memorandum, "This overture with
-the new symphony, and we shall have a concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Krnthnerthor Theatre," amongst sketches for the last quartets in
-1825, shows that he clung to the idea almost to the end. Had Beethoven
-carried out all the plans for utilizing the theme which presented
-themselves to him between 1822 and 1825, there would have been several
-Bach overtures; unfortunately, he carried out none.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND THE BOY LISZT]
-
-On April 13, 1823, the boy Franz Liszt, who was studying with Carl
-Czerny and had made his first public appearance on the first day of
-the year, gave a concert in the small Ridotto room. Together with his
-father he had been presented to Beethoven by Schindler, but had not
-been received with any special marks of friendliness. The precocious
-boy gave expression to the hope that Beethoven would attend his
-approaching concert.[89] Later in the Conversation Book:
-
- Little Liszt has urgently requested me humbly to beg you for a
- theme on which he wishes to improvise at his concert to-morrow. He
- will not break the seal till the time comes. The little fellow's
- improvisations do not seriously signify. The lad is a fine pianist,
- but so far as his fancy is concerned it is far from the truth
- to say that he really improvises (_was Phantasie anbelangt, so
- ist es noch weit am Tage bis man sagen kann, er phantasiert_).
- Czerny (Carl) is his teacher. Just eleven years. Do come; it will
- certainly please Karl to hear how the little fellow plays. It is
- unfortunate that the lad is in Czerny's hands.--You will make good
- the rather unfriendly reception of recent date by coming to little
- Liszt's concert?--It will encourage the boy.--Promise me to come.
-
-Did Beethoven attend the concert, and did he afterwards go upon the
-stage, lift up the prodigy and kiss him? So the world has long believed
-on the authority of Nohl,[90] who got the story from Liszt himself.
-Schindler ought to be a good witness in this case, since he pleaded
-the cause of the little lad before his great friend; but unfortunately
-Schindler in this instance gives testimony at one time which he
-impeaches at another. In the second edition of his "Biography of
-Beethoven" (Mnster, 1845, second appendix, page 71, note) he says:
-
- One can never know if a child will grow into a man, and if so what
- kind of man; so I could not foresee when I introduced the promising
- boy Liszt and his father in 1823, to Beethoven, what kind of
- musical vandal would grow out of this young talent. Did Beethoven
- have a premonition? The reception was not the usual friendly one
- and I had reason at the time not to be particularly satisfied,
- since the prodigy had interested me in an unusual degree. Beethoven
- himself noticed that he had been somewhat lax in his interest in
- little Franz, which made it easy to persuade him to honor the
- concert of little Liszt with his presence in order to atone for the
- indifference he had first shown.
-
-In the third edition of his book (1860, Part II, p. 178) he says:
-
- The author knows of only one reception to which the term "friendly"
- can not be applied. It was in the case of little Franz Liszt, who,
- accompanied by his father, was presented by me. This unfriendliness
- grew out of the excessive idolization of this truly sensational
- talent; but chiefly it was due to the request made of Beethoven
- to give the twelve-year-old lad a theme for improvisation at
- his farewell concert--a request which was as indiscreet as it
- was unreasonable. But hyperenthusiasm always betrays a want of
- timeliness. It is not impossible that this enthusiasm, after
- Beethoven had declined the request with obvious displeasure, yet
- managed to secure from Emperor Franz, or at least Archduke Rudolph,
- a theme for the young virtuoso. The idolatry of the wonder-child
- gave the master, who had gone through so severe a school of
- experience, a text for many observations on the hindrances and
- clogs to the equable development of extraordinary talents as soon
- as they were made the darlings of the multitude. Sketches of the
- life of Liszt have stated that Beethoven attended the farewell
- concert of 1823; in Schilling's encyclopdia it is added that
- Beethoven at this concert shook the hand of little Liszt and
- thereby designated him as worthy of the name of artist. Beethoven
- did _not_ attend the concert; nor any private concert after
- 1816.[91]
-
-The visit of Louis Schloesser, afterwards chapelmaster in Darmstadt,
-who delivered the message from the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt,
-took place in the spring of the year. His description of the visit
-was printed in the journal "Hallelujah" in 1885 (Nos. 20 and 21).
-Schloesser revisited him later and met him afterwards in town, walking
-with him to Steiner, whom he said he was about to take to task for a
-remissness. "When it comes to the publication of a new work," Beethoven
-said, "they would like to postpone it as long as possible, even till
-after my death, thinking thus to do a better business with it; but I
-shall checkmate them." Schloesser was surprised on this occasion to
-find Beethoven dressed with unwonted elegance and remarked the fact to
-Mayseder, who explained, with a smile, that it was not the first time
-that his friends had stolen his old clothes at night and left new ones
-in their place. Mayseder added that the substitution was never noticed
-by Beethoven, who donned the garments with perfect calmness. Schloesser
-observes that he never detected the least sign of absentmindedness in
-Beethoven.
-
-At the last meeting between the men Schloesser showed Beethoven one of
-his compositions, a somewhat complicated work. Beethoven looked through
-it and observed: "You write too much; less would have been better.
-That's the way of our young heaven-stormers who think that they can
-never do enough. But that will change with riper age, and I prefer a
-superabundance to a paucity of ideas." To the question how this might
-be attained Schloesser says Beethoven replied "literally":
-
- I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, often a very long
- time, before I write them down. Meanwhile my memory is so tenacious
- that I am sure never to forget, not even in years, a theme that has
- once occurred to me. I change many things, discard and try again
- until I am satisfied. Then, however, there begins in my head the
- development in every direction and, insomuch as I know exactly what
- I want, the fundamental idea never deserts me--it arises before me,
- grows--I see and hear the picture in all its extent and dimensions
- stand before my mind like a cast and there remains for me nothing
- but the labor of writing it down, which is quickly accomplished
- when I have the time, for I sometimes take up other work, but never
- to the confusion of one with the other. You will ask me where I
- get my ideas? That I can not tell you with certainty; they come
- unsummoned, directly, indirectly,--I could seize them with my hands
- out in the open air; in the woods; while walking; in the silence
- of the night; early in the morning; incited by moods which are
- translated by the poet into words, by me into tones,--sound and
- roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.
-
-At parting, Beethoven gave Schloesser a sheet containing a canon
-for six voices on the words, "Edel sei der Mensch, hlfreich und
-gut," with the inscription: "Words by Goethe, tones by Beethoven.
-Vienna, May, 1823." On the back he wrote: "A happy journey, my dear
-Herr Schloesser, may all things which seem desirable come to meet
-you. Your devoted Beethoven."[92] Judging by the position of the
-canon in the Rudolphinian Collection, Nottebohm was of the opinion
-that it was composed at an earlier date, say 1819-20. Beethoven also
-gave Schloesser, who was going to Paris, a letter of introduction
-to Cherubini which accomplished his acceptance as a pupil of the
-Conservatoire.
-
-Our old friend Schuppanzigh, after an absence of seven years, returned
-to Vienna in 1823. On May 4 he gave a concert at which Piringer
-conducted the orchestra, and on June 14 the quartet meetings were
-resumed, with Holz, Weiss and Linke as his associates.
-
-[Sidenote: VARIATIONS ON A WALTZ BY DIABELLI]
-
-Schindler places the incident which gave the incentive to the creation
-of the last of Beethoven's characteristic works for the pianoforte,
-the "Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli," Op. 120, in the winter of
-1822-'23. In this, as will appear presently, he was in error, as he
-was also touching the date of the completion of the composition, but
-otherwise his story is no doubt correct. Anton Diabelli, head of the
-music-publishing house of Diabelli and Co., having composed a waltz,
-conceived the idea of having variations written on its melody by a
-large group of the popular composers of the day. Beethoven was among
-those who received the invitation, but, mindful of his experiences
-in 1808, when he contributed a setting of "In questa tomba" to a
-similar conglomeration, he declared that he would never do so again.
-Moreover, so Schindler says, he did not like the tune, which he called
-a _Schusterfleck_.[93] He declined Diabelli's request, but not long
-afterward asked Schindler to inquire of Diabelli if he were disposed
-to take from him a set of variations on the waltz, and if so, what
-he would pay. Diabelli received the proposition with delight and
-offered 80 ducats, requiring not more than six or seven variations.
-The contract was formally closed and Beethoven remarked to Schindler:
-"Good; he shall have variations on his cobble!" This the story as told
-by Schindler. Lenz, who claimed to have the authority of Holz for his
-version, says that after receiving thirty-two variations from other
-composers, Diabelli went to Beethoven and asked him for the one which
-he had promised. Beethoven inquired how many variations he already had
-and when Diabelli replied "Thirty-two" he said: "Well, go and publish
-them and I alone will write you thirty-three." This story, however,
-lacks probability. Lenz himself says that Diabelli told him that
-Beethoven had not agreed to write for him; hence he could not have
-asked for the "promised" variation. But Schindler is also wrong in
-saying that the variations were the first work taken up by Beethoven
-after his removal to Hetzendorf in the summer of 1823 and that they
-were published in July. They were advertised as published by Diabelli
-in the "Wiener Zeitung" on June 16, 1823, and there are other dates
-to corroborate the evidence that they were finished when Beethoven
-removed to Hetzendorf on May 17. On May 7 Beethoven offered them for
-publication to Lissner in St. Petersburg; on April 25 he wrote to
-Ries: "You will also receive in a few weeks 33 variations on a theme,
-dedicated to your wife," and on July 16: "By this time the variations
-must be with you." The date of Diabelli's conception of the plan was
-probably a whole year, even two years earlier than the date given by
-Schindler. In a letter dated June 5, 1822, Beethoven offered to Peters
-"Variations on a Waltz for pianoforte solo (there are many)" for 30
-ducats; they must therefore have been far advanced in composition and
-fully planned at that time. Nottebohm says that Schubert's contribution
-to the collection of variations bears on the autograph the date "March,
-1821." The Variations appeared from the press of Diabelli and Co. in
-June, with a dedication to Mme. Antonia von Brentano; not, it will be
-observed, to the wife of Ries. Had there been an English edition there
-would have been such a dedication, but it is another case in which an
-English publisher was disappointed in the conduct of the composer. Ries
-had complied with Beethoven's solicitations and secured a publisher.
-He closed an agreement with Boosey; but when the manuscript reached
-London, Boosey was already in possession of a copy of the Vienna
-edition and the work had also been printed in Paris. The copy made
-for London bore a dedication written in large letters by Beethoven to
-Madame Ries; but the printed copies were inscribed to Madame Brentano.
-Beethoven attempted an explanation and defence in a letter to Ries
-dated Baden September 5:
-
- You say that I ought to look about me for somebody to look after
- my affairs. This was the case with the _Variat._ which were cared
- for by my friends and Schindler. The _Variat._ were not to appear
- here until after they had been published in London. The dedication
- to B---- (not clear) was intended only for Germany, as I was
- under obligations to her and could publish nothing else at the
- time; besides only Diabelli, the publisher here, got them from
- me. Everything was done by Schindler; a bigger wretch I never got
- acquainted with on God's earth--an arch-scoundrel whom I have sent
- about his business. I can dedicate another work to your wife in
- place of it.
-
-How much blame in this affair really attached to Schindler is not
-known; it seems pretty apparent that though Beethoven was also fuming
-against him at the time at home, he was doing duty in London as a
-whipping-boy. Beethoven went right on calling in the help of the
-"biggest wretch on earth and arch-scoundrel."
-
-[Sidenote: TROUBLED BY HIS EYES AT HETZENDORF]
-
-After the labors and vexations of town life in the winter, the call of
-the country in the summer was more than usually imperative, because the
-work which had long occupied Beethoven's mind--the Ninth Symphony--was
-demanding completion. His brother Johann had invited him to visit
-him on his estate near Gneixendorf, but he had declined. His choice
-for the summer sojourn fell upon Hetzendorf, a village not far from
-Vienna, where he hit upon a villa, surrounded by a beautiful park,
-which belonged to Baron Mller-Pronay. There was some haggling about
-the rent and some questioning about the post service--an important
-matter in view of the many negotiations with publishers, in all of
-which Schindler was depended on--but eventually all was arranged.
-Ill health marred the Hetzendorf sojourn. Beethoven's other ailments
-were augmented by a painful affection of the eyes which called for
-medical treatment, retarded his work and caused him no small amount of
-anxiety. Complaints on this score began in April and were continued
-through July, on the 15th of which month he writes to the Archduke, "My
-eyes are better, but improvement is slow. It would be more rapid if
-I were not obliged to use glasses; it is an unfortunate circumstance
-which delays me in everything"; and later, when on a short visit to
-Vienna: "I have just heard here that Y. I. H. is coming to-morrow. If
-I cannot obey the wishes of my heart, please ascribe it to my eyes.
-They are much better, but I must not breathe the town air for many
-more days, for it would have ill effects on my eyes." In August, very
-shortly before his departure for Baden: "I am feeling really badly,
-not my eyes alone. I purpose to drag myself to Baden to-morrow to take
-lodgings and in a few days will have to go there to stay. The town air
-has an injurious effect on my entire organization and I hurt myself
-by going twice to my physicians in the city." From Baden on the 22nd
-he complains of a catarrhal affection, the misery in his bowels and
-the trouble with his eyes, but adds: "Thank God, the eyes are so much
-improved that I can again use them considerably in the daytime. Things
-are going better also with my other ailments; more could not be asked
-in this short time."
-
-Among the cheering incidents of the summer were the reports which
-reached him of the production of "Fidelio" under the direction of Weber
-in Dresden. Weber opened a correspondence on January 28 and continued
-it with letters dated February 18, April 7 and June 5; Beethoven's
-answers were dated February 16, April 10 and June 9. Most unfortunately
-all these letters have disappeared, and the only hints we have as to
-their contents are from the draft for Weber's first communication
-discovered among the papers of the writer:
-
- "Fidelio." To Beethoven. The performance in Prague under my
- direction of this mighty work, which bears testimony to German
- grandeur and depth of feeling, gave me an intimacy, as inspiring
- as it was instructive, with the essence through which I hope to
- present it to the public in its complete effectiveness here, where
- I have all possible means at my command. Every representation will
- be a festival day on which I shall be privileged to offer to your
- exalted mind the homage which lives in my heart, where reverence
- and love for you struggle with each other.
-
-Weber had received the score of the opera on April 10 from Beethoven,
-who had to borrow it from the Krnthnerthor Theatre, whose musical
-archives were in the care of Count Gallenberg. Through Schindler,
-Gallenberg sent word to Beethoven that he would send the score,
-provided two copies were on hand; if not, he would have a copy made.
-Schindler, reporting the message to Beethoven, adds that Gallenberg had
-said he thought Beethoven himself had the score: "But when I assured
-him that you did not have it he said that its loss was a consequence
-of your irregularity and many changes of lodgings."[94] Nevertheless,
-Weber got the score and after fourteen rehearsals the representation
-took place with great success. Von Knneritz, Director-General of the
-Royal Chapel, reported the triumph to Beethoven and sent Beethoven a
-fee of 40 ducats. Beethoven in acknowledging receipt on July 17 is
-emboldened "by the account which my dear friend Maria Weber gives me
-of the admirable and noble motives of Your Excellency" to ask his
-intercession with the Saxon court in behalf of the Mass in D, as has
-already been recorded in this chapter.
-
-A number of incidents may now hurriedly be marshalled. In 1822 the
-Royal Academy of Music of Sweden had elected Beethoven to foreign
-membership. The consent of the Austrian government was necessary to
-his acceptance of the honor and this seems to have been deferred an
-unconscionably long time; at least Beethoven's letters to the Academy
-and to King Charles XIV (whom as General Bernadotte, then French
-ambassador at Vienna, he had known 25 years before) are dated March
-1, 1823. When permission came he wrote notes to the editors of the
-newspapers "Beobachter" and "Wiener Zeitschrift," asking them to
-announce the fact of his election--a circumstance which shows that
-he was not always as indifferent to distinctions of all kinds as he
-professed occasionally. Franz Schoberlechner, a young pianist, appealed
-to him for letters of recommendation to be used on a concert-tour. The
-letter reached Beethoven through Schindler, to whom he returned it with
-the curt indorsement: "A capable fellow has no need of recommendation
-other than from one good house to another." Schindler importuned him
-again, and Beethoven wrote to him somewhat testily: "It must be plain
-to you that I do not want to have anything to do with this matter.
-As for 'being noble' I think I have shown you sufficiently that I am
-that on principle; I even think that you must have observed that I
-have never been otherwise. _Sapienti sat._" That ended the matter;
-but when Chapelmaster Dreschler of the Josephstadt Theatre became a
-candidate for the post of second court organist, Beethoven recommended
-him enthusiastically to Archduke Rudolph, whom in a second letter he
-urged to remain firm notwithstanding that Abb Stadler had presented
-another candidate. Archduke Rudolph spoke to the emperor and Count
-Dietrichstein in favor of Drechsler, but in vain. In his letters
-Beethoven referred to a canon, "Grossen Dank," which he said he had
-written for the Archduke and which he intended to hand him in person.
-Sketches for it have been found among those for the third movement of
-the Ninth Symphony, but nothing has yet been heard of the completed
-work.
-
-[Sidenote: TROUBLES WITH A COUNTRY LANDLORD]
-
-Beethoven's domestic affairs continued to plague him. While at
-Hetzendorf he had the services of a housekeeper whom he described as
-"the swift-sailing frigate" Frau Schnaps, in letters to Schindler. He
-has no end of trouble about his town lodging in the Kothgasse where
-Schindler was living, and must needs take time to write long letters to
-his factotum on the subject. Here is one sent from Hetzendorf on July 2:
-
- The continued brutality of the landlord, from the beginning as
- long as I have been in the house, calls for the help of the R.
- I. Police. Go to them direct. As regards the storm-window, the
- housekeeper was ordered to look after it and particularly after
- the recent severe rain-storm to see if it was necessary to prevent
- rain from entering the room; but she found that it had neither
- rained in nor could rain in. Believing this, I put on the lock so
- that the brutal fellow could not open my room in my absence as he
- threatened to do. Tell them further how he behaved towards you and
- that he put up the bill without notice, which he has no right to do
- before St. James's day.--He has also refused to give me a receipt
- from St. George's to St. James' as this paper shows because of the
- demand that I pay a charge for lighting of which I knew nothing.
- This abominable lodging _without a stove-flue_ and with the most
- wretched sort of main chimney has cost me at least 259 florins W.
- W. for extra expenses above the rent in order to make it habitable
- while I was there in the winter. It was an intentional cheat,
- inasmuch as I never saw the lodgings in the first storey but only
- in the second, for which reason many objectionable things remained
- unknown to me. I can not comprehend how it is possible that so
- _shameful a chimney, ruinous to human health, can be tolerated by
- the government_. You remember how the walls of your room looked
- because of smoke, how much it cost to get rid of some but not all
- of the nuisance. The chief thing now is that he be commanded to
- take down the notice and to give me the receipt for the rent paid
- at any rate. I never had that wretched lighting, but had other
- large expenses in order to make life endurable in this lodging. My
- sore eyes can not yet stand the town air, otherwise I would myself
- go to the imperial police.
-
-Schindler obeyed instructions; the police director, Ungermann, sent
-his compliments to Beethoven, told him that his wishes were all
-granted in advance but advised him to pay the 6 florins for lighting
-to prevent a scoundrelly landlord from having any kind of hold upon
-him--and Schindler got well scolded for his pains! How could he accept
-something-or-other from such a churl accompanied by a threat? Where was
-his judgment? Where he always kept it, of course! The bill came down,
-but Beethoven did not keep the lodging.
-
-Beethoven's nephew Karl pursued his studies at Blchlinger's
-Institute till in August and then spent his vacation with his uncle
-in Baden. He made himself useful as amanuensis and otherwise, and
-his words are occasionally found among the notes of conversation.
-His mother remains in the background for the time being, which
-is providential, for Beethoven has trouble enough with his other
-delectable sister-in-law, the wife of Johann, whose conduct reaches
-the extreme of reprehensibleness in the summer of 1823, during a spell
-of sickness which threw her husband on his back. The woman chose this
-time to receive her lover in her house and to make a shameless public
-parade of her moral laxness. The step-daughter was no less neglectful
-of her filial duties. Accounts of his sister-in-law's misconduct
-reached Beethoven's ears from various quarters and he was frank in his
-denunciation of her to his brother and only a little more plain-spoken
-than Schindler, who was asked by Beethoven to lay the matter before the
-police, but managed to postpone that step for the time being.[95]
-
-[Sidenote: AUTOGRAPHED SHUTTERS IN DEMAND]
-
-Meanwhile Beethoven was hard at work on the Ninth Symphony. It was so
-ever-present with him that there was neither paradox nor hyperbole in
-his words: "I am never alone when I am alone." He had much to irritate
-him while sketches and drafts of the symphony were piling up before
-him in August, and finally, if Schindler is to be believed, he could
-no longer endure the obsequious bows with which his landlord, Baron
-Pronay, always greeted him, and resolved to abandon the pretty villa
-at Hetzendorf and go to Baden. He may have formed the plan earlier in
-the year--probably had--but the baron's excessive politeness helped
-to turn his departure into something like a bolt. He went to Baden on
-a house-hunting expedition with Schindler, and returning, sent his
-"swift-sailing frigate" to Schindler with a billet commanding him to
-be up and off at 5 o'clock in the morning "_presto prestissimo_." He
-knew only one lodging in Baden suited to his requirements--the one
-which he had occupied in 1822--but the owner refused to let him have it
-again. This owner was a locksmith. To him Schindler was sent. In the
-name of his master he made all manner of humble promises concerning
-more orderly conduct and consideration for the other tenants, but the
-plea was rejected. A second appeal was made and now the houseowner
-relented, but made it a condition that Beethoven replace the
-window-shutters which had been removed. Beethoven was the more willing
-to do this, since he thought it necessary for the sake of his eyes.
-The landlord had not divulged the reason for his demand. Beethoven was
-in the habit of scrawling all kinds of memoranda on his shutters in
-leadpencil--accounts, musical themes, etc. A family from North Germany
-had noticed this in the previous year and on Beethoven's departure had
-bought one of the shutters as a curiosity. The thrifty locksmith had an
-eye for business and disposed of the remaining shutters to other summer
-visitors.
-
-Beethoven had arrived in Baden on August 13 with the help of Schindler,
-towards whom he was filled with as much gratitude as can be read in the
-following remarks from two letters to his nephew dated August 16 and 23:
-
- My ruined belly must be restored by medicine and diet, and this I
- owe to the _faithful messenger_! You can imagine how I am racing
- about, for only to-day did I really begin my service to the muses;
- I _must_, though that is not noticeable, for the baths invite me at
- least to the enjoyment of beautiful nature, but _nous sommes trop
- pauvre et il faut crire ou de n'avoir pas de quoi_.
-
- He (Schindler) was with me only a day here to take a lodging,
- as you know; slept in Hetzendorf, and as he said, went back to
- Josephstadt in the morning. Do not get to gossipping against him.
- It might work him injury, and is he not already sufficiently
- punished? Being what he is, it is necessary plainly to tell him
- the truth, for his evil character which is prone to trickery needs
- to be handled seriously.
-
-Beethoven's unamiable mood, which finds copious expression in abuse of
-Schindler at this juncture, has some explanation (also extenuation, if
-that is necessary) in the rage and humiliation with which contemplation
-of his brother's domestic affairs filled him. Johann was convalescing
-and wrote a letter to the composer which occasioned the following
-outburst under date of August 13:
-
- Dear Brother:
-
- I am rejoiced at your better health. As regards myself, my eyes
- are not entirely recovered and I came here with a disordered
- stomach and a frightful catarrh, the first due to the arch-pig of
- a housekeeper, the second to a beast of a kitchen-maid whom I have
- once driven away but whom the other took back. _You ought not to
- have gone to Steiner_; I will see what can be done. It will be
- difficult to do anything with the songs _in puris_ as their texts
- are German; more likely with the overture.
-
- I received your letter of the 10th at the hands of the miserable
- scoundrel Schindler. You need only to give your letters directly
- to the post, I am certain to receive them, for I avoid this mean
- and contemptible fellow as much as possible. Karl can not come to
- me before the 29th of this month when he will write you. You can
- not well be wholly unadvised as to what the two _canailles_, Lump
- and Bastard,[96] are doing to you, and you have had letters on the
- subject from me and Karl, for, little as you deserve it I shall
- never forget that you are my brother, and a good angel will yet
- come to rid you of these two _canailles_. This former and present
- strumpet who received visits from her fellow no less than three
- times while you were ill, and who in addition to everything else
- has your money wholly in her hands. O infamous disgrace! Isn't
- there a spark of manhood in you?!!!... About coming to you I will
- write another time. Ought I so to _degrade_ myself as to associate
- with such bad company? Mayhap this can be avoided and we yet pass
- a few days with you. About the rest of your letter another time.
- Farewell. Unseen I hover over you and work through others so that
- these _canailles_ shall not strangle you.
-
- As always your faithful
- Brother.
-
-There were several visitors to Beethoven at Baden in the summer of 1823
-who have left accounts of their experiences. One was an Englishman,
-Edward Schulz, who published his story in the "Harmonicon" in January
-1824. This extremely lively letter was reprinted by Moscheles in
-his translation (or rather, adaptation) of Schindler's biography
-of Beethoven and incorporated in the second German edition, where
-Schindler accompanies it with several illuminative glosses which are
-less necessary now than they were when the biographer wrote. Schulz
-visited Beethoven on September 28 in the company of Haslinger. He
-describes it as a _dies faustus_ for him and, as Schindler shrewdly
-observes, it must also have been one for Beethoven, since he managed
-to hear the conversation of his visitors without the aid of an
-ear-trumpet. He talked with great animation, as was his wont when in
-good humor, but, says the English visitor, "one unlucky question, one
-ill-judged piece of advice--for instance, concerning the cure of his
-deafness--is quite sufficient to estrange him from you forever." He
-asked Haslinger about the highest possible note on the trombone, but
-was dissatisfied with the answer which he received; introduced his
-nephew and showed his pride in the youth's attainments by telling his
-guest that he might put to him "a riddle in Greek" if he liked. At
-dinner during a visit to the Helenenthal he commented on the profusion
-of provisions at dinner, saying: "Why such a variety of dishes? Man is
-but little above other animals if his chief pleasure is confined to a
-dinner-table." A few excerpts from the letter will serve to advance the
-present narrative:
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S TRIBUTE TO HANDEL]
-
- In the whole course of our table-talk there was nothing so
- interesting as what he said about Handel. I sat close by him
- and heard him assert very distinctly in German, "Handel is the
- greatest composer that ever lived." I can not describe to you
- with what pathos, and I am inclined to say, with what sublimity
- of language, he spoke of the "Messiah" of this immortal genius.
- Every one of us was moved when he said, "I would uncover my head,
- and kneel down at his tomb!" H. and I tried repeatedly to turn the
- conversation to Mozart, but without effect. I only heard him say,
- "In a monarchy we know who is the first"; which might or might
- not apply to the subject.... He is engaged in writing a new opera
- called "Melusine," the words by the famous but unfortunate poet
- Grillparzer. He concerns himself but very little about the newest
- productions of living composers, insomuch, that when I asked about
- the "Freischtz," he replied, "I believe _one_ Weber has written
- it".... He appears uniformly to entertain the most favorable
- opinion of the British nation. "I like," said he, "the noble
- simplicity of the English manners," and added other praises. It
- seemed to me as if he had yet some hopes of visiting this country
- together with his nephew. I should not forget to mention that I
- heard a MS. trio of his for the pianoforte, violin and violoncello,
- which I thought very beautiful, and as, I understood, to appear
- shortly in London.
-
-Our author's statement that he heard a manuscript pianoforte trio at
-this time piques curiosity. Schindler disposes of the question as to
-what it may have been in the manner more characteristic of the present
-than the past attitude of German writers towards everything English or
-American. "Who knows what it was that the non-musical gentleman took
-for a trio?" he asks. Evidently Schindler was of the opinion that no
-Englishman except, possibly, a professional musician, could count
-three or recognize the employment of pianoforte, violin and violoncello
-in a piece of music. He is right in scouting the idea that it could
-have been the great Trio in B-flat, for that work had long been in
-print. Nor is it likely to have been the little trio in the same key
-dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano; for though that was not published
-at the time, it is not likely that Beethoven would produce it in 1823
-as a novelty. There are in existence sketches for a Trio in F minor
-made in 1815, but nothing to show that the work was ever written out.
-Had it been in Beethoven's hands at a time when he was turning over
-the manuscripts of earlier days, it would surely have been offered to
-a publisher; so that is out of the way. There is only one other known
-work which invites speculation--the "Adagio, Variations and Rondo,"
-for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, which Steiner and Co. gave to
-the public in 1824, as Op. 121. The variations are on a melody from
-Wenzel Mller's opera "Die Schwestern aus Prag" ("Ich bin der Schneider
-Kakadu"). It is at least remotely possible that this was the trio which
-the English traveller heard, and if so we have in the fact a hint as to
-the time of its origin--the only hint yet given.
-
-[Sidenote: VON WEBER'S VISIT TO BEETHOVEN]
-
-A few days after the one just recorded Beethoven received a visit
-from a man of much greater moment than the English traveller. The new
-visitor was Carl Maria von Weber. That the composer of "Der Freischtz"
-was unable in his salad days to appreciate the individuality of
-Beethoven's genius has already been set forth; and the author of the
-letter in the "Harmonicon" seems to have learned that Beethoven was
-disposed to speak lightly of Weber only a month before he received
-him with most amiable distinction at Baden. Schindler's explanation,
-that a memory of Weber's criticism of the Fourth Symphony may at the
-moment have risen, ghost-like, in Beethoven's mind and prompted the
-disparaging allusion quoted by Schulz, is far-fetched. It is not
-necessary to account for such moody remarks in Beethoven's case. He was
-often unjust in his comments on even his most devoted friends, and we
-may believe that to Schulz he did speak of the composer as "one Weber,"
-and at the same time accept the account which Max Maria von Weber gives
-of the reception of his father by Beethoven. From the affectionate
-biography written by the son, we learn that after the sensational
-success achieved by "Der Freischtz" Beethoven was led to study its
-score and that he was so astonished at the originality of the music
-that he struck the book with his hand and exclaimed: "I never would
-have thought it of the gentle little man (_sonst weiche Mnnel_). Now
-Weber must write operas; nothing but operas--one after the other and
-without polishing them too much. _Casper_, the monster, stands out here
-like a house. Wherever the devil puts in his claws they are felt." He
-learned to know "Euryanthe" later and was less impressed by it than
-by its predecessor. After glancing through it hurriedly he remarked:
-"The man has taken too much pains."[97] Whatever may have been their
-earlier feelings and convictions, however, the representations of
-"Fidelio" at Prague and Dresden under the direction of Weber warmed
-their hearts towards each other. Weber's filial biographer says that
-when the youthful sin of his father was called to the notice of
-Beethoven, the latter showed some resentment, but there is no shadow
-of this in the pictures which we have from the pens of Weber himself,
-Max Maria von Weber and Julius Benedict, of the meeting between the two
-men. Weber had come to Vienna, bringing with him his pupil Benedict,
-to conduct the first performance of "Euryanthe." On his visit in the
-previous year, when "Der Freischtz" was produced, he had neglected
-to call on Beethoven, but now some kindly words about "Euryanthe"
-spoken by Beethoven to Steiner being repeated to him, he made good his
-dereliction and, announced by Haslinger, drove out to Baden to pay his
-respects. In his diary Weber noted the visit thus: "The 5th, Sunday
-(October, 1823), at 8 o'clock, drove with Burger (Piringer), Haslinger
-and Benedict to Baden; abominable weather; Saw spring and baths; to
-Duport and _Beethoven_; received by him with great cordiality. Dined
-with him, his nephew and Eckschlager at the Sauerhof. Very cheerful.
-Back again at 5 o'clock." On the next day (though the letter is dated
-"October 5") Weber wrote an account to his wife as follows:
-
- I was right tired but had to get up yesterday at 6 o'clock
- because the excursion to Baden had been appointed for half-past 7
- o'clock. This took place with Hasslinger, Piringer and Benedict;
- but unfortunately the weather was atrocious. The main purpose
- was to see Beethoven. He received me with an affection which was
- touching; he embraced me most heartily at least six or seven times
- and finally exclaimed enthusiastically: "Indeed, you're a devil
- of a fellow!--a good fellow!" We spent the afternoon very merrily
- and contentedly. This rough, repellant man actually paid court to
- me, served me at table as if I had been his lady. In short, this
- day will always remain remarkable in my memory as well as of those
- present. It was uplifting for me to be overwhelmed with such loving
- attention by this great genius. How saddening is his deafness!
- Everything must be written down for him. We inspected the baths,
- drank the waters, and at 5 o'clock drove back to Vienna.
-
-Max Maria von Weber in his account of the incident says that Beethoven,
-in the conversation which followed his greeting of the "devil of
-a fellow," railed at the management of the theatre, the concert
-impresarios, the public, the Italians, the taste of the people,
-and particularly at the ingratitude of his nephew. Weber, who was
-deeply moved, advised him to tear himself away from his discouraging
-environment and make an artistic tour through Germany, which would show
-him what the world thought of him. "Too late!" exclaimed Beethoven,
-shaking his head and going through the motions of playing the
-pianoforte. "Then go to England, where you are admired," wrote Weber.
-"Too late!" cried Beethoven, drew Weber's arm into his and dragged him
-along to the Sauerhof, where they dined. At parting, Beethoven embraced
-and kissed him several times and cried: "Good luck to the new opera; if
-I can I'll come to the first performance."
-
-[Sidenote: SIR JULIUS BENEDICT'S RECORD]
-
-A generation later Sir Julius Benedict, who had also put his memory
-of those Vienna days at the service of Weber's son, wrote down his
-recollections for his work in these words:
-
- I endeavor, as I promised you, to recall the impressions I received
- of Beethoven when I first met him in Vienna in October, 1823. He
- then lived at Baden; but regularly, once a week, he came to the
- city and he never failed to call on his old friends Steiner and
- Haslinger, whose music-store was then in the Paternostergsschen, a
- little street, no longer in existence, between the Graben and the
- Kohlmarkt.
-
- If I am not mistaken, on the morning that I saw Beethoven for
- the first time, Blahetka, the father of the pianist, directed
- my attention to a stout, short man with a very red face, small,
- piercing eyes, and bushy eyebrows, dressed in a very long overcoat
- which reached nearly to his ankles, who entered the shop about 12
- o'clock. Blahetka asked me: "Who do you think that is?" and I at
- once exclaimed: "It must be Beethoven!" because, notwithstanding
- the high color of his cheeks and his general untidiness, there was
- in those small piercing eyes an expression which no painter could
- render. It was a feeling of sublimity and melancholy combined. I
- watched, as you can well imagine, every word that he spoke when he
- took out his little book and began a conversation which to me, of
- course, was almost incomprehensible, inasmuch as he only answered
- questions pencilled to him by Messrs. Steiner and Haslinger. I was
- not introduced to him on that occasion; but the second time, about
- a week after, Mr. Steiner presented me to the great man as a pupil
- of Weber. The other persons present were the old Abb Stadler and
- Seyfried. Beethoven said to Steiner: "I rejoice to hear that you
- publish once more a German work. I have heard much in praise of
- Weber's opera and hope it will bring both you and him a great deal
- of glory." Upon this Steiner seized the opportunity to say: "Here
- is a pupil of Weber's"; when Beethoven most kindly offered me his
- hand, saying: "Pray tell M. de Weber how happy I shall be to see
- him at Baden, as I shall not come to Vienna before next month." I
- was so confused at having the great man speak to me that I hadn't
- the courage to ask any questions or continue the conversation with
- him.
-
- A few days afterwards I had the pleasure of accompanying Weber
- and Haslinger with another friend to Baden, when they allowed me
- the great privilege of going with them to Beethoven's residence.
- Nothing could be more cordial than his reception of my master. He
- wanted to take us to the Helenenthal and to all the neighborhood;
- but the weather was unfavorable, and we were obliged to renounce
- this excursion. They all dined together at one table at an inn, and
- I, seated at another close to them, had the pleasure of listening
- to their conversation.
-
- In the month of November, when Beethoven came to town and paid
- his daily visit to the Paternostergsschen, I seldom missed the
- opportunity of being one of the circle of young admirers, eager
- to show their reverence to the greatest musical genius as well as
- hoping to be honored by his notice. Among those whom I met upon
- this errand were Carl Maria von Bocklet, his pupil, Worzischek,
- Lon de St. Louvain, Mayseder, Holz, Bhm, Linke, Schuppanzigh,
- Franz Schubert and Kanne.
-
- On the morning after the first performance of "Euryanthe," when
- Steiner and Haslinger's shop was filled with the musical and
- literary authorities, Beethoven made his appearance and asked
- Haslinger: "Well, how did the opera go last night?" The reply
- was: "A great triumph." "_Das freut mich, das freut mich_," he
- exclaimed, and perceiving me he said: "I should so much have liked
- to go to the theatre, but," pointing to his ears, "I go no more
- to those places." Then he asked Gottdank, the rgisseur; "How did
- little Sontag get on? I take a great interest in her; and how
- is the book--good or bad?" Gottdank answered the first question
- affirmatively, but as to the other he shrugged his shoulders and
- made a negative sign, to which Beethoven replied: "Always the same
- story; the Germans cannot write a good libretto." Upon which I took
- his little conversation book and wrote in it: "And 'Fidelio'?" to
- which he answered: "That is a French and Italian book." I asked him
- afterwards: "Which do you consider the best librettos?"; he replied
- "'Wassertrger' and 'Vestalin.'"
-
- Further than this I cannot recall any distinct conversation,
- although I often met him, and I had never the good fortune of
- hearing him perform or seeing him conduct. But the wonderful
- impression his first appearance made on me was heightened every
- time I met him. When I saw him at Baden, his white hair flowing
- over his mighty shoulders, with that wonderful look--sometimes
- contracting his brows when anything afflicted him, sometimes
- bursting out into a forced laughter, indescribably painful to
- his listeners--I was touched as if _King Lear_ or one of the old
- Gaelic bards stood before me; and when I thought how the creator
- of the sublimest musical works was debarred by a cruel fate for a
- great many years from the delight of hearing them performed and
- appreciated I could but share the deep grief of all musical minds.
-
- I may add that I heard the first public performance of one of his
- so-called "posthumous" quartets in his own presence. Schuppanzigh
- and his companions, who had been his interpreters before, were
- scarcely equal to this occasion; as they did not seem to understand
- the music themselves, they failed entirely to impart its meaning
- to the audience. The general impression was most unsatisfactory.
- Not until Ernst had completely imbued himself in the spirit of
- these compositions could the world discover their long-hidden
- beauties.[98]
-
-[Sidenote: SONGS AND MILITARY MARCHES]
-
-Madame Marie Pachler-Koschak, with whom Beethoven had spent many
-happy moments in 1817, was among those who took the waters at Baden
-in the summer of 1823, but we are told she searched for him in vain,
-a fact which shows in what seclusion he must have dwelt some of the
-time at least. She was more fortunate when she returned in September
-to complete her cure; and when she left Baden she carried with her an
-autographic souvenir--a setting of "The beautiful to the good," the
-concluding words of Matthison's "Opferlied" which he had in hand in
-this year. Towards the close of October Beethoven returned to Vienna.
-We know the date approximately from Benedict's account, the first
-performance of "Euryanthe" having taken place on October 25. He removed
-to new lodgings in the Ungarstrasse, where his nephew remained with him
-as long as he continued a student at the university. Here he worked at
-the Ninth Symphony, more particularly on the last movement.
-
-The exact chronological order in which works were taken up in 1823
-cannot be recorded here. Matthison's "Opferlied" was taken up several
-times--in 1794, then in 1801 and 1802; finally in 1822 and 1823. In its
-last stages he extends its dimensions, adds the refrain for chorus and
-an orchestral accompaniment.[99] Beethoven had offered it to Peters
-in February, 1823, though at that time he described its accompaniment
-as being for two clarinets, horn, viola and violoncello, so that the
-violins and bassoon were added later. Why Peters did not publish the
-song is not known; the manuscript does not seem to have been returned
-to Beethoven. Nottebohm concludes that two or more versions were made
-in 1822 and 1823 (possibly as late as 1824), and that the final form
-was that known as Op. 121b. On April 9, 1825 ("Notizen," p. 161), a
-letter was written to Ries which said: "You will soon receive a second
-copy of the 'Opferlied,' which mark as corrected by me so that the one
-which you already have may not be used. Here you have an illustration
-of the miserable copyist whom I have, since Schlemmer died. You can
-depend on scarcely a note." A sketchbook analyzed by Nottebohm,[100]
-which contains sketches made at different times bound up with sketches
-for the last quartets made in 1824, shows sketches for a pianoforte
-sonata for four hands, the Ninth Symphony, the Mass in C-sharp minor,
-a fugue on B-a-c-h, and the "Bundeslied," besides the latest form of
-the "Opferlied" but not wholly like the printed edition. The impetus
-to the C-sharp minor mass came in 1823 and the other sketches in all
-likelihood were made in the same year. It is therefore to be concluded
-that he worked on the new "Opferlied" in 1823 and possibly carried it
-over to the early part of 1824. Beethoven owed money to his brother and
-offered the song as Johann's property, in a letter of November 1824,
-to Schott and Sons, who published it in 1825; but he made alterations
-by letter as late as May 7, 1825. Schindler's statement that the two
-songs "Opferlied" and "Bundeslied" were composed to be sung by the
-tenor Ehlers at a benefit concert in Pressburg, is wrong. Schindler's
-inexactitude as to dates is shown by his statements that the concert
-took place in 1822 and the song published in 1826. The first song was
-written in the soprano clef; the second has tenor clef but two solo
-voices; neither was made for Ehlers. As to the "Bundeslied" (words by
-Goethe) so far as the history of the song is concerned, the documentary
-evidence is found in the sketchbook just mentioned; whether or not it
-had its origin at an earlier date has not been ascertained,[101] but
-received alterations later. It, too, was published by Schott in 1825.
-
-[Sidenote: MINOR COMPOSITIONS OF THE YEAR 1823]
-
-Besides these songs, and the Bagatelles mentioned in the letter of
-February, 1823, as sent to Peters, there are several other minor
-compositions which may well be discussed here. The Tattoo with
-percussive instruments (Turkish music), the two other Tattoos and a
-March, were all old compositions. Up to 1874, when the letter was
-made public, only one of the Tattoos had been printed. It was that
-in F major, which, according to the autograph preserved by Artaria,
-was composed for the Bohemian _Landwehr_ in 1809 and then designated
-as March No. 1. A copy more fully orchestrated than it is in the
-printed form was dedicated to Prince Anton in that year.[102] A second
-autograph of later date (also in Artaria's collection) is entitled
-"Zapfenstreich No. 1." Here the march had a trio which has not become
-known. It was then, together with the one that follows, rewritten for
-the tournament at Laxenburg held in honor of the birthday of Empress
-Maria Ludovica on August 25, 1810, and this version has been printed
-in the Complete Edition of Beethoven's works.[103] In the earliest
-print by Schlesinger it is number 37 in a collection of "Quick-steps
-for the Prussian Army. For the York Corps"; but Nottebohm says that
-the version does not agree with any of the manuscripts mentioned.
-Simultaneously with this march another was published which was composed
-in 1810 for Archduke Anton. An autograph at Haslinger's bears the
-inscription "Zapfenstreich No. 3," and below it "One step to each
-measure." A copy in the archives of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
-is inscribed "March for H. I. Highness, the Archduke Anton, by Ludwig
-van Beethoven, 1810 on the 3rd of the Summermonth" (i. e., June). A
-third form was prepared for the tournament of 1810, and this has been
-published. Artaria had a "Trio No. 3" in F minor, 6-4 time. This is
-followed in the "Gesammt-Ausgabe" by a third in C major with a trio
-in F major, which was published from a copy made by Nottebohm. This,
-which has been published by Haslinger, Steger, and Liszt and Franke,
-was entitled "Zapfenstreich No. 2." In Nottebohm's opinion it belongs
-to the two others and like them had its origin between 1809 and June
-1810. These were the three Tattoos which Beethoven sent to Peters,
-who, however, did not publish them. The fourth March was the Military
-March in D major composed in 1816.[104] It was first published in
-1827, after Beethoven's death, in an arrangement for pianoforte, by
-Cappi and Czerny; a four-hand arrangement followed soon after and it
-was given to the world in its original shape in the Complete Edition.
-It was composed at the personal request of F. X. Embel, "Magisterial
-Councillor and Lieut.-Colonel of the Civil Artillery," who probably
-preferred his request in 1815, a sketch for it appearing in a book
-used in 1815-1816.--The data concerning these old works are given here
-because Beethoven brought them out of his portfolio and offered them to
-the publishers in this year.
-
-The Bagatelles, Op. 126, belong to this period, though their completion
-fell later. Taking up earlier sketches probably, Beethoven worked on
-them after the Ninth Symphony was practically complete in his mind and
-the sketchbooks--at the close of 1823 at the earliest. It is likely
-that they were not finished until the middle of 1824. Nottebohm had
-subjected them to a minute study which leads him to the conclusion that
-the pieces were conceived as a homogeneous series, the numbers being
-linked together by key-relationship. On the margin of a sketch for the
-first one Beethoven wrote "Cycle of Trifles" ("Kleinigkeiten"), which
-fact, their separation from each other (all but the first two) by the
-uniform distance of a major third, taken in connection with their unity
-of style, establishes a cyclical bond. When he offered them to Schott
-in 1824 he remarked that they were probably the best things of the
-kind which he had ever written. They were among the compositions which
-had been pledged to his brother, in whose interest he offered them to
-Schott. They were published by that firm, probably in the early part of
-1825.
-
-In 1828 Diabelli and Co. published a "Rondo a Capriccio" in G which
-had been purchased at the auction sale of Beethoven's effects after
-his death. It bore on its title-page the inscription: "Die Wuth ber
-den Verlornen Groschen, ausgetobt in einer Caprice" ("Rage at the
-loss of a groat stormed out in a Caprice"). Nothing is known of its
-origin. In the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Czerny
-noted it as belonging to Beethoven's youthful period; which may be
-true of its theme, but can not be of its treatment. Among the sketches
-and drafts for the Bagatelles is a sketch for an arch and mischievous
-piece evidently intended for strings,[105] and a two-part canon on the
-words "Te solo adoro" from Metastasio's "Betulia liberata," which, as
-transcribed by Nottebohm, has been printed in the Complete Edition.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[68] In a Conversation Book of 1820 we read this remark by Beethoven:
-"What I think of confession may be deduced from the fact that I myself
-led Karl to the Abbot of St. Michael for confession. But the abbot
-declared that as long as he had to visit his mother, confession would
-be of no avail."
-
-[69] In Vol. IV of the German edition of this biography, Dr. Deiters
-presents a long and extremely interesting descriptive and critical
-analysis of the mass from the point of view held by a devout
-Roman Catholic churchman; wherefore, in spite of his enthusiastic
-appreciation of the music, he is obliged to point out its departure
-from some of the dogmas of the church, as well as the rubrics which the
-composers had long disregarded. All this is, however, far outside the
-scope of this biography as originally conceived by Thayer and to which
-the editor has sought to bring it back in this English edition.
-
-[70] These pieces, we learn later, were to be an offertory, a graduale
-and a _Tantum ergo_.
-
-[71] Beethoven's mind reverts to the choral movement of the Ninth
-Symphony which is occupying him.
-
-[72] Were it not for the very general confusion which still exists
-touching musical terms, it might be set down as a bit singular that
-neither Beethoven nor Schindler seems to have known that the French
-equivalent of "oratorio" is "oratorio," and nothing else. The letter,
-however, reads: _elle se prte de mme a etre execute en Oratoire_. In
-France an _oratoire_ is still an oratory, a room for prayer.
-
-[73] The blanks were filled according to the formula.
-
-[74] "Papageno" was the name applied to Schindler in his notes when
-Beethoven wished to enjoin silence on his factotum; the allusion, of
-course, being to the lip-locked bird-catcher in Mozart's "Magic Flute."
-
-[75] If this note refers to the Mass, Schindler's date must be a year
-too late.
-
-[76] In view of what will have to be said later about the controversy
-which raged for years after Beethoven's death about the financial
-dealings between Prince Galitzin and Beethoven, it was thought best to
-establish at this time the fact that Galitzin subscribed for the Mass
-and paid the fee in the manner which has been set forth.
-
-[77] The letter is incorrectly dated July 1, by Kalischer. Thayer's
-transcript and also one made by Dr. Kopfermann of the Royal Library at
-Berlin for Dr. Deiters give June as the month.
-
-[78] Beethoven had a number of nicknames for Schindler besides
-_Papageno_ with its various qualifications. One of these was
-_Lumpenkerl_; another _Hauptlumpenkerl_--Ragamuffin and Chief
-Ragamuffin. In this instance Schindler is a "Samothracian ragamuffin"
-and Schindler in a gloss tells us that the allusion was to the ancient
-ceremonies of Samothrace, Schindler being thus designated as one
-initiated into the mysteries of Beethoven's affairs and purposes. The
-injunction of silence was understood, of course. Count Brunswick, Count
-Lichnowsky and Zmeskall were also initiates. Wocher, to whom Beethoven
-sends his compliments, was Prince Esterhazy's courier. Beethoven's
-second thoughts seem frequently to have been bestowed on the trombones.
-We have already seen how often this was the case in the alterations in
-the Mass in D. An interesting illustration was found by the present
-editor among Thayer's papers. The biographer owned a sheet of four
-pages containing, in Beethoven's handwriting, the trombone parts of
-the Trio in the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony with instructions to the
-copyist where they were to be introduced. As the trombones do not take
-part in the first and third movements nor in the Scherzo outside of the
-Trio, but are highly important in the choral Finale, it would seem as
-if Beethoven had thought of the beautiful effect which they produce in
-the Trio after he had decided that they were necessary in the Finale.
-
-[79] In Hetzendorf, while the negotiations with the courts are pending,
-Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes in a Conversation Book: "Can you not
-sell the Mass to publishers next year, so that it may become publicly
-useful?"
-
-[80] "The Philharmonic Society of London," by George Hogarth, London,
-1862, page 31.
-
-[81] _Sic._ Beethoven of course means the Embassy. The Overture was no
-doubt that to "The Consecration of the House," Op. 124.
-
-[82] Bauer was in Beethoven's company a short time before he went to
-England, and the incident of the sending of the score of "Wellington's
-Victory, or the Battle of Vittoria" came up for conversation between
-them. We read in a Conversation Book, in Bauer's hand: "I am of the
-opinion that the King had it performed, but perhaps nobody reminded him
-that on that account he ought to answer. I will carry a letter to the
-King and direct it in a channel which will insure its delivery, since I
-cannot hand it over in person." The story of King George's action, or
-want of action, has been told in earlier pages of this work. From the
-opening phrase of the address to the King it is fair to surmise that it
-was to follow an invitation to subscribe for the Mass in D, and from
-the letter to Ries that Beethoven subsequently decided to strike the
-King of England from his list.
-
-[83] In his letter to Zelter, Beethoven says that one of the numbers of
-the Mass was without accompaniment. There being no _a cappella_ setting
-of any section of the missal text in the Mass in D, it is likely that
-Beethoven here, too, had the three additional pieces in mind. For this
-speculation, however, as well as the hypothesis that the settings
-originally contemplated for the "second" mass in C-sharp minor were
-transferred to the scheme of the _Missa Solemnis_, the present editor
-is alone responsible. In a Conversation Book of 1823 an unidentified
-friend answers several questions about the hymn "Tantum ergo" and its
-introduction in the service.
-
-[84] Schindler bases his statements on alleged testimony of the
-Archduke's secretary Baumeister, but there is no word of reproval in
-any of the letters of the two men which have been found.
-
-[85] Sporchil's drama bore the title "The Apotheosis in the Temple of
-Jupiter Ammon." What it had to do with the new operatic project is not
-plain to this editor, for it was but a new text to be used to the music
-of "The Ruins of Athens." Beethoven once described "The Ruins" as "a
-little opera" and his abiding and continued interest in it is disclosed
-by the fact that after he got into touch with Grillparzer he discussed
-the possibility of its revival with that poet.
-
-[86] Grillparzer's "Werke," Vol. XVI, p. 228 _et seq._
-
-[87] Thayer saw Grillparzer on July 4, 1860, and got from him a
-confirmation of both incidents here narrated.
-
-[88] The concluding paragraph of the letter betrays his growing
-antipathy towards Schindler: "Afternoons you will find me in the
-coffee-house opposite the 'Goldene Birne.' If you want to come, please
-come alone. This importunate appendix of a Schindler, as you must
-have noticed in Hetzendorf, has long been extremely objectionable to
-me--_otium est citium_."
-
-[89] Thayer copies the entry found in the Conversation Book, but doubts
-if the handwriting is that of Liszt _fils_. It is as follows: "I have
-often expressed the wish to Herr von Schindler to make your high
-acquaintance and am rejoiced to be able now to do so. As I shall give a
-concert on Sunday the 13th I most humbly beg you to give me your high
-presence." The courtly language suggests the thought that the father
-may have written the words for the boy.
-
-[90] "Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner," p. 199.
-
-[91] In view of the fact that Beethoven would not have been able to
-hear a note of the music had he been present and that, unless deeply
-moved, he would not have made a public exhibition of his feelings,
-and that even Schindler does not seem to have heard of the story of
-the kiss, it is very likely, in the opinion of the present editor,
-that the whole story is a canard invented for advertising purposes.
-Thayer's note on the copy which he made of the conversation at the
-time of the presentation of the lad is: "B. does not appear to have
-attended the concert, as some one reports to him that he 'improvised on
-a Hungarian-German theme.'" But there are several versions of the story
-(see Frimmel, "Bausteine, etc.," p 91) and Beethoven may at another
-time have kissed the boy.
-
-[92] Nohl is mistaken in saying that the canon was written in
-Schloesser's album. It is printed in the B. and H. "Ges. Ausg.," Series
-XXIII, No. 256.
-
-[93] A _Schusterfleck_, that is a cobble, or cobbler's patch, like
-_Vetter Michel_ and _Rosalia_ in the musical terminology of Germany, is
-a tune largely made up of repetitions on different degrees of the scale
-of a single figure or motive.
-
-[94] See the conversation, Vol. I, p. 321.
-
-[95] Here are a few extracts from a letter written to Beethoven on July
-3, 1823: "As I have been visiting him (Johann) three to four times a
-day ever since he took to his bed, and have entertained him by the
-hour, I have had an opportunity carefully to observe these two persons;
-hence I can assure you on my honor that, despite your venerable name,
-they deserve to be shut up, the old one in prison, the young one in
-the house of correction.... This illness came opportunely for both of
-them, to enable them to go their ways without trammel. These beasts
-would have let him rot if others had not taken pity on him. He might
-have died a hundred times without the one in the Prater or at Nussdorf
-the other at the baker's deigning to give him a look.... He often wept
-over the conduct of his family and once he gave way completely to his
-grief and begged me to let you know how he is being treated so that you
-might come and give the two the beating they deserve.... It is most
-unnatural and more than barbarous if that woman, while her husband is
-lying ill, introduces her lover into his room, prinks herself like a
-sleigh-horse in his presence and then goes driving with him, leaving
-the sick husband languishing at home. She did this very often. Your
-brother himself called my attention to it, and is a fool for tolerating
-it so long."
-
-[96] Meaning Johann's wife and step-daughter. Very incomprehensibly
-Kalischer thinks the _Lump_ was Schindler!
-
-[97] Schindler quotes Beethoven as remarking of "Euryanthe" that it was
-"an accumulation of diminished seventh-chords--all little backdoors!"
-
-[98] The Quartet which Benedict heard was that in E-flat major, Op.
-127, which had its performance on March 6, 1825, the year in which
-Benedict left Vienna with Barbaja. His letter to Thayer, therefore,
-carries us far beyond the period now under discussion. The conversation
-about the libretto of "Euryanthe" is said by Max Maria von Weber to
-have taken place at the dinner in Baden; but Benedict's is the likelier
-story.
-
-[99] It was performed for the first time at a concert of the
-Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde on April 4, 1824, but it had been
-completed a long time before.
-
-[100] "Zweit. Beeth.," p. 540 _et seq._
-
-[101] Czerny wrote in the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde concerning this song, the "Opferlied" and "Der Kuss,"
-"sketched at a very early period." The note cannot be considered
-seriously, as there is nothing to show that he had any information on
-the subject.
-
-[102] See list of compositions in the chapter of this work devoted to
-1809.
-
-[103] B. and H., Series XXV, Nos. 120 and 287.
-
-[104] See _ante_.
-
-[105] Nottebohm's "Zweit. Beeth.," p. 208.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter V
-
- The Symphony in D Minor--Its Technical History--Schiller's "Ode to
- Joy"--An Address to Beethoven--The Concerts of 1824--Laborious and
- Protracted Preparations--Production of the Symphony and Mass in
- D--Financial Failure--Negotiations with Publishers Resumed.
-
-
-The Symphony in D minor, familiarly known the world over as the
-"Ninth," and also as the "Choral" Symphony in England and America,
-was completed in February, 1824. The conclusion of the work upon it,
-Schindler says, had a cheering effect upon Beethoven's spirits. He
-no longer grudged himself occasional recreation and was again seen
-strolling through the streets of Vienna, gazing into the shop-windows
-through eyeglasses which dangled at the end of a black ribbon, and,
-after a long interregnum, greeting friends and acquaintances as they
-passed. The history of the work is far more interesting than that of
-any of his compositions, with the possible exception of the Mass in
-D. Nottebohm has painstakingly extracted from the sketchbooks all the
-evidence which they afford, touching the origin and development of the
-work, and presented it in a chapter of his "Zweite Beethoveniana";[106]
-and his conclusions have been adopted in the presentation of facts
-which follow.
-
-[Sidenote: GROWTH OF THE CHORAL SYMPHONY]
-
-Thoughts of a symphony to succeed the Symphonies in A and F major (Nos.
-7 and 8), were in the composer's mind while he was making sketches for
-those two works in 1812; but the memoranda there found tell us only
-in what key the new symphony was to be; they are mere verbal notes:
-"2nd Sinfonie, D minor" and "Sinfonie in D minor--3rd Sinfonie." A
-fugue-theme, identical, so far as the first three measures go, with
-that of the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony, presented itself to him
-and was imprisoned in his note-book in 1815, being recorded among the
-sketches for the Sonata for Pianoforte and Violoncello in D, Op. 102,
-No. 2.[107] There is another sketch with a note[108] to show that
-Beethoven was thinking of a new symphony at the time; but the sketch
-cannot be associated with the Ninth Symphony, the composition of which
-really began when the beginning of the first movement was sketched. Of
-this fragments are found on loose leaves belonging to the year 1817.
-By the end of that year and the beginning of 1818 (presumably from
-September to May) extended sketches of the movement were made. The
-principal subject is definitively fixed, but the subsidiary material
-is still missing. The fugue-theme of 1817 is assigned to the third
-movement. There is no suggestion of the use of Schiller's "Ode to Joy,"
-but a plain intimation of an instrumental finale. In 1818 a plan is
-outlined for the introduction of voices into the slow movement of a
-symphony which is to follow the "Sinfonie in D." It is as follows:
-
- _Adagio Cantique._
-
- Pious song in a symphony in the ancient modes--Lord God we praise
- Thee--alleluia--either alone or as introduction to a fugue. The
- whole 2nd sinfonie might be characterized in this manner in which
- case the vocal parts would enter in the last movement or already
- in the Adagio. The violins, etc., of the orchestra to be increased
- tenfold in the last movement. Or the Adagio might be repeated in
- some manner in the last movement, in which case the vocal parts
- would enter gradually--in the text of the Adagio Greek myth,
- _Cantique Ecclesiastique_--in the Allegro feast of Bachus [_sic_].
-
-It will be recalled that in 1822 Beethoven told Rochlitz that he had
-two symphonies in his mind which were to differ from each other. One
-difference at least is indicated here by the purpose to use voices in
-a movement to be written in the old modes. His well-known love for
-classic subjects, no doubt, prompted the thought of the "pious orgies"
-of a Pagan festival. Schiller's hymn is still absent from his mind.
-These sketches were all sidewise excursions undertaken while Beethoven
-was chiefly occupied with the composition of the Pianoforte Sonata, Op.
-106. What progress, if any, was made with the Symphony during the next
-four years can not well be determined. The work was interrupted by
-the composition of other works, notably the Mass in D, the last three
-Pianoforte Sonatas and the overture and chorus for "The Consecration of
-the House." It was not until the Mass and the Josephstadt Theatre music
-were finished in the sketches that he gave his attention largely to the
-Symphony. In the sketches of 1822, there are evidences of considerable
-progress on the first movement, little if any on the Scherzo (designed
-to take third place in the scheme of movements), the fugue-themes of
-1815 and 1817 appearing in them almost unchanged. There is no hint as
-yet of the slow movement, but among the sketches appears the beginning
-of the melody of the "Ode to Joy" with the underlying words, assigned
-as a Finale. The thought of using the ode for a concluding movement had
-presented itself, but only tentatively, not as a fixed determination.
-Following this sketch, but of another date (to judge by the handwriting
-and the contents), comes a memorandum indicating that the symphony in
-mind was to consist of four movements--the first (no doubt, though it
-is not mentioned) being the present first, the second in 2-4 time, the
-third (presumably) in 6-8, while the fourth was to be built on the
-fugal theme of 1817 and to be "well fugued." The next recognizable
-sketch is for a Presto in 2-4 designated as a second movement and this
-is followed by the beginning of the first movement preceded by four
-measures in triple time marked "_Alla Autrichien_." A third sketch is
-marked as belonging to a "_Sinfonie allemand_." It is a new melody to
-the words beginning Schiller's ode to be used in a chorus; and again
-the accompanying memorandum reads: "_Sinfonie allemand_," but now with
-this addition: "either with variations after which the chorus _Freude
-schner Gtterfunken Tochter aus Elysium_ enters or without variations.
-End of the Sinfonie with Turkish music and vocal chorus." It is
-possible that the melody had an earlier origin than that which appears
-first in the sketches and was eventually used. The last relevant sketch
-in the book of 1822 is a sort of thematic index to the symphony as it
-now lay planned in Beethoven's purpose:
-
-[Illustration]
-
-The second movement was to be a fugued Scherzo with the theme of 1815,
-the fourth the Presto in 2-4 time which first appeared in this year,
-the fifth the "Ode to Joy." In the midst of these sketches appears
-the significant remark: "Or perhaps instead of a new symphony, a new
-overture on _Bach_, well fugued with 3----."[109]
-
-[Sidenote: TWO SYMPHONIES IN CONTEMPLATION]
-
-The conclusions to be drawn from the sketches thus far are that, as
-was the case in 1812 when the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies were
-brought forth as a pair, Beethoven was again contemplating the almost
-simultaneous production of two symphonies. He did not adhere to the
-project long, so far as we can know from the written records, and
-the remark about the substitution of an overture on B-a-c-h probably
-marks the time when he began seriously to consider the advisability
-of abandoning what would then have been the Tenth Symphony. With the
-exception of a portion of the first movement, the Ninth Symphony was
-still in a chaotic state. Taken in connection with negotiations which
-had been concluded with the Philharmonic Society of London, it may be
-assumed, however, that the present Symphony in D minor was associated
-in Beethoven's mind with the English commission, and that the second,
-which he had thoughts of abandoning in favor of the overture, was to
-have been a "Sinfonie allemand." For a time, at least, Beethoven is
-not likely to have contemplated a choral movement with German words in
-connection with the symphony for the London Philharmonic Society: this
-was to have an instrumental finale. The linguistic objection would be
-invalid in the case of the German symphony, however, and to this was
-now assigned the contemplated setting of Schiller's poem.
-
-Work now proceeded with little interruption (except that occasioned
-by the composition of the Variations, Op. 120), and most of the first
-half of 1823 was devoted to the first movement, which was nearly
-complete in sketch-form before anything of the other movements appeared
-beyond the themes which have already been cited. When the foundation
-of the work is firmly laid we have the familiar phenomenon of work
-upon two or three movements simultaneously. In a general way it may
-be asserted that the year 1823 saw the birth of the Symphony, though
-work was carried over into 1824. The second movement was complete in
-the sketches before the third--this was about August; the third before
-the fourth--about the middle of October. The second theme of the slow
-movement was perfected before the sketches for the first movement were
-finished. In a Conversation Book used in the fall of the year 1823
-the nephew writes: "I am glad that you have brought in the beautiful
-andante." The principal theme of the movement appears to have been
-conceived between May and July, 1823, but it had to submit to much
-alteration before it acquired the lovely contours which we now admire.
-This was the case, too, with the simple folksong-like tune of the
-Finale.
-
-[Sidenote: INTRODUCING THE ODE TO JOY]
-
-Sketches for the Finale show that Beethoven had made considerable
-progress with the setting of Schiller's ode before he decided to
-incorporate it with the Symphony. In June or July, 1823, he wrote down
-a melody in D minor which he designated "_Finale instromentale_," and
-which, transposed into another key and slightly altered, was eventually
-used in the finale of the Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. That it was
-intended for the Finale of the symphony is proved by the fact that it
-is surrounded with sketches for the Symphony in D minor and Beethoven
-recurred to it twice before the end of the year; there was no thought
-of the quartet at the time.
-
-When he began work on the Finale, Beethoven took up the choral
-part with the instrumental variations first and then attacked the
-instrumental introduction with the recitatives. The present "Joy"
-melody, as noted in the fall of 1822, was preceded by a different one
-conceived later, if the sketches are taken as a guide. After adoption
-the tune, especially its second period, underwent many transformations
-before its definitive form was established. Among the musical sketches
-occur several verbal memoranda containing hints which were carried out
-in part, for instance: "Turkish music in _Wer das nie gekonnt stehle_";
-in sketches for the _Allegro alla marcia_: "Turkish music--first
-_pianissimo_--a few sounds _pianissimo_--a few rests--then the full
-strength"; a third: "On _Welt Sternenzelt forte_ trombone blasts"; a
-fourth (in studies for the final chorus): "the height of the voices
-to be more by instruments" (which may be interpreted to mean that
-Beethoven realized that he was carrying the voices into dangerous
-altitudes and intended to give them instrumental support). Other
-sketches indicate that Beethoven intended for a considerable time to
-write an instrumental introduction with new themes for the Finale. For
-this prelude there are a number of sketches of different kinds, some
-of them conceived while sketches for the first movement were still in
-hand. Before July, 1823, there are no hints of a combined vocal and
-instrumental bridge from the Adagio to the setting of the "Ode to Joy."
-After that month there are evidences that he had conceived the idea
-of introducing the "Joy" melody played upon wind-instruments with a
-prelude in the recitative style, a reminiscence of the first movement
-and premonitory suggestions of the fundamental melody. This was the
-first step towards the eventual shape of the finale. The lacking
-element was the verbal link which should connect the instrumental
-movements with the choral conclusion. The sketches bear out Schindler's
-remark: "When he reached the development of the fourth movement there
-began a struggle such as is seldom seen. The object was to find a
-proper manner of introducing Schiller's ode. One day entering the
-room he exclaimed 'I have it! I have it!' With that he showed me the
-sketchbook bearing the words, 'Let us sing the song of the immortal
-Schiller _Freude_.'"
-
-By grouping a number of sketches it is now possible to make a graphic
-representation of the ideas which passed through Beethoven's mind
-while seeking a way to bridge the chasm between instrumental and vocal
-utterance by means of the formula of recitative. The sketches are in
-parts illegible, in parts so obscure that Nottebohm and Deiters differ
-in their readings; regard has been had for both in the following
-version: Over a portion of an instrumental recitative (_a_) occur the
-words: "_Nein diese ... erinnern an unsere Verzweifl._" (No, these ...
-remind (us) of our despair); other sketches follow in the order here
-indicated:
-
-[Illustration:(a)]
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Heute ist ein feierlicher Tag
- (To-day is a solemn day)
-
- meine Fru (Freunde?) dieser sei gefeiert
- my fri (friends?) let it be celebrated
-
- durch mit Gesang und [Tanz? Scherz?]
- with song and [Dance? Play?]
-]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration:
-
- O nein dieses nicht etwas
- O no not this something
-
- ist es was ich fordere
-
- anderes gefllig
-
- sondern nur etwas heiterer
- but only a little merrier
-
- auch dieses nicht ist nur Possen
- or ("besser")
- etwas schneres und bessers
- nor this either it is but sport
- (or no better)
-
- auch dieses es ist zu zrtl zrtl
- (nor this it is too tender tender)
-
- etwas aufgewecktes[?] muss man suchen
- (for something animated we must seek)
-
- ich werde sehn dass ich selbst euch etwas
- (I shall see to it that I myself intone something
-
- vorsinge alsdann stimmt nur nach
- then do you sing after me)
-
- Dieses ist es Ha es ist nun gefunden Ich
- This it is Ha now it is found I
-
- selbst werde vorsingen Freude schner
- myself will intone it
-
- Ha dieses ist es Es ist nun gefunden
- Ha this it is it now is discovered
-
- Freu- - -
-]
-
-[Illustration: meilleur]
-
-Later comes the memorandum which Beethoven showed Schindler ("_I asst
-uns das Lied des unsterblichen Schillers singen, Freude, etc._") and
-then:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- _Bass_ nicht diese Tne frhlichere
- _Voce_ Freude! Freude
- ("not these tones, more joyful ones")
-]
-
-The entire Symphony was finished in sketch-form at the end of 1823 and
-written out in score in February, 1824. Omitting from consideration the
-theme of the second movement, noted in 1815 and again in 1817 (probably
-with an entirely different purpose in mind), the time which elapsed
-between the beginning of the first movement (1817-1818) and the time of
-completion was about six and a half years. Within this period, however,
-there were extended interruptions caused by other works. Serious and
-continuous labor on the Symphony was not taken up until after the
-completion of the _Missa solemnis_; it began in 1822, occupied the
-greater part of 1823 and ended in the early part of 1824. Beethoven,
-therefore, worked on the Symphony a little more than a year.
-
-[Sidenote: INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL PARTS UNITED]
-
-Those who cherish the fantastic notion that the Symphony was conceived
-_ab initio_ as a celebration of joy, and therefore feel obliged to go
-back to Beethoven's first design to compose music for Schiller's ode,
-have a large territory for the play of their fancy. Beethoven formed
-the plan of setting the ode while still living in Bonn in 1793. It
-is heard of again in a sketchbook of 1798, where there is a melodic
-phrase adapted to the words, "Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen." Amongst
-sketches for the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies (say in 1811) there
-crops up a melody for the beginning of the hymn, and possibly a little
-later (1812) a more extended sketch amongst material used in the
-Overture, Op. 115, into which he appears at one time to have thought
-of introducing portions of it. All these sketches, of course, preceded
-the melody of 1812, conceived for use in a "_Sinfonie allemand_."
-When Beethoven first took up the ode for setting it was to become a
-"durchkomponirtes Lied," i. e., each stanza was to have an illustrative
-setting; when he planned to incorporate it in an overture he proposed
-to use only selected portions of the poem, for he accompanies the
-melodic sketch with the note: "Disjointed fragments like Princes
-are beggars, etc., not the whole"; and a little later: "disjointed
-fragments from Schiller's _Freude_ connected into a whole."[110]
-
-The questions which have been raised by the choral finale are many
-and have occupied the minds of musicians, professional and amateur,
-ever since the great symphony was first given to the world. In 1852
-Carl Czerny told Otto Jahn that Beethoven had thought, after the
-performance, of composing a new finale without vocal parts for the
-work. Schindler[111] saw the note in Jahn's papers and wrote in the
-margin: "That is not true"; but it must be remembered that there was a
-cessation of the great intimacy between Beethoven and Schindler which
-began not long after the Symphony had been produced, and lasted almost
-till Beethoven was on his deathbed. Schindler can not have been present
-at all of the meetings between Beethoven and his friends at which the
-Symphony was discussed. Nevertheless he is upheld, in a measure, by the
-fact (to which Nottebohm directed attention) that Beethoven, if he made
-the remark, either did not mean it to be taken seriously or afterwards
-changed his mind; for after keeping the manuscript in his hands six
-months he sent it to the publisher as we have it. Seyfried, writing
-in "Ccilia" (Vol. IX, p. 236), faults Beethoven for not having taken
-the advice of well-meaning friends and written a new finale as he did
-for the Quartet in B-flat, Op. 130. Even if one of the well-meaning
-friends was Seyfried himself, the statement has value as evidence that
-Beethoven was not as convinced as Czerny's story would have it appear
-that the choral finale was a mistake. Sonnleithner, in a letter to the
-editor of the "Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung" in 1864, confirmed
-Jahn's statement by saying that Czerny had repeatedly related as an
-unimpeachable fact that some time after the first performance of the
-Symphony Beethoven, in a circle of his most intimate friends, had
-expressed himself positively to the effect that he perceived that he
-had made a mistake (_Misgriff_) in the last movement and intended to
-reject it and write an instrumental piece in its stead, for which he
-already had an idea in his head. What that idea was the reader knows.
-That Beethoven may have had scruples touching the appropriateness
-of the choral finale, is comprehensible enough in view of the fact
-that the original plan of the Symphony contemplated an instrumental
-close and that Beethoven labored so hard to establish arbitrarily an
-organic union between the ode and the first three movements; but it is
-not likely that he gave long thought to the project of writing a new
-finale. He had witnessed the extraordinary demonstration of delight
-with which the whole work had been received and he may have found it
-as easy as some of his commentators to believe that his device for
-presenting the choral finale as the logical and poetically just outcome
-of the preceding movements had been successful despite its obvious
-artificiality.
-
-[Sidenote: PREPARING FOR THE FIRST PERFORMANCE]
-
-For the chief facts in the story of the first performance of the D
-minor Symphony in Vienna we are largely dependent on Schindler, who
-was not only a witness of it but also an active agent. Beethoven was
-thoroughly out of sympathy with the musical taste of Vienna, which had
-been diverted from German ideals by the superficial charm of Rossini's
-melodies. He wanted much to produce his symphony, but despaired of
-receiving adequate support or recognition from his home public. His
-friends offered him encouragement, but his fear and suspicion that
-his music was no longer understood by the Viennese and he no longer
-admired, had grown into a deep-rooted conviction. The project of a
-concert at which the Mass in D should be performed had been mooted
-months before. One day Sontag visited him and asked, "When are you
-going to give your concert?" We have a record of her speeches only;
-what Beethoven said must be supplied from the reader's fancy. It is
-plain enough that instead of answering the question he expressed a
-doubt as to a successful financial outcome. "You give the concert,"
-said the singer, "and I will guarantee that the house will be full."
-Still a moody suspicion, which the lady thinks it her right to rebuke:
-"You have too little confidence in yourself. Has not the homage of the
-whole world given you a little more pride? Who speaks of opposition?
-Will you not learn to believe that everybody is longing to worship
-you again in new works? O obstinacy!" This was in January. Beethoven
-had inquired of Count Brhl in Berlin whether or not a performance of
-the new Mass and Symphony might be given in that city, and Brhl had
-favored the plan. When news of this fact became known in Vienna, a
-number of Beethoven's friends addressed him in the following memorial:
-
-[Sidenote: AN ADDRESS TO THE COMPOSER]
-
- To Herrn Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- Out of the wide circle of reverent admirers surrounding your genius
- in this your second native city, there approach you to-day a small
- number of the disciples and lovers of art to give expression to
- long-felt wishes, timidly to prefer a long-suppressed request.
-
- But as the number of spokesmen bears but a small proportion to the
- many who joyfully acknowledge your worth and what you have grown
- to be to the present as well as the future, so the wishes and
- requests are by no means restricted to the number of those who are
- like-minded with themselves and who, in the name of all to whom
- art and the realization of their ideals are something more than
- means and objects of pastime, assert that their wish is also the
- wish of an unnumbered multitude, their request is echoed loudly or
- in silence by every one whose bosom is animated by a sense of the
- divine in music.
-
- It is the wish of those of our countrymen who reverence art to
- which we desire more especially to give expression; for though
- Beethoven's name and creations belong to all contemporaneous
- humanity and every country which opens a susceptible bosom to art,
- it is Austria which is best entitled to claim him as her own. Among
- her inhabitants appreciation for the great and immortal works which
- Mozart and Haydn created for all time within the lap of their home
- still lives, and they are conscious with joyous pride that the
- sacred triad in which these names and yours glow as the symbol of
- the highest within the spiritual realm of tones, sprang from the
- soil of their fatherland. All the more painful must it have been
- for you to feel that a foreign power has invaded this royal citadel
- of the noblest, that above the mounds of the dead and around the
- dwelling-place of the only survivor of the band, phantoms are
- leading the dance who can boast of no kinship with the princely
- spirits of those royal houses; that shallowness is abusing the name
- and insignia of art, and unworthy dalliance with sacred things is
- beclouding and dissipating appreciation for the pure and eternally
- beautiful.
-
- For this reason they feel a greater and livelier sense than
- ever before that the great need of the present moment is a new
- impulse directed by a powerful hand, a new advent of the ruler in
- his domain. It is this need which leads them to you to-day, and
- following are the petitions which they lay before you in behalf of
- all to whom these wishes are dear, and in the name of native art.
-
- Do not withhold longer from the popular enjoyment, do not keep
- longer from the oppressed sense of that which is great and perfect,
- a performance of the latest masterworks of your hand. We know that
- a grand sacred composition has been associated with that first one
- in which you have immortalized the emotions of a soul, penetrated
- and transfigured by the power of faith and superterrestrial light.
- We know that a new flower glows in the garland of your glorious,
- still unequalled symphonies. For years, ever since the thunders
- of the Victory at Vittoria ceased to reverberate, we have waited
- and hoped to see you distribute new gifts from the fulness of your
- riches to the circle of your friends. Do not longer disappoint the
- general expectations! Heighten the effect of your newest creations
- by the joy of becoming first acquainted with them through you!
- Do not allow these, your latest offspring, some day to appear,
- perhaps, as foreigners in their place of birth, introduced,
- perhaps, by persons to whom you and your mind are strange! Appear
- soon among your friends, your admirers, your venerators! This is
- our nearest and first prayer.
-
- Other claims on your genius have been made public. The desires
- expressed and offers made to you more than a year ago by the
- management of our Court Opera and the Society of Austrian Friends
- of Music had too long been the unuttered wish of all admirers of
- art, and your name stimulated the hopes and expectations of too
- many not to obtain the quickest and widest publicity, not to awaken
- the most general interest. Poetry has done her share in giving
- support to these lovely hopes and wishes. Worthy material from the
- hand of a valued poet waits to be charmed into life by your fancy.
- Do not let that intimate call to so noble an aim be made in vain.
- Do not delay longer to lead us back to those departed days when the
- song of Polyhymnia moved powerfully and delighted the initiates in
- art and the hearts of the multitude!
-
- Need we tell you with what regret your retirement from public life
- has filled us? Need we assure you that at a time when all glances
- were hopefully turned towards you, all perceived with sorrow that
- _the one_ man whom all of us are compelled to acknowledge as
- foremost among living men in his domain, looked on in silence as
- foreign art took possession of German soil, the seat of honor of
- the German muse, while German works gave pleasure only by echoing
- the favorite tunes of foreigners and, where the most excellent had
- lived and labored, a second childhood of taste threatens to follow
- the Golden Age of Art?
-
- You alone are able to insure a decisive victory to the efforts of
- the best amongst us. From you the native Art Society and the German
- Opera expect new blossoms, rejuvenated life and a new sovereignty
- of the true and beautiful over the dominion to which the prevalent
- spirit of fashion wishes to subject even the eternal laws of art.
- Bid us hope that the wishes of all who have listened to the sound
- of your harmonies will soon be fulfilled! This is our most urgent
- second prayer.
-
- May the year which we have begun not come to an end without
- rejoicing us with the fruits of our petition and may the coming
- Spring when it witnesses the unfolding of one of our longed-for
- gifts become a twofold blooming-time for us and all the world of
- art!
-
- Vienna, February, 1824.
-
-This address was signed by thirty of Beethoven's friends and admirers,
-among them being Prince Lichnowsky, Count Dietrichstein, Count
-Lichnowsky, Abb Stadler, Count Palfy, Count Fries, Dr. Sonnleithner,
-and the publishers Diabelli, Artaria, Leidesdorf and Steiner and Co.
-The most active agent in securing signatures was Count Lichnowsky.
-It was published in Buerle's "Theater-Zeitung" and also in Kanne's
-journal. This publication, and gossip to the effect that he had
-prompted both writing and printing, annoyed Beethoven greatly. He gave
-vent to his rage in a remark which he himself wrote in a Conversation
-Book: "Now that the thing has taken this turn I can no longer find
-joy in it. The atrocity of attributing such an act to me sickens me
-with the whole business and I am scarcely able to address even a few
-words to men of such intellectual prominence. Not a single critic can
-boast of having received a letter from me. I have never----" there
-his outburst breaks off; he did not finish the sentence in writing.
-Schindler tried to ease his mind! "Your fears are groundless," he
-wrote; "your honor has not been compromised--let that suffice you;
-nobody will accuse you of having been directly concerned in it." Court
-Secretary von Felsburg and J. N. Bihler, a tutor in the imperial
-household, waited upon Beethoven one afternoon to present the address,
-and talk over its suggestions. Beethoven said he wanted to read it
-when alone. Later Schindler went to him and found him with the letter
-in his hand. He was manifestly moved by its expressions and handed it
-to Schindler to read while he went to the window and gazed out for
-quite a while. Then he returned to Schindler, said briefly: "It is
-very beautiful!--it rejoices me greatly!" and when Schindler also had
-expressed his delight added: "Let us go out for a walk." During the
-walk he remained sunk in thought.
-
-[Sidenote: A CONSPIRACY OF FRIENDS]
-
-The object had in view by the designers of the memorial was
-accomplished;--Beethoven was lifted out of his despondent mood and
-inspired with new determination. By March Schindler had been informed
-that the concert would be given in Vienna. He lauded Beethoven's
-decision and begged him not to distress himself with vain imaginings
-about the outcome--everything would go gloriously and everybody
-would esteem it an honor to participate. Expressions of satisfaction
-poured in on the composer from all quarters, and also offers of help.
-Beethoven's friends gathered together and discussed the details in the
-liveliest fashion--the time, the place, the programme, the choir and
-orchestra, who should sing the solos, the price of seats, the number
-of rehearsals. The concert-season was drawing to a close and delay was
-hazardous; but delay there was, for Beethoven was vacillating, full
-of doubtings and suspicions, and there was a too great multiplicity
-of counsellors. Schindler was kept extremely busy; Lichnowsky and
-Schuppanzigh bestirred themselves mightily; Brother Johann came to
-the fore with advice and suggestions, especially about the business
-administration; Nephew Karl, much to Schindler's dissatisfaction,
-not only ran errands but volunteered his opinion on many topics. A
-page from a Conversation Book will disclose how the consultations
-with Beethoven were carried on--for Beethoven's consent to every step
-had to be obtained, which was a pity. In the following excerpt it is
-Schuppanzigh who is speaking to the composer, whom he, as was his wont,
-addresses in the third person--as was fitting to the dignity of "Mylord
-Falstaff."
-
- How about the concert? It is getting late--Lent will not last much
- longer. He ought to give three movements [the mass is meant, of
- course].--Under no circumstances a piano piece. There are no piano
- players here. He will need Buringer [Piringer] to provide the best
- _dilettante_, Sonnleithner to look after the singers, and Plachetka
- [Blahetka] for the announcements and bills--Young Sonnleithner has
- all the amateur singers under his thumb. It would be a good idea
- for him [Beethoven] to pay a visit to Duport _to talk to him once
- more about me_.
-
-The significance of the concluding remark will appear later. At another
-time Karl is reporting progress:
-
- Piringer has said that he would undertake the appointment of
- the instrumentalists, Sonnleithner the chorus, Schuppanzigh the
- orchestra, Blahetka the announcements, tickets, etc. So everything
- is looked after. You can give two concerts.... When will you have
- it announced? Schuppanzigh is coming to-morrow.... Blahetka offered
- to stamp the tickets, etc., but I think that all such matters ought
- to be [entrusted] to your brother. It would be safer.... Piringer
- has enough to do with the choruses. Piringer is a very capable man
- but not the man that Schuppanzigh is; in any event it would be
- unjust to disregard S., as he has taken so much pains and spurred
- on the others.
-
-At first it was agreed that the place should be the
-Theater-an-der-Wien. Count Palfy, who had signed the memorial, was
-willing to provide the theatre and all the forces, vocal as well as
-instrumental, for 1200 florins, let Beethoven have as many rehearsals
-as he desired and fix the prices of admission. But a difficulty
-presented itself at once. At the Theater-an-der-Wien Seyfried was
-chapelmaster and Clement leader of the orchestra. Beethoven wanted
-Umlauf to be general conductor of the concert and Schuppanzigh leader
-of the orchestra. Count Palfy was willing to sacrifice Seyfried, but
-not Clement--at least, he asked that if Clement was to be displaced it
-be done with as little injury to his feelings as possible. He therefore
-suggested that Beethoven write a letter of explanation to Clement,
-which he felt sure would solve the difficulty. Meanwhile Schindler had
-begun negotiations with Duport, director of the Krnthnerthor Theatre.
-Duport was favorably inclined towards the enterprise and also towards
-Schuppanzigh; but troublesome questions of another kind were now
-precipitated--questions about prices of admission, the solo singers
-and the number of rehearsals. On all these points Beethoven was so
-irresolute that the project seemed likely to fall by the wayside; in
-which crisis the leading spirits thought themselves entitled to resort
-to a stratagem to give stability to the wavering mind of Beethoven.
-In at least one instance the Conversation Book record was given the
-appearance of a formal journal of proceedings. It was now planned that
-Lichnowsky, Schindler and Schuppanzigh should simultaneously call upon
-Beethoven as if by accident, turn the conversation on the points on
-which it was necessary for Beethoven to reach a decision and that his
-utterances should then be put into writing and he be asked, half in
-jest, half in earnest, to affix his signature to the document. The ruse
-succeeded for the nonce, but the result would eventually have been
-woeful had Beethoven been less irresolute. After the conspirators had
-gone away Beethoven saw through the trick which had been played on him
-and, scenting treachery as was his wont, decided off-hand to abandon
-the concert. He issued his pronunciamento to the three friends in this
-characteristic fashion:
-
- To Count Moritz Lichnowsky. I despise treachery. Do not visit me
- again. No concert.
-
- To Herrn Schuppanzigh. Let him not visit me more. I shall give no
- concert.
-
- To Schindler. I request you not to come again until I send for you.
- No concert.
-
-The three friends refused to take umbrage at Beethoven's rudeness; the
-notes were not accompanied by a silken rope; they gave him time to get
-over his wrath and suspicion and then went on with the preparations
-for the concert. In the Conversation Book there appears a record of a
-consultation which may fairly be set down as that of the meeting at
-which Beethoven's helpers employed their stratagem.[112] Schindler
-opens a page formally thus:
-
- Protocol of March 2.
-
- Present:
- Mr. L. van Beethoven, a _musikus_.
- Mr. Count v. Lichnowsky, an amateur.
- Mr. Schindler, a fiddler.
- Not yet present to-day:
- Mr. Schuppanzigh, a fiddler representing Mylord Fallstaff.
-
-[Sidenote: LOOKING AFTER DETAILS]
-
-At this consultation Schindler reports an offer from Palfy to furnish
-the Theater-an-der-Wien, orchestra, lights, etc., _appertinentia_
-for 1000 florins, provided a second or third concert be given. At a
-moderate charge for admission (which would be necessary) he says the
-receipts would be 4000 florins, which would yield a profit of 2000
-florins at the first concert and about 3000 at the second, when there
-would be no copying charges. The prices would not be so high as at the
-Ridotto Room. If Duport were to charge only 300 florins, there would
-still be a further charge of 300 florins for building the platform
-and no end of vexation and labor. Palfy wanted only his expenses.
-Would Beethoven authorize him (Schindler) and Lichnowsky to complete
-arrangements with Palfy? He need not be paid, and it would be possible
-to withdraw from the arrangement at any time. Haste was necessary,
-for a supervisor must be appointed--Umlauf or somebody else--so that
-rehearsals might begin. If Schuppanzigh were given too much to do and
-anything went ill the conductor would lay the blame on insufficient
-study. From the record of a subsequent consultation (in March) the
-following excerpts are made:
-
- _Lichnowsky_: It is right that the orchestra be doubled, but
- superfluous to engage more than are necessary; after Schuppanzigh
- and Umlauf know what is at their service at the Wiedener Theatre we
- can tell what is needed.
-
- _Schindler_: Lichnowsky says that a smaller orchestra is
- more effective at the Theater-an-der-Wien than a large
- one in the Ridotto Room. You need not take all at the
- Theater-an-der-Wien--none at all if you do not need them,--that is
- the arrangement with Palfy.
-
- _Lichnowsky_: Unnecessary expenses must be avoided.
-
- _Schindler_: You will not have to pay the forces at the
- Theater-an-der-Wien at all--so that may be deducted. The days of
- performance if agreeable to you would be the 22nd or 23rd or 24th
- of this month.
-
- _Lichnowsky_: You will make money, and more if you give a second
- concert, when it will not be necessary that all the pieces be new;
- you will have the same symphony and two other missal movements.
-
- _Schindler_: The prices of admission will be considerably modified
- at 2 florins for the parterre, 2 florins for the gallery and 15
- florins for the seats.--You ought not to seek difficulties where
- there are none; if the worst comes to the worst, everything will be
- settled--The question is not whether there are more difficulties at
- the theatre or the Ridotto Room--I shall see Schuppanzigh to-day
- noon; but before then Lichnowsky will go to Palfy tentatively to
- report your decision.
-
-The conversation continued (probably the next day):
-
- _Schindler_: Schuppanzigh is greatly pleased that you have come
- to an understanding with Palfy. He will make use of the entire
- orchestra of the theatre. He is coming to the Ridotto Room to-day,
- as he hopes to find you there. The choruses at the theatre are
- also good; Schuppanzigh says that the women's choir of the society
- is not of the best because they are all young girls; which is
- true.--The Baron took the tempo just once again as fast, therefore
- your advice was highly important; not until the second time did it
- go well.--Besides, the women's choir is thoroughly bad. Falstaff
- was also convinced and is now glad that nothing but the men's choir
- will be needed. The solo voices are much too weak for the room and
- too--young.--The soprano singer is sixteen years old at the most.
- Palfy is sending you word that he will send you his offer, which
- you know, and the promise which he made, to-morrow in writing.--You
- are choosing the lesser of two evils.--Twenty to twenty-four
- for each part in the chorus are already on hand.--Of the twelve
- violins for each part we to-day selected the six best, who are to
- be arranged in rank and file.--The only wish that Palfy has, as
- he admitted to Lichnowsky to-day, is that Klement be handled as
- gently as possible so that his feelings may not be hurt. For this
- reason we all request you to write a billet to Klement and tell
- the truth as it is. But as there is no question but that he will
- come to the second concert, I suggest that the direction be then
- given to him.--Schuppanzigh is agreed to this. And as Piringer of
- the Theater-an-der-Wien pretends that as a high R. I. official he
- cannot take part, Klement might take first place among the second
- violins at the first concert and Schuppanzigh at the second.--Palfy
- does not at all want that you shall take Klement, but only that you
- shall take the trouble to write him a billet and tell him about
- the matter. He will certainly be agreeable.--He [Schuppanzigh] has
- become much quieter and more _commode_ since he was in Russia--his
- paunch is already beginning to embarrass him. Bhm will play first
- violin, Piringer will not play at the An-der-Wien, which is all one
- to Schuppanzigh.
-
-[Sidenote: COMPOSITION OF THE PERFORMING FORCE]
-
-But matters were not so easily arranged with Clement as Schindler had
-imagined. He did not want to be deprived of the honor of playing at the
-concert, the orchestra of the Theater-an-der-Wien sided with him and
-declared that it would not play under Schuppanzigh. Schindler appealed
-to Count Palfy, who knew that though you can lead a horse to water
-you cannot make him drink. He said that he could command the men to
-play under Schuppanzigh, but he did not want to be answerable for the
-mischief which would result. Schindler advised Beethoven that if Palfy
-stood by Clement the contract for the Krnthnerthor Theatre be closed
-with Duport. Up to late in April it was as good as settled that the
-concert would be given at the Theater-an-der-Wien, though Beethoven's
-fatal indecision left the point uncertain. With negotiations pending
-with both theatres the Ridotto Room came up for consideration, and
-finally (it would seem as a consequence of advice by the Steiner
-firm), also a fourth _locale_. This was the Landstndischer Saal, a
-small room in which the _Concerts Spirituels_ took place. Lichnowsky,
-when he heard that Beethoven was considering such a step, hurried to
-him with representations that if the hall were taken there would be
-trouble with Palfy and he himself humiliated and embarrassed, since he
-had come to an agreement with the manager in his name. He as well as
-Schindler was sorely tried by the new turn of affairs and represented
-to Beethoven that the room was too small, holding only 500 persons, and
-that the court would not go there. But Nephew Karl favored the hall
-because its choice would avoid the difficulties (_Sauerei_) incident
-to the selection of either of the theatres. Lichnowsky and Schindler
-did not seek to hide their displeasure from Beethoven because of his
-willingness to take the advice of others (meaning, no doubt, Brother
-Johann, Nephew Karl and Steiner), in preference to theirs, but at
-length circumstances compelled him to abandon all other plans and
-agree to take the Krnthnerthor Theatre. He considered the noon hour as
-the time for the concert, but Johann told him that an evening concert
-was worth 1500 florins more than one given in the daytime; he clung
-to the Landstndischer Saal, but Schindler told him that on the day
-which had been fixed upon there was to be a concert at the Ridotto
-Room in which Sontag, Unger and the Italian singers would take part.
-"The girls" would therefore be unavailable for his concert and the
-court would, of course, go to the fashionable place and affair. As
-late as April 21, it was publicly announced that the concert would
-be given in the Theater-an-der-Wien, but at length Beethoven made up
-his mind, and Schindler was empowered to close with Duport for the
-Krnthnerthor Theatre. Palfy yielded to the composer's wishes, but
-regretfully, saying that he would rather lose 1000 florins than the
-honor of having the concert in his house. It would seem as if it was
-the cabal in the orchestra against Schuppanzigh which ended Beethoven's
-irresolution. Beethoven now decided to take the Court theatre for 400
-florins, chorus and orchestra being included as well as the lighting,
-with the privilege of a repetition on the same terms in seven or eight
-days. In the letter which Beethoven sent to Duport, were named Sontag,
-Unger and Preisinger (bass) as solo singers, Umlauf and Schuppanzigh
-as leaders, the orchestra and chorus were to be augmented from the
-amateur forces of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. There were to be
-24 violins, 10 violas, 12 contrabasses and violoncellos, and the number
-of wind-instruments was to be doubled, for which reason room would have
-to be provided for the orchestra on the stage. Duport was requested to
-fix the date not later than May 3rd or 4th and was informed that the
-reason why the agreement with Count Palfy had been cancelled was that
-the Theater-an-der-Wien was lacking in capable solo singers and that
-Palfy wanted Clement to lead the orchestra, whereas Beethoven had long
-before selected Schuppanzigh for the post. With a change of date to May
-7 this arrangement was formally confirmed.
-
-But many details remained to be settled, the most vexatious to
-Beethoven being the prices of admission. Beethoven wanted an advance
-on the regular tariff. Duport appealed to the Minister of Police, but
-permission to raise the prices was refused. In the selection of solo
-singers Therese Grnbaum had been considered, but she was eventually
-set aside in favor of Henrietta Sontag, for whom Beethoven had a
-personal admiration (he could not know much, if anything, about her
-voice and art). She and Unger, who had a sincere love for Beethoven's
-music, were the composer's "pretty witches" and had been invited by
-him to dinner. Jger had been suggested for the tenor part, but Anton
-Haitzinger was chosen because, in a spirit of professional courtesy,
-Jger refused to take a part away from a Krnthnerthor singer. Forti
-and Preisinger were rival candidates for the solo bass parts. The
-latter was considered the more musical of the two and better fitted
-for Beethoven's music, and was therefore selected. He took part in
-the rehearsals, and for him Beethoven made a change in the music of
-the recitative in the Symphony (Schindler gives it in his biography);
-but at the last the _tessitura_ of the part was found to be too high
-for him and Preisinger had to withdraw. It was impossible under the
-circumstances now to appeal to Forti, and the part was entrusted to
-Seipelt of the company at the Theater-an-der-Wien.
-
-It was originally intended that the programme should consist of the
-new Overture (Op. 124), the Mass in D and the new Symphony; but
-realizing that this would make the concert unduly long Beethoven first
-decided to omit the _Gloria_ of the mass, and after the rehearsals
-had already begun he curtailed the list still more by eliding the
-_Sanctus_. The large amount of copying involved was done by a staff
-of men some of whom worked, apparently, under the supervision of the
-widow of Schlemmer, Beethoven's favorite copyist who had died the year
-before. The composer angrily rejected Haslinger's suggestion that
-the chorus parts be engraved, but consented to have them duplicated
-by lithographic process. The church authorities were opposed to the
-performance of missal music in a theatre and the censor therefore
-withheld his approval of the programme. So, in April, at the suggestion
-of Schindler, Beethoven wrote a letter to the censor, Sartorius, in
-which he pleaded for his consent to the performance on the ground that
-he was giving the concert by request, had involved himself in costs
-by reason of the copying, there was no time in which to produce other
-novelties, and if consent were refused he would be compelled to abandon
-the concert and all his expenditures would have been in vain. The three
-ecclesiastical pieces which were to be performed were to be listed on
-the programme as hymns. The letter failed of its mission; not until an
-appeal was made to Count Sedlnitzky, the Police President, through the
-agency of Count Lichnowsky, was the performance sanctioned.
-
-[Sidenote: THE COMPOSER AND HONORARY TITLES]
-
-One further detail of the preparations, as disclosed by a discussion
-in Beethoven's ministerial cabinet, is too interesting to be omitted.
-The time is come when bills must be posted in front of the theatre.
-Schindler is the first speaker:
-
- Master! Listen! I have something to say, so follow me: How shall
- the placard be worded (it must be printed to-day); shall I put in
- Member of the Royal Academy at Stockholm and Amsterdam? Tell me
- briefly. What a tremendous title!!
-
- _Schuppanzigh_: I am not in favor of it. Beethoven is dictator and
- president of all the academies in the world and sensible people
- will look upon this title as vanity on his part.
-
- _Schindler_: My lord is not wrong. At any rate it will be made
- public by the last notices in the newspapers. The name of
- Beethoven shines brightest without affix of any kind and when most
- unassuming; all the world knows who and what you are. It will do
- your posterity no good.--Who knows what a later time will bring
- forth.... I must go now to get the bill ready for to-morrow. It is
- half-past 5.
-
-This was, no doubt, another case in which it was thought judicious to
-get Beethoven's consent beyond equivocation. There is record of another
-conversation on the subject. Schindler speaks again:
-
- Well then, it shall appear on the bill to-morrow, Member of the
- Royal Academies of Stockholm and Amsterdam. Nothing more; that
- sounds best.--Then it ought to read of Arts and Sciences.--But when
- one says Roy. Acad. the _epitheton_ Arts and Sciences is understood.
-
-In neither of these consultations, which took place two days before
-the concert, is there any indication that Beethoven objected to the
-use of the title; on the contrary, he seems to have desired to make
-it more explicit by the inclusion of the words "Arts and Sciences."
-But Schindler relates that when Bernard, in preparing an announcement
-for the public press, added to Beethoven's name: "Honorary Member of
-the Academies of Arts and Sciences at Stockholm and Amsterdam and also
-Honorary Citizen of the R. I. Capital and Residential City Vienna,"
-he rebuked the editor severely, not wanting to have such "silly and
-ridiculous playthings" figure in the announcement. As a matter of fact,
-all titles were omitted in the affiches of the two concerts, though
-Otto Jahn found one for the second meeting in the Fuchs Collection
-which contained them. It would seem that after one had been thus
-printed it was after all rejected by Beethoven.
-
-The rehearsals were now in progress. Dirzka was making good headway
-with the choruses and was satisfied; Schuppanzigh was holding
-rehearsals for the strings in the rehearsal-room of the Ridotto;
-the solo singers were studying under the supervision of Beethoven,
-sometimes in his lodgings, Umlauf assisting. Accustomed to Rossini's
-music, the principal singers found it difficult to assimilate the
-Beethovenian manner, especially as it is exemplified in the concluding
-movement of the symphony. They pleaded with the composer for changes
-which would lighten their labors, but he was adamant. Unger called
-him a "tyrant over all the vocal organs" to his face, but when he
-still refused to grant her petitions she turned to Sontag and said:
-"Well, then we must go on torturing ourselves in the name of God!" The
-choirmaster requested that the passage in the fugue of the _Credo_
-where the sopranos enter on B-flat _in alt_ be altered, because none
-of the singers could reach the note; but though Umlauf reinforced that
-argument, a refusal was the only reply. In only one alteration did
-Beethoven acquiesce;--he changed the concluding passage of the bass
-recitative, because Preisinger could not sing the high F-sharp; but
-Preisinger did not sing at all at the concert. The consequences of his
-obduracy were not realized by Beethoven at the concert, for though he
-stood among the performers and indicated the tempo at the beginning of
-each movement he could not hear the music except with his mental ear.
-The obvious thing happened;--the singers who could not reach the high
-tones simply omitted them. Duport had allowed two full rehearsals.
-There was to have been a third, but it was prevented by a rehearsal for
-a ballet. At the final meeting on May 6, Beethoven was "dissolved in
-devotion and emotion" at the performance of the _Kyrie_, and after the
-Symphony stationed himself at the door and embraced all the amateurs
-who had taken part.[113] The official announcement of the concert read
-as follows:
-
- GRAND
- MUSICAL CONCERT
- by
- MR. L. VAN BEETHOVEN
- which will take place
- To-morrow, May 7, 1824
- in the R. I. Court Theatre beside the Krnthnerthor.
-
- The musical pieces to be performed are the latest works of Mr.
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- First: A Grand Overture.
-
- Second: Three Grand Hymns with Solo and Chorus Voices.
-
- Third: A Grand Symphony with Solo and Chorus Voices entering in the
- finale on Schiller's Ode to Joy.
-
- The solos will be performed by the Demoiselles Sonntag and Unger
- and the Messrs. Haizinger and Seipelt. Mr. Schuppanzigh has
- undertaken the direction of the orchestra, Mr. Chapelmaster Umlauf
- the direction of the whole and the Music Society the augmentation
- of the chorus and orchestra as a favor.
-
- Mr. Ludwig van Beethoven will himself participate in the general
- direction.
-
- Prices of admission as usual.
-
- Beginning at 7 o'clock in the evening.
-
-[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE]
-
-The overture was that to "The Consecration of the House." Duport had
-a hand in the drafting of the announcement and wanted to include in
-it the statement that Beethoven would conduct with Umlauf. Schindler
-in reporting the fact to Beethoven added: "I did not know what to
-reply and so it was omitted this time. You _could_ surely conduct the
-overture alone. It would put too severe a strain upon your ears and for
-that reason I would not advise you to conduct the whole."
-
-The theatre was crowded in every part except the imperial box; that
-was empty. Beethoven had gone in person, accompanied by Schindler, to
-invite the Imperial Family, and some of its members promised to attend;
-but the Emperor and Empress had left Vienna a few days before and
-Archduke Rudolph, who had naturally displayed interest in the affair,
-was in Olmtz. But we hear of several of Beethoven's present and
-former friends seated in various parts of the house;--poor, bedridden
-Zmeskall was carried to his seat in a sedan chair. Some of the
-foremost musicians of Vienna were in the band--Mayseder, Bhm, Jansa,
-Linke, etc. The performance was far from perfect. There was lack of a
-homogeneous power, a paucity of nuance, a poor distribution of lights
-and shades. Nevertheless, strange as the music must have sounded to the
-audience, the impression which it made was profound and the applause
-which it elicited enthusiastic to a degree. At one point in the
-Scherzo, presumably at the startling entry of the tympani at the _ritmo
-di tre battute_, the listeners could scarcely restrain themselves, and
-it seemed as if a repetition then and there would be insisted upon. To
-this Beethoven, no doubt engrossed by the music which he was following
-in his mind, was oblivious. Either after the Scherzo or at the end
-of the Symphony,[114] while Beethoven was still gazing at his score,
-Frulein Unger, whose happiness can be imagined, plucked him by the
-sleeve and directed his attention to the clapping hands and waving hats
-and handkerchiefs. Then he turned to the audience and bowed.
-
-After the concert Beethoven's friends, as was natural, came together to
-exchange comments and felicitate him. From Schindler Beethoven received
-a report which is preserved in the Conversation Book. It gives us a
-glimpse of his own joy and the composer's happy pride in having been
-more enthusiastically greeted than the court:
-
- Never in my life did I hear such frenetic and yet cordial
- applause. Once the second movement of the Symphony was completely
- interrupted by applause--and there was a demand for a repetition.
- The reception was more than imperial--for the people burst out
- in a storm 4 times. At the last there were cries of Vivat!--The
- wind-instruments did very bravely--not the slightest disturbance
- could be heard.--When the parterre broke out in applauding cries
- the 5th time the Police Commissioner yelled Silence!--The court
- only 3 successive times but Beethoven 5 times.--My triumph is now
- attained; for now I can speak from my heart. Yesterday I still
- feared secretly that the Mass would be prohibited because I heard
- that the Archbishop had protested against it. After all I was right
- in at first not saying anything to the Police Commissioner. By God,
- it would have happened!--He surely never has been in the Court
- Theatre. Well, _Pax tecum_!
-
-Joseph Httenbrenner went with Schindler when he escorted the composer
-to his lodgings. At this point there appears to be something like a
-flight of the imagination in Schindler's narrative. Arrived at home
-Schindler hands Beethoven the box-office report. He takes it, gives
-it a glance and falls in a swoon. The two friends raise him from
-the floor and carry him to a sofa, where he lies without uttering a
-word until far into the night. Then they observe that he has fallen
-asleep, and depart. Next morning Beethoven is found on the sofa,
-still in his concert-clothes. Schindler should have taken a glance at
-the Conversation Books before writing this dramatic story. There he
-would have found a record of his own words which shows that he came
-to Beethoven on the day after the concert and asked him to send his
-nephew to meet him in the afternoon at the box-office of the theatre
-where the accounts were to be settled. He did not know what the
-receipts were even then, for he remarks to Beethoven, "In Paris and
-London the concert would certainly have yielded from 12 to 15 thousand
-florins; here it may be as many hundreds." And then he goes on: "After
-yesterday you must now too plainly see that you are trampling upon
-your own interests by remaining longer within these walls. In short, I
-have no words to express my feelings at the wrong which you are doing
-yourself.... Have you recovered from yesterday's exertions?"
-
-[Sidenote: FRIENDS ACCUSED OF DISHONESTY]
-
-The financial results of the concert fell far short of Beethoven's
-expectations. The gross receipts were 2200 florins in the depreciated
-Vienna money, of which only 420 florins remained after paying the cost
-of administration and copying; and against this pitiful sum some petty
-expenses were still chargeable. Beethoven was not only disappointed; he
-was chagrined and thrown into a fuming ill-humor. He invited Schindler,
-Umlauf and Schuppanzigh to dine with him at the restaurant "Zum wilden
-Mann" in the Prater. The composer came with his nephew; "his brow was
-clouded, his words were cold, peevish, captious," says Schindler. He
-had ordered an "opulent" meal, but no sooner had the party sat down to
-the table than the "explosion which was imminent" came. In plainest
-terms he burst out with the charge that the management and Schindler
-had cheated him. Umlauf and Schuppanzigh tried to convince him that
-that was impossible, as every penny had passed through the hands of the
-two theatre cashiers, whose accounts tallied, and that though it was
-contrary to custom, his nephew had acted in behalf of his brother as
-comptroller. Beethoven persisted in his accusation, saying that he had
-his information from an entirely credible source. Thereupon Schindler
-and Umlauf abruptly left the room. Schuppanzigh remained behind just
-long enough to get a few stripes on his broad back and then joined
-his companions in misery. Together they finished their meal at a
-restaurant in the Leopoldstadt.[115] Schindler, after a disquisition
-on Beethoven's habit of estranging his friends by insulting them and
-then winning them back by the frankness of his confessions and the
-sincerity of his contrition, says that after the composer's return
-from Baden in November, he approached him in this winning mood, "and
-the entire occurrence was at once drowned in the waters of Lethe." But
-Schindler was not only in error as to the time of the incident--he
-says it was after the second concert--he also seems to have forgotten
-that he received a letter which on its face shows that he had written
-to Beethoven defending himself against the charges made. Beethoven's
-letter was as follows:
-
- I did not accuse you of any wrongdoing in connection with the
- concert; but unwisdom and arbitrary actions spoiled much. Besides
- I have a certain fear lest some great misfortune shall some time
- happen to me through you. Clogged drains often open suddenly, and
- that day in the Prater I thought you were offensive in several
- things. Moreover there are many times when I would rather try to
- repay the services which you perform for me with a little gift than
- with a _meal_, for I admit that I am often too greatly disturbed.
- If you do not see a pleasant face you say at once: "Bad weather
- again to-day"; for being commonplace yourself how can you help
- misunderstanding that which is not commonplace?
-
- In short I love my independence too much. There will be no lack
- of opportunities to invite you, but it is impossible to do so
- continually, inasmuch as thereby all my affairs are disarranged.
-
- Duport has consented to next Tuesday for the concert. For the
- Landstndischen Saal, which I might have had for to-morrow, he
- again refuses to let me have the singers. He has also again
- referred me to the police; therefore please go there with the bill
- and learn if there is any objection to the second time. I would
- never have accepted the favors done me gratis and will not. As for
- friendship that is a difficult thing in your case. In no event
- would I like to entrust my welfare to you since you lack judgment
- and act arbitrarily, and I learned some time ago to know you from a
- side which is not to your credit; and so did others. I must confess
- that the purity of my character does not permit me to recompense
- mere favors with friendship, although I am ready willingly to serve
- your welfare.
-
- B----n.
-
-[Sidenote: FINANCIAL FAILURE REPEATED]
-
-A second concert had been contemplated from the outset, or at least
-since the opening of negotiations with Palfy. Schindler says that
-Duport offered to pay all expenses and guarantee 500 florins Convention
-Coin (1200 florins Vienna Standard) with the understanding that the
-profits should be divided equally between Beethoven and the exchequer
-of the theatre. But he wanted a change made in the programme. To this
-change, obviously designed as a concession to the popular taste,
-Beethoven seems to have given his consent. The concert took place
-on Sunday, May 23rd, at midday--half-past 12 o'clock. Of the missal
-hymns only one, the _Kyrie_, was performed; between the overture and
-it Beethoven's trio, "Tremate, empj, tremate," was sung by Madame
-Dardanelli and Signori Donzelli and Botticelli. The original solo
-singers sang in the _Kyrie_ and the Symphony, which numbers were
-separated by Rossini's "Di tanti palpiti" in a transposed key sung by
-the tenor David "almost throughout in a falsetto voice." Schindler says
-that Sontag also sang her favorite _aria di bravura_ by Mercadante, but
-of this number there is no mention on the _affiche_. The delightful
-weather lured the people into the open air, the house was not half full
-and there was, in consequence, a deficit of 800 florins. Nor was the
-popular demonstration of enthusiasm over the music so great as at the
-first concert, and Beethoven, who had not favored the repetition, was
-so disheartened that he was with difficulty persuaded to accept the
-500 florins which Duport had guaranteed to him. He was also vexed to
-find his old trio announced as a novelty (it was composed more than
-twenty years before and had been performed in 1814), and so was Tobias
-Haslinger, who had bought but had not published it. Moreover, Haslinger
-had been overlooked in the distribution of complimentary tickets.
-Beethoven had to apologize to him for the oversight, which he protested
-was due to an inadvertence, and also to explain that the announcement
-of the trio as a new work was of Duport's doing, not his.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[106] Page 157 _et seq._
-
-[107] There are several stories touching the origin of the fugue-theme
-of the Scherzo of the D minor symphony, which may be given for what
-they are worth. Czerny says that the theme occurred to Beethoven while
-listening to the twittering of sparrows in a garden. Holz told Jahn
-that one evening Beethoven was seated in the forest at Schnbrunn and
-in the gloaming fancied he saw all about him a multitude of gnomes
-popping in and out of their hiding-places; and this stirred his fancy
-to the invention of the theme. Another story has it that it flashed
-into his mind with a sudden outbursting glitter of lights after he had
-long been seated in the dark.
-
-[108] "Sinfonie at the beginning only 4 voices, 2 viol. viola, basso,
-amongst them forte with other voices and if possible bring in all the
-other instruments one by one and gradually."
-
-[109] Nottebohm fills the hiatus with "Trombones? Subjects?"
-
-[110] "Abgerissene Stze wie Frsten sind Bettler u. s. w." The phrase
-is probably a record of Beethoven's imperfect recollection of the line
-"_Bettler_ werden Frstenbrder," which appeared in an early version
-of Schiller's poem where now we read "_Alle Menschen werden Brder_."
-The thought lies near that it was the early form of the poem, when
-it was still an "Ode to Freedom" (not "to Joy"), which first aroused
-enthusiastic admiration for it in Beethoven's mind. In a Conversation
-Book of 1824 Bernard says to Beethoven: "In your text it reads,"
-followed by the observation, "All this is due here to the direction
-of the aristocracy"--which may or may not have connection with a
-conversation in which politics was playing a part.
-
-[111] So Thayer remarks.
-
-[112] For this assumption the present editor is alone responsible.
-Thayer, who says nothing on the subject, corrects Schindler's date to
-March 20, for no obvious reason.
-
-[113] The statement about the _Kyrie_ was made by Holz to Jahn; that
-about the Symphony, by Fuchs.
-
-[114] The incident is variously related. Schindler and Frulein Unger
-(the latter of whom told it to George Grove in London in 1869) say
-that it took place at the end of the concert. Thalberg, the pianist,
-who was present, says that it was after the Scherzo. A note amongst
-Thayer's papers reads: "November 23, 1860. I saw Thalberg in Paris.
-He told me as follows: He was present at Beethoven's concert in the
-Krnthnerthor Theatre 1824. Beethoven was dressed in black dress-coat,
-white neckerchief, and waistcoat, black satin small-clothes, black silk
-stockings, shoes with buckles. He saw after the Scherzo of the 9th
-symphony, how B. stood turning over the leaves of his score utterly
-deaf to the immense applause, and Unger pulled him by the sleeve and
-then pointed to the audience when he turned and bowed. Umlauf told the
-choir and orchestra to pay no attention whatever to Beethoven's beating
-of the time but all to watch him. Conradin Kreutzer was at the P. F."
-Did Thalberg describe Beethoven's dress correctly? Evidently not. In
-a conversation just before the concert Schindler, who is to call for
-Beethoven, tells him to make himself ready. "We will take everything
-with us now; also take your green coat, which you can put on when you
-conduct. The theatre will be dark and no one will notice it.... O,
-great master, you do not own a black frock coat! The green one will
-have to do; in a few days the black one will be ready."
-
-[115] It is more than likely that Beethoven's "credible" informant was
-his brother Johann. He was jealous of Schindler's participation in the
-composer's business affairs and probably took advantage of a favorable
-opportunity to strengthen Beethoven's chronic suspicion and growing
-distrust of what the composer himself looked upon as Schindler's
-officiousness. In the Conversation Book used at the meeting after the
-concert, Karl tells his uncle: "Schindler knows from an ear-witness
-that your brother said in the presence of several persons that he was
-only waiting for the concert to be over before driving S. out of the
-house."
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VI
-
- Incidents and Labors of 1824--Bernard's Oratorio--Visitors at
- Baden--New Publishers--A Visitor from London--Beethoven's Opinion
- of his Predecessors--The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127.
-
-
-At the end of the chapter preceding the last, which recorded the doings
-of the year 1823, Beethoven was left in his lodgings in the Ungargasse,
-occupied with work upon the Ninth Symphony, which was approaching
-completion, oppressed with anxiety concerning his health and worried
-about his brother's domestic affairs. As the story of his life is
-resumed with the year 1824, there has been no serious change in his
-physical condition, but complaints of ill health are frequent in his
-communications with his friends. His eyes continue to trouble him till
-late in March; Schindler cautions him not to rub them, as that might
-increase the inflammation; Karl suggests buying a shade to protect them
-from the glare of the light; and when Count Brunswick wants to take him
-along with him to Hungary, Schindler advises him to take the trip, as
-it might be beneficial for his eyes.
-
-[Sidenote: KIND INTEREST IN KARL'S MOTHER]
-
-For a moment we have a glimpse at the gentler side of the composer's
-nature in a letter which he sends when the year is about a week old
-to the widow of his brother, the wicked mother of his adopted son,
-in lieu of the New Year's call which they had been prevented by work
-from making. He should have come to wish her happiness for the year,
-he says, had he been able: "but I know that, nevertheless, you expect
-nothing but the best of good wishes for your welfare from me as well
-as Karl." She had complained of being in need, and he says he would
-gladly have helped her, but had himself too many expenditures, debts
-and delayed receipts to prove his willingness at the moment; but he
-would now give it to her "in writing" that thenceforth she might retain
-the portion of her pension which had been set apart for her son. If,
-in the future, he could give her money to better her condition, he
-would willingly do so; moreover, he had long before assumed the debt
-of 280 florins and 20 kreutzers which she owed Steiner. Manifestly a
-truce had been established between the woman and her brother-in-law,
-and in the absence of any evidence that she was in any way concerned
-in an escapade of Karl's later in the year, it would appear that she
-never violated it; it was not the woman whom Beethoven hated, but the
-youth whom he loved, who brought grief and an almost broken heart into
-his last days. Nevertheless, there is more than passive contentment
-exhibited in this letter; there is also an active magnanimity which
-finds even warmer expression in a letter which he seems to have written
-at an earlier date to his friend Bernard. Bernard[116] had been helpful
-to Beethoven in drawing up the memorial to the court in the matter of
-the guardianship and was among the friends whom Beethoven consulted
-about Karl's education and bringing up. To him Beethoven writes:
-
- I beg of you before the day is over to make inquiries about F. v.
- B. [Frau van Beethoven] and if it is possible, to have her assured
- through her physician that from this month on _so long as I shall
- live_ she shall have the enjoyment of the whole of her pension,
- and I will see to it that if I die first, Karl shall not need the
- half of her pension. It was, moreover, always my intention to
- permit her to keep the whole of her pension so soon as Karl left
- the Institute, but as her illness and need are so great she must be
- helped at once. God has never deserted me in this heavy task and I
- shall continue to trust in Him. If possible I beg of you to send
- me information yet to-day and I will see to it that my _tenacious
- brother also makes a contribution_ to her.
-
-The nephew was now attending the philological lectures at the
-university and living in the winter and spring months with his uncle.
-He had left Blchlinger's Institute in August 1823 and matriculated
-at the university. He was active in the service of Beethoven, doing
-work as his amanuensis, carrying messages, making purchases, and so
-on; in fact, Beethoven seems to have taken up more of his time than
-was good for his studies. He loved him tenderly and was unceasingly
-thoughtful of his welfare; but the jealousy of his affection led him
-to exercise a strictness of discipline over him which could not fail
-to become irksome to a growing stripling. He left him little liberty,
-and, yielding to a disposition prone to passion, he not seldom treated
-him with great severity. The youth appears in the Conversation Books as
-lively, clever and shrewd, and Beethoven, proud of his natural gifts
-of mind, was indulgent of his comments on others, permitting him
-apparently to speak lightly and discourteously of the men upon whose
-help and counsel he was obliged to depend. The result of Beethoven's
-extremes of harsh rebuke and loving admonition, of violent accusation
-and tender solicitude, was to encourage him in his innate bent for
-disingenuousness and deception, and he continued the course which he
-had begun as a boy of repeating words of disparagement touching those
-against whom his uncle levelled his criticisms, and of reporting, no
-doubt with embellishments of his own invention, the speeches which told
-of the popular admiration in which the great composer was held. By
-this species of flattery he played upon the weakness of his uncle and
-actually obtained an influence over him in the course of time which he
-exploited to his own advantage in various directions. He was naturally
-inclined to indolence and self-indulgence, and it is not strange that
-Beethoven's self-sacrifice in his behalf never awakened in him any deep
-sense of gratitude, while his unreasonable and ill-considered severity
-aroused a spirit of rebellion in him which grew with his advance
-towards adolescence. Beethoven never seems to have realized that he had
-outgrown the period when he could be treated as a child, and it was a
-child's submission which he asked of him.
-
-Grillparzer's opera-book was a frequent subject of conversation between
-Beethoven and his friends in the early months of 1824, but petitions
-and advice were alike unfruitful. He did not go to work upon it nor
-yet upon a composition which presented a more urgent obligation. This
-was the oratorio which he had agreed to write for the Gesellschaft
-der Musikfreunde and on which he had received an advance of money in
-1819. Here the fatal procrastination, though it may have been agreeable
-to Beethoven, was not altogether his fault. Bernard began the book,
-but seems to have put it aside after a few weeks. In April, 1820, he
-tells Beethoven in a Conversation Book, "I must finish the oratorio
-completely this month so that it may be handed to you in Mdling." In
-August, possibly, somebody writes: "I have put it seriously to _Sanctus
-Bernardus_ that it is high time that it be done; that Hauschka was
-urging a completion. He will finish it this month, _id est_ in 5 days,
-and see you this evening at Camehl's.... When I told Bernard that
-Hauschka had come to you about it he was embarrassed and--it seems to
-me that he is throwing the blame on you. He does not want to show his
-poetical impotency."
-
-[Sidenote: GROWING IMPATIENCE ABOUT AN ORATORIO]
-
-For four years after giving the commission, the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde waited before it put any signs of impatience on record.
-Towards the close of October, 1823, Bernard gave a copy of the text
-of the oratorio, which was entitled "Der Sieg des Kreutzes" ("The
-Victory of the Cross"), to Beethoven and also one to Sonnleithner for
-the society. After waiting nearly three months, the directorate of the
-society at a meeting held on January 9, 1824, took action, the nature
-of which was notified to both Beethoven and Bernard. The latter was
-informed that as the society had left the choice of the text which
-he was to compose to Beethoven, it could not say whether or not the
-society would make use of the poem which he had sent until Beethoven
-had set it to music, and the censor had given it his sanction. He was
-also asked to coperate with the society in stimulating Beethoven to
-finish the work "so long expected by the musical world." Beethoven
-was told that the choice of a book for the oratorio which the society
-had commissioned him to write four years before had been left to him;
-that it had been informed that Bernard had undertaken to write it;
-that its inquiries as to when the music would be completed had always
-been answered by the statement that the poem had not been received.
-Not presuming to ask a composer of his eminence to outline the plan
-of a musical composition before he had become familiar with the work
-as a whole and had satisfied himself touching its plan and execution,
-the society, therefore, had thitherto always directed its inquiries to
-Bernard, who had delivered the book in October. In view of the fact
-that the society could not use the text until it had been set and he
-(Beethoven) had repeatedly expressed his intention to write a work
-of the kind and confirmed the receipt of earnest money paid at his
-request, the society asked him explicitly to say whether or not he
-intended to compose Bernard's poem, and, if so, when the work might be
-expected.
-
-Beethoven answered the letter at great length. He said that he had not
-asked Bernard to write the text but had been told that the society had
-commissioned him to do so; Bernard being the editor of a newspaper it
-was impossible for him to consult him often; moreover, consultations
-of this character would be long drawn out and personally disagreeable,
-as Bernard had written nothing for music except "Libussa," which had
-not been performed at the time, but which he had known since 1809 and
-which had required many alterations; he was compelled to be somewhat
-skeptical about the collaboration and have the book before him in its
-entirety. He had once received a portion of the book, but Bernard, to
-the best of his recollection, had said that it would have to be changed
-and he had given it back to him. At last he had received the whole
-text at the time that the society received it, but other obligations
-which illness had retarded had had to be fulfilled, since, as the
-society probably knew, he was compelled to live from his compositions.
-Many changes, some of which he had indicated to Bernard, would have to
-be made in the book. He would finish his suggestions and consult with
-Bernard, for,
-
- though I find the material good and the poem has a value, it cannot
- remain _as it is_. The poet and I wrote "Christus am lberg" in
- 14 days, but that poet was musical and had written several things
- for music and I could consult with him at any moment. Let us leave
- out of consideration _the value_ of poems of this sort; we all
- know what allowances are to be made--the merit lies in the middle.
- So far as I am concerned I would rather set Homer, Klopstock,
- Schiller to music; if they offer difficulties to be overcome _these
- immortal poets_ at least deserve it. As soon as I am through with
- making changes in the oratorio with Bernard I shall have the honor
- to inform you of the fact and at the same time let the society
- know when it may with certainty count upon it. That is all that I
- can say about it at present. Respecting the 400 florins, Vienna
- standard, sent to me _without demand_ I would have sent them back
- long ago had I been able to foresee that the matter would last
- much longer than I had imagined; it was grievous to me not to
- be able to express myself on the subject. Concerning it I had a
- notion, in order to provide at least the interest on the sum, to
- unite with the society in a concert; but neither Herr Schindler
- nor my brother was authorized to say anything on the subject, and
- it was farthest from my thoughts that it should be done _in such a
- manner_. Please inform Herrn von Sonnleithner of this. I also thank
- the society heartily for the offer of the platform and its aid
- which it proffered me and in time I shall make use of them. I shall
- be glad to hear whether the society wishes to make use of my works
- after my concert, among which is a new symphony. The Grand Mass is
- really rather in the oratorio style and particularly adapted to the
- society. I shall be especially pleased if my unselfishness and also
- my zealous desire to serve the society in whose benevolent deeds in
- behalf of art I always take the greatest interest, are recognized.
-
-It is interesting to note in connection with this letter that Beethoven
-resents the statement that he had asked for the money given as an
-earnest; that he was unwilling to assume responsibility for the
-selection of Bernard as his collaborator (though Bernard was among his
-friends and advisors and he had expressed satisfaction with his choice
-when he accepted the commission, only insisting that the poet be paid
-by the society); that he gave at least moderate approval to the book as
-a whole but insisted on some alterations which were essential; that he
-had been contemplating co-operation with the society in a concert, and
-that he had received an offer of assistance from it in a concert which
-he was to give. The letter was written on January 23, some time before
-the receipt of the memorial which was the first official step toward
-the great concerts of May 7 and 23. There is evidence of a kindly
-feeling between the society and him, and, indeed, that feeling was
-never interrupted, though the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde never got
-the oratorio nor received back the money advanced on its commission.
-The society afterward elected him to honorary membership.
-
-[Sidenote: CONTRADICTORY ADVICE AS TO BERNARD'S BOOK]
-
-Beethoven was frequently urged to set to work on the music of "The
-Victory of the Cross"; but he was also advised not to compose it.
-Archduke Rudolph accepted the dedication of the poem and wrote to
-Beethoven telling him of the fact and expressing a wish that he would
-set it to music. But Schikh said to him: "If I were Beethoven I would
-never compose the extremely tiresome text of this oratorio." Beethoven
-had expressed satisfaction with the subject and the quality of the
-lines; he discussed changes which he wished to have made with Bernard
-after he had had time to consider the work as a whole; he promised
-Hauschka in September that he would compose it as soon as he returned
-to the city, and asked him to pay Bernard his fee; but he never set
-seriously to work upon it, though at the end of the letter to Hauschka
-(which bears date September 23, 1824) he reiterated his promise so that
-he might, with mock solemnity, attest it by affixing his hand and seal.
-
-The book of "The Victory of the Cross" was based upon the ancient story
-of the apparition of the cross and the legend "_In hoc signo vinces_"
-to Constantine the Great. _Constantine_ has crossed the Alps into Italy
-and lies encamped confronting his enemy _Maxentius_ before Rome. His
-daughter _Julia_, who is represented as wife to _Maxentius_, attempts
-to avert the battle, but the vision strengthens _Constantine's_
-resolve. _Julia_ hears the angelic canticles which accompany the
-apparition and is converted to the true faith, persisting in it to
-martyrdom, to which she is condemned by her husband. _Maxentius_ also
-hears the voices, but his augurs (allegorical figures representing
-_Hate_ and _Discord_) interpret them to his advantage, whereas similar
-figures (_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_) inspire the Christian army.
-Pious canticles on the one hand, harsh songs on the other, precede the
-battle, the progress of which is related by a solo voice. _Constantine_
-promises to raise the cross on the forum in Rome; the victory is won
-and celebrated with Christian hymns, "Hosanna!" and "Glory to God!"
-Beethoven's copy of the libretto has been preserved, and in it there
-are indications that he made some heroic excisions. He permitted
-_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_ to remain, but banished _Hate_ and
-_Discord_. It is pretty plain that Beethoven found nothing inspiring in
-the work. Holz told Jahn that he said to him, "How could I get up any
-enthusiasm about it?" Schindler says that Beethoven's failure to set
-the book caused a rupture of the friendship which existed between him
-and Bernard. The directors of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde dropped
-the matter, neither importuning Beethoven more nor taking any steps to
-recover the money paid on account.
-
-One outcome of the concerts of May was the appearance of a new
-portrait of Beethoven. It was a lithographic reproduction of a crayon
-drawing made by Stephen Decker and was printed as a supplement to the
-"Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung" edited by F. A. Kanne, on June 6,
-1824. In this and two subsequent numbers of the journal (June 9 and 16)
-Kanne reviewed the concerts with discriminating appreciation, ending
-with an enthusiastic encomium of the composer. In 1827 Steinmller made
-a plate of Decker's drawing for Artaria. Schindler and Frimmel agree
-in saying that the well-known portrait by Kriehuber is an imitation of
-Decker's drawing, which was made, as Kanne's journal stated, "a few
-days after his great concert in May, 1824."[117]
-
-During the preparations for the concerts, thought was also given to
-the usual summer sojourn, and various places--Grinzing, Heiligenstadt,
-Penzing, Breitensee, Hietzing, Hetzendorf--were canvassed in
-consultation with Beethoven by his friends. His brother had again
-offered him a home on his estate and it was expected that Count
-Brunswick would come for the concert and take Beethoven back with him
-to Hungary. In all of the excursions which were made in the vicinity
-of Schnbrunn in search of a summer home, Schindler accompanied the
-composer to see, to advise, to negotiate. The choice fell upon Penzing,
-where an apartment was found in the first storey of the house numbered
-43 belonging to a tailor in Vienna named Johann Hrr, who was rejoiced
-to have so distinguished a tenant. Beethoven took it for the summer
-beginning on May 1, for a rental of 180 florins, C. M. The receipt is
-in existence, with a characteristic memorial of Beethoven's violent
-and abrupt change of mind concerning men and things. The lodgings were
-in all things adapted to his needs and Beethoven, entirely satisfied,
-moved into them soon after the second concert. An old couple lived in
-the parterre, but otherwise he was the only tenant of the house. But
-the house lay close to a foot-bridge over the little stream called
-the Wien Fluss and people crossing it frequently stopped to gaze
-into his rooms. He could have saved himself the annoyance by drawing
-the curtains, but instead he flew into a rage, quarrelled with his
-landlord, against whom he recorded his anger by scrawling the epithet
-"Schurke" (rogue, wretch, scoundrel, etc.) under his name on the
-receipt, and removing to Baden (Gutenbrunn). He had been in the house
-six weeks; in Baden he staid from about the 1st of August till some
-time in November; and thus was again paying rent for three lodgings at
-the same time.
-
-[Sidenote: TWO NEW OFFERS OF THE MASS IN D]
-
-[Sidenote: Schott and Sons Buy the Mass]
-
-The matter of the subscriptions for the Mass being disposed of (except
-so far as the deliveries of some of the scores was concerned), and
-the Symphony completed, Beethoven now had time, while getting ready
-for their performance, to think also of their publication. As he had
-promised to deliver the Mass to Simrock long before, so also he had
-contracted to give exclusive possession of the Symphony for eighteen
-months to the Philharmonic Society of London, in March, 1823. It was
-eleven months after that date that the score was finished and thirteen
-months before it was placed in the hands of the Philharmonic Society's
-agent in Vienna. Hogarth in his history of the Philharmonic Society is
-only technically correct when he says that it was not "received" by the
-society until "after it had been performed at Vienna." It was handed
-to Ries's representative on April 26 or 27, 1824; the first concert
-took place on May 7th. When Beethoven took up the matter of publication
-again he ignored Simrock, Peters, Schlesinger and the Vienna publishers
-and turned to Schott and Sons of Mayence and H. A. Probst of Leipsic.
-Schott and Sons had sent him their journal "Ccilia" with the request
-that he recommend a correspondent in the Austrian capital, and also
-send them some compositions for publication. He answered on March 10,
-1824, that he would gladly serve the paper if it were not that he
-felt it to be a higher and more natural calling to manifest himself
-through his musical compositions; but he had instigated a search for
-a fit man to act as Viennese reviewer. Of his compositions he offered
-"a new Grand Mass with solo and chorus and full orchestra" which he
-considered his "greatest work," and a new Grand Symphony with a finale
-in the style of his Pianoforte Fantasia with chorus "but on a much
-larger scale"; also a new quartet for strings.[118] The fees demanded
-were 1000 florins C. M. for the Mass, 600 florins for the Symphony and
-50 ducats for the Quartet. "This business only to oblige you." On the
-same day he wrote to H. A. Probst offering the Mass and Symphony at
-the same prices but stipulating that the latter should not be published
-before July, 1825, though, to recompense the publisher for the delay,
-he would let him have the pianoforte arrangement _gratis_. Only a
-portion of this letter has been preserved, but the contents of the lost
-fragment can be gathered from Probst's answer under date March 22, in
-which he promises to deposit at once with Joseph Loydl and Co. 100
-imperial ducats to Beethoven's account, to be paid over on delivery of
-three songs with pianoforte accompaniment (two of them to have parts
-for other instruments, the third to be an arietta), six bagatelles
-for pianoforte solo, and a grand overture with pianoforte arrangement
-for 2 and 4 hands. What these works were may easily be guessed. After
-this business had been arranged to the satisfaction of both parties,
-Probst said, he would communicate his decision respecting the Mass.
-Beethoven wrote, probably on July 3, explaining his delay on the score
-that the compositions "had just been finished" but were now ready for
-delivery at any moment to Herrn Glggl, to whom he requested that the
-money be sent. On August 9, Probst informed Beethoven that the 100
-ducats had already been sent to Loydl and Co., in Vienna. A letter
-written by Beethoven on the same day has been lost, but a portion of
-its contents can be deduced from Probst's reply a week later--August
-16. The Leipsic publisher admitted that his action in depositing the
-money to be delivered in exchange for the manuscripts had been due
-to reports which had reached him touching difficulties which another
-publisher had had with the composer. In purchasing manuscripts without
-examination he was departing from his established rule of action and
-he trusted to the admiration which he felt for the composer's genius
-that the latter had set apart works of excellence for him. He would
-gladly have published the Symphony, but was deterred by the danger of
-piracy which was peculiarly great in Austria. He promised a speedy and
-handsome publication of the works purchased. A memorandum by Beethoven
-indicates that he answered this letter, but the nature of his reply
-is not known. It is to be presumed that he withdrew his offer of the
-Symphony. The correspondence with Probst ended and the negotiations,
-which had again reached the point of a deposit of the fee against the
-delivery of the manuscripts, came to nothing; Schott and Sons secured
-not only the Mass, Symphony and Quartet, but the smaller pieces also.
-The firm accepted the offer of the Quartet at once, but asked either a
-reduction of the fees for the Symphony and Mass, or permission to pay
-the money in installments at intervals of six months. Subsequently the
-firm offered to provide a guaranty for the deferred payments and to
-consider any proposition which Beethoven had to make. The two letters,
-dated respectively March 24 and April 10, remaining unanswered,
-Schott and Sons again wrote on April 19 and still again on April 27;
-introducing with the former letter Christian Rummel, Chapelmaster of
-the Duke of Nassau, and asking a contribution to "Ccilia" in the
-latter. In the midst of his preparations for the concert, Beethoven
-replied and repeated his offer of the Mass and Symphony, but held the
-matter of the Quartet in abeyance. He asked that payment for the other
-works be made by bills drawn on a Vienna bank payable 600 florins in
-one month, 500 florins in two months and 600 florins in four months.
-On July 3 he also conceded the Quartet, which he promised to deliver
-inside of six weeks. With this the business was concluded and, as an
-undated letter of Beethoven's shows, much to his gratification; the
-business methods of Schott and Sons were extremely satisfactory to him.
-But the year came to an end, and the Mayence publishers were still
-waiting for their manuscripts, while Beethoven was kept busy writing
-explanations in answer to their questions and requests. On September 17
-Beethoven says he will attend to the copying of the works as soon as he
-has returned to Vienna, and send the Quartet by the middle of October;
-in November he is obliged to give two lessons a day to Archduke Rudolph
-and has no time to look after the matter; on December 5 the works are
-most certainly to be delivered to Fries and Co. within the current
-week; on December 17 it will be another week before the works can be
-delivered--the Archduke has but gone and he must look through the copy
-of the score several times--and he begs his correspondents not to
-think ill of him, for he had "never done anything wrong," intimating
-that a certain publisher in Vienna was trying to seduce him from the
-Mayence firm and to that end was seeking to make them suspicious,
-etc.; meanwhile he offers for publication the overture which had been
-performed at his concert, six bagatelles and three songs in behalf of
-his brother to whom they belong, the price 130 ducats in gold. These
-were the works which Probst had agreed to purchase for 100 ducats and
-the money for which had been sent to Vienna. Schott agreed to buy them
-for 130 ducats and Beethoven wrote to his brother in Gneixendorf on
-December 24: "I inform you that Mayence will give 130 ducats in gold
-for your works: if Herr Probst will not pay as much, give them to
-Mayence, who will at once send you a cheque; these are really honest,
-not mean, business men." Johann promptly put himself in communication
-with Schott and Sons and graciously confirmed the sale of the works at
-130 florins, "out of respect" for his brother.
-
-Peters, who had been informed of the state of affairs concerning the
-Mass, evidently sent a complaint, or protest, to Beethoven, for on
-December 12, 1824, the latter informs the publisher that the case
-has been closed by his promise of the work to another publisher. He
-(Peters) should have received a quartet had the publishers who took
-the Mass not made the Quartet a condition of his acceptance. But he
-should surely have another quartet soon, or he was ready to make him
-a proposition for a larger work, in which case the sum which had been
-paid might be deducted from the new fee. Let Peters but be patient and
-he should be completely satisfied. Then follows this rebuke:
-
- You did wrong to _yourself_ and _to me_, and you are still doing
- the latter in, as I hear, accusing me of having sent you _inferior_
- works. Did you not yourself ask for songs and bagatelles? Afterward
- it occurred to you that the fee was too large and that a larger
- work might have been had for it. That you showed yourself to be a
- poor judge of art in this is proved by the fact that several of
- these works have been and will be published, and such a thing never
- happened to me before.[119] As soon as I can I will liquidate my
- indebtedness to you, and meanwhile I remain, etc.
-
-In September of this year the interest of Beethoven's old friend
-Andreas Streicher, whose wife was a visitor at Baden, seems to have
-been awakened in a marked degree, and he gave himself to the devising
-of plans to ameliorate the composer's financial position. He revived
-the project for a complete edition of the compositions which, as he
-outlines it, he thinks might yield a profit of 10,000 florins, good
-money; proposes six high-class subscription concerts in the approaching
-winter, which, with 600 subscribers, would yield 4,800 florins; finally
-he suggests that manuscript copies of the Mass in D with pianoforte
-or organ accompaniment be sold to a number of singing societies.
-Though this project had in a measure been attempted in the case of
-the Singverein of Berlin and achieved in that of the Ccilienverein
-of Frankfort, Beethoven seems to have authorized Streicher to make an
-effort in the direction proposed, for two copies of a letter evidently
-written to be communicated to singing societies or representative
-members have been found. In the letter Beethoven suggests that owing to
-the cost of copying, etc., the price be 50 ducats--just as much as he
-had asked of his royal subscribers for the full orchestral score. None
-of the projects came to execution, though the first, which lay close
-to Beethoven's heart, came up for attention at a later date.
-
-[Sidenote: PRAISE FOR ENGLAND AND THE ENGLISH]
-
-Towards the end of September, Johann Stumpff, a native of Thuringia but
-a resident of London, was among the visitors at Baden who were admitted
-to intimate association with Beethoven. This was another Stumpff, not
-the one who came to Vienna in 1818 with a letter from Thomas Broadwood,
-and who tuned the new English pianoforte. He was a manufacturer of
-harps and an enthusiastic admirer of Beethoven's music. Anticipating
-a meeting with the composer, he had provided himself with a letter of
-introduction to Haslinger, whose help to that end he asked. He had
-also gotten a letter from Streicher, whose acquaintance he had made
-in London. He accomplished his end and wrote a long and enthusiastic
-account of his intercourse with Beethoven at Baden, whither Haslinger
-had accompanied him on his first visit.[120] He was received by
-Beethoven with extraordinary cordiality. The composer accepted an
-invitation to dinner, entertained his host at dinner in return, played
-for him on his Broadwood pianoforte (after Stein, at Stumpff's request,
-had restored its ruins), and at parting gave him a print of one of
-his portraits and promised to alight at his house if ever he came to
-London. Much of his conversation, which Stumpff records, is devoted to
-a condemnation of the frivolity and bad musical taste of the Viennese,
-and excessive laudation of everything English. "Beethoven," Stumpff
-remarks, "had an exaggerated opinion of London and its highly cultured
-inhabitants," and he quotes Beethoven as saying: "England stands high
-in culture. In London everybody knows something and knows it well; but
-the man of Vienna can only talk of eating and drinking, and sings and
-pounds away at music of little significance or of his own making." He
-spoke a great deal about sending his nephew to London to make a man of
-him, asked questions about the cost of living there and, in short, gave
-proof that an English visit was filling a large part of his thoughts.
-The incidents of the conclusion of the dinner which he gave to Stumpff
-may be told in the latter's words:
-
- Beethoven now produced the small bottle. It contained the precious
- wine of Tokay with which he filled the two glasses to the brim.
- "Now, my good German-Englishman, to your good health." We drained
- the glasses, then, extending his hand, "A good journey to you
- and to a meeting again in London." I beckoned to him to fill
- the glasses again and hurriedly wrote in his notebook: "Now
- for a pledge to the welfare of the greatest living composer,
- Beethoven."--I arose from my chair, he followed my example, emptied
- his glass and seizing my hand said: "To-day I am just what I am
- and what I ought to be,--all unbuttoned." And now he unbosomed
- himself on the subject of music which had been degraded and made a
- plaything of vulgar and impudent passions. "True music," he said,
- "found little recognition in this age of Rossini and his consorts."
- Thereupon I took up the pencil and wrote in very distinct letters:
-
- "Whom do you consider the greatest composer that ever lived?"
-
- "Handel," was his instantaneous reply; "to him I bow the knee," and
- he bent one knee to the floor.
-
- "Mozart," I wrote.
-
- "Mozart," he continued, "is good and admirable."
-
- "Yes," wrote I, "who was able to glorify even Handel with his
- additional accompaniments to 'The Messiah'."
-
- "It would have lived without them," was his answer.
-
- I continued writing. "Seb. Bach."
-
- "Why is he dead?"
-
- I answered immediately "He will return to life again."
-
- "Yes, if he is studied, and for that there is now no time."
-
- I took the liberty of writing: "As you yourself, a peerless artist
- in the art of music, exalt the merits of Handel so highly above
- all, you must certainly own the scores of his principal works."
-
- "I? How should I, a poor devil, have gotten them? Yes, the scores
- of 'The Messiah' and 'Alexander's Feast' went through my hands."
-
- If it is possible for a blind man to help a cripple, and the two
- attain an end which would be impossible to either one unaided, why
- might not in the present case a similar result be effected by a
- similar coperation? At that moment I made a secret vow: Beethoven,
- you shall have the works for which your heart is longing if they
- are anywhere to be found.
-
-Stumpff relates that Beethoven's brother, who came into the room during
-his visit, seemed glad to greet him and begged him most amiably to call
-on him, as he desired to talk with him about a number of things. In
-saying farewell Beethoven accompanied him to the door and said: "That
-is my brother--have nothing to do with him--he is not an honest man.
-You will hear me accused of many wrong actions of which he has been
-guilty." Stumpff returned to London on December 6. He fulfilled his vow
-touching the gift of Handel's works two years later.
-
-On November 17, 1824, as the autograph attests, Beethoven wrote a
-four-part canon on the words "Schwenke dich ohne Schwnke," which he
-sent to Schott and Sons for publication in the "Ccilia," where it
-appeared in April, 1825. There the title is "Canon on one who was
-called Schwenke." The person whose name has thus been perpetuated
-was Carl Schwenke, son of Christian Friedrich Gottlieb Schwenke,
-Director of Church Music and Cantor at the Johanneum in Hamburg. Of the
-acquaintanceship between Beethoven and him, the canon is the only relic.
-
-In the latter part of the summer Beethoven accepted a commission from
-Diabelli for "a Sonata in F for pianoforte, four hands." The project
-seems to have originated with the publisher, who asked for such a
-composition and specified the key in a letter dated August 7, 1824.
-Beethoven waited a fortnight before replying and then agreed to compose
-the work for a fee of 80 ducats in gold, although a sonata for four
-hands was not in his line. He mentioned the composition and the fee
-which he was to receive for it in the draft for a letter to Schlesinger
-next year, but never wrote the work; nor have any certain traces of it
-been found in the sketchbooks.
-
-[Sidenote: The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127]
-
-There is only one other work which calls for attention as having
-largely occupied Beethoven's mind this year. It is the Quartet for
-Strings in E-flat, Op. 127. When Beethoven in January, 1823, accepted
-the invitation of Prince Galitzin to write three quartets for him, he
-had for some time been contemplating a return to the field which he had
-cultivated so successfully but had permitted to lie fallow after the
-completion of the quartet in F minor, Op. 95, in October, 1810. He had
-held out a promise for speedy delivery of a quartet to Peters on June
-5, 1822, but Peters declined the work in his next letter. Galitzin sent
-the stipulated fee of 50 ducats promptly to his bankers in Vienna, but
-subsequently yielded to Beethoven's request and permitted the money
-to be applied to his subscription for the Mass. On March 10, 1824,
-Beethoven offered "a new quartet" to Schott and Sons for 50 ducats
-and the publishers promptly notified their acceptance of the offer to
-him. Neate was informed by a letter dated March 19 that the Quartet
-was finished; but, as usual, the word was used in a Pickwickian sense.
-The correspondence with Schott and Sons sings the same tune with
-respect to the Quartet that it does regarding Mass and Symphony. On
-May 20 Beethoven cannot positively promise it; on July 3 he is sure
-that the publishers will receive it in six weeks; on September 17 the
-time of delivery is postponed to the middle of October; in November to
-the beginning of December; and on December 17 he says there is still
-something to be written on it. All the works which Schott and Sons have
-bought are to be delivered at one time, yet when they receive the Mass
-and Symphony on January 16, 1825, the Quartet is withheld but promised
-in another week, and, after a month has passed, in still another
-week. The Quartet is performed for the first time by Schuppanzigh on
-March 6, 1825. At last Beethoven writes to Schott and Sons on May 7,
-1825: "You will have received the Quartet by this time--it is the one
-promised to you." In March, 1826, its publication is announced in the
-"Ccilia." The autograph of the first movement is dated "1824" and no
-doubt the bulk of the work upon it was done in the latter part of the
-year, though it must have existed at least in a fragmentary form in
-Beethoven's head when he wrote to Neate in March that it was finished.
-
-At the close of the year Beethoven's nephew Karl is still pursuing
-his philological studies at the university and living with his uncle.
-During the summer his holidays are spent in the country with Beethoven,
-to whom he is the cause of no little anxiety, especially when towards
-the end of the year he repeats his youthful escapade of running away
-from home. Beethoven, thinking of his foster-child's welfare and
-apparently made ill at ease by symptoms which made him apprehend that
-he was likely to die suddenly of an apoplectic stroke ("like my good
-grandfather, whom I resemble," he wrote), sent a letter to Dr. Bach
-on August 1, begging him to draw up a formal will and reiterating his
-intention to make his nephew inheritor of all his property. He also
-directed: "As it is customary to make a bequest to relatives even if
-they are in no wise related," that his French pianoforte be given to
-his brother. "As regards Steiner, let him be content with the assurance
-that he shall be paid in full by the end of September--for if anything
-comes of the Mayence business it will not be before then and the first
-600 florins must go to two of the noblest of mankind who, when I was
-almost helpless, most kindly and disinterestedly came to my assistance
-with this sum." No doubt the Brentanos were meant; Steiner had
-evidently been dunning him for the old debt.
-
-About the beginning of November, Beethoven returned again to Vienna,
-where he took up a new residence--probably at No. 969 Johannesgasse, a
-house owned by a family named Kletschka. He did not remain there long,
-however, as the other tenants complained of his pianoforte playing
-and the disturbance caused by his quarrels with his nephew and the
-housekeeper. He received notice to quit and removed, presumably, to
-apartments in the second storey of a house in the Krgerstrasse, now
-known as No. 13.
-
-[Sidenote: AN ENGLISH VISIT AGAIN CONTEMPLATED]
-
-Thoughts of a visit to England had been revived early in the year by
-a letter from Neate and, while the plans of the concert were making,
-it had been determined, so far as it was possible to do so, that
-the visit should be undertaken in the fall and that Schindler should
-accompany him. This is the key to Schindler's forceful observation
-after the financial fiasco of the concert. A second letter bearing on
-the subject was written by Neate on December 20. Consideration of it
-belongs in the next chapter.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[116] Beethoven's letters to Bernard were published by Alexander
-Hajdecki in the February number, 1909, of "Nord und Sd"; Hajdecki
-found the letters in the hands of a niece of one of Bernard's daughters
-to whom he had bequeathed them. They are not included in the Kalischer
-or Prelinger collections.
-
-[117] Frimmel, however, placing faith in a tradition to that effect,
-says that the Decker drawing was made in the fall of 1825 in the
-Schwarzspanier House. The print issued by the "Allgemeine Musikalische
-Zeitung" could not be found by Dr. Deiters; but Thayer, (who spells
-the name of the artist "Daker,") saw one in the hands of Prof.
-Spatzenegger, a son-in-law of the artist, in Salzburg.
-
-[118] This could only have been the Quartet in E-flat, which, however,
-was far from finished.
-
-[119] Only the Bagatelles, Op. 119, had been published when this was
-written.
-
-[120] Stumpff's manuscript, which also covered the principal incidents
-of a trip through Germany, after his death came into the possession of
-his surviving partner, T. Martin, who permitted Thayer to transcribe
-all of it relating to Beethoven. Many of his observations parallel
-those made by Reichardt, Rochlitz, Schultz and other visitors, and
-their repetition here would add nothing to the story of Beethoven's
-life and manners; besides, the account is too long to be inserted in
-full. The reader who wishes to read all of it is referred to the German
-edition of Thayer's biography. Vol. V, page 122 _et seq._
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VII
-
- The Year 1825--The London Philharmonic Society again--Karl
- Holz--The Early Biographies--Visits of Rellstab, Kuhlau, Smart and
- Others--Stephan von Breuning--The A Minor Quartet, Op. 132.
-
-
-The letter from Neate referred to at the conclusion of the last
-chapter brought with it an invitation from the Philharmonic Society of
-London which kept the thought of an English visit alive in Beethoven's
-irresolute mind for a considerable space longer. Neate wrote in an
-extremely cordial vein. He had long wished to see Beethoven in England,
-he said, where he believed that his genius was appreciated more than
-in any other country; and now he had received the pleasant charge from
-the Philharmonic Society to invite him to come. He made no doubt but
-that in a short time he would earn enough money richly to compensate
-him for all the inconveniences of the journey. The Philharmonic Society
-was disposed to give him 300 guineas for conducting at least one of
-his works at each of the Society's concerts in the coming season, and
-composing a new symphony which was to be produced during his visit
-but to remain the composer's property. As an additional pecuniary
-inducement he held out that Beethoven could give a concert of his own
-at which he would make at least 500, besides which there were many
-other avenues of profit open to him. If he were to bring along the
-quartets of which he had written, they would yield him 100 more, and
-he might therefore be sure of carrying back a large sum of money,
-enough, indeed, to make all the remainder of his life much pleasanter
-than the past had been. He told Beethoven that the new Symphony had
-arrived and the first rehearsal of it set for January 17. He hoped that
-Beethoven would be on hand to direct it at the first concert of the
-Society and trusted that a report that a copy of it was in Paris was
-not true.
-
-[Sidenote: PLANS FOR THE TRIP TO LONDON]
-
-Beethoven replied: He was delighted with the terms which the Society
-offered, but would like to have 100 guineas more to pay for the
-expenses of the trip, it being necessary that he buy a carriage for
-the journey, and take a companion with him. He would bring a new
-quartet. The rumor that there was a copy of the Symphony was not true;
-it would, indeed, be published in Germany, but not before the year
-was past during which it was to remain the society's property.[121]
-He urged that separate string rehearsals be held and the choruses be
-thoroughly studied above all, and directions for the _reprise_ in the
-second movement, the marks for which had been forgotten in the copy.
-An early reply was asked, as he had been requested to write a large
-work upon which he did not wish to begin before receiving an answer,
-for while he did not write in the hope of gaining a fortune it was
-necessary that he have assurance that he would earn a living. To this
-letter Neate replied on February 1. He had conveyed the contents of
-Beethoven's letter to the directors of the Philharmonic Society and had
-now regretfully to report that they had declined to make any change
-in their offer. He was personally willing to give the advance asked,
-but the individual directors were not masters of their conduct in all
-things; they had to abide by the laws of the Society. He hoped that
-under the circumstances Beethoven would come; he was sure the trip
-would pay him, and the directors would impatiently await his presence
-at the second concert, it being already too late for the first. There
-was to be another rehearsal of the Symphony that evening.
-
-Again Beethoven had to struggle with the question as to whether or
-not he should make the journey to London. He was strongly urged to go
-by his desire to earn a large sum of money. His friends pressed him
-with arguments in favor of the trip. Karl admonished him to make up
-his mind without giving heed to his insatiably sordid brother, but
-reminded him that Neate had assured him he would make enough money to
-be free of care for the rest of his life. Johann did not talk of the
-financial advantage alone but said that he would benefit physically,
-travel being good for the health. Apparently answering an objection of
-Beethoven's on the score of his age, Karl reminded him that Haydn also
-went to London when he was fifty years old and he was "not so famous."
-Schuppanzigh bursts out with his brusque third person singular: "I wish
-he would pluck up enough courage to make the trip; he would not regret
-it." Who should accompany him? Schindler had been recommended by Neate,
-but his name does not occur in these conversations; instead, there
-is talk of Schuppanzigh and young Streicher. But as it turned out, no
-one was to accompany him, nobody alight with him either at the house
-of Stumpff or the Hotel de la Sablonire in Leicester Square which
-Neate had recommended as a French house much visited by foreigners. His
-doubts, suspicions, fears for his health, anxiety about his nephew,
-his fatal indecision, prevailed;--he would make the visit some other
-time--perhaps in the fall, as he wrote to Neate. Meanwhile would Neate
-aid him in the matter of the quartets? He had finished one and was
-at work on a second, which would be completed soon. Then he wrote
-again--on May 25; he was satisfied with the offer of 100 for the three
-quartets, was Neate agreed to his plan of sending them to a banker
-to be delivered on payment of the fee? If so he would send the first
-quartet at once and the fee might be paid after he had given notice of
-the completion of the other two.
-
-[Sidenote: THE NINTH SYMPHONY AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE]
-
-The absence of Ries's name in these negotiations is explained by the
-fact that he was no longer in London. He had purchased an estate in
-Godesberg, near Bonn, and removed thither in 1824. He had invited
-Beethoven to be his guest there and it would seem that he was advised
-about the English situation. At least in a letter, presumably written
-early in 1825, Beethoven deems it incumbent to inform Ries that the
-present efforts to dispose of the Ninth Symphony were tentative and
-that the period during which the Philharmonic Society was to hold the
-work would be scrupulously respected. It had never been sent to Bremen
-or to Paris as had been reported. The occasion for this letter was one
-from Ries requesting metronome marks for "Christus am lberg," and for
-the score of the Ninth Symphony for the approaching Lower Rhenish Music
-Festival, which he had been engaged to conduct. These _Niederrheinische
-Musikfeste_ had come into existence in 1817. The seventh meeting was
-to be held at Aix-la-Chapelle. Reports of the Vienna performance had
-been spread and it was desired to make the Symphony a feature of
-the festival scheme. In January, Schott and Sons were asked if the
-score would be in print by May and replied in the negative. Thereupon
-Ries was asked to write to Beethoven for a manuscript copy. Ries
-did not favor the production of the Symphony[122] but wrote for the
-music nevertheless, and Beethoven sent him the score of the purely
-instrumental movements and the parts of the finale. This was about
-March 12; a week later, on March 19 (two days, by the way, before the
-first performance in London), he sent the chorusmaster's score of the
-finale and suggested that the instrumental score might be written out
-and appended. In the earlier letter in which Beethoven had promised
-to send the Symphony and in which he enclosed the metronome marks for
-the "Christus am lberg," Beethoven offered to send also the Mass in
-D, an overture which he had written "for the Philharmonic Society,"
-and some smaller things for orchestra and chorus, which would enable
-the festival managers to give two or three concerts instead of one. He
-suggested that 40 Carolines would, perhaps, not be too much as a fee.
-Beethoven explained to Ries that he had only one copy of the score of
-the Ninth Symphony, and as there was a concert in prospect he could
-not send it; so Ries had a score made of the finale for the festival
-performance. Beethoven had also sent the "Opferlied," the Overture in
-C (Op. 115, of course), the _Kyrie_ and _Gloria_ of the Mass and an
-Italian duet. He was still to send a grand march and chorus (from "The
-Ruins of Athens"), and might add an overture which was as yet unknown
-outside of Vienna, but thought he had sent enough. The Symphony and
-"Christus am lberg" were performed on the second day of the festival.
-The time was too short for the difficult music thoroughly to be learned
-and at the performance portions of the slow movement and Scherzo of
-the Symphony were "regretfully" omitted. There were 422 performers
-in chorus and orchestra, and the popular reception of the music was
-enthusiastic enough to enable Ries to report to Beethoven that the
-performance had been a success; and he sent him 40 Louis d'ors as a
-fee. Ries recognized the symphony as a work without a fellow and told
-Beethoven that had he written nothing else it would have made him
-immortal. "Whither will you yet lead us?" he asked. Very naturally,
-Beethoven had reported the negotiations touching a visit to England
-to Ries, who expressed his satisfaction that he had not accepted the
-engagement and added: "If you want to go there you must make thorough
-preparations. Rossini got 2500 from the Opera alone. If Englishmen
-want to do an extraordinary thing, they must all get together so as to
-make it worth while. There will be no lack of applause and marks of
-honor, but you have probably had enough of these all your life."
-
-[Sidenote: A JOKE ON HASLINGER MISCARRIES]
-
-Mass and symphony had been delivered to Fries, the banker, on January
-16, to be forwarded to Schott and Sons. Beethoven informed the firm by
-letter and took occasion to deny the report that it had been printed
-elsewhere. However, he does not seem to be entirely at ease in the
-matter. "Schlesinger is not to be trusted, for he takes where he can;
-both _Pre et fils_ bombarded me for the Mass, etc., but I did not
-deign to answer either of them, since after thinking them over I had
-cast them out long before."[123] He asks their attention to his plan
-for a complete edition of his works, which he would like to prepare and
-take a lump sum as an honorarium. He sends two canons for publication
-in the journal "Ccilia," and attempted a joke on his friend Haslinger
-which exercised his mind not a little during the next month or two.
-This was a skit purporting to be an outline or draft for an article
-on Haslinger's career. The Schotts, either not understanding the
-joke or desiring to injure a rival who had spoken ill of them to
-Beethoven, printed the communication together with the two canons as
-if they belonged together. Beethoven either felt or affected to feel
-great anger at the proceeding; he sent a letter to the publishers and
-demanded its publication without change or curtailment. In this he
-rebuked them for printing what was intended as a pleasantry but might
-easily be construed as an intentional insult. He had not destined it
-for publication, and it was contrary to his nature intentionally to
-give offence to anybody. He had never resented anything that had been
-said about him as an artist, but he felt differently about things
-which affected him as a man. Haslinger was a respected old friend and
-he had thought to heighten the effect of the joke by suggesting that
-his consent to the publication be obtained. The printing was an abuse
-of the privileges of private correspondence, especially as the canons
-printed,[124] being set forth as a supplement to the skit, thereby
-became inexplicably incongruous. He would have a care that such a thing
-should not occur again. Whether or not the communication was ever
-printed does not appear; neither does it appear that Beethoven took
-the matter so greatly to heart as his letter was calculated to make
-the public believe, had it been printed. In August he wrote to his new
-friend Karl Holz: "I hear with amazement that the Mayence street-boys
-really abused a joke! It is contemptible; I assure you it was not
-at all my intention. What I meant was to have Castelli write a poem
-on these lines under the name of the musical Tobias, which I would
-set to music. But since it has so happened, it must be accepted as a
-dispensation from heaven. It will form a companion-piece to Goethe's
-Bardt _sans comparaison_ with all other authors. But I believe Tobias
-has wronged you a little, etc.,--_Voila_ it is better to be revenged
-than to fall into the maw of a monster.[125] I can't shed tears over it
-but must laugh like--." To his nephew he wrote: "It was not right for
-Mayence to do a thing like that, but as it is done it will do no harm.
-The times demand strong men to castigate these petty, tricky, miserable
-little fellows"; and then, as if repenting him of the sounding phrase,
-he wrote in the margin: "much as my heart rebels against doing a man
-harm; besides it was only a joke and I never thought of having it
-printed." It would seem that Haslinger must have known of the skit
-before it was sent to Schott, for in a letter of February 5, Beethoven
-suggested to the firm, as a joke, to ask Haslinger for the "romantic
-biography" which Beethoven had written of him, and added: "That is the
-way to handle this fellow, a heartless Viennese, who is the one who
-advised me not to deal with you. _Silentium!_" And he describes Steiner
-as a "rascally fellow and skinflint," and Haslinger as a "weakling"
-whom he made useful to himself in some things. Haslinger may have
-felt incensed at the publication, but he eventually accepted it in an
-amiable spirit and it did not lead to any rupture of friendship between
-the men.
-
-An amusing illustration of how Beethoven could work himself into a rage
-even when alone is preserved at the Beethoven Museum in Bonn, in the
-shape of some extraordinary glosses on a letter from a copyist named
-Wolanek, who was in his employ in the spring of the year. Wolanek was a
-Bohemian. Beethoven had railed against him whenever sending corrections
-to a publisher or apologizing for delays, and it is not difficult to
-imagine what the poor fellow had to endure from the composer's voluble
-tongue and fecund imagination in the invention and application of
-epithets. In delivering some manuscripts by messenger some time before
-Easter, Wolanek ventured a defense of his dignity in a letter which,
-though couched in polite phrase, was nevertheless decidedly ironical
-and cutting. He said that he was inclined to overlook Beethoven's
-conduct towards him with a smile; since there were so many dissonances
-in the ideal world of tones, why not also in the world of reality?
-For him there was comfort in the reflection that if Beethoven had
-been copyist to "those celebrated artists, Mozart and Haydn," he
-would have received similar treatment. He requested that he be not
-associated with those wretches of copyists who were willing to be
-treated as slaves simply for the sake of a livelihood, and concluded
-by saying that nothing that he had done would cause him to blush in
-the slightest degree in the presence of Beethoven. It did not suffice
-Beethoven to dismiss the man from his employ; such an outcome seemed
-anticipated in the letter. He must make him feel that his incompetency
-was wholly to blame and realize how contemptible he looked in the eyes
-of the composer. The reference to Mozart and Haydn was particularly
-galling. Beethoven read the letter and drew lines across its face from
-corner to corner. Then in letters two inches long he scrawled over
-the writing the words: "_Dummer, Eingebildeter, Eselhafter Kerl_"
-("Stupid, Conceited, Asinine Fellow"). That was not enough. There was
-a wide margin at the bottom of the sheet, just large enough to hold
-Beethoven's next ebullition: "Compliments for such a good-for-nothing,
-who pilfers one's money?--better to pull his asinine ears!" Then
-he turned the sheet over. A whole page invited him--and he filled
-it, margins and all. "Dirty Scribbler! Stupid Fellow! Correct the
-blunders which you have made in your ignorance, insolence, conceit and
-stupidity--this would be more to the purpose than to try to teach me,
-which is as if a _Sow_ were to try to give lessons to Minerva!" "Do YOU
-do honor to Mozart and Haidn by never mentioning their names." "It was
-decided yesterday and even before then _not to have you write any more_
-for me."
-
-[Sidenote: FIRST PERFORMANCES OF THE E-FLAT QUARTET]
-
-The E-flat Quartet was now finished and about to be performed by
-Schuppanzigh and his companions. Beethoven was greatly concerned about
-the outcome and, as if at once to encourage and admonish them, he
-drafted a document in which all pledged themselves to do their best
-and sent it to them for signature. They obeyed, Linke adding to his
-name the words: "The Grand Master's accursed violoncello." and Holz:
-"The last--but only in signing." The performance took place on March
-6, and the result was disappointing. The music was not understood
-either by the players or the public and was all but ineffective.
-Schuppanzigh was held responsible and his patience must have been
-severely taxed by Beethoven's upbraidings and his determination to
-have an immediate repetition by other players. Schuppanzigh defended
-himself as vigorously as possible and was particularly vexed because
-Beethoven cited his brother's opinion of the performance--that of a
-musical ignoramus. He wanted to play the Quartet a second time, but
-told Beethoven that he had no objections to the work being handed over
-to Bhm; yet he protested with no little energy, that the fault of the
-fiasco was not his individually, as Beethoven had been told. He could
-easily master the technical difficulties, but it was hard to arrive at
-the spirit of the work: the _ensemble_ was faulty, because of this fact
-and too few rehearsals. Beethoven decided that the next hearing should
-be had from Bhm, and though Schuppanzigh had acquiesced, he harbored
-a grievance against the composer for some time. Bhm had been leader
-of the quartet concerts in Vienna during Schuppanzigh's long absence.
-He has left an account of the incident, in which he plainly says that
-Schuppanzigh's attitude toward the work was not sympathetic and that
-he had wearied of the rehearsals, wherefore at the performance it made
-but a _succs d'estime_. Beethoven sent for him (Bhm) and curtly said:
-"You must play my Quartet"--and the business was settled; objections,
-questionings, doubts were of no avail against Beethoven's will. The
-Quartet was newly studied under Beethoven's own eyes, a circumstance
-which added to the severity of the rehearsals, for, though he could not
-hear a tone, Beethoven watched the players keenly and detected even the
-slightest variation in tempo or rhythm from the movement of the bows.
-Bhm tells a story in illustration of this:
-
- At the close of the last movement of the quartet there occurred
- a _meno vivace_,[126] which seemed to me to weaken the general
- effect. At the rehearsal, therefore, I advised that the original
- tempo be maintained, which was done, to the betterment of the
- effect. Beethoven, crouched in a corner, heard nothing, but watched
- with strained attention. After the last stroke of the bows he said,
- laconically "Let it remain so," went to the desks and crossed out
- the _meno vivace_ in the four parts.
-
-The Quartet was played twice by Bhm and his fellows at a morning
-concert in a coffee-house in the Prater, late in March or early in
-April, and was enthusiastically received. Steiner, who had attended
-one or more of the rehearsals, was particularly enraptured by it and
-at once offered to buy it for publication for 60 ducats--a fact which
-Beethoven did not fail to report to Schott and Sons when he sent the
-manuscript to them. Subsequently Mayseder also played it at a private
-concert in the house of Dembscher, an official or agent of the war
-department of the Austrian Government, and this performance Holz
-described as a _rparation d'honneur_. Beethoven was now completely
-satisfied and, no doubt, went to work on its successor with a contented
-mind.
-
-[Sidenote: KARL HOLZ SUPPLANTS SCHINDLER]
-
-It is now become necessary to pay attention to the new friend of
-Beethoven whose name has been mentioned--the successor of Schindler,
-as he had been of Oliva, in the office of factotum in ordinary. This
-was Karl Holz, a young man (he was born in 1798) who occupied a post
-in the States' Chancellary of Lower Austria. He had studied music with
-Glggl in Linz and was so capable a violinist that, on Schuppanzigh's
-return from Russia in 1823, he became second in the latter's quartet.
-He seems to have come into closer contact with Beethoven early in the
-spring of 1825, probably when, having to conduct a performance of the
-B-flat Symphony at a concert in the Ridotto Room, he asked an audience
-of the composer in order that he might get the _tempi_ for that work.
-Though not a professional musician, he gave music lessons, later
-occasionally conducted the _Concerts spirituels_ and eventually became
-the regular director of these affairs. Emboldened by the kindness
-with which he was first received he gradually drew nearer to the
-composer and in August, 1825, an intimate friendship seems imminent,
-as is indicated by Beethoven's remark in a letter to his nephew: "It
-seems as if Holz might become a friend." He was good at figures, a
-quality which made him particularly serviceable to Beethoven (who was
-woefully deficient in arithmetic)[127] at a time when he was dealing
-with foreign publishers and there was great confusion in money values
-and rates of exchange. He was also a well-read man, a clever talker,
-musically cultured, a cheery companion, and altogether an engaging
-person. All these qualities, no less than the fact that he was strong
-and independent in his convictions and fearless in his proclamation
-of them, recommended him to Beethoven, and he does not seem to have
-hesitated to take advantage of the fact that he entered the inner
-circle of Beethoven's companions at a time when the composer had begun
-to feel a growing antipathy to Schindler. He promptly embraced the
-opportunity which his willing usefulness brought him, to draw close to
-the great man, to learn of him and also to exhibit himself to the world
-as his confidential friend. He was not obsequious, and this pleased
-Beethoven despite the fact that he himself was not indisposed to play
-upon his friends for his own purposes "like instruments," as he himself
-once confessed. In a short time Holz made himself indispensable and
-acquired great influence over the composer. He aided him in the copying
-of his works, looked into the affairs of Nephew Karl and reported upon
-them, advised him in his correspondence, and directed his finances at
-a time when he was more than ordinarily desirous to acquire money so
-that he might leave a competency on his death to his foster-son. In
-time Beethoven came to entrust weighty matters to his decision, even
-the choice of publishers and his dealings with them. His prepossessing
-address, heightened by his independence of speech, made it less easy
-to contradict him than Schindler. Moreover, the recorded conversations
-show that he was witty, that he had a wider outlook on affairs than
-Beethoven's other musical advisers, that his judgments were quickly
-reached and unhesitatingly pronounced. His speeches are not free from
-frivolity nor always from flattery, but he lived at a time and among
-a people accustomed to extravagant compliments and there can be no
-doubt of his reverence for Beethoven's genius. Beethoven could endure
-a monstrous deal of lip-service, as all his friends knew, and surely
-took no offence when Holz said to him: "I am no flatterer, but I assure
-you that the mere thought of Beethovenian music makes me glad, first of
-all, that I am alive!"
-
-We owe much of our knowledge of the relations between Beethoven and
-Holz to Schindler's statements as they appear in his biography,[128]
-two articles which appeared in the "Klnische Zeitung" in 1845, and
-among the glosses on the Conversation Book. But many of his utterances
-show ill-feeling, which it is not unfair to trace to a jealousy dating
-back to the time when Holz crowded Beethoven's "Secretary _sans_
-salary" out of Beethoven's service and good graces. There was no open
-rupture between Beethoven and Schindler, but a feeling of coolness and
-indifference which grew with the advancement of the younger man in the
-favor of the composer. There is considerably more to be read between
-Schindler's lines than on their surface, and because of their personal
-equation they ought to be received with caution. True, he does not deny
-that Holz was possessed of excellent artistic capacities, that he was
-well educated and entirely respectable as a man. He describes him as a
-prime specimen of the Viennese "Phacians" of whom Beethoven was wont
-to speak with supreme contempt; and there is ample evidence that Holz
-was indeed given to the pleasures which Beethoven attributed to the
-denizens of Scheria. But the results of Beethoven's fellowship with a
-cheery companion were certainly not so great as Schindler says, nor so
-evil and grievous as he intimates. His earlier insinuation, that in
-order to exhibit his influence to the public Holz led Beethoven into
-company and practices which he would otherwise have avoided, among
-them to the frequenting of taverns and to excessive wine-bibbing, were
-subsequently developed into an accusation that Holz had spread a
-report that the composer had contracted dropsy from vinous indulgence.
-Beethoven was accustomed to drink wine from youth up, and also to
-the companionship which he found in the inns and coffee houses of
-Vienna, which are not to be confounded with the groggeries with which
-straitlaced Americans and Englishmen are prone to associate the words.
-It was, moreover, undoubtedly a charitable act to drag him out of his
-isolation into cheerful company. We know that he was so accustomed to
-take wine at his meals that his physicians found it difficult to make
-him obey their prohibition of wine and heating spices when he was ill;
-but that he was more given to wine-drinking in 1825 and 1826 than at
-any other period, we learn only from Schindler, whose credibility as
-a witness on this point is impeached by the fact that, as he himself
-confesses, he seldom saw Beethoven between March 1825 and August 1826.
-Nor is it true, as Schindler asserts, that Beethoven's habits now
-cost him the loss of old friendships. On the contrary, it was in this
-period that the cordial relations between him and Stephan von Breuning,
-which had been interrupted many years before, were restored and became
-peculiarly warm. Czerny told Jahn that Beethoven's hypochondria led to
-many estrangements; but when he was ill, Count Lichnowsky, Haslinger
-and Piringer were visitors at his bedside, and not even Schindler
-seems to have been able to name a man whose sympathy the composer had
-sacrificed. His life was solitary; but not more than it had been for
-years.[129] In Gerhard von Breuning's recollections, as recorded in
-"Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," there is scarcely a mention of Holz and
-none at all of the dangers into which Beethoven is alleged to have been
-led by him.
-
-Beethoven's letters bear witness to the fond regard in which he held
-him. His name, which in German signifies wood and in the literature
-of the church also cross, provided Beethoven with a welcome chance to
-indulge his extravagant fondness for punning. Thus in the composer's
-jovial address-book, not distinguished by reverence for anything sacred
-or profane, Holz becomes "Best Mahoghany," "Best Splinter from the
-Cross of Christ," "Best _lignum crucis_." The tone of the letters is
-always respectful, and once he begs his friend to forget an undescribed
-happening. Holz had his entire confidence, and when the great
-catastrophe of 1826 came, Holz was the strongest prop upon which he
-leaned. Schindler says that Beethoven was godfather to Holz's child,
-but that is plainly an error; Holz was married in the early winter of
-1826, only three or four months before Beethoven's death. The extent to
-which he had won Beethoven's confidence and Beethoven's high opinion of
-his character and ability are attested by the following document, which
-was signed only a short time after the intimacy began:
-
-[Sidenote: HOLZ AUTHORIZED TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY]
-
- With pleasure I give my friend, Karl Holz, the assurance which
- has been asked of me, that I consider him competent to write my
- eventual biography, assuming that such a thing should be desired,
- and I repose in him the fullest confidence that he will give to the
- world without distortion all that I have communicated to him for
- this purpose.
-
- Vienna, August 30, 1826.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-There can be no question as to the sincerity of the desire which finds
-utterance in this declaration. It was made in the midst of a period
-when Holz was of incalculable service to him, and he had every reason
-to believe that Holz had both the ability and the disposition to write
-the truthful, unvarnished account of his life which he wanted the world
-to have. Schindler says that he subsequently changed his mind, said
-that the document was the result of a surprise sprung upon him in the
-confusion of occurrences, and asked von Breuning to request Holz to
-return it. Breuning declined to do so, says Schindler, and Beethoven,
-not having courage himself to make the request, contented himself with
-doubting the validity of a paper which was written only in pencil.
-On his deathbed, Schindler continues,[130] Beethoven, in answer to a
-question directly put to him by Breuning, unhesitatingly declared that
-Rochlitz was his choice as biographer; and at a later date, realizing
-that death was approaching, he requested Breuning and Schindler to
-gather up his papers, make such use of them as could be done in strict
-truth, and to write to Rochlitz. Two months after Beethoven had passed
-away Breuning followed him, and Schindler was left alone to fulfil the
-composer's wish. He wrote to Rochlitz, who regretfully declined the
-pious task on the ground that the state of his health did not permit
-him to undertake so large a work. Thereupon Schindler let the matter
-rest, waiting for time and circumstances to determine the course which
-he should follow.
-
-Stephan von Breuning had informed his brother-in-law, Dr. Wegeler, of
-Beethoven's charge with reference to the papers, and Wegeler had sent
-Schindler notes on Beethoven's boyhood years and his life in Bonn.
-In 1833 Schindler visited Wegeler in Coblenz and consulted with him
-about the biography which, as Wegeler knew, Rochlitz had been asked,
-but declined, to write. Wegeler thereupon suggested that Schindler,
-he and Ferdinand Ries collaborate in the writing. Ries was consulted
-and agreed, but work had scarcely been begun before differences arose
-between Schindler and Ries as to the propriety of giving to the world
-matters which Schindler (who insisted that Ries was paying a grudge
-which he owed his erstwhile teacher) thought of no interest or too
-offensive for publication. Ries contended that to tell the whole truth
-about great men was right and could do them no injury. Schindler says
-he then persuaded Wegeler to continue the collaboration without Ries,
-but, delays resulting from correspondence with persons in Vienna,
-Wegeler became impatient and in October, 1844,[131] announced that his
-notes were about to be published. They did not appear, however, and
-Schindler tried again to work in company with Ries; but the latter
-persisted in his purpose, and the project fell through a second time.
-This was in 1837, and the next year, shortly after Ries's sudden
-death, appeared the "Biographische Notizen ber Ludwig van Beethoven"
-by Wegeler and Ries. In the remarks with which the men prefaced their
-reminiscences there is no reference to the projected collaboration
-described by Schindler, nor can it truthfully be said that anything in
-Ries's observations bears out Schindler's charge that he felt a grudge
-against Beethoven and sought to feed it by telling unpleasant truths
-about him.
-
-To continue the story of these early biographies: Schindler now
-asked counsel of Dr. Bach, who advised him to betake himself to the
-task of writing the life of Beethoven alone. He did so, and his book
-appeared in 1840. Holz never made use of the _imprimatur_ which he
-had received from Beethoven, but in 1843 formally relinquished his
-authorization to Dr. Gassner, of Carlsruhe, promising to deliver all
-the material which he held into his hands and to use his influence in
-the procurement of dates from authentic sources, "so that the errors
-in the faulty biographies which have appeared up to the present time
-may be corrected." That this was a fling at Schindler's book is evident
-from a document[132] in which, on November 1, 1845, Holz, at that time
-director of the _Concerts spirituels_ in Vienna, declares that the
-forthcoming biography (by Gassner) would "not derive its dates from
-_fictitious_ or _stolen_ conversation books, and _unsophisticated_
-evidence will also give more intimate information about Mr.
-Schindler." Twice did Schindler attack Holz in the "Klnische Zeitung"
-in 1845 and once, it would appear, Holz answered him, but anonymously.
-The subject need not be continued here, however; it has a bearing only
-on the credibility of the two men in the discussion of each other.
-Gassner's biography never appeared.
-
-Perhaps it was characteristic of Beethoven, and also of the friends who
-came to his help in need, that though Schindler had been written down
-in his bad books before Holz established himself in his confidence,
-and though there was never a serious estrangement between Beethoven
-and Holz, it was Schindler upon whom Beethoven leaned most strongly
-for help when the days of physical dissolution arrived--Schindler, not
-Holz. The latter's devotion had either undergone a cooling process or
-been interfered with by his newly assumed domestic obligations. But
-Schindler's statement that he was "dismissed" in December, 1826, is an
-exaggeration, to say the least; Beethoven wrote him a letter a month
-before he died, asking his help in collecting money from the Archduke.
-Holz died on November 9, 1858. He had been helpful to Otto Jahn when
-the latter was gathering material for a life of Beethoven.[133]
-
-[Sidenote: STRICT PHYSICIANS AND AN UNRULY PATIENT]
-
-The E-flat Quartet had been successfully brought forward, a pause had
-been reached in the correspondence with Schott and Sons and Neate, a
-summer home for Beethoven was in prospect, and considerable progress
-had been made in the draft for a new quartet designed for Prince
-Galitzin, when an illness befell Beethoven which kept him within
-doors, and for a portion of the time in bed, from about the middle of
-April to the beginning of May, 1825. Beethoven had been told by his
-physician that he was in danger of an inflammation of the bowels, and
-as such Beethoven described his ailment in letters to his brother and
-to Schott and Sons. Dr. Staudenheimer had been in attendance on him
-before and had insisted upon strict obedience to his prescriptions.
-Beethoven now called in Dr. Braunhofer, who proved to be even less
-considerate of the patient's wilfulness; he was so blunt and forceful
-in his demands for obedience that Beethoven was somewhat awed, and
-beneficial results followed. Were it possible for the readers of these
-pages who are curious on such subjects to consult the Conversation
-Books of this period, they would there find interesting information as
-to diagnosis and treatment in the case of the distinguished patient.
-Dr. Braunhofer did not want to "torment" Beethoven long with medicines,
-but he gave orders for a strict diet. "No wine; no coffee; no spices of
-any kind. I'll arrange matters with the cook."--"Patience, a sickness
-does not disappear in a day." "I shall not trouble you much longer
-with medicine, but you must adhere to the diet; you'll not starve on
-it." "You must do some work in the daytime so that you can sleep at
-night. If you want to get entirely well and live a long time, you must
-live according to nature. You are very liable to inflammatory attacks
-and were close to a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels; the
-predisposition is still in your body. I'll wager that if you take
-a drink of spirits you'll be lying weak and exhausted on your back
-inside of an hour." The doctor inspired him with courage and hope, and
-admonished him to keep quiet and be patient. In dry weather he was to
-take walks, but even after going to Baden he must take no baths so long
-as the weather remained damp and symptoms of his illness remained.
-
-Beethoven went to Baden early in May and probably within a week of his
-arrival he reported his condition to Dr. Braunhofer in a semi-humorous
-manner by writing down a dialogue between doctor and patient in which
-the latter suggests desired changes in his treatment. He asks for
-something strengthening to help him get to his desk, thinks that he
-might be permitted to drink white wine and water, as the "mephitic
-beer" revolts him; he is still very weak, expectorates blood freely
-"probably from the bronchial tubes," etc. The physician had asked for
-a few notes written by his own hand as a souvenir. Beethoven complies
-with the request by sending him a canon written while taking a walk
-on May 11. It looks like a sign of mingled apprehension and returning
-spirits:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Doktor sperrt das Thor dem Tod, Note hilft auch aus der Noth.
- Close the door 'gainst Death, I plead, Doctor, notes will help in
- need.
-]
-
-On May 17, he reports to his nephew that he is beginning to do
-considerable work.
-
-[Sidenote: LUDWIG RELLSTAB VISITS BEETHOVEN]
-
-It was while Beethoven was ill in Vienna that Ludwig Rellstab made
-several visits to him, of which he has left enthusiastic reports.[134]
-He was 26 years old at the time and had made a mark as essayist and
-poet; the chief object of his journey to Vienna from Berlin, on
-which he set out on March 21, was to see the composer. He reached
-the Austrian capital in the last days of March or the first days of
-April. His account of the meeting is like many others except that
-it is written with literary elegance, albeit with that excessive
-fervor, that _berschwnglichkeit_, which is characteristic of German
-hero-worshippers. Zelter had given him a letter of introduction and
-had written that Rellstab wanted to write the libretto of an opera to
-be set by the composer, and this was the first subject broached after
-Beethoven had warmly greeted his visitor and expressed delight with
-Zelter's letter. Beethoven is pleased at the prospect of getting an
-opera-book from Rellstab:
-
- It is so difficult to get a good poem. Grillparzer promised me
- one. He has already made one for me but we can not come to an
- understanding with each other. I want one thing, he wants another.
- You'll have trouble with me!... I care little what genre the works
- belong to, so the material be attractive to me. But it must be
- something which I can take up with sincerity and love. I could not
- compose operas like "Don Juan" and "Figaro." They are repugnant to
- me. I could not have chosen such subjects; they are too frivolous
- for me!
-
-Rellstab had had it in mind to write an opera-book for Weber and
-had pondered over many subjects, and he now gave a list of these to
-Beethoven--"Attila," "Antigone," "Belisarius," "Orestes" and others.
-Beethoven read the names thoughtfully and then apologized for the
-trouble he was causing his visitor. Rellstab, seeing an expression
-of weariness in his face, took his departure, after saying that he
-would send him a specimen of his handiwork. In a Conversation Book
-used in the middle of April there is further talk between Rellstab and
-Beethoven about opera, but the notes, which are fragmentary, give no
-indications of Beethoven's views. The most interesting incident of the
-meetings occurred at a subsequent visit. Rellstab had told that he had
-been deeply moved (he dared not express a more specific opinion on the
-subject, being in doubt himself) by the Quartet in E-flat, which he had
-heard performed twice in succession.[135] He continues:
-
- Beethoven read and remained silent; we looked at each other mutely,
- but a world of emotions surged in my breast. Beethoven, too,
- was unmistakably moved. He arose and went to the window, where
- he remained standing beside the pianoforte. To see him so near
- the instrument gave me an idea which I had never before dared to
- harbor. If he--Oh! he needed only to turn half way around and he
- would be facing the keyboard--if he would but sit down and give
- expression to his feelings in tones! Filled with a timid, blissful
- hope, I approached him and laid my hand upon the instrument. It
- was an English pianoforte by Broadwood. I struck a chord lightly
- with my right hand in order to induce Beethoven to turn around;
- but he seemed not to have heard it. A few moments later, however,
- he turned to me, and, seeing my eyes fixed upon the instrument he
- said: "That is a beautiful pianoforte! I got it as a present from
- London. Look at these names." He pointed to the cross-beam over
- the keyboard. There I saw several names which I had not before
- noticed--Moscheles, Kalkbrenner, Cramer, Clementi, Broadwood
- himself.... "That is a beautiful gift," said Beethoven looking at
- me, "and it has such a beautiful tone," he continued and moved his
- hands towards the keys without taking his eyes off me. He gently
- struck a chord. Never again will one enter my soul so poignant,
- so heartbreaking as that one was! He struck C major with the
- right hand and B as a bass in the left, and continued his gaze
- uninterruptedly on me, repeated the false chord several times in
- order to let the sweet tone of the instrument reverberate; and the
- greatest musician on earth did not hear the dissonance! Whether or
- not Beethoven noticed his mistake I do not know; but when he turned
- his head from me to the instrument he played a few chords correctly
- and then stopped. That was all that I heard from him directly.
-
-Rellstab had planned a short excursion to Hungary and then intended to
-leave Vienna for his home. Fearful that he might not see Beethoven on
-his return to the city he went to him to say farewell:
-
- Beethoven spoke very frankly and with feeling. I expressed
- my regret that in all the time of my sojourn in Vienna I had
- heard, except one of his symphonies and a quartet, not a single
- composition of his in concert; why had "Fidelio" not been given?
- This gave him an opportunity to express himself on the subject of
- the taste of the Vienna people. "Since the Italians (Barbaja) have
- gotten such a strong foothold here the best has been crowded out.
- For the nobility, the chief thing at the theatre is the ballet.
- Nothing can be said about their appreciation of art; they have
- sense only for horses and dancers. We have always had this state
- of things. But this gives me no concern; I want only to write that
- which gives me joy. If I were well it would be all the same to me!"
-
-On his departure Beethoven, who had been absent from his lodgings when
-Rellstab called for his final leavetaking, sent him a letter to Steiner
-and Co., containing a canon on the words from Matthison's "Opferlied"
-of which he had made use on at least one earlier occasion ("Das Schne
-zu dem Guten").
-
-[Sidenote: AN UTTERANCE ON ECCLESIASTICAL MUSIC]
-
-Karl Gottfried Freudenberg, a young musician who afterwards became
-Head Organist at Breslau and wrote a book of reminiscences entitled
-"Erinnerungen eines alten Organisten," visited Beethoven in July of the
-year and has left a record which is none the less interesting because
-its lack of literary flourish is offset by succinct reports of the
-great composer's estimate of some of his contemporaries, and his views
-on ecclesiastical music. Beethoven, according to Freudenberg, described
-Rossini as a "talented and a melodious composer; his music suits the
-frivolous and sensuous spirit of the time, and his productivity is
-such that he needs only as many weeks as the Germans do years to
-write an opera." He said of Spontini: "There is much good in him;
-he understands theatrical effects and the musical noises of warfare
-thoroughly"; of Spohr: "He is too rich in dissonances, pleasure in his
-music is marred by his chromatic melody"; of Bach: "His name ought not
-to be Bach (brook) but Ocean, because of his infinite and inexhaustible
-wealth of combinations and harmonies. He was the ideal of an organist."
-This led Beethoven into the subject of music for the church. "I, too,
-played the organ a great deal in my youth," he said, "but my nerves
-could not stand the power of the gigantic instrument. I place an
-organist who is master of his instrument, first among virtuosi." Pure
-church music, he remarked, ought to be performed only by voices, unless
-the text be a _Gloria_ or something of the kind. For this reason he
-preferred Palestrina to all other composers of church music, but it
-was folly to imitate him unless one had his genius and his religious
-beliefs; moreover, it was practically impossible for singers to-day to
-sing the long-sustained notes of this music in a cantabile manner.
-
-Karl August Reichardt, afterwards Court Organist in Altenburg, S.
-M. de Boer, a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, Carl
-Czerny, Friedrich Kuhlau, Sir George Smart and Moritz Schlesinger were
-among the visitors to Baden in the summer to whose meetings with the
-composer the Conversation Books bear always interesting and sometimes
-diverting witness. Reichardt's visit seems to have been brief, and it
-is safe to presume that the young man received scant encouragement to
-remain long, for his talk was chiefly about himself, his desire to get
-advice as to a good teacher and to have Beethoven look at some of his
-music. The man from Holland, who probably had used his predicate as a
-member of the Academy which had elected Beethoven an honorary member
-to gain an audience, must have diverted the composer with his broken
-German, which looks no more comical in the Conversation Book than it
-must have sounded; but a canon without words which he carried away
-with him may be said to bear witness to the fact that he made a good
-impression on Beethoven, to whom he gave information concerning the
-state of music in the Dutch country. Czerny, apparently, was urged
-by his erstwhile teacher to get an appointment and to compose in the
-larger forms. Beethoven was curious to learn how much Czerny received
-for his compositions and Czerny told him that he attached no importance
-to his pieces, because he scribbled them down so easily, and that he
-took music from the publishers in exchange.
-
-The visit of the Danish composer, flautist and director, Friedrich
-Kuhlau, led to a right merry feast, for a description of which
-Seyfried found a place in the appendix of his "Studien." That the
-boundaries of nice taste in conversation and story-telling may have
-been strained a bit is an inference from the fact that several pages
-of the Conversation Book containing the recorded relics of the affair
-are missing. After a promenade through the Helenenthal in which
-Beethoven amused himself by setting all manner of difficult tasks in
-hill-climbing, the party sat down to dinner at an inn. Champagne flowed
-freely, and after the return to Beethoven's lodgings red Vslauer,
-brought from his closet or cellar, did its share still further to
-elevate the spirits of the feasters. Beethoven seems to have held his
-own in the van of the revel. Kuhlau improvised a canon on B-a-c-h, to
-which Beethoven replied with the same notes as an opening motive and
-the words "Khl, nicht lau" ("Cool, not lukewarm")--a feeble play on
-the Danish musician's name, but one which served to carry the music.
-Beethoven wrote his canon in the Conversation Book. The next day Kuhlau
-confessed to Schlesinger that he did not know how he had gotten home
-and to bed: Beethoven's post-festal reflections may be gathered from
-the letter which accompanied a copy of the canon which he sent to
-Kuhlau by the hands of Holz:
-
- Baden, September 3, 1825.
-
- I must admit that the champagne went too much to my head also,
- yesterday, and that I was compelled again to make the experience
- that such things retard rather than promote my capacities; for easy
- as it generally is for me to meet a challenge on the instant, I do
- not at all remember what I wrote yesterday.
-
-In handing over letter and canon to Holz for delivery he wrote to him
-that he had scarcely reached home before it occurred to him that he
-might have made a dreadful mess of it on the day before.
-
-[Sidenote: A GARRULOUS PARISIAN PUBLISHER]
-
-Schlesinger, of Paris, son of the Berlin publisher, was a very
-insistent as well as persistent courtier, with an auspicious eye to
-business at all times. He wanted to purchase the two new quartets
-and did succeed in getting one of them, and he aroused Beethoven's
-suspicions by the pertinacity with which he pleaded for permission to
-attend a rehearsal of the second; the pride of the composer revolted,
-evidently, at the thought that a publisher should ask to hear a work of
-his which he purposed buying. But Schlesinger, who had Nephew Karl as
-his advocate at court in all things, made it appear that he was eager
-only for the inestimable privilege of hearing the new works of the
-master, and put in a plea that he might also hear the Quartet which
-had already been sold to Schott and Sons. Holz discloses a distrust
-of him very plainly and misses no occasion to warn Beethoven against
-entangling alliances with the Parisian publisher. Schlesinger wins his
-way to a very familiar footing with Beethoven, going so far once as
-to ask him if a report which he had heard that Beethoven had wanted
-to marry the pianist, Cibbini, was true.[136] The old page does not
-tell us what answer Beethoven gave, but Schlesinger, who had disclosed
-his own heartwounds and railed against the fair sex because of his
-experiences, tells the composer that he shall be the first to make the
-bride's acquaintance should he ever get married. Schlesinger appears
-desirous to become a sort of dealer _en gros_ in Beethoven's products;
-he would like the two new Quartets (in A minor and B-flat major); he
-will publish a Complete Edition and begin with the chamber pieces, to
-which ends he wants still another quartet and three quintets; he seeks
-to awaken a literary ambition in the writer of notes--the journal
-published by the Schlesingers in Berlin will be glad to republish
-whatever Beethoven may write to the Mayence journal about the joke on
-Haslinger, and Beethoven ought really to write some essays--on what a
-symphony and an overture ought to be and on the art of fugue, of which
-he was now the sole repository. He knows how to approach genius on
-its most susceptible side. Beethoven must go to England, where he is
-so greatly admired; he reports that Cherubini had said to his pupils
-at the Conservatoire in Paris: "The greatest musical minds that ever
-lived or ever will live, are Beethoven and Mozart." At dinner, at the
-suggestion of the same garrulous talker, the company drink the healths
-of Goethe and Cherubini. Again Schlesinger urges Beethoven to go to
-London: "I repeat again that if you will go to England for three months
-I will engage that, deducting your travelling expenses, you will make
-1000 pounds, or 25,000 florins W.W. at least, if you give only two
-concerts and produce some new music.... The Englishmen are proud enough
-to count themselves fortunate if Beethoven would only be satisfied
-with them." When the toast to Cherubini is drunk, Schlesinger takes
-occasion to satisfy the curiosity of Beethoven touching the status of
-the composer whom he most admired among living men.
-
- Cherubini has now received the title of Baron from the government
- as well as the order of the Legion of Honor. It is a proof
- of the recognition of his talent, for he did not seek it.
- Napoleon, who appreciated him highly, once found fault with one
- of his compositions and Cherubini retorted: "Your Majesty knows
- no more about it than I about a battle." Napoleon's conduct
- was contemptible. Because of the words that I have quoted he
- took away all of Cherubini's offices and he had nothing to
- live on. Nevertheless, he did an infinite amount of good for
- popular culture. If Napoleon, instead of becoming an insatiable
- world-conqueror, had remained First Consul, he would have been one
- of the greatest men that ever existed.
-
-Schlesinger had his way about hearing the new Quartet (in A minor, Op.
-132), for it was rehearsed at his rooms on Wednesday, September 7,
-preparatory to the performance, which was to take place at the tavern
-"Zum wilden Mann" at noon on September 9. Beethoven wanted the players
-to come to him at Baden for the final rehearsal, but that was found
-to be impracticable. On the day after the meeting at Schlesinger's,
-however, Holz went out to Beethoven to tell him all about it. He
-reported that Wolfmayr "at the _Adagio_ wept like a child?" and that
-"Tobias scratched himself behind the ears when he heard the Quartet; he
-certainly regrets that the Jew Steiner did not take it."
-
-We have an account of the performance at the "Wilden Mann" from
-the English visitor whom Beethoven received at this time. This
-was Sir George Smart, who, in the summer of 1825, made a tour of
-Germany in company with Charles Kemble. He was with Mr. Kemble when
-that gentleman made the agreement with Weber for "Oberon," but his
-"principal reason for the journey," as he himself put it, "was to
-ascertain from Beethoven himself the exact times of the movements of
-his characteristic--and some of his other--Sinfonias."[137] Sir George
-recorded the incidents of his meetings with Beethoven in his journal,
-from which the following excerpts are taken:
-
-[Sidenote: SIR GEORGE SMART'S JOURNAL]
-
- On the 7th of September, at nine in the morning, I called on
- Mayseder, who received me most politely.... We conversed about
- Beethoven's Choral Symphony; our opinion agrees about it. When
- it was performed here Umlauf conducted it and Kletrinsky and
- Schuppanzigh were the leaders. All the basses played in the
- recitative, but they had the story that it was written for
- Dragonetti only.
-
- Friday, September 9th.--We then went to Mecchetti's music shop,
- they, too, are publishers, and bought three pieces for Birchall....
- Mr. Holz, an amateur in some public office and a good violin
- player, came in and said Beethoven had come from Baden this morning
- and would be at his nephew's--Karl Beethoven, a young man aged
- twenty--No. 72 Alleegasse.... At twelve I took Ries[138] to the
- hotel Wildemann,[139] the lodgings of Mr. Schlesinger, the music
- seller of Paris, as I understood from Mr. Holz that Beethoven
- would be there, and there I found him. He received me in the most
- flattering manner. There was a numerous assembly of professors
- to hear Beethoven's second[140] new manuscript quartette, bought
- by Mr. Schlesinger. This quartette is three-quarters of an hour
- long. They played it twice. The four performers were Schuppanzigh,
- Holz, Weiss, and Lincke. It is most chromatic and there is a
- slow movement entitled "Praise for the recovery of an invalid."
- Beethoven intended to allude to himself I suppose for he was very
- ill during the early part of this year. He directed the performers,
- and took off his coat, the room being warm and crowded. A staccato
- passage not being expressed to the satisfaction of his eye, for
- alas, he could not hear, he seized Holz's violin and played the
- passage a quarter of a tone too flat. I looked over the score
- during the performance. All paid him the greatest attention.
- About fourteen were present, those I knew were Boehm (violin),
- Marx ('cello), Carl Czerny, also Beethoven's nephew, who is like
- Count St. Antonio, so is Boehm, the violin player. The partner of
- Steiner, the music seller, was also there. I fixed to go to Baden
- on Sunday and left at twenty-five minutes past two.
-
- Saturday, September 10th. I called for the music at Artaria's for
- Birchall, for which I paid, and on our return found a visiting-card
- from Earl Stanhope and also from Schlesinger of Paris with a
- message that Beethoven would be at his hotel to-morrow at twelve,
- therefore of course I gave up going to Baden to visit Beethoven,
- which he had arranged for me to do.... In the morning Mr.
- Kirchoffer called to say he should invite me to his house. It was
- he who, through Ries, had the arrangement of procuring the Choral
- Symphony for our Philharmonic Society.
-
- Sunday, September 11th.... From hence I went alone to
- Schlesinger's, at the "Wildemann," where was a larger party than
- the previous one. Among them was L'Abb Stadler, a fine old man
- and a good composer of the old school, to whom I was introduced.
- There was also present a pupil of Moscheles, a Mademoiselle Eskeles
- and a Mademoiselle Cimia [Cibbini?], whom I understood to be a
- professional player. When I entered Messrs. C. Czerny, Schuppanzigh
- and Lincke had just begun the Trio, Op. 70, of Beethoven, after
- which the same performers played Beethoven's Trio, Op. 79--both
- printed by Steiner. Then followed Beethoven's quartette, the same
- that I had heard on September the 9th and it was played by the
- same performers. Beethoven was seated near the pianoforte beating
- time during the performance of these pieces. This ended, most of
- the company departed, but Schlesinger invited me to stop and dine
- with the following company of ten: Beethoven, his nephew, Holz,
- Weiss, C. Czerny, who sat at the bottom of the table, Lincke, Jean
- Sedlatzek--a flute player who is coming to England next year, and
- has letters to the Duke of Devonshire, Count St. Antonio, etc.--he
- has been to Italy--Schlesinger, Schuppanzigh, who sat at the top,
- and myself. Beethoven calls Schuppanzigh Sir John Falstaff, not a
- bad name considering the figure of this excellent violin player.
-
- We had a most pleasant dinner, healths were given in the English
- style. Beethoven was delightfully gay but hurt that, in the letter
- Moscheles gave me, his name should be mixed up with the other
- professors. However he soon got over it. He was much pleased and
- rather surprised at seeing in the oratorio bill I gave him that the
- "Mount of Olives" and his "Battle Symphony" were both performed the
- same evening. He believes--I do not--that the high notes Handel
- wrote for trumpets were played formerly by one particular man. I
- gave him the oratorio book and bill. He invited me by his nephew to
- Baden next Friday. After dinner he was coaxed to play extempore,
- observing in French to me, "Upon what subject shall I play?"
- Meanwhile he was touching the instrument thus
-
- [Illustration]
-
- to which I answered, "Upon that." On which theme he played for
- about twenty minutes in a most extraordinary manner, sometimes
- very fortissimo, but full of genius.[141] When he arose at the
- conclusion of his playing he appeared greatly agitated. No one
- could be more agreeable than he was--plenty of jokes. We all wrote
- to him by turns, but he can hear a little if you halloo quite close
- to his left ear. He was very severe in his observations about the
- Prince Regent never having noticed his present of the score of
- his "Battle Symphony." His nephew regretted that his uncle had no
- one to explain to him the profitable engagement offered by the
- Philharmonic Society last year.
-
-Smart accepted Beethoven's invitation to visit him at Baden on
-September 16, and at this meeting accomplished the specific purpose
-of his visit to Vienna by getting Beethoven to give him the tempo of
-various movements from his symphonies, by playing portions of them on
-the pianoforte.[142]
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S INTEREST IN ENGLISH MATTERS]
-
-Though he had been warned not to write in Beethoven's book, Sir
-George did not, or was not always able to, obey the injunction. A
-considerable portion of the conversation at the meeting is preserved
-in a Conversation Book which covers three dates, September 16, 19, and
-24. From this book some excerpts are made here, since they bear on the
-subject which filled so large a place in the plans of Beethoven for
-several years, and were in his mind up to the time of his death--the
-English tour. Other matters bearing on points of history which have
-been or may be mentioned, are included. The nephew has translated for
-Beethoven the announcement of the Ninth Symphony as it appeared on
-the programme of the Philharmonic's concert of March 21, viz.: "New
-Grand Characteristic Sinfonia, MS. with vocal finale, the principal
-parts to be sung by Madame Caradori, Miss Goodall, Mr. Vaughn and Mr.
-Phillips; composed expressly for this Society." No doubt Beethoven
-gave expression, as he frequently had done, to his admiration for the
-English people and possibly also for their national hymn, for Karl
-translates the stanza:
-
- Long may he reign!
- May he defend our laws,
- And ever give us cause
- To sing with heart and voice:
- God save the king!
-
-The one-sided conversation proceeds:
-
- _Smart._--You understand English writing?--_Extremement
- bien._----Winter _me dit que on l'intention de donner Fidelio a
- music_.
-
- _Karl._--He would like to know the tempi of the finale of the last
- symphony. Haven't you it here?--
-
- How long you worked on the symphony?--How long does it last?--1
- hour and 3 minutes--3/4 hour--We are now going to take a walk.
-
-According to Smart's journal, Beethoven now ordered dinner "with his
-funny old cook," told his nephew to look after the wine, and the party
-of five took a walk in the course of which Schuppanzigh told Smart
-that it was while sketching in the open air that Beethoven caught his
-deafness. "He was writing in a garden and was so absorbed that he
-was not sensible of a pouring rain, till his music paper was so wet
-that he could no longer write." The story is inconsequential unless
-Schuppanzigh had it from Beethoven who, as we have seen in an earlier
-volume (Vol. I, p. 263 _et seq._), gave an entirely different account
-of the origin of his deafness to Neate. Holz talks to Beethoven now
-about Schlesinger, telling him that it was the publisher's purpose to
-print the quartets in succession, which would postpone the appearance
-of the thirteenth for two years, and advises Beethoven hereafter to
-make immediate publication a condition of purchase. He suggests that if
-he were to threaten not to compose the quintets under the circumstances
-it might help.
-
- _Smart.--Elle est morte.--Kalkbrenner est Paris.--Broadwood,
- Stodart, Tomkinson, Clementi and Co.--Les meilleurs Pices vendre
- Londres sont les Duettos pour le Piano Forte.--Mais je dis pour
- nous de composer prsent.--Cramer, Moscheles, Neate, Potter....
- J'ai voyag par le Rhine et par la Donau.--Je suis Protestant; le
- premier chose est d'tre honnte homme.... Esterhazy.--Le nom de
- Capitaine, ou comme tous les autres.--On faites de badinage contre
- moi en Allemagne--contre lui--moi je suis Garon._
-
- _Karl._--He asked why you had not come before now; he said the 300
- pounds of the Philhar. Society were not be to looked upon as the
- principal thing. For that you needed only to appear 2 or 3 times in
- the orchestra and make money with your own concerts.--He said that
- in a short time you could make at least 1000 pounds and carry it
- away with you.--10,000 florins, Vienna money.--If you would only
- go. The 1,000 pounds would be easily earned and more.--You can do
- better business with the publishers there than here.--And you'll
- find 1,000 friends, Smarth [_sic_] says, who will do everything
- to help you.--The sea fish.--In the Thames.... We'll wait till
- the year is over before going to England.... You'll not leave
- London so quickly if we are once there.--Others are living there
- too, like Cramer, etc.--In two years at least 50,000 florins net.
- Concerts.--I am convinced that if you were to want to go away from
- here they would do everything to keep you here.
-
-We shall let Smart conclude the story of the meeting:
-
- On our return [from the walk] we had dinner at two o'clock. It
- was a most curious one and so plentiful that dishes came in as we
- came out, for, unfortunately, we were rather in a hurry to get to
- the stage coach by four, it being the only one going to Vienna
- that evening. I overheard Beethoven say, "We will try how much the
- Englishman can drink." _He_ had the worst of the trial. I gave
- him my diamond pin as a remembrance of the high gratification I
- received by the honour of his invitation and kind reception and he
- wrote me the following droll canon as fast as his pen could write
- in about two minutes of time as I stood at the door ready to depart.
-
- [Illustration: Ars longa vita brevis]
-
- "Written on the 16th of September, 1825, in Baden, when my dear
- talented musical artist and friend Smart (from England) visited me
- here.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven."
-
-[Sidenote: A VISITOR FROM AMERICA]
-
-Smart left Vienna on his return journey to London on September 20.
-Three months later Beethoven received a visit from one who must have
-raised more curious questionings in his mind than did the brilliant
-young Englishman. With Smart he had corresponded years before. Smart
-had produced his oratorio and his "Wellington's Victory" in England
-and conducted the first performance in London of his Ninth Symphony;
-there were direct bonds of sympathy between them. The other visitor
-brought a message of appreciation from across the wide Atlantic. It
-was Theodore Molt, evidently a German or a man of German birth, who,
-a music teacher in Quebec, was making a European tour and gained the
-privilege of telling Beethoven to his face how greatly he admired him,
-then asked the favor of a souvenir which he could carry back on a
-journey of "3,000 hours" as a precious keepsake. For him, on December
-16, Beethoven wrote the canon, "Freu dich des Lebens" (Ges. Aus. Series
-XXV, 285, 5).[143]
-
-To this period belongs an anecdote which is almost a parallel of one
-related by Zelter to Goethe. It was told[144] by Mittag, a bassoon
-player who had taken part in a performance of the Septet at a concert
-on December 11. Going home one evening, Mittag stepped into a tavern
-known as "Zum Dachs" to drink a glass of beer. Smoking was not allowed
-in the place and there were few guests. In a corner, however, sat
-Beethoven in the attitude of one lost in thought. After Mittag had
-watched him a few minutes he jumped up and called to the waiter: "My
-bill!" "Already paid!" shrieked the waiter in his ear. Mittag, thinking
-that Beethoven ought not to be left alone, followed him without
-betraying himself and saw him enter his house safely.
-
-On November 29, 1825, Beethoven was one of fifteen men elected to
-honorary membership in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde by the
-directors (Cherubini, Spontini, Spohr, Catel and Weigl being among
-them); the election was confirmed by the society on January 26, 1826,
-but the diploma was not issued until October 26, and thus reached
-Beethoven's hands only a few months before his death. On November
-25, Beethoven wrote to Schott and Sons promising to send them the
-metronome marks for the Mass in D soon, telling them to print the list
-of subscribers before the dedication, asking delay in the matter of the
-dedication of the Ninth Symphony, and requesting that the publication
-of both works be postponed three months. He gives the title of the mass
-as follows:
-
- _MISSA
- Composita et
- Serenissimo ac Eminentissimo Domino Domino
- Rudolpho Joanni Csareo Principi et Archiduci Austri S. R. E.
- Tit. S. Petri in monte aureo Cardinali Archiepiscopo Olomucensi
- profundissima cum veneratione dicata_ [sic]
- _a
- Ludovico van Beethoven_
-
-On the same day he wrote to Peters in Leipsic to the effect that his
-recent letters had not been definite and certain. He wanted a specific
-statement that the amount which he (Beethoven) had received as an
-advance was 360 florins. If Peters was willing to take a quartet for
-that sum he would send him one as soon as possible; if not, and he
-preferred to have the money, he would return it to him. "If you had
-done this at once you might have had two quartets; but you can not ask
-me to be loser. If I wanted to draw the strings tighter I could ask a
-larger price. I will send nothing for examination." This, then, was
-Beethoven's ultimatum: Peters must pay 360 florins for the Quartet or
-receive back the money advanced three years before. Peters asked for
-the money and it was paid over to Steiner and Co., on his order on
-December 7.
-
-[Sidenote: INTIMACY WITH THE BREUNINGS RENEWED]
-
-In the renting season of St. Michael (September 29 to October 12)
-Beethoven signed a lease for lodgings in the Schwarzspanierhaus,
-Alservorstadt Glacis 200. Into this, which was the last lodging
-occupied by Beethoven, he moved presumably on October 15. The house,
-which is fully described and pictured in Gerhard von Breuning's book
-"Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," derived its name from the fact that it
-had been built by the Benedictines of Spain. In it Beethoven occupied
-four rooms on the second floor, besides a kitchen and servant's
-quarters. One of the most important results of Beethoven's removal to
-these quarters was a restablishment of the intimate relations which
-had existed for so many years with the friend of his youth Stephan
-von Breuning, a Councillor in the War Department of the Austrian
-Government, who lived hard by. Though there had been no open rupture
-between him and Beethoven an estrangement had existed from the time
-when von Breuning had advised against Beethoven's assumption of the
-guardianship over his nephew. They had met occasionally _ad interim_,
-but it was not until they became neighbors that the intimate friendship
-which had existed in earlier years was restored. A beginning in this
-direction was made when, on a visit to Vienna in August, Beethoven
-met the Breuning family in the street. It was necessary that changes
-be made in the lodgings and while waiting for them Beethoven became
-a frequent visitor at the Breunings, dining with them frequently and
-sometimes sending them a mess of fish, of which he was very fond.
-Madame von Breuning meanwhile looked after the fitting out of his
-kitchen and saw to the engagement of his servants. Concerning the
-relations which existed between Beethoven and her father's family,
-Marie, a daughter of Stephan von Breuning, wrote many years after:[145]
-
- My mother once met Beethoven when on her way to the Kaiserbad
- on the Danube; he accompanied her for the rather long distance
- from the Rothes Haus, where she lived. She spent about an hour in
- the bath-house (the bath being a warm one) and on coming out was
- surprised to find Beethoven waiting to accompany her home. She
- often said that he was always gallant towards women and had paid
- court to her for a while.
-
- She related, too, that his animated gestures, his loud voice and
- his indifference towards others surprised the people in the street,
- and that she was often ashamed because they stopped and took him
- for a madman. His laugh was particularly loud and ringing.
-
- My mother often and repeatedly deplored the fact that she had never
- heard him play--but my father, in his unbounded tenderness, always
- replied when she expressed a desire to hear him: "He doesn't like
- to do it, and I do not want to ask him because it might pain him
- not to hear himself."
-
- Beethoven repeatedly invited my mother to coffee, or, as the
- Viennese say, _zur Jause_; but my mother almost always declined, as
- his domestic arrangements did not appear altogether appetizing.
-
- My mother often said to my father that Beethoven's habit of
- expectorating in the room, his neglected clothing and his
- extravagant behavior were not particularly attractive. My father
- always replied: "And yet he has a great deal of success, especially
- with women."
-
- Beethoven often told my mother that he longed greatly for domestic
- happiness and much regretted that he had never married.
-
-Beethoven was fond of Stephan von Breuning's son Gerhard, whom,
-because of his attachment to his father, he dubbed _Hosen-knopf_
-(Trousers-button) and because of his lightness of foot _Ariel_. He once
-had the boy play for him, criticized the position of his hands and sent
-him Clementi's Method as preferable to Czerny's which the lad was using.
-
-There can be no doubt that the renewed association with von Breuning
-frequently turned his thoughts to his old home and his boyhood friends
-in the Rhine country, and his delight must have been keen when in this
-year, he received letters from Wegeler, whom he had not seen since
-he left Vienna twenty-eight years before, and his wife, who had been
-Eleonore von Breuning. They were tender letters, full of information
-about their family, each other, friends and relations--real home
-letters telling of births, marriages, careers and deaths. One would
-think that they ought to have been answered at once, but Beethoven did
-not find time or occasion to write a reply until the next year, despite
-this obvious challenge in Dr. von Wegeler's letter:
-
- Why did you not avenge the honor of your mother when, in the
- Encyclopdia, and in France, you were set down as a love-child? The
- Englishman who tried to defend you gave the filth a cuff, as we say
- in Bonn, and let your mother carry you in her womb 30 years, since
- the King of Prussia, your alleged father, died already in 1740--an
- assertion which was altogether wrong since Frederick II ascended
- the throne in 1740 and did not die till 1786. Only your inborn
- dread of having anything but music of yours published is, probably,
- the cause of this culpable indolence. If you wish it I will set the
- world right in this matter.
-
-[Sidenote: THE LAST STRING QUARTETS]
-
-The great contributions which Beethoven made to music in the year 1825,
-were the Quartets in A minor, Op. 132 and in B-flat major, Op. 130,
-which were composed in the order here mentioned; but the second, being
-published before its companion, received the earlier opus number. The A
-minor Quartet was the second of the three which Beethoven composed on
-invitation of Prince Galitzin, the first being that in E-flat, Op. 127,
-the third that in B-flat. It was taken up immediately on the completion
-of the E-flat Quartet. In March Beethoven had written to Neate that
-the first of the three quartets which he thought of bringing with him
-to London was written, that he was at work on the second and that it
-and the third would be finished "soon." On the same day he wrote to
-Schott and Sons: "The violin quartets are in hand; the second is nearly
-finished." The sketches of the A minor (as established by Nottebohm)
-date back to 1824. The work was originally to have the customary four
-movements; labor on it was interrupted by the illness of April and
-then the plan was changed to include the "Song of Thanksgiving in
-the Lydian mode," the short march before the last movement, and the
-minuet. The work was finished by August at the latest. The passage in
-eighth-notes in the second part of the first movement is practically
-a quotation from one of the German dances written for the Ridotto
-balls fully thirty years before, with the bar-lines shifted so
-that the change of harmony occurs on the up-beats of the measures.
-In a Conversation Book used in May or June, 1825, Beethoven wrote
-_Dankeshimne eines Kranken an Gott bei seiner Genesung. Gefhl neuer
-Kraft und wiedererwachtes Gefhl_ ("Hymn of Thanksgiving to God of an
-Invalid on his Convalescence. Feeling of new strength and reawakened
-feeling"). In the original score this was changed to the reading:
-"Sacred Song of Thanksgiving of a Convalescent to the Divinity, in
-the Lydian Mode. N. B. This piece has always B instead of B-flat." As
-has already been mentioned in the history of the Ninth Symphony, the
-principal theme of the last movement was originally conceived for the
-finale of that work. The B-flat Quartet was begun early in the year, as
-the letters to Neate and Schott indicate. On August 29, Beethoven wrote
-to his nephew that it would be wholly finished in ten or twelve days.
-In November he himself writes in the Conversation Book: "Title for the
-Quartet," and a strange hand adds: "_31me Quatuor. Pour deux Violons,
-Viola et Violoncello compos aux dsirs de S. A. Monseigneur le Prince
-Nicolas Galitzin et ddi au mme_," to which Beethoven adds: "par L.
-v. B." The Quartet, though more than half-promised to Schlesinger, who
-got the A minor Quartet, was sold to Artaria, and in January, 1826,
-Holz writes, "The Quartet will be printed at once; thus the third
-Quartet will appear before the first two." This was the case, which
-accounts for the incorrect numbering of them. It had its first public
-performance in March, 1826. The Fugue in B-flat, Op. 133, originally
-formed the finale of the work but was put aside after the first
-performance and the present finale, which was composed in Gneixendorf
-in 1826, was substituted.
-
-After securing the A minor Quartet and an assurance that he should
-also have that in B-flat (he had offered to deposit 80 ducats with a
-Viennese banker against its completion and delivery and Beethoven had
-accepted his offer), Schlesinger said that he would purchase the first
-of the three Quartets from Schott and Sons so as to have all three
-for his Complete Edition. Karl, in reporting the fact to Beethoven,
-expressed his belief that the Schotts would sell for fear that if they
-did not Schlesinger would reprint the work in Paris without permission.
-The latter made a strenuous effort to get the autograph score of
-the A minor, but had perforce to content himself with a copy. Holz
-represented to Beethoven that the autograph would be an asset for Karl
-in the future, and Karl was of the same opinion; he supported Holz's
-assertion with the argument that such _Capitalien_ grew more valuable
-with age and that he was sure Schlesinger would get 30 ducats for the
-manuscript. Beethoven expressed indifference as to which publisher got
-the works so long as he was promptly paid. In urging haste upon Holz,
-who had undertaken to look after the copying of the B-flat, he wrote:
-
- It is immaterial which hellhound licks and gnaws my brains, since
- it must needs be so, only see that the answer is not delayed
- too long. The hellhound in L. can wait and meanwhile entertain
- himself with Mephistopheles (the Editor of the Musik. L. Zeit.) in
- Auerbach's Cellar; he will soon be plucked by the ears by Belzebub
- the chief of devils.
-
-The Leipsic "hellhound" thus consigned to Belzebub was, of course,
-Peters. It was about this time that Karl told his uncle an anecdote
-to the effect that Cherubini, asked why he did not compose a quartet,
-replied: "If Beethoven had never written a quartet I would write
-quartets; as it is, I can not." After the meetings at Schlesinger's
-room in the inn "Zum wilden Mann" the Quartets in E-flat and A minor
-were played again at a concert in which Schuppanzigh was prevented from
-taking part, and Holz played the first violin. Beethoven grew merry at
-his expense and wrote a canon in the Conversation Book to the words:
-"Holz fiddles the quartets as if they were treading _Kraut_."
-
-[Sidenote: PRAISE FROM THE BEPRAISED]
-
-Two trifles which kept company with the Quartets in this year were
-a Waltz in D and an cossaise in E-flat for pianoforte, which were
-published in a collection of light music by C. F. Mller. There are
-several allusions to the oratorio commissioned by the Gesellschaft
-der Musikfreunde in the Conversation Books of 1825, in one of which
-Grillparzer is mentioned as a likely author for another book; but so
-far as is known no work was done on "The Victory of the Cross," though
-Bernard shortened the book. Before the end of the year the principal
-theme of the Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, is noted, accompanied
-by the words written by Beethoven: "Only the praise of one who has
-enjoyed praise can give pleasure";--it is, no doubt, a relic of some of
-the composer's classic readings.[146]
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[121] The correspondence nowhere shows a modification of the
-stipulation that the Symphony was to be the exclusive property of the
-Society for 18 months. But Kirchhoffer, Ries's representative, knew of
-the preparations for the Vienna performance.
-
-[122] Dr. Deiters thinks Ries's hesitation was due to fear of
-difficulties in the performance--a fear which was realized; it is more
-likely, however, as may be deduced from the context of the letter, that
-Ries felt that his London friends were not being treated fairly in the
-matter, Beethoven having entered upon an obligation with them to let
-them have exclusive possession of the Symphony for eighteen months
-after the time of delivery.
-
-[123] Had he wholly forgotten the letter in which he offered
-Schlesinger the Mass in 1822 and said that it would grieve him very
-much if he could not give him "just this particular work"?
-
-[124] The canons were those on Hoffmann and Schwenke.
-
-[125] The remark is meaningless and was made only for the sake of a
-play on words--_Rache_ and _Rachen_. Beethoven professed friendship to
-Haslinger to the end, though he lampooned him in private.
-
-[126] The mark is _Allegro con moto_ in the Complete Edition;
-_Allo. commodo_ in others. Joachim's edition gives the _commodo_ in
-parenthesis.
-
-[127] There are pitiful proofs in the Conversation Books that simple
-sums in addition were more than he could master and that on his
-deathbed he studied the mysteries of multiplication.
-
-[128] Vol. II. p. 107 _et seq._
-
-[129] Beethoven's table habits were thus described by Holz to Jahn: "He
-was a stout eater of substantial food; he drank a great deal of wine at
-table, but could stand a great deal, and in merry company he sometimes
-became tipsy (_bekneipte er sich_). In the evening he drank beer or
-wine, generally the wine of Vslau or red Hungarian. When he had drunk
-he never composed. After the meal he took a walk."
-
-[130] See the preface to his biography.
-
-[131] The date is Schindler's, but a palpable error; it may have been
-1834.
-
-[132] It was among Thayer's papers.
-
-[133] Notes of Jahn's interviews with Holz were among Thayer's papers.
-
-[134] "Aus meinem Leben," Berlin, 1861, Vol. II, p. 24 _et seq._
-
-[135] It was probably the performance by Bhm.
-
-[136] Antonia Cibbini, _ne_ Kozeluch, was among those who attended the
-performance of the Quartet. In the conversation which followed, Karl
-tells his uncle: "The Cibbini looked to me like a bacchante when the
-Quartet was played; it pleased her so greatly."
-
-[137] By the "Characteristic Symphony" Smart meant the Ninth, which
-he had directed at its first performance in London on March 21, 1825.
-Mr. Thayer visited Sir George in February, 1861, and received from
-him permission to make a transcript of all the entries in his journal
-touching the meetings with Beethoven, also supplementing them with oral
-information. The journal remained in manuscript for forty years after
-Sir George's death and then was edited by H. Bertram Cox and C. L. E.
-Cox and published by Longmans, Green and Co. in 1907, under the title:
-"Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart." The extracts here
-quoted are from the book, and show signs of having been revised after
-Thayer copied them.
-
-[138] Not the composer, but a pianoforte maker of Vienna.
-
-[139] The Thayer transcript has it correctly: "at the inn _Zum wilden
-Mann_."
-
-[140] In the Thayer transcript: "the second of the three MSS.
-quartettes bought by Schlesinger."
-
-[141] Dr. Deiters prints in a foot-note a different version of this
-story from Castelli's memoirs. According to this it was Castelli who
-set the theme for Beethoven, he having, after long urging, said,
-"Very well, in the name of the three devils; but Castelli, who has no
-idea of pianoforte playing, must give me a theme." Thereupon Castelli
-brushed his finger up and down three adjacent keys of the pianoforte
-and these notes Beethoven continually wove into the music which he
-improvised for an hour, by the clock. Smart names the ten men who
-composed Schlesinger's party; Castelli's is not among them, and Smart's
-story, noted in his journal at the time, is unquestionably correct.
-Schlesinger may have given another dinner, or Castelli's imagination
-been livelier than his memory.
-
-[142] When Mr. Thayer visited Sir George Smart in London in 1861 he
-made the following notes of the conversation: Smart spoke, or rather
-wrote on Beethoven's slate;--he had been warned not to write in
-Beethoven's books--in French, a language which Beethoven (as he says)
-spoke fluently. He (Smart) was particularly desirous of understanding
-Beethoven's intentions as to the performance of the Choral Sym. and
-spoke with him about the recitative for instruments in the last
-movement. Beethoven's reply was:
-
-"The recitative in strict time."
-
-Smart objected, that so played, it was not a recitative nor had words
-to recite. Beethoven replied, "he called it so;" and finally closed
-the discussion with "I _wish_ it to go in strict time"; which, from
-a composer, was of course decisive. The question of how the bass
-recitatives ought to be played had already been discussed when the
-rehearsals for the concert of 1824 were in progress, as may be seen
-in a Conversation Book of March: _Schindler_:--"How many contrabasses
-are to play the recitative?--All!--There would be no difficulty in
-strict time, but to give it in a singing style will make careful study
-necessary.--If old Krams were still alive we could let the matter go
-unconcernedly, for he directed 12 contrabasses who had to do what he
-wanted.--Good; then just as if words were under it?--If necessary I
-will write words under it so that they may learn to sing."
-
-[143] From Thayer's note-book of 1857: "Circumstance related to
-me by the son of Mr. Molt. When Mr. Molt called upon Beethoven,
-December 16, 1825, (B.'s birthday) Beethoven showed him some verses
-he had just written complimentary to a young lady and fell into
-such enthusiasm talking about her that he passed entirely from his
-musical conversation. Verses poor enough, Mr. Molt said. Mr. Molt also
-described the meanness of the rooms in which B. lived."
-
-[144] To Thayer; from his note-book.
-
-[145] In a memorandum for Thayer.
-
-[146] _Laudari a viro laudate_--Nvius. _Ltus sum laudari me, inquit
-Hector, opinor apud Nvium, abs te, pater, a laudate viro_--Cicero _ad
-fam._ XV, 6; _Cum tragicus ille apud nos ait magnificum esse laudari a
-laudato viro, laude digno, ait._--Seneca, _Epist._ 102, 16.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VIII
-
- A Year of Sickness and Sorrow: 1826--The Quartets in
- B-Flat, C-Sharp Minor and F Major--Controversy with Prince
- Galitzin--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--Life at
- Gneixendorf--Beethoven's Last Compositions.
-
-
-[Sidenote: A REQUEST FOR THE GERMAN BIBLE]
-
-The year which witnessed the last of Beethoven's completed labors,
-and saw what by general consent might be set down as the greatest of
-his string quartets, that in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, beheld also the
-culmination of the grief and pain caused by the conduct of his nephew.
-The year 1826 was a year of awful happenings and great achievements;
-a year of startling contradictions, in which the most grievous blows
-which an inscrutable Providence dealt the composer as if utterly to
-crush him to earth, were met by a display of creative energy which
-was amazing not only in its puissance but also in its exposition of
-transfigured emotion and imagination. The history of the year can
-best be followed if it be told in two sections, for which reason we
-have chosen to group the incidents connected with the nephew in a
-chapter by themselves and review first the artistic activities of the
-composer. After the history of the year has been set forth there will
-remain to be told only the story of the gathering of the gloom which
-early in the next year shut down over his mortal eyes forever. The
-figure which stands out in highest relief throughout the year beside
-that of the composer is that of Holz, whose concern for his welfare
-goes into the smallest detail of his unfortunate domestic life and
-includes also the major part of the labors and responsibilities caused
-by the tragical outcome of the nephew's waywardness--his attempt at
-self-destruction. Schindler appears at intervals, but with jealous
-reserve, chary of advice, waiting to be asked for his opinion and
-pettishly protesting that after it once has been given it will not be
-acted upon. Stephan von Breuning appears in all the nobility of his
-nature; and in the attitude and acts of Brother Johann, though they
-have been severely faulted and, we fear, maligned, there is evidence of
-something as near affectionate sympathy and interest as Beethoven's
-paradoxical conduct and nature invited of him. Among the other persons
-whom the Conversation Books disclose as his occasional associates are
-Schuppanzigh, Kuffner, Grillparzer, Abb Stadler and Mathias Artaria,
-whose talk is chiefly about affairs in which they are concerned, though
-Kuffner at one time entertains Beethoven with a discourse on things
-ancient and modern which must have fascinated the artist whose mind
-ever delighted to dwell on matters of large moment. Beethoven was
-troubled with a spell of sickness which began near the end of January
-and lasted till into March. Dr. Braunhofer was called and we read the
-familiar injunctions in the Conversation Book. The composer has pains
-in the bowels, gouty twinges, and finds locomotion difficult. He is
-advised to abstain from wine for a few days and also from coffee,
-which he is told is injurious because of its stimulating effect on
-the nerves. The patient is advised to eat freely of soups, and small
-doses of quinine are prescribed. There are postponed obligations of
-duty--the oratorio, the opera, a _Requiem_--upon the composer which
-occupy him somewhat, but his friends and advisers more. His thoughts
-are not with such things but in the congenial region of the Quartets;
-for the little community of stringed instruments is become more than
-ever his colporteur, confidant, comforter and oracle. Kuffner tells him
-through Holz that he has read Bernard's oratorio book but cannot find
-in it even the semblance of an oratorio, much less half-good execution.
-Perhaps there is something of personal equation in this judgment, for
-Kuffner is ready to write not only one but even two oratorio texts if
-Beethoven will but undertake their composition. He presents the plan
-of a work to be called "The Four Elements," in which man is to be
-brought into relationship with the imposing phenomena of nature, but
-Beethoven has been inspired by a study of Handel's "Saul" with a desire
-to undertake that subject and Kuffner submits specimens of his poetical
-handiwork to him. He had become interested in the ancient modes (as
-his Song of Thanksgiving in the Lydian mode in the A minor quartet had
-already witnessed) and was now eager to read up on the ancient Hebrews.
-He sends Holz to get him books on the subject and to a visitor, who to
-us is a stranger (so far as the handwriting in the C. B. is concerned),
-he expresses a desire to get Luther's translation of the Bible. He is
-also interested in religious questions, as a long talk with his nephew
-shows. Kuffner intended in his treatment of the story of Saul to make
-it a representation of the triumph of the nobler impulses of man over
-untamed desire, and said that he would be ready to deliver the book in
-six weeks. Holz shows Beethoven some of the specimen sheets and points
-out a place in which Beethoven might indulge in an excursion into
-antique art. "Here you might introduce a chorus in the Lydian mode," he
-says. He also explains that Kuffner intended to treat the chorus as an
-effective agent in the action, for which purpose it was to be divided
-into two sections, like the dramatic chorus of the Greek tragedians.
-Kuffner was sufficiently encouraged to write the book and Holz says
-that Beethoven finished the music of the first part "In his head"; if
-so, it staid there, so far as the sketchbooks bear testimony.
-
-[Sidenote: WORKS WHICH WERE NEVER WRITTEN]
-
-Grillparzer still hopes that the breath of musical life will be
-breathed into "Melusine"; Duport, having secured the Court Opera, asks
-for it, and Brother Johann and Karl urge that an opera is the most
-remunerative enterprise to which he can now apply himself. Schlesinger,
-in Berlin, had told Count von Brhl that Beethoven was disposed to
-write an opera for the Royal Opera at the Prussian capital and Brhl
-had written to the composer that he would be glad to have an opera from
-him and expressed a desire that he collaborate with Grillparzer in its
-making; but he did not want "Melusine," because of the resemblance
-between its subject and that of de la Motte-Fouqu's "Undine." An
-adaptation to operatic uses of Goethe's "Claudine von Villa Bella" was
-discussed, apparently with favor, but Kanne, who was designated to take
-the adaptation in hand, was afraid to meddle with the great poet's
-drama. So nothing came of the Berlin project or of "Melusine," though
-Grillparzer talked it over again with Beethoven and told Holz that
-though he was not inclined to attach too great importance to it, he yet
-thought it would be hard to find an opera text better adapted to its
-purpose than it, from a musical and scenic point of view. To Schindler,
-Beethoven once held out a prospect that "something would come" of the
-idea of music for "Faust" which Rochlitz had implanted in Beethoven's
-mind; but it shared the fate of opera and oratorio. His friends also
-urged him to compose a Requiem mass and such a composition belongs in
-the category with the oratorio as a work which he had been paid to
-undertake. Among the ardent admirers of Beethoven and most zealous
-patrons of the Schuppanzigh Quartets was Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer, a
-much respected cloth merchant. One of the methods chosen by Wolfmayer
-to show his appreciation of the composer was occasionally to have a new
-coat made for him which he would bring to Beethoven's lodgings, place
-upon a chair and then see to it that an old one disappeared from his
-wardrobe. We have already heard a similar story from Mayseder. It is
-said that Wolfmayer sometimes had difficulty in getting the composer's
-consent to the exchange, but always managed to do it. Early in the
-second decade of the century Wolfmayer commissioned Beethoven to write
-a _Requiem_ for him and paid him 1,000 florins as an advance on the
-honorarium. Beethoven promised, but never set to work: though Holz says
-that he was firmly resolved to do so and, in talking about it, said
-that he was better satisfied with Cherubini's setting of the text of
-the Mass for the Dead than with Mozart's. A _Requiem_, he said, should
-be a sorrowful memorial of the dead and have nothing in it of the
-noises of the last trump and the day of judgment.
-
-The sketchbooks bear witness, though not voluminously, to two other
-works of magnitude which were in Beethoven's thoughts in this year but
-never saw completion. These were a symphony and a string quintet. In
-a book used towards the end of 1825, containing sketches for the last
-movement of the Quartet in B-flat, there is a memorandum of a _Presto_
-in C minor, 3-4 time, and of a short movement in A-flat, _Andante_,
-which Schindler marked as belonging to "the tenth symphony." There
-are also some much longer sketches for an overture on B-a-c-h, in the
-midst of which Beethoven has written: "This overture together with
-the new symphony and we shall have a new concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Krnthnerthor." Schindler published the sketches of the symphony in
-Hirschbach's "Musikalisch-kritisches Repertorium" of January, 1844,
-and started the story of an uncompleted tenth symphony. Nottebohm, in
-his "Zweite Beethoveniana" (p. 12), scouts the idea that Beethoven
-occupied himself seriously with the composition of such a work. "It is
-not necessary," he says, "to turn over many leaves of the sketchbooks
-to prove the untenableness of the view that if Beethoven had written
-a Tenth Symphony it would have been on the basis of these sketches.
-We see in them only such momentary conceits as came to Beethoven by
-the thousand and which were as much destined to be left undeveloped
-as the multitude of other abandoned sketches in the other books.
-To be big with a symphony argues persevering application to it. Of
-such application there can be no talk in this case. The sketches in
-question were never continued; there is not a vestige of them in the
-books which follow. If Beethoven had written as many symphonies as
-he began we should have at least fifty." Nottebohm's argument does
-not dispose of the matter, though we shall presently find occasion to
-think well of it. Lenz says that Holz wrote to him that Beethoven had
-played "the whole of the Tenth Symphony" for him on the pianoforte,
-that it was finished in all of its movements in the sketches, but
-that nobody but Beethoven could decipher them. Holz, however, made no
-such broad statement to Otto Jahn, a much more conscientious reporter
-than Lenz. To Jahn he said that there was an introduction in E-flat
-major, a soft piece, and then a powerful Allegro in C minor, which were
-complete in Beethoven's head and which he had played to him (Holz) on
-the pianoforte. This is very different from an entire symphony. But
-in the letter to Moscheles which Schindler says Beethoven dictated to
-him on March 18, 1827, bearing a message of thanks to the Philharmonic
-Society of London, Beethoven says: "An entire sketched symphony lies
-in my desk, also a new overture and other things"; and a few days
-later Schindler writes to Moscheles: "Three days after receiving your
-letter he was greatly excited and demanded the sketches of the Tenth
-Symphony, concerning the plan of which he told me a great deal. He has
-now definitely decided that it shall go to the Philharmonic Society."
-The reader is familiar with Beethoven's habit of speaking of works as
-finished though not a note of them had been put on paper (as in the
-case of the additional movements for the Mass in D, for instance), and
-if there were sketches for a finished symphony in Beethoven's desk when
-he died, it is passing strange that Schindler did not produce them
-when he started the world to talking about its loss of a successor to
-the Ninth. What Nottebohm saw in the books deposited by Schindler in
-the Royal Library in Berlin seems to justify what he said, at least.
-Moreover, Schindler says that the sketches for the Symphony dated back
-to 1824, and the incorrectness of this statement can be shown beyond
-all peradventure by Nottebohm's study of the sketchbooks. Of the other
-works which play a part in the story of 1826, something will be said
-hereafter.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S FAVORITE QUARTET]
-
-Opera, oratorio, the mass for the dead, symphony, beckoned to him, but
-his affections were fixed in the higher and purer regions of chamber
-music, the form which represents chaste ideals, lofty imagination,
-profound learning; which exacts a mutual sympathy between composer,
-performer and listener and binds them in something like that angelic
-wedlock which Weber said to Planch ought to unite librettist and
-composer. When the year 1826 opened, Beethoven was looking forward
-with no little eagerness to the first performance of the Quartet in
-B-flat--his "Liebquartett" it is once called in the Conversation Books.
-Schuppanzigh and his fellows had taken it in hand. They found the
-concluding fugue extremely troublesome, but the Cavatina entranced them
-at once; Schuppanzigh entered a record against any change in it. The
-performance took place on March 21. The second and fourth movements had
-to be repeated, but the fugue proved a _crux_ as, no doubt, the players
-had expected it would. Some of Beethoven's friends argued that it had
-not been understood and that this objection would vanish with repeated
-hearings; others, plainly a majority, asked that a new movement be
-written to take its place. Johann van Beethoven told the composer that
-"the whole city" was delighted with the work. Schindler says that
-the _Danza alla tedesca_, one of the movements which were demanded a
-second time, was originally intended for another quartet, presumably
-that in A minor. Lenz objects to the theory on critical grounds, but
-Nottebohm points out that the first sketches appear in A before the
-sketches for the B-flat Quartet and assigns them to the A minor Quartet
-without qualification of any kind. Dr. Deiters suggests that the
-movement was written for the A minor Quartet and put aside when the
-Song of Thanksgiving presented itself to Beethoven's mind. There is
-another reason for believing that Nottebohm is right and Lenz, as he
-so frequently is, is wrong. As has been mentioned, Beethoven recurred
-to one of his old German dances, written for the Ridotto balls, in the
-first movement of the A minor Quartet; what more likely than that,
-thinking over the old German dance, he should have conceived the idea
-of a _Danza tedesca_? Schuppanzigh's high opinion of the Cavatina was
-shared by many and also by Beethoven himself. Holz said that it cost
-the composer tears in the writing and brought out the confession that
-nothing that he had written had so moved him; in fact, that merely to
-revive it afterwards in his thoughts and feelings brought forth renewed
-tributes of tears.
-
-The doubts about the effectiveness of the fugue felt by Beethoven's
-friends found an echo in the opinions of the critics. Mathias Artaria,
-the publisher, who seems in this year to have entered the circle
-of the composer's intimate associates, presented the matter to him
-in a practicable light. He had purchased the publishing rights of
-the Quartet and after the performance he went to Beethoven with the
-suggestion that he write a new finale and that the fugue be published
-as an independent piece, for which he would remunerate him separately.
-Beethoven listened to the protests unwillingly, but, "vowing he would
-ne'er consent, consented" and requested the pianist Anton Halm, who
-had played in the B-flat Trio at the concert, to make the pianoforte
-arrangements for which there had already been inquiries at Artaria's
-shop. Halm accepted the commission and made the arrangement, with
-which Beethoven was not satisfied; "You have divided the parts too
-much between _prim_ and second," he remarked to Halm,[147] referring
-to a device which the arranger had adopted to avoid crossing of
-hands--giving passages to the right hand which should logically have
-been given to the left, the effect being the same to the ear but not to
-the eye. Nevertheless, Halm presented a claim for 40 florins to Artaria
-for the work, and was paid. Beethoven then made an arrangement and
-sent it to Artaria, also demanding a fee. To this Artaria demurred and
-asked Beethoven for Halm's manuscript. Beethoven sent it by a messenger
-(probably Holz) with instructions to get his arrangement in return for
-it, but at the same time told Artaria, that while he did not ask that
-Artaria publish his work, he was under no obligations to give it to
-him; he might have it for twelve ducats. Artaria reconciled himself
-to the matter and paid Beethoven his fee on September 5. Schindler
-incorrectly states that the arrangement which Artaria announced on
-March 10, 1827, as Op. 134 (the original score being advertised at the
-same time as Op. 133), was Halm's.
-
-Other performances of the Quartet were planned, but it does not appear
-that any took place. Schuppanzigh was indisposed to venture upon a
-repetition, but Bhm and Mayseder were eager to play it. The latter
-with his companions gave quartet parties at the house of Dembscher, an
-agent of the Austrian War Department, and wanted to produce the Quartet
-there. But Dembscher had neglected to subscribe for Schuppanzigh's
-concert and had said that he would have it played at his house, since
-it was easy for him to get manuscripts from Beethoven for that purpose.
-He applied to Beethoven for the Quartet, but the latter refused to let
-him have it, and Holz, as he related to Beethoven, told Dembscher in
-the presence of other persons that Beethoven would not let him have
-any more music because he had not attended Schuppanzigh's concert.
-Dembscher stammered in confusion and begged Holz to find some means
-to restore him to Beethoven's good graces. Holz said that the first
-step should be to send Schuppanzigh 50 florins, the price of the
-subscription. Dembscher laughingly asked, "Must it be?" (_Muss es
-sein?_). When Holz related the incident to Beethoven he too laughed and
-instantly wrote down a canon on the words: "It must be! Yes, yes, yes,
-it must be. Out with the purse!"[148]
-
-[Sidenote: ORIGIN OF "ES MUSS SEIN!"]
-
-Out of this joke in the late fall of the year grew the finale of the
-last of the last five quartets, that in F major. Op. 135, to which
-Beethoven gave the superscription: "The difficult resolution" (_Der
-schwergefasste Entschluss_). The story, almost universally current and
-still repeated, that the phrases: _Muss es sein_? _Es muss sein_, and
-_Der schwergefasste Entschluss_ had their origin in
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Es muss sein! Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja
- It must be! It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes
-
- Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja
- It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes, It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes
-
- Heraus mit dem Beutel! Heraus! Heraus: Es muss sein!
- Come down with the rhino! Come down! Come down! It must be!
-
- Ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, Es muss sein!
- Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, It must be!
-]
-
-a scene frequently repeated when Beethoven's housekeeper came to him
-of a Saturday for the weekly house-money, was spread by Schindler, who
-was familiar in a way with the Dembscher incident but assigned it to
-the Quartet in E-flat. Holz was an actor in the scene and is the better
-witness, being confirmed, moreover, by the Conversation Book. Schindler
-probably took his clue from a page in the Conversation Book used in
-December, 1826, in which Beethoven writes the phrases "Must it be?" and
-"It must be," and Schindler, after a conversation in which Schuppanzigh
-takes part, concludes with: "It must be. The old woman is again in need
-of her weekly money." The joke played a part in the conversations with
-Beethoven for some time.
-
-Holz says that when once he remarked to Beethoven that the one in
-B-flat was the greatest of his Quartets the composer replied: "Each
-in its way. Art demands of us that we shall not stand still. You
-will find a new manner of voice treatment (part writing) and, thank
-God! there _is less lack of fancy than ever before_." Afterward he
-declared the C-sharp minor Quartet to be his greatest. The first form
-of the fugue-theme in this work, as has been noted, was written down
-in a Conversation Book in the last days of December, 1825. The theme
-of the variations, in a form afterwards altered, was also noted amid
-the records of conversations before the end of January, 1826. It is
-likely that a goodly portion of the work was written within a month and
-ready for the copyist, for Schuppanzigh once in January suggests that
-something from the work in hand be tried. Whether or not it was ever
-played in the lifetime of the composer can not be said with certainty.
-Schindler says positively that it was not. It was ready for the
-publisher in July and Schott and Sons, who had bought it for 80 ducats
-payable in two installments, sent the drafts early to accommodate
-Beethoven, who spoke of being on the eve of a short journey--of which
-nothing is known save that he did not make it. The score was turned
-over to Schott's agent in Vienna on August 7. On the copy Beethoven
-had written "Put together from pilferings from one thing and another"
-(_Zusammengestohlen aus Verschiedenem diesem und Jenem_). This alarmed
-the publishers, who wrote to Beethoven about it and in reply received
-a letter stating: "You wrote me that the quartet must be an original
-one. As a joke I wrote on the copy 'Put together, etc....'; but it is
-brand new." It was published by Schott and Sons very shortly after
-Beethoven's death in April, 1827, under the opus number 129. Beethoven
-originally intended to dedicate it to Wolfmayer but out of gratitude to
-Baron von Stutterheim, Lieutenant Fieldmarshal, who had made a place
-for Nephew Karl in his regiment, placed his name upon the title-page.
-
-[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN AND HIS QUARTETS]
-
-With the Quartet in B-flat, Beethoven had completed the three works of
-its kind which he had been commissioned to compose by Prince Nicolas
-Galitzin. He had taken three years to perform the task, but in the
-end the patience of his patron had been nobly rewarded--rewarded,
-indeed, in a manner which insured him as large a share of immortality
-as falls to the lot of a man--and meanwhile he had been privileged
-to shine in the musical circles of St. Petersburg as one who stood
-peculiarly close to the greatest of living composers. During the delay
-Prince Galitzin's conduct was in the highest degree honorable. In his
-letters he was most generous in his offers of assistance, practically
-giving Beethoven _carte blanche_ to draw on his bankers in case of
-need. He organized a performance of the _Missa solemnis_ (the first
-given of the work or any portion of it), and presented his copy of the
-written score to the Philharmonic Society of St. Petersburg. He was so
-proud of his collection of Beethoven's music that he applied to the
-composer himself to help him make it complete. Too eager to wait for
-the publishers, he commissioned Beethoven to have copies made of new
-works, like the Ninth Symphony and the overture to "The Consecration
-of the House," at his expense. He entertained the idea of repeating
-in St. Petersburg the concert which Beethoven had given in Vienna, at
-which the Symphony had received its first performance. For a while
-he contemplated a repetition of the Mass. Beethoven had dedicated the
-overture to him and he had written that he would requite the act with
-a gift of 25 ducats. All this before he received the Quartets. Then a
-strange and unaccountable change came over his attitude towards the
-composer. Beethoven sent the first Quartet to him in January, 1825;
-the second and third sometime in February, 1826. He had followed up
-his commission in 1823 with an order to his bankers, Henikstein and
-Co. in Vienna, to pay Beethoven 50 ducats, the fee agreed upon, for
-each Quartet. The money was paid over in October, 1823, but with his
-express consent, at Beethoven's request, was applied to the payment
-of his subscription for the Mass. If there could be any doubt on this
-point it would be dissipated by the letter in which Henikstein and
-Co., forwarded Beethoven's receipt. This letter was written on October
-15, 1823, and stated that the sum had been paid _comme honoraire de la
-messe que nous expedie par l'entremise de la haute chancellerie de
-l'tat_. On December 5, 1824, let us say six weeks or two months before
-he received the first Quartet, he sent another 50 ducats, which it is
-fair to assume was the fee for that work and took the place of the sum
-diverted to the payment for the Mass. These facts must be carefully
-noted and borne in mind, for the question of Galitzin's indebtedness to
-Beethoven became the subject of a scandalous controversy a long time
-after the composer's death; it endured down to 1838 and might be opened
-again were there a disposition in any quarter to do so. For the present
-the story of the Quartets during Beethoven's lifetime may be pursued
-as it is disclosed by records in the Conversation Books and so much of
-the correspondence as has been preserved.
-
-In February, 1826, one of the Quartets, perhaps both of them, had been
-sent to St. Petersburg by special courier. ("Everything written by
-Beethoven ought to be sent to its destination by special courier," is
-one of Schuppanzigh's magnificent remarks when the question of sending
-the Quartet to the Prince is under discussion.) The money did not
-come and Beethoven grew impatient and anxious. Karl tried to reassure
-him. The Prince had written _Je vais_, he remarks in the Conversation
-Book, plainly referring to a letter dated January 14, 1826, in which
-Prince Galitzin had said: "_Je vais faire remettre M. Stieglitz_
-(his banker) _la valeur de 75 ducats pour vous tre remis par M.
-Fries; 50 pour le quatuor et 25 pour l'ouverture qui est magnifique
-et que je vous remercie beaucoup de m'avoir ddie_." Still the money
-did not come. In the middle of May Holz reports to Beethoven that a
-letter had been received from the courier, whose name was Lipscher.
-He had called on Prince Galitzin, who had begged to be excused; "he
-had not time--call another day." He had repeated the visit five or six
-times, but each time was denied an audience on one pretext or another.
-Finally, he had bribed a domestic with five florins and found his
-way to the Prince, who seemed greatly embarrassed, fumbled amongst
-his scores for a time and then asked him to come again before his
-departure and he would give him the money. The courier had added that
-he considered it a "Russian trick" but that he was not to be disposed
-of so easily. Lipscher would be back in Vienna in four or five days,
-Holz added, and advised Beethoven to await his coming before writing
-to him. Schindler, a short time after, gives his views in a style
-characteristic of his attitude toward Beethoven during the period of
-Holz's factotumship: "The matter of the Prince Galitzin is getting
-critical and I wish you a happy outcome. If you had obeyed me he would
-have had only one quartet and with that _basta_. You never permitted
-yourself to be deceived by flattery as you have by this princely
-braggart." Again: "_Voila_, the letter to Count Lebzeltern (Russian
-Ambassador) and the banker Stieglitz. They can go to-day as it is great
-postday. What more is there to be considered? Wait, and wait--and no
-results. Breuning is agreed. If Prince Galitzin could act in such
-contradiction to his letters nothing good is to be expected of him."
-At a later date there came another letter from the courier. He had
-tried seven times to see the Prince, but all in vain. Later (it was now
-July) he had gone again; the Prince had been polite, but denied him
-admittance. Still later in the same month Karl tells his uncle that he
-wants to write to Stieglitz, the Prince's banker, upon whom Beethoven
-had been told to draw in case he needed money. Karl does not use
-general terms as to the sum involved, but specifically says "the 125
-ducats." On August 2 Beethoven wrote to Stieglitz and Co., from whom he
-received a letter dated August 13 saying that the Prince was absent,
-but his attention should be directed to the matter. Evidently the
-bankers kept their word, for on November 10-22, Prince Galitzin wrote
-to Beethoven saying that he had received the two Quartets but had been
-the victim of great losses and other misfortunes; he was now obliged to
-go to the wars in Persia, but before going would pay the "125 ducats"
-which he owed, thus admitting the debt in specific terms. On January
-10, 1827, Beethoven, already on his deathbed, dictated a letter of
-inquiry to Stieglitz and Co., and the bankers again answered promptly:
-they were still waiting for an answer from the Prince. Five days
-before his death Beethoven made his last appeal to Stieglitz and Co.,
-reviewing the recent correspondence and Galitzin's promise and asking
-the bankers, if the money had been received, to forward it to Arnstein
-and Eskeles, as he was greatly in need of it because of his protracted
-sickness. Beethoven dictated the letter, but signed it himself and
-endorsed the draft: "To Prince Galitzin, concerning 125 ducats, March
-21, 1827." He died on March 26.
-
-[Sidenote: DID GALITZIN PAY FOR THE QUARTETS?]
-
-Thus stands the record at the time of Beethoven's death. Prince
-Galitzin was back from the wars, but sent no money. On March 20, 1829,
-Hotschevar as guardian of Karl van Beethoven appealed to the Imperial
-Chancellary to ask the Embassy at St. Petersburg to collect the debt
-of 125 ducats from the Prince. Galitzin demanded an explanation, but
-after repeated requests from Karl agreed to pay 50 ducats in two
-installments of 20 and 30 ducats each. The sums were paid, the latter,
-as Karl's receipt shows, on November 9, 1832. Karl continued to make
-representations to the Prince touching a balance of 75 ducats still
-due and on June 2-14, 1835, Galitzin promised to pay the sum, not as
-a balance due on his business transactions with Beethoven, but as a
-memorial _pour honorer sa mmoire, que m'est chre_. Even now the
-money was not paid, but after a controversy had broken out between
-Schindler and the Prince over the former's charge that Beethoven had
-never been paid for the Quartets, Galitzin sent the 75 ducats, and Karl
-complaisantly acquiesced in the Prince's request and signed a receipt
-for the money, not as in payment of the debt, but as a voluntary
-tribute to the dead composer.[149]
-
-[Sidenote: DEDICATION OF THE NINTH SYMPHONY]
-
-Schott was ready with the Ninth Symphony in July, 1826, but Beethoven
-asked him to delay the despatch of the printed score to the King of
-Prussia, to whom it was dedicated, until he had had an opportunity
-to send the monarch a manuscript copy, which, he said, would have no
-value after the publication. The reward which he was looking forward to
-in return was a decoration. The Conversation Books have considerable
-to say about the dedication, but if the London Philharmonic Society
-ever entered Beethoven's mind in connection with it, the record has
-been lost. He wanted an Order, and had he received one in time for
-the concert, its insignia would, in great likelihood, have graced his
-breast on that occasion. He had repeatedly expressed contempt for the
-outward signs of royal condescension, but the medal sent by the King
-of France had evidently caused a change of heart in this regard. He
-was eager to see a description and illustration of the medallion in
-the newspapers; and that he thought of hanging it about his neck,
-appears from a remark to him made by Karl before the concert, telling
-him that it was too heavy to wear and would pull down his collar.
-Visitors called to see it and he permitted his intimate friends to
-show it about, until Holz cautioned him to do so no more, as it was
-showing marks of damage from a fall. In one conversation, Johann
-suggests that the Symphony be dedicated to the Czar of Russia and from
-a remark in one of Prince Galitzin's letters telling him that, by a
-recent decree, all foreigners who wished to dedicate works of art to
-the Czar would have to obtain permission to do so from the Minister of
-Foreign Affairs, it would appear that Johann's suggestion, or approval,
-had also received his sanction. Ferdinand Ries was also a candidate
-for the distinction (Beethoven had promised him the dedication in a
-letter), his claim being put forward, without particular urgency, by
-Franz Christian Kirchhoffer, a bookkeeper with whom Beethoven was
-acquainted and through whom Ries carried on his correspondence with
-the composer. On April 8, 1824, Karl wrote in a Conversation Book:
-"As soon as the Symphony has been sent to England it must be copied
-again handsomely on vellum paper and sent with an inscription to the
-King of France." On the same day, apparently, Schindler asks: "Who has
-the preference in the matter of the dedication of the Symphony--Ries
-or the King of Prussia?--It ought to be offered as a proof of your
-gratitude, in these words.--There could be no better opportunity than
-just now for this purpose." It is obvious that Schindler favors the
-King of France, for a day or two later he writes: "Schwaebl sends his
-compliments and is highly delighted that you are pleased with the gift.
-As regards the you-know-what he wants you to write to the Duke de la
-Chrtre [d'chats] yourself, but for the present nothing about the
-dedication--leave the reference till later." The advice is repeated and
-the subject concluded with: "Good, then you will stick to France."
-
-These facts belong chronologically to the history of 1824, but they
-have been made pertinent by the discussion of the dedication and
-presentation of the Ninth Symphony to the King of Prussia, which took
-place in 1826. They are also valuable to correct a misapprehension
-which has prevailed ever since the publication of Hogarth's history
-of the London Philharmonic Society and was no doubt current before
-then. Hogarth says that the directors of the society resolved to offer
-Beethoven 50 for a manuscript symphony on November 10, 1822, and adds,
-"the money was immediately advanced." In a note to his translation of
-one of Beethoven's letters (Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 448) Mr.
-Shedlock calls attention to the fact that there is a document in the
-British Museum, acknowledging receipt of 50 for a symphony composed
-for the society, dated April 27, 1824. This document proves the date on
-which Beethoven received the remuneration for the Symphony to have been
-that indicated in the receipt beyond peradventure. On April 26 or 27
-Karl writes, in the Conversation Book from which we have been quoting:
-
-
- He [presumably Johann van Beethoven] is not at home at noon. He
- will himself come soon after 7. He says you owe him 500 florins
- which is squared by the payment for the Symphony. Moreover Ries
- begs you to dedicate the Symphony to him.--Shares--You must not
- refuse bluntly, but give him an evasive answer, until you have
- the shares. Is the Symphony ready to be taken away?--Then you can
- go out and the brother will come here. The Symphony must not be
- published for a year.[150] Did you dedicate the overture to him?
- You might dedicate it to him.
-
- _Johann_ (a short time afterward).--Kirchhoffer was here and said
- that ducats have depreciated in value and we ought to inform
- ourselves at once. He wants me to bring him the two documents and
- the Symphony, when he will at once hand over the two shares. I
- beg you therefore to sign this now so that I can be with him at
- 10 o'clock. I will bring the two shares at once.--The girl can
- carry the Symphony with me now.--As regards the dedication of the
- Symphony it was only a question put for Ries by Kirchhoffer and
- must in no case be. He would have liked to see Ries [get it?]
- because he is going to leave London soon.--I told him it could not
- well be in the case of this work, whereupon he said no more. In no
- event does he count on it longer.
-
-When finally, in 1826, Beethoven decided that the Symphony should be
-dedicated to the King of Prussia, he obtained permission of Prince
-Hatzfeld, the Prussian Ambassador, to do so. Dr. Spicker, the King's
-librarian, was in Vienna at the time and arrangements were made
-to transmit a copy of the score to Berlin through him. Holz had a
-talk with him and he advised him concerning the preparation of the
-presentation copy and also discussed the possibility of a decoration.
-Spicker told Holz to have Beethoven copy the title of the printed work
-on the title-page in his natural and habitual handwriting without any
-attempt at beautification. This would enhance the value of the score
-in the eyes of the King and he would put it in his private library. To
-get the order would be an easy matter, for the King was predisposed in
-Beethoven's favor. Spicker also visited Beethoven, being presented by
-Haslinger, but, unfortunately, the pages of the book which must have
-recorded the conversation have not been preserved; or, if preserved,
-not been made known. Beethoven wrote the title-page, the score was
-handsomely bound by Steiner and Co. and placed in the hands of Dr.
-Spicker with the following letter:
-
- Your Majesty:
-
- It is a piece of great good fortune in my life that Your Majesty
- has graciously allowed me to dedicate the present work to you.
-
- Your Majesty is not only the father of your subjects but also
- protector of the arts and sciences; how much more, therefore, must
- I rejoice in your gracious permission since I am also so fortunate
- as to count myself a citizen of Bonn and therefore one of your
- subjects.
-
- I beg of Your Majesty graciously to accept this work as a slight
- token of the high reverence which I give to all your virtues.
-
- Your Majesty's
- Most obedient servant
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: A ROYAL GIFT OF SMALL VALUE]
-
-The King's acknowledgment was as follows:
-
- In view of the recognized worth of your compositions it was very
- agreeable for me to receive the new work which you have sent me. I
- thank you for sending it and hand you the accompanying diamond ring
- as a token of my sincere appreciation.
-
- Berlin, November 25, 1826
- Friedrich Wilhelm.
-
- To the composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-Schindler says that when the case containing the King's gift was
-opened it was found to contain, not a diamond ring as the letter had
-described it, but one set with a stone of a "reddish" hue which the
-court jeweller to whom it was shown appraised at 300 florins, paper
-money. Beethoven was very indignant and was with difficulty dissuaded
-from sending it back to the Prussian Ambassador; eventually he sold
-it to the jeweler at the value which he had set upon it. Whether or
-not the ring was the one really sent from Berlin or one which had been
-substituted for it (as was suspected in some quarters), has never been
-determined.
-
-Despite the cordial relations between Beethoven and Haslinger, which
-endured to the end of the composer's life, there was continual friction
-between him and the Steiner firm, for which it would seem that Holz
-was at this time responsible in a considerable degree; and it may have
-been he who put the notion into Beethoven's head that it would be a
-stroke of business to buy back all of his manuscripts which Steiner had
-acquired but had not yet published. Dissatisfaction with the policy
-of publishers, however, was in Beethoven a confirmed mood; we have
-heard him rail against the men who wanted to withhold his works till
-he was dead, so as to profit from the public curiosity which would
-follow. Beethoven made the proposition in a jocular letter to Haslinger
-offering to pay the same "shameful" price for all his unpublished
-manuscripts which the firm had paid him. The transaction was not
-consummated; if it had been there can be no doubt but that it would
-have been highly advantageous to him, since both Schott and Artaria
-were now eager to have his works.
-
-[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM"]
-
-Among Beethoven's intimate friends was Abb Stadler, an old man and
-an old-fashioned musician, the horizon of whose sthetic appreciation
-was marked by the death-date of his friend Mozart. Castelli says that
-he used to call Beethoven's music "pure nonsense"; certain it is that
-he used to leave the concert-room whenever a composition by Beethoven
-was to be played. Schuppanzigh offered as an excuse for him that he
-had a long way home, and it does not appear that Beethoven ever took
-umbrage at his conduct. Holz, telling Beethoven in February, 1825,
-that as usual he had left the room when an overture by Beethoven was
-about to be played, added: "He is too old. He always says when Mozart
-is reached, 'More I cannot understand.'" But once he staid and not
-only listened to a Beethoven piece but praised it. It was the Trio for
-Strings, Op. 9, which had been composed nearly a generation before!
-Holz becomes sarcastic: "One might say A. B. C. D. (_Abb cdait_)."
-Stadler now had occasion to court Beethoven's favor, or at least to
-betray the fact that even if he could not appreciate his music he
-yet had had a vast respect for his genius and reputation. In 1825,
-Gottfried Weber had written an essay, which was published in the
-"Ccilia" journal, attacking the authenticity of Mozart's "Requiem."
-The article angered Beethoven, as is evidenced by his marginal glosses
-on the copy of the journal which he read, now in the possession of Dr.
-Prieger in Bonn. The glosses are two in number: "Oh, you arch ass!" and
-"Double ass!" Such a disposition of an attack on the artistic honor of
-his friend did not suffice Stadler. He published a defence of Mozart
-("_Vertheidigung der Echtheit des Mozartschen Requiems_") and sent a
-copy to Beethoven, who acknowledged it thus:
-
- On the 6th of Feby., 1826.
-
- Respected and venerable Sir:
-
- You have done a really good deed in securing justice for the
- _manes_ of Mozart by your truly exemplary and exhaustive essay,
- and lay and _profane_, all who are musical or can in anywise be
- accounted so must give you thanks.
-
- It requires either nothing or much for one like Herr W. to bring
- such a subject on the carpet.
-
- When it is also considered that to the best of my knowledge such
- an one has written a treatise on composition and yet tries to
- attribute such passages as
-
- [Illustration]
-
- to Mozart, and adds to it such passages as
-
- [Illustration: Agnus Dei peccata mundi]
-
- and
-
- [Illustration: qui tollis peccata qui tollis peccata]
-
- we are reminded by Herr W's amazing knowledge of harmony and melody
- of the old and dead Imperial Composers Sterkel, ...... (illegible),
- Kalkbrenner (the father), Andre (_nicht der gar Andere_) etc.
-
- _Requiescat in pace._--I thank you in especial, my honored friend,
- for the happiness which you have given me in sending me your essay.
- I have always counted myself among the greatest admirers of Mozart
- and will remain such till my last breath.
-
- Reverend Sir, _your blessing soon_.[151]
-
-The concluding supplication recalls an anecdote related by Castelli
-in his memoirs: Beethoven and Abb Stadler once met at Steiner's.
-About to depart, Beethoven kneeled before the Abb and said: "Reverend
-Sir, give me your blessing." Stadler, not at all embarrassed, made the
-sign of the cross over the kneeling man and, as if mumbling a prayer,
-said: "Hilft's nix, schadt's nix" ("If it does no good, 'twill do no
-harm"). Beethoven thereupon kissed his hand amid the laughter of the
-bystanders. Jahn heard the same story from Fischoff.[152]
-
-A remark in a Conversation Book of 1826 indicates that Stadler had
-urged Beethoven to write a mass. Holz says: "If Stadler tells you to
-write a mass it is certain that something will be done for it. He
-knows best of anybody which way the wind blows.--He has Dietrichstein
-and Eybler in his pocket.--You are well cared for if Stadler favors
-it." The conversations of Holz also provide a fleeting glimpse of
-Schubert in this year. Holz tells Beethoven that he had seen the young
-composer with either Artaria or Mosel (the allusion is vague) and that
-the two were reading a Handel score together. "He (Schubert) was very
-amiable and thanked me for the pleasure which Mylord's [Schuppanzigh's]
-Quartets gave him; he was always present.--He has a great gift for
-songs.--Do you know the 'Erlking'? He spoke very mystically, always."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND FRIEDRICH WIECK]
-
-Friedrich Wieck, father of Clara Schumann, spent three hours with
-Beethoven in May, having been presented by Andreas Stein, the
-pianoforte maker. He told about the visit long afterward in a letter
-to his second wife which was reprinted in the "Signale" No. 57, in
-December, 1873, from the "Dresdener Nachrichten." Beethoven gave his
-guest wine (to which Wieck was not accustomed), improvised for him
-over an hour and talked voluminously about
-
- musical conditions in Leipsic--Rochlitz--Schicht--Gewandhaus--his
- housekeeper--his many lodgings, none of which suited him--his
- promenades--Hietzing--Schnbrunn--his brother--various stupid
- people in Vienna--aristocracy--democracy--revolution--Napoleon--
- Mara--Catalani--Malibran--Fodor--the excellent Italian singers
- Lablache, Donzelli, Rubini and others, the perfection of Italian
- opera (German opera could never be so perfect because of the
- language and because the Germans did not learn to sing as
- beautifully as the Italians)--my views on pianoforte playing--
- Archduke Rudolph--Fuchs in Vienna, at the time a famous musical
- personality--my improved method of pianoforte teaching, etc.
-
-Wieck says the meeting was in Hietzing, and that Beethoven played upon
-the pianoforte "presented to him by the city of London"--three obvious
-mistakes, since Beethoven was not in Hietzing in May, but in Vienna,
-and the Broadwood pianoforte, which was not presented to him by the
-city of London but by Thomas Broadwood, was in the hands of Graf for
-repairs in May.
-
-After Karl's attempt to end his ill-spent life, with its crushing
-effect upon the composer, the friends, Holz in particular, made many
-efforts to divert Beethoven's mind from his disappointment and grief.
-They accompanied him on brief excursions into the country which he
-loved so passionately and which had been closed to him, for the
-customary happy season, by his nephew's act. Again did his brother
-offer him a haven at Gneixendorf in August, only to receive the curt
-answer: "I will not come. Your brother??????!!!! Ludwig." His nephew
-was lying in the hospital. He could not leave him then nor did he go
-until it had become necessary to find an asylum for Karl as well as
-a resting-place for himself. His brother came to the city late in
-September; it was necessary that Karl should remain out of Vienna
-until he could join a regiment of soldiery, and so Beethoven accepted
-Johann's renewed invitation to make a sojourn at Gneixendorf. Meanwhile
-he was far from idle. He had begun a new quartet, in F major, and
-Schlesinger, _pre_, who had come from Berlin, negotiated with him
-for its publication. He had the new finale for the B-flat Quartet
-on his mind and, as will appear later, several other works occupied
-him. With Schlesinger he talked about the Complete Edition and some
-military marches which the King of Prussia was to pay for, as they were
-to be written for the Royal Band. The chief obstacle to Beethoven's
-acceptance of his brother's repeated invitations to visit him at
-Gneixendorf came from the presence there of the brother's wife. Her
-scandalous conduct had begotten an intense hatred in Beethoven's mind.
-Urged on by his brother, Johann had once planned to put her away, but
-there was an obstacle in the shape of a marriage contract, which gave
-her half of his property, and though she was willing to surrender
-the contract at one time, she was not content to be turned out upon
-the world with neither character nor means of subsistence. Besides,
-Johann was loath to take the drastic methods which alone were open to
-him. He was inclined, much to the indignation of his brother, to be
-complaisant; he needed a housekeeper and for that she would serve.
-"I go my way and let her go hers," he said, and he told his brother
-when trying to persuade him to spend his summers, perhaps eventually
-all his time, at Gneixendorf, that he need pay no heed whatever to
-his sister-in-law. Much of the ill-feeling was due to the fact that
-Beethoven wanted to insure his brother's fortune for Karl. The nephew
-did eventually become his sole heir and inherited 42,000 florins from
-him.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AT GNEIXENDORF]
-
-On September 28, Beethoven and his nephew left Vienna for Gneixendorf,
-intending to stay a week. A night was passed at a village _en route_,
-and Johann's estate was reached in the afternoon of the next day--the
-29th--but not too late for the composer to walk through the fields
-with his brother to take a look at the property. The next day the
-walk was extended to the vineyards on the hill in the forenoon and
-to Imbach in the afternoon. There Karl pointed out to his uncle some
-historical monuments: "This is the cloister where Margarethe, Ottocar's
-wife, died; the scene occurs in Grillparzer's piece." Thus, with other
-excursions the next day, life at Gneixendorf began. [153] Gneixendorf
-is a little village on a high plateau of the Danube Valley about an
-hour's walk from Krems. It is a mean hamlet, with only one street and
-that narrow, rough and dirty. The houses are low huts. Wasserhof,
-as the place is now called, the Beethoven estate, lies opposite the
-village and is reached by a wagon road which runs a large part of the
-way along the edge of a ravine, which torrents have cut out of the
-clayey soil. The plateau is almost treeless but covered with fields
-and vines. In Beethoven's time there were two houses on the estate,
-both large and handsome, each with its garden and surrounding wall. The
-houses were separated from each other by a road. A generation after
-Beethoven had been a visitor there the gardens were found neglected
-and the trees which surrounded the house, a two-storey structure
-strongly built of stone with a covering of mortar, shut out a view of
-the surrounding country.[154] Beethoven's rooms were on the east side,
-and unless the trees interfered the composer had a magnificent view of
-the Danubian valley stretching to the distant Styrian mountains. Johann
-van Beethoven's possessions compassed nearly 400 acres, most of which
-he leased to tenants. A lover of hills and forests like Beethoven must
-have found Wasserhof dreary and monotonous in the extreme, yet the
-distant view of the Danube seems to have compensated him in a measure,
-for it reminded him of the Rhine.
-
-Gerhard von Breuning gives a distressful account of Beethoven's
-reception and treatment at Gneixendorf. It is, indeed, too distressful
-to be implicitly accepted as true, nor are all his accusations against
-Johann borne out by the evidence of the Conversation Books and
-other indubitable facts. If the account in Breuning's book "Aus dem
-Schwarzspanierhause" were literally true, we should have to picture to
-ourselves Beethoven, arrived at his brother's place, being assigned
-rooms which were unfit for occupation in the cold, wet November weather
-which ensued, denied facilities for proper heating, having fire-wood
-stingily doled out to him, compelled to eat miserable food and forced
-to be content with too little even of that, and three days after his
-arrival informed that he would be expected to pay for his board and
-lodging. One would think while reading the account that Johann van
-Beethoven, who had been offering hospitalities to his brother for
-years, had done so only to make money out of him and had at last
-succeeded in his design by taking advantage of the overwhelming
-sorrow which had come upon him.[155] Beethoven is said to have made
-complaints in the nature of von Breuning's accusations in a letter
-written from Gneixendorf to Stephan von Breuning, and also to have
-given expression to his feelings at being obliged to submit to the
-repulsive companionship of his brother's wife and step-daughter. The
-letter is lost and was not printed by Breuning's son in proof of the
-charges; but if it had been it would not be conclusive in the minds
-of dispassionate judges. Against it there would lie the evidences of
-the brother's numerous acts of helpfulness, the many instances of
-Beethoven's unreasonable suspicion and unjust judgment and, above
-all, the testimony of the Conversation Books. As to the matter of an
-insufficient supply of fire-wood, there is a remark of Karl's, made
-after a return to Vienna is already in contemplation: "As regards
-expenses, wood is so cheap that it is inconceivable that your brother
-should be at any considerable cost, for you can heat a long time with
-a cord and he is already overpaid." Long before when Johann had been
-trying in vain to induce him to come to Gneixendorf for the summer he
-rebukes him for his unwillingness to accept his hospitality gratis.
-Once during the sojourn he says explicitly: "You do not need money
-here"; and at another time: "If you want to live with us you can have
-everything for 40 florins Convention money a month, which makes only
-500 florins for a whole year," and again: "You will need only half of
-your pension" and "I will charge nothing for the first fortnight; I
-would do more if I were not so hard-pressed with taxes." Beethoven had
-planned at the outset to stay only a week, just long enough for the
-scar on Karl's head to disappear sufficiently to make him presentable
-to his commanding officer. Instead, the visit lasted two months and
-Johann was short of money. He had still two payments to make on the
-purchase-money for the estate, and collections were not good.
-
-Beethoven was sick when he went to Gneixendorf. He had not recovered
-from his illness of the early months of the year when Karl attempted to
-kill himself, and this was not calculated to improve the physical or
-mental condition of so nervous and irritable a being as he. On October
-7, eight days after his arrival in Gneixendorf, he wrote a letter from
-a sickbed and Breuning, to whom it was sent, who knew his physical
-condition well, remarked that he was in danger of becoming seriously
-ill, possibly dropsical. Nothing was more natural than that his letters
-should be full of complaints, some of which might well be measurably
-founded on fact without convicting his brother of inhumanity. He had
-never been a comfortable or considerate guest or tenant at the best,
-and his adaptability to circumstances was certainly not promoted by
-the repugnance which he felt towards his sister-in-law and his want of
-honest affection for his brother.
-
-[Sidenote: ANECDOTES OF A RURAL SOJOURN]
-
-Concerning his life in Gneixendorf, a number of interesting details
-were told in an article entitled "Beethoven in Gneixendorf," published
-in the "Deutsche Musikzeitung" in 1862,[156] some of which are worth
-reciting again. One day Johann went to Langenfeld and Beethoven and
-other people from Gneixendorf went with him. The purpose was to visit a
-surgeon named Karrer, a friend of the brother. The surgeon was absent
-on a sick-call, but his wife, flattered by a visit from the landowner,
-entertained him lavishly. Noticing a man who held himself aloof from
-the company, sitting silently on the bench behind the stove, and
-taking him for one of her guest's servants, she filled a little jug
-with native wine and handed it to him with the remark: "He shall also
-have a drink." When the surgeon returned home late at night and heard
-an account of the incident he exclaimed: "My dear wife, what have you
-done? The greatest composer of the century was in our house to-day and
-you treated him with such disrespect!"
-
-Johann had occasion to visit the syndic Sterz in Langenlois on a
-matter of business. Beethoven accompanied him. The conference lasted a
-considerable time, during all of which Beethoven stood motionless at
-the door of the official's office. At the leavetaking Sterz bowed often
-and low to the stranger, and after he was gone asked his clerk, named
-Fux, an enthusiastic lover of music, especially of Beethoven's; "Who do
-you think the man was who stood by the door?" Fux replied: "Considering
-that you, Mr. Syndic, treated him with such politeness, his may be
-an exceptional case; otherwise I should take him for an imbecile
-(_Trottel_)." The consternation of the clerk may be imagined when told
-the name of the man whom he had taken for an idiot.
-
-Johann's wife had assigned Michael Krenn, son of one of her husband's
-vinedressers, to look after Beethoven's wants. At first the cook had to
-make up Beethoven's bed. One day, while the woman was thus occupied,
-Beethoven sat at a table gesticulating with his hands, beating time
-with his feet, muttering and singing. The woman burst into a laugh,
-which Beethoven observed. He drove her out of the room instanter.
-Krenn tried to follow her, but Beethoven drew him back, gave him three
-20-kreutzer pieces, told him not to be afraid, and said that hereafter
-he should make the bed and clean the floor every day. Krenn said that
-he was told to come to the room early, but generally had to knock a
-long time before Beethoven opened the door. It was Beethoven's custom
-to get up at half-past 5 o'clock, seat himself at a table and write
-while he beat time with hands and feet and sang. This frequently
-stirred Krenn's risibles, and when he could no longer restrain his
-laughter he used to leave the room. Gradually he grew accustomed to
-it. The family breakfast was eaten at half-past 7 o'clock, after which
-Beethoven hurried out into the open air, rambled across the fields
-shouting and waving his arms, sometimes walking very rapidly, sometimes
-very slowly and stopping at times to write in a sort of pocketbook.
-This book he once lost and said: "Michael, run about and hunt my
-writings; I must have them again at any cost." Michael luckily found
-them. At half-past 12 Beethoven would come home for dinner, after which
-he went to his room until about 3 o'clock; then he roamed over the
-fields until shortly before sunset, after which he never went out of
-doors. Supper was at half-past 7, and after eating he went to his room,
-wrote till 10 o'clock and then went to bed. Occasionally Beethoven
-played the pianoforte, which did not stand in his room but in the
-salon. Nobody was permitted to enter his rooms except Michael, who had
-to put them in order while Beethoven was out walking. In doing so he
-several times found money on the floor, and when he carried it to its
-owner, Beethoven made him show him where he had picked it up and then
-gave it to him. This happened three or four times, after which no more
-money was found. In the evening Michael had to sit with Beethoven and
-write down answers to questions which he asked. Generally Beethoven
-wanted to know what had been said about him at dinner and supper.
-
-One day the wife of the landowner sent Michael to Stein with 5 florins
-to buy wine and a fish; but Michael was careless and lost the money.
-He came back to Gneixendorf in consternation. As soon as Madame van
-Beethoven saw him she asked for the fish, and when he told her of the
-loss she discharged him from her service. When Beethoven came into
-dinner he asked at once for his servant and the lady told him what had
-happened. Beethoven grew fearfully excited, gave her 5 florins, and
-angrily demanded that Michael be called back at once. After that he
-never went to table any more but had his dinner and supper brought to
-his rooms, where Michael had to prepare breakfast for him. Even before
-this occurrence Beethoven scarcely ever spoke to his sister-in-law
-and seldom to his brother. Beethoven wanted to take Michael with him
-to Vienna, but when a cook came to call for the composer the plan was
-abandoned.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN SCARES A YOKE OF OXEN]
-
-Two old peasants told the owner of Wasserhof in 1862 stories which
-confirm Krenn's account of Beethoven's unusual behavior in the fields.
-Because of his unaccountable actions they at first took him for a
-madman and kept out of his way. When they had become accustomed to his
-singularities and learned that he was a brother of the landlord they
-used to greet him politely; but he, always lost in thought, seldom if
-ever returned their greetings. One of these peasants, a young man at
-the time, had an adventure with Beethoven of a most comical nature. He
-was driving a pair of young oxen, scarcely broken to the yoke, from the
-tile-kiln toward the manor-house when he met Beethoven shouting and
-waving his arms about in wild gesticulations. The peasant called to
-him: _A bissel stada!_ ("A little quieter") but he paid no attention
-to the request. The oxen took fright, ran down a steep hill and the
-peasant had great difficulty in bringing them to a stand, turning them
-and getting them back on the road. Again Beethoven came towards them,
-still shouting and gesticulating. The yokel called to him a second
-time, but in vain; and now the oxen rushed towards the house, where
-they were stopped by one of the men employed there. When the driver
-came up and asked who the fool was who had scared his oxen the man told
-him it was the proprietor's brother. "A pretty brother, that he is!"
-was the answering comment.
-
-On October 7 Beethoven answered the letter which he had received many
-months before from Wegeler. He wrote a long letter in the cordial and
-intimate tone which is to be found only in the correspondence with
-persons to whom he was bound by ties of affectionate friendship, but
-made no reference to Karl. On the subject of his paternity he wrote:
-
- You write that I am written down somewhere as a natural son of the
- deceased king of Prussia; this was mentioned to me long ago. I have
- made it a principle never to write anything about myself nor to
- reply to anything written about me. For this reason I gladly leave
- it to you to make known to the world the honesty of my parents, and
- my mother in particular.
-
-He tells with pride of the gift from the King of France, of other
-distinctions which he had received, and of King Frederick William's
-desire to have the autograph of his new Symphony for the Royal Library,
-and adds: "Something has been said to me in this connection about the
-order of the Red Eagle, second class.[157] What the outcome will be I
-do not know; I have never sought for such marks of honor, but at my
-present age they would not be unwelcome, for several reasons."
-
-On October 13 he wrote a merry letter to Haslinger, whom he addresses
-in music as "First of all Tobiasses," asking him to deliver a quartet
-(the one in F major published as Op. 135) to Schlesinger's agent and
-collect and forward the money, of which he stands in need. On the same
-day he wrote to Schott and Sons enclosing the metronome marks for the
-Ninth Symphony which the Conversation Book shows had been dictated to
-Karl before the departure from Vienna. That he was not as grievously
-disappointed by his surroundings at Gneixendorf as might have been
-expected is evidenced by the remark: "The scenes among which I am
-sojourning remind me somewhat of the Rhine country which I so greatly
-long to see again, having left them in my youth."
-
-[Sidenote: WORKS WRITTEN AT GNEIXENDORF]
-
-The Quartet in F was completed at Gneixendorf. Beethoven sent it to
-Schlesinger's agent on October 30, and had probably put the finishing
-touches on it about the time when he wrote to Haslinger about its
-delivery a fortnight before. Schlesinger had agreed to pay 80 ducats
-for it. It had been in hand four months at least, for in July he told
-Holz that he intended to write another quartet and when Holz asked, "In
-what key?" and was told, he remarked, "But that will be the third in
-F. There is none in D minor. It is singular that there is none among
-Haydn's in A minor." If there were positive evidence in the "Muss es
-sein?" incident, a still earlier date would have to be set for its
-origin, but here we are left to conjecture. There was considerable
-merry-making over the Dembscher joke, and it is at least probable that
-the first sketches for the Quartet and the Canon were written about the
-same time. The point which cannot be definitely determined is whether
-or not the motif of the Canon was destined from the first for the
-finale of the Quartet. It may have been in Beethoven's mind for that
-purpose and the sudden inspiration on hearing the story of Dembscher's
-query "Muss es sein?" may have gone only to the words and the use of
-them with the music for the Canon. That the Quartet was to be shorter
-than the others was known before Beethoven left Vienna. Holz once says
-to Beethoven before the departure that Schlesinger had asked about it
-and that he had replied that Beethoven was at work upon it, and added:
-"You will not publish it if it is short. Even if it should have only
-three movements it would still be a quartet by Beethoven, and it would
-not cost so much to print it."[158]
-
-The new finale for the Quartet in B-flat was also completed in
-Gneixendorf, though it, too, had been worked out almost to a conclusion
-in Vienna. It was delivered on November 25 to Artaria, who gave him 15
-ducats for it. Schuppanzigh gave it a private performance in December
-and told Beethoven that the company thought it _kstlich_ and that
-Artaria was overjoyed when he heard it. There were other compositions
-on which Beethoven worked in Gneixendorf when he compelled laughter
-from the cook and frightened the peasant's oxen. At Diabelli's request
-he had said that he would write a quintet with flute. Sketches for a
-quintet have been found, showing that the work was in a considerable
-state of forwardness, but in them there are no signs of a flute. Holz
-told Jahn that the first movement of a quintet in C for strings which
-Diabelli had bought for 100 ducats was finished in the composer's
-head and the first page written out. In the catalogue of Beethoven's
-posthumous effects No. 173 was "Fragment of a new Violin Quintet,
-of November, 1826, last work of the composer," which was officially
-valued at 10 florins. It was bought by Diabelli at the auction sale
-and published in pianoforte arrangements, two and four hands, with the
-title: "Ludwig van Beethoven's last Musical Thought, after the original
-manuscript of November, 1826," and the remark: "Sketch of the Quintet
-which the publishers, A. Diabelli and Co., commissioned Beethoven to
-write and purchased from his relics with proprietary rights." The
-published work is a short movement in C in two divisions, having a
-broad theme of a festal character, _Andante maestoso_ and Polonaise
-rhythm. The autograph having disappeared it can not now be said how
-much of the piece was actually written out by Beethoven. Nottebohm
-shows ("Zweit. Beeth.," p. 79 _et seq._) that the sketches for the
-quintet were written after Beethoven had begun to make a fair copy of
-the last movement of the B-flat Quartet. Lenz, in volume V of his work
-on Beethoven (p. 219), tells a story derived from Holz to the effect
-that when Beethoven sent him the last movement of the B-flat Quartet
-with injunctions to collect 12 ducats from Artaria, he accompanied
-it with a Canon on the words "Here is the work; get me the money"
-(_Hier ist das Werk, schafft mir das Geld_). According to a report
-circulated in Vienna in 1889, a copy of this Canon was purchased from
-Holz's son for the Beethoven Collection in Heiligenstadt. The lines and
-notes were described as having been written by Beethoven, the words:
-_Hier ist das Werk, sorgt fr das Geld--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
-10, 11, 12 Dukaten_, by Holz to Beethoven's dictation. The story is
-not altogether convincing. The movement was completed in Gneixendorf
-and Artaria received and paid for it in November. He paid 15, not 12,
-ducats; and it is not patent how Beethoven in Gneixendorf could dictate
-to Holz in Vienna. He did not return to Vienna till December 2. There
-are references to other works in the Conversation Books which are not
-clear. In January Mathias Artaria writes: "I hear of six fugues.--We
-will empty a bottle of champagne in their honor." Holz asks: "Is it
-true that you sold a rondo to Dominik Artaria which he has not yet
-received? It is said that you took it back and have not returned
-it."--It is possible that the Rondo Caprice which was published by
-Diabelli as Op. 129, the history of which is a blank, is the work
-alluded to; but there is no evidence on the subject.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[147] Halm's personal explanation to Mr. Thayer.
-
-[148] The Editor has taken the liberty of transferring the music to
-the treble clef and to interpret the notes which are indistinct in the
-autograph in accordance with Dr. Deiters's transcript.
-
-[149] It would scarcely be worth while to review the acrimonious
-controversy on this subject. There were errors and misunderstandings
-growing out of faulty memories and imperfect records. Mr. Thayer made
-a painstaking study of the subject and secured all the available
-correspondence from Prince George Galitzin and from other sources
-in 1861. His rsum as given in Grove's "Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians" (Art. "Galitzin") doubtless sets forth the fact of
-indebtedness and payment correctly. He says: "These (the last two
-Quartets) were received by the Prince together and were acknowledged
-by him Nov. 22, 1826. He also received a MS. copy of the Mass in D and
-printed copies of the Ninth Symphony and of the two overtures in C, the
-one (Op. 124) dedicated to him, the other (Op. 115) dedicated to Count
-Radzivill. Thus the whole claim against him was--Quartets 150 ducats;
-Overture (Op. 115), 25 ducats; Mass, 50 ducats; loss on exchange, 4
-ducats; total 229 ducats, not including various other pieces of music
-sent. On the other hand he appears, notwithstanding all his promises,
-to have paid, up to the time of Beethoven's death, only 104 ducats.
-It should be said that in 1826, war and insurrection had broken out
-in Russia, which occupied the Prince and obliged him to live away
-from Petersburg, and also put him to embarrassing expenses. After the
-peace of Adrianople, (Sept. 14, 1829) when Beethoven had been dead
-some years a correspondence was opened with him by Hotschevar, Karl
-van Beethoven's guardian, which resulted in 1832 in a further payment
-of 50 ducats, making a total of 154. Karl still urges his claim for
-75 more to make up the 150 ducats for the Quartets, which Galitzin in
-1835 promises to pay but never does. In 1852, roused by Schindler's
-statement of the affair (ed. I. pp. 162, 163), he writes to the
-_Gazette musicale_ of July 21, 1852, a letter stating correctly the
-sum paid but incorrectly laying it all to the account of the Quartets.
-Other letters passed between him and Karl Beethoven, but they are not
-essential to the elucidation of the transaction."
-
-To this the present editor adds a bit of history derived chiefly from
-Mr. Thayer's papers. In the course of time Schindler's partly erroneous
-statement that the debt which Galitzin owed Beethoven at the time
-of his death was all on account of the quartets was magnified into
-the statement made by Heinrich Dring and Brendel that the Prince
-had "cheated" the composer out of the fee for the Quartets. Prince
-Nicolas Galitzin had withdrawn to his distant estates in Russia, but
-at his instigation the cudgels were taken up in his behalf by his son
-Prince George, who, stirred into indignation by Dring's biography
-in particular, sent that writer the following letter: "I can not and
-do not want to know anything of the past, all the less since it will
-certainly not be expected of me to contradict the proofs produced by
-him (his father). But as by the publication of your article you have
-made the question for me one of the day, I, as a man of honor must do
-my duty to put an end to these misunderstandings. I have deposited
-the sum of 125 ducats which you bring in question with Mr. Kaskel,
-banker in Dresden, for the heirs of Beethoven, and from you, my dear
-Sir, I expect the necessary information in this matter, since you must
-have acquainted yourself with the necessary facts while writing your
-notice. You must admit that hereafter I reserve the right to treat
-this question as a personal one! In case the family of Beethoven has
-died out there will be no other disposition of the money deposited
-with Banker Kaskel than to pay it over to a charity or some other
-cause which may be directly associated with the name and works of the
-famous artist. Dresden, July 15-3, 1858." Karl van Beethoven, sole
-heir of the composer, had died three months previously, leaving a
-widow and children, who were his heirs. Prince George's money seemed
-like a gift of Providence to the widow, who hastened, as soon as she
-read the letter in a musical journal, to write to Holz as the friend
-of the dead composer to collect the money for her and express her
-gratitude to Prince George. Holz complied with part of her request
-in a letter full of obsequiousness in which he accused Schindler of
-scandalmongering and offered to provide the Prince with evidence of
-that gentleman's rascality. But he did not collect the money, which
-lay still untouched in the vaults of Kaskel in 1861, when Madame van
-Beethoven, having made a vain application to Prince George, addressed
-a letter to Kaskel asking whether the money was still deposited with
-him or had been withdrawn by Prince George. In the latter event she
-stated that she wanted to contradict a statement circulating by the
-public press that the heirs of Beethoven had received the gift. Kaskel
-referred her to Ad. Reichel, a musical director in Dresden and a friend
-of the Prince, through whom, indeed, the deposit had been made. On
-April 28, 1861, she wrote to Reichel, reviewing the facts in the case
-and stating her desire to apply the money, in case it was given to
-her, to the musical education of her youngest daughter, Hermine van
-Beethoven, then 8 years of age. Kaskel also wrote to Reichel, sending
-him Madame van Beethoven's letter and saying that as he had not heard
-anything from Prince Galitzin for several years he intended to turn the
-money over to the Municipal Court of Dresden in order to spare himself
-all further correspondence in the matter. Kaskel wrote to the Prince on
-May 7, 1861, asking him to prescribe a disposition of the money, for,
-if Kaskel carried out his determination to send it to the court, it
-would be frittered away. He urged that the money be given to Madame van
-Beethoven. This revival of interest in the subject was evidently due
-to Mr. Thayer's activity in behalf of the widow and her daughter. Mr.
-Thayer was in London in 1860 and evidently took up the matter with the
-Prince. He makes no mention of the subject in his notice written for
-Grove's "Dictionary"; but among his letters the present writer found
-the following letter, evidently written on the eve of his departure
-from England in February, 1861:
-
-"Dear Mr. Thayer. Prince Galitzin has asked me to remit to you the
-enclosed letters, praying you kindly to act for him in the affair, as
-you will soon be on the spot. He begs you, however, to bear in mind the
-necessity off proving that the money for these Quartets has not been
-paid (I fear an impossibility!); but however vexatious this may be to
-poor Mad. v. B. everyone must defer to the obstacle to her having the
-money: in the awkward light in which it places the Prince's father.
-From what I can gather from his conversation he will be most satisfied
-to have the money appropriated for the purpose you suggested: the M. S.
-S. At all events Prince G. is quite content to leave the matter in your
-hands. Wishing you a pleasant journey and speedy return, believe me,
-dear Mr. Thayer, Yours sincerly Natalia Macfarren."
-
-The editor's efforts to learn the ultimate disposition of the money
-deposited with Kaskel have been in vain. Mr. Thayer's papers contain
-no hint of the steps which may have been taken after Mrs. Macfarren's
-appeal to Prince George; the banking house of Kaskel is gone out
-of existence; Nephew Karl's daughter, Hermine, is dead. For three
-years, from 1866 to 1869, she was a student in the pianoforte and
-harmonium classes of the Conservatory at Vienna, and it seems likely
-that Mr. Thayer succeeded in having the Dresden deposit applied to her
-education; but if so he left no memorandum of that fact amongst the
-papers which have come under the editor's eyes.
-
-[150] Under the agreement it was to be the exclusive property of the
-Philharmonic Society for a year and a half.
-
-[151] This interesting letter is now owned by Dwight Newman of Chicago.
-
-[152] Though there is no authority for doing so it seems impossible not
-to associate the following three-part canon, which may be found in the
-B. and H. Complete Edition, with this amusing anecdote:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Signor Abbate! io sono, io sono, io sono ammalato!
- (Signor Abbate! I'm ailing, I'm ailing, I'm ailing, I am ailing!
-
- Santo Padre vieni e datemi la benedizione, la benedizione.
- Holy Father! hasten, hasten to me, hasten to me, hasten, and give
- me thy blessing!
-
- Hol' Sie der Teufel, wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol' Sie der Teufel,
- wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol' Sie der Teufel!
- Go to the devil, unless you hasten, go to the devil, unless you
- hasten, go to the devil!)
-]
-
-
-[153] "The name is something like the breaking of an axletree," wrote
-Beethoven to Haslinger in October.
-
-[154] The description is based on that made by Thayer when he visited
-Gneixendorf in 1860.
-
-[155] The romancing biographers who copy Schindler and Gerhard von
-Breuning in their accusations that Johann van Beethoven was prompted
-only by the meanest motives of self-interest in all his dealings
-with his great brother will have a difficult task to explain away
-the evidence to the contrary afforded by the Conversation Books. The
-proposition that the two make a common home in Vienna had come from
-Ludwig and been urged by him. After Johann had acquired the estate
-at Gneixendorf he made repeated efforts to persuade his brother to
-spend his summer vacation there. In 1823 Beethoven wrote: "He always
-wants me to come to his people--_non possibile per me_." The obstacle
-was Johann's wife, who had become one of "his people" because of the
-composer's interference with Johann's private affairs at Linz. Urged on
-by Ludwig, Johann had taken action against the woman and made himself
-master of his household. In a Conversation Book of 1824 may be read
-in Johann's hand: "My wife has surrendered her marriage contract and
-entered into an obligation permitting me to drive her away without
-notice at the first new acquaintance which she makes." Beethoven seems
-to have asked, "Why do you not do it!" for Johann continues: "I cannot
-do that. I cannot know but that some misfortune might befall me." Then
-Karl takes the pencil: "Your brother proposes that you spend the four
-months at his place. You would have 4 or 5 rooms, very beautiful,
-high and large. Everything is well arranged; you will find fowls,
-oxen, cows, hares, etc. Moreover, as regards the wife, she is looked
-upon as a housekeeper only and will not disturb you. The scenery is
-glorious and it will not cost you a penny. There is a housekeeper;
-water containing iron, an individual bathroom, etc. If you do not take
-it he will give up five rooms and announce the fact in the newspapers."
-Beethoven, obviously, brings forward his objection to Johann's wife,
-for Karl writes: "That matter has come to an end. You will scarcely see
-the woman. She looks after the housekeeping and works. All the more
-since she is completely tamed. Besides, she has promised to conduct
-herself properly." Other matters are discussed and then Johann writes:
-"It looks to me as if you did not want to come because it will not
-cost you anything. Who will look after our household affairs? Who will
-endure our humors?" In another book Karl writes that Johann had often
-said that his brother could have everything for nothing at Gneixendorf.
-
-[156] Page 77 _et seq._ The article was based largely on information
-gathered by Mr. Thayer at Gneixendorf in 1860 and had been submitted to
-him for revision.
-
-[157] Third class is what is talked about in the Conversation Books.
-
-[158] Holz told Jahn that Schlesinger had bought it for 80 ducats and
-sent 360 florins in payment; whereupon Beethoven had said "If a Jew
-sends circumcised ducats he shall have a circumcised Quartet. That's
-the reason it is so short."
-
-
-
-
-Chapter IX
-
- Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward and an Unwise
- Guardian--Beethoven and His Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father
- and a Graceless, Profligate Nephew--Effect on Beethoven's
- Character of the Guardianship--An Unsuccessful Attempt at
- Self-destruction--Karl is Made a Soldier.
-
-
-We are now to learn of the calamitous consequences of Beethoven's
-effort to be a foster-father to the son of his dead brother Kaspar. The
-tale is one that has been fruitful of fiction in most of the writings
-which have dealt with the life-history of the great composer; nor is
-the circumstance to be wondered at. There is still some obscurity
-in the story, and if there is anything in the melancholy lot of the
-great man, next to his supreme affliction, calculated to challenge
-the pity of the world, it is the manner in which his efforts to
-attach to himself the one human being for whom he felt affection were
-requited. There is no more pitiful picture in the history of great men
-than that presented by his devotion to the lad in whom, for a reason
-which must have seemed to him more inscrutable than his own physical
-calamity, he could not inspire a spark of love or a scintilla of
-gratitude. It was an unwise devotion and an ill-directed effort, but
-that does not alter the case. From the beginning, all of his friends
-recognized Beethoven's unfitness for the office of guardian of his
-nephew. He was incapacitated for it by his occupation, his irregular
-mode of life, his lack of understanding of a child's nature, his
-irresolute mind, his infirmities of temper, and the wretchedness of
-his domestic surroundings due to his ignorance of and indifference to
-the things essential to the amenities and comforts of social life.
-He did not assume the guardianship in a spirit of gentle obedience
-to a dying brother's request; he violently wrested it unto himself
-alone in defiance of that brother's last entreaties. There can be no
-doubt but that he believed that in doing so he was performing a pious
-duty toward his own flesh and blood and acting for the good of the
-child and the welfare of the community. He was proud of the boy's
-intellectual gifts, which were out of the ordinary; he dreamed of
-seeing him great and respected in the eyes of the world; he wanted
-loving companionship now, and in his old age; he hungered for sympathy
-and for help which would not keep him in bonds of obligation to
-men whose disinterestedness he could not understand because of his
-suspicious disposition; he desired to see by his side and in his kin
-an incarnation of that polite learning and that practical knowledge
-of worldly affairs which had been denied to him. All his aims were
-laudable, all his desires natural and praiseworthy; but he was the last
-man in the world to know how to attain them. There can be no doubt
-that his stubborn insistence upon making himself the sole director
-of the welfare of his ward cost him the sympathy, perhaps also the
-respect and regard, of many of those whose counsel he was perforce
-compelled to seek. For a long time until the final and woeful trial
-came it separated him from the oldest and truest friend that he had
-in Vienna--Stephan von Breuning. It tested the patience and tried the
-forbearance of those who helped him in his mistaken zeal.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S MORAL NATURE MARRED]
-
-Moreover, it may be said without harshness or injustice to his memory
-that its consequences to his own moral nature were most deplorable. In
-a mind and heart prone to equity and tenderness it developed a strange
-capacity for cruel injustice. Aided by his native irresolution it
-twisted his judgment and turned his conduct into paradox. To satisfy
-his own love for the boy he strove fiercely to stifle a child's natural
-affection for its mother. He thought that love for himself would grow
-out of hatred of the woman, though the passion which he tried to
-evoke was abhorrent to every instinct of nature. It matters not that
-the mother of Karl was profligate and lewd. Once a glimmer of that
-fact dawned upon him. It was while he was struggling to prevent all
-intercourse between the widow and her child in the early years that
-he was compelled to admit that to a child under all circumstances a
-mother is a mother still; but he made the confession to extenuate the
-conduct of the boy, not to justify the solicitude of the woman. His
-memory of his own mother, the sweet, patient sufferer of Bonn, was
-to him like a benison his whole life long. "Who was happier than I
-when I could still speak the sweet word 'mother' and have it heard,"
-he wrote to Dr. Schade, who had helped him on his sorrowful journey
-from Vienna to Bonn in 1787. But from the time that his brother Kaspar
-died until he himself gave up the ghost he was unswervingly occupied
-in preventing communication between Kaspar's widow and her son. After
-more than twelve years he found that what he had tried to eradicate
-in the child, still lived in the youth. He had fought against nature
-and failed; and the failure filled him with bitterness, added to his
-hatred of the woman and his disappointment with the son. Such intensity
-of malevolence, though it may have had its origin in the profoundest
-conviction of virtuous purpose, could not fail to be prejudicial to
-his own moral character. So, also, his solicitude for his ward's
-material welfare, which extended to a time when he should no longer
-be able to make provision for him, seems to have warped his nature.
-It weakened his pride; distorted his moral view; subjected him, not
-always unjustly, to accusation of dishonesty in his dealings with his
-patrons and publishers; made him parsimonious, and at the last brought
-upon him the reproach of having begged alms of his English friends,
-though possessed of property which might easily and quickly have been
-converted into money to supply his last needs more than generously.
-
-To protect him against indictment for these moral flaws, many of
-Beethoven's biographers thought, and still think, it necessary or
-justifiable to veil the truth and magnify the transgressions of his
-kindred and friends. His earliest apologists may have had other
-reasons besides these for so doing; his present biographers have
-none. By his own decree the world is entitled to know the truth.
-Schindler was embittered against Holz; Holz against Schindler; both
-against Johann van Beethoven, the brother; Beethoven himself taught
-his nephew to despise his uncle Johann as well as Schindler; and all
-three--Schindler, Holz and Johann--commissioned to that end, reported
-their observations of the lad's shortcomings to his guardian. He
-accepted everything they said against the boy as he did everything
-they said against each other; indeed, his suspicious nature made him
-prone to believe evil of everyone near to him; and we do not know of a
-certainty that their reports were always within the bounds of strict
-veracity. After the tragedy they were unanimous in condemnation of
-the misguided, wayward, wicked youth and in praise of Beethoven's
-magnanimity and self-sacrifice; but the evidence of helpful advice,
-warning and admonition to the mariner who was sailing a craft on a sea
-full of dangers to which nature had made him blind is not plentiful.
-Holz was young. He had scarcely finished sowing his own wild oats, and
-he seems to have been more lenient in his judgment than his elders,
-though just as convinced of the dangers into which the young man was
-running during the fateful last two years; but the few practical
-suggestions which we find him making do not seem to have been accepted.
-He was himself, like everybody else, under suspicion in Beethoven's
-mind.
-
-Concerning the details of the always disgraceful and at the end
-tragical conduct of Beethoven's nephew much obscurity is left after the
-most painstaking study of the evidence to be found in the contemporary
-documents which have been preserved; but it is to these documents
-that appeal must be made if the truth is to be learned, not to the
-generalizations of romancing biographers. Twenty-nine letters written
-by Beethoven to the youth came into the hands of Beethoven after the
-attempt at suicide and through Schindler into the Royal Library at
-Berlin. However they may be viewed, they are a pathetic monument. They
-are a deeply affecting memorial of his almost idolatrous love for one
-wholly unworthy to receive it; but they also help measurably to explain
-why Beethoven defeated his own benevolent intentions. In them the
-paradoxes in his nature are piled one on top of the other. Alternately
-they breathe tender affection, gentle admonition and violent
-accusation; pride in the lad's mental gifts, hope for his future, and
-loathing of his conduct; proclamations of his own self-sacrificing
-devotion set off against his ward's ingratitude; pleadings that the boy
-love him and hate his mother; proud condemnation and piteous prayers
-for forgiveness; petitions for the boy's reformation and promises of
-betterment in his own conduct. They give out the light in which the
-story must be told, though they contribute but little to the record
-of concrete facts. They leave us to conjecture and surmise as to many
-of the nephew's motives and actual doings. It is from the pages of
-the Conversation Books of 1825 and 1826 that practically all of the
-attested truth concerning the happenings, their causes and effects,
-must be learned. Letters and these records of conversations are at the
-base of the following recital.[159]
-
-[Sidenote: STUDY BECOMES IRKSOME TO KARL]
-
-Karl was taken from his studies at the Blchlinger Institute in the
-fall of 1823 and matriculated at the University of Vienna, where he
-pursued studies in philology from that time until the summer of 1825.
-Though his gifts were unquestioned and his attainments such as to make
-Beethoven eager to exploit them, he was not an industrious student.
-He seems to have experienced a desire to abandon the career which his
-uncle wished him to follow--that of a professor of languages, no
-doubt--before he had sat under the university lectures a year. His
-zeal for study soon evaporated, he spent much time in idle amusements,
-neglected to visit his uncle with the regularity expected from him,
-and soon broached the subject of a change in his intended pursuits.
-As early as 1824 he expressed a desire to enter the army. The thought
-was little short of appalling to Beethoven, who was obliged, however,
-at last to listen to arguments in favor of a mercantile career. Karl
-pointed out that a bookkeeper earned a great deal more money than a
-professor, that trade was honorable, and that he intended to keep on
-with his study of the languages, especially Greek, for his own pleasure
-and intellectual profit. Meanwhile he had continued his attendance on
-the lectures at the university, and it was not until towards the end
-of the Easter semester of 1825 that Beethoven consented to the change,
-entered him in the Polytechnic Institute, and arranged to have the
-vice-director of the Institute, Dr. Reisser, appointed co-guardian in
-place of Peters, with whom he took counsel as he also did, in great
-likelihood, with Stephan von Breuning. There were two great admirers
-of Beethoven's music in the Institute, Reisser and Dr. Ignaz von
-Sonnleithner, one of the teachers, and after Karl had been placed
-under the supervision of a government official named Schlemmer, who
-lived in the Alleegasse adjacent to the Karlskirche, with whom the lad
-took lodgings, all seemed again to be well. He entered the Institute
-about Easter, 1825, and, if his own statements are to be accepted
-(Dr. Reisser, too, makes favorable reports of him), he made a good
-beginning in his new studies. His Sundays and holidays during the
-ensuing summer were spent with his uncle at Baden, where he was kept
-at work, too assiduously perhaps, writing Beethoven's letters, and
-filling numerous other commissions. But his zeal did not endure. He
-became negligent in his studies; work became irksome and the pleasures
-of the city alluring. He was drawn willingly into the maelstrom of
-Viennese life. He grew fond of billiards, dancing and the theatre;
-he kept low company. Of all this there can be no doubt. Beethoven
-kept himself informed as to his conduct through Holz, through his
-brother, and sometimes went to Vienna himself to make inquiries. When
-Karl comes to Baden, Beethoven charges him with his shortcomings and
-there are unseemly scenes between the two. At first Karl seeks to be
-conciliatory, but it is only too plain that he is not always frank and
-truthful in his replies. The chronological course of events as learned
-from the Conversation Books cannot be set down with exactitude; nor
-is it necessary that it should. A young rake's progress can easily
-be imagined, but some incidents may be included in this narrative, as
-showing the changing attitude of guardian and ward, uncle and nephew,
-toward each other, and some of the steps which led to the final
-catastrophe.
-
-At an early date in this period Beethoven had become suspicious of
-the character of some of Karl's associates, particularly of a lad
-of his own age named Niemetz, whose acquaintance, it was said, he
-made at his mother's. Whether or not this is true cannot be proved;
-but if Beethoven believed it that fact sufficed to convince him of
-the young man's moral turpitude. Certain it is that the mother knew
-Niemetz and thought as well of him as the uncle thought ill, for one
-of her exclamations after the attempt at self-destruction, reported
-to Beethoven, was, "What will good Niemetz say!" Beethoven forbade
-the association and a violent quarrel ensued in Baden, where Karl
-introduced his friend to his uncle. It seems likely that the encounter
-took place in a public room and that Beethoven could not wait until
-he had reached the privacy of his lodgings before expressing his
-dissatisfaction with the young man; for his remarks to Karl as well as
-the latter's replies are written in the book. Beethoven's denunciations
-stir up a spirit of defiance in his ward; he finally declares flatly
-that Niemetz had cheered his unhappy hours at Blchlinger's and that he
-would not now lie by saying that he would cease loving his friend or
-admit that he had a bad character.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN PLEADS WITH HIS NEPHEW]
-
-Beethoven learns that Karl goes to the theatre, has been seen in the
-company of lewd women, frequents dancing places, plays billiards and
-borrows money. Holz, who once suggests the advisability of assuming
-the co-guardianship, thinks it might be a good thing could he attach
-the young man to himself by becoming his often companion. He invites
-him to a beerhouse to learn his drinking habits and reports favorably
-upon them. He talks with Karl about the theatre and advises him to
-go less to the Josephstadt playhouse and oftener to the Burg, where
-classical pieces are played; and learning that Karl attends the former
-because it costs him nothing, ventures the statement that his uncle
-will allow him money for the theatre if he will but go to the better
-place. Beethoven's views on the subject are expressed in a letter:
-"Let the theatre alone for the present." After the wicked deed, Holz
-reminded Beethoven that Johann van Beethoven had said that Karl knew
-every strumpet in Vienna and that investigation had disclosed that he
-was right. Karl goes to dances; Beethoven is so solicitous as to their
-character that he expressed a desire to go to some of them with Holz so
-as to learn what they are like, and Holz dissuades him on the ground
-that he would be stared at and it would cause public comment; but he
-offers to take him to a hall "of the reformed" in the Apollo Room,
-where he would be less observed. Beethoven fears that Karl's passion
-for billiards will lead him astray, and Holz says he will sometime go
-with the lad to see how well he plays and thus learn whether or not
-he plays much.[160] Karl is now nearly 20 years old, but Beethoven
-does not, or will not, know that he is no longer to be disciplined as
-a child. He commands Schlemmer that he is not to be permitted to go
-out at night except on written permission signed by him. He exhausts
-Dr. Reisser's patience with his frequent calls to learn of the young
-man's habits and conduct. He takes upon himself the task of the
-ancient pedagogue and waits for him upon the steps of the Institute to
-accompany him home. His illness and melancholy, due to his solitary
-life in Baden, increase and he is haunted by premonitions of death. In
-a Conversation Book he once writes what seems to be the title of an
-imaginary composition "On the Death of Beethoven." On June 9, 1825, he
-writes to Karl: "You know how I live here. To this is added the cold
-weather. This solitude weakens me still more, for my weakness really
-often borders on a swoon. O, do not pain me more! The man with the
-scythe will not give me much more time." In the same summer: "God will
-set me free from them. _Libera me domine de illis etc._" and "God be
-with you and me. It will soon be all over with your faithful father."
-His loneliness oppresses him more and more as fears for his nephew's
-fate and recognition of his own impotency to avert it pursue him. "God
-has never deserted me. Somebody will be found who will close my eyes,"
-he writes on September 14. Tenderness and reproach alternate in the
-letters written from Baden in the summer of 1825. With the young man's
-habits of extravagance he has no patience whatever. He insists on a
-strict accounting for every florin which he allows him and is enraged
-when he hears that Karl has not forgotten his boyish trick of borrowing
-from the servants. He contrasts his own habits of thrift with the
-prodigence of his ward: "I should have gotten along two years with the
-walking-coat. True, I have the bad habit of always wearing an old coat
-at home, but Mr. Karl--O, what a shame! And why? The money-bag Mr. L.
-v. B-n is here only for this purpose."
-
-The thought of laying down the guardianship occupies his mind over and
-over again and his friends without exception urge him to do it; but he
-clings to the office, hoping against hope for his nephew's reclamation.
-Crises of apprehension and foreboding produce tender appeals and
-piteous expostulations like these:
-
- If you find me violent, ascribe it to my great concern for
- yourself, beset as you are by many dangers.
-
- I hope at least to receive a letter from you to-morrow. Do not make
- me fear. O, think of my sufferings! By good right I ought to have
- no cares of this kind; but what have I not experienced!
-
- Reflect that I am sitting here and might easily fall ill.
-
- God is my witness, I dreamed only of being rid of you and of this
- miserable brother and the hideous family which he foisted upon me.
- God hear my prayer for I can _never_ trust you again. Unfortunately
- your father--or rather, not your father.
-
-In the beginning of October, 1825, Karl absented himself from his
-lodgings for several days. Where he went and what he did is a secret
-held by the dead; but repentance of some sort, or consideration of the
-fact that he was dependent upon his uncle, seems to have persuaded him
-to write to Beethoven and beg his forgiveness. On the 5th of the month
-Beethoven wrote from Baden:
-
- Precious, dear son!
-
- I have just received your letter. Already filled with anxiety I had
- to-day determined to hurry to Vienna. God be thanked, it is not
- necessary. Do but obey me and love and happiness of the soul paired
- with human happiness will be at our side and you will consort an
- intensive existence with the external, but it were better that the
- _former_ dominate the _latter_.--_il fait trop froid_--I am to see
- you on Saturday, then, write whether you are coming in the morning
- or evening so that I may hasten to meet you.--I embrace you and
- kiss you a thousand times not my _lost_ (prodigal) _but my new-born
- son_. I wrote to Schlemmer--do not think harshly on that account--I
- am still so full of fear.
-
-The letter has been mutilated and the remainder is unintelligible, all
-but a request in bad French for matches. But his impatience to see the
-returned prodigal was stronger than his purpose to wait for him in
-Baden. He went to Vienna and evidently sent the following letter from
-Karl's lodgings:
-
- My precious son:
-
- Go no further--Come but to my arms, not a harsh word shall you
- hear. O God, do not rush to destruction.... You shall be received
- lovingly as ever. What to consider, what to do in the future--this
- we will talk over affectionately. On my word of honor no
- reproaches, since they would in no case do good now. Henceforth you
- may expect from me only the most loving care and help. Do but come.
- Come to the faithful heart of your father.
-
- Beethoven.
-
- _Volti sub._
-
- Come home at once on getting this.
-
- _Si vous ne viendres pas rous me tuers surement liss la lettre et
- rests a la maison chez vous, venes de m'embrasser votre pere vous
- vraiment adonn soyes assurs, que tout cela rester entre nous._
-
- (On the margin): Only for God's sake come back home to-day. It
- might bring you, who knows what danger. Hurry, hurry!
-
-[Sidenote: THE NEPHEW RESENTS DISCIPLINE]
-
-In the summer of 1826, Beethoven's plans with reference to the
-supervision of his nephew are divided between an abandonment of the
-guardianship and taking the young man back into his own lodgings. The
-latter alternative at least did not meet with Karl's approval, who
-pleads against it the great loss of time in coming and going to the
-distant Institute; besides, he says, "it is only one year more and
-then there will be no more separation." With such feigned expressions
-of gentle feeling, with smiles and occasional cajolings, Karl had
-learned that he could at any time bend "the old fool," as he once
-called him in a letter to Niemetz, to his wishes. The fact is that
-Beethoven's attempts at discipline had long ago become irksome to his
-nephew and his authority a burden which it was pleasant to forget in
-the opportunities which freedom brought. He absents himself more and
-more from Beethoven's lodgings and spends less and less time at his
-own. The "miserable brother" is told by Beethoven to find out why,
-and reports the result of a talk which he had upon the subject with
-Karl, who had replied, in effect: the reason he did not come oftener
-was that he dreaded the noisy encounters which always followed and the
-continual reminders of past transgressions. Also the turbulent scenes
-between his uncle and the servants. Johann takes occasion to tell his
-brother that he might win the young man to him by a different mode of
-treatment. He is apprehensive of the consequences of idleness and urges
-that as soon as Karl completes his studies at the Institute, a place
-be found for him in either a local or foreign business house. "In the
-latter case," he continues, "place the guardianship in Bach's hands.
-You are as little able as I to run after him always." Beethoven's
-concern is so great that he is willing to take counsel of Schindler,
-whom he had so unsparingly and, we believe, unjustly denounced to his
-nephew. Schindler is ready with advice, but first takes advantage of
-the opportunity to air his grudge against Holz: "do not depend upon him
-in this matter," he says in a recorded conversation. Karl's requests
-for money excite his guardian's misgivings and he demands to see the
-receipts for tuition fees and other expenditures. The growing feeling
-between guardian and ward, and some of its causes, are reflected in
-the record of a conversation at Karl's lodgings in 1826, when the
-crisis is rapidly approaching. It is Karl who speaks, but the tenor of
-Beethoven's utterances is easily to be surmised:
-
- You consider it insolence if, after you have upbraided me for hours
- undeservedly, this time at least, I cannot turn from my bitter
- feeling of pain to jocularity. I am not so frivolous as you think.
- I can assure you that since the _attack_ on me in the presence of
- this fellow I have been so depressed that the people in the house
- observed it. The receipt for the 80 florins which were paid in May
- I now positively know, after a search at home, I gave you; it must
- and no doubt will be found. If I continue to work while you are
- here it is not in a spirit of insolence, but because I believe that
- you will not be offended if I do not permit your presence to keep
- me from my labors, which are now really piling up on me--all the
- more since we see each other _here_, where there is time, enough to
- talk over all needful things. You are mistaken, too, when you think
- that I wait for your coming to _become industrious_. You also seem
- to accept as _my views_ what I repeat to you as the opinions of
- others as, for instance, the word of Haslinger and the twaddle of
- Frau Passy. I know very well what to think of such gossip, but did
- not consider it my duty to inform you about it. I hope that what I
- have said will serve to convince you of my real views and feelings
- and put an end to the strain which has existed of late between us,
- though not on my side by any means.
-
-This is not the speech of filial love and obedience, but neither is
-it the language of a naughty child. There ought to be no doubt but
-that such exhibitions of independence and resentment, coupled with
-intimations of still greater independence of conduct, frequently
-filled Beethoven with consternation and apprehension. Once, to judge
-of a recorded remark by Holz, Karl seems to have raised his hand in
-physical violence against the uncle. Holz says: "I came in just as
-he took you by the breast. At the door, as he was coming out." It is
-the only allusion to the incident in the book and we know none of the
-particulars; but it and other scenes of tumult and the utterances which
-they provoked must have inspired the dreadful conflict of emotions
-which finds expression in a letter written at this time:
-
- If for no other reason than that you obeyed me, at least, all
- is forgiven and forgotten; more to-day by word of mouth, very
- quietly--Do not think of me otherwise than as governed wholly by
- thoughts for your well-being, and from this point of view judge my
- acts. Do not take a step which might make you unhappy and shorten
- _my_ life. I did not get asleep until 3 o'clock, for I coughed all
- night long. I embrace you cordially and am convinced that you will
- soon cease longer to _misjudge_ me; it is thus that I also judge of
- your conduct yesterday. I expect you surely to-day at 1 o'clock.
- Do not give me cause for further worry and apprehension. Meanwhile
- farewell!
-
- Your real and true Father.
-
- We shall be alone, for which reason I shall not permit H. to
- come--the less since I do not wish anything about yesterday to be
- known.
-
- Do come--Do not permit _my poor heart to bleed longer_.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN GROWS APPREHENSIVE]
-
-A poor heart, indeed! One that knew not how to win the love for which
-it hungered; and a mind "perplex'd in the extreme." That love still
-went out to the unworthy mother in spite of entreaties, warnings,
-lamentations, threats. In May, 1826, already at Baden, Beethoven hears
-that Karl has again visited her; and on the 22nd he writes:
-
- Till now only suspicions, although I have received assurances from
- one that there is again secret intercourse between you and your
- mother. Am I again to experience the most abominable ingratitude?!
- No; if the bond is broken, be it so. You will make yourself hated
- by all impartial persons who hear of this ingratitude.... I ought
- not to mix into these miserable affairs. If the pact oppresses you
- then in God's name--I leave you to Divine Providence. I have done
- my duty and am ready to appear before the Supreme Judge. Do not
- fear to come to me to-morrow. As yet I only suspect--God grant that
- _nothing_ be true, for your misfortune would truly be incalculable
- indifferently as the rascally brother and possibly your--mother
- would take it.
-
-Late in July, 1826, an intimation of some desperate purpose formed
-and expressed by the nephew was carried to Beethoven. The date is
-uncertain, but it was probably on Saturday, the 29th. The intention may
-have been self-destruction, but it needed to be no more than a purpose
-to go out into the world, beyond an irksome supervision, to fill
-Beethoven's soul with a terrible fear. He called Holz and together they
-went to Schlemmer's house in the Alleegasse. Schlemmer told all he knew
-in a few phrases which must have seemed shrouded with a pall as they
-fell upon the page of his book:
-
- I learned to-day that your nephew intended to shoot himself before
- next Sunday at the latest. As to the cause I learned only this
- much, that it was by reason of his debts,--but not of a certainty;
- he admitted only in part that they were the consequences of former
- sins. I looked to see if there were signs of preparations. I found
- a loaded pistol in a chest together with bullets and powder. I tell
- you this so that you may act in the case as his father. The pistol
- is in my keeping. Be lenient with him or he will despair.
-
-Holz went at once to the Polytechnic Institute and there found Karl,
-who agreed to go back with him to Schlemmer's, but said that he must
-first go to a friend's house and get some papers. Holz engaged Dr.
-Reisser in conversation while he waited for Karl to return. "A pistol!"
-remarked Reisser, "the young comedy hero!" But Karl had lied; he did
-not come back to the Institute and Holz returned to Beethoven with his
-story:
-
- He will not stay here. I could not detain him. He said he would go
- to Schlemmer's, but wanted to get his papers from a friend while I
- talked with Reisser. He would not be gone more than a quarter of an
- hour.
-
-Beethoven apparently rebukes him for letting his ward out of his sight.
-Holz:
-
- He would have run away from you just the same. If he has made up
- his mind to injure himself no one can prevent him. He has till
- September 3 to make up his examinations.... He said to me: "What
- good will it do you to detain me? If I do not escape to-day I will
- at another time."
-
-Schlemmer reported the finding of another pistol. A new suspicion
-seized upon the mind of Beethoven. For some reason, though he may
-also have uttered it orally, he wrote it down in the book: "He will
-drown himself." Probably he did not want the bystanders to know his
-thoughts, and the fear was therefore committed to the written page
-for the instruction of Holz. What else was said at the time we do not
-know, for the book here shows a mutilation; some pages are missing.
-Perhaps Schindler removed them in later years to save the integrity of
-his account; or they may have been torn out by Beethoven himself when,
-some weeks later, Holz advised him to look through his books against
-their possible demand for examination by the police magistrate; they
-might contain references to affairs which he did not want to bring
-into public discussion. The missing pages might have helped us in the
-chronology of the story, but the main facts are before us without them.
-It was resolved first to go to the house of Niemetz, who it was thought
-might be privy to Karl's intentions, and then if necessary, to call in
-the help of the police.
-
-[Sidenote: A BUNGLING ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE]
-
-Meanwhile Karl, having given Holz the slip, went straight to a
-pawnbroker and pledged his watch. With the money he bought two pistols,
-powder and balls. He did not dare go to his lodgings for the pistols
-which he had in readiness for the contemplated deed, and the new ones
-were therefore necessary. For him the circumstance proved fortunate. He
-drove out to Baden, and spent the night in writing letters. One was to
-his uncle, and this he enclosed in one to his friend Niemetz. The next
-morning, it being a Sunday, he climbed up to the ruins of Rauhenstein,
-in the lovely Helenenthal which his uncle loved so well, and there
-discharged both pistols toward his left temple. He was a bungler with
-firearms. The first bullet flew past harmlessly; the second ripped
-up the flesh and grazed the bone, but did not penetrate the skull.
-Holz said afterwards that, had he taken with him the pistols which he
-was obliged to leave at his lodgings, he would have been a dead man;
-their barrels were charged with powder and ball to above the middle.
-A teamster came upon him lying among the ruins and, no doubt at his
-request, carried him to his mother's house in the city. There Beethoven
-found him, whether in a search for him or because of intelligence
-brought by the teamster is not clear. The uncle is anxious to learn the
-particulars of the tragedy, but he receives a sullen answer; "It is
-done. Now, only a surgeon who can hold his tongue. Smetana, if he is
-here. Do not plague me with reproaches and lamentations; it is past.
-Later all matters may be adjusted." "When did it happen?" Beethoven
-asks and the mother writes the answer: "He has just come. The teamster
-carried him down from a rock in Baden and has just driven out to
-you.--I beg of you to tell the surgeon not to make a report or they
-will take him away from here at once, and we fear the worst. There is a
-bullet in his head on the left side."
-
-Smetana was the physician who had treated Karl when he was a boy at
-Giannatasio's school. Beethoven knew him as a friend. To him he wrote:
-
- A great misfortune has happened to Karl accidentally by his own
- hand. I hope that he can yet be saved, especially by you if you
- come quickly. Karl has a _bullet_ in his head, how, you shall
- learn--only quick, for God's sake, quick!
-
- In order to save time it was necessary to take him to his mother's,
- where he now is--the address follows.
-
-Holz took this letter for delivery but before he left the place a
-surgeon named Dgl had been called in. Smetana said that Dgl was a
-capable practitioner and that in order not to compromise him he would
-not come unless Dgl desired to see him in consultation. Karl expressed
-himself as satisfied and the case was left for the time being in Dgl's
-hands. Beethoven went home, but Holz remained some time longer. The
-matter had to be reported to the police and Holz thought it best to
-do this himself, as he wanted to be able to inform Beethoven what the
-consequences of the young man's act were likely to be in case of his
-recovery. He learned, and so reported, that there would be a severe
-reprimand and thereafter police surveillance. He told Beethoven that,
-after he had left him, Karl had said, "If he would only not show
-himself again!" and "If he would only quit his reproaches!" He had
-also threatened to tear the bandage from the wound if another word was
-spoken to him about his uncle.
-
-On August 7th, the day being a Monday,[161] the wounded youth, who by
-his act was fallen into the hands of the law, was removed from his
-mother's house to the general hospital by the police authorities.
-The deed was committed on a Sunday, as appears from parts of the
-conversations which took place between Holz and Beethoven after the
-fact was known. Holz says: "He left me yesterday, went straight into
-the city, bought the pistols and drove to Baden"; and later: "He sold
-his watch on Saturday and with the proceeds bought two new pistols."
-The obvious conclusion would seem to be that Karl shot himself on
-Sunday, August 6; but there is evidence pointing to an earlier date.
-The police authorities were not informed until somewhat late in the
-day. An investigation had to be made and formalities complied with
-before the removal to the hospital could take place. Schlemmer, in
-reply to a question touching Karl's indebtedness while Beethoven and
-Holz were probing for a cause, said that he had been paid "for this
-month, but not for August," which indicates that the inquiry was made
-in July. On September 11th, discussing the disposition to be made of
-the nephew when he should leave the hospital and trying to persuade
-Beethoven to grant Karl's request that he be permitted to visit his
-mother, Holz says: "In my opinion _one_ day will make no difference,
-inasmuch as she was with him whole days after the shooting." There are,
-besides, evidences that conversations were held for several days during
-which he was in the care of his mother. It is therefore probable that
-the nephew made the attempt upon his life on Sunday, July 30. Schindler
-says "in August" without giving a specific date. The evidence is not
-entirely conclusive; but if Beethoven consented to leave the would-be
-suicide in the hands of his mother for an entire week it was most
-likely because the police authorities commanded it; he did not yield
-her a day after her son came out of the hospital. At first, however,
-Beethoven's spirit was broken by the awful blow and he may have been
-more pliant than usual. Holz, reporting to Beethoven, tells of an
-interview at the hospital when he met the woman at her son's bedside.
-"If you have anything on your mind," she enjoined, "tell your uncle
-now. You see, this is the time; he is weak, and now he will surely do
-anything you want." Karl replied, sullenly: "I know nothing." "How,"
-Holz explains to Beethoven, "can any one find out a single trace so
-long as he persists in remaining silent?" And he tells his friend of
-the lack of "mercy" in the weeping mother for denouncing the conduct of
-the guardian of her son!
-
-No doubt the blow was a crushing one to Beethoven. On the fateful
-Sunday, or the day after, he met the wife of Stephan von Breuning and
-told her the tragical story. "And is he dead?" she inquired in tender
-solicitude. "No," was the answer, "it was a glancing shot; he lives
-and there is hope that he will be saved. But the disgrace which he has
-brought upon me! And I loved him so!" The occurrence was soon noised
-about the city and much sympathy was expressed for Beethoven, as Holz
-took occasion to inform him. Schindler says that the blow bowed the
-proud figure of the composer and he soon looked like a man of seventy.
-To add to his sufferings he was compelled to learn that many persons
-placed part of the blame for the rash act upon him. Karl was placed
-in the "men's three-florin" ward, which was under the care of a Dr.
-Gassner. He had an assistant named Dr. Seng, who told Gerhard von
-Breuning long after, how Beethoven had come to visit his nephew and
-described him as a "dissolute fellow" and "rascal," one "who did not
-deserve to be visited" and had been "spoiled by kindness."
-
-[Sidenote: REASONS FOR THE DEED]
-
-Strenuous efforts were made by Beethoven through Holz and others to
-discover what direct cause had led the misguided young man to attempt
-to end his life. The inquiries made of him at the hospital during the
-weeks spent there brought scarcely more information from his lips
-than the first question asked by his mother. Schindler seems to have
-been persuaded that it was his failure to pass his examinations at
-the Polytechnic Institute; but this theory is not tenable. Aside from
-the fact that he had time till September 3 to make up his neglected
-studies, he never himself advanced this as an excuse or explanation,
-but explicitly denied it. In the hospital he told Holz that it would
-have been easy for him to make himself fit to pass, but that, having
-made up his mind to do away with himself long before, he had not
-thought it worth while to continue his studies. "He said that he
-was tired of life," Holz reports to Beethoven, "because he saw in
-it something different from what you wisely and righteously could
-approve." He also phrased it thus: "Weariness of imprisonment." To the
-examining police magistrate Karl said that his reason for shooting
-himself was that Beethoven "tormented him too much," and also "I grew
-worse because my uncle wanted me to be better." To Beethoven's question
-if Karl had railed against him, Schlemmer replied: "He did not rail,
-but he complained that he always had trouble." Holz's explanation many
-years after to Otto Jahn was that Beethoven was "rigorous to excess
-in his treatment and would not allow him the slightest extravagance."
-The chief cause, in greatest probability, was that he had hopelessly
-involved himself in debts by a dissolute life. Schindler told Beethoven
-that he not only played billiards but played with low persons, coachmen
-and the like; and that he did not always play honestly. There is a
-memorandum in a Conversation Book which discloses that Beethoven
-received specific reports about his conduct, and noted them for
-reference: "One night in the Prater.--2 nights did not sleep at home."
-Beethoven stinted him the matter of pocket-money, and the scores of
-reckonings in the Conversation Books show how close was the watch
-kept upon every kreutzer placed in his hands. So he had recourse to
-borrowing and no doubt, though the fact does not appear plainly in
-the books, he went into debt at the places which he frequented for
-pleasure. When he shot himself he had paid his lodging bill for the
-month but owed his tutor. A matter which gave Beethoven great concern
-was the discovery that he had disposed of some of the composer's books
-at an antiquary's. This was theft, a penal offence, and Beethoven seems
-to have been in great trepidation lest the fact, and something more
-dreadful still which he did not know, be discovered by the magistrate
-charged with an examination into the case. Under the Austrian code an
-attempt at suicide seems to have been an offence against the Church
-and guilty persons were remanded in the care of priests who imparted
-religious instruction until a profession of conversion could be
-recorded. In the case of Karl, this medicine for the mind and soul
-was administered by a Redemptorist, and, the Liguorian penances being
-proverbially strict, Holz inspired the hope in Beethoven that Karl's
-secret would be discovered by the priest. "These Liguorians are like
-leeches," is one of his remarks to the composer while Karl is lying at
-the hospital. It is pathetic to note that Beethoven himself, willing
-as he was to charge his nephew with prevarication, extravagance,
-deception and frivolity, yet sought an explanation for the act outside
-of these delinquencies. In his hand appears a note in a Conversation
-Book: "Mental aberration and insanity; the heat, too--afflicted with
-headaches since childhood."
-
-[Sidenote: PLANNING A MILITARY LIFE FOR KARL]
-
-Immediately after Karl's removal to the hospital Holz visited him and
-made a long report to Beethoven, from which it appears that there
-was no delay in considering plans for the future. In fact, a prompt
-decision was necessary, for it was the penal aspect of the case which
-had the greatest terrors for Beethoven. Holz says: "Here you see
-ingratitude as clear as the sun! Why do you want further to restrain
-him? Once with the military, he will be under the strictest discipline,
-and if you want to do anything more for him you need only make him a
-small allowance monthly. A soldier at once.... Do you still doubt? This
-is a marvellous document." The last remark may have been called out,
-indeed, it seems more than probable that it was, by the letter written
-by the nephew on the eve of his attempt--a letter which has never been
-found. Holz also urges: "Resign the guardianship; this will make an
-impression on him." Beethoven must now needs listen to upbraidings
-because of his lenient treatment of his ward: "If your good nature had
-not so often got the better of your firmness you would have driven him
-away long ago"; but Beethoven still hungers for the ingrate's love. He
-asks about his feelings towards himself. Holz answers: "He said it was
-not hatred of you which he felt, but something entirely different"; and
-then he puts the question: "Did he mean fear?"
-
-The day after the deed, Stephan von Breuning, himself unable to come,
-sent Gerhard to his friend with a message: his parents wanted him to
-take his meals with them so as not to be alone. Then Breuning comes,
-and now he will receive advice on the advisability of a military life
-from one fitted to give it, for von Breuning is a court councillor in
-the war department. "A military life will be the best discipline for
-one who cannot endure freedom; and it will teach him how to live on
-little," is one of Breuning's first utterances.
-
-Holz continues his visits to the hospital and his reports. His help was
-now invaluable and he gave it unselfishly and ungrudgingly, winning
-that measure of gratitude from Beethoven which found expression in the
-letter empowering him to write his biography. He tells Beethoven that
-Karl receives visits from four physicians four times a day. That the
-magistrate is investigating the case and will send a priest to give the
-patient religious instruction, and that his release from the hands of
-the police authorities must wait upon his "complete conversion"; but
-so long as there is danger of too much mental strain this instruction
-will not be given. At ease in his mind touching the physical condition
-of his ward, Beethoven is kept in a state of anxiety about the inquiry,
-which is so protracted as to excite his apprehension that something
-awful may be disclosed. He wants to go himself to see the "Minister"
-(of Police, evidently) and dreads the ordeal of examination. "The court
-will not annoy you," Holz, tells him; "the mother and Karl at the
-worst."
-
-Dr. Bach joined Breuning, Schindler and Holz in advising Beethoven to
-resign the guardianship; but while the other three favored placing
-Karl in the army, Bach urged that he be sent off at once to some
-business house in Trieste, Milan or Hamburg without waiting for him
-to make up his studies and pass the examination which seems necessary
-to Beethoven. "Away with him from Vienna!" is the general cry, but
-Beethoven hesitates; he still thinks that he must keep his ward
-under his eye. In the Conversation Book he writes: "I wanted only to
-accomplish his good; if he is abandoned now, something might happen."
-Meanwhile von Breuning in pursuance of his plan consulted Baron von
-Stutterheim and persuaded him to give the young man a cadetship in
-his regiment, and on September 11 Breuning is able to communicate
-the success of his efforts to Beethoven who, as soon as he began to
-consider the military proposition at all, had thought of his old
-friend, General von Ertmann, the husband of his "Dorothea-Ccilia."
-But the project failed, and Breuning carried the day for his plan and
-agreed to accept the guardianship which had been laid down by Reisser.
-The Court Councillor goes at matters in a practical way; he brings to
-Beethoven von Stutterheim's advice as to the allowance: he must not
-give more than 12 florins in silver a month, as that was all that the
-richest cadet in the service received.
-
-Karl was unwilling to see his uncle, and Beethoven knew it. The latter
-wrote to his nephew, however, and the affectionate tenor of the letters
-met with the disapproval of both Holz and Schindler. Beethoven hoped
-with them to win back his nephew's love, but his advisers told him
-they would do no good. He seems to have thought it necessary to learn
-Karl's opinion before consenting to von Breuning's plan. He visited
-Karl at the hospital, who, after asking his uncle to say as little as
-possible about that which was past alteration, said that a military
-life was the one in which he could be most satisfied and that he was
-entirely capable of making a firm resolve and adhering to it. As a
-cadet, promotion would be open to him. Beethoven, in planning to keep
-the young man in Vienna, had suggested to his advisers that the mother
-might be sent away--to Pressburg or Pesth. After it had been fixed that
-Karl should enter the army as soon as possible after his discharge from
-the hospital, the question arose as to what disposition should be made
-of him in the interim. Beethoven was unalterably opposed to his being
-with his mother even for a day. In an interview he brought the subject
-up and began to berate her as usual; but Karl interrupted him:
-
-[Sidenote: A SON DEFENDS HIS MOTHER]
-
- I do not want to hear anything derogatory to her; it is not for
- me to be her judge. If I were to spend the little time for which
- I shall be here with her it would be only a small return for all
- that she has suffered on my account. Nothing can be said of a
- harmful influence on me even if it should happen, if for no other
- reason than the brevity of the time. In no event shall I treat her
- with greater coldness than has been the case heretofore ... let be
- said what will.... (He tells his uncle that his mother will offer
- no objection to his new calling.) All the less, therefore, can I
- deny her wish to be with me now, as I shall in all likelihood not
- be here again soon. It is self-evident that this will not prevent
- you and me from seeing each other as often as you wish.
-
-Very reluctantly Beethoven gave his consent that his nephew should
-become a soldier, and he continued his solicitude for him, as is
-disclosed by letters to Holz and von Breuning. His first thought was
-to send him to a military institute and have him graduated as an
-officer. This proved impracticable. Now he lays down three conditions
-as to the cadetship: he must not be treated as a culprit, not be
-compelled to live so meanly as to preclude his advancement, not be too
-much restricted as to food and drink. The plans for this disposition
-were made. He was to be presented to von Stutterheim as soon as he
-was discharged from the hospital, take the oath of service the next
-day, and leave Vienna for Iglau, where von Stutterheim's regiment was
-stationed, within five or six days. He was discharged as cured on
-September 25. Breuning, who had assumed the guardianship, now found
-himself confronted by a serious embarrassment. Where should the young
-man be sent while the preparations for his entry into the military
-service were making? Karl did not want to go to his uncle's, nor did
-von Breuning want to send him there, and frankly tells Beethoven his
-reason: "If he were here you would talk to him too much and that would
-cause new irritation; for he testified in the police court that the
-reason why he had taken the step was because you harassed him too
-much." Beethoven feared that the magistrate might allow him to go to
-his mother's, and to guard against this he wrote two letters to that
-official, a man kindly disposed toward him, named Czapka. In the first
-he wrote:
-
- I earnestly beg of you, since my nephew will be well in a few days,
- to direct that he be not permitted to leave the hospital with
- anybody but me and Mr. v. Holz. It must not possibly be allowed
- that he be near his mother, this utterly depraved person. Her bad
- and wickedly malicious character, the belief that she often tempted
- Karl to lure money from me, the probability that she divided
- sums with him and was also in the confidence of Karl's dissolute
- companion, the notice which she attracts with her illegitimate
- daughter, the likelihood that at his m--'s he would make the
- acquaintance of women who are anything but virtuous, justify my
- solicitude and my request. Even the mere habit of being in the
- company of such a person cannot possibly lead a young man to
- virtue.
-
-In a second letter he suggests that the magistrate admonish the
-young man and give him to understand that he will be under police
-surveillance while he is with his uncle. Beethoven's brother was again
-in Vienna. He had repeated his offer to give the composer a temporary
-home and his nephew a harbor of refuge at Gneixendorf; but haste
-was imperative, both on account of his business affairs and Karl's
-status. In three days the business of finishing the corrections in
-the manuscript copy of the Ninth Symphony which was to be sent to the
-King of Prussia, placing it in the hands of Haslinger, who was to have
-it bound, and writing the letter to the King, was disposed of and on
-September 28 the two brothers and their nephew set out for Gneixendorf.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[159] Beethoven's letters to his nephew are presented in the original
-in Vol. V of Thayer's biography as completed by Dr. Deiters and revised
-by Dr. Riemann. Also copious extracts from the Conversation Books.
-These books, in Thayer's transcript, have been consulted anew by the
-present writer in his presentation of the case which he believes to
-be in the spirit of Thayer, as he tried also to make the account
-of the legal controversy over the guardianship. Nevertheless, the
-editor believes it only right to assume full responsibility for his
-utterances. The letters may be found in translation in Vol. II of Mr.
-Shedlock's edition of the Kalischer collection.
-
-[160] It was Herbert Spencer who remarked to a young man who had beaten
-him at billiards that while to be able to play well was a praiseworthy
-accomplishment, such playing as he had just witnessed betokened an
-ill-spent life.
-
-[161] The date was obtained by Thayer from the records of the hospital
-on September 22, 1862. F. Helm, then Director of the hospital,
-certified to the facts of reception, treatment and discharge, but
-stated that no history of the case could be found in the records.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter X
-
- The Last Days in Gneixendorf--A Brother's Warning--Beethoven
- and his Kinspeople--The Fateful Journey to
- Vienna--Sickness--Schindler's Disingenuousness--Conduct of the
- Physicians--Death and Burial.
-
-
-The Conversation Books add nothing to the picturesque side of the
-account of Beethoven's sojourn in Gneixendorf as it has been drawn from
-other sources. They indicate that there were some days of peace and
-tranquility, and that not only Johann, but his wife and nephew also,
-were concerned with making the composer comfortable and providing him
-with such diversion as place and opportunity afforded. At the outset
-Beethoven seems to have been in a conciliatory mood even towards the
-woman whom he so heartily despised; and her willingness to please him
-is obvious. She talks with him about various things, praises Karl's
-musical skill, which the nephew demonstrates by playing four-hand
-marches with his great uncle. She discusses his food with him, and
-if he ever was suspicious of the honesty in money matters of herself
-and her family, he hides his distrust and permits her brother, the
-baker, to collect money for him in Vienna, and the woman to go thither
-to fetch it. There are frequent walks into the country round about
-and drives to neighboring villages, and it would seem from one of
-Karl's speeches that sometimes argument and warning were necessary to
-dissuade Beethoven from undertaking promenades in inclement weather.
-Characteristic of the suspicious nature which his dreadful malady
-had developed in him to an abnormal degree, and confirmatory also
-of Michael Krenn's remark that he was always called upon to give an
-account of the conversations at table, is the evidence that the wife,
-Karl and even a woman boarder are questioned as to the goings-out and
-comings-in of the inmates of the house. Before the departure from
-Gneixendorf, Karl begins to chafe under his uncle's discipline. Johann
-is occupied with the affairs of the estate and Karl does errands for
-him as well as his greater uncle in Krems, whither he is willing to
-journey on foot as often as necessary, perhaps oftener, for there are
-soldiers stationed at the village, there is a theatre, English circus
-riders give an exhibition (to which Karl offers to accompany the
-composer) and, what is perhaps more to the young man's liking, there
-is a billiard-room. Of this fact, however, we are informed later by a
-remark recorded in the Conversation Books by Johann after the return
-to Vienna. The old suspicions touching the reasons for Karl's absence
-from Wasserhof again arise to plague Beethoven's mind, nor are they
-dissipated by Madame van Beethoven's repeated assurances that he will
-return soon. It is plain that the young man is taken to task, not only
-for these absences, but also for what his uncle looked upon as moody
-and defiant silences when suffering rebuke. Thus we read:
-
- You ask me why I do not talk. Because I have enough. Yours is the
- right to command; I must endure everything.... I can give no answer
- as to what you say; the best I can do is to hear and remain silent,
- as is my duty.
-
-At a later period, when Beethoven has apparently upbraided the young
-man for his unwillingness to return to Vienna, Karl retorts:
-
- If you want to go, good; if not, good again. But I beg of you once
- more not to torment me as you are doing; you might regret it, for I
- can endure much, but not too much. You treated your brother in the
- same way to-day without cause. You must remember that other people
- are also human beings.--These everlastingly unjust reproaches!--Why
- do you make such a disturbance? Will you let me go out a bit
- to-day? I need recreation. I'll come again later.--I only want to
- go to my room.--I am not going out, I want only to be alone for a
- little while.--Will you not let me go to my room?
-
-[Sidenote: A RETURN TO VIENNA PRECIPITATED]
-
-Karl was a young man of nearly twenty years; thriftless, no doubt;
-indolent, no doubt; fond of his ease and addicted to idle pleasures,
-no doubt--but still a man; and no matter how much he ought to have
-been willing to sacrifice himself to make his uncle happy, it is a
-question if there was any way in the world to that sure and permanent
-result. He was not wise enough, nor self-sacrificing enough, to do
-that which not a single one of the composer's maturer friends, not
-even Stephan von Breuning, had been able to do. Once in the Books he
-shows a disposition to resort to the wheedling tactics which had been
-frequently successful in earlier years, and urges as a reason for
-tarrying longer in Gneixendorf that it will make possible their longer
-companionship. He is pleading for a week's longer stay: Breuning had
-said that he should not present himself to the Fieldmarshal until
-no evidences of the recent "incident" were longer visible; in a week
-more the scar would not be noticeable, nor would a stay be necessary
-had he provided himself with pomade; then he remarks: "The longer we
-are here the longer we shall be together; for when we are in Vienna
-I shall, of course, have to go away soon." It was after this speech
-that he made the remark already referred to about the cheapness of
-fire-wood. Karl had plainly grown more than content with his life in
-Gneixendorf and there is evidence to show that Beethoven had begun
-to fear that he was wavering in his determination to enter the army.
-Some drastic measure or occurrence was necessary to change the native
-irresolution of Beethoven's mind. Schindler, in his desire to paint
-all the Beethovens, with the exception of the composer, with the
-blackest pigments on his imaginative palette, does not scruple to
-accuse Karl of undue intimacy with his aunt and offers this as a reason
-for the departure. To this no reference can be found in the pages of
-the Conversation Books, unless it be a remark which preceded Karl's
-outburst, last recorded. Here he tells his uncle that all his "talk
-about intrigues needs no refutation." The reference is vague and it
-is extremely unlikely that the intrigues meant were those involved in
-the vile insinuation of Schindler, for a reason which will be made
-apparent presently. The house at Gneixendorf was not fitted for tenancy
-in winter; the weather was growing boisterous; Madame van Beethoven had
-left the men to their own devices and gone to her town-house. This,
-apparently, was the state of affairs when Johann handed a letter to his
-brother which could have no other result than to bring about a decision
-to go back to Vienna at the earliest possible moment, and to carry
-with him a heart full of bitterness which could only be intensified by
-the sufferings which attended upon his journey. The letter bears no
-date, but an allusion to the fact that von Breuning had allowed Karl
-a fortnight for recuperation and he had already been two months at
-Gneixendorf, is proof that it was written near the end of November.
-That the brothers discussed it and cognate matters while it was in
-their hands is evidenced by the fact that it contains on its back the
-words in Johann's writing: "Let us leave this until the day you go.--An
-old woman.--She has her share and will get no more." The letter was as
-follows:
-
- My dear Brother:
-
- I can not possibly remain silent concerning the future fate of
- Karl. He is abandoning all activity and, grown accustomed to this
- life, the longer he lives as at present, the more difficult will
- it be to bring him back to work. At his departure Breuning gave
- him a fortnight to recuperate in, and now it is two months. You see
- from Breuning's letter that it is his decided wish that Karl _shall
- hasten_ to his calling; the longer he is here the more unfortunate
- will it be for him, for the harder will it be for him to get to
- work, and it may be that we shall suffer harm.
-
- It is an infinite pity that this talented young man so wastes his
- time; and on whom if not on us two will the blame be laid? for he
- is still too young to direct his own course; for which reason it
- is your duty, if you do not wish to be reproached by yourself and
- others hereafter, to put him to work at his profession as soon as
- possible. Once he is occupied it will be easy to do much for him
- now and in the future; but under present conditions nothing can be
- done.
-
- I see from his actions that he would like to remain with us, but if
- he did so it would be all over with his future, and therefore this
- is impossible. The longer we hesitate the more difficult will it be
- for him to go away; I therefore adjure you--make up your mind, do
- not permit yourself to be dissuaded by Karl. I think it ought to
- be by _next Monday_, for in no event can you wait for me, inasmuch
- as I cannot go away from here without money, and it will be a long
- time before I collect enough to enable me to go to Vienna.
-
-How Beethoven received this letter must be left to the imagination.
-Its wisdom temporarily disarmed Schindler, who forgot all of his
-frequently wicked charges against Johann long enough to admit that
-the document proved that he was not utterly without good qualities of
-character. He adds that he was in a position to assert that Ludwig took
-his brother's suggestion with bad grace and that before his departure
-from Gneixendorf there was an exceedingly acrimonious quarrel between
-the brothers, growing out of Ludwig's demand that Johann make a will
-in favor of Karl, thus cutting off his wife. It is to this that the
-penciled endorsement on the letter refers. This subject, Schindler
-says, was the real cause of the estrangement between the brothers
-during the last five or six years of Ludwig's life. The blame, he adds,
-rested with Ludwig, who, "constantly at odds with himself and all the
-world, loved and hated without reason." Weeks afterward, while he lay
-dying in Vienna, Beethoven's thoughts were still occupied with the
-purpose of persuading his brother to make a will in Karl's favor.[162]
-A moment's reflection on a single fact will serve to give the quietus
-to Schindler's insinuation as to improper relationship between the
-young man of 19 and his aunt of 40; at the time that Karl is pleading
-to stay in the country, Johann is urging his brother to send him about
-his duty, and Beethoven is halting in irresolution, the woman is in
-Vienna.
-
-[Sidenote: THE FATEFUL JOURNEY FROM GNEIXENDORF]
-
-It must be assumed that the Monday referred to in Johann's letter
-was Monday, November 27; but several days must have elapsed between
-this date and the time when Beethoven and Karl set out on the fateful
-journey to Vienna. A determination seems to have been reached when
-the Book shows Johann as saying: "If you are to start on Monday the
-carriage must be ordered on Sunday." There is no recorded conversation
-touching the use of Johann's carriage, which, so far as anything is
-known to the contrary, may have still been in Vienna, whither, it is
-safe to assume, it had carried Johann's wife, and whither it was to
-carry its owner as soon as he could make a satisfactory adjustment
-of his financial affairs. That means of conveyance were discussed is
-proved by Johann's remark and also by a report made by Karl to the
-composer: "There is no postchaise to Vienna, but only to St. Plten....
-From here there is no opportunity except by a stagecoach."
-
-Exactly when and how the travellers set out it is not possible to
-determine. Schindler says that owing to Johann's refusal to let his
-brother use his closed carriage, Beethoven was obliged to make the
-journey in an "open calash." This is his statement in the first edition
-of the biography, but in the third, for an unexplained reason, the
-"open calash" is the vehicle used from Gneixendorf to Krems only, a
-distance which was easily traversed on foot inside of an hour. If Dr.
-Wawruch, Beethoven's attending physician during the illness which
-ended in his death, is correct, Beethoven told him that he had made
-the journey "in the devil's most wretched vehicle, a milk-wagon."
-Later Dr. Wawruch calls the vehicle in which he arrived in Vienna
-a "Leiterwagen," from which we might gather, which is utterly
-preposterous, that it was a rack vehicle. Beethoven arrived in Vienna
-on Saturday, December 2, and as there is a reference to only one night
-spent in transit (as there had been one on the journey from Vienna
-to Gneixendorf), it is likely that he left Gneixendorf early in the
-morning of Friday, December 1. "That December," says Dr. Wawruch, "was
-raw, wet and frosty; Beethoven's clothing anything but adapted to the
-unfriendly season of the year, and yet he was urged on by an internal
-unrest and a gloomy foreboding of misfortune. He was compelled to
-spend a night in a village tavern where, besides wretched shelter, he
-found an unwarmed room without winter shutters. Towards midnight he
-experienced his first fever-chill, a dry hacking cough accompanied by
-violent thirst and cutting pains in the sides. When seized with the
-fever he drank a few measures of ice-cold water and longed, helplessly,
-for the first rays of the morning light. Weak and ill, he permitted
-himself to be lifted into the _Leiterwagen_ and arrived, at last,
-weak, exhausted and without strength, in Vienna." Wawruch derived his
-information from Beethoven, possibly in part also from Karl, the only
-witness from whom a succinct and absolutely correct account was to have
-been expected; unhappily the tale, which Karl must have been called
-upon to tell many times, was never reported. The untrustworthiness
-of Schindler's statements about the incidents of which he had no
-personal knowledge is emphasized by obvious efforts made to falsify and
-emasculate the record in the Conversation Books, concerning which it
-will soon become necessary to speak.
-
-[Sidenote: ONE OF SCHINDLER'S SLANDERS REFUTED]
-
-It was Saturday, December 2nd, 1826, then, that Beethoven arrived
-in Vienna from Gneixendorf and went to his lodgings in the
-Schwarzspanierhaus. It does not appear that he considered himself
-seriously ill, for in a letter to Holz which must have been written
-two, or more likely three, days later, he says merely that he is
-"unpsslich," that is, indisposed. The letter was the second of its
-kind, the first having been mislaid. In this letter he asked Holz to
-come to him. It was written from dictation, but before appending his
-signature Beethoven wrote, "Finally, I add to this 'We all err, only
-each in a different way'," setting the quoted words to music for a
-canon. This canon, of which an autograph copy on a separate sheet
-of paper is preserved in the Royal Library at Berlin, points to a
-possibility that some misunderstanding had arisen between Beethoven
-and Holz just before the former started for Gneixendorf. Inasmuch as
-Holz is at Beethoven's side at least ten days before Schindler appears
-there, and gives his services to the sick man until the end, though
-not to the extent that Schindler does after his coming, the latter's
-efforts to create the impression that Beethoven had sent Holz away
-from him is disingenuous, to say the least. Holz's first act convicts
-Schindler of an error which can scarcely be set down as an innocent
-one. The story involves one of the slanders against Karl which has
-been repeated from Schindler's day to this, although its refutation
-needed only a glance into the Conversation Books of December, 1826.
-Schindler says that he did not learn of Beethoven's condition until
-"several days" after his return to Vienna. That he then hurried to
-him and learned that neither Dr. Braunhofer nor Dr. Staudenheimer,
-though sent for by Beethoven, had answered the summons and that Dr.
-Wawruch's coming was due to something only a little better than an
-accident. Karl, though charged with the duty of summoning a physician,
-had forgotten, or neglected, to so do, for several days. His commission
-occurred to him while playing at billiards, and he incidentally asked
-a _marqueur_ (scorer) in the billiard-room to send a physician to his
-uncle. The _marqueur_, not being well, could not do it at the time, but
-mentioned the matter some time later to Dr. Wawruch at the hospital
-to which he had been taken. This story of unexampled heartlessness,
-to which Dr. Gerhard von Breuning also gave currency, Schindler said
-he had heard from Dr. Wawruch; but it is branded as a shameless
-fabrication by Dr. Wawruch's published statement and the evidence of
-the Conversation Book. Dr. Wawruch wrote a history of Beethoven's
-illness entitled "rztlicher Rckblick auf Ludwig van Beethoven's
-letzte Lebensepoche" under date of May 20, 1827, which was published
-by Aloys Fuchs in the "Wiener Zeitschrift" of April 30, 1842. In
-this report Dr. Wawruch says, "I was not called in until the third
-day." This third day would be December 5th, and the date has twofold
-confirmation in the Conversation Book. A fortnight after Beethoven's
-return to Vienna there is an entry in Karl's handwriting of the
-physician's visits beginning with December 5th and ending with December
-14, which shows that within this period Dr. Wawruch made daily visits
-and on one day came twice. Schindler's name does not appear until some
-time after this entry, and it is recorded in a manner which indicates
-plainly that it was his first meeting with the sick man. As the book
-was folded and renumbered by Schindler the page on which this entry
-appears is made to look as if it preceded others which are filled with
-evidences of Holz's helpfulness, but the records of the first call of
-the physician are plain and undisputable. It was Holz who sent for him
-and he did so on December 5, the day on which the first visit is noted.
-Evidently Holz had hastened to Beethoven on receiving the letter asking
-him to come which Karl seems to have delivered to him on the 4th or
-5th. What passed at the first meeting does not appear, but this remark
-in the handwriting of Holz does:
-
- I have had Professor Wawruch called for you; Vivenot is himself
- sick. I do not know Wawruch personally, but he is known here as one
- of the most skillful physicians.--He is Bogner's doctor.--He is
- professor in the hospital.--He will come after dinner.
-
-Vivenot was a physician. In all probability Beethoven had exhausted the
-list of physicians of his acquaintance (Smetana, a surgeon, may not
-have been considered and Malfatti could not be at the time for reasons
-which Beethoven knew and was made painfully to feel later), before
-Holz succeeded in securing the attendance of Wawruch.[163] According
-to the accepted story, Braunhofer, who had been the last physician to
-treat Beethoven before the misfortunes of the summer, had declined
-the call because of the too great distance between his house and
-Beethoven's, and Staudenheimer, whom Braunhofer had displaced, promised
-to come but did not. The latter, probably both, took part later in the
-consultations. Wawruch was an amateur violoncello player and an ardent
-admirer of Beethoven's music. When he comes to his august patient,
-though he permits Karl to write the questions, he takes the pencil
-himself to tell who he is: "One who greatly reveres your name will do
-everything possible to give you speedy relief--Prof. Wawruch." In his
-history of the case Wawruch writes:
-
- I found Beethoven afflicted with serious symptoms of inflammation
- of the lungs. His face glowed, he spat blood, his respiration
- threatened suffocation and a painful stitch in the side made lying
- on the back a torment. A severe counter-treatment for inflammation
- soon brought the desired relief; his constitution triumphed and by
- a lucky crisis he was freed from apparent mortal danger, so that on
- the fifth day he was able, in a sitting posture, to tell me, amid
- profound emotion, of the discomforts which he had suffered. On the
- seventh day he felt considerably better, so that he was able to get
- out of bed, walk about, read and write.
-
-Dr. Gerhard von Breuning, who was concerned in proving that Dr.
-Wawruch was a bungling practitioner, protests that Beethoven was not
-suffering from inflammation of the lungs but from inflammation of the
-peritoneum, which alone, he says, could have brought on the dropsy of
-the belly from which it has been thought until recently Beethoven died.
-He based his opinion on the fact, which, though only a boy of 13, he may
-have observed in the sick-room, that the patient did not cough, had no
-difficulty in breathing, and that afterwards his lungs were found to be
-sound. Wawruch, however, an experienced physician, is speaking of what
-he observed on his first visit and is not likely to have erred in so
-obvious a matter as incipient lobar pneumonia, the general history of
-which as now understood agrees with the recorded account of Beethoven's
-case, even in such details as the critical period reached on the fifth
-day. The subsequent strength of the lungs is not inconsistent with
-the theory that in the first week Beethoven weathered an attack of
-pneumonia.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S HEALTH IN THE COUNTRY]
-
-There are few references to the state of Beethoven's health during the
-sojourn at Gneixendorf, but that he was ill when he arrived there is
-indicated by an early remark by Johann attributing an improvement in
-the condition of his eyes to the good air "without rosewater." Johann
-wrote later that, when with him, Beethoven ate little. When the food
-was not prepared to his taste he ate soft-boiled eggs for dinner "and
-drank all the more wine." He had frequent attacks of diarrhoea. His
-abdomen also became distended so that he wore a bandage for comfort.
-Wawruch had no knowledge of his patient's previous medical history and
-was compelled to discover for himself what his colleagues, to whom the
-sick man's call was first extended, would have known from their earlier
-experiences with him. Schindler attacks Wawruch on the ground that he
-had said that Beethoven was addicted to the use of spirituous liquors.
-The Conversation Books and other testimony plentifully indicate that
-the great composer was fond of wine and that his physicians had
-difficulty in enforcing abstinence upon him; but the only one who, by
-indirection, accused Beethoven of drinking to excess, was Schindler,
-whose statements on that point are not free from the suspicion that
-they were made only for the purpose of hitting Holz over Wawruch's
-shoulders.[164]
-
-Wawruch's report continues:
-
- But on the eighth day I was alarmed not a little. At the morning
- visit I found him greatly disturbed and jaundiced all over
- his body. A frightful choleraic attack (_Brechdurchfall_) had
- threatened in the preceding night. A violent rage, a great grief
- because of ingratitude and undeserved humiliation, was the cause
- of the mighty explosion. Trembling and shivering he bent double
- because of the pains which raged in his liver and intestines, and
- his feet, thitherto moderately inflated, were tremendously swollen.
- From this time on dropsy developed, the segregation of urine became
- less, the liver showed plain indication of hard nodules, there
- was an increase of jaundice. Gentle entreaties from his friends
- quieted the threatening mental tempest, and the forgiving man
- forgot all the humiliation which had been put upon him. But the
- disease moved onward with gigantic strides. Already in the third
- week there came incidents of nocturnal suffocation; the enormous
- volume of collected water demanded speedy relief and I found myself
- compelled to advise tapping in order to guard against the danger of
- bursting.
-
-After Dr. Wawruch had reached this decision, Dr. Staudenheimer was
-called in consultation and he confirmed the attending physician's
-opinion as to the necessity of an operation. Beethoven was told.
-"After a few moments of serious thought he gave his consent." The
-servant Thekla, who had, apparently, come from Gneixendorf (as her
-name appears in the Conversation Book used there), in the midst of
-the preparations for the operation had been found to be dishonest and
-dismissed. The composer's brother had arrived in Vienna about December
-10 and thereafter is found constant in his attendance, a fact which it
-becomes necessary to mention because of the obvious effort of Schindler
-to create the impression that the burden of the care of Beethoven had
-been assumed by him, von Breuning and the latter's son Gerhard. Wawruch
-had retained Dr. Seibert, principal surgeon (_Primrwundarzt_) at the
-hospital, to perform the operation. The date was December 20 (not 18,
-as Schindler says). Those present were Johann, Karl and Schindler.
-Beethoven's sense of humor did not desert him. When, the incision
-having been made, Dr. Seibert introduced the tube and the water spurted
-out, Beethoven said: "Professor, you remind me of Moses striking the
-rock with his staff."[165] Wawruch writes in the Conversation Book:
-
- Thank God, it is happily over!--Do you already feel relief?--If
- you feel ill you must tell me.--Did the incision give you any
- pain?--From to-day the sun will continue to ascend higher.--God
- save you! [_This in English._] Lukewarm almond milk.--Do you
- not now feel pain?--Continue to lie quietly on your side.--Five
- measures and a half.--I hope that you will sleep more quietly
- to-night.... You bore yourself like a knight.
-
-[Sidenote: MULTIPLICATION AND HANDEL'S SCORES]
-
-In the early days after Beethoven's return to Vienna there is a
-continuation of the correspondence with Schott and Sons concerning the
-publication of the works which they had purchased, and before the end
-of December, probably in the third week, occurs the incident of the
-disappointing gift from the King of Prussia which makes its appearance
-in the record with something like a shout of "Good news!" from
-Schindler. Karl is busily occupied in preparations for his military
-career and upon him, until the arrival of Holz, appears to devolve
-the labor of writing and of carrying messages. The Conversation Book
-used by him on the 4th of December and the two following days bears a
-pathetic proof of Beethoven's helplessness in the matter of figures. A
-page or so is filled with examples in simple multiplication--tables,
-without answers, of threes, fours, sevens, etc.--and the remark, "Then
-backwards." Later Karl writes an explanation: "Multiplication is a
-simplified form of addition, wherefore examples are performed in the
-same manner. Each product is set under its proper place. If it consists
-of two digits, the left one is added to the product of the next. Here a
-small illustration: 2348 multiplied by 2." It was thus that the great
-genius approaching his 56th birthday was employing his time while
-waiting in vain for the physicians who would not or could not answer
-his summons!
-
-One joyful event brightened the solitary gloom of the sick-chamber in
-the middle of December. From Stumpff, of London, Beethoven received the
-40 volumes of Dr. Arnold's edition of the works of Handel which the
-donor had resolved to send Beethoven on his visit in 1824. Gerhard von
-Breuning pictures the joy of Beethoven at the reception of the gift,
-which he described as royal compared with that of the King of Prussia.
-One day the boy was asked to hand the big books from the pianoforte
-where they rested to the bed. "I have long wanted them," said the
-composer to his faithful little friend, "for Handel is the greatest,
-the ablest composer that ever lived. I can still learn from him." He
-leaned the books against the wall, turned over the pages, and ever and
-anon paused to break out into new expressions of praise. Von Breuning
-places these incidents in the middle of February, 1827, but his memory
-was plainly at fault. Schindler says the books arrived in December, and
-he is right, for Stumpff preserved the receipt for them, a letter and
-Reichardt's "Taschenbuch fr Reisende," which is dated "December 14,
-1826." The gift was sent through the son of Stumpff's friend Streicher.
-
-Stephan von Breuning had called on Beethoven shortly after his arrival
-and the work of making a soldier of Karl was begun at once. It was
-expected that the preparations would occupy only a few days, but they
-dragged themselves through the month of December, owing partly, no
-doubt, to an illness which befell the Councillor. There were formal
-calls to be made upon the Lieut. Field Marshal and other officers,
-a physical examination to be undergone (it was most perfunctory),
-uniforms to be provided, the oath of service to be taken, and his
-monthly allowance to be fixed. All this was disposed of by the date
-of the first tapping, and it was expected that he would set out to
-join his regiment at Iglau before the Christmas holidays. There is
-no evidence of a change in the attitude towards each other of uncle
-and nephew. Some of Karl's entries in the Conversation Books betray a
-testiness which is in marked contrast to Beethoven's obvious solicitude
-for the young man's position and comfort in his regiment; but the
-entries also indicate that illness had not sweetened the disposition of
-the sufferer. His outbursts of rage are the subject of warnings from
-physicians and friends. We have Schindler's word for it that Beethoven
-became cheerful after the graceless youth's departure for Iglau on
-January 2nd, and the testimony of the Conversation Book that the old
-year closed upon a quarrel between the two. Karl writes this greeting
-on New Year's day: "I wish you a happy new year, and it grieves me that
-I should have been compelled already in the first night to give cause
-for displeasure. It might easily have been avoided, however, if you had
-but given the order to have my meal taken to my room."
-
-It is very possible that Beethoven's spirits grew lighter after the
-departure of his nephew. The service which Karl gave his uncle seems
-frequently to have been given grudgingly and no doubt looked more
-ungracious than it may really have been, when accompanied by protests
-that he would not be found failing in duty and petulant requests that
-he be spared upbraidings and torments. To satisfy the singular mixture
-of affectionate solicitude and suspicion which filled Beethoven's heart
-and mind would perhaps have taxed the philosophy of a wiser as well
-as gentler being than this young man, who, as Johann's wife told the
-composer in Gneixendorf, had inherited the testy family temper. When
-open quarrels were no longer possible, it is likely that a greater
-contentment than had lodged there for a long time filled Beethoven's
-soul. There is no record of the parting, and it is safe to assume
-that it passed off without emotional demonstration of any kind. But
-Beethoven's thoughts went swiftly towards his self-assumed duty of
-providing for the young man's future. The very next day he wrote the
-following letter to Dr. Bach:
-
-[Sidenote: PROVIDING FOR THE NEPHEW'S FUTURE]
-
- Vienna, Wednesday January 3, 1827.
-
- Before my death I declare my beloved nephew my sole and universal
- heir of all the property which I possess in which is included
- chiefly seven bank shares and whatever money may be on hand. If
- the laws prescribe a modification in this I beg of you as far as
- possible to turn it to his _advantage_. I appoint you his _curator_
- and beg his guardian, Court Councillor von Breuning, to take the
- place of a father to him. God preserve you. A thousand thanks for
- the love and friendship which you have shown me.
-
- (L. S.) Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-From Gerhard von Breuning's account of the last days of Beethoven it
-would seem that this letter, though written on January 3rd, and then
-addressed to his legal adviser, was not signed until shortly before
-his death, and that at intervals in the interim it was the subject
-of consultations between the composer, Bach, Breuning, Schindler and
-Johann. Certain it is that before dispatching the letter to Bach,
-Beethoven submitted it to von Breuning for an opinion. Gerhard carried
-it to his father and brought back an answer which may have postponed
-its formal execution and delivery till two days before Beethoven died.
-Stephan von Breuning was not willing that Karl should enter upon
-unrestricted possession of the property immediately upon the death of
-his uncle. In his letter he pointed out that till now Karl had shown
-himself frivolous and that there was no knowing what turn his character
-might take as a result of the new life upon which he had entered. He
-therefore advised that for the young man's own good and future safety
-he be prohibited from disposing of the capital of his inheritance,
-either during his lifetime or for a term of years after he had reached
-his majority, which under the Austrian law then prevailing was the age
-of 24 years. He argued that the income from the legacy would suffice
-for his maintenance for the time being and that to restrict him in
-the disposition of the capital would ensure him against the possible
-results of frivolous conduct before he should ripen into a man of solid
-parts. He recommended that Beethoven talk the matter over with Bach
-and wanted then to consult with both of them, as he feared that even a
-temporary restriction would not suffice to restrain Karl from making
-debts which in time would devour the inheritance when he should enter
-upon it. How Beethoven received this advice we shall learn later.
-
-There is little that need be added to the story of the nephew. He was
-with his regiment at Iglau. Through Schindler, Beethoven wrote him
-a letter. It is lost, but apparently it contained an expression of
-dissatisfaction with Dr. Wawruch, for in the reply, which has been
-preserved, Karl says: "Concerning yourself I am rejoiced to know that
-you are in good hands. I, too, had felt some distrust of the treatment
-of your former (or, perhaps, present?) physician; I hope improvement
-will now follow." He reports about his situation in the regiment, asks
-for money and the flute part of the Pianoforte Concerto in B-flat
-(Op. 19), which one of the officers of the regiment wished to play,
-and adds in a postscript: "Do not think that the little privations
-to which I am now subjected have made me dissatisfied with my lot.
-On the contrary, rest assured that I am living in contentment, and
-regret only that I am separated so far from you. In time, however,
-this will be different." But communications from the young man are
-not many, and Schindler's rebukes and complaints in the Conversation
-Books about his undutifulness are probably only a reflex of Beethoven's
-moods and utterances. One cause of dissatisfaction was the fact that
-a letter to Smart had been sent to him for translation and was not
-promptly returned. But he acknowledges the receipt of money towards
-the end of February, and on March 4th he writes another letter, which
-has been preserved. He sends his thanks for a pair of boots, says the
-translation of the letter to Smart must have been received, and adds:
-
- To-day a cadet returned to his batallion who had been in Vienna on
- a furlough; and he reports having heard that you had been saved by
- an ice and are feeling well. I hope the report is true, no matter
- what the means may have been... Write me very soon about the state
- of your health ... I kiss you. Your loving son Charles.
-
-Here Karl van Beethoven practically disappears from this history. He
-never saw his uncle in life again, nor even in death, for he was not
-present at the funeral--as indeed in those days of tardy communication
-and slow conveyance he could not be.
-
-[Sidenote: SCENES IN THE COMPOSER'S SICK-ROOM]
-
-Notwithstanding that they do not make a complete record, since the
-slate was also, and indeed largely, used by Beethoven's visitors,
-and despite the fact that they have not been left intact, but bear
-evidences of mutilation and falsification, the Conversation Books
-furnish a more vivid and also a more pathetic picture of Beethoven's
-sick-room than the writings of Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning.
-Busy about the couch of the patient we see his brother Johann and his
-nephew Karl, besides Schindler, Holz and Stephan von Breuning. The
-visits of the last are interrupted by illness and his official labors,
-but his son, the lad Gerhard, frequently lends a gracious touch to the
-scene by his familiar mode of address, his gossip about his father's
-domestic affairs and his suggestions of intellectual pabulum for his
-august friend. He is a daily message-bearer between the two households.
-Even at a sacrifice of space it is necessary to recount a few incidents
-of small intrinsic interest in order that some errors in history may
-be rectified. Notwithstanding Schindler's obvious efforts to have
-the contrary appear, Holz continues to be faithful in attendance,
-though his visits are not so numerous as they were during the weeks
-of Beethoven's great trial in the summer. The reason was obvious and
-certainly not to his discredit, though Schindler attempted to belittle
-it. Holz took unto himself a wife about the time that Beethoven
-returned to Vienna. Thitherto he had been able to devote a large
-portion of the time not given to official duties to his friend. Now,
-this was no longer possible; nor was it necessary after Dr. Wawruch
-had assumed care of the case. Beethoven's brother also returned to
-Vienna and Schindler found his way back to the composer's side within
-a fortnight. It is Holz, however, who looks after the correction and
-publication of the last compositions, and collects his annuity; and if
-it were necessary, his apologists might find evidence of Beethoven's
-confidence in his friendship and integrity in the fact that there is
-no indication that he ever questioned his honesty in money matters,
-while there is proof in Schindler's own handwriting that Beethoven
-thought _him_ capable of theft. It is pitiful that while Schindler is
-sacrificing himself in almost menial labors, Beethoven forces him to a
-pained protestation that he had returned the balance of a sum placed
-in his hands wherewith to make purchases. Schindler himself records
-the fact of Beethoven's suspicion with sorrow. A livelier sense of
-gratitude took possession of the sufferer later and found expression in
-gifts of autograph scores (of the Ninth Symphony, for instance, now in
-the Royal Library[166] at Berlin), and a promise, which he was unable
-to fulfill, to take part in a concert for Schindler's benefit.
-
-Whether Schindler was always as scrupulously honest in his attitude
-towards the public as he was in his dealings with Beethoven may be
-doubted. There are mutilations, interlineations and erasures in the
-Conversation Books which it is difficult to believe were not made for
-the purpose of bolstering up mistaken statements in his biography,
-which had already been published when the documents passed out of his
-hands into the possession of the Royal Library. Here is a case in
-point: Schuppanzigh has called and reported that one of Beethoven's
-quartets had been enthusiastically received by the public at a
-performance on the preceding Sunday (December 10, 1826). To what seems
-to have been an oral comment, Beethovens adds the words and music of
-the motto from the Quartet in F: "Muss es sein? Es muss sein." This
-moves Schuppanzigh to say: "But does he"--(Beethoven, of course, whom
-Schuppanzigh addresses in the third person as usual)--"does he know
-that the dirty fellow has become my enemy on that account?" Here we
-have an unmistakable allusion to the anecdote about Dembscher and the
-origin of the Canon on the theme of the finale of the F major Quartet.
-A few pages later Schindler is the writer and has just brought the
-news of the arrival of the ring presented to Beethoven by the King of
-Prussia. He had been asked to carry the ring to Beethoven, but had
-been unwilling to accept it unless he could give Beethoven's receipt
-for it in exchange. He adds the words "Es muss sein" as if in answer
-to a question by Beethoven. Now appear squeezed in between the music
-and the edge of the sheet the words: "The Old Woman (_Die Alte_) is
-again in need of her weekly allowance." The handwriting is plainly of
-a different date and at the time of the conversation the "Old Woman"
-was not in Beethoven's employ.[167] It is not easy to acquit Schindler
-of a sinister motive here nor to avoid the suspicion that it was his
-hand which made an attempt to obliterate the entry on December 5, which
-proves that Holz sent for Dr. Wawruch on that date and thus gives the
-lie to the infamous story about Karl and the billiard _marqueur_. The
-evidences of Schindler's eagerness to encourage Beethoven's detestation
-of his brother and his suspicion of his nephew are too numerous to be
-overlooked, and some of them may call for mention later.
-
-An offer by Gerhard von Breuning to bring one of his school-books
-containing pictures of classic antiquities is an evidence of the
-lad's familiarity with Beethoven's literary tastes. It was Brother
-Johann, however, who suggested the novels of Sir Walter Scott for his
-entertainment, and the impression conveyed by the story that after
-beginning "Kenilworth" Beethoven threw the volume down with the angry
-remark: "To the devil with the scribbling! The fellow writes only for
-money," that the composer would have no more of the novelist, is rudely
-disturbed by evidence that Beethoven read all of Scott's works which
-were to be found in translation in the circulating library. Beethoven
-later himself calls for Ovid's "Metamorphoses"; and his interest in
-international politics is so keen that he is not content with an
-abstract of Channing's great speech of December 12, 1826, but expresses
-a desire to read a full report.
-
-[Sidenote: DISSATISFIED WITH HIS PHYSICIAN]
-
-While Beethoven's friends are discussing with Dr. Wawruch the necessity
-of a second tapping, and Karl is packing his boxes for Iglau, the year
-1826 ends. The surgeon Seibert seems to have advised a postponement of
-the operation. In a conversation on January 6, 1827, Schindler says
-to Beethoven: "Then Hr. Seibert was really right in still postponing
-the second operation, for it will probably make a third unnecessary."
-There are now signs of Beethoven's dissatisfaction with the attending
-physician. Gerhard von Breuning has much to say on the point in his
-little book, and Schindler joins in the criticism many years after
-Beethoven's death; but in the Conversation Books he appears more than
-once as Wawruch's defender. From von Breuning we learn that while at
-a later date Malfatti's coming was awaited with eagerness and hailed
-with unfeigned gladness, Wawruch's visits were ungraciously received,
-Beethoven sometimes turning his face to the wall and exclaiming "Oh!
-the ass!" when he heard his name announced. But in the first week of
-January, Schindler is still concerned in keeping up the patient's faith
-in the skill of his physician. In a Conversation Book he writes shortly
-after the remark about the surgeon:
-
- He understands his profession, that is notorious, and he is right
- in following a safe course.--I have a great deal of confidence in
- him, but I can not speak from experience.--However, he is known as
- an able man and is esteemed by his students. But as we are here
- concerned with a _carum caput_ my advice from the beginning has
- been always to take into consultation a physician who is familiar
- with your constitution from _medical treatment_; such an one
- generally adopts very different measures.
-
-Evidently, Beethoven renews his expression of distrust. Schindler
-continues:
-
- Yet it is better and more advisable not to lose confidence in the
- physician, for after all he has done a great deal.--It is a very
- well-known fact that dropsy is very slow of cure.--Shall I come
- when the doctor is here?
-
-A few days later (January 8, says Schindler, who was present) the
-second operation took place. There were no complications, the tapping
-was accomplished without difficulty and Dr. Seibert reported that the
-water was clearer and the outflow greater than the first time. Ten
-measures were drawn off. On January 11 there was a consultation of
-physicians to which, besides either Dr. Braunhofer or Staudenheimer,
-Dr. Malfatti had been called. It had become an ardent wish of
-Beethoven's that Malfatti undertake his case, but Malfatti had refused,
-pleading professional ethics, but no doubt actuated by reasons of a
-more personal character. Many years before, probably as early as 1813,
-he had been not only Beethoven's physician but also his friend; indeed,
-he was an uncle of the Therese Malfatti to whom the composer once made
-an offer of marriage. He made, what it is easy to imagine to have been,
-the experience of all the medical men who undertook the care of the
-great man. Beethoven was ever a disobedient and impatient patient.
-He became dissatisfied with Dr. Malfatti's treatment and commented
-upon it and him in such a manner as to cause a serious and lasting
-estrangement. Ten years at least had elapsed between this incident
-and the time when Beethoven's longing went out towards his one-time
-professional friend. Schindler's story of the disappointments which
-he suffered when first he tried to persuade Dr. Malfatti to take the
-case in hand was printed in the "Frankfurter Konversationsblatt" of
-July 14, 1842. It was a long time afterward, and we can not withhold
-a suspicion that it is rather highly colored, but since the coming of
-Malfatti was a matter of large moment to Beethoven and the treatment
-which he recommended (strictly speaking, he can not be said to have
-prescribed it, for Dr. Wawruch remained in charge of the case to the
-end) has a large bearing upon Beethoven's physical condition and its
-causes, it may be told here. Schindler writes, in his communication to
-the Frankfort newspaper:
-
- Never shall I forget the harsh words of that man which he
- commissioned me to bear to the friend and teacher who lay mortally
- ill, when after the second operation (January 8) I repeatedly
- carried to him the urgent requests of Beethoven that he come to his
- help or he should die. Dr. Wawruch did not know his constitution,
- was ruining him with too much medicine. He had already been
- compelled to empty 75 bottles, without counting various powders,
- he had no confidence in this physician, etc. To all of these
- representations Malfatti answered me coldly and drily: "Say to
- Beethoven that he, as a master of harmony, must know that I must
- also live in harmony with my colleagues." Beethoven wept bitter
- tears when I brought him this reply, which, hard as it was, I had
- to do, so that he might no longer look for help to that quarter....
- Though Malfatti finally took pity on poor Beethoven and abolished
- Wawruch's medicine bottles at once and prescribed an entirely
- different course of treatment, despite the pleadings of the patient
- he refused to remain his _ordinarius_ and visit him often. On the
- contrary, he came only at long intervals and contented himself with
- occasional reports from me as to the sick man's condition. He was
- not willing even to send one of his assistants to Beethoven and
- consequently Dr. Wawruch remained his daily visitor in spite of
- Beethoven's protests.
-
-[Sidenote: RECONCILIATION WITH DR. MALFATTI]
-
-On January 19, after a second visit to Dr. Malfatti, Schindler wrote to
-Beethoven saying that the Doctor would come to him and begging him to
-seek a reconciliation, inasmuch as Malfatti still cherished resentment
-because of the treatment which he had received a decade before at
-Beethoven's hands. Malfatti came, a reconciliation was effected,
-and under the inspiration of the changed treatment which Malfatti
-introduced Beethoven's spirits rose buoyantly, his physical condition
-responded and the despair which had begun to fill the sufferer gave
-way to a confident hope of recovery. The treatment was simple, but the
-improvement which it brought about was not lasting. Malfatti put away
-the drugs and decoctions and prescribed frozen punch, and rubbing the
-patient's abdomen with ice-cold water. Dr. Wawruch in his history of
-the case confirms Schindler's statement of the beneficial results which
-were at first attained. He says:
-
- Then Dr. Malfatti, who thenceforth supported me with his advice,
- and who, as a friend of Beethoven of long years' standing
- understood his predominant inclination for spirituous liquors,
- hit upon the notion of administering frozen punch. I must confess
- that the treatment produced excellent effects for a few days
- at least. Beethoven felt himself so refreshed by the ice with
- its alcoholic contents that already in the first night he slept
- quietly throughout the night and began to perspire profusely. He
- grew cheerful and was full of witty conceits and even dreamed of
- being able to complete the oratorio "Saul and David"[168] which
- he had begun. But this joy, as was to have been foreseen, did not
- last long. He began to abuse the prescription and applied himself
- right bravely to the frozen punch. The spirits soon caused a
- violent pressure of the blood upon the brain, he grew soporous,
- breathed stertorously like an intoxicated person, began to wander
- in his speech, and a few times inflammatory pains in the throat
- were paired with hoarseness and even aphony. He became more
- unruly and when, because of the cooling of the bowels, colic and
- diarrhoea resulted, it was high time to deprive him of this precious
- refreshment.
-
-Wawruch's remark here about Beethoven's predilection for spirituous
-liquors formed the basis for Schindler's charge, which has already
-been discussed, that the physician had slandered Beethoven and had
-tried to create the impression that he had contracted dropsy by
-inordinate use of alcoholic drinks. The account of the beneficial
-effect of Malfatti's coming, no less than the treatment which he
-prescribed, is reasonable enough. Beethoven no doubt, in the warm
-glow of a recovered friendship, gave the physician a full measure of
-confidence and hailed in him much more than the ordinary professional
-leech. It is also safe to assume that Malfatti knew from the beginning
-that a cure was impossible and strove at once for temporary relief,
-which in Beethoven's case was the surest of means for cheering him
-up and reanimating hope within him. By administering frozen punch
-he stimulated the jaded organs more successfully than Wawruch had
-succeeded in doing; at the same time he warned against excess in its
-use and forbade the patient taking it in a liquid form. But this was
-only at the beginning; when he saw the inevitable end approaching he
-waived all injunctions as to quantity. Schindler says:
-
- The quantity of frozen punch permitted in the first weeks was not
- more than one glass a day. Not until after the fourth operation
- (February 27th), when it was seen that the case was hopeless,
- were all restrictions removed. The noble patient, feeling the
- marked effects of a doubled and even trebled allowance meanwhile,
- thought himself already half saved and wanted to work on his
- tenth symphony, which he was allowed to do to a small extent.
- From these days, so extraordinary in the sight of the friends who
- surrounded him, the last lines are dated which he wrote to me on
- March 17--nine days before his death--the very last page which the
- immortal master wrote with his own hands:
-
- "Miracles! Miracles! Miracles! The highly learned gentlemen are
- both defeated! Only through Malfatti's science shall I be saved. It
- is necessary that you come to me for a moment this forenoon."
-
-The reiteration of the word "miracles" is indicated by the usual
-musical sign of repetition [repeat symbol]. There is no date in
-Beethoven's handwriting, but Schindler has endorsed it: "Beethoven's
-last lines to Schindler on March 17, 1827." The endorsement is of
-a later date and marks another obvious error of memory. It is not
-possible that Beethoven wrote the letter after he had himself abandoned
-all hope of recovery, as he had before the date affixed by Schindler.
-Most obviously the pathetic document is an outburst of jubilation on
-feeling the exhilaration consequent on Malfatti's prescription, as
-mentioned in Dr. Wawruch's report. Schindler says that the "learned
-gentlemen" referred to were Wawruch and Seibert. Wawruch says that
-Beethoven abandoned hope after the fourth tapping; Johann van Beethoven
-records that the physicians declared him lost on March 16. Schindler in
-his biography describes a letter written in February as the last letter
-actually written by the composer.
-
-[Sidenote: TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT]
-
-Gerhard von Breuning, prejudiced as he was against Dr. Wawruch, was yet
-far from unqualified in his praise of Malfatti. He says:
-
- But the usually brilliant physician seems to have been little
- inspired in the presence of Beethoven. The frozen punch which he
- prescribed to restore the tone of the digestive organs, excessively
- weakened by Wawruch's overload of medicaments, had, indeed, the
- desired restorative effect; but it was too transient. On the
- other hand a sort of sweat-bath prescribed a few days after the
- second[169] operation was so obviously injurious to the patient,
- filled with longing and hope, that it had to be abandoned at once.
- Jugs filled with hot water were arranged in a bath-tub and covered
- thickly with birch leaves on which the patient was seated, all of
- his body but the head being covered with a sheet. Malfatti hoped
- for a beneficient action upon the skin and to put the organs into
- a productive perspiration. But the very opposite effect resulted.
- The body of the patient, which had been emptied of its water by the
- scarcely completed tapping, attracted the moisture developed by the
- bath like a block of salt; it swelled visibly in the apparatus and
- in a few days compelled the introduction anew of the tube into the
- still unhealed puncture.
-
-The story of this sweat-bath needs to be told, if for no other reason
-than because it is the basis of another of the romances still current,
-which were retailed for the single purpose of presenting Beethoven as
-a sufferer from the niggardliness of Johann. On January 25 (the date
-is fixed by a remark of Johann's in the Conversation Book) Schindler
-brought word to Beethoven that the mother of the singer Frulein
-Schechner had sent for him that morning to tell him about two remedies
-which had proved efficacious in the case of her father, who had also
-been afflicted with dropsy. One of these was Juniperberry tea, the
-other a vapor bath from a decoction, the ingredients of which were
-a head of cabbage, two handfuls of caraway seeds and three handfuls
-of hayseed (_Heublumen_). These remedies had been prescribed by the
-physician of the late King of Bavaria and had worked a cure in the case
-of Madame Schechner's father when he was 70 years old. Dr. Malfatti
-seems to have been told of these remedies and to have prescribed the
-bath, which, it is said in the Conversation Books, he recognized at
-once as a cure used by Dr. Harz, the Royal Physician mentioned. Within
-a day or two Schindler notes in the book, that he had asked Johann for
-some hay and the latter had replied that his hay was not good enough
-for the purpose; but the next day, on seeing the hay, which had been
-procured from another source, Johann had said that he had plenty of
-that sort and that his was dryer. Unwilling, apparently, to admit
-that Johann might have been honest in his belief that the hay from
-his stable was not fit for medicinal purposes, Schindler writes for
-Beethoven's perusal: "Is it not abominable that he is unwilling even to
-give hay for a single bath!" Yet this monster of inhumanity, unwilling
-to sacrifice even a wisp of hay for a dying brother, was at the time in
-daily attendance upon that brother and had taken upon himself a great
-deal of the onerous and disagreeable labor of the sick-room!
-
-Among Beethoven's visitors in February, near the end of the month,
-when Beethoven was at an extremity of his suffering, was the singer
-Demoiselle Schechner, who almost forced her way to the bedside to
-tell him of her great admiration for his music, of her successes in
-"Fidelio," and that it was through singing his "Adelaide" that she had
-won her way to the operatic stage. Under date of February there also
-came to the composer a cheery letter from his old playmate Wegeler,
-calling to his mind some of his early flames--Jeanette Honrath and
-Frulein Westerholt--and playfully outlining a plan by which the old
-friends might enjoy a reunion: he would send, he said, one of his
-patients to Carlsbad and go there with him as soon as Beethoven should
-arrange also to go there for his convalescence. Then, after a three
-weeks' trip through South Germany, there should be a final visit to the
-home of their childhood. And, as before, Eleonore sends a postscript
-emphasizing the pleasures of the reunion. Beethoven answered the letter
-on February 17, and told his old friend how he had tried to send him a
-letter and portrait through Stephan von Breuning on December 10, but
-the plan had miscarried. Now the matter was to be entrusted to the
-Schotts.
-
-Zmeskall, faithful to the old friendship, a bound prisoner to his room
-through gout, sends greetings and inquiries through Schindler. From his
-sick-bed Beethoven answers him, not in the jocular spirit which marked
-his voluminous notes of old, but in terms which breathe sincerity and
-real friendship:
-
- A thousand thanks for your sympathy. I do not despair. The most
- painful feature is the cessation of all activity. No evil without
- its good side. May heaven but grant you amelioration of your
- painful existence. Perhaps health is coming to both of us and we
- shall meet again in friendly intimacy.
-
-[Sidenote: COMFORT RECEIVED FROM ENGLAND]
-
-Though Beethoven had received the Handel scores in December, he does
-not seem to have had an opportunity to enjoy Stumpff's gift thoroughly
-until he turned to them for intellectual refreshment on his bed of
-pain. He had signed the receipt for them in December, but it was
-not until his thoughts turned to his English friends in the hope of
-pecuniary relief that he wrote a letter to Stumpff under date of
-February 8.[170]
-
- How great a joy the sending of the works of Handel of which you
- made me a present--for me a royal present!--this my pen cannot
- describe. An article about it was even printed by the newspaper,
- which I enclose. Unfortunately I have been down with the dropsy
- since the 3rd of December. You can imagine in what a situation this
- places me! I live generally only from the proceeds of my brain,
- to make provision of all things for myself and my Carl. Unhappily
- for a month and a half I have not been able to write a note. My
- salary suffices only to pay my semi-annual rent, after which there
- remains only a few hundred florins. Reflect now that it cannot
- yet be determined when my illness will end, I again be able to
- sail through the air on Pegasus under full sail. Doctor, surgeon,
- everything must be paid.
-
- I recall right well that several years ago the Philharmonic Society
- wanted to give a concert for my benefit. It would be fortunate for
- me if they would come to this determination now. It might save me
- from all the needs which confront me. On this account I am writing
- to Mr. S. [Smart] and if you, my dear friend, can do anything
- toward this end I beg of you to coperate with Mr. S. Moscheles
- will also be written to about it and if all my friends unite I
- believe that something can be done for me in this matter.
-
- Concerning the Handel works for H. Imperial Highness Archduke
- Rudolph, I cannot as yet say anything with certainty. But I will
- write to him in a few days and remind him of it.
-
- While thanking you again for your glorious gift, I beg of you to
- command me if I can be of service to you here in any way, I shall
- do it with all my heart. I again place my condition as I have
- described it close to your benevolent heart and while wishing you
- all things good and beautiful, I commend myself to you.
-
-Stumpff had already been informed of Beethoven's illness by Streicher.
-It is evident that he went at once to Smart and Moscheles, and
-knowledge of Beethoven's condition and request was communicated to the
-directors of the Philharmonic Society forthwith. Beethoven, meanwhile,
-had written to both Smart and Moscheles, enclosing the letter of the
-former in the letter to the latter; but the quick and sympathetic
-action of the Society was no doubt due primarily to the initiative of
-Stumpff, for the letters could by no means have reached London when the
-directors held a meeting on February 28. Mr. Dance presided, and those
-present, as recorded in the Society's minutes, were F. Cramer, Horsley,
-Moralt, Dragonetti, Neate, Dizi, Beale, T. Cooke, Sir G. Smart, Welsh,
-Latour, Spagnoletti, Calkin, J. B. Cramer, Cipriani Potter and Watts.
-The minutes continue:
-
- It was moved by Mr. Neate, and seconded by Mr. Latour:
-
- "That this Society do lend the sum of One Hundred Pounds to its
- own members to be sent through the hands of Mr. Moscheles to some
- confidential friend of Beethoven, to be applied to his comforts and
- necessities during his illness."
-
- Carried unanimously.
-
-Both Stumpff and Moscheles wrote the good news to Beethoven the
-next day. Moscheles's letter appears in his translation, or rather
-paraphrase, of Schindler's biography. In it he said:
-
- The Philharmonic Society resolved to express their good will
- and lively sympathy by requesting your acceptance of 100 pounds
- sterling (1,000 florins) to provide the necessary comforts and
- conveniences during your illness. This money will be paid to your
- order by Mr. Rau, of the house of Eskeles, either in separate sums
- or all at once as you desire.
-
-He added an expression of the Philharmonic Society's willingness to aid
-him further whenever he should inform it of his need of assistance.
-Beethoven's impatience was so great that, having found Smart's address
-among his papers, he wrote him a second letter on March 6th, being
-able now to mention the fact of the fourth tapping on February 27th
-and to utter the apprehension that the operation might have to be
-repeated--perhaps more than once. On March 14th he was still without
-the answer of his English friends and he wrote again to Moscheles
-telling him of the two letters sent to Smart, urging action and
-concluding with
-
- Whither is this to lead, and what is to become of me if this
- continues for a while longer? Verily, a hard lot has befallen me!
- But I yield to the will of fate and only pray God so to order it in
- his Divine Will that so long as I must endure this death in life I
- may be protected against want. This will give me strength to endure
- my lot, hard and terrible as it may be, with submission to the will
- of the Most High.... Hummel is here and has already visited me a
- few times.
-
-Schindler says that the appeal to London, which had been suggested
-by Beethoven, had been discussed with the composer by himself and
-Breuning, who agreed in questioning the advisability of the step
-which, they said, would make a bad impression if it became known. They
-reminded Beethoven of his bank-shares, but he protested vigorously
-against their being touched; he had set them apart as a legacy for his
-nephew which must not be encroached upon. The letters to Smart and
-Moscheles are mentioned several times in the Conversation Books, but
-there is no record of a protest by Schindler or Breuning. Inasmuch,
-however, as much of the conversation with Beethoven was at this time
-carried on with the help of a slate, it is very likely that Schindler's
-statement is correct. At any rate it serves to give a quietus to the
-fantastic notion of the romancers that Beethoven had forgotten that
-he had the shares. Not only were they talked about by his friends,
-but they were the subject of discussion in the correspondence and
-congratulations between Beethoven, Bach and Breuning on the subject of
-the will.
-
-The last letters to Smart and Moscheles were scarcely dispatched before
-advices were received from London. Beethoven dictated the following
-acknowledgment which Schindler, though he held the pen, did not
-reproduce in full in his biography:
-
-[Sidenote: MONEY FROM THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC]
-
- Vienna, March 18, 1827.
-
- My dear good Moscheles:
-
- I can not describe to you in words with what feelings I read your
- letter of March 1. The generosity with which the Philharmonic
- Society anticipated my petition has touched me in the innermost
- depth of my soul. I beg you, therefore, my dear Moscheles, to be
- the agency through which I transmit my sincerest thanks for the
- particular sympathy and help, to the Philharmonic Society.
-
- I found myself constrained to collect at once the entire sum of
- 1,000 florins C. M. being in the unpleasant position of raising
- money which would have brought new embarrassments.
-
- Concerning the concert which the Philharmonic Society has resolved
- to give, I beg the Society not to abandon this noble purpose, and
- to deduct the 1,000 florins already sent to me from the proceeds of
- the concert. And if the Society is disposed graciously to send me
- the balance I pledge myself to return my heartiest thanks to the
- Society by binding myself to compose for it either a new symphony,
- which lies already sketched in my desk, a new overture or whatever
- else the Society shall wish.
-
- May heaven very soon restore me again to health, and I will prove
- to the generous Englishmen how greatly I appreciate their interest
- in my sad fate. Their noble act will never be forgotten by me and I
- shall follow this with especial thanks to Sir Smart and Mr. Stumpff.
-
-Schindler relates that Beethoven on March 24, whispered to him, "write
-to Smart and Stumpff," and that he would have done so on the morrow had
-Beethoven been able to sign his name. In a translation of the letter to
-Moscheles printed in a pamphlet published by the Philharmonic Society
-in 1871,[171] it concluded as follows:
-
- Farewell! with the kindest remembrances and highest esteem
- From your friend
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- Kindest regards to your wife. I have to thank you and the
- Philharmonic Society for a new friend in Mr. Rau. I enclose for the
- Philharmonic Society a metronomic list of the movements of my ninth
- Symphony.
-
- Allegro ma non troppo 88 = [crotchet]
- Molto vivace 116 = [minim]
- Presto 116 = [minim]
- Adagio primo 60 = [crotchet]
- Andante moderato 63 = [minim]
- Finale presto 96 = [crotchet]
- Allegro ma non tanto 88 = [crotchet]
- Allegro assai 80 = [minim]
- Alla marcia 84 = [crotchet]
- Andante maestoso 72 = [minim]
- Adagio divoto 60 = [minim]
- Allegro energico 84 = [minim]
- Allegro ma non tanto 120 = [minim]
- Prestissimo 132 = [minim]
- Maestoso 60 = [crotchet]
-
-The history of the Philharmonic Society's benefaction may properly be
-completed at this point. The money, as is to be seen from Beethoven's
-acknowledgment, was collected by the composer at once. Herr Rau, of the
-banking-house of Eskeles to whom it had been entrusted, called upon
-Beethoven immediately on receiving advices from London. It was on March
-15, and two days later he enclosed Beethoven's receipt (dated March 16)
-in a letter to Moscheles which the latter transmitted to Mr. W. Watts,
-Secretary of the Philharmonic Society. Rau wrote:
-
- I have with the greatest surprise heard from you, who reside in
- London, that the universally admired Beethoven is so dangerously
- ill and in want of pecuniary assistance, while we, here at Vienna,
- are totally ignorant of it. I went to him immediately after having
- read your letter to ascertain his state, and to announce to him
- the approaching relief. This made a deep impression upon him, and
- called forth true expressions of gratitude. What a satisfactory
- sight would it have been for those who so generously relieved him
- to witness such a touching scene! I found poor Beethoven in a sad
- way, more like a skeleton than a living being. He is suffering
- from dropsy, and has already been tapped four times; he is under
- the care of our clever physician Malfatti, who unfortunately gives
- little hope of his recovery.
-
- How long he may remain in his present state, or if he can at all
- be saved, can not yet be ascertained. The joyous sensation at the
- sudden relief from London has, however, had a wonderful effect upon
- him; it made one of the wounds (which since the last operation had
- healed) suddenly burst open during the night, and all the water
- which had gathered since a fortnight ran out freely. When I came to
- see him on the following day he was in remarkably good spirits and
- felt himself much relieved. I hastened to Malfatti to inform him of
- this alteration and he considers the event as very consolatory. He
- will contrive to keep the wound open for some time and thus leave a
- channel for the water which gathers continually. Beethoven is fully
- satisfied with his attendants, who consist of a cook and housemaid.
- His friend and ours, Mr. Schindler, dines with him every day
- and thus proves his sincere attachment to him. S. also manages
- his correspondence and superintends his expenses. You will find
- enclosed a receipt from Beethoven for the 1,000 florins (or 100
- pounds). When I proposed to him to take half of the sum at present,
- and to leave the rest with Baron Eskeles, where he might have it
- safely deposited, he acknowledged to me openly that he considered
- this money as a relief sent him from heaven; and that 500 florins
- would not suffice for his present want. I therefore gave him,
- according to his wish, the whole sum at once. Beethoven will soon
- address a letter to the Philharmonic Society by which he means to
- express his gratitude. I hope you will again accept my services
- whenever they can be of any use to Beethoven. I am, etc.
-
-In a letter, dated March 24, Schindler wrote to Moscheles:
-
- I much regret that you did not express more decidedly in your
- letter the wish that he should draw the 100 pounds by installments,
- and I agreed with Rau to recommend this course, but he (Beethoven)
- preferred acting on the last part of your letter. Care and anxiety
- seemed at once to vanish when he had received the money, and he
- said to me quite happily, "Now we can again look forward to some
- comfortable days." We had only 340 florins, W.W. remaining and
- we had been obliged to be very economical for some time in our
- housekeeping.... His delight on receiving this gift from the
- Philharmonic Society resembled that of a child. A letter from that
- worthy man Stumpff arrived here two days before yours and all this
- affected Beethoven very much. Numberless times during the day he
- exclaimed. "May God reward them a thousandfold."
-
-On March 28 Rau wrote again to Moscheles:
-
- Beethoven is no more; he died on the 26th inst. at five o'clock
- in the afternoon, in the most dreadful agonies of pain. He was,
- as I mentioned to you in my last letter, according to his own
- statement, without any relief, without any money, consequently in
- the most painful circumstances; but on taking an inventory of his
- property after his death, at which I was present, we found in an
- old half-mouldy chest, seven Austrian bank bills which amount to
- about 1,000 pounds. Whether Beethoven concealed these purposely,
- for he was very mistrusting, and hoped for a speedy recovery,
- or whether he was himself ignorant of his possession, remains a
- riddle. We found the whole of the 100 pounds which the Philharmonic
- Society sent him, and I reclaimed them according to your former
- orders.[172] but was compelled to deposit them with the magistrate
- until a further communication from that Society arrives. I could,
- of course, not permit the expenses of the burial to be paid out of
- this money without the consent of the Society. Beethoven's nephew
- now succeeds to all his property. I hope to hear from you soon and
- explicitly what I am to do, and you may rest perfectly assured of
- my promptness and exactitude.
-
-[Sidenote: MOSCHELES REPORTS TO LONDON]
-
-Moscheles, "by return post," as he assures Mr. Watts, asked Rau to send
-the 100 back to the Philharmonic Society "according to the conditions
-under which the money was sent." A correspondence ensued between
-Moscheles and Hotschevar, who was appointed guardian of the nephew
-after Breuning's death (on June 4, 1827), which ended in Moscheles' (as
-he himself says) laying before the Philharmonic Society the case of
-young Beethoven (then under age) and soliciting them "not to reclaim
-the 100, but, in honor of the great deceased, to allow the small
-patrimony to remain untouched." Meanwhile it appears from a letter from
-Schindler to Smart dated March 31,[173] that Schindler and Breuning
-applied a portion of the sum to the payment of the funeral expenses;
-"otherwise," says the letter, "we could not have had him decently
-buried without selling one of the seven bank-shares which constitute
-his entire estate." The sum thus expended is shown to have been 650
-florins C. M. by the inventory preserved by Fischoff.
-
-There are evidences outside of the importunate letters to London that
-Beethoven had frequent spells of melancholy during the period between
-the crises of his disease, which culminated in the third operation on
-February 2,[174] and the fourth. Some of them were, no doubt, due to
-forebodings touching the outcome of his illness; some to the anxiety
-which his financial condition gave him (more imaginary than real in
-view of the easily convertible bank-shares), and some presumably to
-disappointment and chagrin at the conduct of his nephew, who had not
-answered his letter to Iglau. Breuning explained that the negligence
-might be due to Karl's time and attention being engrossed by the
-carnival gayeties at the military post, and warned Beethoven that
-to give way to melancholy was to stand in the way of recovery. We
-learn this from the Conversation Books, which also give glimpses of
-friendly visits calculated to divert the sick man's mind and keep
-him in touch with the affairs of the city, theatre and the world at
-large. Dolezalek, Schuppanzigh, and apparently Linke also, came in a
-group; Beethoven showed them the Handel scores and the conversation
-ran out into a discussion of international politics. Moritz Lichnowsky
-made a call and entertained him with the gossip of the theatres.
-Gleichenstein made several visits, and once brought with him his
-wife and son. The Countess was a sister of Therese Malfatti, to whom
-Beethoven had once made an offer of marriage, and was disappointed
-when Beethoven did not recognize her. About the middle of February
-Diabelli gave Beethoven a print-picture of Haydn's birthplace, which
-he had published; Beethoven showed it to his little friend Gerhard von
-Breuning and said: "Look, I got this to-day. See this little house, and
-in it so great a man was born!"
-
-[Sidenote: FRIENDS AROUND THE DEATH-BED]
-
-On February 25 Holz is called by letter to look after the collection
-of Beethoven's annuity. His visits have been infrequent, but evidently
-there are some things which Beethoven either cannot or will not
-entrust to anybody else. Schindler is ceaselessly and tirelessly busy
-with Beethoven's affairs, but his statement that Breuning and he were
-the only persons who were much with the composer during his illness,
-except the lad, Gerhard von Breuning, must be taken with some grains
-of allowance. On 123 pages of the Conversation Books, covering the
-months of January and February, 1827 (the evidence of which can not be
-gainsaid, since the books were long in the hand of Schindler to do with
-as he willed), there are forty-eight entries by Johann van Beethoven,
-forty-six by Gerhard von Breuning and thirty by Breuning the elder.
-Schindler's entries number 103. Other writers in the Books are Bernhard
-(1), Holz (7), Bach (2), Piringer (6), Haslinger (11), Schikh (1),
-Dolezalek (4), Schuppanzigh (6), Moritz Lichnowsky (1), Gleichenstein
-(1), Jekel (1), Marie Schindler, Anton's sister (1) and Wolfmayer (1).
-
-Sometime in February--it was probably at the time when Beethoven's
-mind was so fixedly bent on obtaining help from London--Schindler was
-either ill or suffering from an accident which kept him for a brief
-space from Beethoven's bedside. The composer sent him a gift--a repast,
-evidently--and a letter of sympathy so disjointed in phrase as to give
-pitiful confirmation of Schindler's statement that it was the last
-letter which Beethoven wrote with his own hand, and that at the time he
-could no longer think connectedly. It ran:
-
- Concerning your accident, since it has happened, as soon as we see
- each other I can send to you somebody without inconvenience--accept
- this--here is something--Moscheles, Cramer--without your having
- received a letter--There will be a new occasion to write one
- Wednesday and lay my affairs to his heart, if you are not well by
- that time one of my--can take it to the post against a receipt.
- _Vale et fave_, there is no need of my assuring you of my sympathy
- in your accident--do take the meal from me, it is given with all my
- heart--Heaven be with you.
-
-More pathetic than even this letter is the picture of the sufferer
-in his sick-room at the time of the fourth operation (February 27).
-So wretched are his surroundings that it is scarcely impossible
-to avoid the conviction that not poverty alone but ignorance and
-carelessness were contributary to the woeful lack of ordinary sick-room
-conveniences. Gerhard von Breuning says that after the operation
-the fluid which was drained from the patient's body flowed half-way
-across the floor to the middle of the room; and in the C. B. there is
-a mention of saturated bedclothing and the physician suggests that
-oilcloth be procured and spread over the couch. Beethoven now gave
-up hope. Dr. Wawruch says: "No words of comfort could brace him up,
-and when I promised him alleviation of his sufferings with the coming
-of the vitalizing weather of Spring he answered with a smile: 'My
-day's work is finished. If there were a physician could help me his
-name should be called Wonderful.' This pathetic allusion to Handel's
-'Messiah' touched me so deeply that I had to confess its correctness
-to myself with profound emotion." The incident so sympathetically
-described bears evidence of veracity on its face; Handel's scores were
-always in Beethoven's mind during the last weeks of his life.
-
-Among Beethoven's visitors in February was Wolfmayer, whose coming must
-have called up a sense of a long-standing obligation and purpose in
-the composer's mind.[175] On February 22nd he dictated a letter to the
-Schotts asking that the Quartet in C-sharp minor be dedicated to "my
-friend Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer." The letter then proceeds:
-
- Now, however, I come with a very important request.--My doctor
- orders me to drink very good old Rhinewine. To get a thing of that
- kind unadulterated is not possible at any price. If, therefore, I
- were to receive a few small bottles I would show my gratitude to
- you in the Ccilia. I think something would be done for me at the
- customs so that the transport would not cost too much. As soon as
- my strength allows you shall receive the metronomic marks for the
- Mass, for I am just in the period when the fourth operation is
- about to be performed. The sooner, therefore, that I receive the
- Rhinewine, or Moselle, the more beneficial it may be to me in my
- present condition; and I beg of you most heartily to do me this
- favor for which I shall be under an obligation of gratitude to you.
-
-On March 1st he repeated his request:
-
- I am under the necessity of becoming burdensome to you again,
- inasmuch as I am sending you a packet for the Royal Government
- Councillor Wegeler at Coblenz, which you will have the kindness to
- transmit from Mayence to Coblenz. You know without more ado that I
- am too unselfish to ask you to do all these things gratuitously.
-
- I repeat my former request, that, namely, concerning old white
- Rhinewine or Moselle. It is infinitely difficult to get any here
- which is genuine and unadulterated, even at the highest price. A
- few days ago, on February 27, I had my fourth operation, and yet I
- am unable to look forward to my complete recovery and restoration.
- Pity your devoted friend
-
- Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: WINE AND DELICACIES FOR THE SUFFERER]
-
-On March 8 the Schotts answered that they had forwarded a case of
-twelve bottles of Rdesheimer Berg of the vintage of 1806, _via_
-Frankfort, but in order that he might the sooner receive a slight
-refreshment, they had sent that day four bottles of the same wine, two
-pure and two mixed with herbs, to be used as a medicine which had been
-prescribed for his disease. The prescription had come, they said, from
-a friend who had cured many persons of dropsy with it. Before the wine
-reached Vienna, on March 10, Beethoven wrote again to the Schotts:
-
- According to my letter the Quartet was to be dedicated to one
- whose name I have already sent to you. Since then there has been
- an occurrence which has led me to make a change in this. It must
- be dedicated to Lieut.-Fieldmarshal von Stutterheim to whom I am
- deeply indebted. If you have already engraved the first dedication
- I beg of you, by everything in this world, to change it and I
- will gladly pay the cost. Do not accept this as an empty promise;
- I attach so much importance to it that I am ready to make any
- compensation for it. I enclose the title. As regards the shipment
- to my friend, the Royal Prussian Government Councillor v. Wegeler
- in Coblenz, I am glad to be able to relieve you wholly. Another
- opportunity has offered itself. My health, which will not be
- restored for a long time, pleads for the wines which I have asked
- for and which will certainly bring me refreshment, strength and
- health.
-
-There are evidences that the wine was received on March 24. On March
-29 the Schotts, under the impression that Beethoven was still alive,
-wrote him again. Baron Pasqualati, in whose house he had lived for a
-long time, an old friend, joined his new friends, the publishers, in
-an effort to contribute to his physical comfort and well-being. There
-are several little letters in which Beethoven acknowledges the receipt
-of contributions from his cellar and larder. One of these, most likely
-the first, has been endorsed by a strange hand as having been sent or
-received on March 6. It reads:
-
- Hearty thanks for your health-gift; as soon as I have found out
- which of the wines is the most suitable I will let you know, but I
- shall abuse your kindness as little as possible. I am rejoicing
- in the expectation of the compotes and will appeal to you often
- for them. Even this costs me an exertion. _Sapienta pauca_--Your
- grateful friend
-
- Beethoven.
-
-And a little while afterwards he writes:
-
- I beg you again to-day for a cherry compote, but without lemons,
- entirely simple; also I should be glad to have a light pudding,
- almost a suggestion of a gruel--my good cook is not yet adept in
- food for the sick. I am allowed to drink _champagne_, but for
- the time being I beg you to send a champagne glass with it. Now
- as regards the wine: At first Malfatti wanted only Moselle; but
- he asserted that there was none genuine to be obtained here; he
- therefore himself gave me several bottles of Krumpholz-Kirchner and
- claims that this is the best for my health, since no Moselle is to
- be had. Pardon me for being a burden and ascribe it to my helpless
- condition.
-
-And again:
-
- How shall I thank you enough for the glorious champagne? How
- greatly has it refreshed me and will continue to do so! I need
- nothing to-day and thank you for everything--whatever conclusions
- you may draw in regard to the wines I beg of you to note that I
- would gladly recompense you to the extent of my ability.--I can
- write no more to-day. Heaven bless you for everything and for your
- affectionate sympathy.
-
-Still another:
-
- Many thanks for the food of yesterday, which will also serve
- for to-day.--I am allowed to eat game; the doctor thinks that
- _Krametsvgel_ (Fieldfares) are good and wholesome for me. This for
- your information, but it need not be to-day. Pardon my senseless
- writing--Weary of night vigils--I embrace and reverence you.
-
-And finally this, presumably last, letter:
-
- My thanks for the food sent yesterday. A sick man longs for
- such things like a child and therefore I beg you to-day for the
- peach compote. As regards other food I must get the advice of
- the physicians. Concerning the wine they consider the Grinzinger
- beneficial but prefer old Krumpholz Kirchener over all others.--I
- hope this statement will not cause you to misunderstand me.
-
-Others who sent him gifts of wine were Streicher and Breuning, and, as
-we see from one of the letters, Malfatti himself. There is considerable
-talk in the C. B. about wine. His days were numbered--why should any
-comfort be denied him?
-
-[Sidenote: THE REPUTED VISIT BY SCHUBERT]
-
-Concerning the last few days of his life the Conversation Books provide
-absolutely no information. There is no record of the visit of Schubert
-to the bedside of the dying man, but the account given by Schindler is
-probably correct in the main. On page 136 of the second volume of his
-biography of Beethoven, Schindler says:
-
- As only a few of Franz Schubert's compositions were known to him
- and obsequious persons had always been busily engaged in throwing
- suspicion on his talent, I took advantage of the favorable moment
- to place before him several of the greater songs, such as "Die
- junge Nonne," "Die Brgschaft," "Der Taucher," "Elysium" and the
- Ossianic songs, acquaintance with which gave the master great
- pleasure; so much, indeed, that he spoke his judgment in these
- words: "Truly, the divine spark lives in Schubert," and so forth.
- At the time, however, only a small number of Schubert's works had
- appeared in print.
-
-Here no date is fixed for the incident and a little suspicion was cast
-upon the story because of the fact that only "Die junge Nonne" of all
-the songs mentioned had been published at the time of Beethoven's
-death. Schindler helped himself measurably out of the dilemma by saying
-in an article published in the "Theaterzeitung" of May 3, 1831, that
-many of the songs which he laid before Beethoven were in manuscript. He
-contradicts his statement made in the biography, however, by saying:
-"What would the great master have said had he seen, for instance
-the Ossianic songs, 'Die Brgschaft,' 'Elysium,' 'Der Taucher' and
-other great ones which have only recently been published?" As usual,
-Schindler becomes more explicit when he comes to explain one of his
-utterances. Now he says:
-
- As the illness to which Beethoven finally succumbed after four
- months of suffering from the beginning made his ordinary mental
- activity impossible, a diversion had to be thought of which would
- fit his mind and inclinations. And so it came about that I placed
- before him a collection of Schubert's songs, about 60 in number,
- among them many which were then still in manuscript. This was done
- not only to provide him with a pleasant entertainment, but also
- to give him an opportunity to get acquainted with Schubert in his
- essence in order to get from him a favorable opinion of Schubert's
- talent, which had been impugned, as had that of others by some of
- the exalted ones. The great master, who before then had not known
- five songs of Schubert's, was amazed at their number and refused
- to believe that up to that time (February, 1827) he had already
- composed over 500 of them. But if he was astonished at the number
- he was filled with the highest admiration as soon as he discovered
- their contents. For several days he could not separate himself from
- them, and every day he spent hours with Iphigenia's monologue,
- "Die Grenzen der Menschheit," "Die Allmacht," "Die junge Nonne,"
- "Viola," the "Mllerlieder," and others. With joyous enthusiasm he
- cried out repeatedly: "Truly, a divine spark dwells in Schubert;
- if I had had this poem I would have set it to music"; this in the
- case of the majority of poems whose material contents and original
- treatment by Schubert he could not praise sufficiently. Nor could
- he understand how Schubert had time to "take in hand such long
- poems, many of which contained ten others," as he expressed it....
- What would the master have said had he seen, for instance, the
- Ossianic songs, "Die Brgschaft," "Elysium," "Der Taucher" and
- other great ones which have only recently been published? In short,
- the respect which Beethoven acquired for Schubert's talent was so
- great that he now wanted to see his operas and pianoforte pieces;
- but his illness had now become so severe that he could no longer
- gratify this wish. But he often spoke of Schubert and predicted of
- him that he "would make a great sensation in the world," and often
- regretted that he had not learned to know him earlier.
-
-It is likely that the remark, "Truly, the divine spark dwells in
-Schubert," as Schindler quoted it in his biography, came more than
-once from Beethoven's lips. Luib heard Httenbrenner say that one day
-Beethoven said of Schubert, "He has the divine spark!" Schindler's
-article in the "Theaterzeitung" was a defense of the opinion which he
-had expressed that Schubert was a greater song-composer than Beethoven,
-and for this reason it may be assumed that it was a little high-pitched
-in expression. Beethoven knew a little about Schubert, but not much, as
-appears from a remark quoted from Holz in one of the Conversation Books
-of 1826. It may have been Schindler's ambition to appear as having
-stood sponsor for Schubert before Beethoven which led him to ignore
-Holz's remark concerning Schubert's unique genius as a writer of songs,
-his interest in Handel and his patronage of Schuppanzigh's quartet
-parties. Beethoven and Schubert had met. Anselm Httenbrenner wrote to
-Luib:[176]
-
- But this I know positively, that about eight days before
- Beethoven's death Prof. Schindler, Schubert and I visited the sick
- man, Schindler announced us two and asked Beethoven whom he would
- see first. He said: "Let Schubert come first."
-
-It is characteristic of Schindler that he makes no mention of this
-incident. Another incident recorded by Gerhard von Breuning deserves
-to be told here. When Beethoven's friends called they usually reported
-to Beethoven about the performances of his works. One day Gerhard von
-Breuning found that a visitor had written in the Conversation Book:
-"Your Quartet which Schuppanzigh played yesterday did not please."
-Beethoven was asleep when Gerhard came and when he awoke the lad
-pointed to the entry. Beethoven remarked, laconically: "It will please
-them some day," adding that he wrote only as he thought best and would
-not permit himself to be deceived by the judgment of the day, saying at
-the end: "I know that I am an artist."
-
-[Sidenote: FERDINAND HILLER'S LAST VISIT]
-
-In a letter which Schindler wrote to Moscheles, forwarding Beethoven's,
-he said: "Hummel and his wife are here; he came in haste to see
-Beethoven once again alive, for it is generally reported in Germany
-that he is on his deathbed. It was a most touching sight last Thursday
-to see these two friends meet again." The letter was written on March
-14 and the "last Thursday" was March 8th. We have an account of this
-meeting in Ferdinand Hiller's "Aus dem Tonleben unserer Zeit."[177]
-Hiller was then fifteen years old and had come to the Austrian Capital
-with Hummel, who was his teacher. Hummel had heard in Weimar that
-Beethoven was hopelessly ill and had reached Vienna on March 6; two
-days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
-
- Through a spacious anteroom in which high cabinets were piled
- with thick, tied-up parcels of music we reached--how my heart
- beat!--Beethoven's living-room, and were not a little astonished
- to find the master sitting in apparent comfort at the window. He
- wore a long, gray sleeping-robe, open at the time, and high boots
- reaching to his knees. Emaciated by long and severe illness he
- seemed to me, when he arose, of tall stature; he was unshaven,
- his thick, half-gray hair fell in disorder over his temples. The
- expression of his features heightened when he caught sight of
- Hummel, and he seemed to be extraordinarily glad to meet him. The
- two men embraced each other most cordially. Hummel introduced
- me. Beethoven showed himself extremely kind and I was permitted
- to sit opposite him at the window. It is known that conversation
- with Beethoven was carried on in part in writing; he spoke, but
- those with whom he conversed had to write their questions and
- answers. For this purpose thick sheets of ordinary writing-paper
- in quarto form and lead-pencils always lay near him. How painful
- it must have been for the animated, easily impatient man to be
- obliged to wait for every answer, to make a pause in every moment
- of conversation, during which, as it were, thought was condemned
- to come to a standstill! He always followed the hand of the
- writer with hungry eyes and comprehended what was written at a
- glance instead of reading it. The liveliness of the conversation
- naturally interfered with the continual writing of the visitor. I
- can scarcely blame myself, much as I regret it, for not taking down
- more extended notes than I did; indeed, I rejoice that a lad of
- fifteen years who found himself in a great city for the first time,
- was self-possessed enough to regard any details. I can vouch with
- the best conscience for the perfect accuracy of all that I am able
- to repeat.
-
- The conversation at first turned, as is usual, on domestic
- affair,--the journey and sojourn, my relations with Hummel and
- matters of that kind. Beethoven asked about Goethe's health with
- extraordinary solicitude and we were able to make the best of
- reports, since only a few days before the great poet had written
- in my album. Concerning his own state, poor Beethoven complained
- much. "Here I have been lying for four months," he cried out,
- "one must at last lose patience!" Other things in Vienna did not
- seem to be to his liking and he spoke with the utmost severity
- of "the present taste in art," and "the dilettantism which is
- ruining everything." Nor did he spare the government, up to the
- most exalted regions. "Write a volume of penitential hymns and
- dedicate it to the Empress," he remarked with a gloomy smile to
- Hummel, who, however, made no use of the well-meant advice. Hummel,
- who was a practical man, took advantage of Beethoven's condition
- to ask his attention to a matter which occupied a long time. It
- was about the theft of one of Hummel's concertos, which had been
- printed illicitly before it had been brought out by the lawful
- publisher. Hummel wanted to appeal to the Bundestag against this
- wretched business, and to this end desired to have Beethoven's
- signature, which seemed to him of great value. He sat down to
- explain the matter in writing and meanwhile I was permitted to
- carry on the conversation with Beethoven. I did my best, and the
- master continued to give free rein to his moody and passionate
- utterances in the most confidential manner. In part they referred
- to his nephew, whom he had loved greatly, who, as is known, caused
- him much trouble and at that time, because of a few trifles (thus
- Beethoven at least seemed to consider them), had gotten into
- trouble with the officials. "Little thieves are hanged, but big
- ones are allowed to go free!" he exclaimed ill-humoredly. He
- asked about my studies and, encouraging me, said: "Art must be
- propagated ceaselessly," and when I spoke of the exclusive interest
- in Italian opera which then prevailed in Vienna, he gave utterance
- to the memorable words: "It is said _vox populi, vox dei_. I never
- believed it."
-
- On March 13 Hummel took me with him a second time to Beethoven. We
- found his condition to be materially worse. He lay in bed, seemed
- to suffer great pains, and at intervals groaned deeply despite the
- fact that he spoke much and animatedly. Now he seemed to take it
- much to heart that he had not married. Already at our first visit
- he had joked about it with Hummel, whose wife he had known as a
- young and beautiful maiden. "You are a lucky man," he said to him
- now smilingly, "you have a wife who takes care of you, who is in
- love with you--but poor me!" and he sighed heavily. He also begged
- of Hummel to bring his wife to see him, she not having been able
- to persuade herself to see in his present state the man whom she
- had known at the zenith of his powers. A short time before he had
- received a present of a picture of the house in which Haydn was
- born. He kept it close at hand and showed it to us. "It gave me a
- childish pleasure," he said, "the cradle of so great a man!" Then
- he appealed to Hummel in behalf of Schindler, of whom so much was
- spoken afterwards. "He is a good man," he said, "who has taken a
- great deal of trouble on my account. He is to give a concert soon
- at which I promised my coperation. But now nothing is likely
- to come of that. Now I should like to have you do me the favor
- of playing. We must always help poor artists." As a matter of
- course, Hummel consented. The concert took place--ten days after
- Beethoven's death--in the Josephstadt-Theater. Hummel improvised
- in an obviously exalted mood on the Allegretto of the A major
- Symphony; the public knew why he participated and the performance
- and its reception formed a truly inspiring incident.
-
- Shortly after our second visit the report spread throughout Vienna
- that the Philharmonic Society of London had sent Beethoven 100
- in order to ease his sick-bed. It was added that this surprise
- had made so great an impression on the great poor man that it had
- also brought physical relief. When we stood again at his bedside,
- on the 20th, we could educe from his utterances how greatly he had
- been rejoiced by this altruism; but he was very weak and spoke
- only in faint and disconnected phrases. "I shall, no doubt, soon
- be going above," he whispered after our first greeting. Similar
- remarks recurred frequently. In the intervals, however, he spoke of
- projects and hopes which were destined not to be realized. Speaking
- of the noble conduct of the Philharmonic Society and in praise of
- the English people, he expressed the intention, as soon as matters
- were better with him, to undertake the journey to London. "I will
- compose a grand overture for them and a grand symphony." Then, too,
- he would visit Madame Hummel (she had come along with her husband)
- and go to I do not know how many places. It did not occur to us to
- write anything for him. His eyes, which were still lively when we
- saw him last, dropped and closed to-day and it was difficult from
- time to time for him to raise himself. It was no longer possible to
- deceive one's self--the worst was to be feared.
-
- Hopeless was the picture presented by the extraordinary man when
- we sought him again on March 23rd. It was to be the last time. He
- lay, weak and miserable, sighing deeply at intervals. Not a word
- fell from his lips; sweat stood upon his forehead. His handkerchief
- not being conveniently at hand, Hummel's wife took her fine cambric
- handkerchief and dried his face several times. Never shall I forget
- the grateful glance with which his broken eye looked upon her. On
- March 26, while we were with a merry company in the art-loving
- house of Herr von Liebenberg (who had formerly been a pupil of
- Hummel's), we were surprised by a severe storm between five and
- six o'clock. A thick snow-flurry was accompanied by loud peals of
- thunder and flashes of lightning, which lighted up the room. A few
- hours later guests arrived with the intelligence that Ludwig van
- Beethoven was no more;--he had died at 4:45 o'clock.
-
-[Sidenote: THE SIGNING OF THE WILL]
-
-The consultations between Beethoven and his legal advisers, Bach,
-Breuning and others, concerning the proper disposition of his estate
-by will, which had begun soon after Karl's departure for Iglau, had
-not been brought to a conclusion when it became apparent to all that
-it was high time that the document formally be executed. Dr. Bach does
-not seem to have been consulted at this crisis; haste was necessary,
-and on March 23 von Breuning made a draft of a will which, free from
-unnecessary verbiage, set forth the wishes of the testator in three
-lines of writing. Beethoven had protested against the proposition of
-his friends that provision be made that Karl should not be able to
-dissipate the capital or surrender any portion of it to his mother. To
-this end a trust was to be created and he was to have the income during
-life, the reversion being to his legitimate heirs. With this Beethoven
-at length declared himself satisfied; but when Breuning placed the
-draft before the dying man, who had yielded unwillingly, he copied
-it laboriously but substituted the word "natural" for "legitimate."
-Schindler says the copying was a labor, and when Beethoven finished it
-and appended his signature he said: "There; now I'll write no more."
-Breuning called his attention to the fact that controversy would ensue
-from his change in the text, but Beethoven insisted that the words
-meant the same thing and there should be no change. "This," says
-Schindler, "was his last contradiction." Hiller's description of the
-last visit of Hummel, pictures the condition of the dying man on this
-day, and Schindler's statement that it was laborious for Beethoven to
-copy even the few words of the will is pathetically verified by the
-orthography of the document which, _verb. et lit._, is as follows:
-
- Mein Neffe Karl Soll alleiniger Erbe seyn, das Kapital meines
- Nachlasses soll jedoch Seinen natrlichen oder testamentarischen
- Erben zufallen.
-
- Wien am 23 Mrz 1827.
- Ludwig van Beethoven mp.
-
-According to Gerhard von Breuning, signatures were necessary to
-several documents--the will, the transfer of the guardianship of the
-nephew to von Breuning and the letter of January 3, which also made a
-testamentary disposition of Beethoven's property. These signatures were
-all obtained with great difficulty. The younger von Breuning places
-the date on March 24th. After von Breuning, Schindler and the dying
-man's brother had indicated to Beethoven, who lay in a half-stupor,
-that his signature was required they raised him as much as possible and
-pushed pillows under him for support. Then the documents, one after the
-other, were laid before him and von Breuning put the inked pen in his
-hand. "The dying man, who ordinarily wrote boldly in a lapidary style,
-repeatedly signed his immortal name, laboriously, with trembling hand,
-for the last time; still legibly, indeed, but each time forgetting one
-of the middle letters--once an _h_, another time an_e_."
-
-[Sidenote: "COMOEDIA FINITA EST."]
-
-On the day which saw the signing of the will, Beethoven made an
-utterance, eminently characteristic of him, but which, because of an
-interpretation which it has received, has caused no small amount of
-comment. The date is fixed as March 23rd by Schindler's letter to
-Moscheles of March 24th in which he says: "Yesterday he said to me and
-Breuning, 'Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est'." Though the phrase
-does not seem to be a literal quotation from any author known to have
-been familiar to Beethoven, it is obviously a paraphrase of something
-which he had read. According to Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning
-the words were uttered in a tone of sarcastic humor. Schindler and
-Dr. Wawruch (though the latter was not present) agree in saying that
-he made the speech after receiving the viaticum, and it is this
-circumstance, coupled with the deduction that the dying man referred to
-the sacred function just performed, which greatly disturbed the minds
-of some of his devout admirers. It needed not have done so; the phrase
-is almost a literary commonplace and its significance has never been in
-question.[178]
-
-When Beethoven's friends saw the end approaching, they were naturally
-desirous that he receive the spiritual comfort which the offices of the
-Roman Catholic church offer to the dying and it was equally natural
-that Beethoven, brought up as a child of the church though careless of
-his duties toward it, should, at the last, be ready to accept them.
-Johann van Beethoven relates that a few days after the 16th of March,
-when the physicians gave him up for lost, he had begged his brother to
-make his peace with God, to which request he acceded "with the greatest
-readiness." Confirmation of this is found in Dr. Wawruch's report.
-Wawruch, it will be remembered, had, at the beginning of his studies,
-intended to enter the priesthood. At the crisis described by Johann he
-says he called Beethoven's attention to his impending dissolution "so
-that he might do his duty as a citizen and to religion." He continues:
-
- With the greatest delicacy I wrote the words of admonition on a
- sheet of paper.... Beethoven read the writing with unexampled
- composure, slowly and thoughtfully, his countenance like that of
- one transfigured; cordially and solemnly he held out his hand to
- me and said: "Have the priest called." Then he lay quietly lost in
- thought and amiably indicated by a nod his "I shall soon see you
- again." Soon thereafter Beethoven performed his devotions with a
- pious resignation which looked confidently into eternity and turned
- to the friends around him with the words, "Plaudite, amici, finita
- est comoedia!"
-
-Wawruch was not present at the time when the words were spoken.
-Schindler's account, in a letter to the "Ccilia" dated April 12, 1827,
-and printed in that journal in May, is as follows:
-
- On the day before (the 23rd) there remained with us only one
- ardent wish--to reconcile him with heaven and to show the world
- at the same time that he had ended his life a true Christian. The
- Professor in Ordinary [Wawruch] therefore wrote and begged him
- in the name of all his friends to receive the holy sacrament; to
- which he replied quietly and firmly (_gefasst_), "I wish it." The
- physician went away and left us to care for it.
-
-Schindler describes the administration of the sacrament, which
-Beethoven received with edification, and adds that now for the first
-time he seemed to believe that he was about to die; for "scarcely
-had the priest left the room before he said to me and young von
-Breuning, 'Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est. Did I not always
-say that it would end thus?'" ("_Habe ich nicht immer gesagt, dass
-es so kommen wird?_") Here there is agreement with Wawruch, but, to
-Gerhard von Breuning, Schindler said that Beethoven made the remark at
-the conclusion of a long consultation after the physicians had gone
-away; and this is confirmed by Gerhard von Breuning. In 1860 Anselm
-Httenbrenner wrote:[179]
-
- It is not true, as has been reported, that I begged Beethoven to
- receive the sacrament for the dying; but I did bring it about at
- the request of the wife of the music-publisher Tobias Haslinger,
- now deceased, that Beethoven was asked in the gentlest manner by
- Herr Johann Baptist Jenger and Madame van Beethoven, wife of the
- landowner, to strengthen himself by receiving holy communion. It
- is a pure invention that Beethoven spoke the words "Plaudite,
- amici! Comoedia finita est!" to me, for I was not present when
- the rite was administered in the forenoon of March 24, 1827. And
- surely Beethoven did not make to others an utterance so completely
- at variance with his sturdy character. But on the day of her
- brother-in-law's death Frau v. Beethoven told me that after
- receiving the viaticum he said to the priest, "I thank you, ghostly
- sir! You have brought me comfort!"
-
-Httenbrenner is confirmed by Johann van Beethoven, who wrote in his
-brief review of his brother's last illness that when the priest was
-leaving the room Beethoven said to him, "I thank you for this last
-service."
-
-[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE FINAL STRUGGLE]
-
-
-Beethoven received the viaticum in the presence of Schindler, von
-Breuning, Jenger and the wife of his brother Johann. After the priest
-had taken his departure he reminded his friends of the necessity of
-sending a document ceding the proprietary rights of the C-sharp minor
-Quartet to the Schotts. It was drawn up and his signature to it, the
-last which he wrote, was attested by Schindler and Breuning. He also
-spoke of a letter of thanks to the Philharmonic Society of London and
-in suggesting its tenor, comprehended the whole English people with a
-fervent "God bless them!" About one o'clock the special shipment of
-wine and wine mixed with herbs came from Mayence, and Schindler placed
-the bottles upon the table near the bed. Beethoven looked at them and
-murmured, "Pity, pity--too late!" He spoke no more. A little of the
-wine was administered to him in spoonfuls at intervals, as long as
-he could swallow it. Towards evening he lost consciousness and the
-death-struggle began. It lasted two days. "From towards the evening of
-the 24th to his last breath he was almost continually _in delirio_,"
-wrote Schindler to Moscheles. We have a description from Gerhard von
-Breuning:[180]
-
- During the next day and the day following the strong man lay
- completely unconscious, in the process of dissolution, breathing
- so stertorously that the rattle could be heard at a distance. His
- powerful frame, his unweakened lungs, fought like giants with
- approaching death. The spectacle was a fearful one. Although it
- was known that the poor man suffered no more it was yet appalling
- to observe that the noble being, now irredeemably a prey to the
- powers of dissolution, was beyond all mental communication.
- It was expected as early as the 25th that he would pass away
- in the following night; yet we found him still alive on the
- 26th--breathing, if that was possible, more stertorously than on
- the day before.
-
-The only witnesses of Beethoven's death were his sister-in-law and
-Anselm Httenbrenner. From the latter we have a description of the last
-scene.[181]
-
- When I entered Beethoven's bedroom on March 26, 1827 at about 3
- o'clock in the afternoon, I found there Court Councillor Breuning,
- his son, Frau van Beethoven, wife of Johann van Beethoven,
- landowner and apothecary of Lenz, and my friend Joseph Teltscher,
- portrait painter. I think that Prof. Schindler was also present.
-
-Gerhard von Breuning says that Beethoven's brother was in the room, and
-also the housekeeper Sali; Schindler adds a nurse from Dr. Wawruch's
-clinic. No doubt all were present at one moment or another; they came
-and went as occasion or duty called. Httenbrenner says that Teltscher
-began drawing the face of the dying man, which grated on Breuning's
-feelings and he made a remonstrance, whereupon the painter left the
-room. Then Breuning and Schindler went away to choose a spot for the
-grave. Httenbrenner continues:
-
- Frau van Beethoven and I only were in the death-chamber during
- the last moments of Beethoven's life. After Beethoven had lain
- unconscious, the death-rattle in his throat from 3 o'clock in the
- afternoon till after 5, there came a flash of lightning accompanied
- by a violent clap of thunder, which garishly illuminated the
- death-chamber. (Snow lay before Beethoven's dwelling.) After
- this unexpected phenomenon of nature, which startled me greatly,
- Beethoven opened his eyes, lifted his right hand and looked up
- for several seconds with his fist clenched and a very serious,
- threatening expression as if he wanted to say: "Inimical powers,
- I defy you! Away with you! God is with me!" It also seemed as if,
- like a brave commander, he wished to call out to his wavering
- troops: "Courage, soldiers! Forward! Trust in me! Victory is
- assured!"[182]. When he let the raised hand sink to the bed, his
- eyes closed half-way. My right hand was under his head, my left
- rested on his breast. Not another breath, not a heartbeat more!
- The genius of the great master of tones fled from this world of
- delusion into the realm of truth!--I pressed down the half-open
- eyelids of the dead man, kissed them, then his forehead, mouth and
- hands.--At my request Frau van Beethoven cut a lock of hair from
- his head and handed it to me as a sacred souvenir of Beethoven's
- last hour. Thereupon I hurried, deeply moved, into the city,
- carried the intelligence of Beethoven's death to Herr Tobias
- Haslinger, and after a few hours returned to my home in Styria.
-
-[Sidenote: THE CAUSE OF BEETHOVEN'S DEATH]
-
-It remained for modern science to give the right name to the disease
-which caused the death of the greatest of all tone-poets. Dropsy, said
-the world for three-quarters of a century. But dropsy is not a disease;
-it is only a symptom, a condition due to disease. To Dr. Theodor von
-Frimmel belongs the credit of having made it clear that the fatal
-malady was cirrhosis of the liver, of which _ascites_, or _hydrops
-abdominalis_, was a consequence. Beethoven had suffered from disorders
-of the liver years before. In 1821, as has been noted, he suffered an
-attack of jaundice. In his medical history of the case, Dr. Wawruch
-stated that the cause of the disease was to be found in an "antiquated"
-ailment of liver as well as defects in the abdominal organs. When he
-observed the first aggravation of the disease he recorded that "the
-liver plainly showed traces of hard knots, the jaundice increased." In
-his report of the autopsy, Dr. Wagner said: "The liver seemed to have
-shrunk to one half its normal size, to have a leathery hardness, a
-greenish-blue color, and its lumpy surface, as well as its substance,
-was interwoven with knots the size of a bean. All the blood-vessels
-were narrow, with thickened walls and empty." The treatment prescribed
-by Dr. Wawruch and adopted empirically at the suggestion of friends was
-designed, not to go to the seat of the difficulty but to relieve the
-dropsical condition of the abdominal cavity;--medicaments, decoctions,
-the unfortunate sweat-bath, all were intended to produce liquid
-evacuations from the bowels, increase the secretion of urine and induce
-perspiration; the final resort was to _paracentesis_.[183]
-
-When Breuning and Schindler left the dying man in the care of
-Httenbrenner and Frau van Beethoven, they went to the cemetery of the
-little village of Whring, and selected a place for Beethoven's grave
-in the vicinity of the burial plot of the Vering family, to which
-Breuning's first wife had belonged. Their return was retarded by the
-storm. When they rentered the sick-room they were greeted with the
-words: "It is finished!" The immediate activities of the friends were
-now directed to preparations for the funeral, the preservation of the
-physical likeness of the great composer and, so far as was necessary,
-the safeguarding of his possessions. In respect of the latter Gerhard
-von Breuning tells of a painful incident which happened on the day
-after Beethoven's death.
-
-Breuning, Schindler, Johann van Beethoven and Holz were met in the
-lodgings to gather up the dead man's papers, particularly to look
-for the seven bank-shares which the will had given to the nephew. In
-spite of strenuous search they were not found and Johann let fall an
-insinuation that the search was a sham. This angered von Breuning and
-he left the house in a state of vexation and excitement. He returned
-to the lodgings in the afternoon and the search was resumed. Then Holz
-pulled out a protruding nail in a cabinet, whereupon a drawer fell
-out and in it were the certificates. In later years Holz explained to
-Otto Jahn: "Beethoven kept his bank-shares in a secret drawer, the
-existence of which was known only to Holz. While Beethoven lay dying
-his brother in vain tried to find out where it was." On a copy of this
-memorandum,[184] Schindler wrote: "First of all after the death, Johann
-van Beethoven searched for the shares, and not finding them cried out:
-'Breuning and Schindler must produce them!' Holz was requested to come
-by Breuning and asked if he did not know where they were concealed. He
-knew the secret drawer in an old cabinet in which they were preserved."
-Even this simple incident has given rise to contradictory stories.
-Schindler, in his biography, says the place of concealment was a
-secret drawer in a _Kassette_; Breuning, "in a secret compartment of
-a writing-desk." In 1863, Schindler explained to Gerhard von Breuning
-that the article of furniture was an ordinary clothes-press. With the
-certificates were found the letter to the "Immortal Beloved" and the
-portrait of the Countess von Brunswick.[185]
-
-On March 27th, an autopsy was performed by Dr. Johann Wagner in the
-presence of Dr. Wawruch. Its significant disclosures have already been
-printed here. In order to facilitate an examination of the organs of
-hearing the temporal bones were sawed out and carried away. Joseph
-Danhauser, a young painter who chanced to be in Vienna, received
-permission from Breuning to make a plaster cast of the dead man's face.
-This he did on March 28th, but the cast has little value as a portrait,
-inasmuch as it was made after the autopsy, which had greatly disfigured
-the features. On the same day (not "immediately after death," as has
-incorrectly been stated) Danhauser made a drawing of the head of
-Beethoven, which he reproduced by lithographic process. This picture
-bears the inscription: "Beethoven, March 28, drawn at his death-bed,
-1827," and to the left, "Danhauser." This drawing, too, was made after
-the autopsy. For a bust which he modeled, the artist made use of the
-cast taken by Klein in 1812. Danhauser never came in contact with
-Beethoven alive.
-
-[Sidenote: IMPOSING FUNERAL CEREMONIES]
-
-The funeral took place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of March 29th.
-It was one of the most imposing functions of its kind ever witnessed
-in Vienna.[186] Breuning and Schindler had made the arrangements.
-Cards of invitation were given out at Haslinger's music-shop. Hours
-before the appointed time a multitude assembled in front of the
-Schwarzspanierhaus, and the mass grew moment by moment. Into the square
-in front of the house, it is said, 20,000 persons were crowded. All the
-notable representatives of art were present. The schools were closed.
-For the preservation of order, Breuning had asked the help of the
-military. In its report "Der Sammler" said:
-
- The crowd was so great that after the roomy court of Beethoven's
- residence could no longer hold it the gates had to be closed until
- the procession moved. The coffin containing the corpse of the great
- composer had been placed on view in the court. After the clergy
- were come to perform their sacred office, the guests, who had been
- invited to attend these solemn functions--musicians, singers,
- poets, actors--all clad in complete mourning, with draped torches
- and white roses fastened to bands of crape on their sleeves,
- encircled the bier and the choristers sang the _Miserere_[187]
- composed by the deceased. Solemnly, sublimely the pious tones of
- the glorious composition floated upwards through the silent air.
- The scene was imposing. The coffin, with its richly embroidered
- pall, the clergy, the distinguished men who were giving the last
- escort to their colleague, and the multitude round about--all this
- made a stupendous picture.
-
-On the conclusion of the canticle, the coffin was raised from the
-bier and the door of the court was opened. The singers lifted the
-coffin to their shoulders and carried it to the Trinity Church of the
-Minorites in the Alserstrasse. It was difficult to order the procession
-because of the surging multitude. Johann van Beethoven, von Breuning
-and his son and Schindler, found their places with difficulty. Eight
-chapelmasters--Eybler, Weigl, Hummel, Seyfried, Kreutzer, Gyrowetz,
-Wrfel and Gnsbacher--carried the edges of the pall. At the sides
-walked the torch-bearers, among them Schubert, Castelli, Bernard,
-Bhm, Czerny, Grillparzer, Haslinger, Holz, Linke, Mayseder, Piringer,
-Schuppanzigh, Streicher, Steiner and Wolfmayer. In the procession
-were also Mosel and the pupils of Drechsler. While passing the Rothes
-Haus the sounds of the funeral march from Beethoven's Sonata, Op.
-26, were heard. The cortge moved through the crowded streets to the
-parish church in the Alserstrasse, where the service for the dead
-was concluded with the _Libera nos Domine_ in 16 parts _a cappella_,
-composed by Seyfried, sung by the choristers.
-
-The account of the "Sammler" continues: "The coffin was now placed in
-the hearse drawn by four horses, and taken to the cemetery at Whring.
-There, too, a multitude had assembled to do the last honors to the dead
-man...." The rules of the cemetery prohibiting all public speaking
-within its precincts, the actor Anschtz delivered a funeral oration
-written by Grillparzer over the coffin at the cemetery gate. After the
-coffin had been lowered into the grave, Haslinger handed three laurel
-wreaths to Hummel, who placed them upon the coffin. A poem by Castelli
-had been distributed at the house of mourning, and one by Baron von
-Schlechta at the cemetery; but there was no more speaking or singing at
-the burial.
-
-Mozart's "Requiem" was sung at the Church of the Augustinians, Lablache
-taking part, on April 3rd, and Cherubini's at the Karlskirche two days
-later. The grave in the cemetery at Whring was marked by a simple
-pyramid bearing the one word
-
- BEETHOVEN
-
-It fell into neglect, and on October 13th, 1863, the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde of Vienna caused the body to be exhumed and re-buried. On
-June 21st, 1888, the remains of Beethoven and Schubert were removed to
-the Central Cemetery in Vienna, where they now repose side by side.
-
-
-FINIS.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[162] He did not live to see this wish fulfilled; but it was in the
-end. Therese van Beethoven, Johann's wife, died on November 20, 1828,
-at Wasserhof; Johann died in Vienna on January 12, 1848, and though
-one of Beethoven's sensation-mongering biographers at one time printed
-the monstrous falsehood that he had married his wife's illegitimate
-daughter in order to keep the family possessions in his hands, and
-at another that he had invested his money so that he might use it up
-during his life and leave nothing to his heirs, the fact is that Johann
-made Karl his sole heir and that under the will, after paying the costs
-of probate and administration and a legacy to his housekeeper, over
-42,000 florins passed into his nephew's hands.
-
-[163] Wawruch was a native of Nemtschtz in Moravia. At Olmtz he was
-a student of theology, but before consecration to the priesthood he
-came to Vienna as tutor and there decided to abandon the church for
-medicine. In the course of time he became assistant and also son-in-law
-to Professor Hildebrand, the director of the General Hospital. Thence
-he went to Prague as professor of general pathology and pharmacology
-and, returning to Vienna, became professor of special pathology and
-medical clinics in the surgical department of the Hospital. He died
-in 1842. He was accused of adhering to old-fashioned theories in his
-practice and of having been antagonistic to the determinations of
-pathological anatomy, and the criticisms of von Breuning and others
-have pursued him through all the books devoted to Beethoven's life;
-yet the scientific determinations of to-day offer justification of his
-diagnosis and treatment of Beethoven's case so far as it is possible to
-judge at this late day.
-
-[164] Holz's statement on this point has already been given in an
-earlier chapter. To Otto Jahn Dr. Bertolini said: "Beethoven liked to
-drink a glass of wine, but he was never a drinker or a gourmand."
-
-[165] "Better from my belly than from my pen," is another remark
-credited to him by Seyfried.
-
-[166] The Royal Library acquired the autograph manuscripts of the
-instrumental movements of the Symphony from Schindler, and the choral
-part from the Artaria Collection of Vienna when it was dispersed by
-sale in 1901. The autograph is not intact, however, the coda of the
-Scherzo, consisting of four pages, having been given to Moscheles by
-Schindler on September 14, 1827. Moscheles in turn gave the relic to
-Henry Phillips. In July, 1907, it was purchased at a public sale by Mr.
-Edward Speyer, its owner at the present writing. The autograph of the
-Finale, too, had been mutilated, a page containing the five measures
-immediately preceding the _Allegro energico_, 6-4 time, with the words
-"ber Sternen muss er wohnen," having been removed. It was sold by an
-autograph dealer of Berlin to Charles Malherbe, of Paris, who on his
-death bequeathed it to the Conservatoire. As published, the _Allegro
-non tanto_ contains eight measures which Beethoven did not write in the
-autograph, but are, no doubt, an addition made by him in a revision. It
-would be a beautiful act of piety to assemble the autograph score and
-publish it in _facsimile_.
-
-[167] Mr. Thayer, who has given expression in these pages to his
-belief that Schindler was honest, in transcribing this page of the
-Conversation Book writes these words: "It is to be noted, first, that
-the writing ('The Old Woman,' etc.) does not correspond with the rest,
-and secondly, that _Die Alte_ was no longer in Beethoven's service.
-It is evident on inspection and from the talk in these last books
-about Thekla and other servants that Schindler inserted these words
-long afterwards. The 'Es muss sein' can only refer here to Beethoven's
-receipt for the ring." Whether or not Thayer suspected what may have
-been Schindler's purpose in making the interlineation does not appear.
-
-[168] Schindler, impeaching Dr. Wawruch's accuracy here, denies that
-Beethoven worked on oratorio of "Saul and David" during his last
-illness. Thayer in a note directs attention to the fact that Beethoven
-was confessedly deeply absorbed in Handel's scores, which he had
-received only a short time before, and that before the end of December
-Kiesewetter sent a request through Holz for a return of the pianoforte
-score of "Saul" as no longer necessary, now that the scores were come.
-
-[169] Dr. von Breuning should have said "third."
-
-[170] Thayer procured a copy of this letter in London along with the
-other Stumpff papers already mentioned. Only a fragment of the letter
-has been printed hitherto in the collections of Beethoven's letters and
-that, in great probability, from the draft preserved by Schindler. The
-newspaper article referred to was printed in the "Modezeitung."
-
-[171] "Documents, Letters etc., relating to the Bust of Ludwig van
-Beethoven, presented to the Philharmonic Society of London, by Frau
-Fanny Linzbauer (_ne_ Ponsing). Translated and Arranged for the
-Society by Doyne C. Bell, London: Published for the Philharmonic
-Society by Lamborn Cock and Co., 63 New Bond Street, W. 1871."
-
-[172] Schindler had accompanied Beethoven's application to Moscheles
-for relief with a personal letter in which he advised that the
-Philharmonic Society, in case it should accede to his request, explain
-to Beethoven that the amount would be sent to a responsible person
-in Vienna from whom it might be drawn by degrees according to his
-requirements; and that this precautionary step was taken "because, as
-they well knew, some of his relations who are with him do not act quite
-uprightly towards him"--a fling, of course, at the composer's brother
-whom he so cordially hated; the nephew was not in Vienna.
-
-[173] Among Mr. Thayer's papers.
-
-[174] The third operation was performed on February 2, not January 28,
-as Schindler says.
-
-[175] Wolfmayer had commissioned him years before to write a "Requiem,"
-and paid him for it.
-
-[176] Letter among Mr. Thayer's papers.
-
-[177] Neue Folge, 1871, p. 169 _et seq._
-
-[178] "Rabelais being very sick, Cardinal du Bellay sent his page to
-him to have an account of his condition; his answer was, 'Tell my Lord
-in what circumstances thou findest me; I am going to leap into the
-dark. He is up in the cockloft, bid him keep where he is. As for thee,
-thou'lt always be a fool: let down the curtain, the farce is done.'"
-... An author (Thov. His. de Jean Clopinel) who styles Rabelais a man
-of excellent learning, writes, that he being importuned by some to
-sign a will whereby they had made him bestow on them legacies that
-exceeded his ability, he, to be no more disturbed, complied at last
-with their desires; but when they came to ask him where they should
-find a fund answerable to what he gave; 'as for that,' replied he,
-'you must do like the spaniel, look about and search'; then, adds that
-author, having said, 'Draw the curtain, the farce is over,' he died.
-Likewise a monk (P. de St. Romuald, _Rel. Feuillant_) not only tells us
-that he ended his life with that jest, but that he left a paper sealed
-up wherein were found three articles as his last will: 'I owe much,
-I have nothing, I give the rest to the poor.' The last story or that
-before it must undoubtedly be false; and perhaps both are so as well
-as the message by the page; though Fregius (_Comment. in Orat. Cic._,
-tom. I) relates also that Rabelais said when he was dying, 'Draw the
-curtain,' etc. But if he said so, many great men have said much the
-same. Thus Augustus (_Nunquid vit mimum commode peregisset_) near his
-death, asked his friends whether he had not very well acted the farce
-of life? And Demonax, one of the best philosophers, when he saw that he
-could not, by reason of his great age, live any longer, without being
-a burden to others, as well as to himself, said to those who were near
-him what the herald used to say when the public games were ended, 'You
-may withdraw, the show is over,' and refusing to eat, kept his usual
-gaiety to the last, and set himself at ease. (Lucian)--_From Peter
-Motteux's Life of Rabelais prefaced to the English translation made by
-himself and Sir Thomas Urquhart._
-
-[179] In a letter to Mr. Thayer which was found among Httenbrenner's
-posthumous papers and printed in the "Gratzer Tagespost" of October
-23rd, 1868.
-
-[180] "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," p. 108.
-
-[181] Mr. Thayer visited Httenbrenner in Gratz in June, 1860. His
-transcript of what Httenbrenner told him is reprinted in "Music and
-Manners in the Classical Period," by Henry Edward Krehbiel (New York,
-1898). The account in the body of the text is that contained in a
-letter to Mr. Thayer.
-
-[182] The transcript in Mr. Thayer's note-book of Httenbrenner's
-oral recital is more sententious and dramatic: "At this startling,
-awful, peal of thunder, the dying man suddenly raised his head
-from Httenbrenner's arm, stretched out his own right arm
-majestically--'like a general giving orders to an army'. This was but
-for an instant; the arm sunk back; he fell back; Beethoven was dead."
-
-[183] The revised edition of Grove's "Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians," 1904, says: "The cold had developed into an inflammation
-of the lungs, and on this dropsy supervened." Dr. Wawruch was
-unquestionably correct in his diagnosis not only in regard to the
-inflammation of the lungs but also in regard to the diseased condition
-of the liver.
-
-[184] Preserved amongst Thayer's papers.
-
-[185] The attested inventory of the sale of Beethoven's effects, which,
-preserved by Fischoff, passed through the hands of Otto Jahn into those
-of Mr. Thayer, showed that his estate amounted to 9,885 florins, 13
-kreutzer, silver, and 600 florins, paper (Vienna standard). The market
-value of the bank-shares, including an unpaid coupon attached to each,
-was 1,063 florins on the day of Beethoven's death. In the item of cash
-is included the 100 received from the London Philharmonic Society,
-which, as has been stated, was found intact. The official summary was
-set forth as follows:
-
- Cash 1215 fl. (C. M.) 600 fl. (W.W.)
- Bank-shares 7441 fl.
- Debts receivable (annuity) 144 fl. 33 k.
- Jewels and silverware 314 fl. 30 k.
- Clothing 37 fl.
- Furniture and household
- goods 156 fl.
- Instruments 78 fl.
- Music and manuscripts 480 fl. 30 k.
- Books 18 fl. 20 k.
- ------------------------------
- 9885 fl. 13 k. 600 fl. (W.W.)
-
-According to a statement by Aloys Fuchs to Jahn the sum realized from
-the sale of the musical compositions, autographic and otherwise,
-sketch-books, etc., was 1063 florins. In view of the difference
-in purchasing power of money in 1827 and 1913 it may be said that
-Beethoven's estate amounted to the equivalent of 3,000, or about
-$15,000.
-
-[186] See "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," p. 113; Hiller's "Aus dem
-Tonleben, etc." p. 177 _et seq._; "Der Sammler," April 14, 1827;
-Seyfried's "Beethoven-Studien," appendix, p. 50 _et seq._
-
-[187] The _Miserere_ sung in the court of the Schwarzspanierhaus and
-its complement, _Amplius lava me_, were arrangements for male chorus
-made by Seyfried of the Equale for Trombones composed by Beethoven in
-Linz in 1812 at the request of Glggl for use on All Souls' Day. They
-may be found in Seyfried's "Studien."
-
-
-
-
-INDEX
-
-
- PAGE
- GENERAL INDEX 315
-
- INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS 344
- (a) Works for Orchestra Alone 344
- (b) Instrumental Solos with Orchestra 345
- (c) Choral Works and Pieces for Soli and Chorus 345
- (d) Instrumental Duos, Trios, Quartets, etc. 346
- (e) Sonatas, etc., for Pianoforte and Other Instruments obbligato 347
- (f) For Pianoforte Alone 348
- (g) Songs with Pianoforte Accompaniment 349
-
-
-
-
-General Index
-
-
- ~Abaco, Giuseppe dall'~: "Componimento per Musica," I, 14.
-
- ~Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey~: I, 139.
-
- ~Abercrombie, General~: Not commemorated in the "Eroica," II, 25.
-
- "~Abyssian Prince~": Sobriquet of Bridgetower, II, 11.
-
- ~Achts, Duc des~: III, 101, 232.
-
- ~Adamberger, Antonie~: Studies "Egmont" music with B., II, 171.
-
- ~Adams, Mrs. Mehetabel~: Provides funds for Thayer's researches, I, x.
-
- ~Addison, John~: Partner of J. B. Cramer: II, 318.
-
- ~Addison, Joseph~: Quoted, I, 323.
-
- "~Adelheit von Veltheim~": Opera by Neefe, I, 37.
-
- ~Adler, Guido~: I, 75.
-
- ~Adlersburg, Carl, Edler von~: Affidavit against Mlzel, II, 275, 289.
-
- "~Aerndtetanz, Der~": Opera by Hiller, I, 32.
-
- "~Agnes Bernauer~": II, 61.
-
- ~Albrechtsberger~: Gives instruction to B., I, 155 _et seq._;
- "Anweisung zur Composition," 155, 190;
- II, 380.
-
- "~Alceste~": Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
-
- "~Alchymist, Der~": Opera by Schuster, I, 31, 107, 108.
-
- ~Aldrich, Richard~: Dedication; II, 333.
-
- ~Alexander, Czar of Russia~: Dedication of Sonatas for Pianoforte and
- Violin, I, 365;
- II, 20, 305;
- III, 49, 86.
-
- "~Alexander~": Opera-text (by Schikaneder?), II, 20.
-
- "~Alexander's Feast~": Oratorio by Handel, III, 182.
-
- "~Alfred the Great~": Suggested to B. as subject for an opera, III,
- 118.
-
- ~Allgre, d'~: French Commander, I, 6.
-
- "~Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung~": Criticisms on B's. works, I,
- 305, 306, 307;
- taken to task by B., I, 282, 287. (See INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS.)
-
- ~Alstdter, Count~: Music-lover in Bonn, I, 38.
-
- ~Altmann, W.~: "Ein vergessenes Streichquartett von B.", I, 349.
-
- "~Amant jaloux, L'~": Opera by Grtry, I, 31, 107.
-
- ~Ambroggio~: III, 77.
-
- ~Amenda, Karl F~.: I, 210; his life 233;
- plans trip to Italy with B., 234;
- death of, 234;
- receives Quartet in F from B., 235, 272 _et seq._;
- letter from B., 297;
- II, 314.
-
- "~Ami de la Maison, L'~": Opera by Grtry, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Amiti l'preuve, L'~": Opera by Grtry, I, 31.
-
- "~Amore artigiano, L'~": Opera by Gassmann, I, 46.
-
- "~Amore marinaro, L'~": Opera by Weigl, I, 235.
-
- "~Amor's Guckkasten~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- "~Amour filial, L'~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 37.
-
- "~Analgilda~": Opera, I, 14.
-
- ~Andante and Andantino~: B. asks difference between, II, 246.
-
- ~Andr~: Opera, "Der Antiquitten-Sammler," I, 32.
-
- ~Andr, Joseph~: I, 357.
-
- ~Anfossi~: Opera, "Il Geloso in Cimento," I, 32;
- "L'Avaro inamorato," I, 108.
-
- ~Anschtz, Actor~: Delivers funeral oration for B., III, 312.
-
- "~Antiquitten-Sammler, Der~": Opera by Andr, I, 32.
-
- ~Antoine, d'~: Operas, "Das tartarische Gesetz," I, 31;
- "Das Mdchen im Eichthale" ("Maid of the Oaks"), I, 32;
- "Ende gut, Alles gut," I, 109.
-
- ~Anton, Archduke~: Dedication of March in D, II, 160.
-
- ~Anton, Prince of Saxony~: III, 96, 141.
-
- ~Antwerp~: Beethoven families living in, I, 42.
-
- "~Apotheke, Die~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
-
- "~Apotheosis in the Temple of Jupiter Ammon~": Drama by Sporchil,
- III, 118.
-
- ~Appleby, Samuel~: I, 218;
- on Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75.
-
- ~Appony, Count~: Asks B. for quartet, I, 187, 274.
-
- "~Arbore di Diana, L'~": Opera by Martini, I, 107.
-
- "~Argene, Regina di Granata~": Opera by Reicha, I, 310.
-
- "~Ariadne auf Naxos~"; Musical drama by Benda, I, 29, 107, 108.
-
- "~Ariodante~": Opera by Mhul, II, 23.
-
- "~Arlequino fortunato~": Pantomime, I, 26.
-
- "~Armida~": Opera by Salieri, I, 86.
-
- ~rndtetanz.~ See AERNDTETANZ.
-
- ~Arneth, von,~ archeologist: II, 171.
-
- ~Arnim, Bettina von (Brentano)~: I, 197;
- said to have been in love with B., 318;
- II, her association with B. and Goethe, 178 _et seq._;
- controversy over her letters, 179 _et seq._;
- letters to Goethe, 180, 190;
- letter to Pckler-Muskau, 180;
- "Ilius Pamphilius," 184;
- makes B's acquaintance, 185;
- letter from B., 186, 190;
- her admiration reported to B. by Goethe, 198;
- with her husband at Teplitz, 222, 223;
- describes arrival of B. and Goethe, 226, 282.
-
- ~Arnold, Samuel J.~: II, 310.
-
- ~Arrangements~: B's opinion on, I, 349, 350.
-
- ~Artaria and Co.,~ Publishers: I, 202, 203;
- charged with unauthorized publication of a quintet, 293
- _et seq._, 355;
- original purchasers of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- the Mass in D, III, 65.
-
- ~Attwood, Thomas~: II, 12.
-
- ~Aubert, F. S. A.~: Opera "Esther," I, 14.
-
- ~Auernhammer, Mme.~: II, 2.
-
- ~Auersperg~, Prima donna: I, 172.
-
- ~Augarten Concerts~: I, 238; II, 2, 42.
-
- ~Austria~: Invaded by Napoleon, I, 149;
- court of, not invited to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 103;
- musical culture of the nobility in, I, 166;
- dance-music of, II, 122.
-
- ~Autographs~: B's indifference to his, I, 141.
-
- "~Avaro inamorato~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 108.
-
- ~Averdonk, Johanna Helena~, Court singer: I, 24;
- pupil of Johann van B., 49;
- sings at B's first concert, 59, 67;
- ~Severin~, author of text of Funeral Cantata, I, 131.
-
- "~Axur~": Opera by Salieri, I, 109, 163.
-
- ~Ayrton, G.~: II, 370.
-
- "~Azalia~": Opera by Johann Kchler, I, 32.
-
-
- "~Bacchus~": Opera-book by Rudolph von
- Berger, II, 314.
-
- "~Bacco, Diane ed il Reno~": Serenata, I, 26.
-
- ~Bach, C. P. E.~: I, 13, 35; "Versuch, etc.," 70, 159;
- "The Israelites in the Wilderness," II, 388.
-
- ~Bach, Dr. Johann B.~: II, 377;
- III, 24, 30, 115;
- advises Schindler to write biography of B., 198;
- instructed by B. to make Nephew Karl his heir, 278.
-
- ~Bach, Johann Sebastian~: I, 13, 35;
- "Well-Tempered Clavichord," 69, 143;
- B. on the publication of his works, 281, 286;
- B. subscribes for destitute daughter of, 287;
- publication project, 303, 304;
- relief for the daughter, 308;
- B. offers to publish a composition for her benefit, 308;
- II, 355;
- "Art of Fugue," III, 123;
- "Not a brook but an ocean," 203.
-
- ~B-a-c-h~: Overtures on, III, 123, 147.
-
- ~Baden~: B. gives concert for benefit of sufferers from conflagration,
- II, 225.
-
- ~Baillot, Pierre~: Visits B., II, 55.
-
- ~Barbaja,~ Manager of operas: I, 320;
- III, 77;
- wants an opera from B., 119.
-
- "~Barbiere di Siviglia, II~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108;
- opera by Rossini, III, 77.
-
- ~Baroni~: Opera "La Moda," I, 27.
-
- ~Bates, Joah~: Bridgetower turns music for, II, 12.
-
- "~Bathmendi~": Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 304.
-
- ~Bathyany, Count~: I, 168.
-
- ~Batka, Johann~: I, 342.
-
- ~Battle music~: Popularity of, II, 252.
-
- ~Bauer, Harold~: I, xviii, 140.
-
- ~Buerle, Adolph~: II, 359.
-
- "~Baum der Diana, Der~" (_L'Arbore di Diana_): Opera by Martini,
- I, 107.
-
- ~Baumeister~: Letters to, 218.
-
- ~Baumgarten, Major~: III, 42.
-
- ~Bavaria, King of~: Dedication of Choral Fantasia, II, 207, 209;
- declines to subscribe for Mass in D, III, 99.
-
- ~Bechstein~: "Natural History of Birds";
- B. asks for, II, 148.
-
- ~Beethoven, ancestry~ of the family in Belgium: I, 42, 43, 44;
- William (great-great-grandfather of the composer), 42;
- Henry Adelard (great-grandfather), 42;
- Louis, Louis Jacob, 42;
- Beethoven families in Bonn before the arrival of the composer's
- grandfather (Cornelius, Cornelius (2nd), Michael), 44;
- branch of the family in Malines, 44.
-
- ~Beethoven Association~ of New York: Promotes publication of this
- work, I, xviii, 140.
-
- ~Beethoven-Haus Verein~, in Bonn: I, xii, xvii, 52;
- custodian of portrait of B's mother, 51;
- B's quartet of instruments, 277;
- of the portrait of Countess Brunswick, 318.
-
- ~Beethoven, Johann~, father of the composer: Petitions for appointment
- as Court Musician, I, 11;
- appointed, 13;
- is promised salary, 17;
- petitions for salary, 18;
- salary increased, 22;
- petitions for allowance of grain, 25;
- date of birth, 45;
- displeases his father by marrying, 47;
- education of, 47;
- enters Electoral chapel, 48;
- teaches music, 48;
- addicted to drink, 49;
- appearance of, 49;
- marries, 49;
- lodgings and neighbors in Bonn, 51, 75;
- alleged portrait of, 51;
- children of, 51;
- falsifies the age of the composer, 55;
- describes his domestic conditions, 55;
- death of his mother, 56;
- birth of a daughter, 67;
- domestic misfortunes, 72;
- length of court service, 73;
- status in chapel of Max Franz, 83;
- treatment of the composer, 85;
- birth of a daughter, 88;
- her death, 97;
- death of his wife, 93;
- petitions for advance on salary, 93;
- helped by Franz Ries, 95;
- rescued from police by the composer, 104;
- part of salary assigned to the composer, 104;
- embezzles money of his son, 149;
- dissipation, 148;
- news of his death received by the composer, 148;
- his wife, Maria Magdalena Keverich, widow Laym, 49;
- appearance and character of, 50;
- the composer's love for her, 50;
- alleged portrait of, 51;
- death mourned by the composer, 92;
- record of her death, 93.
-
- ~Beethoven, Johann Nikolaus~, brother of the composer: Vol. I.
- Birth of, 57;
- apprenticed to an apothecary, 104, 190, 191, 265;
- looks for bank shares after composer's death, 326;
- comes into possession of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- his name omitted from the document, 352;
- defended by the author, 357 _et seq._;
- described by Frau Karth, 358.--Vol. II. Demands return of loan
- from the composer, 114;
- purchases apothecary shop in Linz, 115;
- profits from dealing with the French army, 115;
- visited by the composer, 230;
- the composer interferes with his domestic affairs, 230 _et seq._;
- defeats his brother by marrying his housekeeper, 232.--Vol. III.
- Buys estate near Gneixendorf, 19;
- cuts a ridiculous figure in Vienna, 66;
- takes his brother's compositions as security for loan, 66;
- defense of his actions by the author, 68;
- seeks reconciliation with his brother, and offers home in
- Gneixendorf, 69;
- letter, 72;
- charged with dishonest conduct by his brother, 111, 112;
- his wife's misconduct, 132, 134;
- completes transaction with Schott and Sons for his brother, 180;
- B. warns a visitor against him, 182;
- offers B. a home in the country, 237;
- condones his wife's licentiousness, 238;
- the cause of B's hatred of his wife, 238;
- takes action against his wife, 239;
- persuades B. to go to Gneixendorf, 266;
- his wife accused of improper intimacy with her nephew, 269;
- date of his wife's death, 270;
- makes Nephew Karl his sole heir, 270;
- in constant attendance on B. during his last illness, 276;
- wrongly accused by Schindler of inhuman niggardliness, 287.
-
- ~Beethoven, Karl Kaspar~, brother of the composer: Vol. I. Birth, 57;
- intended for musical profession, 103, 191;
- official career of, 265;
- composes music, 266;
- letters to publishers, 295, 348, 357;
- charged with surreptitious sale of B's works, 350;
- the Heiligenstadt Will, 353;
- defended from charge of wrongdoing, 357 _et seq._;
- appearance of, 358;
- Ries's charge of misconduct, 361.--Vol. II. Accused by Simrock, 13;
- marriage of, 65;
- end of business relations with the composer, 143;
- illness of, 241;
- appoints the composer and his widow guardians of his son, 241;
- his illness compels B. to postpone his trip to England, 251, 313;
- death of, 320, 321;
- will of, 320, 321;
- appoints Ludwig guardian of his son, 320;
- von Breuning warns B. against him, 322;
- admonishes widow and brother to mutual forbearance, 321;
- his wife, Theresia (Johanna) Reiss, marries, 65;
- her infidelity, 65;
- inherits her husband's property, 320;
- made guardian under will, 321;
- appointed by court, 322;
- B. secures her removal as co-guardian, 331;
- court grants her permission to see her son, 332;
- compelled to share in expense of her son's education, 368;
- efforts to see her son, 372, 393;
- her son encouraged to revile her, 396;
- seeks to gain possession of her son, 400;
- her testimony in court, 406, 407.--Vol. III. Reprehensible
- conduct, 67;
- B. adopts conciliatory attitude towards, 170, 171. (For further
- details of her contest for her son, her efforts to gain
- possession of him, care for his education, etc., see
- _Guardianship_ and _Karl van Beethoven_, under LUDWIG VAN
- BEETHOVEN.)
-
- ~Beethoven, Karl~, nephew of the composer: Vol. I, disposes of picture
- of Countess Brunswick, 335.--Vol. II. His father declares wish
- that mother and uncle be his guardians, 241;
- sent to Giannatasio's institute, 332;
- surgical operation on, 341;
- receives inheritance from Joseph Hametsch, 353;
- instructed in music by Czerny, 374;
- placed in care of a priest at Mdling, 392;
- encouraged to revile his mother, 396;
- dismissed from the priest's class, 397;
- runs away from his uncle, 402;
- testimony on court, 407;
- returned to Giannatasio's care, 410.--Vol. III. Returns to his
- mother, 1;
- studies under private tutor, 4;
- runs away from the institute, 33;
- B. names him as his heir, 115, 132;
- B's pride in his attainments, 135;
- philological student at university, 171;
- encouraged in disingenuousness by B., 172;
- spends summer with his uncle, 184;
- runs away from home, 184;
- translates "God Save the King" for B., 209;
- date of his death, 230; his waywardness, 250 _et seq._;
- B's appealing letters, 230, 254;
- leaves university for Polytechnic Institute, 250, 251;
- evil companionship and amusements, 252;
- held to strict accountability, 253;
- discipline becomes irksome, 255;
- upbraids and attacks his uncle, 256;
- B's suspicion of a suicidal purpose, 257;
- prepares to kill himself, 258;
- shoots himself, 258 _et seq._;
- effect of the attempt on B., 260, 261;
- reasons for the attempt, 261;
- his future discussed by B. and his friends, 262, 263 _et seq._;
- B's fear of police inquiry, 263;
- Karl defends his mother, 264;
- life at Gneixendorf, 267 _et seq._;
- accused of improper intimacy with his aunt, 269;
- made sole heir of his uncle Johann's estate, 270;
- slandered in regard to his care of B. in last illness, 273
- _et seq._;
- preparations for a military career, 277;
- quarrels with B. on eve of his departure from Vienna, 278;
- made heir by B's will, 278;
- letter to B., 279;
- inheritance under B's formal will, 303. (For further details as to
- education, contest for his possession, etc., see foregoing and
- sub-title _Guardianship_ under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN.) His widow
- visited by Thayer, I, xi, 192;
- possessor of Mhler portrait, II, 16;
- asks for money deposited as forfeit by Prince George Galitzin,
- III, 230;
- her daughter, Hermine, 231.
-
- ~Beethoven, Louis (Ludwig) van~, grandfather of the composer: As Court
- Musician at Bonn, receives increase of salary, I, 10, 14;
- appointed Chapelmaster, 17;
- petitions for salary for his son, 18;
- demands obedience from his musicians, 21;
- Joseph Demmer appointed to his place as Court Musician, 22;
- Lucchesi succeeds him as Chapelmaster, 23;
- parentage and baptism, 42;
- leaves home in Antwerp and becomes church singer in Louvain, 43;
- appointed singing-master at St. Peter's, 43;
- becomes Court Musician at Bonn, 43;
- marries, 45; his children, 45;
- services in Electoral Chapel, 45, 46;
- success as opera-singer, 46;
- last appearance, 47;
- death of, 47;
- an inebriate wife, 47;
- displeased at son's marriage, 47, 50;
- death of widow, 56;
- length of court service, 73;
- composer asks for his portrait, 301;
- B's affectionate remembrance of him, III, 184.
-
- ~Beethoven, Ludwig van~, the composer:
- _Birth of, date and place_, I, xvii, 51, 53;
- controversy about house in which he was born, 51, 55, 56;
- disputed dates, 53;
- record of baptism, 53;
- his mistaken belief, I, 54;
- II, 177;
- age of, falsified by his father, 55;
- reputed son of the King of Prussia, III, 214, 243.
- _Annuity and Shares of Bank Stock_: Annuity granted by noble
- friends, I, 298, 299;
- II, 137 _et seq._;
- disappointed by subscribers, 170;
- Kinsky fails to meet obligation, 172;
- B. collects from Kinsky at Teplitz, 205;
- reduction by depreciation of currency, 211 _et seq._;
- payments by Archduke Rudolph, 217, 219;
- B. collects from Kinsky's heirs, 222;
- non-payment by Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 242 _et seq._;
- Kinsky and Rudolph agree to pay in notes of redemption, 242;
- B. blames Rudolph for getting him into the contract, 250, 266;
- controversy with Kinsky's heirs, 259, 288, 289;
- settlement, 306;
- sums received by B. from the subscribers till his death, 306;
- honorable conduct of Kinsky and Lobkowitz, and B's aspersions on
- their character, 308;
- B. seeks advice as to his right to leave Austria under the
- contract, 366;
- last collection of the annuity, III, 295;
- bank stock owned by B. at time of death, I, 326;
- II, 379;
- B. objects to its use for his benefit, III, 114, 290;
- discovered after his death, 309.
- _Character, traits of, and illustrative acts_: Vol. I, 83, 179;
- fondness for punning, 183;
- disposition as teacher, 120, 121, 201, 314;
- forgets his riding-horse, 200, 221;
- relations with musicians in Vienna, 240, 241;
- study of his character, 245 _et seq._;
- exaggerations of biographers, 245;
- extremes in his moral nature and temperament, 246;
- consequences of defective education, 246;
- ignorance of the value of money, 247;
- lack of independence in judgment, 247;
- high ideals, 247;
- pride, 248;
- sometime ungenerous treatment of friends, 248, 298;
- wish to be relieved of financial cares, 249;
- attitude towards transcriptions, 250;
- towards criticism, 250;
- susceptibility to flattery, 251;
- love of nature, 251;
- attractive to young people, 251;
- indifference to games of chance, 252;
- love of poetry, 254; his letter-writing, 255;
- manner of composing, 258 _et seq._;
- carelessness about dates, 281, 331, 344;
- recommends virtue to his brothers, 353;
- may have used his brothers as screen, 363.
- Vol. II. Displeased because not placed at prince's table, 32;
- suspicious nature, 62, 63;
- carelessness about dates, 66;
- pride leads him to leave Prince Lichnowsky in anger, 68, 69;
- takes umbrage at being asked to play for French officers, 68, 69;
- Dr. Bertolini on his dilatoriness and lack of etiquette, 80;
- protests against holding improper relations with married
- women, 85;
- his opinion of his predecessors, 89;
- violence of temper, throws a dish of food in a waiter's face, 91;
- feelings toward his relations, 91;
- indifference to his own manuscripts, 92;
- uncouth and awkward, 92;
- ignorance of monetary matters, 92;
- peculiarities described by Seyfried, 93 _et seq._;
- dislike of being disturbed at work, 93;
- fondness for punning, 95;
- his handwriting, 95;
- denounces his friends as "princely rabble," 105, 127;
- hatred of French, 117;
- longing for opera-texts, 118;
- disingenuous treatment of friends, 123;
- hypochondria, 126;
- orchestra refuses to play under him, 128;
- violent gesticulations when conducting, 128;
- his suspicious nature, 130;
- withholds help from Ries, 140;
- affectionate concern for Breuning, 155;
- domestic tribulations, 155;
- love of poetry, 147;
- influences which created his moods, 163 _et seq._;
- normally cheerful, 163;
- a new infatuation makes him attentive to dress, 173;
- his only animal pet, 174;
- refuses to accept commission on sale of a pianoforte, 174;
- conviviality, 175;
- "electrical by nature," 182, 189;
- how music came to him, 188;
- love of nature, 193;
- Goethe's description of him, 224;
- self-esteem, 226;
- finds fault with his friends, 237;
- longing for domesticity, 240;
- unthrifty habits, 244;
- rails at Archduke Rudolph for getting him an annuity, 250;
- whimsical designations for his friends, 280;
- absent-mindedness, 287;
- Weissenbach's description of him, 294;
- condemns popular virtuosi, 298;
- his puns, 214, 286;
- aspersions on the character of Princes Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 307;
- manner of composing, 316;
- allows himself to ignore rules of composition, 326;
- rails at the Emperor of Austria, 344;
- restive under restraint, 360;
- desire to be truthfully described, 361;
- favors German terminology, 364;
- some of his moral reflections, 365;
- lack of decision, 379;
- admiration for English system of government, 381;
- contempt for Viennese, 381;
- queries about housekeeping, 387;
- unfitness to be guardian of his nephew, 392;
- blames Archduke for his financial troubles, 396;
- takes pay for an oratorio which he does not compose, 398;
- explains that he is not of noble birth, 404;
- his contempt for the plebs, 409.
-
- Vol. III. Domestic matters recorded in an almanac, 14;
- neglects food in frenzy of composition, 15;
- forgets to eat at a restaurant, 17;
- dealings with publishers, 39, 44, 51 _et seq._; 62, 65 (see
- "MASS IN D" and "SYMPHONY IN D MINOR" in Index of Compositions);
- arrested as a tramp, 42;
- his puns, 63;
- attitude toward Archduke Rudolph, 70;
- compares Goethe and Klopstock, 75;
- his views on progress in music, 76;
- an unruly patient, 85;
- dilatoriness in delivery of Mass in D, 94 _et seq._;
- nicknames for Schindler, 106;
- manner of composing, 126;
- indifference to dress, 126;
- accuses Schindler of being an evil character, 133;
- uses house-shutters for memoranda, 133;
- rails against his brother's wife and daughter, 134;
- contradictory conduct concerning titles of honor, 163;
- drives his friends away from him after the first performance of
- the Ninth Symphony, 167;
- leaves country lodging because people are inquisitive, 176;
- abuses his landlord, 177;
- rebukes publisher for complaining that he had not received a work
- which he had bought, 180;
- attempts a joke at Haslinger's expense, 190;
- enraged by a copyist, 191;
- denounces one publisher to another, 191;
- a poor arithmetician, 194, 277;
- his drinking habits, 195 _et seq._;
- jests on the name Holz, 196;
- forgets that he has paid a bill, 211;
- loud voice and laugh, 213;
- reluctance to play in private, 213;
- disagreeable manners, 214;
- his publisher a "hell-hound," 216;
- asks for Luther's Bible, 219;
- accepts money for a Requiem which he does not compose, 220;
- proud of a medal sent by the King of France, 230;
- ignores promise to dedicate the Ninth Symphony to Ries, 231;
- sells ring sent by the King of Prussia because it was not a
- diamond, 233;
- hatred of his sister-in-law because of her lewdness, 238;
- looked upon by a law-clerk as an imbecile, 241;
- treated as a menial by a stranger, 241;
- refuses to dine with his brother's family, 243;
- gesticulations while composing frighten an ox-team, 243;
- welcomes royal distinctions, 244;
- prone to believe evil of everybody, 249;
- becomes apprehensive of death, 253;
- drinking habits, 275;
- charges Schindler with pilfering a petty sum of money, 281;
- wants to read a full report of a speech by Channing, 283;
- remarks while undergoing a surgical operation, 276;
- ungracious reception of his physician's ministration, 283;
- confident that his last compositions will eventually be
- recognized, 300;
- "Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est," 304 _et seq._
-
- _Compositions_ (INDEX OF COMPOSITIONS).
-
- _Concert appearances as player or conductor_:
- First public appearance, I, 59;
- first appearance as virtuoso, 184, 185;
- plays at Romberg's concert, 199;
- at Schuppanzigh's, 191, 200, 214;
- in Prague, 217;
- at Burgtheater, 266;
- at Punto's concert, 267, 282;
- asks use of Court Theatre, II, 99;
- his conducting, 117, 127, 128;
- Spohr's account of his manner, II, 257;
- Franz Wild's description, II, 268; III, 14;
- the concert of 1808, II, 127;
- failure of charity concert in 1809, II, 149, 172, 215;
- benefit of sufferers by fire at Baden, 225;
- concerts of 1813, 248, 259;
- benefit of wounded soldiers, 257;
- repetition, 261;
- constitution of his orchestra, 268, 269;
- concerts of 1814 299, 300, 327, 388;
- proposed concert in 1819, III, 22;
- opening of Josephstadt Theatre, 81;
- breaks down conducting "Fidelio," 83;
- concerts of 1824, 176.
-
- _Conversation Books_:
- I, xi, 229, 241, 252, 319, 320;
- preserved in the Royal Library in Berlin, 377;
- given to Schindler, III. 11;
- their number and kind, 11;
- Thayer's labor upon them, 12, 87, 89;
- alterations by Schindler, III, 273, 281.
-
- _Deafness_:
- Origin of, I, 218, 245, 261, 298;
- B's strange account, 300; III, 210;
- desire to conceal it, I, 300;
- phenomena, 300;
- B's reflections in the Heiligenstadt Will, 352;
- Ries's account, 352;
- Seyfried's account, II, 95, 96;
- B. Hides from the noise of bombardment, 145;
- Mlzel makes ear-trumpets, 233;
- III, Dr. Smetana prescribes for the malady, 85;
- cure attempted by Pater Weiss, II, 96; III, 85;
- unaffected by dissonance, III, 202.
-
- _Education and Training_:
- I, 57 _et seq._;
- lessons from his father, 58;
- weeping as child at the pianoforte, 58;
- studies at Latin School, 59;
- deficiency of general education, 60;
- knowledge of French and Latin, 60, 65;
- lessons from Van den Eeden, 61, 62, 67 _et seq._;
- studies under Tobias Pfeiffer, 62, 63;
- lessons on violin and viola at Bonn, 64;
- organ playing with Friar Willibald, 64;
- first efforts at composition, 65;
- doubtful story of private studies in Latin, 65;
- counterpoint and composition from Neefe, 67 _et seq._;
- study of Bach, 70;
- cembalist in Electoral Chapel, 72, 85;
- violin lessons from Franz Ries, 85;
- violin lessons from Krumpholz, 92;
- lack of skill on violin, 92;
- training in orchestra, 109;
- shows cantata to Haydn, 116;
- proposed as pupil of Haydn, 123;
- extent of his obligations to Max Franz, Elector, 124;
- his appreciation of Neefe as teacher, 124;
- lessons from Haydn, 150 _et seq._;
- his disparagement of Haydn as teacher, 152, 158;
- rupture with Haydn, 155, 189;
- lessons from Schenk, 152 _et seq._;
- Fux's "Gradus," 153;
- lessons from Salieri, 154;
- from Albrechtsberger, 155, 156 _et seq._;
- violin instruction from Schuppanzigh, 156;
- Seyfried's "Studien, etc.," 159;
- Fux, 159;
- Trk, 159;
- C. P. E. Bach, 159;
- Kirnberger, 159;
- Salieri, 160;
- refuses to attend lectures on Kant, 182;
- Plato's supposed influence, 213, 214;
- effect on his character of defective training, 246;
- imperfections in letters, 255;
- studies made for Archduke Rudolph, II, 147, 150, 151;
- self-improvement by reading, 166.
-
- _Guardianship of his Nephew_: Karl Kaspar van Beethoven declares
- his wish that his brother and widow be joint guardians of his
- son Karl, II, 241;
- B. appointed guardian, 320;
- the widow appointed co-guardian, 321;
- court appointment, 320;
- B. has himself made sole guardian, 321;
- takes his ward to live with him, 341 _et seq._;
- asks Kanka to collect inheritance for the lad, 353;
- defective training of Karl, 361;
- widow compelled to bear a share in the expense of education,
- 368, 362 _et seq._;
- widow tries to get possession of her son, 400 _et seq._;
- not being of noble birth B. is referred to plebeian court,
- 401, 404;
- testimony before the court of the nobility, 403 _et seq._
-
- --Vol. III. Widow renews petition to have her son sent to Imperial
- Konviktschule, 2;
- B. suspended from the guardianship, 2;
- plans to send Nephew to Landshut University, 4, 5;
- Tuscher appointed guardian, 5;
- B. appeals to Archduke Rudolph for a passport to Landshut, 6;
- the plan frustrated, 6;
- Giannatasio refuses to readmit Karl, 6;
- he is sent to Blchlinger's Institute, 7;
- Tuscher surrenders guardianship, and B. desires to resume it, 7;
- is refused, 8;
- the mother reappointed, with Nussbck as co-guardian, over B's
- protest, 8, 10;
- B. appeals to the Landrecht, 10, 26;
- Councillor Peters suggested as co-guardian, 10;
- Blchlinger takes charge of the ward, 14;
- facts and merits of the case, 28 _et seq._;
- B. makes personal appeal to the court, 29;
- Dr. Bach a judicious adviser, 30;
- the court appoints B. and Peters co-guardians, 31;
- widow makes vain appeal to the Emperor, 31;
- cost of B's victory, 31;
- his joy, 32;
- Karl runs away from the Institute, 33;
- effect of B's administration of the trust on himself and his
- ward, 247 _et seq._;
- Dr. Reisser appointed in place of Peters, 251;
- Breuning persuades B. to resign and takes his place, 264;
- Hotschevar becomes guardian after the death of B. and
- Breuning, 292.
-
- _Illness, death and burial_: I, 123, 198, 201, 281, 298, 300,
- 302.--II, 27, 116, 123, 158, 190, 199, 202, 223, 227, 246,
- 366, 367, 378, 395.--III, 39, 70, 71, 72, 129, 133, 170, 199,
- 207, 219, 240, 241, 271 _et seq._;
- medical attendance summoned, 273;
- surgical operations, 276, 283, 294, 296;
- frozen punch prescribed, 286;
- sweat baths, 287;
- cheering news from old friends, 288;
- B. asks aid from the London Philharmonic Society, 289, 290;
- the Society votes gift of 100 pounds, 290;
- visitors at bedside of sick man, 280, 286, 289, 294, 295;
- B. abandons hope, 296;
- gifts of wines and delicacies, 287 _et seq._;
- Hummel at the death-bed, 301;
- signing the will, 303 _et seq._;
- "Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est," 304 _et seq._;
- B. receives extreme unction, 305;
- the death-struggle, 307;
- death caused by cirrhosis of the liver, 308;
- revelations of the autopsy, 309, 310;
- property left by B., 310;
- funeral, 312;
- performances of masses for the dead by Mozart and Cherubini, 312;
- pall and torch-bearers, 312;
- burial at Whring, 312;
- exhumation of the body and reburial, 312.
-
- _Improvisation_: B's skill at an early age, I, 63;
- discomfits a singer by his harmonization, 87, 119, 152, 182, 188;
- Czerny's account, 196;
- at the Singakademie in Berlin, 197, 217;
- on "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman," 217, 266.--Vol. II, 15;
- on theme from a quartet by Pleyel, 44, 90, 375; III, 208.
-
- _Letters_: To Amenda, I, 297;
- Arnim, Bettina von, II, 190, 196;
- Artaria and Co., III, 65;
- Dr. Bach, III, 115, 278;
- Baumeister, II, 218;
- Beethoven, Johann van, I, 192, 352; III, 69, 72, 134;
- Beethoven, Karl Kaspar van, I, 352;
- Beethoven, Karl van, III, 254;
- Dr. Bertolini, II, 87;
- Bernard, II, 398; III, 171;
- Beyer, II, 259;
- Bigot, II, 84;
- Birchall, II, 319, 325, 336, 346, 350;
- Brauchle, II, 317;
- Breitkopf and Hrtel, I, 286, 294, 349, 368, 369; II, 66, 67, 136,
- 142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206, 214, 226;
- Brentano, III, 46, 47;
- Breuning, Leonore von, I, 177, 179;
- Breuning, Stephan von, II, 33;
- Broadwood, Thomas, II, 390;
- Brunswick, Count, II, 105, 202, 219, 266;
- Brunswick, Countess Therese, II, 203;
- Cherubini, III, 100;
- Collin, von, II, 149;
- Czerny, Carl, I, 316; II, 338, 374;
- Erddy, Countess, II, 144;
- Ertmann, Baroness, II, 365;
- Esterhazy, Prince, II, 107;
- Frank, Mme. de, I, 283;
- Giannatasio del Rio, II, 332, 349;
- Gleichenstein, Count, II, 114, 140, 141, 155, 174, 175;
- Goethe, II, 197; III, 98;
- Haslinger, III, 44;
- Hoffmeister and Khnel, I, 271, 281, 286, 299, 366, 370; II, 16;
- Holz, III, 216;
- Hummel, I, 240; II, 267;
- Kanka, II, 353;
- King of England, III, 113;
- Kinsky, Princess, II, 243;
- Knneritz, von, III, 97;
- Kotzebue, II, 213;
- Kuhlau, III, 204;
- Lichnowsky, Count Moritz, II, 262; III, 158;
- London Musicians, II, 274;
- Macco, Alexander, II, 19;
- Mhler, II, 16;
- Malfatti, Therese, II, 176;
- Matthisson, I, 202;
- Moscheles, III, 291;
- Mosel, von, II, 386;
- Neate, Charles, II, 339, 352, 367;
- Oppersdorff, Count, II, 122;
- Peters, Councillor, II, 354;
- Peters, C. F., III, 58, 60, 61, 64;
- Ries, Ferdinand, II, 27, 28, 29, 324, 333, 338, 340, 371, 395,
- 412, 413; III, 111, 128;
- Rudolph, Archduke, II, 199, 225, 235, 250, 266, 286;
- III, 1, 9, 19, 20, 34, 91, 94;
- Schaden, Dr., I, 92;
- Schenck, 154;
- Schindler, III, 102, 133, 158, 286, 295;
- Schlesinger, III, 54;
- Schott and Sons, III, 296, 297;
- Schreyvogel, II, 304;
- Schuppanzigh, III, 158;
- Sebald, Amalie, II, 228;
- Simrock, I, 183; II, 21;
- III, 44, 56;
- Smart, Sir George, II, 311, 351;
- Smetana, Dr., III, 259;
- Stadler, Abb, III, 235;
- Steiner, II, 364;
- III, 38;
- Streicher, Nanette, II, 394;
- Stumpff, III, 289;
- Theatre Directors in Vienna, II, 98;
- Thomson, George, II, 17, 71, 157, 203, 219, 245, 308;
- III, 16;
- Tiedge, II, 206;
- Treitschke, II, 269, 273, 277, 281, 284;
- Tschiska, III, 3;
- Varena, II, 246, 247, 249;
- Wegeler, F. G., I, 177, 179;
- Zelter, III, 18;
- Zmeskall, I, 231, 355;
- II, 88, 144, 155, 175, 208, 217, 245, 247, 248, 262, 271, 330,
- 349, 351;
- III, 288.
-
- _Lodgings_ (in Vienna): Alsergasse, with Prince Lichnowsky, I,
- 148, 269;
- Bartenstein House, II, 271, 286;
- Grtnerstrasse, II, 362, 367, 368;
- Giorgi, II, 368;
- Hamberger House, I, 355;
- Johannesgasse, III, 184;
- Josefstdter Glacis, III, 21;
- Kothgasse, III, 97;
- Kreuzgasse (Ogylisches Haus), I, 269;
- Krgergasse, III, 144;
- Pasqualati's House, on the Mlkerbastei, II, 31, 44, 123,
- 196, 219;
- Petersplatz, I, 256;
- II, 12;
- Rothes Haus, II, 271, 286;
- Sailersttte, II, 315, 361;
- Schwarzspanierhaus, III, 212, 273, 311;
- in the Theater-an-der-Wien, II, 12, 23, 35, 44;
- Tiefen Graben, I, 269, 288;
- Ungarstrasse, III, 140, 170;
- Walfischgasse, II, 145, 155. (In the country): Baden, II, 13,
- 102, 106, 107, 145, 244, 249, 251, 315;
- III, 39, 70, 71, 133, 134, 137, 177, 200;
- Dbling, II, 14, 31;
- Gneixendorf, III, 237, 238, 239, 244, 267, 271;
- Heiligenstadt, I, 349, 351;
- II, 107, 110, 119, 120. 369;
- Hetzendorf, I, 288, 289;
- II, 45, 47, 367;
- III, 95, 122, 129;
- Landstrasse, III, 36, 39, 73;
- Mdling, II, 380, 396;
- III, 6, 14, 17, 35, 48;
- Nussdorf, II, 369;
- Oberdbling, III, 69, 73;
- Penzing, III, 176;
- Unterdbling, I, 269;
- III, 39, 47.
-
- _London Philharmonic Society_: Neate buys overtures for, II, 333;
- the Society's disappointment, 334;
- its membership roll, 334;
- B. offers to write new works for, 352, 367;
- invites B. to visit London, 370, 378, 379, 380, 395, 413;
- III, Hogarth's history of, 110;
- the Society and the Ninth Symphony, 110 _et seq._;
- 149, 177, 207, 209, 230, 232 _et seq._;
- again invites B. to visit London, 186;
- appealed to by B. for aid, 289;
- 100 pounds voted for B's relief, 290 _et seq._;
- gift reclaimed after B's death, but released, 293, 294;
- part of the sum applied to funeral expenses, 302.
-
- _Love Affairs, Marriage Projects, B's relations with Women_:
- (see also "Character," etc.), I, xvi, xxi, 120;
- susceptibility to women's charms, I, 121 _et seq._, 235, 317
- _et seq._, 334;
- encounter with a prince's mistress, II, 33;
- passion no influence in "Fidelio," II, 166;
- the "Immortal Beloved," I, xxi, 281, 292, 326, 328 _et seq._;
- II, 66, 105, 106, 222, 343, 336 _et seq._, 342 (see writings in
- controversy under "Grove," "La Mara," "Storck," "Prelinger,"
- "Chantonoine," "Rolland," "Schindler," "Nohl," "Kalischer,"
- "Frimmel," "Volbach," "Thomas-San-Galli," "Hale," "Tenger");
- Countess Therese Brunswick, I, 326;
- relations interviewed, 340;
- memoirs of, 344;
- Magdalena Willmann, I, 242, 292, 337;
- Therese Malfatti, I, 336;
- II, 86, 106, 239;
- Amalie Sebald, I, 337;
- II, 206, 228, 239;
- Giulietta Guicciardi, I, 343, 344, 292;
- Madame Bigot, II, 84;
- Marie Koschak, I, 318;
- II, 383;
- Bettina von Arnim, II, 366;
- Fanny Giannatasio, II, 362;
- an alleged "Autumnal love," II, 383;
- B's contemplation of marriage, I, xvi;
- offers hand to Magdalena Willmann, I, 242;
- his celibacy, 242, 245, 326;
- alleged proposal to Therese Malfatti, II, 178;
- effect of her rejection of him, 193, 141, 142, 200, 239, 240;
- a confession of disappointed love, 342;
- reputed proposal to Cibbini, III, 205, 207.
-
- _Opera Projects_ (see "FIDELIO," in Index of Compositions): At
- work on an opera when he became deaf, I, 263;
- his constant longing for a text, II, 118, 202;
- applies to Kotzebue for a book, II, 213;
- licentious plots repugnant to him, III, 201;
- subjects considered: "Macbeth" by Collin, II, 119, 151, 153;
- "Bradamante" by Collin, II, 119;
- intended collaboration with Varnhagen von Ense, II, 204;
- "Alexander" by Schikaneder(?), II, 19, 20;
- Grillparzer's "Melusine," III, 118 _et seq._;
- 135, 220;
- Krner's "Return of Ulysses," II, 237;
- Rudolph von Berger's "Bacchus," II, 314, 328;
- "Romulus and Remus," 304, 381;
- "Macbeth" (not by Collin), III, 117;
- "Romeo and Juliet," 117;
- Schiller's "Fiesco," 117;
- Voltaire's tragedies, III, 117;
- Grillparzer's "Dragomira," III, 118, 120, 122.
-
- _Orchestra and Organ_, B's experience with: Lessons on violin and
- viola from Rovantini, I, 64;
- from Ries, 99;
- from Schuppanzigh, 156;
- training in orchestra, 109, 111;
- Schindler in error, 239;
- studies organ-playing with Van den Eeden, I, 61, 64; with
- Willibald Koch and Zenser, 64;
- assumes Neefe's duties as organist, 69;
- assistant to Neefe, 71;
- appointed assistant organist in the Electoral Chapel, 74;
- recommended for Court Organistship, 83, 105;
- his playing, 110.
-
- _Personal Appearance and Portraits_: I,76, 146, 147;
- "Ugly and half crazy," 243;
- described by Baillot, II, 55;
- described by Weissenbach, II, 294;
- described by Julius Benedict, III, 139, 125.--Dress, I, 147, 322;
- a new wardrobe for a new infatuation, II, 173;
- changes new coat for old one for dinner, II, 186;
- negligent appearance, 88, 287.--Portraits: Silhouette by
- Neesen, I, 122;
- paintings by Mhler, II, 15, 16;
- Frimmel's discussion of B's portraits, II, 15;
- miniature by Hornemann, II, 33;
- Klein's mask and Danhauser's bust, II, 221;
- Latronne's crayon drawing engraved by Hfel, II, 287;
- painting by Heckel, II, 338;
- painting by August von Klber, II, 399;
- lithograph by Drck, III, 42;
- painting by Ferdinand Schimon, III, 21, 41;
- portrait by Joseph Stieler, III, 41;
- death-mask and drawing by Danhauser, III, 310;
- crayon drawing by Decker, imitated by Kriehuber, III, 176.
-
- _Pianoforte Study and Playing_ (see "EDUCATION"): Studies
- pianoforte with his father, I, 58;
- skill as a boy described by Neefe, 69, 111;
- plays for Abb Sterkel, 114;
- duties as pianist to the Elector, 135;
- Bach's fugues, 175;
- skill in sight-reading, 180;
- his playing compared with Wlffl's, 215;
- described by Tomaschek, 217;
- Cherubini's comments on, 220;
- Spohr's criticism, II, 269;
- last public appearance as pianist, 270;
- his playing of "The Well-Tempered Clavichord," II, 355;
- advice to Czerny as to instruction of his nephew, II, 374.
-
- _Religion_: Character of B's religious belief, II, 167 _et seq._;
- transcription of Egyptian texts preserved by him, 168;
- prayers in his note-books, 169, 249;
- an expression of faith, 187;
- admonishes his nephew to pray, 407;
- views on church music, 414, 415;
- attitude towards the Catholic Church, II, 168, III, 91;
- the Mass in D, III, 91;
- receives the rites for the dying, 305 _et seq._
-
- _Sketchbooks_: Gelinek finds the cause of B's faults in them,
- I, 257;
- Nottebohm's analysis, I, 257 _et seq._, 364;
- Kafka's, I, 205, 206, 209, 210;
- Sketches in the British Museum, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261;
- Petter Collection, I, 274, 290;
- II, 118, 129, 151, 209, 296;
- Grassnick Collection, I, 275;
- II, 160;
- Kessler's, I, 289, 368, 371;
- Landsberger's, II, 73;
- Meinert Collection, II, 150, 161;
- the "Fidelio" sketches, II, 285;
- Mendelssohn Collection, II, 310.
-
- "~Beiden Savoyarden, Die~" ("Les deux petits Savoyards"):
- Opera by Dalayrac, I, 109.
-
- ~Belderbusch, Kaspar Anton~: Prime Minister of Elector Max
- Friedrich I, 14, 15;
- assumes paternity of Elector's illegitimate children, 16;
- death of, 33;
- secures Neefe's appointment as Court Organist, 36;
- a musical amateur, 37, 118;
- Countess Belderbusch, a clavier player, I, 37.
-
- ~Belgium~: Beethoven families residing in, in the 17th century, I, 42.
-
- ~Bell, Doyne C.~: "Documents, Letters, etc., relating to the Bust of
- Ludwig van Beethoven presented to the Philharmonic Society of
- London by Fanny Linzbauer," III, 291.
-
- ~Bellamy, Mr.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- ~Belzer, Frau von~, Musical amateur in Bonn: I, 38.
-
- ~Benda, George~: His opera "Ariadne auf Naxos," I, 29, 107, 108;
- "Romeo and Juliet," I, 31, 107, 108;
- conductor of Seydler's company, 30.
-
- ~Benedict, Sir Julius~: III, 137;
- his visit to B., 138 _et seq._
-
- ~Berger, Rudolph von~: His opera-book "Bacchus," II, 314.
-
- ~Berlin~: B. visits, I, 192, 195;
- faults public for not applauding, 197;
- II, 226;
- plays for the Singakademie, I, 197;
- the Singakademie and the Mass in D, III, 104, 180.
-
- ~Bernadotte, General J. B.~: His association with the "Eroica,"
- I, _212 et seq._;
- King of Sweden, III, 139.
-
- ~Bernard, Joseph Carl~: II, 332, 359, 398;
- III, 24, 30, 171;
- his "Libussa," 173;
- "Der Sieg des Kreuzes," 172 _et seq._
-
- "~Bernardsberg, Der.~" (See "ELISE.")
-
- ~Bertinotti, Mme.~: II, 75.
-
- ~Bertolini, Dr.~: On B's susceptibility to women, I, 318;
- on the origin of the "Eroica," II, 25;
- on B's dilatoriness, 76, 87;
- "Un lieto brindisi," II, 280, 305, 322;
- rupture of friendship with B., 341, 369.
-
- "~Betulia liberata~": III, 143.
-
- ~Betz~: "Il Riso d'Apolline," I, 26.
-
- ~Beyer, Dr.~: Letter to, II, 259.
-
- ~Bigot~, Librarian of Count Rasoumowsky: II, 73, 125, 146;
- his wife, Marie, II, 84, 146.
-
- ~Bihler~, J. N.: III, 156.
-
- ~Biographers of B.~: Early, III, 197 _et seq._
-
- "~Biographische Notizen.~" (See "WEGELER, F. G." and
- "RIES, FERDINAND.")
-
- ~Birchall, Robert,~ English publisher: II, 319, 324, 325;
- difficulty in getting a receipt from B., 355, _et seq._,
- 345, 350, 346, 359;
- death of, 351;
- and the overtures bought by the Philharmonic Society, 337.
-
- ~Birkenstock, Joseph Melchior~: II, 178;
- Antonie, II, 179.
-
- ~Blahetka, Leopoldine~: III, 50, 138, 157.
-
- ~Bland, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- "~Blendwerk, Das~" ("La fausse Magie"): Opera by Grtry, I, 107.
-
- ~Blchlinger, Joseph Karl~: III, 7, 23. (See _Guardianship_ under
- "BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN," and "BEETHOVEN, KARL.")
-
- ~Boer, S. M. de~: Visits B., III, 203.
-
- ~Bohemian Nobility~: Musical culture of the, I, 168.
-
- ~Bhm~, Violinist: Plays the Quartet Op. 127, III, 192, 193;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Bhm's Theatrical Company~: I, 86.
-
- ~Bolla, Signora~: B. plays at her concert, I, 191.
-
- ~Bonaparte, Jerome~: I, 190; II, 122;
- invites B. to his court, 124, 135 _et seq._
-
- ~Bonaparte, Louis~, King of Holland: II, 245, 247.
-
- ~Bonaparte, Napoleon~: Threatens invasion of Vienna, I, 199, 200;
- the "Eroica," 213; II, 24;
- B's remark: "I would conquer him!" 117;
- neglects opportunity to hear the "Eroica," 149;
- marches on Moscow, 221;
- holds court at Dresden, 221;
- effect of his downfall, 295;
- and Cherubini, III, 206.
-
- ~Bonn, City of~: Festival in 1838, I, xvii;
- selected as Electoral residence, 3;
- besieged by Marlborough, 6;
- restored to archbishopric of Cologne, 6;
- improved by Elector Clemens August, 7;
- the Comedy House, 30;
- professional and amateur musicians in B's time, 31;
- appearance of the city, 38 _et seq._;
- Beethovens in before the arrival of the composer's grandfather, 44;
- music in Max Franz's reign, 88;
- theatrical companies, 112;
- B's friends, 117, 125, 126;
- B. leaves the city forever, 125;
- B's compositions in, 129 _et seq._;
- Beethoven Festival of 1845, II, 177.
-
- ~Boosey~, Music publisher in London: III, 111, 128;
- makes contract with B. through Ries, 128.
-
- ~Born, Baroness~: III, 42.
-
- ~Boston Handel~ and ~Haydn Society~: Commissions B. to write
- an oratorio, III, 87.
-
- ~Botticelli~, Singer: III, 169.
-
- ~Bouilly, J. N.~: His opera-texts, II, 36.
-
- ~Bowater, Mrs.~: I, 134, 145;
- III, 40.
-
- "~Bradamante~": Opera-book by Collin, II, 19.
-
- ~Brahms, Johannes~: Confirms authenticity of Bonn cantatas, I, 131;
- comment on the compositions of royal personages, III, 20.
-
- ~Brauchle~: Tutor of Count Erddy's children, I, 320;
- II, 317.
-
- ~Braun, Baron~: I, 168;
- invites the Rombergs to give a concert, 199, 244, 290, 348, 350;
- engages Ries at B's solicitation, 360;
- engages Cherubini to compose operas, II, 3;
- dismisses Schikaneder, 23, 34, 35;
- withdraws "Fidelio," 63;
- ends his management of the Theater-an-der-Wien, 78.
- --~Baroness~, I, 225, 244;
- dedication of the Horn Sonata, 290.
-
- ~Braunhofer, Dr.~: Dedication of the "Abendlied," III, 50, 199;
- canon for, 200, 219, 373;
- declines call to B., 272, 274.
-
- ~Breimann~: II, 125.
-
- ~Breitkopf and Hrtel~: Acquire publication rights of this
- biography, I, xv;
- employ Dr. Riemann to revise German edition, xv;
- B's letters to, I, 286, 294, 348, 349, 364, 369;
- II, 66, 67, 142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206;
- B. offers them all his works, 67;
- attempt to renew association with B., III, 73.
-
- ~Brentano, Antonie~: II, 322;
- III, 128.
-
- ~Brentano, Clemens~: II, 196, 222.
-
- ~Brentano, Elizabeth~: (See ARNIM, BETTINA VON)
-
- ~Brentano, Franz~: II, 179, 186;
- B. borrows money from, III, 39, 45, 46, 47;
- loan repaid, 64, 184.
-
- ~Brentano, Maximiliane~: II, 179, 180, 221.
-
- ~Brentano, Sophie~: II, 179.
-
- ~Breuning, Christoph von~: I, 98, 99;
- Christoph (son), I, 198, 303.
-
- ~Breuning, Eleonore Brigitte von~: Wife of Franz Gerhard Wegeler,
- I, 99, 118, 119;
- lines on B's birthday, 122;
- inscription in his album, 125, 138, 300;
- III, 214, 288.
-
- ~Breuning, Emmanuel Joseph von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Georg Joseph von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Dr. Gerhard~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi 96, 99, 100, 300;
- opinion of B's brother Karl, II, 322, 362;
- description of Johann van B., III, 66;
- B's interest in him as a lad, III, 214;
- on B's last illness, 247;
- on the medical treatment of B., 287, 300.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Lorenz von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Philipp von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Lorenz (Lenz) von~: I, 99, 119, 198;
- reports to Romberg about B., 199;
- B's lines in his album, 201, 202.
-
- ~Breuning, Madame von~: I, 99;
- selects B. as teacher for her children, 100;
- influence over B., 100, 188, 119, 303;
- death of, 100;
- dedication of the pianoforte arrangement of the Violin Concerto,
- II, 134.
-
- ~Breuning, Marie von~: III, 213.
-
- ~Breuning, Stephen von~: I, 99;
- intimacy with B., 119, 191, 198;
- returns to Vienna, 288, 301;
- B. advises his employment by the Teutonic Order, 303;
- his relations with B. in Vienna, 310 _et seq._;
- B's injustice toward him, 311.
- --II, becomes clerk in Austrian war department, 14;
- quarrels with B., 27 _et seq._;
- reconciliation, 32;
- receives miniature from B., 33;
- poem for the second performance of "Fidelio," 61;
- letter concerning the opera, 57;
- B's concern for his health, 155;
- death of his wife, 155;
- dedication of the Violin Concerto, 162;
- warns B. against his brother Karl, 322.
- --III, 24, 197;
- intimacy with B resumed, 213;
- persuades B. to resign guardianship, 264;
- objects to unqualified bequest to Nephew Karl, 279;
- finds B's bank stock and the love-letter, 376.
-
- ~Bridgetower, George Augustus Polgreen~, Violinist: I, 186;
- his career, II, 8 _et seq._;
- his notes on the "Kreutzer Sonata," 10.
-
- ~Bridi, Joseph Anton~: II, 391.
-
- ~British Museum~: Sketches in I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261.
-
- ~Broadwood, Thomas~:
- Presents pianoforte to B., II, 390 _et seq._; III, 201, 237.
-
- ~Browne, Count~: I, 199;
- B. calls him his "first Mcenas," 222, 244; II, 20.
- --~Countess~, I, 200, 209, 227, 244.
-
- ~Brhl, Count~: III, 153.
-
- ~Brunswick, Count Franz~: I, 322;
- the Rasoumowsky quartets, II, 104;
- letters from B., 105, 124, 202, 219, 245, 266;
- ruined by theatrical management, 154;
- dedication of Fantasia Op. 77, 195; III, 24, 170;
- offers summer sojourn in Hungary to B., 179.
-
- ~Brunswick, Count Gza~: I, 340, 341.
-
- ~Brunswick, Countess Marie~: I, 340.
-
- ~Brunswick, Countess Therese~: I, xvi, 279;
- her relations with B., 317, 322, 335 _et seq._;
- sends her portrait to B., 335;
- B's message to her brother, "Kiss your sister Therese,"
- II, 105, 161, 173;
- dedication of the Sonata Op. 78, 195;
- portrait of, 202;
- letter to, 203, 239.
-
- ~Bryant, William Cullen~: Quoted I, 252.
-
- ~Buda-Pesth~: National Museum of, gets B's Broadwood pianoforte,
- II, 392.
-
- "~Buona Figliuola, La~": Opera by Piccini, I, 25, 32.
-
- ~Burbure, Lon~: Supplies information concerning the Belgian
- Beethovens, I, 42.
-
- ~Bureau d'Arts et Industrie~: Established, II, 35.
-
- ~Burney, Dr. Charles~: "Present State, etc.," quoted, I, 174.
-
-
- ~Cache~, Singer at first performance of "Fidelio", II, 51.
-
- ~Ccilien-Verein~ of Frankfort: Subscription to the Mass in D, III,
- 104, 106, 110, 180.
-
- "~Calamit di Cuori, La~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 26.
-
- ~Caldara~: Opera "Gioas, Re di Giuda," I, 184.
-
- ~Campbell, Thomas~: "The Battle of the Baltic," II, 203.
-
- ~Capponi, Marchese~: I, 341.
-
- ~Carlyle, Thomas~: II, 360.
-
- ~Carpani~:
- Italian text for Haydn's "Creation," II, 116;
- introduces Rossini to B., 360.
-
- ~Carriere, Moriz~: Dubious of the genuineness of B's letters to
- Bettina von Arnim, II, 185.
-
- ~Cassel~: B. invited to become chapelmaster at, II, 122, 124,
- 135 _et seq._, 141.
-
- ~Cassentini~, Dancer: I, 285.
-
- ~Castelli~:
- On failure of the Concerto in E-flat, II, 215;
- torchbearer and poet at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Castlereagh, Viscount~: II, 291.
-
- ~Catalani~: II, 310.
-
- ~Catalogue, Classified~, of B's works: II, 38.
-
- ~Catherine II~, Empress of Russia: II, 81.
-
- ~Champein~: I, 86.
-
- ~Channing~: B. asks for full report of speech on his death-bed,
- III, 283.
-
- ~Chantavoine, Jean~: I, 211, 228, 337.
-
- ~Chappell~, Music publisher in London: II, 413.
-
- ~Charles XIV~ (Bernadotte), King of Sweden: III, 130.
-
- ~Cherubini, Luigi~:
- On B's playing, I, 220, 324;
- engaged to compose operas for Vienna, II, 3, 47;
- B's respect for, 48;
- opinion of "Fidelio," 63, 64, 202;
- "Les deux Journes," II, 3, 36; III, 139;
- "Lodoiska," II, 3;
- "Elise," 3;
- "Medea," 3;
- "Faniska," 110;
- asked by B. to urge subscription to Mass on King of France,
- III, 100, 126;
- on B. and Mozart, 205;
- Schlesinger on, 206;
- on B's quartets, 216;
- his "Requiem" sung at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Cherubini, Madame~: On B's social conduct, I, 121.
-
- ~Chorley, Henry F.~: Receives and publishes B's letter to Bettina
- von Arnim, II, 182, 184, 316.
-
- ~Churchill, John~, Earl of Marlborough: I, 6.
-
- ~Church Music~: B's views on, III, 203.
-
- ~Cibbini, Antonia~: B's offer of marriage to, III, 205, 207.
-
- ~Cimarosa, Domenico~:
- "L'Italiana in Londra," I, 32;
- "Il Matrimonio segreto," 164.
-
- ~Clam-Gallas, Count Christian~: I, 194.
-
- ~Clari, Countess Josephine di~: I, 194.
-
- ~Clemens August~, Elector of Cologne: I, 1;
- his extravagance, 7;
- succeeds to the Electorship, 7;
- career of, 7;
- life in Rome, 8;
- Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 7, 98;
- opens strong-box of the Order, 8;
- falls ill while dancing and dies, 7, 8;
- entry into Bonn, 9;
- his music-chapel, 9;
- appoints Van den Eeden Court Organist, 10;
- increases salary of B's grandfather, 10;
- music in his reign, 14;
- his theatre, 30;
- appoints B's grandfather Court Musician, 43.
-
- ~Clement, Franz~, Violinist: II, 2;
- conductor, 42;
- B's Violin Concerto, 76;
- succeeds Hring as conductor in Vienna, 112;
- produces "Mount of Olives," 156, 209, and the Ninth Symphony,
- III, 157 _et seq._
-
- ~Clementi, Muzio~: I, 33;
- encounter between him and B., II, 23, 38, 75;
- contract with B. for compositions, 102;
- tardy payment of debt, 131, 158;
- B. on his pianoforte studies, 375;
- B. sends them to Gerhard von Breuning, III, 214.
-
- ~Collard, F. W.~, Partner of Clementi: II, 102, 103.
-
- ~Collin, von~:
- "Coriolan," II, 101, 102;
- "Bradamante," II, 119;
- "Macbeth," II, 119, 151;
- "Jerusalem Delivered," II, 119, 151;
- Letter to, II, 149;
- asked to write a drama for Pesth, 88, 201.
-
- ~Cologne~:
- Electors of in the 18th century, I, 1 _et seq._;
- Archbishop Engelbert, 3;
- civil income of Electorate, 7.
-
- "~Colonie, Die~" ("L'Isola d'Amore"): Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
-
- ~Complete Editions~ of B's Works planned: II, 18, 38, 192;
- III, 36, 54, 190, 205, 237;
- Archduke Rudolph's Collection, II, 200.
-
- ~Congress of Vienna~: II, 288, 289.
-
- ~Consecutive Fifths~: B's dictum on II, 89.
-
- "~Contadina in Corte, La~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 26.
-
- ~Conti~: I, 282; II, 2.
-
- "~Convivo, Il~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
-
- "~Corsar aus Liebe~": Opera by Weigl, I, 268; II, 2.
-
- ~Courts of Europe~: Invited to subscribe to the Mass in D,
- III, 93 _et seq._
-
- ~Court Composers~: Their duties in the 18th century, I, 13.
-
- ~Court Theatres of Vienna~: B. asks appointment as composer for,
- II, 98.
-
- ~Cramer, F.~, Violinist: I, 186; II, 12.
-
- ~Cramer, John Baptist~: I, 186;
- sketch of, 218, 219;
- makes B's acquaintance, 218;
- his admiration for B., 219;
- on B's playing, 210; II, 318;
- B's opinion of him as pianist, 381.
-
- "~Creation, The~," Haydn's oratorio: I, 243, 266, 282, 284, 285;
- II, 89, 116, 120;
- receives the first metronomic marks, 223.
-
- ~Cressner, George~, English Ambassador at Bonn: I, 65.
-
- ~Cromwell~: I, viii; II, 360.
-
- ~Czapka~: Magistrate to whom B. appeals, III, 265.
-
- ~Czartoryski, Prince~: I, 271.
-
- ~Czernin, Count~: I, 172.
-
- ~Czerny, Carl~: I, 85;
- anecdote about B. and Gelinek, 152;
- on B's extempore playing, 196;
- use of high registers of pianoforte, 223, 236;
- pupil of B., 314;
- duet playing with Ries, 314;
- testimonial from B., 315;
- memory of, 315;
- rebuked by B. for changing his music, 316;
- letters, 316, 322;
- on the reception of the "Eroica," II, 35;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, 75;
- on B's playing and teaching, 90;
- on B's character, 91;
- on the theme of the _Credo_ in the Mass in C, 107;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 215, 314;
- rebuked by B. for changing his music, 337;
- letter, 338;
- B's advice as to instruction of Nephew Karl, 374;
- inaccuracies as biographer, 376;
- visits B., III, 203;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Czerny, Wenzel~: I, 236.
-
- ~Czerwensky~, Oboist: I, 239.
-
-
- ~Dalayrac~: Operas "Nina," I, 107, 108;
- "Les deux petits Savoyards," 109.
-
- ~Danhauser~: Makes bust of B., II, 221;
- death-mask, III, 310.
-
- ~Dardanelli~, Singer: III, 77, 169.
-
- ~Decker~: Makes crayon drawing of B., III, 176.
-
- ~Degen~, Aronaut: III, 62.
-
- ~Deiters, Dr. Hermann~, German translator of Thayer's work:
- I, Dedication; 88;
- writes conclusion of the biography, xv, 75, 103;
- discusses date of a letter to Wegeler, 177;
- on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- B's letters to Bettina von Arnim, II, 197;
- B's conduct towards Simrock, III, 53.
-
- ~De la Borde~: Opera "Die Mllerin," I, 109.
-
- ~Deler~ (Teller, Deller?): "Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe," opera,
- I, 31.
-
- ~Dembscher~: III, 193;
- canon, "Muss es sein?" 224, 244.
-
- ~Demmer~: Singer at first performance of "Fidelio," II, 50, 61;
- III, 83.
-
- ~Demmer, Joseph~: Petitions for the post of B's grandfather, I, 22;
- appointed, 23.
-
- ~Denmark, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 102, 105.
-
- ~Desaides~: Opera "Julie," I, 29, 107;
- "Die Reue vor der That," 32;
- his operas in Bonn, 86;
- "Les trois Fermiers," 107.
-
- ~Descriptive Music~: B. and, II, 120.
-
- "~Dserteur, Le~": Opera by Monsigny, I, 31, 46.
-
- ~Dessauer, Joseph~: Buys autograph score of "Eroica," II, 24.
-
- "~Deux Journes, Les~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3; III, 139.
-
- ~Devenne~: "Battle of Gemappe," II, 252.
-
- ~Deym, Countess Isabelle~: I, 342; II, 105.
-
- ~Deym, Countess Josephine~: I, 279, 322, 342; II, 203.
-
- ~Diabelli, Anton~: II, 314;
- III, negotiations with B. 107;
- variations on his waltz, 127 _et seq._;
- commissions Sonata for four hands, 183.
-
- ~Dickens, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- "~Die beiden Caliphen~": Opera by Meyerbeer, II, 297.
-
- "~Die Mllerin~": Opera by De la Borde, I, 109.
-
- ~Dietrichstein, Count~: Tries to have B. appointed Imperial
- Court Composer, III, 115;
- sends B. texts for missal hymns, 116.
-
- ~Dittersdorf~: Operas "Doktor und Apotheker," I, 108, 109;
- "Hieronymus Knicker," 109;
- "Das rothe Kppchen," 109, 139, 176, 183.
-
- ~Dobbeler, Abb Clemens~: Carries Trio Op. 3 to England, I,
- 134, 145.
-
- ~Dobbler's Dramatic Company~: I, 28.
-
- "~Dr. Murner~": Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
-
- "~Doktor und Apotheker~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 108, 109.
-
- ~Dolezalek, Johann Emanuel~: I, 239;
- sketch of, 368;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
- III, 294.
-
- ~Donaldson~, Edinburgh publisher: III, 42.
-
- "~Don Giovanni~": Opera by Mozart, I, 91, 107, 163, 193;
- II, 204; III, 42.
-
- "~Donne sempre Donne, Le~": Opera by Lucchesi, I, 26.
-
- ~Dont, Jacob~: II, 399.
-
- ~Dont, Joseph Valentine~: II, 399.
-
- ~Donzelli~, Singer: III, 169.
-
- "~Dorfbarbier, Der~": Opera by Hiller, I, 36.
-
- "~Dorfdeputirten, Die~": Opera by Schubauer, I, 109.
-
- ~Dousmoulin.~ (See TOUCHEMOULIN.)
-
- "~Dragomira~": Drama by Grillparzer, III, 118, 120, 122.
-
- ~Dragonetti, Domenico~:
- Makes B's acquaintance, I, 218;
- skill on double-bass, 218; II, 124;
- Trio in Fifth Symphony, 126, 256;
- recitatives in Ninth Symphony, III, 207.
-
- ~Drama, German~: Cultivated in the time of Max Friedrich,
- I, 28 _et seq._
-
- ~Drechsler~, Chapelmaster: III, 131;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Dresden~: B's intended visit to, I, 192.
-
- ~Drewer, Ferdinand~, Violinist: I, 23, 24.
-
- ~Drieberg, Baron F. J.~: "Les Ruines de Babilone," II, 202.
-
- ~Drosdick, Baroness~: II, 86.
-
- ~Duncker, Friedrich~: "Leonore Prohaska," II, 298.
-
- ~Duni~: Opera, "Die Jger und das Waldmdchen," I, 29.
-
- ~Duport~: Director of the Krnthnerthor Theatre, and the
- Ninth Symphony, III, 157.
-
- ~Duport, Pierre~, Violoncellist: I, 195, 205.
-
- ~Drck, F.~: His lithograph of Stieler's portrait, III, 42.
-
- ~Duschek, Madame~: I, 194, 226.
-
- ~Dsseldorf~: Electoral archives at, I, 5.
-
- ~Dutillier~: Operas, "Nanerina e Pandolfo," I, 165;
- "Trionfo d'Amore," 165.
-
-
- ~Eberl, Anton~: I, 172; II, 2.
-
- ~Ecclesiastical States~ of Germany: Former, I, 1, 15.
-
- ~Edwards, F. G.~: His sketch of Bridgetower's career, II, 11.
-
- ~Egyptian Text~: Preserved by B., II, 168.
-
- "~Ehrenpforte, Die~": Drama by Treitschke, II, 317.
-
- "~Eifersucht auf der Probe~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
-
- "~Eiferschtige Liebhaber, Der~" ("L'Amant jaloux"): Opera
- by Grtry, I, 31, 107.
-
- "~Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe~": Opera by Deler (?), I, 31.
-
- "~Einsprche, Die~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- ~Electoral Chapels~: Appointments in, I, 9.
-
- ~Electors of Cologne~: I, 1 _et seq._
-
- ~Ella, John~: II, 12; III, 32.
-
- ~Embel, F. X.~: III, 142.
-
- "~Ende gut, Alles gut~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 109.
-
- ~Engelbert~, Archbishop of Cologne: I, 3.
-
- ~England~: B's plan to visit, II, 142;
- his admiration for the English people and government, III,
- 36, 76, 181, 303;
- court of, not invited to subscribe to Mass in D, 104, 112.
- (See "PRINCE REGENT.")
-
- ~English plays~ produced at Max Friedrich's court: I, 29, 30, 31.
-
- "~Entfhrung aus dem Serail~": Opera by Mozart, I, 32, 107, 109.
-
- ~Eppinger, Heinrich~, Amateur violinist: I, 235, 274, 306; II, 2.
-
- ~Eppinger, Dr. Joseph~: II, 335.
-
- ~Erard, Sbastien~: Presents pianoforte to B., II, 21.
-
- ~Erddy, Count~: I, 172;
- continued friendship for B., II, 82, 215, 271.
-
- ~Erddy, Countess Marie~: Said by Schindler to have been one
- of B's loves, I, 324;
- sketch, II, 82, 124;
- dedication of Trios Op. 70, 132;
- proposes plan to keep B. in Vienna, 136, 141;
- letter of apology from B., 144, 162, 315, 319;
- B's letter of condolence of death of her child, 339;
- dedication of Op. 102, 357; III, 21;
- dedication, 23.
-
- ~Erk and Bhme~: "Deutscher Liederhort," I, 278.
-
- "~Erlknig~": Song by Schubert, I, 230; III, 236.
-
- ~Ernst~, Violinist: Purchaser of the Heiligenstadt Will, I, 351;
- and B's last quartets, III, 139.
-
- "~Ernst und Lucinda~" ("Eraste et Lucinde"): Opera by Grtry, I, 31.
-
- ~Ertmann, Baroness Dorothea~: Pupil of B., I, 322; II, 2, 83, 215;
- B. consoles her grief by playing the pianoforte, 356;
- dedication of Sonata Op. 101, 356, 365.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Franz~: I, 170.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Franz Anton~: I, 172;
- Princess, I, 172.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Johann Nepomuk~: I, 170.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Nicholas~: I, 169; II, 98;
- commissions B. to write a mass, 100;
- letters from B., 107;
- criticism of the Mass in C, 108, 116.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Niklas~: II, 98, 225.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Paul Anton~: I, 166, 171, 189;
- invited to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 103.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Princess~: Dedication of the Marches Op. 45,
- I, 351; II, 40, 108.
-
- "~Esther~": Opera by S. F. A. Auber, I, 14.
-
- "~Euryanthe~": Opera by Weber, III, 139, 140.
-
- "~vnements imprvus, Les~": Opera by Grtry, I, 32.
-
- ~Ewer and Co.~: III, 13.
-
- ~Eybler, Joseph~: I, 165;
- B's respect for him, 242;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
-
- ~Facius~, the Brothers: Amateurs in Bonn, I, 38.
-
- ~Falsification of B's age~: I, 55, 70, 71.
-
- "~Falstaff, ossia le Tre Burli~": Opera by Salieri, I, 227.
-
- "~Faniska~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 110.
-
- "~Fassbinder, Der~": Opera by Oudinet, I, 29.
-
- "~Fausse Magie, La~": Opera by Grtry, I, 107.
-
- "~Faust~," Goethe's: II, 119; III, 75, 220.
-
- "~Flix, ou l'Enfant trouv~": Opera by Monsigny, I, 32, 109.
-
- ~Felsburg, Count Stainer von~: II, 338; III, 156.
-
- "~Fermiers, Les trois~": Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
-
- ~Fidelissimo Papageno~: Nickname for Schindler, III, 102.
-
- "~Fiesco~": Drama by Schiller, III, 117.
-
- "~Filosofo di Campagna~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
-
- ~Finanz-Patent~, Austrian: Its effect on B's annuity,
- II, 211 _et seq._
-
- "~Finta Giardiniera, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Fischer, Ccilie~: I, xviii, 57, 58.
-
- ~Fischer, Gottfried~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
-
- ~Fischer Manuscript~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
-
- ~Fischer~: Opera, "Swetard's Zaubergrtel," II, 49.
-
- ~Fodor, Singer~: III, 121.
-
- ~Fontaine, Mortier de~: II, 73.
-
- ~Forkel, J. N.~: Biography of Bach, I, 303;
- "History of Music in Examples," II, 34.
-
- ~Forray, Baron Andreas von~: II, 220.
-
- ~Frster, Emanuel Aloys~: I, 172;
- influences B's chamber music, 273;
- his son's lessons from B., II, 31, 125, 315, 380.
-
- ~Forti, Singer~: II, 286.
-
- ~Fouche, Mary de~: I, 186.
-
- ~Fouqu, Baron de la Motte~: II, 330.
-
- "~Four Elements, The~": Oratorio planned by Kuffner, III, 219.
-
- ~Fox, Mrs. Jabez~: Acquires Thayer's posthumous papers, I, xiv;
- her copy of Mhler's portrait of B., II, 16.
-
- "~Fra due Litiganti~": Opera by Sarti, I, 86, 109.
-
- ~France, King of~: Subscribes for Mass in D and strikes
- medal, III, 99, 105, 230.
-
- ~Frank, Dr.~: Treats B., I, 300.
-
- ~Frank, Joseph~: I, 243.
-
- ~Frank, Madame.~ (See GERARDI.)
-
- ~Frankfort~: Ccilien-Verein in, III, 104, 106, 111, 180.
-
- ~Franz (Francis)~, Emperor of Austria: I, 214; III, 296.
-
- ~Franzensbrunn~: II, 223.
-
- "~Frascatana, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
-
- ~Frederick II~, King of Prussia: I, 195;
- reputed father of B., III, 214.
-
- ~Frederick III~, of Prussia, German Emperor: marries Princess
- Victoria of England; a Wedding Song, III, 13.
-
- ~Frederick William III~, King of Prussia: I, 194, 195, 205.
-
- "~Freischtz, Der~": Opera by Weber, III, 121, 135.
-
- ~Freudenberg, Karl Gottfried~: Visits B., III, 202.
-
- ~Freund, Philip~: Variation, I, 300.
-
- "~Freundschaft auf der Probe~" ("L'Amiti l'preuve"): Opera
- by Grtry, I, 131.
-
- ~Friedelberg~: I, 199; "Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir," 200.
-
- ~Friedlowsky~, Clarinettist; I, 329.
-
- ~Fries, Count Moritz~: I, 172;
- dedication of Violin Sonatas, 290;
- Quintet Op, 29, 294;
- collects funds for Bach's daughter, 308.
-
- ~Frimmel~: "Beethoven Jahrbuch," I, 255;
- "Beethoven's Wohnungen," 269;
- on the Bagatelles, 362, 337;
- on Beethoven's portraits, II, 15.
-
- ~Fritzieri (Fridzeri, Frizer)~: Opera "Die seidenen
- Schuhe," I, 32, 86.
-
- ~Fry, William Henry~, American critic: II, 358.
-
- ~Fuchs, Aloys~: I, 194, 276;
- anecdote of B. and Haydn, 285;
- owner of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- solo singer in Troppau, II, 208, 368.
-
- ~Fuchs~: "Battle of Jena" arranged for two flutes, II, 252.
-
- ~Fugger, Countess~: Favorite of Elector Joseph Clemens, I, 3.
-
- ~Fugues~: B's opinion on, II, 289.
-
- ~Frstenberg, Cardinal~: I, 3;
- his government of the Electorate, 5;
- political vicissitudes, 5, 14.
-
- ~Fuss, Johann~: Opera "Romulus and Remus," II, 304.
-
- ~Fux, Joseph~: "Gradus ad Parnassum," I, 158, 159.
-
-
- ~Galitzin, Prince George~: III, 230.
-
- ~Galitzin, Prince Nicolas Boris~: III, 73;
- dedication, 81;
- the last Quartets, 87, 183;
- asked to appeal to Czar for subscription, 102;
- controversy over payment for the Quartets, 226 _et seq._
-
- ~Gallenberg, Count Wenzel Robert~: Marries Countess Guicciardi,
- I, 320, 324;
- associated with Barbaja, 320;
- as a composer, II, 42; III, 130.
-
- ~Gallenberg, Count~: Son of Countess Guicciardi, I, 340.
-
- ~Galuppi~: Operas "Il Filosofo di Campagna," I, 25;
- "La Calamit di Cuori," 26;
- "Tre Amanti ridicoli," 27.
-
- ~Gnsbacher~: On Vogler's playing, II, 15;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Gardiner, William~: "Italy, Her Arts, etc.," I, 131;
- on the Trios Op. 3, 135;
- "Sacred Melodies," III, 40;
- offers B. 100 guineas for an overture, 40.
-
- ~Garzia, Francesco~: "Schiava finta," I, 26.
-
- ~Gassmann~: Opera "Die Liebe unter den Handwerkern" ("L'Amore
- artigiano"), I, 31, 46.
-
- ~Gassner~: His projected biography of B., III, 198.
-
- ~Gaveaux~: "Lonore, ou l'Amour conjugal," II, 35, 36;
- "L'Amour filial," 37;
- "Le petit Matelot," 36.
-
- ~Gazanello~: Pupil of B's father, I, 49.
-
- "~Geitzigen in der Falle, Die~": Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
-
- ~Gelinek, Abb Joseph~: Recommends B. to Schenk, I, 152;
- his hatred of B., 152;
- Czerny's anecdote, 152;
- on B's sketchbooks, 257.
-
- "~Gelosie villane, Le~": Opera by Sarti, I, 32.
-
- "~Geloso in Cimento, II~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
-
- ~Genney, Countess von~: II, 367.
-
- ~George IV~, King of England (see PRINCE REGENT): II, 11;
- B's address to, III, 112, 113.
-
- ~Gerardi, Christine von~, Amateur singer: I, 243;
- marries Joseph Frank, 243, 282;
- letter to, 283; II, 3.
-
- ~Gesellschaft der bildenden Knstler~: I, 182, 202.
-
- ~Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde~: I, 136, 203, 225, 230, 315; II, 15;
- commissions B. to write an oratorio, 325, 330, 397; III, 15,
- 172 _et seq._; 175, 216;
- elects B. Hon. Mem., 175, 212.
-
- "~Giafar~": Opera-book projected for B., II, 205.
-
- ~Giannatasio, Cajetan del Rio~: B's Nephew in his care, 331 _et seq._;
- letters, 332, 349;
- B. authorizes him to punish his ward, 373, 338, 392, 402, 410;
- a wedding hymn, III, 13.
-
- ~Giannatasio, Fanny~: On Archduke Rudolph as B's pupil, II, 80;
- her diary, 341, 361, 403; III, 2, 50.
-
- "~Gioas, Re di Giuda~": Oratorio by Caldara, I, 184.
-
- ~Girando, M. F. de~: I, 346.
-
- ~Glser, Franz~: III, 81.
-
- ~Gleichenstein, Count Ignaz von~: I, 333;
- becomes clerk in the War Department of Austria, II, 14, 89, 104;
- letters from B., 114, 132, 140, 155, 174, 175, 136, 138;
- dedication of Sonata Op. 69, 141, 162, 305; III, 295.
-
- ~Gleimer, Claire von~: III, 84.
-
- ~Glggl, Franz~: B's visit to Linz, II, 230, 256.
-
- ~Gluck~: Operas "Die Pilgrimme von Mekka," I, 32, 108;
- "Alceste," I, 86;
- "Orfeo," 86;
- "Iphigenia in Tauris," 315; II, 119.
-
- ~Gneixendorf~: Johann v. B. buys estate near, III, 19.
- (See LODGINGS and JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN.)
-
- "~God save the King~" (see INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS): II, 252, 310;
- Karl translates stanza for B., III, 209.
-
- ~Goethe~: B's admiration for his poetry, I, 254; II, 147.
- --Vol. II: "Faust," 119;
- "Egmont," 153 (see COMPOSITIONS);
- "Israel in der Wste," 167;
- "West-stliches Divan," 167;
- "Wilhelm Meister," 176;
- letter from Bettina von Arnim, 178;
- letter to Bettina, 186, 189;
- asks for songs composed by B., 189;
- letter from Bettina, 190;
- B's admiration, 194;
- letter from B., 197;
- letter to B., 197;
- at Teplitz, 222 _et seq._;
- goes with B. on a pleasure trip, 227;
- at Karlsbad, 222, 224;
- describes B., 224;
- rebuked by B. for his deference to royalty, 224, 226, 227;
- the meeting at Teplitz, 226.
- --Vol. III. B's account to Rochlitz of his meeting, 75;
- "Faust" music, 75, 220;
- asked by B. to get subscription of Grand Duke of Weimar, 98, 104;
- his taste in music, 99.
-
- ~Gossec~: I, 86.
-
- "~Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser~": I, 200; III, 84.
-
- ~Gottwaldt~, Chamber Music Director at Bonn: II, 11, 12.
-
- "~Graf Armand.~" (See LES DEUX JOURNES.)
-
- ~Grahame~, Scottish poet: His tribute to B., II, 290.
-
- ~Grassalkowitz, Prince~: I, 168.
-
- ~Grassnick Sketchbook~: I, 275; II, 160.
-
- ~Gratz~: B. sends music for Ursulines, II, 214, 246 _et seq._;
- Musik-Verein at, elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 72.
-
- ~Graun~: His "Tod Jesu," II, 89;
- B's judgment on a fugue, 89.
-
- "~Great Mogul~": Haydn's designation of B., I, 248.
-
- ~Greiner, Michael~, Tenor: III, 81.
-
- ~Grtry~: Operas "Silvain," I, 86;
- "L'Amant jaloux," 31, 107;
- "L'Ami de la Maison," 31, 86;
- "L'Amiti l'preuve," 31;
- "Lucille," 31, 86;
- "Mariage des Samnites," 31;
- "Eraste et Lucinde," 31;
- "Zmire et Azor," 32, 86;
- "Les vnements imprvus," 32;
- "Le Magnifique," 86;
- "L'Amant jaloux," "La fausse Magie," 107;
- "Richard, Coeur de Lion," 226, 305.
-
- ~Griesinger~: "Biographische Notizen ber Joseph Haydn,"
- I, 249; III, 73, 76.
-
- ~Grillparzer~: I, 270;
- on B's dress, 322; III, 117;
- "Dragomira," 118, 122;
- "Ottokar," 121;
- "Melusine," 118 _et seq._; 135, 220;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312;
- writes funeral oration, 312;
- mother of the poet, I, 270.
-
- ~Grimm~, the brothers: II, 181.
-
- ~Grosheim, Dr. G. L.~: I, 292.
-
- ~Grossmann, Mme.~: I, 73.
-
- ~Grossmann and Helmuth~: I, 35, 36, 63, 69.
-
- "~Grotta di Trofonio, La~": Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
-
- ~Grove, Sir George~: I, x, xii, xiii, xv, 336; II, 122.
-
- ~Guatelli~, ~Bey~ and ~Pasha~: I, 140.
-
- ~Gudenau, Baron von~: I, 88.
-
- ~Guglielmo~: Opera "Robert und Callista," I, 31, 109.
-
- ~Guicciardi, Countess Giulietta~: I, 243, 244;
- dedication of the Sonata in C-sharp minor, 292, 322, 370;
- relations with B., 319 _et seq._;
- marries Count Gallenberg, 320;
- pupil of B., 322;
- her portrait, 355, 341;
- the Rondo in G, 370;
- Vol. II: 47, 106.
- (See "LOVE AFFAIRS," under "B., L. v.")
-
- "~Gnther von Schwarzburg~": Opera by Holzbauer, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Gute Nachricht~": Drama by Treitschke, II, 268, 270, 277, 317.
-
- ~Gyrowetz~: Respected by B., I, 241;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
-
- ~Habich~, Dancing-master: I, 133.
-
- ~Hagen, J. A. Freiherr von~: I, 29;
- "Wir haben Ihn wieder," 31.
-
- ~Hahn, Christine Elizabeth~: Wife of Brger, II, 141.
-
- ~Haitzinger, Singer~: III, 83.
-
- ~Hale, Philip~: On the "Immortal Beloved," I, 346.
-
- ~Halm, Anton~, Pianist: II, 326, 388;
- arranges Fugue in B-flat, III, 223.
-
- "~Hammerklavier~": II, 364.
-
- ~Hammer-Purgstall~: Book of an oratorio, II, 118;
- influence on B., 167.
-
- ~Handel~: I, 13;
- duel with Matthison, 72, 85;
- "Judas Maccabus," 202, 205.
- --Vol. II. Commemoration of, 12;
- "Messiah," 12, 310, 312;
- B's admiration for, 89;
- "Acis and Galatea," 209, 171;
- "Timotheus," 216;
- "Samson," 359;
- "Belshazzar," 359.
- --Vol. III. B. on "Messiah," 135;
- "Alexander's Feast," 182;
- B's estimate, 182;
- on his trumpets, 208;
- "Saul," 219;
- gift of his scores to B., 277, 288, 289, 294, 296.
-
- ~Handel and Haydn Society of Boston~: Commissions B. to write
- an oratorio, III, 87.
-
- ~Hanslick, Dr. Eduard~: Makes known the discovery of the Bonn
- cantatas, I, 130;
- "Geschichte des Concertwesens in Wien," 223.
-
- ~Hardenburg, von~, Prussian Chancellor: II, 302.
-
- ~Hring~, Banker and amateur musician: I, 236; II, 112.
-
- ~Harrach, Count~: I, 172.
-
- ~Hrtel, G. C.~: B. sends a letter of condolence, II, 200.
-
- ~Hartl, Joseph~, Director of Court Theatres: II, 127;
- resignation, 201.
-
- ~Haslinger, Tobias~, Music publisher: II, 279;
- "Ideal einer Schlacht," 279;
- Canon on, III, 43, 44, 137, 169;
- B. attempts a joke on him, 190;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Hatzfeld, Countess~: I, 16, 37, 139.
-
- ~Hatzfeld, Prince~: III, 94.
-
- ~Hauschka~: "Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser," I, 200.
-
- "~Hausfreund, Der~" ("L'Ami de la Maison"): Opera by Grtry, I, 31.
-
- ~Hausmann~: Music lover in Berlin, I, xii.
-
- ~Hussler'sche Gesellschaft~: Theatre in Bonn, I, 112.
-
- ~Haveckas, Ernest~: I, 12.
-
- ~Hawthorne~: His note-books, I, 261.
-
- ~Haydn, Joseph~:
- Vol. I: His duties at Esterhaz, 13;
- first visit to Bonn, 110;
- at Godesberg, 116;
- B. shows him a cantata, 116;
- B. proposed as his pupil, 123;
- plans to take B. to London, 125;
- B's introduction to, 140;
- gives B. lessons, 150 _et seq._;
- B's disparagement of him as a teacher, 152;
- rupture between the two, 155, 189;
- his imitative music, 171;
- "The Seasons," 171;
- his judgment on the Trios Op. 1, 175;
- dedication of the Sonata Op. 2, 186;
- B. plays at his concert, 188;
- writes dances for Ridotto Room, 188;
- the Austrian National Hymn, 200;
- "Seven Last Words," 214;
- "The Creation," 243, 266, 284, 285;
- Griesinger's biography, 249;
- Kozeluch, 271;
- on B's "Prometheus," 285.
- --Vol. II: Said to have been Bridgetower's teacher, 11;
- the Salomon concerts, 12;
- comment on Anna Milder, 49;
- his settings of Scotch songs, 70;
- Marie Bigot, 89;
- "The Creation" performed at birthday concert, 116, 126;
- "Ritorno di Tobia," 131;
- Scotch songs for Thomson, 219, 416.
- --Vol. III: Mass "In tempore belli," 92;
- picture of his birthplace shown to B. on his death-bed, 302.
-
- ~Heckermann~, Fanny: III, 81.
-
- "~Heilige Grab, Das~": Oratorio by Par, II, 2.
-
- ~Heiligenstadt Will~: I, 339, 351 _et seq._; II, 164.
-
- ~Heim, Johann, Th.~: II, 8.
-
- "~Heinrich und Lyda~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
-
- ~Heller, Ferdinand~: I, 87.
-
- ~Hellmesberger, Georg~: Once owner of the portrait of Countess
- Brunswick, I, 335.
-
- ~Hellmesberger, Joseph~: Completes movement of a Violin
- Concerto in C, I, 136.
-
- ~Henneberg, J. B.~: Chapelmaster and composer, I, 164; II, 2.
-
- ~Hennes~: Sees B. as child weeping at pianoforte, I, 58.
-
- ~Hensel, Fanny~: On the overture "Leonore No. I," II, 59.
-
- ~Hensler, Carl Friedrich~: III, 64, 79, 82.
-
- ~Herbst~: Horn-player, I, 239.
-
- ~Herder~: II, 167, 193.
-
- "~Hermann von Staufen~": Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
-
- "~Hermann von Unna~": Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
-
- ~Herzog~, Man and Wife, servants of B: II, 156.
-
- ~Hess-Diller, Baroness~: I, 340.
-
- ~Hesse-Cassel~: Elector of, not invited to subscribe for
- the Mass in D, III, 93.
-
- ~Hesse-Darmstadt~: Grand Duke of, and the Mass in D, III, 97, 106.
-
- "~Hieronymus Knicker~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109.
-
- ~Hiller, Ferdinand~: Gives Rossini's account of his meeting
- with B., III, 78;
- his account of Hummel's visit to B's death-bed, 301 _et seq._
-
- ~Hiller, J. A.~: Operas "Die Jagd," I, 32;
- "Der rndetanz," 32;
- "Dorfbarbier," 36;
- "Wchentliche Nachrichten," 35.
-
- ~Himmel, F. H.~: Intercourse with B. in Berlin, I, 196.
-
- ~Hofdemel, Mme.~: B. refuses to play for her because of a
- scandal, I, 254.
-
- ~Hfel, Blasius~: Engraves Latronne's crayon portrait of B., II, 287;
- his story of B's arrest as a tramp, III, 42.
-
- ~Hoffmann, E. T. A~: On the C minor Symphony, I, 307; II, 186;
- the canon on the name, III, 34.
-
- ~Hoffmann, Joachim~: III, 35.
-
- ~Hoffmann, Vincenz~: III, 35.
-
- ~Hoffmeister, Franz Anton~: I, 271;
- letter, 271.
- (See HOFFMEISTER AND KHNEL.)
-
- ~Hoffmeister and Khnel~: Origin of firm, I, 271;
- letters, 281, 286, 294, 366, 370; III, 57;
- publish the works of Bach, I, 303.
-
- "~Hofschmied, Der~": Opera by Philidor, I, 29.
-
- ~Hogarth, George~: "The Philharmonic Society of London," III, 110.
-
- ~Hohenlohe, Princess Marie~: II, 392.
-
- ~Holland~: Visited by B. as child, I, 66;
- B. made Member of the Royal Institute of, II, 147; III, 163.
-
- ~Holz, Carl~: I, 269, 276;
- and the bank stock, 326.
- --Vol. III: Becomes B's factotum, 194 _et seq._;
- B's jests on his name, 196;
- authorized by B. to write his biography, 197;
- insinuations against Schindler, 198;
- letter from B., 216;
- B. on his playing, 216;
- seeks to divert B., 237;
- reports on conduct of Karl, 253;
- early in attendance on B. at last illness, 273;
- marries, 281;
- collects last annuity payment, 295;
- torchbearer at the funeral, 312.
-
- ~Holzbauer~: Opera "Gnther von Schwarzburg," I, 31, 86.
-
- ~Homer~: Admiration felt for by B., I, 147.
-
- ~Hnig~: Singer in "Fidelio," II, 278.
-
- ~Honrath, Jeannette d'~: I, 120, 122; III, 288.
-
- ~Horsalka, Johann~: III, 15, 42.
-
- ~Hotschevar, Jacob~: I, 351; II, 401, 405;
- guardian of B's nephew, III, 292.
-
- ~Hradezky~, Horn-player: I, 239.
-
- ~Huber, Franz Xaver~: I, 289; II, 7.
-
- ~Hummel, Elizabeth~: On B's admiration for women, II, 181.
-
- ~Hummel, Johann Nepomuk~: Mozart's pupil, I, 91;
- sketch of 240;
- letters from B., 240, 274, 267;
- his falling-out with B., II, 108 _et seq._;
- his wife a sister of Rckel, 142;
- in performance of "Wellington's Victory," 262;
- begins Pf. score of "Fidelio," 283;
- canon for his album, 338; III, 290;
- at B's death-bed, 301;
- improvises at concert, 302;
- pallbearer at funeral, 312.
-
- ~Hungary~: Visited by B. in 1809, II, 154.
-
- ~Httenbrenner, Anselm~: Visited by Thayer I, x;
- report of Salieri's remarks on "Fidelio," II, 64, 355;
- overture to Schiller's "Robbers," 355;
- his account of B's death, III, 300, 306, 307 _et seq._
-
- ~Httenbrenner, Joseph~: III, 79, 166.
-
-
- "~Idomeneus~": Opera by Mozart, II, 101.
-
- ~Iken, Dr. Karl~: A programme for the Seventh Symphony, III, 37.
-
- ~Imitative Music~: II, 120.
-
- "~Immortal Beloved, The~": I, xvi.
- (See LOVE AFFAIRS, etc.)
-
- "~Improvvisata (L') o sia la Galanteria disturbata~": Opera
- by Lucchesi, I, 27.
-
- "~Incognito, L'~": Opera by Sarti, I, 86.
-
- "~Inganno scoperto, L'~": Opera by Lucchesi, I, 27, 47.
-
- ~Instruments~ owned by B.: I, 276.
-
- "~Iphigenia in Tauris~": Opera by Gluck, I, 315; II, 119.
-
- "~Isola d'Amore, L'~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
-
- "~Israel in the Wilderness~": Oratorio by C. P. E. Bach, II. 388.
-
- "~Italiana in Londra, L'~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 32.
-
- ~Italy~: B. projects journey to, II, 202.
-
-
- ~Jacobs, Jacob~: I, 42.
-
- ~Jadin~: "Battle of Austerlitz," II, 252.
-
- "~Jagd, Die~": Opera by Hiller, I, 31.
-
- "~Jger und das Waldmdchen, Der~": Opera by Duni, I, 29.
-
- ~Jahn, Otto~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 63, 85;
- his account of B's visit to Mozart, 90, 153, 171, 329;
- on Countess Guicciardi's marriage, 321;
- interview with the Countess, 322;
- examines love-letter, 328;
- his edition of "Fidelio," II, 45, 285;
- note on the compositions sold to Clementi, 104;
- his opinion on Schindler as biographer, 376.
-
- ~Jeitteles, Alois~: "An die ferne Geliebte," II, 243.
-
- ~Joachim, Joseph~: I, xii.
-
- ~Joseph Clemens,~ Elector of Cologne: I, 1, 3 _et seq._;
- his favorites, 3;
- consecrated by Fnelon, 3, 6;
- a unique composer, 4;
- his music-chapel, 5;
- sides with Louis IV in war, 5;
- restored to Electoral dignity, 6;
- death of, 7.
-
- ~Joseph I~, Emperor of Germany: I, 6.
-
- ~Joseph II~, Emperor of Germany: I, 107;
- death of, 130;
- interest in German opera, 163.
-
- ~Josephstadt Theatre~: Opening of, II, 81.
-
- "~Judah~": Oratorio by Gardiner, III, 40.
-
- "~Judas Maccabus~": Oratorio by Handel, I, 202, 205.
-
- "~Julie~": Opera by Desaides, I, 29, 107.
-
- ~Junker, Carl Ludwig~: Describes B's Pf. playing, I, 114.
-
-
- ~Kafka, J. N.~: His sketchbook, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261, 362.
-
- ~Kaiser, Frulein~, Singer: III, 81.
-
- ~Kalischer, Dr. A. C.~: I, 235;
- his collection of B's letters, 255, 278, 293;
- and the "Immortal Beloved," 336, 337.
-
- ~Kanka~, Councillor: I, 194, 195.
-
- ~Kanka, Jeannette~: I, 195.
-
- ~Kanka, Dr. Johann~: Effects compromise with Kinsky's heirs,
- II, 288, 353.
-
- ~Kanne, Friedrich August~: II, 358; III, 117, 176.
-
- ~Kant, Immanuel~: B. refuses to hear lectures on, I, 182;
- II, 166, 214, 167; III, 25.
-
- ~Karajan, Prof.~: I, 123; II, 305.
-
- ~Karl, Duke of Lorraine~, Archduke of Austria: I, 77, 288; II, 12.
-
- ~Karlsbad~: B's visit to, II, 223.
-
- ~Karth, Frau~: I, 75, 103, 117, 119;
- description of B's brothers, 358.
-
- ~Kastner, Emil~: His estimate of B's letters, I, 255.
-
- ~Kaufmnnischer Verein~ of Vienna: Elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 21.
-
- "~Kaufmann von Smyrna, Der~": Opera by Juste, I, 32.
-
- ~Kayser, Joseph~, Instrument maker: I, 10.
-
- ~Kees, von~, Court Councillor: I, 166, 170.
-
- ~Keglevich, Countess "Babette"~: I, 209, 227, 245;
- said to have been one of B's loves, 318;
- dedication to her, 318.
-
- ~Keglevich de Busin, Count Karl~: I, 245.
-
- "~Kein Dienst bleibt unbelohnt~": Opera, I, 108.
-
- ~Kerich, Abraham~, ~Helene~ (Mme. von Breuning), and
- ~Stephen~: I, 98, 99, 101.
-
- ~Kessler~: Sketchbook, I, 289, 368, 371.
-
- ~Kewerich, Heinrich~, Electoral cook: I, 49;
- his widowed daughter marries the father of B., I, 49.
-
- ~Kiesewetter, R. G.~: I, 230.
-
- ~Kilitzky, Frulein~: II, 129.
-
- ~Kinsky, Prince Ferdinand~: I, 170, 172; II, 113;
- subscribes in the Annuity Contract, 139, 146;
- his payments, 170, 172, 205, 213, 222;
- agrees to pay in notes of redemption, 242;
- reduction of obligation by the Finanz-Patent, 212;
- B. begins legal proceedings against his heirs, 259, 288;
- settlement, 306;
- sum paid annually under the contract, 306.
-
- ~Kinsky, Princess~: Dedication of Songs Op. 75, II, 195;
- letter from B., 243.
-
- ~Kinsky, Prince Joseph~: I, 170.
-
- ~Kirnberger~: I, 159.
-
- ~Klein, Prof.~: Makes mask of B's face, II, 221; III, 311.
-
- ~Klingemann~: His drama "Moses," II, 297.
-
- ~Klober, August von~: Paints B's portrait, II, 399.
-
- ~Klopstock~: B's admiration for his poetry, I, 254; III, 75.
-
- ~Klos Theatrical Troupe~: I, 105.
-
- ~Kneisel, Dr. C. M.~: I, 55.
-
- ~Kobler Family~: I, 285.
-
- ~Koch, Barbara~ ("Babette"): I, 117, 118, 178.
-
- ~Koch, Friar Willibald~: Gives organ lessons to B., I, 64.
-
- ~Kchel~: Collection of B's letters, II, 248.
-
- ~Koczwara~: "Battle of Prague," II, 252.
-
- "~Knig Axur~": Opera by Salieri, I, 109.
-
- "~Knig von Venedig~" ("Il Re Teodoro"): Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Knneritz, von~: The Mass in D, III, 96, 97, 130.
-
- ~Kopfermann, Albert~: I, 280.
-
- ~Krner, Theodor~: On failure of the E-flat Concerto, II, 215.
-
- ~Koschak, Marie~: I, 318.
-
- ~Kster-Schlegel~, Singer: III, 85.
-
- ~Kotzebue~: Founds "Der Freymthige," II, 1;
- account of music in Vienna, 1;
- "Der Leibkutscher Peters III." 1;
- "Ruinen von Athen," 161, 201;
- B. asks him for opera-book, 213.
-
- ~Kozeluch, Leopold~: I, 172;
- dances for the Ridotto, 188;
- on the Trio in C minor, 271;
- Haydn, 271;
- and Thomson's songs, II, 70;
- B's "Miserabilis," 219;
- Scotch airs for Thomson, 200.
-
- ~Kraft, Anton~: I, 170;
- sketch of, 238; II, 8, 41.
-
- ~Krasinsky, Rochus~: II, 270.
-
- ~Krehbiel, H. E.~: Undertakes English version of Thayer's
- biography, I, viii, xiii;
- use of original manuscript, viii;
- communications with Thayer and Deiters, viii;
- his procedure, xv;
- on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- "The Pianoforte and its Music," 292;
- defense of Thayer's hypothesis concerning the
- "Immortal Beloved," 317;
- on the love-letter, 336 _et seq._;
- "Music and Manners in the Classical Period,"
- II, 11; III, 307;
- on the overtures to "Fidelio," II, 59.
-
- ~Kreissle, Heinrich von~: III, 79.
-
- ~Krenn, Michael~: III, 241, 267.
-
- ~Krenn~, Music Director: II, 369.
-
- ~Kretschmer~: "Deutsche Volkslieder," I, 278.
-
- ~Kreutzer, Conradin~: III, 166;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Kreutzer, Rudolph~: II, 9, 21.
-
- ~Kriehuber~: Imitates Decker's portrait of B., III, 176.
-
- ~Krupp~: Court Councillor, on B's boyhood, I, 61.
-
- ~Kchler, Johann~: Opera "A alia," I, 32.
-
- ~Kudlich, Joseph~: Tutor of B's nephew, III, 4.
-
- ~Kuenberg, Countess~: I, 340.
-
- ~Kuffner, Christian~: His text of the Choral Fantasia,
- II, 129, 133, 369;
- plans an oratorio, III, 219.
-
- ~Kuhlau, Friedrich~: Visit to B, III, 204.
-
- ~Knstler-Pensions-Institut~: I, 211.
-
- ~Kurzbeck, Mme.~, Amateur pianist: II, 2.
-
- ~Kyd, Major-General Alexander~: Commissions B. to write
- a symphony, 344, 345.
-
-
- ~Lablache~, Singer: III, 77, 121, 312.
-
- ~Laibach~: Philharmonic Society elect B. Hon. Mem., III, 14.
-
- ~Lalande~: III, 77.
-
- ~La Mara (Marie Lipsius)~: I, 292, 336;
- letter from Thayer on the "Immortal Beloved," I, 339;
- her book, 339;
- "Classisches und Romantisches aus der Tonwelt," 338; II, 203.
-
- ~Landsberger~: Sketches, II, 73.
-
- ~Landshut University~: III, 4.
-
- ~Languider, Karoline~: On B's love-affairs, I, 341.
-
- ~Latilla~: Opera "La Pastorella al Soglio," I, 26.
-
- ~Latronne~: Makes crayon portrait of B., II, 287.
-
- ~Laym, Maria Magdalena (or Leym)~: B's mother.
- (See BEETHOVEN, JOHANN VAN.)
-
- ~Lebewohl~ and ~Adieu~: Differentiated by B., II, 207.
-
- ~Ledermeyer~, Editor in Vienna: II, 359.
-
- ~Leipsic~: B's intended visit to, I, 192, 198.
-
- "~Leipsic Oxen~": B's term for critics, I, 282, 304.
-
- ~Lentner, Mme.~, Court singer: I, 18, 19.
-
- ~Lenz~: Critical catalogue of B's works, I, 272;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75.
-
- "~Leonora~": Opera by Par, II, 35, 37.
-
- "~Leonore Prohaska~": Drama by Duncker, II, 298.
-
- "~Lonore, ou l'Amour conjugal~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 35, 36.
-
- ~Leopold I~, Emperor of Germany: I, 5, 6.
-
- ~Leopold II~, Emperor of Germany: I, 163, 164.
-
- ~Levin, Rahel~: II, 204.
-
- "~Libussa~": Opera-book by Bernard, III, 173.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Prince Carl~: Takes B. into his lodgings,
- I, 148, 168, 170;
- Trios Op. 1 first played at his house, 175;
- commands servant to give B. precedence over him, 182, 190;
- probable visit to Prague with B., 193, 244;
- gives B. quartet of instruments, 276, 286;
- settles annuity on B., 298, 299, II, 9;
- visited by B. in Silesia, 66;
- abrupt departure of B., 68, 104, 123, 146;
- visited by B. in Silesia, 208;
- undisturbed friendship for B., 215;
- with B. at Teplitz, 222;
- unwillingness to disturb B. when at work, 254;
- death of, 271.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Princess Christine~: II, 124, 271.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Countess Henrietta~: I, 244;
- dedication, 370.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Princess Maria Christine~: I, 170;
- dedication to, 290.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Count Moritz~: I, 213, 235;
- dedication to, 369;
- story of Bonaparte and the "Eroica," II, 24;
- letters from B., 262, 290;
- marriage with an opera-singer, 291; III, 24;
- on Johann van B., 67;
- B's musical jest, 115;
- agrees to guarantee Grillparzer's opera, 121, 158, 294.
-
- "~Liebe unter den Handwerkern~" ("L'Amore artigiano"):
- Opera by Gassmann, I, 31.
-
- ~Liebich, Carl~: General Manager of Bohemian Theatres, II, 110.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Baron Carl August~: I, 286, 304;
- "Bathmendi," 304;
- "Die steinerne Braut," 305; II, 2.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Prince Johann Joseph~: I, 171, 244.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Princess~: I, 244;
- dedication to, 291.
-
- "~Lilla~": Opera by Martini, I, 108, 109.
-
- ~Lincoln, Abraham~, President of the U. S.: appoints
- Thayer Consul, I, x.
-
- ~Lind~: B's tailor, II, 164.
-
- ~Lind-Goldschmid, Jenny~: Once owner of the Heiligenstadt
- Will, I, 351.
-
- ~Lindner, Andreas~, Dancing-master: I, 147.
-
- ~Linke~, Violoncellist: I, 174, 316; II, 124, 125, 316,
- 319, 337; III, 294, 312.
-
- ~Linz~: B's visit to his brother at, I, 229.
-
- ~Lipsius.~ (See LA MARA.)
-
- "~Listige Bauernmdchen, Das~" ("La finta Giardiniera"):
- Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Liszt, Franz~: Gets B's Broadwood Pf., II, 392;
- is presented to B., III, 124;
- the alleged kiss, 124.
-
- ~Lobkowitz, Prince~: I, 168;
- amateur violinist, 169;
- his orchestra, 239;
- dedication of quartets, 276, 290;
- II, B's epithet, "Lobkowitzian ass," 51, 98;
- suggests engagement of B. at Court Theatres, 99;
- dedication of "Eroica," 77, 110, 113;
- subscribes to annuity contract, 139, 146;
- dedication of "Harp" Quartet, 160;
- dedication of Fifth Symphony, 162;
- the Annuity Fund, 170, 172;
- dedication of Quartet, Op. 74, 195;
- assumes direction of Court Theatres, 201;
- reduction of his obligation under Annuity Contract, 212;
- suspends payment, 213;
- ruined by theatrical management, 250;
- the annuity obligation, 289;
- settlement of, 306;
- B's aspersions on his character, 307;
- cantata on his birthday, 354.
-
- "~Lodoska~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
-
- ~Lodron, Count~: II, 98.
-
- ~Loewe, Ludwig~: Actor for whom B. acts as love messenger, II, 205.
-
- ~London Musicians~: B's appeal to, II, 273.
-
- ~Longfellow, Henry W.~: II, 193.
-
- ~Lonsdale, Charles~: Partner of Robert Birchall, II,
- 319, 346, 350, 351.
-
- ~Lonsdale, Robert~: II, 319.
-
- ~Louis XVIII~, King of France: Subscribes for the Mass
- in D and strikes medal in B's honor, III, 100.
-
- ~Louis Ferdinand~, Prince of Prussia: Amateur musician
- complimented by B., I, 196;
- and the "Eroica," II, 26, 32, 302.
-
- ~Lower Rhenish Festival~: III, 188.
-
- ~Lucchesi, Andrea~: Appointed successor to B's grandfather, I, 22;
- "L'Inganno scoperto," 27, 47;
- "Le Donne sempre donne," 26;
- "Il Natale di Giove," 26;
- "L'Improvvisata," 27;
- sketch of, 34, 71, 73, 74, 82.
-
- "~Lucille~": Opera by Grtry, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Lgnerin aus Liebe~": Opera by Salieri, I, 32.
-
- ~Luib, Ferdinand~: I, 269, 356.
-
- ~Lwoff~, Russian Privy Councillor: II, 75.
-
-
- "~Macbeth~": Opera-book by Collin, II, 119, 151, 158;
- another, III, 117.
-
- ~Macco, Alexander~: II, 18, 124.
-
- ~Macfarren, Natalie~: III, 231.
-
- "~Mdchen im Eichthale~" ("Maid of the Oaks"): Opera by
- d'Antoine, I, 32.
-
- "~Mdchen von Frascati, Das~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
-
- "~Magnifique, Le~": Opera by Grtry, I, 86.
-
- ~Mhler, Willibrord Joseph~, Painter: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 146;
- II, paints portrait of B., 15, 305;
- anecdote about "Fidelio," 51;
- invited by B., 198.
-
- "~Maid of the Oaks~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 32.
-
- ~Malfatti, Dr.~: II, 86, 141;
- sends B. to Teplitz, 202, 280;
- insulted by B., 345, 369;
- III, at B's last illness, 274, 288;
- estrangement and reconciliation, 284, 285;
- his treatment of B., 286, 287, 292.
-
- ~Malfatti, Therese~: I, xvi, 292;
- alleged proposal of marriage to by B., 333, 336; II, 141;
- sketch of, II, 86, 106;
- letter to, 176, 239.
-
- ~Malherbe, Charles~: I, 139.
-
- ~Malines~: Van Beethoven families living in, I, 44.
-
- ~Mlzel, Johann Nepomuk~: Career of, II, 232 _et seq._;
- makes ear-trumpet for B., 233;
- invents metronome, 233;
- the canon on his name, 234 _et seq._;
- lends B. money, 245;
- conceives "Wellington's Victory," 251 _et seq._;
- his mechanical trumpeter, 251, 257, 261;
- his panharmonicon, 251;
- contemplates accompanying B. to England, 251, 255;
- projects concert for production of "Wellington's Victory," 256;
- B's note of thanks to, 258;
- quarrels with B., 259;
- legal proceedings, 271 _et seq._;
- American career and death of, 276, 384.
-
- ~Mandycewski, Eusebius~: I, 210, 223.
-
- "~Marchese Tulipano, Il~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Marconi~, Singer: II, 129.
-
- ~Maria Ludovica, Empress~: III, 142.
-
- ~Maria Theresia~: I, 77, 81;
- dedication of Septet, 278, 283;
- sings part in an opera by Reicha, 310.
-
- "~Mariage des Samnites, Le~": Opera by Grtry, I, 31.
-
- ~Marie Antoinette~: I, 78.
-
- ~Marinelli~, Manager of theatre in Vienna: I, 164.
-
- ~Marlborough, Earl of~: I, 6.
-
- ~Marschner, Heinrich~: Visits B., II, 382.
-
- ~Marshall, Julian~: I, 140.
-
- ~Martini~: I, 87;
- "Arbore di Diana, L'," 107;
- "Lilla," 108, 109.
-
- ~Marx, A. B.~: On the Sonata Op. 81a, II, 143;
- disputes genuineness of B's letter to Bettina von Arnim, 183.
-
- ~Mason, Lowell~: Employs Thayer in his library, I, x;
- provides funds for his researches, x.
-
- ~Mastiaux, Johann Gottlieb~: Amateur in Bonn, I, 38, 89.
-
- "~Materialien fr Contrapunkt~": II, 147, 150.
-
- "~Materialien fr Generalbass~": II, 147, 150.
-
- "~Matrimonio segreto, Il~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 164.
-
- ~Matthison~: His duel with Handel, I, 72.
-
- ~Matthisson.~ (See ADELAIDE in Index of Compositions.)
-
- ~Mattioli, Cajetano~, Sketch of: I, 34, 82.
-
- ~Murer, B. J.~, Court violoncellist: I, 24, 61, 62, 65.
-
- ~Max Franz~, Elector of Cologne: I, 16;
- shares his mistress with his Prime Minister, 16;
- his dance-room, 30;
- commands report on music at his court, 82;
- the theatre in his reign, 86;
- career, 77 _et seq._;
- described by Swinburne and Mozart, 78;
- his musical education, 81;
- his appreciation of Mozart, 81;
- music in Bonn during his reign, 88;
- knights Count Waldstein, 102;
- plans national theatre, 105 _et seq._;
- III; his patronage of B., 116;
- limit of his assistance, 124;
- flees before French troops, 125;
- allows grain and salary increase to B., 149;
- visits Vienna, 179;
- flees to Frankfort, 179;
- discharged of all obligations, 190;
- visit to Vienna, 267;
- Archduke Karl made his coadjutor as Grand Master of
- Teutonic Order, 287;
- in retirement at Hetzendorf, 288.
-
- ~Max Friedrich~, Elector of Cologne: I, 1;
- ascends throne, 14;
- career, 14;
- his Prime Minister, 14;
- his popularity, 14;
- described by Henry Swinburne, 16;
- music at his court, 16;
- appoints B's grandfather Chapelmaster, 17;
- promises composer's father a salary, 17;
- grants an increase, 19, 22;
- appoints Lucchesi successor to B's grandfather, 23;
- opera performed at his court, 25 _et seq._;
- birthday celebration, 26;
- plays at his theatre, 27, 28, 29;
- theatre closed because of his death, 33;
- dedication of B's boyhood Sonatas, 72;
- assumes all costs of Electoral Theatre, 73;
- appoints B. Assistant Court Organist, 74;
- death of, 74;
- effect of his death on B., 76, 78;
- promotes education, 80.
-
- ~Maximilian Emanuel~, Elector of Bavaria: I, 7.
-
- ~Maximilian Heinrich~, Elector of Cologne: I, 3.
-
- ~Maximilian Joseph~, King of Bavaria: Dedication of the
- Choral Fantasia, II, 207, 209.
-
- ~Mayence~, Archbishops of: I, 3.
-
- ~Mayseder, Joseph~: I, 274; II, 41, 125, 216;
- E-flat Sonata Quartet, II, 193;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- "~Medea~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
-
- ~Medina, Maria~: Wife of Vigano, dancer, I, 283, 284.
-
- ~Mhul~: Opera "Ariodante," II, 23.
-
- ~Meier, Sebastian~: Mozart's brother-in-law, II, 4, 50;
- letter to, about "Fidelio," 61, 209.
-
- ~Meinert~: Sketchbook, II, 150, 161.
-
- ~Meisl, Carl~: Changes "Ruins of Athens" to "Consecration
- of the House," III, 79;
- drama, 82.
-
- ~Meissner, Prof. A. G.~: Oratorio text, II, 19.
-
- ~Melichar, Ilka~: I, 342.
-
- "~Melusine~": Opera-book by Grillparzer, III, 118 _et seq._; 135, 220.
-
- ~Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix~: Description of Dorothea
- Ertmann, II, 83.
-
- ~Mendelssohn, Paul~: I, xii;
- owner of sketches for "Fidelio," II, 45.
-
- ~Merz, Julius~: Publishes B's letter to Bettina von Arnim,
- II, 182, 185.
-
- "~Messiah~": Handel's oratorio, II, 310, 312; III, 135, 182, 296.
-
- ~Metastasio~: "Olimpiade," I, 204;
- "Betulia liberata," III, 143.
-
- ~Metronome~ (see MLZEL): II, 382;
- marks for the Ninth Symphony, III, 244.
-
- ~Meyer, Court Councillor von~: Amateur, I, 172.
-
- ~Meyerbeer, Giacomo~: II, 39, 256;
- beats drum at performance of "Wellington's Victory," 258;
- B's opinion of, 297;
- "Die beiden Caliphen," 297.
-
- ~Mickley, Joseph J.~: II, 385.
-
- ~Mihl~ (or ~Mhle~): Opera "Milton und Elmire," I, 31.
-
- ~Milder-Hauptmann, Anna~: II, 49;
- and "Fidelio," 64;
- quarrels with B., 129, 263, 278, 284, 329.
-
- ~Milton, John~: II, 169.
-
- "~Milton und Elmire~": Opera by Mihl, I, 31.
-
- "~Moda, La~": Opera by Baroni, I, 27.
-
- "~Molinara, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 187.
-
- ~Molitor~: Amateur in Vienna, II, 2.
-
- ~Mollo~, Publisher: His publication of a Quintet, controversy, I, 294.
-
- ~Molt, Theodore~: Visitor to B. from Quebec, III, 211.
-
- ~Mombelli~, Singer: I, 188.
-
- ~Monsigny~: Operas "Le Dserteur," I, 31;
- "Flix, ou l'Enfant trouv," 32, 109;
- "Rose et Colas," 29, 86.
-
- ~Moor, The~: Haydn's nickname for B., I, 146.
-
- ~Moravian nobility~: Their musical culture, I, 168.
-
- ~Morris, Jack~: Brings score of "Mount of Olives" to London, II, 309.
-
- "~Morte d'Abel, La~": Opera, I, 14.
-
- ~Moscheles, Ignaz~: His English paraphrase of Schindler's
- biography, I, ix;
- visited by Thayer, xi, 241;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
- composes marches for Mlzel's panharmonicon, 351;
- tells of the composition of "Wellington's Victory," 253;
- his account of the performance, 358;
- on the Trio, Op. 97, 270;
- makes Pf. score of "Fidelio," 281, 282;
- first meeting with B., 282;
- "Fidelio," 303;
- B's opinion of as a pianist, 381; III, 289, 290, 291, 293.
-
- ~Mosel, Ignaz von~: II, 358, 386;
- at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Mser~: Violinist in Vienna, II, 8.
-
- ~Mozart~: Education derived from his father, I, 85;
- B's visit to, 89, 90;
- his morning concerts in Vienna, 166;
- relations with Mme. Hofdemel, 254, 305;
- B's admiration for the Concerto in C minor, 219;
- B's appreciation, II, 89; III, 42;
- Cherubini's estimate of his genius, 205;
- B. defends authenticity of his "Requiem," III, 233;
- the "Requiem" played at B's funeral, 312;
- his operas "Die Entfhrung aus dem Serail," I, 32, 107, 109;
- "Don Giovanni," I, 91, 107, 163, 193, 204; II, 204; III, 42;
- "Le Nozze di Figaro," I, 82, 108, 163, 193;
- "Il Re Pastore," I, 81;
- "Die Zauberflte," I, 164, 226, 304; II, 22; III, 36;
- "La Clemenza di Tito," I, 194; II, 110;
- "Idomeneus," II, 101.
-
- ~Mller, Adolph~: And B's orchestration of the funeral march
- from the Sonata in E-flat, Op. 26, II, 295.
-
- ~Mller, Chancellor~: II, 180.
-
- ~Mller, Louise~: Singer at first performance of "Fidelio," II, 49.
-
- ~Mller, Wenzel~, Chapelmaster: I, 164.
-
- ~Mller, W. Christian~: His account of B., III, 36.
-
- ~Mylich~: I, 210, 231.
-
-
- "~Nach Frankreichs unheilvollem Sturz~": Cantata text left
- uncomposed, II, 292.
-
- ~Nagel, W.~: "Beethoven und seine Klaviersonaten," I, 293.
-
- ~Ngele~: Projects publication of Bach's works, I, 304;
- publishes sonata with interpolated measures, 367;
- "Rpertoire des Clavecinistes," II, 20, 38.
-
- "~Nanerina e Pandolfo~": Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
-
- ~Napier, William~: Publishes Haydn's arrangements of Scottish
- songs, II, 70.
-
- ~Naples~: A call thither for B., II, 194;
- King of, and the Mass in D, III, 90.
-
- ~Napoleon.~ (See BONAPARTE.)
-
- ~Natorp, Mme.~ (See SESSI.)
-
- ~Naumann~, Chapelmaster: II, 19.
-
- ~Neate, Charles~: English pianist, visited by Thayer, I, xi;
- B's story on origin of his deafness, 263;
- II, introduced to B., 315;
- buys overtures for the London Philharmonic Society, 333;
- defends himself against B's charges, 349;
- unable to help B. in London, 337;
- letters from B., 339, 351, 352, 367;
- III, enjoined "For God's sake buy nothing of B.," 52;
- seeks publisher for B. in London, 73, 183, 186.
-
- ~Neefe, C. G.~: Appointed successor to Van den Eeden as Court
- Organist, I, 25;
- joins Dramatic Co. at Bonn, 30;
- music for court festival, 31;
- opera "Heinrich und Lyda," 31, 36;
- "Die Apotheke," 31;
- "Sophonisba," 31;
- describes musicians in Bonn 33;
- career of 34;
- "Amor's Guckkasten," 36;
- "Die Einsprche," 36;
- "Zemire und Azor," 36, 37;
- instrumental compositions, 36;
- "Adelheit von Veltheim," 37;
- ode, 37;
- teaches B., 61, 62, 67 _et seq._;
- leaves his duties as organist to the boy B., 69;
- "Materialien fr Contrapunkt," 70;
- his duties as Court Organist, 71, 73;
- dismissed, 73;
- with Klos' troupe, 105;
- B's appreciation of him as teacher, 68, 124, 142;
- his daughter, 304.
-
- ~Nelson, Lord~: Not commemorated in the "Eroica," II, 25.
-
- ~Niemetz~: Dissolute companion of B's nephew, III, 252, 255, 258.
-
- ~Nikelsberg, Carl Nikl Edler von~: I, 222;
- dedication of Concerto in B-flat, I, 290.
-
- "~Nina~": Opera by Dalayrac, I, 107, 108.
-
- "~Nobilit delusa, La~": Opera, I, 26.
-
- ~Nohl, Ludwig~: I, 292;
- on B. and Countess Guicciardi, 321;
- on Therese Malfatti, 333, 339;
- on the letter to Bettina von Arnim, II, 185;
- "Eine stille Liebe zu Beethoven," 362;
- "Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner," III, 124.
-
- ~Nottebohm~: "Zweite Beethoveniana," I, 71, 76, 261;
- "Beethoven's Studien," I, 156, 216;
- "Beethoveniana," I, 156, 261;
- "Ein Skizzenbuch von Beethoven," 258, 304;
- on B's studies with Albrechtsberger and Haydn, 151, 158;
- on the text of the Choral Fantasia, II, 133;
- on the date of the Petter sketchbook, II, 151;
- on the canon on Hoffmann, III, 35.
-
- ~Novello, Ewer and Co.~: I, xiii; III, 13.
-
- ~Novello, Vincent~: II, 12.
-
- "~Nozze, Le~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
-
- "~Nozze di Figaro, Le~": Opera by Mozart, I, 82, 108, 163, 193.
-
- "~Nozze disturbata, Le~": Ballet by Vigano, I, 188, 193.
-
- ~Nussbck, Leopold~: Guardian of B's nephew, III, 8.
-
- ~Nussdorf.~ (See LODGINGS.)
-
-
- "~Oberon~": Opera by Wranitzky, I, 165.
-
- ~Obreskow~: Russian official, III, 101, 102.
-
- ~Odelga~: III, 101, 102.
-
- ~Odescalchi, Prince~: I, 209, 244.
-
- ~Odescalchi, Princess~: I, 223;
- dedication to, 290;
- taught by B., 322;
- dedication to, 368, 369.
-
- "~Ode to Joy~": Schiller's, I, 132, 275; II, 152, 295, 414;
- III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._
-
- "~Odyssey~": Homer's, I, 252.
-
- "~Olimpiade~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 32.
-
- ~Oliva, Franz~: His relations with B., II, 143;
- dedication to, 161;
- delivers B's letter to Goethe, 197, 202;
- plans to accompany B. to England, 220;
- estrangement with B., 220; III, 24;
- goes to St. Petersburg, 41.
-
- ~Operas~ performed at Bonn in 18th century: I, 25, 26, 27, 29,
- 31, 32, 107.
-
- ~Oppersdorff, Count~: The Symphony in B-flat, II, 68, 101, 122,
- 123, 124, 162.
-
- "~Orfeo~": Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
-
- ~Ossian~: B's appreciation of, II, 147.
-
- ~Oudinot~: "Der Fassbinder," I, 29.
-
- ~Ovid~: His "Metamorphoses" called for by B. on his death-bed,
- III, 283.
-
-
- ~Pachler-Koschak, Mme.~: B's friendship for, II, 282; III, 140.
-
- "~Pchter, Die drei~": Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
-
- ~Par, Ferdinand~: I, 282;
- his funeral march and that in the Sonata Op. 26, 290;
- "Achilles," 290;
- "Das heilige Grab," II, 2;
- "Leonora," II, 35, 37.
-
- ~Paisiello~: Operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- "La Frascatana," 107;
- "Il Barbiere," 108;
- "Il Re Teodoro," 108;
- "La Finta Giardiniera," 108;
- "La Molinara," 187;
- "Il Marchese Tulipano," 108; II, 204.
-
- ~Palestrina~: Preferred over all church composers by B., III, 203.
-
- ~Palffy, Count Ferdinand~: II, 98;
- supposed grudge against B., 100, 146;
- accepts direction of Court Theatres, 201;
- produces "Fidelio" for the Congress of Vienna, 293;
- and the concert of 1814, 299;
- and the Ninth Symphony, III, 157 _et seq._
-
- "~Paradise Lost~": II, 310.
-
- ~Parke~: "Musical Memories," II, 12.
-
- ~Parma, Duchess of~: Asked by B. to urge Grand Duke of Tuscany
- to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 101.
-
- ~Pasqualati, Baron Johann~: Witnesses Karl van B's declaration
- as to the guardianship of his son, II, 241;
- signs affidavit against Mlzel, 288;
- the "Elegiac Song" in memory of his wife, 288, 306; III, 58.
- (See LODGINGS.)
-
- "~Pastorella al Soglio, La~": Opera, I, 26.
-
- ~Paul~, Czar of Russia: II, 81.
-
- ~Payer, Hieronymus~: II, 26.
-
- ~Perger, A. von~: Discovers minuets by B., I, 211.
-
- ~Pergolesi~: "La Serva Padrona," I, 108.
-
- ~Perkins, Charles C.~: "History of the Handel and Haydn Society
- of Boston," III, 87.
-
- ~Persian Literature~: B's interest in, II, 167.
-
- ~Pessiak, Mme.~: II, 362; III, 13.
-
- ~Pesth~: New theatre planned for, II, 154, 200;
- opening of, 213.
-
- ~Peters, C. F.~, Publisher: Negotiations for Mass in D and
- other works, I, 271, 55, 57 _et seq._, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64,;
- refuses to publish works sent by B., 65;
- advance payment by, 70;
- rejects "Bagatelles," 86;
- complains of B's treatment of him, 180;
- receives rebuke and ultimatum, 212;
- B. calls him a "hell-hound," 216.
-
- ~Peters~: Tutor to Prince Lobkowitz and co-guardian of B's nephew,
- II, 326, 354; III, 10, 24, 32.
-
- "~Petit Matelot, Le~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 36.
-
- ~Petter Collection~: Sketches by B., I, 274, 290; II, 118, 151, 209.
-
- ~Pfeiffer, Tobias~: Gives music lessons to B., I, 62, 63.
-
- ~Philharmonic Society of London.~ (See under B., LUDWIG VAN.)
-
- ~Philidor~: "Der Hofschmied," I, 29;
- his operas at Bonn, 86.
-
- ~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Erard, II, 21.
-
- ~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Broadwood, II, 390 _et seq._;
- III, 214, 237.
-
- ~Piccini~: Operas "La buona Figluola;" I, 25, 26, 32;
- "Le Aventure di Rodolfo," 26;
- "La Schiava," 32.
-
- ~Pictures and Music~: II, 249, 262.
-
- ~Pilat, Joseph~: II, 359.
-
- "~Pilgrimme von Mecca, Die~": Opera by Gluck, I, 32, 108.
-
- ~Pinterics, Captain~: II, 235, 327; III, 32.
-
- ~Piringer~: III, 62, 137, 157;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Plato~: His influence on B., I, 213.
-
- ~Pleyel, Ignatz~: His quartets, II, 44;
- his arrangements of Scottish songs, 70, 260.
-
- ~Plittersdorf, Mme.~: II, 179.
-
- ~Plutarch~: I, 252, 300.
-
- ~Polledro~: Joins B. in concert for sufferers at Baden, II, 225.
-
- ~Popularity of B's Works~: II, 38.
-
- ~Portenschlag~, Viennese editor: II, 359.
-
- "~Prchtige, Der~" ("Le Magnifique"): Opera by Grtry, I, 86.
-
- ~Prague~: B. plays in, I, 192;
- music in, 193;
- B. gives concert in, 217;
- production of "Fidelio" in, II, 110;
- visit of B. in 1812, 222.
-
- ~Preisinger~, Bass singer: III, 164.
-
- ~Prelinger~, Editor of a collection of B's letters: I, 336.
-
- ~Prichnowsky, Prince~: II, 8.
-
- ~Prieger, Dr. E.~: I, 88;
- owner of fragment of Wind Quintet, 206, 211;
- publishes _facsimile_ of Sonata Op. 26, 291;
- reprint of original "Fidelio," II, 45, 58.
-
- ~Prince Regent of England~: B. sends him "Wellington's Victory,"
- II, 310, 311, 318, 336, 339; III, 112, 208.
-
- ~Probst, H. A.~, Publisher: B offers him the Ninth Symphony and
- Mass in D, III, 178.
-
- ~Programme Music~: II, 119;
- the Sonata Op. 90, 292;
- B. objects to programme of the Seventh Symphony, III, 37.
-
- ~Pronay, Baron von~: II, 367.
-
- ~Prussia, Kings of~: Frederick William subscribes to Mass in D,
- III, 94;
- offers decoration instead of money, 94, 105;
- dedication of the Ninth Symphony to, 230, 233, 234;
- sends B. a ring 133, 276, 282;
- Frederick II reputed to be the father of B., III, 243.
-
- ~Pckler-Muskau~: Bettina von Arnim's letter to, II, 186, 188, 223.
-
- ~Punto, Giovanni~ (Johannes Stich), Horn-player: I, 239, 267, 277.
-
- ~Pyne~, English singer: II, 310.
-
-
- ~Quartet of Instruments~: Presented to B., I, 354.
-
- "~Queen of Night~": B's nickname for his sister-in-law, II,
- 332, 341, 393.
-
-
- ~Rabelais~: His last words and B's, III, 305.
-
- ~Raday, Count~: Ruined by theatrical management, II, 154.
-
- ~Radicati, Felix~: II, 75.
-
- ~Radichi~, Singer: II, 265.
-
- ~Radziwill, Prince Anton~: II, 302;
- his "Faust" music, 302;
- subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 104, 106.
-
- ~Ramm, Friedrich~, Oboist: I, 207; II, 33, 34.
-
- "~Raoul, Sire de Croqui~": Ballet by Vignano, I, 283.
-
- "~Raptus~": Mme. Breuning's expression for B's occasional state,
- I, 118, 120, 301; II, 182, 189.
-
- ~Rasoumowsky, Count Andreas~: Appeals to B. for lessons in
- composition, I, 273;
- the Quartets composed for him, II, 65, 68, 74, 81, 104, 110, 124;
- forms the Rasoumowsky Quartet, II, 125;
- sketch of him, 81;
- dedication of the Fifth Symphony, 162;
- lasting friendship with B., 215;
- his Quartet, 250;
- regal entertainments at the Congress of Vienna, 300;
- destruction of his palace, 301;
- the Quartet, 316.
-
- ~Rau~, Viennese banker: Reports receipt of Philharmonic Society's
- gift to B., III, 292;
- reports B's death to Moscheles, 293.
-
- ~Raysbeck, Mme.~: One of the favorites of Elector Joseph Clemens,
- I, 3, 4.
-
- ~Redoutensaal~: Dances for, I, 188, 289.
-
- ~Reeve, Dr. Henry~: Criticism on "Fidelio," II, 52.
-
- ~Reicha, Anton~: I, 105;
- career of 106, 117;
- comes to Vienna, 288, 300;
- opera "Ubaldi," 310, 355; II, 55.
-
- ~Reicha, Joseph~: I, 82, 84, 105;
- career of, 100, 111.
-
- ~Reichardt, Johann Friedrich~: Chapelmaster in Berlin, I, 196;
- on Countess Erddy, II, 82;
- on Streicher's pianofortes, 87, 124;
- account of B's concert, 129;
- and B's call to Jerome Bonaparte's court, 141;
- value of his letters, 165.
-
- ~Reichardt, Karl August~: Visits B., III, 203.
-
- ~Reiss, Anton~: Father-in-law of Karl v. B., II, 65.
-
- ~Reiss, Theresa (Johanna)~: Wife of Karl Kaspar v. B., II, 65.
-
- ~Reissig, C. L.~: His poems, II, 147;
- denounced by B., 148;
- "Blmchen der Einsamkeit," 160;
- songs published, 195.
-
- ~Rellstab, Ludwig~: visits B., III, 200.
-
- "~Reue vor der That, Die~": Opera by Desaides, I, 32.
-
- ~Rhine~: Inundation, I, 75;
- journey on, of the Electoral Chapel, 112.
-
- "~Richard Coeur de Lion~": Opera by Grtry, I, 226, 305.
-
- ~Riemann, Dr. Hugo~: Completes revision of the German edition
- of this biography, I, xv;
- on the authenticity of the "Jena" Symphony, 211;
- upholds charges against B's brothers, 360;
- asserts that B. wanted to marry Therese Malfatti, 336;
- his theory concerning the love-letter, II, 239.
-
- ~Ries, Anna Maria~, Court singer at Bonn: I, 18, 19, 23.
-
- ~Ries, Ferdinand~:
- Vol. I.
- "Biographische Notizen," etc., ix, xi, 90, 313, 315;
- on B's manuscripts, 141;
- on his studies with Haydn, 152;
- on B's teachers, 161;
- on the first performance of the Trios Op. 1, 175;
- B's riding-horse, 200;
- Quintet Op. 16, 207;
- Quintet Op. 29, 203, 312;
- his career, 312 _et seq._;
- B's kindness toward, 313;
- instruction from B., 314;
- arrangements of B's works, 350;
- origin of the Marches for four hands, 350;
- on B's deafness, 352;
- charge of misconduct against Karl Kaspar v. B., 361;
- B's interest in him, 363;
- B. aids him to employment, 366
- --Vol. II.
- His account of first performance of "The Mount of Olives," 7;
- his account of the first meeting between B. and Clementi, 23;
- on the origin of the "Eroica," 24;
- an alleged false entry in the "Eroica," 26;
- plays at a sentimental scene for B., 29;
- letters from B., 27, 28, 29, 334, 338, 340, 371, 395, 412, 413;
- plays the C minor concerto, 30, 82;
- significant hiatus in his book, 41;
- B. greets him with lathered face, 48;
- not permitted to hear a reading of "Fidelio," 48;
- conscripted, 49;
- on B's disregard of etiquette, 80, 124;
- orchestra refuses to play for B., 128;
- the Concertos in C minor and G, 131;
- on B's call to Cassel, 140, 310, 324, 325;
- invites B. to London, 370;
- relations with B., 372.
- --Vol. III.
- B's "Nothing for Ries," 49, 110, 111;
- makes contract for B. with Boosey, 128;
- B. promises a dedication to his wife, 128;
- removes to Godesberg, 188, 189.
- (See SYMPHONY IN D MINOR.)
-
- ~Ries, Franz Anton~: I, 11, 24, 25;
- aids father of the composer, 93, 95;
- gives violin lessons to B., 99, 105, 117, 119;
- collects salary for B., 149;
- seeks to obtain pension for B., 148.
-
- ~Ries, Johann~, Court Trumpeter at Bonn: I, 11, 18, 51, 87.
-
- ~Righini, Vincenzo~: "Venni amore," I, 114, 138.
-
- ~Risbeck, Kaspar~: Description of the Rhenish States, I, 15.
-
- "~Riso d'Apolline, Il~": Opera by Betz, I, 126.
-
- "~Ritorno di Tobia~": Oratorio by Haydn, II, 131.
-
- "~Robert und Callista~": Opera by Guglielmo, I, 31, 109.
-
- ~Rckel, Elizabeth~: On B's susceptibility, II, 181.
-
- ~Rckel, J. A.~: Career of, II, 53;
- his notes on "Fidelio," 53, 60, 62;
- B's liking for, 92;
- on B's desire to compose operas, 119;
- letter, 128;
- on B's desire to travel, 142;
- on the revision of "Fidelio" in 1814, 265.
-
- ~Roda, Cecilio de~: B's sketches for the last Quartets, I, 277.
-
- ~Rode, Pierre~: B. composes Sonata for him, II, 235, 236.
-
- ~Rolland, Romaine~: I, 337.
-
- ~Romberg, Andreas~: I, 105;
- career of, 106, 111, 199.
-
- ~Romberg, Bernhard~: I, 105;
- career of, 106, 111, 117, 121, 199, 205;
- and first Rasoumowsky Quartet, II, 75; III, 72.
-
- "~Romeo und Juliet~": Opera by Benda, I, 31, 107, 108.
- Opera by Zingarelli, II, 172.
- Considered by B., III, 117.
-
- "~Romulus and Remus~": Opera by Johann Fuss, II, 304;
- opera-book by Treitschke, II, 304, 381.
-
- "~Rschen und Colas~" ("Rose et Colas"): Opera by Monsigny, I, 29.
-
- ~Rsner, Felia~: Daughter of Neefe, I, 304.
-
- ~Rothe~: Singer in "Fidelio," II, 51.
-
- "~Rothkppchen, Das~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109, 176, 188.
-
- ~Rovantini, Franz Georg~: Gives violin instruction to B., I, 64, 67.
-
- ~Royal Library~ at Berlin: Acquires B.'s memorabilia, I, xi;
- sends Conversation Books to Thayer, xi;
- owns B.'s quartet of viols, 277;
- gets B's posthumous papers from Schindler, III, 11.
-
- ~Rubini~: III, 77.
-
- ~Rudolf~, Violinist and conductor: I, 166.
-
- ~Rudolph, Archduke~ of Austria:
- II, 79, 100;
- dedication of Concerto in G, 134;
- Trios, Op. 70, 132;
- subscription to the annuity contract, 139;
- the Sonata Op. 81, 143;
- his studies with B., 147, 150, 154;
- dedication of E-flat Concerto, 160;
- the annuity contract, 170, 172, 212, 213, 217, 242, 306;
- B. wearies of teaching him, 194, 199;
- letters, 199, 206, 225, 235, 248, 250, 266, 286;
- B. tells Goethe of disciplining him, 227;
- and calls his duty "servitude," 240;
- compelled to quit pianoforte playing, 266;
- lessons irksome to B., 381;
- charged by B. with his misfortunes, 396;
- installation as Archbishop of Olmtz, 398, 412;
- dedication of Op. 101, 414;
- --III, letters from B., 1, 9, 19, 20, 34;
- asked to help send nephew to Landshut, 6;
- his Variations, 19, 20;
- urged to compose, 21;
- dedication of Op. 106, 23, 25;
- enthroned as Archbishop, 33, 44;
- dedication of Op. 111, 50;
- Variations on air by Rossini, 77, 82, 91, 94;
- asked to urge subscription to Mass on Grand Duke of Tuscany
- and King of Saxony, 95, 96;
- B. rails against him, 112;
- urges B. to compose Bernard's oratorio, 175;
- dedication of the Mass in D, 212.
-
- "~Ruines de Babilone~": II, 202.
-
- "~Rule, Britannia~": II, 252.
- (See VARIATIONS, in Index of Compositions.)
-
- ~Ruschowitz, Constanze~: I, 99.
-
- ~Ruskin, John~: On the imagination, III, 25.
-
- ~Russia, Empress of~: II, 305;
- Czar subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 102, 105;
- dedication of the Ninth Symphony considered, 231.
-
- ~Russian Melodies~: In the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 74;
- in "Ruins of Athens," 162.
-
- ~Rust, Wilhelm~: Description of B., II, 117;
- on B. and the French, 146.
-
- ~Rzewuska, Countess~: II, 111.
-
-
- ~Saal~, Singers: I, 266.
-
- ~Sacchini~: His operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- "La Contadina in Corte," 26;
- "L'Olimpiade," 32;
- "L'Isola d'Amore," 108.
-
- ~Saint-Foix, Georges~: I, 139.
-
- ~Salieri~: "Armida," I, 86;
- "La Grotta di Trofonio," 107;
- "Knig Axur in Ormus," 109, 163;
- "Falstaff," 227;
- gives B. lessons in composition, 154, 160;
- Violin Sonata dedicated to him, 163, 214;
- respected by B., 241; II, 2;
- "The pupil B. was here," 64;
- accused of enmity by B., 136;
- conducts percussion instruments in "Wellington's Victory," 262.
-
- ~Salm-Reifferscheid, Count~: I, 73, 74.
-
- ~Salomon, Jacobina~: Court musician at Bonn, I, 20.
-
- ~Salomon, Johann Peter~: I, 19, 20, 51, 186; II, 317, 319,
- 324, 325, 359;
- recants his opinion of the Fifth Symphony, 279.
-
- ~Salomon, Philip~: I, 20;
- career in London, 20, 23, 110, 299.
-
- ~Salzburg~: Occupied by Bernadotte, II, 61.
-
- ~Samaroff, Olga~: I, 140.
-
- "~Samnitische Vermhlungsfeier, Die~" ("Le Mariage des Samnites"):
- Opera by Grtry, I, 31.
-
- "~Samori~": Opera by Vogler, II, 23.
-
- "~Samson~": Oratorio by Handel, II, 359.
-
- ~Santerrini~: Alleged teacher of B., I, 62.
-
- "~Sargino~": Opera, II, 61.
-
- ~Sarti~: Operas "Fra due Litiganti," I, 86, 109;
- "L'Incognito," 86;
- "La Gelosie villane," 109.
-
- ~Satzenhofen, Countess~ and Abbess: Mistress of Elector
- Max Friedrich, I, 16.
-
- ~Sauerma, Countess~: III, 41.
-
- "~Saul~": Oratorio by Handel, III, 219, 285.
-
- ~Saxony, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 96, 99, 105.
-
- ~Schaden, Dr.~: Lends money to B., I, 92;
- letters to, 92, 95, 96.
-
- ~Schall, Captain~: Amateur musician in Bonn, I, 37.
-
- ~Schebek, Edmund~: II, 8.
-
- ~Schechner, Frulein~, Singer: III, 287, 288.
-
- ~Scheidl, Cesarius~: Musical prodigy, I, 91.
-
- ~Schenck, Joseph~: Gives lessons to B., I, 152, 154.
-
- ~Schickh, Johann~: II, 359.
-
- ~Schikaneder, Emanuel~: His theatre, I, 164;
- engages B. and Vogler to compose operas, II, 5;
- an opera-text for B., 19;
- sells interest in Theater-an-der-Wien, 22, 34.
-
- ~Schiller~: "Ode to Joy," I, 132; II, 152, 295, 414;
- III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._;
- B's appreciation of, II, 147, 153;
- popularity of his plays, 153;
- "Die Sendung Moses," 167;
- "Die Flsse," 196;
- "Fiesco," 117.
-
- ~Schimon, Ferdinand~: Paints B's portrait, III, 21;
- B's preference for it, 41.
-
- ~Schindler, Anton~, B's biographer: I, ix, xi;
- sells memorabilia to Berlin, x;
- visited by Thayer, x;
- on B's studies with Haydn, 151;
- on Bernadotte and the "Eroica," 213;
- on B's relations with the musicians in Vienna, 241;
- in error about B's want of familiarity with the orchestra, 239;
- on B's sojourn in Hetzendorf, 289;
- on Hoffmeister's edition of Bach, 303;
- his theory about B's love, 318 _et seq._;
- conversation with B. about Countess Guicciardi, 320;
- defects as an investigator, 323;
- --II, On B's religion, 168;
- division of B's work into periods, 171;
- the canon on Mlzel and the Allegretto of the
- Eighth Symphony, 234;
- makes B's acquaintance, 270;
- his account of the quarrel with Mlzel disputed, 270 _et seq._;
- growth of familiarity with B., 327;
- wrong as to B's relations with Ries, 372;
- trustworthiness as a biographer, 376;
- beginning of an intimacy with B., 378;
- in error as to the story of B's noble birth, 410;
- --III, Sells B's papers to the Royal Library, 11;
- praised by Horzalka, 42;
- on Johann v. B, 67;
- his story about Schubert and B., 79;
- gets B's papers, 93;
- "L'Ami de Beethoven," 93;
- his nickname, 106;
- B. calls him a scoundrel, 128, 133, 158;
- on B's drinking habits, 196;
- his biography of B., 197 _et seq._;
- false tale of Nephew Karl's negligence, 272;
- falsification of the Conversation Books, 273, 281;
- charged by B. with theft of a petty sum, 281;
- gets autograph of Ninth Symphony, 281;
- accuses Johann v. B. of niggardliness, 278, 293;
- B. sends him a meal from his sick-bed, 295.
-
- ~Schlegel~: One of his texts proposed for an opera, III, 117.
-
- ~Schleiermacher~: His translation of Plato, I, 213.
-
- ~Schlesinger~, Musician: II, 125.
-
- ~Schlesinger~, Publisher in Berlin: III, 54;
- denounced by B., 55;
- accepts Mass in D, 55, 190;
- B's treatment of, 190.
-
- ~Schlesinger, Moritz~, Publisher in Paris: Visits B.,
- III, 203, 204, 206.
-
- ~Schlsser, Louis~: Visits B., III, 125;
- and the Mass in D, 97.
-
- "~Schmaus, Der~" ("Il Convivo"): Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
-
- ~Schmidgen~: II, 125.
-
- ~Schmidt, Dr. Johann~: I, 278, 302, 348, 349, 353.
-
- ~Schmidt, Leopold~: Publishes B's letter to Simrock, II, 13.
-
- ~Schmith, Antoinette~: III, 14.
-
- ~Schnaps, Frau~: B's housekeeper, III, 131.
-
- ~Schneider, Friedrich~: Visits B., III, 18.
-
- ~Schneider, Johann~: Plays E-flat Concerto, II, 160.
-
- ~Schneller, Julius Franz Borgias~: II, 88.
-
- ~Schoberlechner, Franz~: III, 130.
-
- ~Schnauer, Dr.~: II, 320, 321, 331.
-
- ~Schnbrunn~, Garden of: I, 288.
-
- "~Schne Schusterin, Die~": Opera by Umlauf, I, 108, 142, 165, 204.
-
- ~Schott and Sons~, Publishers: The Mass in D, III, 55,
- 57, 177, 178, 189;
- Quartet in E-flat, 178;
- Ninth Symphony, 178;
- B. asks for a gift of wine, 290 _et seq._
-
- ~Schreiber~, Violist of Schuppanzigh Quartet: II, 41.
-
- ~Schreyvogel, von~: II, 304.
-
- ~Schreyvogel and Rizzi~: Publish catalogue of B's works, II, 38.
-
- ~Schroeder-Devrient, Mme.~: III, 83, 84, 85.
-
- ~Schubauer~: Opera "Die Dorfdeputirten," I, 109.
-
- ~Schubert, Franz~: His "Erlknig," I, 230; II, 327, 355;
- III, his meeting with B., 79;
- takes Rochlitz to look at B., 74;
- his variations on Diabelli's waltz, 128;
- B. and his songs, 298 _et seq._;
- B's remark "A divine spark dwells in S.," 300, 301;
- at B's death-bed, 298 _et seq._;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312;
- his grave beside B's, 312.
-
- ~Schultz, Edward~: Visit to B., III, 134.
-
- ~Schulze, Mme.~, Singer: II, 330.
-
- ~Schumann, Robert~: Publishes letters of B., II, 183.
-
- ~Schuppanzigh, Ignaz~: Gives lessons on violin to B., I, 156;
- his Quartet, 170, 237 _et seq._;
- conducts Augarten Concerts, 238, 274;
- suggests gift of viols to B., 276;
- author of a theme in the Quintet Op. 29, 296;
- variations for two violins, 306, 316.
- --II, 2;
- teacher of Mayseder, 41;
- his quartet concerts, 41;
- Augarten Concerts, 42, 172;
- B's joke on his marriage, 105, 125, 150, 167;
- goes to Russia, 327, 337.
- --III, 24, 75, 126;
- and the last Quartets, 139, 156, 157, 184;
- fails in E-flat Quartet, 193, 294, 312.
-
- ~Schuster~: Operas "Der Alchymist," I, 31, 107, 108;
- "Die Geitzigen in der Falle," 108;
- "Dr. Murner," 108.
-
- ~Schwachhofer, Mme.~, Court Singer: Disciplined by B's
- grandfather, I, 20.
-
- ~Schwarzenberg, Prince~: I, 168, 172, 208;
- dedication of Quintet Op. 16, 290; II, 98.
-
- ~Schwarzendorf~ (Martini): I, 87.
-
- ~Scott, Sir Walter~: I, 252; II, 214, 194;
- B. reads his novels on his death-bed, III, 282.
-
- "~Seasons, The~": Oratorio by Haydn, I, 171; II, 120.
-
- ~Sebald, Amalie~: B's relations with, I, 337; II, 205;
- letter from B, 228;
- inscription in her album, 229;
- B's infatuation for, 239, 343.
-
- ~Sebald, Auguste~: II, 205.
-
- ~Sedlazek, Jean~, Flautist: III, 208.
-
- "~Seidenen Schuhe, Die~": Opera by Fridzeri, I, 32.
-
- "~Serva Padrona, La~": Opera by Pergolesi, I, 108.
-
- ~Sessi, Mme.~, Singer: II, 2, 215.
-
- ~Seume~: His poem "Die Beterin" and the C-sharp minor Sonata,
- I, 292, 339;
- B. visits his grave, II, 205.
-
- "~Seven Last Words~": Cantata by Haydn, I, 214.
-
- ~Seyfried, Ignaz von~: "Beethoven's Studies in Thoroughbass,"
- I, 159, 215, 249; II, 147, 152, 183;
- on B's playing, I, 216;
- on the character of his brothers, 361; II, 2, 6;
- and the C minor Concerto, 7;
- conducts rehearsals of "Fidelio," 51;
- asked by B. to conduct the opera, 61;
- his description of B., 93 _et seq._,
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 131;
- his writing for four horns, 285;
- music for "Moses," 297, 358, 388; III, 157;
- arranges and composes music for B's funeral and is pallbearer, 312.
-
- ~Seyler's Dramatic Co.~: I, 28, 30, 35.
-
- ~Shakespeare~: Recommended by B., II, 176.
-
- ~Shedlock, J. S.~: I, 205, 208, 210, 261, 290; II, 102; III, 13.
-
- ~Siboni~, Tenor: II, 215, 267.
-
- "~Silvain~": Musical comedy by Grtry, I, 26, 86.
-
- ~Simonetti~, Tenor of Electoral Chapel: I, 112.
-
- ~Simoni~, Singer in Vienna: I, 282.
-
- ~Simrock, Nicolaus~, Court Hornist in Bonn: I, 24, 51, 105;
- B's association with him as publisher, 183 (see MASS IN D);
- letters, 8, 183; II, 21;
- B. offers him compositions, II, 105;
- the Mass in C, 142;
- association with B. in Vienna, 343, 345; III, 39, 44,
- 53 _et seq._; 56.
-
- ~Sina, Louis~, Violinist: I, 170.
-
- ~Singakademie~, in Berlin: B. plays for, I, 196; II, 205;
- invited to subscribe for the Mass in D, III, 104, 180.
-
- ~Sinsendorf (Zinzendorf?), Prince~: I, 172.
-
- ~Smart, Sir George~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, III, 208; II, 309;
- produces Mass in C in London, 310, 311, 351, 302, 347, 348, 370;
- visits B. in Vienna, III, 206 _et seq._; 289, 389.
-
- ~Smetana, Dr.~: Performs surgical operation on Nephew Karl, II, 341;
- prescribes for B's deafness, 85;
- informed by B. of nephew's attempt at suicide, 259, 274.
-
- ~Smith, John~, of Glasgow: III, 16.
-
- ~Sobieski, John~: I, 7.
-
- "~Soliman II~": Opera by Sssmayr, I, 227.
-
- ~Soltikoff, Count~: II, 75.
-
- ~Sonneck, O. G.~: I, xviii.
-
- ~Sonnenfels, Joseph Noble de~: Dedication of Sonata Op. 28, I, 293.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Christoph von~: II, 34.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Ignaz von~: III, 251.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Joseph von~: On Zmeskall, I, 230;
- Secretary of Court Theatres, II, 23;
- his career, 34.
-
- ~Sontag, Henrietta~: III, 77, 139, 153, 162, 164.
-
- "~Sophonisba~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31.
-
- ~Spain~: B's desire to travel in, II, 142.
-
- ~Spaun, Baron~: I, 338.
-
- ~Spazier~: I, 305; II, 1.
-
- ~Spencer, Herbert~: On billiard-playing, III, 253.
-
- ~Speyer, E.~: II, 216.
-
- "~Spiegel von Arkadien~": Opera by Sssmayer, II, 49.
-
- ~Spina~: Gets B's Broadwood Pf., II, 392.
-
- ~Spohr, Ludwig~: His accounts of B's conducting, II, 128, 257;
- his opinion of Rode, 235;
- his intercourse with B., 236;
- on B's music and playing, 269;
- B's opinion on his music, III, 203.
-
- ~Spontini~: Opera "La Vestale," II, 36, 202, 296; III, 139;
- B's opinion of his music, 203.
-
- ~Sporchil, Johann~: Submits opera-text to B., III, 118.
-
- ~Stadler, Abb~: I, 376;
- statement as to Trio of Seventh Symphony, II, 216;
- anecdote, 234;
- canon, 236.
-
- ~Starcke, Friedrich~: The Bagatelles, III, 48.
-
- ~Staudenheimer, Dr.~, B's physician: Sends him to Karlsbad,
- II, 223; III, 39, 199, 273, 276.
-
- ~Stauffen, Franz~, Youthful pianist: II, 327.
-
- ~Steibelt, Daniel~: Comes to Vienna, I, 268;
- encounter with B., 268;
- composes battle music, II, 252.
-
- ~Stein~, Pianoforte maker: I, 88, 91, 92.
-
- ~Stein, Friedrich~, Pianist: II, 117;
- and Concertos in C minor and G, 131.
-
- ~Stein, Dr. Fritz~: Publishes the "Jena" Symphony, I, 211.
-
- ~Stein, Nanette.~ (See STREICHER, NANETTE.)
-
- ~Stein, Matthus~: II, 87.
-
- ~Steiner, Sigmund Anton~ (and Steiner and Co.): II, 279, 364;
- III, lends B. money, 21;
- canon, "Hol' euch der Teufel," 23;
- letter, 38;
- duns B. for money, 38, 58, 59, 71, 114, 184;
- friction with B., 234;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- "~Steinerne Braut, Die~": Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 305.
-
- ~Sterkel, Abb~: I, 113.
-
- ~Stich, Johann Wenzel.~ (See PUNTO.)
-
- ~Stieler, Joseph~: Paints B's portrait, III, 41.
-
- ~Storck~: I, 336.
-
- ~Streicher, Andreas~: I, 91, 92;
- collects funds for Bach's daughter, 308; II, 391; III, 180;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Streicher~, pianofortes: II, 87.
-
- ~Streicher, Nanette~: II, 87;
- puts B's house in order, 244;
- letter from B., 394.
-
- ~Stummer, Frulein~, Singer: Marries Count Lichnowsky, II, 291.
-
- ~Stumpf~, Pianoforte tuner of London: II, 391.
-
- ~Stumpff, Johann~: His visit to B., III, 181 _et seq._;
- gives Handel's scores to B., 182, 277, 289, 290, 291.
-
- ~Sturm, Christian~: "Beobachtungen ber die Werke Gottes,
- etc.," I, 252; II, 55, 165.
-
- ~Stutterheim, Baron von~: Gives Nephew of B. cadetship, III, 264;
- dedication, 297.
-
- ~Sulkowsky, Prince~: I, 20.
-
- ~Sumner, Charles~: Recommends Thayer for consulship, I, x.
-
- "~Sndfluth, Die~": Oratorio, II, 156.
-
- ~Sssmayer, F. X.~: I, 165, 188;
- "Soliman II.," 327; II, 2;
- "Spiegel von Arkadien," 49.
-
- ~Sweden, King of~: Subscription for the Mass in D, III, 102.
-
- ~Sweden~, Royal Academy of: Elects B. Hon. Mem., 130, 163.
-
- "~Swetard's Zaubergrtel~": Opera by Fischer, II, 49.
-
- ~Swieten, Gottfried Freiherr von~: I, 171;
- bids B. bring his night-cap, 175, 205;
- dedication of First Symphony, 228, 290.
-
- ~Swift, Dean~: I, 4.
-
- ~Swinburne, Henry~: Description of Bonn and its Electors, I, 16, 78.
-
-
- "~Tage der Gefahr, Die.~" (See LES DEUX JOURNES.)
-
- "~Tantum ergo sacramentum~": III, 116.
-
- "~Tartarische Gesetz, Das~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 31.
-
- ~Taxis, Mme. de~: I, 16.
-
- ~Tayber, Anton~: III, 115.
-
- ~Teimer~, brothers: I, 206.
-
- ~Telemann~: I, 13;
- his fluency in composition, 85.
-
- ~Tenger, Mariam~: "Beethoven's unsterbliche Geliebte," I, 338.
-
- ~Teplitz~: B's visit to, II, 202, 204 _et seq._;
- meeting-place of political magnates, 221;
- B's second visit in 1812, 222.
-
- ~Teutonic Order~: Clemens August elected Grand Master of, I, 7;
- opens the strong box, 8;
- Duke Karl of Lorraine Grand Master, 77, 98;
- Count Waldstein admitted to membership, 101, 111;
- Stephan von Breuning receives appointment in, 198;
- Archduke Karl elected coadjutor to Grand Master, 288;
- B. advises Breuning to enter the service, 303.
-
- ~Teyber~: II, 3.
-
- ~Thalberg, Sigismund~: His account of the performance of
- the Ninth Symphony, III, 166.
-
- ~Thayer, Alexander Wheelock~: Vicissitudes of his biography of
- B., I, vii _et seq._;
- the "Chronologisches Verzeichniss," ix, 74, 75;
- sketch of his life and labors, ix _et seq._;
- connected with the "New York Tribune," ix;
- second visit to Europe, x;
- receives funds for research work, x;
- visits all surviving friends of B., x;
- employed at U. S. Legation in Vienna, x;
- appointed Consul at Trieste, x;
- his purposes, xi;
- why the work was published in German, xii;
- writes book on the Exodus of the Jews, xiii;
- also on Bacon and Shakespeare, xiii;
- his discoveries accepted, xiv;
- labor unremunerated, xiv;
- death of, xiv;
- publication of this work delayed by the World War, xviii;
- promoted by the Beethoven Association of New York, xviii;
- his work on the Conversation Book, III, 12;
- defence of Johann v. B., 68;
- on the commission from the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, 88;
- visits Sir George Smart, 208 _et seq._
-
- ~Thomas-San-Galli, Dr. Wolfgang~: His book on B's love-affairs,
- I, 337; II, 239.
-
- ~Thomson, George~, Publisher of National Songs: II, 17 _et seq._;
- 69, 156, 259, 363, 415; III, 16.
-
- ~Thun, Princess Christiane~: I, 181, 225.
-
- ~Thun, Countess Elizabeth~: II, 81.
-
- ~Thun, Countess~: I, 244;
- dedication of Pf. arrangement of "Prometheus," I, 290.
-
- ~Thun, Count Franz Joseph von~: I, 181.
-
- ~Tiedge~: B's association with him at Teplitz, II, 204, 206, 208.
-
- ~Tiller, Theresia~: Sells apothecary shop to Johann v. B., II, 115.
-
- "~Timotheus~": Oratorio by Handel, II, 216.
-
- "~Tod Jesu~": Oratorio by Graun, II, 89.
-
- ~Tomaschek~: Describes B's Pf. playing, I, 217, 257;
- on "Wellington's Victory," II, 256;
- meeting with B., 297.
-
- ~Tomasini, Luigi~, Singer: II, 2.
-
- ~Touchemoulin~: Court Chapelmaster in Bonn, I, 17, 46.
-
- ~Trautmannsdorf, Prince~: I, 172.
-
- "~Tre Amanti ridicoli, Li~": Opera, I, 27.
-
- ~Treitschke, Georg Friedrich~: II. 35;
- revises text of "Fidelio," 264;
- "Gute Nachricht," 268, 270, 302, 317;
- letters, 273, 277, 281, 284;
- "Romulus and Remus," 304, 381;
- "Die Ehrenpforten," 317.
-
- ~Tribolet, Mme.~: I, 200, 242.
-
- "~Tribune, The New York~": Thayer on its editorial staff, I, ix;
- W. H. Fry, musical critic, 358; III, 68.
-
- "~Trionfo d'Amore~": Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
-
- "~Trofonio's Zaubergrtel~" ("Grotta di Trofonio"):
- Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
-
- ~Truchsee-Waldburg, Count~: II, 124.
-
- ~Tschiska, Dr.~: III, 3.
-
- ~Trkheim, Anton von~: I, 288; III, 97.
-
- ~Tuscany, Grand Duke of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D,
- III, 95, 101, 105.
-
- ~Tuscher, Matthias~: one-time guardian of the nephew,
- III, 4, 5, 7, 30.
-
-
- ~Ulm~: Captured by the French, II, 51.
-
- ~Umlauf, Ignaz~: "Die schne Schusterin," I, 108, 165, 204;
- saves performance at which B. conducts, II, 263;
- conducts "Fidelio," 279; III, 157.
-
- ~Ungermann~, Police Director: III, 132.
-
- ~Ungher, Caroline~: III, 77, 78, 161, 162, 164, 166.
-
- "~Unterbrochene Opferfest, Das~": Opera by Winter, I, 227.
-
-
- "~Van~": not a predicate of noble birth, II, 404, 408.
-
- ~Van den Eeden, Heinrich~: I, 5;
- appointed second Court Organist at Bonn, I, 10;
- salary increased, 10, 25;
- gives lessons to B., 61, 62, 64;
- death of, 69.
-
- ~Vanhall, Joseph~, Composer: I, 173.
-
- ~Varena, Ritter von~: II, 205;
- asks for music for Ursulines at Gratz, 214;
- B's letters to, II, 218, 246, 247, 249.
-
- ~Varnhagen von Ense~: His account of B's sojourn at Teplitz,
- II, 204, 222, 302.
-
- ~Vering, Dr.~: Treats B., I, 300, 302, 348.
-
- "~Vestale, La~": Opera by Spontini, II, 36, 296; III, 139.
-
- "~Vesta's Feuer~": Opera by Weigl, II, 49.
-
- ~Victoria, Princess of England~: Wedding hymn on her marriage
- to Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
-
- ~Vienna~: B's first visit to, I, 89;
- second journey, 124;
- route travelled and incidents, 126;
- arrival in the city, 128, 146;
- state of music in, at the time, 163 _et seq._;
- theatres, 163 _et seq._;
- church music, 165;
- performing musicians, 170;
- composers, 172, 174;
- private theatres, 173;
- B's position in Society, 174 _et seq._
- --II, Music in 1803, 2;
- lapse of public concerts, 42;
- entered by French, 52;
- administration of the Court Theatres, 98;
- B. appointed composer for the theatres, 98;
- appreciation of his music in the city, 116;
- arrival of friends in 1808, 124;
- popular attitude toward B., 126;
- beleaguered and occupied by the French, 144, 145;
- tax on dwellings, 146, 150;
- under French, 149;
- direction of the theatres assumed by Lobkowitz and Palffy, 201;
- B. made Hon. Citizen of the city, 325;
- its journals and their treatment of B., 358.
- --III, Society of Merchants elects B. Hon. Mem., 21;
- taste denounced by B., 202.
-
- ~Vigano, Salvatore~: Ballet "Le Nozze disturbata," I, 188;
- sketch of, 283;
- ballet "Raoul, Sire de Croqui," 283;
- "Prometheus," 284 _et seq._
-
- "~Villanella di spirito, La~": Opera, I, 108.
-
- ~Viotti~: II, 12.
-
- ~Vivenot, Dr.~: Summoned to B. at last sickness, III, 273.
-
- ~Vogl, Johann Michael~: I, 230.
-
- ~Vogler, Abb Georg Joseph~: In Bonn, I, 123;
- engaged to compose operas in Vienna, II, 2, 4;
- "Hermann von Staufen" and "Hermann von Unna," 4, 12;
- his extempore playing, 15;
- his opera "Samori," 23.
-
- ~Volbach~: I, 337.
-
- ~Volta~, Violinist: II, 125.
-
- ~Von der Recke, Countess~: II, 204, 208, 222.
-
-
- ~Waldstein, Count Emanuel Philip~: I, 101.
-
- ~Waldstein, Count Ferdinand Gabriel~: B's first meeting with,
- I, 93 _et seq._; 101, 102;
- knighted by Max Franz, 102;
- absolved from his vow of celibacy and marries, 103;
- his aid to B., 103, 117;
- the book of the "Ritter-Ballet," 108, 122;
- inscription in B's album, 126;
- The "Ritter-Ballet," 133;
- family connections of, 174, 244;
- second marriage of, II, 111, 146; III, 24.
- (See SONATA OP. 53.)
-
- ~Walkowski~: II, 305.
-
- ~Walter~: I, 355.
-
- ~Wartensee, Xaver Schneider von~: II, 381.
-
- ~Wasielewski~: I, 208.
-
- ~Wawruch, Dr.~: In attendance on B. at his last illness,
- III, 273 _et seq._;
- B's dissatisfaction with him, 283;
- report on B's illness and death, 275 _et seq._
-
- ~Weber, Carl Maria von~: I, 112;
- his first visit to Vienna, II, 23;
- interest in Amalie Sebald, 205;
- produces "Fidelio" in Dresden, III, 129;
- visits B., 136 _et seq._;
- "Der Freischtz," 131, 135, 137;
- "Euryanthe," 131, 137, 139, 140.
-
- ~Weber, Dionysius~: II, 282.
-
- ~Weber, Franz Anton von~: I, 112.
-
- ~Weber, Gottfried~: Publishes letters by B., II, 183, 384;
- attacks authenticity of Mozart's "Requiem," 235.
-
- ~Weber, Max Maria von~: III, 138.
-
- ~Weber, W.~: Sells publishing rights in Thayer's biography
- to Breitkopf and Hrtel, I, xv.
-
- ~Wedding Song~: Arranged for the wedding of Princess Victoria
- of England and Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
-
- ~Wegeler, F. G.~: His "Biographische Notizen," I, ix, xi, 79,
- 89, 94, _et seq._; 99, 117;
- comes to Vienna, 179;
- his account of B's status there, 180;
- letters from B., 181, 182;
- on B. as a lover, 182, 186;
- said to have recommended B. as teacher to the Breuning family, 100;
- on Count Waldstein, 102;
- on B's susceptibility to women, 122;
- letters from B., 299, 301;
- error in date of an important letter, 308.
- --II, B. asks him to get the certificate of his baptism, 177;
- publication of B's letters, 183.
- --III, 197, 214, 288, 297.
-
- ~Wegeler, Karl~: I, 96, 102, 181.
-
- ~Weigl, Joseph~, Chapelmaster and composer: I, 163;
- "L'Amore marinaro," 225;
- respected by B., 241;
- "Corsar aus Liebe," 268;
- the same, II, 2;
- "Die Schweizerfamilie," 2;
- "Vesta's Feuer," 49, 279;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Weimar, Grand Duke of~: The Mass in D, III, 98;
- B. contemplates a visit to, II, 198.
-
- ~Weinkopf~: Singer in first performance of "Fidelio," II, 50.
-
- ~Weinmller~, Bass singer: II, 267, 285, 286.
-
- ~Weiss, Franz~, Viola player: I, 170, 274; II, 125, 337.
-
- ~Weiss, Dr. Leopold~: II, 303.
-
- ~Weiss, Pater~: Attempts to cure B's deafness, II, 96; III, 85.
-
- ~Weissenbach, Dr. Alois~: His "Reise zum Congress," I, 263;
- description of B., II, 293;
- his dramas, 293;
- "Der glorreiche Augenblick," 294.
-
- ~Weissenthurm, Mme.~: I, 133.
-
- ~Werner, Zacharias~: III, 44.
-
- ~Wesley, Samuel~: II, 12.
-
- ~Westerholt, Count Friedrich Rudolph Anton~: And his family,
- I, 121, 137.
-
- ~Westerholt, Frulein~: I, 120, 121, 122.
-
- ~Westphalia.~ (See BONAPARTE, JEROME, and CASSEL.)
-
- ~Wheeler~, U. S. Consul: Interviews Julius Merz concerning the
- Bettina-B. letters, II, 184, 185.
-
- ~Wieck, Friedrich~: Visits B., III, 236.
-
- ~Wild, Singer~: II, 305, 338.
-
- ~Willcox, E. S.~: I, xiii.
-
- ~Willmann, Magdalena~: I, 200, 235;
- career of, 242;
- receives proposal of marriage from B., 242;
- marriage and death of, 243, 282, 330, 337.
-
- ~Willmann, Max~: I, 242.
-
- ~Wimpfen, Countess~: III, 110.
-
- ~Winneberger~: Chapelmaster at Wallenstein, I, 114.
-
- ~Winter~: Opera "Das unterbrochene Opferfest," I, 227.
-
- ~Winter, Karl~: Judge of the Austrian Court of Appeals, III, 29.
-
- ~Wolanek~, Copyist: Excites B's ire, III, 191.
-
- ~Wolf~: Opera "Das Rosenfest," I, 32.
-
- ~Wlffl, Joseph~, Pianist: I, 214;
- his playing compared with B's, 215;
- dedicates Sonata to B., 217.
-
- ~Wolfmayer, Johann Nepomuk~: Substitutes new coat for B's old,
- III, 230;
- pays B. for a Requiem which is never composed, 220, 296;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Wranitzky, Anton~: II, 125.
-
- ~Wranitzky, Paul~: I, 165;
- "Oberon," 165;
- "Das Waldmdchen," 210.
-
- ~Wrfel~, Chapelmaster: Pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Wrth and Fellner~: Organize concerts in Vienna, II, 42.
-
- ~Wyzewa, Theodore~: I, 139.
-
- ~Yellowhammer~: Song of, in the "Pastoral" Symphony, II, 120, 121.
-
-
- ~Zambona~: Gives B. lessons in Latin, I, 65.
-
- "~Zauberflte, Die~": Opera by Mozart, I, 164, 226, 304.
-
- ~Zeithammer, Dr. Ottokar~: The Lobkowitz cantata, II, 354.
-
- "~Zelmira~": Opera by Rossini, III, 20, 77.
-
- ~Zelter, Karl Friedrich~: Association with B., III, 16, 18, 104, 110.
-
- "~Zmire et Azor~": Opera by Grtry, I, 32, 86.
-
- "~Zemire und Azor~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- ~Zenser~: Reputed to have taught organ to B., I, 64.
-
- ~Zichy, Count Stephen~: II, 98.
-
- ~Zingarelli~: Opera "Romeo and Juliet," II, 172.
-
- ~Zitterbarth~: Buys interest in Schikaneder's theatre, II, 22.
-
- ~Zizius, Dr. Johann~: II, 88.
-
- ~Zmeskall von Domanovecz, Nicolaus~: I, 192, 230;
- his posthumous papers, 236, 273;
- B. asks his aid in purchase of pianoforte, 355;
- letters from B., 231; II, 88, 97, 144, 155, 174, 208,
- 217, 245, 246, 247, 248, 262, 271, 330, 349; II, 113, 144;
- the Quartet in F minor, 193, 351;
- and Mlzel's metronome, 384 _et seq._; III, 24, 42, 288.
-
- ~Zuccalmaglio~: I, 278.
-
- ~Zulehner, Carl~: His reprints denounced by B., II, 18, 38.
-
-
-
-
-Index to Compositions
-
-
-(a) WORKS FOR ORCHESTRA ALONE
-
- ~Symphonies~:
-
- No. 1, C major, Op. 21--Date of composition, I, 227, 266, 267,
- 272, 277, 282, 286, 290; II, 6, 39, 42;
- arranged as Pf. Quintet, I, 228.
-
- No. 2, D major, Op. 36--I, 140, 354, 364, 365, 371; II, 6, 39,
- 42, 73, 112, 113;
- arranged as Pf. Trio, II, 40;
- arranged as Quintet, II, 113.
-
- No. 3, E-flat major, Op. 55 ("Eroica")--I, 212; II, 14, 20, 24
- _et seq._; 33, 40;
- first public performances of, 42 _et seq._; 66, 67;
- publication of, 77, 112, 116, 149, 369; III, 50;
- arranged for Pf. Quartet, II, 113.
-
- No. 4, B-flat major, Op. 60--II, 68, 73, 76, 101, 112, 116, 122,
- 123, 162, 166, 371.
-
- No. 5, C minor, Op. 67--I, 307; II, 73, 76, 107, 109, 113, 123,
- 126, 127, 129, 132, 141, 162, 166, 186;
- correction of error in Scherzo of, 192; 216, 250, 334, 348,
- 369, 379; III, 50.
-
- No. 6, F major, Op. 68 ("Pastoral")--I, 349, 354; II, 73, 110,
- 119, 120;
- country musicians parodied in Scherzo, 121, 122; 127, 131,
- 141, 162, 166, 209, 316; III, 14, 50.
-
- No. 7, A major, Op. 92--II, 151, 152, 166, 216;
- melody of the Trio, 216; 237, 257;
- Allegretto repeated at the first performance, 258; 267, 299,
- 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 334, 337, 339, 340,
- 347, 348, 350, 352, 353, 356, 357, 367; III, 14, 37, 50,
- 144, 302.
-
- No. 8, F major, Op. 93--II, 152, 166, 232;
- the Allegretto and the canon on Mlzel, 234 _et seq._; 237,
- 240, 267, 268, 311, 312, 313, 318, 357, 388; III, 144.
-
- No. 9, D minor, Op. 125 (with vocal solos and chorus)--I, xi;
- trombone parts, II, 7; 73, 90, 133, 152, 378, 411, 414; III,
- 15, 22, 87, 95;
- and the Philharmonic Society of London, 110 (see "London
- Philharmonic Society" under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG V.); 128, 132;
- composition, first performance, repetition, 144 _et seq._;
- origin of the theme of the Scherzo, 145;
- B.'s doubts concerning the finale, 152, 153;
- address to B. by his friends, 153 _et seq._;
- a conspiracy to further the performance, 158, 159;
- trouble about orchestra leader, 157, 160;
- the solo singers, 162, 164;
- rehearsals, 163;
- programme of the concert, 164;
- incidents of the first performance, 165 _et seq._;
- financial failure and B.'s disappointment, 167;
- B. upbraids his friends and dines alone, 167;
- the second performance, 168 _et seq._; 170;
- offer of score to Schott, 177;
- offer to Probst, 178;
- performed at Aix-la-Chapelle, 188;
- Smart gets tempi from B., 208, 209;
- the recitatives, 209, 226;
- dedication, 231 _et seq._;
- metronome marks, 244, 292;
- the autograph manuscript, 266.
-
- "Wellington's Victory, or The Battle of Victoria," Op. 91--II,
- 251 _et seq._; 262 _et seq._; 259, 267, 268, 271, 272, 283,
- 290, 299, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 335,
- 339, 340, 353, 356; III, 113, 208, 211.
-
- "Jena"--I, 211.
-
- Sketches for uncompleted symphonies--A "Tenth," II, 414; III, 221
- _et seq._;
- in B minor, II, 310, 328;
- in C minor, I, 210.
-
-
- ~Overtures, Ballets, Marches, Dances~, etc.:
-
- Overture, "Coriolan," Op. 62--II, 101, 102, 105, 112, 117, 124,
- 127, 133, 172, 209, 216, 268, 284.
-
- Overture in C, Op. 124, "Consecration of the House." (See WEIHE
- DES HAUSES, under (c) Choral Works, etc.)
-
- Overture to "Fidelio." (See "FIDELIO.")
-
- Overtures, "Leonore," Nos. 1, 2 and 3. (See "FIDELIO.")
-
- Overture in C, Op. 115--II, 292, 296, 302, 303, 311, 312, 313,
- 316, 327, 334, 335, 413; III, 50.
-
- Overture to "Knig Stephan" ("King Stephen"), Op. 117--II, 208,
- 209, 213, 214, 218, 246, 313, 316, 334, 413; III, 57, 70, 72.
-
- "Ritter-Ballet"--I, 108, 111, 117, 133, 142.
-
- Ballet, "Die Geschpfe des Prometheus" ("The Men of Prometheus"),
- Op. 43--I, 280;
- history of, 283 _et seq._; 290, 304, 364, 370; II, 5, 39, 52, 102,
- 112, 216, 356; III, 14.
-
- Dances for the Ridotto Room--I, 188, 192, 202, 210, 211, 289.
-
- Contradances and "Lndrische"--I, 289, 364, 365.
-
- cossaises (Twelve) for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
-
- cossaise for Military Band--II, 194.
-
- "Gratulatory Minuet"--III, 64, 80, 82, 89.
-
- Polonaise for Military Band--II, 194.
-
- Waltzes for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
-
- Waltzes, for a Country Band--III, 22.
-
- Military March, in D--II, 356; III, 142.
-
- Military Marches, in F--II, 160, 162, 195; III, 64, 141.
-
- Funeral March for "Leonore Prohaska," arranged from the Sonata
- Op. 26--II, 298, 299; III, 312.
-
- Rondino for Wind-instruments--I, 134.
-
- Triumphal March, for Kffner's "Tarpeja"--II, 245, 250, 259; III, 58.
-
- Equale for Three Trombones--II, 237;
- arranged for voices and sung at B.'s funeral, III, 311.
-
-
-(b) INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS WITH ORCHESTRA
-
- ~Concertos~, etc.:
-
- Allegro con brio, for Violin, in C, completed by Hellmesberger--I,
- 136.
-
- For Violin, in D major, Op. 61--II, 76, 103, 104, 112, 134, 162, 166;
- arranged for Pianoforte--I, 350; II, 103, 104, 112, 134.
-
- For Pianoforte, in E-flat (Youthful)--I, 75.
-
- For Pianoforte, in D major (Youthful)--I, 136.
-
- For Pianoforte, in C, No. 1, Op. 15--I, 137, 177, 185, 217,
- 222, 224, 244, 272, 287, 289; II, 39, 90.
-
- For Pianoforte, B-flat major, No. 2, Op. 19--I, 136, 144, 177,
- 184, 185, 188, 208, 217, 222, 224, 225, 226, 272, 275, 286,
- 287, 290, 299; II, 39; III, 50, 279.
- (See RONDO IN B-FLAT.)
-
- For Pianoforte, in C minor, No. 3, Op. 37--I, 270, 277, 364;
- II, 6, 7, 30, 32, 37, 39, 42, 131.
-
- For Pianoforte, in G major, No. 4, Op. 58--II, 56, 66, 67, 68,
- 73, 74, 101, 110, 131, 134.
-
- For Pianoforte, in E-flat major, No. 5, Op. 73--II, 133, 147,
- 149, 150, 159, 160, 192, 199, 209, 215, 216.
-
- For Pianoforte, Violin and Violoncello, Op. 56--II, 40, 56,
- 73, 80, 113, 117.
-
- Romance for Violin, in G, Op. 40--II, 20, 25, 26; III, 59.
-
- Romance for Violin, in F, Op. 50--I, 140; II, 25, 26, 55; III, 59.
-
- Rondo for Pianoforte, in B-flat, completed by Czerny--I, 223.
-
- Sketches for Pianoforte Concerto in D--II, 328.
-
-
-(c) CHORAL WORKS AND PIECES FOR SOLI AND CHORUS
-
- Abschiedsgesang, for Men's Voices--II, 303.
-
- "Ah, perfido! spergiuro," Scena for Soprano and Orchestra,
- Op. 65--I, 143, 206, 209; II, 6, 56, 129.
-
- Birthday Cantata for Archduke Rudolph--III, 25.
-
- Bundeslied, for Soprano and Orch.--III, 64, 141.
-
- Cantata on the Death of Cressener (Youthful)--I, 65.
-
- Cantata on the Death of Joseph II--I, 130.
-
- Cantata on the Elevation of Leopold II--I, 130, 131.
-
- "Christus am lberg," Oratorio, Op. 85--I, 143, 289, 364; II, 2;
- first performance of, 5 _et seq._;
- criticism of, 8, 35; 45, 52, 74, 156, 199, 204, 210, 246, 250,
- 309, 310, 327; III, 50, 174, 189, 208.
-
- "Der glorreiche Augenblick," Cantata, Op. 136--II, 294, 299, 300,
- 303, 305, 313, 318, 333, 339, 352.
-
- "Egmont," incidental music for, Op. 84--Commission for, II, 153, 166;
- composition and first performance of, 171, 181, 192, 194, 197, 198;
- 209, 214, 216, 224, 238, 268; III, 75.
-
- Elegiac Song, for four Voices and Strings, composed in memory of
- Baroness Pasqualati, Op. 118--II, 288, 303; III, 58.
-
- "Es ist vollbracht," Chorus for "Die Ehrenpforten"--II, 317, 328.
-
- Fantasia for Pianoforte, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 80--I, 203;
- II, 90, 127, 129 _et seq._; 131, 133, 136, 160, 166, 192, 199;
- dedication of, 207; 209, 369, 388; III, 177.
-
- "Fidelio," Opera, Op. 72--I, 145, 230, 263, 320; II, 19, 20, 35, 40;
- composition of, 41; 45 _et seq._;
- first performance, 49 _et seq._;
- criticisms, 52;
- first revision of, 53, 55, 56;
- repetition and revision, 57 _et seq._;
- overtures, "Fidelio" and "Leonore" Nos. 1, 2 and 3, 58 _et seq._;
- 60, 110, 111, 278, 279;
- Rckel's account of the withdrawal of, 63;
- Salieri's advice asked and rejected, 64;
- Milder-Hauptmann and the great scena, 64;
- Cherubini's opinion, 63, 64;
- offered to Berlin, 64;
- Pf. score offered to Breitkopf and Hrtel, 66;
- sketches for, 73, 100;
- in Prague, 110;
- revival in 1814, 263 _et seq._; 268, 273 _et seq._; 280;
- publication as "Leonore," 285 _et seq._;
- Pf. score by Moscheles pirated, 283; 284, 285;
- "Abscheulicher," 285; 286, 293, 296, 303, 305, 307, 311, 313, 318,
- 330, 350, 351, 352, 353, 381; III, 82 _et seq._; 117;
- in Dresden, 129 _et seq._; 139, 202, 288.
-
- "Germania, wie stehst Du jetzt," Chorus--II, 269, 277, 279, 302,
- 303, 317.
-
- "Ihr weisen Grnder," Chorus--II, 288, 292, 303.
-
- "Leonore Prohaska," incidental music for--II, 298, 303.
-
- "Lob auf den Dicken," jest on Schuppanzigh--I, 238.
-
- Mass in C major, Op. 86--II, 107 _et seq._; 108, 112, 127, 142;
- performed at Troppau, 208; 223, 238, 310; III, 103.
-
- Mass in D major, Op. 123 (_Missa Solemnis_)--I, 320; II, 398, 411,
- 414;
- III, 15, 21, 22, 37;
- B. gets advance on, 39, 41, 42;
- negotiations with Simrock, 44 _et seq._; 48, 51 _et seq._; 71,
- 72, 86;
- history of the composition, subscription and publication,
- 89 _et seq._; 105;
- sold to Diabelli, 107;
- contract cancelled, 108;
- additional numbers to, 116, 151, 162;
- first performance, 164 _et seq._; 169, 174;
- publication of, 177 _et seq._;
- offered to Probst, 178;
- sold to Schott, 177, 180;
- dedication, 212, 226;
- metronomic marks for, 296.
-
- Sketches for a Mass in C-sharp minor--III, 63, 116, 117, 141.
-
- "Meeresstille und glckliche Fahrt," Cantata, Op. 112--II, 300,
- 310, 327, 328.
-
- "Mit Mdeln sich vertragen," Song with Orchestra. (See SONGS.)
-
- "Mount of Olives, The." (See "CHRISTUS AM LBERG.")
-
- "Opferlied," for Soprano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 121b--I, 203,
- 275, 364; III, 64.
-
- "Praise of Music, The" and "Preis der Tonkunst." (See "DER GLORREICHE
- AUGENBLICK.")
-
- "Primo Amore," Song with Orch.--III, 58.
-
- "Prfung des Kssens." (See SONGS.)
-
- "Rasch tritt der Tod," Chorus of Monks from Schiller's
- "William Tell"--II, 365, 368, 388.
-
- "Ruinen von Athen" ("The Ruins of Athens"), incidental music
- for, Op. 113--II, 161, 201, 207, 208, 209, 213, 214, 216,
- 246, 249, 262, 264, 278, 311, 313, 316, 334; III, 57, 70,
- 71, 79, 80;
- B.'s "Little opera," 118; 189.
-
- Airs from "Die schne Schusterin"--I, 204, 224.
-
- "Tremate, empj, tremate," Terzetto with Orch., Op. 116--I, 365;
- II, 6, 267, 302, 313; III, 169.
-
- Un lieto Brindisi, for four Voices and Pf.--II, 280, 302.
-
- "Weihe des Hauses, Die," incidental music for;
- Overture, Op. 124--II, 26; III, 57, 79, 80, 81, 89, 111, 146,
- 162, 165, 226;
- "Wo sich die Pulse," Chorus, III, 72, 80.
-
-
- ~Canons and Rounds~: "Alles Gute, alles Schne," III, 25;
- "Ars longa" (for Hummel), II, 338;
- "Airs longa" (for Smart), III, 211;
- "Bester Graf," III, 115;
- "Das Schne zu dem Guten," III, 140, 202;
- "Doktor, sperrt das Thor," III, 200;
- "Edel sei der Mensch," III, 110, 126;
- "Freu' dich des Lebens," III, 211;
- "Gedenkt heute an Baden," III, 90;
- "Gehabt euch wohl," III, 90;
- "Glaube und hoffe," III, 23;
- "Glck fehl Dir," II, 363;
- "Glck zum neuen Jahre," II, 328, 356; III, 21, 22;
- "Grossen Dank," III, 131;
- "Hier ist das Werk," III, 246;
- "Hol' euch der Teufel," III, 22;
- "Hoffmann, sei ja kein Hofmann," III, 35, 190;
- "Khl, nicht lau," III, 204;
- "Kurz ist der Schmerz" (for Naue), II, 259;
- "Kurz ist der Schmerz" (for Spohr), II, 303;
- "Lerne schweigen, O Freund," II, 328, 333, 389;
- "Muss es sein?", III, 224, 244;
- "O Tobias," III, 43, 90;
- "Rede, rede," II, 328, 333;
- "Sankt Petrus war ein Fels," III, 32;
- "Schwenke dich," III, 182, 190;
- "Signor Abbate," III, 236;
- "Ta, ta, ta, lieber Mlzel," II, 234 _et seq._;
- "Te solo adoro," III, 143;
- "Tugend is kein leerer Name," III, 90.
-
-
-(d) INSTRUMENTAL DUOS, TRIOS, QUARTETS, etc.
-
- "Duet mit zwei Augenglsern," for Viola and Violoncello--I, 205.
-
- Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon--I, 205.
-
- Duo, Arrangement of Trio Op. 3 for Pf. and Violoncello,
- Op. 64--II, 113.
-
- Duo for two Flutes--I, 134.
-
- Polonaise from Serenade in D, arranged for two Violins--II, 113;
- the same arranged for Violin and Guitar--II, 113.
-
- Trios (Three) for Pf., Violin and Violoncello in E-flat, G,
- and C minor, Op. 1--I, 130, 132, 137, 144, 145, 160,
- 175, 180, 185, 186, 208, 271; II, 326, 374, 388; III, 23, 40.
-
- Trio for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, in E-flat, Op. 3--I,
- 134, 135, 145, 180, 187, 200, 204, 206, 221.
-
- Trio in D (Serenade) for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, Op. 8--I,
- 202, 208; II, 113.
-
- Trios (Three) for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, in G major,
- D major and C minor, Op. 9--I, 209, 221, 225, 271; II, 77.
-
- The same, arranged for Pf. and Strings by Ries--I, 350; II, 77.
-
- Trio for Pf., Clarinet (or Violin) and Violoncello, in B-flat
- major, Op. 11--I, 225, 244.
-
- Trio (Serenade) for Flute, Violin and Viola, in D major.
- Op. 25--I, 207, 208, 364; II, 20.
-
- Trio for Pf., Clarinet (or Violin) and Violoncello, in E-flat,
- Op. 38 (arrangement of the Septet, Op. 20)--I, 350; II, 55.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in E-flat, Op. 63
- (arrangement of the Quintet, Op. 4, which see).
-
- Trios (Two) for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in D major and
- E-flat, Op. 70--II, 131, 132, 141, 162; III, 207.
-
- Trio for two Violins and Viola, in C, Op. 29 (arrangement of
- the Trio for two Oboes and English Horn)--I, 206; II, 77.
-
- Trio for two Oboes and English Horn, in C, Op. 87--I, 206;
- II, 77; III, 59.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in B-flat, Op. 97--II,
- 199, 209, 219, 269, 270, 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 325,
- 338, 340, 347, 350, 351, 352, 353, 357, 367; III, 136, 223.
-
- Trios for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, arranged from the String
- Quartets, Op. 18--II, 77.
-
- Trio arranged from the Second Symphony--II, 40.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in E-flat (Op. posth.)--I, 136.
-
- Trio in one Movement, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello (for Maximiliane
- Brentano)--II, 221, 237; III, 136.
-
- Trio, Adagio, Variations (on "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu") and
- Rondo, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, Op. 121a--III, 136.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in D (attributed to Mozart:
- K. 52a)--I, 139.
-
- Trio for Pf., Flute and Bassoon--I, 137.
-
- Trio (Variations on "L ci darem") for two Oboes and English
- Horn--I, 202, 206; III, 64.
-
- Quartets (Six) for Strings, in F, G, D, C minor, A and B-flat,
- Op. 18--I, 227, 228, 235, 272 _et seq._; 277, 279, 280,
- 290, 298, 307; II, 77, 89.
-
- Quartets (Three) in F, E minor, and C, Op. 59 ("Rasoumowsky")--II,
- 65, 68, 73, 75 _et seq._; 82, 97, 103, 104, 105, 133, 337.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 74 ("Harp")--II, 155, 159, 160,
- 195, 198.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in F minor, Op. 95--II, 172, 193, 195, 219,
- 311, 312, 313, 318, 339, 340, 351, 357, 364; III, 183.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 127--III, 140, 177, 183
- _et seq._; 187, 192 _et seq._; 201, 214 _et seq._
-
- Quartet for Strings, in B-flat, Op 130--III, 205, 214 _et seq._;
- 221, 222 _et seq._; 225, 237, 245.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in C-sharp minor, Op. 131--III, 218, 225, 296,
- 297, 307.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in A minor, Op. 132--III, 205, 206, 214
- _et seq._; 219, 223.
-
- Quartet for Strings, Grand Fugue (originally Finale of Op. 130)--III,
- 215, 223.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in F major, Op. 135--III, 225, 237, 244, 282.
-
- Fugue from a String Quartet in D, from a collection projected
-
- by Haslinger--II, 389.
-
- Quartet for Strings, arranged from Pf. Sonata Op. 14, No. 1--I, 349.
-
- Quartets (Three) in E-flat, D and C, for Pf. and Strings, composed
- in 1785--I, 88, 210.
-
- Quartet for Strings, an arrangement of the Quintet in E-flat,
- published by Artaria as Op. 75--I, 208.
-
- Quartet in E-flat, for Pf., Violin, Viola and Violoncello,
- arranged by B. from Quintet Op. 16--I, 208, 350.
-
- Quartet (arrangement of the "Eroica" Symphony as Pf. Quartet)--II,
- 113.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 4 (an arrangement of the Octet,
- Op. 103)--I, 134, 144, 187, 204.
-
- Quintet for Pf., Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, in E-flat,
- Op. 16--I, 200, 207, 214, 224, 290, 316, 350; II, 2, 34, 337.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in C, Op. 29--I, 228, 293;
- unauthorised publication of, 294 _et seq._; 355, 364, 368; II, 44.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in C minor, Op. 104 (arranged from the Trio,
- Op. 1, No. 3)--II, 374, 388; III, 23.
-
- Quintet (arrangement of the First Symphony)--I, 228.
-
- Quintet, Pf., Double-bass, Flute, Horns, etc. (arrangement of the
- Second Symphony with Double-bass, Flute and 2 Horns,
- ad lib.)--II, 113.
-
- Sextet in E-flat, for Clarinets, Horns and Bassoons, Op. 71--I, 206,
-
- 207, 209; II, 41, 147, 195.
-
- Sextet in E-flat, for Strings and Horns, Op. 81b--I, 207; II, 195.
-
- Septet in E-flat, Op. 20--I, 209, 227, 266, 267;
- B.'s dislike of it, 267;
- origin of the theme of the variations, 267, 272, 275, 277, 278;
- dedication, 278;
- first performance, 278, 282, 286, 299, 350, 364; II, 29, 214, 316,
- 337, 381, 386;
- arranged as Trio, I, 350; II, 55;
- arranged as Quintet, I, 228, 350.
-
- Octet for Wind Instruments, Op. 103 (the original of the Quintet
- for Strings, Op. 4)--I, 132, 133, 134, 144, 184, 204.
-
- Dinner Music for Wind Instruments--I, 134.
-
- Parthia for Wind Instruments--I, 133, 144.
-
- Rondino for Oboes, Clarinets, Horns and Bassoons, in E-flat--I, 134.
-
- Sketches: For Trio in F minor--III, 136;
- for quintets--III, 245.
-
-
-(e) SONATAS, ETC., FOR PIANOFORTE AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OBBLIGATO
-
- Three Sonatas for Pf. and Violin, in D, A and E-flat, Op. 12--I, 162,
- 225, 226, 307.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in A minor, Op. 23--I, 289, 290, 307.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in F, Op. 24--I, 289, 290, 307.
-
- Three Sonatas for Pf. and Violin, in A, C minor and G, Op. 30--I,
- 364, 365; II. 20, 305.
-
- Sonata in A, for Pf. and Violin, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer")--I, 140, 365;
- II, 9, 13, 20, 21.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in G, Op. 96--II, 237, 312, 313, 319,
- 325, 347, 350, 353, 357, 367.
-
- Notturno for Pf. and Viola (arranged from the Serenade, Op. 8),
- Op. 42--I, 208.
-
- Rondo for Pf. and Violin, in G--I, 179.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin (arrangement of Trio for Oboes and
- Bassoon)--I, 206.
-
- Six Allemandes for Pf. and Violin--II, 303.
-
- Variations on "Se vuol ballare," for Pf. and Violin--I, 132,
- 138, 176, 178, 179.
-
- Sonata in B-flat for Pf. and Flute--I, 138.
-
- Two Sonatas for Pf. and Violoncello, in F and G, Op. 5--I,
- 195, 200, 205.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello, in A, Op. 69--II, 112, 131,
- 132, 141, 150, 162, 218.
-
- Duo for Pf. and Flute (arranged from Serenade, Op. 25, and
- published as Op. 41)--I, 208; II, 20.
-
- Six Variations on National Themes, for Pf. and Flute (or Violin),
- Op. 105--II, 415, 416; III, 23.
-
- Ten Variations on National Themes, for Pf. and Flute (or Violin),
- Op. 107--II, 415, 416; III, 22.
-
- Sonatina for Mandolin and Pf. (Cembalo)--I, 210, 236.
-
- Two Sonatas for Pf. and Violoncello, in C and G, Op. 102--II, 316,
- 328, 338, 339, 340, 352, 357, 367, 389; III, 23.
-
- Variations on "See the Conquering Hero Comes," from "Judas
- Maccabus," for Pf. and Violoncello--I, 202, 205.
-
- Variations in E-flat, Op. 44, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello--I, 137.
-
- Variations on "Bei Mnnern welche Liebe fhlen," for Pf. and
- Violoncello--I, 364.
-
- Variations on "Ein Mdchen oder Weibchen," for Pf. and
- Violoncello--I, 226, 305.
-
- Arrangement of Trio, Op. 3, for Pf. and Violoncello, Op. 64--II, 113.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Horn, Op. 17--I, 239, 244, 267, 274, 277,
- 279, 290; II, 39.
-
- Sketches from "Pastoral" Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello--II, 310.
-
-
-(f) FOR PIANOFORTE ALONE
-
- Three Sonatas (No. 1, F minor; No. 2, A major; No. 3, C major),
- Op. 2--I, 137, 144, 186, 192, 217.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 7--I, 202, 209, 244, 318; II, 74.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1--I, 207, 210, 224, 226, 244.
-
- Sonata in F major, Op. 10, No. 2--I, 224, 244; II, 76.
-
- Sonata in D major, Op. 10, No. 3--I, 205, 224, 244.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 ("Pathtique")--I, 209, 221, 225,
- 227, 307; II, 90.
-
- Sonata in E major, Op. 14, No. 1--I, 225, 226, 244;
- arranged as a String Quartet, 349, 364.
-
- Sonata in G major, Op. 14, No. 2--I, 225, 244.
-
- Sonata in B-flat, Op. 22--I, 277, 279, 282, 286, 299, 364.
-
- Sonata in A-flat major, Op. 26--I, 289, 290;
- story of the Funeral March, 291;
- published, 364;
- the Funeral March orchestrated by B., II, 298; 299; III, 312.
-
- Sonata quasi una Fantasia, in E-flat, Op. 27, No. 1--I, 244,
- 280, 289, 291, 364.
-
- Sonata quasi una Fantasia, in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2--I,
- 244, 289, 291, 292, 293;
- dedication of, 322;
- B.'s opinion of, 322; 338, 339;
- published, 364.
-
- Sonata in D major, Op. 28 ("Pastoral")--I, 289, 292.
-
- Sonata in G major, Op. 31, No. 1--I, 364, 365; II, 20.
-
- Sonata in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2--I, 364, 365;
- origin of the Finale, 368; II, 20.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 31, No. 3--II, 40.
-
- Two Sonatas, No. 1 in G minor, No. 2 in G major, Op. 49--I,
- 206, 209, 225, 278; II, 55.
-
- Sonata in C major, Op. 53 ("Waldstein")--I, 103, 140; II, 31,
- 37, 40, 55, 77.
- (See ANDANTE FAVORI.)
-
- Sonata in F major, Op. 54--II, 31, 40, 56, 76.
-
- Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 ("Appassionata")--I, 140; II, 31, 40,
- 73, 77, 113, 335.
-
- Sonata in F-sharp major, Op. 78--B.'s opinion of, I, 292; 323,
- 336, 338; II, 148, 154, 160, 161;
- dedication, 195.
-
- Sonatina in G major, Op. 79--II, 148, 160, 161;
- publication of, 195.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 81a ("Les Adieux, l'Absence et le Retour")--II,
- 143, 146, 148, 159, 160, 161, 192, 199, 200, 207, 210, 219.
-
- Sonata in E minor, Op. 90--II, 288, 291, 303, 328.
-
- Sonata in A major, Op. 101 ("fr Hammerklavier")--II, 328, 338,
- 356, 364, 365, 389, 412.
-
- Sonata in B-flat, Op. 106--II, 376, 378, 382, 388, 389, 396, 411,
- 412, 413, 414, 415; III, 23, 145.
-
- Sonata in E major, Op. 109--III, 48, 49, 90.
-
- Sonata in A-flat, Op. 110--III, 48, 49, 90.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 111--III, 48, 49, 55, 72, 90.
-
- Three Sonatas dedicated to Maximilian Friedrich--I, 72.
-
- Sonata (Unfinished) sent to Eleonore von Breuning--I, 139, 140, 179.
-
- Sonata for Pf. four hands, in D, Op. 6--I, 200, 209.
-
- Gavotte, Marcia lugubre et Rondo, for Pf. four hands (attributed to
- Mozart)--I, 139.
-
- Grand Fugue for Pf. four hands, arranged from the Finale of the
- Quartet Op. 130--III, 223, 224.
-
- Andante favori, in F (see SONATA, Op. 53)--II, 31, 40, 77.
-
- Allegretto in C minor (B. and H. Supplement, XXV, No. 299)--I, 210.
-
- Bagatelles, in general--I, 261; III, 57, 62.
-
- Bagatelles (Seven), Op. 33--I, 71, 140, 361, 362, 364, 371; II, 20.
-
- Bagatelles, Op. 119--I, 365, 371; III, 48, 86.
-
- Bagatelles (Six), Op. 126--III, 57, 64, 142 _et seq._
-
- Bagatelles (B. and H. Supplement, XXV, 295)--I, 210.
-
- "Beethoven's letzter Gedanke" ("Dernire Pense musicale")--II, 415.
-
- cossaise in E-flat--III, 216.
-
- cossaises (Twelve)--II, 113; III, 216.
-
- Fantasia, Op. 77--I, 293; II, 91, 148, 154, 160, 161, 195.
-
- Lndler (Six)--I, 364, 365. (Also for Orchestra.)
-
- Contradances (Six)--I, 289, 364. (Also for Orchestra.)
-
- Marches, Three Grand, for four hands, in C, E-flat and D,
- Op. 45--I, 350, 356; II, 40.
-
- Minuet in E-flat--II, 56.
-
- Polonaise in C, Op. 89--II, 152, 305, 328.
-
- Preludes (Two) through all the Major Keys, for Pianoforte or
- Organ, Op. 39--I, 138, 371; II, 20.
-
- Prelude in F minor--I, 138; II, 55.
-
- Rondos (Two) in C and G, Op. 51--I, 202, 244, 275, 277, 322, 364;
- dedicated, 370.
-
- Rondo Allegretto--I, 75.
-
- Rondo a Capriccio ("Die Wuth ber den verlornen Groschen"),
- Op. 129--III, 143, 246.
-
- Rondo in C (Youthful, anonymous)--I, 72, 140.
-
- Variations (Six) on an Original Theme, Op. 34--I, 314, 364, 365, 370;
- dedication, 368; II, 20.
-
- Variations (Fifteen) with a Fugue, on a Theme from "Prometheus,"
- Op. 35--I, 364, 365, 368, 369, 370; II, 20.
-
- Variations in D, on a Theme used afterwards in "The Ruins of Athens,"
- Op. 76--II, 148, 160, 161, 195.
-
- Variations (Thirty-three) on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120--III, 107,
- 108, 127 _et seq._; 147.
-
- Variations on a Theme by Count Waldstein, in C, for four hands--I,
- 139, 176, 183, 184.
-
- Variations (Nine) on a March by Dressler, in C minor--I, 69, 70, 72.
-
- Variations (Twenty-four) on "Venni amore," in D--I, 7, 114, 117, 138.
-
- Variations (Thirteen) on "Es war einmal," by Dittersdorf--I, 139, 176,
- 183, 184.
-
- Variations (Nine) on "Quant pi bello," by Paisiello, in A--I, 187.
-
- Variations on "Nel cor pi non mi sento," by Paisiello--I, 187, 192.
-
- Variations on the "Minuet la Vigano"--I, 188, 192.
-
- Variations (Twelve) on a Russian Dance from "Das Waldmdchen"--I,
- 200, 209, 244.
-
- Variations (Six easy) on a Swiss Air, for Harpsichord or Harp--I, 227.
-
- Variations on "Une fivre brlante," by Grtry--I, 226, 227, 305.
-
- Variations (Ten) on "La Stessa, la stessissima," by Salieri--I, 227,
- 244, 275.
-
- Variations (Eight) on "Tndeln und Scherzen," by Sssmayer--I, 227.
-
- Variations (Nine) on "Kind, willst Du?" by Winter--I, 227, 275.
-
- Variations (Seven) on "God save the King"--I, 140, 305, 370; II, 40.
-
- Variations on "Rule Britannia"--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Variations (Thirty-two) in C minor--II, 76, 113, 117.
-
- Variations for four hands on "Ich denke Dein"--II, 55.
-
- Variations on a Theme from "Le Nozze disturbate." (See "MINUET
- LA VIGANO.")
-
- Variations on "Ich denke Dein"--I, 277, 279, 335, 362; II, 55,
- 147, 148.
-
- Variations, trs faciles, in G--I, 277, 279, 290.
-
- Waltz in D--III, 216.
-
- Waltzes (Twelve), also published for Strings and Wind--II. 113.
-
- Cadenza for Mozart's Concerto in D minor--I, 185.
-
- Movement for a Clock--I, 76.
-
- Two-part Organ Fugue in D--I, 71.
-
- Sketches for Sonata, four hands--III, 141.
-
- Sketches for a Concerto in D minor--II, 328.
-
-
-(g) SONGS WITH PIANOFORTE ACCOMPANIMENT
-
- Abendlied--III, 50.
-
- Abschiedsgesang an Wiens Brger--I, 199; II, 303.
-
- Adelaide, Op. 46--I, 143, 202, 203, 207, 230; II, 6, 306,
- 338; III, 61.
-
- Als die Geliebte sich trennen wollte--II, 72, 162.
-
- Amante impaziente, L'--II, 160.
-
- Andenken--II, 160, 195.
-
- An die ferne Geliebte--II, 328, 343, 356, 357, 363; III, 32.
-
- An die Geliebte--II, 209, 284, 303.
-
- An die Hoffnung--II, 55, 306, 328, 338, 356; III, 20.
-
- An einen Sugling--I, 75.
-
- An Minna--I, 132.
-
- Ariettes (Four) and a Duet, Italian, Op. 82--II, 160, 192, 209.
-
- Bardengeist, Der--II, 259, 260.
-
- Bitten--II, 20.
-
- Blmchen Wunderhold, Das--I, 362.
-
- Bundeslied--III, 64.
-
- Che fa il mio bene (Buffa)--II, 209.
-
- Che fa il mio bene (Seria)--II, 209.
-
- Der Jngling in der Fremde--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Die Trommel gerhret (See EGMONT.)
-
- Dimmi ben mio--II, 209.
-
- Ehre Gottes in der Natur, Die--II, 20.
-
- Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir--I, 201.
-
- Einst wohnten (An den fernen Geliebten)--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Elegie auf den Tod eines Pudels--I, 132.
-
- Es war einmal ein Knig--II, 195, 363.
-
- Feuerfarb--I, 132, 134, 137.
-
- Freudvoll und leidvoll. (See EGMONT.)
-
- Gedenke mein--II, 160, 195.
-
- Gegenliebe--I, 203; II, 133.
-
- Geheimniss, Das--II, 72, 328, 356; III, 50.
-
- Gellert: Six Sacred Songs--"Bitten," "Die Liebe des Nchsten,"
- "Vom Tode," "Die Ehre Gottes in der Natur," "Gottes Macht
- und Vorsehung" and "Busslied"--II, 20.
-
- Glck der Freundschaft, Das--II, 20.
-
- Gottes Macht--II, 20.
-
- Gretel's Warnung--II, 160, 195.
-
- Herz, mein Herz--II, 191, 194, 195.
-
- Horch, wie schallt's ("Der Wachtelschlag")--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Ich denke Dein--I, 275, 277, 279, 335; II, 55, 147, 148.
-
- Ich, der mit flatterndem Sinn--I, 132.
-
- Ich liebe dich--II, 20.
-
- In questa tomba--II, 111, 113, 134.
-
- Irish Songs (for Thomson, with obbligato instruments)--II,
- 70, 157, 162, 194, 238, 259, 260, 303.
-
- Kennst du das Land--II, 186, 191, 194, 195.
-
- Klage, Die--I, 132; II, 160.
-
- Kleine Blumen--II, 210.
-
- Kriegers Abschied, Des--II, 303, 328.
-
- Kuss, Der--I, 275; III, 64, 87.
-
- La Partenza--II, 20.
-
- Liebe des Nchsten, Die--II, 20.
-
- Liebende, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Lied aus der Ferne--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Lisch aus, mein Licht--II, 388, 416; III, 50.
-
- Lydiens Untreue--II, 72.
-
- Mailied--I, 204.
-
- Mann von Wort, Der--II, 356, 357.
-
- Man strebt die Flamme--I, 133.
-
- Merkenstein--II, 303, 310, 357; III, 61.
-
- Mit einem gemalten Bande--II, 194.
-
- Mit Liebesblick--II, 160, 195.
-
- Mit Mdchen sich vertragen--I, 132; III, 58.
-
- National Songs--II, 17. (See "Irish," "Scottish" and "Welsh.")
-
- No, non turbate (Scena and air)--I, 364.
-
- Nord oder Sd--II, 386, 388, 389; III, 50.
-
- O care selve--I, 204.
-
- Odi l'Aura (Duet)--II, 160, 209.
-
- Opferlied--I, 203, 275, 364; III, 64, 140, 141, 189, 202.
- (See WORKS FOR CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA.)
-
- O, welch' ein Leben--I, 204. (See also "Die schne Schusterin,"
- under CHORAL WORKS.)
-
- Plaisir d'aimer--I, 228.
-
- Prfung des Kssens--I, 131.
-
- Punschlied--I, 133.
-
- Que le temps (jour) me dure--I, 228.
-
- Ruf vom Berge--II, 356, 389.
-
- Schilderung eines Mdchens--I, 72.
-
- Scottish Songs (Twelve)--II, 328, 416.
-
- Scottish Songs (Twenty-five)--II, 17, 69, 190, 203, 218,
- 219, 259, 260; III, 50.
-
- Sehnsucht--II, 132, 133, 194, 195, 357.
-
- Seufzer eines Ungeliebten--I, 202, 203, 207.
-
- Six Songs, Op. 75--II, 192, 195.
-
- "Soll ein Schuh nicht drcken" (from "Die schne Schusterin")--I,
- 204, 224.
-
- Three Songs, Op. 83--II, 192, 199.
-
- T'intendo--II, 209.
-
- Trinklied ("Erhebt das Glas")--I, 132, 199.
-
- Trinklied ("Lasst das Herz uns froh erheben")--I, 199. (See
- "Abschiedsgesang.")
-
- Trocknet nicht--II, 186, 194, 210.
-
- Turteltaube--I, 204.
-
- Urian's Reise--I, 88, 132.
-
- Wachtelschlag, Der--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Was ist des Maurers Ziel--I, 133.
-
- Was zieht mir--II, 210.
-
- Welsh Songs (with obbligato instruments)--II, 70, 157, 238, 389.
-
- Wer ist ein freier Mann--I, 133, 204.
-
- Zufriedene, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Zwar schuf das Glck--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Sketches for uncompleted songs: "Erlknig"--III, 86;
- "Haidenrslein"--II, 415;
- "Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht"--I, 275.
-
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-Transcriber's Note
-
-Page headers in the original text have been moved above the paragraph
-to which they relate.
-
-The index was printed with many punctuation errors in the index. Some
-have been corrected without further note, but remaining inconsistencies
-include the use of B. and B as abbreviations, reference to Volume
-numbers as I or Vol. I, and use of a semi-colon or a comma after _et
-seq._ Many page numbers in the index were printed out of numerical
-order.
-
-The following apparent errors have also been changed:
-
-p. 17 "fouud" changed to "found"
-
-p. 20 (note) "aristically" changed to "artistically"
-
-p. 20 "A[rch-]D[uke]." changed to "A[rch-]D[uke].""
-
-p. 42 "the the greatest" changed to "the greatest"
-
-p. 49 (note) ""Zweit. Beeth.", pp. 467" changed to ""Zweit. Beeth.,"
-pp. 467"
-
-p. 60 "expecially" changed to "especially"
-
-p. 76 "all right." changed to "all right.""
-
-p. 83 "to to Hensler" changed to "to Hensler"
-
-p. 89 "cermony" changed to "ceremony"
-
-p. 93 "disinteredness" changed to "disinterestedness"
-
-p. 94 "contempories" changed to "contemporaries"
-
-p. 99 "indentical" changed to "identical"
-
-p. 104 "almost O" changed to "almost 0"
-
-p. 128 "also fuming" changed to "was also fuming"
-
-p. 144 "1915" changed to "1815"
-
-p. 146 "Pianofortes Sonatas" changed to "Pianoforte Sonatas"
-
-p. 148 "final chorus" changed to "final chorus)"
-
-p. 150 "(nor this either" changed to "nor this either"
-
-p. 161 "vexations" changed to "vexatious"
-
-p. 196 "castrophe" changed to "catastrophe"
-
-p. 215 "_31me Quatuor." changed to ""_31me Quatuor."
-
-p. 219 "semblence" changed to "semblance"
-
-p. 222 "Leibquartett" changed to "Liebquartett"
-
-p. 224 "he, remarked" changed to "he remarked"
-
-p. 224 ""Must it be?" changed to ""Must it be?""
-
-p. 227 "life, time" changed to "lifetime"
-
-p. 239 "Schwarzspanierhaus" changed to "Schwarzspanierhause"
-
-p. 252 "toward each," changed to "toward each"
-
-p. 252 "solicituous" changed to "solicitous"
-
-p. 259 "capable practioner" changed to "capable practitioner"
-
-p. 272 "Schwarzpanierhaus" changed to "Schwarzspanierhaus"
-
-p. 274 "has thought" changed to "has been thought"
-
-p. 294 "ensured" changed to "ensued"
-
-p. 304 "but Beetthoven" changed to "but Beethoven"
-
-p. 305 (note) "farce is done.'" changed to "farce is done.'""
-
-p. 309 "Beethovens death" changed to "Beethoven's death"
-
-p. 310 "preserved." changed to "preserved.""
-
-p. 315 "'~Alfred the Great~"" changed to ""~Alfred the
-Great~""
-
-p. 316 "42," changed to "42."
-
-p. 316 "77 wants" changed to "77; wants"
-
-p. 316 "to, 218," changed to "to, 218."
-
-p. 317 "104; 190" changed to "104, 190"
-
-p. 317 "132; 134;" changed to "132, 134;"
-
-p. 317 "103; 191" changed to "103, 191"
-
-p. 317 "xi; 192" changed to "xi, 192"
-
-p. 320 "368; 362" changed to "368, 362"
-
-p. 320 "280 286" changed to "280, 286"
-
-p. 321 "176 Matthisson" changed to "176; Matthisson"
-
-p. 321 "344, Magdalena" changed to "344; Magdalena"
-
-p. 321 "Rovantini I, 64" changed to "Rovantini, I, 64"
-
-p. 322 "_et seq._; 364;" changed to "_et seq._, 364;"
-
-p. 322 "37; 118" changed to "37, 118"
-
-p. 323 "200; 219" changed to "200, 219"
-
-p. 324 ""Fidelio"; II" changed to ""Fidelio", II"
-
-p. 324 "_et seq._; 141." changed to "_et seq._, 141."
-
-p. 324 "3; 36;" changed to "3, 36;"
-
-p. 324 "asked by B to" changed to "asked by B. to"
-
-p. 324 "I, 1 _et seq._" changed to "I, 1 _et seq._;"
-
-p. 325 "Dedication; 88;" changed to "Dedication, 88;"
-
-p. 326 "Singer, III: 169." changed to "Singer: III, 169."
-
-p. 326 "court, I, 29," changed to "court: I, 29,"
-
-p. 328 "Knstler~"" changed to "Knstler~"
-
-p. 328 "182, 202," changed to "182, 202."
-
-p. 328 "II, 80:" changed to "II, 80;"
-
-p. 329 "II, 127:" changed to "II, 127;"
-
-p. 329 "teacher, 152," changed to "teacher, 152;"
-
-p. 329 "284, 285," changed to "284, 285;"
-
-p. 329 "teacher, 11," changed to "teacher, 11;"
-
-p. 330 "Oratorio by by C. P. E. Bach" changed to "Oratorio by C. P. E.
-Bach"
-
-p. 332 "La finta Giardiniera"" changed to ""La finta Giardiniera""
-
-p. 334 "B's visit to 89, 90;" changed to "B's visit to, 89, 90;"
-
-p. 334 "Mihl, 31" changed to "Mihl, I, 31"
-
-p. 335 "I, 282," changed to "I, 282;"
-
-p. 336 "La buona Figluola." changed to "La buona Figluola,"
-
-p. 336 "B. plays in." changed to "B. plays in,"
-
-p. 337 "plays the the C minor" changed to "plays the C minor"
-
-p. 338 "Rzwuska" changed to "Rzewuska"
-
-p. 339 ""~Seidenen Schuhe," Die~" changed to ""~Seidenen Schuhe,
-Die~""
-
-p. 341 "III, 77, 78; III, 161," changed to "III, 77, 78, 161,"
-
-p. 346 "Hoffmann, sei" changed to ""Hoffmann, sei"
-
-
-The following possible errors have not been changed:
-
-p. 17 The gentleman has not eaten anything yet"
-
-p. 122 St. Wenzelaus
-
-p. 231 the necessity off proving
-
-p. 231 Yours sincerly
-
-p. 343 II, 113, 144;
-
-
-The following are inconsistently used:
-
-absentmindedness and absent-mindedness
-
-deathbed and death-bed
-
-Haslinger and Hasslinger
-
-hellhound and hell-hound
-
-Lodoska and Lodoiska
-
-notebook and note-book
-
-sickbed and sick-bed
-
-sketchbooks and sketch-books
-
-stagecoach and stage-coach
-
-Sssmayer and Sssmayr
-
-Theaterzeitung and Theater-Zeitung
-
-W.W. and W.W.
-
-Zmire and Zemire
-
-
-
-
-
-
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diff --git a/43593.txt b/43593.txt
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--- a/43593.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21096 +0,0 @@
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume
-III (of 3), by Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)
-
-Author: Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
-Translator: Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
-Release Date: August 29, 2013 [EBook #43593]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ASCII
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF BEETHOVEN, VOL III ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
-produced from images generously made available by The
-Internet Archive/American Libraries and Google Print.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Transcriber's Note
-
-Bold text is indicated by ~tildes~, and italics by _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
- THE LIFE OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
- VOLUME III
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration: BEETHOVEN in 1814
-
-Engraved by Blasius Hoefel
-
-After a crayon sketch by Louis Latronne]
-
-
-
-
- The Life of
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven
-
- _By_ Alexander Wheelock Thayer
-
- Edited, revised and amended from the original
- English manuscript and the German editions
- of Hermann Deiters and Hugo Riemann, concluded,
- and all the documents newly translated
-
- By
- Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
- Volume III
-
- Published by
- The Beethoven Association
- New York
-
-
-
-
- _SECOND PRINTING_
-
- Copyright, 1921,
- By Henry Edward Krehbiel
-
- From the press of G. Schirmer, Inc., New York
- Printed in the U. S. A.
-
-
-
-
-Contents of Volume III
-
-
- PAGE
- CHAPTER I. The Year 1819--Guardianship of Beethoven's
- Nephew Karl--Mother and Uncle in a Legal Struggle--The
- Lad's Education--Conversation Books--A Wedding
- Song--In Travail with the Mass in D--The
- Commission for an Oratorio from the Gesellschaft
- der Musikfreunde--Visits from Zelter and Friedrich
- Schneider--Creative Work of the Year 1
-
- CHAPTER II. End of the Litigation over the Guardianship of
- the Nephew--A Costly Victory--E. T. A. Hoffmann--An
- Analytical Programme--Beethoven's Financial Troubles--Adagios
- and English Hymn-Tunes--Stieler's
- Portrait--Arrested as a Vagrant--Negotiations for the
- Mass in D begun with Simrock--The Last Pianoforte
- Sonatas--Compositions of the Years 1820 and 1821 24
-
- CHAPTER III. The Year 1822--The Mass in D--Beethoven
- and His Publishers--Simrock--Schlesinger--C. F.
- Peters--Phantom Masses--Johann van Beethoven:
- His Appearance and Character--Becomes His Brother's
- Agent--Meetings with Rochlitz and Rossini--Franz
- Schubert--"The Consecration of the House"--Revival
- of "Fidelio"--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The
- Bagatelles--A Commission from America 51
-
- CHAPTER IV. The Year 1823--The Roman Ritual and
- the Mass in D--Subscriptions Asked from Royal
- Courts--Incidents of the Appeal--Goethe and Cherubini
- Enlisted as Agents--A Medal from the King of
- France--Further Negotiations with Publishers and
- Societies--Operatic Projects--Consideration of Grillparzer's
- "Melusine"--The Diabelli Variations--Summer
- Visitors--An Englishman's Story--Weber and Julius
- Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt
- and Beethoven's Kiss 89
-
- CHAPTER V. The Year 1824--The Symphony in D
- Minor--Its Technical History--The Choral Finale
- and Schiller's "Ode to Joy"--First Performance of the
- Work and Portions of the Mass--An Address to
- Beethoven--Laborious and Protracted Preparations
- for the Concert--A Financial Failure--Beethoven's
- False Accusations against Friends and Helpers Drive
- Them from the Dinner-Table 144
-
- CHAPTER VI. Incidents and Labors of the Year 1824--A
- Truce with the Hated Sister-in-Law--The Gesellschaft
- der Musikfreunde's Oratorio--Bernard's Libretto--The
- Society Forgives Beethoven His Debt and
- Elects Him an Honorary Member--Book of "The
- Victory of the Cross"--Summer Sojourn at Penzing
- Interrupted by Curious Visitors--The London Philharmonic
- Society Receives the Symphony in D
- Minor--Further Negotiations for the Mass--New
- Publishers--Probst--Schott and Sons--A Visitor from
- London--Beethoven's Opinion of His Predecessors--The
- Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127--Trip to England Determined
- Upon 170
-
- CHAPTER VII. The Year 1825. The Invitation from the
- Philharmonic Society of London--The Ninth Symphony
- Performed at Aix-la-Chapelle--Mass and Symphony
- Delivered to Schott and Sons--Unpleasant Results of an
- Attempted Joke on Haslinger--Beethoven and a
- Copyist--The String Quartet in E-flat Taken Away
- from Schuppanzigh after a First Performance--Karl
- Holz--Beethoven Authorizes Him to Write the History
- of His Life--Early Biographers--Visits of Rellstab, Kuhlau,
- Smart and Others--Sir George Smart's Recollections--
- Dedication of the Mass in D--Stephan von
- Breuning--Wegeler asks Beethoven to Defend the Honor
- of His Mother--The Quartets in A Minor and B-flat 186
-
- CHAPTER VIII. A Year of Sickness and Sorrow--The
- Last String Quartets--Wolfmayer Commissions a
- "Requiem" and Pays in Advance--Many Works _in
- petto_--Controversy with Prince Galitzin and His
- Son--The Fugue in the B-flat Quartet--"Muss es
- sein?"--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--The King
- of Prussia and His Gift of a Dubious Diamond--Abbe
- Stadler--Beethoven Defends Mozart's "Requiem"--Friedrich
- Wieck--Beethoven Goes to His Brother's
- Summer Home--Life at Gneixendorf--Relations with
- His Brother's Family--Young Oxen Thrown into a Panic
- Fear--The Quartet in F and a New Finale for the
- Quartet in B-flat--The Year 1826--Beethoven's Last
- Compositions 218
-
- CHAPTER IX. Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward
- and an Unwise Guardian--Beethoven and his Graceless
- Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father--A Profligate
- Youth--Effect of the Guardianship on Beethoven's
- Character--An Unsuccessful Attempt at Self-destruction--
- Karl is Made a Soldier 247
-
- CHAPTER X. The Last Days at Gneixendorf--A Brother's
- Warning--Beethoven and His Kinspeople--The Fateful
- Journey to Vienna--The Fatal Illness--The Physicians
- and Their Treatment--The Nephew Exonerated
- from a Slanderous Accusation--Schindler's Disingenuousness--
- Dr. Malfatti Forgets a Resentment Harbored
- for more than a Decade--Beethoven and Handel's
- Scores--A Gift of 100 Pounds Sterling from the London
- Philharmonic Society--Eventual Disposition of the
- Money--Metronome Marks for the Ninth Symphony--Death
- and Burial of Beethoven--His Estate 267
-
- GENERAL INDEX 315
-
- INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS 344
-
-
-
-
-Chapter I
-
- The Contest for the Guardianship of Nephew Karl--The Conversation
- Books--A Wedding Song--In Travail with the Mass--The Year 1819.
-
-
-The key-note for much that must occupy us in a survey of the year 1819
-is sounded by A New Year's Greeting to Archduke Rudolph. Beethoven
-invokes all manner of blessings on the head of his pupil and patron
-and, begging a continuance of gracious benevolences for himself, sets
-forth a picture of his unhappy plight.
-
- A terrible occurrence has recently taken place in my family affairs
- which for a time robbed me of all my reasoning powers; and to this
- must be charged the circumstance that I have not called upon Y.
- R. H. in person nor made mention of the masterly Variations of my
- highly honored and exalted pupil, the favorite of the Muses. I do
- not dare to express either by word of mouth or in writing my thanks
- for the surprise and favor with which I have been honored, inasmuch
- as I occupy _much too humble_ a position, nor dare I, much as I
- would like and ardently as I long to do so, _requite like with
- like_.
-
-A little boy of eleven years runs away from his uncle to his indulgent
-mother whom he, for months at a time, has not been allowed to see,
-although both live within the same city limits. What else could be
-expected than that this should now and then occur? What should be
-thought of the child's heart if it did not? And when it did, who but
-Beethoven would have felt more than a passing disturbance of his
-equanimity at an offense so natural under the circumstances? But to
-him it was a "terrible occurrence" which for a space robbed him of his
-reason. No one of ordinary sensibilities can read the story without
-strong feelings of compassion for him--not that the boy's freak was
-in any sense in itself a grievous misfortune, but because the uncle's
-sufferings occasioned by it were so real and intense.
-
-There is no reason to doubt the mother's assertion that she sent
-the child back through the intervention of the police, for this was
-clearly her best policy, more especially because she and her advisers
-found in the incident a wished-for occasion to renew her petition to
-have her son admitted into the R. I. Convict. It was this petition,
-enforced by Hotschevar's long paper and its accompanying documents,
-which had led to the question of Beethoven's right to have his case
-tried by the tribunal of the nobility, and the negative decision which
-transferred the whole matter to the City Magistracy. At this point a
-few official data are wanting, and the suspension of Beethoven from the
-guardianship of his nephew can only be stated as having been determined
-by the magistrates immediately after the beginning of the new year,
-and that, in consequence of this, the boy was for a few weeks with his
-mother. On January 10, Fanny Giannatasio writes in her diary: "What
-Mueller tells me about Beethoven pains me deeply. The wicked woman has
-finally succeeded in triumphing over him. He has been removed from
-the guardianship[1] and the wicked son returns to the source of his
-wickedness. I can imagine Beethoven's grief. It is said that since
-yesterday he has been entirely alone and eats apart from the others. He
-ought to know that Karl is glad to be with his mother; it would ease
-the pain of the separation."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S APPEAL TO THE MAGISTRACY]
-
-On January 7 the magistrates summoned Beethoven (who still lived in
-the Gaertnergasse), the boy, the mother, Hotschevar and the curator,
-Dr. Schoenauer, to appear before them on January 11. Of what action was
-taken that day there is no record, but Hotschevar's attack brought
-out a vigorous defense in the shape of a letter sent by Beethoven
-to the Magistracy,[2] in which he maintained the superiority of the
-educational plan which he was pursuing over that which had been
-proposed by the mother, proclaimed the magnanimity and virtuousness of
-all his acts and discharged a broadside of accusation and insinuation
-against Madame van Beethoven and the priest who had come to her help.
-We can make room for only a few passages:
-
- His exceptional capacity, and partly also his peculiarities,
- call for exceptional measures; and I never did a more beneficial
- or magnanimous act than when I took my nephew to myself and
- personally assumed charge of his education. Seeing that (according
- to Plutarch) a Philip did not think it beneath his dignity to
- direct the education of his son Alexander and give him the great
- Aristotle for a teacher because he did not consider the ordinary
- teachers suitable, and a Laudon looked after the education of
- his son _himself_, why should not such beautiful and sublime
- examples be followed by others? Already during his lifetime his
- father entrusted my nephew to me and I confess that I feel myself
- better fitted than anybody else _to incite my nephew to virtue and
- industry by my own example_.
-
-
- Had the mother been able to subdue her wicked disposition and
- permitted my plans to take their quiet development a very favorable
- result would have followed; but when a _mother of this sort_ seeks
- to involve her child in the secrets of her own vulgar and evil
- surroundings, and in his tender years (a plague for children!!!)
- leads aim astray to deception, to bribery of my servants, to
- _untruthfulness_, by _laughing at him_ when he tells the truth,
- yes, even _giving him money_ to awaken in him lusts and desires
- which are harmful, tells him that things are trifles which _in me
- and others would be accounted_ grave faults, the already difficult
- task becomes more difficult and dangerous.
-
- Gifts of fortune may be acquired; morality must be _implanted_
- early, particularly when a child has had the misfortune to suck
- in such _mother's milk_, was in her care for several years, was
- put to thoroughly bad uses, even had to help _deceive_ his father.
- Furthermore he will _inherit from me_ and even now I could leave
- him enough to _keep him from want_ while continuing his studies
- until he should receive an appointment. We need only _quiet and no
- more interference_ from the mother, and the beautiful goal which I
- have set will be attained.
-
- Ought I now to reply to the intrigues of a Mr. Courtscrivener
- Hotschowa [Hotschevar] against me, or to the _priest of Moedling_,
- who is despised by his congregation, who is suspected of being
- guilty of _illicit intercourse_, who lays his pupils military
- fashion on a form to be thrashed and could not forgive me because I
- kept watch on him and would not permit my nephew to be caned like a
- _brute_--ought I? No; the association of these men with Madame van
- Beethoven _bears witness_ against them both, and _only such_ could
- make _common cause_ with Madame van Beethoven _against me_.
-
-Beethoven accompanied this address with a private letter presumably to
-Dr. Tschiska (or Tschischka), an official of the Magistracy, in which
-he said:
-
- I am not a guardian from self-interest, but I want to rear a new
- monument to myself in my nephew. I do not need my nephew, but he
- needs me. Gossip, calumny, are beneath the dignity of a man who is
- raising himself up! What is to be done when they even touch the
- laundry!?!? I might be very sensitive, but the just man must be
- able to endure injustice without departing an iota from the right.
- In this sense I shall endure every trial, nothing shall shake
- my resolution. A great responsibility would be incurred were my
- nephew to be wholly withdrawn from me; moral and even political
- consequences would follow to him. I commend him to you and appeal
- to your heart for his welfare. My actions must commend me for his
- sake, not mine.
-
-We do not know the particulars, but for the present Beethoven retained
-the right to look after the further education of the boy; the right, at
-least, was not judicially taken away from him or given to another. He
-did not send him again to a public school, but engaged a private tutor
-under whose care he continued his studies in an institute conducted by
-Joseph Kudlich, of whom he spoke in great praise. Besides the ordinary
-subjects, he received instruction in French, drawing and music; his
-religious training was entrusted to a priest. This state of affairs
-lasted till the end of March, when he announced a desire to resign the
-guardianship--persuaded to take this step, it is fair to presume, by
-the magistrates who, in the end, would have been obliged to remove him.
-Karl was living with his mother at the time. According to the court
-records, Beethoven left the matter of education "entirely to Kudlich,"
-with whom (if a passage in one of the Conversation Books is read
-correctly) he seems also to have lived temporarily, and it was given
-to him to propose the name of a guardian, either in place of himself
-or as an associate. He consulted earnestly with his friends as to what
-was to be done with the boy and who should be his guardian, and those
-friends were sorely tried by his constitutional indecision. In these
-consultations, the project of sending the boy away from Vienna, and
-the name of Sailer, were mooted.[3] "What must be done," Bernard says,
-"is to select as guardian a man who has your entire confidence both as
-respects morality and pedagogical skill, and with whom you may always
-remain on friendly terms concerning the affair. Since Kudlich has more
-influence on Karl than Giannatasio, it is my opinion that you seek no
-further for someone who would meet every requirement.--It would merely
-be very troublesome for you." Beethoven seems to be in doubt; he had a
-preference for his friend the magisterial Councillor Tuscher, and the
-project of sending him to Sailer in Landshut appealed to him. Bernard
-says again: "If you want peace of mind I think it wise that you name a
-guardian as you were willing to do yesterday. But if it is possible to
-send the boy to Sailer at Landshut,[4] it would, of course, be better
-still, since then you could feel assured that he was in the best of
-hands. Even if you have Tuscher as co-guardian, your case will not be
-bettered, inasmuch as all cares will still rest on you. Perhaps Tuscher
-and Kudlich might jointly assume the guardianship--this might be very
-advantageous. All the same, everything will remain as heretofore, even
-if you send him away he will remain with Kudlich until a change has
-been made. So long as you are guardian and Karl remains here, you will
-not only have all the cares as heretofore, but also be compelled to
-fight the mother and all her intrigues. Have Karl sent for the present
-again to Kudlich, meanwhile the matter may be straightened out."[5]
-
-[Sidenote: A NEW GUARDIAN FOR KARL APPOINTED]
-
-Beethoven seems to have expressed a doubt as to Tuscher's willingness
-to serve as guardian. Bernard continues: "Perhaps he might be more
-easily persuaded if a co-guardian like Kudlich were appointed.--It is
-not necessary to settle everything by to-morrow. If we go to Omeyer
-to-morrow morning, then to Tuscher and Kudlich, we can come to an
-understanding as to what will be the best thing to do." Tuscher, if
-we are correct in recognizing his handwriting, permitted himself to
-be persuaded, though a bit under protest; he foresaw difficulties.
-The Magistracy at the suggestion of Beethoven thereupon appointed
-the Magisterial Councillor Matthias von Tuscher guardian of the boy
-on March 26. He was commanded to place his ward, then "living with
-his mother, Johanna van Beethoven," in another place for bringing
-up and education under proper care, and submit his opinion touching
-the proposition of the mother and Hotschevar that he be entered in a
-public institute of learning before the expiration of the second school
-semester, that Beethoven contribute to the cost and that the share of
-the mother's pension and the interest on the money deposited for the
-boy be applied to this end. Tuscher was decidedly of the opinion that
-the boy must be sent away for a time and was agreed with the plan of
-placing him with Prof. Sailer in Landshut after it had been broached to
-him. For this the consent of the Magistracy and the police authorities
-and a passport were necessary. In the opinion of one of Beethoven's
-advisers (Bach) Tuscher was to be informed of the plan only after the
-passport had been obtained, but before the mother, who had already
-found "a channel," could take steps to communicate with Tuscher.
-Beethoven applied to the city authorities for a passport for two years
-for his ward. On April 23, the authorities asked of the Magistracy
-if there were any objections to the proposed step. The Magistracy
-objected to the boy's being sent into a foreign country, but asked
-Tuscher if he were not willing to withdraw his application and name an
-institute in Austria. Tuscher declined and set forth the great hopes
-which he placed in the training to be had of a man like Sailer, who,
-"because of his reverence for the talents of the composer, Beethoven,
-was especially bound to him," and hence would bestow upon his charge
-the strictest oversight and care, which was of great importance in the
-case of a boy who was "extremely cunning and an adept in every sort of
-craftiness." In replying to the municipal authorities the Magistracy
-(on May 7) conceded the necessity of withdrawing the boy from his
-mother's influence, but thought it unnecessary to send him out of the
-country on this account, against which the mother had protested and the
-curator of the ward, Dr. Schoenauer, had declared himself. The passport
-was therefore refused. Beethoven had taken a step which seems to have
-been made to prevent the widow from securing help for her plans from
-a source higher than any that had yet been invoked and to enlist that
-higher power in his own behalf. He appealed to Archduke Rudolph to use
-his influence with Archduke Ludwig, the youngest brother of Emperor
-Franz I, to aid him in his project of sending his nephew far away from
-the mother's influence. In the letter written to the Archduke[6] he
-states that it had been his intention to petition Archduke Ludwig in
-the premises, but there had thitherto appeared to be no occasion for
-so doing for the reason that all the authorities who had jurisdiction
-in the matter were convinced of the advisability of the step, viz.:
-the Police, the Supervisory Guardianship Court and the guardian. He
-had heard, however, that the mother intended to seek an audience of
-Archduke Ludwig to prevent the execution of his plan. Convinced that
-she would stop at nothing in the way of calumination, he expressed the
-hope that his reputation for morality would suffice as a refutation of
-her slanders, and that Archduke Rudolph would bear testimony in his
-behalf.
-
-The plan to send the nephew out of the country had been frustrated
-and had to be abandoned. His mind being filled with artistic projects
-of the greatest magnitude, Beethoven was desirous to pass the summer
-months again in Moedling, and after the experiences of the preceding
-year nothing could be hoped for his nephew in that quarter. He came
-to a realization of the advantages which Giannatasio's institute had
-offered and in a letter to Giannatasio asked him again to take the lad
-till other arrangements had been made. The Giannatasio family were
-fearful lest such a proceeding might work harm to their institution,
-and on June 17 visited Beethoven at Moedling to tell him that his wishes
-could not be complied with. "Grievously as it pained us," Fanny writes
-in her diary, "to refuse Beethoven anything, I am yet so convinced of
-the necessity of the step and that it could do us no good, but on the
-contrary harm, that I prefer to have it so." Thereupon the lad was
-sent to the institute of Joseph Bloechlinger. Claudius Artaria, who was
-one of the teachers there (1821-1824), recalled in later years that
-Karl was one of the older scholars, "naturally talented, but somewhat
-conceited because he was the nephew of Beethoven." He also saw the
-mother there a few times, but remembered nothing in particular in
-connection with her visits. The lad appears to have prospered during
-the early part of his stay at this school. In December, 1819, an
-unknown hand writes in a Conversation Book:
-
- A great deal has been gained in that the boy has again become
- orderly in his public studies. Ploechlinger [_sic_] moreover, though
- not exactly brilliant, seems to be good--the public school system
- acts as a restraint on him.--Your nephew looks well; handsome
- eyes--charm, a speaking physiognomy, and excellent bearing. I would
- continue his education for only two years more.--He is always
- present, and thus she can do him no harm. But he is agreed that she
- spoils the boy.--When you have acquired the sole guardianship, then
- do you decide and he will obey.--Your views are admirable but not
- always reconcilable with this wretched world.--Would that everybody
- might understand and appreciate your love for your nephew.
-
-[Sidenote: TUSCHER RELIEVED OF THE GUARDIANSHIP]
-
-Tuscher, a member of the Magistracy, was compelled to recognize that
-his colleagues were wholly under the influence of Madame van Beethoven
-and Hotschevar, and that he could do no service to his friend or his
-friend's ward; on July 5, he applied to be relieved of the guardianship
-which, he said, had become "in every respect burdensome and vexatious,"
-on the ground that "the multiplicity of official duties as well as
-various other considerations would not permit him longer to administer
-the office." Beethoven took this action in very bad part, and Tuscher
-shared the fate of many others of being for a space an object of the
-composer's critical ill will. Beethoven now served notice on the
-Magistracy that he would resume the guardianship under the testamentary
-appointment and that he had placed his ward in Bloechlinger's
-institution. On July 15 he writes to Archduke Rudolph, lamenting that
-confusion still reigns in his domestic affairs, no hope or comfort is
-in sight, all his structures are blown away, as if by the wind. "The
-present proprietor of the institute in which I have placed my nephew,
-a pupil of Pestalozzi, is of the opinion that it will be difficult
-to achieve a desirable outcome in the boy's training--and also that
-there could be nothing more profitable to my nephew than absence from
-the country." In a letter of September 14 to Bloechlinger he writes:
-"_Only the following individuals have free access to my nephew, Mr. v.
-Bernard, Mr. v. Oliva, Mr. v. Piuk, Recording Secretary.... My nephew
-is not to go out of the house without my written permission_--from
-which it is plain what course is to be followed toward the mother--I
-insist that in this respect _strict obedience_ be given to what the
-authorities and I have ordained."
-
-It is not known whether the Magistracy was immediately informed
-of the new steps which Beethoven had taken, or whether Madame van
-Beethoven made a presentment of some sort on the subject. Be that as
-it may, as chief guardian it determined if possible to put an end
-to the continual friction and undertook an investigation of all the
-educational experiments which had been made, arriving at the conclusion
-that the boy had been "subject to the whims of Beethoven and had been
-tossed back and forth like a ball from one educational institution to
-another." For this reason it decreed, on September 17, that Tuscher's
-request be granted, but that the guardianship should not again be
-entrusted to Beethoven but to the mother, the natural guardian under
-the law, with a capable and honest man as co-guardian. To this office
-Leopold Nussboeck, municipal Sequestrator, was appointed. Beethoven
-protested against the action in a letter which the Magistracy received
-on October 31.[7] Having been absent from the city at the time, "on
-a matter of business," he had made no objection to the appointment
-of Herr Nussboeck as guardian of his nephew, but returning with the
-intention of remaining in Vienna he wished to resume the guardianship,
-as this was essential to the welfare of the boy, the mother having
-neither the will nor the strength to look after his training. He was
-the more insistent on a resumption of this duty since he had learned
-that owing to lack of money the boy was to be removed from the
-institution which he had selected for him, and he charged that the
-mother wished to take her son to her home so that she might be able
-to expend his income, including the half of her pension which she was
-obliged to devote to his education, upon herself. He asked that the
-intermediary guardianship be taken from Nussboeck and be restored to
-him without delay. About the same time (October 23) he wrote at great
-length to Dr. Bach, who had now become his lawyer.[8] From this it
-appears that Madame van Beethoven had addressed another communication
-to the Magistrates' Court, in which she apparently said or intimated
-that Beethoven would, in consequence of the elevation of the Archduke
-to the Archbishopric, be obliged to spend the greater part of his time
-in Olmuetz, and had renewed her attacks upon his moral character. "His
-Imperial Highness, Eminence and Cardinal" would unhesitatingly bear
-witness to his morality, and, as to the twaddle about Olmuetz, the
-Archduke would probably spend not more than six weeks of the year there.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN INSISTS ON SOLE GUARDIANSHIP]
-
- The chief points are that I be recognized at once as sole guardian,
- I will accept no co-guardian, that the mother be excluded from
- intercourse with her son in the _Institute_ because in view of
- her _immorality_ there cannot be enough watchmen there and she
- confuses the teacher by her false statements and lies. She also
- has led her son to tell shameful lies and make charges _against
- me_, and accuses me herself of having given him too much or too
- little; but that the claims of humanity may not be overlooked, she
- may see her son occasionally at my home in the presence of his
- teachers and other excellent men.... It is my opinion that you
- should insist stoutly and irrevocably that I be _sole_ guardian
- and that this unnatural mother shall see her son only at _my
- house_; my well known humanity and culture are a guarantee that
- my treatment of her will be no less generous than that given to
- her son. Moreover, I think that all this should be done quickly
- and that if possible we ought to get the Appellate Court to assume
- the superior guardianship, as I want my nephew to be placed in a
- higher category; neither he nor I belong to the Magistracy under
- whose guardianship are only innkeepers, shoemakers and tailors. As
- regards his present maintenance, it shall be cared for as long as
- I live. For the future he has 7,000 florins _W.W._ of which his
- mother has the usufruct during life; also 2,000 fl. (or a little
- more since I have reinvested it), the interest on which belongs to
- _him_, and 4,000 florins in silver of _mine_ are lying in the bank;
- as he is to inherit all my property this belongs to his capital.
- You will observe that while because of his _great talent_ (to which
- the Honorable Magistracy is indifferent) he will not be able at
- once to support himself, there is already a superfluity in case of
- my death.
-
-In a postscript he accuses the mother of wishing to gain possession of
-her son in order to enjoy all of her pension. In view of this he had
-taken counsel as to whether or not he should let her keep the money and
-make it good from his own pocket. He had been advised not to do so,
-however, because she would make bad use of the money. "I have decided,
-therefore, to set aside the sum in time. You see again how foolishly
-the Magistracy is acting in trying to tear my son wholly from me, since
-when she dies the boy will lose this share of the pension and would get
-along _very poorly_ without my aid." A few days later Beethoven wrote
-to Dr. Bach again, this time to suggest that legal steps be taken to
-attach the widow's pension, he having a suspicion that she was trying
-to evade payment of her son's share because she had permitted nine
-months to pass without drawing the pension from the exchequer.
-
-The Magistracy disposed of Beethoven's protest and application on
-November 4, by curtly referring him to the disposition made of his
-petition of September 17. Beethoven asked for a reconsideration of the
-matter, but without avail, and the only recourse remaining to him was
-the appeal to the higher court which had already been suggested to Dr.
-Bach. The story of that appeal belongs to the year 1820. Meanwhile
-the association of Councillor Peters with him in the guardianship had
-been broached and was the subject of discussion with his friends. In
-December Bernard writes in a Conversation Book:
-
- The Magistracy has till now only made a minute of the proceedings
- and will now hold a session to arrive at a decision. It is already
- decided that you shall have the chief guardianship, but a 2d is
- to be associated with you. As no objection can be made to Peters,
- there will be no difficulty. The matter will be ordered according
- to your wishes and I will take care of Mr. Bloechlinger. The mother
- will not be admitted to the institute unless you are present, 4
- times a year is enough--nor the guardian either?--The Magistracy
- has compromised itself nicely.
-
-Bach seems to have advised that the mother be accepted as co-guardian.
-He writes: "As co-guardian she will have no authority, only the
-honor of being associated in the guardianship. She will be a mere
-figurehead." Whether the conversations noted at the time referred to
-the case on appeal or to the application still pending before the
-Magistracy, or some to the one, some to the other, it is impossible to
-determine. The record of the refusal of the Magistracy has not been
-procured, but the decree of the Appellate Court gives December 20 as
-its date.
-
-[Sidenote: SCHINDLER AND THE CONVERSATION BOOKS]
-
-Frequent citations from the so-called "Conversation Books" made
-in the course of the narrative touching the later phases of the
-controversy over the guardianship call for some remarks upon this new
-source of information opened in this year. In the "Niederrheinische
-Musikzeitung," No. 28 of 1854, Schindler wrote:
-
- Beethoven's hearing had already become too weak for oral
- conversation, even with the help of an ear-trumpet, in 1818,
- and recourse had now to be had to writing. Only in the case of
- intercourse with Archduke Rudolph, and here because of his gentle
- voice, the smallest of the ear-trumpets remained of service for
- several years more.
-
-That he was able, partly by the ear and partly by the eye, to judge of
-the correctness of the performance of his music, Schindler states in
-the same article--a fact also known from many other sources; this was
-the case even to his last year. When, after the death of Beethoven,
-such of his manuscripts and papers as were thought to be salable
-were set apart, there remained in the hands of von Breuning a lot of
-letters, documents and Conversation Books. The estimated value in the
-inventory of the manuscripts and the price obtained for them at the
-auction sale, indicate how utterly worthless from a pecuniary point
-of view that other collection was thought to be; as, however, they
-might be of use to some future biographer, it was well to have them
-preserved, and doubtless a small gratification to Schindler for his
-great sacrifices and very valuable services to Beethoven in these last
-months, the only one which he as guardian to the absent nephew could
-make; so Breuning gave them to him. The Conversation Books, counting
-in as such those which were really nothing but a sheet or two of paper
-loosely folded, were only about 400 in number, or less than fifty per
-annum for the last eight and a half years of Beethoven's life--that
-being the period which they cover. Schindler, who spoke on this as on
-so many other topics frankly and without reserve, said that he long
-preserved the books and papers intact, but not finding any person
-but himself who placed any value upon them, their weight and bulk
-had led him in the course of his long unsettled life by degrees to
-destroy those which he deemed to be of little or no importance. The
-remainder were, in 1845, transferred to the Royal Library in Berlin,
-and, in 1855, when they were examined for this work, numbered 138. It
-was but natural that those preserved are such as place Schindler's
-relation to the master in the strongest light and those deemed by him
-essential to the full understanding of the more important events of
-Beethoven's last years. Most of them bear evidence of the deep interest
-with which Schindler, while they remained in his possession, lived
-over the past in them. In many cases he appended the names of the
-principal writers; so that one soon learns to distinguish their hands
-without difficulty; and occasionally he enriched them with valuable
-annotations.[9] The larger of them--ordinary blank note-books--are
-only of a size and thickness fitted to be carried in the coat-pocket.
-It is obvious, therefore, on a moment's reflection, that at a single
-sitting with a few friends in an inn or coffee-house, the pages must
-have filled rapidly as the book passed from hand to hand and one or
-another wrote question or reply, remark or statement, a bit of news
-or a piece of advice. A few such conversations, one sees, would fill
-a book, all the sooner as there is no thought of economizing space
-and each new sentence is usually also a new paragraph. It strikes
-one, therefore, that the whole 400 could have contained but a small
-portion of the conversations of the period they covered. This was so.
-At home a slate or any loose scraps of paper were commonly used, thus
-saving a heavy item of expense; moreover, many who conversed with
-Beethoven would only write upon the slate in order to obliterate it
-immediately, that nothing should remain exposed to the eyes of others.
-The books, therefore, were for the most part for use when the composer
-was away from home, although there were occasions when, it being
-desirable to preserve what was written, they were also used there.
-Hence, the collection in Berlin can be viewed as little more than
-scattered specimens of the conversations of the master's friends and
-companions, most unequally distributed as to time. For months together
-there is nothing or hardly anything; and then again a few days will
-fill many scores of leaves. In a few instances Beethoven has himself
-written--that is, when in some public place he did not trust his voice;
-and memoranda of divers kinds, even of musical ideas from his pen, are
-not infrequent. One is surprised to find so few distinguished names in
-literature, science and art--Grillparzer's forms an exception and he
-appears only in the later years; as for the rest, they are for the most
-part of local Vienna celebrities.
-
-There is no source of information for the biography of Beethoven
-which at first sight appears so rich and productive and yet, to the
-conscientious writer, proves so provokingly defective and requires such
-extreme caution in its use as these Conversation Books. The oldest of
-them belongs to the time before us (1819) and was evidently preserved
-by Schindler on account of the protracted conversations on the topic of
-the nephew. We have already made several citations from it and shall
-have frequent occasion to have recourse to it in the progress of this
-narrative. The period in which it was used is approximately fixed by a
-reference to a concert given by the violinist Franz Clement, at which
-he played an introduction and variations on a theme by Beethoven.
-This concert took place on April 4, 1819.[10] The last conversations
-in the book took place about the time of Beethoven's removal to
-Moedling--shortly before and after.
-
-This explanatory digression may serve as a modulation to more cheerful
-themes than that which has occupied us of late.
-
-[Sidenote: MUSICAL SURPRISE AT A WEDDING]
-
-Though Karl was no longer a member of the Giannatasio household or
-pupil of the institute, and though there were, in consequence, fewer
-meetings between Beethoven and his self-sacrificing friends, their
-relations remained pleasant, and early in 1819 Beethoven found occasion
-to supplement his verbal protestations of gratitude with a deed. Nanni,
-the younger daughter of Giannatasio, was married on February 6, 1819,
-to Leopold Schmerling. When the young couple returned to the house
-after the ceremony they were greeted by a wedding hymn for tenor solo,
-men's voices and pianoforte accompaniment. The performers were hidden
-in a corner of the room. When they had finished they stepped forth from
-their place of concealment. Beethoven was among them and he handed the
-manuscript of the music which he had written to words of Prof. Stein,
-who occupied a chair of philosophy at the University and was also tutor
-in the imperial household,[11] to the bride.
-
-Beethoven made a single appearance as conductor in this year. It was on
-January 17 at a concert given for the benefit of the Widows and Orphans
-of the Juridical Faculty of the University. The orchestra was largely
-composed of amateurs and the programme began with the overture to
-"Prometheus" and ended with the Seventh Symphony. Among the listeners
-was P. D. A. Atterbom, the Swedish poet, who wrote a sympathetic
-account of it.
-
-In the midst of the worries occasioned by the guardianship, Beethoven
-was elected Honorary Member of the Philharmonic Society of Laibach,
-an institution which had been founded in 1702 and revived, after
-repeated interruptions, in 1816. The project of giving him the
-distinction had been broached in the councils of the society in 1808,
-but Anton Schmith, a physician in Vienna, whose opinion had been
-asked, had advised against it, saying: "Beethoven is as freakish as
-he is unserviceable." Eleven years later the men of Laibach had more
-knowledge or better counsel, and they sent him a diploma on March
-15 through von Tuscher. Acknowledging the honor on May 4, Beethoven
-stated that as a mark of appreciation he was sending, also through
-the magistrate, an "unpublished" composition and would hold himself
-in readiness to serve the society should it ever need him. There is
-no direct evidence as to what composition he had in mind; but in the
-archives of the Laibach society there is a manuscript copy of the Sixth
-Symphony. It is not an autograph except as to its title, Beethoven
-having written "Sinfonia pastorale" on the cover in red crayon, and
-corrections in lead pencil in the music.[12]
-
-The time for Beethoven's annual summer flitting had come. Moedling was
-chosen again for the country sojourn and Beethoven arrived there on May
-12, taking lodgings as before in the Hafner house in the Hauptstrasse.
-He had, evidently, brought a housekeeper with him and now engaged a
-housemaid. The former endured two months.[13] Karl was placed under
-the tuition of Bloechlinger on June 22. Beethoven, as letters to the
-Archduke dated July 15 and August 31[14] show, was not in the best of
-health, but was hard at work on the mass, with an excursion now and
-then into the symphony (Ninth). Schindler presents us with a pathetic,
-impressive, almost terrifying picture of the state to which his labors
-lifted him (Ed. of 1860, I, 270):
-
-[Sidenote: IN A FRENZY OF COMPOSITION]
-
- Towards the end of August, accompanied by the musician Johann
- Horsalka still living in Vienna, I arrived at the master's home in
- Moedling. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. As soon as we entered
- we learned that in the morning both servants had gone away, and
- that there had been a quarrel after midnight which had disturbed
- all the neighbors, because as a consequence of a long vigil both
- had gone to sleep and the food which had been prepared had become
- unpalatable. In the living-room, behind a locked door, we heard
- the master singing parts of the fugue in the _Credo_--singing,
- howling, stamping. After we had been listening a long time to this
- almost awful scene, and were about to go away, the door opened and
- Beethoven stood before us with distorted features, calculated to
- excite fear. He looked as if he had been in mortal combat with the
- whole host of contrapuntists, his everlasting enemies. His first
- utterances were confused, as if he had been disagreeably surprised
- at our having overheard him. Then he reached the day's happenings
- and with obvious restraint he remarked: "Pretty doings, these!
- (_Saubere Wirthschaft_.) Everybody has run away and I haven't
- had anything to eat since yesternoon!" I tried to calm him and
- helped him to make his toilet. My companion hurried on in advance
- to the restaurant of the bathing establishment to have something
- made ready for the famished master. Then he complained about the
- wretched state of his domestic affairs, but here, for reasons
- already stated, there was nothing to be done. Never, it may be
- said, did so great an artwork as is the _Missa Solemnis_ see its
- creation under more adverse circumstances.[15]
-
-The fact that Beethoven received an advance payment on a commission
-for an oratorio which he undertook to write for the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde has been mentioned. The sum was 400 florins. It was on
-August 18. Four days later there was a meeting of the society at which
-Landgrave von Fuerstenberg reported[16] that on the written application
-of Prince von Odescalchi, representing the President, Beethoven had
-replied that he had long been desirous to compose a work which would
-reflect honor on the society and that he would do his best to expedite
-it. That seems to have been the end of the matter for the time being.
-There was also during the Moedling sojourn a continuation of the
-negotiations with Thomson. A Mr. Smith visited Beethoven bearing a
-letter from the Scotch publisher which called out a playful rejoinder
-in which Beethoven sought to turn an easy play upon German words into
-French. Thomson suggested that the introductions and accompaniments
-to the Scotch songs be made easier ("lighter," in the German idiom);
-they would be so, Beethoven replied, if the compensation were made more
-difficult ("heavier" would have been his word had he been permitted to
-use the German equivalent). As it is, Beethoven's humor becomes rather
-ponderous, as see the letter which was written in French by Beethoven
-apparently without assistance:
-
- _Vienne le 25me Maj, 1819._
-
- _Mon cher Ami!_
-
- _Vous ecrives toujours facile tres--je m'accomode tout mon
- possible, mais--mais--mais--l'honorare pourroit pourtant etre
- plus difficile, ou plus-tot pesante!!!!! Votre ami Mosieur Smith
- m'a fait grand plaisir a cause de sa visite chez moi--en Hate,
- je vous assure, que je serais toujours avec plaisir a votres
- services--comme j'ai a present votre Addresse par Mr. Smith, je
- serai bientot en Etat de vous ecrire plus ample--l'honorare pour un
- Theme avec variations j'ai fixe, dans ma derniere letter a vous par
- Messieurs le Friess, a moien dix ducats en or, C'est, je vous jure
- malgre cela seulement par complaisance pour vous, puisque je n'ais
- pas besoin, de me meler avec de telles petites choses, mais il
- faut toujours pourtant perdre du temps avec de telles bagatelles,
- et l'honneur ne permit pas, de dire a quelqu'un, ce qu'on en
- gagne,--je vous souhaite toujours le bon gout pour la vrai Musique
- et si vous cries facile--je crierai difficile pour facile!!!!_
-
-Thomson indorsed on this letter: "25 May, 1819. Beethoven. Some
-pleasantry on my repeated requests to make his Symphs and accompgnts.
-to our National Airs Easy, sent by Mr. John Smith of Glasg." Another
-British commission was offered him about the same time. There are
-two entries in a Conversation Book, apparently in the handwriting of
-Schindler:
-
- The Englishman brought me your letter yesterday and evening
- before last I received another one for you through Fries. Another
- commission was brought by the other Englishman, the friend of
- Smith. A Mr. Donaldson in Edinburgh wants to know if you will not
- write a Trio for 3 pianofortes and in the style of your Quintet in
- E-flat. He wants to announce it as his property--The remuneration
- which you demand is to be paid to you in any way you may
- select--All the parts of the Trio must be obbligato. If you do not,
- write to Donaldson in Edinburgh direct. These Englishmen speak of
- nothing else than their wish to have you come to England--they give
- assurance that if you come for a single winter to England, Scotland
- and Ireland, you will earn so much that you can live the rest of
- your life on the interest.
-
-And again:
-
- The gentleman is going to write to
- Donaldson--Edinburgh--to-day--the answer can be here in 4 weeks and
- the gentleman can be here that long. Tell him how much you want,
- when it might be finished and how you want the payment made. He
- is very desirous to have a composition from you and there is no
- possibility of its being left on your hands--Moreover it is a great
- work. If you get 40 ducats for the Sonata he can doubtless pay 100.
- By that time the answer may be here from Edinburgh.
-
-Great Britain's monetary reward, had Beethoven accepted all its
-invitations, would no doubt have been all that the friend of "Mr.
-Donaldson of Edinburgh" stated and in proportion would have been the
-appreciation which Beethoven would have found at the hands of the
-English professional musicians, amateurs and musical laity.
-
-Pathetic and diverting are the incidents which Karl Friedrich
-Zelter relates in letters to Goethe of his attempts to form a
-closer acquaintance with Beethoven. Zelter came to Vienna in July.
-He says that he wanted to call upon Beethoven, but he was in the
-country--nobody knew where. This in his first letter which mentions the
-subject. On August 16 he writes:
-
- It is said that he is intolerably _maussade_. Some say that he is a
- lunatic. It is easy to talk. God forgive us all our sins! The poor
- man is reported as being totally deaf. Now I know what it means to
- see all this digital manipulation around me while my fingers are
- becoming useless one after the other. Lately Beethoven went into an
- eating-house; he sat himself down to a table and lost himself in
- thought. After an hour he calls the waiter. "What do I owe?" "The
- gentleman has not eaten anything yet" "What shall I bring?" "Bring
- anything you please, but let me alone!"
-
-[Sidenote: MEETING BETWEEN BEETHOVEN AND ZELTER]
-
-Zelter stays in Vienna from July to September, but sees nothing of
-Beethoven. Then, on September 12, he sets out with Steiner to visit
-the master at Moedling. On the road they meet Beethoven, who is on his
-way to the city. Leaving their carriages they embrace each other, but
-conversation with a deaf man not being practicable on the highway
-they separate after agreeing to meet at Steiner's at 4 o'clock in the
-afternoon. Zelter was moved almost to tears. After a hurried meal he
-and Steiner hastened back to Vienna. Let him relate the rest:
-
- After eating we drove back to Vienna at once. Full as a badger
- and tired as a dog I lie down and sleep away the time, sleep so
- soundly that not a thing enters my mind. Then I go to the theatre
- and when I see Beethoven there I feel as if I had been struck by
- lightning. The same thing happens to him at sight of me, and this
- is not the place for explanations with a deaf man. Now comes the
- point: In spite of the things of which Beethoven is accused justly
- or unjustly, he enjoys a popular respect such as is bestowed only
- upon the most excellent. Steiner had given it out that Beethoven
- would appear in his little office, which will hold only six or
- eight persons, for the first time in person at 4 o'clock, and
- invited guests so generously that in a room crowded to the street,
- half a hundred brilliant people waited in vain. I did not get an
- explanation till next day, when I received a letter from Beethoven
- in which he begged my pardon, for he, like me, had passed the time
- set for the meeting in blissful sleep.
-
-Zelter's letter calls for a slight rectification. It was not the
-next day but four days later that Beethoven wrote him the letter of
-explanation, and Zelter's statement that Beethoven had overslept
-himself as he had done was pure assumption--unless he learned it from
-another source. Beethoven wrote:
-
- Highly respected Sir:
-
- It is my fault that you were lately besmeared (_angeschmiert_,
- that is, deceived, cheated) as we say here, by me. Unforeseen
- circumstances robbed me of the pleasure of passing a few lovely and
- enjoyable hours, which would have been profitable to art, with you.
- I hear that you are already leaving Vienna day after to-morrow. My
- country life, to which I am forced by my poor health, is, however,
- not as beneficial as usual to me this year. It may be that I shall
- come in again day after to-morrow and if you are not already gone
- in the afternoon I hope to tell you by word of mouth with true
- cordiality how much I esteem you and desire your friendship (to be
- near to you).
-
-The autograph of this letter contains what appears to be either a
-transcript or a draft of a letter which Zelter either sent or planned
-to send to Beethoven. In view of the fact that it shows a different
-feeling towards the great composer than that formerly entertained by
-the teacher of Mendelssohn, it is given here:
-
- To see once more, face to face, in this life the man who brings
- joy and edification to so many good people, among whom I of course
- am glad to count myself--this was the purpose, worthy friend, for
- which I wished to visit you at Moedlingen. You met me, and my aim
- was at least not wholly frustrated, for I saw your face. I know of
- the infirmity which burdens you and you have my sympathy, for I
- am similarly afflicted. On the day after to-morrow I go from here
- to resume my labors, but I shall never cease to hold you in high
- respect and to love you.
-
-[Sidenote: A COMPOSITION BY ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH]
-
-Friedrich Schneider, of Dessau, visited Vienna in the fall of the year
-and caused a sensation by his organ-playing. He reported that Beethoven
-had received him graciously and that he, in turn, had heard the master
-play the pianoforte, his improvisation being the most marvellous thing
-he had ever listened to. In August, Johann van Beethoven bought an
-estate near Gneixendorf. This brought the brothers together in Vienna
-during the winter. Johann was the "landowner" of a familiar story, and
-Beethoven, the "brain owner," seemed at this time disposed to emulate
-him. At least he read advertisements of houses for sale in Moedling
-before the day set for the sale and advised him in the premises. In
-the same letter[17] he advises Steiner to publish a set of variations
-composed by the Archduke. "I have mentioned your name in the matter,
-inasmuch as I do not believe that you will lose anything by the
-transaction, and it is always honorable to print something by such a
-_Principe Professore_." The variations were on a theme composed by
-Beethoven and given to his imperial pupil as a lesson, and had called
-out the obsequious remarks which may be read in the New Year's letter
-to the Archduke. His remark to Steiner is explained by the fact that on
-August 31 he had written to the Archduke as follows:
-
- As regards the masterly variations of Y. I. H. I think they might
- be published under the following title, namely:
-
- Theme, or Task
- set by L. v. Beeth.
- forty times varied
- and dedicated to his teacher
- by the Most Serene Author.
-
- There are so many requests for them, and eventually this honorable
- work will reach the public in garbled copies. Y. I. H. will
- yourself not be able to avoid presenting copies here and there;
- therefore, in the name of God, among the many consecrations which
- Y. I. H. is receiving and of which the world is being informed, let
- the consecration of Apollo (or the Christian Caecilia) also be made
- known. True, Y. I. H. may accuse me of vanity; but I can assure you
- that although this dedication is precious to me and I am really
- proud of it, this is not at all my aim. 3 publishers have appealed
- for it, Artaria, Steiner and a third whose name does not occur
- to me. To which of the first two shall the Variations be given?
- On this point I await the commands of Y. I. H. Both of them have
- offered to print the variations at _their own cost_. The question
- now is whether Y. I. H. is _satisfied with the title_? To the
- question whether or not the variations ought to be published, Y. I.
- H. ought to close your eyes; if it is done, Y. I. H. may call it a
- misfortune; but _the world will think the contrary_.
-
-Steiner printed the archducal work in the seventh number of his
-"Musical Museum" under a slightly changed title, viz.: "Theme
-(_Aufgabe_) composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, varied forty times and
-dedicated to the author by his pupil R[udolph], A[rch-]D[uke]."[18]
-Other evidences of Beethoven's interest in Archduke Rudolph's studies
-in composition are to be noted about this time. On July 29 he wrote
-to his pupil from Moedling, sending him three poems and asking him
-to select one for composition, encouraging him in these words: "The
-Austrians now know already that the spirit of Apollo has newly awakened
-in the Imperial family. From all quarters I receive requests for
-something. The proprietor of the _Modezeitung_ will appeal to Y. I. H.
-in writing. I hope I _shall not be accused of bribery--at Court and not
-a courtier_, what possibilities??!!!" In this letter, however, there
-are words of vaster import, as showing Beethoven's attitude towards
-musical evolution. We quote:
-
- ... but _freedom_, _progress_, is the aim in the world of art as
- in the whole great universe, and even if we moderns are not so far
- advanced in sound technique (_Festigkeit_) as our _forefathers_,
- refinement in manners has opened many things to us. My exalted
- pupil in music, already a fellow-contestant for the laurel of fame,
- must not subject himself to the accusation of _onesidedness_,--_et
- iterum venturus judicare vivos et mortuos_.[19]
-
-[Sidenote: A PAINTER'S PRESENCE FORGOTTEN]
-
-A number of incidents in Beethoven's life may now be passed in hurried
-chronological review: On October 1, he was made an honorary member of
-the Mercantile Association (_Kaufmaennischer Verein_) in Vienna. In the
-fall Ferdinand Schimon (1797-1852), who was musician and opera-singer
-as well as painter, painted the portrait which afterward came into
-the possession of Schindler, and was engraved by Eduard Eichers for
-Schindler's biography.[20] Schimon had obtained permission through
-Schindler to set up his easel in the chamber adjoining Beethoven's
-workroom, the composer having resolutely refused a sitting because he
-was busy on the _Credo_ of the mass. From this point of vantage he made
-his studies and had finished them all but the eyes--the most striking
-feature in the portrait. Out of this dilemma Beethoven unconsciously
-helped him. He had evidently been impressed with the discretion, or
-independence, of the young artist who came without a "good morning" and
-went without a "good evening," and invited him to coffee. Thus Schimon
-had ample opportunity to supply the one deficiency in his sketches.
-
-At the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna from Moedling,
-taking lodging this time at No. 16 Josephstaedter Glacis, opposite the
-Auersberg Palace and near the Bloechlinger Institute where Karl was
-studying. The guardianship matter soon occupied his attention; spells
-of indisposition tormented him; and financial distress so threatened
-him that he attempted to negotiate a loan from the banker Hennickstein,
-and borrowed 750 florins from Steiner.[21] Countess Erdoedy was in
-Vienna at the end of the year and he sent her a note on December 19,
-promising to visit her soon and scratching down a musical phrase which
-he afterwards erased to make of it the New Year canon: "Glueck, Glueck
-zum neuen Jahr."
-
-It is remarkable that Beethoven, under the circumstances which have
-been set forth in this chapter, could continue his labors on the Mass
-which were his principal occupation during the year; it was but another
-proof of the absorbing possession which the composition of a great work
-took of him when once fairly begun. So diligently did he apply himself
-that he had hopes not only of finishing it in time for the installation
-of the Archduke as Archbishop of Olmuetz, but wrote to Ries on November
-10 that he had already nearly completed it and would like to know what
-could be done with it in London. To Schindler, however, in expressing
-a doubt that he would have it done in time for the ceremonial, he said
-that every movement had taken on larger dimensions than had originally
-been contemplated. Schindler says also that when the day came, not
-one of the movements was finished in the eyes of the composer; yet he
-alleges that Beethoven brought the completed _Credo_ with him when
-he came back to Vienna from Moedling. There is this to be added to
-these statements: A pocket sketchbook used in 1820 (it is now in the
-Beethoven House at Bonn) shows some sketches for the _Credo_; and
-there are memoranda for the same movement in a Conversation Book used
-near the close of the year. That the _Gloria_ had received its final
-shape is a fair deduction from a Conversation Book of the same period.
-Bernard (presumably) writes:
-
- It was decided yesterday that you give a concert either on
- Christmas or some other day. Count Stadion will give the use of the
- room, and Schick, Czerny and Janitschek will care for the rest. The
- programme is to include a symphony, the _Gloria_ from your mass,
- the new Sonata played by you and a grand final chorus. All your
- works. 4,000 florins are guaranteed. Only one movement of the mass
- is to be performed.
-
-The project is mentioned again by another friend, and Beethoven
-remarks: "It is too late for Christmas, but it might be possible in
-Lent." That he worked occasionally on the Ninth Symphony, especially
-in the early part of the year, has already been said. Thomson's
-commissions occupied some of his time, as well as a project to
-extend his labors on folksongs into a wider field. The second set of
-Variations on folksong themes which was published as Op. 107 in 1820,
-must be assigned, at least in part, to this year. He also, as Schindler
-tells us, composed a set of waltzes for a band of seven men who played
-at an inn in the valley of the Bruehl near Moedling, and wrote out the
-parts for the different instruments. These waltzes have disappeared;
-Schindler tried in vain to find them a few years later. The canon
-"Glueck zum neuen Jahr" was composed for Countess Erdoedy on the last day
-of December, if A. Fuchs, who says that he copied it from the original
-manuscript, is correct. He also wrote a canon for Steiner in the
-summer, as appears from a conversation recorded in a book of March 20,
-1820. An unidentified hand writes:
-
- Last summer you sent a _canon infinitus a due_ to Steiner from
- Moedling
-
- [Illustration]
-
- Nobody has solved it, but I have solved it. The second voice enters
- on the second:
-
- [Illustration:
-
- it is infinite.
- Go to the devil[22]
- God protect you
- was the text.
- ]
-
- On September 21 he wrote a canon to the words "Glaube und hoffe"
- for the younger Schlesinger, afterwards publisher in Paris, who
- was a visitor in Vienna from Berlin at the time, as Beethoven's
- inscription on the autograph shows.[23]
-
-[Sidenote: PUBLICATIONS OF THE YEAR 1819]
-
-The publications of the year 1819 were (1) Two Sonatas for Pianoforte
-and Violoncello, Op. 102, dedicated to Countess Erdoedy, by Artaria in
-Vienna (they had already been published by Simrock); (2) The Quintet
-in C minor, Op. 104, arranged from the Trio, Op. 1, No. 3; (3) Themes
-and Variations on Motives from Folksongs, for Pianoforte and Flute or
-Violin, Op. 105, by Artaria; Pianoforte Sonata in B-flat, Op. 106,
-dedicated to Archduke Rudolph, by Artaria.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[1] He had not been removed, but only temporarily suspended; he
-retained the supervision of the boy's education and at a later period
-voluntarily resigned the guardianship for a time.
-
-[2] See Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. p. 124 _et seq._ The letter was
-dated erroneously February 1, 1818, instead of 1819.
-
-[3] These citations are from the Conversation Books.
-
-[4] Landshut University. It was afterward removed to Munich.
-
-[5] As a matter of fact the boy was with Kudlich after this and
-remained there until Beethoven went to Moedling. At the time of this
-consultation he was with his mother. Kudlich was instructed not to
-permit any communication between him and his mother.
-
-[6] It is undated, but to judge by its contents and the sequence of
-events was written in May. See Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 134.
-
-[7] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 149.
-
-[8] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 145.
-
-[9] That he was not always scrupulous in preserving their integrity
-when they offered evidence in contradiction of his printed statements
-is the conviction of this editor for reasons which will appear later.
-
-[10] Apparently in reply to a question put by Beethoven an unidentified
-hand writes: "Poor stuff,--empty--totally ineffective--your theme was
-in bad hands; with much monotony he made 15 or 20 variations and put
-a cadenza (_fermate_) in every one, you may imagine what we had to
-endure--he has fallen off greatly and looks too old to entertain with
-his acrobatics on the violin."
-
-Thayer's industry in the gathering and ordering of material for this
-biography, let it be remarked here in grateful tribute, is illustrated
-in the fact that he made practically a complete transcript of the
-Conversation Books, laboriously deciphering the frequently hieroglyphic
-scrawls, and compiled a mass of supplementary material for the purpose
-of fixing the chronological order of the conversations. The dates of
-all concerts and other public events alluded to were established by the
-examination of newspapers and other contemporaneous records and the
-utility of the biographical material greatly enhanced.
-
-[11] Madame Pessiak-Schmerling, a daughter of Nanni, recounted this
-incident twice in the letters to Thayer. Madame Pessiak possessed a
-copy of the song. Her mother had jealously preserved the original,
-but, together with Beethoven's letters to Giannatasio, it was stolen.
-In 1861 Thayer found song and letters among the autographs owned by
-William Witt of the firm of Ewer and Co. in London, and obtained copies
-of them, but Thayer's copy of the song was not found by this Editor
-among the posthumous papers of the author when he examined them in
-order to set aside the needful material for the completion of this
-biography. The music of Miss Nanni's hymeneal ode was forty years later
-put to a right royal use. Transposed from C to A major it was published
-for the first time by Ewer and Co. as a setting to English words on
-the occasion of the marriage of Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen
-Victoria, to Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Emperor Frederick
-III) on January 25, 1858. The title of this publication, which is now
-out of print, was "The Wedding Song, written and by gracious permission
-dedicated to Her Royal Highness Victoria, Princess Royal, on her
-Wedding Day, by John Oxenford. The music composed by L. van Beethoven.
-Posthumous Work." The inscription on the original manuscript, according
-to Thayer, was "Am 14ten Jenner 1819--fuer F. v. Giannatasio de Rio von
-L. v. Beethoven."
-
-At the Editor's request Mr. J. S. Shedlock, in 1912, kindly made an
-investigation and reported that so far as could be learned from the
-public records the song had no place in the wedding ceremonies in 1858.
-Messrs. Novello and Co. most courteously brought forth the old plates
-from their vaults and had a "pull" of them made for this Editor's use.
-The music can not be said to have any other than a curious interest. A
-single stanza will suffice to disclose the quality of Mr. Oxenford's
-hymeneal ode:
-
- "Hail, Royal Pair, by love united;
- With ev'ry earthly blessing crown'd;
- A people lifts its voice delighted,
- And distant nations hear the sound.
- All hearts are now with gladness swelling,
- All tongues are now of rapture telling,
- A day of heartfelt joy is found!"
-
-
-[12] Dr. F. Keesbacher, who published a history of the Laibach
-Philharmonic Society in 1862, thought that this was the composition
-sent by Beethoven; but the "Pastoral" Symphony had been published
-nearly ten years before--by Breitkopf and Haertel in May, 1809.
-
-[13] On the blank leaves of an Almanac for 1819, such as used to be
-bound in those useful household publications for the reception of
-memoranda, Beethoven notes: "Came to Moedling, May 12.!!! _Miser sum
-pauper_...." "On May 14 the housemaid in Mr. came, to receive 6 florins
-a month.... On 29th May Dr. Hasenoehrl made his 3rd visit to K. Tuesday
-on the 22nd of June my nephew entered the institute of Mr. Bloechlinger
-at monthly payments in advance of 75 florins _W. W._ Began to take the
-baths here regularly (?) on 28th Monday, for the first (?) time daily."
-Schindler adds: "On July 20 gave notice to the housekeeper."
-
-[14] Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II. pp. 138 and 139.
-
-[15] In his draft for this chapter Thayer wrote: "In the hope of
-obtaining further particulars Horsalka's attention was directed to
-this passage in the copy now before the writer. The result is written
-on the margin in Herr Luib's hand: 'Horsalka knows nothing of this'.
-This incident is doubtless true, but that Horsalka should not have
-remembered it if he was present, is incredible. Schindler's queer
-memory has again proved treacherous in regard to his companion."
-
-[16] So Pohl, who wrote a history of the "Gesellschaft," informed
-Thayer in a note.
-
-[17] Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 144.
-
-[18] The theme was the melody written for a song beginning "O Hoffnung,
-du staehlst die Herzen, vertreibst die Schmerzen," from Tiedge's
-"Urania." Nohl, without giving an authority, quotes an inscription on
-the autograph as follows: "Composed in the spring of 1818 by L. v.
-Beethoven _in doloribus_ for H. Imp. Highness the Archduke Rudolph."
-Thayer knows nothing about such an inscription, but it does not look
-like an invention. In one of the Conversation Books somebody (Dr.
-Deiters opines it was Peters) writes: "Fraeulein Spitzenberger played
-the 40 variations by the Archduke for me yesterday. I know nothing
-about it, but it seems to me that they were pretty extensively
-corrected by you. The critics insist on the same thing." We do not
-know what reply Beethoven made and it is a matter of small moment. The
-same comment has been called out by many a royal composition since;
-it was Brahms who said: "Never criticize the composition of a Royal
-Highness;--you do not know who may have written it!" In justice to
-Archduke Rudolph, however, it deserves to be mentioned that a set of
-variations on a melody from Rossini's "Zelmira" composed by him shows
-pencil corrections in the hand of Beethoven and they are few and
-trifling.
-
-[19] There is a vagueness in this passage, and especially in the words
-which precede it, which has exercised the minds of Koechel, Nohl and
-Deiters; but it is the opinion of the English Editor that the meaning
-has been reproduced in the above translation. As the reader may,
-however, wish to form his own opinion in the matter, which is certainly
-most interesting, the context is given in the original and what might
-be described as an expository rendering into English: _Ich war in
-Wien, um aus der Bibliothek I. K. H. das mir Tauglichste auszusuchen.
-Die Hauptabsicht ist das geschwinde Treffen und mit der bessern
-Kunst-Vereinigung, wobei aber practische Absichten Ausnahmen machen,
-wofuer die Alten zwar doppelt dienen, indem meistens reeller Kunstwerth
-(Genie hat doch nur der deutsche Haendel und Seb. Bach gehabt) allein
-Freiheit, etc._, that is: "I was in Vienna to seek out some things best
-suited to my purpose. What is chiefly needed is a quick recognition of
-the essential coupled with a better union of the arts [i. e., poetry
-and music] in respect of which practical considerations sometimes
-compel an exception, as we may learn in a twofold way from the old
-composers, where we find chiefly stress laid upon the artistically
-valuable (among them only the German Handel and Seb. Bach had genius)
-but freedom, etc." Beethoven, presumably, was following the injunction
-noted in the _Tagebuch_ and, for the purposes of the work which then
-engrossed him, was consulting authorities on ecclesiastical music.
-That his mind was full of his Mass is indicated by the somewhat
-irrelevant quotation from the text of the _Credo_. Was he not essaying
-a union between the technical perfection of the old masters and a more
-truthful, or literal, illustration of the missal text, wherefor freedom
-was necessary?
-
-[20] The picture is now preserved among the rest of the relics which
-Schindler deposited in Berlin.
-
-[21] See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, p. 151.
-
-[22] "Hol Euch der Teufel! B'huet Euch Gott!"
-
-[23] Marx published it for the first time in _facsimile_ in the
-appendix of Vol. II of his biography of Beethoven. In the Collected
-Works it appears on page 275, Series 25.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter II
-
- The Years 1820 and 1821--End of the Guardianship Litigation--A
- Costly Victory--E. T. A. Hoffmann--Financial Troubles--Adagios and
- English Hymn-tunes--Arrested as a Vagrant--Negotiations for the
- Mass in D--The Last Pianoforte Sonatas.
-
-
-[Sidenote: DEPARTURE OF OLD FRIENDS]
-
-Almost involuntarily, in passing in review the incidents of the year
-whose story has just been told and projecting a glance into the
-near future, the question arises: Where, in these moments of doubt,
-ill-health, trial, vexation of spirit and torment of body were the
-old friends of Beethoven who in the earlier years had stood by him
-faithfully and lovingly? Where was Stephan von Breuning? Alas! he
-seems to have been an early sacrifice to Beethoven's obstinate course
-in respect of his nephew. Schindler says that he had advised against
-the adoption of the boy and thus wounded Beethoven in his most
-sensitive part. The temporary estrangement began in 1817. Some others
-of the old friends may have been rebuffed in like manner; some, like
-the faithful seneschal, Zmeskall, were ill; some were absent from
-Vienna--Count Brunswick, Schuppanzigh; some were dead; in some the
-flames of friendship may have died down because there was so little
-in Beethoven's public life to challenge their sympathy and support.
-Count Lichnowsky has dropped out of the narrative and does not appear
-for some years. What had happened to the ardent friend of the youthful
-days, Count Waldstein? There is no answer. Once a Conversation Book
-awakens curiosity and a hope. Somebody warns Beethoven in a public
-place not to speak so loud, as everybody is listening. "Count Waldstein
-is sitting near; where does he live?" Beethoven's answer is unrecorded
-and thus passes the only opportunity which the known material offers
-from which might have been learned what caused the death of that
-beautiful friendship. Bernard, Schindler, Oliva, Peters and Bach were
-near to him, and the last was of incalculable value to him in his
-great trial. But could they replace those who were gone?
-
-Beethoven was become a lonely man--an enforced seeker of solitude. No
-doubt many who would have been glad to give him their friendship were
-deterred by the wide-spread reports of his suspicious, unapproachable,
-almost repellant nature. But a miracle happens. Driven in upon
-himself by the forces which seem to have been arrayed against
-him, introspection opens wider and wider to him the doors of that
-imagination which in its creative function, as Ruskin tells us, is "an
-eminent beholder of things when and where they are not; a seer that is,
-in the prophetic sense, calling the things that are not as though they
-were; and for ever delighting to dwell on that which is not tangibly
-present." Now he proclaims a new evangel, illustrates a higher union of
-beauty and truthfulness of expression, exalts art till it enters the
-realm of religion.
-
-In the _Tagebuch_ there stands a bold inscription written in February
-of the year 1820: "The moral law in us, and the starry sky above
-us--Kant."[24] This and two other citations, the first of which
-Beethoven surely culled from some book, also deserve to be set down
-here as mottoes applicable to the creative work which occupied his mind
-during the year and thereafter:
-
- 'Tis said that art is long and life is fleeting:--
- Nay; life is long and brief the span of art!
- If e'er her breath vouchsafes with gods a meeting,
- A moment's favor 'tis of which we've had a part.
-
- The world is a king and desires flattery in return for favor; but
- true art is perverse and will not submit to the mould of flattery.
- Famous artists always labor under an embarrassment;--therefore,
- first works are the best, though they may have sprung from dark
- ground.
-
-We can only record the fact that Beethoven began the year 1820, as
-he had begun its immediate predecessor, by sending a New Year's
-greeting to the august pupil who was now almost continually in his
-mind--Archduke Rudolph, soon to be Archbishop and Cardinal[25]--before
-taking up the story of the incubus which oppressed the composer's
-mind, the clog which impeded his creative activities during much of
-the year--the legal proceedings concerning the guardianship of nephew
-Karl. Fortunately for the tinge of these pages the end is not distant.
-
-Two applications made by Beethoven to the Court of Magistrates had been
-denied and he now asked for a review of these decisions by the Court
-of Appeals. The action of the Magistracy had grievously pained him, so
-he informed the superior tribunal, and not only had his rights been
-set aside, but no regard had been shown for the welfare of his nephew.
-Against this he now sought relief, and he set forth his grievances: (1)
-He was testamentary appointee and the _Landrecht_ had confirmed him and
-excluded the mother; circumstances compelling his absence from Vienna,
-he had arranged that Herr Nussboeck should be appointed guardian _ad
-interim_; back permanently in the city, his nephew's welfare required
-that he resume the guardianship; (2) The higher education which his
-nephew's talents demanded neither the mother nor Nussboeck could
-direct--the former because she was a woman and had conducted herself in
-a manner which had led the _Landrecht_ to exclude her, Nussboeck because
-he was too much occupied with his duties as Municipal Sequestrator and,
-having been no more than a paper-maker, he did not possess the insight
-and judgment essential to the scientific education of the ward. (3)
-Having no child of his own, his hopes were set on the boy, who was
-unusually talented, yet he had been told that he had been held back
-a year in his studies and that owing to a lack of funds he was to be
-taken from the institution in which he had been placed and given in the
-care of his mother; by her mismanagement the boy would be sacrificed,
-it being the aim of the mother to expend his share of the pension
-money on herself. He had declared to the Magistracy his willingness
-to defray the costs at the institute and also to engage other masters
-for the boy. Being "somewhat hard of hearing" communication with
-him was difficult and therefore he had asked that a co-guardian
-be appointed in the person of Herr Peters, Prince Lobkowitzsian
-Councillor, whose knowledge and moral character would assure such a
-training and education as were justified by the boy's capacity. "I know
-of no more sacred duty than the care and education of a child," he
-observes. He would offer no objection to the mother's having a "sort of
-joint-guardianship," but its duties and privileges should be limited to
-her visiting him and learning what plans were making for his education;
-to permit more would be to compass the ruin of the boy.[26]
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT]
-
-This petition was filed on January 7, 1820; three days later the
-Appellate Court commanded the Magistracy to file a report of the
-proceedings had before it, together with all minutes and documents. The
-Magistracy complied on February 5, citing its decision of September 17,
-1819, and defending its action on the grounds that (a) Beethoven, owing
-to his deafness and his hatred of the mother of the ward, was incapable
-of acting as guardian; (b) the guardianship belonged to the mother by
-right of law; (c) the commission of an act of infidelity against her
-husband in 1811, for which she had suffered punishment, was no longer a
-bar; (d) none of the alleged "injurious disturbances and interferences"
-had been definitely set forth or proven:
-
- If under injurious disturbances we are to understand that the
- mother is desirous to see her child once every 14 days or 4 weeks,
- or to convince herself about the wear and cleanliness of his
- clothing, or to learn of his conduct toward his teachers, these can
- appear injurious only in the eyes of the appellant; the rest of the
- world, however, would find it amiss in a mother if she made inquiry
- concerning her child only once a fortnight or month.
-
-Answering the second charge, the magistrates urged that the appellant
-seemed to ask of the mother and other guardian that they themselves
-educate the boy in the sciences. For this not even the appellant was
-fitted, at least he had not demonstrated such a fitness; he had left
-the preparation for the higher studies to others and this the mother
-and guardian could also do, having, indeed, a better plan, which was to
-send the boy to the R. I. Convict, where he would surely make better
-progress at smaller expense. _Ad tertium_, the failure of the boy to
-advance in his classes could not be laid to the mother or guardian, but
-must be charged against the appellant, who had taken the boy away from
-his studies for the university after two months, kept him at home three
-months, and sent him to another institution of learning at the end of
-June; naturally enough he lost a school year.
-
-The Court of Appeals demanded a more explicit report, which the
-Magistracy filed on February 28, taking advantage of the opportunity to
-review the proceedings had before the _Landrecht_ from the beginning,
-and to make severe strictures on the conduct of Beethoven in filing
-an exhibit (F) with his petition in support of which no evidence was
-offered, though because of it the _Landrecht_ was asked to exclude the
-mother from the guardianship which belonged to her under the law. Again
-we quote:
-
- This exclusion can have nothing for its foundation except the
- misdemeanor of which the mother was guilty in 1811, for all the
- rest contained in appellant's exhibit F is unproven chatter to
- which the _Landrecht_ could give no consideration, but which gives
- speaking proof of how passionately and inimically the appellant
- has always acted, and still acts, towards the mother, how little
- he recks of tearing open wounds that were healed, since after
- having endured punishment she stood rehabilitated; and yet he
- reproaches her with a transgression for which she had atoned years
- before, which had been pardoned by the injured husband himself who
- petitioned for leniency in her sentence and who had declared her
- capable and fit for the guardianship of his son in his last will
- and testament, directing that the son be not taken away from his
- mother. Regardless of this the appellant last year, certainly not
- in the interest of the boy's welfare, inasmuch as we have excellent
- educational institutions here, but only to pain the mother, to
- tear the heart out of her bosom, attempted to send him out of the
- country to Landshut. Fortunately the government authorities, acting
- on information derived from this court, frustrated the plan by
- refusing a passport.
-
-[Sidenote: DEPRAVITY OF KARL'S MOTHER]
-
-Let us try now to take a dispassionate view of the case as thus far
-presented in the pleadings and documents. Not only the law of nature
-but the laws of the land justified the mother in asserting her right
-to look after the physical well-being of her child and seeking to
-enforce it. Dr. Bach seems to have impressed that fact upon Beethoven,
-wherefore he declares his willingness in the bill of appeal to
-associate her with himself in the guardianship to that extent. That the
-Magistrates displayed unusual, not to say unjudicial zeal in her behalf
-while defending their own course is indubitable; but we are in no
-position to judge of the propriety of their course, which seems to have
-been in harmony with the judicial procedure of the place and period,
-least of all to condemn them, so long as it was permitted them so to
-do, for having made a stout resistance when their acts were impugned
-in the appeal to the higher court. The "Exhibit F," filed in the
-proceedings before the _Landrecht_, has not been found and its contents
-can only be guessed at from the allusions to it in the documents.
-Obviously it contained aspersions on the moral character of Madame van
-Beethoven, and it may have been, nay, probably was, true that they were
-unsupported by evidence and therefore undeserving of consideration in
-a court either of law or equity. Perhaps they were not susceptible of
-legal proof. It has been thought that Beethoven felt some hesitancy in
-flaunting evidence of his sister-in-law's infamy in the face of the
-world,[27] but he certainly showed no disposition to spare her in his
-letters, nor did he hesitate to accuse her of unmentionable things
-by innuendo. In a Conversation Book of this year (1820) he writes of
-her that she was "born for intrigue, accomplished in deceit, mistress
-of all the arts of dissimulation." On the other hand, it is singular
-that the Magistrates in their final effort to justify their course
-have nothing to say about the present moral standing of the woman
-whose legal and natural rights they claimed to be upholding. Were they
-in ignorance of what we now know, namely, that her conduct had not
-only been reprehensible in 1811 (though condoned by her husband) but
-continued so after her husband's death? Schindler says that she gave
-birth to a child while the case was pending, and that is confirmed by
-a statement of Nephew Karl's widow,[28] that in her old age Madame van
-Beethoven lived in Baden with this illegitimate daughter, who was also
-a dissolute woman.
-
-But there are many anomalous things to the studious mind in the
-proceedings which we are reporting, which differ greatly from anything
-which could happen in a court of chancery or probate in Great Britain
-or America to-day. It is certainly repugnant to our present legal
-ethics that having filed a petition to reverse the action of one
-court Beethoven should not only have written private letters to a
-judge of the court of review, pleading his case on personal grounds,
-but that his counsel should have advised him to visit members of the
-higher court to present arguments in his behalf. But, no doubt, this
-was consistent with the customs of Austria a century ago; and it is
-what happened. Beethoven writes to Karl Winter, an _Appellationsrat_,
-and his lawyer tells him to engage him and one of his colleagues,
-Schmerling, in conversation on the subject. Perhaps Winter himself
-questioned the propriety of the proceeding, for in a Conversation Book
-somebody, who had evidently acted as messenger in the delivery of
-the letter, writes: "I gave it to Herr v. Winter; he kept me waiting
-and then said that he could give no answer, nor involve himself in a
-correspondence." The letter in question was written on March 6. In it
-Beethoven says that he had prepared a memorial which he would place in
-his hands in a few days. From the outline given it is plain that the
-memorial contained a review of the case since the death of Beethoven's
-brother. It had been prepared, said Beethoven, "believing that I
-owed it to myself to expose the falsity of the many slanders which
-have been uttered against me and to lay bare the intrigues of Madame
-van Beethoven against me to the injury of her own child, as also to
-place in its proper light the conduct of the Magistrates' Court." He
-charges that the Magistrates had summoned the widow and her son to a
-hearing without his knowledge and, as his nephew had told him, he had
-been urged and led on by his mother to make false accusations against
-him. He had also forwarded a document which proved the wavering and
-partisan conduct of the Magistrates. He repeats the charge about his
-nephew's failure to advance in his studies and adds that the boy had
-had a hemorrhage which, had he not been on hand, might almost have cost
-him his life. These things were not attributable to Herr Tuscher for
-the reason that the Magistrates had given him too little support and
-he could not proceed with sufficient energy--this the writer could do
-in his capacity of uncle, guardian and defrayer of expenses. He asks
-that if it becomes necessary he and his nephew be examined, cites his
-expenditures to keep the boy two years in an educational institution,
-saying that he had received nothing from the widow in nearly fourteen
-months but would continue to pay the cost unselfishly in the future,
-and had set apart 4,000 florins which was on deposit in bank and was to
-go to his nephew on his death. Moreover, he had expectations from his
-relations with the Archbishop of Olmuetz, etc.
-
-The case was prepared shrewdly, carefully and most discreetly by Dr.
-Bach, who seems to have exerted an admirable influence on Beethoven
-at this crisis. The nature of his advice may be learned from the
-communication of Bernard in one of the recorded conversations. Bernard
-is writing, and evidently giving the result of a consultation with
-Dr. Bach. The Court of Appeals would ask another report from the
-Magistrates and on its receipt would adjudge the case. Nussboeck,
-who Dr. Bach said was willing, should voluntarily retire from the
-guardianship. Beethoven was asked as to the appointment of Tuscher;
-had he resigned permanently or only temporarily in favor of Tuscher,
-the better to accomplish the nephew's removal from his mother? In what
-manner had Tuscher abdicated, and had the Magistracy informed Beethoven
-of the fact? It was necessary, said the adviser, to proceed with
-moderation in all things so as to avoid the appearance of malice, and
-the mother should not be assailed if it was at all avoidable, stress
-being laid only on the fact that as a woman she ought not to have the
-direction of the education of a boy of Karl's age, not having the
-requisite fitness. It would also be necessary for him, in case he were
-asked, to state his readiness to defray the cost of the boy's education
-in the future and this, if the worst came to the worst, might be
-followed by a threat to withdraw wholly from his care. Reproaches might
-be made against him concerning the period when he had the boy with him,
-the priests having taken to meddling in the matter, and it would be
-well in the future not to take the boy to public eating-houses where he
-would be observed and scandal fomented.
-
-[Sidenote: APPOINTMENT OF A JOINT GUARDIANSHIP]
-
-Bach seems to have advised Beethoven to visit two of the judges, Winter
-and Schmerling, and himself had an interview with the boy, who told his
-uncle what the advocate had questioned him about. For the nonce Karl
-was on his good behavior. Bloechlinger reported favorably on his studies
-to Bernard, and in a Conversation Book the boy apologized to his
-uncle for some statements derogatory to him which he had made to the
-Magistrates. "She promised me so many things," he said, "that I could
-not resist her; I am sorry that I was so weak at the time and beg your
-forgiveness; I will not again permit myself to be led astray. I did not
-know what results might follow when I told the Magistrates what I did;
-but if there is another examination I will retract all the falsehoods
-I uttered." The magisterial commission which followed on March 29, had
-plainly been held at the instance of the Appellate Court. Beethoven
-was solemnly admonished, and in answer to questions declared: (1) that
-he still demanded the guardianship of his nephew under the will and
-would not relinquish his claim; (2) that he requested the appointment
-of Councillor Peters as associate guardian; (3) that he demanded that
-Madame van Beethoven be excluded from the guardianship as she had been
-by the _Landrecht_, and (4) he reiterated his readiness to provide
-financially for the care of his ward; he would accept an associate
-guardian, but not a sole guardian, as he was convinced that no guardian
-would care for his nephew as well as he. In insisting on a renewed
-declaration on these points it is likely that the Court of Appeals
-had some hope that Beethoven might voluntarily renounce or modify
-his claims or the Magistrates recede from their attitude. Neither
-contingency occurred, however, and on April 8 the reviewing court
-issued its decree in Beethoven's favor, he and Peters being appointed
-joint guardians (_gemeinschaftliche Vormuende_), the mother and Nussboeck
-being deposed. The widow now played her last card:--she appealed to
-the Emperor, who upheld the Court of Appeals. There was nothing for
-the Magistracy to do except to notify the result of the appeals to
-Beethoven, Madame van Beethoven, Peters and Nussboeck. This was done on
-July 24.
-
-Beethoven had won at last. But at what a cost to himself, his art,
-the world! What time, what labor, what energy had he not taken away
-from his artistic creations! What had he not expended in the way of
-peace of mind, of friendship, of physical comfort, of wear of brain
-and nerve-force, for the privilege of keeping the boy to himself,
-of watching unmolested over his physical welfare and directing his
-intellectual and moral training unhindered! Surely such sacrifices,
-inspired, as we know they were, by a transcendent sense of duty and
-profoundest love, merited the rich reward of which he had dreamed--the
-devotion of one who ought to have been all that a son could be, the
-happiness of seeing the object of his love grow into a brilliant man
-and a useful citizen. Was it vouchsafed him? Let us not in the midst
-of his present happiness look too far into the future. Now his joy is
-unbounded. He breaks into a jubilation when, in conveying the news
-to Pinterics--that Pinterics who had sung the bass in "Ta, ta, ta,"
-in honor of Maelzel: "Dr. Bach was my representative in this affair
-and this Brook (_Bach_) was joined by the sea, lightning, thunder, a
-tempest, and the magisterial brigantine suffered complete shipwreck!"
-Schindler says that "his happiness over the triumph which he had
-won over wickedness and trickery, but also because of the supposed
-salvation from physical danger of his talented nephew, was so great
-that he worked but little or not at all all summer--though this was
-perhaps more apparent than real, the sketchbooks disclosing from now on
-only empty pages." A wise qualification, for though the sketchbooks may
-have been empty, there is evidence enough elsewhere of hard work. Yet
-the Mass was not finished, and for this unfortunate circumstance the
-guardianship trial was no doubt largely to blame. To this subject we
-shall return presently.
-
-Of Peters, who was appointed joint guardian with Beethoven of the
-nephew, little is known beyond what we learn from Beethoven and
-Peters's contributions to the Conversation Books. He was a tutor in
-the house of Prince Lobkowitz and had been on terms of friendship with
-Beethoven since 1816; his appointment by the court is a confirmation
-of Beethoven's tribute to him as a man of intellectual parts and of
-good moral character. His wife had a good voice and was a great admirer
-of Beethoven, who presented her with a copy of the song cycle "An die
-ferne Geliebte." A letter, once in the possession of John Ella in
-London, which may be of earlier date than 1821, to which year it is,
-however, most naturally assigned in view of the allusion to the "state
-burden" (the nephew), runs as follows:
-
- How are you? Are you well or ill? How is your wife? Permit me to
- sing something for you:
-
- [Illustration: Canon (Lively)
-
- Saint Peter was a rock! St.]
-
- [Illustration: Canon (Drawn out and dragged)
-
- Bernardus was a Saint? Ber-]
-
- How are your young princes? Will you be at home this afternoon at 5
- o'clock? Perhaps I'll visit you together with my _state_ burden.
-
-[Sidenote: BAD CONDUCT OF NEPHEW KARL]
-
-Nephew Karl remained at Bloechlinger's institute and continued to cause
-worry and anxiety to his uncle. Reports concerning his conduct and
-studies were variable from different persons and at different times.
-Bloechlinger complained that he needed constant supervision: "Had we
-not always been strict with him, he would not be where he is now."
-A cleric declares that he was at heart not a bad child but had been
-harmed by bad examples. "Karl has little feeling and in spite of the
-knowledge for which he is praised he has no reasoning powers," writes
-an unidentified person in the Conversation Book, surely not to the
-satisfaction of the uncle who was always setting forth his nephew's
-exceptional talent. In June somebody else (this time it may have
-been Oliva) feels constrained to write: "The boy lies every time he
-opens his mouth." The "terrible occurrence" which had almost crushed
-Beethoven in December, 1818, repeats itself, fortunately without such
-dire results to the too sympathetic uncle: In June, instead of coming
-to an oral examination, Karl ran away to his mother. Madame Bloechlinger
-had to take a coach and servant and bring him back to the school; and
-to get him away from Madame van Beethoven, who was disposed to keep
-him in concealment, had to promise to see to it that he should not
-be punished for his naughtiness. Now Bloechlinger, who says that the
-presence of Madame van Beethoven "poisons the air," wants the woman
-excluded from his house and asks for a power of attorney to call in
-the help of the police every time that Karl shall go to his mother,
-whom he calls a "notorious strumpet," of whose presence in his house
-he must needs be ashamed. All this was told to Beethoven by Bernard,
-who had learned it from Bloechlinger. Beethoven went for advice to Bach,
-who told his client that it was impracticable to get a judicial writ
-against the mother enjoining her from meeting her son, and impossible
-to prevent secret meetings and secret correspondence. The practical
-solution of the problem was to have Bloechlinger refuse to admit the
-woman to his institute and compel her to see Karl at his uncle's home.
-This would serve the purpose to some extent, as the mother did not like
-to meet her brother-in-law.
-
-The enthronization of Beethoven's imperial pupil as Archbishop of
-Olmuetz took place on March 20. The Mass which was to have been the
-composer's tribute was still unfinished. The reader knows why, or at
-least has been provided with an opportunity to form an opinion as to
-the reason. It may have been for the purpose of offering an explanation
-to the new dignitary of the church, that Beethoven sought an audience
-as he states in a letter of April 3. The Archducal Archbishop had gone
-to Olmuetz and Beethoven wants to know his plans for the immediate
-future. He had heard that H. I. H. was to return to Vienna in May,
-but also that he intended to be absent for a year and a half. If so,
-Beethoven deplores that he has made plans for himself which are unwise.
-He begs H. I. H. not to give credence to the false reports concerning
-himself (Beethoven) which might reach his ears: "If Y. I. H. calls me
-one of your most treasured objects, I can honestly say that Y. I. H.
-is to me one of the most treasured objects in the universe. Although
-I am no courtier, I believe that Y. I. H. has learned to know me well
-enough to know that no cold interest, but a sincere affection, has
-always attached me to yourself and inspired me; and I might well say
-that Blondel was found long ago, and if no Richard is to be found in
-the world for me, God will be my Richard." He has evidently concerned
-himself about the music at the court in Olmuetz: "It appears to me that
-my idea to maintain a quartet will certainly be the best thing to do.
-If there are already productions on a large scale in Olmuetz, something
-admirable might arise in Moravia through a quartet." He advises
-his pupil, in case it is his purpose to return in May, to keep his
-compositions till then so as to play them first to him; but if his stay
-is to be longer, he will receive the compositions with the greatest
-pleasure and seek to guide H. I. H. "to the highest peaks of Parnassus."
-
-[Sidenote: A PUNNING CANON ON HOFMANN]
-
-A reference to himself as one who was at court yet not a courtier had
-been made by Beethoven in an earlier letter. This play on words seems
-to have been much in his head about this time and it is small wonder
-that when an opportunity offered for the employment of the pun in a
-canon it should have been embraced; in fact, it looks as if possibly he
-had strained for the occasion, unless it should appear from evidence
-yet to be found that "One who was named Hoffmann," in Beethoven's
-words, was, as was long believed, the redoubtable E. T. A. Hoffmann,
-who had surely deserved the tribute contained in a canon which
-Beethoven wrote at this time. In the Conversation Book used in March,
-1820, a strange hand writes: "In the _Phantasie-Stuecke_ by Hoffmann,
-you are often spoken of. Hoffmann was musical director in Bamberg; he
-is now Government Councillor. Operas of his composition are performed
-in Berlin." Beethoven remarks, in writing: "Hofmann du bist kein
-_Hofmann_." Later in a conversation held at table, these words occur
-twice: "Hofmann / sei ja kein Hofmann--nein / / / ich heisse Hofmann
-und bin kein Hofmann." These words are preceded by a measure of music,
-the beginning of the canon in question. Did Beethoven thus honor the
-fantastic poet, musician, novelist, essayist, singer, scene-painter and
-theatrical manager who had shown such keen critical appreciation of
-his symphonies? It was long a pleasure to believe so and natural, too,
-until Nottebohm came with his iconoclastic evidence to the contrary.
-On March 23 Beethoven had written a letter to Hoffmann, expressing his
-gratification at having won the good opinion of a man gifted with such
-excellent attributes as Hoffmann possessed. Had he written the canon
-at this time he would surely have enclosed it in this letter and then,
-since it was preserved among Hoffmann's papers, it would have been
-found and given to the world with the letter. But Beethoven kept the
-canon in his mind or had a copy of it, and printed it in 1825, when B.
-Schott's Sons in Mayence asked him for a contribution to their musical
-journal "Caecilia," which had been founded a year before. Now comes
-Nottebohm with his evidence in the case. A man named Gross was once
-the owner of the autograph and his son told Nottebohm that it had been
-written in the Matschaker Hof, a tavern at which Beethoven was dining
-at the time, and referred to a church musician named Vincenz Hoffmann,
-as the informant remembered the name. Nottebohm looked through the
-official lists of musicians in Vienna in the first decades of the
-century; he did not find a Vincenz, but did find a Joachim Hoffmann who
-might have been an acquaintance of Beethoven's; and so he set him down
-as the recipient of the composer's tribute.[29]
-
-In the summer of 1820, Beethoven went to Moedling again, but he did not
-take the lodgings in the Harfner house for the very sufficient reason
-that the proprietor had served notice on him in 1819, that he could
-not have it longer on account of the noisy disturbances which had
-taken place there. He took a house instead in the Babenbergerstrasse
-and paid twelve florins extra for the use of a balcony which commanded
-a view which was essential to his happiness. He takes the baths and
-receives a visit from his nephew, who probably stays with him during
-his school vacation; at any rate, the boy does not return to Vienna
-until October 5, on which day the Giannatasios, making an excursion
-to Moedling, meet him with Karl driving to town. There is at this time
-considerable talk in the Conversation Book of publishing a complete
-edition of Beethoven's works. Bernard, probably, tells him that Steiner
-is already counting on it and Schindler, who is enthusiastic over the
-project, gives it as his opinion that arrangements must be made with
-a Vienna publisher so as to avoid voluminous correspondence. Somebody
-remarks: "Eckstein will so arrange it that you will always get all
-the profits and will also publish your future works as your property.
-He thinks that every fourth or fifth piece should be a new one." The
-plan appealed strongly to Beethoven, but nothing came of it at the
-time, though we shall hear of it later. It was the discussion of it,
-probably, by his friends which brought out a letter from Beethoven to
-Haslinger, "best of Adjutants," asking him to decide a bet. Beethoven
-had wagered 10 florins that it was not true that the Steiners had
-been obliged to pay Artaria 2000 florins damages for having published
-Mozart's works, which were reprinted universally.
-
-Towards the end of October, Beethoven returned to Vienna and took
-lodgings at No. 244 Hauptstrasse in the Landstrasse, "the large house
-of the Augustinians" beside the church. There he was visited by Dr.
-W. Chr. Mueller of Bremen, a philologist and musical amateur who had
-long admired Beethoven and, with the help of his "Family Concerts,"
-established in 1782, had created such a cult for Beethoven's music as
-existed in no city in Germany in the second decade of the nineteenth
-century--according to Schindler. Mueller's daughter Elise played the
-sonatas exceptionally well and was largely instrumental with her father
-in creating this cult. Mueller was making an Italian tour, visited
-Vienna in October and November and published an account of his meetings
-with Beethoven in the "Allg. Musik. Zeit." in 1827. In this he tells
-of Beethoven's freedom of speech at public eating-houses, where he
-would criticize the Austrian government, the morals of the aristocracy,
-the police, etc., without stint. The police paid no attention to his
-utterances, either because they looked upon him as a harmless fantastic
-or had an overwhelming respect for his artistic genius. "Hence," says
-Dr. Mueller, "his opinion that nowhere was speech freer than in Vienna;
-but his ideal of a political constitution was the English one." It was
-through Dr. Mueller that we know somewhat of Beethoven's views on the
-subject of analytical programmes. Among the zealous promoters of the
-Beethoven cult in Bremen, was a young poet named Dr. Karl Iken, editor
-of the "Bremer Zeitung," who, inspired by the _Familien-Concerte_,
-conceived the idea of helping the public to an understanding of
-Beethoven's music by writing programmatic expositions of the symphonies
-for perusal before the concerts. Some of his lucubrations were sent
-to Beethoven by Dr. Mueller, and aroused the composer's ire. Schindler
-found four of these "programmes" among Beethoven's papers, and he gave
-the world a specimen. In the Seventh Symphony, Dr. Iken professed to
-see a political revolution.
-
-[Sidenote: "PROGRAMME" FOR THE SEVENTH SYMPHONY]
-
- The sign of revolt is given; there is a rushing and running about
- of the multitude; an innocent man, or party, is surrounded,
- overpowered after a struggle and haled before a legal tribunal.
- Innocency weeps; the judge pronounces a harsh sentence; sympathetic
- voices mingle in laments and denunciations--they are those of
- widows and orphans; in the second part of the first movement the
- parties have become equal in numbers and the magistrates are now
- scarcely able to quiet the wild tumult. The uprising is suppressed,
- but the people are not quieted; hope smiles cheeringly and suddenly
- the voice of the people pronounces the decision in harmonious
- agreement.... But now, in the last movement, the classes and the
- masses mix in a variegated picture of unrestrained revelry. The
- quality still speak aloofly in the wind-instruments,--strange
- bacchantic madness in related chords--pauses, now here, now
- there--now on a sunny hill, anon on flowery meadow where in merry
- May all the jubilating children of nature vie with each other with
- joyful voices--float past the fancy.
-
-It is scarcely to be wondered at that such balderdash disgusted and
-even enraged Beethoven. In the fall of 1819, he dictated a letter
-to Mueller--it has, unfortunately been lost--in which he protested
-energetically against such interpretations of his music. He pointed
-out, says Schindler, who wrote the letter for him, the errors to
-which such writings would inevitably give rise. If expositions
-were necessary, they should be confined to characterization of the
-composition in general terms, which could easily and correctly be done
-by any educated musician.
-
-Beethoven's complaints concerning his financial condition were chronic
-and did not cease even in periods where extraordinary receipts make
-them difficult to understand. That the lamentations in his letters
-during the two years which we have in review were well-founded,
-however, is no doubt true. With so engrossing a work as the "Missa
-solemnis" on hand there could not have been much time for such
-potboilers as he mentions and the other sources of revenue were not
-many. From the records which are at hand, we know something about a
-few of his monetary transactions. On October 26, 1820, he collected
-300 florins on account, apparently, from Artaria and Co., through his
-old friend Oliva. Shortly after his return to Vienna from the country,
-he asks the same firm, from which he had borrowed 750 florins,[30] for
-a further loan of 150 to save himself the necessity of selling one
-of his bank shares. These shares, it will be remembered in partial
-extenuation or at least explanation of some of his actions which are
-scarcely compatible with his protestations of his unswerving honesty
-in business transactions, had been set apart by him as his nephew's
-legacy and he clung to them as to a sacred pledge. He promises to repay
-Artaria in three months and meanwhile to send him a composition in one,
-two or more movements, without honorarium. An incident which shows
-him in an unamiable light is connected with his financial relations
-with the publisher Steiner. On December 29, 1820, Steiner wrote him a
-letter which did not see the public eye until published in the "Neue
-Freie Presse" newspaper of Vienna on August 17, 1900. Steiner had sent
-Beethoven a dun, or at least a statement of account, and Beethoven had,
-evidently, been both rude and unreasonable in his reply. We quote from
-Steiner:
-
-[Sidenote: INDEBTEDNESS TO STEINER]
-
- I cannot rest content with your remarks concerning the account
- sent you; for the cash money loaned you I have charged you only 6%
- interest, while for the money which you deposited with me I paid
- you 8% promptly in advance and also repaid the capital promptly.
- What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (_Was also
- dem Einen recht ist, muss dem Andern billig sein_). I am not in a
- position to lend money without interest. As a friend I came to your
- help in need, I trusted your word of honor and believe that I have
- not been importunate, nor have I plagued you in any way; wherefore
- I must solemnly protest against your upbraidings. If you recall
- that my loan to you was made in part 5 years ago, you will yourself
- confess that I am not an urgent creditor. I would spare you even
- now and wait patiently if I were not on my honor in need of cash
- for my business. If I were less convinced that you are really in a
- position to give me relief and able to keep your _word of honor_
- I would, difficult as it would be for me, right gladly remain
- patient a while longer; but when I remember that I myself returned
- to you 4,000 florins, conventional coin, or 10,000 florins, Vienna
- Standard, as capital 17 months ago and at your request did not
- deduct the amount due me, it is doubly painful to me now to be
- embarrassed because of my good will and my trust in your word of
- honor. Every man knows best where the shoe pinches and I am in this
- case; wherefore I conjure you again not to leave me in the lurch
- and to find means to liquidate my account as soon as possible.
-
- As for the rest I beg you to accept from me the compliments of the
- season together with the request that you continue to give me your
- favor and friendship. It will rejoice me if you keep your word
- and honor me soon with a visit; it rejoices me more that you have
- happily withstood your illness and are again restored to health.
- God preserve you long in health, contentment and enjoyment, this is
- the wish of your wholly devoted
-
- S. A. Steiner.
-
-The letter contains pencil memoranda by Beethoven. He has evidently
-added together the various sums which he owes Steiner and they amount
-to 2420 florins W. W. He remarks that 1300 florins was received
-"probably" in 1816 or 1817; 750 florins "perhaps" in 1819; 300
-florins "are debts which I assumed for Madame van Beethoven and
-can be chargeable for only a few years; the 70 florins may have
-been for myself in 1819. Payment may be made of 1200 florins a year
-in semi-annual payments." A further memorandum on the cover notes
-Steiner's willingness to accept payments on April 15 and October
-15, 1821. The settlements seem to have been made. On April 1, 1821,
-Beethoven collected 600 florins from the estate of Kinsky, being
-one-half of the annuity for the year September 1820 to September 1821.
-He also persuaded his friend Franz Brentano to advance him money on
-the amount for which he sold the "Missa Solemnis" to Simrock in Bonn,
-though he did not give him the Mass for publication in the end. But
-this is a matter which can be better discussed in connection with the
-incidents in the history of the compositions which fall within the
-present period.
-
-The beginning of the year 1821 found him still at his home in the
-suburb Landstrasse, and, it would seem, working as hard as his health
-permitted. When he went to the country for the summer he went to
-Unterdoebling and thence, after September, to Baden to take a cure
-prescribed by his physician, Dr. Staudenheimer. In Baden he lived
-in the Rathshausgasse. He had suffered from rheumatism during the
-preceding winter and now became a victim of jaundice, for which, no
-doubt, he was sent to Baden, though he had gotten rid of the disease
-to some extent at least by the end of August. The cure prescribed by
-Staudenheimer was more severe than he could endure and, as he writes
-to Franz Brentano on November 12, 1821, he had to "flee to Vienna,"
-where he was more comfortable. The attack of jaundice may have been an
-_arant-courier_ of the disease of the liver which brought him to the
-grave six years later. He expresses a fear in a letter to the Archduke
-(July 18, 1821) that it might prevent him for a long time from waiting
-upon his pupil. There is the usual monetary complaint in the letter,
-which concludes with: "God who knows my heart and how sacredly I
-fulfill all the duties commanded by humanity, God and nature will some
-day free me from this affliction."
-
-In 1820 the voice of an old English admirer reaches him with a request
-which must have seemed strange to him. William Gardiner, as has been
-told in the chapter in the first volume of this work devoted to the
-compositions of the Bonn period, was one of the first proclaimers of
-Beethoven's evangel in England. He had now compiled and composed a sort
-of _pasticcio_, an oratorio entitled "Judah," piecing the work out
-with original compositions where he had failed to find music written
-by others which he could use. In his book "Music and Friends" (III,
-377) he relates that he had hoped to get an original composition for
-"Judah" in the shape of an appropriate overture, and to this end had
-written a letter to Beethoven and forwarded it to Vienna through Baron
-Neumann of the Austrian Embassy, who, on receiving it, had remarked
-that it was doubtful if an answer would be received, as Beethoven held
-no communication with the world. Gardiner's letter was as follows:
-
- To Louis van Beethoven.
-
- Dear Sir:
-
- At the house of Lady Bowater in Leicestershire in 1796, I met with
- your Trio in E-flat (for Violin, Viola and Bass). Its originality
- and beauty gave me inexpressible delight; indeed it was a new
- sense to me. Ever since I have anxiously endeavoured to procure
- your compositions as much so as the war could permit. Allow me
- to present to you the first volume of my "Sacred Melodies" which
- contain your divine Adagios appropriated to the British church. I
- am now engaged upon a work entitled "The Oratorio of Judah" giving
- a history of that peculiar people from the Jewish scriptures. The
- object of this letter is to express a hope that I may induce you to
- compose an Overture for this work upon which you can bring all the
- force of your sublime imagination (if it please you) in the key of
- D minor. For this service my friend Mr. Clementi will accept your
- draft upon him for one hundred guineas.
-
- I have the honour to be, dear Sir,
- Your faithful servant
- William Gardiner.
-
-There is no date, but as "Judah" was criticized in "The Musical Review"
-in 1821, it is presumable that the letter was written in 1820. Gardiner
-deplores the fact that he received no reply from Beethoven, although
-the Empress had thanked him for a copy of the "Sacred Melodies" which
-he had sent to her. Evidently he did not realize that Beethoven was not
-the man to feel complimented by having his "divine Adagios" turned into
-hymn-tunes. An occurrence which may have cost Beethoven a pang was the
-loss of his faithful helper Oliva, who took his passport in December,
-1820, and went to St. Petersburg, where he settled as a teacher of
-languages.
-
-[Sidenote: A PORTRAIT PAINTED BY STIELER]
-
-Another of the portraits of Beethoven which have been made familiar
-by reproductions was painted in 1820, though begun in 1819. Joseph
-Stieler, who enjoyed wide reputation as a portrait painter, had
-come to Vienna from Munich to paint the portrait of Emperor Franz
-in the latter year. He remained till some time in 1820 and made the
-acquaintance of Beethoven through a letter of introduction probably
-given to him by Brentano. Beethoven took a liking to him and gave
-him some sittings--three, according to the testimony of the painter
-himself, thus disproving Schindler's statement that "sitting after
-sitting was granted and never a complaint uttered." On the contrary,
-the Conversation Book presents the artist as pleading for a little
-more time; and because Beethoven refused to sit longer, Stieler had to
-exercise his imagination or memory in painting the hands. In fact, the
-painting never received the finishing touches but remained, as those
-who have seen it testify, "sketchy." In March Stieler writes in the
-Conversation Book: "Have you written to Frankfort that I have begun
-your portrait?--You must determine the destination of the picture.
-I say that I am painting it for myself." In April Stieler asks the
-question: "In what key is your mass? I want to write on the sheet:
-(Mass in--)" Beethoven writes the answer: "_Missa solemnis in D_," and
-Stieler: "After it has been exhibited I shall send it to Brentano--I
-thank you thousands and thousands of times for so much patience."
-Beethoven's friends refer frequently to the picture in their written
-conversations with Beethoven. One says: "That you have been painted _en
-face_ is the result of more extended study of your physiognomy. This
-view shows your spirit much better than a profile." Schindler writes
-that he prefers the portrait by Schimon: "There is more character
-in it--all agree on that--You were very well two years ago; now you
-are always ailing." J. Czerny writes: "We were just talking about
-your portrait. Oliva thinks you are well hit off." The artist visits
-Beethoven again at Moedling in July and writes: "Before the exhibition
-I shall paint your portrait again, but full life-size. Your head makes
-an excellent effect full face, and it was so appropriate because Haydn
-was on one side and Mozart on the other." Stieler dated the canvass
-"1819," but this can only refer to the time when it was begun. It
-remained for a while in the possession of the family of the painter,
-then passed through several hands by purchase until it reached those of
-Countess Sauerma in Berlin, in whose possession it was when Frimmel
-and Kalischer inspected it for purposes of description. Schindler says
-it reproduces Beethoven's characteristic expression faithfully and that
-it met with approval, though fault was found with the pose. Beethoven's
-contemporaries were not used to see him with his head bowed down as
-Stieler represents him; on the contrary, he carried his head high
-even when suffering physical pain. A lithographic reproduction of the
-portrait was made by Fr. Duerck and published by Artaria in 1826.
-
-In April, 1860, the author[31] had a conversation with Horzalka in
-which the latter spoke very highly of Schindler and his disinterested
-fidelity to Beethoven. Horzalka also said that in 1820 or 1821, as near
-as he could recollect, the wife of a Major Baumgarten took boy boarders
-in a house then standing where the Musikverein's hall now stands in
-Vienna. Her sister, Baroness Born, lived with her. Frau Baumgarten had
-a son who studied at Bloechlinger's Institute, and Beethoven's nephew
-was amongst her boarders. One evening Horzalka called there and found
-only the Baroness Born at home. Soon another caller came and stayed to
-tea. It was Beethoven. Among other topics, Mozart came on the tapis and
-the Baroness asked Beethoven, in writing of course, which of Mozart's
-operas he thought most of. "Die Zauberfloete," said Beethoven and,
-suddenly clasping his hands and throwing up his eyes exclaimed, "Oh,
-Mozart!" As Horzalka had, as was the custom, always considered "Don
-Giovanni" the greatest of Mozart's operas, this opinion by Beethoven
-made a very deep impression upon him. Beethoven invited the Baroness to
-come to his lodgings and have a look at his Broadwood pianoforte.
-
-[Sidenote: ARRESTED AS A VAGRANT]
-
-In 1820 Professor Hoefel, who lived at Salzburg in the last years of his
-life and who engraved the Latronne portrait of Beethoven for Artaria,
-was appointed to a professorship of drawing in Wiener Neustadt. A year
-or two afterward, as he said,[32] he was one evening with Eisner and
-other colleagues in the garden of the tavern "Zum Schleifen," a little
-way out of town. The Commissioner of Police was a member of the party.
-It was autumn and already dark when a constable came and said to the
-Commissioner: "Mr. Commissioner, we have arrested somebody who will
-give us no peace. He keeps on yelling that he is Beethoven; but he's
-a ragamuffin, has no hat, an old coat, etc.--nothing by which he can
-be identified." (_Herr Commissaer, wir haben Jemand arretirt, welcher
-uns kein' Ruh gibt. Er schreit immer dass er Beethoven sei. Er ist
-aber ein Lump, hat kein' Hut, alter Rock, etc., kein Aufweis wer er
-ist, etc._) The Commissioner ordered that the man be kept under arrest
-until morning, "then we will examine him and learn who he is." Next
-morning the company was very anxious to know how the affair turned
-out, and the Commissioner said that about 11 o'clock at night he was
-waked by a policeman with the information that the prisoner would
-give them no peace and had demanded that Herzog, Musical Director in
-Wiener Neustadt, be called to identify him. So the Commissioner got up,
-dressed, went out and waked up Herzog, and in the middle of the night
-went with him to the watchhouse. Herzog, as soon as he cast eyes on
-the man exclaimed, "That _is_ Beethoven!" He took him home with him,
-gave him his best room, etc. Next day came the burgomaster, making all
-manner of apologies. As it proved, Beethoven had got up early in the
-morning, and, slipping on a miserable old coat and, without a hat, had
-gone out to walk a little. He got upon the towpath of the canal and
-kept on and on; seems to have lost his direction, for, with nothing to
-eat, he had continued on until he brought up at the canal-basin at the
-Ungerthor. Here, not knowing where he was, he was seen looking in at
-the windows of the houses, and as he looked so like a beggar the people
-had called a constable who arrested him. Upon his arrest the composer
-said, "I am Beethoven." "Of course, why not?" (_Warum nicht gar?_)
-said the policeman; "You're a tramp: Beethoven doesn't look so." (_Ein
-Lump sind Sie; so sieht der Beethoven nicht aus._) Herzog gave him
-some decent clothes and the burgomaster sent him back to Baden, where
-he was then living, in the magisterial state-coach. This simple story
-is the foundation for the fine narrative related as a fact in Vienna
-that Beethoven had got into this scrape following troops from Vienna
-who had a sham battle near Wiener Neustadt, and taking notes for his
-"Wellington's Victory"--which whole story thus goes to the wall.
-
-A letter written from Baden on September 10, 1821, to Tobias Haslinger
-accompanying a canon[33] on the words "O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger,
-O, O!" deserves to be given here to show that Beethoven's high spirits
-could at times dominate him in spite of his general misery.
-
- Very best fellow!
-
- Yesterday, in the carriage on the way to Vienna, I was overcome by
- sleep, naturally enough, since (because of my early rising here)
- I had never slept well. While thus slumbering I dreamed that I
- had made a long journey--to no less distant a country than Syria,
- no less than India, back again, no less than Arabia, finally I
- reached Jerusalem; the Holy City aroused in me thoughts of Holy
- Writ and small wonder that the man Tobias now occurred to me, and
- how natural that our little Tobias should enter my mind and the
- _pertobiasser_, and now during my dream journey the following canon
- came to me: "O Tobias _dominus_ Haslinger, O, O!" But scarcely
- awakened, away went the canon and nothing of it would come back
- to my memory. But when, next day, I was on my way hither in the
- same conveyance (that of a poor Austrian musician) and continued
- the dream journey of the day before, now awake, behold, according
- to the laws of association of ideas, the same canon occurred to
- me again; now fully awake I held it fast, as erst Menelaus held
- Proteus, only allowing it to change itself into 3 voices.
-
- Farewell. Presently I shall send you something on Steiner to show
- you that he has no stony (_steinernes_) heart. Farewell, very best
- of fellows, we ever wish that you will always belie your name of
- publisher (_Verleger_) and never become embarrassed (_verlegen_)
- but remain a publisher (_Verleger_) never at a loss (_verlegen_)
- either in receiving or paying--Sing the epistles of St. Paul every
- day, go to pater Werner,[34] who will show you the little book by
- which you may go to heaven in a jiffy. You see my anxiety for your
- soul's salvation; and I remain with the greatest pleasure from
- everlasting to everlasting,
-
- Your most faithful debtor
- Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE MASS IN D]
-
-And now as to the creative work of the two years. Paramount attention
-must be given to the Mass in D, which, though long in hand and destined
-for a function in which Beethoven and his Imperial Archepiscopal pupil
-were profoundly concerned, was yet incomplete when the time for that
-function arrived. Archduke Rudolph was installed as Archbishop of
-Olmuetz on March 20, 1820. Exactly what condition the Mass was in at
-that time we have no means of knowing; it was, however, in a sufficient
-state of forwardness to enable Beethoven to begin negotiations for its
-publication. On March 18 he wrote to Simrock:
-
- As regards the mass, I have pondered the matter carefully and might
- give it to you for the honorarium of 100 Louis d'ors which you
- offered me, provided you agree to a few conditions which I shall
- propose and which I think, will not be found burdensome by you. We
- have gone through the plan for publication here and believe that
- with a few modifications it can be put into effect very soon, which
- is very necessary; wherefore I shall make haste to inform you of
- the necessary changes soon.
-
-This would seem to indicate that the work had been practically
-completed, and that this view obtained amongst Beethoven's friends we
-know from the evidence of the Conversation Books. In the summer at
-Moedling he was frequently asked if it was finished and when it would
-be performed. Some hurried sketches belonging to the _Credo_ are found
-amongst the remarks of his friends, and also sketches for the _Agnus
-Dei_. Schindler asks him in August: "Is the _Benedictus_ written out in
-score? Are those sketches for the _Agnus_?" Rudolph had communicated
-to him his intention to spend a part of the summer in Moedling.
-Beethoven writes to him on August 3 and September 2, making apologies
-for apparent neglect in not waiting upon him (he had no carriage the
-first time, was in ill-health the second), but says not a word about
-the mass. Some of the remarks in the Conversation Book are vague as to
-the composition referred to, but many are plain enough to show that
-Beethoven had informed his friends and advisers of the negotiations
-with Simrock. Surprise is expressed at Simrock's delay. Beethoven is
-advised to write to him and also to Brentano in Frankfort, who had
-been authorized to collect the honorarium. In April somebody writes:
-"Have you written to Simrock that he _must not_ publish the mass at
-once, as you want first to send it or hand it to the Archduke?" Again:
-"If you send the _Recepisse_ of the stage-coach he will certainly send
-you the money _at once_." And later: "It would be quicker to give the
-music to the stage-coach and send Brentano the receipt--at the same
-time informing Simrock that Brentano had been assured of its despatch;
-then Brentano can send you the money at once without waiting to receive
-the music." In April again: "But he has not yet replied to your last
-offer of the mass? I mean Simrock--200 ducats could help you out
-greatly--Because of _your circumstances_. You must not delay writing to
-Simrock or Brentano. Brentano can send you the money _at once_--or at
-least very soon." "I am surprised that Simrock has not answered yet."
-Meanwhile Simrock answers. "Leave Simrock's letter with me," says the
-mentor, "I'll answer it and give you the letter this afternoon--if you
-are satisfied with it you will sign it and I will post it to-morrow.
-There must be no delay." "He says the mass can be used only by
-Catholics, which is not true." "He is paying too little rather than too
-much with 200 ducats."
-
-It is obvious that some difficulty had arisen between Beethoven and
-Simrock. What that difficulty was is explained in a letter from
-Simrock to Brentano dated November 12, 1820. It was a misunderstanding
-concerning the price of the "new grand musical mass" which the
-composer wished to sell for 100 Louis d'ors. The publisher had agreed
-to the price, understanding Louis d'ors to mean what the term meant
-in Bonn, Leipsic and throughout Germany, namely, the equivalent of
-Friedrichs d'ors, pistoles. In order to avoid unpleasantness after the
-reception of the mass he had explained this clearly to Beethoven and in
-a letter, dated September 23, had repeated that by Louis d'ors he meant
-Friedrichs d'ors; he was not in a position to give more. He would hold
-the sum in readiness against the receipt of the mass, which Beethoven
-had promised to provide with German as well as Latin words. He was also
-under the impression that he had asked a speedy decision, as he did
-not want to keep his money tied up in Frankfort. Hearing nothing for
-four weeks he had quit counting on the mass and made other use of his
-money. Learning, however, from Brentano's letter of November 8th that
-Beethoven had agreed to let him have the mass, he now finds himself in
-the embarrassment of not having the gold Louis d'ors on hand, but as
-Brentano had said nothing on the subject he would in the meantime try
-to secure the coin, unless Brentano were willing to take the equivalent
-in florins at the rate of 9.36. He asked to be informed of the arrival
-of the music so that he might instruct Heinrich Verhuven to receive it
-on paying the sum mentioned.
-
-Simrock waited four weeks before abandoning hope that Beethoven would
-send the mass; it was ten weeks and more before Beethoven answered
-Simrock's letter. Then he sent his reply to Brentano enclosed in a
-letter dated November 28. The letter has not been found, or at least
-not made public; but the letter to Brentano[35] makes it plain that
-Beethoven had acceded to Simrock's offer and agreed to take pistoles
-for Louis d'ors. He says:
-
- Your kindness permits me to hope that you will not refuse to have
- the enclosure sent to Simrock, inasmuch as in it my views are set
- forth concerning the whole matter. Nothing remains now except to
- take what he offers, namely the 100 pistoles and as much more as
- you, an expert in the business, can get for me by the rate of
- exchange. I am convinced of your kind disposition in this regard.
- I am very hard-pressed just now, but such things are to be told
- _last of all to a publisher_; it is, thank God, not my fault, but
- my sacrifices for others, chiefly, too, for the weak Cardinal who
- led me into this morass and does not know how to help himself. As
- soon as the translation is finished I shall trouble you again by
- sending you the mass, and I pray you give a little attention then
- to securing what you can for me from the Jewish[36] publisher.
-
-Thus matters stand with the Mass at the end of 1820, and thus they
-seem to have remained throughout the next year. Simrock always was to
-be but never was blest with the score. On July 18, 1821, Beethoven
-promises to put the work into the Archduke's hands "while here"--i. e.,
-at Unterdoebling; he leaves the reasons for the delay to the imagination
-of his patron: "the details might prove anything but pleasant to Y. I.
-H." In November he thinks again of Simrock and on the 12th writes to
-Brentano:
-
- The mass might have been sent before this, but had to be _carefully
- looked through_, for the publishers in other countries do not get
- along well with my manuscript, as I know from experience, and a
- copy for the engraver must be examined note by note. Moreover,
- I could not come because of illness, the more since despite
- everything I have been compelled to make a considerable number
- of potboilers (as unfortunately I must call them). I think I am
- justified in making an attempt to get Simrock to reckon the Louis
- d'ors at a higher rate, inasmuch as several applications have been
- made from other quarters, concerning which I shall write you soon.
- As for the rest, do not question my honesty; frequently I think of
- nothing except that your kind advance may soon be repaid.
-
-[Sidenote: LOAN ADVANCED ON THE MASS]
-
-It seems a fair inference from the concluding remark, together with
-the advice of his friend or friends in the Conversation Book of the
-previous summer concerning a collection through Brentano as soon as the
-mass had been handed over to the stage-coach, that Beethoven had got an
-advance from Brentano on the money which was awaiting the arrival of
-the work in Frankfort. The following letter to Brentano strengthens the
-inference:
-
- Vienna, December 20, 1821.
-
- Noble man!
-
- I am awaiting another letter respecting the mass, which I shall
- send you to give you an insight into the whole affair. In any event
- the entire honorarium will be paid to you whereupon you will please
- deduct the amount of my indebtedness to you, my gratitude to you
- will always be unbounded. I was so presumptuous as without asking
- to dedicate a composition of mine to your daughter Maxe, please
- accept the deed as a mark of my continual devotion to you and your
- entire family--do not misinterpret the dedication as prompted by
- interest or as a recompense--this would pain me greatly. There are
- nobler motives to which such things may be ascribed if reasons must
- be found. The new year is about to enter, may it fulfil all your
- wishes and daily increase your happiness as the father of a family
- in your children. I embrace you cordially and beg you to present
- my compliments to your excellent, only and glorious Toni.
-
- Yours, etc.
-
- I have received from here and elsewhere offers of 200 ducats in
- gold for the mass. I think I can get 100 florins W. W. more. On
- this point I am waiting for a letter which I will send you at once,
- the matter might then be presented to Simrock, who will certainly
- not expect me to lose so much. Till then please be patient and do
- not think that you have acted magnanimously towards an unworthy man.
-
-[Sidenote: THREE SONATAS AT A BREATH]
-
-Brentano informed Simrock of the situation; but the subject is now
-carried over into the next year and must be left for the nonce, while
-we take up the history of some other compositions. The last three
-pianoforte sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, belong to this period.
-Also the Bagatelles Op. 119, Nos. 7 to 11 inclusive. Their story
-is known. Friedrich Starcke, Chapelmaster of an Austrian regiment
-of infantry, had undertaken the publication of a pianoforte method
-which he called the "Wiener Pianoforteschule." Part III of the work,
-which appeared early in 1821, contained these five Bagatelles under
-the title "Trifles" (_Kleinigkeiten_). Above them Starcke printed:
-"A contribution from the great composer to the publisher." They must
-have been asked for in 1820. Somewhere about February of that year an
-unidentified hand writes in the Conversation Book: "Starcke wants a
-little music-piece by you for the second part of his _Klavierschule_,
-for which he has contributions from the leading composers besides short
-notices.... We must give him something. Notwithstanding his great
-deserts in music and literature he is extremely modest, industrious
-and humble.... He understands the art of compiling well. There are now
-weaklings everywhere even among the strong." To this appeal Beethoven
-yielded. He wrote the five Bagatelles, sketches for which are found
-amongst some for the Sonata in E major (Op. 109) and the _Benedictus_
-of the mass. No. 6 is also sketched among studies for the _Credo_. No
-doubt these little pieces were some of the "potboilers" (_Brodarbeit_)
-referred to in the letter to Brentano; also some folksong arrangements;
-and it may even be, that Beethoven included also the three great
-sonatas. Schindler relates that when Beethoven heard that it was
-bruited about that he had written himself out, his invention was
-exhausted, and that he had taken up Scottish melodies like Haydn in
-his old age, he seemed amused and said: "Wait a while, you'll soon
-learn differently." Schindler then adds: "Late in the Fall (1820),
-returned from his summer sojourn in Moedling, where like a bee he had
-been engaged busily in gathering ideas, he sat himself down to his
-table and wrote out the three sonatas Op. 109, 110, 111 'in a single
-breath,' as he expressed it in a letter to Count Brunswick in order to
-quiet the apprehension of his friends touching his mental condition."
-Schindler was dubious about the "single breath" and, indeed, there was
-a considerable lapse of time between the writing of the first of the
-three sonatas and the last two. The Sonata in E belongs unquestionably
-to the year 1820. The first theme is found in the Conversation Book of
-April, and the work was sketched before he began the _Benedictus_ of
-the mass and while he was at work on this movement, the _Credo_, the
-_Agnus Dei_ and the Bagatelles for Starcke. Before the end of the year
-Archduke Rudolph received the manuscript for his collection. It was
-dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano,[37] and published in November, 1821,
-by Schlesinger in Berlin.
-
-Beethoven has himself left data concerning the other two sonatas. On
-the autograph of that in A-flat major, Op. 110, he wrote the date
-"December 25, 1821." Sketches for it follow sketches for the _Agnus
-Dei_ of the mass, which were begun in 1820.[38] It was published
-by Schlesinger in Berlin and Paris in 1822. There is evidence in a
-memorandum to Schindler found among the latter's papers, and also in a
-letter to Schlesinger of 1823, that Beethoven intended to dedicate both
-of the last two sonatas to Madame Brentano. "Ries-nichts" ("nothing
-to Ries"), says the memorandum, significantly. Ideas utilized in the
-C minor Sonata, Op. 111, are found amongst those for Op. 110 and
-particularly among some for the _Agnus Dei_. The autograph bears the
-date January 13, 1822,[39] and it is plain that most of the work was
-done in 1821. It was published by Schlesinger in April, 1823, after
-Beethoven had offered it to Peters of Leipsic. Corrections for these
-three sonatas occupied a great deal of time; the engraving of the
-French edition of the C minor was so faulty that Beethoven demanded
-proof copies three times; twice his call was granted, the third time
-it was refused.[40] This Sonata, Op. 111, was dedicated to Archduke
-Rudolph. Beethoven had left the matter to Schlesinger, but he afterward
-made a suggestion as to his wishes, for in a letter to the Archduke
-on June 1, 1823, he writes: "Y. I. H. seemed to find pleasure in
-the Sonata in C minor, and therefore I feel that it would not be
-presumptuous if I were to surprise you with its dedication."
-
-There are few other compositions of these two years to ask attention,
-the Canons and five Bagatelles having been mentioned. There is a song,
-"Abendlied unter dem gestirnten Himmel," words by Heinrich Goebel, the
-original manuscript of which bears date March 4, 1820, and which was
-published as a supplement to the "Modenzeitung" on March 28, 1820,
-with a dedication to Dr. Braunhofer.[41] The twenty-five Scotch Songs,
-Op. 108, were published in 1821 by Schlesinger. The performances of
-Beethoven's works in Vienna in 1820 and 1821 are quickly summed up. The
-Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde performed the "Eroica" on February 20,
-the C minor on April 9 and the F major on November 19. The Overture
-in C, Op. 115, was played at a concert for the benefit of Widows and
-Orphans on April 16, 1820. In the _Concerts spirituels_, conducted
-by F. X. Gebauer in the season 1820-21, the Symphonies in C minor,
-A major, and F major, and the Oratorio "Christus am Oelberg," were
-performed. Leopoldine Blahetka, a young woman of 18 who was creating
-something of a furore by her pianoforte playing at the time, played the
-Concerto in B-flat on April 3, having studied it with J. Czerny.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[24] "Two things fill the soul with ever new and increasing wonder
-and reverence the oftener the mind dwells upon them--the starry sky
-above me and the moral law within me."--Kant's "Criticism of Practical
-Reason."
-
-[25] The greeting was in the form of a four-part canon beginning with
-a short homophonic chorus, the words: "Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit! Dem
-Erzherzog Rudolph! Dem geistlichen Fuersten! Alles Gute, alles Schoene!"
-The autograph is preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in
-Vienna. B. and H. Ges. Aus. Series XXIII, page 187.
-
-[26] The reader who desires to read the documents in full is referred
-to the German edition of this biography for the decrees and minutes
-of the courts and to the Kalischer-Shedlock collection of letters for
-Beethoven's pleadings.
-
-[27] 11 Dr. Deiters remarks on this point: "No doubt Beethoven had
-hoped to attain his ends by general statements and thus spare himself
-the shame and humiliation which would have followed had he presented
-the truth, even in disguise, touching the lewdness and shameless life
-of his own sister-in-law; and her legal advisers and the members of the
-Magisterial Court knew how to turn this fact to their own advantage."
-
-[28] Made to Thayer.
-
-[29] Here, as in several other cases, in which opinions only and
-not definitely ascertained facts are concerned, the present Editor
-is inclined to attach as much importance to Thayer's judgment as
-to that of his critics and revisers. Thayer's working copy of his
-"Chronologisches Verzeichniss," which contains annotations of a
-much later date than Nottebohm's publication in the "Thematisches
-Verzeichniss" which he edited for Breitkopf and Haertel, pays no
-attention to Nottebohm's conclusion.
-
-[30] See the letter in the Kalischer-Shedlock Coll. II, 178.
-
-[31] Thayer.
-
-[32] This anecdote is recorded in Thayer's note-book as a memorandum of
-a conversation had with Hoefel on June 23, 1860.
-
-[33] For the music the reader is referred to Series XXIII of the
-Complete Edition of Beethoven's works published by Breitkopf and Haertel.
-
-[34] The dramatic poet Zacharias Werner, who had become a convert
-to Roman Catholicism and, now an ordained priest, was preaching to
-great crowds of Viennese. The puns on the German word _Verleger_ and
-_verlegen_ are untranslatable.
-
-[35] The letter is preserved in the Beethoven House at Bonn. It was
-first published in the "Vossische Zeitung" by Dr. Kalischer on July 26,
-1903. See Kalischer-Shedlock, II, 177.
-
-[36] Dr. Kalischer refers the remark about the "Jewish publisher"
-to Schlesinger in Berlin; but this may be a mistake. In a later
-correspondence with Peters, who suggests the term, Schlesinger is thus
-referred to; but there is nothing to indicate that when correspondence
-between Schlesinger and Beethoven had scarcely begun, Brentano was
-called on to come to the rescue. Beethoven may mean a fling at Simrock
-for his action in the matter of the Louis d'ors.
-
-[37] See the letter to Franz Brentano of December 20, 1821, and the
-note to his daughter dated December 6, 1821. (Kalischer-Shedlock, II,
-189.)
-
-[38] See Nottebohm, "Zweit. Beeth.," pp. 465 and 471.
-
-[39] Beethoven wrote, as if absentmindedly, "Ludwig Ludwig am 13ten
-Jenner 1822."
-
-[40] It is noteworthy, as shown by Nottebohm ("Zweit. Beeth.," pp.
-467, 468) that the first theme of the first movement of the C minor
-Sonata was originally intended for a third movement in a "second
-sonata" which (Op. 109 being finished) can only have been the one in C
-minor. It would seem as if the use of the theme in the first movement
-did not occur to the composer until after he had conceived the theme
-of the variations. But the theme had figured twenty years before in a
-sketchbook used when the Sonata in A major, Op. 30, was in hand. Its
-key then was F-sharp minor, and it may have been intended for Op. 30.
-
-[41] Published also, together with three other songs--"Geheimniss,"
-"Resignation" and "So oder so"--by Sauer and Leidesdorf as Op. 113 in
-1821 or 1822. Beethoven presented a copy of it to Fanny Giannatasio on
-April 19, 1820.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter III
-
- The Year 1822--The _Missa Solemnis_--Beethoven and His
- Publishers--Brother Johann--Meetings with Rochlitz and
- Rossini--Overture: "The Consecration of the House"--A Revival
- of "Fidelio"--Madame Schroeder-Devrient--The "Bagatelles"--A
- Commission from America.
-
-
-It is now desirable to disregard the strict chronological sequence of
-incident and dispose, so far as is possible, of the history of the
-great Mass in D prior to the adoption of a new plan by which Beethoven
-hoped to make it a source of extraordinary revenue. So far as it
-affects Beethoven's character as a man not always scrupulous in his
-observance of business obligations, the story does not need to extend
-beyond the year 1822. Careful readers of this biography can easily
-recall a number of lapses from high ideals of candor and justice in his
-treatment of his friends and of a nice sense of honor and honesty in
-his dealings with his publishers; but at no time have these blemishes
-been so numerous or so patent as they are in his negotiations for the
-publication of the _Missa Solemnis_--a circumstance which is thrown
-into a particularly strong light by the frequency and vehemence of
-his protestations of moral rectitude in the letters which have risen
-like ghosts to accuse him, and by the strange paradox that the period
-is one in which his artistic thoughts and imagination dwelt in the
-highest regions to which they ever soared. He was never louder in his
-protestations of business morality than when he was promising the
-mass to four or more publishers practically at the same time, and
-giving it to none of them; never more apparently frank than when he
-was making ignoble use of a gentleman, whom he himself described as
-one of the best friends on earth, as an intermediary between himself
-and another friend to whom he was bound by business ties and childhood
-associations which challenged confidence; never more obsequious (for
-even this word must now be used in describing his attitude towards
-Franz Brentano) than after he had secured a loan from that friend in
-the nature of an advance on a contract which he never carried out;
-never more apparently sincere than when he told one publisher (after
-he had promised the mass to another) that he should be particularly
-sorry if he were unable to give the mass into his hands; never more
-forcefully and indignantly honest in appearance than when he informed
-still another publisher that the second had importuned him for the
-mass ("bombarded" was the word), but that he had never even deigned
-to answer his letters. But even this is far from compassing the
-indictment; the counts are not even complete when it is added that in
-a letter he states that the publisher whom he had told it would have
-been a source of sorrow not to favor had never even been contemplated
-amongst those who might receive the mass; that he permitted the friend
-to whom he first promised the score to tie up some of his capital for
-a year and more so that "good Beethoven" should not have to wait a day
-for his money; that after promising the mass to the third publisher he
-sought to create the impression that it was not the _Missa Solemnis_
-that had been bargained for, but one of two masses which he had in hand.
-
-It is not only proper, but a duty, to give all possible weight to
-the circumstances which can be, ought to be, must indeed be pleaded
-in extenuation of his conduct; but the facts can not be obscured or
-ignored without distorting the picture of the man Beethoven as this
-biography has consistently striven from the beginning to present it.
-For English and American readers, moreover, the shock of surprise will
-be lessened by a recollection of Beethoven's first transactions in
-London, which more than five years before had called out the advice
-of the English publishers to Neate for God's sake not to buy anything
-of Beethoven! As for the rest it is right to remember that at this
-time many of the sources of Beethoven's income had dried up. He was no
-longer able to offer his publishers symphonies in pairs, or sonatas and
-chamber compositions in groups. He produced laboriously and, in the
-case of compositions which were dear to his heart, with infinite and
-untiring care and insatiable desire for perfection. Engrossed in such
-works, he gave no thought to pecuniary reward; but, rudely disturbed
-by material demands, he sought the first means at hand to supply
-the need. Hence his resurrection of works composed and laid aside
-years before; his acceptance of commissions which he was never able
-to perform; his promise of speedy delivery of works scarcely begun;
-his acceptance of advances on contracts which he could not fulfil;
-his strange confidence (this we feel we are justified in assuming)
-in his ability to bring forth works of magnitude in time to keep his
-obligations even when the works which he had in mind had already been
-there for years; his ill-health which brought with it loss of creative
-vitality, of fecundity in ideas and facility in execution in inverse
-ratio to the growth of his artistic ideals; the obsession of his whole
-being by his idolatrous love for his nephew and the mental distress and
-monetary sacrifice which his self-assumed obligation entailed and which
-compelled him to become the debtor of his publishers lest he encroach
-upon the emoluments of the Vienna Congress which he had solemnly
-consecrated to his foster-son. Let all these things be remembered when
-the story of his shortcomings is told.[42]
-
-And now let the story of the Mass be resumed from the point where it
-was dropped in the preceding chapter; with it will be found statements
-bearing on a few other more or less inconsequential compositions.
-
-[Sidenote: REPREHENSIBLE CONDUCT TOWARDS SIMROCK]
-
-On May 13, 1822, Simrock reminds Beethoven that a year has passed
-since he promised to deliver the score into his hands by the end of
-April. Since October 25, 1820, he (Simrock) had kept 100 Louis d'ors
-on deposit in Frankfort so that there would be no delay in the payment
-of the remuneration. On March 19, Beethoven had written that he had
-been sick abed for six weeks and was not yet entirely well. He had told
-the publisher to rest easy in his mind, that being the sole purpose
-of the letter. The publisher had gone to the autumn fair of 1821 and
-to the Easter fair of 1822 and asked Brentano for the mass; but been
-told that it had not been received. He begs for a few words on the
-subject. It would seem as if Simrock had preserved his temper very
-well. The letter brings another evidence of his unchanged good will, He
-had resolved at an earlier period to publish the six symphonies which
-were in his catalogue in a new edition, but had not done so because it
-would not pay. Now, he said, he wanted to rear a monument to his worthy
-old friend and had brought out the scores in a style which he hoped
-the composer would deem worthy. What Beethoven said in reply to this
-letter is not known, his answer not having been given to the world;
-it can be surmised, however, from the recital given to Brentano in a
-letter from Beethoven dated May 19. He had been troubled by "gout in
-the chest" for four months, he says, and able to do but little work;
-nevertheless the Mass would be in Frankfort by the end of the next
-month, that is, by the end of June, 1822. There was another reason for
-the delay. Cardinal Rudolph, strongly disposed in favor of his music at
-all times, did not want the Mass published so early and had returned
-to the composer the score and parts only three days before. Here we
-have a very significant statement. What may be called the official copy
-of the Mass in D was formally presented to Archduke Rudolph on March
-19, 1823; here, ten months earlier, he speaks of a score and parts
-which the Archduke had returned to him three days before. The Mass,
-therefore, must have had what, for the time being (Beethoven never
-considered it finished so long as it was in his hands), was looked upon
-as a definitive shape at the time when Beethoven promised to send it to
-Brentano for Simrock. The Archduke returned it, as Beethoven says, so
-that the publication might not be hindered. How long it had been in the
-hands of the Archduke no one can tell. Now, said Beethoven to Brentano,
-the score will be copied again, carefully examined, which would take
-some time owing to his ill health, but it would be in Frankfort at the
-end of June "at the latest," by which time Simrock must be ready to
-make payment. He had received better offers from Vienna and elsewhere,
-but had rejected all of them because he had given his word to Simrock
-and would abide by the agreement even if he lost money, trusting to
-make his losses good by other sales to Simrock who, moreover, might
-be disposed to make a contract for the Complete Edition. Brentano
-communicated with Simrock at once and received a letter from the
-publisher on May 29 expressing regret that sickness had been partly
-responsible for the delay. He had been expecting the Mass every day for
-more than a year, during which time the money had lain with Heinrich
-Verhuven because he did not want Beethoven to wait a single day for it.
-
-Thus on May 19, Beethoven tells Brentano that he will keep the faith
-with Simrock even at a sacrifice. On March 1, however, he had written
-to Schlesinger in Berlin:
-
- In regard to my health, things are better. As to the Mass I beg
- of you to get everything, everything (_Alles, alles_, in Jahn's
- transcript) in readiness as other publishers have asked for it and
- many approaches have been made to me, especially from here, but I
- resolved long ago that it should not be published here, as the
- matter is a very important one for me. For the present I ask of
- you only that you signify to me whether you accept my last offer
- of the Mass together with the two songs; as regards the payment of
- the honorarium, it may wait for more than four weeks. I must insist
- upon an early answer, chiefly because two other publishers who want
- to have it in their catalogues have been waiting for a definite
- answer from me for a considerable time. Farewell, and write to me
- at once; it would grieve me very much if _I could not give you just
- this particular work_.
-
-[Sidenote: THE MASS SOLD TO SCHLESINGER]
-
-Schlesinger, as we learn from a letter dated July 2, 1822, had received
-letters from Beethoven under date of April 9, May 29 and June (he
-mistakenly says May 1). He answers the three at once, excusing his
-delay on the ground that he had attended the fair in Leipsic, where he
-fell ill, and had remained under the weather for several weeks after
-his return to Berlin. Meanwhile business had accumulated. He accepts
-Beethoven's terms for the mass and the two songs:
-
- Everything is in order about the Mass; pray send it and the two
- songs as soon as possible and draw on me at fourteen days' sight
- for 650 R. T. I will honor the draft at once and pay it. I have no
- opportunity to make payment to you through Vienna. Although several
- music dealers there are extensively in my debt I cannot count on
- prompt payment from any of them. These gentlemen have two very ugly
- traits: 1), they do not respect property rights and 2), it is with
- difficulty that they are brought to pay their accounts. The book
- dealers are much sounder.
-
-By a coincidence Schlesinger's son, who had established himself in
-business in Paris, wrote to Beethoven on the same day and asked him
-if a third movement of the Pianoforte Sonata in C minor (Op. 111),
-which he was publishing, had not been forgotten at the copyists. He,
-like his father a little later, evidently suspected that they had not
-received as much music, measured in detached movements, as they had
-paid for; they missed a rondo finale! The incident may have amused,
-or (which is more likely) even angered Beethoven; but it can scarcely
-account for the fact that Beethoven resolved about this time to have
-nothing more to do with Schlesinger _pere_. On July 26 he writes to
-Peters of Leipsic, with whom he has now entered into negotiations and
-to whom he has offered the Mass, "In no event will Schlesinger ever
-get anything more from me; he has played me a Jewish trick, but aside
-from that he is not among those who might have received the Mass."
-When Beethoven was conducting the negotiations with Schott and Sons in
-Mayence which resulted in the firm's getting the work, he recurred to
-the Schlesingers in a letter of January 22, 1824, and said: "Neither
-is Schlesinger to be trusted, for he takes where he can. Both _pere
-et fils_ bombarded me for the mass, but I did not deign to answer
-either of them, since after thinking them over I had cast them out long
-before." Beethoven's threats were frequently mere _brutum fulmen_; the
-Schlesingers, _pere et fils_, remained his friends to the end and got
-two of the last Quartets.
-
-Both Simrock and Schlesinger are now waiting for Beethoven to send
-them the Mass and the fee is waiting for the composer at Frankfort.
-Meanwhile negotiations have been taken up with a newcomer in the field,
-who, however, is but trying to renew an association which had begun
-more than 29 years earlier. Before entering upon this phase of the
-history of the Mass it seems well to dispose finally of the Simrock
-incident.[43] On August 22, 1822, Simrock wrote to Beethoven again.
-Beethoven's answer followed on September 13 and, as it contains more
-than a mere implication why he refused to abide by his contract (a
-point that has been a matter more or less of speculation from the time
-when the negotiations ceased till now), it is given in full here:
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO SIMROCK'S GENEROSITY]
-
- Baden, September 13, 1822.
-
- My dear and valued Simrock:
-
- You will receive this letter from Baden, where I am taking the
- baths, as my illness which has lasted a year and a half is not yet
- ended. Much as I should like to write to you about many things I
- must yet be brief and only reply to your last of August 22nd. As
- regards the Mass you know that at an earlier date I wrote you that
- a larger honorarium had been offered me. I would not be so sordid
- as to haggle with you for a hundred or few more florins; but my
- poor health and many other unpleasant circumstances compel me to
- insist upon it. The minimum that at least four publishers have
- offered me for the mass is 1000 florins Convention Coin at the
- rate of twenty, or counting the florin at 3 Austrian florins C. C.
- Much as I shall regret if we must part just because of this work,
- I know that your generosity (_Biederherzigkeit_) will not allow me
- to lose money on this work, which is perhaps the greatest that I
- have composed. You know that I am not boastful and that I do not
- like to show the letters of others or even quote from them; if it
- were not so I might submit proofs from far and near. But I very
- much wish to have the matter about the Mass settled as soon as
- possible, for I have had to endure plots of all sorts on account
- of it. It would be agreeable if you would let me know as soon as
- possible if you will pay me this honorarium. If you will, you need
- only deposit the difference with Brentano, whereupon I will at once
- send you a well corrected score of the Mass which will suffice
- you for the engraving. I hope my dear Simrock, whom I consider the
- richest of all these publishers, will not permit his old friend to
- go elsewhere for the sake of a few hundred florins. Concerning all
- other matters I will write you soon; I shall remain here till the
- beginning of October. I shall receive all letters which you may
- write, safely as I did your last, only I beg you to write soon.
- Farewell, greet the family cordially for me; as soon as I can I
- will write to them myself.
-
- Cordially your old friend,
-
- Beethoven.
-
-This letter can scarcely be called ingenuous by the most zealous
-of Beethoven's defenders. Aside from the fact that he had closed
-the contract, had received an advance on the sum deposited and told
-Brentano that he would keep his promise even at a sacrifice to himself,
-the 1000 florins which he now asks Simrock to pay was not the minimum
-sum which other publishers had offered but the maximum sum which he had
-asked and all of them had agreed to pay--which, indeed, B. Schott and
-Sons did pay a year and a half later. Under the circumstances it is
-scarcely to be wondered at if the appeal to Simrock's generosity fell
-on stony soil; but we do not know that it did. The letter was evidently
-answered by Simrock, who, despairing of ever getting the Mass, may
-have suggested that he would accept other works in lieu of it, for on
-March 10, 1823, Beethoven writes again saying (as he had said to Peters
-in November, 1822) that he should surely receive a mass, for he had
-written two and was only undecided which one to send. He asked Simrock
-to be patient till Easter, when he would send one of them to Brentano.
-He intended also to write a mass for the Emperor. As to other works, he
-offered the overture to "The Consecration of the House," the music to
-"The Ruins of Athens," the overture to "King Stephen," some songs and
-"Kleinigkeiten" for the pianoforte. Only for the new overture did he
-fix a price (50 ducats), but he added: "You will surely receive one of
-these two grand masses which are already composed; only be patient till
-after Easter, by which time I shall have decided which to send." This
-is the last letter between Beethoven and Simrock which has been found.
-It leaves the composer promising _a_ mass instead of delivering _the_
-Mass, and that promise unfulfilled;--of a necessity, for the work,
-though described as "already composed," was never written.
-
-In 1814 C. F. Peters had purchased the Bureau de Musique founded in
-1798 by Hoffmeister and Kuehnel, publishers of a number of Beethoven's
-compositions, including the First Symphony, between 1800 and 1805. On
-May 18, 1822, Peters addressed a letter to Beethoven in which he said
-that he had long wished to publish some of his compositions but had
-refrained from applying to him because he did not wish to offend the
-Viennese publishers; seeing now, however, that he was going outside
-with his compositions and giving them "even to the Jew Schlesinger,"
-he would no longer give heed to such considerations. He had spoken to
-Steiner on the subject at the last fair, who had offered no objections,
-had, indeed, said that he would be glad if he (Peters) got the works
-instead of Schlesinger, and had offered his services as mediary
-between him and Beethoven, and asked for a list of compositions which
-he wanted. Thereupon he had given Steiner such a list: symphonies,
-pianoforte quartets and trios, pianoforte solos "among which there
-might be small pieces," songs, etc.--anything, in short, which
-Beethoven should send him would be welcome, for he wanted honor, not
-profit, from the association. Beethoven replied on June 5:
-
- Although I met Steiner several days ago and asked him jocularly
- what he had brought for me from Leipsic, he did not mention _your
- commission_, even in a _syllable_, nor _you_, but earnestly pleaded
- with me to assure him that _I would give him and him alone all my
- present and future works_ and this _contract-wise_; I declined.
- This trait suffices to show you why I often prefer foreign
- publishers to local; I love straightforwardness and uprightness
- and am of the opinion that the artist ought not to be belittled,
- for alas! glittering as is the external aspect of fame, he is not
- permitted to be Jupiter's guest on Olympus every day; too often
- and too repulsively the vulgar many drag him down from the pure
- ethereal heights.
-
-He now opened his budget of wares: the largest work was a Mass--many
-had striven for it, "100 weighty Louis d'ors" had been offered for it,
-but he had demanded at least 1,000 florins Convention Coin, for which
-sum he would also prepare the pianoforte score; variations on a waltz
-("there are many") for pianoforte--30 ducats in gold; a comic air with
-orchestra on Goethe's "Mit Maedeln sich vertragen," and another air of
-the same genre, 16 ducats each;[44] several rather extended songs with
-pianoforte accompaniment, among them a little Italian cantata with
-recitative,[45] 12 ducats each; there were also recitatives to some of
-the German songs; 8 ducats each for songs; an elegy for four voices
-and string quartet accompaniment,[46] 24 ducats; a chorus of Dervishes
-with full orchestra, 20 ducats; a march for orchestra written for the
-tragedy "Tarpeia," with arrangement for pianoforte, 12 ducats; Romance
-for violin solo and orchestra,[47] 15 ducats; Grand Trio for 2 oboi and
-1 English horn,[48] which might be transcribed for other instruments,
-30 ducats; four military marches with percussion ("Turkish music")
-prices on application; bagatelles, or trifles for pianoforte, prices on
-application.
-
-The copy of the letter as printed contains the words here: "All
-these works are ready," but they are wanting in the original draft.
-Beethoven now goes on with a list of compositions which Peters "might
-have soon"; a sonata for pianoforte solo,[49] 40 ducats; a string
-quartet, 50 ducats. More than anything else, however, he was desirous
-to have a complete edition of his works, as he wished to look after the
-publication in his lifetime. He had received a number of applications,
-but could not, or would not, meet all the conditions. With some
-necessary help he thought such an edition of his works might be brought
-out in two years, possibly in one-and-a-half; a new work was to be
-added to each class, "to the Variations a new set of variations, to
-the Sonatas a new sonata," etc., "and for all these together I ask
-10,000 florins Convention Coin." He deplores the fact that he is no
-business man; he wishes that matters were different than they are, but
-he is forced to act as he does by competition, and begs that secrecy be
-observed touching the negotiations, to guard against trouble with other
-publishers.
-
-He was not kept waiting for an answer;--Peters' reply is dated June
-15. He regrets to hear of Steiner's duplicity, but his conduct may
-have been harmless in intention and caused by his weakness. The works
-which he wanted and of which he had given a list to Steiner were a
-quartet for strings, a trio of the same kind, a concert overture
-for full orchestra, songs and some small solos for pianoforte "such
-as capriccios, divertissements," etc. Then he takes up Beethoven's
-detailed offer of compositions:
-
-[Sidenote: THE MASS SOLD TO PETERS]
-
- The most admirable amongst them is your Grand Mass, which you offer
- me together with the pianoforte score for one thousand florins
- C. C. and to the acceptance of which at the price I confess my
- readiness.... Between honest men (_offenen Maennern_) like us there
- is no need of a contract; but if you want one send it to me and
- I will return it _signed_. If not, please state to me in writing
- that I am to receive the Mass in question together with the
- pianoforte score for 1000 florins in 20-florin pieces, and indicate
- when I am to receive it and that it is to be my _sole property for
- ever_. I want the first so that I may look upon this transaction
- as _concluded_, and the time I want to know so that I can arrange
- about the publication. If I were a rich man I would pay you very
- differently for this Mass, for I opine that it is something right
- excellent, especially because it was composed for an occasion;
- but for me 1000 florins for a Mass is a large expenditure and the
- entire transaction, on my word, is undertaken only in order to show
- myself to you and the world as a publisher who does something for
- art. I must ask another consideration, namely, that _nobody_ learn
- how much I have paid for the Mass--at least not for some time; I am
- not a man of large means, but must worry and drudge; nevertheless
- I pay artists as well as I can and in general better than other
- publishers.
-
-For the present, Peters adds, he does not want to publish larger vocal
-works by Beethoven nor the Mass singly but along with other works, to
-show the Viennese publishers that there is a contract between him and
-Beethoven which obliges the latter to send him compositions. To that
-end he asks for some songs, a few bagatelles for pianoforte solo, the
-four military marches; he would be glad to take also the new string
-quartet, but 50 ducats is beyond his means. Beethoven is at liberty to
-tell Steiner that he had applied to Beethoven with his knowledge and
-consent. Beethoven's answer (incorrectly dated July instead of June 26)
-says:
-
-[Sidenote: SALE OF THE MASS TO PETERS CONFIRMED]
-
- I write you now only that I give you the Mass together with the
- pianoforte score for the sum of 1000 florins, C. C. in 20-florin
- pieces. You will in all likelihood receive the score in copy by
- the end of July--perhaps a few days earlier or later. As I am
- always busy and have been ailing for five months and works must
- be carefully examined, if they go to a distance this always is
- a slower matter with me. In no event will _Schlesinger_ ever
- get anything more from me; he has played me a Jewish trick, but
- aside from that he is not among those who might have received the
- Mass. The competition for my works is very strong at present for
- which I thank the Almighty, for I have also already lost much.
- Moreover, I am the foster-father of the child of my brother, who
- died destitute. As this boy at the age of 15 years shows so much
- aptitude for the sciences, his studies and support cost much money
- now and he must be provided for in the future, we being neither
- Indians nor Iroquois who, as is notorious, leave everything in the
- hands of God, and a pauper's is a wretched lot. I keep silence
- concerning everything between us _by preference_ and beg you to be
- silent about the present connection with me. I will let you know
- when it is time to speak, which is not at all necessary now....
- I assure you on my honor, which I hold highest after God, that I
- never asked Steiner to receive orders for me. It has always been my
- chief principle never to appeal to a publisher, not out of pride
- but because I have wanted to see how extended is the province which
- my fame has reached.... As for the songs, I have already spoken.
- I think that an honorarium of 40 ducats is not _too much_ for the
- 3 songs and 4 marches. You can write to me on the subject. As soon
- as the Mass is ready I will let you know and ask you to remit the
- honorarium to a house here and I will deliver the work as soon as
- I have received it. I will take care to be present at the delivery
- to the post and that the freight charge shall not be too great. I
- should like soon to be made acquainted with your plan concerning
- the complete edition which is so close to my heart.
-
-Peters answers this letter on July 3. He is willing to pay 40 ducats
-for the songs and marches and to remit part of the honorarium in
-advance. Beethoven's complaint about his financial affairs distresses
-him and he would like to help him. "It is wrong that a man like you
-is obliged to think about money matters. The great ones of the earth
-should long ago have placed you in a position free from care, so that
-you would no longer have to live on art but only for art." Before this
-letter was received Beethoven had written a second and supplementary
-reply to the letter of June 13; it is dated July 6. He had reread
-his letter and discovered that Peters wanted some of the bagatelles
-and a quartet for strings. For the former, "among which are some of
-_considerable length_--they might be published separately under the
-title 'Kleinigkeiten' (Trifles) No. 1, 2, etc."--he asked 8 ducats
-each. The quartet was not fully completed, work on it having been
-interrupted. Here it was difficult to lower the prices, as such works
-were the most highly paid for--he might almost say, to the shame of
-the general taste, which in art frequently falls below that of private
-taste. "I have written you everything concerning the Mass, and that
-is settled." On July 12, Peters writes that he does not know how
-long the bagatelles are and so can not tell whether they are to be
-printed separately or together; but he asks that a number be sent to
-him together with word as to how many of such small pieces Beethoven
-has on hand, as he might take them all. As for songs he would prefer
-to have some in the style of "Adelaide" or "Schloss Markenstein."
-The honorarium for the compositions which were to be sent now would
-amount to 200 or 300 florins in pieces of 20, but as he could not
-determine the exact amount he asked Beethoven to collect the amount
-from Meiss (Meisl) Brothers, bankers, on exhibition of receipt and
-bill of shipment. It was all the same to him whether he collected the
-money now or later; it was waiting and at Beethoven's disposal. In this
-manner, so convenient for Beethoven, he would make all his payments for
-manuscripts purchased. On August 3 Beethoven writes:
-
- I have not made up my mind as to the selection of songs and
- _Kleinigkeiten_, but everything will be delivered by August 13. I
- await your advices in the matter and will make no use of your bill
- of exchange. As soon as I know that the honorarium for the Mass and
- the other works is here all these things can be delivered by the
- 15th.
-
-Peters was prompt in his remittance of the money which was to be
-subject to Beethoven's order; Beethoven, though less prompt in getting
-it, was yet ahead of his delivery of the manuscripts for which the
-money was to pay. Singularly enough, the incident which provides for
-us knowledge of the time when the money was received by Peters's agent
-served as evidence in Beethoven's excuse for drawing the money without
-keeping his part of the agreement. On July 25, about a fortnight after
-the date of Peters's letter of advice, Piringer, associate conductor of
-the _Concerts spirituels_, who was on terms of intimacy with Beethoven,
-wrote him as follows:
-
- _Domine Generalissimo!_
-
- _Victoria_ in Doebling--fresh troops are advancing! The wholesalers,
- Meisl Bros, here in the Rauhensteingasse, their own house, 2nd
- storey, have received advices from Hrn. Peters in Leipsic to pay
- several hundred florins to Herrn Ludwig van Beethoven. I hasten on
- Degen's pinions[50] to convey this report to _Illustrissimo_ at
- once. To-day is the first sad day in the Viennese calendar, because
- yesterday was the last day of the Italian opera.
-
-This letter Beethoven sent to Peters from Baden on September 13 in
-evidence of his presumption that Piringer, who was a daily caller at
-the Steiner establishment, had gossipped about the relations between
-him and Peters. He was sorry that Peters had sent the money so early,
-but fearing talk he had collected the money. He would send all the
-little things soon. He had been pressed by the Cardinal, who had come
-to Baden on the 15th and on whom he had to attend several times a week;
-and work had been forced upon him by the opening of the Josephstadt
-Theatre; also he wanted to write new trios to some of the marches and
-revise other works, but illness and too much other employment had
-prevented. "You see from this at least that I am not an author for the
-sake of money.... You will recall that I begged you to keep everything
-away from Steiner. Why? That I will reveal to you in time. I hope that
-God will protect me against the wiles of this wicked man Steiner." On
-November 22, Beethoven writes again: he had been expecting reproaches
-for his negligence but though he had delivered nothing he had received
-the honorarium. It looked wrong ("offensive" is his word), but he was
-sure that all would be set right could they but be together a few
-minutes. All the music intended for Peters had been laid aside except
-the songs, the selection of which had not yet been made; as a reward
-for waiting, Peters should receive one more than the stipulated number.
-He could deliver more than the four bagatelles agreed on, as he had
-nine or ten extra ones on hand.
-
-[Sidenote: "A MASS" NOT "THE MASS" FOR PETERS]
-
-Now there enters a new element into the story of the Mass; let
-Beethoven introduce it in his own words: "This is the state of affairs
-with regard to the Mass: I completed one long ago, but another is
-not yet finished. There will always be gossip about me, and you must
-have been misled about it. I do not know which of the two you will
-receive." The gossip against which Beethoven warned Peters, it is safe
-to assume, related to the compositions which the latter had purchased
-but not received; in great likelihood rumors about the Mass had
-reached Leipsic. Peters was in communication with Steiner and others;
-and that he knew that the mass had been planned for the installation
-of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmuetz he had indicated when he
-expressed the belief that it was something "right excellent" because
-it had been composed for an occasion. The mass which Beethoven had
-agreed to deliver by the end of July could therefore have been none
-other than the Mass in D. It is deserving of mention, however, that
-there is evidence that Beethoven was thinking of more than one mass
-at the time--in fact, that he had thoughts of three. In a sketchbook
-of the period is found a memorandum: "The _Kyrie_ in the second mass
-with wind-instruments and organ only";[51] and in another place there
-are six measures of a theme for a _Dona nobis_ with the superscription
-"Mass in C-sharp minor." To this _Dona_ there is still another
-reference or two of a later date; but that is all. It is likely that
-the second mass was intended for the Emperor, as we shall see later;
-Beethoven himself says that he had thoughts of a third.
-
-Peters is getting importunate, and on December 20 Beethoven writes to
-him that nothing intended for him is entirely ready; there had been
-delays in copying and sending, but he had no time to explain. The songs
-and marches would be sent "next week" and there would be six bagatelles
-instead of four, and he asks that payment be made for the extra two on
-receipt. He had so many applications for his works that he could not
-attend to them all: "Were it not that my income brings in nothing[52] I
-should compose only grand symphonies, church music or at the outside
-quartets in addition." Of smaller works Peters might have variations
-for two oboes and English horn on a theme from "Don Giovanni"--_Da
-ci la mano_ wrote Beethoven, meaning _La ci darem la mano_--and a
-Gratulatory Minuet;[53] he would like Peters' opinion about the
-complete edition. In a letter with the double date February 15 and 18,
-1823, Peters is informed that three songs,[54] six bagatelles, one
-march and a tattoo had been sent on the preceding Saturday--the tattoo
-in place of one of the promised marches:
-
- You will pardon the delay I believe, if you could see into my heart
- you would not accuse me of intentional wrongdoing. To-day I give
- the lacking two tattoos and the fourth grand march to the post. I
- thought it best to send three tattoos and a march instead of four
- marches, although the former can be used as marches. Regimental
- chapelmasters can best judge how to use such things and moreover
- pianoforte arrangements of them might be made. My conduct as an
- artist you may judge from the songs; one has an accompaniment for
- two clarinets, one horn, violas and violoncellos and can be sung to
- these instruments alone or with the pianoforte without them. The
- second song is with accompaniment for two clarinets, two horns and
- two bassoons, and can also be sung to them alone or with pianoforte
- accompaniment alone. Both songs have choruses and the third is a
- quite extended arietta with pianoforte alone. I hope you are now
- reassured. I should be sorry if these delays were attributed to my
- fault or desire. I shall soon write to you about the Mass, as the
- decision which you are to have will presently be made.
-
-"Some time" before March 10, 1823, Beethoven repaid the loan of 300
-florins to Brentano, sending the money through Geimueller. In his letter
-of thanks on that date he encloses a letter to Simrock, unsealed
-evidently, and says to his friend, "You see from it the state of things
-concerning the Mass." What that state was as it presented itself to the
-mind of Beethoven we have as yet no means of knowing; but we know that
-Peters was still kept in a state of expectation, for on March 20, 1823,
-Beethoven writes:
-
- As regards the Mass I will also send you a document which I beg
- you to sign, for in any event the time is approaching when you
- will receive one or the other. Besides yourself there are two
- other men who also desire each a mass. I am resolved to write
- at least three--the first is entirely finished, the second _not
- yet_, the third not even begun; but in view of them I must have an
- understanding so that I may be secured in any case. You may have
- the Mass whenever you pay 1000 C. C.
-
-[Sidenote: THREE PURCHASERS FAIL TO GET THE MASS]
-
-So far as Peters is concerned the matter must be dropped for a space;
-he published none of the works sent to him, did not receive the Mass,
-and, refusing to take a quartet in return for the 360 florins which
-Beethoven collected in advance, placing the blame on him, got the money
-back from Beethoven some time after November, 1825. Peters did not
-get the Mass; nor did Simrock; nor did Schlesinger; nor did Probst,
-another Leipsic publisher with whom Beethoven carried on negotiations
-for it and the Ninth Symphony, as will appear later; nor did Artaria,
-Beethoven's old publisher who, in all likelihood, was one of the "two
-other men" of whom Beethoven wrote in the letter last quoted. On August
-23, 1822, Artaria received a letter which, as it seems to stand alone
-so far as the Mass is concerned, may well be printed in full:
-
- Being just now overwhelmed with work, I can only say briefly that I
- have always returned your favors whenever possible. As regards the
- Mass I have been offered 1000 florins, C. C. for it. The state of
- my affairs do not permit me to take a smaller honorarium from you.
- All that I can do is to _give you the preference_. Rest assured
- that I do not _take a heller more from you than_ has been _offered
- me by others_. I could prove this to you in writing. You may think
- this over but I beg of you to send me an answer by _to-morrow noon_
- as to-morrow is postday and my decision is expected in other places.
-
- I will make a proposition to you concerning the 150 florins C. C.
- which I owe you, but the sum must not be deducted now, as I am in
- urgent need of the 1000 florins. In addition I beg of you to keep
- everything secret about the Mass.
-
-It must long ago have been observed by the studious reader of these
-pages that a great deal of illuminative material in the life-story
-of Beethoven is found in the correspondence between the composer and
-his publishers; but these letters in the later years of his life, and
-especially in the period with which we are now concerned, were but
-sorry guides to the state of forwardness in which compositions found
-themselves at any stated time. Frequently they offer for publication
-works which, so far as they had been fixed on paper at all, existed
-only in the form of detached sketches; also some which, so far as we
-know, existed only in the plans or purposes of the composer of which
-the letters themselves are the only surviving records. It seems also
-to be a fair deduction from them that Beethoven's attitude towards
-his publishers with reference to them depended to a considerable
-extent on his temporary financial condition, and sometimes they are
-an index of that consecration to high artistic ideals of which he
-remains an unapproached exemplar. The Mass in D is almost always
-ready for delivery when he is in financial extremities; but when he
-has helped himself with loans or the collection of advances, or
-the sale of old manuscripts or potboilers, his insatiable desire to
-revise, amend and improve his great work takes possession of him, and
-the vast amount of rewriting and recopying thus entailed pushes its
-ultimate completion into the future and precipitates another period
-of distress. He borrowed money from Brentano on the strength of the
-deposit which Simrock had made in Frankfort; collected the honorarium
-which Peters had advanced on the purchase of long undelivered songs,
-bagatelles and marches; postponed the evil day of liquidation with
-Steiner; finally borrowed money from his brother Johann, and to secure
-the debt practically hypothecated to him all the manuscripts which
-lay finished and unfinished in his desk by placing their sale in his
-hands, subject to his instructions and advice. This circumstance brings
-Johann van Beethoven back significantly into this history and invites
-an inquiry into his character and his conduct with reference to his
-famous brother. That, contemptible as his character may have been,
-he has yet been maligned and his conduct towards Beethoven falsified
-by Schindler and the romance writers who have accepted Schindler's
-misrepresentations and embellished them with the products of their own
-unscrupulous imaginations, is scarcely open to doubt.
-
-Something of the earlier history of Johann van Beethoven has been
-told in the chapters of this biography which deal with the incidents
-of the years 1808 and 1812. The brother, whose association with a
-woman obnoxious to him because of her frivolousness and moral laxity
-Beethoven sought to prevent by police methods and thereby only
-precipitated a marriage, had grown rich enough in the interim to buy
-some farm property near Gneixendorf and to make his winter residence
-in Vienna. There we find him in the spring of 1822 living in the house
-of his brother-in-law, a baker named Obermayer, at the intersection of
-Koth- and Pfarrgassen. Thenceforward for a number of years, because of
-his relationship to his famous brother, his idiosyncrasies, habits and
-public behavior (and to a smaller number, the conduct of his wife), he
-became a conspicuous and rather comical figure in Vienna. Gerhard von
-Breuning described him thus:[55]
-
- His hair was blackish-brown; hat well brushed; clothing clean
- but suggesting that of a man who wishes to be elegantly clad on
- Sundays; somewhat old-fashioned and uncouth, an effect which was
- caused by his bone-structure, which was angular and unlovely. His
- waist was rather small; no sign of embonpoint; shoulders broad; if
- my memory serves me rightly, his shoulders were a trifle uneven,
- or it may have been his angular figure which made him look
- unsymmetrical; his clothing generally consisted of a blue frockcoat
- with brass buttons, white necktie, light trousers (I think corn
- color), loose linen-thread gloves, the fingers too long so that
- they folded at the ends or stuck out loosely. His hands were broad
- and bony. He was not exactly tall of stature, but much taller than
- Ludwig. His nose was large and rather long, the position of his
- eyes, crooked, the effect being as if he squinted a little with one
- eye. The mouth was crooked, one corner drawn upwards giving him
- the expression of a mocking smile. In his garb he affected to be
- a well-to-do elegant, but the role did not suit his angular, bony
- figure. He did not in the least resemble his brother Ludwig.
-
-[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN]
-
-Breuning also says in his book "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," that
-he was sometimes seen driving in the Prater with two or four horses
-in an old-fashioned phaeton, either handling the reins himself or
-lolling carelessly in the seat with two gallooned servants on the box.
-Beethoven's friends used to ridicule his brother to his face. In a
-Conversation Book of 1822-23 Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes: "Everybody
-thinks him a fool; we call him only the Chevalier--all the world says
-of him that his only merit is that he bears your name." No doubt there
-was something, even a good deal, of the parvenu in Johann's character.
-He had neither the intellectual nor moral poise to fit him for the
-place which he thought he was entitled to fill by virtue of his wealth
-and his relationship to one of the most famous men of his age. Nor
-could he command respect from a social point of view. How far from
-above reproach his wife was, Beethoven showed by his unjustifiable
-conduct when he sought to have her ejected from Linz in order to
-separate her from his brother. That conduct Ludwig's letters, soon to
-be quoted, show had been condoned by him, but a memorandum found among
-Schindler's papers discloses that her conduct in Vienna was such that
-Beethoven again thought of invoking the police.[56]
-
-[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF THE OLDER BROTHER]
-
-That Johann van Beethoven was fond of money is indicated in his remarks
-in the Conversation Books, when his advice to his brother is always
-dictated by financial considerations and, no doubt, by the thoughts of
-profits in which he hoped to share. But what would you? For what other
-purposes had Beethoven asked him in to his councils? Surely not to get
-his views on the artistic value of his work. He defers in his letters
-to his brother's superior business sagacity--that is all. It does not
-anywhere appear that Johann ever attempted to overreach him or lead
-him to financial injury. No doubt Beethoven in his fits of anger said
-many things about him which put him in a bad light before his friends;
-but did he not do the same thing in their own cases? Did Schindler
-escape calumny? The better evidence is that offered by the letters
-which show that Beethoven had confidence in his brother's honesty and
-judgment, invited his help, and was solicitous lest he suffer loss
-from his efforts. If Johann lacked appreciation of his brother's real
-significance in art, he was proud of the world's appreciation of him,
-and if he could not have high regard for that high moral attitude in
-the matter which had brought condemnation on his sister-in-law and
-wife, he at least showed magnanimity in not trying to do his brother
-injury and being always ready to help him when he could. It is very
-likely that he was not at all musical and that his affectation of
-appreciation of his brother's works made him a fair subject for
-ridicule. But surely there was little moral obliquity in that. In a
-conversation in 1824 the nephew relates that his uncle had been present
-at a chamber concert. Beethoven wants to know what he was doing there,
-and the nephew replies: "He wants to acquire taste; he is continually
-crying _bravo_." So also Holz relates, in 1826, that Johann had
-certainly heard the Quartet in E-flat major ten times, yet when it was
-played in that year he said he was hearing it for the first time.[57]
-
-Beethoven needed Johann's help; he had a good opinion of his business
-ability, and it is possible that he had learned something of tolerance
-from the trials and tribulations which his quarrels with his other
-sister-in-law had brought him. It is certain that after a separation
-of nine years from his brother he was not merely desirous but eager
-for a perfect reconciliation and a closer union. Johann offers his
-help, but it is Beethoven who expresses the wish that the two may
-live together, it is Beethoven who asks his brother to come to him
-and help him negotiate the sale of his compositions. Johann no doubt
-conducted some negotiations without his brother's knowledge, but not
-without authority; and so far as the Mass is concerned it is put into
-the brother's hands only after Johann has lent Beethoven 200 florins
-and the Mass has been promised not only to Peters but to Simrock before
-him. No doubt Johann exceeded his authority; at least, something had
-come to the ears of Count Moritz Lichnowsky, probably from Beethoven
-himself, which made him say in the conversation already cited, "You
-ought to forbid him doing business or carrying on correspondence
-without your signature. Perhaps he has already closed a contract in
-your name"; but would it not have been better for Beethoven's present
-reputation for business honesty--if we must distinguish between the
-ethics of the counting-house and those of the rest of the world--if he
-had closed and kept the contracts which he had made when he called his
-brother to help him with his correspondence? Schindler accuses Johann
-of having persuaded Beethoven to take unfit lodgings; but Beethoven
-expressly exonerates him from blame. He reproaches Johann for not
-having provided his brother with money to pay his debts or offering his
-security for them; but Johann lent him 200 florins before he went to
-Baden and probably did not see why he should burden his own business
-enterprises in order to enable Beethoven to keep the bank shares intact
-for the nephew. He was willing to be helpful, however, and repeatedly
-offered his brother a house on his estate, and in 1824 tried to
-persuade him to take one rent free; but Beethoven's antipathy to his
-sister-in-law would not let him accept.
-
-Exactly when Beethoven went to Oberdoebling in the summer of 1822
-is not known, but he was there in July, and an endorsement on the
-Simrock letter of May 13 would seem to indicate that he was there in
-that month. His lodgings were in No. 135 Alleegasse. In the spring or
-early summer he writes to Johann begging him, instead of driving in
-the Prater, to come to him with his wife and step-daughter. His whole
-desire is for the good which would inevitably follow a union. He had
-made inquiries about lodgings and found that it would not be necessary
-to pay much more than at Oberdoebling, and that, without sacrifice of
-any pleasure, much money might be saved for both. He says:
-
- I have nothing against your wife; I only wish that she might
- realize how much you might benefit from being with me and that all
- the miserable trifles of this life ought to cause no disturbances.
-
- Peace, peace be with us. God grant that the most natural tie
- between brothers be not unnaturally broken. At the best my life
- may not be of long duration. I say again that I have nothing
- against your wife, although her behavior towards me has struck me
- as strange several times of late; besides, I have been ailing for
- three and a half months and extremely sensitive and irritable. But
- away with everything which does not _promote the object_, which is,
- that I and my good Karl lead a regular life which is so necessary
- to me.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN ASKS JOHANN'S HELP]
-
-Here there is no mention of business matters and hence it may be
-assumed that the letter dates from an early period in the reunion of
-the brothers. But business considerations prompt a letter of July 26 in
-which he tells Johann that his physician had ordered him to go to Baden
-to take thirty baths and that he would make the journey on August 6 or
-7. Meanwhile he would like to have his brother come to him and give him
-his help and then accompany him to Baden and remain there a week. He
-was engaged, he said, upon corrections of the Mass for which Peters was
-to give him 1000 florins. Peters had also agreed to take some smaller
-works and had sent 300 florins, but he had not yet accepted the money.
-Breitkopf and Haertel had also sent the Saxon _Charge d'Affaires_ to him
-to talk about new works and inquiries had come from Paris and Diabelli
-in Vienna. Publishers were now struggling for his works: "What an
-_unfortunate fortunate_ am I!!!--this Berliner has also turned up--if
-my health would return I might yet _feather my nest_ (_auf einen gruenen
-Zweig kommen_)."
-
- The Archduke-Cardinal is here. I go to him twice a week. Though
- there is nothing to be expected from him in the way of magnanimity
- or money, I am on such a good and confidential footing with him
- that it would be extremely painful not to show him some agreeable
- attention; moreover, I do not think that his apparent niggardliness
- is his fault.
-
-In the same letter he says he might have had the 1000 florins from
-Peters in advance but did not want to take them. He did not want to
-"expose" himself, and he therefore asked his brother for a loan,
-so that his trip to Baden might not be delayed. There was no risk
-involved, as he would return the 200 florins in September with thanks.
-"As a merchant you are a good counsellor," are some of his words. The
-Steiners are also crowding him into a corner and trying to force him
-into a written agreement to let them have all his compositions; but he
-had declared that he would not enter into such an arrangement until his
-account had been settled, and to that end he had proposed to them that
-they take two pieces which he had written for Hungary[58] and which
-might be looked upon as two little operas. They had before then taken
-four of the numbers. The debt to the Steiners amounted to 3000 florins,
-but they had in the "most abominable manner" charged interest, to which
-he would not consent. Part of the debt had been Karl's mother's[59]
-which he had assumed because he wanted to show himself as kindly
-disposed as possible, so that Karl's interests would not be endangered.
-Again he urges him to come to Baden and to put pantry and cellar in the
-best of condition against September, for presumably he and his little
-son would set up headquarters with him and had formed the noble resolve
-to eat him out of house and home.
-
-In this letter was enclosed a memorandum of the deposit of 300 florins
-(from Peters) to his credit at Maisl's; and another of no date, but
-evidently written at about the same time, stated that the money was
-at Maisl's but in case of need he would rather make a loan than draw
-it, "for the Mass will be ready on the 15th of next month." He went to
-Baden on September 1, but before then wrote again to Johann expressing
-a wish to see him so that the affair with Steiner might be settled, it
-being necessary to have the music to "The Ruins of Athens"[60] in print
-by the end of October, when the theatre for which it had been prepared
-would be opened. A week after his arrival in Baden, on September 8,
-he writes that he had been disturbed at the delay, partly because of
-his brother's ill health, partly because he had had no report on the
-commission undertaken with Steiner. Simrock had written again about the
-Mass, but had mentioned the old price; if he were written to, however,
-he thought he would increase it. Two singers had called on him that day
-and asked to kiss his hands, "but as they were very pretty I suggested
-that they kiss my lips." Another letter obviously written about the
-same time but a little later tells of his temporary apprehension lest
-his brother had fallen out with Steiner. He also suspected that his
-brother might be angered at his not having mentioned the loan. In
-this dilemma, fearful for the Mass, he had written to Simrock that he
-would let him have it for 1000 florins. "But as you write that you
-want the Mass I am agreed, but I do not want you to lose anything by
-it." Matters are not yet straightened out at Steiner's, as appears
-from a letter which he encloses. Meanwhile the Josephstadt Theatre
-has given him work to do which will be quite burdensome, in view of
-his cure, Staudenheimer having advised him to take baths of one and a
-half hour's duration. However, he already had written a chorus with
-dances and solo songs;[61] if his health allows, he will also write
-a new overture. On October 6, he addresses his brother in a jocular
-mood: "Best of little Brothers! Owner of all the lands in the Danube
-near Krems! Director of the entire Austrian Pharmacy!" The letter
-contains a proposition for Steiner concerning the Josephstadt Theatre
-music. Steiner has two numbers already and has advertised one of them;
-there are eight numbers left, including an overture. These Steiner can
-have at the following rates: the overture 30 (perhaps he could get 40
-ducats); four songs with instrumental accompaniment, 20 ducats each;
-two wholly instrumental numbers, 10 ducats each:--total, 140 ducats.
-If "King Stephen" is wanted there are twelve numbers of which four are
-to be reckoned at 20 ducats each, the others at 10 ducats and one at 5
-ducats--_summa summarum_ 155 ducats. "Concerning the new overture, you
-may say to them that the old one could not remain, because in Hungary
-the piece was given as a postlude, while here the theatre was opened
-with it.... Ponder the matter of the Mass well, because I must answer
-Simrock; unless you lose nothing, I beg of you not to undertake it."
-
-The story of the music composed and adapted for the Josephstadt Theatre
-will be told in the chronological narrative of incidents belonging
-to the year; as for the Mass let it be noted that after Johann had
-expressed a desire to take it in hand we hear nothing more of the
-correspondence with Peters for a long time. The autograph score was
-ready; Beethoven had it copied, but continued making alterations in it;
-not until the next year was it delivered into the hands of the Archduke
-and new efforts made towards its publication.
-
-At the beginning of 1822, Beethoven still lived at No. 244
-Hauptstrasse, Landstrasse, Vienna. The first significant happening
-to him in the new year was his election as honorary member of the
-Musik-Verein of Steiermark in Gratz, whose diploma, couched in the
-extravagantly sentimental verbiage of the day and country, bore date
-January 1. He noted the conclusion of the C minor Sonata (Op. 111)
-on the autograph manuscript on January 11. Bernhard Romberg, the
-violoncello virtuoso, was in Vienna in the beginning of the year,
-giving concerts with his daughter Bernhardine and a son of 11 years,
-who was also a budding virtuoso on his father's instrument. On February
-12, Beethoven writes to his old friend that if he was not present at
-the concert, it would be because he had been attacked with an earache,
-the pain of which would be aggravated even by the concert-giver's
-tones. He concluded the letter with the wish in addition "to the
-fullest tribute of applause, also the _metallic recognition_ which
-high art seldom receives in these days." If Hanslick is correct in his
-history of concert life in Vienna, Beethoven's wish was fulfilled:
-Romberg's earnings during the Vienna season amounted to 10,000 florins.
-
-[Sidenote: ADVICES FROM LONDON THROUGH NEATE]
-
-When Beethoven went to Oberdoebling he moved into the house Alleegasse
-135, but for the time being kept his lodgings in town. In Oberdoebling
-he began a treatment consisting of taking powders and drinking the
-waters. He worked on the Mass, the Ninth Symphony, and on smaller
-compositions from which he expected quicker returns. He was expected to
-visit Archduke Rudolph twice a week, but the attendance was irregular.
-Applications for his works came to him from other cities and Breitkopf
-and Haertel sent the Charge d'Affaires of the Saxon Legation to him
-with a letter regretting that the business connection which formerly
-existed had been discontinued and expressing a desire to renew it with
-an opera. The messenger was Greisinger, Haydn's first biographer, who
-had made Beethoven's acquaintance as a young man. He was musical, and
-Beethoven applied to him for advice the next year, when he sent an
-invitation to the Saxon Court for a subscription to the Mass in D. On
-September 2, Beethoven received a letter from Charles Neate, which
-was plainly an answer to an appeal which had been sent by Beethoven,
-concerning the publication in London of three quartets. Letters
-from Ries refer to the same quartets, which as yet existed only in
-Beethoven's intentions. Neate says that he had found it difficult
-to obtain subscriptions for the works. He thought, however, that he
-might still be able to raise L100, but could not get any money before
-the arrival of the works in London. There was also apprehension that
-the compositions would be copied in Vienna. Beethoven had referred
-to a quartet and possibly some successors in his correspondence with
-Peters, so that it is more than likely that a determination to return
-to the quartet field had been formed by Beethoven before the practical
-and material incentive came to him in the last month of the year from
-Prince Galitzin--the incentive to which we owe three of the last five
-Quartets.
-
-There must now be recorded some of the facts connected with the
-visit to Beethoven of a distinguished musical litterateur from
-Leipsic--Friedrich Rochlitz. Rochlitz arrived in Vienna on May 24
-and remained there till August 2. He wrote two letters about his
-experiences in the Austrian capital, one under date of June 28, the
-other of July 9. The latter contained his account of his meetings
-with Beethoven and is reprinted in Vol. IV of his "Fuer Freunde der
-Tonkunst." He had never seen Beethoven in the flesh and was eager for
-a meeting. A friend to whom he went (it is very obvious that it was
-Haslinger) told him that Beethoven was in the country and had grown
-so shy of human society that a visit to him might prove unavailing;
-but it was Beethoven's custom to come to Vienna every week and he was
-then as a rule affable and approachable. He advised Rochlitz to wait,
-and he did so until the following Saturday. The meeting was a pleasant
-one and enabled Rochlitz to study Beethoven's appearance and manner;
-but the interview was suddenly terminated by Beethoven in the midst
-of the visitor's confession of his own admiration and the enthusiasm
-which Beethoven's symphonies created in Leipsic. From the beginning
-Beethoven had listened, smiled and nodded, but after he had curtly
-excused himself on the score of an engagement and departed abruptly,
-Rochlitz learned that his auditor had not heard or understood a word
-of all that he had said. A fortnight later Rochlitz met Franz Schubert
-in the street, who told him that if he wanted to see Beethoven in
-an unconstrained and jovial mood he should go along with him to an
-eating-house where the great man dined. He went and found Beethoven
-sitting with a party of friends whom the chronicler did not know.
-Though he got a nod of recognition for his greeting he did not join
-the party but took a seat near enough to observe Beethoven and hear
-what he said, for he spoke in a loud voice. It was not a conversation
-so much as a monologue to which he listened. Beethoven talked almost
-incessantly; his companions laughed, smiled and nodded approval.
-
- He philosophised and politicised in his manner. He spoke of England
- and the English, whom he surrounded with incomparable glory--which
- sounded strange at times. Then he told many anecdotes of the French
- and the two occupations of Vienna. He was not amiably disposed
- towards them. He talked freely, without the least restraint,
- seasoning everything with highly original and naive opinions and
- comical conceits.
-
-[Sidenote: CONVERSATION WITH FRIEDRICH ROCHLITZ]
-
-After finishing his meal Beethoven approached Rochlitz and beckoned him
-into a little anteroom, where conversation was carried on with the help
-of a tablet which Beethoven produced. He began with praise of Leipsic
-and its music, especially the performances in church, concert-room and
-theatre; outside of these things he knows nothing of Leipsic, through
-which he passed as a youth on his way to Vienna. (No doubt it was the
-Berlin trip to which Beethoven referred, of which Rochlitz appears to
-be ignorant.) Praise of Leipsic was followed by violent condemnation
-of Vienna and its music.
-
- Of my works you hear nothing. Now--in summer.
-
- No; it's the same in winter. What is there for them to hear?
- "Fidelio"? they can't perform it and do not want to hear it. The
- symphonies? For these they have no time. The concertos? Everybody
- grinds out his own productions. The solos? They're out of fashion
- long ago--and fashion is everything. At the best, Schuppanzigh
- occasionally digs up a quartet, etc.
-
-Rochlitz is here probably helping out his memory by drawing a bit
-on his fancy; Schuppanzigh was at this time still in Russia, having
-started on a tour through Germany, Poland and Russia in 1815, from
-which he did not return till 1823. Rochlitz is interesting, but it is
-well to revise his utterances by occasional appeals to known facts. He
-goes on: Beethoven asked him if he lived in Weimar and Rochlitz shook
-his head. "Then you do not know the great Goethe?" Rochlitz nodded
-violently in affirmation that he did know the great Goethe. "I do, too;
-I got acquainted with him in Carlsbad--God knows how long ago!" (But it
-was not in Carlsbad that Beethoven met Goethe; it was in Teplitz and
-ten years "ago.") Beethoven continued: "I was not so deaf then as I am
-now, but hard of hearing. How patient the great man was with me!...
-How happy he made me then! I would have gone to my death for him; yes,
-ten times! It was while I was in the ardor of this enthusiasm that I
-thought out my music to his 'Egmont'--and it is a success, isn't it?" A
-success, surely; but Beethoven is not likely to have forgotten that the
-music to "Egmont" was two years old when he met Goethe. Rochlitz, it is
-to be feared, is indulging his imagination again; but he is probably
-correct on the whole. Let Beethoven proceed with his monologue:
-
- Since that summer I read Goethe every day, when I read at all. He
- has killed Klopstock for me. You are surprised? Now you smile? Aha!
- You smile that I should have read Klopstock! I gave myself up to
- him many years,--when I took my walks and at other times. Ah well!
- I didn't understand him always. He is so restless; and he always
- begins too far away, from on high down; always _Maestoso_, D-flat
- major! Isn't it so? But he's great, nevertheless, and uplifts the
- soul. When I did not understand I divined pretty nearly. But why
- should he always want to die? That will come soon enough. Well; at
- least he always sounds well, etc. But Goethe:--he lives and wants
- us all to live with him. That's the reason he can be composed.
- Nobody else can be so easily composed as he.
-
-Rochlitz had sought Beethoven with a commission from Haertel:--that he
-compose music for Goethe's "Faust" like that written for "Egmont." The
-psychological moment for broaching the subject was arrived and Rochlitz
-made the communication on the tablet.
-
- He read. "Ha!" he cried, and threw his hands high in the air. "That
- would be a piece of work! Something might come out of that!" He
- continued for a while in this manner, elaborating his ideas at once
- and with bowed head staring at the ceiling. "But," he continued,
- after a while, "I have been occupied for a considerable time with
- three other big works; much of them is already hatched out--i. e.,
- in my head. I must rid myself of them first; two large symphonies
- differing from each other, and an oratorio. They will take a long
- time; for, you see, for some time I can't bring myself to write
- easily. I sit and think, and think. The ideas are there, but they
- will not go down on the paper. I dread the beginning of great
- works; once begun, it's all right."
-
-Most of this is in harmony with what we know from other sources. We
-have seen how laboriously Beethoven developed the works of large
-dimensions in this period; we know that he had thought of "Faust" as a
-subject for composition as early as 1808[62] and that it pursued him
-in his last years. But Haertel's proposition sent through Greisinger
-in the same year was for an opera, and it seems likely that the
-"Faust" idea was independent of it and possibly an original conceit of
-Rochlitz's. Be that as it may, Rochlitz did make one proposition in
-which his interest was personal. After his return to Leipsic he wrote
-a letter to Haslinger on September 10, 1822, in which he expressed
-the wish that Beethoven would give a musical setting to his poem "Der
-erste Ton," and, if Schindler is correct, he suggested to Beethoven
-himself that he write music for his "Preis der Tonkunst." Nothing came
-of the suggestions, though it would appear that Rochlitz had discussed
-both poems with Beethoven. There was a third meeting at which the
-two, in company with another friend of Beethoven's (Rochlitz says it
-was Gebauer), made a promenade through a valley which lasted from ten
-o'clock in the forenoon till six o'clock in the evening. Beethoven
-enlivened the walk with conversation full of tirades against existing
-conditions, humorous anecdotes and drolleries. "In all seriousness,
-he seems amiable, or, if this word startle you, I say: The gloomy,
-unlicked bear is so winning and confiding, growls and shakes his hairy
-coat so harmlessly and curiously, that it is delightful, and one could
-not help liking him even if he were but a bear and had done nothing but
-what a bear can do."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S OPINION OF ROSSINI]
-
-The meeting between Rochlitz and Beethoven took place in Baden; but
-as we have seen, the latter did not begin his sojourn there until
-September 1, and Rochlitz's letter is dated July 9; so it would appear
-that Beethoven had come from Oberdoebling on a visit to Baden; Schindler
-says nothing to the contrary. Earlier in 1822 Beethoven received a
-visit from a man who lies considerably nearer the sympathies of the
-generation for which this book is written than Rochlitz. This man was
-Rossini. His operas had been on the current list in Vienna for several
-years, and with the coming of the composer in person, in the spring of
-1822, the enthusiasm for him and his music had grown into a fanatical
-adoration. Beethoven had seen the score of "Il Barbiere" and heard it
-sung by the best Italian singers of the period. Moreover, he had a
-high admiration for the Italian art of song and a very poor opinion of
-German singers. In Barbaja's troupe were Lablache, Rubini, Donzelli and
-Ambroggio, and the Demoiselles Sontag, Ungher, Lalande and Dardanelli.
-Rossini was on his wedding trip, having but recently married Colbran,
-and his elegant manners and brilliant conversation had made him the
-lion of aristocratic drawing-rooms in the Austrian capital. "Zelmira"
-had been written especially for the Vienna season, though it had been
-tried at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in the preceding December.
-It had its first performance at the Kaernthnerthor Theatre on April
-13.[63] Several of Beethoven's utterances concerning the musician,
-who no doubt did much to divert the taste of the masses away from the
-German master's compositions, have been preserved. Seyfried recorded
-that in answer to the question. "What is Rossini?" Beethoven replied,
-"A good scene-painter," and Seyfried also makes note of this utterance:
-"The Bohemians are born musicians; the Italians ought to take them as
-models. What have they to show for their famous conservatories? Behold
-their idol--Rossini! If Dame Fortune had not given him a pretty talent
-and pretty melodies by the bushel, what he learned at school would
-have brought him nothing but potatoes for his big belly!" Schindler
-says that after reading the score of "Il Barbiere" Beethoven said:
-"Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had frequently
-applied some blows _ad posteriora_." To Freudenberg at Baden in 1824
-he remarked: "Rossini is a talented and a melodious composer; his
-music suits the frivolous and sensuous spirit of the times, and his
-productivity is so great that he needs only as many weeks as the
-Germans need years to write an opera."
-
-The Rossini craze was no doubt largely responsible for some of
-Beethoven's outbreaks concerning the taste of the Viennese, but on
-the whole he does not seem seriously to have been disturbed by it.
-Schindler cites him as remarking on the change in the popular attitude:
-"Well, they can not rob me of my place in musical history." As for the
-Italian singers he thought so much of them that he told Caroline Ungher
-that he would write an Italian opera for Barbaja's company.
-
-As for Rossini, he had heard some of Beethoven's quartets played by
-Mayseder and his associates, and had enjoyed them enthusiastically. It
-was therefore natural enough that he should want to visit the composer.
-Schindler says that he went twice with Artaria to call upon him, after
-Artaria had each time asked permission, but that on both occasions
-Beethoven had asked to be excused from receiving him--a circumstance
-which had given rise to considerable comment in Vienna. The story
-is not true, but that it was current in Vienna four years afterward
-appears from an entry in a Conversation Book of August 1826 where
-somebody asks: "It is true, isn't it, that Rossini wanted to visit you
-and you refused to see him?" There is no written answer. We repeat:
-the story is not true, though both Nohl and Wasielewski accepted it
-without demur. Twice, at least, Rossini publicly denied it. In 1867 Dr.
-Eduard Hanslick visited him with two friends in Paris. Concerning the
-interview, Hanslick wrote:[64]
-
- Suddenly, as if he intentionally wanted to call attention to
- something loftier, he asked if the Mozart monument at Vienna
- was finished? And Beethoven's? We three Austrians looked rather
- embarrassed. "I remember Beethoven well," continued Rossini after
- a pause, "although it is nearly half a century ago. On my visit to
- Vienna I hastened to look him up."
-
- "And he did not receive you, as Schindler and other biographers
- assure us."
-
- "On the contrary," said Rossini, correcting me: "I had Carpani, the
- Italian poet with whom I had already called upon Salieri, introduce
- me, and he received me at once and very politely. True, the visit
- did not last very long, for conversation with Beethoven was nothing
- less than painful. His hearing was particularly bad on that day
- and in spite of my loudest shoutings he could not understand me;
- his little practice in Italian may have made conversation more
- difficult."
-
-This confirms what Rossini told Ferdinand Hiller in 1856:[65]
-
- During my sojourn in Vienna I had myself introduced to him by old
- Calpani [_sic_]; but between his deafness and my ignorance of
- German, conversation was impossible. But I am glad that I saw him,
- at least.
-
-[Sidenote: ALLEGED MEETING OF BEETHOVEN AND SCHUBERT]
-
-Quite as inaccurate is a statement of Schindler's touching a meeting
-between Schubert and Beethoven in this year. Schindler's story is to
-the effect that Schubert, accompanied by Diabelli, went to Beethoven
-and handed him the variations for pianoforte, four hands, which he had
-dedicated to him; but that Schubert was so overwhelmed at the majestic
-appearance of Beethoven that his courage oozed away and he was scarcely
-able to write the answers to the questions which were put to him.
-At length, when Beethoven pointed out a trifling error in harmony,
-remarking that it was "not a mortal sin," Schubert lost control of
-himself completely, regained his composure only after he had left the
-house, and never again had courage enough to appear in Beethoven's
-presence. As opposed to this, Heinrich von Kreissle, Schubert's
-biographer, adduces the testimony of Joseph Huettenbrenner, a close
-friend of Schubert's, who had it from the song composer himself that
-he had gone to Beethoven's house with the variations, but the great
-man was not at home and the variations were left with the servant.
-He had neither seen Beethoven nor spoken with him, but learned with
-delight afterwards that Beethoven had been pleased with the variations
-and often played them with his nephew Karl. Now, had Schindler been an
-eyewitness of the scene which he describes, he would have mentioned the
-fact; but he was not yet living with Beethoven.
-
-While in Baden, Beethoven began the work which was to call him
-back into public notice. This was the music for the opening of the
-Josephstadt Theatre, which the director of the theatre, Carl Friedrich
-Hensler, director also of the combined theatres of Pressburg and Baden,
-asked of him immediately after his arrival at the watering-place.
-Hensler (1761-1825) was a popular dramatist as well as manager and an
-old acquaintance of Beethoven's, by whom he was greatly respected.
-He had bought the privilege of the Josephstadt Theatre in Vienna.
-Carl Meisl, who was a Commissioner of the Royal Imperial Navy, had
-written two festival pieces for the opening, which had been set down
-for October 3, 1822, the name-day of the Emperor. The first piece was
-a paraphrase of Kotzebue's "Ruins of Athens," written for the opening
-of the theatre in Pesth in 1812, for which Beethoven had composed the
-music. Meisl took Kotzebue's text and made such alterations in it as
-were necessary to change "The Ruins of Athens" into "The Consecration
-of the House." Nottebohm's reprint in "Zweite Beethoveniana" (p. 385
-_et seq._) enables a comparison to be made with the piece as it left
-the hands of Meisl and the original. The new words did not always fit
-the music and caused Beethoven considerable concern. A choral dance:
-
- Wo sich die Pulse
- jugendlich jagen,
- Schwebet im Tanze
- das Leben dahin, etc.
-
-was introduced and to this Beethoven had to write new music, which
-he did in September. He also revised, altered and extended the march
-with chorus.[66] Beethoven wrote a new overture also, that known as
-"Consecration of the House," putting aside the overture to "The Ruins
-of Athens" because that play had served as a second piece, or epilogue,
-at Pesth. Schindler says he began work on this occasional music in
-July, after the last touches had been given to the Mass; but progress
-was not as rapid as was desirable because of the extreme hot weather.
-He also says it was in Baden and that he was there with him. The
-letters to Johann show, however, that Beethoven did not go to Baden
-till September 1, having before that been in Oberdoebling. But he wrote
-the new pieces in Baden. On a revised copy of the chorus "Wo sich die
-Pulse" Beethoven wrote: "Written towards the end of September, 1823,
-performed on October 3 at the Josephstadt Theatre." The 1823 should be
-1822, of course, but singularly enough the same blunder was made on a
-copy of the overture and another composition, the "Gratulatory Minuet,"
-which was written about the same time. The explanation is probably
-that offered by Nottebohm, viz.: that Beethoven dated the copies
-when he sent them to the Archduke. Beethoven's remark in a letter to
-Johann that he had finished the chorus with dances and would write the
-overture if his health allowed, also fixes the date of the composition
-of the overture in September. This Schindler, though in error about the
-work done in July, confirms in this anecdote about the origin of the
-overture:
-
- Meanwhile September was come. It was therefore time to go to work
- on the new overture, for the master had long ago seen that that
- to "The Ruins of Athens" was for obvious reasons unsuitable. One
- day, while I was walking with him and his nephew in the lovely
- Helenenthal near Baden, Beethoven told us to go on in advance and
- join him at an appointed place. It was not long before he overtook
- us, remarking that he had written down two motives for an overture.
- At the same time he expressed himself also as to the manner in
- which he purposed treating them--one in the free style and one
- in the strict, and, indeed, in Handel's. As well as his voice
- permitted he sang the two motives and then asked us which we liked
- the better. This shows the roseate mood into which for the moment
- he was thrown by the discovery of two gems for which, perhaps, he
- had been hunting a long time. The nephew decided in favor of both,
- while I expressed a desire to see the fugal theme worked out for
- the purpose mentioned. It is not to be understood that Beethoven
- wrote the overture "Zur Weihe des Hauses" as he did because I
- wanted it so, but because he had long cherished the plan to write
- an overture in the strict, expressly in the Handelian, style.
-
-The overture was written. "The newly organized orchestra of the
-Josephstadt Theatre did not receive it till the afternoon before the
-opening, and with innumerable mistakes in every part. The rehearsal
-which took place in the presence of an almost filled parterre, scarcely
-sufficed for the correction of the worst of the copyist's errors." The
-overture and chorus written for "The Consecration of the House" are
-"occasionals" and were conceived and wrought out in a remarkably short
-time for that period in Beethoven's activities. The first was offered
-for publication to Steiner and, with other pieces, to Diabelli. The
-negotiations failed and the overture finally appeared from the press of
-Schott in 1825, with a dedication to Prince Galitzin.
-
-[Sidenote: OPENING OF THE JOSEPHSTADT THEATRE]
-
-The performance of "The Consecration of the House" took place as
-projected, on October 3, the eve of the Emperor's name-day. All of
-the 400 reserved seats and 14 boxes had been sold several weeks
-before. Beethoven had reserved the direction for himself and sat at
-the pianoforte, the greater part of the orchestra within view, his
-left ear turned towards the stage. He was still able to hear a little
-with that ear, as we know from the fact related by Schindler, that he
-was fond of listening to Cherubini's overture to "Medea" played by a
-musical clock which stood in a restaurant adjoining the Josephstadt
-Theatre. Chapelmaster Franz Glaeser stood at his right, and Schindler,
-who had recently abandoned the law, led the first violins. At the
-dress rehearsal Fanny Heckermann sang timidly and dragged perceptibly
-in the duet. Beethoven observed this and called the singer to him,
-pointed out the places in which he wanted more animation, spoke some
-words of encouragement and advised her to follow the tenor, who was
-an experienced singer. He then had the number repeated and on its
-conclusion remarked: "Well done, this time, Fraeulein Heckermann!" The
-tenor was Michael Greiner, with whom Beethoven was acquainted, from
-Baden, and Fraeulein Kaiser sang the part of _Pallas_. The rehearsal
-and the performance demonstrated plainly, Schindler says, that under
-no circumstances was Beethoven able longer to conduct large bodies
-of performers. The representation, despite the enthusiasm of the
-performers, stimulated by Beethoven's encouraging speeches, was
-not a success. Beethoven would take none of the fault to himself,
-however, though his anxiety led him to hold back the music despite
-the exertions of his two leaders, whom he admonished against too much
-precipitancy, of which Schindler protests they were not guilty. There
-were demonstrations of enthusiasm at the close and Beethoven was led
-before the curtain by Director Hensler. The work was repeated on
-October 4, 5 and 6. Beethoven's friendly feeling for Hensler gave rise
-to a new orchestral composition a few weeks later. The members of the
-company paid a tribute to their director on his name-day, November 3.
-After a performance of Meisl's drama "1722, 1822, 1922," the audience
-having departed, the director was called to the festively decorated
-and illuminated stage, and surrounded by his company in gala dress.
-A poetical address was read to him by the stage-manager. After he
-had gone back to his lodgings, the orchestra and chorus serenaded
-him, the programme consisting of an overture to "The Prodigal Son" by
-Chapelmaster Drechsel, a concerto for flute by Chapelmaster Glaeser,
-and what Baeuerle's "Theaterzeitung" called "a glorious new symphony"
-composed for the occasion by Beethoven, the whole ending with the
-march and chorus from Mozart's "Titus." The "new symphony" was the
-"Gratulatory Minuet" of which mention has been made. Nothing is said
-in the accounts about Beethoven's presence at the serenade, and as
-"Fidelio" was performed that night at the Kaernthnerthor Theatre, his
-absence might easily be explained. On the next day[67] Hensler gave a
-dinner in the property-room of the theatre at 3 p.m. Beethoven, Glaeser,
-Baeuerle, Gleich, Meisl, Hopp and others were present. Beethoven had
-a seat directly under the musical clock. Glaeser told Reubl (Reichl?)
-who provided the entertainment to set the clock to the overture to
-"Fidelio" and then wrote to Beethoven to listen, as he would soon hear
-it. Beethoven listened and then said: "It plays it better than the
-orchestra in the Kaernthnerthor."
-
-The "Gratulatory Minuet" was offered to Peters in the letter of
-December 20. Beethoven was evidently eager to realize quickly on a work
-which had cost him but little labor--the product of a period in which
-his fancy seemed to have regained its old-time fecundity and he his
-old-time delight in work. He offered it elsewhere and gave a copy (the
-one that he misdated) to Archduke Rudolph for his collection. Artaria
-published it in 1835 under the title "Allegretto (Gratulations-Menuet)"
-with a dedication to Carl Holz. The title on the autograph reads:
-"Tempo di Minuetto quasi Allegretto." "Allegro non troppo" was
-originally written but was scratched out and "Gratulations-Menuet"
-written in its place.
-
-[Sidenote: UNABLE TO CONDUCT "FIDELIO"]
-
-Beethoven's absence from the complimentary function to Hensler in
-the theatre may be explained by the revival of "Fidelio" which took
-place on the same night, November 3, after an absence from the stage
-of three years (not eight, as Schindler says), though we do not know
-that he was present. It was a benefit performance for Wilhelmine
-Schroeder, then 17 years old, afterwards the famous dramatic singer
-Madame Schroeder-Devrient. Haitzinger sang _Florestan_, Zeltner _Rocco_,
-Forti _Pizarro_. Rauscher _Jaquino_, Nestroy _the Minister_, Fraeulein
-Demmer _Marcelline_ and Fraeulein Schroeder _Leonore_. Schindler tells
-a pathetic tale concerning the dress rehearsal. Together with his
-friends, mindful of the happenings in the Hall of the University
-in 1819 and in the Josephstadt Theatre only a short time before,
-Schindler advised Beethoven not to attempt to conduct the performance.
-He hesitated for a few days, then announced his intention to direct
-with the help of Umlauf. Schindler escorted him to the rehearsal. The
-overture went well, the orchestra being well trained in it, but at the
-first duet it became painfully manifest that Beethoven heard nothing
-of what was going on on the stage. He slackened his beat and the
-orchestra obeyed; the singers urged the movement onward. Umlauf stopped
-the performance at the rappings on the jailor's lodge-gate but gave no
-reason to Beethoven. At the same place on the repetition there was the
-same confusion. Let Schindler continue the narrative, the correctness
-of which there seems to be no reason to question:
-
- The impossibility of going ahead with the author of the work
- was evident. But how, in what manner inform him of the fact?
- Neither Duport, the director, nor Umlauf was willing to speak
- the saddening words: "It will not do; go away, you unhappy man!"
- Beethoven, already uneasy in his seat, turned now to the right
- now to the left, scrutinizing the faces to learn the cause of the
- interruption. Everywhere silence. I had approached near him in
- the orchestra. He banded me his note-book with an indication that
- I write what the trouble was. Hastily I wrote in effect: "Please
- do not go on; more at home." With a bound he was in the parterre
- and said merely: "Out, quick!" Without stopping he ran towards his
- lodgings, Pfarrgasse, Vorstadt Leimgrube. Inside he threw himself
- on the sofa, covered his face with his hands and remained in this
- attitude till we sat down to eat. During the meal not a word
- came from his lips; he was a picture of profound melancholy and
- depression. When I tried to go away after the meal he begged me not
- to leave him until it was time to go to the theatre. At parting he
- asked me to go with him next day to his physician, Dr. Smetana,
- who had gained some repute as an aurist.
-
-Some details of the representation may be learned from the account in
-the "Theaterzeitung" of November 9. The day was the name-day of the
-Empress; the square about the Opera-house was illuminated; the national
-hymn, "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser," was sung; the overture received
-such applause that it had to be repeated; the great duet and the canon
-quartet also, and the soprano and tenor were recalled at the end of the
-opera. Was Beethoven present? The question cannot be answered. Alfred
-von Wolzogen in his biography of Wilhelmine Schroeder-Devrient quotes
-from Claire von Gluemer, who had access to the singer's notes, in his
-account of the affair. The incident of the rehearsal is told with a
-variation which strengthens Schindler's narrative. At the performance,
-Claire von Gluemer says, Beethoven sat behind the chapelmaster in the
-orchestra so deeply wrapped in his cloak that only his gleaming eyes
-were visible. The youthful prima donna was unspeakably alarmed, but
-scarcely had she uttered her first words than she felt her whole body
-infused with marvellous power. Beethoven--the public--everything
-vanished from view. She forgot that she had studied the role--she was
-transformed into _Leonore_--she lived, she suffered the part, scene
-after scene. Beethoven, the story proceeds, though he had heard not a
-word but had observed the soul of her singing in her transfigured face,
-had recognized his _Leonore_ in her.
-
- After the performance he went to her; his usually threatening
- eyes smiled upon her, he patted her cheeks, thanked her for her
- _Fidelio_ and promised to compose a new opera for her--a promise
- which, unfortunately was never fulfilled. Wilhelmine never met the
- master again, but of all the evidences of homage paid to the famous
- woman in later years her most precious recollection were the words
- of appreciation which Beethoven spoke to her.
-
-The tale is amiable, and plausible enough; standing alone there
-would seem to be no ground for doubting its correctness. But there
-are circumstances which give our credence pause. Schindler, who was
-Beethoven's constant companion in those days, who presents the story
-of the rehearsal so convincingly, and who waited until it was time
-to go to the theatre, says not a word about Beethoven's presence at
-the representation. Would he, after suffering such a heartbreaking
-humiliation at the rehearsal, have gone to the theatre and taken a
-conspicuous place in the orchestra? It does not seem likely. Moreover,
-in a letter published in the "Neue Berliner Musikzeitung" of July 30,
-1851, Schindler, discussing an impersonation of _Fidelio_ by Frau
-Koester-Schlegel in Frankfort, says: "It may be remarked in passing
-that Beethoven never saw Schroeder-Devrient as _Fidelio_, but was
-dissatisfied with her conception of the character as he had learned
-to know it from the public prints and oral communications. His ideal
-was not an operatic heroine, etc." This would seem to be conclusive,
-were there not evidence that Schindler's memory had played him false
-again. "Fidelio" was repeated on November 4, and also on November
-26 and December 17, 1822, and March 3 and 18, 1823, and Baeuerle's
-"Theaterzeitung" distinctly states that "Beethoven attended the second
-performance, sitting in a box in the first tier." Moreover, Louis
-Schloesser, who was at this performance, adds confirmation by telling
-how he saw Beethoven leaving the theatre in the company of Schindler
-and von Breuning. Beethoven may not have been able to form an opinion
-of a performance which he could not hear, but the testimony of
-Schindler that he never saw Schroeder-Devrient in the role of _Fidelio_
-is greatly weakened by this proved fact. But would he have made such a
-statement if Beethoven had been present at the first performance and
-paid so spectacular a tribute to the singer? It is easier to imagine
-that Schindler's memory was treacherous concerning a later performance.
-At best, the evidence is inconclusive, because contradictory. In
-March, 1823, Chapelmaster Reuling remarks in a Conversation Book: "I
-saw you in the theatre at the first performance of 'Fidelio'." Did
-he mean the first performance in November, 1822, or the first of the
-two performances in the month in which he was writing--March, 1823?
-Schroeder-Devrient in her prime is reputed to have been the greatest of
-all _Fidelios_; but she did not reach her full artistic stature until
-after Beethoven's death.
-
-[Sidenote: TREATMENT FOR DEAFNESS RESUMED]
-
-Following Schindler's narrative we learn that Beethoven's woeful
-experience at the rehearsal led to a resolution on his part to make
-another effort to be healed of his deafness. He went to Dr. Smetana,
-who prescribed medicaments to be taken inwardly, thereby indicating,
-as Schindler asserts, that he had no expectation of effecting a cure,
-but wanted only to occupy Beethoven's mind, knowing what to expect
-from so impatient, wilful and absent-minded a patient; for Beethoven
-was as unready to follow a physician's advice as a musician's, and was
-more likely to injure himself with overdoses of drugs than to invite
-the benefit which the practitioner hoped for by obedience to the
-prescription. The usual thing happened; not only with Dr. Smetana's
-treatment, but also with that of the priest, Pater Weiss, whom he had
-consulted some 18 years before and to whom he now returned. For a
-while he thought that the oil which the priest dropped into his ears
-was beneficial, and Pater Weiss himself expressed the belief that
-the left ear, at least, might permanently be helped; but Beethoven
-grew skeptical, as he always did unless he experienced immediate
-relief, his work monopolized his attention, and despite the priest's
-solicitations he abandoned the treatment and yielded himself to his
-fate. Thenceforward no one heard him lament because of his deafness.
-
-The compositions which were in Beethoven's hands at the close of the
-year were those which had occupied him in the earlier months. The Mass,
-several times completed but never complete so long as it was within
-reach, received what must now be looked upon as its finishing touches;
-progress was made on the Ninth Symphony and thought given to a quartet,
-perhaps several quartets. The Bagatelles for Pianoforte grouped under
-Op. 119, some of which had been published a year before (Nos. 7-11),
-were finished; Nos. 1 to 6 were ready for the publisher by the end of
-1822--the autograph manuscript bearing the inscription "Kleinigkeiten,
-1822 Novemb." Nottebohm thinks that Nos. 2 to 5 were conceived between
-1800 and 1804; a sketch for No. 5 (C minor, _Risoluto_) is found among
-sketches made in 1802 for the Sonata in C minor Op. 30; Lenz says
-sketches for No. 3 (in D, _a l'Allemande_) are among sketches for the
-last movement of the "Eroica" Symphony; No. 6 (G major) is sketched on
-a sheet containing experimental studies for a passage in the _Credo_ of
-the Mass; sketches for Nos. 2 and 4 are among suggestions of a melody
-for Goethe's "Erlkoenig," indicating an early period which cannot be
-determined. Of Nos. 7-11, enough has been said in a previous chapter.
-The piece published as No. 12 and added to the set by Diabelli after
-Beethoven's death was originally a song with pianoforte accompaniment
-and had its origin in 1800 at the latest. Whether or not Beethoven made
-the pianoforte piece out of the projected song, on which point nothing
-of significance can be said, it is certain that it does not belong to
-the set, which consists of 11 numbers only in the old editions and in
-the manuscripts of the Rudolphinian Collection.
-
-Beethoven offered a number of Bagatelles to Peters--at first four,
-then a larger number; he sent six to the publisher on February 15,
-1823. Peters returned them--Beethoven receiving them on March 19--with
-the remark that they were not worth the price asked for them and
-that Beethoven ought to consider it beneath his dignity to waste his
-time on such trifles; anybody could write them. Schindler says that
-Peters's action aggrieved Beethoven, which is easily believed; but
-Schindler confounded the Bagatelles Op. 119 with the set, Op. 126,
-works of distinctly a higher order which were not composed at the time.
-On February 25, 1823, Beethoven sent 11 Bagatelles to Ries in London
-with instructions to sell them as best he could. Naturally, Op. 119 is
-meant. On May 7, 1823, six were offered to Lissner in St. Petersburg.
-Schlesinger published the set in Paris at the end of 1823, as Op. 112,
-and Sauer and Leidesdorf issued them almost simultaneously in Vienna
-with the same opus number. The number 119 appears to have been assigned
-to the set after an agreement had been reached with Steiner concerning
-the works now numbered 112 to 118. The last known song by Beethoven,
-"Der Kuss," was finished at this time, though written down practically
-as we know it in 1798. Sketches involving the few changes made are
-found among some for the overture "The Consecration of the House"
-and the Ninth Symphony. The autograph is dated "December, 1822." It
-was sent to Peters, who did not print it; in 1825 it was sent to the
-Schotts, numbered 128, and they published it.
-
-[Sidenote: GALITZIN AND AN ORATORIO FOR BOSTON]
-
-In the last weeks of the year a connection was established which
-was destined to be of great influence in Beethoven's final creative
-activities. Prince Nicolas Boris Galitzin, born in 1795, who as a young
-man had taken part in the Napoleonic wars, was an influential factor
-in the musical life of St. Petersburg. He played the violoncello, and
-his wife (_nee_ Princess Saltykow) was an admirable pianist. Prince
-Galitzin was an ardent admirer of Beethoven's music and had arranged
-some of the works written for the pianoforte for strings. Whether
-or not he had made the personal acquaintance of Beethoven has not
-been established, but wanting to have as his private property some
-composition by the master whom he revered, he addressed a letter to
-Beethoven on November 9, 1822, saying that as a passionate amateur of
-music and an admirer of the master's talent he asked him to compose for
-him one, two or three string quartets, for which he would be pleased
-to pay any sum demanded and that he would accept the dedication of the
-works with gratitude. Beethoven's answer, dated January 25, 1823, has
-not been found but it is known that he accepted the commission and
-fixed the honorarium at 50 ducats each. This is the prologue to the
-story of the last Quartets.
-
-In Charles C. Perkins's "History of the Handel and Haydn Society, of
-Boston," Vol. I, p. 87, the author writes: "The most interesting matter
-connected with the history of the society in the year 1823 ... is the
-fact that Beethoven was commissioned to write an oratorio for it."
-The date is obviously wrong; it should be 1822, for in a letter dated
-December 20, 1822, as will appear in the next chapter of this work,
-Beethoven tells Ries that he has received requests from all parts of
-Europe "and even from North America." The historian of the Boston
-Society adds:
-
- That the commission was given is certain, but as it is not
- mentioned in the records, Mr. A. W. Thayer is probably right in
- thinking that it was given unofficially by Richardson and two or
- three other members. In October 1854 Mr. Thayer wrote a letter to
- Mr. J. S. Dwight, the well-known editor of the "Musical Journal,"
- to say that he had questioned Schindler, Beethoven's biographer,
- on the subject and had learned from him that in 1823 a Boston
- banker, whose name was unknown to him, having occasion to write
- to Geymueller, a Viennese banker, had sent an order to the great
- musician to compose an oratorio for somebody or some society in
- Boston and it was forwarded to its destination.... Wishing to know
- the truth about the matter I wrote to Mr. Thayer, then, as now, U.
- S. Consul at Trieste, for information, and in reply learned that in
- one of Beethoven's note books he had found this passage: "Buehler
- writes: 'The oratorio for Boston?' (Beethoven) 'I cannot write what
- I should like best to write, but that which the pressing need of
- money obliges me to write. This is not saying that I write only for
- money. When this period is past I hope to write what for me and for
- art is above all--Faust.'"
-
-The passages cited are from a Conversation Book used in the early
-days of April, 1823. In the fall of that year, on November 5, the
-"Morgenblatt fuer Gebildete Leser" closed an article on Beethoven with
-the words: "A symphony, quartets, a Biblical oratorio, sent to him in
-English by the consul of the United States, observe the United States,
-and possibly one of Grillparzer's poems, may be expected."
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[42] For this arraignment and defence (if defence it be) of Beethoven
-the present Editor wishes to assume entire responsibility. Thayer's
-notes fail him here, but the indictment, he is convinced, is not only
-demanded by historical truth but also wholly within the spirit of
-Thayer as manifested in the earlier volumes of this work. Dr. Deiters
-makes no effort to conceal the facts, though he does not marshal them
-so as to present the moral delinquency in the strong light in which
-it appears when Beethoven's words and deeds are brought sharply into
-juxtaposition; nevertheless, after presenting a plea in extenuation
-fully and fairly, he says: "We pay the tribute of our profoundest
-sympathy for Beethoven under these circumstances; we know sufficiently
-well the noble impulses of his soul in all other fields; we are aware
-of the reasons which compelled him to try everything which promised
-to better his condition; but the conscientious reporter cannot ignore
-facts which lie notoriously before him, and, hard as it may be, can not
-acquit Beethoven of the reproach that his conduct was not in harmony
-with the principles of strict justice and uprightness."
-
-[43] This has been made possible for the editor by the courtesy of
-the present representatives of the venerable house in Bonn, viz.:
-N. Simrock G. m. b. H. in Berlin, who in 1909 issued a handsome
-book containing all the letters which passed between N. Simrock and
-Beethoven in a period beginning in 1794 and ending in 1823. Nicolaus
-Simrock, the reader may be reminded, was a friend of Beethoven in his
-childhood and a colleague in the orchestra at Bonn.
-
-[44] Youthful works.
-
-[45] Probably "Primo amore," though it has orchestral accompaniment.
-
-[46] Composed in 1814 in memory of Baroness Pasqualati.
-
-[47] The Romances for Violin Op. 40 and 50 having been published long
-before, Beethoven must have had another one in mind.
-
-[48] The Trio for wind-instruments, Op. 87, already in print. Beethoven
-had composed variations on "La ci darem" from "Don Giovanni" for
-the same instruments and the composition was called a Terzetto when
-performed in 1797. This was probably in his mind.
-
-[49] The last three sonatas as we know them being out of the question,
-Beethoven must have thought himself in readiness to write another if it
-was desired; there was no lack of material in his sketchbooks.
-
-[50] Degen was a popular aeronaut who had long before excited the
-interest of Beethoven.
-
-[51] Evidences of the second mass may be found in Nottebohm's "Zweit.
-Beeth.," pages 152 and 541-543.
-
-[52] Beethoven indulges in his propensity for puns: "Waere mein Gehalt
-nicht ganz ohne Gehalt."
-
-[53] A composition written for a serenade given to Hensler, Director of
-the Josephstaedter Theatre, as will appear later.
-
-[54] Nottebohm says that the three songs were "Opferlied," "Bundeslied"
-and "Der Kuss." Peters published none of them. The first appeared as
-Op. 121, the second as Op. 122, the third as Op. 128, published by
-Schott and Sons in 1825. This was the firm which eventually got the
-Mass in D.
-
-[55] In a note to Thayer.
-
-[56] No. 34 in Portfolio I of the Schindler papers in Berlin is a note
-as follows: "Mr. v. Schindler of course must not be mentioned in the
-presence (or by) the two persons, but I, certainly." To this Schindler
-attached the following explanation: "The above lines were addressed to
-Police Commissioner Ungermann as an appendix to a detailed report to
-him. The commissioner was requested by official or other means to help
-him induce his brother to watch over the moral conduct of his wife, or
-to have it overseen by others, since her excesses had reached a pass
-which already subjected her and her husband to public censure. But the
-efforts of Beethoven and the public official were fruitless because his
-brother could not be persuaded to take energetic action. The excesses
-of the licentious woman grew greater from year to year until they led,
-in 1823, to open scandal in the barracks where Madame van Beethoven had
-visited her lovers (officers), with whom she was seen on the public
-promenades. Then our Beethoven took energetic steps with his brother,
-trying to persuade him to divorce his vicious wife, but made shipwreck
-on the indolence of this man, who was himself morally depraved."
-
-[57] Here, as in a former case, the editor of this English edition is
-seeking to reproduce the spirit of Thayer, who was so eager to undo
-some of the injustice which had been visited upon Beethoven's brothers
-Karl and Johann that he undertook their defense in a brochure entitled
-"Ein kritischer Beitrag zur Beethovenliteratur," published in Berlin in
-1877. He also spoke with emphasis on the subject in a review of Nohl's
-biography of Beethoven which he contributed to the "New York Tribune"
-in the spring of 1881.
-
-[58] "King Stephen" and "The Ruins of Athens."
-
-[59] 300 florins.
-
-[60] Which he had adapted to "Die Weihe des Hauses."
-
-[61] "Wo sich die Pulse," which Beethoven inscribed as having been
-written "Towards the end of September."
-
-[62] Nohl, II, 50.
-
-[63] Archduke Rudolph wrote variations on one of the melodies from the
-opera, which Beethoven corrected.
-
-[64] In an article in the "Neue Freie Presse" of July 21, 1867,
-reprinted in "Aus dem Concertsaal," page 594.
-
-[65] "Aus dem Tonleben, etc.," II, 49.
-
-[66] Published as Op. 114, and designated as "new" by Beethoven, though
-not a measure had been added, but only a few lines of text, and the
-choral music simplified. Steiner published pianoforte arrangements for
-two and four hands in 1822, and the score in 1824.
-
-[67] This anecdote was told to Thayer on October 28, 1859 by an old
-actor named Hopp who was present on the occasion.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter IV
-
- The Solemn Mass in D--A Royal Subscription--More Negotiations with
- England--Opera Projects--Grillparzer's "Melusine"--The Diabelli
- Variations--Summer Visitors--An Englishman's Account--Weber and
- Julius Benedict--Ries and the Ninth Symphony--Franz Liszt and
- Beethoven's Kiss--The Year 1823.
-
-
-When the year 1823 opens, the Mass in D is supposedly finished and
-negotiations for its publication have been carried on in a manner the
-contemplation of which must affect even the casual reader grievously.
-The work had been originally intended for the functions attending the
-installation of Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmuetz--not merely
-as a personal tribute to the imperial, archepiscopal pupil, but for
-actual performance at the ceremony of inthronization--a fact which
-ought to be borne in mind during its study, for it throws light upon
-Beethoven's attitude towards the Catholic Church (at least so far as
-that church's rubrics are concerned) as well as towards religion in
-general and art as its handmaiden and mistress. Archduke Rudolph had
-been chosen Cardinal on April 24, 1819, and Archbishop on June 4 of
-the same year; he was installed as head of the see of Olmuetz on March
-20, 1820; but the fact of his selection for the dignities was known in
-Vienna amongst his friends as early as the middle of 1818. When the
-story of the year 1823 opens, therefore, Beethoven's plan is nearly
-five years old and Archduke Rudolph has been archbishop nearly a year.
-We first hear of the Mass this year in a letter dated February 27, when
-Beethoven apologizes to his august pupil for not having waited upon
-him. He had delayed his visit, he said, because he wanted to send him a
-copy of the Mass; but this had been held back by corrections and other
-circumstances. Accompanying the letter were the copies of the overture
-to "The Consecration of the House" and the "Gratulatory Minuet."
-Finally, on March 19, 1823, on the very eve of the first anniversary of
-the installation, Beethoven placed a manuscript copy of the Mass in
-the Archduke's hands. In the catalogue of the Rudolphinian Collection,
-now preserved by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, it is
-entered thus: "_Missa Solemnis_. Partitur. MS. This beautifully written
-MS. was delivered by the composer himself on March 19, 1823."
-
-The plan to write the Mass for the installation ceremonies seems to
-have been original with Beethoven; it was not suggested by the Archduke
-or any of his friends, so far as has ever been learned. He began work
-upon it at once, for Schindler says he saw the beginning of the score
-in the fall of 1818. Nottebohm's study of all the sketches which
-have been discovered (save a number now preserved in the Beethoven
-House in Bonn which do not add materially to our knowledge) led him
-to conclusions which may be summed up as follows: The movements were
-taken up in the order in which the various portions of the text appear
-in the Roman missal, but work was prosecuted on several movements
-simultaneously. The _Kyrie_ was begun at the earliest in the middle
-of 1818, i. e., shortly after the fact of the Archduke's appointment
-became known; the _Gloria_ was completely sketched by the end of 1819,
-the _Credo_ in 1820; the entire Mass was complete in sketch-form in
-the beginning of 1822. While sketching the Mass Beethoven composed the
-Pianoforte Sonatas, Op. 109, 110 and 111, the Variations, Op. 107, No.
-8, and several other small pieces, including the canons "O, Tobias,"
-"Gehabt euch wohl," "Tugend ist kein leerer Name," and "Gedenkt heute
-an Baden." But with the elaboration of the sketches the Mass was not
-really finished, for subsequently Beethoven undertook many changes.
-The _Allegro molto_ which enters in the _Credo_ at the words _et
-ascendit_ is shorter in the autograph than in the printed edition. At
-the entrance of the words _et iterum_ and _cujus regni_ the autograph
-is in each case two measures shorter than in the printed score. In the
-autograph, and also in the copy which Beethoven gave to the Archduke,
-the trombones do not enter till the words _judicare vivos et mortuos_.
-There are no trombones in the _Gloria_. The trombone passage which
-now appears just before the entrance of the chorus on _judicare_ was
-formerly set for the horns. After the words _et mortuos_ the trombones
-are silent till the end of the _Credo_ in the autograph; they enter
-again in the beginning of the _Sanctus_, but are silent at the next
-_Allegro_. They occur in the _Benedictus_, but are wanting in the
-_Agnus Dei_. From the nature of these supplementary alterations it is
-to be concluded that considerable time must have elapsed before they
-could all be made and the Mass be given the shape in which we know it.
-Holding to the date on which the copy was delivered to the Archduke
-(March 19, 1823), the earliest date at which the Mass can have received
-its definitive shape must be set down as the middle of 1823. Beethoven,
-therefore, devoted about five years to its composition. He made so many
-changes in the tympani part of the _Agnus Dei_ that he wore a hole in
-the very thick paper, his aim being, apparently, by means of a vague
-rhythm to suggest the distance of the disturbers of the peace. That
-he was sincere in his purpose to provide a mass for the installation
-ceremonies is to be found, outside of Schindler's statement, in a
-letter to the Archduke written in 1819, in which he says:
-
- The day on which a high mass of my composition is performed at the
- ceremony for Y. I. H. will be to me the most beautiful in my life
- and God will enlighten me so that my poor powers may contribute to
- the glory of this solemn day.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND RELIGION]
-
-Something was said, in the conclusion of the chapter of this biography
-devoted to a review of the incidents of the years 1807 to 1809,
-concerning the views Beethoven entertained on the subject of religion
-and dogmatic and sectarian Christianity. His attitude towards the Roman
-Catholic Church becomes an almost necessary subject of contemplation in
-a study of the Solemn Mass in D; but it is one into which the personal
-equation of the student must perforce largely enter. The obedient
-churchman of a Roman Catholic country will attach both less and more
-importance, than one brought up in a Protestant land, to the fact that
-he admonished his nephew when a lad to say his prayers and said them
-with him (as the boy testified in the guardianship proceedings), that
-he himself at least once led him to the door of the confessional,[68]
-that he consented to the summoning of a priest when _in extremis_
-and that he seemed to derive comfort and edification from the sacred
-function. It is not necessary, however, to go very deeply into a
-critical study of the Mass in order to say that while the composition
-shows respect for traditions in some portions and while it is possible
-to become eloquent without going beyond the demonstration contained
-in the music itself, in describing the overwhelming puissance of
-his proclamation of the fatherhood of God and belief in Him as the
-Creator of all things visible and invisible, the most obvious fact
-which confronts the analytical student is that Beethoven approached
-the missal text chiefly with the imagination and the emotions of an
-artist, and that its poetical, not to say dramatic elements were those
-which he was most eager to delineate.[69] One proof of this is found in
-what may be called the technical history of the Mass, and is therefore
-pertinent here. It was scarcely necessary for Beethoven to do so, but
-he has nevertheless given us an explanation of his singular treatment
-of the prayer for peace. Among the sketches for the movement is found
-the remark: "_dona nobis pacem_ darstellend den _innern_ und aeussern
-Frieden" ("delineating internal and external peace"), and in agreement
-with this he superscribes the first _Allegro vivace_ in the autograph
-with the same words. In the later copy this phrase is changed to
-"Prayer for internal and external peace," thus showing an appreciation
-of the fact that the words alone contain the allusion to peace which in
-its external aspect is disturbed by the sounds of war suggested by the
-instruments. The petition for peace is emphasized by the threatening
-tones of military instruments accompanying the agonizing appeal for
-mercy sent up by the voices. The device is purely dramatic and it was
-not an entirely novel conceit of Beethoven's. When the French invaded
-Styria in 1796, Haydn wrote a mass "In tempore belli" in which a soft
-drum-roll entered immediately after the words "Agnus Dei" and was
-gradually reinforced by trumpets and other wind-instruments "as if the
-enemy were heard approaching in the distance."
-
-Whence came the plan of postponing the publication of the mass for
-a period in order to sell manuscript copies of it by subscription
-to the sovereigns of Europe does not appear. Beethoven had it under
-consideration at the beginning of 1823, for the year was only a week
-old when he sent his brother Johann with a letter to Griesinger of the
-Saxon Legation asking him to give advice on the subject to the bearer
-of the letter, apologizing for not coming in person on the ground
-of indisposition. Whether or not Griesinger came to his assistance
-we do not know, but within a fortnight work on the project had been
-energetically begun. Schindler was now called upon to write, fetch
-and carry as steadily and industriously as if he were, in fact, what
-he described himself to be--a private secretary. Among his papers in
-Berlin are found many billets and loose memoranda bearing on the
-subject, without date, but grouped as to periods by Schindler himself
-and provided with occasional glosses touching their contents. Beethoven
-took so much of his time in requisition, indeed, that he offered to
-pay him 50 florins after the collection of one of the subscription
-fees, but Schindler records that he never received them nor would he
-have accepted them. He was, as he informed the world for many years
-afterward on his visiting card, "L'Ami de Beethoven," and his very
-considerable and entirely unselfish labors were "works of friendship"
-for which he wanted no remuneration; but he was very naturally rejoiced
-when Beethoven presented him with several autograph scores, and we
-have seen how, after the death of Beethoven, Breuning gave him many
-papers which seemed valueless then but are looked upon as invaluable
-now. Moreover, he disposed of his Beethoven _memorabilia_ to the
-Royal Library of Berlin for an annuity of 400 thalers--all of which,
-however, does not detract from the disinterestedness of his labors for
-Beethoven, alive, suffering and so frequently helpless.
-
-[Sidenote: ROYAL SUBSCRIPTIONS INVITED]
-
-The invitations to the courts were issued in part before the end of
-January. A letter to Schindler, evidently written in that month, asks
-him to draw out a memorandum of courts from an almanac in which the
-foreign embassies stationed at Vienna were listed. The invitations were
-posted on the following dates: to the courts at Baden, Wurtemburg,
-Bavaria and Saxony on January 23; "to the other ambassadors" (as
-Beethoven notes) on January 26; to Weimar on February 4; to Mecklenburg
-and Hesse-Darmstadt on February 5; to Berlin, Copenhagen, Hesse-Cassel
-and Nassau on February 6; to Tuscany on February 17, and to Paris on
-March 1. The invitation to the court at Hesse-Cassel had been written
-on January 23, but it was not sent because, as Schindler says, "it had
-been found that nothing was to be got from the little courts." The
-letter came back to Beethoven and its preservation puts in our hands
-the formula which, no doubt was followed in all the formal addresses.
-We therefore give it here:
-
- The undersigned cherishes the wish to send his latest work, which
- he regards as the most successful of his intellectual products, to
- the Most Exalted Court of Cassel.
-
- It is a grand solemn mass for 4 solo voices with choruses and
- complete grand orchestra in score, which can also be used as a
- grand oratorio.
-
- He therefore begs the High Embassy of His Royal Highness, the
- Elector of Hesse-Cassel, to be pleased to procure for him the
- necessary permission of your Exalted Court.
-
- Inasmuch, however, as the copying of the score will entail a
- considerable expense the author does not think it excessive if he
- fixes an honorarium at 50 ducats in gold. The work in question,
- moreover, will not be published for the present.
-
- Vienna, 23 January, 1823.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-Only the signature was in Beethoven's handwriting. It is not known
-how many of these invitations were issued; Schindler's account goes
-only to the subscriptions received and even here it is not entirely
-accurate. There were ten acceptances. The first came from the King of
-Prussia. Prince Hatzfeld acted in the matter for Berlin and Beethoven
-also invoked the aid of Zelter. Court Councillor Wernhard, Director
-of the Chancellary of the Embassy at Vienna, brought the report to
-Beethoven and asked him if he would not prefer a royal order to the 50
-ducats. Without hesitation, Beethoven replied "50 ducats," and after
-Wernhard had gone he indulged in sarcastic comments on the pursuit
-of decorations by various contemporaries--"which in his opinion were
-gained at the cost of the sanctity of art." Beethoven received the
-money, but the score was not delivered, owing, no doubt, to delay in
-the copying, and in July Prince Hatzfeld feels compelled to remind the
-composer of his remissness. Prince Radziwill in Berlin also subscribed,
-but he did not receive his copy till more than a year later. On June
-28, 1824, a representative of the Prince politely informed Beethoven
-that he had sent a cheque for 50 ducats to him with a request for a
-receipt and a copy of the score, but had received neither. On July
-3, Schindler informed Beethoven that Hatzfeld had earnestly inquired
-whether he was now going to receive the Mass. He was being so pestered
-about the matter from Berlin that it was becoming burdensome. He
-asked that Beethoven write to the Prince without delay, telling him
-when he should receive the Mass, so that he might show it in his
-own justification in Berlin. Schindler says the fault lay with the
-copyists; in every copy many pages had to be rewritten.
-
-Much to Beethoven's vexation and impatience the Saxon court was
-very tardy in its reply, or rather in subscribing, for at first the
-invitation was declined; but Beethoven was not thus to be put off by a
-court with which his imperial pupil was closely connected. He called
-in the help of Archduke Rudolph, to whom on July 1, 1823, he wrote a
-letter. He complains in this letter of pain in the eyes from which he
-has been suffering for a week. He was forced to make sparing use of
-them and therefore had not been able to look through some variations
-composed by the Archduke, but had been obliged to leave the task to
-another. He continues:
-
-[Sidenote: AN ARCHDUKE ASKED TO BE SOLICITOR]
-
- In regard to the Mass which Y. I. H. wished to see made more
- generally useful: the continuously poor state of my health for
- several years, more especially the heavy debts which I have
- incurred and the fact that I had to forgo the visit to England
- which I was invited to make, compelled me to think of means for
- bettering my condition. For this the Mass seemed suitable. I was
- advised to offer it to several courts. Hard as it was for me to
- do this I nevertheless did not think that I ought to subject
- myself to reproach by not doing it. I therefore invited several
- courts to subscribe for the Mass, fixed the fee at 50 ducats, as
- it was thought that would not be too much and, if a number of
- subscribers were found, also not unprofitable. Thus far, indeed,
- the subscription does me honor, their Royal Majesties of France and
- Prussia having accepted. I also a few days ago received a letter
- from my friend Prince Gallitzin [_sic_] in St. Petersburg, in which
- this truly amiable prince informs me that His Imperial Majesty
- of Russia had accepted and I should soon hear the details from
- the Imperial Russian embassy here. In spite of all this, however,
- though others have also become subscribers I do not get as much as
- I would as fee from a publisher, only I have the advantage that
- the work remains _mine_. The costs of copying are large and will
- be increased by the new pieces[70] which are to be added, which I
- shall send to Y. I. H. as soon as I have finished them. Perhaps Y.
- I. H. will not find it burdensome graciously to ask H. R. H. the
- Grand Duke of Tuscany to take a copy of the Mass. The invitation
- was sent some time ago to the Grand Duke of Tuscany through the
- agent v. Odelgha, and O. solemnly assures me that the invitation
- will surely be accepted, but I am not entirely confident, since
- it was several months ago and no answer has been received. The
- matter having been undertaken, it is only natural that as much as
- possible should have been done to attain the desired result. It
- was hard for me to understand this, still harder for me to tell Y.
- I. H. of it or permit you to notice it, but "_Necessity knows no
- law_." But I thank Him above the stars[71] that I am beginning to
- use my eyes again. I am now writing a new symphony for England,
- for the Philharmonic Society, and hope to have it completely done
- in a fortnight. I can not yet strain my eyes for a long period,
- wherefore I beg Y. I. H. graciously to be patient in regard to Y.
- I. H.'s variations which seem to me charming but need carefully to
- be looked through by me. Continue Y. I. H. to practice the custom
- of briefly jotting down your ideas at the pianoforte; for this a
- little table alongside the pianoforte will be necessary. By this
- means the fancy will not only be strengthened but one learns to
- fix at once the most remote ideas. It is also necessary to write
- without the pianoforte, and sometimes to develop a simple chorale
- melody now with simple, and anon with varied figurations in
- counterpoint and this will cause no headache to Y. I. H. but rather
- a great pleasure at finding yourself absorbed in the art. Gradually
- there comes the capacity to represent just that only which we wish
- to feel, an essential need in the case of men of noble mould. My
- eyes command me to stop, etc.
-
-This letter was written in Vienna, but from Hetzendorf he sent a
-postscript in which he said:
-
- If convenient, will Y. I. H. graciously recommend the Mass to
- Prince Anton in Dresden, so that His Royal Majesty of Saxony may
- be induced to subscribe to the Mass, which will surely happen if
- Y. I. H. shows the slightest interest in the matter. As soon as
- I have been informed that you have shown me this favor, I shall
- at once address myself to the Director General of the Theatre and
- Music there, who is in charge of such matters, and send him the
- invitation to subscribe for the King of Saxony which, however, I
- do not wish to do. My opera "Fidelio" was performed with great
- success in Dresden at the festivities in honor of the visit of the
- King of Bavaria, all their Majesties being present. I heard of
- this from the above-mentioned Director General, who asked me for
- the score through Weber and afterwards made me a handsome present
- in return. Y. I. H. will pardon me for inconveniencing you by such
- requests but Y. I. H. knows how little importunate I am as a rule;
- but if there should be the least thing unpleasant to you in the
- affair you will understand as a matter of course that I am none
- the less convinced of your magnanimity and graciousness. It is not
- greed, not the desire for speculation, which I have always avoided,
- but need which compels me to do everything possible to extricate
- myself from this position. In order not to be too harshly judged,
- it is perhaps best to be frank. Because of my continual illness,
- which prevented me from writing as much as usual, I am burdened
- with a debt of 2300 florins C. M. which can be liquidated only by
- extraordinary exertions. If these subscriptions help matters, for
- which there are the best of hopes, I shall be able to get a firm
- foothold again through my compositions. Meanwhile, may Y. I. H. be
- pleased to receive my frankness not ungraciously. If ever I should
- be charged with not being as active as formerly, I should keep
- silent as I always have done. As regards the recommendations I am
- nevertheless convinced that Y. I. H. will always be glad to do good
- _whenever possible_ and will make no exception in my case.
-
-Beethoven's impatience with the Saxon Court was so great that some
-time before his hopes had been reanimated, probably by the application
-for his opera, he had said in a note to Schindler: "Nothing from
-Dresden. Wait till the end of the month then an advocate in Dresden."
-These words led Schindler to the singular conclusion that Beethoven
-had thoughts of compelling the King of Saxony to reach a decision by
-judicial means. Obviously, all that Beethoven meant by "advocate" was a
-pleader, an intercessor. He could have contemplated legal measures only
-if he had sent a copy of the Mass to the King with the invitation, and
-this we know he did not do from a letter written by Archduke Rudolph,
-which says, that the King of Saxony had not received a score by July
-31. Archduke Rudolph became the advocate through his brother-in-law
-Prince Anton, brother to the King, and so did the Director General v.
-Koenneritz, to whom Beethoven wrote on July 17 and again on July 25. In
-the first letter he promises to send the invitation to the King and
-in the next he does so. This must have been a second invitation, for
-Beethoven tells v. Koenneritz that the original one had been declined. A
-paragraph from each letter deserves reproduction.
-
- I know that you will scarcely think of me as among those who
- write simply for vulgar gain, but when do not circumstances
- sometimes compel a man to act contrary to his habits of thought and
- principles!! My Cardinal is a good-hearted prince, but he lacks
- means.
-
- Up to now, in spite of all external glory, I have scarcely received
- for the work what I would have been paid by a publisher, the costs
- of copying having been so great. My friends conceived the idea of
- thus circulating the Mass, for I, thank God, am a _layman_ in all
- speculations. Besides, there is no citizen of our country who has
- not suffered loss, and so have I. Were it not for my sickness of
- years' standing, I should have received enough from foreign lands
- to live a care-free life, caring only for art. Judge me kindly and
- not unfavorably, I live for my art alone and to fulfil my duties as
- a man, but alas! that this can not always be done without the help
- of the _subterrestrial powers_.
-
-[Sidenote: SUBSCRIPTIONS BY REGAL COURTS]
-
-These last efforts were successful; King Friedrich August subscribed
-for the Mass, and on July 31 Archduke Rudolph wrote to his
-music-master: "My brother-in-law Prince Anton has already written to me
-that the King of Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass." On September
-12, Prince Anton wrote to Beethoven that he had no doubt his royal
-brother would grant his wish, especially as he had spoken to him on the
-subject in the name of his brother-in-law, the Cardinal. The money must
-have arrived soon afterward and Beethoven set Schindler's mind at ease
-by writing to him:
-
- In order that evil report may not longer injure the poor Dresdeners
- too much, I inform you that the money reached me to-day, with all
- marks of respect.
-
-According to Fuerstenau the manuscript copy of the Mass is still in the
-private music collection of the King of Saxony in Dresden.
-
-The Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt was appealed to directly under date
-of February 5, the letter, probably following the formula and signed
-by Beethoven, being forwarded through the Hessian ambassador, Baron
-von Tuerckheim, a cultured art connoisseur and subsequently Intendant
-of the Grand Ducal Theatre in Darmstadt. Louis Schloesser was in Vienna
-at the time, and Baron von Tuerckheim, knowing that he wanted to make
-Beethoven's acquaintance, gave him the opportunity by asking him
-to carry the information that the invitation had been accepted, to
-Beethoven, handing him the dispatch with the Grand Ducal seal affixed
-for that purpose. Schloesser went to Beethoven, "No. 60 Kothgasse, first
-storey, door to the left," and has left us a description of the visit,
-which must have been made in April or early in May, 1823. Beethoven
-read the document with great joy and said to Schloesser:
-
- Such words as I have read do good. Your Grand Duke speaks not only
- like a princely Maecenas but like a thorough musical connoisseur of
- comprehensive knowledge. It is not alone the acceptance of my work
- which rejoices me but the estimation which in general he places
- upon my works.
-
-[Sidenote: A VAIN APPEAL TO GOETHE]
-
-No success was met with at the cultivated Court of Weimar, though here
-Beethoven invoked the assistance of no less a dignitary than Goethe.
-His letter to the poet is still preserved in the Grand Ducal archives
-and is worthy of being given in full:
-
- Vienna, February 8th, 1823.
-
- Your Excellency!
-
- Still living as I have lived from my youthful years in your
- immortal, never-aging works, and never forgetting the happy
- hours spent in your company, it nevertheless happens that I must
- recall myself to your recollection--I hope that you received the
- dedication to Your Excellency of "Meeresstille und glueckliche
- Fahrt" composed by me. Because of their contrast they seemed to me
- adapted for music in which the same quality appears; how gladly
- would I know whether I have fittingly united my harmonies with
- yours; advice too, which would be accepted as very truth, would be
- extremely welcome to me, for I love the latter above all things
- and it shall never be said of me _veritas odium parit_. It is very
- possible that a number of your poems which must ever remain unique,
- set to music by me, will soon be published, among them "Rastlose
- Liebe." How highly would I value some general observations from
- you on the composition or setting to music of your poems! Now a
- request to Y. E. I have composed a Grand Mass which, however, I
- do not want to publish at present, but which is to be sent to the
- principal courts. The honorarium for the same is 50 ducats only. I
- have addressed myself in the matter to the Grand Ducal Weimarian
- Embassy, which has accepted the appeal to His Serene Highness and
- promised to deliver it. The Mass can also be used as an oratorio
- and who does not know that the benevolent societies are suffering
- from the lack of such things. My request consists in this, that
- Y. E. call the attention of His Serene Highness, the Grand Duke,
- to this matter so that His Highness may subscribe for the Mass.
- The Grand Ducal Weimarian Embassy gave me to understand that it
- would be very beneficial if the Grand Duke could be induced to
- regard the matter favorably in advance. I have written much but
- accumulated scarcely anything, and now I am no longer alone but
- have for more than six years been father to a son of my deceased
- brother, a promising youth in his sixteenth year, wholly devoted to
- science and already at home in the rich shafts of Hellenism; but in
- these countries such things cost a great deal and, in the case of
- young students, not only the present but also the future must be
- borne in mind, and as much as I formerly kept my thoughts directed
- aloft I must now extend my glances _downwards_. My income is all
- outgo--the condition of my health for years has not permitted
- that I make artistic journeys nor seize upon the many things which
- yield money!?--If my health should be completely restored I might
- expect other and better things. Y. E. must not think that it is
- because I am asking a favor that I have dedicated the "Meeresstille
- und glueckliche Fahrt" to you--this was already done in May, 1822,
- and this method of making the Mass known was not thought of till a
- few weeks ago. The respect, love and esteem which I have cherished
- for the only and immortal Goethe since the days of my youth have
- remained with me. Things like this are not easily put into words,
- especially by a bungler like myself, who has always been bent only
- on making tones his own, but a singular feeling impels me always to
- tell you this, inasmuch as I live in your works. I know that you
- will not refuse to help an artist who feels only too keenly how far
- mere _monetary reward_ is from _her_ (art) now that he is compelled
- by _need_ and constrained to work and labor _because of others for
- others_. The good is always plain to us and therefore I know that
- Y. E. will not deny my request.
-
- A few words from you would fill me with happiness.
-
- I remain, Your Excellency, with the sincerest and most unbounded
- respect,
-
- Beethoven.
-
-According to Schindler, who surely was in a position to know, no answer
-to this letter was ever received; nor did the Grand Duke subscribe.
-That the invitation reached its destination may safely be assumed from
-Beethoven's remark about the interest displayed in the plan at the
-embassy; but the document is not to be found in the archives. Goethe's
-indifference, if he was indifferent in the premises, may be explained
-on a number of grounds. If he ever was thoroughly appreciative of
-Beethoven's music, it was only later in life. He was in the prime
-of life with fixed tastes in music as well as the other arts before
-Beethoven came with his new evangel. Reichardt, Zelter and men of their
-stamp produced the music which was most to his liking. It is true that
-in July, 1812, he wrote a letter in which he said that he had never
-seen a more self-contained, energetic and sincere artist than Beethoven
-and that he could well understand why he appeared singular in the eyes
-of the world; but it is doubtful if he ever felt any real attachment
-to the man, and not altogether impossible, if the Teplitz stories are
-true, that he resented the bad manners of which Beethoven is said to
-have been guilty. But a long time had elapsed since the two great men
-came together in 1812.
-
-Bavaria's story is a short one. In a Conversation Book towards the
-close of May, Schindler writes: "A negative answer has come from
-Bavaria." To the King of Naples, Beethoven sent a French copy of the
-letter of invitation practically identical with the formula, and also
-to the King of France.[72] In the latter case Cherubini was asked to be
-the advocate. The draft of Beethoven's letter to him is still preserved
-among the Schindler papers in Berlin:
-
- Highly respected Sir!
-
- It is with great pleasure that I embrace the opportunity to
- approach you in writing; in spirit I am with you often enough,
- inasmuch as I value your works more than all others written for
- the stage, though the beautiful world of art must deplore the fact
- that for a considerable period no new theatrical work of yours
- of large dimensions has appeared, at least not in our Germany;
- high as your other works are esteemed by true connoisseurs, it is
- yet a veritable loss to art not to possess a new product of your
- great mind. True art remains imperishable and the genuine artist
- feels sincere pleasure in real and great products of genius, and
- so I, too, am enraptured whenever I hear a new work of yours and
- feel as great an interest in it as in my own works.--In brief, I
- honor and love you--If it were not for my continual ill health and
- I could see you in Paris, with what extraordinary delight would
- I discuss art matters with you?! I must add that to every artist
- and art-lover I always speak of you with _Enthusiasm_, otherwise
- you might (_illegible word_) believe, since I am about to ask a
- favor of you, that this was merely an introduction to the subject.
- I hope, however, that you will not attribute such lowmindedness,
- so contemptible an action, to me. My request consists in this,
- etc.[73] That in this, etc. I know that if you will advise His
- Majesty to take the Mass, he will surely do so. My situation _ma
- critique demande que je ne fixe seulement come ordinaire mes
- pensees aux ciel aux contraire, il faut les fixer en bas pour les
- necessites de la vie_. Whatever may be the fate of my request to
- you, I shall always love and honor you _et vous resteres toujours
- celui de mes contemporains, que je l'estime le plus si vous me
- voulez faire une_ [sic] _estreme plaisir, c'etoit si m'ecrireess
- quelque lignes, ce que me soulagera bien--l'art unie touta_ [sic]
- _le monde_ and how much more true artists, _et peut etres vous me
- dignes aussi, de me mettre_ also to be counted amongst this number,
-
- _avec la plus haute
- estime
- votre ami
- e serviteur
- Beeth._
-
-[Sidenote: A MEDAL FROM THE KING OF FRANCE]
-
-The letter was despatched on March 15. Cherubini did not receive it,
-and as late as 1841 expressed his great regret at the miscarriage
-which, however, worked no harm to the enterprise. King Louis XVIII
-not only subscribed for the Mass but within less than a year sent
-Beethoven a gold medal weighing twenty-one Louis d'ors, showing on
-the obverse side the bust of the King and on the reverse, within a
-wreath, the inscription: _Donnee par le Roi a Monsieur Beethoven_. Duke
-d'Achats, First Chamberlain of the King, accompanied the gift with the
-following letter:
-
- _Je m'empresse de vous prevenir, Monsieur, que le Roi a accueille
- avec bonte l'hommage de la Partition de Votre Messe en Musique et
- m'a charge de vous faire parvenir une medaille d'or a son effigie.
- Je me felicite d'avoir a vous transmettre le temoinage de la
- satisfaction de Sa Majeste et je saisis cette occasion de vous
- offrir l'assurance de ma consideration distinguee._
-
- _Le Premier Gentilhomme
- de la Chambre du Roi_
-
- Aux Tuileries ce 20 Fevrier 1824. Le duc d'Achats.
-
-"This was a distinction," says Schindler, "than which one more
-significant never fell to the lot of the artist during his life"; but
-the biographer certainly is in error when he intimates that the medal
-was given in payment of the subscription price. Beethoven informed
-Archduke Rudolph that the King had accepted the invitation in his
-letter of June 1, 1823; the medal was received early in 1824, over
-eight months later. Beethoven's needs and the reply which he gave the
-messenger from Prussia when he offered a decoration instead of the 50
-ducats, indicate plainly enough how he felt as to the remuneration.
-Moreover, in a billet which he sent to Schindler instructing him
-to call upon von Obreskow of the Russian Embassy to tell him how
-to pay the subscription of the Czar, Beethoven says: "let him know
-incidentally, when opportunity offers, that France simply sent the
-money to you." Evidently King Louis XVIII paid the money in the regular
-way and sent the medal as a special mark of distinction.
-
-No subscription was received from the King of Naples. The negotiations
-with the Grand Duke of Tuscany were more successful, though they
-dragged on into the next year. They were a subject of discussion
-in the Conversation Book in which Count Lichnowsky, Brother Johann
-and Nephew Karl took part. From remarks there recorded it appears
-that an appeal was also made to Ex-Empress Maria Louisa, Duchess of
-Parma. Here the agent was Odelga and there was a plan to interest
-Countess Neuberg. Count Lichnowsky seems to have suggested the name
-of Maria Louisa and offered to write to Count Neuberg, whom he knew,
-on the subject. It looks also as if the case of the Grand Duke of
-Tuscany had been exceptional, in that the Mass had been forwarded
-before the subscription had been received; this at least might be
-the interpretation of a remark noted by Karl: "I shall go to Odelga
-on Sunday. We must get to work, or they will keep the Mass and send
-nothing."
-
-Schindler says that Beethoven sent a carefully written letter to the
-King of Sweden to accompany the invitation; but nothing came of it. The
-King of Denmark subscribed, but as we hear nothing of the particulars,
-it is most likely that everything went smoothly in his case.
-
-Prince Galitzin was asked to make a plea to the Russian Court and
-reported in a letter to Beethoven, dated June 2, that the invitation
-had been accepted and the official notification would follow in due
-course through the Russian Embassy. The money came soon afterwards. On
-July 9, Schindler writes in a jocular vein, using a metaphor which had
-already done service in Beethoven's correspondence:
-
- I take pleasure in reporting to you herewith, that by command of
- the Emperor of all the Russias, 50 horsemen in armor are arrived
- here as a Russian contingent to do battle under you for the
- Fatherland. The leader of these choice troops is a Russian Court
- Councillor. Herr Stein, pianoforte maker, has been commissioned
- by him to quarter them on you. _Rien de nouveau chez nos voisins
- jusqu'ici._
-
- _Fidelissimus Papageno._[74]
-
-The director of the business affairs of the Russian Embassy, von
-Obreskow, had made inquiry as to how the fee was to be paid. Beethoven
-wrote to Schindler to tell Obreskow to pay the bearer on delivery of a
-receipt; to say (if it became opportune) that the King of France had
-done so; and admonished him always to remember that such personages
-represented "Majesty itself"; also to "say nothing about the Mass
-not being finished, which is not true, for the new pieces are only
-additions." Impatience at the non-delivery of the Mass at the expected
-time must have been expressed by the Russian Embassy, for in a note
-which Schindler dates "in the winter of 1824," Beethoven says:
-
- Mr. v. Schindler:
-
- Here the _Paquett_ for the Russian Embassy, please look after it at
- once, moreover say that I shall soon visit him in person, inasmuch
- as it hurts me that lack of confidence has been felt in me and I
- thank God I am in a position to prove that I do not deserve it in
- any way nor will my honor permit it.[75]
-
-[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN'S SUBSCRIPTION]
-
-Prince Galitzin, who had already expressed his delight in the new work
-and who had also been invited to subscribe, suggested that the Mass
-be published by popular subscription at four or five ducats, as there
-were not many amateurs who could afford to pay 50 ducats for a written
-copy. "All that I can do," the Prince writes in conclusion, "is to beg
-you to put me down among your subscribers and to send me a copy as soon
-as possible so that I may produce it at a concert for the benefit of
-the widows of musicians which takes place annually near Christmas."
-Plainly, this was a subscription in the existing category; there was no
-other, and Beethoven, in view of the invitation to the courts, could
-not at once entertain the subject of a popular subscription for a
-printed edition. Galitzin also accedes to a request which had obviously
-been made to him when the invitation was extended, that the 50 ducats
-already deposited in Vienna by him for a quartet be applied to the
-account of the Mass. He writes on September 23 (October 3): "I have
-just received your letter of the 17th and hasten to answer that I have
-instructed the house of Henikstein to pay you immediately the 50 ducats
-which I fancied had long ago been placed at your disposal." The bankers
-Henikstein sent the Prince Beethoven's receipt for the 50 ducats "which
-we paid to him on the order and account of Your Highness as fee for
-the Mass which we have forwarded through the High State Chancellary."
-The score was in the hands of Prince Galitzin on November 29, but the
-performance which he had projected did not take place until April 6,
-1824. It was the first performance of the Mass anywhere, and Galitzin
-wrote an enthusiastic account of it to Beethoven under date of April
-8.[76]
-
-A special invitation to subscribe to the Mass was not extended to the
-Austrian court for reasons which, no doubt, were understood between
-Beethoven and Archduke Rudolph and which may have been connected with
-efforts which were making at the time to secure a court appointment
-for the composer. At the request of Artaria, however, an invitation
-was sent to Prince Paul Esterhazy. Beethoven had little confidence in
-the successful outcome of the appeal, probably with a recollection in
-his mind of the Prince's attitude toward him on the occasion of the
-production of the Mass in C in 1807, to which he seems to refer in a
-letter to Schindler dated June 1:[77]
-
- /# You will kindly again make inquiry of (_illegible_) for a
- report. I doubt if it will be favorable for I do not expect a good
- opinion from him, at least not to judge by earlier times! I think
- that such matters can only be successfully presented to him by
- women.
-
-Beethoven's suspicious nature had other food. On the outside of this
-letter he wrote:
-
- N. B. So far as I can remember there was nothing said in the
- invitation to Prince Esterhazy about the Mass being distributed
- only in manuscript. What mischief may not result from this. I
- suspect that the purpose of Herr Artaria in suggesting that the
- Mass be offered to the Prince gratis was to enable him to steal a
- work of mine for the third time.
-
-Beethoven's lack of faith in the enterprise was justified; Esterhazy
-did not subscribe.
-
-No invitation was sent to the English court, probably because Beethoven
-cherished a grudge in that quarter; but subscriptions were asked
-of two large singing societies--the Singakademie of Berlin and the
-Caecilien-Verein of Frankfort. Zelter was director of the Singakademie,
-and to him Beethoven wrote on February 8 as follows, after the
-introductory compliments and reflections:
-
- I wrote a Grand Mass, which might also be performed as an oratorio
- (for the benefit of the poor, as is the good custom that has been
- introduced) but did not want to publish it in print in the ordinary
- way, but to give it to the principal courts only. The fee amounts
- to 50 ducats. Except the copies subscribed for, none will be
- issued, so that the Mass is practically only a manuscript.
-
-He informs Zelter that an appeal has been sent to the King of Prussia
-and that he has asked the intercession in its behalf of Prince
-Radziwill. He then continues:
-
- I ask of you that you do what you can in the matter. A work of
- this kind might also be of service to the Singakademie, for there
- is little wanting to make it practicable for voices alone; but the
- more doubled and multiplied the latter in combination with the
- instruments, the more effective it would be. It might also be in
- place as an oratorio, such as is in demand for the Societies for
- Poverty. More or less ill for several years and therefore not in
- the most brilliant situation, I had recourse to this means. I have
- written much but accumulated almost 0. Disposed to send my glances
- aloft--but man is compelled for his own and for others' sake to
- direct them downwards; but this too is a part of man's destiny.
-
-[Sidenote: ZELTER AND THE SOLEMN MASS]
-
-The letter will be seen, on comparison with that written on the same
-day to Goethe, to be either a draft for the latter in part or an echo
-of it. There is the same pun on "geschrieben" and "erschrieben," the
-same lament about having to keep his eyes on the ground while desirous
-to keep them fixed on higher things, the same reference to the value
-of the Mass for concert purposes in behalf of charity. As this last
-point is one which would naturally occur to the writer in addressing a
-musician and not at all naturally in an appeal to a poet, it is safe
-to say that the Zelter letter was written first. It is an unpleasant
-duty to call attention to a very significant difference between this
-letter and the invitation issued to the courts as well as the letter
-to Goethe. In the latter he distinctly says that the Mass will not be
-published in the ordinary way "for the present," thus reserving the
-privilege of printing it at a future time. To Zelter, and presumably
-to the Frankfort society, he plainly intimates that there is to be no
-publication in the ordinary way at all. It is not a violent presumption
-that Zelter may have observed this discrepancy, which was of vital
-moment to his society, and that this may have caused the termination of
-the negotiations, which began auspiciously enough in a letter written
-by Zelter on February 22 in reply to Beethoven's. In this letter he
-said he was ready to purchase the Mass for the Singakademie at his own
-risk, provided Beethoven would adapt it to the use of the society--that
-is, arrange it for performance practically without instruments--a
-proceeding, he explained, which would make it practicable for all
-similar concert institutions. To this letter Beethoven replied on March
-25:
-
- I have carefully considered your suggestion for the Singakademie.
- If it should ever appear in print I will send you a copy without
- pay. It is true that it might almost be performed _a la capella_,
- but to this end the whole would have to be arranged. Perhaps you
- have the patience to do this. Besides, there is already a movement
- in it which is entirely _a la capella_ and I am inclined to call
- this style the only true church style. I thank you for your
- readiness. From such an artist as you are, _with honor_, I would
- never accept anything. I honor you and desire only an opportunity
- to prove this to you in deed.
-
-There the matter ended, so far as is known. The negotiations with
-the Frankfort society were more successful. On May 19, 1823, J. N.
-Schelble, director, wrote saying:
-
- The hope of receiving a new composition from you, great master,
- inspires all the members and reinvigorates their musical zeal. I
- therefore request you as soon as it is convenient to you to forward
- a copy of your Mass to me.
-
-There were, therefore, as appears from this account and the list of
-names sent in November, 1825, to the publishers of the Mass, ten
-subscribers, namely: the Czar of Russia, the Kings of Prussia, Saxony,
-France and Denmark, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and Hesse-Darmstadt,
-Princes Galitzin and Radziwill and the Caecilia Society of Frankfort.
-Beethoven's receipts, 500 ducats (L250 or about $1200), were very
-materially reduced, how much we can not say, by the costs of copying.
-In this work his principal helper was a professional copyist named
-Schlemmer, who could best decipher his manuscript. But Schlemmer
-was sickly and died before the year was over; his successor was
-named Rampel, and seems to have caused Beethoven a great deal of
-annoyance; he probably was made to bear a great deal of the blame for
-the tardiness of the work, for which, also, the composer's frequent
-alterations were in part responsible. One of the numerous letters to
-Schindler from this period throws a little light on this subject:
-
- Samothracian L----l.[78]
-
- How about the trombone part. It is certain that the youngster still
- has it, as he did not return it when he brought back the _Gloria_.
- There was so much to do in looking over the wretched scribbling
- that to carry back the trombone part was forgotten. If necessary,
- I shall come to Vienna about the police matter. Here, for Rampel,
- is first the theme of the _Var._ which is to be copied for me on
- a separate sheet--then he is to copy the rest to _Var._ 13 or to
- the end of _Var._ 12, and so an end of this. Get from Schlemmer
- what remains of the _Kyrie_:--show him the postscript and herewith
- _satis_.--for such _Hauptl----ls_ there is nothing more to be done.
- Farewell--attend to everything--I am obliged to bind up my eyes
- at night and must be very sparing in my use of them. Otherwise,
- Smettana writes, I shall write but few more notes. To Wocher,
- whom I shall visit myself as soon as I come to town, my prettiest
- compliments and has he yet sent away the _Var._?
-
-[Sidenote: NEGOTIATIONS WITH DIABELLI]
-
-Beethoven's thoughts in connection with the Mass were not all engrossed
-during 1823 with the finishing touches on the composition and the
-subscription; he was still thinking of the publication of the work.
-His thoughts went to London, as a letter to Ries shows. The Mass
-also came up in his dealings with Diabelli in Vienna. There were,
-probably, other negotiations, of which we are not advised. An agreement
-had been reached with Diabelli concerning the Variations, Op. 120
-(on the Diabelli waltz theme), and the Mass had also been mentioned.
-Whatever the nature of the negotiations may have been, Diabelli now
-seems to have been insisting on conditions which Beethoven could not
-accept without breach of contract with his subscribers or revoking the
-subscriptions. In March Diabelli called Schindler into his shop and
-had a talk with him which is detailed in a Conversation Book. It is
-Schindler who is speaking:
-
- Diabelli called me in to-day while I was passing and said to
- me that he would take the Mass and publish it in two months by
- subscription. He guarantees you the 1000 florins, as he says he has
- already told you. You can have as many copies as you want--Diabelli
- only asks of you that you let him know your decision within a
- few days, then he will have work begun at once and promises that
- everything shall be ready by the end of May. You, however, will not
- have any further care in the matter. I think the proposition a very
- good one, the more, because the work will be printed at once.
-
-Beethoven appears to have doubts or scruples on the score of the
-invitations sent to the sovereigns.
-
- It will make no difference to the most exalted courts if printed
- copies are put out. Do you want the 1000 florins in cash at once
- or later?--he assures me that they will be guaranteed to you; the
- business now is that you come to an understanding.
-
-It appears, now, that Diabelli wants to publish the three supplementary
-pieces also; but Beethoven still hesitates:
-
- It would be best if you were to persuade Diabelli to print the
- work at once, but wait a few months with the publication by
- subscription. Then you will not be compromised in the matter, nor
- he either.
-
-Later (there has plainly been another consultation between Schindler
-and Diabelli):
-
- Diabelli agrees to wait until the tardy answers have been received
- before opening the subscription. But he is not willing to wait a
- whole year.
-
-And in April:
-
- Are you agreed? The only question is whether you give Diab. the
- privilege of announcing the subscription a month before he pays. It
- is his wish not to put the Mass in hand until he has paid. About
- Diabelli then--do you want to leave the matter to me or consider
- the publication by yourself? Diabelli wants the Mass by July 1 in
- order to have it ready by the St. Michael Fair.
-
-Later, August 1 and September 1 are mentioned. Beethoven was firm in
-his determination to keep faith with his subscribers. He writes to
-Schindler: "There are only two courses as regards the Mass, namely,
-that the publisher delay the publication a year and a day; or, if
-not, we can not accept a subscription." Later he writes: "Nothing is
-to be changed in the Diabelli contract except that _the time_ when he
-is to receive the Mass from me be left undetermined." The contract in
-question which was thus to be amended concerned the Variations, but
-presumably the Mass also. Beethoven writes:
-
- From my little book I see that you have doubts in the matter of the
- Mass and Diab., wherefore, I beg you to come soon, for in that case
- we will not give him the Var. either, as my brother knows somebody
- who wants to take them both. We are therefore in a position to talk
- to him.
-
-Either this disagreement or some other in a matter in which Schindler
-acted as Beethoven's agent brought out a letter from the latter to
-the former in which he expresses a belief that the business, "so
-disagreeable to you," might be brought to a conclusion soon: "moreover
-I was not, unfortunately, entirely wrong in not wholly trusting Diab."
-Schindler, in a gloss on this note, says that the disagreeable business
-concerned the Mass. Diabelli had made plans which were not only
-harmful to the work but humiliating as well to Beethoven. Schindler
-pointed this out and Diabelli became violent and declared that since
-the contract was as good as closed he would summon Schindler before a
-court of law if it were not kept. "But," says Schindler, "the threat
-did no good; he had to take back the document." The numerous notes to
-Schindler about this period are undated and the times at which they
-were written have been only approximately fixed by Schindler; there
-is also some vagueness touching the time and order of the written
-conversations, but the evidence thus far presented, together with a
-significant remark in a billet to Schindler, to the effect that he
-had thought of a project which would "act like a pistol-shot on this
-fellow," would seem to justify the assumption that Beethoven had
-entered into the same kind of obligation with Diabelli as he had with
-Simrock and Peters so far as the Mass was concerned, and that before
-the execution of a formal contract, which seems to have been considered
-necessary in this case, which was to include the Variations on the
-Diabelli Waltz theme, Beethoven had embarked on his enterprise with
-the sovereigns, which made the speedy publication of the Mass in the
-ordinary way impossible with honor; further, that a threat to withhold
-the Variations had been used to bring the irate publisher to terms. In
-the April Conversation Book Schindler says: "Won't Diabelli make wry
-faces when your brother demands the document back almost as soon as he
-has received it!"
-
-[Sidenote: DUBIOUS ASPECT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS]
-
-To the commercialized mind of to-day it is possible that the picture
-which has just been presented here of a superlatively great artist
-hawking his creations in the courts of Europe, appealing to his friends
-and patrons among the great to act as his go-betweens, railing against
-the tardy and permitting those who were prompt in payment to wait
-unconscionable periods for their property, may seem to present as
-little of the aspect of debasement of genius and its products as it
-did at a time when great musicians were menials in the households of
-the highborn, and thrift could only follow fawning. But Beethoven had
-done much to exalt art and emancipate the artist, and what would have
-caused little comment in the case of his predecessors amongst court
-musicians was scarcely venial in him who preached a new ethic as well
-as artistic evangel. And so, to minds untainted by trade and attuned
-to a love of moral as well as aesthetic beauty, the spectacle which
-Beethoven presents in 1823 must be quite as saddening as that disclosed
-by his dealings with the publishers in the years immediately preceding.
-A greater measure of commiseration goes out to him now, however,
-because of the evidence that the new phase cost him greater qualms
-of conscience and that the exigencies which impelled him were more
-pressing. His physical ailments were increasing; his deafness had put a
-stop to his appearances in public as an artist; his eyes were troubling
-him; there was no lessening of his concern about his ward, but an
-increase in the cost of his maintenance; his income was continually
-dwindling because of his lessening productivity, notwithstanding that
-the fees which he could command for new works (and even the remnants
-of his youthful activity) had reached dimensions of which he had
-never dreamed in the heyday of his powers; he felt the oppressive
-burden of his debts more and more as his unreasoning love for his
-foster-son prompted him to make provision against the future. The royal
-subscription was, no doubt, a welcome scheme which, if not suggested by
-his advisers, was certainly encouraged by them; but it must have cost
-his proud soul no little humiliation to have his application rejected
-after he had so deeply bent "the pregnant hinges of the knee." The
-publishers gave him less concern. They were his natural enemies and he
-theirs--"hellhounds who licked and gnawed his brains," as he expressed
-it in a letter to Holz in 1825; yet he knew that he would need them,
-and he knew also that as soon as he went to them, and the mass appeared
-in print, the manuscript copies which he had sold would be all but
-worthless. But this may have troubled him little, as he, in all
-likelihood, shared Schindler's conviction that there was no permanency
-of interest in the work on the part of the crowned heads and that they
-would not be troubled by the appearance of the work in print. Patronage
-of art is part of the obligation which rests upon royalty, and it
-would have been little less than a crime to withhold the Mass from
-the public; but what of the exclusiveness of right which was implied,
-if not expressed, in the letter to Zelter and presumably also in that
-to the Caecilia Society of Frankfort? He had informed the kings, who
-might not even deign to glance at the Mass, that he had no "present"
-intention to print the work, leaving them to gather that he would do so
-later; but he plainly gives Zelter to understand that it is to remain
-a manuscript. Here, too, the advice of his friends, who could see his
-need but did not feel the moral responsibility which he may, or ought
-to, have felt, must have been persuasive and also comforting.[79] The
-world has too long enjoyed the great work to distress itself about the
-circumstances of its creation and publication; but the historian and
-moralist may yet as deeply deplore them as pity the conditions which
-compelled the composer to yield to them.
-
-[Sidenote: DEALINGS WITH THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC]
-
-Preliminary to the narrative of the other varied incidents of the year
-1823, let us set down a brief mention of the fact that on January 20
-Beethoven wrote a little piece for voice and pianoforte in the album
-of Countess Wimpfen, _nee_ Eskeles, on the words of Goethe: "Der edle
-Mensch sei huelfreich und gut," [_sic_] which was published in facsimile
-in the "Allgemeine Wiener Musikzeitung" on November 23, 1843. Having
-traversed the year in our search for material relating to the Mass
-in D, the next most significant subject is that which concerned the
-Symphony in D minor, on which he worked industriously and which had
-been the subject of correspondence between himself and Ries (in London)
-for some time before the year opened. On April 6, 1822, Beethoven had
-inquired of his old pupil: "What would the Philharmonic Society be
-likely to offer me for a symphony?" Ries, evidently, laid the matter
-before the directors of the society who, at a meeting on November 10,
-"resolved to offer Beethoven fifty pounds for a MS. symphony."[80] Ries
-conveyed the information to Beethoven in a letter dated November 15
-and in a reply dated December 20, Beethoven, although he protested that
-the remuneration was not to be compared with what other nations might
-give, accepted the offer, adding:
-
- I would write _gratis_ for the first artists of Europe, if I were
- not still poor Beethoven. If I were in London, what would I not
- write for the Philharmonic Society! For Beethoven can write, God be
- thanked, though he can do nothing else in this world. If God gives
- me back my health, which has at least improved somewhat, I shall
- yet be able to comply with all the requests which have come from
- all parts of Europe, and even from North America, and I might yet
- feather my nest.
-
-A glimpse into the occupations, cares and perplexities which beset
-Beethoven at this period is given by the first letter in the series
-written in the new year--on February 5, which Ries, in his "Notizen,"
-gives only in part:
-
- I have no further news to give you about the _Sinfonie_ but
- meanwhile you may confidently count on it. Since I have made the
- acquaintance here of a very amiable and cultivated man, who holds
- an appointment in our imperial embassy at London, he will undertake
- later to forward the Symphony to you in London, so that _it will
- soon be in London_. Were I not so poor that I am obliged to live by
- my pen I would accept nothing at all from the Ph. Society; as it is
- I must wait until the fee for the Sinfonie is deposited here. But
- to give you an evidence of my affection for and confidence in the
- society I have already delivered the new Overture referred to in my
- last letter, to the gentleman of the Imperial society.[81] As he is
- to start from here for London in a few days he will deliver it to
- you in person in London. Goldschmidt will no doubt know where you
- live; if not, please tell him, so that this accommodating gentleman
- will not be obliged long to hunt you. I leave to the Society all
- the arrangements about the Overture which, like the Symphony, it
- can keep for 18 months. Not until after the lapse of that time
- shall I publish it. And now another request: my brother here, who
- keeps his carriage, wanted a lift from me and so, without asking
- me, he offered the Overture in question to a publisher in London
- named Bosey [Boosey]. Let him wait, and tell him that at present
- it is impossible to say whether he can have the Overture or not;
- I will write to him myself. It all depends on the Philharmonic
- Society; say to him please that my brother made a mistake in the
- matter of the Overture; as to the other works which he wrote about,
- he may have them. My brother _bought them_ of me in order to
- traffic with them, as I observe. _O frater!_ I beg of you to write
- to me as soon as possible after you have received the Overture,
- whether the Philharmonic Society will take it, for otherwise I
- shall publish it soon.
-
- I have heard nothing of your _Sinfonie_ dedicated to me. If I did
- not look upon the _Dedicat_ as a sort of challenge for which I
- might give you _Revanche_ I should long ago have dedicated some
- work to you. As it is, I have always thought that I must first
- see your work. How willingly would I show you my gratitude in
- some manner. I am deeply your debtor for so many proofs of your
- affection and for favors. If my health is improved by a bath-cure
- which I am to take in the coming summer I will kiss your wife in
- London in 1824.
-
-What justification Beethoven had, or imagined he had, for imputing a
-dishonorable act to his brother, cannot be said; it is noteworthy,
-however, that he does not even mention him in a letter written twenty
-days later which reiterates much that had already been set forth,
-and offers to send the Symphony at once on receiving word from Ries
-accompanied by a draft. He also intends to send six Bagatelles and
-asks Ries to traffic, as best he can, with them and two sonatas. Had
-he received a dedication from Ries, he says, he would at once have
-inscribed the Overture to him. Not long afterward Beethoven wrote
-again to Ries. The letter, which has been preserved only in part, is
-printed with a few omissions and changes in the "Notizen" (p. 154).
-Its significant remark about the new Symphony is that it is to bear a
-dedication to Ries; its most valuable contribution, however, refers
-to the Mass in D and the explanation which it offers of the fact that
-Beethoven sent no invitation to the English court to subscribe for
-that work. "In addition to these hardships," Beethoven writes, "I have
-many debts to pay, for which reason it would be agreeable to me if you
-have disposed of the Mass to send me also the check for it, for by
-that time the copy for London will have been made. There need be no
-scruples because of the few _souverains_ who are to get copies of it.
-If a local publisher made no objections, there ought to be still fewer
-in London; moreover, I bind myself in writing that not a note of it
-shall appear either in print or otherwise." The poor Archduke-Cardinal
-comes in for his customary drubbing, the special complaint now being
-that Beethoven is obliged to draw his "wretched salary" with the aid of
-a stamp. The letter was placed for delivery in the hands of the amiable
-gentleman of the Austrian Embassy whose name we now learn to be Bauer
-and who was also the bearer of an address to King George IV[82] which
-Ries was to ask Bauer to read, after which the latter was to see to its
-delivery into the royal hands and if possible get in return at least
-a "butcher's knife or a tortoise"; a printed copy of the "Battle of
-Vittoria" was to accompany it. The character of the address to the king
-can be guessed at from the following draft for an earlier letter which
-was found amongst Schindler's papers:
-
-[Sidenote: AN APPEAL TO THE KING OF ENGLAND]
-
- In thus presuming, herewith, to submit my most obedient prayer to
- Your Majesty, I venture at the same time to supplement it with a
- second.
-
- Already in the year 1823, the undersigned took the liberty, at
- the frequent requests of several Englishmen then living here, to
- send his composition entitled "Wellington's Battle and Victory at
- Vittoria" which no one possessed at that time (to Your Majesty).
- The then Imperial Russian Ambassador, Prince Rasoumowsky, undertook
- to send the work to Your Majesty by a courier.
-
- For many years the undersigned cherished the sweet wish that Your
- Majesty would graciously make known the receipt of his work to him;
- but he has not yet been able to boast of this happiness, and had
- to content himself with a brief notice from Mr. Ries, his former
- worthy pupil, who reported that Y. M. had been pleased graciously
- to deliver the work to the then Musical Director, Mr. Salomon
- and Mr. Smart for public performance in Drury Lane Theatre. This
- appears also from the English journals, which added, as did Mr.
- Ries, that the work had been received with extraordinary favor
- not only in London but elsewhere. Inasmuch as it was extremely
- humiliating to the undersigned to learn all this from indirect
- sources, Y. M. will surely pardon his sensitiveness and graciously
- permit him to observe that he spared neither time nor cost to lay
- this work before your exalted person in the most proper manner in
- order to provide a pleasure for Y. M.
-
- From this the undersigned concludes, that it may have been
- improperly submitted to Y. M. and inasmuch as the most obedient
- petition which is now submitted, enables him again to approach Y.
- M., he takes the privilege of handing to Y. M. accompanying printed
- copy of the Battle of Vittoria in score, which has been set aside
- for this purpose ever since 1815 and which has been retained so
- long because of the uncertainty felt by the undersigned concerning
- the matter.
-
- Convinced of the lofty wisdom and graciousness which Y. M. has
- hitherto shown toward art and artists to their appreciation and
- good fortune, the undersigned flatters himself that Your Majesty
- will graciously condescend to take all this in consideration and
- grant his most humble petition.
-
- [_Convaincu de la haute sagesse dont Votre Majeste a toujours su
- apprecier l'art ainsi que de la haute faveur qu'elle accorde a
- l'artiste le soussigne se flatte que Votre Majeste prendra l'un
- et l'autre en consideration et vaudra en grace condescendre a sa
- tres-humble demande._]
-
- _a Vienne le 24 fevrier._
-
-There are other letters to Ries which must be considered later. They
-do not bear out Schindler's contention that an estrangement had taken
-place between former master and pupil, but were it not that Beethoven's
-utterances on that point were chronic when negotiating sales of his
-works it might be said that they show that his burden of debt rested
-with peculiar grievousness upon him at this time. That it did trouble
-him more than ordinarily is otherwise evidenced. In April Schindler
-writes: "Don't think night and day about your debts. When you are
-well again you'll pay them without feeling it." Steiner, who may have
-thought that consideration was no longer incumbent on him, now that
-Beethoven was offering his works to other publishers, pressed him
-for the money which he had loaned him and threatened to sue him for
-800 florins. Beethoven presented a counter-claim and demanded that
-Steiner publish a number of compositions which he had purchased but had
-not issued. The debt to Brentano also distressed him. He had as yet
-received nothing from the royal subscribers to the _Missa Solemnis_. He
-appealed to his brother Johann to go security for him, but he refused.
-Then he consulted Dr. Bach, who advised him to dispose of one of the
-seven shares of bank stock which he had purchased after his stroke of
-fortune at the time of the Congress of Vienna. Schindler was called on
-to act as fiscal agent in what must have seemed a complicated matter to
-Beethoven, since at another time he had wanted to hypothecate a share
-and, on getting it out of its hiding-place, learned that all he had to
-do to get the money he needed was to cut off a coupon and collect it.
-Now he writes to Schindler:
-
- Do not forget the B. A. (bank share); it is highly necessary. I
- should not like to be sued for nothing and less than nothing. The
- conduct of my brother is worthy of him. The tailor is coming to-day
- and I hope to turn him away without unpleasantness.
-
-Another note to the same:
-
- Try to find some philanthropist who will make me a loan on a bank
- share, so that, first, I need not put too severe a strain on the
- generosity of my only (the word is indistinct) friend v. B. and may
- not myself get in need because of the withholding of this money due
- to the beautiful arrangement made by my dear brother!
-
-On a separate scrap of paper is written: "It must not appear that the
-money is needed." The date of this note is fixed by the circumstance
-that it is the one in which Beethoven asks Schindler to draw up a list
-of courts to which the invitations to subscribe to the Mass were to be
-sent. In still another note he refers to bank shares which evidently
-were to be hypothecated. It was while in this distressful state
-concerning his debts that he took the first steps toward making his
-nephew his legal heir. On March 6, 1823, he wrote to Bach:
-
- Death might come unannounced and give no time to make a legal
- will; therefore I hereby attest with my own hand that I declare my
- nephew Karl van Beethoven to be my universal heir and that after
- my death everything without exception _which can be called my
- property shall belong to him_. I appoint you to be his curator, and
- if there should be no testament after this you are also authorized
- and requested to find a guardian for my beloved nephew--to the
- exclusion of my brother Johann van Beethoven--and secure his
- appointment according to law. I declare this writing to be valid
- for all time as being my last will before my death. I embrace you
- with all my heart.
-
-The words excluding Johann from the guardianship were written on the
-third page of the document and on the first there was this addition:
-"NB. In the way of capital there are 7 shares of bank stock; whatever
-else is found in cash is like the bank shares to be his." Shortly
-before his death he reiterated this bequest with modifications entailed
-by changed conditions.
-
-The origin of a canon which Beethoven improvised at the coffee-house
-"Zur goldenen Birne" on February 20 to the words "Bester Herr Graf, Sie
-sind ein Schaf" is said by Schindler to have been a discussion between
-the composer and Count Lichnowsky concerning a contract with Steiner.
-Obviously, Beethoven and his adviser had disagreed.
-
-[Sidenote: SEEKS APPOINTMENT AS COURT COMPOSER]
-
-In November 1822, Anton Tayber, Imperial Court Composer, died.
-Beethoven applied for the appointment as his successor and Counts
-Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein entered the lists for him. Beethoven made
-a personal appeal to Dietrichstein, who was the "Court Music-Count"
-who, on February 23, 1823, disclosed the plan which had been conceived
-to promote Beethoven's interests with the Emperor in a letter to
-Lichnowsky:
-
- It would have been my duty long ago to reply to good Beethoven,
- since he came to me so trustfully. But after I had spoken with
- you I decided to break silence only after I had received definite
- information on the subject in question. I can now tell you
- positively that the post held by the deceased Tayber--who was not
- Chamber but Court Composer--is not to be filled again. I do not
- want to write to Beethoven because I do not like to disappoint a
- man whom I so sincerely respect, and therefore I beg of you when
- occasion offers to let him know the fact and then to inform me when
- and where I may meet him, as I have forgotten where he lives.
-
- I am also sending you herewith the score of a mass by Reutter
- which Beethoven wished to see. It is true that H. M. the Emperor
- is fond of this style, but Beethoven, if he writes a mass, need
- not adhere to it. Let him follow the bent of his great genius and
- have a care only that the mass be not too long or too difficult
- to perform;--that it be a _tutti_ mass and have only short
- soprano and alto solos in the voices (for which I have two fine
- singing-boys)--but no tenor, bass or organ solos. If he wishes he
- may introduce a violin, oboe or clarinet solo.
-
- His Majesty likes to have fugues well worked out but not too long;
- the _Sanctus_ and _Osanna_ as short as possible, in order not to
- delay the transubstantiation, and--if I may add something on my
- own account--the _Dona nobis pacem_ connected with the _Agnus Dei_
- without marked interruption, and soft. In two masses by Handel
- (arranged from his anthems), two by Naumann and Abbe Stadler, this
- makes a particularly beautiful effect. These in brief, as results
- of my experience, are the things which are to be considered and
- I should congratulate myself, the court and art if our great
- Beethoven were soon to take the work in hand.
-
-On March 10 Dietrichstein sent Beethoven three texts for graduals and
-a like number for offertories from which to choose words to be used
-in the mass to be composed for the emperor. On the count's letter
-Beethoven wrote the memorandum: "Treat the gradual as a symphony with
-song--does it follow the _Gloria_?" Here we have some light on the
-subject which came up for thought during the account of Beethoven's
-negotiations with publishers for the Mass in D. It would seem to
-appear that Beethoven was much pleased with the interest manifested
-in his application by Count Dietrichstein, and looked with auspicious
-eye upon the latter's plan to put him into the Emperor's good books.
-There can scarcely be a doubt but that he gave considerable thought
-to the proposed mass even while still at work on the Mass in D. He
-conceived the plan of accompanying the _Kyrie_ with wind-instruments
-and organ only in a "new mass," as he designates it, and sketches for
-a _Dona nobis pacem_ which have been found "for the mass in C-sharp
-minor" point to a treatment which may be said to be in harmony, so
-far as can be seen, with Count Dietrichstein's suggestions. On one
-occasion he writes to Peters that he had not made up his mind which
-mass he should have, and on another that he had three masses, two
-other publishers having asked for such works. He tells Schindler that
-reports that the Mass in D was not finished were to be denied because
-they were not true, the unfinished numbers being additions. So also
-he writes to the Archduke. These additions were to be a gradual, an
-offertory, and a setting of the hymn _Tantum ergo sacramentum_, and it
-is a fair presumption, since appropriate texts for the first two were
-sent to Beethoven by Count Dietrichstein, that they were contemplated
-in connection with the mass for the emperor and that possibly after
-the abandonment of that project they were associated with the Mass in
-D. Nothing is known of the music which Beethoven had in mind for these
-additional numbers, but many sketches are lost and there is no knowing
-how much music which was never written out Beethoven carried in his
-head.[83]
-
-Beethoven spoke of the "second" mass to others besides the publishers.
-Nothing came of it, however. He decided to postpone work on the mass
-for the Emperor, pleading the pressure of other obligations in the
-letters of thanks which he sent to Counts Lichnowsky and Dietrichstein.
-They and Archduke Rudolph were greatly disappointed and, if Schindler
-is to be believed, the Archduke and Lichnowsky rebuked him.[84]
-
-[Sidenote: CONSIDERATION OF OPERATIC SUBJECTS]
-
-In this period, too, the alluring vision of a new opera presented
-itself, haunted the minds of Beethoven and his friends for a space
-and then disappeared in the limbo of unexecuted projects. "Fidelio"
-had been revived on November 3, 1822, at the Kaernthnerthor Theatre.
-Its success was so great that the management of the theatre offered
-a commission to Beethoven for a new opera. Beethoven viewed the
-proposition favorably and his friends hailed it with enthusiasm,
-especially Count Moritz Lichnowsky. Beethoven's love for classic
-literature led him to express a desire for a libretto based on some
-story of the antique world. He was told that such stories were all
-worn threadbare. In the Conversation Books we see what suggestions
-were offered by others: a text by Schlegel; Voltaire's tragedies;
-Schiller's "Fiesco." Local poets and would-be poets were willing to
-throw themselves into the breach. Friedrich August Kanne, editor of
-the musical journal published by Steiner and Co., wrote a libretto
-which Beethoven sent to Schindler with a note saying that except for
-the fact that the first act was rather lukewarm it was so admirably
-written that it really did not require the collaboration of "one of the
-first composers," adding, "I do not want to say that it is just the
-most suitable thing for me, but if I can rid myself of obligations to
-which I am bound, who knows what might--or will--happen!" Lichnowsky
-tells Beethoven in February that he is determined to see Grillparzer,
-with whom he evidently wants to talk about an opera-book on "Macbeth"
-or "Romeo and Juliet." Brother Johann brings Beethoven a proposition
-from Johann Sporchil, historian and publicist, and Sporchil, receiving
-encouragement, submitted a work act by act to the composer, who wrote
-comments on the manuscripts but never did more.[85] Lichnowsky hears
-of an opera on "Alfred the Great," said to be very beautiful and full
-of spectacular pomp. He will bring it to the composer in a few days.
-The Count has also written to Grillparzer, and Beethoven, recalling
-that he is an old acquaintance, resolves to visit him. Lichnowsky's
-suggestion bore fruit of a kind. Grillparzer has left us an account
-of his attempt to collaborate with Beethoven on an opera in his
-"Erinnerungen an Beethoven."[86] The request for a libretto, he says,
-came to him through Count Dietrichstein and was somewhat embarrassing
-to him because of his unfamiliarity with the lyric drama and his doubts
-touching Beethoven's ability, after his later works, to compose an
-opera. Finally, however, he decided to make the attempt, and submitted
-a subject to Beethoven's friends and then to Beethoven himself. It
-was a semi-diabolical story drawn from Bohemian legendary history,
-entitled "Dragomira." It met with Beethoven's approval and he agreed to
-write it, but afterward changed his mind and took up the fairy tale of
-Melusina. Of the manner in which he treated this subject Grillparzer
-says:
-
-[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER AND HIS "MELUSINA"]
-
- So far as possible I banished the reflective element and sought,
- by giving prominence to the chorus, creating powerful finales and
- adopting the melodramatic style for the third act, to adjust myself
- to Beethoven's last period. I avoided a preliminary conference with
- the composer concerning the subject-matter, because I wanted to
- preserve the independence of my views. Moreover, it was possible to
- make alterations, and in the last instance it rested with him to
- compose the book or not to compose it, as he listed. In order not
- to coerce him in the least I sent him the book by the same channel
- which had brought me the call. He was not to be influenced by
- personal considerations or embarrassed in any manner whatsoever.
-
-The book appealed to Beethoven, but several conferences between him
-and the poet were necessary before it was brought into satisfactory
-shape. Grillparzer had excluded much of the material in the old legend
-which was unsuited to dramatic treatment, and strengthened the plot
-with conceits of his own invention. As soon as he had sent the text he
-went to Beethoven at Schindler's request. At first blush Beethoven was
-much pleased with the book, and he wrote Grillparzer a letter which
-delighted the poet. Grillparzer describes the visit to Beethoven at his
-lodgings in the Kothgasse which he made in company with Schindler:
-
- I found him lying in soiled night wear on a disordered bed, a book
- in his hand. At the head of the bed was a small door which, as I
- observed later, opened into the dining-room and which Beethoven
- seemed in a manner to be guarding, for when subsequently a maid
- came through it with butter and eggs he could not restrain himself,
- in the middle of an earnest conversation, from throwing a searching
- glance at the quantity of the provisions served--which gave me a
- painful picture of the disorder prevailing in his domestic economy.
-
- As we entered Beethoven arose from the bed, gave me his hand,
- poured out his feelings of good-will and respect and at once
- broached the subject of the opera. "Your work lives here," said
- he, pointing to his heart; "I am going to the country in a few
- days and shall at once begin to compose it. Only, I don't know
- what to do with the hunters' chorus which forms the introduction.
- Weber used four horns; you see, therefore, that I must have eight;
- where will this lead to?" Although I was far from seeing the need
- of such a conclusion I explained to him that without injury to the
- rest of the book the hunters' chorus could be omitted, with which
- concession he seemed to be satisfied, and neither then nor later
- did he offer any objection to the text or ask that a change be
- made. He even insisted on closing a contract with me at once. The
- profits of the opera should be divided evenly between us, etc. I
- declared to him, and truthfully, that I had not thought of a fee
- or anything of the kind while at work.... Least of all was it to
- be the subject of conversation between us. He was to do with the
- book what he pleased--I would never make a contract with him. After
- a good deal of talk (or rather of writing, for he could no longer
- hear speech) back and forth, I took my leave, promising to visit
- him in Hetzendorf after he had settled himself there.
-
- I had hoped that he had given up all thoughts of business in regard
- to the matter; but a few days later my publisher, Wallishauser,
- came to me and said that Beethoven insisted upon the execution of
- a contract. If I could not make up my mind, Wallishauser suggested
- that I assign the property-right in the book to him and he would
- arrange with Beethoven, who was already advised of such a step.
- I was glad to get rid of the business, let Wallishauser pay me a
- moderate sum, and banished the matter from my thoughts. Whether or
- not they made a contract I do not know.
-
-Otto Jahn's notes of a conversation with Grillparzer state that
-Beethoven made a contract with Barbaja, who was the _de facto_ manager
-of the Kaernthnerthor Theatre, for 6,000 florins, W. W. (2,500 C. M.).
-Shortly afterward Barbaja abandoned the contract, saying to Beethoven
-that he knew that though he was bound by it he could not use the opera.
-Thereupon Beethoven tore up the document. On April 20, 1824, Duport
-wrote to Beethoven that Barbaja had sent word from Naples that he would
-like to have an opera by Beethoven and would give time and terms as
-soon as he received assurance that his contract for the theatre would
-be extended from December 1. The extension was not granted. Schindler
-denied that a contract between manager and composer ever existed.
-
-Grillparzer kept his promise to visit Beethoven at Hetzendorf, going
-thither with Schindler. Part of his account may best be given in his
-own words:
-
- We took a promenade and entertained each other as well as was
- possible half in conversation, half in writing, while walking.
- I still remember with emotion that when we sat down to table
- Beethoven went into an adjoining room and himself brought forth
- five bottles. He set down one at Schindler's plate, one at his own
- and three in front of me, probably to make me understand in his
- wild and simple way that I was master and should drink as much as I
- liked. When I drove back to town without Schindler, who remained in
- Hetzendorf, Beethoven insisted on accompanying me. He sat himself
- beside me in the open carriage but instead of going only to the
- edge of the village, he drove with me to the city, getting out
- at the gates and, after a cordial handshake, starting back alone
- on the journey of an hour and a half homeward. As he left the
- carriage I noticed a bit of paper lying on the seat which he had
- just vacated. I thought that he had forgotten it and beckoned him
- to come back; but he shook his head and with a loud laugh, as at
- the success of a ruse, he ran the faster in the opposite direction.
- I unrolled the paper and it contained exactly the amount of the
- carriage-hire which I had agreed upon with the driver. His manner
- of life had so estranged him from all the habits and customs of
- the world that it probably never occurred to him that under other
- circumstances he would have been guilty of a gross offence. I took
- the matter as it was intended and laughingly paid my coachman with
- the money which had been given to me.[87]
-
-In a Conversation Book used during the visit to Hetzendorf may be read
-one side of a conversation about "Melusine" which permits us to observe
-the poet's capacity to look into the future:
-
- Are you still of the opinion that something else ought to be
- substituted for the first chorus of our opera? Perhaps a few tones
- of the hunting-horns might be continued by an invisible chorus of
- nymphs. I have been thinking if it might not be possible to mark
- every appearance of Melusine or of her influence in the action by a
- recurrent and easily grasped melody. Might not the overture begin
- with this and after the rushing _Allegro_ the introduction be made
- out of the same melody? I have thought of this melody as that to
- which Melusine sings her first song.
-
-Grillparzer speaks of "Dragomira," promises to send the plot to
-Beethoven in writing and makes many observations concerning music and
-musicians which must have interested Beethoven even when he did not
-agree with him. He asserts that on the whole the North Germans know
-little of music--they will never produce anything higher than "Der
-Freischuetz." Also he has a good word for Italian opera:
-
- And yet I cannot agree with those who unqualifiedly reject Italian
- opera. To my mind there are two kinds of opera--one setting out
- from the text, the other from the music. The latter is the Italian
- opera. Lablache, and in a degree Fodor, are better actors than the
- Germans ever had. Perhaps Mozart formed himself on the Italian
- opera. It is worse now. You would have trouble to find singers for
- your opera.
-
-[Sidenote: ADVICE SOUGHT FROM FRIENDS]
-
-There are many others with whom Beethoven discussed the opera and
-who came to him to tell him of their desire to see it written.
-Duport is greatly interested, wants to read the book with care and
-asks Beethoven's terms; Lichnowsky is willing to risk the financial
-outcome; "I will go security," he says in October, "for the money
-which you want for the opera. After selling the opera to the director
-you can still reserve the right of disposing of it at home and
-abroad." And again: "If you do not compose the opera it will be all
-day with German opera--everybody says that. After the failure of
-Weber's opera 'Euryanthe' many sent the books back. 'Freischuetz' is
-not a genuine opera. If you can use me in any way, you know me and
-how sincere I am"; and still again, towards the end of November: "You
-will get incomparably more without a contract; if you want one, the
-director will make a contract with pleasure at once. Talk it over with
-Grillparzer; it will also be all one to him. Duport already asked about
-the opera several days ago." From other quarters Beethoven is urged
-to write to Duport after the latter had written to him. In a letter
-which must have been written late in the year, since Beethoven is back
-in his town lodgings, he writes to Grillparzer telling him that the
-management had asked for his (Grillparzer's) terms and suggesting that
-he write directly to the management and he would do the same.[88] A
-later conversation which must have taken place toward the close of
-the year (and may have been the result of this letter) begins with a
-complaint by Grillparzer against the censorship for having forbidden
-his "Ottokar." Beethoven's part in the dialogue may easily be supplied
-by the imagination, and it will be seen that he is still unreconciled
-to the opening chorus.
-
- You have again taken up "Melusine?" I have already appealed to
- the management twice but have had no answer.--I have already
- said that I was compelled to ask 100 ducats for it.--Because as
- a matter of fact, all the profits of an opera-book remain with
- the theatre in which it is performed for the first time.--I could
- have made a spoken drama out of the same material which would have
- brought me three times as much--I _must_ ask so much in order to
- meet my obligations to Wallishauser. For ordinary opera-books
- they pay up to 300 florins C. M. Have you already begun to
- compose?--Will you please write down for me where you want the
- changes made?--Because then, nevertheless, the piece will _have_
- to begin with a hunt.--Perhaps the last tones of a vanishing
- hunters' chorus might blend with the introduction without having
- the hunters enter.--To begin with a chorus of nymphs might weaken
- the effect of the chorus at the close of the first act.--I am
- not quite versed in opera texts.--You want to deliver it to the
- theatre by September.--The direction wants to make a creditable
- showing in the eyes of the public.--Doesn't the text of the opera
- also seem too _long_ to you?--To whom are you thinking of giving
- the role of _Raimund_?--They are talking of a young tenor who may
- have made his debut by that time. I believe his name is Cramolini;
- besides a handsome figure he is said to have a beautiful voice.--It
- is said that the direction is having him educated.--Forti is a
- little too gross.--Then I am to expect your written suggestion as
- to alterations, soon?--I am not busy at present.--I am ready for
- anything.
-
-For a space there is talk about oratorio texts ("Judith") and the
-possibility of musical expression in the case of Christ. Then the text
-of "Dragomira" is referred to, concerning which Beethoven seems to have
-asked. Grillparzer says:
-
- Dragomira. Great variety--great characters, effects.--The mother
- of St. Wenzelaus, the Duke of Bohemia.--One of her sons kills the
- other. She herself is a pagan, the better son is a Christian. They
- still show the spot in Prague where she was swallowed up by the
- earth with horses and equipage.--After I have lost all hope _here_
- I shall send it to Berlin.
-
-There is much more talk in the Conversation Book about the opera, but
-neither sequence nor date can always be determined. Lichnowsky tells
-him that the management of the theatre is willing to do anything
-asked of it and is negotiating with Grillparzer. Brother Johann says:
-"Grillparzer is coming to-morrow--that is no affair of yours.--You
-wrote to the management to make arrangements with the poet, and to this
-it was agreed; hence Grillparzer must make terms." In the same book
-Schikh, the editor, writes: "Why don't you compose Grillparzer's opera?
-Write the opera first and then we shall be in a position to wish you
-also to write a Requiem."
-
-[Sidenote: GRILLPARZER PARTS WITH BEETHOVEN]
-
-Grillparzer says that Beethoven told him in Hetzendorf that his opera
-was ready (whether he meant in his head or in its essential elements
-in the numerous sketchbooks, the poet could not say), but after the
-composer's death not a single note was found which could indubitably
-be assigned to their common work. The poet had faithfully adhered to
-his resolve not to remind the composer of the work in any way and "was
-never near him again until, clad in black and carrying a burning torch
-in my [his] hand," he walked behind his coffin. Grillparzer's memory
-is faulty in a few details. He says that he never met Beethoven after
-the visit to Hetzendorf except once; but the two men were together
-again in 1824. This, however, is inconsequential; the fact remains that
-Beethoven did not compose "Melusine."--Why not? Many reasons must be
-obvious to those who have followed this narrative closely: illness;
-vexation of spirit; loss of initiative; a waning of the old capacity
-to assimilate conceptions and ideas which did not originate in his
-own consciousness and were not in harmony with his own predilections.
-Moreover, it was the period of his greatest introspection; he was
-communing more and more with his own soul, and separating himself more
-and more from all agencies of utterance except the one which spoke most
-truthfully and directly within him, and to which he entrusted his last
-revelations--the string quartet. "Melusine" was not composed, but the
-opera continued to occupy his attention at intervals until deep into
-the next year, and unless Holz is in error, some of his last labors
-were devoted to it. Too literal an acceptance must not, therefore, be
-given to Schindler's statement that he "suddenly" abandoned the plan of
-writing a German opera because he learned that the similarity between
-the subjects of "Melusine" and "Undine" would embarrass the production
-of the former in Berlin.
-
-[Illustration: B A C H]
-
-A project which cropped out intermittently during 1823 was the writing
-of an overture on the musical motive suggested by the letters composing
-the name of Bach. The thought seems to have become fixed in his mind
-in 1822, though the device of using as a motive in composition was
-at least as old as the Leipsic master's "Art of Fugue," and no doubt
-familiar to Beethoven. However, he was deeply engrossed in fugal
-writing at this period and it is very likely, as Nottebohm suggests,
-that he conceived an overture on the motive as a tribute to Bach's
-genius. Several sketches showing different forms of the theme appear
-in the books of 1823; and a collateral memorandum, "This overture with
-the new symphony, and we shall have a concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Kaernthnerthor Theatre," amongst sketches for the last quartets in
-1825, shows that he clung to the idea almost to the end. Had Beethoven
-carried out all the plans for utilizing the theme which presented
-themselves to him between 1822 and 1825, there would have been several
-Bach overtures; unfortunately, he carried out none.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND THE BOY LISZT]
-
-On April 13, 1823, the boy Franz Liszt, who was studying with Carl
-Czerny and had made his first public appearance on the first day of
-the year, gave a concert in the small Ridotto room. Together with his
-father he had been presented to Beethoven by Schindler, but had not
-been received with any special marks of friendliness. The precocious
-boy gave expression to the hope that Beethoven would attend his
-approaching concert.[89] Later in the Conversation Book:
-
- Little Liszt has urgently requested me humbly to beg you for a
- theme on which he wishes to improvise at his concert to-morrow. He
- will not break the seal till the time comes. The little fellow's
- improvisations do not seriously signify. The lad is a fine pianist,
- but so far as his fancy is concerned it is far from the truth
- to say that he really improvises (_was Phantasie anbelangt, so
- ist es noch weit am Tage bis man sagen kann, er phantasiert_).
- Czerny (Carl) is his teacher. Just eleven years. Do come; it will
- certainly please Karl to hear how the little fellow plays. It is
- unfortunate that the lad is in Czerny's hands.--You will make good
- the rather unfriendly reception of recent date by coming to little
- Liszt's concert?--It will encourage the boy.--Promise me to come.
-
-Did Beethoven attend the concert, and did he afterwards go upon the
-stage, lift up the prodigy and kiss him? So the world has long believed
-on the authority of Nohl,[90] who got the story from Liszt himself.
-Schindler ought to be a good witness in this case, since he pleaded
-the cause of the little lad before his great friend; but unfortunately
-Schindler in this instance gives testimony at one time which he
-impeaches at another. In the second edition of his "Biography of
-Beethoven" (Muenster, 1845, second appendix, page 71, note) he says:
-
- One can never know if a child will grow into a man, and if so what
- kind of man; so I could not foresee when I introduced the promising
- boy Liszt and his father in 1823, to Beethoven, what kind of
- musical vandal would grow out of this young talent. Did Beethoven
- have a premonition? The reception was not the usual friendly one
- and I had reason at the time not to be particularly satisfied,
- since the prodigy had interested me in an unusual degree. Beethoven
- himself noticed that he had been somewhat lax in his interest in
- little Franz, which made it easy to persuade him to honor the
- concert of little Liszt with his presence in order to atone for the
- indifference he had first shown.
-
-In the third edition of his book (1860, Part II, p. 178) he says:
-
- The author knows of only one reception to which the term "friendly"
- can not be applied. It was in the case of little Franz Liszt, who,
- accompanied by his father, was presented by me. This unfriendliness
- grew out of the excessive idolization of this truly sensational
- talent; but chiefly it was due to the request made of Beethoven
- to give the twelve-year-old lad a theme for improvisation at
- his farewell concert--a request which was as indiscreet as it
- was unreasonable. But hyperenthusiasm always betrays a want of
- timeliness. It is not impossible that this enthusiasm, after
- Beethoven had declined the request with obvious displeasure, yet
- managed to secure from Emperor Franz, or at least Archduke Rudolph,
- a theme for the young virtuoso. The idolatry of the wonder-child
- gave the master, who had gone through so severe a school of
- experience, a text for many observations on the hindrances and
- clogs to the equable development of extraordinary talents as soon
- as they were made the darlings of the multitude. Sketches of the
- life of Liszt have stated that Beethoven attended the farewell
- concert of 1823; in Schilling's encyclopaedia it is added that
- Beethoven at this concert shook the hand of little Liszt and
- thereby designated him as worthy of the name of artist. Beethoven
- did _not_ attend the concert; nor any private concert after
- 1816.[91]
-
-The visit of Louis Schloesser, afterwards chapelmaster in Darmstadt,
-who delivered the message from the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt,
-took place in the spring of the year. His description of the visit
-was printed in the journal "Hallelujah" in 1885 (Nos. 20 and 21).
-Schloesser revisited him later and met him afterwards in town, walking
-with him to Steiner, whom he said he was about to take to task for a
-remissness. "When it comes to the publication of a new work," Beethoven
-said, "they would like to postpone it as long as possible, even till
-after my death, thinking thus to do a better business with it; but I
-shall checkmate them." Schloesser was surprised on this occasion to
-find Beethoven dressed with unwonted elegance and remarked the fact to
-Mayseder, who explained, with a smile, that it was not the first time
-that his friends had stolen his old clothes at night and left new ones
-in their place. Mayseder added that the substitution was never noticed
-by Beethoven, who donned the garments with perfect calmness. Schloesser
-observes that he never detected the least sign of absentmindedness in
-Beethoven.
-
-At the last meeting between the men Schloesser showed Beethoven one of
-his compositions, a somewhat complicated work. Beethoven looked through
-it and observed: "You write too much; less would have been better.
-That's the way of our young heaven-stormers who think that they can
-never do enough. But that will change with riper age, and I prefer a
-superabundance to a paucity of ideas." To the question how this might
-be attained Schloesser says Beethoven replied "literally":
-
- I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, often a very long
- time, before I write them down. Meanwhile my memory is so tenacious
- that I am sure never to forget, not even in years, a theme that has
- once occurred to me. I change many things, discard and try again
- until I am satisfied. Then, however, there begins in my head the
- development in every direction and, insomuch as I know exactly what
- I want, the fundamental idea never deserts me--it arises before me,
- grows--I see and hear the picture in all its extent and dimensions
- stand before my mind like a cast and there remains for me nothing
- but the labor of writing it down, which is quickly accomplished
- when I have the time, for I sometimes take up other work, but never
- to the confusion of one with the other. You will ask me where I
- get my ideas? That I can not tell you with certainty; they come
- unsummoned, directly, indirectly,--I could seize them with my hands
- out in the open air; in the woods; while walking; in the silence
- of the night; early in the morning; incited by moods which are
- translated by the poet into words, by me into tones,--sound and
- roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.
-
-At parting, Beethoven gave Schloesser a sheet containing a canon
-for six voices on the words, "Edel sei der Mensch, huelfreich und
-gut," with the inscription: "Words by Goethe, tones by Beethoven.
-Vienna, May, 1823." On the back he wrote: "A happy journey, my dear
-Herr Schloesser, may all things which seem desirable come to meet
-you. Your devoted Beethoven."[92] Judging by the position of the
-canon in the Rudolphinian Collection, Nottebohm was of the opinion
-that it was composed at an earlier date, say 1819-20. Beethoven also
-gave Schloesser, who was going to Paris, a letter of introduction
-to Cherubini which accomplished his acceptance as a pupil of the
-Conservatoire.
-
-Our old friend Schuppanzigh, after an absence of seven years, returned
-to Vienna in 1823. On May 4 he gave a concert at which Piringer
-conducted the orchestra, and on June 14 the quartet meetings were
-resumed, with Holz, Weiss and Linke as his associates.
-
-[Sidenote: VARIATIONS ON A WALTZ BY DIABELLI]
-
-Schindler places the incident which gave the incentive to the creation
-of the last of Beethoven's characteristic works for the pianoforte,
-the "Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli," Op. 120, in the winter of
-1822-'23. In this, as will appear presently, he was in error, as he
-was also touching the date of the completion of the composition, but
-otherwise his story is no doubt correct. Anton Diabelli, head of the
-music-publishing house of Diabelli and Co., having composed a waltz,
-conceived the idea of having variations written on its melody by a
-large group of the popular composers of the day. Beethoven was among
-those who received the invitation, but, mindful of his experiences
-in 1808, when he contributed a setting of "In questa tomba" to a
-similar conglomeration, he declared that he would never do so again.
-Moreover, so Schindler says, he did not like the tune, which he called
-a _Schusterfleck_.[93] He declined Diabelli's request, but not long
-afterward asked Schindler to inquire of Diabelli if he were disposed
-to take from him a set of variations on the waltz, and if so, what
-he would pay. Diabelli received the proposition with delight and
-offered 80 ducats, requiring not more than six or seven variations.
-The contract was formally closed and Beethoven remarked to Schindler:
-"Good; he shall have variations on his cobble!" This the story as told
-by Schindler. Lenz, who claimed to have the authority of Holz for his
-version, says that after receiving thirty-two variations from other
-composers, Diabelli went to Beethoven and asked him for the one which
-he had promised. Beethoven inquired how many variations he already had
-and when Diabelli replied "Thirty-two" he said: "Well, go and publish
-them and I alone will write you thirty-three." This story, however,
-lacks probability. Lenz himself says that Diabelli told him that
-Beethoven had not agreed to write for him; hence he could not have
-asked for the "promised" variation. But Schindler is also wrong in
-saying that the variations were the first work taken up by Beethoven
-after his removal to Hetzendorf in the summer of 1823 and that they
-were published in July. They were advertised as published by Diabelli
-in the "Wiener Zeitung" on June 16, 1823, and there are other dates
-to corroborate the evidence that they were finished when Beethoven
-removed to Hetzendorf on May 17. On May 7 Beethoven offered them for
-publication to Lissner in St. Petersburg; on April 25 he wrote to
-Ries: "You will also receive in a few weeks 33 variations on a theme,
-dedicated to your wife," and on July 16: "By this time the variations
-must be with you." The date of Diabelli's conception of the plan was
-probably a whole year, even two years earlier than the date given by
-Schindler. In a letter dated June 5, 1822, Beethoven offered to Peters
-"Variations on a Waltz for pianoforte solo (there are many)" for 30
-ducats; they must therefore have been far advanced in composition and
-fully planned at that time. Nottebohm says that Schubert's contribution
-to the collection of variations bears on the autograph the date "March,
-1821." The Variations appeared from the press of Diabelli and Co. in
-June, with a dedication to Mme. Antonia von Brentano; not, it will be
-observed, to the wife of Ries. Had there been an English edition there
-would have been such a dedication, but it is another case in which an
-English publisher was disappointed in the conduct of the composer. Ries
-had complied with Beethoven's solicitations and secured a publisher.
-He closed an agreement with Boosey; but when the manuscript reached
-London, Boosey was already in possession of a copy of the Vienna
-edition and the work had also been printed in Paris. The copy made
-for London bore a dedication written in large letters by Beethoven to
-Madame Ries; but the printed copies were inscribed to Madame Brentano.
-Beethoven attempted an explanation and defence in a letter to Ries
-dated Baden September 5:
-
- You say that I ought to look about me for somebody to look after
- my affairs. This was the case with the _Variat._ which were cared
- for by my friends and Schindler. The _Variat._ were not to appear
- here until after they had been published in London. The dedication
- to B---- (not clear) was intended only for Germany, as I was
- under obligations to her and could publish nothing else at the
- time; besides only Diabelli, the publisher here, got them from
- me. Everything was done by Schindler; a bigger wretch I never got
- acquainted with on God's earth--an arch-scoundrel whom I have sent
- about his business. I can dedicate another work to your wife in
- place of it.
-
-How much blame in this affair really attached to Schindler is not
-known; it seems pretty apparent that though Beethoven was also fuming
-against him at the time at home, he was doing duty in London as a
-whipping-boy. Beethoven went right on calling in the help of the
-"biggest wretch on earth and arch-scoundrel."
-
-[Sidenote: TROUBLED BY HIS EYES AT HETZENDORF]
-
-After the labors and vexations of town life in the winter, the call of
-the country in the summer was more than usually imperative, because the
-work which had long occupied Beethoven's mind--the Ninth Symphony--was
-demanding completion. His brother Johann had invited him to visit
-him on his estate near Gneixendorf, but he had declined. His choice
-for the summer sojourn fell upon Hetzendorf, a village not far from
-Vienna, where he hit upon a villa, surrounded by a beautiful park,
-which belonged to Baron Mueller-Pronay. There was some haggling about
-the rent and some questioning about the post service--an important
-matter in view of the many negotiations with publishers, in all of
-which Schindler was depended on--but eventually all was arranged.
-Ill health marred the Hetzendorf sojourn. Beethoven's other ailments
-were augmented by a painful affection of the eyes which called for
-medical treatment, retarded his work and caused him no small amount of
-anxiety. Complaints on this score began in April and were continued
-through July, on the 15th of which month he writes to the Archduke, "My
-eyes are better, but improvement is slow. It would be more rapid if
-I were not obliged to use glasses; it is an unfortunate circumstance
-which delays me in everything"; and later, when on a short visit to
-Vienna: "I have just heard here that Y. I. H. is coming to-morrow. If
-I cannot obey the wishes of my heart, please ascribe it to my eyes.
-They are much better, but I must not breathe the town air for many
-more days, for it would have ill effects on my eyes." In August, very
-shortly before his departure for Baden: "I am feeling really badly,
-not my eyes alone. I purpose to drag myself to Baden to-morrow to take
-lodgings and in a few days will have to go there to stay. The town air
-has an injurious effect on my entire organization and I hurt myself
-by going twice to my physicians in the city." From Baden on the 22nd
-he complains of a catarrhal affection, the misery in his bowels and
-the trouble with his eyes, but adds: "Thank God, the eyes are so much
-improved that I can again use them considerably in the daytime. Things
-are going better also with my other ailments; more could not be asked
-in this short time."
-
-Among the cheering incidents of the summer were the reports which
-reached him of the production of "Fidelio" under the direction of Weber
-in Dresden. Weber opened a correspondence on January 28 and continued
-it with letters dated February 18, April 7 and June 5; Beethoven's
-answers were dated February 16, April 10 and June 9. Most unfortunately
-all these letters have disappeared, and the only hints we have as to
-their contents are from the draft for Weber's first communication
-discovered among the papers of the writer:
-
- "Fidelio." To Beethoven. The performance in Prague under my
- direction of this mighty work, which bears testimony to German
- grandeur and depth of feeling, gave me an intimacy, as inspiring
- as it was instructive, with the essence through which I hope to
- present it to the public in its complete effectiveness here, where
- I have all possible means at my command. Every representation will
- be a festival day on which I shall be privileged to offer to your
- exalted mind the homage which lives in my heart, where reverence
- and love for you struggle with each other.
-
-Weber had received the score of the opera on April 10 from Beethoven,
-who had to borrow it from the Kaernthnerthor Theatre, whose musical
-archives were in the care of Count Gallenberg. Through Schindler,
-Gallenberg sent word to Beethoven that he would send the score,
-provided two copies were on hand; if not, he would have a copy made.
-Schindler, reporting the message to Beethoven, adds that Gallenberg had
-said he thought Beethoven himself had the score: "But when I assured
-him that you did not have it he said that its loss was a consequence
-of your irregularity and many changes of lodgings."[94] Nevertheless,
-Weber got the score and after fourteen rehearsals the representation
-took place with great success. Von Koenneritz, Director-General of the
-Royal Chapel, reported the triumph to Beethoven and sent Beethoven a
-fee of 40 ducats. Beethoven in acknowledging receipt on July 17 is
-emboldened "by the account which my dear friend Maria Weber gives me
-of the admirable and noble motives of Your Excellency" to ask his
-intercession with the Saxon court in behalf of the Mass in D, as has
-already been recorded in this chapter.
-
-A number of incidents may now hurriedly be marshalled. In 1822 the
-Royal Academy of Music of Sweden had elected Beethoven to foreign
-membership. The consent of the Austrian government was necessary to
-his acceptance of the honor and this seems to have been deferred an
-unconscionably long time; at least Beethoven's letters to the Academy
-and to King Charles XIV (whom as General Bernadotte, then French
-ambassador at Vienna, he had known 25 years before) are dated March
-1, 1823. When permission came he wrote notes to the editors of the
-newspapers "Beobachter" and "Wiener Zeitschrift," asking them to
-announce the fact of his election--a circumstance which shows that
-he was not always as indifferent to distinctions of all kinds as he
-professed occasionally. Franz Schoberlechner, a young pianist, appealed
-to him for letters of recommendation to be used on a concert-tour. The
-letter reached Beethoven through Schindler, to whom he returned it with
-the curt indorsement: "A capable fellow has no need of recommendation
-other than from one good house to another." Schindler importuned him
-again, and Beethoven wrote to him somewhat testily: "It must be plain
-to you that I do not want to have anything to do with this matter.
-As for 'being noble' I think I have shown you sufficiently that I am
-that on principle; I even think that you must have observed that I
-have never been otherwise. _Sapienti sat._" That ended the matter;
-but when Chapelmaster Dreschler of the Josephstadt Theatre became a
-candidate for the post of second court organist, Beethoven recommended
-him enthusiastically to Archduke Rudolph, whom in a second letter he
-urged to remain firm notwithstanding that Abbe Stadler had presented
-another candidate. Archduke Rudolph spoke to the emperor and Count
-Dietrichstein in favor of Drechsler, but in vain. In his letters
-Beethoven referred to a canon, "Grossen Dank," which he said he had
-written for the Archduke and which he intended to hand him in person.
-Sketches for it have been found among those for the third movement of
-the Ninth Symphony, but nothing has yet been heard of the completed
-work.
-
-[Sidenote: TROUBLES WITH A COUNTRY LANDLORD]
-
-Beethoven's domestic affairs continued to plague him. While at
-Hetzendorf he had the services of a housekeeper whom he described as
-"the swift-sailing frigate" Frau Schnaps, in letters to Schindler. He
-has no end of trouble about his town lodging in the Kothgasse where
-Schindler was living, and must needs take time to write long letters to
-his factotum on the subject. Here is one sent from Hetzendorf on July 2:
-
- The continued brutality of the landlord, from the beginning as
- long as I have been in the house, calls for the help of the R.
- I. Police. Go to them direct. As regards the storm-window, the
- housekeeper was ordered to look after it and particularly after
- the recent severe rain-storm to see if it was necessary to prevent
- rain from entering the room; but she found that it had neither
- rained in nor could rain in. Believing this, I put on the lock so
- that the brutal fellow could not open my room in my absence as he
- threatened to do. Tell them further how he behaved towards you and
- that he put up the bill without notice, which he has no right to do
- before St. James's day.--He has also refused to give me a receipt
- from St. George's to St. James' as this paper shows because of the
- demand that I pay a charge for lighting of which I knew nothing.
- This abominable lodging _without a stove-flue_ and with the most
- wretched sort of main chimney has cost me at least 259 florins W.
- W. for extra expenses above the rent in order to make it habitable
- while I was there in the winter. It was an intentional cheat,
- inasmuch as I never saw the lodgings in the first storey but only
- in the second, for which reason many objectionable things remained
- unknown to me. I can not comprehend how it is possible that so
- _shameful a chimney, ruinous to human health, can be tolerated by
- the government_. You remember how the walls of your room looked
- because of smoke, how much it cost to get rid of some but not all
- of the nuisance. The chief thing now is that he be commanded to
- take down the notice and to give me the receipt for the rent paid
- at any rate. I never had that wretched lighting, but had other
- large expenses in order to make life endurable in this lodging. My
- sore eyes can not yet stand the town air, otherwise I would myself
- go to the imperial police.
-
-Schindler obeyed instructions; the police director, Ungermann, sent
-his compliments to Beethoven, told him that his wishes were all
-granted in advance but advised him to pay the 6 florins for lighting
-to prevent a scoundrelly landlord from having any kind of hold upon
-him--and Schindler got well scolded for his pains! How could he accept
-something-or-other from such a churl accompanied by a threat? Where was
-his judgment? Where he always kept it, of course! The bill came down,
-but Beethoven did not keep the lodging.
-
-Beethoven's nephew Karl pursued his studies at Bloechlinger's
-Institute till in August and then spent his vacation with his uncle
-in Baden. He made himself useful as amanuensis and otherwise, and
-his words are occasionally found among the notes of conversation.
-His mother remains in the background for the time being, which
-is providential, for Beethoven has trouble enough with his other
-delectable sister-in-law, the wife of Johann, whose conduct reaches
-the extreme of reprehensibleness in the summer of 1823, during a spell
-of sickness which threw her husband on his back. The woman chose this
-time to receive her lover in her house and to make a shameless public
-parade of her moral laxness. The step-daughter was no less neglectful
-of her filial duties. Accounts of his sister-in-law's misconduct
-reached Beethoven's ears from various quarters and he was frank in his
-denunciation of her to his brother and only a little more plain-spoken
-than Schindler, who was asked by Beethoven to lay the matter before the
-police, but managed to postpone that step for the time being.[95]
-
-[Sidenote: AUTOGRAPHED SHUTTERS IN DEMAND]
-
-Meanwhile Beethoven was hard at work on the Ninth Symphony. It was so
-ever-present with him that there was neither paradox nor hyperbole in
-his words: "I am never alone when I am alone." He had much to irritate
-him while sketches and drafts of the symphony were piling up before
-him in August, and finally, if Schindler is to be believed, he could
-no longer endure the obsequious bows with which his landlord, Baron
-Pronay, always greeted him, and resolved to abandon the pretty villa
-at Hetzendorf and go to Baden. He may have formed the plan earlier in
-the year--probably had--but the baron's excessive politeness helped
-to turn his departure into something like a bolt. He went to Baden on
-a house-hunting expedition with Schindler, and returning, sent his
-"swift-sailing frigate" to Schindler with a billet commanding him to
-be up and off at 5 o'clock in the morning "_presto prestissimo_." He
-knew only one lodging in Baden suited to his requirements--the one
-which he had occupied in 1822--but the owner refused to let him have it
-again. This owner was a locksmith. To him Schindler was sent. In the
-name of his master he made all manner of humble promises concerning
-more orderly conduct and consideration for the other tenants, but the
-plea was rejected. A second appeal was made and now the houseowner
-relented, but made it a condition that Beethoven replace the
-window-shutters which had been removed. Beethoven was the more willing
-to do this, since he thought it necessary for the sake of his eyes.
-The landlord had not divulged the reason for his demand. Beethoven was
-in the habit of scrawling all kinds of memoranda on his shutters in
-leadpencil--accounts, musical themes, etc. A family from North Germany
-had noticed this in the previous year and on Beethoven's departure had
-bought one of the shutters as a curiosity. The thrifty locksmith had an
-eye for business and disposed of the remaining shutters to other summer
-visitors.
-
-Beethoven had arrived in Baden on August 13 with the help of Schindler,
-towards whom he was filled with as much gratitude as can be read in the
-following remarks from two letters to his nephew dated August 16 and 23:
-
- My ruined belly must be restored by medicine and diet, and this I
- owe to the _faithful messenger_! You can imagine how I am racing
- about, for only to-day did I really begin my service to the muses;
- I _must_, though that is not noticeable, for the baths invite me at
- least to the enjoyment of beautiful nature, but _nous sommes trop
- pauvre et il faut ecrire ou de n'avoir pas de quoi_.
-
- He (Schindler) was with me only a day here to take a lodging,
- as you know; slept in Hetzendorf, and as he said, went back to
- Josephstadt in the morning. Do not get to gossipping against him.
- It might work him injury, and is he not already sufficiently
- punished? Being what he is, it is necessary plainly to tell him
- the truth, for his evil character which is prone to trickery needs
- to be handled seriously.
-
-Beethoven's unamiable mood, which finds copious expression in abuse of
-Schindler at this juncture, has some explanation (also extenuation, if
-that is necessary) in the rage and humiliation with which contemplation
-of his brother's domestic affairs filled him. Johann was convalescing
-and wrote a letter to the composer which occasioned the following
-outburst under date of August 13:
-
- Dear Brother:
-
- I am rejoiced at your better health. As regards myself, my eyes
- are not entirely recovered and I came here with a disordered
- stomach and a frightful catarrh, the first due to the arch-pig of
- a housekeeper, the second to a beast of a kitchen-maid whom I have
- once driven away but whom the other took back. _You ought not to
- have gone to Steiner_; I will see what can be done. It will be
- difficult to do anything with the songs _in puris_ as their texts
- are German; more likely with the overture.
-
- I received your letter of the 10th at the hands of the miserable
- scoundrel Schindler. You need only to give your letters directly
- to the post, I am certain to receive them, for I avoid this mean
- and contemptible fellow as much as possible. Karl can not come to
- me before the 29th of this month when he will write you. You can
- not well be wholly unadvised as to what the two _canailles_, Lump
- and Bastard,[96] are doing to you, and you have had letters on the
- subject from me and Karl, for, little as you deserve it I shall
- never forget that you are my brother, and a good angel will yet
- come to rid you of these two _canailles_. This former and present
- strumpet who received visits from her fellow no less than three
- times while you were ill, and who in addition to everything else
- has your money wholly in her hands. O infamous disgrace! Isn't
- there a spark of manhood in you?!!!... About coming to you I will
- write another time. Ought I so to _degrade_ myself as to associate
- with such bad company? Mayhap this can be avoided and we yet pass
- a few days with you. About the rest of your letter another time.
- Farewell. Unseen I hover over you and work through others so that
- these _canailles_ shall not strangle you.
-
- As always your faithful
- Brother.
-
-There were several visitors to Beethoven at Baden in the summer of 1823
-who have left accounts of their experiences. One was an Englishman,
-Edward Schulz, who published his story in the "Harmonicon" in January
-1824. This extremely lively letter was reprinted by Moscheles in
-his translation (or rather, adaptation) of Schindler's biography
-of Beethoven and incorporated in the second German edition, where
-Schindler accompanies it with several illuminative glosses which are
-less necessary now than they were when the biographer wrote. Schulz
-visited Beethoven on September 28 in the company of Haslinger. He
-describes it as a _dies faustus_ for him and, as Schindler shrewdly
-observes, it must also have been one for Beethoven, since he managed
-to hear the conversation of his visitors without the aid of an
-ear-trumpet. He talked with great animation, as was his wont when in
-good humor, but, says the English visitor, "one unlucky question, one
-ill-judged piece of advice--for instance, concerning the cure of his
-deafness--is quite sufficient to estrange him from you forever." He
-asked Haslinger about the highest possible note on the trombone, but
-was dissatisfied with the answer which he received; introduced his
-nephew and showed his pride in the youth's attainments by telling his
-guest that he might put to him "a riddle in Greek" if he liked. At
-dinner during a visit to the Helenenthal he commented on the profusion
-of provisions at dinner, saying: "Why such a variety of dishes? Man is
-but little above other animals if his chief pleasure is confined to a
-dinner-table." A few excerpts from the letter will serve to advance the
-present narrative:
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S TRIBUTE TO HANDEL]
-
- In the whole course of our table-talk there was nothing so
- interesting as what he said about Handel. I sat close by him
- and heard him assert very distinctly in German, "Handel is the
- greatest composer that ever lived." I can not describe to you
- with what pathos, and I am inclined to say, with what sublimity
- of language, he spoke of the "Messiah" of this immortal genius.
- Every one of us was moved when he said, "I would uncover my head,
- and kneel down at his tomb!" H. and I tried repeatedly to turn the
- conversation to Mozart, but without effect. I only heard him say,
- "In a monarchy we know who is the first"; which might or might
- not apply to the subject.... He is engaged in writing a new opera
- called "Melusine," the words by the famous but unfortunate poet
- Grillparzer. He concerns himself but very little about the newest
- productions of living composers, insomuch, that when I asked about
- the "Freischuetz," he replied, "I believe _one_ Weber has written
- it".... He appears uniformly to entertain the most favorable
- opinion of the British nation. "I like," said he, "the noble
- simplicity of the English manners," and added other praises. It
- seemed to me as if he had yet some hopes of visiting this country
- together with his nephew. I should not forget to mention that I
- heard a MS. trio of his for the pianoforte, violin and violoncello,
- which I thought very beautiful, and as, I understood, to appear
- shortly in London.
-
-Our author's statement that he heard a manuscript pianoforte trio at
-this time piques curiosity. Schindler disposes of the question as to
-what it may have been in the manner more characteristic of the present
-than the past attitude of German writers towards everything English or
-American. "Who knows what it was that the non-musical gentleman took
-for a trio?" he asks. Evidently Schindler was of the opinion that no
-Englishman except, possibly, a professional musician, could count
-three or recognize the employment of pianoforte, violin and violoncello
-in a piece of music. He is right in scouting the idea that it could
-have been the great Trio in B-flat, for that work had long been in
-print. Nor is it likely to have been the little trio in the same key
-dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano; for though that was not published
-at the time, it is not likely that Beethoven would produce it in 1823
-as a novelty. There are in existence sketches for a Trio in F minor
-made in 1815, but nothing to show that the work was ever written out.
-Had it been in Beethoven's hands at a time when he was turning over
-the manuscripts of earlier days, it would surely have been offered to
-a publisher; so that is out of the way. There is only one other known
-work which invites speculation--the "Adagio, Variations and Rondo,"
-for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, which Steiner and Co. gave to
-the public in 1824, as Op. 121. The variations are on a melody from
-Wenzel Mueller's opera "Die Schwestern aus Prag" ("Ich bin der Schneider
-Kakadu"). It is at least remotely possible that this was the trio which
-the English traveller heard, and if so we have in the fact a hint as to
-the time of its origin--the only hint yet given.
-
-[Sidenote: VON WEBER'S VISIT TO BEETHOVEN]
-
-A few days after the one just recorded Beethoven received a visit
-from a man of much greater moment than the English traveller. The new
-visitor was Carl Maria von Weber. That the composer of "Der Freischuetz"
-was unable in his salad days to appreciate the individuality of
-Beethoven's genius has already been set forth; and the author of the
-letter in the "Harmonicon" seems to have learned that Beethoven was
-disposed to speak lightly of Weber only a month before he received
-him with most amiable distinction at Baden. Schindler's explanation,
-that a memory of Weber's criticism of the Fourth Symphony may at the
-moment have risen, ghost-like, in Beethoven's mind and prompted the
-disparaging allusion quoted by Schulz, is far-fetched. It is not
-necessary to account for such moody remarks in Beethoven's case. He was
-often unjust in his comments on even his most devoted friends, and we
-may believe that to Schulz he did speak of the composer as "one Weber,"
-and at the same time accept the account which Max Maria von Weber gives
-of the reception of his father by Beethoven. From the affectionate
-biography written by the son, we learn that after the sensational
-success achieved by "Der Freischuetz" Beethoven was led to study its
-score and that he was so astonished at the originality of the music
-that he struck the book with his hand and exclaimed: "I never would
-have thought it of the gentle little man (_sonst weiche Maennel_). Now
-Weber must write operas; nothing but operas--one after the other and
-without polishing them too much. _Casper_, the monster, stands out here
-like a house. Wherever the devil puts in his claws they are felt." He
-learned to know "Euryanthe" later and was less impressed by it than
-by its predecessor. After glancing through it hurriedly he remarked:
-"The man has taken too much pains."[97] Whatever may have been their
-earlier feelings and convictions, however, the representations of
-"Fidelio" at Prague and Dresden under the direction of Weber warmed
-their hearts towards each other. Weber's filial biographer says that
-when the youthful sin of his father was called to the notice of
-Beethoven, the latter showed some resentment, but there is no shadow
-of this in the pictures which we have from the pens of Weber himself,
-Max Maria von Weber and Julius Benedict, of the meeting between the two
-men. Weber had come to Vienna, bringing with him his pupil Benedict,
-to conduct the first performance of "Euryanthe." On his visit in the
-previous year, when "Der Freischuetz" was produced, he had neglected
-to call on Beethoven, but now some kindly words about "Euryanthe"
-spoken by Beethoven to Steiner being repeated to him, he made good his
-dereliction and, announced by Haslinger, drove out to Baden to pay his
-respects. In his diary Weber noted the visit thus: "The 5th, Sunday
-(October, 1823), at 8 o'clock, drove with Burger (Piringer), Haslinger
-and Benedict to Baden; abominable weather; Saw spring and baths; to
-Duport and _Beethoven_; received by him with great cordiality. Dined
-with him, his nephew and Eckschlager at the Sauerhof. Very cheerful.
-Back again at 5 o'clock." On the next day (though the letter is dated
-"October 5") Weber wrote an account to his wife as follows:
-
- I was right tired but had to get up yesterday at 6 o'clock
- because the excursion to Baden had been appointed for half-past 7
- o'clock. This took place with Hasslinger, Piringer and Benedict;
- but unfortunately the weather was atrocious. The main purpose
- was to see Beethoven. He received me with an affection which was
- touching; he embraced me most heartily at least six or seven times
- and finally exclaimed enthusiastically: "Indeed, you're a devil
- of a fellow!--a good fellow!" We spent the afternoon very merrily
- and contentedly. This rough, repellant man actually paid court to
- me, served me at table as if I had been his lady. In short, this
- day will always remain remarkable in my memory as well as of those
- present. It was uplifting for me to be overwhelmed with such loving
- attention by this great genius. How saddening is his deafness!
- Everything must be written down for him. We inspected the baths,
- drank the waters, and at 5 o'clock drove back to Vienna.
-
-Max Maria von Weber in his account of the incident says that Beethoven,
-in the conversation which followed his greeting of the "devil of
-a fellow," railed at the management of the theatre, the concert
-impresarios, the public, the Italians, the taste of the people,
-and particularly at the ingratitude of his nephew. Weber, who was
-deeply moved, advised him to tear himself away from his discouraging
-environment and make an artistic tour through Germany, which would show
-him what the world thought of him. "Too late!" exclaimed Beethoven,
-shaking his head and going through the motions of playing the
-pianoforte. "Then go to England, where you are admired," wrote Weber.
-"Too late!" cried Beethoven, drew Weber's arm into his and dragged him
-along to the Sauerhof, where they dined. At parting, Beethoven embraced
-and kissed him several times and cried: "Good luck to the new opera; if
-I can I'll come to the first performance."
-
-[Sidenote: SIR JULIUS BENEDICT'S RECORD]
-
-A generation later Sir Julius Benedict, who had also put his memory
-of those Vienna days at the service of Weber's son, wrote down his
-recollections for his work in these words:
-
- I endeavor, as I promised you, to recall the impressions I received
- of Beethoven when I first met him in Vienna in October, 1823. He
- then lived at Baden; but regularly, once a week, he came to the
- city and he never failed to call on his old friends Steiner and
- Haslinger, whose music-store was then in the Paternostergaesschen, a
- little street, no longer in existence, between the Graben and the
- Kohlmarkt.
-
- If I am not mistaken, on the morning that I saw Beethoven for
- the first time, Blahetka, the father of the pianist, directed
- my attention to a stout, short man with a very red face, small,
- piercing eyes, and bushy eyebrows, dressed in a very long overcoat
- which reached nearly to his ankles, who entered the shop about 12
- o'clock. Blahetka asked me: "Who do you think that is?" and I at
- once exclaimed: "It must be Beethoven!" because, notwithstanding
- the high color of his cheeks and his general untidiness, there was
- in those small piercing eyes an expression which no painter could
- render. It was a feeling of sublimity and melancholy combined. I
- watched, as you can well imagine, every word that he spoke when he
- took out his little book and began a conversation which to me, of
- course, was almost incomprehensible, inasmuch as he only answered
- questions pencilled to him by Messrs. Steiner and Haslinger. I was
- not introduced to him on that occasion; but the second time, about
- a week after, Mr. Steiner presented me to the great man as a pupil
- of Weber. The other persons present were the old Abbe Stadler and
- Seyfried. Beethoven said to Steiner: "I rejoice to hear that you
- publish once more a German work. I have heard much in praise of
- Weber's opera and hope it will bring both you and him a great deal
- of glory." Upon this Steiner seized the opportunity to say: "Here
- is a pupil of Weber's"; when Beethoven most kindly offered me his
- hand, saying: "Pray tell M. de Weber how happy I shall be to see
- him at Baden, as I shall not come to Vienna before next month." I
- was so confused at having the great man speak to me that I hadn't
- the courage to ask any questions or continue the conversation with
- him.
-
- A few days afterwards I had the pleasure of accompanying Weber
- and Haslinger with another friend to Baden, when they allowed me
- the great privilege of going with them to Beethoven's residence.
- Nothing could be more cordial than his reception of my master. He
- wanted to take us to the Helenenthal and to all the neighborhood;
- but the weather was unfavorable, and we were obliged to renounce
- this excursion. They all dined together at one table at an inn, and
- I, seated at another close to them, had the pleasure of listening
- to their conversation.
-
- In the month of November, when Beethoven came to town and paid
- his daily visit to the Paternostergaesschen, I seldom missed the
- opportunity of being one of the circle of young admirers, eager
- to show their reverence to the greatest musical genius as well as
- hoping to be honored by his notice. Among those whom I met upon
- this errand were Carl Maria von Bocklet, his pupil, Worzischek,
- Leon de St. Louvain, Mayseder, Holz, Boehm, Linke, Schuppanzigh,
- Franz Schubert and Kanne.
-
- On the morning after the first performance of "Euryanthe," when
- Steiner and Haslinger's shop was filled with the musical and
- literary authorities, Beethoven made his appearance and asked
- Haslinger: "Well, how did the opera go last night?" The reply
- was: "A great triumph." "_Das freut mich, das freut mich_," he
- exclaimed, and perceiving me he said: "I should so much have liked
- to go to the theatre, but," pointing to his ears, "I go no more
- to those places." Then he asked Gottdank, the regisseur; "How did
- little Sontag get on? I take a great interest in her; and how
- is the book--good or bad?" Gottdank answered the first question
- affirmatively, but as to the other he shrugged his shoulders and
- made a negative sign, to which Beethoven replied: "Always the same
- story; the Germans cannot write a good libretto." Upon which I took
- his little conversation book and wrote in it: "And 'Fidelio'?" to
- which he answered: "That is a French and Italian book." I asked him
- afterwards: "Which do you consider the best librettos?"; he replied
- "'Wassertraeger' and 'Vestalin.'"
-
- Further than this I cannot recall any distinct conversation,
- although I often met him, and I had never the good fortune of
- hearing him perform or seeing him conduct. But the wonderful
- impression his first appearance made on me was heightened every
- time I met him. When I saw him at Baden, his white hair flowing
- over his mighty shoulders, with that wonderful look--sometimes
- contracting his brows when anything afflicted him, sometimes
- bursting out into a forced laughter, indescribably painful to
- his listeners--I was touched as if _King Lear_ or one of the old
- Gaelic bards stood before me; and when I thought how the creator
- of the sublimest musical works was debarred by a cruel fate for a
- great many years from the delight of hearing them performed and
- appreciated I could but share the deep grief of all musical minds.
-
- I may add that I heard the first public performance of one of his
- so-called "posthumous" quartets in his own presence. Schuppanzigh
- and his companions, who had been his interpreters before, were
- scarcely equal to this occasion; as they did not seem to understand
- the music themselves, they failed entirely to impart its meaning
- to the audience. The general impression was most unsatisfactory.
- Not until Ernst had completely imbued himself in the spirit of
- these compositions could the world discover their long-hidden
- beauties.[98]
-
-[Sidenote: SONGS AND MILITARY MARCHES]
-
-Madame Marie Pachler-Koschak, with whom Beethoven had spent many
-happy moments in 1817, was among those who took the waters at Baden
-in the summer of 1823, but we are told she searched for him in vain,
-a fact which shows in what seclusion he must have dwelt some of the
-time at least. She was more fortunate when she returned in September
-to complete her cure; and when she left Baden she carried with her an
-autographic souvenir--a setting of "The beautiful to the good," the
-concluding words of Matthison's "Opferlied" which he had in hand in
-this year. Towards the close of October Beethoven returned to Vienna.
-We know the date approximately from Benedict's account, the first
-performance of "Euryanthe" having taken place on October 25. He removed
-to new lodgings in the Ungarstrasse, where his nephew remained with him
-as long as he continued a student at the university. Here he worked at
-the Ninth Symphony, more particularly on the last movement.
-
-The exact chronological order in which works were taken up in 1823
-cannot be recorded here. Matthison's "Opferlied" was taken up several
-times--in 1794, then in 1801 and 1802; finally in 1822 and 1823. In its
-last stages he extends its dimensions, adds the refrain for chorus and
-an orchestral accompaniment.[99] Beethoven had offered it to Peters
-in February, 1823, though at that time he described its accompaniment
-as being for two clarinets, horn, viola and violoncello, so that the
-violins and bassoon were added later. Why Peters did not publish the
-song is not known; the manuscript does not seem to have been returned
-to Beethoven. Nottebohm concludes that two or more versions were made
-in 1822 and 1823 (possibly as late as 1824), and that the final form
-was that known as Op. 121b. On April 9, 1825 ("Notizen," p. 161), a
-letter was written to Ries which said: "You will soon receive a second
-copy of the 'Opferlied,' which mark as corrected by me so that the one
-which you already have may not be used. Here you have an illustration
-of the miserable copyist whom I have, since Schlemmer died. You can
-depend on scarcely a note." A sketchbook analyzed by Nottebohm,[100]
-which contains sketches made at different times bound up with sketches
-for the last quartets made in 1824, shows sketches for a pianoforte
-sonata for four hands, the Ninth Symphony, the Mass in C-sharp minor,
-a fugue on B-a-c-h, and the "Bundeslied," besides the latest form of
-the "Opferlied" but not wholly like the printed edition. The impetus
-to the C-sharp minor mass came in 1823 and the other sketches in all
-likelihood were made in the same year. It is therefore to be concluded
-that he worked on the new "Opferlied" in 1823 and possibly carried it
-over to the early part of 1824. Beethoven owed money to his brother and
-offered the song as Johann's property, in a letter of November 1824,
-to Schott and Sons, who published it in 1825; but he made alterations
-by letter as late as May 7, 1825. Schindler's statement that the two
-songs "Opferlied" and "Bundeslied" were composed to be sung by the
-tenor Ehlers at a benefit concert in Pressburg, is wrong. Schindler's
-inexactitude as to dates is shown by his statements that the concert
-took place in 1822 and the song published in 1826. The first song was
-written in the soprano clef; the second has tenor clef but two solo
-voices; neither was made for Ehlers. As to the "Bundeslied" (words by
-Goethe) so far as the history of the song is concerned, the documentary
-evidence is found in the sketchbook just mentioned; whether or not it
-had its origin at an earlier date has not been ascertained,[101] but
-received alterations later. It, too, was published by Schott in 1825.
-
-[Sidenote: MINOR COMPOSITIONS OF THE YEAR 1823]
-
-Besides these songs, and the Bagatelles mentioned in the letter of
-February, 1823, as sent to Peters, there are several other minor
-compositions which may well be discussed here. The Tattoo with
-percussive instruments (Turkish music), the two other Tattoos and a
-March, were all old compositions. Up to 1874, when the letter was
-made public, only one of the Tattoos had been printed. It was that
-in F major, which, according to the autograph preserved by Artaria,
-was composed for the Bohemian _Landwehr_ in 1809 and then designated
-as March No. 1. A copy more fully orchestrated than it is in the
-printed form was dedicated to Prince Anton in that year.[102] A second
-autograph of later date (also in Artaria's collection) is entitled
-"Zapfenstreich No. 1." Here the march had a trio which has not become
-known. It was then, together with the one that follows, rewritten for
-the tournament at Laxenburg held in honor of the birthday of Empress
-Maria Ludovica on August 25, 1810, and this version has been printed
-in the Complete Edition of Beethoven's works.[103] In the earliest
-print by Schlesinger it is number 37 in a collection of "Quick-steps
-for the Prussian Army. For the York Corps"; but Nottebohm says that
-the version does not agree with any of the manuscripts mentioned.
-Simultaneously with this march another was published which was composed
-in 1810 for Archduke Anton. An autograph at Haslinger's bears the
-inscription "Zapfenstreich No. 3," and below it "One step to each
-measure." A copy in the archives of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
-is inscribed "March for H. I. Highness, the Archduke Anton, by Ludwig
-van Beethoven, 1810 on the 3rd of the Summermonth" (i. e., June). A
-third form was prepared for the tournament of 1810, and this has been
-published. Artaria had a "Trio No. 3" in F minor, 6-4 time. This is
-followed in the "Gesammt-Ausgabe" by a third in C major with a trio
-in F major, which was published from a copy made by Nottebohm. This,
-which has been published by Haslinger, Steger, and Liszt and Franke,
-was entitled "Zapfenstreich No. 2." In Nottebohm's opinion it belongs
-to the two others and like them had its origin between 1809 and June
-1810. These were the three Tattoos which Beethoven sent to Peters,
-who, however, did not publish them. The fourth March was the Military
-March in D major composed in 1816.[104] It was first published in
-1827, after Beethoven's death, in an arrangement for pianoforte, by
-Cappi and Czerny; a four-hand arrangement followed soon after and it
-was given to the world in its original shape in the Complete Edition.
-It was composed at the personal request of F. X. Embel, "Magisterial
-Councillor and Lieut.-Colonel of the Civil Artillery," who probably
-preferred his request in 1815, a sketch for it appearing in a book
-used in 1815-1816.--The data concerning these old works are given here
-because Beethoven brought them out of his portfolio and offered them to
-the publishers in this year.
-
-The Bagatelles, Op. 126, belong to this period, though their completion
-fell later. Taking up earlier sketches probably, Beethoven worked on
-them after the Ninth Symphony was practically complete in his mind and
-the sketchbooks--at the close of 1823 at the earliest. It is likely
-that they were not finished until the middle of 1824. Nottebohm had
-subjected them to a minute study which leads him to the conclusion that
-the pieces were conceived as a homogeneous series, the numbers being
-linked together by key-relationship. On the margin of a sketch for the
-first one Beethoven wrote "Cycle of Trifles" ("Kleinigkeiten"), which
-fact, their separation from each other (all but the first two) by the
-uniform distance of a major third, taken in connection with their unity
-of style, establishes a cyclical bond. When he offered them to Schott
-in 1824 he remarked that they were probably the best things of the
-kind which he had ever written. They were among the compositions which
-had been pledged to his brother, in whose interest he offered them to
-Schott. They were published by that firm, probably in the early part of
-1825.
-
-In 1828 Diabelli and Co. published a "Rondo a Capriccio" in G which
-had been purchased at the auction sale of Beethoven's effects after
-his death. It bore on its title-page the inscription: "Die Wuth ueber
-den Verlornen Groschen, ausgetobt in einer Caprice" ("Rage at the
-loss of a groat stormed out in a Caprice"). Nothing is known of its
-origin. In the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Czerny
-noted it as belonging to Beethoven's youthful period; which may be
-true of its theme, but can not be of its treatment. Among the sketches
-and drafts for the Bagatelles is a sketch for an arch and mischievous
-piece evidently intended for strings,[105] and a two-part canon on the
-words "Te solo adoro" from Metastasio's "Betulia liberata," which, as
-transcribed by Nottebohm, has been printed in the Complete Edition.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[68] In a Conversation Book of 1820 we read this remark by Beethoven:
-"What I think of confession may be deduced from the fact that I myself
-led Karl to the Abbot of St. Michael for confession. But the abbot
-declared that as long as he had to visit his mother, confession would
-be of no avail."
-
-[69] In Vol. IV of the German edition of this biography, Dr. Deiters
-presents a long and extremely interesting descriptive and critical
-analysis of the mass from the point of view held by a devout
-Roman Catholic churchman; wherefore, in spite of his enthusiastic
-appreciation of the music, he is obliged to point out its departure
-from some of the dogmas of the church, as well as the rubrics which the
-composers had long disregarded. All this is, however, far outside the
-scope of this biography as originally conceived by Thayer and to which
-the editor has sought to bring it back in this English edition.
-
-[70] These pieces, we learn later, were to be an offertory, a graduale
-and a _Tantum ergo_.
-
-[71] Beethoven's mind reverts to the choral movement of the Ninth
-Symphony which is occupying him.
-
-[72] Were it not for the very general confusion which still exists
-touching musical terms, it might be set down as a bit singular that
-neither Beethoven nor Schindler seems to have known that the French
-equivalent of "oratorio" is "oratorio," and nothing else. The letter,
-however, reads: _elle se prete de meme a etre executee en Oratoire_. In
-France an _oratoire_ is still an oratory, a room for prayer.
-
-[73] The blanks were filled according to the formula.
-
-[74] "Papageno" was the name applied to Schindler in his notes when
-Beethoven wished to enjoin silence on his factotum; the allusion, of
-course, being to the lip-locked bird-catcher in Mozart's "Magic Flute."
-
-[75] If this note refers to the Mass, Schindler's date must be a year
-too late.
-
-[76] In view of what will have to be said later about the controversy
-which raged for years after Beethoven's death about the financial
-dealings between Prince Galitzin and Beethoven, it was thought best to
-establish at this time the fact that Galitzin subscribed for the Mass
-and paid the fee in the manner which has been set forth.
-
-[77] The letter is incorrectly dated July 1, by Kalischer. Thayer's
-transcript and also one made by Dr. Kopfermann of the Royal Library at
-Berlin for Dr. Deiters give June as the month.
-
-[78] Beethoven had a number of nicknames for Schindler besides
-_Papageno_ with its various qualifications. One of these was
-_Lumpenkerl_; another _Hauptlumpenkerl_--Ragamuffin and Chief
-Ragamuffin. In this instance Schindler is a "Samothracian ragamuffin"
-and Schindler in a gloss tells us that the allusion was to the ancient
-ceremonies of Samothrace, Schindler being thus designated as one
-initiated into the mysteries of Beethoven's affairs and purposes. The
-injunction of silence was understood, of course. Count Brunswick, Count
-Lichnowsky and Zmeskall were also initiates. Wocher, to whom Beethoven
-sends his compliments, was Prince Esterhazy's courier. Beethoven's
-second thoughts seem frequently to have been bestowed on the trombones.
-We have already seen how often this was the case in the alterations in
-the Mass in D. An interesting illustration was found by the present
-editor among Thayer's papers. The biographer owned a sheet of four
-pages containing, in Beethoven's handwriting, the trombone parts of
-the Trio in the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony with instructions to the
-copyist where they were to be introduced. As the trombones do not take
-part in the first and third movements nor in the Scherzo outside of the
-Trio, but are highly important in the choral Finale, it would seem as
-if Beethoven had thought of the beautiful effect which they produce in
-the Trio after he had decided that they were necessary in the Finale.
-
-[79] In Hetzendorf, while the negotiations with the courts are pending,
-Count Moritz Lichnowsky writes in a Conversation Book: "Can you not
-sell the Mass to publishers next year, so that it may become publicly
-useful?"
-
-[80] "The Philharmonic Society of London," by George Hogarth, London,
-1862, page 31.
-
-[81] _Sic._ Beethoven of course means the Embassy. The Overture was no
-doubt that to "The Consecration of the House," Op. 124.
-
-[82] Bauer was in Beethoven's company a short time before he went to
-England, and the incident of the sending of the score of "Wellington's
-Victory, or the Battle of Vittoria" came up for conversation between
-them. We read in a Conversation Book, in Bauer's hand: "I am of the
-opinion that the King had it performed, but perhaps nobody reminded him
-that on that account he ought to answer. I will carry a letter to the
-King and direct it in a channel which will insure its delivery, since I
-cannot hand it over in person." The story of King George's action, or
-want of action, has been told in earlier pages of this work. From the
-opening phrase of the address to the King it is fair to surmise that it
-was to follow an invitation to subscribe for the Mass in D, and from
-the letter to Ries that Beethoven subsequently decided to strike the
-King of England from his list.
-
-[83] In his letter to Zelter, Beethoven says that one of the numbers of
-the Mass was without accompaniment. There being no _a cappella_ setting
-of any section of the missal text in the Mass in D, it is likely that
-Beethoven here, too, had the three additional pieces in mind. For this
-speculation, however, as well as the hypothesis that the settings
-originally contemplated for the "second" mass in C-sharp minor were
-transferred to the scheme of the _Missa Solemnis_, the present editor
-is alone responsible. In a Conversation Book of 1823 an unidentified
-friend answers several questions about the hymn "Tantum ergo" and its
-introduction in the service.
-
-[84] Schindler bases his statements on alleged testimony of the
-Archduke's secretary Baumeister, but there is no word of reproval in
-any of the letters of the two men which have been found.
-
-[85] Sporchil's drama bore the title "The Apotheosis in the Temple of
-Jupiter Ammon." What it had to do with the new operatic project is not
-plain to this editor, for it was but a new text to be used to the music
-of "The Ruins of Athens." Beethoven once described "The Ruins" as "a
-little opera" and his abiding and continued interest in it is disclosed
-by the fact that after he got into touch with Grillparzer he discussed
-the possibility of its revival with that poet.
-
-[86] Grillparzer's "Werke," Vol. XVI, p. 228 _et seq._
-
-[87] Thayer saw Grillparzer on July 4, 1860, and got from him a
-confirmation of both incidents here narrated.
-
-[88] The concluding paragraph of the letter betrays his growing
-antipathy towards Schindler: "Afternoons you will find me in the
-coffee-house opposite the 'Goldene Birne.' If you want to come, please
-come alone. This importunate appendix of a Schindler, as you must
-have noticed in Hetzendorf, has long been extremely objectionable to
-me--_otium est citium_."
-
-[89] Thayer copies the entry found in the Conversation Book, but doubts
-if the handwriting is that of Liszt _fils_. It is as follows: "I have
-often expressed the wish to Herr von Schindler to make your high
-acquaintance and am rejoiced to be able now to do so. As I shall give a
-concert on Sunday the 13th I most humbly beg you to give me your high
-presence." The courtly language suggests the thought that the father
-may have written the words for the boy.
-
-[90] "Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner," p. 199.
-
-[91] In view of the fact that Beethoven would not have been able to
-hear a note of the music had he been present and that, unless deeply
-moved, he would not have made a public exhibition of his feelings,
-and that even Schindler does not seem to have heard of the story of
-the kiss, it is very likely, in the opinion of the present editor,
-that the whole story is a canard invented for advertising purposes.
-Thayer's note on the copy which he made of the conversation at the
-time of the presentation of the lad is: "B. does not appear to have
-attended the concert, as some one reports to him that he 'improvised on
-a Hungarian-German theme.'" But there are several versions of the story
-(see Frimmel, "Bausteine, etc.," p 91) and Beethoven may at another
-time have kissed the boy.
-
-[92] Nohl is mistaken in saying that the canon was written in
-Schloesser's album. It is printed in the B. and H. "Ges. Ausg.," Series
-XXIII, No. 256.
-
-[93] A _Schusterfleck_, that is a cobble, or cobbler's patch, like
-_Vetter Michel_ and _Rosalia_ in the musical terminology of Germany, is
-a tune largely made up of repetitions on different degrees of the scale
-of a single figure or motive.
-
-[94] See the conversation, Vol. I, p. 321.
-
-[95] Here are a few extracts from a letter written to Beethoven on July
-3, 1823: "As I have been visiting him (Johann) three to four times a
-day ever since he took to his bed, and have entertained him by the
-hour, I have had an opportunity carefully to observe these two persons;
-hence I can assure you on my honor that, despite your venerable name,
-they deserve to be shut up, the old one in prison, the young one in
-the house of correction.... This illness came opportunely for both of
-them, to enable them to go their ways without trammel. These beasts
-would have let him rot if others had not taken pity on him. He might
-have died a hundred times without the one in the Prater or at Nussdorf
-the other at the baker's deigning to give him a look.... He often wept
-over the conduct of his family and once he gave way completely to his
-grief and begged me to let you know how he is being treated so that you
-might come and give the two the beating they deserve.... It is most
-unnatural and more than barbarous if that woman, while her husband is
-lying ill, introduces her lover into his room, prinks herself like a
-sleigh-horse in his presence and then goes driving with him, leaving
-the sick husband languishing at home. She did this very often. Your
-brother himself called my attention to it, and is a fool for tolerating
-it so long."
-
-[96] Meaning Johann's wife and step-daughter. Very incomprehensibly
-Kalischer thinks the _Lump_ was Schindler!
-
-[97] Schindler quotes Beethoven as remarking of "Euryanthe" that it was
-"an accumulation of diminished seventh-chords--all little backdoors!"
-
-[98] The Quartet which Benedict heard was that in E-flat major, Op.
-127, which had its performance on March 6, 1825, the year in which
-Benedict left Vienna with Barbaja. His letter to Thayer, therefore,
-carries us far beyond the period now under discussion. The conversation
-about the libretto of "Euryanthe" is said by Max Maria von Weber to
-have taken place at the dinner in Baden; but Benedict's is the likelier
-story.
-
-[99] It was performed for the first time at a concert of the
-Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde on April 4, 1824, but it had been
-completed a long time before.
-
-[100] "Zweit. Beeth.," p. 540 _et seq._
-
-[101] Czerny wrote in the catalogue of the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde concerning this song, the "Opferlied" and "Der Kuss,"
-"sketched at a very early period." The note cannot be considered
-seriously, as there is nothing to show that he had any information on
-the subject.
-
-[102] See list of compositions in the chapter of this work devoted to
-1809.
-
-[103] B. and H., Series XXV, Nos. 120 and 287.
-
-[104] See _ante_.
-
-[105] Nottebohm's "Zweit. Beeth.," p. 208.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter V
-
- The Symphony in D Minor--Its Technical History--Schiller's "Ode to
- Joy"--An Address to Beethoven--The Concerts of 1824--Laborious and
- Protracted Preparations--Production of the Symphony and Mass in
- D--Financial Failure--Negotiations with Publishers Resumed.
-
-
-The Symphony in D minor, familiarly known the world over as the
-"Ninth," and also as the "Choral" Symphony in England and America,
-was completed in February, 1824. The conclusion of the work upon it,
-Schindler says, had a cheering effect upon Beethoven's spirits. He
-no longer grudged himself occasional recreation and was again seen
-strolling through the streets of Vienna, gazing into the shop-windows
-through eyeglasses which dangled at the end of a black ribbon, and,
-after a long interregnum, greeting friends and acquaintances as they
-passed. The history of the work is far more interesting than that of
-any of his compositions, with the possible exception of the Mass in
-D. Nottebohm has painstakingly extracted from the sketchbooks all the
-evidence which they afford, touching the origin and development of the
-work, and presented it in a chapter of his "Zweite Beethoveniana";[106]
-and his conclusions have been adopted in the presentation of facts
-which follow.
-
-[Sidenote: GROWTH OF THE CHORAL SYMPHONY]
-
-Thoughts of a symphony to succeed the Symphonies in A and F major (Nos.
-7 and 8), were in the composer's mind while he was making sketches for
-those two works in 1812; but the memoranda there found tell us only
-in what key the new symphony was to be; they are mere verbal notes:
-"2nd Sinfonie, D minor" and "Sinfonie in D minor--3rd Sinfonie." A
-fugue-theme, identical, so far as the first three measures go, with
-that of the Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony, presented itself to him
-and was imprisoned in his note-book in 1815, being recorded among the
-sketches for the Sonata for Pianoforte and Violoncello in D, Op. 102,
-No. 2.[107] There is another sketch with a note[108] to show that
-Beethoven was thinking of a new symphony at the time; but the sketch
-cannot be associated with the Ninth Symphony, the composition of which
-really began when the beginning of the first movement was sketched. Of
-this fragments are found on loose leaves belonging to the year 1817.
-By the end of that year and the beginning of 1818 (presumably from
-September to May) extended sketches of the movement were made. The
-principal subject is definitively fixed, but the subsidiary material
-is still missing. The fugue-theme of 1817 is assigned to the third
-movement. There is no suggestion of the use of Schiller's "Ode to Joy,"
-but a plain intimation of an instrumental finale. In 1818 a plan is
-outlined for the introduction of voices into the slow movement of a
-symphony which is to follow the "Sinfonie in D." It is as follows:
-
- _Adagio Cantique._
-
- Pious song in a symphony in the ancient modes--Lord God we praise
- Thee--alleluia--either alone or as introduction to a fugue. The
- whole 2nd sinfonie might be characterized in this manner in which
- case the vocal parts would enter in the last movement or already
- in the Adagio. The violins, etc., of the orchestra to be increased
- tenfold in the last movement. Or the Adagio might be repeated in
- some manner in the last movement, in which case the vocal parts
- would enter gradually--in the text of the Adagio Greek myth,
- _Cantique Ecclesiastique_--in the Allegro feast of Bachus [_sic_].
-
-It will be recalled that in 1822 Beethoven told Rochlitz that he had
-two symphonies in his mind which were to differ from each other. One
-difference at least is indicated here by the purpose to use voices in
-a movement to be written in the old modes. His well-known love for
-classic subjects, no doubt, prompted the thought of the "pious orgies"
-of a Pagan festival. Schiller's hymn is still absent from his mind.
-These sketches were all sidewise excursions undertaken while Beethoven
-was chiefly occupied with the composition of the Pianoforte Sonata, Op.
-106. What progress, if any, was made with the Symphony during the next
-four years can not well be determined. The work was interrupted by
-the composition of other works, notably the Mass in D, the last three
-Pianoforte Sonatas and the overture and chorus for "The Consecration of
-the House." It was not until the Mass and the Josephstadt Theatre music
-were finished in the sketches that he gave his attention largely to the
-Symphony. In the sketches of 1822, there are evidences of considerable
-progress on the first movement, little if any on the Scherzo (designed
-to take third place in the scheme of movements), the fugue-themes of
-1815 and 1817 appearing in them almost unchanged. There is no hint as
-yet of the slow movement, but among the sketches appears the beginning
-of the melody of the "Ode to Joy" with the underlying words, assigned
-as a Finale. The thought of using the ode for a concluding movement had
-presented itself, but only tentatively, not as a fixed determination.
-Following this sketch, but of another date (to judge by the handwriting
-and the contents), comes a memorandum indicating that the symphony in
-mind was to consist of four movements--the first (no doubt, though it
-is not mentioned) being the present first, the second in 2-4 time, the
-third (presumably) in 6-8, while the fourth was to be built on the
-fugal theme of 1817 and to be "well fugued." The next recognizable
-sketch is for a Presto in 2-4 designated as a second movement and this
-is followed by the beginning of the first movement preceded by four
-measures in triple time marked "_Alla Autrichien_." A third sketch is
-marked as belonging to a "_Sinfonie allemand_." It is a new melody to
-the words beginning Schiller's ode to be used in a chorus; and again
-the accompanying memorandum reads: "_Sinfonie allemand_," but now with
-this addition: "either with variations after which the chorus _Freude
-schoener Goetterfunken Tochter aus Elysium_ enters or without variations.
-End of the Sinfonie with Turkish music and vocal chorus." It is
-possible that the melody had an earlier origin than that which appears
-first in the sketches and was eventually used. The last relevant sketch
-in the book of 1822 is a sort of thematic index to the symphony as it
-now lay planned in Beethoven's purpose:
-
-[Illustration]
-
-The second movement was to be a fugued Scherzo with the theme of 1815,
-the fourth the Presto in 2-4 time which first appeared in this year,
-the fifth the "Ode to Joy." In the midst of these sketches appears
-the significant remark: "Or perhaps instead of a new symphony, a new
-overture on _Bach_, well fugued with 3----."[109]
-
-[Sidenote: TWO SYMPHONIES IN CONTEMPLATION]
-
-The conclusions to be drawn from the sketches thus far are that, as
-was the case in 1812 when the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies were
-brought forth as a pair, Beethoven was again contemplating the almost
-simultaneous production of two symphonies. He did not adhere to the
-project long, so far as we can know from the written records, and
-the remark about the substitution of an overture on B-a-c-h probably
-marks the time when he began seriously to consider the advisability
-of abandoning what would then have been the Tenth Symphony. With the
-exception of a portion of the first movement, the Ninth Symphony was
-still in a chaotic state. Taken in connection with negotiations which
-had been concluded with the Philharmonic Society of London, it may be
-assumed, however, that the present Symphony in D minor was associated
-in Beethoven's mind with the English commission, and that the second,
-which he had thoughts of abandoning in favor of the overture, was to
-have been a "Sinfonie allemand." For a time, at least, Beethoven is
-not likely to have contemplated a choral movement with German words in
-connection with the symphony for the London Philharmonic Society: this
-was to have an instrumental finale. The linguistic objection would be
-invalid in the case of the German symphony, however, and to this was
-now assigned the contemplated setting of Schiller's poem.
-
-Work now proceeded with little interruption (except that occasioned
-by the composition of the Variations, Op. 120), and most of the first
-half of 1823 was devoted to the first movement, which was nearly
-complete in sketch-form before anything of the other movements appeared
-beyond the themes which have already been cited. When the foundation
-of the work is firmly laid we have the familiar phenomenon of work
-upon two or three movements simultaneously. In a general way it may
-be asserted that the year 1823 saw the birth of the Symphony, though
-work was carried over into 1824. The second movement was complete in
-the sketches before the third--this was about August; the third before
-the fourth--about the middle of October. The second theme of the slow
-movement was perfected before the sketches for the first movement were
-finished. In a Conversation Book used in the fall of the year 1823
-the nephew writes: "I am glad that you have brought in the beautiful
-andante." The principal theme of the movement appears to have been
-conceived between May and July, 1823, but it had to submit to much
-alteration before it acquired the lovely contours which we now admire.
-This was the case, too, with the simple folksong-like tune of the
-Finale.
-
-[Sidenote: INTRODUCING THE ODE TO JOY]
-
-Sketches for the Finale show that Beethoven had made considerable
-progress with the setting of Schiller's ode before he decided to
-incorporate it with the Symphony. In June or July, 1823, he wrote down
-a melody in D minor which he designated "_Finale instromentale_," and
-which, transposed into another key and slightly altered, was eventually
-used in the finale of the Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. That it was
-intended for the Finale of the symphony is proved by the fact that it
-is surrounded with sketches for the Symphony in D minor and Beethoven
-recurred to it twice before the end of the year; there was no thought
-of the quartet at the time.
-
-When he began work on the Finale, Beethoven took up the choral
-part with the instrumental variations first and then attacked the
-instrumental introduction with the recitatives. The present "Joy"
-melody, as noted in the fall of 1822, was preceded by a different one
-conceived later, if the sketches are taken as a guide. After adoption
-the tune, especially its second period, underwent many transformations
-before its definitive form was established. Among the musical sketches
-occur several verbal memoranda containing hints which were carried out
-in part, for instance: "Turkish music in _Wer das nie gekonnt stehle_";
-in sketches for the _Allegro alla marcia_: "Turkish music--first
-_pianissimo_--a few sounds _pianissimo_--a few rests--then the full
-strength"; a third: "On _Welt Sternenzelt forte_ trombone blasts"; a
-fourth (in studies for the final chorus): "the height of the voices
-to be more by instruments" (which may be interpreted to mean that
-Beethoven realized that he was carrying the voices into dangerous
-altitudes and intended to give them instrumental support). Other
-sketches indicate that Beethoven intended for a considerable time to
-write an instrumental introduction with new themes for the Finale. For
-this prelude there are a number of sketches of different kinds, some
-of them conceived while sketches for the first movement were still in
-hand. Before July, 1823, there are no hints of a combined vocal and
-instrumental bridge from the Adagio to the setting of the "Ode to Joy."
-After that month there are evidences that he had conceived the idea
-of introducing the "Joy" melody played upon wind-instruments with a
-prelude in the recitative style, a reminiscence of the first movement
-and premonitory suggestions of the fundamental melody. This was the
-first step towards the eventual shape of the finale. The lacking
-element was the verbal link which should connect the instrumental
-movements with the choral conclusion. The sketches bear out Schindler's
-remark: "When he reached the development of the fourth movement there
-began a struggle such as is seldom seen. The object was to find a
-proper manner of introducing Schiller's ode. One day entering the
-room he exclaimed 'I have it! I have it!' With that he showed me the
-sketchbook bearing the words, 'Let us sing the song of the immortal
-Schiller _Freude_.'"
-
-By grouping a number of sketches it is now possible to make a graphic
-representation of the ideas which passed through Beethoven's mind
-while seeking a way to bridge the chasm between instrumental and vocal
-utterance by means of the formula of recitative. The sketches are in
-parts illegible, in parts so obscure that Nottebohm and Deiters differ
-in their readings; regard has been had for both in the following
-version: Over a portion of an instrumental recitative (_a_) occur the
-words: "_Nein diese ... erinnern an unsere Verzweifl._" (No, these ...
-remind (us) of our despair); other sketches follow in the order here
-indicated:
-
-[Illustration:(a)]
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Heute ist ein feierlicher Tag
- (To-day is a solemn day)
-
- meine Fru (Freunde?) dieser sei gefeiert
- my fri (friends?) let it be celebrated
-
- durch mit Gesang und [Tanz? Scherz?]
- with song and [Dance? Play?]
-]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration:
-
- O nein dieses nicht etwas
- O no not this something
-
- ist es was ich fordere
-
- anderes gefaellig
-
- sondern nur etwas heiterer
- but only a little merrier
-
- auch dieses nicht ist nur Possen
- or ("besser")
- etwas schoeneres und bessers
- nor this either it is but sport
- (or no better)
-
- auch dieses es ist zu zaertl zaertl
- (nor this it is too tender tender)
-
- etwas aufgewecktes[?] muss man suchen
- (for something animated we must seek)
-
- ich werde sehn dass ich selbst euch etwas
- (I shall see to it that I myself intone something
-
- vorsinge alsdann stimmt nur nach
- then do you sing after me)
-
- Dieses ist es Ha es ist nun gefunden Ich
- This it is Ha now it is found I
-
- selbst werde vorsingen Freude schoener
- myself will intone it
-
- Ha dieses ist es Es ist nun gefunden
- Ha this it is it now is discovered
-
- Freu- - -
-]
-
-[Illustration: meilleur]
-
-Later comes the memorandum which Beethoven showed Schindler ("_I asst
-uns das Lied des unsterblichen Schillers singen, Freude, etc._") and
-then:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- _Bass_ nicht diese Toene froehlichere
- _Voce_ Freude! Freude
- ("not these tones, more joyful ones")
-]
-
-The entire Symphony was finished in sketch-form at the end of 1823 and
-written out in score in February, 1824. Omitting from consideration the
-theme of the second movement, noted in 1815 and again in 1817 (probably
-with an entirely different purpose in mind), the time which elapsed
-between the beginning of the first movement (1817-1818) and the time of
-completion was about six and a half years. Within this period, however,
-there were extended interruptions caused by other works. Serious and
-continuous labor on the Symphony was not taken up until after the
-completion of the _Missa solemnis_; it began in 1822, occupied the
-greater part of 1823 and ended in the early part of 1824. Beethoven,
-therefore, worked on the Symphony a little more than a year.
-
-[Sidenote: INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL PARTS UNITED]
-
-Those who cherish the fantastic notion that the Symphony was conceived
-_ab initio_ as a celebration of joy, and therefore feel obliged to go
-back to Beethoven's first design to compose music for Schiller's ode,
-have a large territory for the play of their fancy. Beethoven formed
-the plan of setting the ode while still living in Bonn in 1793. It
-is heard of again in a sketchbook of 1798, where there is a melodic
-phrase adapted to the words, "Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen." Amongst
-sketches for the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies (say in 1811) there
-crops up a melody for the beginning of the hymn, and possibly a little
-later (1812) a more extended sketch amongst material used in the
-Overture, Op. 115, into which he appears at one time to have thought
-of introducing portions of it. All these sketches, of course, preceded
-the melody of 1812, conceived for use in a "_Sinfonie allemand_."
-When Beethoven first took up the ode for setting it was to become a
-"durchkomponirtes Lied," i. e., each stanza was to have an illustrative
-setting; when he planned to incorporate it in an overture he proposed
-to use only selected portions of the poem, for he accompanies the
-melodic sketch with the note: "Disjointed fragments like Princes
-are beggars, etc., not the whole"; and a little later: "disjointed
-fragments from Schiller's _Freude_ connected into a whole."[110]
-
-The questions which have been raised by the choral finale are many
-and have occupied the minds of musicians, professional and amateur,
-ever since the great symphony was first given to the world. In 1852
-Carl Czerny told Otto Jahn that Beethoven had thought, after the
-performance, of composing a new finale without vocal parts for the
-work. Schindler[111] saw the note in Jahn's papers and wrote in the
-margin: "That is not true"; but it must be remembered that there was a
-cessation of the great intimacy between Beethoven and Schindler which
-began not long after the Symphony had been produced, and lasted almost
-till Beethoven was on his deathbed. Schindler can not have been present
-at all of the meetings between Beethoven and his friends at which the
-Symphony was discussed. Nevertheless he is upheld, in a measure, by the
-fact (to which Nottebohm directed attention) that Beethoven, if he made
-the remark, either did not mean it to be taken seriously or afterwards
-changed his mind; for after keeping the manuscript in his hands six
-months he sent it to the publisher as we have it. Seyfried, writing
-in "Caecilia" (Vol. IX, p. 236), faults Beethoven for not having taken
-the advice of well-meaning friends and written a new finale as he did
-for the Quartet in B-flat, Op. 130. Even if one of the well-meaning
-friends was Seyfried himself, the statement has value as evidence that
-Beethoven was not as convinced as Czerny's story would have it appear
-that the choral finale was a mistake. Sonnleithner, in a letter to the
-editor of the "Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung" in 1864, confirmed
-Jahn's statement by saying that Czerny had repeatedly related as an
-unimpeachable fact that some time after the first performance of the
-Symphony Beethoven, in a circle of his most intimate friends, had
-expressed himself positively to the effect that he perceived that he
-had made a mistake (_Misgriff_) in the last movement and intended to
-reject it and write an instrumental piece in its stead, for which he
-already had an idea in his head. What that idea was the reader knows.
-That Beethoven may have had scruples touching the appropriateness
-of the choral finale, is comprehensible enough in view of the fact
-that the original plan of the Symphony contemplated an instrumental
-close and that Beethoven labored so hard to establish arbitrarily an
-organic union between the ode and the first three movements; but it is
-not likely that he gave long thought to the project of writing a new
-finale. He had witnessed the extraordinary demonstration of delight
-with which the whole work had been received and he may have found it
-as easy as some of his commentators to believe that his device for
-presenting the choral finale as the logical and poetically just outcome
-of the preceding movements had been successful despite its obvious
-artificiality.
-
-[Sidenote: PREPARING FOR THE FIRST PERFORMANCE]
-
-For the chief facts in the story of the first performance of the D
-minor Symphony in Vienna we are largely dependent on Schindler, who
-was not only a witness of it but also an active agent. Beethoven was
-thoroughly out of sympathy with the musical taste of Vienna, which had
-been diverted from German ideals by the superficial charm of Rossini's
-melodies. He wanted much to produce his symphony, but despaired of
-receiving adequate support or recognition from his home public. His
-friends offered him encouragement, but his fear and suspicion that
-his music was no longer understood by the Viennese and he no longer
-admired, had grown into a deep-rooted conviction. The project of a
-concert at which the Mass in D should be performed had been mooted
-months before. One day Sontag visited him and asked, "When are you
-going to give your concert?" We have a record of her speeches only;
-what Beethoven said must be supplied from the reader's fancy. It is
-plain enough that instead of answering the question he expressed a
-doubt as to a successful financial outcome. "You give the concert,"
-said the singer, "and I will guarantee that the house will be full."
-Still a moody suspicion, which the lady thinks it her right to rebuke:
-"You have too little confidence in yourself. Has not the homage of the
-whole world given you a little more pride? Who speaks of opposition?
-Will you not learn to believe that everybody is longing to worship
-you again in new works? O obstinacy!" This was in January. Beethoven
-had inquired of Count Bruehl in Berlin whether or not a performance of
-the new Mass and Symphony might be given in that city, and Bruehl had
-favored the plan. When news of this fact became known in Vienna, a
-number of Beethoven's friends addressed him in the following memorial:
-
-[Sidenote: AN ADDRESS TO THE COMPOSER]
-
- To Herrn Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- Out of the wide circle of reverent admirers surrounding your genius
- in this your second native city, there approach you to-day a small
- number of the disciples and lovers of art to give expression to
- long-felt wishes, timidly to prefer a long-suppressed request.
-
- But as the number of spokesmen bears but a small proportion to the
- many who joyfully acknowledge your worth and what you have grown
- to be to the present as well as the future, so the wishes and
- requests are by no means restricted to the number of those who are
- like-minded with themselves and who, in the name of all to whom
- art and the realization of their ideals are something more than
- means and objects of pastime, assert that their wish is also the
- wish of an unnumbered multitude, their request is echoed loudly or
- in silence by every one whose bosom is animated by a sense of the
- divine in music.
-
- It is the wish of those of our countrymen who reverence art to
- which we desire more especially to give expression; for though
- Beethoven's name and creations belong to all contemporaneous
- humanity and every country which opens a susceptible bosom to art,
- it is Austria which is best entitled to claim him as her own. Among
- her inhabitants appreciation for the great and immortal works which
- Mozart and Haydn created for all time within the lap of their home
- still lives, and they are conscious with joyous pride that the
- sacred triad in which these names and yours glow as the symbol of
- the highest within the spiritual realm of tones, sprang from the
- soil of their fatherland. All the more painful must it have been
- for you to feel that a foreign power has invaded this royal citadel
- of the noblest, that above the mounds of the dead and around the
- dwelling-place of the only survivor of the band, phantoms are
- leading the dance who can boast of no kinship with the princely
- spirits of those royal houses; that shallowness is abusing the name
- and insignia of art, and unworthy dalliance with sacred things is
- beclouding and dissipating appreciation for the pure and eternally
- beautiful.
-
- For this reason they feel a greater and livelier sense than
- ever before that the great need of the present moment is a new
- impulse directed by a powerful hand, a new advent of the ruler in
- his domain. It is this need which leads them to you to-day, and
- following are the petitions which they lay before you in behalf of
- all to whom these wishes are dear, and in the name of native art.
-
- Do not withhold longer from the popular enjoyment, do not keep
- longer from the oppressed sense of that which is great and perfect,
- a performance of the latest masterworks of your hand. We know that
- a grand sacred composition has been associated with that first one
- in which you have immortalized the emotions of a soul, penetrated
- and transfigured by the power of faith and superterrestrial light.
- We know that a new flower glows in the garland of your glorious,
- still unequalled symphonies. For years, ever since the thunders
- of the Victory at Vittoria ceased to reverberate, we have waited
- and hoped to see you distribute new gifts from the fulness of your
- riches to the circle of your friends. Do not longer disappoint the
- general expectations! Heighten the effect of your newest creations
- by the joy of becoming first acquainted with them through you!
- Do not allow these, your latest offspring, some day to appear,
- perhaps, as foreigners in their place of birth, introduced,
- perhaps, by persons to whom you and your mind are strange! Appear
- soon among your friends, your admirers, your venerators! This is
- our nearest and first prayer.
-
- Other claims on your genius have been made public. The desires
- expressed and offers made to you more than a year ago by the
- management of our Court Opera and the Society of Austrian Friends
- of Music had too long been the unuttered wish of all admirers of
- art, and your name stimulated the hopes and expectations of too
- many not to obtain the quickest and widest publicity, not to awaken
- the most general interest. Poetry has done her share in giving
- support to these lovely hopes and wishes. Worthy material from the
- hand of a valued poet waits to be charmed into life by your fancy.
- Do not let that intimate call to so noble an aim be made in vain.
- Do not delay longer to lead us back to those departed days when the
- song of Polyhymnia moved powerfully and delighted the initiates in
- art and the hearts of the multitude!
-
- Need we tell you with what regret your retirement from public life
- has filled us? Need we assure you that at a time when all glances
- were hopefully turned towards you, all perceived with sorrow that
- _the one_ man whom all of us are compelled to acknowledge as
- foremost among living men in his domain, looked on in silence as
- foreign art took possession of German soil, the seat of honor of
- the German muse, while German works gave pleasure only by echoing
- the favorite tunes of foreigners and, where the most excellent had
- lived and labored, a second childhood of taste threatens to follow
- the Golden Age of Art?
-
- You alone are able to insure a decisive victory to the efforts of
- the best amongst us. From you the native Art Society and the German
- Opera expect new blossoms, rejuvenated life and a new sovereignty
- of the true and beautiful over the dominion to which the prevalent
- spirit of fashion wishes to subject even the eternal laws of art.
- Bid us hope that the wishes of all who have listened to the sound
- of your harmonies will soon be fulfilled! This is our most urgent
- second prayer.
-
- May the year which we have begun not come to an end without
- rejoicing us with the fruits of our petition and may the coming
- Spring when it witnesses the unfolding of one of our longed-for
- gifts become a twofold blooming-time for us and all the world of
- art!
-
- Vienna, February, 1824.
-
-This address was signed by thirty of Beethoven's friends and admirers,
-among them being Prince Lichnowsky, Count Dietrichstein, Count
-Lichnowsky, Abbe Stadler, Count Palfy, Count Fries, Dr. Sonnleithner,
-and the publishers Diabelli, Artaria, Leidesdorf and Steiner and Co.
-The most active agent in securing signatures was Count Lichnowsky.
-It was published in Baeuerle's "Theater-Zeitung" and also in Kanne's
-journal. This publication, and gossip to the effect that he had
-prompted both writing and printing, annoyed Beethoven greatly. He gave
-vent to his rage in a remark which he himself wrote in a Conversation
-Book: "Now that the thing has taken this turn I can no longer find
-joy in it. The atrocity of attributing such an act to me sickens me
-with the whole business and I am scarcely able to address even a few
-words to men of such intellectual prominence. Not a single critic can
-boast of having received a letter from me. I have never----" there
-his outburst breaks off; he did not finish the sentence in writing.
-Schindler tried to ease his mind! "Your fears are groundless," he
-wrote; "your honor has not been compromised--let that suffice you;
-nobody will accuse you of having been directly concerned in it." Court
-Secretary von Felsburg and J. N. Bihler, a tutor in the imperial
-household, waited upon Beethoven one afternoon to present the address,
-and talk over its suggestions. Beethoven said he wanted to read it
-when alone. Later Schindler went to him and found him with the letter
-in his hand. He was manifestly moved by its expressions and handed it
-to Schindler to read while he went to the window and gazed out for
-quite a while. Then he returned to Schindler, said briefly: "It is
-very beautiful!--it rejoices me greatly!" and when Schindler also had
-expressed his delight added: "Let us go out for a walk." During the
-walk he remained sunk in thought.
-
-[Sidenote: A CONSPIRACY OF FRIENDS]
-
-The object had in view by the designers of the memorial was
-accomplished;--Beethoven was lifted out of his despondent mood and
-inspired with new determination. By March Schindler had been informed
-that the concert would be given in Vienna. He lauded Beethoven's
-decision and begged him not to distress himself with vain imaginings
-about the outcome--everything would go gloriously and everybody
-would esteem it an honor to participate. Expressions of satisfaction
-poured in on the composer from all quarters, and also offers of help.
-Beethoven's friends gathered together and discussed the details in the
-liveliest fashion--the time, the place, the programme, the choir and
-orchestra, who should sing the solos, the price of seats, the number
-of rehearsals. The concert-season was drawing to a close and delay was
-hazardous; but delay there was, for Beethoven was vacillating, full
-of doubtings and suspicions, and there was a too great multiplicity
-of counsellors. Schindler was kept extremely busy; Lichnowsky and
-Schuppanzigh bestirred themselves mightily; Brother Johann came to
-the fore with advice and suggestions, especially about the business
-administration; Nephew Karl, much to Schindler's dissatisfaction,
-not only ran errands but volunteered his opinion on many topics. A
-page from a Conversation Book will disclose how the consultations
-with Beethoven were carried on--for Beethoven's consent to every step
-had to be obtained, which was a pity. In the following excerpt it is
-Schuppanzigh who is speaking to the composer, whom he, as was his wont,
-addresses in the third person--as was fitting to the dignity of "Mylord
-Falstaff."
-
- How about the concert? It is getting late--Lent will not last much
- longer. He ought to give three movements [the mass is meant, of
- course].--Under no circumstances a piano piece. There are no piano
- players here. He will need Buringer [Piringer] to provide the best
- _dilettante_, Sonnleithner to look after the singers, and Plachetka
- [Blahetka] for the announcements and bills--Young Sonnleithner has
- all the amateur singers under his thumb. It would be a good idea
- for him [Beethoven] to pay a visit to Duport _to talk to him once
- more about me_.
-
-The significance of the concluding remark will appear later. At another
-time Karl is reporting progress:
-
- Piringer has said that he would undertake the appointment of
- the instrumentalists, Sonnleithner the chorus, Schuppanzigh the
- orchestra, Blahetka the announcements, tickets, etc. So everything
- is looked after. You can give two concerts.... When will you have
- it announced? Schuppanzigh is coming to-morrow.... Blahetka offered
- to stamp the tickets, etc., but I think that all such matters ought
- to be [entrusted] to your brother. It would be safer.... Piringer
- has enough to do with the choruses. Piringer is a very capable man
- but not the man that Schuppanzigh is; in any event it would be
- unjust to disregard S., as he has taken so much pains and spurred
- on the others.
-
-At first it was agreed that the place should be the
-Theater-an-der-Wien. Count Palfy, who had signed the memorial, was
-willing to provide the theatre and all the forces, vocal as well as
-instrumental, for 1200 florins, let Beethoven have as many rehearsals
-as he desired and fix the prices of admission. But a difficulty
-presented itself at once. At the Theater-an-der-Wien Seyfried was
-chapelmaster and Clement leader of the orchestra. Beethoven wanted
-Umlauf to be general conductor of the concert and Schuppanzigh leader
-of the orchestra. Count Palfy was willing to sacrifice Seyfried, but
-not Clement--at least, he asked that if Clement was to be displaced it
-be done with as little injury to his feelings as possible. He therefore
-suggested that Beethoven write a letter of explanation to Clement,
-which he felt sure would solve the difficulty. Meanwhile Schindler had
-begun negotiations with Duport, director of the Kaernthnerthor Theatre.
-Duport was favorably inclined towards the enterprise and also towards
-Schuppanzigh; but troublesome questions of another kind were now
-precipitated--questions about prices of admission, the solo singers
-and the number of rehearsals. On all these points Beethoven was so
-irresolute that the project seemed likely to fall by the wayside; in
-which crisis the leading spirits thought themselves entitled to resort
-to a stratagem to give stability to the wavering mind of Beethoven.
-In at least one instance the Conversation Book record was given the
-appearance of a formal journal of proceedings. It was now planned that
-Lichnowsky, Schindler and Schuppanzigh should simultaneously call upon
-Beethoven as if by accident, turn the conversation on the points on
-which it was necessary for Beethoven to reach a decision and that his
-utterances should then be put into writing and he be asked, half in
-jest, half in earnest, to affix his signature to the document. The ruse
-succeeded for the nonce, but the result would eventually have been
-woeful had Beethoven been less irresolute. After the conspirators had
-gone away Beethoven saw through the trick which had been played on him
-and, scenting treachery as was his wont, decided off-hand to abandon
-the concert. He issued his pronunciamento to the three friends in this
-characteristic fashion:
-
- To Count Moritz Lichnowsky. I despise treachery. Do not visit me
- again. No concert.
-
- To Herrn Schuppanzigh. Let him not visit me more. I shall give no
- concert.
-
- To Schindler. I request you not to come again until I send for you.
- No concert.
-
-The three friends refused to take umbrage at Beethoven's rudeness; the
-notes were not accompanied by a silken rope; they gave him time to get
-over his wrath and suspicion and then went on with the preparations
-for the concert. In the Conversation Book there appears a record of a
-consultation which may fairly be set down as that of the meeting at
-which Beethoven's helpers employed their stratagem.[112] Schindler
-opens a page formally thus:
-
- Protocol of March 2.
-
- Present:
- Mr. L. van Beethoven, a _musikus_.
- Mr. Count v. Lichnowsky, an amateur.
- Mr. Schindler, a fiddler.
- Not yet present to-day:
- Mr. Schuppanzigh, a fiddler representing Mylord Fallstaff.
-
-[Sidenote: LOOKING AFTER DETAILS]
-
-At this consultation Schindler reports an offer from Palfy to furnish
-the Theater-an-der-Wien, orchestra, lights, etc., _appertinentia_
-for 1000 florins, provided a second or third concert be given. At a
-moderate charge for admission (which would be necessary) he says the
-receipts would be 4000 florins, which would yield a profit of 2000
-florins at the first concert and about 3000 at the second, when there
-would be no copying charges. The prices would not be so high as at the
-Ridotto Room. If Duport were to charge only 300 florins, there would
-still be a further charge of 300 florins for building the platform
-and no end of vexation and labor. Palfy wanted only his expenses.
-Would Beethoven authorize him (Schindler) and Lichnowsky to complete
-arrangements with Palfy? He need not be paid, and it would be possible
-to withdraw from the arrangement at any time. Haste was necessary,
-for a supervisor must be appointed--Umlauf or somebody else--so that
-rehearsals might begin. If Schuppanzigh were given too much to do and
-anything went ill the conductor would lay the blame on insufficient
-study. From the record of a subsequent consultation (in March) the
-following excerpts are made:
-
- _Lichnowsky_: It is right that the orchestra be doubled, but
- superfluous to engage more than are necessary; after Schuppanzigh
- and Umlauf know what is at their service at the Wiedener Theatre we
- can tell what is needed.
-
- _Schindler_: Lichnowsky says that a smaller orchestra is
- more effective at the Theater-an-der-Wien than a large
- one in the Ridotto Room. You need not take all at the
- Theater-an-der-Wien--none at all if you do not need them,--that is
- the arrangement with Palfy.
-
- _Lichnowsky_: Unnecessary expenses must be avoided.
-
- _Schindler_: You will not have to pay the forces at the
- Theater-an-der-Wien at all--so that may be deducted. The days of
- performance if agreeable to you would be the 22nd or 23rd or 24th
- of this month.
-
- _Lichnowsky_: You will make money, and more if you give a second
- concert, when it will not be necessary that all the pieces be new;
- you will have the same symphony and two other missal movements.
-
- _Schindler_: The prices of admission will be considerably modified
- at 2 florins for the parterre, 2 florins for the gallery and 15
- florins for the seats.--You ought not to seek difficulties where
- there are none; if the worst comes to the worst, everything will be
- settled--The question is not whether there are more difficulties at
- the theatre or the Ridotto Room--I shall see Schuppanzigh to-day
- noon; but before then Lichnowsky will go to Palfy tentatively to
- report your decision.
-
-The conversation continued (probably the next day):
-
- _Schindler_: Schuppanzigh is greatly pleased that you have come
- to an understanding with Palfy. He will make use of the entire
- orchestra of the theatre. He is coming to the Ridotto Room to-day,
- as he hopes to find you there. The choruses at the theatre are
- also good; Schuppanzigh says that the women's choir of the society
- is not of the best because they are all young girls; which is
- true.--The Baron took the tempo just once again as fast, therefore
- your advice was highly important; not until the second time did it
- go well.--Besides, the women's choir is thoroughly bad. Falstaff
- was also convinced and is now glad that nothing but the men's choir
- will be needed. The solo voices are much too weak for the room and
- too--young.--The soprano singer is sixteen years old at the most.
- Palfy is sending you word that he will send you his offer, which
- you know, and the promise which he made, to-morrow in writing.--You
- are choosing the lesser of two evils.--Twenty to twenty-four
- for each part in the chorus are already on hand.--Of the twelve
- violins for each part we to-day selected the six best, who are to
- be arranged in rank and file.--The only wish that Palfy has, as
- he admitted to Lichnowsky to-day, is that Klement be handled as
- gently as possible so that his feelings may not be hurt. For this
- reason we all request you to write a billet to Klement and tell
- the truth as it is. But as there is no question but that he will
- come to the second concert, I suggest that the direction be then
- given to him.--Schuppanzigh is agreed to this. And as Piringer of
- the Theater-an-der-Wien pretends that as a high R. I. official he
- cannot take part, Klement might take first place among the second
- violins at the first concert and Schuppanzigh at the second.--Palfy
- does not at all want that you shall take Klement, but only that you
- shall take the trouble to write him a billet and tell him about
- the matter. He will certainly be agreeable.--He [Schuppanzigh] has
- become much quieter and more _commode_ since he was in Russia--his
- paunch is already beginning to embarrass him. Boehm will play first
- violin, Piringer will not play at the An-der-Wien, which is all one
- to Schuppanzigh.
-
-[Sidenote: COMPOSITION OF THE PERFORMING FORCE]
-
-But matters were not so easily arranged with Clement as Schindler had
-imagined. He did not want to be deprived of the honor of playing at the
-concert, the orchestra of the Theater-an-der-Wien sided with him and
-declared that it would not play under Schuppanzigh. Schindler appealed
-to Count Palfy, who knew that though you can lead a horse to water
-you cannot make him drink. He said that he could command the men to
-play under Schuppanzigh, but he did not want to be answerable for the
-mischief which would result. Schindler advised Beethoven that if Palfy
-stood by Clement the contract for the Kaernthnerthor Theatre be closed
-with Duport. Up to late in April it was as good as settled that the
-concert would be given at the Theater-an-der-Wien, though Beethoven's
-fatal indecision left the point uncertain. With negotiations pending
-with both theatres the Ridotto Room came up for consideration, and
-finally (it would seem as a consequence of advice by the Steiner
-firm), also a fourth _locale_. This was the Landstaendischer Saal, a
-small room in which the _Concerts Spirituels_ took place. Lichnowsky,
-when he heard that Beethoven was considering such a step, hurried to
-him with representations that if the hall were taken there would be
-trouble with Palfy and he himself humiliated and embarrassed, since he
-had come to an agreement with the manager in his name. He as well as
-Schindler was sorely tried by the new turn of affairs and represented
-to Beethoven that the room was too small, holding only 500 persons, and
-that the court would not go there. But Nephew Karl favored the hall
-because its choice would avoid the difficulties (_Sauerei_) incident
-to the selection of either of the theatres. Lichnowsky and Schindler
-did not seek to hide their displeasure from Beethoven because of his
-willingness to take the advice of others (meaning, no doubt, Brother
-Johann, Nephew Karl and Steiner), in preference to theirs, but at
-length circumstances compelled him to abandon all other plans and
-agree to take the Kaernthnerthor Theatre. He considered the noon hour as
-the time for the concert, but Johann told him that an evening concert
-was worth 1500 florins more than one given in the daytime; he clung
-to the Landstaendischer Saal, but Schindler told him that on the day
-which had been fixed upon there was to be a concert at the Ridotto
-Room in which Sontag, Unger and the Italian singers would take part.
-"The girls" would therefore be unavailable for his concert and the
-court would, of course, go to the fashionable place and affair. As
-late as April 21, it was publicly announced that the concert would
-be given in the Theater-an-der-Wien, but at length Beethoven made up
-his mind, and Schindler was empowered to close with Duport for the
-Kaernthnerthor Theatre. Palfy yielded to the composer's wishes, but
-regretfully, saying that he would rather lose 1000 florins than the
-honor of having the concert in his house. It would seem as if it was
-the cabal in the orchestra against Schuppanzigh which ended Beethoven's
-irresolution. Beethoven now decided to take the Court theatre for 400
-florins, chorus and orchestra being included as well as the lighting,
-with the privilege of a repetition on the same terms in seven or eight
-days. In the letter which Beethoven sent to Duport, were named Sontag,
-Unger and Preisinger (bass) as solo singers, Umlauf and Schuppanzigh
-as leaders, the orchestra and chorus were to be augmented from the
-amateur forces of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. There were to be
-24 violins, 10 violas, 12 contrabasses and violoncellos, and the number
-of wind-instruments was to be doubled, for which reason room would have
-to be provided for the orchestra on the stage. Duport was requested to
-fix the date not later than May 3rd or 4th and was informed that the
-reason why the agreement with Count Palfy had been cancelled was that
-the Theater-an-der-Wien was lacking in capable solo singers and that
-Palfy wanted Clement to lead the orchestra, whereas Beethoven had long
-before selected Schuppanzigh for the post. With a change of date to May
-7 this arrangement was formally confirmed.
-
-But many details remained to be settled, the most vexatious to
-Beethoven being the prices of admission. Beethoven wanted an advance
-on the regular tariff. Duport appealed to the Minister of Police, but
-permission to raise the prices was refused. In the selection of solo
-singers Therese Gruenbaum had been considered, but she was eventually
-set aside in favor of Henrietta Sontag, for whom Beethoven had a
-personal admiration (he could not know much, if anything, about her
-voice and art). She and Unger, who had a sincere love for Beethoven's
-music, were the composer's "pretty witches" and had been invited by
-him to dinner. Jaeger had been suggested for the tenor part, but Anton
-Haitzinger was chosen because, in a spirit of professional courtesy,
-Jaeger refused to take a part away from a Kaernthnerthor singer. Forti
-and Preisinger were rival candidates for the solo bass parts. The
-latter was considered the more musical of the two and better fitted
-for Beethoven's music, and was therefore selected. He took part in
-the rehearsals, and for him Beethoven made a change in the music of
-the recitative in the Symphony (Schindler gives it in his biography);
-but at the last the _tessitura_ of the part was found to be too high
-for him and Preisinger had to withdraw. It was impossible under the
-circumstances now to appeal to Forti, and the part was entrusted to
-Seipelt of the company at the Theater-an-der-Wien.
-
-It was originally intended that the programme should consist of the
-new Overture (Op. 124), the Mass in D and the new Symphony; but
-realizing that this would make the concert unduly long Beethoven first
-decided to omit the _Gloria_ of the mass, and after the rehearsals
-had already begun he curtailed the list still more by eliding the
-_Sanctus_. The large amount of copying involved was done by a staff
-of men some of whom worked, apparently, under the supervision of the
-widow of Schlemmer, Beethoven's favorite copyist who had died the year
-before. The composer angrily rejected Haslinger's suggestion that
-the chorus parts be engraved, but consented to have them duplicated
-by lithographic process. The church authorities were opposed to the
-performance of missal music in a theatre and the censor therefore
-withheld his approval of the programme. So, in April, at the suggestion
-of Schindler, Beethoven wrote a letter to the censor, Sartorius, in
-which he pleaded for his consent to the performance on the ground that
-he was giving the concert by request, had involved himself in costs
-by reason of the copying, there was no time in which to produce other
-novelties, and if consent were refused he would be compelled to abandon
-the concert and all his expenditures would have been in vain. The three
-ecclesiastical pieces which were to be performed were to be listed on
-the programme as hymns. The letter failed of its mission; not until an
-appeal was made to Count Sedlnitzky, the Police President, through the
-agency of Count Lichnowsky, was the performance sanctioned.
-
-[Sidenote: THE COMPOSER AND HONORARY TITLES]
-
-One further detail of the preparations, as disclosed by a discussion
-in Beethoven's ministerial cabinet, is too interesting to be omitted.
-The time is come when bills must be posted in front of the theatre.
-Schindler is the first speaker:
-
- Master! Listen! I have something to say, so follow me: How shall
- the placard be worded (it must be printed to-day); shall I put in
- Member of the Royal Academy at Stockholm and Amsterdam? Tell me
- briefly. What a tremendous title!!
-
- _Schuppanzigh_: I am not in favor of it. Beethoven is dictator and
- president of all the academies in the world and sensible people
- will look upon this title as vanity on his part.
-
- _Schindler_: My lord is not wrong. At any rate it will be made
- public by the last notices in the newspapers. The name of
- Beethoven shines brightest without affix of any kind and when most
- unassuming; all the world knows who and what you are. It will do
- your posterity no good.--Who knows what a later time will bring
- forth.... I must go now to get the bill ready for to-morrow. It is
- half-past 5.
-
-This was, no doubt, another case in which it was thought judicious to
-get Beethoven's consent beyond equivocation. There is record of another
-conversation on the subject. Schindler speaks again:
-
- Well then, it shall appear on the bill to-morrow, Member of the
- Royal Academies of Stockholm and Amsterdam. Nothing more; that
- sounds best.--Then it ought to read of Arts and Sciences.--But when
- one says Roy. Acad. the _epitheton_ Arts and Sciences is understood.
-
-In neither of these consultations, which took place two days before
-the concert, is there any indication that Beethoven objected to the
-use of the title; on the contrary, he seems to have desired to make
-it more explicit by the inclusion of the words "Arts and Sciences."
-But Schindler relates that when Bernard, in preparing an announcement
-for the public press, added to Beethoven's name: "Honorary Member of
-the Academies of Arts and Sciences at Stockholm and Amsterdam and also
-Honorary Citizen of the R. I. Capital and Residential City Vienna,"
-he rebuked the editor severely, not wanting to have such "silly and
-ridiculous playthings" figure in the announcement. As a matter of fact,
-all titles were omitted in the affiches of the two concerts, though
-Otto Jahn found one for the second meeting in the Fuchs Collection
-which contained them. It would seem that after one had been thus
-printed it was after all rejected by Beethoven.
-
-The rehearsals were now in progress. Dirzka was making good headway
-with the choruses and was satisfied; Schuppanzigh was holding
-rehearsals for the strings in the rehearsal-room of the Ridotto;
-the solo singers were studying under the supervision of Beethoven,
-sometimes in his lodgings, Umlauf assisting. Accustomed to Rossini's
-music, the principal singers found it difficult to assimilate the
-Beethovenian manner, especially as it is exemplified in the concluding
-movement of the symphony. They pleaded with the composer for changes
-which would lighten their labors, but he was adamant. Unger called
-him a "tyrant over all the vocal organs" to his face, but when he
-still refused to grant her petitions she turned to Sontag and said:
-"Well, then we must go on torturing ourselves in the name of God!" The
-choirmaster requested that the passage in the fugue of the _Credo_
-where the sopranos enter on B-flat _in alt_ be altered, because none
-of the singers could reach the note; but though Umlauf reinforced that
-argument, a refusal was the only reply. In only one alteration did
-Beethoven acquiesce;--he changed the concluding passage of the bass
-recitative, because Preisinger could not sing the high F-sharp; but
-Preisinger did not sing at all at the concert. The consequences of his
-obduracy were not realized by Beethoven at the concert, for though he
-stood among the performers and indicated the tempo at the beginning of
-each movement he could not hear the music except with his mental ear.
-The obvious thing happened;--the singers who could not reach the high
-tones simply omitted them. Duport had allowed two full rehearsals.
-There was to have been a third, but it was prevented by a rehearsal for
-a ballet. At the final meeting on May 6, Beethoven was "dissolved in
-devotion and emotion" at the performance of the _Kyrie_, and after the
-Symphony stationed himself at the door and embraced all the amateurs
-who had taken part.[113] The official announcement of the concert read
-as follows:
-
- GRAND
- MUSICAL CONCERT
- by
- MR. L. VAN BEETHOVEN
- which will take place
- To-morrow, May 7, 1824
- in the R. I. Court Theatre beside the Kaernthnerthor.
-
- The musical pieces to be performed are the latest works of Mr.
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- First: A Grand Overture.
-
- Second: Three Grand Hymns with Solo and Chorus Voices.
-
- Third: A Grand Symphony with Solo and Chorus Voices entering in the
- finale on Schiller's Ode to Joy.
-
- The solos will be performed by the Demoiselles Sonntag and Unger
- and the Messrs. Haizinger and Seipelt. Mr. Schuppanzigh has
- undertaken the direction of the orchestra, Mr. Chapelmaster Umlauf
- the direction of the whole and the Music Society the augmentation
- of the chorus and orchestra as a favor.
-
- Mr. Ludwig van Beethoven will himself participate in the general
- direction.
-
- Prices of admission as usual.
-
- Beginning at 7 o'clock in the evening.
-
-[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE]
-
-The overture was that to "The Consecration of the House." Duport had
-a hand in the drafting of the announcement and wanted to include in
-it the statement that Beethoven would conduct with Umlauf. Schindler
-in reporting the fact to Beethoven added: "I did not know what to
-reply and so it was omitted this time. You _could_ surely conduct the
-overture alone. It would put too severe a strain upon your ears and for
-that reason I would not advise you to conduct the whole."
-
-The theatre was crowded in every part except the imperial box; that
-was empty. Beethoven had gone in person, accompanied by Schindler, to
-invite the Imperial Family, and some of its members promised to attend;
-but the Emperor and Empress had left Vienna a few days before and
-Archduke Rudolph, who had naturally displayed interest in the affair,
-was in Olmuetz. But we hear of several of Beethoven's present and
-former friends seated in various parts of the house;--poor, bedridden
-Zmeskall was carried to his seat in a sedan chair. Some of the
-foremost musicians of Vienna were in the band--Mayseder, Boehm, Jansa,
-Linke, etc. The performance was far from perfect. There was lack of a
-homogeneous power, a paucity of nuance, a poor distribution of lights
-and shades. Nevertheless, strange as the music must have sounded to the
-audience, the impression which it made was profound and the applause
-which it elicited enthusiastic to a degree. At one point in the
-Scherzo, presumably at the startling entry of the tympani at the _ritmo
-di tre battute_, the listeners could scarcely restrain themselves, and
-it seemed as if a repetition then and there would be insisted upon. To
-this Beethoven, no doubt engrossed by the music which he was following
-in his mind, was oblivious. Either after the Scherzo or at the end
-of the Symphony,[114] while Beethoven was still gazing at his score,
-Fraeulein Unger, whose happiness can be imagined, plucked him by the
-sleeve and directed his attention to the clapping hands and waving hats
-and handkerchiefs. Then he turned to the audience and bowed.
-
-After the concert Beethoven's friends, as was natural, came together to
-exchange comments and felicitate him. From Schindler Beethoven received
-a report which is preserved in the Conversation Book. It gives us a
-glimpse of his own joy and the composer's happy pride in having been
-more enthusiastically greeted than the court:
-
- Never in my life did I hear such frenetic and yet cordial
- applause. Once the second movement of the Symphony was completely
- interrupted by applause--and there was a demand for a repetition.
- The reception was more than imperial--for the people burst out
- in a storm 4 times. At the last there were cries of Vivat!--The
- wind-instruments did very bravely--not the slightest disturbance
- could be heard.--When the parterre broke out in applauding cries
- the 5th time the Police Commissioner yelled Silence!--The court
- only 3 successive times but Beethoven 5 times.--My triumph is now
- attained; for now I can speak from my heart. Yesterday I still
- feared secretly that the Mass would be prohibited because I heard
- that the Archbishop had protested against it. After all I was right
- in at first not saying anything to the Police Commissioner. By God,
- it would have happened!--He surely never has been in the Court
- Theatre. Well, _Pax tecum_!
-
-Joseph Huettenbrenner went with Schindler when he escorted the composer
-to his lodgings. At this point there appears to be something like a
-flight of the imagination in Schindler's narrative. Arrived at home
-Schindler hands Beethoven the box-office report. He takes it, gives
-it a glance and falls in a swoon. The two friends raise him from
-the floor and carry him to a sofa, where he lies without uttering a
-word until far into the night. Then they observe that he has fallen
-asleep, and depart. Next morning Beethoven is found on the sofa,
-still in his concert-clothes. Schindler should have taken a glance at
-the Conversation Books before writing this dramatic story. There he
-would have found a record of his own words which shows that he came
-to Beethoven on the day after the concert and asked him to send his
-nephew to meet him in the afternoon at the box-office of the theatre
-where the accounts were to be settled. He did not know what the
-receipts were even then, for he remarks to Beethoven, "In Paris and
-London the concert would certainly have yielded from 12 to 15 thousand
-florins; here it may be as many hundreds." And then he goes on: "After
-yesterday you must now too plainly see that you are trampling upon
-your own interests by remaining longer within these walls. In short, I
-have no words to express my feelings at the wrong which you are doing
-yourself.... Have you recovered from yesterday's exertions?"
-
-[Sidenote: FRIENDS ACCUSED OF DISHONESTY]
-
-The financial results of the concert fell far short of Beethoven's
-expectations. The gross receipts were 2200 florins in the depreciated
-Vienna money, of which only 420 florins remained after paying the cost
-of administration and copying; and against this pitiful sum some petty
-expenses were still chargeable. Beethoven was not only disappointed; he
-was chagrined and thrown into a fuming ill-humor. He invited Schindler,
-Umlauf and Schuppanzigh to dine with him at the restaurant "Zum wilden
-Mann" in the Prater. The composer came with his nephew; "his brow was
-clouded, his words were cold, peevish, captious," says Schindler. He
-had ordered an "opulent" meal, but no sooner had the party sat down to
-the table than the "explosion which was imminent" came. In plainest
-terms he burst out with the charge that the management and Schindler
-had cheated him. Umlauf and Schuppanzigh tried to convince him that
-that was impossible, as every penny had passed through the hands of the
-two theatre cashiers, whose accounts tallied, and that though it was
-contrary to custom, his nephew had acted in behalf of his brother as
-comptroller. Beethoven persisted in his accusation, saying that he had
-his information from an entirely credible source. Thereupon Schindler
-and Umlauf abruptly left the room. Schuppanzigh remained behind just
-long enough to get a few stripes on his broad back and then joined
-his companions in misery. Together they finished their meal at a
-restaurant in the Leopoldstadt.[115] Schindler, after a disquisition
-on Beethoven's habit of estranging his friends by insulting them and
-then winning them back by the frankness of his confessions and the
-sincerity of his contrition, says that after the composer's return
-from Baden in November, he approached him in this winning mood, "and
-the entire occurrence was at once drowned in the waters of Lethe." But
-Schindler was not only in error as to the time of the incident--he
-says it was after the second concert--he also seems to have forgotten
-that he received a letter which on its face shows that he had written
-to Beethoven defending himself against the charges made. Beethoven's
-letter was as follows:
-
- I did not accuse you of any wrongdoing in connection with the
- concert; but unwisdom and arbitrary actions spoiled much. Besides
- I have a certain fear lest some great misfortune shall some time
- happen to me through you. Clogged drains often open suddenly, and
- that day in the Prater I thought you were offensive in several
- things. Moreover there are many times when I would rather try to
- repay the services which you perform for me with a little gift than
- with a _meal_, for I admit that I am often too greatly disturbed.
- If you do not see a pleasant face you say at once: "Bad weather
- again to-day"; for being commonplace yourself how can you help
- misunderstanding that which is not commonplace?
-
- In short I love my independence too much. There will be no lack
- of opportunities to invite you, but it is impossible to do so
- continually, inasmuch as thereby all my affairs are disarranged.
-
- Duport has consented to next Tuesday for the concert. For the
- Landstaendischen Saal, which I might have had for to-morrow, he
- again refuses to let me have the singers. He has also again
- referred me to the police; therefore please go there with the bill
- and learn if there is any objection to the second time. I would
- never have accepted the favors done me gratis and will not. As for
- friendship that is a difficult thing in your case. In no event
- would I like to entrust my welfare to you since you lack judgment
- and act arbitrarily, and I learned some time ago to know you from a
- side which is not to your credit; and so did others. I must confess
- that the purity of my character does not permit me to recompense
- mere favors with friendship, although I am ready willingly to serve
- your welfare.
-
- B----n.
-
-[Sidenote: FINANCIAL FAILURE REPEATED]
-
-A second concert had been contemplated from the outset, or at least
-since the opening of negotiations with Palfy. Schindler says that
-Duport offered to pay all expenses and guarantee 500 florins Convention
-Coin (1200 florins Vienna Standard) with the understanding that the
-profits should be divided equally between Beethoven and the exchequer
-of the theatre. But he wanted a change made in the programme. To this
-change, obviously designed as a concession to the popular taste,
-Beethoven seems to have given his consent. The concert took place
-on Sunday, May 23rd, at midday--half-past 12 o'clock. Of the missal
-hymns only one, the _Kyrie_, was performed; between the overture and
-it Beethoven's trio, "Tremate, empj, tremate," was sung by Madame
-Dardanelli and Signori Donzelli and Botticelli. The original solo
-singers sang in the _Kyrie_ and the Symphony, which numbers were
-separated by Rossini's "Di tanti palpiti" in a transposed key sung by
-the tenor David "almost throughout in a falsetto voice." Schindler says
-that Sontag also sang her favorite _aria di bravura_ by Mercadante, but
-of this number there is no mention on the _affiche_. The delightful
-weather lured the people into the open air, the house was not half full
-and there was, in consequence, a deficit of 800 florins. Nor was the
-popular demonstration of enthusiasm over the music so great as at the
-first concert, and Beethoven, who had not favored the repetition, was
-so disheartened that he was with difficulty persuaded to accept the
-500 florins which Duport had guaranteed to him. He was also vexed to
-find his old trio announced as a novelty (it was composed more than
-twenty years before and had been performed in 1814), and so was Tobias
-Haslinger, who had bought but had not published it. Moreover, Haslinger
-had been overlooked in the distribution of complimentary tickets.
-Beethoven had to apologize to him for the oversight, which he protested
-was due to an inadvertence, and also to explain that the announcement
-of the trio as a new work was of Duport's doing, not his.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[106] Page 157 _et seq._
-
-[107] There are several stories touching the origin of the fugue-theme
-of the Scherzo of the D minor symphony, which may be given for what
-they are worth. Czerny says that the theme occurred to Beethoven while
-listening to the twittering of sparrows in a garden. Holz told Jahn
-that one evening Beethoven was seated in the forest at Schoenbrunn and
-in the gloaming fancied he saw all about him a multitude of gnomes
-popping in and out of their hiding-places; and this stirred his fancy
-to the invention of the theme. Another story has it that it flashed
-into his mind with a sudden outbursting glitter of lights after he had
-long been seated in the dark.
-
-[108] "Sinfonie at the beginning only 4 voices, 2 viol. viola, basso,
-amongst them forte with other voices and if possible bring in all the
-other instruments one by one and gradually."
-
-[109] Nottebohm fills the hiatus with "Trombones? Subjects?"
-
-[110] "Abgerissene Saetze wie Fuersten sind Bettler u. s. w." The phrase
-is probably a record of Beethoven's imperfect recollection of the line
-"_Bettler_ werden Fuerstenbrueder," which appeared in an early version
-of Schiller's poem where now we read "_Alle Menschen werden Brueder_."
-The thought lies near that it was the early form of the poem, when
-it was still an "Ode to Freedom" (not "to Joy"), which first aroused
-enthusiastic admiration for it in Beethoven's mind. In a Conversation
-Book of 1824 Bernard says to Beethoven: "In your text it reads,"
-followed by the observation, "All this is due here to the direction
-of the aristocracy"--which may or may not have connection with a
-conversation in which politics was playing a part.
-
-[111] So Thayer remarks.
-
-[112] For this assumption the present editor is alone responsible.
-Thayer, who says nothing on the subject, corrects Schindler's date to
-March 20, for no obvious reason.
-
-[113] The statement about the _Kyrie_ was made by Holz to Jahn; that
-about the Symphony, by Fuchs.
-
-[114] The incident is variously related. Schindler and Fraeulein Unger
-(the latter of whom told it to George Grove in London in 1869) say
-that it took place at the end of the concert. Thalberg, the pianist,
-who was present, says that it was after the Scherzo. A note amongst
-Thayer's papers reads: "November 23, 1860. I saw Thalberg in Paris.
-He told me as follows: He was present at Beethoven's concert in the
-Kaernthnerthor Theatre 1824. Beethoven was dressed in black dress-coat,
-white neckerchief, and waistcoat, black satin small-clothes, black silk
-stockings, shoes with buckles. He saw after the Scherzo of the 9th
-symphony, how B. stood turning over the leaves of his score utterly
-deaf to the immense applause, and Unger pulled him by the sleeve and
-then pointed to the audience when he turned and bowed. Umlauf told the
-choir and orchestra to pay no attention whatever to Beethoven's beating
-of the time but all to watch him. Conradin Kreutzer was at the P. F."
-Did Thalberg describe Beethoven's dress correctly? Evidently not. In
-a conversation just before the concert Schindler, who is to call for
-Beethoven, tells him to make himself ready. "We will take everything
-with us now; also take your green coat, which you can put on when you
-conduct. The theatre will be dark and no one will notice it.... O,
-great master, you do not own a black frock coat! The green one will
-have to do; in a few days the black one will be ready."
-
-[115] It is more than likely that Beethoven's "credible" informant was
-his brother Johann. He was jealous of Schindler's participation in the
-composer's business affairs and probably took advantage of a favorable
-opportunity to strengthen Beethoven's chronic suspicion and growing
-distrust of what the composer himself looked upon as Schindler's
-officiousness. In the Conversation Book used at the meeting after the
-concert, Karl tells his uncle: "Schindler knows from an ear-witness
-that your brother said in the presence of several persons that he was
-only waiting for the concert to be over before driving S. out of the
-house."
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VI
-
- Incidents and Labors of 1824--Bernard's Oratorio--Visitors at
- Baden--New Publishers--A Visitor from London--Beethoven's Opinion
- of his Predecessors--The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127.
-
-
-At the end of the chapter preceding the last, which recorded the doings
-of the year 1823, Beethoven was left in his lodgings in the Ungargasse,
-occupied with work upon the Ninth Symphony, which was approaching
-completion, oppressed with anxiety concerning his health and worried
-about his brother's domestic affairs. As the story of his life is
-resumed with the year 1824, there has been no serious change in his
-physical condition, but complaints of ill health are frequent in his
-communications with his friends. His eyes continue to trouble him till
-late in March; Schindler cautions him not to rub them, as that might
-increase the inflammation; Karl suggests buying a shade to protect them
-from the glare of the light; and when Count Brunswick wants to take him
-along with him to Hungary, Schindler advises him to take the trip, as
-it might be beneficial for his eyes.
-
-[Sidenote: KIND INTEREST IN KARL'S MOTHER]
-
-For a moment we have a glimpse at the gentler side of the composer's
-nature in a letter which he sends when the year is about a week old
-to the widow of his brother, the wicked mother of his adopted son,
-in lieu of the New Year's call which they had been prevented by work
-from making. He should have come to wish her happiness for the year,
-he says, had he been able: "but I know that, nevertheless, you expect
-nothing but the best of good wishes for your welfare from me as well
-as Karl." She had complained of being in need, and he says he would
-gladly have helped her, but had himself too many expenditures, debts
-and delayed receipts to prove his willingness at the moment; but he
-would now give it to her "in writing" that thenceforth she might retain
-the portion of her pension which had been set apart for her son. If,
-in the future, he could give her money to better her condition, he
-would willingly do so; moreover, he had long before assumed the debt
-of 280 florins and 20 kreutzers which she owed Steiner. Manifestly a
-truce had been established between the woman and her brother-in-law,
-and in the absence of any evidence that she was in any way concerned
-in an escapade of Karl's later in the year, it would appear that she
-never violated it; it was not the woman whom Beethoven hated, but the
-youth whom he loved, who brought grief and an almost broken heart into
-his last days. Nevertheless, there is more than passive contentment
-exhibited in this letter; there is also an active magnanimity which
-finds even warmer expression in a letter which he seems to have written
-at an earlier date to his friend Bernard. Bernard[116] had been helpful
-to Beethoven in drawing up the memorial to the court in the matter of
-the guardianship and was among the friends whom Beethoven consulted
-about Karl's education and bringing up. To him Beethoven writes:
-
- I beg of you before the day is over to make inquiries about F. v.
- B. [Frau van Beethoven] and if it is possible, to have her assured
- through her physician that from this month on _so long as I shall
- live_ she shall have the enjoyment of the whole of her pension,
- and I will see to it that if I die first, Karl shall not need the
- half of her pension. It was, moreover, always my intention to
- permit her to keep the whole of her pension so soon as Karl left
- the Institute, but as her illness and need are so great she must be
- helped at once. God has never deserted me in this heavy task and I
- shall continue to trust in Him. If possible I beg of you to send
- me information yet to-day and I will see to it that my _tenacious
- brother also makes a contribution_ to her.
-
-The nephew was now attending the philological lectures at the
-university and living in the winter and spring months with his uncle.
-He had left Bloechlinger's Institute in August 1823 and matriculated
-at the university. He was active in the service of Beethoven, doing
-work as his amanuensis, carrying messages, making purchases, and so
-on; in fact, Beethoven seems to have taken up more of his time than
-was good for his studies. He loved him tenderly and was unceasingly
-thoughtful of his welfare; but the jealousy of his affection led him
-to exercise a strictness of discipline over him which could not fail
-to become irksome to a growing stripling. He left him little liberty,
-and, yielding to a disposition prone to passion, he not seldom treated
-him with great severity. The youth appears in the Conversation Books as
-lively, clever and shrewd, and Beethoven, proud of his natural gifts
-of mind, was indulgent of his comments on others, permitting him
-apparently to speak lightly and discourteously of the men upon whose
-help and counsel he was obliged to depend. The result of Beethoven's
-extremes of harsh rebuke and loving admonition, of violent accusation
-and tender solicitude, was to encourage him in his innate bent for
-disingenuousness and deception, and he continued the course which he
-had begun as a boy of repeating words of disparagement touching those
-against whom his uncle levelled his criticisms, and of reporting, no
-doubt with embellishments of his own invention, the speeches which told
-of the popular admiration in which the great composer was held. By
-this species of flattery he played upon the weakness of his uncle and
-actually obtained an influence over him in the course of time which he
-exploited to his own advantage in various directions. He was naturally
-inclined to indolence and self-indulgence, and it is not strange that
-Beethoven's self-sacrifice in his behalf never awakened in him any deep
-sense of gratitude, while his unreasonable and ill-considered severity
-aroused a spirit of rebellion in him which grew with his advance
-towards adolescence. Beethoven never seems to have realized that he had
-outgrown the period when he could be treated as a child, and it was a
-child's submission which he asked of him.
-
-Grillparzer's opera-book was a frequent subject of conversation between
-Beethoven and his friends in the early months of 1824, but petitions
-and advice were alike unfruitful. He did not go to work upon it nor
-yet upon a composition which presented a more urgent obligation. This
-was the oratorio which he had agreed to write for the Gesellschaft
-der Musikfreunde and on which he had received an advance of money in
-1819. Here the fatal procrastination, though it may have been agreeable
-to Beethoven, was not altogether his fault. Bernard began the book,
-but seems to have put it aside after a few weeks. In April, 1820, he
-tells Beethoven in a Conversation Book, "I must finish the oratorio
-completely this month so that it may be handed to you in Moedling." In
-August, possibly, somebody writes: "I have put it seriously to _Sanctus
-Bernardus_ that it is high time that it be done; that Hauschka was
-urging a completion. He will finish it this month, _id est_ in 5 days,
-and see you this evening at Camehl's.... When I told Bernard that
-Hauschka had come to you about it he was embarrassed and--it seems to
-me that he is throwing the blame on you. He does not want to show his
-poetical impotency."
-
-[Sidenote: GROWING IMPATIENCE ABOUT AN ORATORIO]
-
-For four years after giving the commission, the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde waited before it put any signs of impatience on record.
-Towards the close of October, 1823, Bernard gave a copy of the text
-of the oratorio, which was entitled "Der Sieg des Kreutzes" ("The
-Victory of the Cross"), to Beethoven and also one to Sonnleithner for
-the society. After waiting nearly three months, the directorate of the
-society at a meeting held on January 9, 1824, took action, the nature
-of which was notified to both Beethoven and Bernard. The latter was
-informed that as the society had left the choice of the text which
-he was to compose to Beethoven, it could not say whether or not the
-society would make use of the poem which he had sent until Beethoven
-had set it to music, and the censor had given it his sanction. He was
-also asked to cooperate with the society in stimulating Beethoven to
-finish the work "so long expected by the musical world." Beethoven
-was told that the choice of a book for the oratorio which the society
-had commissioned him to write four years before had been left to him;
-that it had been informed that Bernard had undertaken to write it;
-that its inquiries as to when the music would be completed had always
-been answered by the statement that the poem had not been received.
-Not presuming to ask a composer of his eminence to outline the plan
-of a musical composition before he had become familiar with the work
-as a whole and had satisfied himself touching its plan and execution,
-the society, therefore, had thitherto always directed its inquiries to
-Bernard, who had delivered the book in October. In view of the fact
-that the society could not use the text until it had been set and he
-(Beethoven) had repeatedly expressed his intention to write a work
-of the kind and confirmed the receipt of earnest money paid at his
-request, the society asked him explicitly to say whether or not he
-intended to compose Bernard's poem, and, if so, when the work might be
-expected.
-
-Beethoven answered the letter at great length. He said that he had not
-asked Bernard to write the text but had been told that the society had
-commissioned him to do so; Bernard being the editor of a newspaper it
-was impossible for him to consult him often; moreover, consultations
-of this character would be long drawn out and personally disagreeable,
-as Bernard had written nothing for music except "Libussa," which had
-not been performed at the time, but which he had known since 1809 and
-which had required many alterations; he was compelled to be somewhat
-skeptical about the collaboration and have the book before him in its
-entirety. He had once received a portion of the book, but Bernard, to
-the best of his recollection, had said that it would have to be changed
-and he had given it back to him. At last he had received the whole
-text at the time that the society received it, but other obligations
-which illness had retarded had had to be fulfilled, since, as the
-society probably knew, he was compelled to live from his compositions.
-Many changes, some of which he had indicated to Bernard, would have to
-be made in the book. He would finish his suggestions and consult with
-Bernard, for,
-
- though I find the material good and the poem has a value, it cannot
- remain _as it is_. The poet and I wrote "Christus am Oelberg" in
- 14 days, but that poet was musical and had written several things
- for music and I could consult with him at any moment. Let us leave
- out of consideration _the value_ of poems of this sort; we all
- know what allowances are to be made--the merit lies in the middle.
- So far as I am concerned I would rather set Homer, Klopstock,
- Schiller to music; if they offer difficulties to be overcome _these
- immortal poets_ at least deserve it. As soon as I am through with
- making changes in the oratorio with Bernard I shall have the honor
- to inform you of the fact and at the same time let the society
- know when it may with certainty count upon it. That is all that I
- can say about it at present. Respecting the 400 florins, Vienna
- standard, sent to me _without demand_ I would have sent them back
- long ago had I been able to foresee that the matter would last
- much longer than I had imagined; it was grievous to me not to
- be able to express myself on the subject. Concerning it I had a
- notion, in order to provide at least the interest on the sum, to
- unite with the society in a concert; but neither Herr Schindler
- nor my brother was authorized to say anything on the subject, and
- it was farthest from my thoughts that it should be done _in such a
- manner_. Please inform Herrn von Sonnleithner of this. I also thank
- the society heartily for the offer of the platform and its aid
- which it proffered me and in time I shall make use of them. I shall
- be glad to hear whether the society wishes to make use of my works
- after my concert, among which is a new symphony. The Grand Mass is
- really rather in the oratorio style and particularly adapted to the
- society. I shall be especially pleased if my unselfishness and also
- my zealous desire to serve the society in whose benevolent deeds in
- behalf of art I always take the greatest interest, are recognized.
-
-It is interesting to note in connection with this letter that Beethoven
-resents the statement that he had asked for the money given as an
-earnest; that he was unwilling to assume responsibility for the
-selection of Bernard as his collaborator (though Bernard was among his
-friends and advisors and he had expressed satisfaction with his choice
-when he accepted the commission, only insisting that the poet be paid
-by the society); that he gave at least moderate approval to the book as
-a whole but insisted on some alterations which were essential; that he
-had been contemplating co-operation with the society in a concert, and
-that he had received an offer of assistance from it in a concert which
-he was to give. The letter was written on January 23, some time before
-the receipt of the memorial which was the first official step toward
-the great concerts of May 7 and 23. There is evidence of a kindly
-feeling between the society and him, and, indeed, that feeling was
-never interrupted, though the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde never got
-the oratorio nor received back the money advanced on its commission.
-The society afterward elected him to honorary membership.
-
-[Sidenote: CONTRADICTORY ADVICE AS TO BERNARD'S BOOK]
-
-Beethoven was frequently urged to set to work on the music of "The
-Victory of the Cross"; but he was also advised not to compose it.
-Archduke Rudolph accepted the dedication of the poem and wrote to
-Beethoven telling him of the fact and expressing a wish that he would
-set it to music. But Schikh said to him: "If I were Beethoven I would
-never compose the extremely tiresome text of this oratorio." Beethoven
-had expressed satisfaction with the subject and the quality of the
-lines; he discussed changes which he wished to have made with Bernard
-after he had had time to consider the work as a whole; he promised
-Hauschka in September that he would compose it as soon as he returned
-to the city, and asked him to pay Bernard his fee; but he never set
-seriously to work upon it, though at the end of the letter to Hauschka
-(which bears date September 23, 1824) he reiterated his promise so that
-he might, with mock solemnity, attest it by affixing his hand and seal.
-
-The book of "The Victory of the Cross" was based upon the ancient story
-of the apparition of the cross and the legend "_In hoc signo vinces_"
-to Constantine the Great. _Constantine_ has crossed the Alps into Italy
-and lies encamped confronting his enemy _Maxentius_ before Rome. His
-daughter _Julia_, who is represented as wife to _Maxentius_, attempts
-to avert the battle, but the vision strengthens _Constantine's_
-resolve. _Julia_ hears the angelic canticles which accompany the
-apparition and is converted to the true faith, persisting in it to
-martyrdom, to which she is condemned by her husband. _Maxentius_ also
-hears the voices, but his augurs (allegorical figures representing
-_Hate_ and _Discord_) interpret them to his advantage, whereas similar
-figures (_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_) inspire the Christian army.
-Pious canticles on the one hand, harsh songs on the other, precede the
-battle, the progress of which is related by a solo voice. _Constantine_
-promises to raise the cross on the forum in Rome; the victory is won
-and celebrated with Christian hymns, "Hosanna!" and "Glory to God!"
-Beethoven's copy of the libretto has been preserved, and in it there
-are indications that he made some heroic excisions. He permitted
-_Faith_, _Hope_ and _Charity_ to remain, but banished _Hate_ and
-_Discord_. It is pretty plain that Beethoven found nothing inspiring in
-the work. Holz told Jahn that he said to him, "How could I get up any
-enthusiasm about it?" Schindler says that Beethoven's failure to set
-the book caused a rupture of the friendship which existed between him
-and Bernard. The directors of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde dropped
-the matter, neither importuning Beethoven more nor taking any steps to
-recover the money paid on account.
-
-One outcome of the concerts of May was the appearance of a new
-portrait of Beethoven. It was a lithographic reproduction of a crayon
-drawing made by Stephen Decker and was printed as a supplement to the
-"Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung" edited by F. A. Kanne, on June 6,
-1824. In this and two subsequent numbers of the journal (June 9 and 16)
-Kanne reviewed the concerts with discriminating appreciation, ending
-with an enthusiastic encomium of the composer. In 1827 Steinmueller made
-a plate of Decker's drawing for Artaria. Schindler and Frimmel agree
-in saying that the well-known portrait by Kriehuber is an imitation of
-Decker's drawing, which was made, as Kanne's journal stated, "a few
-days after his great concert in May, 1824."[117]
-
-During the preparations for the concerts, thought was also given to
-the usual summer sojourn, and various places--Grinzing, Heiligenstadt,
-Penzing, Breitensee, Hietzing, Hetzendorf--were canvassed in
-consultation with Beethoven by his friends. His brother had again
-offered him a home on his estate and it was expected that Count
-Brunswick would come for the concert and take Beethoven back with him
-to Hungary. In all of the excursions which were made in the vicinity
-of Schoenbrunn in search of a summer home, Schindler accompanied the
-composer to see, to advise, to negotiate. The choice fell upon Penzing,
-where an apartment was found in the first storey of the house numbered
-43 belonging to a tailor in Vienna named Johann Hoerr, who was rejoiced
-to have so distinguished a tenant. Beethoven took it for the summer
-beginning on May 1, for a rental of 180 florins, C. M. The receipt is
-in existence, with a characteristic memorial of Beethoven's violent
-and abrupt change of mind concerning men and things. The lodgings were
-in all things adapted to his needs and Beethoven, entirely satisfied,
-moved into them soon after the second concert. An old couple lived in
-the parterre, but otherwise he was the only tenant of the house. But
-the house lay close to a foot-bridge over the little stream called
-the Wien Fluss and people crossing it frequently stopped to gaze
-into his rooms. He could have saved himself the annoyance by drawing
-the curtains, but instead he flew into a rage, quarrelled with his
-landlord, against whom he recorded his anger by scrawling the epithet
-"Schurke" (rogue, wretch, scoundrel, etc.) under his name on the
-receipt, and removing to Baden (Gutenbrunn). He had been in the house
-six weeks; in Baden he staid from about the 1st of August till some
-time in November; and thus was again paying rent for three lodgings at
-the same time.
-
-[Sidenote: TWO NEW OFFERS OF THE MASS IN D]
-
-[Sidenote: Schott and Sons Buy the Mass]
-
-The matter of the subscriptions for the Mass being disposed of (except
-so far as the deliveries of some of the scores was concerned), and
-the Symphony completed, Beethoven now had time, while getting ready
-for their performance, to think also of their publication. As he had
-promised to deliver the Mass to Simrock long before, so also he had
-contracted to give exclusive possession of the Symphony for eighteen
-months to the Philharmonic Society of London, in March, 1823. It was
-eleven months after that date that the score was finished and thirteen
-months before it was placed in the hands of the Philharmonic Society's
-agent in Vienna. Hogarth in his history of the Philharmonic Society is
-only technically correct when he says that it was not "received" by the
-society until "after it had been performed at Vienna." It was handed
-to Ries's representative on April 26 or 27, 1824; the first concert
-took place on May 7th. When Beethoven took up the matter of publication
-again he ignored Simrock, Peters, Schlesinger and the Vienna publishers
-and turned to Schott and Sons of Mayence and H. A. Probst of Leipsic.
-Schott and Sons had sent him their journal "Caecilia" with the request
-that he recommend a correspondent in the Austrian capital, and also
-send them some compositions for publication. He answered on March 10,
-1824, that he would gladly serve the paper if it were not that he
-felt it to be a higher and more natural calling to manifest himself
-through his musical compositions; but he had instigated a search for
-a fit man to act as Viennese reviewer. Of his compositions he offered
-"a new Grand Mass with solo and chorus and full orchestra" which he
-considered his "greatest work," and a new Grand Symphony with a finale
-in the style of his Pianoforte Fantasia with chorus "but on a much
-larger scale"; also a new quartet for strings.[118] The fees demanded
-were 1000 florins C. M. for the Mass, 600 florins for the Symphony and
-50 ducats for the Quartet. "This business only to oblige you." On the
-same day he wrote to H. A. Probst offering the Mass and Symphony at
-the same prices but stipulating that the latter should not be published
-before July, 1825, though, to recompense the publisher for the delay,
-he would let him have the pianoforte arrangement _gratis_. Only a
-portion of this letter has been preserved, but the contents of the lost
-fragment can be gathered from Probst's answer under date March 22, in
-which he promises to deposit at once with Joseph Loydl and Co. 100
-imperial ducats to Beethoven's account, to be paid over on delivery of
-three songs with pianoforte accompaniment (two of them to have parts
-for other instruments, the third to be an arietta), six bagatelles
-for pianoforte solo, and a grand overture with pianoforte arrangement
-for 2 and 4 hands. What these works were may easily be guessed. After
-this business had been arranged to the satisfaction of both parties,
-Probst said, he would communicate his decision respecting the Mass.
-Beethoven wrote, probably on July 3, explaining his delay on the score
-that the compositions "had just been finished" but were now ready for
-delivery at any moment to Herrn Gloeggl, to whom he requested that the
-money be sent. On August 9, Probst informed Beethoven that the 100
-ducats had already been sent to Loydl and Co., in Vienna. A letter
-written by Beethoven on the same day has been lost, but a portion of
-its contents can be deduced from Probst's reply a week later--August
-16. The Leipsic publisher admitted that his action in depositing the
-money to be delivered in exchange for the manuscripts had been due
-to reports which had reached him touching difficulties which another
-publisher had had with the composer. In purchasing manuscripts without
-examination he was departing from his established rule of action and
-he trusted to the admiration which he felt for the composer's genius
-that the latter had set apart works of excellence for him. He would
-gladly have published the Symphony, but was deterred by the danger of
-piracy which was peculiarly great in Austria. He promised a speedy and
-handsome publication of the works purchased. A memorandum by Beethoven
-indicates that he answered this letter, but the nature of his reply
-is not known. It is to be presumed that he withdrew his offer of the
-Symphony. The correspondence with Probst ended and the negotiations,
-which had again reached the point of a deposit of the fee against the
-delivery of the manuscripts, came to nothing; Schott and Sons secured
-not only the Mass, Symphony and Quartet, but the smaller pieces also.
-The firm accepted the offer of the Quartet at once, but asked either a
-reduction of the fees for the Symphony and Mass, or permission to pay
-the money in installments at intervals of six months. Subsequently the
-firm offered to provide a guaranty for the deferred payments and to
-consider any proposition which Beethoven had to make. The two letters,
-dated respectively March 24 and April 10, remaining unanswered,
-Schott and Sons again wrote on April 19 and still again on April 27;
-introducing with the former letter Christian Rummel, Chapelmaster of
-the Duke of Nassau, and asking a contribution to "Caecilia" in the
-latter. In the midst of his preparations for the concert, Beethoven
-replied and repeated his offer of the Mass and Symphony, but held the
-matter of the Quartet in abeyance. He asked that payment for the other
-works be made by bills drawn on a Vienna bank payable 600 florins in
-one month, 500 florins in two months and 600 florins in four months.
-On July 3 he also conceded the Quartet, which he promised to deliver
-inside of six weeks. With this the business was concluded and, as an
-undated letter of Beethoven's shows, much to his gratification; the
-business methods of Schott and Sons were extremely satisfactory to him.
-But the year came to an end, and the Mayence publishers were still
-waiting for their manuscripts, while Beethoven was kept busy writing
-explanations in answer to their questions and requests. On September 17
-Beethoven says he will attend to the copying of the works as soon as he
-has returned to Vienna, and send the Quartet by the middle of October;
-in November he is obliged to give two lessons a day to Archduke Rudolph
-and has no time to look after the matter; on December 5 the works are
-most certainly to be delivered to Fries and Co. within the current
-week; on December 17 it will be another week before the works can be
-delivered--the Archduke has but gone and he must look through the copy
-of the score several times--and he begs his correspondents not to
-think ill of him, for he had "never done anything wrong," intimating
-that a certain publisher in Vienna was trying to seduce him from the
-Mayence firm and to that end was seeking to make them suspicious,
-etc.; meanwhile he offers for publication the overture which had been
-performed at his concert, six bagatelles and three songs in behalf of
-his brother to whom they belong, the price 130 ducats in gold. These
-were the works which Probst had agreed to purchase for 100 ducats and
-the money for which had been sent to Vienna. Schott agreed to buy them
-for 130 ducats and Beethoven wrote to his brother in Gneixendorf on
-December 24: "I inform you that Mayence will give 130 ducats in gold
-for your works: if Herr Probst will not pay as much, give them to
-Mayence, who will at once send you a cheque; these are really honest,
-not mean, business men." Johann promptly put himself in communication
-with Schott and Sons and graciously confirmed the sale of the works at
-130 florins, "out of respect" for his brother.
-
-Peters, who had been informed of the state of affairs concerning the
-Mass, evidently sent a complaint, or protest, to Beethoven, for on
-December 12, 1824, the latter informs the publisher that the case
-has been closed by his promise of the work to another publisher. He
-(Peters) should have received a quartet had the publishers who took
-the Mass not made the Quartet a condition of his acceptance. But he
-should surely have another quartet soon, or he was ready to make him
-a proposition for a larger work, in which case the sum which had been
-paid might be deducted from the new fee. Let Peters but be patient and
-he should be completely satisfied. Then follows this rebuke:
-
- You did wrong to _yourself_ and _to me_, and you are still doing
- the latter in, as I hear, accusing me of having sent you _inferior_
- works. Did you not yourself ask for songs and bagatelles? Afterward
- it occurred to you that the fee was too large and that a larger
- work might have been had for it. That you showed yourself to be a
- poor judge of art in this is proved by the fact that several of
- these works have been and will be published, and such a thing never
- happened to me before.[119] As soon as I can I will liquidate my
- indebtedness to you, and meanwhile I remain, etc.
-
-In September of this year the interest of Beethoven's old friend
-Andreas Streicher, whose wife was a visitor at Baden, seems to have
-been awakened in a marked degree, and he gave himself to the devising
-of plans to ameliorate the composer's financial position. He revived
-the project for a complete edition of the compositions which, as he
-outlines it, he thinks might yield a profit of 10,000 florins, good
-money; proposes six high-class subscription concerts in the approaching
-winter, which, with 600 subscribers, would yield 4,800 florins; finally
-he suggests that manuscript copies of the Mass in D with pianoforte
-or organ accompaniment be sold to a number of singing societies.
-Though this project had in a measure been attempted in the case of
-the Singverein of Berlin and achieved in that of the Caecilienverein
-of Frankfort, Beethoven seems to have authorized Streicher to make an
-effort in the direction proposed, for two copies of a letter evidently
-written to be communicated to singing societies or representative
-members have been found. In the letter Beethoven suggests that owing to
-the cost of copying, etc., the price be 50 ducats--just as much as he
-had asked of his royal subscribers for the full orchestral score. None
-of the projects came to execution, though the first, which lay close
-to Beethoven's heart, came up for attention at a later date.
-
-[Sidenote: PRAISE FOR ENGLAND AND THE ENGLISH]
-
-Towards the end of September, Johann Stumpff, a native of Thuringia but
-a resident of London, was among the visitors at Baden who were admitted
-to intimate association with Beethoven. This was another Stumpff, not
-the one who came to Vienna in 1818 with a letter from Thomas Broadwood,
-and who tuned the new English pianoforte. He was a manufacturer of
-harps and an enthusiastic admirer of Beethoven's music. Anticipating
-a meeting with the composer, he had provided himself with a letter of
-introduction to Haslinger, whose help to that end he asked. He had
-also gotten a letter from Streicher, whose acquaintance he had made
-in London. He accomplished his end and wrote a long and enthusiastic
-account of his intercourse with Beethoven at Baden, whither Haslinger
-had accompanied him on his first visit.[120] He was received by
-Beethoven with extraordinary cordiality. The composer accepted an
-invitation to dinner, entertained his host at dinner in return, played
-for him on his Broadwood pianoforte (after Stein, at Stumpff's request,
-had restored its ruins), and at parting gave him a print of one of
-his portraits and promised to alight at his house if ever he came to
-London. Much of his conversation, which Stumpff records, is devoted to
-a condemnation of the frivolity and bad musical taste of the Viennese,
-and excessive laudation of everything English. "Beethoven," Stumpff
-remarks, "had an exaggerated opinion of London and its highly cultured
-inhabitants," and he quotes Beethoven as saying: "England stands high
-in culture. In London everybody knows something and knows it well; but
-the man of Vienna can only talk of eating and drinking, and sings and
-pounds away at music of little significance or of his own making." He
-spoke a great deal about sending his nephew to London to make a man of
-him, asked questions about the cost of living there and, in short, gave
-proof that an English visit was filling a large part of his thoughts.
-The incidents of the conclusion of the dinner which he gave to Stumpff
-may be told in the latter's words:
-
- Beethoven now produced the small bottle. It contained the precious
- wine of Tokay with which he filled the two glasses to the brim.
- "Now, my good German-Englishman, to your good health." We drained
- the glasses, then, extending his hand, "A good journey to you
- and to a meeting again in London." I beckoned to him to fill
- the glasses again and hurriedly wrote in his notebook: "Now
- for a pledge to the welfare of the greatest living composer,
- Beethoven."--I arose from my chair, he followed my example, emptied
- his glass and seizing my hand said: "To-day I am just what I am
- and what I ought to be,--all unbuttoned." And now he unbosomed
- himself on the subject of music which had been degraded and made a
- plaything of vulgar and impudent passions. "True music," he said,
- "found little recognition in this age of Rossini and his consorts."
- Thereupon I took up the pencil and wrote in very distinct letters:
-
- "Whom do you consider the greatest composer that ever lived?"
-
- "Handel," was his instantaneous reply; "to him I bow the knee," and
- he bent one knee to the floor.
-
- "Mozart," I wrote.
-
- "Mozart," he continued, "is good and admirable."
-
- "Yes," wrote I, "who was able to glorify even Handel with his
- additional accompaniments to 'The Messiah'."
-
- "It would have lived without them," was his answer.
-
- I continued writing. "Seb. Bach."
-
- "Why is he dead?"
-
- I answered immediately "He will return to life again."
-
- "Yes, if he is studied, and for that there is now no time."
-
- I took the liberty of writing: "As you yourself, a peerless artist
- in the art of music, exalt the merits of Handel so highly above
- all, you must certainly own the scores of his principal works."
-
- "I? How should I, a poor devil, have gotten them? Yes, the scores
- of 'The Messiah' and 'Alexander's Feast' went through my hands."
-
- If it is possible for a blind man to help a cripple, and the two
- attain an end which would be impossible to either one unaided, why
- might not in the present case a similar result be effected by a
- similar cooperation? At that moment I made a secret vow: Beethoven,
- you shall have the works for which your heart is longing if they
- are anywhere to be found.
-
-Stumpff relates that Beethoven's brother, who came into the room during
-his visit, seemed glad to greet him and begged him most amiably to call
-on him, as he desired to talk with him about a number of things. In
-saying farewell Beethoven accompanied him to the door and said: "That
-is my brother--have nothing to do with him--he is not an honest man.
-You will hear me accused of many wrong actions of which he has been
-guilty." Stumpff returned to London on December 6. He fulfilled his vow
-touching the gift of Handel's works two years later.
-
-On November 17, 1824, as the autograph attests, Beethoven wrote a
-four-part canon on the words "Schwenke dich ohne Schwaenke," which he
-sent to Schott and Sons for publication in the "Caecilia," where it
-appeared in April, 1825. There the title is "Canon on one who was
-called Schwenke." The person whose name has thus been perpetuated
-was Carl Schwenke, son of Christian Friedrich Gottlieb Schwenke,
-Director of Church Music and Cantor at the Johanneum in Hamburg. Of the
-acquaintanceship between Beethoven and him, the canon is the only relic.
-
-In the latter part of the summer Beethoven accepted a commission from
-Diabelli for "a Sonata in F for pianoforte, four hands." The project
-seems to have originated with the publisher, who asked for such a
-composition and specified the key in a letter dated August 7, 1824.
-Beethoven waited a fortnight before replying and then agreed to compose
-the work for a fee of 80 ducats in gold, although a sonata for four
-hands was not in his line. He mentioned the composition and the fee
-which he was to receive for it in the draft for a letter to Schlesinger
-next year, but never wrote the work; nor have any certain traces of it
-been found in the sketchbooks.
-
-[Sidenote: The Quartet in E-flat, Op. 127]
-
-There is only one other work which calls for attention as having
-largely occupied Beethoven's mind this year. It is the Quartet for
-Strings in E-flat, Op. 127. When Beethoven in January, 1823, accepted
-the invitation of Prince Galitzin to write three quartets for him, he
-had for some time been contemplating a return to the field which he had
-cultivated so successfully but had permitted to lie fallow after the
-completion of the quartet in F minor, Op. 95, in October, 1810. He had
-held out a promise for speedy delivery of a quartet to Peters on June
-5, 1822, but Peters declined the work in his next letter. Galitzin sent
-the stipulated fee of 50 ducats promptly to his bankers in Vienna, but
-subsequently yielded to Beethoven's request and permitted the money
-to be applied to his subscription for the Mass. On March 10, 1824,
-Beethoven offered "a new quartet" to Schott and Sons for 50 ducats
-and the publishers promptly notified their acceptance of the offer to
-him. Neate was informed by a letter dated March 19 that the Quartet
-was finished; but, as usual, the word was used in a Pickwickian sense.
-The correspondence with Schott and Sons sings the same tune with
-respect to the Quartet that it does regarding Mass and Symphony. On
-May 20 Beethoven cannot positively promise it; on July 3 he is sure
-that the publishers will receive it in six weeks; on September 17 the
-time of delivery is postponed to the middle of October; in November to
-the beginning of December; and on December 17 he says there is still
-something to be written on it. All the works which Schott and Sons have
-bought are to be delivered at one time, yet when they receive the Mass
-and Symphony on January 16, 1825, the Quartet is withheld but promised
-in another week, and, after a month has passed, in still another
-week. The Quartet is performed for the first time by Schuppanzigh on
-March 6, 1825. At last Beethoven writes to Schott and Sons on May 7,
-1825: "You will have received the Quartet by this time--it is the one
-promised to you." In March, 1826, its publication is announced in the
-"Caecilia." The autograph of the first movement is dated "1824" and no
-doubt the bulk of the work upon it was done in the latter part of the
-year, though it must have existed at least in a fragmentary form in
-Beethoven's head when he wrote to Neate in March that it was finished.
-
-At the close of the year Beethoven's nephew Karl is still pursuing
-his philological studies at the university and living with his uncle.
-During the summer his holidays are spent in the country with Beethoven,
-to whom he is the cause of no little anxiety, especially when towards
-the end of the year he repeats his youthful escapade of running away
-from home. Beethoven, thinking of his foster-child's welfare and
-apparently made ill at ease by symptoms which made him apprehend that
-he was likely to die suddenly of an apoplectic stroke ("like my good
-grandfather, whom I resemble," he wrote), sent a letter to Dr. Bach
-on August 1, begging him to draw up a formal will and reiterating his
-intention to make his nephew inheritor of all his property. He also
-directed: "As it is customary to make a bequest to relatives even if
-they are in no wise related," that his French pianoforte be given to
-his brother. "As regards Steiner, let him be content with the assurance
-that he shall be paid in full by the end of September--for if anything
-comes of the Mayence business it will not be before then and the first
-600 florins must go to two of the noblest of mankind who, when I was
-almost helpless, most kindly and disinterestedly came to my assistance
-with this sum." No doubt the Brentanos were meant; Steiner had
-evidently been dunning him for the old debt.
-
-About the beginning of November, Beethoven returned again to Vienna,
-where he took up a new residence--probably at No. 969 Johannesgasse, a
-house owned by a family named Kletschka. He did not remain there long,
-however, as the other tenants complained of his pianoforte playing
-and the disturbance caused by his quarrels with his nephew and the
-housekeeper. He received notice to quit and removed, presumably, to
-apartments in the second storey of a house in the Kruegerstrasse, now
-known as No. 13.
-
-[Sidenote: AN ENGLISH VISIT AGAIN CONTEMPLATED]
-
-Thoughts of a visit to England had been revived early in the year by
-a letter from Neate and, while the plans of the concert were making,
-it had been determined, so far as it was possible to do so, that
-the visit should be undertaken in the fall and that Schindler should
-accompany him. This is the key to Schindler's forceful observation
-after the financial fiasco of the concert. A second letter bearing on
-the subject was written by Neate on December 20. Consideration of it
-belongs in the next chapter.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[116] Beethoven's letters to Bernard were published by Alexander
-Hajdecki in the February number, 1909, of "Nord und Sued"; Hajdecki
-found the letters in the hands of a niece of one of Bernard's daughters
-to whom he had bequeathed them. They are not included in the Kalischer
-or Prelinger collections.
-
-[117] Frimmel, however, placing faith in a tradition to that effect,
-says that the Decker drawing was made in the fall of 1825 in the
-Schwarzspanier House. The print issued by the "Allgemeine Musikalische
-Zeitung" could not be found by Dr. Deiters; but Thayer, (who spells
-the name of the artist "Daker,") saw one in the hands of Prof.
-Spatzenegger, a son-in-law of the artist, in Salzburg.
-
-[118] This could only have been the Quartet in E-flat, which, however,
-was far from finished.
-
-[119] Only the Bagatelles, Op. 119, had been published when this was
-written.
-
-[120] Stumpff's manuscript, which also covered the principal incidents
-of a trip through Germany, after his death came into the possession of
-his surviving partner, T. Martin, who permitted Thayer to transcribe
-all of it relating to Beethoven. Many of his observations parallel
-those made by Reichardt, Rochlitz, Schultz and other visitors, and
-their repetition here would add nothing to the story of Beethoven's
-life and manners; besides, the account is too long to be inserted in
-full. The reader who wishes to read all of it is referred to the German
-edition of Thayer's biography. Vol. V, page 122 _et seq._
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VII
-
- The Year 1825--The London Philharmonic Society again--Karl
- Holz--The Early Biographies--Visits of Rellstab, Kuhlau, Smart and
- Others--Stephan von Breuning--The A Minor Quartet, Op. 132.
-
-
-The letter from Neate referred to at the conclusion of the last
-chapter brought with it an invitation from the Philharmonic Society of
-London which kept the thought of an English visit alive in Beethoven's
-irresolute mind for a considerable space longer. Neate wrote in an
-extremely cordial vein. He had long wished to see Beethoven in England,
-he said, where he believed that his genius was appreciated more than
-in any other country; and now he had received the pleasant charge from
-the Philharmonic Society to invite him to come. He made no doubt but
-that in a short time he would earn enough money richly to compensate
-him for all the inconveniences of the journey. The Philharmonic Society
-was disposed to give him 300 guineas for conducting at least one of
-his works at each of the Society's concerts in the coming season, and
-composing a new symphony which was to be produced during his visit
-but to remain the composer's property. As an additional pecuniary
-inducement he held out that Beethoven could give a concert of his own
-at which he would make at least L500, besides which there were many
-other avenues of profit open to him. If he were to bring along the
-quartets of which he had written, they would yield him L100 more, and
-he might therefore be sure of carrying back a large sum of money,
-enough, indeed, to make all the remainder of his life much pleasanter
-than the past had been. He told Beethoven that the new Symphony had
-arrived and the first rehearsal of it set for January 17. He hoped that
-Beethoven would be on hand to direct it at the first concert of the
-Society and trusted that a report that a copy of it was in Paris was
-not true.
-
-[Sidenote: PLANS FOR THE TRIP TO LONDON]
-
-Beethoven replied: He was delighted with the terms which the Society
-offered, but would like to have 100 guineas more to pay for the
-expenses of the trip, it being necessary that he buy a carriage for
-the journey, and take a companion with him. He would bring a new
-quartet. The rumor that there was a copy of the Symphony was not true;
-it would, indeed, be published in Germany, but not before the year
-was past during which it was to remain the society's property.[121]
-He urged that separate string rehearsals be held and the choruses be
-thoroughly studied above all, and directions for the _reprise_ in the
-second movement, the marks for which had been forgotten in the copy.
-An early reply was asked, as he had been requested to write a large
-work upon which he did not wish to begin before receiving an answer,
-for while he did not write in the hope of gaining a fortune it was
-necessary that he have assurance that he would earn a living. To this
-letter Neate replied on February 1. He had conveyed the contents of
-Beethoven's letter to the directors of the Philharmonic Society and had
-now regretfully to report that they had declined to make any change
-in their offer. He was personally willing to give the advance asked,
-but the individual directors were not masters of their conduct in all
-things; they had to abide by the laws of the Society. He hoped that
-under the circumstances Beethoven would come; he was sure the trip
-would pay him, and the directors would impatiently await his presence
-at the second concert, it being already too late for the first. There
-was to be another rehearsal of the Symphony that evening.
-
-Again Beethoven had to struggle with the question as to whether or
-not he should make the journey to London. He was strongly urged to go
-by his desire to earn a large sum of money. His friends pressed him
-with arguments in favor of the trip. Karl admonished him to make up
-his mind without giving heed to his insatiably sordid brother, but
-reminded him that Neate had assured him he would make enough money to
-be free of care for the rest of his life. Johann did not talk of the
-financial advantage alone but said that he would benefit physically,
-travel being good for the health. Apparently answering an objection of
-Beethoven's on the score of his age, Karl reminded him that Haydn also
-went to London when he was fifty years old and he was "not so famous."
-Schuppanzigh bursts out with his brusque third person singular: "I wish
-he would pluck up enough courage to make the trip; he would not regret
-it." Who should accompany him? Schindler had been recommended by Neate,
-but his name does not occur in these conversations; instead, there
-is talk of Schuppanzigh and young Streicher. But as it turned out, no
-one was to accompany him, nobody alight with him either at the house
-of Stumpff or the Hotel de la Sabloniere in Leicester Square which
-Neate had recommended as a French house much visited by foreigners. His
-doubts, suspicions, fears for his health, anxiety about his nephew,
-his fatal indecision, prevailed;--he would make the visit some other
-time--perhaps in the fall, as he wrote to Neate. Meanwhile would Neate
-aid him in the matter of the quartets? He had finished one and was
-at work on a second, which would be completed soon. Then he wrote
-again--on May 25; he was satisfied with the offer of L100 for the three
-quartets, was Neate agreed to his plan of sending them to a banker
-to be delivered on payment of the fee? If so he would send the first
-quartet at once and the fee might be paid after he had given notice of
-the completion of the other two.
-
-[Sidenote: THE NINTH SYMPHONY AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE]
-
-The absence of Ries's name in these negotiations is explained by the
-fact that he was no longer in London. He had purchased an estate in
-Godesberg, near Bonn, and removed thither in 1824. He had invited
-Beethoven to be his guest there and it would seem that he was advised
-about the English situation. At least in a letter, presumably written
-early in 1825, Beethoven deems it incumbent to inform Ries that the
-present efforts to dispose of the Ninth Symphony were tentative and
-that the period during which the Philharmonic Society was to hold the
-work would be scrupulously respected. It had never been sent to Bremen
-or to Paris as had been reported. The occasion for this letter was one
-from Ries requesting metronome marks for "Christus am Oelberg," and for
-the score of the Ninth Symphony for the approaching Lower Rhenish Music
-Festival, which he had been engaged to conduct. These _Niederrheinische
-Musikfeste_ had come into existence in 1817. The seventh meeting was
-to be held at Aix-la-Chapelle. Reports of the Vienna performance had
-been spread and it was desired to make the Symphony a feature of
-the festival scheme. In January, Schott and Sons were asked if the
-score would be in print by May and replied in the negative. Thereupon
-Ries was asked to write to Beethoven for a manuscript copy. Ries
-did not favor the production of the Symphony[122] but wrote for the
-music nevertheless, and Beethoven sent him the score of the purely
-instrumental movements and the parts of the finale. This was about
-March 12; a week later, on March 19 (two days, by the way, before the
-first performance in London), he sent the chorusmaster's score of the
-finale and suggested that the instrumental score might be written out
-and appended. In the earlier letter in which Beethoven had promised
-to send the Symphony and in which he enclosed the metronome marks for
-the "Christus am Oelberg," Beethoven offered to send also the Mass in
-D, an overture which he had written "for the Philharmonic Society,"
-and some smaller things for orchestra and chorus, which would enable
-the festival managers to give two or three concerts instead of one. He
-suggested that 40 Carolines would, perhaps, not be too much as a fee.
-Beethoven explained to Ries that he had only one copy of the score of
-the Ninth Symphony, and as there was a concert in prospect he could
-not send it; so Ries had a score made of the finale for the festival
-performance. Beethoven had also sent the "Opferlied," the Overture in
-C (Op. 115, of course), the _Kyrie_ and _Gloria_ of the Mass and an
-Italian duet. He was still to send a grand march and chorus (from "The
-Ruins of Athens"), and might add an overture which was as yet unknown
-outside of Vienna, but thought he had sent enough. The Symphony and
-"Christus am Oelberg" were performed on the second day of the festival.
-The time was too short for the difficult music thoroughly to be learned
-and at the performance portions of the slow movement and Scherzo of
-the Symphony were "regretfully" omitted. There were 422 performers
-in chorus and orchestra, and the popular reception of the music was
-enthusiastic enough to enable Ries to report to Beethoven that the
-performance had been a success; and he sent him 40 Louis d'ors as a
-fee. Ries recognized the symphony as a work without a fellow and told
-Beethoven that had he written nothing else it would have made him
-immortal. "Whither will you yet lead us?" he asked. Very naturally,
-Beethoven had reported the negotiations touching a visit to England
-to Ries, who expressed his satisfaction that he had not accepted the
-engagement and added: "If you want to go there you must make thorough
-preparations. Rossini got L2500 from the Opera alone. If Englishmen
-want to do an extraordinary thing, they must all get together so as to
-make it worth while. There will be no lack of applause and marks of
-honor, but you have probably had enough of these all your life."
-
-[Sidenote: A JOKE ON HASLINGER MISCARRIES]
-
-Mass and symphony had been delivered to Fries, the banker, on January
-16, to be forwarded to Schott and Sons. Beethoven informed the firm by
-letter and took occasion to deny the report that it had been printed
-elsewhere. However, he does not seem to be entirely at ease in the
-matter. "Schlesinger is not to be trusted, for he takes where he can;
-both _Pere et fils_ bombarded me for the Mass, etc., but I did not
-deign to answer either of them, since after thinking them over I had
-cast them out long before."[123] He asks their attention to his plan
-for a complete edition of his works, which he would like to prepare and
-take a lump sum as an honorarium. He sends two canons for publication
-in the journal "Caecilia," and attempted a joke on his friend Haslinger
-which exercised his mind not a little during the next month or two.
-This was a skit purporting to be an outline or draft for an article
-on Haslinger's career. The Schotts, either not understanding the
-joke or desiring to injure a rival who had spoken ill of them to
-Beethoven, printed the communication together with the two canons as
-if they belonged together. Beethoven either felt or affected to feel
-great anger at the proceeding; he sent a letter to the publishers and
-demanded its publication without change or curtailment. In this he
-rebuked them for printing what was intended as a pleasantry but might
-easily be construed as an intentional insult. He had not destined it
-for publication, and it was contrary to his nature intentionally to
-give offence to anybody. He had never resented anything that had been
-said about him as an artist, but he felt differently about things
-which affected him as a man. Haslinger was a respected old friend and
-he had thought to heighten the effect of the joke by suggesting that
-his consent to the publication be obtained. The printing was an abuse
-of the privileges of private correspondence, especially as the canons
-printed,[124] being set forth as a supplement to the skit, thereby
-became inexplicably incongruous. He would have a care that such a thing
-should not occur again. Whether or not the communication was ever
-printed does not appear; neither does it appear that Beethoven took
-the matter so greatly to heart as his letter was calculated to make
-the public believe, had it been printed. In August he wrote to his new
-friend Karl Holz: "I hear with amazement that the Mayence street-boys
-really abused a joke! It is contemptible; I assure you it was not
-at all my intention. What I meant was to have Castelli write a poem
-on these lines under the name of the musical Tobias, which I would
-set to music. But since it has so happened, it must be accepted as a
-dispensation from heaven. It will form a companion-piece to Goethe's
-Bardt _sans comparaison_ with all other authors. But I believe Tobias
-has wronged you a little, etc.,--_Voila_ it is better to be revenged
-than to fall into the maw of a monster.[125] I can't shed tears over it
-but must laugh like--." To his nephew he wrote: "It was not right for
-Mayence to do a thing like that, but as it is done it will do no harm.
-The times demand strong men to castigate these petty, tricky, miserable
-little fellows"; and then, as if repenting him of the sounding phrase,
-he wrote in the margin: "much as my heart rebels against doing a man
-harm; besides it was only a joke and I never thought of having it
-printed." It would seem that Haslinger must have known of the skit
-before it was sent to Schott, for in a letter of February 5, Beethoven
-suggested to the firm, as a joke, to ask Haslinger for the "romantic
-biography" which Beethoven had written of him, and added: "That is the
-way to handle this fellow, a heartless Viennese, who is the one who
-advised me not to deal with you. _Silentium!_" And he describes Steiner
-as a "rascally fellow and skinflint," and Haslinger as a "weakling"
-whom he made useful to himself in some things. Haslinger may have
-felt incensed at the publication, but he eventually accepted it in an
-amiable spirit and it did not lead to any rupture of friendship between
-the men.
-
-An amusing illustration of how Beethoven could work himself into a rage
-even when alone is preserved at the Beethoven Museum in Bonn, in the
-shape of some extraordinary glosses on a letter from a copyist named
-Wolanek, who was in his employ in the spring of the year. Wolanek was a
-Bohemian. Beethoven had railed against him whenever sending corrections
-to a publisher or apologizing for delays, and it is not difficult to
-imagine what the poor fellow had to endure from the composer's voluble
-tongue and fecund imagination in the invention and application of
-epithets. In delivering some manuscripts by messenger some time before
-Easter, Wolanek ventured a defense of his dignity in a letter which,
-though couched in polite phrase, was nevertheless decidedly ironical
-and cutting. He said that he was inclined to overlook Beethoven's
-conduct towards him with a smile; since there were so many dissonances
-in the ideal world of tones, why not also in the world of reality?
-For him there was comfort in the reflection that if Beethoven had
-been copyist to "those celebrated artists, Mozart and Haydn," he
-would have received similar treatment. He requested that he be not
-associated with those wretches of copyists who were willing to be
-treated as slaves simply for the sake of a livelihood, and concluded
-by saying that nothing that he had done would cause him to blush in
-the slightest degree in the presence of Beethoven. It did not suffice
-Beethoven to dismiss the man from his employ; such an outcome seemed
-anticipated in the letter. He must make him feel that his incompetency
-was wholly to blame and realize how contemptible he looked in the eyes
-of the composer. The reference to Mozart and Haydn was particularly
-galling. Beethoven read the letter and drew lines across its face from
-corner to corner. Then in letters two inches long he scrawled over
-the writing the words: "_Dummer, Eingebildeter, Eselhafter Kerl_"
-("Stupid, Conceited, Asinine Fellow"). That was not enough. There was
-a wide margin at the bottom of the sheet, just large enough to hold
-Beethoven's next ebullition: "Compliments for such a good-for-nothing,
-who pilfers one's money?--better to pull his asinine ears!" Then
-he turned the sheet over. A whole page invited him--and he filled
-it, margins and all. "Dirty Scribbler! Stupid Fellow! Correct the
-blunders which you have made in your ignorance, insolence, conceit and
-stupidity--this would be more to the purpose than to try to teach me,
-which is as if a _Sow_ were to try to give lessons to Minerva!" "Do YOU
-do honor to Mozart and Haidn by never mentioning their names." "It was
-decided yesterday and even before then _not to have you write any more_
-for me."
-
-[Sidenote: FIRST PERFORMANCES OF THE E-FLAT QUARTET]
-
-The E-flat Quartet was now finished and about to be performed by
-Schuppanzigh and his companions. Beethoven was greatly concerned about
-the outcome and, as if at once to encourage and admonish them, he
-drafted a document in which all pledged themselves to do their best
-and sent it to them for signature. They obeyed, Linke adding to his
-name the words: "The Grand Master's accursed violoncello." and Holz:
-"The last--but only in signing." The performance took place on March
-6, and the result was disappointing. The music was not understood
-either by the players or the public and was all but ineffective.
-Schuppanzigh was held responsible and his patience must have been
-severely taxed by Beethoven's upbraidings and his determination to
-have an immediate repetition by other players. Schuppanzigh defended
-himself as vigorously as possible and was particularly vexed because
-Beethoven cited his brother's opinion of the performance--that of a
-musical ignoramus. He wanted to play the Quartet a second time, but
-told Beethoven that he had no objections to the work being handed over
-to Boehm; yet he protested with no little energy, that the fault of the
-fiasco was not his individually, as Beethoven had been told. He could
-easily master the technical difficulties, but it was hard to arrive at
-the spirit of the work: the _ensemble_ was faulty, because of this fact
-and too few rehearsals. Beethoven decided that the next hearing should
-be had from Boehm, and though Schuppanzigh had acquiesced, he harbored
-a grievance against the composer for some time. Boehm had been leader
-of the quartet concerts in Vienna during Schuppanzigh's long absence.
-He has left an account of the incident, in which he plainly says that
-Schuppanzigh's attitude toward the work was not sympathetic and that
-he had wearied of the rehearsals, wherefore at the performance it made
-but a _succes d'estime_. Beethoven sent for him (Boehm) and curtly said:
-"You must play my Quartet"--and the business was settled; objections,
-questionings, doubts were of no avail against Beethoven's will. The
-Quartet was newly studied under Beethoven's own eyes, a circumstance
-which added to the severity of the rehearsals, for, though he could not
-hear a tone, Beethoven watched the players keenly and detected even the
-slightest variation in tempo or rhythm from the movement of the bows.
-Boehm tells a story in illustration of this:
-
- At the close of the last movement of the quartet there occurred
- a _meno vivace_,[126] which seemed to me to weaken the general
- effect. At the rehearsal, therefore, I advised that the original
- tempo be maintained, which was done, to the betterment of the
- effect. Beethoven, crouched in a corner, heard nothing, but watched
- with strained attention. After the last stroke of the bows he said,
- laconically "Let it remain so," went to the desks and crossed out
- the _meno vivace_ in the four parts.
-
-The Quartet was played twice by Boehm and his fellows at a morning
-concert in a coffee-house in the Prater, late in March or early in
-April, and was enthusiastically received. Steiner, who had attended
-one or more of the rehearsals, was particularly enraptured by it and
-at once offered to buy it for publication for 60 ducats--a fact which
-Beethoven did not fail to report to Schott and Sons when he sent the
-manuscript to them. Subsequently Mayseder also played it at a private
-concert in the house of Dembscher, an official or agent of the war
-department of the Austrian Government, and this performance Holz
-described as a _reparation d'honneur_. Beethoven was now completely
-satisfied and, no doubt, went to work on its successor with a contented
-mind.
-
-[Sidenote: KARL HOLZ SUPPLANTS SCHINDLER]
-
-It is now become necessary to pay attention to the new friend of
-Beethoven whose name has been mentioned--the successor of Schindler,
-as he had been of Oliva, in the office of factotum in ordinary. This
-was Karl Holz, a young man (he was born in 1798) who occupied a post
-in the States' Chancellary of Lower Austria. He had studied music with
-Gloeggl in Linz and was so capable a violinist that, on Schuppanzigh's
-return from Russia in 1823, he became second in the latter's quartet.
-He seems to have come into closer contact with Beethoven early in the
-spring of 1825, probably when, having to conduct a performance of the
-B-flat Symphony at a concert in the Ridotto Room, he asked an audience
-of the composer in order that he might get the _tempi_ for that work.
-Though not a professional musician, he gave music lessons, later
-occasionally conducted the _Concerts spirituels_ and eventually became
-the regular director of these affairs. Emboldened by the kindness
-with which he was first received he gradually drew nearer to the
-composer and in August, 1825, an intimate friendship seems imminent,
-as is indicated by Beethoven's remark in a letter to his nephew: "It
-seems as if Holz might become a friend." He was good at figures, a
-quality which made him particularly serviceable to Beethoven (who was
-woefully deficient in arithmetic)[127] at a time when he was dealing
-with foreign publishers and there was great confusion in money values
-and rates of exchange. He was also a well-read man, a clever talker,
-musically cultured, a cheery companion, and altogether an engaging
-person. All these qualities, no less than the fact that he was strong
-and independent in his convictions and fearless in his proclamation
-of them, recommended him to Beethoven, and he does not seem to have
-hesitated to take advantage of the fact that he entered the inner
-circle of Beethoven's companions at a time when the composer had begun
-to feel a growing antipathy to Schindler. He promptly embraced the
-opportunity which his willing usefulness brought him, to draw close to
-the great man, to learn of him and also to exhibit himself to the world
-as his confidential friend. He was not obsequious, and this pleased
-Beethoven despite the fact that he himself was not indisposed to play
-upon his friends for his own purposes "like instruments," as he himself
-once confessed. In a short time Holz made himself indispensable and
-acquired great influence over the composer. He aided him in the copying
-of his works, looked into the affairs of Nephew Karl and reported upon
-them, advised him in his correspondence, and directed his finances at
-a time when he was more than ordinarily desirous to acquire money so
-that he might leave a competency on his death to his foster-son. In
-time Beethoven came to entrust weighty matters to his decision, even
-the choice of publishers and his dealings with them. His prepossessing
-address, heightened by his independence of speech, made it less easy
-to contradict him than Schindler. Moreover, the recorded conversations
-show that he was witty, that he had a wider outlook on affairs than
-Beethoven's other musical advisers, that his judgments were quickly
-reached and unhesitatingly pronounced. His speeches are not free from
-frivolity nor always from flattery, but he lived at a time and among
-a people accustomed to extravagant compliments and there can be no
-doubt of his reverence for Beethoven's genius. Beethoven could endure
-a monstrous deal of lip-service, as all his friends knew, and surely
-took no offence when Holz said to him: "I am no flatterer, but I assure
-you that the mere thought of Beethovenian music makes me glad, first of
-all, that I am alive!"
-
-We owe much of our knowledge of the relations between Beethoven and
-Holz to Schindler's statements as they appear in his biography,[128]
-two articles which appeared in the "Koelnische Zeitung" in 1845, and
-among the glosses on the Conversation Book. But many of his utterances
-show ill-feeling, which it is not unfair to trace to a jealousy dating
-back to the time when Holz crowded Beethoven's "Secretary _sans_
-salary" out of Beethoven's service and good graces. There was no open
-rupture between Beethoven and Schindler, but a feeling of coolness and
-indifference which grew with the advancement of the younger man in the
-favor of the composer. There is considerably more to be read between
-Schindler's lines than on their surface, and because of their personal
-equation they ought to be received with caution. True, he does not deny
-that Holz was possessed of excellent artistic capacities, that he was
-well educated and entirely respectable as a man. He describes him as a
-prime specimen of the Viennese "Phaeacians" of whom Beethoven was wont
-to speak with supreme contempt; and there is ample evidence that Holz
-was indeed given to the pleasures which Beethoven attributed to the
-denizens of Scheria. But the results of Beethoven's fellowship with a
-cheery companion were certainly not so great as Schindler says, nor so
-evil and grievous as he intimates. His earlier insinuation, that in
-order to exhibit his influence to the public Holz led Beethoven into
-company and practices which he would otherwise have avoided, among
-them to the frequenting of taverns and to excessive wine-bibbing, were
-subsequently developed into an accusation that Holz had spread a
-report that the composer had contracted dropsy from vinous indulgence.
-Beethoven was accustomed to drink wine from youth up, and also to
-the companionship which he found in the inns and coffee houses of
-Vienna, which are not to be confounded with the groggeries with which
-straitlaced Americans and Englishmen are prone to associate the words.
-It was, moreover, undoubtedly a charitable act to drag him out of his
-isolation into cheerful company. We know that he was so accustomed to
-take wine at his meals that his physicians found it difficult to make
-him obey their prohibition of wine and heating spices when he was ill;
-but that he was more given to wine-drinking in 1825 and 1826 than at
-any other period, we learn only from Schindler, whose credibility as
-a witness on this point is impeached by the fact that, as he himself
-confesses, he seldom saw Beethoven between March 1825 and August 1826.
-Nor is it true, as Schindler asserts, that Beethoven's habits now
-cost him the loss of old friendships. On the contrary, it was in this
-period that the cordial relations between him and Stephan von Breuning,
-which had been interrupted many years before, were restored and became
-peculiarly warm. Czerny told Jahn that Beethoven's hypochondria led to
-many estrangements; but when he was ill, Count Lichnowsky, Haslinger
-and Piringer were visitors at his bedside, and not even Schindler
-seems to have been able to name a man whose sympathy the composer had
-sacrificed. His life was solitary; but not more than it had been for
-years.[129] In Gerhard von Breuning's recollections, as recorded in
-"Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," there is scarcely a mention of Holz and
-none at all of the dangers into which Beethoven is alleged to have been
-led by him.
-
-Beethoven's letters bear witness to the fond regard in which he held
-him. His name, which in German signifies wood and in the literature
-of the church also cross, provided Beethoven with a welcome chance to
-indulge his extravagant fondness for punning. Thus in the composer's
-jovial address-book, not distinguished by reverence for anything sacred
-or profane, Holz becomes "Best Mahoghany," "Best Splinter from the
-Cross of Christ," "Best _lignum crucis_." The tone of the letters is
-always respectful, and once he begs his friend to forget an undescribed
-happening. Holz had his entire confidence, and when the great
-catastrophe of 1826 came, Holz was the strongest prop upon which he
-leaned. Schindler says that Beethoven was godfather to Holz's child,
-but that is plainly an error; Holz was married in the early winter of
-1826, only three or four months before Beethoven's death. The extent to
-which he had won Beethoven's confidence and Beethoven's high opinion of
-his character and ability are attested by the following document, which
-was signed only a short time after the intimacy began:
-
-[Sidenote: HOLZ AUTHORIZED TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY]
-
- With pleasure I give my friend, Karl Holz, the assurance which
- has been asked of me, that I consider him competent to write my
- eventual biography, assuming that such a thing should be desired,
- and I repose in him the fullest confidence that he will give to the
- world without distortion all that I have communicated to him for
- this purpose.
-
- Vienna, August 30, 1826.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-There can be no question as to the sincerity of the desire which finds
-utterance in this declaration. It was made in the midst of a period
-when Holz was of incalculable service to him, and he had every reason
-to believe that Holz had both the ability and the disposition to write
-the truthful, unvarnished account of his life which he wanted the world
-to have. Schindler says that he subsequently changed his mind, said
-that the document was the result of a surprise sprung upon him in the
-confusion of occurrences, and asked von Breuning to request Holz to
-return it. Breuning declined to do so, says Schindler, and Beethoven,
-not having courage himself to make the request, contented himself with
-doubting the validity of a paper which was written only in pencil.
-On his deathbed, Schindler continues,[130] Beethoven, in answer to a
-question directly put to him by Breuning, unhesitatingly declared that
-Rochlitz was his choice as biographer; and at a later date, realizing
-that death was approaching, he requested Breuning and Schindler to
-gather up his papers, make such use of them as could be done in strict
-truth, and to write to Rochlitz. Two months after Beethoven had passed
-away Breuning followed him, and Schindler was left alone to fulfil the
-composer's wish. He wrote to Rochlitz, who regretfully declined the
-pious task on the ground that the state of his health did not permit
-him to undertake so large a work. Thereupon Schindler let the matter
-rest, waiting for time and circumstances to determine the course which
-he should follow.
-
-Stephan von Breuning had informed his brother-in-law, Dr. Wegeler, of
-Beethoven's charge with reference to the papers, and Wegeler had sent
-Schindler notes on Beethoven's boyhood years and his life in Bonn.
-In 1833 Schindler visited Wegeler in Coblenz and consulted with him
-about the biography which, as Wegeler knew, Rochlitz had been asked,
-but declined, to write. Wegeler thereupon suggested that Schindler,
-he and Ferdinand Ries collaborate in the writing. Ries was consulted
-and agreed, but work had scarcely been begun before differences arose
-between Schindler and Ries as to the propriety of giving to the world
-matters which Schindler (who insisted that Ries was paying a grudge
-which he owed his erstwhile teacher) thought of no interest or too
-offensive for publication. Ries contended that to tell the whole truth
-about great men was right and could do them no injury. Schindler says
-he then persuaded Wegeler to continue the collaboration without Ries,
-but, delays resulting from correspondence with persons in Vienna,
-Wegeler became impatient and in October, 1844,[131] announced that his
-notes were about to be published. They did not appear, however, and
-Schindler tried again to work in company with Ries; but the latter
-persisted in his purpose, and the project fell through a second time.
-This was in 1837, and the next year, shortly after Ries's sudden
-death, appeared the "Biographische Notizen ueber Ludwig van Beethoven"
-by Wegeler and Ries. In the remarks with which the men prefaced their
-reminiscences there is no reference to the projected collaboration
-described by Schindler, nor can it truthfully be said that anything in
-Ries's observations bears out Schindler's charge that he felt a grudge
-against Beethoven and sought to feed it by telling unpleasant truths
-about him.
-
-To continue the story of these early biographies: Schindler now
-asked counsel of Dr. Bach, who advised him to betake himself to the
-task of writing the life of Beethoven alone. He did so, and his book
-appeared in 1840. Holz never made use of the _imprimatur_ which he
-had received from Beethoven, but in 1843 formally relinquished his
-authorization to Dr. Gassner, of Carlsruhe, promising to deliver all
-the material which he held into his hands and to use his influence in
-the procurement of dates from authentic sources, "so that the errors
-in the faulty biographies which have appeared up to the present time
-may be corrected." That this was a fling at Schindler's book is evident
-from a document[132] in which, on November 1, 1845, Holz, at that time
-director of the _Concerts spirituels_ in Vienna, declares that the
-forthcoming biography (by Gassner) would "not derive its dates from
-_fictitious_ or _stolen_ conversation books, and _unsophisticated_
-evidence will also give more intimate information about Mr.
-Schindler." Twice did Schindler attack Holz in the "Koelnische Zeitung"
-in 1845 and once, it would appear, Holz answered him, but anonymously.
-The subject need not be continued here, however; it has a bearing only
-on the credibility of the two men in the discussion of each other.
-Gassner's biography never appeared.
-
-Perhaps it was characteristic of Beethoven, and also of the friends who
-came to his help in need, that though Schindler had been written down
-in his bad books before Holz established himself in his confidence,
-and though there was never a serious estrangement between Beethoven
-and Holz, it was Schindler upon whom Beethoven leaned most strongly
-for help when the days of physical dissolution arrived--Schindler, not
-Holz. The latter's devotion had either undergone a cooling process or
-been interfered with by his newly assumed domestic obligations. But
-Schindler's statement that he was "dismissed" in December, 1826, is an
-exaggeration, to say the least; Beethoven wrote him a letter a month
-before he died, asking his help in collecting money from the Archduke.
-Holz died on November 9, 1858. He had been helpful to Otto Jahn when
-the latter was gathering material for a life of Beethoven.[133]
-
-[Sidenote: STRICT PHYSICIANS AND AN UNRULY PATIENT]
-
-The E-flat Quartet had been successfully brought forward, a pause had
-been reached in the correspondence with Schott and Sons and Neate, a
-summer home for Beethoven was in prospect, and considerable progress
-had been made in the draft for a new quartet designed for Prince
-Galitzin, when an illness befell Beethoven which kept him within
-doors, and for a portion of the time in bed, from about the middle of
-April to the beginning of May, 1825. Beethoven had been told by his
-physician that he was in danger of an inflammation of the bowels, and
-as such Beethoven described his ailment in letters to his brother and
-to Schott and Sons. Dr. Staudenheimer had been in attendance on him
-before and had insisted upon strict obedience to his prescriptions.
-Beethoven now called in Dr. Braunhofer, who proved to be even less
-considerate of the patient's wilfulness; he was so blunt and forceful
-in his demands for obedience that Beethoven was somewhat awed, and
-beneficial results followed. Were it possible for the readers of these
-pages who are curious on such subjects to consult the Conversation
-Books of this period, they would there find interesting information as
-to diagnosis and treatment in the case of the distinguished patient.
-Dr. Braunhofer did not want to "torment" Beethoven long with medicines,
-but he gave orders for a strict diet. "No wine; no coffee; no spices of
-any kind. I'll arrange matters with the cook."--"Patience, a sickness
-does not disappear in a day." "I shall not trouble you much longer
-with medicine, but you must adhere to the diet; you'll not starve on
-it." "You must do some work in the daytime so that you can sleep at
-night. If you want to get entirely well and live a long time, you must
-live according to nature. You are very liable to inflammatory attacks
-and were close to a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels; the
-predisposition is still in your body. I'll wager that if you take
-a drink of spirits you'll be lying weak and exhausted on your back
-inside of an hour." The doctor inspired him with courage and hope, and
-admonished him to keep quiet and be patient. In dry weather he was to
-take walks, but even after going to Baden he must take no baths so long
-as the weather remained damp and symptoms of his illness remained.
-
-Beethoven went to Baden early in May and probably within a week of his
-arrival he reported his condition to Dr. Braunhofer in a semi-humorous
-manner by writing down a dialogue between doctor and patient in which
-the latter suggests desired changes in his treatment. He asks for
-something strengthening to help him get to his desk, thinks that he
-might be permitted to drink white wine and water, as the "mephitic
-beer" revolts him; he is still very weak, expectorates blood freely
-"probably from the bronchial tubes," etc. The physician had asked for
-a few notes written by his own hand as a souvenir. Beethoven complies
-with the request by sending him a canon written while taking a walk
-on May 11. It looks like a sign of mingled apprehension and returning
-spirits:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Doktor sperrt das Thor dem Tod, Note hilft auch aus der Noth.
- Close the door 'gainst Death, I plead, Doctor, notes will help in
- need.
-]
-
-On May 17, he reports to his nephew that he is beginning to do
-considerable work.
-
-[Sidenote: LUDWIG RELLSTAB VISITS BEETHOVEN]
-
-It was while Beethoven was ill in Vienna that Ludwig Rellstab made
-several visits to him, of which he has left enthusiastic reports.[134]
-He was 26 years old at the time and had made a mark as essayist and
-poet; the chief object of his journey to Vienna from Berlin, on
-which he set out on March 21, was to see the composer. He reached
-the Austrian capital in the last days of March or the first days of
-April. His account of the meeting is like many others except that
-it is written with literary elegance, albeit with that excessive
-fervor, that _Ueberschwaenglichkeit_, which is characteristic of German
-hero-worshippers. Zelter had given him a letter of introduction and
-had written that Rellstab wanted to write the libretto of an opera to
-be set by the composer, and this was the first subject broached after
-Beethoven had warmly greeted his visitor and expressed delight with
-Zelter's letter. Beethoven is pleased at the prospect of getting an
-opera-book from Rellstab:
-
- It is so difficult to get a good poem. Grillparzer promised me
- one. He has already made one for me but we can not come to an
- understanding with each other. I want one thing, he wants another.
- You'll have trouble with me!... I care little what genre the works
- belong to, so the material be attractive to me. But it must be
- something which I can take up with sincerity and love. I could not
- compose operas like "Don Juan" and "Figaro." They are repugnant to
- me. I could not have chosen such subjects; they are too frivolous
- for me!
-
-Rellstab had had it in mind to write an opera-book for Weber and
-had pondered over many subjects, and he now gave a list of these to
-Beethoven--"Attila," "Antigone," "Belisarius," "Orestes" and others.
-Beethoven read the names thoughtfully and then apologized for the
-trouble he was causing his visitor. Rellstab, seeing an expression
-of weariness in his face, took his departure, after saying that he
-would send him a specimen of his handiwork. In a Conversation Book
-used in the middle of April there is further talk between Rellstab and
-Beethoven about opera, but the notes, which are fragmentary, give no
-indications of Beethoven's views. The most interesting incident of the
-meetings occurred at a subsequent visit. Rellstab had told that he had
-been deeply moved (he dared not express a more specific opinion on the
-subject, being in doubt himself) by the Quartet in E-flat, which he had
-heard performed twice in succession.[135] He continues:
-
- Beethoven read and remained silent; we looked at each other mutely,
- but a world of emotions surged in my breast. Beethoven, too,
- was unmistakably moved. He arose and went to the window, where
- he remained standing beside the pianoforte. To see him so near
- the instrument gave me an idea which I had never before dared to
- harbor. If he--Oh! he needed only to turn half way around and he
- would be facing the keyboard--if he would but sit down and give
- expression to his feelings in tones! Filled with a timid, blissful
- hope, I approached him and laid my hand upon the instrument. It
- was an English pianoforte by Broadwood. I struck a chord lightly
- with my right hand in order to induce Beethoven to turn around;
- but he seemed not to have heard it. A few moments later, however,
- he turned to me, and, seeing my eyes fixed upon the instrument he
- said: "That is a beautiful pianoforte! I got it as a present from
- London. Look at these names." He pointed to the cross-beam over
- the keyboard. There I saw several names which I had not before
- noticed--Moscheles, Kalkbrenner, Cramer, Clementi, Broadwood
- himself.... "That is a beautiful gift," said Beethoven looking at
- me, "and it has such a beautiful tone," he continued and moved his
- hands towards the keys without taking his eyes off me. He gently
- struck a chord. Never again will one enter my soul so poignant,
- so heartbreaking as that one was! He struck C major with the
- right hand and B as a bass in the left, and continued his gaze
- uninterruptedly on me, repeated the false chord several times in
- order to let the sweet tone of the instrument reverberate; and the
- greatest musician on earth did not hear the dissonance! Whether or
- not Beethoven noticed his mistake I do not know; but when he turned
- his head from me to the instrument he played a few chords correctly
- and then stopped. That was all that I heard from him directly.
-
-Rellstab had planned a short excursion to Hungary and then intended to
-leave Vienna for his home. Fearful that he might not see Beethoven on
-his return to the city he went to him to say farewell:
-
- Beethoven spoke very frankly and with feeling. I expressed
- my regret that in all the time of my sojourn in Vienna I had
- heard, except one of his symphonies and a quartet, not a single
- composition of his in concert; why had "Fidelio" not been given?
- This gave him an opportunity to express himself on the subject of
- the taste of the Vienna people. "Since the Italians (Barbaja) have
- gotten such a strong foothold here the best has been crowded out.
- For the nobility, the chief thing at the theatre is the ballet.
- Nothing can be said about their appreciation of art; they have
- sense only for horses and dancers. We have always had this state
- of things. But this gives me no concern; I want only to write that
- which gives me joy. If I were well it would be all the same to me!"
-
-On his departure Beethoven, who had been absent from his lodgings when
-Rellstab called for his final leavetaking, sent him a letter to Steiner
-and Co., containing a canon on the words from Matthison's "Opferlied"
-of which he had made use on at least one earlier occasion ("Das Schoene
-zu dem Guten").
-
-[Sidenote: AN UTTERANCE ON ECCLESIASTICAL MUSIC]
-
-Karl Gottfried Freudenberg, a young musician who afterwards became
-Head Organist at Breslau and wrote a book of reminiscences entitled
-"Erinnerungen eines alten Organisten," visited Beethoven in July of the
-year and has left a record which is none the less interesting because
-its lack of literary flourish is offset by succinct reports of the
-great composer's estimate of some of his contemporaries, and his views
-on ecclesiastical music. Beethoven, according to Freudenberg, described
-Rossini as a "talented and a melodious composer; his music suits the
-frivolous and sensuous spirit of the time, and his productivity is
-such that he needs only as many weeks as the Germans do years to
-write an opera." He said of Spontini: "There is much good in him;
-he understands theatrical effects and the musical noises of warfare
-thoroughly"; of Spohr: "He is too rich in dissonances, pleasure in his
-music is marred by his chromatic melody"; of Bach: "His name ought not
-to be Bach (brook) but Ocean, because of his infinite and inexhaustible
-wealth of combinations and harmonies. He was the ideal of an organist."
-This led Beethoven into the subject of music for the church. "I, too,
-played the organ a great deal in my youth," he said, "but my nerves
-could not stand the power of the gigantic instrument. I place an
-organist who is master of his instrument, first among virtuosi." Pure
-church music, he remarked, ought to be performed only by voices, unless
-the text be a _Gloria_ or something of the kind. For this reason he
-preferred Palestrina to all other composers of church music, but it
-was folly to imitate him unless one had his genius and his religious
-beliefs; moreover, it was practically impossible for singers to-day to
-sing the long-sustained notes of this music in a cantabile manner.
-
-Karl August Reichardt, afterwards Court Organist in Altenburg, S.
-M. de Boer, a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, Carl
-Czerny, Friedrich Kuhlau, Sir George Smart and Moritz Schlesinger were
-among the visitors to Baden in the summer to whose meetings with the
-composer the Conversation Books bear always interesting and sometimes
-diverting witness. Reichardt's visit seems to have been brief, and it
-is safe to presume that the young man received scant encouragement to
-remain long, for his talk was chiefly about himself, his desire to get
-advice as to a good teacher and to have Beethoven look at some of his
-music. The man from Holland, who probably had used his predicate as a
-member of the Academy which had elected Beethoven an honorary member
-to gain an audience, must have diverted the composer with his broken
-German, which looks no more comical in the Conversation Book than it
-must have sounded; but a canon without words which he carried away
-with him may be said to bear witness to the fact that he made a good
-impression on Beethoven, to whom he gave information concerning the
-state of music in the Dutch country. Czerny, apparently, was urged
-by his erstwhile teacher to get an appointment and to compose in the
-larger forms. Beethoven was curious to learn how much Czerny received
-for his compositions and Czerny told him that he attached no importance
-to his pieces, because he scribbled them down so easily, and that he
-took music from the publishers in exchange.
-
-The visit of the Danish composer, flautist and director, Friedrich
-Kuhlau, led to a right merry feast, for a description of which
-Seyfried found a place in the appendix of his "Studien." That the
-boundaries of nice taste in conversation and story-telling may have
-been strained a bit is an inference from the fact that several pages
-of the Conversation Book containing the recorded relics of the affair
-are missing. After a promenade through the Helenenthal in which
-Beethoven amused himself by setting all manner of difficult tasks in
-hill-climbing, the party sat down to dinner at an inn. Champagne flowed
-freely, and after the return to Beethoven's lodgings red Voeslauer,
-brought from his closet or cellar, did its share still further to
-elevate the spirits of the feasters. Beethoven seems to have held his
-own in the van of the revel. Kuhlau improvised a canon on B-a-c-h, to
-which Beethoven replied with the same notes as an opening motive and
-the words "Kuehl, nicht lau" ("Cool, not lukewarm")--a feeble play on
-the Danish musician's name, but one which served to carry the music.
-Beethoven wrote his canon in the Conversation Book. The next day Kuhlau
-confessed to Schlesinger that he did not know how he had gotten home
-and to bed: Beethoven's post-festal reflections may be gathered from
-the letter which accompanied a copy of the canon which he sent to
-Kuhlau by the hands of Holz:
-
- Baden, September 3, 1825.
-
- I must admit that the champagne went too much to my head also,
- yesterday, and that I was compelled again to make the experience
- that such things retard rather than promote my capacities; for easy
- as it generally is for me to meet a challenge on the instant, I do
- not at all remember what I wrote yesterday.
-
-In handing over letter and canon to Holz for delivery he wrote to him
-that he had scarcely reached home before it occurred to him that he
-might have made a dreadful mess of it on the day before.
-
-[Sidenote: A GARRULOUS PARISIAN PUBLISHER]
-
-Schlesinger, of Paris, son of the Berlin publisher, was a very
-insistent as well as persistent courtier, with an auspicious eye to
-business at all times. He wanted to purchase the two new quartets
-and did succeed in getting one of them, and he aroused Beethoven's
-suspicions by the pertinacity with which he pleaded for permission to
-attend a rehearsal of the second; the pride of the composer revolted,
-evidently, at the thought that a publisher should ask to hear a work of
-his which he purposed buying. But Schlesinger, who had Nephew Karl as
-his advocate at court in all things, made it appear that he was eager
-only for the inestimable privilege of hearing the new works of the
-master, and put in a plea that he might also hear the Quartet which
-had already been sold to Schott and Sons. Holz discloses a distrust
-of him very plainly and misses no occasion to warn Beethoven against
-entangling alliances with the Parisian publisher. Schlesinger wins his
-way to a very familiar footing with Beethoven, going so far once as
-to ask him if a report which he had heard that Beethoven had wanted
-to marry the pianist, Cibbini, was true.[136] The old page does not
-tell us what answer Beethoven gave, but Schlesinger, who had disclosed
-his own heartwounds and railed against the fair sex because of his
-experiences, tells the composer that he shall be the first to make the
-bride's acquaintance should he ever get married. Schlesinger appears
-desirous to become a sort of dealer _en gros_ in Beethoven's products;
-he would like the two new Quartets (in A minor and B-flat major); he
-will publish a Complete Edition and begin with the chamber pieces, to
-which ends he wants still another quartet and three quintets; he seeks
-to awaken a literary ambition in the writer of notes--the journal
-published by the Schlesingers in Berlin will be glad to republish
-whatever Beethoven may write to the Mayence journal about the joke on
-Haslinger, and Beethoven ought really to write some essays--on what a
-symphony and an overture ought to be and on the art of fugue, of which
-he was now the sole repository. He knows how to approach genius on
-its most susceptible side. Beethoven must go to England, where he is
-so greatly admired; he reports that Cherubini had said to his pupils
-at the Conservatoire in Paris: "The greatest musical minds that ever
-lived or ever will live, are Beethoven and Mozart." At dinner, at the
-suggestion of the same garrulous talker, the company drink the healths
-of Goethe and Cherubini. Again Schlesinger urges Beethoven to go to
-London: "I repeat again that if you will go to England for three months
-I will engage that, deducting your travelling expenses, you will make
-1000 pounds, or 25,000 florins W. W. at least, if you give only two
-concerts and produce some new music.... The Englishmen are proud enough
-to count themselves fortunate if Beethoven would only be satisfied
-with them." When the toast to Cherubini is drunk, Schlesinger takes
-occasion to satisfy the curiosity of Beethoven touching the status of
-the composer whom he most admired among living men.
-
- Cherubini has now received the title of Baron from the government
- as well as the order of the Legion of Honor. It is a proof
- of the recognition of his talent, for he did not seek it.
- Napoleon, who appreciated him highly, once found fault with one
- of his compositions and Cherubini retorted: "Your Majesty knows
- no more about it than I about a battle." Napoleon's conduct
- was contemptible. Because of the words that I have quoted he
- took away all of Cherubini's offices and he had nothing to
- live on. Nevertheless, he did an infinite amount of good for
- popular culture. If Napoleon, instead of becoming an insatiable
- world-conqueror, had remained First Consul, he would have been one
- of the greatest men that ever existed.
-
-Schlesinger had his way about hearing the new Quartet (in A minor, Op.
-132), for it was rehearsed at his rooms on Wednesday, September 7,
-preparatory to the performance, which was to take place at the tavern
-"Zum wilden Mann" at noon on September 9. Beethoven wanted the players
-to come to him at Baden for the final rehearsal, but that was found
-to be impracticable. On the day after the meeting at Schlesinger's,
-however, Holz went out to Beethoven to tell him all about it. He
-reported that Wolfmayr "at the _Adagio_ wept like a child?" and that
-"Tobias scratched himself behind the ears when he heard the Quartet; he
-certainly regrets that the Jew Steiner did not take it."
-
-We have an account of the performance at the "Wilden Mann" from
-the English visitor whom Beethoven received at this time. This
-was Sir George Smart, who, in the summer of 1825, made a tour of
-Germany in company with Charles Kemble. He was with Mr. Kemble when
-that gentleman made the agreement with Weber for "Oberon," but his
-"principal reason for the journey," as he himself put it, "was to
-ascertain from Beethoven himself the exact times of the movements of
-his characteristic--and some of his other--Sinfonias."[137] Sir George
-recorded the incidents of his meetings with Beethoven in his journal,
-from which the following excerpts are taken:
-
-[Sidenote: SIR GEORGE SMART'S JOURNAL]
-
- On the 7th of September, at nine in the morning, I called on
- Mayseder, who received me most politely.... We conversed about
- Beethoven's Choral Symphony; our opinion agrees about it. When
- it was performed here Umlauf conducted it and Kletrinsky and
- Schuppanzigh were the leaders. All the basses played in the
- recitative, but they had the story that it was written for
- Dragonetti only.
-
- Friday, September 9th.--We then went to Mecchetti's music shop,
- they, too, are publishers, and bought three pieces for Birchall....
- Mr. Holz, an amateur in some public office and a good violin
- player, came in and said Beethoven had come from Baden this morning
- and would be at his nephew's--Karl Beethoven, a young man aged
- twenty--No. 72 Alleegasse.... At twelve I took Ries[138] to the
- hotel Wildemann,[139] the lodgings of Mr. Schlesinger, the music
- seller of Paris, as I understood from Mr. Holz that Beethoven
- would be there, and there I found him. He received me in the most
- flattering manner. There was a numerous assembly of professors
- to hear Beethoven's second[140] new manuscript quartette, bought
- by Mr. Schlesinger. This quartette is three-quarters of an hour
- long. They played it twice. The four performers were Schuppanzigh,
- Holz, Weiss, and Lincke. It is most chromatic and there is a
- slow movement entitled "Praise for the recovery of an invalid."
- Beethoven intended to allude to himself I suppose for he was very
- ill during the early part of this year. He directed the performers,
- and took off his coat, the room being warm and crowded. A staccato
- passage not being expressed to the satisfaction of his eye, for
- alas, he could not hear, he seized Holz's violin and played the
- passage a quarter of a tone too flat. I looked over the score
- during the performance. All paid him the greatest attention.
- About fourteen were present, those I knew were Boehm (violin),
- Marx ('cello), Carl Czerny, also Beethoven's nephew, who is like
- Count St. Antonio, so is Boehm, the violin player. The partner of
- Steiner, the music seller, was also there. I fixed to go to Baden
- on Sunday and left at twenty-five minutes past two.
-
- Saturday, September 10th. I called for the music at Artaria's for
- Birchall, for which I paid, and on our return found a visiting-card
- from Earl Stanhope and also from Schlesinger of Paris with a
- message that Beethoven would be at his hotel to-morrow at twelve,
- therefore of course I gave up going to Baden to visit Beethoven,
- which he had arranged for me to do.... In the morning Mr.
- Kirchoffer called to say he should invite me to his house. It was
- he who, through Ries, had the arrangement of procuring the Choral
- Symphony for our Philharmonic Society.
-
- Sunday, September 11th.... From hence I went alone to
- Schlesinger's, at the "Wildemann," where was a larger party than
- the previous one. Among them was L'Abbe Stadler, a fine old man
- and a good composer of the old school, to whom I was introduced.
- There was also present a pupil of Moscheles, a Mademoiselle Eskeles
- and a Mademoiselle Cimia [Cibbini?], whom I understood to be a
- professional player. When I entered Messrs. C. Czerny, Schuppanzigh
- and Lincke had just begun the Trio, Op. 70, of Beethoven, after
- which the same performers played Beethoven's Trio, Op. 79--both
- printed by Steiner. Then followed Beethoven's quartette, the same
- that I had heard on September the 9th and it was played by the
- same performers. Beethoven was seated near the pianoforte beating
- time during the performance of these pieces. This ended, most of
- the company departed, but Schlesinger invited me to stop and dine
- with the following company of ten: Beethoven, his nephew, Holz,
- Weiss, C. Czerny, who sat at the bottom of the table, Lincke, Jean
- Sedlatzek--a flute player who is coming to England next year, and
- has letters to the Duke of Devonshire, Count St. Antonio, etc.--he
- has been to Italy--Schlesinger, Schuppanzigh, who sat at the top,
- and myself. Beethoven calls Schuppanzigh Sir John Falstaff, not a
- bad name considering the figure of this excellent violin player.
-
- We had a most pleasant dinner, healths were given in the English
- style. Beethoven was delightfully gay but hurt that, in the letter
- Moscheles gave me, his name should be mixed up with the other
- professors. However he soon got over it. He was much pleased and
- rather surprised at seeing in the oratorio bill I gave him that the
- "Mount of Olives" and his "Battle Symphony" were both performed the
- same evening. He believes--I do not--that the high notes Handel
- wrote for trumpets were played formerly by one particular man. I
- gave him the oratorio book and bill. He invited me by his nephew to
- Baden next Friday. After dinner he was coaxed to play extempore,
- observing in French to me, "Upon what subject shall I play?"
- Meanwhile he was touching the instrument thus
-
- [Illustration]
-
- to which I answered, "Upon that." On which theme he played for
- about twenty minutes in a most extraordinary manner, sometimes
- very fortissimo, but full of genius.[141] When he arose at the
- conclusion of his playing he appeared greatly agitated. No one
- could be more agreeable than he was--plenty of jokes. We all wrote
- to him by turns, but he can hear a little if you halloo quite close
- to his left ear. He was very severe in his observations about the
- Prince Regent never having noticed his present of the score of
- his "Battle Symphony." His nephew regretted that his uncle had no
- one to explain to him the profitable engagement offered by the
- Philharmonic Society last year.
-
-Smart accepted Beethoven's invitation to visit him at Baden on
-September 16, and at this meeting accomplished the specific purpose
-of his visit to Vienna by getting Beethoven to give him the tempo of
-various movements from his symphonies, by playing portions of them on
-the pianoforte.[142]
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S INTEREST IN ENGLISH MATTERS]
-
-Though he had been warned not to write in Beethoven's book, Sir
-George did not, or was not always able to, obey the injunction. A
-considerable portion of the conversation at the meeting is preserved
-in a Conversation Book which covers three dates, September 16, 19, and
-24. From this book some excerpts are made here, since they bear on the
-subject which filled so large a place in the plans of Beethoven for
-several years, and were in his mind up to the time of his death--the
-English tour. Other matters bearing on points of history which have
-been or may be mentioned, are included. The nephew has translated for
-Beethoven the announcement of the Ninth Symphony as it appeared on
-the programme of the Philharmonic's concert of March 21, viz.: "New
-Grand Characteristic Sinfonia, MS. with vocal finale, the principal
-parts to be sung by Madame Caradori, Miss Goodall, Mr. Vaughn and Mr.
-Phillips; composed expressly for this Society." No doubt Beethoven
-gave expression, as he frequently had done, to his admiration for the
-English people and possibly also for their national hymn, for Karl
-translates the stanza:
-
- Long may he reign!
- May he defend our laws,
- And ever give us cause
- To sing with heart and voice:
- God save the king!
-
-The one-sided conversation proceeds:
-
- _Smart._--You understand English writing?--_Extremement
- bien._----Winter _me dit que on l'intention de donner Fidelio a
- music_.
-
- _Karl._--He would like to know the tempi of the finale of the last
- symphony. Haven't you it here?--
-
- How long you worked on the symphony?--How long does it last?--1
- hour and 3 minutes--3/4 hour--We are now going to take a walk.
-
-According to Smart's journal, Beethoven now ordered dinner "with his
-funny old cook," told his nephew to look after the wine, and the party
-of five took a walk in the course of which Schuppanzigh told Smart
-that it was while sketching in the open air that Beethoven caught his
-deafness. "He was writing in a garden and was so absorbed that he
-was not sensible of a pouring rain, till his music paper was so wet
-that he could no longer write." The story is inconsequential unless
-Schuppanzigh had it from Beethoven who, as we have seen in an earlier
-volume (Vol. I, p. 263 _et seq._), gave an entirely different account
-of the origin of his deafness to Neate. Holz talks to Beethoven now
-about Schlesinger, telling him that it was the publisher's purpose to
-print the quartets in succession, which would postpone the appearance
-of the thirteenth for two years, and advises Beethoven hereafter to
-make immediate publication a condition of purchase. He suggests that if
-he were to threaten not to compose the quintets under the circumstances
-it might help.
-
- _Smart.--Elle est morte.--Kalkbrenner est a Paris.--Broadwood,
- Stodart, Tomkinson, Clementi and Co.--Les meilleurs Pieces a vendre
- a Londres sont les Duettos pour le Piano Forte.--Mais je dis pour
- nous de composer a present.--Cramer, Moscheles, Neate, Potter....
- J'ai voyage par le Rhine et par la Donau.--Je suis Protestant; le
- premier chose est d'etre honnete homme.... Esterhazy.--Le nom de
- Capitaine, ou comme tous les autres.--On faites de badinage contre
- moi en Allemagne--contre lui--moi je suis Garcon._
-
- _Karl._--He asked why you had not come before now; he said the 300
- pounds of the Philhar. Society were not be to looked upon as the
- principal thing. For that you needed only to appear 2 or 3 times in
- the orchestra and make money with your own concerts.--He said that
- in a short time you could make at least 1000 pounds and carry it
- away with you.--10,000 florins, Vienna money.--If you would only
- go. The 1,000 pounds would be easily earned and more.--You can do
- better business with the publishers there than here.--And you'll
- find 1,000 friends, Smarth [_sic_] says, who will do everything
- to help you.--The sea fish.--In the Thames.... We'll wait till
- the year is over before going to England.... You'll not leave
- London so quickly if we are once there.--Others are living there
- too, like Cramer, etc.--In two years at least 50,000 florins net.
- Concerts.--I am convinced that if you were to want to go away from
- here they would do everything to keep you here.
-
-We shall let Smart conclude the story of the meeting:
-
- On our return [from the walk] we had dinner at two o'clock. It
- was a most curious one and so plentiful that dishes came in as we
- came out, for, unfortunately, we were rather in a hurry to get to
- the stage coach by four, it being the only one going to Vienna
- that evening. I overheard Beethoven say, "We will try how much the
- Englishman can drink." _He_ had the worst of the trial. I gave
- him my diamond pin as a remembrance of the high gratification I
- received by the honour of his invitation and kind reception and he
- wrote me the following droll canon as fast as his pen could write
- in about two minutes of time as I stood at the door ready to depart.
-
- [Illustration: Ars longa vita brevis]
-
- "Written on the 16th of September, 1825, in Baden, when my dear
- talented musical artist and friend Smart (from England) visited me
- here.
-
- Ludwig van Beethoven."
-
-[Sidenote: A VISITOR FROM AMERICA]
-
-Smart left Vienna on his return journey to London on September 20.
-Three months later Beethoven received a visit from one who must have
-raised more curious questionings in his mind than did the brilliant
-young Englishman. With Smart he had corresponded years before. Smart
-had produced his oratorio and his "Wellington's Victory" in England
-and conducted the first performance in London of his Ninth Symphony;
-there were direct bonds of sympathy between them. The other visitor
-brought a message of appreciation from across the wide Atlantic. It
-was Theodore Molt, evidently a German or a man of German birth, who,
-a music teacher in Quebec, was making a European tour and gained the
-privilege of telling Beethoven to his face how greatly he admired him,
-then asked the favor of a souvenir which he could carry back on a
-journey of "3,000 hours" as a precious keepsake. For him, on December
-16, Beethoven wrote the canon, "Freu dich des Lebens" (Ges. Aus. Series
-XXV, 285, 5).[143]
-
-To this period belongs an anecdote which is almost a parallel of one
-related by Zelter to Goethe. It was told[144] by Mittag, a bassoon
-player who had taken part in a performance of the Septet at a concert
-on December 11. Going home one evening, Mittag stepped into a tavern
-known as "Zum Dachs" to drink a glass of beer. Smoking was not allowed
-in the place and there were few guests. In a corner, however, sat
-Beethoven in the attitude of one lost in thought. After Mittag had
-watched him a few minutes he jumped up and called to the waiter: "My
-bill!" "Already paid!" shrieked the waiter in his ear. Mittag, thinking
-that Beethoven ought not to be left alone, followed him without
-betraying himself and saw him enter his house safely.
-
-On November 29, 1825, Beethoven was one of fifteen men elected to
-honorary membership in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde by the
-directors (Cherubini, Spontini, Spohr, Catel and Weigl being among
-them); the election was confirmed by the society on January 26, 1826,
-but the diploma was not issued until October 26, and thus reached
-Beethoven's hands only a few months before his death. On November
-25, Beethoven wrote to Schott and Sons promising to send them the
-metronome marks for the Mass in D soon, telling them to print the list
-of subscribers before the dedication, asking delay in the matter of the
-dedication of the Ninth Symphony, and requesting that the publication
-of both works be postponed three months. He gives the title of the mass
-as follows:
-
- _MISSA
- Composita et
- Serenissimo ac Eminentissimo Domino Domino
- Rudolpho Joanni Caesareo Principi et Archiduci Austriae S. R. E.
- Tit. S. Petri in monte aureo Cardinali Archiepiscopo Olomucensi
- profundissima cum veneratione dicata_ [sic]
- _a
- Ludovico van Beethoven_
-
-On the same day he wrote to Peters in Leipsic to the effect that his
-recent letters had not been definite and certain. He wanted a specific
-statement that the amount which he (Beethoven) had received as an
-advance was 360 florins. If Peters was willing to take a quartet for
-that sum he would send him one as soon as possible; if not, and he
-preferred to have the money, he would return it to him. "If you had
-done this at once you might have had two quartets; but you can not ask
-me to be loser. If I wanted to draw the strings tighter I could ask a
-larger price. I will send nothing for examination." This, then, was
-Beethoven's ultimatum: Peters must pay 360 florins for the Quartet or
-receive back the money advanced three years before. Peters asked for
-the money and it was paid over to Steiner and Co., on his order on
-December 7.
-
-[Sidenote: INTIMACY WITH THE BREUNINGS RENEWED]
-
-In the renting season of St. Michael (September 29 to October 12)
-Beethoven signed a lease for lodgings in the Schwarzspanierhaus,
-Alservorstadt Glacis 200. Into this, which was the last lodging
-occupied by Beethoven, he moved presumably on October 15. The house,
-which is fully described and pictured in Gerhard von Breuning's book
-"Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," derived its name from the fact that it
-had been built by the Benedictines of Spain. In it Beethoven occupied
-four rooms on the second floor, besides a kitchen and servant's
-quarters. One of the most important results of Beethoven's removal to
-these quarters was a reestablishment of the intimate relations which
-had existed for so many years with the friend of his youth Stephan
-von Breuning, a Councillor in the War Department of the Austrian
-Government, who lived hard by. Though there had been no open rupture
-between him and Beethoven an estrangement had existed from the time
-when von Breuning had advised against Beethoven's assumption of the
-guardianship over his nephew. They had met occasionally _ad interim_,
-but it was not until they became neighbors that the intimate friendship
-which had existed in earlier years was restored. A beginning in this
-direction was made when, on a visit to Vienna in August, Beethoven
-met the Breuning family in the street. It was necessary that changes
-be made in the lodgings and while waiting for them Beethoven became
-a frequent visitor at the Breunings, dining with them frequently and
-sometimes sending them a mess of fish, of which he was very fond.
-Madame von Breuning meanwhile looked after the fitting out of his
-kitchen and saw to the engagement of his servants. Concerning the
-relations which existed between Beethoven and her father's family,
-Marie, a daughter of Stephan von Breuning, wrote many years after:[145]
-
- My mother once met Beethoven when on her way to the Kaiserbad
- on the Danube; he accompanied her for the rather long distance
- from the Rothes Haus, where she lived. She spent about an hour in
- the bath-house (the bath being a warm one) and on coming out was
- surprised to find Beethoven waiting to accompany her home. She
- often said that he was always gallant towards women and had paid
- court to her for a while.
-
- She related, too, that his animated gestures, his loud voice and
- his indifference towards others surprised the people in the street,
- and that she was often ashamed because they stopped and took him
- for a madman. His laugh was particularly loud and ringing.
-
- My mother often and repeatedly deplored the fact that she had never
- heard him play--but my father, in his unbounded tenderness, always
- replied when she expressed a desire to hear him: "He doesn't like
- to do it, and I do not want to ask him because it might pain him
- not to hear himself."
-
- Beethoven repeatedly invited my mother to coffee, or, as the
- Viennese say, _zur Jause_; but my mother almost always declined, as
- his domestic arrangements did not appear altogether appetizing.
-
- My mother often said to my father that Beethoven's habit of
- expectorating in the room, his neglected clothing and his
- extravagant behavior were not particularly attractive. My father
- always replied: "And yet he has a great deal of success, especially
- with women."
-
- Beethoven often told my mother that he longed greatly for domestic
- happiness and much regretted that he had never married.
-
-Beethoven was fond of Stephan von Breuning's son Gerhard, whom,
-because of his attachment to his father, he dubbed _Hosen-knopf_
-(Trousers-button) and because of his lightness of foot _Ariel_. He once
-had the boy play for him, criticized the position of his hands and sent
-him Clementi's Method as preferable to Czerny's which the lad was using.
-
-There can be no doubt that the renewed association with von Breuning
-frequently turned his thoughts to his old home and his boyhood friends
-in the Rhine country, and his delight must have been keen when in this
-year, he received letters from Wegeler, whom he had not seen since
-he left Vienna twenty-eight years before, and his wife, who had been
-Eleonore von Breuning. They were tender letters, full of information
-about their family, each other, friends and relations--real home
-letters telling of births, marriages, careers and deaths. One would
-think that they ought to have been answered at once, but Beethoven did
-not find time or occasion to write a reply until the next year, despite
-this obvious challenge in Dr. von Wegeler's letter:
-
- Why did you not avenge the honor of your mother when, in the
- Encyclopaedia, and in France, you were set down as a love-child? The
- Englishman who tried to defend you gave the filth a cuff, as we say
- in Bonn, and let your mother carry you in her womb 30 years, since
- the King of Prussia, your alleged father, died already in 1740--an
- assertion which was altogether wrong since Frederick II ascended
- the throne in 1740 and did not die till 1786. Only your inborn
- dread of having anything but music of yours published is, probably,
- the cause of this culpable indolence. If you wish it I will set the
- world right in this matter.
-
-[Sidenote: THE LAST STRING QUARTETS]
-
-The great contributions which Beethoven made to music in the year 1825,
-were the Quartets in A minor, Op. 132 and in B-flat major, Op. 130,
-which were composed in the order here mentioned; but the second, being
-published before its companion, received the earlier opus number. The A
-minor Quartet was the second of the three which Beethoven composed on
-invitation of Prince Galitzin, the first being that in E-flat, Op. 127,
-the third that in B-flat. It was taken up immediately on the completion
-of the E-flat Quartet. In March Beethoven had written to Neate that
-the first of the three quartets which he thought of bringing with him
-to London was written, that he was at work on the second and that it
-and the third would be finished "soon." On the same day he wrote to
-Schott and Sons: "The violin quartets are in hand; the second is nearly
-finished." The sketches of the A minor (as established by Nottebohm)
-date back to 1824. The work was originally to have the customary four
-movements; labor on it was interrupted by the illness of April and
-then the plan was changed to include the "Song of Thanksgiving in
-the Lydian mode," the short march before the last movement, and the
-minuet. The work was finished by August at the latest. The passage in
-eighth-notes in the second part of the first movement is practically
-a quotation from one of the German dances written for the Ridotto
-balls fully thirty years before, with the bar-lines shifted so
-that the change of harmony occurs on the up-beats of the measures.
-In a Conversation Book used in May or June, 1825, Beethoven wrote
-_Dankeshimne eines Kranken an Gott bei seiner Genesung. Gefuehl neuer
-Kraft und wiedererwachtes Gefuehl_ ("Hymn of Thanksgiving to God of an
-Invalid on his Convalescence. Feeling of new strength and reawakened
-feeling"). In the original score this was changed to the reading:
-"Sacred Song of Thanksgiving of a Convalescent to the Divinity, in
-the Lydian Mode. N. B. This piece has always B instead of B-flat." As
-has already been mentioned in the history of the Ninth Symphony, the
-principal theme of the last movement was originally conceived for the
-finale of that work. The B-flat Quartet was begun early in the year, as
-the letters to Neate and Schott indicate. On August 29, Beethoven wrote
-to his nephew that it would be wholly finished in ten or twelve days.
-In November he himself writes in the Conversation Book: "Title for the
-Quartet," and a strange hand adds: "_31eme Quatuor. Pour deux Violons,
-Viola et Violoncello compose aux desirs de S. A. Monseigneur le Prince
-Nicolas Galitzin et dedie au meme_," to which Beethoven adds: "par L.
-v. B." The Quartet, though more than half-promised to Schlesinger, who
-got the A minor Quartet, was sold to Artaria, and in January, 1826,
-Holz writes, "The Quartet will be printed at once; thus the third
-Quartet will appear before the first two." This was the case, which
-accounts for the incorrect numbering of them. It had its first public
-performance in March, 1826. The Fugue in B-flat, Op. 133, originally
-formed the finale of the work but was put aside after the first
-performance and the present finale, which was composed in Gneixendorf
-in 1826, was substituted.
-
-After securing the A minor Quartet and an assurance that he should
-also have that in B-flat (he had offered to deposit 80 ducats with a
-Viennese banker against its completion and delivery and Beethoven had
-accepted his offer), Schlesinger said that he would purchase the first
-of the three Quartets from Schott and Sons so as to have all three
-for his Complete Edition. Karl, in reporting the fact to Beethoven,
-expressed his belief that the Schotts would sell for fear that if they
-did not Schlesinger would reprint the work in Paris without permission.
-The latter made a strenuous effort to get the autograph score of
-the A minor, but had perforce to content himself with a copy. Holz
-represented to Beethoven that the autograph would be an asset for Karl
-in the future, and Karl was of the same opinion; he supported Holz's
-assertion with the argument that such _Capitalien_ grew more valuable
-with age and that he was sure Schlesinger would get 30 ducats for the
-manuscript. Beethoven expressed indifference as to which publisher got
-the works so long as he was promptly paid. In urging haste upon Holz,
-who had undertaken to look after the copying of the B-flat, he wrote:
-
- It is immaterial which hellhound licks and gnaws my brains, since
- it must needs be so, only see that the answer is not delayed
- too long. The hellhound in L. can wait and meanwhile entertain
- himself with Mephistopheles (the Editor of the Musik. L. Zeit.) in
- Auerbach's Cellar; he will soon be plucked by the ears by Belzebub
- the chief of devils.
-
-The Leipsic "hellhound" thus consigned to Belzebub was, of course,
-Peters. It was about this time that Karl told his uncle an anecdote
-to the effect that Cherubini, asked why he did not compose a quartet,
-replied: "If Beethoven had never written a quartet I would write
-quartets; as it is, I can not." After the meetings at Schlesinger's
-room in the inn "Zum wilden Mann" the Quartets in E-flat and A minor
-were played again at a concert in which Schuppanzigh was prevented from
-taking part, and Holz played the first violin. Beethoven grew merry at
-his expense and wrote a canon in the Conversation Book to the words:
-"Holz fiddles the quartets as if they were treading _Kraut_."
-
-[Sidenote: PRAISE FROM THE BEPRAISED]
-
-Two trifles which kept company with the Quartets in this year were
-a Waltz in D and an Ecossaise in E-flat for pianoforte, which were
-published in a collection of light music by C. F. Mueller. There are
-several allusions to the oratorio commissioned by the Gesellschaft
-der Musikfreunde in the Conversation Books of 1825, in one of which
-Grillparzer is mentioned as a likely author for another book; but so
-far as is known no work was done on "The Victory of the Cross," though
-Bernard shortened the book. Before the end of the year the principal
-theme of the Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, is noted, accompanied
-by the words written by Beethoven: "Only the praise of one who has
-enjoyed praise can give pleasure";--it is, no doubt, a relic of some of
-the composer's classic readings.[146]
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[121] The correspondence nowhere shows a modification of the
-stipulation that the Symphony was to be the exclusive property of the
-Society for 18 months. But Kirchhoffer, Ries's representative, knew of
-the preparations for the Vienna performance.
-
-[122] Dr. Deiters thinks Ries's hesitation was due to fear of
-difficulties in the performance--a fear which was realized; it is more
-likely, however, as may be deduced from the context of the letter, that
-Ries felt that his London friends were not being treated fairly in the
-matter, Beethoven having entered upon an obligation with them to let
-them have exclusive possession of the Symphony for eighteen months
-after the time of delivery.
-
-[123] Had he wholly forgotten the letter in which he offered
-Schlesinger the Mass in 1822 and said that it would grieve him very
-much if he could not give him "just this particular work"?
-
-[124] The canons were those on Hoffmann and Schwenke.
-
-[125] The remark is meaningless and was made only for the sake of a
-play on words--_Rache_ and _Rachen_. Beethoven professed friendship to
-Haslinger to the end, though he lampooned him in private.
-
-[126] The mark is _Allegro con moto_ in the Complete Edition;
-_Allo. commodo_ in others. Joachim's edition gives the _commodo_ in
-parenthesis.
-
-[127] There are pitiful proofs in the Conversation Books that simple
-sums in addition were more than he could master and that on his
-deathbed he studied the mysteries of multiplication.
-
-[128] Vol. II. p. 107 _et seq._
-
-[129] Beethoven's table habits were thus described by Holz to Jahn: "He
-was a stout eater of substantial food; he drank a great deal of wine at
-table, but could stand a great deal, and in merry company he sometimes
-became tipsy (_bekneipte er sich_). In the evening he drank beer or
-wine, generally the wine of Voeslau or red Hungarian. When he had drunk
-he never composed. After the meal he took a walk."
-
-[130] See the preface to his biography.
-
-[131] The date is Schindler's, but a palpable error; it may have been
-1834.
-
-[132] It was among Thayer's papers.
-
-[133] Notes of Jahn's interviews with Holz were among Thayer's papers.
-
-[134] "Aus meinem Leben," Berlin, 1861, Vol. II, p. 24 _et seq._
-
-[135] It was probably the performance by Boehm.
-
-[136] Antonia Cibbini, _nee_ Kozeluch, was among those who attended the
-performance of the Quartet. In the conversation which followed, Karl
-tells his uncle: "The Cibbini looked to me like a bacchante when the
-Quartet was played; it pleased her so greatly."
-
-[137] By the "Characteristic Symphony" Smart meant the Ninth, which
-he had directed at its first performance in London on March 21, 1825.
-Mr. Thayer visited Sir George in February, 1861, and received from
-him permission to make a transcript of all the entries in his journal
-touching the meetings with Beethoven, also supplementing them with oral
-information. The journal remained in manuscript for forty years after
-Sir George's death and then was edited by H. Bertram Cox and C. L. E.
-Cox and published by Longmans, Green and Co. in 1907, under the title:
-"Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart." The extracts here
-quoted are from the book, and show signs of having been revised after
-Thayer copied them.
-
-[138] Not the composer, but a pianoforte maker of Vienna.
-
-[139] The Thayer transcript has it correctly: "at the inn _Zum wilden
-Mann_."
-
-[140] In the Thayer transcript: "the second of the three MSS.
-quartettes bought by Schlesinger."
-
-[141] Dr. Deiters prints in a foot-note a different version of this
-story from Castelli's memoirs. According to this it was Castelli who
-set the theme for Beethoven, he having, after long urging, said,
-"Very well, in the name of the three devils; but Castelli, who has no
-idea of pianoforte playing, must give me a theme." Thereupon Castelli
-brushed his finger up and down three adjacent keys of the pianoforte
-and these notes Beethoven continually wove into the music which he
-improvised for an hour, by the clock. Smart names the ten men who
-composed Schlesinger's party; Castelli's is not among them, and Smart's
-story, noted in his journal at the time, is unquestionably correct.
-Schlesinger may have given another dinner, or Castelli's imagination
-been livelier than his memory.
-
-[142] When Mr. Thayer visited Sir George Smart in London in 1861 he
-made the following notes of the conversation: Smart spoke, or rather
-wrote on Beethoven's slate;--he had been warned not to write in
-Beethoven's books--in French, a language which Beethoven (as he says)
-spoke fluently. He (Smart) was particularly desirous of understanding
-Beethoven's intentions as to the performance of the Choral Sym. and
-spoke with him about the recitative for instruments in the last
-movement. Beethoven's reply was:
-
-"The recitative in strict time."
-
-Smart objected, that so played, it was not a recitative nor had words
-to recite. Beethoven replied, "he called it so;" and finally closed
-the discussion with "I _wish_ it to go in strict time"; which, from
-a composer, was of course decisive. The question of how the bass
-recitatives ought to be played had already been discussed when the
-rehearsals for the concert of 1824 were in progress, as may be seen
-in a Conversation Book of March: _Schindler_:--"How many contrabasses
-are to play the recitative?--All!--There would be no difficulty in
-strict time, but to give it in a singing style will make careful study
-necessary.--If old Krams were still alive we could let the matter go
-unconcernedly, for he directed 12 contrabasses who had to do what he
-wanted.--Good; then just as if words were under it?--If necessary I
-will write words under it so that they may learn to sing."
-
-[143] From Thayer's note-book of 1857: "Circumstance related to
-me by the son of Mr. Molt. When Mr. Molt called upon Beethoven,
-December 16, 1825, (B.'s birthday) Beethoven showed him some verses
-he had just written complimentary to a young lady and fell into
-such enthusiasm talking about her that he passed entirely from his
-musical conversation. Verses poor enough, Mr. Molt said. Mr. Molt also
-described the meanness of the rooms in which B. lived."
-
-[144] To Thayer; from his note-book.
-
-[145] In a memorandum for Thayer.
-
-[146] _Laudari a viro laudate_--Naevius. _Laetus sum laudari me, inquit
-Hector, opinor apud Naevium, abs te, pater, a laudate viro_--Cicero _ad
-fam._ XV, 6; _Cum tragicus ille apud nos ait magnificum esse laudari a
-laudato viro, laude digno, ait._--Seneca, _Epist._ 102, 16.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter VIII
-
- A Year of Sickness and Sorrow: 1826--The Quartets in
- B-Flat, C-Sharp Minor and F Major--Controversy with Prince
- Galitzin--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--Life at
- Gneixendorf--Beethoven's Last Compositions.
-
-
-[Sidenote: A REQUEST FOR THE GERMAN BIBLE]
-
-The year which witnessed the last of Beethoven's completed labors,
-and saw what by general consent might be set down as the greatest of
-his string quartets, that in C-sharp minor, Op. 131, beheld also the
-culmination of the grief and pain caused by the conduct of his nephew.
-The year 1826 was a year of awful happenings and great achievements;
-a year of startling contradictions, in which the most grievous blows
-which an inscrutable Providence dealt the composer as if utterly to
-crush him to earth, were met by a display of creative energy which
-was amazing not only in its puissance but also in its exposition of
-transfigured emotion and imagination. The history of the year can
-best be followed if it be told in two sections, for which reason we
-have chosen to group the incidents connected with the nephew in a
-chapter by themselves and review first the artistic activities of the
-composer. After the history of the year has been set forth there will
-remain to be told only the story of the gathering of the gloom which
-early in the next year shut down over his mortal eyes forever. The
-figure which stands out in highest relief throughout the year beside
-that of the composer is that of Holz, whose concern for his welfare
-goes into the smallest detail of his unfortunate domestic life and
-includes also the major part of the labors and responsibilities caused
-by the tragical outcome of the nephew's waywardness--his attempt at
-self-destruction. Schindler appears at intervals, but with jealous
-reserve, chary of advice, waiting to be asked for his opinion and
-pettishly protesting that after it once has been given it will not be
-acted upon. Stephan von Breuning appears in all the nobility of his
-nature; and in the attitude and acts of Brother Johann, though they
-have been severely faulted and, we fear, maligned, there is evidence of
-something as near affectionate sympathy and interest as Beethoven's
-paradoxical conduct and nature invited of him. Among the other persons
-whom the Conversation Books disclose as his occasional associates are
-Schuppanzigh, Kuffner, Grillparzer, Abbe Stadler and Mathias Artaria,
-whose talk is chiefly about affairs in which they are concerned, though
-Kuffner at one time entertains Beethoven with a discourse on things
-ancient and modern which must have fascinated the artist whose mind
-ever delighted to dwell on matters of large moment. Beethoven was
-troubled with a spell of sickness which began near the end of January
-and lasted till into March. Dr. Braunhofer was called and we read the
-familiar injunctions in the Conversation Book. The composer has pains
-in the bowels, gouty twinges, and finds locomotion difficult. He is
-advised to abstain from wine for a few days and also from coffee,
-which he is told is injurious because of its stimulating effect on
-the nerves. The patient is advised to eat freely of soups, and small
-doses of quinine are prescribed. There are postponed obligations of
-duty--the oratorio, the opera, a _Requiem_--upon the composer which
-occupy him somewhat, but his friends and advisers more. His thoughts
-are not with such things but in the congenial region of the Quartets;
-for the little community of stringed instruments is become more than
-ever his colporteur, confidant, comforter and oracle. Kuffner tells him
-through Holz that he has read Bernard's oratorio book but cannot find
-in it even the semblance of an oratorio, much less half-good execution.
-Perhaps there is something of personal equation in this judgment, for
-Kuffner is ready to write not only one but even two oratorio texts if
-Beethoven will but undertake their composition. He presents the plan
-of a work to be called "The Four Elements," in which man is to be
-brought into relationship with the imposing phenomena of nature, but
-Beethoven has been inspired by a study of Handel's "Saul" with a desire
-to undertake that subject and Kuffner submits specimens of his poetical
-handiwork to him. He had become interested in the ancient modes (as
-his Song of Thanksgiving in the Lydian mode in the A minor quartet had
-already witnessed) and was now eager to read up on the ancient Hebrews.
-He sends Holz to get him books on the subject and to a visitor, who to
-us is a stranger (so far as the handwriting in the C. B. is concerned),
-he expresses a desire to get Luther's translation of the Bible. He is
-also interested in religious questions, as a long talk with his nephew
-shows. Kuffner intended in his treatment of the story of Saul to make
-it a representation of the triumph of the nobler impulses of man over
-untamed desire, and said that he would be ready to deliver the book in
-six weeks. Holz shows Beethoven some of the specimen sheets and points
-out a place in which Beethoven might indulge in an excursion into
-antique art. "Here you might introduce a chorus in the Lydian mode," he
-says. He also explains that Kuffner intended to treat the chorus as an
-effective agent in the action, for which purpose it was to be divided
-into two sections, like the dramatic chorus of the Greek tragedians.
-Kuffner was sufficiently encouraged to write the book and Holz says
-that Beethoven finished the music of the first part "In his head"; if
-so, it staid there, so far as the sketchbooks bear testimony.
-
-[Sidenote: WORKS WHICH WERE NEVER WRITTEN]
-
-Grillparzer still hopes that the breath of musical life will be
-breathed into "Melusine"; Duport, having secured the Court Opera, asks
-for it, and Brother Johann and Karl urge that an opera is the most
-remunerative enterprise to which he can now apply himself. Schlesinger,
-in Berlin, had told Count von Bruehl that Beethoven was disposed to
-write an opera for the Royal Opera at the Prussian capital and Bruehl
-had written to the composer that he would be glad to have an opera from
-him and expressed a desire that he collaborate with Grillparzer in its
-making; but he did not want "Melusine," because of the resemblance
-between its subject and that of de la Motte-Fouque's "Undine." An
-adaptation to operatic uses of Goethe's "Claudine von Villa Bella" was
-discussed, apparently with favor, but Kanne, who was designated to take
-the adaptation in hand, was afraid to meddle with the great poet's
-drama. So nothing came of the Berlin project or of "Melusine," though
-Grillparzer talked it over again with Beethoven and told Holz that
-though he was not inclined to attach too great importance to it, he yet
-thought it would be hard to find an opera text better adapted to its
-purpose than it, from a musical and scenic point of view. To Schindler,
-Beethoven once held out a prospect that "something would come" of the
-idea of music for "Faust" which Rochlitz had implanted in Beethoven's
-mind; but it shared the fate of opera and oratorio. His friends also
-urged him to compose a Requiem mass and such a composition belongs in
-the category with the oratorio as a work which he had been paid to
-undertake. Among the ardent admirers of Beethoven and most zealous
-patrons of the Schuppanzigh Quartets was Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer, a
-much respected cloth merchant. One of the methods chosen by Wolfmayer
-to show his appreciation of the composer was occasionally to have a new
-coat made for him which he would bring to Beethoven's lodgings, place
-upon a chair and then see to it that an old one disappeared from his
-wardrobe. We have already heard a similar story from Mayseder. It is
-said that Wolfmayer sometimes had difficulty in getting the composer's
-consent to the exchange, but always managed to do it. Early in the
-second decade of the century Wolfmayer commissioned Beethoven to write
-a _Requiem_ for him and paid him 1,000 florins as an advance on the
-honorarium. Beethoven promised, but never set to work: though Holz says
-that he was firmly resolved to do so and, in talking about it, said
-that he was better satisfied with Cherubini's setting of the text of
-the Mass for the Dead than with Mozart's. A _Requiem_, he said, should
-be a sorrowful memorial of the dead and have nothing in it of the
-noises of the last trump and the day of judgment.
-
-The sketchbooks bear witness, though not voluminously, to two other
-works of magnitude which were in Beethoven's thoughts in this year but
-never saw completion. These were a symphony and a string quintet. In
-a book used towards the end of 1825, containing sketches for the last
-movement of the Quartet in B-flat, there is a memorandum of a _Presto_
-in C minor, 3-4 time, and of a short movement in A-flat, _Andante_,
-which Schindler marked as belonging to "the tenth symphony." There
-are also some much longer sketches for an overture on B-a-c-h, in the
-midst of which Beethoven has written: "This overture together with
-the new symphony and we shall have a new concert (_Akademie_) in the
-Kaernthnerthor." Schindler published the sketches of the symphony in
-Hirschbach's "Musikalisch-kritisches Repertorium" of January, 1844,
-and started the story of an uncompleted tenth symphony. Nottebohm, in
-his "Zweite Beethoveniana" (p. 12), scouts the idea that Beethoven
-occupied himself seriously with the composition of such a work. "It is
-not necessary," he says, "to turn over many leaves of the sketchbooks
-to prove the untenableness of the view that if Beethoven had written
-a Tenth Symphony it would have been on the basis of these sketches.
-We see in them only such momentary conceits as came to Beethoven by
-the thousand and which were as much destined to be left undeveloped
-as the multitude of other abandoned sketches in the other books.
-To be big with a symphony argues persevering application to it. Of
-such application there can be no talk in this case. The sketches in
-question were never continued; there is not a vestige of them in the
-books which follow. If Beethoven had written as many symphonies as
-he began we should have at least fifty." Nottebohm's argument does
-not dispose of the matter, though we shall presently find occasion to
-think well of it. Lenz says that Holz wrote to him that Beethoven had
-played "the whole of the Tenth Symphony" for him on the pianoforte,
-that it was finished in all of its movements in the sketches, but
-that nobody but Beethoven could decipher them. Holz, however, made no
-such broad statement to Otto Jahn, a much more conscientious reporter
-than Lenz. To Jahn he said that there was an introduction in E-flat
-major, a soft piece, and then a powerful Allegro in C minor, which were
-complete in Beethoven's head and which he had played to him (Holz) on
-the pianoforte. This is very different from an entire symphony. But
-in the letter to Moscheles which Schindler says Beethoven dictated to
-him on March 18, 1827, bearing a message of thanks to the Philharmonic
-Society of London, Beethoven says: "An entire sketched symphony lies
-in my desk, also a new overture and other things"; and a few days
-later Schindler writes to Moscheles: "Three days after receiving your
-letter he was greatly excited and demanded the sketches of the Tenth
-Symphony, concerning the plan of which he told me a great deal. He has
-now definitely decided that it shall go to the Philharmonic Society."
-The reader is familiar with Beethoven's habit of speaking of works as
-finished though not a note of them had been put on paper (as in the
-case of the additional movements for the Mass in D, for instance), and
-if there were sketches for a finished symphony in Beethoven's desk when
-he died, it is passing strange that Schindler did not produce them
-when he started the world to talking about its loss of a successor to
-the Ninth. What Nottebohm saw in the books deposited by Schindler in
-the Royal Library in Berlin seems to justify what he said, at least.
-Moreover, Schindler says that the sketches for the Symphony dated back
-to 1824, and the incorrectness of this statement can be shown beyond
-all peradventure by Nottebohm's study of the sketchbooks. Of the other
-works which play a part in the story of 1826, something will be said
-hereafter.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S FAVORITE QUARTET]
-
-Opera, oratorio, the mass for the dead, symphony, beckoned to him, but
-his affections were fixed in the higher and purer regions of chamber
-music, the form which represents chaste ideals, lofty imagination,
-profound learning; which exacts a mutual sympathy between composer,
-performer and listener and binds them in something like that angelic
-wedlock which Weber said to Planche ought to unite librettist and
-composer. When the year 1826 opened, Beethoven was looking forward
-with no little eagerness to the first performance of the Quartet in
-B-flat--his "Liebquartett" it is once called in the Conversation Books.
-Schuppanzigh and his fellows had taken it in hand. They found the
-concluding fugue extremely troublesome, but the Cavatina entranced them
-at once; Schuppanzigh entered a record against any change in it. The
-performance took place on March 21. The second and fourth movements had
-to be repeated, but the fugue proved a _crux_ as, no doubt, the players
-had expected it would. Some of Beethoven's friends argued that it had
-not been understood and that this objection would vanish with repeated
-hearings; others, plainly a majority, asked that a new movement be
-written to take its place. Johann van Beethoven told the composer that
-"the whole city" was delighted with the work. Schindler says that
-the _Danza alla tedesca_, one of the movements which were demanded a
-second time, was originally intended for another quartet, presumably
-that in A minor. Lenz objects to the theory on critical grounds, but
-Nottebohm points out that the first sketches appear in A before the
-sketches for the B-flat Quartet and assigns them to the A minor Quartet
-without qualification of any kind. Dr. Deiters suggests that the
-movement was written for the A minor Quartet and put aside when the
-Song of Thanksgiving presented itself to Beethoven's mind. There is
-another reason for believing that Nottebohm is right and Lenz, as he
-so frequently is, is wrong. As has been mentioned, Beethoven recurred
-to one of his old German dances, written for the Ridotto balls, in the
-first movement of the A minor Quartet; what more likely than that,
-thinking over the old German dance, he should have conceived the idea
-of a _Danza tedesca_? Schuppanzigh's high opinion of the Cavatina was
-shared by many and also by Beethoven himself. Holz said that it cost
-the composer tears in the writing and brought out the confession that
-nothing that he had written had so moved him; in fact, that merely to
-revive it afterwards in his thoughts and feelings brought forth renewed
-tributes of tears.
-
-The doubts about the effectiveness of the fugue felt by Beethoven's
-friends found an echo in the opinions of the critics. Mathias Artaria,
-the publisher, who seems in this year to have entered the circle
-of the composer's intimate associates, presented the matter to him
-in a practicable light. He had purchased the publishing rights of
-the Quartet and after the performance he went to Beethoven with the
-suggestion that he write a new finale and that the fugue be published
-as an independent piece, for which he would remunerate him separately.
-Beethoven listened to the protests unwillingly, but, "vowing he would
-ne'er consent, consented" and requested the pianist Anton Halm, who
-had played in the B-flat Trio at the concert, to make the pianoforte
-arrangements for which there had already been inquiries at Artaria's
-shop. Halm accepted the commission and made the arrangement, with
-which Beethoven was not satisfied; "You have divided the parts too
-much between _prim_ and second," he remarked to Halm,[147] referring
-to a device which the arranger had adopted to avoid crossing of
-hands--giving passages to the right hand which should logically have
-been given to the left, the effect being the same to the ear but not to
-the eye. Nevertheless, Halm presented a claim for 40 florins to Artaria
-for the work, and was paid. Beethoven then made an arrangement and
-sent it to Artaria, also demanding a fee. To this Artaria demurred and
-asked Beethoven for Halm's manuscript. Beethoven sent it by a messenger
-(probably Holz) with instructions to get his arrangement in return for
-it, but at the same time told Artaria, that while he did not ask that
-Artaria publish his work, he was under no obligations to give it to
-him; he might have it for twelve ducats. Artaria reconciled himself
-to the matter and paid Beethoven his fee on September 5. Schindler
-incorrectly states that the arrangement which Artaria announced on
-March 10, 1827, as Op. 134 (the original score being advertised at the
-same time as Op. 133), was Halm's.
-
-Other performances of the Quartet were planned, but it does not appear
-that any took place. Schuppanzigh was indisposed to venture upon a
-repetition, but Boehm and Mayseder were eager to play it. The latter
-with his companions gave quartet parties at the house of Dembscher, an
-agent of the Austrian War Department, and wanted to produce the Quartet
-there. But Dembscher had neglected to subscribe for Schuppanzigh's
-concert and had said that he would have it played at his house, since
-it was easy for him to get manuscripts from Beethoven for that purpose.
-He applied to Beethoven for the Quartet, but the latter refused to let
-him have it, and Holz, as he related to Beethoven, told Dembscher in
-the presence of other persons that Beethoven would not let him have
-any more music because he had not attended Schuppanzigh's concert.
-Dembscher stammered in confusion and begged Holz to find some means
-to restore him to Beethoven's good graces. Holz said that the first
-step should be to send Schuppanzigh 50 florins, the price of the
-subscription. Dembscher laughingly asked, "Must it be?" (_Muss es
-sein?_). When Holz related the incident to Beethoven he too laughed and
-instantly wrote down a canon on the words: "It must be! Yes, yes, yes,
-it must be. Out with the purse!"[148]
-
-[Sidenote: ORIGIN OF "ES MUSS SEIN!"]
-
-Out of this joke in the late fall of the year grew the finale of the
-last of the last five quartets, that in F major. Op. 135, to which
-Beethoven gave the superscription: "The difficult resolution" (_Der
-schwergefasste Entschluss_). The story, almost universally current and
-still repeated, that the phrases: _Muss es sein_? _Es muss sein_, and
-_Der schwergefasste Entschluss_ had their origin in
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Es muss sein! Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja
- It must be! It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes
-
- Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja Es muss sein! ja, ja, ja, ja
- It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes, It must be! yes, yes, yes, yes
-
- Heraus mit dem Beutel! Heraus! Heraus: Es muss sein!
- Come down with the rhino! Come down! Come down! It must be!
-
- Ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, ja, Es muss sein!
- Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, It must be!
-]
-
-a scene frequently repeated when Beethoven's housekeeper came to him
-of a Saturday for the weekly house-money, was spread by Schindler, who
-was familiar in a way with the Dembscher incident but assigned it to
-the Quartet in E-flat. Holz was an actor in the scene and is the better
-witness, being confirmed, moreover, by the Conversation Book. Schindler
-probably took his clue from a page in the Conversation Book used in
-December, 1826, in which Beethoven writes the phrases "Must it be?" and
-"It must be," and Schindler, after a conversation in which Schuppanzigh
-takes part, concludes with: "It must be. The old woman is again in need
-of her weekly money." The joke played a part in the conversations with
-Beethoven for some time.
-
-Holz says that when once he remarked to Beethoven that the one in
-B-flat was the greatest of his Quartets the composer replied: "Each
-in its way. Art demands of us that we shall not stand still. You
-will find a new manner of voice treatment (part writing) and, thank
-God! there _is less lack of fancy than ever before_." Afterward he
-declared the C-sharp minor Quartet to be his greatest. The first form
-of the fugue-theme in this work, as has been noted, was written down
-in a Conversation Book in the last days of December, 1825. The theme
-of the variations, in a form afterwards altered, was also noted amid
-the records of conversations before the end of January, 1826. It is
-likely that a goodly portion of the work was written within a month and
-ready for the copyist, for Schuppanzigh once in January suggests that
-something from the work in hand be tried. Whether or not it was ever
-played in the lifetime of the composer can not be said with certainty.
-Schindler says positively that it was not. It was ready for the
-publisher in July and Schott and Sons, who had bought it for 80 ducats
-payable in two installments, sent the drafts early to accommodate
-Beethoven, who spoke of being on the eve of a short journey--of which
-nothing is known save that he did not make it. The score was turned
-over to Schott's agent in Vienna on August 7. On the copy Beethoven
-had written "Put together from pilferings from one thing and another"
-(_Zusammengestohlen aus Verschiedenem diesem und Jenem_). This alarmed
-the publishers, who wrote to Beethoven about it and in reply received
-a letter stating: "You wrote me that the quartet must be an original
-one. As a joke I wrote on the copy 'Put together, etc....'; but it is
-brand new." It was published by Schott and Sons very shortly after
-Beethoven's death in April, 1827, under the opus number 129. Beethoven
-originally intended to dedicate it to Wolfmayer but out of gratitude to
-Baron von Stutterheim, Lieutenant Fieldmarshal, who had made a place
-for Nephew Karl in his regiment, placed his name upon the title-page.
-
-[Sidenote: PRINCE GALITZIN AND HIS QUARTETS]
-
-With the Quartet in B-flat, Beethoven had completed the three works of
-its kind which he had been commissioned to compose by Prince Nicolas
-Galitzin. He had taken three years to perform the task, but in the
-end the patience of his patron had been nobly rewarded--rewarded,
-indeed, in a manner which insured him as large a share of immortality
-as falls to the lot of a man--and meanwhile he had been privileged
-to shine in the musical circles of St. Petersburg as one who stood
-peculiarly close to the greatest of living composers. During the delay
-Prince Galitzin's conduct was in the highest degree honorable. In his
-letters he was most generous in his offers of assistance, practically
-giving Beethoven _carte blanche_ to draw on his bankers in case of
-need. He organized a performance of the _Missa solemnis_ (the first
-given of the work or any portion of it), and presented his copy of the
-written score to the Philharmonic Society of St. Petersburg. He was so
-proud of his collection of Beethoven's music that he applied to the
-composer himself to help him make it complete. Too eager to wait for
-the publishers, he commissioned Beethoven to have copies made of new
-works, like the Ninth Symphony and the overture to "The Consecration
-of the House," at his expense. He entertained the idea of repeating
-in St. Petersburg the concert which Beethoven had given in Vienna, at
-which the Symphony had received its first performance. For a while
-he contemplated a repetition of the Mass. Beethoven had dedicated the
-overture to him and he had written that he would requite the act with
-a gift of 25 ducats. All this before he received the Quartets. Then a
-strange and unaccountable change came over his attitude towards the
-composer. Beethoven sent the first Quartet to him in January, 1825;
-the second and third sometime in February, 1826. He had followed up
-his commission in 1823 with an order to his bankers, Henikstein and
-Co. in Vienna, to pay Beethoven 50 ducats, the fee agreed upon, for
-each Quartet. The money was paid over in October, 1823, but with his
-express consent, at Beethoven's request, was applied to the payment
-of his subscription for the Mass. If there could be any doubt on this
-point it would be dissipated by the letter in which Henikstein and
-Co., forwarded Beethoven's receipt. This letter was written on October
-15, 1823, and stated that the sum had been paid _comme honoraire de la
-messe que nous expediee par l'entremise de la haute chancellerie de
-l'Etat_. On December 5, 1824, let us say six weeks or two months before
-he received the first Quartet, he sent another 50 ducats, which it is
-fair to assume was the fee for that work and took the place of the sum
-diverted to the payment for the Mass. These facts must be carefully
-noted and borne in mind, for the question of Galitzin's indebtedness to
-Beethoven became the subject of a scandalous controversy a long time
-after the composer's death; it endured down to 1838 and might be opened
-again were there a disposition in any quarter to do so. For the present
-the story of the Quartets during Beethoven's lifetime may be pursued
-as it is disclosed by records in the Conversation Books and so much of
-the correspondence as has been preserved.
-
-In February, 1826, one of the Quartets, perhaps both of them, had been
-sent to St. Petersburg by special courier. ("Everything written by
-Beethoven ought to be sent to its destination by special courier," is
-one of Schuppanzigh's magnificent remarks when the question of sending
-the Quartet to the Prince is under discussion.) The money did not
-come and Beethoven grew impatient and anxious. Karl tried to reassure
-him. The Prince had written _Je vais_, he remarks in the Conversation
-Book, plainly referring to a letter dated January 14, 1826, in which
-Prince Galitzin had said: "_Je vais faire remettre a M. Stieglitz_
-(his banker) _la valeur de 75 ducats pour vous etre remis par M.
-Fries; 50 pour le quatuor et 25 pour l'ouverture qui est magnifique
-et que je vous remercie beaucoup de m'avoir dediee_." Still the money
-did not come. In the middle of May Holz reports to Beethoven that a
-letter had been received from the courier, whose name was Lipscher.
-He had called on Prince Galitzin, who had begged to be excused; "he
-had not time--call another day." He had repeated the visit five or six
-times, but each time was denied an audience on one pretext or another.
-Finally, he had bribed a domestic with five florins and found his
-way to the Prince, who seemed greatly embarrassed, fumbled amongst
-his scores for a time and then asked him to come again before his
-departure and he would give him the money. The courier had added that
-he considered it a "Russian trick" but that he was not to be disposed
-of so easily. Lipscher would be back in Vienna in four or five days,
-Holz added, and advised Beethoven to await his coming before writing
-to him. Schindler, a short time after, gives his views in a style
-characteristic of his attitude toward Beethoven during the period of
-Holz's factotumship: "The matter of the Prince Galitzin is getting
-critical and I wish you a happy outcome. If you had obeyed me he would
-have had only one quartet and with that _basta_. You never permitted
-yourself to be deceived by flattery as you have by this princely
-braggart." Again: "_Voila_, the letter to Count Lebzeltern (Russian
-Ambassador) and the banker Stieglitz. They can go to-day as it is great
-postday. What more is there to be considered? Wait, and wait--and no
-results. Breuning is agreed. If Prince Galitzin could act in such
-contradiction to his letters nothing good is to be expected of him."
-At a later date there came another letter from the courier. He had
-tried seven times to see the Prince, but all in vain. Later (it was now
-July) he had gone again; the Prince had been polite, but denied him
-admittance. Still later in the same month Karl tells his uncle that he
-wants to write to Stieglitz, the Prince's banker, upon whom Beethoven
-had been told to draw in case he needed money. Karl does not use
-general terms as to the sum involved, but specifically says "the 125
-ducats." On August 2 Beethoven wrote to Stieglitz and Co., from whom he
-received a letter dated August 13 saying that the Prince was absent,
-but his attention should be directed to the matter. Evidently the
-bankers kept their word, for on November 10-22, Prince Galitzin wrote
-to Beethoven saying that he had received the two Quartets but had been
-the victim of great losses and other misfortunes; he was now obliged to
-go to the wars in Persia, but before going would pay the "125 ducats"
-which he owed, thus admitting the debt in specific terms. On January
-10, 1827, Beethoven, already on his deathbed, dictated a letter of
-inquiry to Stieglitz and Co., and the bankers again answered promptly:
-they were still waiting for an answer from the Prince. Five days
-before his death Beethoven made his last appeal to Stieglitz and Co.,
-reviewing the recent correspondence and Galitzin's promise and asking
-the bankers, if the money had been received, to forward it to Arnstein
-and Eskeles, as he was greatly in need of it because of his protracted
-sickness. Beethoven dictated the letter, but signed it himself and
-endorsed the draft: "To Prince Galitzin, concerning 125 ducats, March
-21, 1827." He died on March 26.
-
-[Sidenote: DID GALITZIN PAY FOR THE QUARTETS?]
-
-Thus stands the record at the time of Beethoven's death. Prince
-Galitzin was back from the wars, but sent no money. On March 20, 1829,
-Hotschevar as guardian of Karl van Beethoven appealed to the Imperial
-Chancellary to ask the Embassy at St. Petersburg to collect the debt
-of 125 ducats from the Prince. Galitzin demanded an explanation, but
-after repeated requests from Karl agreed to pay 50 ducats in two
-installments of 20 and 30 ducats each. The sums were paid, the latter,
-as Karl's receipt shows, on November 9, 1832. Karl continued to make
-representations to the Prince touching a balance of 75 ducats still
-due and on June 2-14, 1835, Galitzin promised to pay the sum, not as
-a balance due on his business transactions with Beethoven, but as a
-memorial _pour honorer sa memoire, que m'est chere_. Even now the
-money was not paid, but after a controversy had broken out between
-Schindler and the Prince over the former's charge that Beethoven had
-never been paid for the Quartets, Galitzin sent the 75 ducats, and Karl
-complaisantly acquiesced in the Prince's request and signed a receipt
-for the money, not as in payment of the debt, but as a voluntary
-tribute to the dead composer.[149]
-
-[Sidenote: DEDICATION OF THE NINTH SYMPHONY]
-
-Schott was ready with the Ninth Symphony in July, 1826, but Beethoven
-asked him to delay the despatch of the printed score to the King of
-Prussia, to whom it was dedicated, until he had had an opportunity
-to send the monarch a manuscript copy, which, he said, would have no
-value after the publication. The reward which he was looking forward to
-in return was a decoration. The Conversation Books have considerable
-to say about the dedication, but if the London Philharmonic Society
-ever entered Beethoven's mind in connection with it, the record has
-been lost. He wanted an Order, and had he received one in time for
-the concert, its insignia would, in great likelihood, have graced his
-breast on that occasion. He had repeatedly expressed contempt for the
-outward signs of royal condescension, but the medal sent by the King
-of France had evidently caused a change of heart in this regard. He
-was eager to see a description and illustration of the medallion in
-the newspapers; and that he thought of hanging it about his neck,
-appears from a remark to him made by Karl before the concert, telling
-him that it was too heavy to wear and would pull down his collar.
-Visitors called to see it and he permitted his intimate friends to
-show it about, until Holz cautioned him to do so no more, as it was
-showing marks of damage from a fall. In one conversation, Johann
-suggests that the Symphony be dedicated to the Czar of Russia and from
-a remark in one of Prince Galitzin's letters telling him that, by a
-recent decree, all foreigners who wished to dedicate works of art to
-the Czar would have to obtain permission to do so from the Minister of
-Foreign Affairs, it would appear that Johann's suggestion, or approval,
-had also received his sanction. Ferdinand Ries was also a candidate
-for the distinction (Beethoven had promised him the dedication in a
-letter), his claim being put forward, without particular urgency, by
-Franz Christian Kirchhoffer, a bookkeeper with whom Beethoven was
-acquainted and through whom Ries carried on his correspondence with
-the composer. On April 8, 1824, Karl wrote in a Conversation Book:
-"As soon as the Symphony has been sent to England it must be copied
-again handsomely on vellum paper and sent with an inscription to the
-King of France." On the same day, apparently, Schindler asks: "Who has
-the preference in the matter of the dedication of the Symphony--Ries
-or the King of Prussia?--It ought to be offered as a proof of your
-gratitude, in these words.--There could be no better opportunity than
-just now for this purpose." It is obvious that Schindler favors the
-King of France, for a day or two later he writes: "Schwaebl sends his
-compliments and is highly delighted that you are pleased with the gift.
-As regards the you-know-what he wants you to write to the Duke de la
-Chartre [d'Achats] yourself, but for the present nothing about the
-dedication--leave the reference till later." The advice is repeated and
-the subject concluded with: "Good, then you will stick to France."
-
-These facts belong chronologically to the history of 1824, but they
-have been made pertinent by the discussion of the dedication and
-presentation of the Ninth Symphony to the King of Prussia, which took
-place in 1826. They are also valuable to correct a misapprehension
-which has prevailed ever since the publication of Hogarth's history
-of the London Philharmonic Society and was no doubt current before
-then. Hogarth says that the directors of the society resolved to offer
-Beethoven L50 for a manuscript symphony on November 10, 1822, and adds,
-"the money was immediately advanced." In a note to his translation of
-one of Beethoven's letters (Kalischer-Shedlock, Vol. II, p. 448) Mr.
-Shedlock calls attention to the fact that there is a document in the
-British Museum, acknowledging receipt of L50 for a symphony composed
-for the society, dated April 27, 1824. This document proves the date on
-which Beethoven received the remuneration for the Symphony to have been
-that indicated in the receipt beyond peradventure. On April 26 or 27
-Karl writes, in the Conversation Book from which we have been quoting:
-
-
- He [presumably Johann van Beethoven] is not at home at noon. He
- will himself come soon after 7. He says you owe him 500 florins
- which is squared by the payment for the Symphony. Moreover Ries
- begs you to dedicate the Symphony to him.--Shares--You must not
- refuse bluntly, but give him an evasive answer, until you have
- the shares. Is the Symphony ready to be taken away?--Then you can
- go out and the brother will come here. The Symphony must not be
- published for a year.[150] Did you dedicate the overture to him?
- You might dedicate it to him.
-
- _Johann_ (a short time afterward).--Kirchhoffer was here and said
- that ducats have depreciated in value and we ought to inform
- ourselves at once. He wants me to bring him the two documents and
- the Symphony, when he will at once hand over the two shares. I
- beg you therefore to sign this now so that I can be with him at
- 10 o'clock. I will bring the two shares at once.--The girl can
- carry the Symphony with me now.--As regards the dedication of the
- Symphony it was only a question put for Ries by Kirchhoffer and
- must in no case be. He would have liked to see Ries [get it?]
- because he is going to leave London soon.--I told him it could not
- well be in the case of this work, whereupon he said no more. In no
- event does he count on it longer.
-
-When finally, in 1826, Beethoven decided that the Symphony should be
-dedicated to the King of Prussia, he obtained permission of Prince
-Hatzfeld, the Prussian Ambassador, to do so. Dr. Spicker, the King's
-librarian, was in Vienna at the time and arrangements were made
-to transmit a copy of the score to Berlin through him. Holz had a
-talk with him and he advised him concerning the preparation of the
-presentation copy and also discussed the possibility of a decoration.
-Spicker told Holz to have Beethoven copy the title of the printed work
-on the title-page in his natural and habitual handwriting without any
-attempt at beautification. This would enhance the value of the score
-in the eyes of the King and he would put it in his private library. To
-get the order would be an easy matter, for the King was predisposed in
-Beethoven's favor. Spicker also visited Beethoven, being presented by
-Haslinger, but, unfortunately, the pages of the book which must have
-recorded the conversation have not been preserved; or, if preserved,
-not been made known. Beethoven wrote the title-page, the score was
-handsomely bound by Steiner and Co. and placed in the hands of Dr.
-Spicker with the following letter:
-
- Your Majesty:
-
- It is a piece of great good fortune in my life that Your Majesty
- has graciously allowed me to dedicate the present work to you.
-
- Your Majesty is not only the father of your subjects but also
- protector of the arts and sciences; how much more, therefore, must
- I rejoice in your gracious permission since I am also so fortunate
- as to count myself a citizen of Bonn and therefore one of your
- subjects.
-
- I beg of Your Majesty graciously to accept this work as a slight
- token of the high reverence which I give to all your virtues.
-
- Your Majesty's
- Most obedient servant
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: A ROYAL GIFT OF SMALL VALUE]
-
-The King's acknowledgment was as follows:
-
- In view of the recognized worth of your compositions it was very
- agreeable for me to receive the new work which you have sent me. I
- thank you for sending it and hand you the accompanying diamond ring
- as a token of my sincere appreciation.
-
- Berlin, November 25, 1826
- Friedrich Wilhelm.
-
- To the composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-Schindler says that when the case containing the King's gift was
-opened it was found to contain, not a diamond ring as the letter had
-described it, but one set with a stone of a "reddish" hue which the
-court jeweller to whom it was shown appraised at 300 florins, paper
-money. Beethoven was very indignant and was with difficulty dissuaded
-from sending it back to the Prussian Ambassador; eventually he sold
-it to the jeweler at the value which he had set upon it. Whether or
-not the ring was the one really sent from Berlin or one which had been
-substituted for it (as was suspected in some quarters), has never been
-determined.
-
-Despite the cordial relations between Beethoven and Haslinger, which
-endured to the end of the composer's life, there was continual friction
-between him and the Steiner firm, for which it would seem that Holz
-was at this time responsible in a considerable degree; and it may have
-been he who put the notion into Beethoven's head that it would be a
-stroke of business to buy back all of his manuscripts which Steiner had
-acquired but had not yet published. Dissatisfaction with the policy
-of publishers, however, was in Beethoven a confirmed mood; we have
-heard him rail against the men who wanted to withhold his works till
-he was dead, so as to profit from the public curiosity which would
-follow. Beethoven made the proposition in a jocular letter to Haslinger
-offering to pay the same "shameful" price for all his unpublished
-manuscripts which the firm had paid him. The transaction was not
-consummated; if it had been there can be no doubt but that it would
-have been highly advantageous to him, since both Schott and Artaria
-were now eager to have his works.
-
-[Sidenote: A DEFENSE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM"]
-
-Among Beethoven's intimate friends was Abbe Stadler, an old man and
-an old-fashioned musician, the horizon of whose aesthetic appreciation
-was marked by the death-date of his friend Mozart. Castelli says that
-he used to call Beethoven's music "pure nonsense"; certain it is that
-he used to leave the concert-room whenever a composition by Beethoven
-was to be played. Schuppanzigh offered as an excuse for him that he
-had a long way home, and it does not appear that Beethoven ever took
-umbrage at his conduct. Holz, telling Beethoven in February, 1825,
-that as usual he had left the room when an overture by Beethoven was
-about to be played, added: "He is too old. He always says when Mozart
-is reached, 'More I cannot understand.'" But once he staid and not
-only listened to a Beethoven piece but praised it. It was the Trio for
-Strings, Op. 9, which had been composed nearly a generation before!
-Holz becomes sarcastic: "One might say A. B. C. D. (_Abbe cedait_)."
-Stadler now had occasion to court Beethoven's favor, or at least to
-betray the fact that even if he could not appreciate his music he
-yet had had a vast respect for his genius and reputation. In 1825,
-Gottfried Weber had written an essay, which was published in the
-"Caecilia" journal, attacking the authenticity of Mozart's "Requiem."
-The article angered Beethoven, as is evidenced by his marginal glosses
-on the copy of the journal which he read, now in the possession of Dr.
-Prieger in Bonn. The glosses are two in number: "Oh, you arch ass!" and
-"Double ass!" Such a disposition of an attack on the artistic honor of
-his friend did not suffice Stadler. He published a defence of Mozart
-("_Vertheidigung der Echtheit des Mozartschen Requiems_") and sent a
-copy to Beethoven, who acknowledged it thus:
-
- On the 6th of Feby., 1826.
-
- Respected and venerable Sir:
-
- You have done a really good deed in securing justice for the
- _manes_ of Mozart by your truly exemplary and exhaustive essay,
- and lay and _profane_, all who are musical or can in anywise be
- accounted so must give you thanks.
-
- It requires either nothing or much for one like Herr W. to bring
- such a subject on the carpet.
-
- When it is also considered that to the best of my knowledge such
- an one has written a treatise on composition and yet tries to
- attribute such passages as
-
- [Illustration]
-
- to Mozart, and adds to it such passages as
-
- [Illustration: Agnus Dei peccata mundi]
-
- and
-
- [Illustration: qui tollis peccata qui tollis peccata]
-
- we are reminded by Herr W's amazing knowledge of harmony and melody
- of the old and dead Imperial Composers Sterkel, ...... (illegible),
- Kalkbrenner (the father), Andre (_nicht der gar Andere_) etc.
-
- _Requiescat in pace._--I thank you in especial, my honored friend,
- for the happiness which you have given me in sending me your essay.
- I have always counted myself among the greatest admirers of Mozart
- and will remain such till my last breath.
-
- Reverend Sir, _your blessing soon_.[151]
-
-The concluding supplication recalls an anecdote related by Castelli
-in his memoirs: Beethoven and Abbe Stadler once met at Steiner's.
-About to depart, Beethoven kneeled before the Abbe and said: "Reverend
-Sir, give me your blessing." Stadler, not at all embarrassed, made the
-sign of the cross over the kneeling man and, as if mumbling a prayer,
-said: "Hilft's nix, schadt's nix" ("If it does no good, 'twill do no
-harm"). Beethoven thereupon kissed his hand amid the laughter of the
-bystanders. Jahn heard the same story from Fischoff.[152]
-
-A remark in a Conversation Book of 1826 indicates that Stadler had
-urged Beethoven to write a mass. Holz says: "If Stadler tells you to
-write a mass it is certain that something will be done for it. He
-knows best of anybody which way the wind blows.--He has Dietrichstein
-and Eybler in his pocket.--You are well cared for if Stadler favors
-it." The conversations of Holz also provide a fleeting glimpse of
-Schubert in this year. Holz tells Beethoven that he had seen the young
-composer with either Artaria or Mosel (the allusion is vague) and that
-the two were reading a Handel score together. "He (Schubert) was very
-amiable and thanked me for the pleasure which Mylord's [Schuppanzigh's]
-Quartets gave him; he was always present.--He has a great gift for
-songs.--Do you know the 'Erlking'? He spoke very mystically, always."
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AND FRIEDRICH WIECK]
-
-Friedrich Wieck, father of Clara Schumann, spent three hours with
-Beethoven in May, having been presented by Andreas Stein, the
-pianoforte maker. He told about the visit long afterward in a letter
-to his second wife which was reprinted in the "Signale" No. 57, in
-December, 1873, from the "Dresdener Nachrichten." Beethoven gave his
-guest wine (to which Wieck was not accustomed), improvised for him
-over an hour and talked voluminously about
-
- musical conditions in Leipsic--Rochlitz--Schicht--Gewandhaus--his
- housekeeper--his many lodgings, none of which suited him--his
- promenades--Hietzing--Schoenbrunn--his brother--various stupid
- people in Vienna--aristocracy--democracy--revolution--Napoleon--
- Mara--Catalani--Malibran--Fodor--the excellent Italian singers
- Lablache, Donzelli, Rubini and others, the perfection of Italian
- opera (German opera could never be so perfect because of the
- language and because the Germans did not learn to sing as
- beautifully as the Italians)--my views on pianoforte playing--
- Archduke Rudolph--Fuchs in Vienna, at the time a famous musical
- personality--my improved method of pianoforte teaching, etc.
-
-Wieck says the meeting was in Hietzing, and that Beethoven played upon
-the pianoforte "presented to him by the city of London"--three obvious
-mistakes, since Beethoven was not in Hietzing in May, but in Vienna,
-and the Broadwood pianoforte, which was not presented to him by the
-city of London but by Thomas Broadwood, was in the hands of Graf for
-repairs in May.
-
-After Karl's attempt to end his ill-spent life, with its crushing
-effect upon the composer, the friends, Holz in particular, made many
-efforts to divert Beethoven's mind from his disappointment and grief.
-They accompanied him on brief excursions into the country which he
-loved so passionately and which had been closed to him, for the
-customary happy season, by his nephew's act. Again did his brother
-offer him a haven at Gneixendorf in August, only to receive the curt
-answer: "I will not come. Your brother??????!!!! Ludwig." His nephew
-was lying in the hospital. He could not leave him then nor did he go
-until it had become necessary to find an asylum for Karl as well as
-a resting-place for himself. His brother came to the city late in
-September; it was necessary that Karl should remain out of Vienna
-until he could join a regiment of soldiery, and so Beethoven accepted
-Johann's renewed invitation to make a sojourn at Gneixendorf. Meanwhile
-he was far from idle. He had begun a new quartet, in F major, and
-Schlesinger, _pere_, who had come from Berlin, negotiated with him
-for its publication. He had the new finale for the B-flat Quartet
-on his mind and, as will appear later, several other works occupied
-him. With Schlesinger he talked about the Complete Edition and some
-military marches which the King of Prussia was to pay for, as they were
-to be written for the Royal Band. The chief obstacle to Beethoven's
-acceptance of his brother's repeated invitations to visit him at
-Gneixendorf came from the presence there of the brother's wife. Her
-scandalous conduct had begotten an intense hatred in Beethoven's mind.
-Urged on by his brother, Johann had once planned to put her away, but
-there was an obstacle in the shape of a marriage contract, which gave
-her half of his property, and though she was willing to surrender
-the contract at one time, she was not content to be turned out upon
-the world with neither character nor means of subsistence. Besides,
-Johann was loath to take the drastic methods which alone were open to
-him. He was inclined, much to the indignation of his brother, to be
-complaisant; he needed a housekeeper and for that she would serve.
-"I go my way and let her go hers," he said, and he told his brother
-when trying to persuade him to spend his summers, perhaps eventually
-all his time, at Gneixendorf, that he need pay no heed whatever to
-his sister-in-law. Much of the ill-feeling was due to the fact that
-Beethoven wanted to insure his brother's fortune for Karl. The nephew
-did eventually become his sole heir and inherited 42,000 florins from
-him.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN AT GNEIXENDORF]
-
-On September 28, Beethoven and his nephew left Vienna for Gneixendorf,
-intending to stay a week. A night was passed at a village _en route_,
-and Johann's estate was reached in the afternoon of the next day--the
-29th--but not too late for the composer to walk through the fields
-with his brother to take a look at the property. The next day the
-walk was extended to the vineyards on the hill in the forenoon and
-to Imbach in the afternoon. There Karl pointed out to his uncle some
-historical monuments: "This is the cloister where Margarethe, Ottocar's
-wife, died; the scene occurs in Grillparzer's piece." Thus, with other
-excursions the next day, life at Gneixendorf began. [153] Gneixendorf
-is a little village on a high plateau of the Danube Valley about an
-hour's walk from Krems. It is a mean hamlet, with only one street and
-that narrow, rough and dirty. The houses are low huts. Wasserhof,
-as the place is now called, the Beethoven estate, lies opposite the
-village and is reached by a wagon road which runs a large part of the
-way along the edge of a ravine, which torrents have cut out of the
-clayey soil. The plateau is almost treeless but covered with fields
-and vines. In Beethoven's time there were two houses on the estate,
-both large and handsome, each with its garden and surrounding wall. The
-houses were separated from each other by a road. A generation after
-Beethoven had been a visitor there the gardens were found neglected
-and the trees which surrounded the house, a two-storey structure
-strongly built of stone with a covering of mortar, shut out a view of
-the surrounding country.[154] Beethoven's rooms were on the east side,
-and unless the trees interfered the composer had a magnificent view of
-the Danubian valley stretching to the distant Styrian mountains. Johann
-van Beethoven's possessions compassed nearly 400 acres, most of which
-he leased to tenants. A lover of hills and forests like Beethoven must
-have found Wasserhof dreary and monotonous in the extreme, yet the
-distant view of the Danube seems to have compensated him in a measure,
-for it reminded him of the Rhine.
-
-Gerhard von Breuning gives a distressful account of Beethoven's
-reception and treatment at Gneixendorf. It is, indeed, too distressful
-to be implicitly accepted as true, nor are all his accusations against
-Johann borne out by the evidence of the Conversation Books and
-other indubitable facts. If the account in Breuning's book "Aus dem
-Schwarzspanierhause" were literally true, we should have to picture to
-ourselves Beethoven, arrived at his brother's place, being assigned
-rooms which were unfit for occupation in the cold, wet November weather
-which ensued, denied facilities for proper heating, having fire-wood
-stingily doled out to him, compelled to eat miserable food and forced
-to be content with too little even of that, and three days after his
-arrival informed that he would be expected to pay for his board and
-lodging. One would think while reading the account that Johann van
-Beethoven, who had been offering hospitalities to his brother for
-years, had done so only to make money out of him and had at last
-succeeded in his design by taking advantage of the overwhelming
-sorrow which had come upon him.[155] Beethoven is said to have made
-complaints in the nature of von Breuning's accusations in a letter
-written from Gneixendorf to Stephan von Breuning, and also to have
-given expression to his feelings at being obliged to submit to the
-repulsive companionship of his brother's wife and step-daughter. The
-letter is lost and was not printed by Breuning's son in proof of the
-charges; but if it had been it would not be conclusive in the minds
-of dispassionate judges. Against it there would lie the evidences of
-the brother's numerous acts of helpfulness, the many instances of
-Beethoven's unreasonable suspicion and unjust judgment and, above
-all, the testimony of the Conversation Books. As to the matter of an
-insufficient supply of fire-wood, there is a remark of Karl's, made
-after a return to Vienna is already in contemplation: "As regards
-expenses, wood is so cheap that it is inconceivable that your brother
-should be at any considerable cost, for you can heat a long time with
-a cord and he is already overpaid." Long before when Johann had been
-trying in vain to induce him to come to Gneixendorf for the summer he
-rebukes him for his unwillingness to accept his hospitality gratis.
-Once during the sojourn he says explicitly: "You do not need money
-here"; and at another time: "If you want to live with us you can have
-everything for 40 florins Convention money a month, which makes only
-500 florins for a whole year," and again: "You will need only half of
-your pension" and "I will charge nothing for the first fortnight; I
-would do more if I were not so hard-pressed with taxes." Beethoven had
-planned at the outset to stay only a week, just long enough for the
-scar on Karl's head to disappear sufficiently to make him presentable
-to his commanding officer. Instead, the visit lasted two months and
-Johann was short of money. He had still two payments to make on the
-purchase-money for the estate, and collections were not good.
-
-Beethoven was sick when he went to Gneixendorf. He had not recovered
-from his illness of the early months of the year when Karl attempted to
-kill himself, and this was not calculated to improve the physical or
-mental condition of so nervous and irritable a being as he. On October
-7, eight days after his arrival in Gneixendorf, he wrote a letter from
-a sickbed and Breuning, to whom it was sent, who knew his physical
-condition well, remarked that he was in danger of becoming seriously
-ill, possibly dropsical. Nothing was more natural than that his letters
-should be full of complaints, some of which might well be measurably
-founded on fact without convicting his brother of inhumanity. He had
-never been a comfortable or considerate guest or tenant at the best,
-and his adaptability to circumstances was certainly not promoted by
-the repugnance which he felt towards his sister-in-law and his want of
-honest affection for his brother.
-
-[Sidenote: ANECDOTES OF A RURAL SOJOURN]
-
-Concerning his life in Gneixendorf, a number of interesting details
-were told in an article entitled "Beethoven in Gneixendorf," published
-in the "Deutsche Musikzeitung" in 1862,[156] some of which are worth
-reciting again. One day Johann went to Langenfeld and Beethoven and
-other people from Gneixendorf went with him. The purpose was to visit a
-surgeon named Karrer, a friend of the brother. The surgeon was absent
-on a sick-call, but his wife, flattered by a visit from the landowner,
-entertained him lavishly. Noticing a man who held himself aloof from
-the company, sitting silently on the bench behind the stove, and
-taking him for one of her guest's servants, she filled a little jug
-with native wine and handed it to him with the remark: "He shall also
-have a drink." When the surgeon returned home late at night and heard
-an account of the incident he exclaimed: "My dear wife, what have you
-done? The greatest composer of the century was in our house to-day and
-you treated him with such disrespect!"
-
-Johann had occasion to visit the syndic Sterz in Langenlois on a
-matter of business. Beethoven accompanied him. The conference lasted a
-considerable time, during all of which Beethoven stood motionless at
-the door of the official's office. At the leavetaking Sterz bowed often
-and low to the stranger, and after he was gone asked his clerk, named
-Fux, an enthusiastic lover of music, especially of Beethoven's; "Who do
-you think the man was who stood by the door?" Fux replied: "Considering
-that you, Mr. Syndic, treated him with such politeness, his may be
-an exceptional case; otherwise I should take him for an imbecile
-(_Trottel_)." The consternation of the clerk may be imagined when told
-the name of the man whom he had taken for an idiot.
-
-Johann's wife had assigned Michael Krenn, son of one of her husband's
-vinedressers, to look after Beethoven's wants. At first the cook had to
-make up Beethoven's bed. One day, while the woman was thus occupied,
-Beethoven sat at a table gesticulating with his hands, beating time
-with his feet, muttering and singing. The woman burst into a laugh,
-which Beethoven observed. He drove her out of the room instanter.
-Krenn tried to follow her, but Beethoven drew him back, gave him three
-20-kreutzer pieces, told him not to be afraid, and said that hereafter
-he should make the bed and clean the floor every day. Krenn said that
-he was told to come to the room early, but generally had to knock a
-long time before Beethoven opened the door. It was Beethoven's custom
-to get up at half-past 5 o'clock, seat himself at a table and write
-while he beat time with hands and feet and sang. This frequently
-stirred Krenn's risibles, and when he could no longer restrain his
-laughter he used to leave the room. Gradually he grew accustomed to
-it. The family breakfast was eaten at half-past 7 o'clock, after which
-Beethoven hurried out into the open air, rambled across the fields
-shouting and waving his arms, sometimes walking very rapidly, sometimes
-very slowly and stopping at times to write in a sort of pocketbook.
-This book he once lost and said: "Michael, run about and hunt my
-writings; I must have them again at any cost." Michael luckily found
-them. At half-past 12 Beethoven would come home for dinner, after which
-he went to his room until about 3 o'clock; then he roamed over the
-fields until shortly before sunset, after which he never went out of
-doors. Supper was at half-past 7, and after eating he went to his room,
-wrote till 10 o'clock and then went to bed. Occasionally Beethoven
-played the pianoforte, which did not stand in his room but in the
-salon. Nobody was permitted to enter his rooms except Michael, who had
-to put them in order while Beethoven was out walking. In doing so he
-several times found money on the floor, and when he carried it to its
-owner, Beethoven made him show him where he had picked it up and then
-gave it to him. This happened three or four times, after which no more
-money was found. In the evening Michael had to sit with Beethoven and
-write down answers to questions which he asked. Generally Beethoven
-wanted to know what had been said about him at dinner and supper.
-
-One day the wife of the landowner sent Michael to Stein with 5 florins
-to buy wine and a fish; but Michael was careless and lost the money.
-He came back to Gneixendorf in consternation. As soon as Madame van
-Beethoven saw him she asked for the fish, and when he told her of the
-loss she discharged him from her service. When Beethoven came into
-dinner he asked at once for his servant and the lady told him what had
-happened. Beethoven grew fearfully excited, gave her 5 florins, and
-angrily demanded that Michael be called back at once. After that he
-never went to table any more but had his dinner and supper brought to
-his rooms, where Michael had to prepare breakfast for him. Even before
-this occurrence Beethoven scarcely ever spoke to his sister-in-law
-and seldom to his brother. Beethoven wanted to take Michael with him
-to Vienna, but when a cook came to call for the composer the plan was
-abandoned.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN SCARES A YOKE OF OXEN]
-
-Two old peasants told the owner of Wasserhof in 1862 stories which
-confirm Krenn's account of Beethoven's unusual behavior in the fields.
-Because of his unaccountable actions they at first took him for a
-madman and kept out of his way. When they had become accustomed to his
-singularities and learned that he was a brother of the landlord they
-used to greet him politely; but he, always lost in thought, seldom if
-ever returned their greetings. One of these peasants, a young man at
-the time, had an adventure with Beethoven of a most comical nature. He
-was driving a pair of young oxen, scarcely broken to the yoke, from the
-tile-kiln toward the manor-house when he met Beethoven shouting and
-waving his arms about in wild gesticulations. The peasant called to
-him: _A bissel stada!_ ("A little quieter") but he paid no attention
-to the request. The oxen took fright, ran down a steep hill and the
-peasant had great difficulty in bringing them to a stand, turning them
-and getting them back on the road. Again Beethoven came towards them,
-still shouting and gesticulating. The yokel called to him a second
-time, but in vain; and now the oxen rushed towards the house, where
-they were stopped by one of the men employed there. When the driver
-came up and asked who the fool was who had scared his oxen the man told
-him it was the proprietor's brother. "A pretty brother, that he is!"
-was the answering comment.
-
-On October 7 Beethoven answered the letter which he had received many
-months before from Wegeler. He wrote a long letter in the cordial and
-intimate tone which is to be found only in the correspondence with
-persons to whom he was bound by ties of affectionate friendship, but
-made no reference to Karl. On the subject of his paternity he wrote:
-
- You write that I am written down somewhere as a natural son of the
- deceased king of Prussia; this was mentioned to me long ago. I have
- made it a principle never to write anything about myself nor to
- reply to anything written about me. For this reason I gladly leave
- it to you to make known to the world the honesty of my parents, and
- my mother in particular.
-
-He tells with pride of the gift from the King of France, of other
-distinctions which he had received, and of King Frederick William's
-desire to have the autograph of his new Symphony for the Royal Library,
-and adds: "Something has been said to me in this connection about the
-order of the Red Eagle, second class.[157] What the outcome will be I
-do not know; I have never sought for such marks of honor, but at my
-present age they would not be unwelcome, for several reasons."
-
-On October 13 he wrote a merry letter to Haslinger, whom he addresses
-in music as "First of all Tobiasses," asking him to deliver a quartet
-(the one in F major published as Op. 135) to Schlesinger's agent and
-collect and forward the money, of which he stands in need. On the same
-day he wrote to Schott and Sons enclosing the metronome marks for the
-Ninth Symphony which the Conversation Book shows had been dictated to
-Karl before the departure from Vienna. That he was not as grievously
-disappointed by his surroundings at Gneixendorf as might have been
-expected is evidenced by the remark: "The scenes among which I am
-sojourning remind me somewhat of the Rhine country which I so greatly
-long to see again, having left them in my youth."
-
-[Sidenote: WORKS WRITTEN AT GNEIXENDORF]
-
-The Quartet in F was completed at Gneixendorf. Beethoven sent it to
-Schlesinger's agent on October 30, and had probably put the finishing
-touches on it about the time when he wrote to Haslinger about its
-delivery a fortnight before. Schlesinger had agreed to pay 80 ducats
-for it. It had been in hand four months at least, for in July he told
-Holz that he intended to write another quartet and when Holz asked, "In
-what key?" and was told, he remarked, "But that will be the third in
-F. There is none in D minor. It is singular that there is none among
-Haydn's in A minor." If there were positive evidence in the "Muss es
-sein?" incident, a still earlier date would have to be set for its
-origin, but here we are left to conjecture. There was considerable
-merry-making over the Dembscher joke, and it is at least probable that
-the first sketches for the Quartet and the Canon were written about the
-same time. The point which cannot be definitely determined is whether
-or not the motif of the Canon was destined from the first for the
-finale of the Quartet. It may have been in Beethoven's mind for that
-purpose and the sudden inspiration on hearing the story of Dembscher's
-query "Muss es sein?" may have gone only to the words and the use of
-them with the music for the Canon. That the Quartet was to be shorter
-than the others was known before Beethoven left Vienna. Holz once says
-to Beethoven before the departure that Schlesinger had asked about it
-and that he had replied that Beethoven was at work upon it, and added:
-"You will not publish it if it is short. Even if it should have only
-three movements it would still be a quartet by Beethoven, and it would
-not cost so much to print it."[158]
-
-The new finale for the Quartet in B-flat was also completed in
-Gneixendorf, though it, too, had been worked out almost to a conclusion
-in Vienna. It was delivered on November 25 to Artaria, who gave him 15
-ducats for it. Schuppanzigh gave it a private performance in December
-and told Beethoven that the company thought it _koestlich_ and that
-Artaria was overjoyed when he heard it. There were other compositions
-on which Beethoven worked in Gneixendorf when he compelled laughter
-from the cook and frightened the peasant's oxen. At Diabelli's request
-he had said that he would write a quintet with flute. Sketches for a
-quintet have been found, showing that the work was in a considerable
-state of forwardness, but in them there are no signs of a flute. Holz
-told Jahn that the first movement of a quintet in C for strings which
-Diabelli had bought for 100 ducats was finished in the composer's
-head and the first page written out. In the catalogue of Beethoven's
-posthumous effects No. 173 was "Fragment of a new Violin Quintet,
-of November, 1826, last work of the composer," which was officially
-valued at 10 florins. It was bought by Diabelli at the auction sale
-and published in pianoforte arrangements, two and four hands, with the
-title: "Ludwig van Beethoven's last Musical Thought, after the original
-manuscript of November, 1826," and the remark: "Sketch of the Quintet
-which the publishers, A. Diabelli and Co., commissioned Beethoven to
-write and purchased from his relics with proprietary rights." The
-published work is a short movement in C in two divisions, having a
-broad theme of a festal character, _Andante maestoso_ and Polonaise
-rhythm. The autograph having disappeared it can not now be said how
-much of the piece was actually written out by Beethoven. Nottebohm
-shows ("Zweit. Beeth.," p. 79 _et seq._) that the sketches for the
-quintet were written after Beethoven had begun to make a fair copy of
-the last movement of the B-flat Quartet. Lenz, in volume V of his work
-on Beethoven (p. 219), tells a story derived from Holz to the effect
-that when Beethoven sent him the last movement of the B-flat Quartet
-with injunctions to collect 12 ducats from Artaria, he accompanied
-it with a Canon on the words "Here is the work; get me the money"
-(_Hier ist das Werk, schafft mir das Geld_). According to a report
-circulated in Vienna in 1889, a copy of this Canon was purchased from
-Holz's son for the Beethoven Collection in Heiligenstadt. The lines and
-notes were described as having been written by Beethoven, the words:
-_Hier ist das Werk, sorgt fuer das Geld--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
-10, 11, 12 Dukaten_, by Holz to Beethoven's dictation. The story is
-not altogether convincing. The movement was completed in Gneixendorf
-and Artaria received and paid for it in November. He paid 15, not 12,
-ducats; and it is not patent how Beethoven in Gneixendorf could dictate
-to Holz in Vienna. He did not return to Vienna till December 2. There
-are references to other works in the Conversation Books which are not
-clear. In January Mathias Artaria writes: "I hear of six fugues.--We
-will empty a bottle of champagne in their honor." Holz asks: "Is it
-true that you sold a rondo to Dominik Artaria which he has not yet
-received? It is said that you took it back and have not returned
-it."--It is possible that the Rondo Caprice which was published by
-Diabelli as Op. 129, the history of which is a blank, is the work
-alluded to; but there is no evidence on the subject.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[147] Halm's personal explanation to Mr. Thayer.
-
-[148] The Editor has taken the liberty of transferring the music to
-the treble clef and to interpret the notes which are indistinct in the
-autograph in accordance with Dr. Deiters's transcript.
-
-[149] It would scarcely be worth while to review the acrimonious
-controversy on this subject. There were errors and misunderstandings
-growing out of faulty memories and imperfect records. Mr. Thayer made
-a painstaking study of the subject and secured all the available
-correspondence from Prince George Galitzin and from other sources
-in 1861. His resume as given in Grove's "Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians" (Art. "Galitzin") doubtless sets forth the fact of
-indebtedness and payment correctly. He says: "These (the last two
-Quartets) were received by the Prince together and were acknowledged
-by him Nov. 22, 1826. He also received a MS. copy of the Mass in D and
-printed copies of the Ninth Symphony and of the two overtures in C, the
-one (Op. 124) dedicated to him, the other (Op. 115) dedicated to Count
-Radzivill. Thus the whole claim against him was--Quartets 150 ducats;
-Overture (Op. 115), 25 ducats; Mass, 50 ducats; loss on exchange, 4
-ducats; total 229 ducats, not including various other pieces of music
-sent. On the other hand he appears, notwithstanding all his promises,
-to have paid, up to the time of Beethoven's death, only 104 ducats.
-It should be said that in 1826, war and insurrection had broken out
-in Russia, which occupied the Prince and obliged him to live away
-from Petersburg, and also put him to embarrassing expenses. After the
-peace of Adrianople, (Sept. 14, 1829) when Beethoven had been dead
-some years a correspondence was opened with him by Hotschevar, Karl
-van Beethoven's guardian, which resulted in 1832 in a further payment
-of 50 ducats, making a total of 154. Karl still urges his claim for
-75 more to make up the 150 ducats for the Quartets, which Galitzin in
-1835 promises to pay but never does. In 1852, roused by Schindler's
-statement of the affair (ed. I. pp. 162, 163), he writes to the
-_Gazette musicale_ of July 21, 1852, a letter stating correctly the
-sum paid but incorrectly laying it all to the account of the Quartets.
-Other letters passed between him and Karl Beethoven, but they are not
-essential to the elucidation of the transaction."
-
-To this the present editor adds a bit of history derived chiefly from
-Mr. Thayer's papers. In the course of time Schindler's partly erroneous
-statement that the debt which Galitzin owed Beethoven at the time
-of his death was all on account of the quartets was magnified into
-the statement made by Heinrich Doering and Brendel that the Prince
-had "cheated" the composer out of the fee for the Quartets. Prince
-Nicolas Galitzin had withdrawn to his distant estates in Russia, but
-at his instigation the cudgels were taken up in his behalf by his son
-Prince George, who, stirred into indignation by Doering's biography
-in particular, sent that writer the following letter: "I can not and
-do not want to know anything of the past, all the less since it will
-certainly not be expected of me to contradict the proofs produced by
-him (his father). But as by the publication of your article you have
-made the question for me one of the day, I, as a man of honor must do
-my duty to put an end to these misunderstandings. I have deposited
-the sum of 125 ducats which you bring in question with Mr. Kaskel,
-banker in Dresden, for the heirs of Beethoven, and from you, my dear
-Sir, I expect the necessary information in this matter, since you must
-have acquainted yourself with the necessary facts while writing your
-notice. You must admit that hereafter I reserve the right to treat
-this question as a personal one! In case the family of Beethoven has
-died out there will be no other disposition of the money deposited
-with Banker Kaskel than to pay it over to a charity or some other
-cause which may be directly associated with the name and works of the
-famous artist. Dresden, July 15-3, 1858." Karl van Beethoven, sole
-heir of the composer, had died three months previously, leaving a
-widow and children, who were his heirs. Prince George's money seemed
-like a gift of Providence to the widow, who hastened, as soon as she
-read the letter in a musical journal, to write to Holz as the friend
-of the dead composer to collect the money for her and express her
-gratitude to Prince George. Holz complied with part of her request
-in a letter full of obsequiousness in which he accused Schindler of
-scandalmongering and offered to provide the Prince with evidence of
-that gentleman's rascality. But he did not collect the money, which
-lay still untouched in the vaults of Kaskel in 1861, when Madame van
-Beethoven, having made a vain application to Prince George, addressed
-a letter to Kaskel asking whether the money was still deposited with
-him or had been withdrawn by Prince George. In the latter event she
-stated that she wanted to contradict a statement circulating by the
-public press that the heirs of Beethoven had received the gift. Kaskel
-referred her to Ad. Reichel, a musical director in Dresden and a friend
-of the Prince, through whom, indeed, the deposit had been made. On
-April 28, 1861, she wrote to Reichel, reviewing the facts in the case
-and stating her desire to apply the money, in case it was given to
-her, to the musical education of her youngest daughter, Hermine van
-Beethoven, then 8 years of age. Kaskel also wrote to Reichel, sending
-him Madame van Beethoven's letter and saying that as he had not heard
-anything from Prince Galitzin for several years he intended to turn the
-money over to the Municipal Court of Dresden in order to spare himself
-all further correspondence in the matter. Kaskel wrote to the Prince on
-May 7, 1861, asking him to prescribe a disposition of the money, for,
-if Kaskel carried out his determination to send it to the court, it
-would be frittered away. He urged that the money be given to Madame van
-Beethoven. This revival of interest in the subject was evidently due
-to Mr. Thayer's activity in behalf of the widow and her daughter. Mr.
-Thayer was in London in 1860 and evidently took up the matter with the
-Prince. He makes no mention of the subject in his notice written for
-Grove's "Dictionary"; but among his letters the present writer found
-the following letter, evidently written on the eve of his departure
-from England in February, 1861:
-
-"Dear Mr. Thayer. Prince Galitzin has asked me to remit to you the
-enclosed letters, praying you kindly to act for him in the affair, as
-you will soon be on the spot. He begs you, however, to bear in mind the
-necessity off proving that the money for these Quartets has not been
-paid (I fear an impossibility!); but however vexatious this may be to
-poor Mad. v. B. everyone must defer to the obstacle to her having the
-money: in the awkward light in which it places the Prince's father.
-From what I can gather from his conversation he will be most satisfied
-to have the money appropriated for the purpose you suggested: the M. S.
-S. At all events Prince G. is quite content to leave the matter in your
-hands. Wishing you a pleasant journey and speedy return, believe me,
-dear Mr. Thayer, Yours sincerly Natalia Macfarren."
-
-The editor's efforts to learn the ultimate disposition of the money
-deposited with Kaskel have been in vain. Mr. Thayer's papers contain
-no hint of the steps which may have been taken after Mrs. Macfarren's
-appeal to Prince George; the banking house of Kaskel is gone out
-of existence; Nephew Karl's daughter, Hermine, is dead. For three
-years, from 1866 to 1869, she was a student in the pianoforte and
-harmonium classes of the Conservatory at Vienna, and it seems likely
-that Mr. Thayer succeeded in having the Dresden deposit applied to her
-education; but if so he left no memorandum of that fact amongst the
-papers which have come under the editor's eyes.
-
-[150] Under the agreement it was to be the exclusive property of the
-Philharmonic Society for a year and a half.
-
-[151] This interesting letter is now owned by Dwight Newman of Chicago.
-
-[152] Though there is no authority for doing so it seems impossible not
-to associate the following three-part canon, which may be found in the
-B. and H. Complete Edition, with this amusing anecdote:
-
-[Illustration:
-
- Signor Abbate! io sono, io sono, io sono ammalato!
- (Signor Abbate! I'm ailing, I'm ailing, I'm ailing, I am ailing!
-
- Santo Padre vieni e datemi la benedizione, la benedizione.
- Holy Father! hasten, hasten to me, hasten to me, hasten, and give
- me thy blessing!
-
- Hol' Sie der Teufel, wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol' Sie der Teufel,
- wenn Sie nicht kommen, hol' Sie der Teufel!
- Go to the devil, unless you hasten, go to the devil, unless you
- hasten, go to the devil!)
-]
-
-
-[153] "The name is something like the breaking of an axletree," wrote
-Beethoven to Haslinger in October.
-
-[154] The description is based on that made by Thayer when he visited
-Gneixendorf in 1860.
-
-[155] The romancing biographers who copy Schindler and Gerhard von
-Breuning in their accusations that Johann van Beethoven was prompted
-only by the meanest motives of self-interest in all his dealings
-with his great brother will have a difficult task to explain away
-the evidence to the contrary afforded by the Conversation Books. The
-proposition that the two make a common home in Vienna had come from
-Ludwig and been urged by him. After Johann had acquired the estate
-at Gneixendorf he made repeated efforts to persuade his brother to
-spend his summer vacation there. In 1823 Beethoven wrote: "He always
-wants me to come to his people--_non possibile per me_." The obstacle
-was Johann's wife, who had become one of "his people" because of the
-composer's interference with Johann's private affairs at Linz. Urged on
-by Ludwig, Johann had taken action against the woman and made himself
-master of his household. In a Conversation Book of 1824 may be read
-in Johann's hand: "My wife has surrendered her marriage contract and
-entered into an obligation permitting me to drive her away without
-notice at the first new acquaintance which she makes." Beethoven seems
-to have asked, "Why do you not do it!" for Johann continues: "I cannot
-do that. I cannot know but that some misfortune might befall me." Then
-Karl takes the pencil: "Your brother proposes that you spend the four
-months at his place. You would have 4 or 5 rooms, very beautiful,
-high and large. Everything is well arranged; you will find fowls,
-oxen, cows, hares, etc. Moreover, as regards the wife, she is looked
-upon as a housekeeper only and will not disturb you. The scenery is
-glorious and it will not cost you a penny. There is a housekeeper;
-water containing iron, an individual bathroom, etc. If you do not take
-it he will give up five rooms and announce the fact in the newspapers."
-Beethoven, obviously, brings forward his objection to Johann's wife,
-for Karl writes: "That matter has come to an end. You will scarcely see
-the woman. She looks after the housekeeping and works. All the more
-since she is completely tamed. Besides, she has promised to conduct
-herself properly." Other matters are discussed and then Johann writes:
-"It looks to me as if you did not want to come because it will not
-cost you anything. Who will look after our household affairs? Who will
-endure our humors?" In another book Karl writes that Johann had often
-said that his brother could have everything for nothing at Gneixendorf.
-
-[156] Page 77 _et seq._ The article was based largely on information
-gathered by Mr. Thayer at Gneixendorf in 1860 and had been submitted to
-him for revision.
-
-[157] Third class is what is talked about in the Conversation Books.
-
-[158] Holz told Jahn that Schlesinger had bought it for 80 ducats and
-sent 360 florins in payment; whereupon Beethoven had said "If a Jew
-sends circumcised ducats he shall have a circumcised Quartet. That's
-the reason it is so short."
-
-
-
-
-Chapter IX
-
- Karl van Beethoven--A Wayward Ward and an Unwise
- Guardian--Beethoven and His Nephew--An Ill-advised Foster-father
- and a Graceless, Profligate Nephew--Effect on Beethoven's
- Character of the Guardianship--An Unsuccessful Attempt at
- Self-destruction--Karl is Made a Soldier.
-
-
-We are now to learn of the calamitous consequences of Beethoven's
-effort to be a foster-father to the son of his dead brother Kaspar. The
-tale is one that has been fruitful of fiction in most of the writings
-which have dealt with the life-history of the great composer; nor is
-the circumstance to be wondered at. There is still some obscurity
-in the story, and if there is anything in the melancholy lot of the
-great man, next to his supreme affliction, calculated to challenge
-the pity of the world, it is the manner in which his efforts to
-attach to himself the one human being for whom he felt affection were
-requited. There is no more pitiful picture in the history of great men
-than that presented by his devotion to the lad in whom, for a reason
-which must have seemed to him more inscrutable than his own physical
-calamity, he could not inspire a spark of love or a scintilla of
-gratitude. It was an unwise devotion and an ill-directed effort, but
-that does not alter the case. From the beginning, all of his friends
-recognized Beethoven's unfitness for the office of guardian of his
-nephew. He was incapacitated for it by his occupation, his irregular
-mode of life, his lack of understanding of a child's nature, his
-irresolute mind, his infirmities of temper, and the wretchedness of
-his domestic surroundings due to his ignorance of and indifference to
-the things essential to the amenities and comforts of social life.
-He did not assume the guardianship in a spirit of gentle obedience
-to a dying brother's request; he violently wrested it unto himself
-alone in defiance of that brother's last entreaties. There can be no
-doubt but that he believed that in doing so he was performing a pious
-duty toward his own flesh and blood and acting for the good of the
-child and the welfare of the community. He was proud of the boy's
-intellectual gifts, which were out of the ordinary; he dreamed of
-seeing him great and respected in the eyes of the world; he wanted
-loving companionship now, and in his old age; he hungered for sympathy
-and for help which would not keep him in bonds of obligation to
-men whose disinterestedness he could not understand because of his
-suspicious disposition; he desired to see by his side and in his kin
-an incarnation of that polite learning and that practical knowledge
-of worldly affairs which had been denied to him. All his aims were
-laudable, all his desires natural and praiseworthy; but he was the last
-man in the world to know how to attain them. There can be no doubt
-that his stubborn insistence upon making himself the sole director
-of the welfare of his ward cost him the sympathy, perhaps also the
-respect and regard, of many of those whose counsel he was perforce
-compelled to seek. For a long time until the final and woeful trial
-came it separated him from the oldest and truest friend that he had
-in Vienna--Stephan von Breuning. It tested the patience and tried the
-forbearance of those who helped him in his mistaken zeal.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S MORAL NATURE MARRED]
-
-Moreover, it may be said without harshness or injustice to his memory
-that its consequences to his own moral nature were most deplorable. In
-a mind and heart prone to equity and tenderness it developed a strange
-capacity for cruel injustice. Aided by his native irresolution it
-twisted his judgment and turned his conduct into paradox. To satisfy
-his own love for the boy he strove fiercely to stifle a child's natural
-affection for its mother. He thought that love for himself would grow
-out of hatred of the woman, though the passion which he tried to
-evoke was abhorrent to every instinct of nature. It matters not that
-the mother of Karl was profligate and lewd. Once a glimmer of that
-fact dawned upon him. It was while he was struggling to prevent all
-intercourse between the widow and her child in the early years that
-he was compelled to admit that to a child under all circumstances a
-mother is a mother still; but he made the confession to extenuate the
-conduct of the boy, not to justify the solicitude of the woman. His
-memory of his own mother, the sweet, patient sufferer of Bonn, was
-to him like a benison his whole life long. "Who was happier than I
-when I could still speak the sweet word 'mother' and have it heard,"
-he wrote to Dr. Schade, who had helped him on his sorrowful journey
-from Vienna to Bonn in 1787. But from the time that his brother Kaspar
-died until he himself gave up the ghost he was unswervingly occupied
-in preventing communication between Kaspar's widow and her son. After
-more than twelve years he found that what he had tried to eradicate
-in the child, still lived in the youth. He had fought against nature
-and failed; and the failure filled him with bitterness, added to his
-hatred of the woman and his disappointment with the son. Such intensity
-of malevolence, though it may have had its origin in the profoundest
-conviction of virtuous purpose, could not fail to be prejudicial to
-his own moral character. So, also, his solicitude for his ward's
-material welfare, which extended to a time when he should no longer
-be able to make provision for him, seems to have warped his nature.
-It weakened his pride; distorted his moral view; subjected him, not
-always unjustly, to accusation of dishonesty in his dealings with his
-patrons and publishers; made him parsimonious, and at the last brought
-upon him the reproach of having begged alms of his English friends,
-though possessed of property which might easily and quickly have been
-converted into money to supply his last needs more than generously.
-
-To protect him against indictment for these moral flaws, many of
-Beethoven's biographers thought, and still think, it necessary or
-justifiable to veil the truth and magnify the transgressions of his
-kindred and friends. His earliest apologists may have had other
-reasons besides these for so doing; his present biographers have
-none. By his own decree the world is entitled to know the truth.
-Schindler was embittered against Holz; Holz against Schindler; both
-against Johann van Beethoven, the brother; Beethoven himself taught
-his nephew to despise his uncle Johann as well as Schindler; and all
-three--Schindler, Holz and Johann--commissioned to that end, reported
-their observations of the lad's shortcomings to his guardian. He
-accepted everything they said against the boy as he did everything
-they said against each other; indeed, his suspicious nature made him
-prone to believe evil of everyone near to him; and we do not know of a
-certainty that their reports were always within the bounds of strict
-veracity. After the tragedy they were unanimous in condemnation of
-the misguided, wayward, wicked youth and in praise of Beethoven's
-magnanimity and self-sacrifice; but the evidence of helpful advice,
-warning and admonition to the mariner who was sailing a craft on a sea
-full of dangers to which nature had made him blind is not plentiful.
-Holz was young. He had scarcely finished sowing his own wild oats, and
-he seems to have been more lenient in his judgment than his elders,
-though just as convinced of the dangers into which the young man was
-running during the fateful last two years; but the few practical
-suggestions which we find him making do not seem to have been accepted.
-He was himself, like everybody else, under suspicion in Beethoven's
-mind.
-
-Concerning the details of the always disgraceful and at the end
-tragical conduct of Beethoven's nephew much obscurity is left after the
-most painstaking study of the evidence to be found in the contemporary
-documents which have been preserved; but it is to these documents
-that appeal must be made if the truth is to be learned, not to the
-generalizations of romancing biographers. Twenty-nine letters written
-by Beethoven to the youth came into the hands of Beethoven after the
-attempt at suicide and through Schindler into the Royal Library at
-Berlin. However they may be viewed, they are a pathetic monument. They
-are a deeply affecting memorial of his almost idolatrous love for one
-wholly unworthy to receive it; but they also help measurably to explain
-why Beethoven defeated his own benevolent intentions. In them the
-paradoxes in his nature are piled one on top of the other. Alternately
-they breathe tender affection, gentle admonition and violent
-accusation; pride in the lad's mental gifts, hope for his future, and
-loathing of his conduct; proclamations of his own self-sacrificing
-devotion set off against his ward's ingratitude; pleadings that the boy
-love him and hate his mother; proud condemnation and piteous prayers
-for forgiveness; petitions for the boy's reformation and promises of
-betterment in his own conduct. They give out the light in which the
-story must be told, though they contribute but little to the record
-of concrete facts. They leave us to conjecture and surmise as to many
-of the nephew's motives and actual doings. It is from the pages of
-the Conversation Books of 1825 and 1826 that practically all of the
-attested truth concerning the happenings, their causes and effects,
-must be learned. Letters and these records of conversations are at the
-base of the following recital.[159]
-
-[Sidenote: STUDY BECOMES IRKSOME TO KARL]
-
-Karl was taken from his studies at the Bloechlinger Institute in the
-fall of 1823 and matriculated at the University of Vienna, where he
-pursued studies in philology from that time until the summer of 1825.
-Though his gifts were unquestioned and his attainments such as to make
-Beethoven eager to exploit them, he was not an industrious student.
-He seems to have experienced a desire to abandon the career which his
-uncle wished him to follow--that of a professor of languages, no
-doubt--before he had sat under the university lectures a year. His
-zeal for study soon evaporated, he spent much time in idle amusements,
-neglected to visit his uncle with the regularity expected from him,
-and soon broached the subject of a change in his intended pursuits.
-As early as 1824 he expressed a desire to enter the army. The thought
-was little short of appalling to Beethoven, who was obliged, however,
-at last to listen to arguments in favor of a mercantile career. Karl
-pointed out that a bookkeeper earned a great deal more money than a
-professor, that trade was honorable, and that he intended to keep on
-with his study of the languages, especially Greek, for his own pleasure
-and intellectual profit. Meanwhile he had continued his attendance on
-the lectures at the university, and it was not until towards the end
-of the Easter semester of 1825 that Beethoven consented to the change,
-entered him in the Polytechnic Institute, and arranged to have the
-vice-director of the Institute, Dr. Reisser, appointed co-guardian in
-place of Peters, with whom he took counsel as he also did, in great
-likelihood, with Stephan von Breuning. There were two great admirers
-of Beethoven's music in the Institute, Reisser and Dr. Ignaz von
-Sonnleithner, one of the teachers, and after Karl had been placed
-under the supervision of a government official named Schlemmer, who
-lived in the Alleegasse adjacent to the Karlskirche, with whom the lad
-took lodgings, all seemed again to be well. He entered the Institute
-about Easter, 1825, and, if his own statements are to be accepted
-(Dr. Reisser, too, makes favorable reports of him), he made a good
-beginning in his new studies. His Sundays and holidays during the
-ensuing summer were spent with his uncle at Baden, where he was kept
-at work, too assiduously perhaps, writing Beethoven's letters, and
-filling numerous other commissions. But his zeal did not endure. He
-became negligent in his studies; work became irksome and the pleasures
-of the city alluring. He was drawn willingly into the maelstrom of
-Viennese life. He grew fond of billiards, dancing and the theatre;
-he kept low company. Of all this there can be no doubt. Beethoven
-kept himself informed as to his conduct through Holz, through his
-brother, and sometimes went to Vienna himself to make inquiries. When
-Karl comes to Baden, Beethoven charges him with his shortcomings and
-there are unseemly scenes between the two. At first Karl seeks to be
-conciliatory, but it is only too plain that he is not always frank and
-truthful in his replies. The chronological course of events as learned
-from the Conversation Books cannot be set down with exactitude; nor
-is it necessary that it should. A young rake's progress can easily
-be imagined, but some incidents may be included in this narrative, as
-showing the changing attitude of guardian and ward, uncle and nephew,
-toward each other, and some of the steps which led to the final
-catastrophe.
-
-At an early date in this period Beethoven had become suspicious of
-the character of some of Karl's associates, particularly of a lad
-of his own age named Niemetz, whose acquaintance, it was said, he
-made at his mother's. Whether or not this is true cannot be proved;
-but if Beethoven believed it that fact sufficed to convince him of
-the young man's moral turpitude. Certain it is that the mother knew
-Niemetz and thought as well of him as the uncle thought ill, for one
-of her exclamations after the attempt at self-destruction, reported
-to Beethoven, was, "What will good Niemetz say!" Beethoven forbade
-the association and a violent quarrel ensued in Baden, where Karl
-introduced his friend to his uncle. It seems likely that the encounter
-took place in a public room and that Beethoven could not wait until
-he had reached the privacy of his lodgings before expressing his
-dissatisfaction with the young man; for his remarks to Karl as well as
-the latter's replies are written in the book. Beethoven's denunciations
-stir up a spirit of defiance in his ward; he finally declares flatly
-that Niemetz had cheered his unhappy hours at Bloechlinger's and that he
-would not now lie by saying that he would cease loving his friend or
-admit that he had a bad character.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN PLEADS WITH HIS NEPHEW]
-
-Beethoven learns that Karl goes to the theatre, has been seen in the
-company of lewd women, frequents dancing places, plays billiards and
-borrows money. Holz, who once suggests the advisability of assuming
-the co-guardianship, thinks it might be a good thing could he attach
-the young man to himself by becoming his often companion. He invites
-him to a beerhouse to learn his drinking habits and reports favorably
-upon them. He talks with Karl about the theatre and advises him to
-go less to the Josephstadt playhouse and oftener to the Burg, where
-classical pieces are played; and learning that Karl attends the former
-because it costs him nothing, ventures the statement that his uncle
-will allow him money for the theatre if he will but go to the better
-place. Beethoven's views on the subject are expressed in a letter:
-"Let the theatre alone for the present." After the wicked deed, Holz
-reminded Beethoven that Johann van Beethoven had said that Karl knew
-every strumpet in Vienna and that investigation had disclosed that he
-was right. Karl goes to dances; Beethoven is so solicitous as to their
-character that he expressed a desire to go to some of them with Holz so
-as to learn what they are like, and Holz dissuades him on the ground
-that he would be stared at and it would cause public comment; but he
-offers to take him to a hall "of the reformed" in the Apollo Room,
-where he would be less observed. Beethoven fears that Karl's passion
-for billiards will lead him astray, and Holz says he will sometime go
-with the lad to see how well he plays and thus learn whether or not
-he plays much.[160] Karl is now nearly 20 years old, but Beethoven
-does not, or will not, know that he is no longer to be disciplined as
-a child. He commands Schlemmer that he is not to be permitted to go
-out at night except on written permission signed by him. He exhausts
-Dr. Reisser's patience with his frequent calls to learn of the young
-man's habits and conduct. He takes upon himself the task of the
-ancient pedagogue and waits for him upon the steps of the Institute to
-accompany him home. His illness and melancholy, due to his solitary
-life in Baden, increase and he is haunted by premonitions of death. In
-a Conversation Book he once writes what seems to be the title of an
-imaginary composition "On the Death of Beethoven." On June 9, 1825, he
-writes to Karl: "You know how I live here. To this is added the cold
-weather. This solitude weakens me still more, for my weakness really
-often borders on a swoon. O, do not pain me more! The man with the
-scythe will not give me much more time." In the same summer: "God will
-set me free from them. _Libera me domine de illis etc._" and "God be
-with you and me. It will soon be all over with your faithful father."
-His loneliness oppresses him more and more as fears for his nephew's
-fate and recognition of his own impotency to avert it pursue him. "God
-has never deserted me. Somebody will be found who will close my eyes,"
-he writes on September 14. Tenderness and reproach alternate in the
-letters written from Baden in the summer of 1825. With the young man's
-habits of extravagance he has no patience whatever. He insists on a
-strict accounting for every florin which he allows him and is enraged
-when he hears that Karl has not forgotten his boyish trick of borrowing
-from the servants. He contrasts his own habits of thrift with the
-prodigence of his ward: "I should have gotten along two years with the
-walking-coat. True, I have the bad habit of always wearing an old coat
-at home, but Mr. Karl--O, what a shame! And why? The money-bag Mr. L.
-v. B-n is here only for this purpose."
-
-The thought of laying down the guardianship occupies his mind over and
-over again and his friends without exception urge him to do it; but he
-clings to the office, hoping against hope for his nephew's reclamation.
-Crises of apprehension and foreboding produce tender appeals and
-piteous expostulations like these:
-
- If you find me violent, ascribe it to my great concern for
- yourself, beset as you are by many dangers.
-
- I hope at least to receive a letter from you to-morrow. Do not make
- me fear. O, think of my sufferings! By good right I ought to have
- no cares of this kind; but what have I not experienced!
-
- Reflect that I am sitting here and might easily fall ill.
-
- God is my witness, I dreamed only of being rid of you and of this
- miserable brother and the hideous family which he foisted upon me.
- God hear my prayer for I can _never_ trust you again. Unfortunately
- your father--or rather, not your father.
-
-In the beginning of October, 1825, Karl absented himself from his
-lodgings for several days. Where he went and what he did is a secret
-held by the dead; but repentance of some sort, or consideration of the
-fact that he was dependent upon his uncle, seems to have persuaded him
-to write to Beethoven and beg his forgiveness. On the 5th of the month
-Beethoven wrote from Baden:
-
- Precious, dear son!
-
- I have just received your letter. Already filled with anxiety I had
- to-day determined to hurry to Vienna. God be thanked, it is not
- necessary. Do but obey me and love and happiness of the soul paired
- with human happiness will be at our side and you will consort an
- intensive existence with the external, but it were better that the
- _former_ dominate the _latter_.--_il fait trop froid_--I am to see
- you on Saturday, then, write whether you are coming in the morning
- or evening so that I may hasten to meet you.--I embrace you and
- kiss you a thousand times not my _lost_ (prodigal) _but my new-born
- son_. I wrote to Schlemmer--do not think harshly on that account--I
- am still so full of fear.
-
-The letter has been mutilated and the remainder is unintelligible, all
-but a request in bad French for matches. But his impatience to see the
-returned prodigal was stronger than his purpose to wait for him in
-Baden. He went to Vienna and evidently sent the following letter from
-Karl's lodgings:
-
- My precious son:
-
- Go no further--Come but to my arms, not a harsh word shall you
- hear. O God, do not rush to destruction.... You shall be received
- lovingly as ever. What to consider, what to do in the future--this
- we will talk over affectionately. On my word of honor no
- reproaches, since they would in no case do good now. Henceforth you
- may expect from me only the most loving care and help. Do but come.
- Come to the faithful heart of your father.
-
- Beethoven.
-
- _Volti sub._
-
- Come home at once on getting this.
-
- _Si vous ne viendres pas rous me tueres surement lises la lettre et
- restes a la maison chez vous, venes de m'embrasser votre pere vous
- vraiment adonne soyes assures, que tout cela restera entre nous._
-
- (On the margin): Only for God's sake come back home to-day. It
- might bring you, who knows what danger. Hurry, hurry!
-
-[Sidenote: THE NEPHEW RESENTS DISCIPLINE]
-
-In the summer of 1826, Beethoven's plans with reference to the
-supervision of his nephew are divided between an abandonment of the
-guardianship and taking the young man back into his own lodgings. The
-latter alternative at least did not meet with Karl's approval, who
-pleads against it the great loss of time in coming and going to the
-distant Institute; besides, he says, "it is only one year more and
-then there will be no more separation." With such feigned expressions
-of gentle feeling, with smiles and occasional cajolings, Karl had
-learned that he could at any time bend "the old fool," as he once
-called him in a letter to Niemetz, to his wishes. The fact is that
-Beethoven's attempts at discipline had long ago become irksome to his
-nephew and his authority a burden which it was pleasant to forget in
-the opportunities which freedom brought. He absents himself more and
-more from Beethoven's lodgings and spends less and less time at his
-own. The "miserable brother" is told by Beethoven to find out why,
-and reports the result of a talk which he had upon the subject with
-Karl, who had replied, in effect: the reason he did not come oftener
-was that he dreaded the noisy encounters which always followed and the
-continual reminders of past transgressions. Also the turbulent scenes
-between his uncle and the servants. Johann takes occasion to tell his
-brother that he might win the young man to him by a different mode of
-treatment. He is apprehensive of the consequences of idleness and urges
-that as soon as Karl completes his studies at the Institute, a place
-be found for him in either a local or foreign business house. "In the
-latter case," he continues, "place the guardianship in Bach's hands.
-You are as little able as I to run after him always." Beethoven's
-concern is so great that he is willing to take counsel of Schindler,
-whom he had so unsparingly and, we believe, unjustly denounced to his
-nephew. Schindler is ready with advice, but first takes advantage of
-the opportunity to air his grudge against Holz: "do not depend upon him
-in this matter," he says in a recorded conversation. Karl's requests
-for money excite his guardian's misgivings and he demands to see the
-receipts for tuition fees and other expenditures. The growing feeling
-between guardian and ward, and some of its causes, are reflected in
-the record of a conversation at Karl's lodgings in 1826, when the
-crisis is rapidly approaching. It is Karl who speaks, but the tenor of
-Beethoven's utterances is easily to be surmised:
-
- You consider it insolence if, after you have upbraided me for hours
- undeservedly, this time at least, I cannot turn from my bitter
- feeling of pain to jocularity. I am not so frivolous as you think.
- I can assure you that since the _attack_ on me in the presence of
- this fellow I have been so depressed that the people in the house
- observed it. The receipt for the 80 florins which were paid in May
- I now positively know, after a search at home, I gave you; it must
- and no doubt will be found. If I continue to work while you are
- here it is not in a spirit of insolence, but because I believe that
- you will not be offended if I do not permit your presence to keep
- me from my labors, which are now really piling up on me--all the
- more since we see each other _here_, where there is time, enough to
- talk over all needful things. You are mistaken, too, when you think
- that I wait for your coming to _become industrious_. You also seem
- to accept as _my views_ what I repeat to you as the opinions of
- others as, for instance, the word of Haslinger and the twaddle of
- Frau Passy. I know very well what to think of such gossip, but did
- not consider it my duty to inform you about it. I hope that what I
- have said will serve to convince you of my real views and feelings
- and put an end to the strain which has existed of late between us,
- though not on my side by any means.
-
-This is not the speech of filial love and obedience, but neither is
-it the language of a naughty child. There ought to be no doubt but
-that such exhibitions of independence and resentment, coupled with
-intimations of still greater independence of conduct, frequently
-filled Beethoven with consternation and apprehension. Once, to judge
-of a recorded remark by Holz, Karl seems to have raised his hand in
-physical violence against the uncle. Holz says: "I came in just as
-he took you by the breast. At the door, as he was coming out." It is
-the only allusion to the incident in the book and we know none of the
-particulars; but it and other scenes of tumult and the utterances which
-they provoked must have inspired the dreadful conflict of emotions
-which finds expression in a letter written at this time:
-
- If for no other reason than that you obeyed me, at least, all
- is forgiven and forgotten; more to-day by word of mouth, very
- quietly--Do not think of me otherwise than as governed wholly by
- thoughts for your well-being, and from this point of view judge my
- acts. Do not take a step which might make you unhappy and shorten
- _my_ life. I did not get asleep until 3 o'clock, for I coughed all
- night long. I embrace you cordially and am convinced that you will
- soon cease longer to _misjudge_ me; it is thus that I also judge of
- your conduct yesterday. I expect you surely to-day at 1 o'clock.
- Do not give me cause for further worry and apprehension. Meanwhile
- farewell!
-
- Your real and true Father.
-
- We shall be alone, for which reason I shall not permit H. to
- come--the less since I do not wish anything about yesterday to be
- known.
-
- Do come--Do not permit _my poor heart to bleed longer_.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN GROWS APPREHENSIVE]
-
-A poor heart, indeed! One that knew not how to win the love for which
-it hungered; and a mind "perplex'd in the extreme." That love still
-went out to the unworthy mother in spite of entreaties, warnings,
-lamentations, threats. In May, 1826, already at Baden, Beethoven hears
-that Karl has again visited her; and on the 22nd he writes:
-
- Till now only suspicions, although I have received assurances from
- one that there is again secret intercourse between you and your
- mother. Am I again to experience the most abominable ingratitude?!
- No; if the bond is broken, be it so. You will make yourself hated
- by all impartial persons who hear of this ingratitude.... I ought
- not to mix into these miserable affairs. If the pact oppresses you
- then in God's name--I leave you to Divine Providence. I have done
- my duty and am ready to appear before the Supreme Judge. Do not
- fear to come to me to-morrow. As yet I only suspect--God grant that
- _nothing_ be true, for your misfortune would truly be incalculable
- indifferently as the rascally brother and possibly your--mother
- would take it.
-
-Late in July, 1826, an intimation of some desperate purpose formed
-and expressed by the nephew was carried to Beethoven. The date is
-uncertain, but it was probably on Saturday, the 29th. The intention may
-have been self-destruction, but it needed to be no more than a purpose
-to go out into the world, beyond an irksome supervision, to fill
-Beethoven's soul with a terrible fear. He called Holz and together they
-went to Schlemmer's house in the Alleegasse. Schlemmer told all he knew
-in a few phrases which must have seemed shrouded with a pall as they
-fell upon the page of his book:
-
- I learned to-day that your nephew intended to shoot himself before
- next Sunday at the latest. As to the cause I learned only this
- much, that it was by reason of his debts,--but not of a certainty;
- he admitted only in part that they were the consequences of former
- sins. I looked to see if there were signs of preparations. I found
- a loaded pistol in a chest together with bullets and powder. I tell
- you this so that you may act in the case as his father. The pistol
- is in my keeping. Be lenient with him or he will despair.
-
-Holz went at once to the Polytechnic Institute and there found Karl,
-who agreed to go back with him to Schlemmer's, but said that he must
-first go to a friend's house and get some papers. Holz engaged Dr.
-Reisser in conversation while he waited for Karl to return. "A pistol!"
-remarked Reisser, "the young comedy hero!" But Karl had lied; he did
-not come back to the Institute and Holz returned to Beethoven with his
-story:
-
- He will not stay here. I could not detain him. He said he would go
- to Schlemmer's, but wanted to get his papers from a friend while I
- talked with Reisser. He would not be gone more than a quarter of an
- hour.
-
-Beethoven apparently rebukes him for letting his ward out of his sight.
-Holz:
-
- He would have run away from you just the same. If he has made up
- his mind to injure himself no one can prevent him. He has till
- September 3 to make up his examinations.... He said to me: "What
- good will it do you to detain me? If I do not escape to-day I will
- at another time."
-
-Schlemmer reported the finding of another pistol. A new suspicion
-seized upon the mind of Beethoven. For some reason, though he may
-also have uttered it orally, he wrote it down in the book: "He will
-drown himself." Probably he did not want the bystanders to know his
-thoughts, and the fear was therefore committed to the written page
-for the instruction of Holz. What else was said at the time we do not
-know, for the book here shows a mutilation; some pages are missing.
-Perhaps Schindler removed them in later years to save the integrity of
-his account; or they may have been torn out by Beethoven himself when,
-some weeks later, Holz advised him to look through his books against
-their possible demand for examination by the police magistrate; they
-might contain references to affairs which he did not want to bring
-into public discussion. The missing pages might have helped us in the
-chronology of the story, but the main facts are before us without them.
-It was resolved first to go to the house of Niemetz, who it was thought
-might be privy to Karl's intentions, and then if necessary, to call in
-the help of the police.
-
-[Sidenote: A BUNGLING ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE]
-
-Meanwhile Karl, having given Holz the slip, went straight to a
-pawnbroker and pledged his watch. With the money he bought two pistols,
-powder and balls. He did not dare go to his lodgings for the pistols
-which he had in readiness for the contemplated deed, and the new ones
-were therefore necessary. For him the circumstance proved fortunate. He
-drove out to Baden, and spent the night in writing letters. One was to
-his uncle, and this he enclosed in one to his friend Niemetz. The next
-morning, it being a Sunday, he climbed up to the ruins of Rauhenstein,
-in the lovely Helenenthal which his uncle loved so well, and there
-discharged both pistols toward his left temple. He was a bungler with
-firearms. The first bullet flew past harmlessly; the second ripped
-up the flesh and grazed the bone, but did not penetrate the skull.
-Holz said afterwards that, had he taken with him the pistols which he
-was obliged to leave at his lodgings, he would have been a dead man;
-their barrels were charged with powder and ball to above the middle.
-A teamster came upon him lying among the ruins and, no doubt at his
-request, carried him to his mother's house in the city. There Beethoven
-found him, whether in a search for him or because of intelligence
-brought by the teamster is not clear. The uncle is anxious to learn the
-particulars of the tragedy, but he receives a sullen answer; "It is
-done. Now, only a surgeon who can hold his tongue. Smetana, if he is
-here. Do not plague me with reproaches and lamentations; it is past.
-Later all matters may be adjusted." "When did it happen?" Beethoven
-asks and the mother writes the answer: "He has just come. The teamster
-carried him down from a rock in Baden and has just driven out to
-you.--I beg of you to tell the surgeon not to make a report or they
-will take him away from here at once, and we fear the worst. There is a
-bullet in his head on the left side."
-
-Smetana was the physician who had treated Karl when he was a boy at
-Giannatasio's school. Beethoven knew him as a friend. To him he wrote:
-
- A great misfortune has happened to Karl accidentally by his own
- hand. I hope that he can yet be saved, especially by you if you
- come quickly. Karl has a _bullet_ in his head, how, you shall
- learn--only quick, for God's sake, quick!
-
- In order to save time it was necessary to take him to his mother's,
- where he now is--the address follows.
-
-Holz took this letter for delivery but before he left the place a
-surgeon named Doegl had been called in. Smetana said that Doegl was a
-capable practitioner and that in order not to compromise him he would
-not come unless Doegl desired to see him in consultation. Karl expressed
-himself as satisfied and the case was left for the time being in Doegl's
-hands. Beethoven went home, but Holz remained some time longer. The
-matter had to be reported to the police and Holz thought it best to
-do this himself, as he wanted to be able to inform Beethoven what the
-consequences of the young man's act were likely to be in case of his
-recovery. He learned, and so reported, that there would be a severe
-reprimand and thereafter police surveillance. He told Beethoven that,
-after he had left him, Karl had said, "If he would only not show
-himself again!" and "If he would only quit his reproaches!" He had
-also threatened to tear the bandage from the wound if another word was
-spoken to him about his uncle.
-
-On August 7th, the day being a Monday,[161] the wounded youth, who by
-his act was fallen into the hands of the law, was removed from his
-mother's house to the general hospital by the police authorities.
-The deed was committed on a Sunday, as appears from parts of the
-conversations which took place between Holz and Beethoven after the
-fact was known. Holz says: "He left me yesterday, went straight into
-the city, bought the pistols and drove to Baden"; and later: "He sold
-his watch on Saturday and with the proceeds bought two new pistols."
-The obvious conclusion would seem to be that Karl shot himself on
-Sunday, August 6; but there is evidence pointing to an earlier date.
-The police authorities were not informed until somewhat late in the
-day. An investigation had to be made and formalities complied with
-before the removal to the hospital could take place. Schlemmer, in
-reply to a question touching Karl's indebtedness while Beethoven and
-Holz were probing for a cause, said that he had been paid "for this
-month, but not for August," which indicates that the inquiry was made
-in July. On September 11th, discussing the disposition to be made of
-the nephew when he should leave the hospital and trying to persuade
-Beethoven to grant Karl's request that he be permitted to visit his
-mother, Holz says: "In my opinion _one_ day will make no difference,
-inasmuch as she was with him whole days after the shooting." There are,
-besides, evidences that conversations were held for several days during
-which he was in the care of his mother. It is therefore probable that
-the nephew made the attempt upon his life on Sunday, July 30. Schindler
-says "in August" without giving a specific date. The evidence is not
-entirely conclusive; but if Beethoven consented to leave the would-be
-suicide in the hands of his mother for an entire week it was most
-likely because the police authorities commanded it; he did not yield
-her a day after her son came out of the hospital. At first, however,
-Beethoven's spirit was broken by the awful blow and he may have been
-more pliant than usual. Holz, reporting to Beethoven, tells of an
-interview at the hospital when he met the woman at her son's bedside.
-"If you have anything on your mind," she enjoined, "tell your uncle
-now. You see, this is the time; he is weak, and now he will surely do
-anything you want." Karl replied, sullenly: "I know nothing." "How,"
-Holz explains to Beethoven, "can any one find out a single trace so
-long as he persists in remaining silent?" And he tells his friend of
-the lack of "mercy" in the weeping mother for denouncing the conduct of
-the guardian of her son!
-
-No doubt the blow was a crushing one to Beethoven. On the fateful
-Sunday, or the day after, he met the wife of Stephan von Breuning and
-told her the tragical story. "And is he dead?" she inquired in tender
-solicitude. "No," was the answer, "it was a glancing shot; he lives
-and there is hope that he will be saved. But the disgrace which he has
-brought upon me! And I loved him so!" The occurrence was soon noised
-about the city and much sympathy was expressed for Beethoven, as Holz
-took occasion to inform him. Schindler says that the blow bowed the
-proud figure of the composer and he soon looked like a man of seventy.
-To add to his sufferings he was compelled to learn that many persons
-placed part of the blame for the rash act upon him. Karl was placed
-in the "men's three-florin" ward, which was under the care of a Dr.
-Gassner. He had an assistant named Dr. Seng, who told Gerhard von
-Breuning long after, how Beethoven had come to visit his nephew and
-described him as a "dissolute fellow" and "rascal," one "who did not
-deserve to be visited" and had been "spoiled by kindness."
-
-[Sidenote: REASONS FOR THE DEED]
-
-Strenuous efforts were made by Beethoven through Holz and others to
-discover what direct cause had led the misguided young man to attempt
-to end his life. The inquiries made of him at the hospital during the
-weeks spent there brought scarcely more information from his lips
-than the first question asked by his mother. Schindler seems to have
-been persuaded that it was his failure to pass his examinations at
-the Polytechnic Institute; but this theory is not tenable. Aside from
-the fact that he had time till September 3 to make up his neglected
-studies, he never himself advanced this as an excuse or explanation,
-but explicitly denied it. In the hospital he told Holz that it would
-have been easy for him to make himself fit to pass, but that, having
-made up his mind to do away with himself long before, he had not
-thought it worth while to continue his studies. "He said that he
-was tired of life," Holz reports to Beethoven, "because he saw in
-it something different from what you wisely and righteously could
-approve." He also phrased it thus: "Weariness of imprisonment." To the
-examining police magistrate Karl said that his reason for shooting
-himself was that Beethoven "tormented him too much," and also "I grew
-worse because my uncle wanted me to be better." To Beethoven's question
-if Karl had railed against him, Schlemmer replied: "He did not rail,
-but he complained that he always had trouble." Holz's explanation many
-years after to Otto Jahn was that Beethoven was "rigorous to excess
-in his treatment and would not allow him the slightest extravagance."
-The chief cause, in greatest probability, was that he had hopelessly
-involved himself in debts by a dissolute life. Schindler told Beethoven
-that he not only played billiards but played with low persons, coachmen
-and the like; and that he did not always play honestly. There is a
-memorandum in a Conversation Book which discloses that Beethoven
-received specific reports about his conduct, and noted them for
-reference: "One night in the Prater.--2 nights did not sleep at home."
-Beethoven stinted him the matter of pocket-money, and the scores of
-reckonings in the Conversation Books show how close was the watch
-kept upon every kreutzer placed in his hands. So he had recourse to
-borrowing and no doubt, though the fact does not appear plainly in
-the books, he went into debt at the places which he frequented for
-pleasure. When he shot himself he had paid his lodging bill for the
-month but owed his tutor. A matter which gave Beethoven great concern
-was the discovery that he had disposed of some of the composer's books
-at an antiquary's. This was theft, a penal offence, and Beethoven seems
-to have been in great trepidation lest the fact, and something more
-dreadful still which he did not know, be discovered by the magistrate
-charged with an examination into the case. Under the Austrian code an
-attempt at suicide seems to have been an offence against the Church
-and guilty persons were remanded in the care of priests who imparted
-religious instruction until a profession of conversion could be
-recorded. In the case of Karl, this medicine for the mind and soul
-was administered by a Redemptorist, and, the Liguorian penances being
-proverbially strict, Holz inspired the hope in Beethoven that Karl's
-secret would be discovered by the priest. "These Liguorians are like
-leeches," is one of his remarks to the composer while Karl is lying at
-the hospital. It is pathetic to note that Beethoven himself, willing
-as he was to charge his nephew with prevarication, extravagance,
-deception and frivolity, yet sought an explanation for the act outside
-of these delinquencies. In his hand appears a note in a Conversation
-Book: "Mental aberration and insanity; the heat, too--afflicted with
-headaches since childhood."
-
-[Sidenote: PLANNING A MILITARY LIFE FOR KARL]
-
-Immediately after Karl's removal to the hospital Holz visited him and
-made a long report to Beethoven, from which it appears that there
-was no delay in considering plans for the future. In fact, a prompt
-decision was necessary, for it was the penal aspect of the case which
-had the greatest terrors for Beethoven. Holz says: "Here you see
-ingratitude as clear as the sun! Why do you want further to restrain
-him? Once with the military, he will be under the strictest discipline,
-and if you want to do anything more for him you need only make him a
-small allowance monthly. A soldier at once.... Do you still doubt? This
-is a marvellous document." The last remark may have been called out,
-indeed, it seems more than probable that it was, by the letter written
-by the nephew on the eve of his attempt--a letter which has never been
-found. Holz also urges: "Resign the guardianship; this will make an
-impression on him." Beethoven must now needs listen to upbraidings
-because of his lenient treatment of his ward: "If your good nature had
-not so often got the better of your firmness you would have driven him
-away long ago"; but Beethoven still hungers for the ingrate's love. He
-asks about his feelings towards himself. Holz answers: "He said it was
-not hatred of you which he felt, but something entirely different"; and
-then he puts the question: "Did he mean fear?"
-
-The day after the deed, Stephan von Breuning, himself unable to come,
-sent Gerhard to his friend with a message: his parents wanted him to
-take his meals with them so as not to be alone. Then Breuning comes,
-and now he will receive advice on the advisability of a military life
-from one fitted to give it, for von Breuning is a court councillor in
-the war department. "A military life will be the best discipline for
-one who cannot endure freedom; and it will teach him how to live on
-little," is one of Breuning's first utterances.
-
-Holz continues his visits to the hospital and his reports. His help was
-now invaluable and he gave it unselfishly and ungrudgingly, winning
-that measure of gratitude from Beethoven which found expression in the
-letter empowering him to write his biography. He tells Beethoven that
-Karl receives visits from four physicians four times a day. That the
-magistrate is investigating the case and will send a priest to give the
-patient religious instruction, and that his release from the hands of
-the police authorities must wait upon his "complete conversion"; but
-so long as there is danger of too much mental strain this instruction
-will not be given. At ease in his mind touching the physical condition
-of his ward, Beethoven is kept in a state of anxiety about the inquiry,
-which is so protracted as to excite his apprehension that something
-awful may be disclosed. He wants to go himself to see the "Minister"
-(of Police, evidently) and dreads the ordeal of examination. "The court
-will not annoy you," Holz, tells him; "the mother and Karl at the
-worst."
-
-Dr. Bach joined Breuning, Schindler and Holz in advising Beethoven to
-resign the guardianship; but while the other three favored placing
-Karl in the army, Bach urged that he be sent off at once to some
-business house in Trieste, Milan or Hamburg without waiting for him
-to make up his studies and pass the examination which seems necessary
-to Beethoven. "Away with him from Vienna!" is the general cry, but
-Beethoven hesitates; he still thinks that he must keep his ward
-under his eye. In the Conversation Book he writes: "I wanted only to
-accomplish his good; if he is abandoned now, something might happen."
-Meanwhile von Breuning in pursuance of his plan consulted Baron von
-Stutterheim and persuaded him to give the young man a cadetship in
-his regiment, and on September 11 Breuning is able to communicate
-the success of his efforts to Beethoven who, as soon as he began to
-consider the military proposition at all, had thought of his old
-friend, General von Ertmann, the husband of his "Dorothea-Caecilia."
-But the project failed, and Breuning carried the day for his plan and
-agreed to accept the guardianship which had been laid down by Reisser.
-The Court Councillor goes at matters in a practical way; he brings to
-Beethoven von Stutterheim's advice as to the allowance: he must not
-give more than 12 florins in silver a month, as that was all that the
-richest cadet in the service received.
-
-Karl was unwilling to see his uncle, and Beethoven knew it. The latter
-wrote to his nephew, however, and the affectionate tenor of the letters
-met with the disapproval of both Holz and Schindler. Beethoven hoped
-with them to win back his nephew's love, but his advisers told him
-they would do no good. He seems to have thought it necessary to learn
-Karl's opinion before consenting to von Breuning's plan. He visited
-Karl at the hospital, who, after asking his uncle to say as little as
-possible about that which was past alteration, said that a military
-life was the one in which he could be most satisfied and that he was
-entirely capable of making a firm resolve and adhering to it. As a
-cadet, promotion would be open to him. Beethoven, in planning to keep
-the young man in Vienna, had suggested to his advisers that the mother
-might be sent away--to Pressburg or Pesth. After it had been fixed that
-Karl should enter the army as soon as possible after his discharge from
-the hospital, the question arose as to what disposition should be made
-of him in the interim. Beethoven was unalterably opposed to his being
-with his mother even for a day. In an interview he brought the subject
-up and began to berate her as usual; but Karl interrupted him:
-
-[Sidenote: A SON DEFENDS HIS MOTHER]
-
- I do not want to hear anything derogatory to her; it is not for
- me to be her judge. If I were to spend the little time for which
- I shall be here with her it would be only a small return for all
- that she has suffered on my account. Nothing can be said of a
- harmful influence on me even if it should happen, if for no other
- reason than the brevity of the time. In no event shall I treat her
- with greater coldness than has been the case heretofore ... let be
- said what will.... (He tells his uncle that his mother will offer
- no objection to his new calling.) All the less, therefore, can I
- deny her wish to be with me now, as I shall in all likelihood not
- be here again soon. It is self-evident that this will not prevent
- you and me from seeing each other as often as you wish.
-
-Very reluctantly Beethoven gave his consent that his nephew should
-become a soldier, and he continued his solicitude for him, as is
-disclosed by letters to Holz and von Breuning. His first thought was
-to send him to a military institute and have him graduated as an
-officer. This proved impracticable. Now he lays down three conditions
-as to the cadetship: he must not be treated as a culprit, not be
-compelled to live so meanly as to preclude his advancement, not be too
-much restricted as to food and drink. The plans for this disposition
-were made. He was to be presented to von Stutterheim as soon as he
-was discharged from the hospital, take the oath of service the next
-day, and leave Vienna for Iglau, where von Stutterheim's regiment was
-stationed, within five or six days. He was discharged as cured on
-September 25. Breuning, who had assumed the guardianship, now found
-himself confronted by a serious embarrassment. Where should the young
-man be sent while the preparations for his entry into the military
-service were making? Karl did not want to go to his uncle's, nor did
-von Breuning want to send him there, and frankly tells Beethoven his
-reason: "If he were here you would talk to him too much and that would
-cause new irritation; for he testified in the police court that the
-reason why he had taken the step was because you harassed him too
-much." Beethoven feared that the magistrate might allow him to go to
-his mother's, and to guard against this he wrote two letters to that
-official, a man kindly disposed toward him, named Czapka. In the first
-he wrote:
-
- I earnestly beg of you, since my nephew will be well in a few days,
- to direct that he be not permitted to leave the hospital with
- anybody but me and Mr. v. Holz. It must not possibly be allowed
- that he be near his mother, this utterly depraved person. Her bad
- and wickedly malicious character, the belief that she often tempted
- Karl to lure money from me, the probability that she divided
- sums with him and was also in the confidence of Karl's dissolute
- companion, the notice which she attracts with her illegitimate
- daughter, the likelihood that at his m--'s he would make the
- acquaintance of women who are anything but virtuous, justify my
- solicitude and my request. Even the mere habit of being in the
- company of such a person cannot possibly lead a young man to
- virtue.
-
-In a second letter he suggests that the magistrate admonish the
-young man and give him to understand that he will be under police
-surveillance while he is with his uncle. Beethoven's brother was again
-in Vienna. He had repeated his offer to give the composer a temporary
-home and his nephew a harbor of refuge at Gneixendorf; but haste
-was imperative, both on account of his business affairs and Karl's
-status. In three days the business of finishing the corrections in
-the manuscript copy of the Ninth Symphony which was to be sent to the
-King of Prussia, placing it in the hands of Haslinger, who was to have
-it bound, and writing the letter to the King, was disposed of and on
-September 28 the two brothers and their nephew set out for Gneixendorf.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[159] Beethoven's letters to his nephew are presented in the original
-in Vol. V of Thayer's biography as completed by Dr. Deiters and revised
-by Dr. Riemann. Also copious extracts from the Conversation Books.
-These books, in Thayer's transcript, have been consulted anew by the
-present writer in his presentation of the case which he believes to
-be in the spirit of Thayer, as he tried also to make the account
-of the legal controversy over the guardianship. Nevertheless, the
-editor believes it only right to assume full responsibility for his
-utterances. The letters may be found in translation in Vol. II of Mr.
-Shedlock's edition of the Kalischer collection.
-
-[160] It was Herbert Spencer who remarked to a young man who had beaten
-him at billiards that while to be able to play well was a praiseworthy
-accomplishment, such playing as he had just witnessed betokened an
-ill-spent life.
-
-[161] The date was obtained by Thayer from the records of the hospital
-on September 22, 1862. F. Helm, then Director of the hospital,
-certified to the facts of reception, treatment and discharge, but
-stated that no history of the case could be found in the records.
-
-
-
-
-Chapter X
-
- The Last Days in Gneixendorf--A Brother's Warning--Beethoven
- and his Kinspeople--The Fateful Journey to
- Vienna--Sickness--Schindler's Disingenuousness--Conduct of the
- Physicians--Death and Burial.
-
-
-The Conversation Books add nothing to the picturesque side of the
-account of Beethoven's sojourn in Gneixendorf as it has been drawn from
-other sources. They indicate that there were some days of peace and
-tranquility, and that not only Johann, but his wife and nephew also,
-were concerned with making the composer comfortable and providing him
-with such diversion as place and opportunity afforded. At the outset
-Beethoven seems to have been in a conciliatory mood even towards the
-woman whom he so heartily despised; and her willingness to please him
-is obvious. She talks with him about various things, praises Karl's
-musical skill, which the nephew demonstrates by playing four-hand
-marches with his great uncle. She discusses his food with him, and
-if he ever was suspicious of the honesty in money matters of herself
-and her family, he hides his distrust and permits her brother, the
-baker, to collect money for him in Vienna, and the woman to go thither
-to fetch it. There are frequent walks into the country round about
-and drives to neighboring villages, and it would seem from one of
-Karl's speeches that sometimes argument and warning were necessary to
-dissuade Beethoven from undertaking promenades in inclement weather.
-Characteristic of the suspicious nature which his dreadful malady
-had developed in him to an abnormal degree, and confirmatory also
-of Michael Krenn's remark that he was always called upon to give an
-account of the conversations at table, is the evidence that the wife,
-Karl and even a woman boarder are questioned as to the goings-out and
-comings-in of the inmates of the house. Before the departure from
-Gneixendorf, Karl begins to chafe under his uncle's discipline. Johann
-is occupied with the affairs of the estate and Karl does errands for
-him as well as his greater uncle in Krems, whither he is willing to
-journey on foot as often as necessary, perhaps oftener, for there are
-soldiers stationed at the village, there is a theatre, English circus
-riders give an exhibition (to which Karl offers to accompany the
-composer) and, what is perhaps more to the young man's liking, there
-is a billiard-room. Of this fact, however, we are informed later by a
-remark recorded in the Conversation Books by Johann after the return
-to Vienna. The old suspicions touching the reasons for Karl's absence
-from Wasserhof again arise to plague Beethoven's mind, nor are they
-dissipated by Madame van Beethoven's repeated assurances that he will
-return soon. It is plain that the young man is taken to task, not only
-for these absences, but also for what his uncle looked upon as moody
-and defiant silences when suffering rebuke. Thus we read:
-
- You ask me why I do not talk. Because I have enough. Yours is the
- right to command; I must endure everything.... I can give no answer
- as to what you say; the best I can do is to hear and remain silent,
- as is my duty.
-
-At a later period, when Beethoven has apparently upbraided the young
-man for his unwillingness to return to Vienna, Karl retorts:
-
- If you want to go, good; if not, good again. But I beg of you once
- more not to torment me as you are doing; you might regret it, for I
- can endure much, but not too much. You treated your brother in the
- same way to-day without cause. You must remember that other people
- are also human beings.--These everlastingly unjust reproaches!--Why
- do you make such a disturbance? Will you let me go out a bit
- to-day? I need recreation. I'll come again later.--I only want to
- go to my room.--I am not going out, I want only to be alone for a
- little while.--Will you not let me go to my room?
-
-[Sidenote: A RETURN TO VIENNA PRECIPITATED]
-
-Karl was a young man of nearly twenty years; thriftless, no doubt;
-indolent, no doubt; fond of his ease and addicted to idle pleasures,
-no doubt--but still a man; and no matter how much he ought to have
-been willing to sacrifice himself to make his uncle happy, it is a
-question if there was any way in the world to that sure and permanent
-result. He was not wise enough, nor self-sacrificing enough, to do
-that which not a single one of the composer's maturer friends, not
-even Stephan von Breuning, had been able to do. Once in the Books he
-shows a disposition to resort to the wheedling tactics which had been
-frequently successful in earlier years, and urges as a reason for
-tarrying longer in Gneixendorf that it will make possible their longer
-companionship. He is pleading for a week's longer stay: Breuning had
-said that he should not present himself to the Fieldmarshal until
-no evidences of the recent "incident" were longer visible; in a week
-more the scar would not be noticeable, nor would a stay be necessary
-had he provided himself with pomade; then he remarks: "The longer we
-are here the longer we shall be together; for when we are in Vienna
-I shall, of course, have to go away soon." It was after this speech
-that he made the remark already referred to about the cheapness of
-fire-wood. Karl had plainly grown more than content with his life in
-Gneixendorf and there is evidence to show that Beethoven had begun
-to fear that he was wavering in his determination to enter the army.
-Some drastic measure or occurrence was necessary to change the native
-irresolution of Beethoven's mind. Schindler, in his desire to paint
-all the Beethovens, with the exception of the composer, with the
-blackest pigments on his imaginative palette, does not scruple to
-accuse Karl of undue intimacy with his aunt and offers this as a reason
-for the departure. To this no reference can be found in the pages of
-the Conversation Books, unless it be a remark which preceded Karl's
-outburst, last recorded. Here he tells his uncle that all his "talk
-about intrigues needs no refutation." The reference is vague and it
-is extremely unlikely that the intrigues meant were those involved in
-the vile insinuation of Schindler, for a reason which will be made
-apparent presently. The house at Gneixendorf was not fitted for tenancy
-in winter; the weather was growing boisterous; Madame van Beethoven had
-left the men to their own devices and gone to her town-house. This,
-apparently, was the state of affairs when Johann handed a letter to his
-brother which could have no other result than to bring about a decision
-to go back to Vienna at the earliest possible moment, and to carry
-with him a heart full of bitterness which could only be intensified by
-the sufferings which attended upon his journey. The letter bears no
-date, but an allusion to the fact that von Breuning had allowed Karl
-a fortnight for recuperation and he had already been two months at
-Gneixendorf, is proof that it was written near the end of November.
-That the brothers discussed it and cognate matters while it was in
-their hands is evidenced by the fact that it contains on its back the
-words in Johann's writing: "Let us leave this until the day you go.--An
-old woman.--She has her share and will get no more." The letter was as
-follows:
-
- My dear Brother:
-
- I can not possibly remain silent concerning the future fate of
- Karl. He is abandoning all activity and, grown accustomed to this
- life, the longer he lives as at present, the more difficult will
- it be to bring him back to work. At his departure Breuning gave
- him a fortnight to recuperate in, and now it is two months. You see
- from Breuning's letter that it is his decided wish that Karl _shall
- hasten_ to his calling; the longer he is here the more unfortunate
- will it be for him, for the harder will it be for him to get to
- work, and it may be that we shall suffer harm.
-
- It is an infinite pity that this talented young man so wastes his
- time; and on whom if not on us two will the blame be laid? for he
- is still too young to direct his own course; for which reason it
- is your duty, if you do not wish to be reproached by yourself and
- others hereafter, to put him to work at his profession as soon as
- possible. Once he is occupied it will be easy to do much for him
- now and in the future; but under present conditions nothing can be
- done.
-
- I see from his actions that he would like to remain with us, but if
- he did so it would be all over with his future, and therefore this
- is impossible. The longer we hesitate the more difficult will it be
- for him to go away; I therefore adjure you--make up your mind, do
- not permit yourself to be dissuaded by Karl. I think it ought to
- be by _next Monday_, for in no event can you wait for me, inasmuch
- as I cannot go away from here without money, and it will be a long
- time before I collect enough to enable me to go to Vienna.
-
-How Beethoven received this letter must be left to the imagination.
-Its wisdom temporarily disarmed Schindler, who forgot all of his
-frequently wicked charges against Johann long enough to admit that
-the document proved that he was not utterly without good qualities of
-character. He adds that he was in a position to assert that Ludwig took
-his brother's suggestion with bad grace and that before his departure
-from Gneixendorf there was an exceedingly acrimonious quarrel between
-the brothers, growing out of Ludwig's demand that Johann make a will
-in favor of Karl, thus cutting off his wife. It is to this that the
-penciled endorsement on the letter refers. This subject, Schindler
-says, was the real cause of the estrangement between the brothers
-during the last five or six years of Ludwig's life. The blame, he adds,
-rested with Ludwig, who, "constantly at odds with himself and all the
-world, loved and hated without reason." Weeks afterward, while he lay
-dying in Vienna, Beethoven's thoughts were still occupied with the
-purpose of persuading his brother to make a will in Karl's favor.[162]
-A moment's reflection on a single fact will serve to give the quietus
-to Schindler's insinuation as to improper relationship between the
-young man of 19 and his aunt of 40; at the time that Karl is pleading
-to stay in the country, Johann is urging his brother to send him about
-his duty, and Beethoven is halting in irresolution, the woman is in
-Vienna.
-
-[Sidenote: THE FATEFUL JOURNEY FROM GNEIXENDORF]
-
-It must be assumed that the Monday referred to in Johann's letter
-was Monday, November 27; but several days must have elapsed between
-this date and the time when Beethoven and Karl set out on the fateful
-journey to Vienna. A determination seems to have been reached when
-the Book shows Johann as saying: "If you are to start on Monday the
-carriage must be ordered on Sunday." There is no recorded conversation
-touching the use of Johann's carriage, which, so far as anything is
-known to the contrary, may have still been in Vienna, whither, it is
-safe to assume, it had carried Johann's wife, and whither it was to
-carry its owner as soon as he could make a satisfactory adjustment
-of his financial affairs. That means of conveyance were discussed is
-proved by Johann's remark and also by a report made by Karl to the
-composer: "There is no postchaise to Vienna, but only to St. Poelten....
-From here there is no opportunity except by a stagecoach."
-
-Exactly when and how the travellers set out it is not possible to
-determine. Schindler says that owing to Johann's refusal to let his
-brother use his closed carriage, Beethoven was obliged to make the
-journey in an "open calash." This is his statement in the first edition
-of the biography, but in the third, for an unexplained reason, the
-"open calash" is the vehicle used from Gneixendorf to Krems only, a
-distance which was easily traversed on foot inside of an hour. If Dr.
-Wawruch, Beethoven's attending physician during the illness which
-ended in his death, is correct, Beethoven told him that he had made
-the journey "in the devil's most wretched vehicle, a milk-wagon."
-Later Dr. Wawruch calls the vehicle in which he arrived in Vienna
-a "Leiterwagen," from which we might gather, which is utterly
-preposterous, that it was a rack vehicle. Beethoven arrived in Vienna
-on Saturday, December 2, and as there is a reference to only one night
-spent in transit (as there had been one on the journey from Vienna
-to Gneixendorf), it is likely that he left Gneixendorf early in the
-morning of Friday, December 1. "That December," says Dr. Wawruch, "was
-raw, wet and frosty; Beethoven's clothing anything but adapted to the
-unfriendly season of the year, and yet he was urged on by an internal
-unrest and a gloomy foreboding of misfortune. He was compelled to
-spend a night in a village tavern where, besides wretched shelter, he
-found an unwarmed room without winter shutters. Towards midnight he
-experienced his first fever-chill, a dry hacking cough accompanied by
-violent thirst and cutting pains in the sides. When seized with the
-fever he drank a few measures of ice-cold water and longed, helplessly,
-for the first rays of the morning light. Weak and ill, he permitted
-himself to be lifted into the _Leiterwagen_ and arrived, at last,
-weak, exhausted and without strength, in Vienna." Wawruch derived his
-information from Beethoven, possibly in part also from Karl, the only
-witness from whom a succinct and absolutely correct account was to have
-been expected; unhappily the tale, which Karl must have been called
-upon to tell many times, was never reported. The untrustworthiness
-of Schindler's statements about the incidents of which he had no
-personal knowledge is emphasized by obvious efforts made to falsify and
-emasculate the record in the Conversation Books, concerning which it
-will soon become necessary to speak.
-
-[Sidenote: ONE OF SCHINDLER'S SLANDERS REFUTED]
-
-It was Saturday, December 2nd, 1826, then, that Beethoven arrived
-in Vienna from Gneixendorf and went to his lodgings in the
-Schwarzspanierhaus. It does not appear that he considered himself
-seriously ill, for in a letter to Holz which must have been written
-two, or more likely three, days later, he says merely that he is
-"unpaesslich," that is, indisposed. The letter was the second of its
-kind, the first having been mislaid. In this letter he asked Holz to
-come to him. It was written from dictation, but before appending his
-signature Beethoven wrote, "Finally, I add to this 'We all err, only
-each in a different way'," setting the quoted words to music for a
-canon. This canon, of which an autograph copy on a separate sheet
-of paper is preserved in the Royal Library at Berlin, points to a
-possibility that some misunderstanding had arisen between Beethoven
-and Holz just before the former started for Gneixendorf. Inasmuch as
-Holz is at Beethoven's side at least ten days before Schindler appears
-there, and gives his services to the sick man until the end, though
-not to the extent that Schindler does after his coming, the latter's
-efforts to create the impression that Beethoven had sent Holz away
-from him is disingenuous, to say the least. Holz's first act convicts
-Schindler of an error which can scarcely be set down as an innocent
-one. The story involves one of the slanders against Karl which has
-been repeated from Schindler's day to this, although its refutation
-needed only a glance into the Conversation Books of December, 1826.
-Schindler says that he did not learn of Beethoven's condition until
-"several days" after his return to Vienna. That he then hurried to
-him and learned that neither Dr. Braunhofer nor Dr. Staudenheimer,
-though sent for by Beethoven, had answered the summons and that Dr.
-Wawruch's coming was due to something only a little better than an
-accident. Karl, though charged with the duty of summoning a physician,
-had forgotten, or neglected, to so do, for several days. His commission
-occurred to him while playing at billiards, and he incidentally asked
-a _marqueur_ (scorer) in the billiard-room to send a physician to his
-uncle. The _marqueur_, not being well, could not do it at the time, but
-mentioned the matter some time later to Dr. Wawruch at the hospital
-to which he had been taken. This story of unexampled heartlessness,
-to which Dr. Gerhard von Breuning also gave currency, Schindler said
-he had heard from Dr. Wawruch; but it is branded as a shameless
-fabrication by Dr. Wawruch's published statement and the evidence of
-the Conversation Book. Dr. Wawruch wrote a history of Beethoven's
-illness entitled "Aerztlicher Rueckblick auf Ludwig van Beethoven's
-letzte Lebensepoche" under date of May 20, 1827, which was published
-by Aloys Fuchs in the "Wiener Zeitschrift" of April 30, 1842. In
-this report Dr. Wawruch says, "I was not called in until the third
-day." This third day would be December 5th, and the date has twofold
-confirmation in the Conversation Book. A fortnight after Beethoven's
-return to Vienna there is an entry in Karl's handwriting of the
-physician's visits beginning with December 5th and ending with December
-14, which shows that within this period Dr. Wawruch made daily visits
-and on one day came twice. Schindler's name does not appear until some
-time after this entry, and it is recorded in a manner which indicates
-plainly that it was his first meeting with the sick man. As the book
-was folded and renumbered by Schindler the page on which this entry
-appears is made to look as if it preceded others which are filled with
-evidences of Holz's helpfulness, but the records of the first call of
-the physician are plain and undisputable. It was Holz who sent for him
-and he did so on December 5, the day on which the first visit is noted.
-Evidently Holz had hastened to Beethoven on receiving the letter asking
-him to come which Karl seems to have delivered to him on the 4th or
-5th. What passed at the first meeting does not appear, but this remark
-in the handwriting of Holz does:
-
- I have had Professor Wawruch called for you; Vivenot is himself
- sick. I do not know Wawruch personally, but he is known here as one
- of the most skillful physicians.--He is Bogner's doctor.--He is
- professor in the hospital.--He will come after dinner.
-
-Vivenot was a physician. In all probability Beethoven had exhausted the
-list of physicians of his acquaintance (Smetana, a surgeon, may not
-have been considered and Malfatti could not be at the time for reasons
-which Beethoven knew and was made painfully to feel later), before
-Holz succeeded in securing the attendance of Wawruch.[163] According
-to the accepted story, Braunhofer, who had been the last physician to
-treat Beethoven before the misfortunes of the summer, had declined
-the call because of the too great distance between his house and
-Beethoven's, and Staudenheimer, whom Braunhofer had displaced, promised
-to come but did not. The latter, probably both, took part later in the
-consultations. Wawruch was an amateur violoncello player and an ardent
-admirer of Beethoven's music. When he comes to his august patient,
-though he permits Karl to write the questions, he takes the pencil
-himself to tell who he is: "One who greatly reveres your name will do
-everything possible to give you speedy relief--Prof. Wawruch." In his
-history of the case Wawruch writes:
-
- I found Beethoven afflicted with serious symptoms of inflammation
- of the lungs. His face glowed, he spat blood, his respiration
- threatened suffocation and a painful stitch in the side made lying
- on the back a torment. A severe counter-treatment for inflammation
- soon brought the desired relief; his constitution triumphed and by
- a lucky crisis he was freed from apparent mortal danger, so that on
- the fifth day he was able, in a sitting posture, to tell me, amid
- profound emotion, of the discomforts which he had suffered. On the
- seventh day he felt considerably better, so that he was able to get
- out of bed, walk about, read and write.
-
-Dr. Gerhard von Breuning, who was concerned in proving that Dr.
-Wawruch was a bungling practitioner, protests that Beethoven was not
-suffering from inflammation of the lungs but from inflammation of the
-peritoneum, which alone, he says, could have brought on the dropsy of
-the belly from which it has been thought until recently Beethoven died.
-He based his opinion on the fact, which, though only a boy of 13, he may
-have observed in the sick-room, that the patient did not cough, had no
-difficulty in breathing, and that afterwards his lungs were found to be
-sound. Wawruch, however, an experienced physician, is speaking of what
-he observed on his first visit and is not likely to have erred in so
-obvious a matter as incipient lobar pneumonia, the general history of
-which as now understood agrees with the recorded account of Beethoven's
-case, even in such details as the critical period reached on the fifth
-day. The subsequent strength of the lungs is not inconsistent with
-the theory that in the first week Beethoven weathered an attack of
-pneumonia.
-
-[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN'S HEALTH IN THE COUNTRY]
-
-There are few references to the state of Beethoven's health during the
-sojourn at Gneixendorf, but that he was ill when he arrived there is
-indicated by an early remark by Johann attributing an improvement in
-the condition of his eyes to the good air "without rosewater." Johann
-wrote later that, when with him, Beethoven ate little. When the food
-was not prepared to his taste he ate soft-boiled eggs for dinner "and
-drank all the more wine." He had frequent attacks of diarrhoea. His
-abdomen also became distended so that he wore a bandage for comfort.
-Wawruch had no knowledge of his patient's previous medical history and
-was compelled to discover for himself what his colleagues, to whom the
-sick man's call was first extended, would have known from their earlier
-experiences with him. Schindler attacks Wawruch on the ground that he
-had said that Beethoven was addicted to the use of spirituous liquors.
-The Conversation Books and other testimony plentifully indicate that
-the great composer was fond of wine and that his physicians had
-difficulty in enforcing abstinence upon him; but the only one who, by
-indirection, accused Beethoven of drinking to excess, was Schindler,
-whose statements on that point are not free from the suspicion that
-they were made only for the purpose of hitting Holz over Wawruch's
-shoulders.[164]
-
-Wawruch's report continues:
-
- But on the eighth day I was alarmed not a little. At the morning
- visit I found him greatly disturbed and jaundiced all over
- his body. A frightful choleraic attack (_Brechdurchfall_) had
- threatened in the preceding night. A violent rage, a great grief
- because of ingratitude and undeserved humiliation, was the cause
- of the mighty explosion. Trembling and shivering he bent double
- because of the pains which raged in his liver and intestines, and
- his feet, thitherto moderately inflated, were tremendously swollen.
- From this time on dropsy developed, the segregation of urine became
- less, the liver showed plain indication of hard nodules, there
- was an increase of jaundice. Gentle entreaties from his friends
- quieted the threatening mental tempest, and the forgiving man
- forgot all the humiliation which had been put upon him. But the
- disease moved onward with gigantic strides. Already in the third
- week there came incidents of nocturnal suffocation; the enormous
- volume of collected water demanded speedy relief and I found myself
- compelled to advise tapping in order to guard against the danger of
- bursting.
-
-After Dr. Wawruch had reached this decision, Dr. Staudenheimer was
-called in consultation and he confirmed the attending physician's
-opinion as to the necessity of an operation. Beethoven was told.
-"After a few moments of serious thought he gave his consent." The
-servant Thekla, who had, apparently, come from Gneixendorf (as her
-name appears in the Conversation Book used there), in the midst of
-the preparations for the operation had been found to be dishonest and
-dismissed. The composer's brother had arrived in Vienna about December
-10 and thereafter is found constant in his attendance, a fact which it
-becomes necessary to mention because of the obvious effort of Schindler
-to create the impression that the burden of the care of Beethoven had
-been assumed by him, von Breuning and the latter's son Gerhard. Wawruch
-had retained Dr. Seibert, principal surgeon (_Primaerwundarzt_) at the
-hospital, to perform the operation. The date was December 20 (not 18,
-as Schindler says). Those present were Johann, Karl and Schindler.
-Beethoven's sense of humor did not desert him. When, the incision
-having been made, Dr. Seibert introduced the tube and the water spurted
-out, Beethoven said: "Professor, you remind me of Moses striking the
-rock with his staff."[165] Wawruch writes in the Conversation Book:
-
- Thank God, it is happily over!--Do you already feel relief?--If
- you feel ill you must tell me.--Did the incision give you any
- pain?--From to-day the sun will continue to ascend higher.--God
- save you! [_This in English._] Lukewarm almond milk.--Do you
- not now feel pain?--Continue to lie quietly on your side.--Five
- measures and a half.--I hope that you will sleep more quietly
- to-night.... You bore yourself like a knight.
-
-[Sidenote: MULTIPLICATION AND HANDEL'S SCORES]
-
-In the early days after Beethoven's return to Vienna there is a
-continuation of the correspondence with Schott and Sons concerning the
-publication of the works which they had purchased, and before the end
-of December, probably in the third week, occurs the incident of the
-disappointing gift from the King of Prussia which makes its appearance
-in the record with something like a shout of "Good news!" from
-Schindler. Karl is busily occupied in preparations for his military
-career and upon him, until the arrival of Holz, appears to devolve
-the labor of writing and of carrying messages. The Conversation Book
-used by him on the 4th of December and the two following days bears a
-pathetic proof of Beethoven's helplessness in the matter of figures. A
-page or so is filled with examples in simple multiplication--tables,
-without answers, of threes, fours, sevens, etc.--and the remark, "Then
-backwards." Later Karl writes an explanation: "Multiplication is a
-simplified form of addition, wherefore examples are performed in the
-same manner. Each product is set under its proper place. If it consists
-of two digits, the left one is added to the product of the next. Here a
-small illustration: 2348 multiplied by 2." It was thus that the great
-genius approaching his 56th birthday was employing his time while
-waiting in vain for the physicians who would not or could not answer
-his summons!
-
-One joyful event brightened the solitary gloom of the sick-chamber in
-the middle of December. From Stumpff, of London, Beethoven received the
-40 volumes of Dr. Arnold's edition of the works of Handel which the
-donor had resolved to send Beethoven on his visit in 1824. Gerhard von
-Breuning pictures the joy of Beethoven at the reception of the gift,
-which he described as royal compared with that of the King of Prussia.
-One day the boy was asked to hand the big books from the pianoforte
-where they rested to the bed. "I have long wanted them," said the
-composer to his faithful little friend, "for Handel is the greatest,
-the ablest composer that ever lived. I can still learn from him." He
-leaned the books against the wall, turned over the pages, and ever and
-anon paused to break out into new expressions of praise. Von Breuning
-places these incidents in the middle of February, 1827, but his memory
-was plainly at fault. Schindler says the books arrived in December, and
-he is right, for Stumpff preserved the receipt for them, a letter and
-Reichardt's "Taschenbuch fuer Reisende," which is dated "December 14,
-1826." The gift was sent through the son of Stumpff's friend Streicher.
-
-Stephan von Breuning had called on Beethoven shortly after his arrival
-and the work of making a soldier of Karl was begun at once. It was
-expected that the preparations would occupy only a few days, but they
-dragged themselves through the month of December, owing partly, no
-doubt, to an illness which befell the Councillor. There were formal
-calls to be made upon the Lieut. Field Marshal and other officers,
-a physical examination to be undergone (it was most perfunctory),
-uniforms to be provided, the oath of service to be taken, and his
-monthly allowance to be fixed. All this was disposed of by the date
-of the first tapping, and it was expected that he would set out to
-join his regiment at Iglau before the Christmas holidays. There is
-no evidence of a change in the attitude towards each other of uncle
-and nephew. Some of Karl's entries in the Conversation Books betray a
-testiness which is in marked contrast to Beethoven's obvious solicitude
-for the young man's position and comfort in his regiment; but the
-entries also indicate that illness had not sweetened the disposition of
-the sufferer. His outbursts of rage are the subject of warnings from
-physicians and friends. We have Schindler's word for it that Beethoven
-became cheerful after the graceless youth's departure for Iglau on
-January 2nd, and the testimony of the Conversation Book that the old
-year closed upon a quarrel between the two. Karl writes this greeting
-on New Year's day: "I wish you a happy new year, and it grieves me that
-I should have been compelled already in the first night to give cause
-for displeasure. It might easily have been avoided, however, if you had
-but given the order to have my meal taken to my room."
-
-It is very possible that Beethoven's spirits grew lighter after the
-departure of his nephew. The service which Karl gave his uncle seems
-frequently to have been given grudgingly and no doubt looked more
-ungracious than it may really have been, when accompanied by protests
-that he would not be found failing in duty and petulant requests that
-he be spared upbraidings and torments. To satisfy the singular mixture
-of affectionate solicitude and suspicion which filled Beethoven's heart
-and mind would perhaps have taxed the philosophy of a wiser as well
-as gentler being than this young man, who, as Johann's wife told the
-composer in Gneixendorf, had inherited the testy family temper. When
-open quarrels were no longer possible, it is likely that a greater
-contentment than had lodged there for a long time filled Beethoven's
-soul. There is no record of the parting, and it is safe to assume
-that it passed off without emotional demonstration of any kind. But
-Beethoven's thoughts went swiftly towards his self-assumed duty of
-providing for the young man's future. The very next day he wrote the
-following letter to Dr. Bach:
-
-[Sidenote: PROVIDING FOR THE NEPHEW'S FUTURE]
-
- Vienna, Wednesday January 3, 1827.
-
- Before my death I declare my beloved nephew my sole and universal
- heir of all the property which I possess in which is included
- chiefly seven bank shares and whatever money may be on hand. If
- the laws prescribe a modification in this I beg of you as far as
- possible to turn it to his _advantage_. I appoint you his _curator_
- and beg his guardian, Court Councillor von Breuning, to take the
- place of a father to him. God preserve you. A thousand thanks for
- the love and friendship which you have shown me.
-
- (L. S.) Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
-From Gerhard von Breuning's account of the last days of Beethoven it
-would seem that this letter, though written on January 3rd, and then
-addressed to his legal adviser, was not signed until shortly before
-his death, and that at intervals in the interim it was the subject
-of consultations between the composer, Bach, Breuning, Schindler and
-Johann. Certain it is that before dispatching the letter to Bach,
-Beethoven submitted it to von Breuning for an opinion. Gerhard carried
-it to his father and brought back an answer which may have postponed
-its formal execution and delivery till two days before Beethoven died.
-Stephan von Breuning was not willing that Karl should enter upon
-unrestricted possession of the property immediately upon the death of
-his uncle. In his letter he pointed out that till now Karl had shown
-himself frivolous and that there was no knowing what turn his character
-might take as a result of the new life upon which he had entered. He
-therefore advised that for the young man's own good and future safety
-he be prohibited from disposing of the capital of his inheritance,
-either during his lifetime or for a term of years after he had reached
-his majority, which under the Austrian law then prevailing was the age
-of 24 years. He argued that the income from the legacy would suffice
-for his maintenance for the time being and that to restrict him in
-the disposition of the capital would ensure him against the possible
-results of frivolous conduct before he should ripen into a man of solid
-parts. He recommended that Beethoven talk the matter over with Bach
-and wanted then to consult with both of them, as he feared that even a
-temporary restriction would not suffice to restrain Karl from making
-debts which in time would devour the inheritance when he should enter
-upon it. How Beethoven received this advice we shall learn later.
-
-There is little that need be added to the story of the nephew. He was
-with his regiment at Iglau. Through Schindler, Beethoven wrote him
-a letter. It is lost, but apparently it contained an expression of
-dissatisfaction with Dr. Wawruch, for in the reply, which has been
-preserved, Karl says: "Concerning yourself I am rejoiced to know that
-you are in good hands. I, too, had felt some distrust of the treatment
-of your former (or, perhaps, present?) physician; I hope improvement
-will now follow." He reports about his situation in the regiment, asks
-for money and the flute part of the Pianoforte Concerto in B-flat
-(Op. 19), which one of the officers of the regiment wished to play,
-and adds in a postscript: "Do not think that the little privations
-to which I am now subjected have made me dissatisfied with my lot.
-On the contrary, rest assured that I am living in contentment, and
-regret only that I am separated so far from you. In time, however,
-this will be different." But communications from the young man are
-not many, and Schindler's rebukes and complaints in the Conversation
-Books about his undutifulness are probably only a reflex of Beethoven's
-moods and utterances. One cause of dissatisfaction was the fact that
-a letter to Smart had been sent to him for translation and was not
-promptly returned. But he acknowledges the receipt of money towards
-the end of February, and on March 4th he writes another letter, which
-has been preserved. He sends his thanks for a pair of boots, says the
-translation of the letter to Smart must have been received, and adds:
-
- To-day a cadet returned to his batallion who had been in Vienna on
- a furlough; and he reports having heard that you had been saved by
- an ice and are feeling well. I hope the report is true, no matter
- what the means may have been... Write me very soon about the state
- of your health ... I kiss you. Your loving son Charles.
-
-Here Karl van Beethoven practically disappears from this history. He
-never saw his uncle in life again, nor even in death, for he was not
-present at the funeral--as indeed in those days of tardy communication
-and slow conveyance he could not be.
-
-[Sidenote: SCENES IN THE COMPOSER'S SICK-ROOM]
-
-Notwithstanding that they do not make a complete record, since the
-slate was also, and indeed largely, used by Beethoven's visitors,
-and despite the fact that they have not been left intact, but bear
-evidences of mutilation and falsification, the Conversation Books
-furnish a more vivid and also a more pathetic picture of Beethoven's
-sick-room than the writings of Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning.
-Busy about the couch of the patient we see his brother Johann and his
-nephew Karl, besides Schindler, Holz and Stephan von Breuning. The
-visits of the last are interrupted by illness and his official labors,
-but his son, the lad Gerhard, frequently lends a gracious touch to the
-scene by his familiar mode of address, his gossip about his father's
-domestic affairs and his suggestions of intellectual pabulum for his
-august friend. He is a daily message-bearer between the two households.
-Even at a sacrifice of space it is necessary to recount a few incidents
-of small intrinsic interest in order that some errors in history may
-be rectified. Notwithstanding Schindler's obvious efforts to have
-the contrary appear, Holz continues to be faithful in attendance,
-though his visits are not so numerous as they were during the weeks
-of Beethoven's great trial in the summer. The reason was obvious and
-certainly not to his discredit, though Schindler attempted to belittle
-it. Holz took unto himself a wife about the time that Beethoven
-returned to Vienna. Thitherto he had been able to devote a large
-portion of the time not given to official duties to his friend. Now,
-this was no longer possible; nor was it necessary after Dr. Wawruch
-had assumed care of the case. Beethoven's brother also returned to
-Vienna and Schindler found his way back to the composer's side within
-a fortnight. It is Holz, however, who looks after the correction and
-publication of the last compositions, and collects his annuity; and if
-it were necessary, his apologists might find evidence of Beethoven's
-confidence in his friendship and integrity in the fact that there is
-no indication that he ever questioned his honesty in money matters,
-while there is proof in Schindler's own handwriting that Beethoven
-thought _him_ capable of theft. It is pitiful that while Schindler is
-sacrificing himself in almost menial labors, Beethoven forces him to a
-pained protestation that he had returned the balance of a sum placed
-in his hands wherewith to make purchases. Schindler himself records
-the fact of Beethoven's suspicion with sorrow. A livelier sense of
-gratitude took possession of the sufferer later and found expression in
-gifts of autograph scores (of the Ninth Symphony, for instance, now in
-the Royal Library[166] at Berlin), and a promise, which he was unable
-to fulfill, to take part in a concert for Schindler's benefit.
-
-Whether Schindler was always as scrupulously honest in his attitude
-towards the public as he was in his dealings with Beethoven may be
-doubted. There are mutilations, interlineations and erasures in the
-Conversation Books which it is difficult to believe were not made for
-the purpose of bolstering up mistaken statements in his biography,
-which had already been published when the documents passed out of his
-hands into the possession of the Royal Library. Here is a case in
-point: Schuppanzigh has called and reported that one of Beethoven's
-quartets had been enthusiastically received by the public at a
-performance on the preceding Sunday (December 10, 1826). To what seems
-to have been an oral comment, Beethovens adds the words and music of
-the motto from the Quartet in F: "Muss es sein? Es muss sein." This
-moves Schuppanzigh to say: "But does he"--(Beethoven, of course, whom
-Schuppanzigh addresses in the third person as usual)--"does he know
-that the dirty fellow has become my enemy on that account?" Here we
-have an unmistakable allusion to the anecdote about Dembscher and the
-origin of the Canon on the theme of the finale of the F major Quartet.
-A few pages later Schindler is the writer and has just brought the
-news of the arrival of the ring presented to Beethoven by the King of
-Prussia. He had been asked to carry the ring to Beethoven, but had
-been unwilling to accept it unless he could give Beethoven's receipt
-for it in exchange. He adds the words "Es muss sein" as if in answer
-to a question by Beethoven. Now appear squeezed in between the music
-and the edge of the sheet the words: "The Old Woman (_Die Alte_) is
-again in need of her weekly allowance." The handwriting is plainly of
-a different date and at the time of the conversation the "Old Woman"
-was not in Beethoven's employ.[167] It is not easy to acquit Schindler
-of a sinister motive here nor to avoid the suspicion that it was his
-hand which made an attempt to obliterate the entry on December 5, which
-proves that Holz sent for Dr. Wawruch on that date and thus gives the
-lie to the infamous story about Karl and the billiard _marqueur_. The
-evidences of Schindler's eagerness to encourage Beethoven's detestation
-of his brother and his suspicion of his nephew are too numerous to be
-overlooked, and some of them may call for mention later.
-
-An offer by Gerhard von Breuning to bring one of his school-books
-containing pictures of classic antiquities is an evidence of the
-lad's familiarity with Beethoven's literary tastes. It was Brother
-Johann, however, who suggested the novels of Sir Walter Scott for his
-entertainment, and the impression conveyed by the story that after
-beginning "Kenilworth" Beethoven threw the volume down with the angry
-remark: "To the devil with the scribbling! The fellow writes only for
-money," that the composer would have no more of the novelist, is rudely
-disturbed by evidence that Beethoven read all of Scott's works which
-were to be found in translation in the circulating library. Beethoven
-later himself calls for Ovid's "Metamorphoses"; and his interest in
-international politics is so keen that he is not content with an
-abstract of Channing's great speech of December 12, 1826, but expresses
-a desire to read a full report.
-
-[Sidenote: DISSATISFIED WITH HIS PHYSICIAN]
-
-While Beethoven's friends are discussing with Dr. Wawruch the necessity
-of a second tapping, and Karl is packing his boxes for Iglau, the year
-1826 ends. The surgeon Seibert seems to have advised a postponement of
-the operation. In a conversation on January 6, 1827, Schindler says
-to Beethoven: "Then Hr. Seibert was really right in still postponing
-the second operation, for it will probably make a third unnecessary."
-There are now signs of Beethoven's dissatisfaction with the attending
-physician. Gerhard von Breuning has much to say on the point in his
-little book, and Schindler joins in the criticism many years after
-Beethoven's death; but in the Conversation Books he appears more than
-once as Wawruch's defender. From von Breuning we learn that while at
-a later date Malfatti's coming was awaited with eagerness and hailed
-with unfeigned gladness, Wawruch's visits were ungraciously received,
-Beethoven sometimes turning his face to the wall and exclaiming "Oh!
-the ass!" when he heard his name announced. But in the first week of
-January, Schindler is still concerned in keeping up the patient's faith
-in the skill of his physician. In a Conversation Book he writes shortly
-after the remark about the surgeon:
-
- He understands his profession, that is notorious, and he is right
- in following a safe course.--I have a great deal of confidence in
- him, but I can not speak from experience.--However, he is known as
- an able man and is esteemed by his students. But as we are here
- concerned with a _carum caput_ my advice from the beginning has
- been always to take into consultation a physician who is familiar
- with your constitution from _medical treatment_; such an one
- generally adopts very different measures.
-
-Evidently, Beethoven renews his expression of distrust. Schindler
-continues:
-
- Yet it is better and more advisable not to lose confidence in the
- physician, for after all he has done a great deal.--It is a very
- well-known fact that dropsy is very slow of cure.--Shall I come
- when the doctor is here?
-
-A few days later (January 8, says Schindler, who was present) the
-second operation took place. There were no complications, the tapping
-was accomplished without difficulty and Dr. Seibert reported that the
-water was clearer and the outflow greater than the first time. Ten
-measures were drawn off. On January 11 there was a consultation of
-physicians to which, besides either Dr. Braunhofer or Staudenheimer,
-Dr. Malfatti had been called. It had become an ardent wish of
-Beethoven's that Malfatti undertake his case, but Malfatti had refused,
-pleading professional ethics, but no doubt actuated by reasons of a
-more personal character. Many years before, probably as early as 1813,
-he had been not only Beethoven's physician but also his friend; indeed,
-he was an uncle of the Therese Malfatti to whom the composer once made
-an offer of marriage. He made, what it is easy to imagine to have been,
-the experience of all the medical men who undertook the care of the
-great man. Beethoven was ever a disobedient and impatient patient.
-He became dissatisfied with Dr. Malfatti's treatment and commented
-upon it and him in such a manner as to cause a serious and lasting
-estrangement. Ten years at least had elapsed between this incident
-and the time when Beethoven's longing went out towards his one-time
-professional friend. Schindler's story of the disappointments which
-he suffered when first he tried to persuade Dr. Malfatti to take the
-case in hand was printed in the "Frankfurter Konversationsblatt" of
-July 14, 1842. It was a long time afterward, and we can not withhold
-a suspicion that it is rather highly colored, but since the coming of
-Malfatti was a matter of large moment to Beethoven and the treatment
-which he recommended (strictly speaking, he can not be said to have
-prescribed it, for Dr. Wawruch remained in charge of the case to the
-end) has a large bearing upon Beethoven's physical condition and its
-causes, it may be told here. Schindler writes, in his communication to
-the Frankfort newspaper:
-
- Never shall I forget the harsh words of that man which he
- commissioned me to bear to the friend and teacher who lay mortally
- ill, when after the second operation (January 8) I repeatedly
- carried to him the urgent requests of Beethoven that he come to his
- help or he should die. Dr. Wawruch did not know his constitution,
- was ruining him with too much medicine. He had already been
- compelled to empty 75 bottles, without counting various powders,
- he had no confidence in this physician, etc. To all of these
- representations Malfatti answered me coldly and drily: "Say to
- Beethoven that he, as a master of harmony, must know that I must
- also live in harmony with my colleagues." Beethoven wept bitter
- tears when I brought him this reply, which, hard as it was, I had
- to do, so that he might no longer look for help to that quarter....
- Though Malfatti finally took pity on poor Beethoven and abolished
- Wawruch's medicine bottles at once and prescribed an entirely
- different course of treatment, despite the pleadings of the patient
- he refused to remain his _ordinarius_ and visit him often. On the
- contrary, he came only at long intervals and contented himself with
- occasional reports from me as to the sick man's condition. He was
- not willing even to send one of his assistants to Beethoven and
- consequently Dr. Wawruch remained his daily visitor in spite of
- Beethoven's protests.
-
-[Sidenote: RECONCILIATION WITH DR. MALFATTI]
-
-On January 19, after a second visit to Dr. Malfatti, Schindler wrote to
-Beethoven saying that the Doctor would come to him and begging him to
-seek a reconciliation, inasmuch as Malfatti still cherished resentment
-because of the treatment which he had received a decade before at
-Beethoven's hands. Malfatti came, a reconciliation was effected,
-and under the inspiration of the changed treatment which Malfatti
-introduced Beethoven's spirits rose buoyantly, his physical condition
-responded and the despair which had begun to fill the sufferer gave
-way to a confident hope of recovery. The treatment was simple, but the
-improvement which it brought about was not lasting. Malfatti put away
-the drugs and decoctions and prescribed frozen punch, and rubbing the
-patient's abdomen with ice-cold water. Dr. Wawruch in his history of
-the case confirms Schindler's statement of the beneficial results which
-were at first attained. He says:
-
- Then Dr. Malfatti, who thenceforth supported me with his advice,
- and who, as a friend of Beethoven of long years' standing
- understood his predominant inclination for spirituous liquors,
- hit upon the notion of administering frozen punch. I must confess
- that the treatment produced excellent effects for a few days
- at least. Beethoven felt himself so refreshed by the ice with
- its alcoholic contents that already in the first night he slept
- quietly throughout the night and began to perspire profusely. He
- grew cheerful and was full of witty conceits and even dreamed of
- being able to complete the oratorio "Saul and David"[168] which
- he had begun. But this joy, as was to have been foreseen, did not
- last long. He began to abuse the prescription and applied himself
- right bravely to the frozen punch. The spirits soon caused a
- violent pressure of the blood upon the brain, he grew soporous,
- breathed stertorously like an intoxicated person, began to wander
- in his speech, and a few times inflammatory pains in the throat
- were paired with hoarseness and even aphony. He became more
- unruly and when, because of the cooling of the bowels, colic and
- diarrhoea resulted, it was high time to deprive him of this precious
- refreshment.
-
-Wawruch's remark here about Beethoven's predilection for spirituous
-liquors formed the basis for Schindler's charge, which has already
-been discussed, that the physician had slandered Beethoven and had
-tried to create the impression that he had contracted dropsy by
-inordinate use of alcoholic drinks. The account of the beneficial
-effect of Malfatti's coming, no less than the treatment which he
-prescribed, is reasonable enough. Beethoven no doubt, in the warm
-glow of a recovered friendship, gave the physician a full measure of
-confidence and hailed in him much more than the ordinary professional
-leech. It is also safe to assume that Malfatti knew from the beginning
-that a cure was impossible and strove at once for temporary relief,
-which in Beethoven's case was the surest of means for cheering him
-up and reanimating hope within him. By administering frozen punch
-he stimulated the jaded organs more successfully than Wawruch had
-succeeded in doing; at the same time he warned against excess in its
-use and forbade the patient taking it in a liquid form. But this was
-only at the beginning; when he saw the inevitable end approaching he
-waived all injunctions as to quantity. Schindler says:
-
- The quantity of frozen punch permitted in the first weeks was not
- more than one glass a day. Not until after the fourth operation
- (February 27th), when it was seen that the case was hopeless,
- were all restrictions removed. The noble patient, feeling the
- marked effects of a doubled and even trebled allowance meanwhile,
- thought himself already half saved and wanted to work on his
- tenth symphony, which he was allowed to do to a small extent.
- From these days, so extraordinary in the sight of the friends who
- surrounded him, the last lines are dated which he wrote to me on
- March 17--nine days before his death--the very last page which the
- immortal master wrote with his own hands:
-
- "Miracles! Miracles! Miracles! The highly learned gentlemen are
- both defeated! Only through Malfatti's science shall I be saved. It
- is necessary that you come to me for a moment this forenoon."
-
-The reiteration of the word "miracles" is indicated by the usual
-musical sign of repetition [repeat symbol]. There is no date in
-Beethoven's handwriting, but Schindler has endorsed it: "Beethoven's
-last lines to Schindler on March 17, 1827." The endorsement is of
-a later date and marks another obvious error of memory. It is not
-possible that Beethoven wrote the letter after he had himself abandoned
-all hope of recovery, as he had before the date affixed by Schindler.
-Most obviously the pathetic document is an outburst of jubilation on
-feeling the exhilaration consequent on Malfatti's prescription, as
-mentioned in Dr. Wawruch's report. Schindler says that the "learned
-gentlemen" referred to were Wawruch and Seibert. Wawruch says that
-Beethoven abandoned hope after the fourth tapping; Johann van Beethoven
-records that the physicians declared him lost on March 16. Schindler in
-his biography describes a letter written in February as the last letter
-actually written by the composer.
-
-[Sidenote: TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT]
-
-Gerhard von Breuning, prejudiced as he was against Dr. Wawruch, was yet
-far from unqualified in his praise of Malfatti. He says:
-
- But the usually brilliant physician seems to have been little
- inspired in the presence of Beethoven. The frozen punch which he
- prescribed to restore the tone of the digestive organs, excessively
- weakened by Wawruch's overload of medicaments, had, indeed, the
- desired restorative effect; but it was too transient. On the
- other hand a sort of sweat-bath prescribed a few days after the
- second[169] operation was so obviously injurious to the patient,
- filled with longing and hope, that it had to be abandoned at once.
- Jugs filled with hot water were arranged in a bath-tub and covered
- thickly with birch leaves on which the patient was seated, all of
- his body but the head being covered with a sheet. Malfatti hoped
- for a beneficient action upon the skin and to put the organs into
- a productive perspiration. But the very opposite effect resulted.
- The body of the patient, which had been emptied of its water by the
- scarcely completed tapping, attracted the moisture developed by the
- bath like a block of salt; it swelled visibly in the apparatus and
- in a few days compelled the introduction anew of the tube into the
- still unhealed puncture.
-
-The story of this sweat-bath needs to be told, if for no other reason
-than because it is the basis of another of the romances still current,
-which were retailed for the single purpose of presenting Beethoven as
-a sufferer from the niggardliness of Johann. On January 25 (the date
-is fixed by a remark of Johann's in the Conversation Book) Schindler
-brought word to Beethoven that the mother of the singer Fraeulein
-Schechner had sent for him that morning to tell him about two remedies
-which had proved efficacious in the case of her father, who had also
-been afflicted with dropsy. One of these was Juniperberry tea, the
-other a vapor bath from a decoction, the ingredients of which were
-a head of cabbage, two handfuls of caraway seeds and three handfuls
-of hayseed (_Heublumen_). These remedies had been prescribed by the
-physician of the late King of Bavaria and had worked a cure in the case
-of Madame Schechner's father when he was 70 years old. Dr. Malfatti
-seems to have been told of these remedies and to have prescribed the
-bath, which, it is said in the Conversation Books, he recognized at
-once as a cure used by Dr. Harz, the Royal Physician mentioned. Within
-a day or two Schindler notes in the book, that he had asked Johann for
-some hay and the latter had replied that his hay was not good enough
-for the purpose; but the next day, on seeing the hay, which had been
-procured from another source, Johann had said that he had plenty of
-that sort and that his was dryer. Unwilling, apparently, to admit
-that Johann might have been honest in his belief that the hay from
-his stable was not fit for medicinal purposes, Schindler writes for
-Beethoven's perusal: "Is it not abominable that he is unwilling even to
-give hay for a single bath!" Yet this monster of inhumanity, unwilling
-to sacrifice even a wisp of hay for a dying brother, was at the time in
-daily attendance upon that brother and had taken upon himself a great
-deal of the onerous and disagreeable labor of the sick-room!
-
-Among Beethoven's visitors in February, near the end of the month,
-when Beethoven was at an extremity of his suffering, was the singer
-Demoiselle Schechner, who almost forced her way to the bedside to
-tell him of her great admiration for his music, of her successes in
-"Fidelio," and that it was through singing his "Adelaide" that she had
-won her way to the operatic stage. Under date of February there also
-came to the composer a cheery letter from his old playmate Wegeler,
-calling to his mind some of his early flames--Jeanette Honrath and
-Fraeulein Westerholt--and playfully outlining a plan by which the old
-friends might enjoy a reunion: he would send, he said, one of his
-patients to Carlsbad and go there with him as soon as Beethoven should
-arrange also to go there for his convalescence. Then, after a three
-weeks' trip through South Germany, there should be a final visit to the
-home of their childhood. And, as before, Eleonore sends a postscript
-emphasizing the pleasures of the reunion. Beethoven answered the letter
-on February 17, and told his old friend how he had tried to send him a
-letter and portrait through Stephan von Breuning on December 10, but
-the plan had miscarried. Now the matter was to be entrusted to the
-Schotts.
-
-Zmeskall, faithful to the old friendship, a bound prisoner to his room
-through gout, sends greetings and inquiries through Schindler. From his
-sick-bed Beethoven answers him, not in the jocular spirit which marked
-his voluminous notes of old, but in terms which breathe sincerity and
-real friendship:
-
- A thousand thanks for your sympathy. I do not despair. The most
- painful feature is the cessation of all activity. No evil without
- its good side. May heaven but grant you amelioration of your
- painful existence. Perhaps health is coming to both of us and we
- shall meet again in friendly intimacy.
-
-[Sidenote: COMFORT RECEIVED FROM ENGLAND]
-
-Though Beethoven had received the Handel scores in December, he does
-not seem to have had an opportunity to enjoy Stumpff's gift thoroughly
-until he turned to them for intellectual refreshment on his bed of
-pain. He had signed the receipt for them in December, but it was
-not until his thoughts turned to his English friends in the hope of
-pecuniary relief that he wrote a letter to Stumpff under date of
-February 8.[170]
-
- How great a joy the sending of the works of Handel of which you
- made me a present--for me a royal present!--this my pen cannot
- describe. An article about it was even printed by the newspaper,
- which I enclose. Unfortunately I have been down with the dropsy
- since the 3rd of December. You can imagine in what a situation this
- places me! I live generally only from the proceeds of my brain,
- to make provision of all things for myself and my Carl. Unhappily
- for a month and a half I have not been able to write a note. My
- salary suffices only to pay my semi-annual rent, after which there
- remains only a few hundred florins. Reflect now that it cannot
- yet be determined when my illness will end, I again be able to
- sail through the air on Pegasus under full sail. Doctor, surgeon,
- everything must be paid.
-
- I recall right well that several years ago the Philharmonic Society
- wanted to give a concert for my benefit. It would be fortunate for
- me if they would come to this determination now. It might save me
- from all the needs which confront me. On this account I am writing
- to Mr. S. [Smart] and if you, my dear friend, can do anything
- toward this end I beg of you to cooperate with Mr. S. Moscheles
- will also be written to about it and if all my friends unite I
- believe that something can be done for me in this matter.
-
- Concerning the Handel works for H. Imperial Highness Archduke
- Rudolph, I cannot as yet say anything with certainty. But I will
- write to him in a few days and remind him of it.
-
- While thanking you again for your glorious gift, I beg of you to
- command me if I can be of service to you here in any way, I shall
- do it with all my heart. I again place my condition as I have
- described it close to your benevolent heart and while wishing you
- all things good and beautiful, I commend myself to you.
-
-Stumpff had already been informed of Beethoven's illness by Streicher.
-It is evident that he went at once to Smart and Moscheles, and
-knowledge of Beethoven's condition and request was communicated to the
-directors of the Philharmonic Society forthwith. Beethoven, meanwhile,
-had written to both Smart and Moscheles, enclosing the letter of the
-former in the letter to the latter; but the quick and sympathetic
-action of the Society was no doubt due primarily to the initiative of
-Stumpff, for the letters could by no means have reached London when the
-directors held a meeting on February 28. Mr. Dance presided, and those
-present, as recorded in the Society's minutes, were F. Cramer, Horsley,
-Moralt, Dragonetti, Neate, Dizi, Beale, T. Cooke, Sir G. Smart, Welsh,
-Latour, Spagnoletti, Calkin, J. B. Cramer, Cipriani Potter and Watts.
-The minutes continue:
-
- It was moved by Mr. Neate, and seconded by Mr. Latour:
-
- "That this Society do lend the sum of One Hundred Pounds to its
- own members to be sent through the hands of Mr. Moscheles to some
- confidential friend of Beethoven, to be applied to his comforts and
- necessities during his illness."
-
- Carried unanimously.
-
-Both Stumpff and Moscheles wrote the good news to Beethoven the
-next day. Moscheles's letter appears in his translation, or rather
-paraphrase, of Schindler's biography. In it he said:
-
- The Philharmonic Society resolved to express their good will
- and lively sympathy by requesting your acceptance of 100 pounds
- sterling (1,000 florins) to provide the necessary comforts and
- conveniences during your illness. This money will be paid to your
- order by Mr. Rau, of the house of Eskeles, either in separate sums
- or all at once as you desire.
-
-He added an expression of the Philharmonic Society's willingness to aid
-him further whenever he should inform it of his need of assistance.
-Beethoven's impatience was so great that, having found Smart's address
-among his papers, he wrote him a second letter on March 6th, being
-able now to mention the fact of the fourth tapping on February 27th
-and to utter the apprehension that the operation might have to be
-repeated--perhaps more than once. On March 14th he was still without
-the answer of his English friends and he wrote again to Moscheles
-telling him of the two letters sent to Smart, urging action and
-concluding with
-
- Whither is this to lead, and what is to become of me if this
- continues for a while longer? Verily, a hard lot has befallen me!
- But I yield to the will of fate and only pray God so to order it in
- his Divine Will that so long as I must endure this death in life I
- may be protected against want. This will give me strength to endure
- my lot, hard and terrible as it may be, with submission to the will
- of the Most High.... Hummel is here and has already visited me a
- few times.
-
-Schindler says that the appeal to London, which had been suggested
-by Beethoven, had been discussed with the composer by himself and
-Breuning, who agreed in questioning the advisability of the step
-which, they said, would make a bad impression if it became known. They
-reminded Beethoven of his bank-shares, but he protested vigorously
-against their being touched; he had set them apart as a legacy for his
-nephew which must not be encroached upon. The letters to Smart and
-Moscheles are mentioned several times in the Conversation Books, but
-there is no record of a protest by Schindler or Breuning. Inasmuch,
-however, as much of the conversation with Beethoven was at this time
-carried on with the help of a slate, it is very likely that Schindler's
-statement is correct. At any rate it serves to give a quietus to the
-fantastic notion of the romancers that Beethoven had forgotten that
-he had the shares. Not only were they talked about by his friends,
-but they were the subject of discussion in the correspondence and
-congratulations between Beethoven, Bach and Breuning on the subject of
-the will.
-
-The last letters to Smart and Moscheles were scarcely dispatched before
-advices were received from London. Beethoven dictated the following
-acknowledgment which Schindler, though he held the pen, did not
-reproduce in full in his biography:
-
-[Sidenote: MONEY FROM THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC]
-
- Vienna, March 18, 1827.
-
- My dear good Moscheles:
-
- I can not describe to you in words with what feelings I read your
- letter of March 1. The generosity with which the Philharmonic
- Society anticipated my petition has touched me in the innermost
- depth of my soul. I beg you, therefore, my dear Moscheles, to be
- the agency through which I transmit my sincerest thanks for the
- particular sympathy and help, to the Philharmonic Society.
-
- I found myself constrained to collect at once the entire sum of
- 1,000 florins C. M. being in the unpleasant position of raising
- money which would have brought new embarrassments.
-
- Concerning the concert which the Philharmonic Society has resolved
- to give, I beg the Society not to abandon this noble purpose, and
- to deduct the 1,000 florins already sent to me from the proceeds of
- the concert. And if the Society is disposed graciously to send me
- the balance I pledge myself to return my heartiest thanks to the
- Society by binding myself to compose for it either a new symphony,
- which lies already sketched in my desk, a new overture or whatever
- else the Society shall wish.
-
- May heaven very soon restore me again to health, and I will prove
- to the generous Englishmen how greatly I appreciate their interest
- in my sad fate. Their noble act will never be forgotten by me and I
- shall follow this with especial thanks to Sir Smart and Mr. Stumpff.
-
-Schindler relates that Beethoven on March 24, whispered to him, "write
-to Smart and Stumpff," and that he would have done so on the morrow had
-Beethoven been able to sign his name. In a translation of the letter to
-Moscheles printed in a pamphlet published by the Philharmonic Society
-in 1871,[171] it concluded as follows:
-
- Farewell! with the kindest remembrances and highest esteem
- From your friend
- Ludwig van Beethoven.
-
- Kindest regards to your wife. I have to thank you and the
- Philharmonic Society for a new friend in Mr. Rau. I enclose for the
- Philharmonic Society a metronomic list of the movements of my ninth
- Symphony.
-
- Allegro ma non troppo 88 = [crotchet]
- Molto vivace 116 = [minim]
- Presto 116 = [minim]
- Adagio primo 60 = [crotchet]
- Andante moderato 63 = [minim]
- Finale presto 96 = [crotchet]
- Allegro ma non tanto 88 = [crotchet]
- Allegro assai 80 = [minim]
- Alla marcia 84 = [crotchet]
- Andante maestoso 72 = [minim]
- Adagio divoto 60 = [minim]
- Allegro energico 84 = [minim]
- Allegro ma non tanto 120 = [minim]
- Prestissimo 132 = [minim]
- Maestoso 60 = [crotchet]
-
-The history of the Philharmonic Society's benefaction may properly be
-completed at this point. The money, as is to be seen from Beethoven's
-acknowledgment, was collected by the composer at once. Herr Rau, of the
-banking-house of Eskeles to whom it had been entrusted, called upon
-Beethoven immediately on receiving advices from London. It was on March
-15, and two days later he enclosed Beethoven's receipt (dated March 16)
-in a letter to Moscheles which the latter transmitted to Mr. W. Watts,
-Secretary of the Philharmonic Society. Rau wrote:
-
- I have with the greatest surprise heard from you, who reside in
- London, that the universally admired Beethoven is so dangerously
- ill and in want of pecuniary assistance, while we, here at Vienna,
- are totally ignorant of it. I went to him immediately after having
- read your letter to ascertain his state, and to announce to him
- the approaching relief. This made a deep impression upon him, and
- called forth true expressions of gratitude. What a satisfactory
- sight would it have been for those who so generously relieved him
- to witness such a touching scene! I found poor Beethoven in a sad
- way, more like a skeleton than a living being. He is suffering
- from dropsy, and has already been tapped four times; he is under
- the care of our clever physician Malfatti, who unfortunately gives
- little hope of his recovery.
-
- How long he may remain in his present state, or if he can at all
- be saved, can not yet be ascertained. The joyous sensation at the
- sudden relief from London has, however, had a wonderful effect upon
- him; it made one of the wounds (which since the last operation had
- healed) suddenly burst open during the night, and all the water
- which had gathered since a fortnight ran out freely. When I came to
- see him on the following day he was in remarkably good spirits and
- felt himself much relieved. I hastened to Malfatti to inform him of
- this alteration and he considers the event as very consolatory. He
- will contrive to keep the wound open for some time and thus leave a
- channel for the water which gathers continually. Beethoven is fully
- satisfied with his attendants, who consist of a cook and housemaid.
- His friend and ours, Mr. Schindler, dines with him every day
- and thus proves his sincere attachment to him. S. also manages
- his correspondence and superintends his expenses. You will find
- enclosed a receipt from Beethoven for the 1,000 florins (or 100
- pounds). When I proposed to him to take half of the sum at present,
- and to leave the rest with Baron Eskeles, where he might have it
- safely deposited, he acknowledged to me openly that he considered
- this money as a relief sent him from heaven; and that 500 florins
- would not suffice for his present want. I therefore gave him,
- according to his wish, the whole sum at once. Beethoven will soon
- address a letter to the Philharmonic Society by which he means to
- express his gratitude. I hope you will again accept my services
- whenever they can be of any use to Beethoven. I am, etc.
-
-In a letter, dated March 24, Schindler wrote to Moscheles:
-
- I much regret that you did not express more decidedly in your
- letter the wish that he should draw the 100 pounds by installments,
- and I agreed with Rau to recommend this course, but he (Beethoven)
- preferred acting on the last part of your letter. Care and anxiety
- seemed at once to vanish when he had received the money, and he
- said to me quite happily, "Now we can again look forward to some
- comfortable days." We had only 340 florins, W. W. remaining and
- we had been obliged to be very economical for some time in our
- housekeeping.... His delight on receiving this gift from the
- Philharmonic Society resembled that of a child. A letter from that
- worthy man Stumpff arrived here two days before yours and all this
- affected Beethoven very much. Numberless times during the day he
- exclaimed. "May God reward them a thousandfold."
-
-On March 28 Rau wrote again to Moscheles:
-
- Beethoven is no more; he died on the 26th inst. at five o'clock
- in the afternoon, in the most dreadful agonies of pain. He was,
- as I mentioned to you in my last letter, according to his own
- statement, without any relief, without any money, consequently in
- the most painful circumstances; but on taking an inventory of his
- property after his death, at which I was present, we found in an
- old half-mouldy chest, seven Austrian bank bills which amount to
- about 1,000 pounds. Whether Beethoven concealed these purposely,
- for he was very mistrusting, and hoped for a speedy recovery,
- or whether he was himself ignorant of his possession, remains a
- riddle. We found the whole of the 100 pounds which the Philharmonic
- Society sent him, and I reclaimed them according to your former
- orders.[172] but was compelled to deposit them with the magistrate
- until a further communication from that Society arrives. I could,
- of course, not permit the expenses of the burial to be paid out of
- this money without the consent of the Society. Beethoven's nephew
- now succeeds to all his property. I hope to hear from you soon and
- explicitly what I am to do, and you may rest perfectly assured of
- my promptness and exactitude.
-
-[Sidenote: MOSCHELES REPORTS TO LONDON]
-
-Moscheles, "by return post," as he assures Mr. Watts, asked Rau to send
-the L100 back to the Philharmonic Society "according to the conditions
-under which the money was sent." A correspondence ensued between
-Moscheles and Hotschevar, who was appointed guardian of the nephew
-after Breuning's death (on June 4, 1827), which ended in Moscheles' (as
-he himself says) laying before the Philharmonic Society the case of
-young Beethoven (then under age) and soliciting them "not to reclaim
-the L100, but, in honor of the great deceased, to allow the small
-patrimony to remain untouched." Meanwhile it appears from a letter from
-Schindler to Smart dated March 31,[173] that Schindler and Breuning
-applied a portion of the sum to the payment of the funeral expenses;
-"otherwise," says the letter, "we could not have had him decently
-buried without selling one of the seven bank-shares which constitute
-his entire estate." The sum thus expended is shown to have been 650
-florins C. M. by the inventory preserved by Fischoff.
-
-There are evidences outside of the importunate letters to London that
-Beethoven had frequent spells of melancholy during the period between
-the crises of his disease, which culminated in the third operation on
-February 2,[174] and the fourth. Some of them were, no doubt, due to
-forebodings touching the outcome of his illness; some to the anxiety
-which his financial condition gave him (more imaginary than real in
-view of the easily convertible bank-shares), and some presumably to
-disappointment and chagrin at the conduct of his nephew, who had not
-answered his letter to Iglau. Breuning explained that the negligence
-might be due to Karl's time and attention being engrossed by the
-carnival gayeties at the military post, and warned Beethoven that
-to give way to melancholy was to stand in the way of recovery. We
-learn this from the Conversation Books, which also give glimpses of
-friendly visits calculated to divert the sick man's mind and keep
-him in touch with the affairs of the city, theatre and the world at
-large. Dolezalek, Schuppanzigh, and apparently Linke also, came in a
-group; Beethoven showed them the Handel scores and the conversation
-ran out into a discussion of international politics. Moritz Lichnowsky
-made a call and entertained him with the gossip of the theatres.
-Gleichenstein made several visits, and once brought with him his
-wife and son. The Countess was a sister of Therese Malfatti, to whom
-Beethoven had once made an offer of marriage, and was disappointed
-when Beethoven did not recognize her. About the middle of February
-Diabelli gave Beethoven a print-picture of Haydn's birthplace, which
-he had published; Beethoven showed it to his little friend Gerhard von
-Breuning and said: "Look, I got this to-day. See this little house, and
-in it so great a man was born!"
-
-[Sidenote: FRIENDS AROUND THE DEATH-BED]
-
-On February 25 Holz is called by letter to look after the collection
-of Beethoven's annuity. His visits have been infrequent, but evidently
-there are some things which Beethoven either cannot or will not
-entrust to anybody else. Schindler is ceaselessly and tirelessly busy
-with Beethoven's affairs, but his statement that Breuning and he were
-the only persons who were much with the composer during his illness,
-except the lad, Gerhard von Breuning, must be taken with some grains
-of allowance. On 123 pages of the Conversation Books, covering the
-months of January and February, 1827 (the evidence of which can not be
-gainsaid, since the books were long in the hand of Schindler to do with
-as he willed), there are forty-eight entries by Johann van Beethoven,
-forty-six by Gerhard von Breuning and thirty by Breuning the elder.
-Schindler's entries number 103. Other writers in the Books are Bernhard
-(1), Holz (7), Bach (2), Piringer (6), Haslinger (11), Schikh (1),
-Dolezalek (4), Schuppanzigh (6), Moritz Lichnowsky (1), Gleichenstein
-(1), Jekel (1), Marie Schindler, Anton's sister (1) and Wolfmayer (1).
-
-Sometime in February--it was probably at the time when Beethoven's
-mind was so fixedly bent on obtaining help from London--Schindler was
-either ill or suffering from an accident which kept him for a brief
-space from Beethoven's bedside. The composer sent him a gift--a repast,
-evidently--and a letter of sympathy so disjointed in phrase as to give
-pitiful confirmation of Schindler's statement that it was the last
-letter which Beethoven wrote with his own hand, and that at the time he
-could no longer think connectedly. It ran:
-
- Concerning your accident, since it has happened, as soon as we see
- each other I can send to you somebody without inconvenience--accept
- this--here is something--Moscheles, Cramer--without your having
- received a letter--There will be a new occasion to write one
- Wednesday and lay my affairs to his heart, if you are not well by
- that time one of my--can take it to the post against a receipt.
- _Vale et fave_, there is no need of my assuring you of my sympathy
- in your accident--do take the meal from me, it is given with all my
- heart--Heaven be with you.
-
-More pathetic than even this letter is the picture of the sufferer
-in his sick-room at the time of the fourth operation (February 27).
-So wretched are his surroundings that it is scarcely impossible
-to avoid the conviction that not poverty alone but ignorance and
-carelessness were contributary to the woeful lack of ordinary sick-room
-conveniences. Gerhard von Breuning says that after the operation
-the fluid which was drained from the patient's body flowed half-way
-across the floor to the middle of the room; and in the C. B. there is
-a mention of saturated bedclothing and the physician suggests that
-oilcloth be procured and spread over the couch. Beethoven now gave
-up hope. Dr. Wawruch says: "No words of comfort could brace him up,
-and when I promised him alleviation of his sufferings with the coming
-of the vitalizing weather of Spring he answered with a smile: 'My
-day's work is finished. If there were a physician could help me his
-name should be called Wonderful.' This pathetic allusion to Handel's
-'Messiah' touched me so deeply that I had to confess its correctness
-to myself with profound emotion." The incident so sympathetically
-described bears evidence of veracity on its face; Handel's scores were
-always in Beethoven's mind during the last weeks of his life.
-
-Among Beethoven's visitors in February was Wolfmayer, whose coming must
-have called up a sense of a long-standing obligation and purpose in
-the composer's mind.[175] On February 22nd he dictated a letter to the
-Schotts asking that the Quartet in C-sharp minor be dedicated to "my
-friend Johann Nepomuk Wolfmayer." The letter then proceeds:
-
- Now, however, I come with a very important request.--My doctor
- orders me to drink very good old Rhinewine. To get a thing of that
- kind unadulterated is not possible at any price. If, therefore, I
- were to receive a few small bottles I would show my gratitude to
- you in the Caecilia. I think something would be done for me at the
- customs so that the transport would not cost too much. As soon as
- my strength allows you shall receive the metronomic marks for the
- Mass, for I am just in the period when the fourth operation is
- about to be performed. The sooner, therefore, that I receive the
- Rhinewine, or Moselle, the more beneficial it may be to me in my
- present condition; and I beg of you most heartily to do me this
- favor for which I shall be under an obligation of gratitude to you.
-
-On March 1st he repeated his request:
-
- I am under the necessity of becoming burdensome to you again,
- inasmuch as I am sending you a packet for the Royal Government
- Councillor Wegeler at Coblenz, which you will have the kindness to
- transmit from Mayence to Coblenz. You know without more ado that I
- am too unselfish to ask you to do all these things gratuitously.
-
- I repeat my former request, that, namely, concerning old white
- Rhinewine or Moselle. It is infinitely difficult to get any here
- which is genuine and unadulterated, even at the highest price. A
- few days ago, on February 27, I had my fourth operation, and yet I
- am unable to look forward to my complete recovery and restoration.
- Pity your devoted friend
-
- Beethoven.
-
-[Sidenote: WINE AND DELICACIES FOR THE SUFFERER]
-
-On March 8 the Schotts answered that they had forwarded a case of
-twelve bottles of Ruedesheimer Berg of the vintage of 1806, _via_
-Frankfort, but in order that he might the sooner receive a slight
-refreshment, they had sent that day four bottles of the same wine, two
-pure and two mixed with herbs, to be used as a medicine which had been
-prescribed for his disease. The prescription had come, they said, from
-a friend who had cured many persons of dropsy with it. Before the wine
-reached Vienna, on March 10, Beethoven wrote again to the Schotts:
-
- According to my letter the Quartet was to be dedicated to one
- whose name I have already sent to you. Since then there has been
- an occurrence which has led me to make a change in this. It must
- be dedicated to Lieut.-Fieldmarshal von Stutterheim to whom I am
- deeply indebted. If you have already engraved the first dedication
- I beg of you, by everything in this world, to change it and I
- will gladly pay the cost. Do not accept this as an empty promise;
- I attach so much importance to it that I am ready to make any
- compensation for it. I enclose the title. As regards the shipment
- to my friend, the Royal Prussian Government Councillor v. Wegeler
- in Coblenz, I am glad to be able to relieve you wholly. Another
- opportunity has offered itself. My health, which will not be
- restored for a long time, pleads for the wines which I have asked
- for and which will certainly bring me refreshment, strength and
- health.
-
-There are evidences that the wine was received on March 24. On March
-29 the Schotts, under the impression that Beethoven was still alive,
-wrote him again. Baron Pasqualati, in whose house he had lived for a
-long time, an old friend, joined his new friends, the publishers, in
-an effort to contribute to his physical comfort and well-being. There
-are several little letters in which Beethoven acknowledges the receipt
-of contributions from his cellar and larder. One of these, most likely
-the first, has been endorsed by a strange hand as having been sent or
-received on March 6. It reads:
-
- Hearty thanks for your health-gift; as soon as I have found out
- which of the wines is the most suitable I will let you know, but I
- shall abuse your kindness as little as possible. I am rejoicing
- in the expectation of the compotes and will appeal to you often
- for them. Even this costs me an exertion. _Sapienta pauca_--Your
- grateful friend
-
- Beethoven.
-
-And a little while afterwards he writes:
-
- I beg you again to-day for a cherry compote, but without lemons,
- entirely simple; also I should be glad to have a light pudding,
- almost a suggestion of a gruel--my good cook is not yet adept in
- food for the sick. I am allowed to drink _champagne_, but for
- the time being I beg you to send a champagne glass with it. Now
- as regards the wine: At first Malfatti wanted only Moselle; but
- he asserted that there was none genuine to be obtained here; he
- therefore himself gave me several bottles of Krumpholz-Kirchner and
- claims that this is the best for my health, since no Moselle is to
- be had. Pardon me for being a burden and ascribe it to my helpless
- condition.
-
-And again:
-
- How shall I thank you enough for the glorious champagne? How
- greatly has it refreshed me and will continue to do so! I need
- nothing to-day and thank you for everything--whatever conclusions
- you may draw in regard to the wines I beg of you to note that I
- would gladly recompense you to the extent of my ability.--I can
- write no more to-day. Heaven bless you for everything and for your
- affectionate sympathy.
-
-Still another:
-
- Many thanks for the food of yesterday, which will also serve
- for to-day.--I am allowed to eat game; the doctor thinks that
- _Krametsvoegel_ (Fieldfares) are good and wholesome for me. This for
- your information, but it need not be to-day. Pardon my senseless
- writing--Weary of night vigils--I embrace and reverence you.
-
-And finally this, presumably last, letter:
-
- My thanks for the food sent yesterday. A sick man longs for
- such things like a child and therefore I beg you to-day for the
- peach compote. As regards other food I must get the advice of
- the physicians. Concerning the wine they consider the Grinzinger
- beneficial but prefer old Krumpholz Kirchener over all others.--I
- hope this statement will not cause you to misunderstand me.
-
-Others who sent him gifts of wine were Streicher and Breuning, and, as
-we see from one of the letters, Malfatti himself. There is considerable
-talk in the C. B. about wine. His days were numbered--why should any
-comfort be denied him?
-
-[Sidenote: THE REPUTED VISIT BY SCHUBERT]
-
-Concerning the last few days of his life the Conversation Books provide
-absolutely no information. There is no record of the visit of Schubert
-to the bedside of the dying man, but the account given by Schindler is
-probably correct in the main. On page 136 of the second volume of his
-biography of Beethoven, Schindler says:
-
- As only a few of Franz Schubert's compositions were known to him
- and obsequious persons had always been busily engaged in throwing
- suspicion on his talent, I took advantage of the favorable moment
- to place before him several of the greater songs, such as "Die
- junge Nonne," "Die Buergschaft," "Der Taucher," "Elysium" and the
- Ossianic songs, acquaintance with which gave the master great
- pleasure; so much, indeed, that he spoke his judgment in these
- words: "Truly, the divine spark lives in Schubert," and so forth.
- At the time, however, only a small number of Schubert's works had
- appeared in print.
-
-Here no date is fixed for the incident and a little suspicion was cast
-upon the story because of the fact that only "Die junge Nonne" of all
-the songs mentioned had been published at the time of Beethoven's
-death. Schindler helped himself measurably out of the dilemma by saying
-in an article published in the "Theaterzeitung" of May 3, 1831, that
-many of the songs which he laid before Beethoven were in manuscript. He
-contradicts his statement made in the biography, however, by saying:
-"What would the great master have said had he seen, for instance
-the Ossianic songs, 'Die Buergschaft,' 'Elysium,' 'Der Taucher' and
-other great ones which have only recently been published?" As usual,
-Schindler becomes more explicit when he comes to explain one of his
-utterances. Now he says:
-
- As the illness to which Beethoven finally succumbed after four
- months of suffering from the beginning made his ordinary mental
- activity impossible, a diversion had to be thought of which would
- fit his mind and inclinations. And so it came about that I placed
- before him a collection of Schubert's songs, about 60 in number,
- among them many which were then still in manuscript. This was done
- not only to provide him with a pleasant entertainment, but also
- to give him an opportunity to get acquainted with Schubert in his
- essence in order to get from him a favorable opinion of Schubert's
- talent, which had been impugned, as had that of others by some of
- the exalted ones. The great master, who before then had not known
- five songs of Schubert's, was amazed at their number and refused
- to believe that up to that time (February, 1827) he had already
- composed over 500 of them. But if he was astonished at the number
- he was filled with the highest admiration as soon as he discovered
- their contents. For several days he could not separate himself from
- them, and every day he spent hours with Iphigenia's monologue,
- "Die Grenzen der Menschheit," "Die Allmacht," "Die junge Nonne,"
- "Viola," the "Muellerlieder," and others. With joyous enthusiasm he
- cried out repeatedly: "Truly, a divine spark dwells in Schubert;
- if I had had this poem I would have set it to music"; this in the
- case of the majority of poems whose material contents and original
- treatment by Schubert he could not praise sufficiently. Nor could
- he understand how Schubert had time to "take in hand such long
- poems, many of which contained ten others," as he expressed it....
- What would the master have said had he seen, for instance, the
- Ossianic songs, "Die Buergschaft," "Elysium," "Der Taucher" and
- other great ones which have only recently been published? In short,
- the respect which Beethoven acquired for Schubert's talent was so
- great that he now wanted to see his operas and pianoforte pieces;
- but his illness had now become so severe that he could no longer
- gratify this wish. But he often spoke of Schubert and predicted of
- him that he "would make a great sensation in the world," and often
- regretted that he had not learned to know him earlier.
-
-It is likely that the remark, "Truly, the divine spark dwells in
-Schubert," as Schindler quoted it in his biography, came more than
-once from Beethoven's lips. Luib heard Huettenbrenner say that one day
-Beethoven said of Schubert, "He has the divine spark!" Schindler's
-article in the "Theaterzeitung" was a defense of the opinion which he
-had expressed that Schubert was a greater song-composer than Beethoven,
-and for this reason it may be assumed that it was a little high-pitched
-in expression. Beethoven knew a little about Schubert, but not much, as
-appears from a remark quoted from Holz in one of the Conversation Books
-of 1826. It may have been Schindler's ambition to appear as having
-stood sponsor for Schubert before Beethoven which led him to ignore
-Holz's remark concerning Schubert's unique genius as a writer of songs,
-his interest in Handel and his patronage of Schuppanzigh's quartet
-parties. Beethoven and Schubert had met. Anselm Huettenbrenner wrote to
-Luib:[176]
-
- But this I know positively, that about eight days before
- Beethoven's death Prof. Schindler, Schubert and I visited the sick
- man, Schindler announced us two and asked Beethoven whom he would
- see first. He said: "Let Schubert come first."
-
-It is characteristic of Schindler that he makes no mention of this
-incident. Another incident recorded by Gerhard von Breuning deserves
-to be told here. When Beethoven's friends called they usually reported
-to Beethoven about the performances of his works. One day Gerhard von
-Breuning found that a visitor had written in the Conversation Book:
-"Your Quartet which Schuppanzigh played yesterday did not please."
-Beethoven was asleep when Gerhard came and when he awoke the lad
-pointed to the entry. Beethoven remarked, laconically: "It will please
-them some day," adding that he wrote only as he thought best and would
-not permit himself to be deceived by the judgment of the day, saying at
-the end: "I know that I am an artist."
-
-[Sidenote: FERDINAND HILLER'S LAST VISIT]
-
-In a letter which Schindler wrote to Moscheles, forwarding Beethoven's,
-he said: "Hummel and his wife are here; he came in haste to see
-Beethoven once again alive, for it is generally reported in Germany
-that he is on his deathbed. It was a most touching sight last Thursday
-to see these two friends meet again." The letter was written on March
-14 and the "last Thursday" was March 8th. We have an account of this
-meeting in Ferdinand Hiller's "Aus dem Tonleben unserer Zeit."[177]
-Hiller was then fifteen years old and had come to the Austrian Capital
-with Hummel, who was his teacher. Hummel had heard in Weimar that
-Beethoven was hopelessly ill and had reached Vienna on March 6; two
-days later he visited his dying friend. Hiller writes:
-
- Through a spacious anteroom in which high cabinets were piled
- with thick, tied-up parcels of music we reached--how my heart
- beat!--Beethoven's living-room, and were not a little astonished
- to find the master sitting in apparent comfort at the window. He
- wore a long, gray sleeping-robe, open at the time, and high boots
- reaching to his knees. Emaciated by long and severe illness he
- seemed to me, when he arose, of tall stature; he was unshaven,
- his thick, half-gray hair fell in disorder over his temples. The
- expression of his features heightened when he caught sight of
- Hummel, and he seemed to be extraordinarily glad to meet him. The
- two men embraced each other most cordially. Hummel introduced
- me. Beethoven showed himself extremely kind and I was permitted
- to sit opposite him at the window. It is known that conversation
- with Beethoven was carried on in part in writing; he spoke, but
- those with whom he conversed had to write their questions and
- answers. For this purpose thick sheets of ordinary writing-paper
- in quarto form and lead-pencils always lay near him. How painful
- it must have been for the animated, easily impatient man to be
- obliged to wait for every answer, to make a pause in every moment
- of conversation, during which, as it were, thought was condemned
- to come to a standstill! He always followed the hand of the
- writer with hungry eyes and comprehended what was written at a
- glance instead of reading it. The liveliness of the conversation
- naturally interfered with the continual writing of the visitor. I
- can scarcely blame myself, much as I regret it, for not taking down
- more extended notes than I did; indeed, I rejoice that a lad of
- fifteen years who found himself in a great city for the first time,
- was self-possessed enough to regard any details. I can vouch with
- the best conscience for the perfect accuracy of all that I am able
- to repeat.
-
- The conversation at first turned, as is usual, on domestic
- affair,--the journey and sojourn, my relations with Hummel and
- matters of that kind. Beethoven asked about Goethe's health with
- extraordinary solicitude and we were able to make the best of
- reports, since only a few days before the great poet had written
- in my album. Concerning his own state, poor Beethoven complained
- much. "Here I have been lying for four months," he cried out,
- "one must at last lose patience!" Other things in Vienna did not
- seem to be to his liking and he spoke with the utmost severity
- of "the present taste in art," and "the dilettantism which is
- ruining everything." Nor did he spare the government, up to the
- most exalted regions. "Write a volume of penitential hymns and
- dedicate it to the Empress," he remarked with a gloomy smile to
- Hummel, who, however, made no use of the well-meant advice. Hummel,
- who was a practical man, took advantage of Beethoven's condition
- to ask his attention to a matter which occupied a long time. It
- was about the theft of one of Hummel's concertos, which had been
- printed illicitly before it had been brought out by the lawful
- publisher. Hummel wanted to appeal to the Bundestag against this
- wretched business, and to this end desired to have Beethoven's
- signature, which seemed to him of great value. He sat down to
- explain the matter in writing and meanwhile I was permitted to
- carry on the conversation with Beethoven. I did my best, and the
- master continued to give free rein to his moody and passionate
- utterances in the most confidential manner. In part they referred
- to his nephew, whom he had loved greatly, who, as is known, caused
- him much trouble and at that time, because of a few trifles (thus
- Beethoven at least seemed to consider them), had gotten into
- trouble with the officials. "Little thieves are hanged, but big
- ones are allowed to go free!" he exclaimed ill-humoredly. He
- asked about my studies and, encouraging me, said: "Art must be
- propagated ceaselessly," and when I spoke of the exclusive interest
- in Italian opera which then prevailed in Vienna, he gave utterance
- to the memorable words: "It is said _vox populi, vox dei_. I never
- believed it."
-
- On March 13 Hummel took me with him a second time to Beethoven. We
- found his condition to be materially worse. He lay in bed, seemed
- to suffer great pains, and at intervals groaned deeply despite the
- fact that he spoke much and animatedly. Now he seemed to take it
- much to heart that he had not married. Already at our first visit
- he had joked about it with Hummel, whose wife he had known as a
- young and beautiful maiden. "You are a lucky man," he said to him
- now smilingly, "you have a wife who takes care of you, who is in
- love with you--but poor me!" and he sighed heavily. He also begged
- of Hummel to bring his wife to see him, she not having been able
- to persuade herself to see in his present state the man whom she
- had known at the zenith of his powers. A short time before he had
- received a present of a picture of the house in which Haydn was
- born. He kept it close at hand and showed it to us. "It gave me a
- childish pleasure," he said, "the cradle of so great a man!" Then
- he appealed to Hummel in behalf of Schindler, of whom so much was
- spoken afterwards. "He is a good man," he said, "who has taken a
- great deal of trouble on my account. He is to give a concert soon
- at which I promised my cooperation. But now nothing is likely
- to come of that. Now I should like to have you do me the favor
- of playing. We must always help poor artists." As a matter of
- course, Hummel consented. The concert took place--ten days after
- Beethoven's death--in the Josephstadt-Theater. Hummel improvised
- in an obviously exalted mood on the Allegretto of the A major
- Symphony; the public knew why he participated and the performance
- and its reception formed a truly inspiring incident.
-
- Shortly after our second visit the report spread throughout Vienna
- that the Philharmonic Society of London had sent Beethoven L100
- in order to ease his sick-bed. It was added that this surprise
- had made so great an impression on the great poor man that it had
- also brought physical relief. When we stood again at his bedside,
- on the 20th, we could educe from his utterances how greatly he had
- been rejoiced by this altruism; but he was very weak and spoke
- only in faint and disconnected phrases. "I shall, no doubt, soon
- be going above," he whispered after our first greeting. Similar
- remarks recurred frequently. In the intervals, however, he spoke of
- projects and hopes which were destined not to be realized. Speaking
- of the noble conduct of the Philharmonic Society and in praise of
- the English people, he expressed the intention, as soon as matters
- were better with him, to undertake the journey to London. "I will
- compose a grand overture for them and a grand symphony." Then, too,
- he would visit Madame Hummel (she had come along with her husband)
- and go to I do not know how many places. It did not occur to us to
- write anything for him. His eyes, which were still lively when we
- saw him last, dropped and closed to-day and it was difficult from
- time to time for him to raise himself. It was no longer possible to
- deceive one's self--the worst was to be feared.
-
- Hopeless was the picture presented by the extraordinary man when
- we sought him again on March 23rd. It was to be the last time. He
- lay, weak and miserable, sighing deeply at intervals. Not a word
- fell from his lips; sweat stood upon his forehead. His handkerchief
- not being conveniently at hand, Hummel's wife took her fine cambric
- handkerchief and dried his face several times. Never shall I forget
- the grateful glance with which his broken eye looked upon her. On
- March 26, while we were with a merry company in the art-loving
- house of Herr von Liebenberg (who had formerly been a pupil of
- Hummel's), we were surprised by a severe storm between five and
- six o'clock. A thick snow-flurry was accompanied by loud peals of
- thunder and flashes of lightning, which lighted up the room. A few
- hours later guests arrived with the intelligence that Ludwig van
- Beethoven was no more;--he had died at 4:45 o'clock.
-
-[Sidenote: THE SIGNING OF THE WILL]
-
-The consultations between Beethoven and his legal advisers, Bach,
-Breuning and others, concerning the proper disposition of his estate
-by will, which had begun soon after Karl's departure for Iglau, had
-not been brought to a conclusion when it became apparent to all that
-it was high time that the document formally be executed. Dr. Bach does
-not seem to have been consulted at this crisis; haste was necessary,
-and on March 23 von Breuning made a draft of a will which, free from
-unnecessary verbiage, set forth the wishes of the testator in three
-lines of writing. Beethoven had protested against the proposition of
-his friends that provision be made that Karl should not be able to
-dissipate the capital or surrender any portion of it to his mother. To
-this end a trust was to be created and he was to have the income during
-life, the reversion being to his legitimate heirs. With this Beethoven
-at length declared himself satisfied; but when Breuning placed the
-draft before the dying man, who had yielded unwillingly, he copied
-it laboriously but substituted the word "natural" for "legitimate."
-Schindler says the copying was a labor, and when Beethoven finished it
-and appended his signature he said: "There; now I'll write no more."
-Breuning called his attention to the fact that controversy would ensue
-from his change in the text, but Beethoven insisted that the words
-meant the same thing and there should be no change. "This," says
-Schindler, "was his last contradiction." Hiller's description of the
-last visit of Hummel, pictures the condition of the dying man on this
-day, and Schindler's statement that it was laborious for Beethoven to
-copy even the few words of the will is pathetically verified by the
-orthography of the document which, _verb. et lit._, is as follows:
-
- Mein Neffe Karl Soll alleiniger Erbe seyn, das Kapital meines
- Nachlasses soll jedoch Seinen natuerlichen oder testamentarischen
- Erben zufallen.
-
- Wien am 23 Maerz 1827.
- Ludwig van Beethoven mp.
-
-According to Gerhard von Breuning, signatures were necessary to
-several documents--the will, the transfer of the guardianship of the
-nephew to von Breuning and the letter of January 3, which also made a
-testamentary disposition of Beethoven's property. These signatures were
-all obtained with great difficulty. The younger von Breuning places
-the date on March 24th. After von Breuning, Schindler and the dying
-man's brother had indicated to Beethoven, who lay in a half-stupor,
-that his signature was required they raised him as much as possible and
-pushed pillows under him for support. Then the documents, one after the
-other, were laid before him and von Breuning put the inked pen in his
-hand. "The dying man, who ordinarily wrote boldly in a lapidary style,
-repeatedly signed his immortal name, laboriously, with trembling hand,
-for the last time; still legibly, indeed, but each time forgetting one
-of the middle letters--once an _h_, another time an_e_."
-
-[Sidenote: "COMOEDIA FINITA EST."]
-
-On the day which saw the signing of the will, Beethoven made an
-utterance, eminently characteristic of him, but which, because of an
-interpretation which it has received, has caused no small amount of
-comment. The date is fixed as March 23rd by Schindler's letter to
-Moscheles of March 24th in which he says: "Yesterday he said to me and
-Breuning, 'Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est'." Though the phrase
-does not seem to be a literal quotation from any author known to have
-been familiar to Beethoven, it is obviously a paraphrase of something
-which he had read. According to Schindler and Gerhard von Breuning
-the words were uttered in a tone of sarcastic humor. Schindler and
-Dr. Wawruch (though the latter was not present) agree in saying that
-he made the speech after receiving the viaticum, and it is this
-circumstance, coupled with the deduction that the dying man referred to
-the sacred function just performed, which greatly disturbed the minds
-of some of his devout admirers. It needed not have done so; the phrase
-is almost a literary commonplace and its significance has never been in
-question.[178]
-
-When Beethoven's friends saw the end approaching, they were naturally
-desirous that he receive the spiritual comfort which the offices of the
-Roman Catholic church offer to the dying and it was equally natural
-that Beethoven, brought up as a child of the church though careless of
-his duties toward it, should, at the last, be ready to accept them.
-Johann van Beethoven relates that a few days after the 16th of March,
-when the physicians gave him up for lost, he had begged his brother to
-make his peace with God, to which request he acceded "with the greatest
-readiness." Confirmation of this is found in Dr. Wawruch's report.
-Wawruch, it will be remembered, had, at the beginning of his studies,
-intended to enter the priesthood. At the crisis described by Johann he
-says he called Beethoven's attention to his impending dissolution "so
-that he might do his duty as a citizen and to religion." He continues:
-
- With the greatest delicacy I wrote the words of admonition on a
- sheet of paper.... Beethoven read the writing with unexampled
- composure, slowly and thoughtfully, his countenance like that of
- one transfigured; cordially and solemnly he held out his hand to
- me and said: "Have the priest called." Then he lay quietly lost in
- thought and amiably indicated by a nod his "I shall soon see you
- again." Soon thereafter Beethoven performed his devotions with a
- pious resignation which looked confidently into eternity and turned
- to the friends around him with the words, "Plaudite, amici, finita
- est comoedia!"
-
-Wawruch was not present at the time when the words were spoken.
-Schindler's account, in a letter to the "Caecilia" dated April 12, 1827,
-and printed in that journal in May, is as follows:
-
- On the day before (the 23rd) there remained with us only one
- ardent wish--to reconcile him with heaven and to show the world
- at the same time that he had ended his life a true Christian. The
- Professor in Ordinary [Wawruch] therefore wrote and begged him
- in the name of all his friends to receive the holy sacrament; to
- which he replied quietly and firmly (_gefasst_), "I wish it." The
- physician went away and left us to care for it.
-
-Schindler describes the administration of the sacrament, which
-Beethoven received with edification, and adds that now for the first
-time he seemed to believe that he was about to die; for "scarcely
-had the priest left the room before he said to me and young von
-Breuning, 'Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est. Did I not always
-say that it would end thus?'" ("_Habe ich nicht immer gesagt, dass
-es so kommen wird?_") Here there is agreement with Wawruch, but, to
-Gerhard von Breuning, Schindler said that Beethoven made the remark at
-the conclusion of a long consultation after the physicians had gone
-away; and this is confirmed by Gerhard von Breuning. In 1860 Anselm
-Huettenbrenner wrote:[179]
-
- It is not true, as has been reported, that I begged Beethoven to
- receive the sacrament for the dying; but I did bring it about at
- the request of the wife of the music-publisher Tobias Haslinger,
- now deceased, that Beethoven was asked in the gentlest manner by
- Herr Johann Baptist Jenger and Madame van Beethoven, wife of the
- landowner, to strengthen himself by receiving holy communion. It
- is a pure invention that Beethoven spoke the words "Plaudite,
- amici! Comoedia finita est!" to me, for I was not present when
- the rite was administered in the forenoon of March 24, 1827. And
- surely Beethoven did not make to others an utterance so completely
- at variance with his sturdy character. But on the day of her
- brother-in-law's death Frau v. Beethoven told me that after
- receiving the viaticum he said to the priest, "I thank you, ghostly
- sir! You have brought me comfort!"
-
-Huettenbrenner is confirmed by Johann van Beethoven, who wrote in his
-brief review of his brother's last illness that when the priest was
-leaving the room Beethoven said to him, "I thank you for this last
-service."
-
-[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE FINAL STRUGGLE]
-
-
-Beethoven received the viaticum in the presence of Schindler, von
-Breuning, Jenger and the wife of his brother Johann. After the priest
-had taken his departure he reminded his friends of the necessity of
-sending a document ceding the proprietary rights of the C-sharp minor
-Quartet to the Schotts. It was drawn up and his signature to it, the
-last which he wrote, was attested by Schindler and Breuning. He also
-spoke of a letter of thanks to the Philharmonic Society of London and
-in suggesting its tenor, comprehended the whole English people with a
-fervent "God bless them!" About one o'clock the special shipment of
-wine and wine mixed with herbs came from Mayence, and Schindler placed
-the bottles upon the table near the bed. Beethoven looked at them and
-murmured, "Pity, pity--too late!" He spoke no more. A little of the
-wine was administered to him in spoonfuls at intervals, as long as
-he could swallow it. Towards evening he lost consciousness and the
-death-struggle began. It lasted two days. "From towards the evening of
-the 24th to his last breath he was almost continually _in delirio_,"
-wrote Schindler to Moscheles. We have a description from Gerhard von
-Breuning:[180]
-
- During the next day and the day following the strong man lay
- completely unconscious, in the process of dissolution, breathing
- so stertorously that the rattle could be heard at a distance. His
- powerful frame, his unweakened lungs, fought like giants with
- approaching death. The spectacle was a fearful one. Although it
- was known that the poor man suffered no more it was yet appalling
- to observe that the noble being, now irredeemably a prey to the
- powers of dissolution, was beyond all mental communication.
- It was expected as early as the 25th that he would pass away
- in the following night; yet we found him still alive on the
- 26th--breathing, if that was possible, more stertorously than on
- the day before.
-
-The only witnesses of Beethoven's death were his sister-in-law and
-Anselm Huettenbrenner. From the latter we have a description of the last
-scene.[181]
-
- When I entered Beethoven's bedroom on March 26, 1827 at about 3
- o'clock in the afternoon, I found there Court Councillor Breuning,
- his son, Frau van Beethoven, wife of Johann van Beethoven,
- landowner and apothecary of Lenz, and my friend Joseph Teltscher,
- portrait painter. I think that Prof. Schindler was also present.
-
-Gerhard von Breuning says that Beethoven's brother was in the room, and
-also the housekeeper Sali; Schindler adds a nurse from Dr. Wawruch's
-clinic. No doubt all were present at one moment or another; they came
-and went as occasion or duty called. Huettenbrenner says that Teltscher
-began drawing the face of the dying man, which grated on Breuning's
-feelings and he made a remonstrance, whereupon the painter left the
-room. Then Breuning and Schindler went away to choose a spot for the
-grave. Huettenbrenner continues:
-
- Frau van Beethoven and I only were in the death-chamber during
- the last moments of Beethoven's life. After Beethoven had lain
- unconscious, the death-rattle in his throat from 3 o'clock in the
- afternoon till after 5, there came a flash of lightning accompanied
- by a violent clap of thunder, which garishly illuminated the
- death-chamber. (Snow lay before Beethoven's dwelling.) After
- this unexpected phenomenon of nature, which startled me greatly,
- Beethoven opened his eyes, lifted his right hand and looked up
- for several seconds with his fist clenched and a very serious,
- threatening expression as if he wanted to say: "Inimical powers,
- I defy you! Away with you! God is with me!" It also seemed as if,
- like a brave commander, he wished to call out to his wavering
- troops: "Courage, soldiers! Forward! Trust in me! Victory is
- assured!"[182]. When he let the raised hand sink to the bed, his
- eyes closed half-way. My right hand was under his head, my left
- rested on his breast. Not another breath, not a heartbeat more!
- The genius of the great master of tones fled from this world of
- delusion into the realm of truth!--I pressed down the half-open
- eyelids of the dead man, kissed them, then his forehead, mouth and
- hands.--At my request Frau van Beethoven cut a lock of hair from
- his head and handed it to me as a sacred souvenir of Beethoven's
- last hour. Thereupon I hurried, deeply moved, into the city,
- carried the intelligence of Beethoven's death to Herr Tobias
- Haslinger, and after a few hours returned to my home in Styria.
-
-[Sidenote: THE CAUSE OF BEETHOVEN'S DEATH]
-
-It remained for modern science to give the right name to the disease
-which caused the death of the greatest of all tone-poets. Dropsy, said
-the world for three-quarters of a century. But dropsy is not a disease;
-it is only a symptom, a condition due to disease. To Dr. Theodor von
-Frimmel belongs the credit of having made it clear that the fatal
-malady was cirrhosis of the liver, of which _ascites_, or _hydrops
-abdominalis_, was a consequence. Beethoven had suffered from disorders
-of the liver years before. In 1821, as has been noted, he suffered an
-attack of jaundice. In his medical history of the case, Dr. Wawruch
-stated that the cause of the disease was to be found in an "antiquated"
-ailment of liver as well as defects in the abdominal organs. When he
-observed the first aggravation of the disease he recorded that "the
-liver plainly showed traces of hard knots, the jaundice increased." In
-his report of the autopsy, Dr. Wagner said: "The liver seemed to have
-shrunk to one half its normal size, to have a leathery hardness, a
-greenish-blue color, and its lumpy surface, as well as its substance,
-was interwoven with knots the size of a bean. All the blood-vessels
-were narrow, with thickened walls and empty." The treatment prescribed
-by Dr. Wawruch and adopted empirically at the suggestion of friends was
-designed, not to go to the seat of the difficulty but to relieve the
-dropsical condition of the abdominal cavity;--medicaments, decoctions,
-the unfortunate sweat-bath, all were intended to produce liquid
-evacuations from the bowels, increase the secretion of urine and induce
-perspiration; the final resort was to _paracentesis_.[183]
-
-When Breuning and Schindler left the dying man in the care of
-Huettenbrenner and Frau van Beethoven, they went to the cemetery of the
-little village of Waehring, and selected a place for Beethoven's grave
-in the vicinity of the burial plot of the Vering family, to which
-Breuning's first wife had belonged. Their return was retarded by the
-storm. When they reentered the sick-room they were greeted with the
-words: "It is finished!" The immediate activities of the friends were
-now directed to preparations for the funeral, the preservation of the
-physical likeness of the great composer and, so far as was necessary,
-the safeguarding of his possessions. In respect of the latter Gerhard
-von Breuning tells of a painful incident which happened on the day
-after Beethoven's death.
-
-Breuning, Schindler, Johann van Beethoven and Holz were met in the
-lodgings to gather up the dead man's papers, particularly to look
-for the seven bank-shares which the will had given to the nephew. In
-spite of strenuous search they were not found and Johann let fall an
-insinuation that the search was a sham. This angered von Breuning and
-he left the house in a state of vexation and excitement. He returned
-to the lodgings in the afternoon and the search was resumed. Then Holz
-pulled out a protruding nail in a cabinet, whereupon a drawer fell
-out and in it were the certificates. In later years Holz explained to
-Otto Jahn: "Beethoven kept his bank-shares in a secret drawer, the
-existence of which was known only to Holz. While Beethoven lay dying
-his brother in vain tried to find out where it was." On a copy of this
-memorandum,[184] Schindler wrote: "First of all after the death, Johann
-van Beethoven searched for the shares, and not finding them cried out:
-'Breuning and Schindler must produce them!' Holz was requested to come
-by Breuning and asked if he did not know where they were concealed. He
-knew the secret drawer in an old cabinet in which they were preserved."
-Even this simple incident has given rise to contradictory stories.
-Schindler, in his biography, says the place of concealment was a
-secret drawer in a _Kassette_; Breuning, "in a secret compartment of
-a writing-desk." In 1863, Schindler explained to Gerhard von Breuning
-that the article of furniture was an ordinary clothes-press. With the
-certificates were found the letter to the "Immortal Beloved" and the
-portrait of the Countess von Brunswick.[185]
-
-On March 27th, an autopsy was performed by Dr. Johann Wagner in the
-presence of Dr. Wawruch. Its significant disclosures have already been
-printed here. In order to facilitate an examination of the organs of
-hearing the temporal bones were sawed out and carried away. Joseph
-Danhauser, a young painter who chanced to be in Vienna, received
-permission from Breuning to make a plaster cast of the dead man's face.
-This he did on March 28th, but the cast has little value as a portrait,
-inasmuch as it was made after the autopsy, which had greatly disfigured
-the features. On the same day (not "immediately after death," as has
-incorrectly been stated) Danhauser made a drawing of the head of
-Beethoven, which he reproduced by lithographic process. This picture
-bears the inscription: "Beethoven, March 28, drawn at his death-bed,
-1827," and to the left, "Danhauser." This drawing, too, was made after
-the autopsy. For a bust which he modeled, the artist made use of the
-cast taken by Klein in 1812. Danhauser never came in contact with
-Beethoven alive.
-
-[Sidenote: IMPOSING FUNERAL CEREMONIES]
-
-The funeral took place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of March 29th.
-It was one of the most imposing functions of its kind ever witnessed
-in Vienna.[186] Breuning and Schindler had made the arrangements.
-Cards of invitation were given out at Haslinger's music-shop. Hours
-before the appointed time a multitude assembled in front of the
-Schwarzspanierhaus, and the mass grew moment by moment. Into the square
-in front of the house, it is said, 20,000 persons were crowded. All the
-notable representatives of art were present. The schools were closed.
-For the preservation of order, Breuning had asked the help of the
-military. In its report "Der Sammler" said:
-
- The crowd was so great that after the roomy court of Beethoven's
- residence could no longer hold it the gates had to be closed until
- the procession moved. The coffin containing the corpse of the great
- composer had been placed on view in the court. After the clergy
- were come to perform their sacred office, the guests, who had been
- invited to attend these solemn functions--musicians, singers,
- poets, actors--all clad in complete mourning, with draped torches
- and white roses fastened to bands of crape on their sleeves,
- encircled the bier and the choristers sang the _Miserere_[187]
- composed by the deceased. Solemnly, sublimely the pious tones of
- the glorious composition floated upwards through the silent air.
- The scene was imposing. The coffin, with its richly embroidered
- pall, the clergy, the distinguished men who were giving the last
- escort to their colleague, and the multitude round about--all this
- made a stupendous picture.
-
-On the conclusion of the canticle, the coffin was raised from the
-bier and the door of the court was opened. The singers lifted the
-coffin to their shoulders and carried it to the Trinity Church of the
-Minorites in the Alserstrasse. It was difficult to order the procession
-because of the surging multitude. Johann van Beethoven, von Breuning
-and his son and Schindler, found their places with difficulty. Eight
-chapelmasters--Eybler, Weigl, Hummel, Seyfried, Kreutzer, Gyrowetz,
-Wuerfel and Gaensbacher--carried the edges of the pall. At the sides
-walked the torch-bearers, among them Schubert, Castelli, Bernard,
-Boehm, Czerny, Grillparzer, Haslinger, Holz, Linke, Mayseder, Piringer,
-Schuppanzigh, Streicher, Steiner and Wolfmayer. In the procession
-were also Mosel and the pupils of Drechsler. While passing the Rothes
-Haus the sounds of the funeral march from Beethoven's Sonata, Op.
-26, were heard. The cortege moved through the crowded streets to the
-parish church in the Alserstrasse, where the service for the dead
-was concluded with the _Libera nos Domine_ in 16 parts _a cappella_,
-composed by Seyfried, sung by the choristers.
-
-The account of the "Sammler" continues: "The coffin was now placed in
-the hearse drawn by four horses, and taken to the cemetery at Waehring.
-There, too, a multitude had assembled to do the last honors to the dead
-man...." The rules of the cemetery prohibiting all public speaking
-within its precincts, the actor Anschuetz delivered a funeral oration
-written by Grillparzer over the coffin at the cemetery gate. After the
-coffin had been lowered into the grave, Haslinger handed three laurel
-wreaths to Hummel, who placed them upon the coffin. A poem by Castelli
-had been distributed at the house of mourning, and one by Baron von
-Schlechta at the cemetery; but there was no more speaking or singing at
-the burial.
-
-Mozart's "Requiem" was sung at the Church of the Augustinians, Lablache
-taking part, on April 3rd, and Cherubini's at the Karlskirche two days
-later. The grave in the cemetery at Waehring was marked by a simple
-pyramid bearing the one word
-
- BEETHOVEN
-
-It fell into neglect, and on October 13th, 1863, the Gesellschaft der
-Musikfreunde of Vienna caused the body to be exhumed and re-buried. On
-June 21st, 1888, the remains of Beethoven and Schubert were removed to
-the Central Cemetery in Vienna, where they now repose side by side.
-
-
-FINIS.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[162] He did not live to see this wish fulfilled; but it was in the
-end. Therese van Beethoven, Johann's wife, died on November 20, 1828,
-at Wasserhof; Johann died in Vienna on January 12, 1848, and though
-one of Beethoven's sensation-mongering biographers at one time printed
-the monstrous falsehood that he had married his wife's illegitimate
-daughter in order to keep the family possessions in his hands, and
-at another that he had invested his money so that he might use it up
-during his life and leave nothing to his heirs, the fact is that Johann
-made Karl his sole heir and that under the will, after paying the costs
-of probate and administration and a legacy to his housekeeper, over
-42,000 florins passed into his nephew's hands.
-
-[163] Wawruch was a native of Nemtschuetz in Moravia. At Olmuetz he was
-a student of theology, but before consecration to the priesthood he
-came to Vienna as tutor and there decided to abandon the church for
-medicine. In the course of time he became assistant and also son-in-law
-to Professor Hildebrand, the director of the General Hospital. Thence
-he went to Prague as professor of general pathology and pharmacology
-and, returning to Vienna, became professor of special pathology and
-medical clinics in the surgical department of the Hospital. He died
-in 1842. He was accused of adhering to old-fashioned theories in his
-practice and of having been antagonistic to the determinations of
-pathological anatomy, and the criticisms of von Breuning and others
-have pursued him through all the books devoted to Beethoven's life;
-yet the scientific determinations of to-day offer justification of his
-diagnosis and treatment of Beethoven's case so far as it is possible to
-judge at this late day.
-
-[164] Holz's statement on this point has already been given in an
-earlier chapter. To Otto Jahn Dr. Bertolini said: "Beethoven liked to
-drink a glass of wine, but he was never a drinker or a gourmand."
-
-[165] "Better from my belly than from my pen," is another remark
-credited to him by Seyfried.
-
-[166] The Royal Library acquired the autograph manuscripts of the
-instrumental movements of the Symphony from Schindler, and the choral
-part from the Artaria Collection of Vienna when it was dispersed by
-sale in 1901. The autograph is not intact, however, the coda of the
-Scherzo, consisting of four pages, having been given to Moscheles by
-Schindler on September 14, 1827. Moscheles in turn gave the relic to
-Henry Phillips. In July, 1907, it was purchased at a public sale by Mr.
-Edward Speyer, its owner at the present writing. The autograph of the
-Finale, too, had been mutilated, a page containing the five measures
-immediately preceding the _Allegro energico_, 6-4 time, with the words
-"Ueber Sternen muss er wohnen," having been removed. It was sold by an
-autograph dealer of Berlin to Charles Malherbe, of Paris, who on his
-death bequeathed it to the Conservatoire. As published, the _Allegro
-non tanto_ contains eight measures which Beethoven did not write in the
-autograph, but are, no doubt, an addition made by him in a revision. It
-would be a beautiful act of piety to assemble the autograph score and
-publish it in _facsimile_.
-
-[167] Mr. Thayer, who has given expression in these pages to his
-belief that Schindler was honest, in transcribing this page of the
-Conversation Book writes these words: "It is to be noted, first, that
-the writing ('The Old Woman,' etc.) does not correspond with the rest,
-and secondly, that _Die Alte_ was no longer in Beethoven's service.
-It is evident on inspection and from the talk in these last books
-about Thekla and other servants that Schindler inserted these words
-long afterwards. The 'Es muss sein' can only refer here to Beethoven's
-receipt for the ring." Whether or not Thayer suspected what may have
-been Schindler's purpose in making the interlineation does not appear.
-
-[168] Schindler, impeaching Dr. Wawruch's accuracy here, denies that
-Beethoven worked on oratorio of "Saul and David" during his last
-illness. Thayer in a note directs attention to the fact that Beethoven
-was confessedly deeply absorbed in Handel's scores, which he had
-received only a short time before, and that before the end of December
-Kiesewetter sent a request through Holz for a return of the pianoforte
-score of "Saul" as no longer necessary, now that the scores were come.
-
-[169] Dr. von Breuning should have said "third."
-
-[170] Thayer procured a copy of this letter in London along with the
-other Stumpff papers already mentioned. Only a fragment of the letter
-has been printed hitherto in the collections of Beethoven's letters and
-that, in great probability, from the draft preserved by Schindler. The
-newspaper article referred to was printed in the "Modezeitung."
-
-[171] "Documents, Letters etc., relating to the Bust of Ludwig van
-Beethoven, presented to the Philharmonic Society of London, by Frau
-Fanny Linzbauer (_nee_ Ponsing). Translated and Arranged for the
-Society by Doyne C. Bell, London: Published for the Philharmonic
-Society by Lamborn Cock and Co., 63 New Bond Street, W. 1871."
-
-[172] Schindler had accompanied Beethoven's application to Moscheles
-for relief with a personal letter in which he advised that the
-Philharmonic Society, in case it should accede to his request, explain
-to Beethoven that the amount would be sent to a responsible person
-in Vienna from whom it might be drawn by degrees according to his
-requirements; and that this precautionary step was taken "because, as
-they well knew, some of his relations who are with him do not act quite
-uprightly towards him"--a fling, of course, at the composer's brother
-whom he so cordially hated; the nephew was not in Vienna.
-
-[173] Among Mr. Thayer's papers.
-
-[174] The third operation was performed on February 2, not January 28,
-as Schindler says.
-
-[175] Wolfmayer had commissioned him years before to write a "Requiem,"
-and paid him for it.
-
-[176] Letter among Mr. Thayer's papers.
-
-[177] Neue Folge, 1871, p. 169 _et seq._
-
-[178] "Rabelais being very sick, Cardinal du Bellay sent his page to
-him to have an account of his condition; his answer was, 'Tell my Lord
-in what circumstances thou findest me; I am going to leap into the
-dark. He is up in the cockloft, bid him keep where he is. As for thee,
-thou'lt always be a fool: let down the curtain, the farce is done.'"
-... An author (Thov. His. de Jean Clopinel) who styles Rabelais a man
-of excellent learning, writes, that he being importuned by some to
-sign a will whereby they had made him bestow on them legacies that
-exceeded his ability, he, to be no more disturbed, complied at last
-with their desires; but when they came to ask him where they should
-find a fund answerable to what he gave; 'as for that,' replied he,
-'you must do like the spaniel, look about and search'; then, adds that
-author, having said, 'Draw the curtain, the farce is over,' he died.
-Likewise a monk (P. de St. Romuald, _Rel. Feuillant_) not only tells us
-that he ended his life with that jest, but that he left a paper sealed
-up wherein were found three articles as his last will: 'I owe much,
-I have nothing, I give the rest to the poor.' The last story or that
-before it must undoubtedly be false; and perhaps both are so as well
-as the message by the page; though Fregius (_Comment. in Orat. Cic._,
-tom. I) relates also that Rabelais said when he was dying, 'Draw the
-curtain,' etc. But if he said so, many great men have said much the
-same. Thus Augustus (_Nunquid vitae mimum commode peregisset_) near his
-death, asked his friends whether he had not very well acted the farce
-of life? And Demonax, one of the best philosophers, when he saw that he
-could not, by reason of his great age, live any longer, without being
-a burden to others, as well as to himself, said to those who were near
-him what the herald used to say when the public games were ended, 'You
-may withdraw, the show is over,' and refusing to eat, kept his usual
-gaiety to the last, and set himself at ease. (Lucian)--_From Peter
-Motteux's Life of Rabelais prefaced to the English translation made by
-himself and Sir Thomas Urquhart._
-
-[179] In a letter to Mr. Thayer which was found among Huettenbrenner's
-posthumous papers and printed in the "Gratzer Tagespost" of October
-23rd, 1868.
-
-[180] "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," p. 108.
-
-[181] Mr. Thayer visited Huettenbrenner in Gratz in June, 1860. His
-transcript of what Huettenbrenner told him is reprinted in "Music and
-Manners in the Classical Period," by Henry Edward Krehbiel (New York,
-1898). The account in the body of the text is that contained in a
-letter to Mr. Thayer.
-
-[182] The transcript in Mr. Thayer's note-book of Huettenbrenner's
-oral recital is more sententious and dramatic: "At this startling,
-awful, peal of thunder, the dying man suddenly raised his head
-from Huettenbrenner's arm, stretched out his own right arm
-majestically--'like a general giving orders to an army'. This was but
-for an instant; the arm sunk back; he fell back; Beethoven was dead."
-
-[183] The revised edition of Grove's "Dictionary of Music and
-Musicians," 1904, says: "The cold had developed into an inflammation
-of the lungs, and on this dropsy supervened." Dr. Wawruch was
-unquestionably correct in his diagnosis not only in regard to the
-inflammation of the lungs but also in regard to the diseased condition
-of the liver.
-
-[184] Preserved amongst Thayer's papers.
-
-[185] The attested inventory of the sale of Beethoven's effects, which,
-preserved by Fischoff, passed through the hands of Otto Jahn into those
-of Mr. Thayer, showed that his estate amounted to 9,885 florins, 13
-kreutzer, silver, and 600 florins, paper (Vienna standard). The market
-value of the bank-shares, including an unpaid coupon attached to each,
-was 1,063 florins on the day of Beethoven's death. In the item of cash
-is included the L100 received from the London Philharmonic Society,
-which, as has been stated, was found intact. The official summary was
-set forth as follows:
-
- Cash 1215 fl. (C. M.) 600 fl. (W. W.)
- Bank-shares 7441 fl.
- Debts receivable (annuity) 144 fl. 33 k.
- Jewels and silverware 314 fl. 30 k.
- Clothing 37 fl.
- Furniture and household
- goods 156 fl.
- Instruments 78 fl.
- Music and manuscripts 480 fl. 30 k.
- Books 18 fl. 20 k.
- ------------------------------
- 9885 fl. 13 k. 600 fl. (W. W.)
-
-According to a statement by Aloys Fuchs to Jahn the sum realized from
-the sale of the musical compositions, autographic and otherwise,
-sketch-books, etc., was 1063 florins. In view of the difference
-in purchasing power of money in 1827 and 1913 it may be said that
-Beethoven's estate amounted to the equivalent of L3,000, or about
-$15,000.
-
-[186] See "Aus dem Schwarzspanierhause," p. 113; Hiller's "Aus dem
-Tonleben, etc." p. 177 _et seq._; "Der Sammler," April 14, 1827;
-Seyfried's "Beethoven-Studien," appendix, p. 50 _et seq._
-
-[187] The _Miserere_ sung in the court of the Schwarzspanierhaus and
-its complement, _Amplius lava me_, were arrangements for male chorus
-made by Seyfried of the Equale for Trombones composed by Beethoven in
-Linz in 1812 at the request of Gloeggl for use on All Souls' Day. They
-may be found in Seyfried's "Studien."
-
-
-
-
-INDEX
-
-
- PAGE
- GENERAL INDEX 315
-
- INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS 344
- (a) Works for Orchestra Alone 344
- (b) Instrumental Solos with Orchestra 345
- (c) Choral Works and Pieces for Soli and Chorus 345
- (d) Instrumental Duos, Trios, Quartets, etc. 346
- (e) Sonatas, etc., for Pianoforte and Other Instruments obbligato 347
- (f) For Pianoforte Alone 348
- (g) Songs with Pianoforte Accompaniment 349
-
-
-
-
-General Index
-
-
- ~Abaco, Giuseppe dall'~: "Componimento per Musica," I, 14.
-
- ~Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey~: I, 139.
-
- ~Abercrombie, General~: Not commemorated in the "Eroica," II, 25.
-
- "~Abyssian Prince~": Sobriquet of Bridgetower, II, 11.
-
- ~Achats, Duc des~: III, 101, 232.
-
- ~Adamberger, Antonie~: Studies "Egmont" music with B., II, 171.
-
- ~Adams, Mrs. Mehetabel~: Provides funds for Thayer's researches, I, x.
-
- ~Addison, John~: Partner of J. B. Cramer: II, 318.
-
- ~Addison, Joseph~: Quoted, I, 323.
-
- "~Adelheit von Veltheim~": Opera by Neefe, I, 37.
-
- ~Adler, Guido~: I, 75.
-
- ~Adlersburg, Carl, Edler von~: Affidavit against Maelzel, II, 275, 289.
-
- "~Aerndtetanz, Der~": Opera by Hiller, I, 32.
-
- "~Agnes Bernauer~": II, 61.
-
- ~Albrechtsberger~: Gives instruction to B., I, 155 _et seq._;
- "Anweisung zur Composition," 155, 190;
- II, 380.
-
- "~Alceste~": Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
-
- "~Alchymist, Der~": Opera by Schuster, I, 31, 107, 108.
-
- ~Aldrich, Richard~: Dedication; II, 333.
-
- ~Alexander, Czar of Russia~: Dedication of Sonatas for Pianoforte and
- Violin, I, 365;
- II, 20, 305;
- III, 49, 86.
-
- "~Alexander~": Opera-text (by Schikaneder?), II, 20.
-
- "~Alexander's Feast~": Oratorio by Handel, III, 182.
-
- "~Alfred the Great~": Suggested to B. as subject for an opera, III,
- 118.
-
- ~Allegre, d'~: French Commander, I, 6.
-
- "~Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung~": Criticisms on B's. works, I,
- 305, 306, 307;
- taken to task by B., I, 282, 287. (See INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS.)
-
- ~Alstaedter, Count~: Music-lover in Bonn, I, 38.
-
- ~Altmann, W.~: "Ein vergessenes Streichquartett von B.", I, 349.
-
- "~Amant jaloux, L'~": Opera by Gretry, I, 31, 107.
-
- ~Ambroggio~: III, 77.
-
- ~Amenda, Karl F~.: I, 210; his life 233;
- plans trip to Italy with B., 234;
- death of, 234;
- receives Quartet in F from B., 235, 272 _et seq._;
- letter from B., 297;
- II, 314.
-
- "~Ami de la Maison, L'~": Opera by Gretry, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Amitie a l'Epreuve, L'~": Opera by Gretry, I, 31.
-
- "~Amore artigiano, L'~": Opera by Gassmann, I, 46.
-
- "~Amore marinaro, L'~": Opera by Weigl, I, 235.
-
- "~Amor's Guckkasten~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- "~Amour filial, L'~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 37.
-
- "~Analgilda~": Opera, I, 14.
-
- ~Andante and Andantino~: B. asks difference between, II, 246.
-
- ~Andre~: Opera, "Der Antiquitaeten-Sammler," I, 32.
-
- ~Andre, Joseph~: I, 357.
-
- ~Anfossi~: Opera, "Il Geloso in Cimento," I, 32;
- "L'Avaro inamorato," I, 108.
-
- ~Anschuetz, Actor~: Delivers funeral oration for B., III, 312.
-
- "~Antiquitaeten-Sammler, Der~": Opera by Andre, I, 32.
-
- ~Antoine, d'~: Operas, "Das tartarische Gesetz," I, 31;
- "Das Maedchen im Eichthale" ("Maid of the Oaks"), I, 32;
- "Ende gut, Alles gut," I, 109.
-
- ~Anton, Archduke~: Dedication of March in D, II, 160.
-
- ~Anton, Prince of Saxony~: III, 96, 141.
-
- ~Antwerp~: Beethoven families living in, I, 42.
-
- "~Apotheke, Die~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
-
- "~Apotheosis in the Temple of Jupiter Ammon~": Drama by Sporchil,
- III, 118.
-
- ~Appleby, Samuel~: I, 218;
- on Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75.
-
- ~Appony, Count~: Asks B. for quartet, I, 187, 274.
-
- "~Arbore di Diana, L'~": Opera by Martini, I, 107.
-
- "~Argene, Regina di Granata~": Opera by Reicha, I, 310.
-
- "~Ariadne auf Naxos~"; Musical drama by Benda, I, 29, 107, 108.
-
- "~Ariodante~": Opera by Mehul, II, 23.
-
- "~Arlequino fortunato~": Pantomime, I, 26.
-
- "~Armida~": Opera by Salieri, I, 86.
-
- ~Aerndtetanz.~ See AERNDTETANZ.
-
- ~Arneth, von,~ archeologist: II, 171.
-
- ~Arnim, Bettina von (Brentano)~: I, 197;
- said to have been in love with B., 318;
- II, her association with B. and Goethe, 178 _et seq._;
- controversy over her letters, 179 _et seq._;
- letters to Goethe, 180, 190;
- letter to Pueckler-Muskau, 180;
- "Ilius Pamphilius," 184;
- makes B's acquaintance, 185;
- letter from B., 186, 190;
- her admiration reported to B. by Goethe, 198;
- with her husband at Teplitz, 222, 223;
- describes arrival of B. and Goethe, 226, 282.
-
- ~Arnold, Samuel J.~: II, 310.
-
- ~Arrangements~: B's opinion on, I, 349, 350.
-
- ~Artaria and Co.,~ Publishers: I, 202, 203;
- charged with unauthorized publication of a quintet, 293
- _et seq._, 355;
- original purchasers of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- the Mass in D, III, 65.
-
- ~Attwood, Thomas~: II, 12.
-
- ~Aubert, F. S. A.~: Opera "Esther," I, 14.
-
- ~Auernhammer, Mme.~: II, 2.
-
- ~Auersperg~, Prima donna: I, 172.
-
- ~Augarten Concerts~: I, 238; II, 2, 42.
-
- ~Austria~: Invaded by Napoleon, I, 149;
- court of, not invited to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 103;
- musical culture of the nobility in, I, 166;
- dance-music of, II, 122.
-
- ~Autographs~: B's indifference to his, I, 141.
-
- "~Avaro inamorato~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 108.
-
- ~Averdonk, Johanna Helena~, Court singer: I, 24;
- pupil of Johann van B., 49;
- sings at B's first concert, 59, 67;
- ~Severin~, author of text of Funeral Cantata, I, 131.
-
- "~Axur~": Opera by Salieri, I, 109, 163.
-
- ~Ayrton, G.~: II, 370.
-
- "~Azalia~": Opera by Johann Kuechler, I, 32.
-
-
- "~Bacchus~": Opera-book by Rudolph von
- Berger, II, 314.
-
- "~Bacco, Diane ed il Reno~": Serenata, I, 26.
-
- ~Bach, C. P. E.~: I, 13, 35; "Versuch, etc.," 70, 159;
- "The Israelites in the Wilderness," II, 388.
-
- ~Bach, Dr. Johann B.~: II, 377;
- III, 24, 30, 115;
- advises Schindler to write biography of B., 198;
- instructed by B. to make Nephew Karl his heir, 278.
-
- ~Bach, Johann Sebastian~: I, 13, 35;
- "Well-Tempered Clavichord," 69, 143;
- B. on the publication of his works, 281, 286;
- B. subscribes for destitute daughter of, 287;
- publication project, 303, 304;
- relief for the daughter, 308;
- B. offers to publish a composition for her benefit, 308;
- II, 355;
- "Art of Fugue," III, 123;
- "Not a brook but an ocean," 203.
-
- ~B-a-c-h~: Overtures on, III, 123, 147.
-
- ~Baden~: B. gives concert for benefit of sufferers from conflagration,
- II, 225.
-
- ~Baillot, Pierre~: Visits B., II, 55.
-
- ~Barbaja,~ Manager of operas: I, 320;
- III, 77;
- wants an opera from B., 119.
-
- "~Barbiere di Siviglia, II~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108;
- opera by Rossini, III, 77.
-
- ~Baroni~: Opera "La Moda," I, 27.
-
- ~Bates, Joah~: Bridgetower turns music for, II, 12.
-
- "~Bathmendi~": Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 304.
-
- ~Bathyany, Count~: I, 168.
-
- ~Batka, Johann~: I, 342.
-
- ~Battle music~: Popularity of, II, 252.
-
- ~Bauer, Harold~: I, xviii, 140.
-
- ~Baeuerle, Adolph~: II, 359.
-
- "~Baum der Diana, Der~" (_L'Arbore di Diana_): Opera by Martini,
- I, 107.
-
- ~Baumeister~: Letters to, 218.
-
- ~Baumgarten, Major~: III, 42.
-
- ~Bavaria, King of~: Dedication of Choral Fantasia, II, 207, 209;
- declines to subscribe for Mass in D, III, 99.
-
- ~Bechstein~: "Natural History of Birds";
- B. asks for, II, 148.
-
- ~Beethoven, ancestry~ of the family in Belgium: I, 42, 43, 44;
- William (great-great-grandfather of the composer), 42;
- Henry Adelard (great-grandfather), 42;
- Louis, Louis Jacob, 42;
- Beethoven families in Bonn before the arrival of the composer's
- grandfather (Cornelius, Cornelius (2nd), Michael), 44;
- branch of the family in Malines, 44.
-
- ~Beethoven Association~ of New York: Promotes publication of this
- work, I, xviii, 140.
-
- ~Beethoven-Haus Verein~, in Bonn: I, xii, xvii, 52;
- custodian of portrait of B's mother, 51;
- B's quartet of instruments, 277;
- of the portrait of Countess Brunswick, 318.
-
- ~Beethoven, Johann~, father of the composer: Petitions for appointment
- as Court Musician, I, 11;
- appointed, 13;
- is promised salary, 17;
- petitions for salary, 18;
- salary increased, 22;
- petitions for allowance of grain, 25;
- date of birth, 45;
- displeases his father by marrying, 47;
- education of, 47;
- enters Electoral chapel, 48;
- teaches music, 48;
- addicted to drink, 49;
- appearance of, 49;
- marries, 49;
- lodgings and neighbors in Bonn, 51, 75;
- alleged portrait of, 51;
- children of, 51;
- falsifies the age of the composer, 55;
- describes his domestic conditions, 55;
- death of his mother, 56;
- birth of a daughter, 67;
- domestic misfortunes, 72;
- length of court service, 73;
- status in chapel of Max Franz, 83;
- treatment of the composer, 85;
- birth of a daughter, 88;
- her death, 97;
- death of his wife, 93;
- petitions for advance on salary, 93;
- helped by Franz Ries, 95;
- rescued from police by the composer, 104;
- part of salary assigned to the composer, 104;
- embezzles money of his son, 149;
- dissipation, 148;
- news of his death received by the composer, 148;
- his wife, Maria Magdalena Keverich, widow Laym, 49;
- appearance and character of, 50;
- the composer's love for her, 50;
- alleged portrait of, 51;
- death mourned by the composer, 92;
- record of her death, 93.
-
- ~Beethoven, Johann Nikolaus~, brother of the composer: Vol. I.
- Birth of, 57;
- apprenticed to an apothecary, 104, 190, 191, 265;
- looks for bank shares after composer's death, 326;
- comes into possession of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- his name omitted from the document, 352;
- defended by the author, 357 _et seq._;
- described by Frau Karth, 358.--Vol. II. Demands return of loan
- from the composer, 114;
- purchases apothecary shop in Linz, 115;
- profits from dealing with the French army, 115;
- visited by the composer, 230;
- the composer interferes with his domestic affairs, 230 _et seq._;
- defeats his brother by marrying his housekeeper, 232.--Vol. III.
- Buys estate near Gneixendorf, 19;
- cuts a ridiculous figure in Vienna, 66;
- takes his brother's compositions as security for loan, 66;
- defense of his actions by the author, 68;
- seeks reconciliation with his brother, and offers home in
- Gneixendorf, 69;
- letter, 72;
- charged with dishonest conduct by his brother, 111, 112;
- his wife's misconduct, 132, 134;
- completes transaction with Schott and Sons for his brother, 180;
- B. warns a visitor against him, 182;
- offers B. a home in the country, 237;
- condones his wife's licentiousness, 238;
- the cause of B's hatred of his wife, 238;
- takes action against his wife, 239;
- persuades B. to go to Gneixendorf, 266;
- his wife accused of improper intimacy with her nephew, 269;
- date of his wife's death, 270;
- makes Nephew Karl his sole heir, 270;
- in constant attendance on B. during his last illness, 276;
- wrongly accused by Schindler of inhuman niggardliness, 287.
-
- ~Beethoven, Karl Kaspar~, brother of the composer: Vol. I. Birth, 57;
- intended for musical profession, 103, 191;
- official career of, 265;
- composes music, 266;
- letters to publishers, 295, 348, 357;
- charged with surreptitious sale of B's works, 350;
- the Heiligenstadt Will, 353;
- defended from charge of wrongdoing, 357 _et seq._;
- appearance of, 358;
- Ries's charge of misconduct, 361.--Vol. II. Accused by Simrock, 13;
- marriage of, 65;
- end of business relations with the composer, 143;
- illness of, 241;
- appoints the composer and his widow guardians of his son, 241;
- his illness compels B. to postpone his trip to England, 251, 313;
- death of, 320, 321;
- will of, 320, 321;
- appoints Ludwig guardian of his son, 320;
- von Breuning warns B. against him, 322;
- admonishes widow and brother to mutual forbearance, 321;
- his wife, Theresia (Johanna) Reiss, marries, 65;
- her infidelity, 65;
- inherits her husband's property, 320;
- made guardian under will, 321;
- appointed by court, 322;
- B. secures her removal as co-guardian, 331;
- court grants her permission to see her son, 332;
- compelled to share in expense of her son's education, 368;
- efforts to see her son, 372, 393;
- her son encouraged to revile her, 396;
- seeks to gain possession of her son, 400;
- her testimony in court, 406, 407.--Vol. III. Reprehensible
- conduct, 67;
- B. adopts conciliatory attitude towards, 170, 171. (For further
- details of her contest for her son, her efforts to gain
- possession of him, care for his education, etc., see
- _Guardianship_ and _Karl van Beethoven_, under LUDWIG VAN
- BEETHOVEN.)
-
- ~Beethoven, Karl~, nephew of the composer: Vol. I, disposes of picture
- of Countess Brunswick, 335.--Vol. II. His father declares wish
- that mother and uncle be his guardians, 241;
- sent to Giannatasio's institute, 332;
- surgical operation on, 341;
- receives inheritance from Joseph Hametsch, 353;
- instructed in music by Czerny, 374;
- placed in care of a priest at Moedling, 392;
- encouraged to revile his mother, 396;
- dismissed from the priest's class, 397;
- runs away from his uncle, 402;
- testimony on court, 407;
- returned to Giannatasio's care, 410.--Vol. III. Returns to his
- mother, 1;
- studies under private tutor, 4;
- runs away from the institute, 33;
- B. names him as his heir, 115, 132;
- B's pride in his attainments, 135;
- philological student at university, 171;
- encouraged in disingenuousness by B., 172;
- spends summer with his uncle, 184;
- runs away from home, 184;
- translates "God Save the King" for B., 209;
- date of his death, 230; his waywardness, 250 _et seq._;
- B's appealing letters, 230, 254;
- leaves university for Polytechnic Institute, 250, 251;
- evil companionship and amusements, 252;
- held to strict accountability, 253;
- discipline becomes irksome, 255;
- upbraids and attacks his uncle, 256;
- B's suspicion of a suicidal purpose, 257;
- prepares to kill himself, 258;
- shoots himself, 258 _et seq._;
- effect of the attempt on B., 260, 261;
- reasons for the attempt, 261;
- his future discussed by B. and his friends, 262, 263 _et seq._;
- B's fear of police inquiry, 263;
- Karl defends his mother, 264;
- life at Gneixendorf, 267 _et seq._;
- accused of improper intimacy with his aunt, 269;
- made sole heir of his uncle Johann's estate, 270;
- slandered in regard to his care of B. in last illness, 273
- _et seq._;
- preparations for a military career, 277;
- quarrels with B. on eve of his departure from Vienna, 278;
- made heir by B's will, 278;
- letter to B., 279;
- inheritance under B's formal will, 303. (For further details as to
- education, contest for his possession, etc., see foregoing and
- sub-title _Guardianship_ under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN.) His widow
- visited by Thayer, I, xi, 192;
- possessor of Maehler portrait, II, 16;
- asks for money deposited as forfeit by Prince George Galitzin,
- III, 230;
- her daughter, Hermine, 231.
-
- ~Beethoven, Louis (Ludwig) van~, grandfather of the composer: As Court
- Musician at Bonn, receives increase of salary, I, 10, 14;
- appointed Chapelmaster, 17;
- petitions for salary for his son, 18;
- demands obedience from his musicians, 21;
- Joseph Demmer appointed to his place as Court Musician, 22;
- Lucchesi succeeds him as Chapelmaster, 23;
- parentage and baptism, 42;
- leaves home in Antwerp and becomes church singer in Louvain, 43;
- appointed singing-master at St. Peter's, 43;
- becomes Court Musician at Bonn, 43;
- marries, 45; his children, 45;
- services in Electoral Chapel, 45, 46;
- success as opera-singer, 46;
- last appearance, 47;
- death of, 47;
- an inebriate wife, 47;
- displeased at son's marriage, 47, 50;
- death of widow, 56;
- length of court service, 73;
- composer asks for his portrait, 301;
- B's affectionate remembrance of him, III, 184.
-
- ~Beethoven, Ludwig van~, the composer:
- _Birth of, date and place_, I, xvii, 51, 53;
- controversy about house in which he was born, 51, 55, 56;
- disputed dates, 53;
- record of baptism, 53;
- his mistaken belief, I, 54;
- II, 177;
- age of, falsified by his father, 55;
- reputed son of the King of Prussia, III, 214, 243.
- _Annuity and Shares of Bank Stock_: Annuity granted by noble
- friends, I, 298, 299;
- II, 137 _et seq._;
- disappointed by subscribers, 170;
- Kinsky fails to meet obligation, 172;
- B. collects from Kinsky at Teplitz, 205;
- reduction by depreciation of currency, 211 _et seq._;
- payments by Archduke Rudolph, 217, 219;
- B. collects from Kinsky's heirs, 222;
- non-payment by Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 242 _et seq._;
- Kinsky and Rudolph agree to pay in notes of redemption, 242;
- B. blames Rudolph for getting him into the contract, 250, 266;
- controversy with Kinsky's heirs, 259, 288, 289;
- settlement, 306;
- sums received by B. from the subscribers till his death, 306;
- honorable conduct of Kinsky and Lobkowitz, and B's aspersions on
- their character, 308;
- B. seeks advice as to his right to leave Austria under the
- contract, 366;
- last collection of the annuity, III, 295;
- bank stock owned by B. at time of death, I, 326;
- II, 379;
- B. objects to its use for his benefit, III, 114, 290;
- discovered after his death, 309.
- _Character, traits of, and illustrative acts_: Vol. I, 83, 179;
- fondness for punning, 183;
- disposition as teacher, 120, 121, 201, 314;
- forgets his riding-horse, 200, 221;
- relations with musicians in Vienna, 240, 241;
- study of his character, 245 _et seq._;
- exaggerations of biographers, 245;
- extremes in his moral nature and temperament, 246;
- consequences of defective education, 246;
- ignorance of the value of money, 247;
- lack of independence in judgment, 247;
- high ideals, 247;
- pride, 248;
- sometime ungenerous treatment of friends, 248, 298;
- wish to be relieved of financial cares, 249;
- attitude towards transcriptions, 250;
- towards criticism, 250;
- susceptibility to flattery, 251;
- love of nature, 251;
- attractive to young people, 251;
- indifference to games of chance, 252;
- love of poetry, 254; his letter-writing, 255;
- manner of composing, 258 _et seq._;
- carelessness about dates, 281, 331, 344;
- recommends virtue to his brothers, 353;
- may have used his brothers as screen, 363.
- Vol. II. Displeased because not placed at prince's table, 32;
- suspicious nature, 62, 63;
- carelessness about dates, 66;
- pride leads him to leave Prince Lichnowsky in anger, 68, 69;
- takes umbrage at being asked to play for French officers, 68, 69;
- Dr. Bertolini on his dilatoriness and lack of etiquette, 80;
- protests against holding improper relations with married
- women, 85;
- his opinion of his predecessors, 89;
- violence of temper, throws a dish of food in a waiter's face, 91;
- feelings toward his relations, 91;
- indifference to his own manuscripts, 92;
- uncouth and awkward, 92;
- ignorance of monetary matters, 92;
- peculiarities described by Seyfried, 93 _et seq._;
- dislike of being disturbed at work, 93;
- fondness for punning, 95;
- his handwriting, 95;
- denounces his friends as "princely rabble," 105, 127;
- hatred of French, 117;
- longing for opera-texts, 118;
- disingenuous treatment of friends, 123;
- hypochondria, 126;
- orchestra refuses to play under him, 128;
- violent gesticulations when conducting, 128;
- his suspicious nature, 130;
- withholds help from Ries, 140;
- affectionate concern for Breuning, 155;
- domestic tribulations, 155;
- love of poetry, 147;
- influences which created his moods, 163 _et seq._;
- normally cheerful, 163;
- a new infatuation makes him attentive to dress, 173;
- his only animal pet, 174;
- refuses to accept commission on sale of a pianoforte, 174;
- conviviality, 175;
- "electrical by nature," 182, 189;
- how music came to him, 188;
- love of nature, 193;
- Goethe's description of him, 224;
- self-esteem, 226;
- finds fault with his friends, 237;
- longing for domesticity, 240;
- unthrifty habits, 244;
- rails at Archduke Rudolph for getting him an annuity, 250;
- whimsical designations for his friends, 280;
- absent-mindedness, 287;
- Weissenbach's description of him, 294;
- condemns popular virtuosi, 298;
- his puns, 214, 286;
- aspersions on the character of Princes Kinsky and Lobkowitz, 307;
- manner of composing, 316;
- allows himself to ignore rules of composition, 326;
- rails at the Emperor of Austria, 344;
- restive under restraint, 360;
- desire to be truthfully described, 361;
- favors German terminology, 364;
- some of his moral reflections, 365;
- lack of decision, 379;
- admiration for English system of government, 381;
- contempt for Viennese, 381;
- queries about housekeeping, 387;
- unfitness to be guardian of his nephew, 392;
- blames Archduke for his financial troubles, 396;
- takes pay for an oratorio which he does not compose, 398;
- explains that he is not of noble birth, 404;
- his contempt for the plebs, 409.
-
- Vol. III. Domestic matters recorded in an almanac, 14;
- neglects food in frenzy of composition, 15;
- forgets to eat at a restaurant, 17;
- dealings with publishers, 39, 44, 51 _et seq._; 62, 65 (see
- "MASS IN D" and "SYMPHONY IN D MINOR" in Index of Compositions);
- arrested as a tramp, 42;
- his puns, 63;
- attitude toward Archduke Rudolph, 70;
- compares Goethe and Klopstock, 75;
- his views on progress in music, 76;
- an unruly patient, 85;
- dilatoriness in delivery of Mass in D, 94 _et seq._;
- nicknames for Schindler, 106;
- manner of composing, 126;
- indifference to dress, 126;
- accuses Schindler of being an evil character, 133;
- uses house-shutters for memoranda, 133;
- rails against his brother's wife and daughter, 134;
- contradictory conduct concerning titles of honor, 163;
- drives his friends away from him after the first performance of
- the Ninth Symphony, 167;
- leaves country lodging because people are inquisitive, 176;
- abuses his landlord, 177;
- rebukes publisher for complaining that he had not received a work
- which he had bought, 180;
- attempts a joke at Haslinger's expense, 190;
- enraged by a copyist, 191;
- denounces one publisher to another, 191;
- a poor arithmetician, 194, 277;
- his drinking habits, 195 _et seq._;
- jests on the name Holz, 196;
- forgets that he has paid a bill, 211;
- loud voice and laugh, 213;
- reluctance to play in private, 213;
- disagreeable manners, 214;
- his publisher a "hell-hound," 216;
- asks for Luther's Bible, 219;
- accepts money for a Requiem which he does not compose, 220;
- proud of a medal sent by the King of France, 230;
- ignores promise to dedicate the Ninth Symphony to Ries, 231;
- sells ring sent by the King of Prussia because it was not a
- diamond, 233;
- hatred of his sister-in-law because of her lewdness, 238;
- looked upon by a law-clerk as an imbecile, 241;
- treated as a menial by a stranger, 241;
- refuses to dine with his brother's family, 243;
- gesticulations while composing frighten an ox-team, 243;
- welcomes royal distinctions, 244;
- prone to believe evil of everybody, 249;
- becomes apprehensive of death, 253;
- drinking habits, 275;
- charges Schindler with pilfering a petty sum of money, 281;
- wants to read a full report of a speech by Channing, 283;
- remarks while undergoing a surgical operation, 276;
- ungracious reception of his physician's ministration, 283;
- confident that his last compositions will eventually be
- recognized, 300;
- "Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est," 304 _et seq._
-
- _Compositions_ (INDEX OF COMPOSITIONS).
-
- _Concert appearances as player or conductor_:
- First public appearance, I, 59;
- first appearance as virtuoso, 184, 185;
- plays at Romberg's concert, 199;
- at Schuppanzigh's, 191, 200, 214;
- in Prague, 217;
- at Burgtheater, 266;
- at Punto's concert, 267, 282;
- asks use of Court Theatre, II, 99;
- his conducting, 117, 127, 128;
- Spohr's account of his manner, II, 257;
- Franz Wild's description, II, 268; III, 14;
- the concert of 1808, II, 127;
- failure of charity concert in 1809, II, 149, 172, 215;
- benefit of sufferers by fire at Baden, 225;
- concerts of 1813, 248, 259;
- benefit of wounded soldiers, 257;
- repetition, 261;
- constitution of his orchestra, 268, 269;
- concerts of 1814 299, 300, 327, 388;
- proposed concert in 1819, III, 22;
- opening of Josephstadt Theatre, 81;
- breaks down conducting "Fidelio," 83;
- concerts of 1824, 176.
-
- _Conversation Books_:
- I, xi, 229, 241, 252, 319, 320;
- preserved in the Royal Library in Berlin, 377;
- given to Schindler, III. 11;
- their number and kind, 11;
- Thayer's labor upon them, 12, 87, 89;
- alterations by Schindler, III, 273, 281.
-
- _Deafness_:
- Origin of, I, 218, 245, 261, 298;
- B's strange account, 300; III, 210;
- desire to conceal it, I, 300;
- phenomena, 300;
- B's reflections in the Heiligenstadt Will, 352;
- Ries's account, 352;
- Seyfried's account, II, 95, 96;
- B. Hides from the noise of bombardment, 145;
- Maelzel makes ear-trumpets, 233;
- III, Dr. Smetana prescribes for the malady, 85;
- cure attempted by Pater Weiss, II, 96; III, 85;
- unaffected by dissonance, III, 202.
-
- _Education and Training_:
- I, 57 _et seq._;
- lessons from his father, 58;
- weeping as child at the pianoforte, 58;
- studies at Latin School, 59;
- deficiency of general education, 60;
- knowledge of French and Latin, 60, 65;
- lessons from Van den Eeden, 61, 62, 67 _et seq._;
- studies under Tobias Pfeiffer, 62, 63;
- lessons on violin and viola at Bonn, 64;
- organ playing with Friar Willibald, 64;
- first efforts at composition, 65;
- doubtful story of private studies in Latin, 65;
- counterpoint and composition from Neefe, 67 _et seq._;
- study of Bach, 70;
- cembalist in Electoral Chapel, 72, 85;
- violin lessons from Franz Ries, 85;
- violin lessons from Krumpholz, 92;
- lack of skill on violin, 92;
- training in orchestra, 109;
- shows cantata to Haydn, 116;
- proposed as pupil of Haydn, 123;
- extent of his obligations to Max Franz, Elector, 124;
- his appreciation of Neefe as teacher, 124;
- lessons from Haydn, 150 _et seq._;
- his disparagement of Haydn as teacher, 152, 158;
- rupture with Haydn, 155, 189;
- lessons from Schenk, 152 _et seq._;
- Fux's "Gradus," 153;
- lessons from Salieri, 154;
- from Albrechtsberger, 155, 156 _et seq._;
- violin instruction from Schuppanzigh, 156;
- Seyfried's "Studien, etc.," 159;
- Fux, 159;
- Tuerk, 159;
- C. P. E. Bach, 159;
- Kirnberger, 159;
- Salieri, 160;
- refuses to attend lectures on Kant, 182;
- Plato's supposed influence, 213, 214;
- effect on his character of defective training, 246;
- imperfections in letters, 255;
- studies made for Archduke Rudolph, II, 147, 150, 151;
- self-improvement by reading, 166.
-
- _Guardianship of his Nephew_: Karl Kaspar van Beethoven declares
- his wish that his brother and widow be joint guardians of his
- son Karl, II, 241;
- B. appointed guardian, 320;
- the widow appointed co-guardian, 321;
- court appointment, 320;
- B. has himself made sole guardian, 321;
- takes his ward to live with him, 341 _et seq._;
- asks Kanka to collect inheritance for the lad, 353;
- defective training of Karl, 361;
- widow compelled to bear a share in the expense of education,
- 368, 362 _et seq._;
- widow tries to get possession of her son, 400 _et seq._;
- not being of noble birth B. is referred to plebeian court,
- 401, 404;
- testimony before the court of the nobility, 403 _et seq._
-
- --Vol. III. Widow renews petition to have her son sent to Imperial
- Konviktschule, 2;
- B. suspended from the guardianship, 2;
- plans to send Nephew to Landshut University, 4, 5;
- Tuscher appointed guardian, 5;
- B. appeals to Archduke Rudolph for a passport to Landshut, 6;
- the plan frustrated, 6;
- Giannatasio refuses to readmit Karl, 6;
- he is sent to Bloechlinger's Institute, 7;
- Tuscher surrenders guardianship, and B. desires to resume it, 7;
- is refused, 8;
- the mother reappointed, with Nussboeck as co-guardian, over B's
- protest, 8, 10;
- B. appeals to the Landrecht, 10, 26;
- Councillor Peters suggested as co-guardian, 10;
- Bloechlinger takes charge of the ward, 14;
- facts and merits of the case, 28 _et seq._;
- B. makes personal appeal to the court, 29;
- Dr. Bach a judicious adviser, 30;
- the court appoints B. and Peters co-guardians, 31;
- widow makes vain appeal to the Emperor, 31;
- cost of B's victory, 31;
- his joy, 32;
- Karl runs away from the Institute, 33;
- effect of B's administration of the trust on himself and his
- ward, 247 _et seq._;
- Dr. Reisser appointed in place of Peters, 251;
- Breuning persuades B. to resign and takes his place, 264;
- Hotschevar becomes guardian after the death of B. and
- Breuning, 292.
-
- _Illness, death and burial_: I, 123, 198, 201, 281, 298, 300,
- 302.--II, 27, 116, 123, 158, 190, 199, 202, 223, 227, 246,
- 366, 367, 378, 395.--III, 39, 70, 71, 72, 129, 133, 170, 199,
- 207, 219, 240, 241, 271 _et seq._;
- medical attendance summoned, 273;
- surgical operations, 276, 283, 294, 296;
- frozen punch prescribed, 286;
- sweat baths, 287;
- cheering news from old friends, 288;
- B. asks aid from the London Philharmonic Society, 289, 290;
- the Society votes gift of 100 pounds, 290;
- visitors at bedside of sick man, 280, 286, 289, 294, 295;
- B. abandons hope, 296;
- gifts of wines and delicacies, 287 _et seq._;
- Hummel at the death-bed, 301;
- signing the will, 303 _et seq._;
- "Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est," 304 _et seq._;
- B. receives extreme unction, 305;
- the death-struggle, 307;
- death caused by cirrhosis of the liver, 308;
- revelations of the autopsy, 309, 310;
- property left by B., 310;
- funeral, 312;
- performances of masses for the dead by Mozart and Cherubini, 312;
- pall and torch-bearers, 312;
- burial at Waehring, 312;
- exhumation of the body and reburial, 312.
-
- _Improvisation_: B's skill at an early age, I, 63;
- discomfits a singer by his harmonization, 87, 119, 152, 182, 188;
- Czerny's account, 196;
- at the Singakademie in Berlin, 197, 217;
- on "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman," 217, 266.--Vol. II, 15;
- on theme from a quartet by Pleyel, 44, 90, 375; III, 208.
-
- _Letters_: To Amenda, I, 297;
- Arnim, Bettina von, II, 190, 196;
- Artaria and Co., III, 65;
- Dr. Bach, III, 115, 278;
- Baumeister, II, 218;
- Beethoven, Johann van, I, 192, 352; III, 69, 72, 134;
- Beethoven, Karl Kaspar van, I, 352;
- Beethoven, Karl van, III, 254;
- Dr. Bertolini, II, 87;
- Bernard, II, 398; III, 171;
- Beyer, II, 259;
- Bigot, II, 84;
- Birchall, II, 319, 325, 336, 346, 350;
- Brauchle, II, 317;
- Breitkopf and Haertel, I, 286, 294, 349, 368, 369; II, 66, 67, 136,
- 142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206, 214, 226;
- Brentano, III, 46, 47;
- Breuning, Leonore von, I, 177, 179;
- Breuning, Stephan von, II, 33;
- Broadwood, Thomas, II, 390;
- Brunswick, Count, II, 105, 202, 219, 266;
- Brunswick, Countess Therese, II, 203;
- Cherubini, III, 100;
- Collin, von, II, 149;
- Czerny, Carl, I, 316; II, 338, 374;
- Erdoedy, Countess, II, 144;
- Ertmann, Baroness, II, 365;
- Esterhazy, Prince, II, 107;
- Frank, Mme. de, I, 283;
- Giannatasio del Rio, II, 332, 349;
- Gleichenstein, Count, II, 114, 140, 141, 155, 174, 175;
- Goethe, II, 197; III, 98;
- Haslinger, III, 44;
- Hoffmeister and Kuehnel, I, 271, 281, 286, 299, 366, 370; II, 16;
- Holz, III, 216;
- Hummel, I, 240; II, 267;
- Kanka, II, 353;
- King of England, III, 113;
- Kinsky, Princess, II, 243;
- Koenneritz, von, III, 97;
- Kotzebue, II, 213;
- Kuhlau, III, 204;
- Lichnowsky, Count Moritz, II, 262; III, 158;
- London Musicians, II, 274;
- Macco, Alexander, II, 19;
- Maehler, II, 16;
- Malfatti, Therese, II, 176;
- Matthisson, I, 202;
- Moscheles, III, 291;
- Mosel, von, II, 386;
- Neate, Charles, II, 339, 352, 367;
- Oppersdorff, Count, II, 122;
- Peters, Councillor, II, 354;
- Peters, C. F., III, 58, 60, 61, 64;
- Ries, Ferdinand, II, 27, 28, 29, 324, 333, 338, 340, 371, 395,
- 412, 413; III, 111, 128;
- Rudolph, Archduke, II, 199, 225, 235, 250, 266, 286;
- III, 1, 9, 19, 20, 34, 91, 94;
- Schaden, Dr., I, 92;
- Schenck, 154;
- Schindler, III, 102, 133, 158, 286, 295;
- Schlesinger, III, 54;
- Schott and Sons, III, 296, 297;
- Schreyvogel, II, 304;
- Schuppanzigh, III, 158;
- Sebald, Amalie, II, 228;
- Simrock, I, 183; II, 21;
- III, 44, 56;
- Smart, Sir George, II, 311, 351;
- Smetana, Dr., III, 259;
- Stadler, Abbe, III, 235;
- Steiner, II, 364;
- III, 38;
- Streicher, Nanette, II, 394;
- Stumpff, III, 289;
- Theatre Directors in Vienna, II, 98;
- Thomson, George, II, 17, 71, 157, 203, 219, 245, 308;
- III, 16;
- Tiedge, II, 206;
- Treitschke, II, 269, 273, 277, 281, 284;
- Tschiska, III, 3;
- Varena, II, 246, 247, 249;
- Wegeler, F. G., I, 177, 179;
- Zelter, III, 18;
- Zmeskall, I, 231, 355;
- II, 88, 144, 155, 175, 208, 217, 245, 247, 248, 262, 271, 330,
- 349, 351;
- III, 288.
-
- _Lodgings_ (in Vienna): Alsergasse, with Prince Lichnowsky, I,
- 148, 269;
- Bartenstein House, II, 271, 286;
- Gaertnerstrasse, II, 362, 367, 368;
- Giorgi, II, 368;
- Hamberger House, I, 355;
- Johannesgasse, III, 184;
- Josefstaedter Glacis, III, 21;
- Kothgasse, III, 97;
- Kreuzgasse (Ogylisches Haus), I, 269;
- Kruegergasse, III, 144;
- Pasqualati's House, on the Moelkerbastei, II, 31, 44, 123,
- 196, 219;
- Petersplatz, I, 256;
- II, 12;
- Rothes Haus, II, 271, 286;
- Sailerstaette, II, 315, 361;
- Schwarzspanierhaus, III, 212, 273, 311;
- in the Theater-an-der-Wien, II, 12, 23, 35, 44;
- Tiefen Graben, I, 269, 288;
- Ungarstrasse, III, 140, 170;
- Walfischgasse, II, 145, 155. (In the country): Baden, II, 13,
- 102, 106, 107, 145, 244, 249, 251, 315;
- III, 39, 70, 71, 133, 134, 137, 177, 200;
- Doebling, II, 14, 31;
- Gneixendorf, III, 237, 238, 239, 244, 267, 271;
- Heiligenstadt, I, 349, 351;
- II, 107, 110, 119, 120. 369;
- Hetzendorf, I, 288, 289;
- II, 45, 47, 367;
- III, 95, 122, 129;
- Landstrasse, III, 36, 39, 73;
- Moedling, II, 380, 396;
- III, 6, 14, 17, 35, 48;
- Nussdorf, II, 369;
- Oberdoebling, III, 69, 73;
- Penzing, III, 176;
- Unterdoebling, I, 269;
- III, 39, 47.
-
- _London Philharmonic Society_: Neate buys overtures for, II, 333;
- the Society's disappointment, 334;
- its membership roll, 334;
- B. offers to write new works for, 352, 367;
- invites B. to visit London, 370, 378, 379, 380, 395, 413;
- III, Hogarth's history of, 110;
- the Society and the Ninth Symphony, 110 _et seq._;
- 149, 177, 207, 209, 230, 232 _et seq._;
- again invites B. to visit London, 186;
- appealed to by B. for aid, 289;
- 100 pounds voted for B's relief, 290 _et seq._;
- gift reclaimed after B's death, but released, 293, 294;
- part of the sum applied to funeral expenses, 302.
-
- _Love Affairs, Marriage Projects, B's relations with Women_:
- (see also "Character," etc.), I, xvi, xxi, 120;
- susceptibility to women's charms, I, 121 _et seq._, 235, 317
- _et seq._, 334;
- encounter with a prince's mistress, II, 33;
- passion no influence in "Fidelio," II, 166;
- the "Immortal Beloved," I, xxi, 281, 292, 326, 328 _et seq._;
- II, 66, 105, 106, 222, 343, 336 _et seq._, 342 (see writings in
- controversy under "Grove," "La Mara," "Storck," "Prelinger,"
- "Chantonoine," "Rolland," "Schindler," "Nohl," "Kalischer,"
- "Frimmel," "Volbach," "Thomas-San-Galli," "Hale," "Tenger");
- Countess Therese Brunswick, I, 326;
- relations interviewed, 340;
- memoirs of, 344;
- Magdalena Willmann, I, 242, 292, 337;
- Therese Malfatti, I, 336;
- II, 86, 106, 239;
- Amalie Sebald, I, 337;
- II, 206, 228, 239;
- Giulietta Guicciardi, I, 343, 344, 292;
- Madame Bigot, II, 84;
- Marie Koschak, I, 318;
- II, 383;
- Bettina von Arnim, II, 366;
- Fanny Giannatasio, II, 362;
- an alleged "Autumnal love," II, 383;
- B's contemplation of marriage, I, xvi;
- offers hand to Magdalena Willmann, I, 242;
- his celibacy, 242, 245, 326;
- alleged proposal to Therese Malfatti, II, 178;
- effect of her rejection of him, 193, 141, 142, 200, 239, 240;
- a confession of disappointed love, 342;
- reputed proposal to Cibbini, III, 205, 207.
-
- _Opera Projects_ (see "FIDELIO," in Index of Compositions): At
- work on an opera when he became deaf, I, 263;
- his constant longing for a text, II, 118, 202;
- applies to Kotzebue for a book, II, 213;
- licentious plots repugnant to him, III, 201;
- subjects considered: "Macbeth" by Collin, II, 119, 151, 153;
- "Bradamante" by Collin, II, 119;
- intended collaboration with Varnhagen von Ense, II, 204;
- "Alexander" by Schikaneder(?), II, 19, 20;
- Grillparzer's "Melusine," III, 118 _et seq._;
- 135, 220;
- Koerner's "Return of Ulysses," II, 237;
- Rudolph von Berger's "Bacchus," II, 314, 328;
- "Romulus and Remus," 304, 381;
- "Macbeth" (not by Collin), III, 117;
- "Romeo and Juliet," 117;
- Schiller's "Fiesco," 117;
- Voltaire's tragedies, III, 117;
- Grillparzer's "Dragomira," III, 118, 120, 122.
-
- _Orchestra and Organ_, B's experience with: Lessons on violin and
- viola from Rovantini, I, 64;
- from Ries, 99;
- from Schuppanzigh, 156;
- training in orchestra, 109, 111;
- Schindler in error, 239;
- studies organ-playing with Van den Eeden, I, 61, 64; with
- Willibald Koch and Zenser, 64;
- assumes Neefe's duties as organist, 69;
- assistant to Neefe, 71;
- appointed assistant organist in the Electoral Chapel, 74;
- recommended for Court Organistship, 83, 105;
- his playing, 110.
-
- _Personal Appearance and Portraits_: I,76, 146, 147;
- "Ugly and half crazy," 243;
- described by Baillot, II, 55;
- described by Weissenbach, II, 294;
- described by Julius Benedict, III, 139, 125.--Dress, I, 147, 322;
- a new wardrobe for a new infatuation, II, 173;
- changes new coat for old one for dinner, II, 186;
- negligent appearance, 88, 287.--Portraits: Silhouette by
- Neesen, I, 122;
- paintings by Maehler, II, 15, 16;
- Frimmel's discussion of B's portraits, II, 15;
- miniature by Hornemann, II, 33;
- Klein's mask and Danhauser's bust, II, 221;
- Latronne's crayon drawing engraved by Hoefel, II, 287;
- painting by Heckel, II, 338;
- painting by August von Kloeber, II, 399;
- lithograph by Duerck, III, 42;
- painting by Ferdinand Schimon, III, 21, 41;
- portrait by Joseph Stieler, III, 41;
- death-mask and drawing by Danhauser, III, 310;
- crayon drawing by Decker, imitated by Kriehuber, III, 176.
-
- _Pianoforte Study and Playing_ (see "EDUCATION"): Studies
- pianoforte with his father, I, 58;
- skill as a boy described by Neefe, 69, 111;
- plays for Abbe Sterkel, 114;
- duties as pianist to the Elector, 135;
- Bach's fugues, 175;
- skill in sight-reading, 180;
- his playing compared with Woelffl's, 215;
- described by Tomaschek, 217;
- Cherubini's comments on, 220;
- Spohr's criticism, II, 269;
- last public appearance as pianist, 270;
- his playing of "The Well-Tempered Clavichord," II, 355;
- advice to Czerny as to instruction of his nephew, II, 374.
-
- _Religion_: Character of B's religious belief, II, 167 _et seq._;
- transcription of Egyptian texts preserved by him, 168;
- prayers in his note-books, 169, 249;
- an expression of faith, 187;
- admonishes his nephew to pray, 407;
- views on church music, 414, 415;
- attitude towards the Catholic Church, II, 168, III, 91;
- the Mass in D, III, 91;
- receives the rites for the dying, 305 _et seq._
-
- _Sketchbooks_: Gelinek finds the cause of B's faults in them,
- I, 257;
- Nottebohm's analysis, I, 257 _et seq._, 364;
- Kafka's, I, 205, 206, 209, 210;
- Sketches in the British Museum, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261;
- Petter Collection, I, 274, 290;
- II, 118, 129, 151, 209, 296;
- Grassnick Collection, I, 275;
- II, 160;
- Kessler's, I, 289, 368, 371;
- Landsberger's, II, 73;
- Meinert Collection, II, 150, 161;
- the "Fidelio" sketches, II, 285;
- Mendelssohn Collection, II, 310.
-
- "~Beiden Savoyarden, Die~" ("Les deux petits Savoyards"):
- Opera by Dalayrac, I, 109.
-
- ~Belderbusch, Kaspar Anton~: Prime Minister of Elector Max
- Friedrich I, 14, 15;
- assumes paternity of Elector's illegitimate children, 16;
- death of, 33;
- secures Neefe's appointment as Court Organist, 36;
- a musical amateur, 37, 118;
- Countess Belderbusch, a clavier player, I, 37.
-
- ~Belgium~: Beethoven families residing in, in the 17th century, I, 42.
-
- ~Bell, Doyne C.~: "Documents, Letters, etc., relating to the Bust of
- Ludwig van Beethoven presented to the Philharmonic Society of
- London by Fanny Linzbauer," III, 291.
-
- ~Bellamy, Mr.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- ~Belzer, Frau von~, Musical amateur in Bonn: I, 38.
-
- ~Benda, George~: His opera "Ariadne auf Naxos," I, 29, 107, 108;
- "Romeo and Juliet," I, 31, 107, 108;
- conductor of Seydler's company, 30.
-
- ~Benedict, Sir Julius~: III, 137;
- his visit to B., 138 _et seq._
-
- ~Berger, Rudolph von~: His opera-book "Bacchus," II, 314.
-
- ~Berlin~: B. visits, I, 192, 195;
- faults public for not applauding, 197;
- II, 226;
- plays for the Singakademie, I, 197;
- the Singakademie and the Mass in D, III, 104, 180.
-
- ~Bernadotte, General J. B.~: His association with the "Eroica,"
- I, _212 et seq._;
- King of Sweden, III, 139.
-
- ~Bernard, Joseph Carl~: II, 332, 359, 398;
- III, 24, 30, 171;
- his "Libussa," 173;
- "Der Sieg des Kreuzes," 172 _et seq._
-
- "~Bernardsberg, Der.~" (See "ELISE.")
-
- ~Bertinotti, Mme.~: II, 75.
-
- ~Bertolini, Dr.~: On B's susceptibility to women, I, 318;
- on the origin of the "Eroica," II, 25;
- on B's dilatoriness, 76, 87;
- "Un lieto brindisi," II, 280, 305, 322;
- rupture of friendship with B., 341, 369.
-
- "~Betulia liberata~": III, 143.
-
- ~Betz~: "Il Riso d'Apolline," I, 26.
-
- ~Beyer, Dr.~: Letter to, II, 259.
-
- ~Bigot~, Librarian of Count Rasoumowsky: II, 73, 125, 146;
- his wife, Marie, II, 84, 146.
-
- ~Bihler~, J. N.: III, 156.
-
- ~Biographers of B.~: Early, III, 197 _et seq._
-
- "~Biographische Notizen.~" (See "WEGELER, F. G." and
- "RIES, FERDINAND.")
-
- ~Birchall, Robert,~ English publisher: II, 319, 324, 325;
- difficulty in getting a receipt from B., 355, _et seq._,
- 345, 350, 346, 359;
- death of, 351;
- and the overtures bought by the Philharmonic Society, 337.
-
- ~Birkenstock, Joseph Melchior~: II, 178;
- Antonie, II, 179.
-
- ~Blahetka, Leopoldine~: III, 50, 138, 157.
-
- ~Bland, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- "~Blendwerk, Das~" ("La fausse Magie"): Opera by Gretry, I, 107.
-
- ~Bloechlinger, Joseph Karl~: III, 7, 23. (See _Guardianship_ under
- "BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN," and "BEETHOVEN, KARL.")
-
- ~Boer, S. M. de~: Visits B., III, 203.
-
- ~Bohemian Nobility~: Musical culture of the, I, 168.
-
- ~Boehm~, Violinist: Plays the Quartet Op. 127, III, 192, 193;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Boehm's Theatrical Company~: I, 86.
-
- ~Bolla, Signora~: B. plays at her concert, I, 191.
-
- ~Bonaparte, Jerome~: I, 190; II, 122;
- invites B. to his court, 124, 135 _et seq._
-
- ~Bonaparte, Louis~, King of Holland: II, 245, 247.
-
- ~Bonaparte, Napoleon~: Threatens invasion of Vienna, I, 199, 200;
- the "Eroica," 213; II, 24;
- B's remark: "I would conquer him!" 117;
- neglects opportunity to hear the "Eroica," 149;
- marches on Moscow, 221;
- holds court at Dresden, 221;
- effect of his downfall, 295;
- and Cherubini, III, 206.
-
- ~Bonn, City of~: Festival in 1838, I, xvii;
- selected as Electoral residence, 3;
- besieged by Marlborough, 6;
- restored to archbishopric of Cologne, 6;
- improved by Elector Clemens August, 7;
- the Comedy House, 30;
- professional and amateur musicians in B's time, 31;
- appearance of the city, 38 _et seq._;
- Beethovens in before the arrival of the composer's grandfather, 44;
- music in Max Franz's reign, 88;
- theatrical companies, 112;
- B's friends, 117, 125, 126;
- B. leaves the city forever, 125;
- B's compositions in, 129 _et seq._;
- Beethoven Festival of 1845, II, 177.
-
- ~Boosey~, Music publisher in London: III, 111, 128;
- makes contract with B. through Ries, 128.
-
- ~Born, Baroness~: III, 42.
-
- ~Boston Handel~ and ~Haydn Society~: Commissions B. to write
- an oratorio, III, 87.
-
- ~Botticelli~, Singer: III, 169.
-
- ~Bouilly, J. N.~: His opera-texts, II, 36.
-
- ~Bowater, Mrs.~: I, 134, 145;
- III, 40.
-
- "~Bradamante~": Opera-book by Collin, II, 19.
-
- ~Brahms, Johannes~: Confirms authenticity of Bonn cantatas, I, 131;
- comment on the compositions of royal personages, III, 20.
-
- ~Brauchle~: Tutor of Count Erdoedy's children, I, 320;
- II, 317.
-
- ~Braun, Baron~: I, 168;
- invites the Rombergs to give a concert, 199, 244, 290, 348, 350;
- engages Ries at B's solicitation, 360;
- engages Cherubini to compose operas, II, 3;
- dismisses Schikaneder, 23, 34, 35;
- withdraws "Fidelio," 63;
- ends his management of the Theater-an-der-Wien, 78.
- --~Baroness~, I, 225, 244;
- dedication of the Horn Sonata, 290.
-
- ~Braunhofer, Dr.~: Dedication of the "Abendlied," III, 50, 199;
- canon for, 200, 219, 373;
- declines call to B., 272, 274.
-
- ~Breimann~: II, 125.
-
- ~Breitkopf and Haertel~: Acquire publication rights of this
- biography, I, xv;
- employ Dr. Riemann to revise German edition, xv;
- B's letters to, I, 286, 294, 348, 349, 364, 369;
- II, 66, 67, 142, 148, 192, 198, 200, 204, 206;
- B. offers them all his works, 67;
- attempt to renew association with B., III, 73.
-
- ~Brentano, Antonie~: II, 322;
- III, 128.
-
- ~Brentano, Clemens~: II, 196, 222.
-
- ~Brentano, Elizabeth~: (See ARNIM, BETTINA VON)
-
- ~Brentano, Franz~: II, 179, 186;
- B. borrows money from, III, 39, 45, 46, 47;
- loan repaid, 64, 184.
-
- ~Brentano, Maximiliane~: II, 179, 180, 221.
-
- ~Brentano, Sophie~: II, 179.
-
- ~Breuning, Christoph von~: I, 98, 99;
- Christoph (son), I, 198, 303.
-
- ~Breuning, Eleonore Brigitte von~: Wife of Franz Gerhard Wegeler,
- I, 99, 118, 119;
- lines on B's birthday, 122;
- inscription in his album, 125, 138, 300;
- III, 214, 288.
-
- ~Breuning, Emmanuel Joseph von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Georg Joseph von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Dr. Gerhard~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi 96, 99, 100, 300;
- opinion of B's brother Karl, II, 322, 362;
- description of Johann van B., III, 66;
- B's interest in him as a lad, III, 214;
- on B's last illness, 247;
- on the medical treatment of B., 287, 300.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Lorenz von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Philipp von~: I, 98.
-
- ~Breuning, Johann Lorenz (Lenz) von~: I, 99, 119, 198;
- reports to Romberg about B., 199;
- B's lines in his album, 201, 202.
-
- ~Breuning, Madame von~: I, 99;
- selects B. as teacher for her children, 100;
- influence over B., 100, 188, 119, 303;
- death of, 100;
- dedication of the pianoforte arrangement of the Violin Concerto,
- II, 134.
-
- ~Breuning, Marie von~: III, 213.
-
- ~Breuning, Stephen von~: I, 99;
- intimacy with B., 119, 191, 198;
- returns to Vienna, 288, 301;
- B. advises his employment by the Teutonic Order, 303;
- his relations with B. in Vienna, 310 _et seq._;
- B's injustice toward him, 311.
- --II, becomes clerk in Austrian war department, 14;
- quarrels with B., 27 _et seq._;
- reconciliation, 32;
- receives miniature from B., 33;
- poem for the second performance of "Fidelio," 61;
- letter concerning the opera, 57;
- B's concern for his health, 155;
- death of his wife, 155;
- dedication of the Violin Concerto, 162;
- warns B. against his brother Karl, 322.
- --III, 24, 197;
- intimacy with B resumed, 213;
- persuades B. to resign guardianship, 264;
- objects to unqualified bequest to Nephew Karl, 279;
- finds B's bank stock and the love-letter, 376.
-
- ~Bridgetower, George Augustus Polgreen~, Violinist: I, 186;
- his career, II, 8 _et seq._;
- his notes on the "Kreutzer Sonata," 10.
-
- ~Bridi, Joseph Anton~: II, 391.
-
- ~British Museum~: Sketches in I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261.
-
- ~Broadwood, Thomas~:
- Presents pianoforte to B., II, 390 _et seq._; III, 201, 237.
-
- ~Browne, Count~: I, 199;
- B. calls him his "first Maecenas," 222, 244; II, 20.
- --~Countess~, I, 200, 209, 227, 244.
-
- ~Bruehl, Count~: III, 153.
-
- ~Brunswick, Count Franz~: I, 322;
- the Rasoumowsky quartets, II, 104;
- letters from B., 105, 124, 202, 219, 245, 266;
- ruined by theatrical management, 154;
- dedication of Fantasia Op. 77, 195; III, 24, 170;
- offers summer sojourn in Hungary to B., 179.
-
- ~Brunswick, Count Geza~: I, 340, 341.
-
- ~Brunswick, Countess Marie~: I, 340.
-
- ~Brunswick, Countess Therese~: I, xvi, 279;
- her relations with B., 317, 322, 335 _et seq._;
- sends her portrait to B., 335;
- B's message to her brother, "Kiss your sister Therese,"
- II, 105, 161, 173;
- dedication of the Sonata Op. 78, 195;
- portrait of, 202;
- letter to, 203, 239.
-
- ~Bryant, William Cullen~: Quoted I, 252.
-
- ~Buda-Pesth~: National Museum of, gets B's Broadwood pianoforte,
- II, 392.
-
- "~Buona Figliuola, La~": Opera by Piccini, I, 25, 32.
-
- ~Burbure, Leon~: Supplies information concerning the Belgian
- Beethovens, I, 42.
-
- ~Bureau d'Arts et Industrie~: Established, II, 35.
-
- ~Burney, Dr. Charles~: "Present State, etc.," quoted, I, 174.
-
-
- ~Cache~, Singer at first performance of "Fidelio", II, 51.
-
- ~Caecilien-Verein~ of Frankfort: Subscription to the Mass in D, III,
- 104, 106, 110, 180.
-
- "~Calamita di Cuori, La~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 26.
-
- ~Caldara~: Opera "Gioas, Re di Giuda," I, 184.
-
- ~Campbell, Thomas~: "The Battle of the Baltic," II, 203.
-
- ~Capponi, Marchese~: I, 341.
-
- ~Carlyle, Thomas~: II, 360.
-
- ~Carpani~:
- Italian text for Haydn's "Creation," II, 116;
- introduces Rossini to B., 360.
-
- ~Carriere, Moriz~: Dubious of the genuineness of B's letters to
- Bettina von Arnim, II, 185.
-
- ~Cassel~: B. invited to become chapelmaster at, II, 122, 124,
- 135 _et seq._, 141.
-
- ~Cassentini~, Dancer: I, 285.
-
- ~Castelli~:
- On failure of the Concerto in E-flat, II, 215;
- torchbearer and poet at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Castlereagh, Viscount~: II, 291.
-
- ~Catalani~: II, 310.
-
- ~Catalogue, Classified~, of B's works: II, 38.
-
- ~Catherine II~, Empress of Russia: II, 81.
-
- ~Champein~: I, 86.
-
- ~Channing~: B. asks for full report of speech on his death-bed,
- III, 283.
-
- ~Chantavoine, Jean~: I, 211, 228, 337.
-
- ~Chappell~, Music publisher in London: II, 413.
-
- ~Charles XIV~ (Bernadotte), King of Sweden: III, 130.
-
- ~Cherubini, Luigi~:
- On B's playing, I, 220, 324;
- engaged to compose operas for Vienna, II, 3, 47;
- B's respect for, 48;
- opinion of "Fidelio," 63, 64, 202;
- "Les deux Journees," II, 3, 36; III, 139;
- "Lodoiska," II, 3;
- "Elise," 3;
- "Medea," 3;
- "Faniska," 110;
- asked by B. to urge subscription to Mass on King of France,
- III, 100, 126;
- on B. and Mozart, 205;
- Schlesinger on, 206;
- on B's quartets, 216;
- his "Requiem" sung at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Cherubini, Madame~: On B's social conduct, I, 121.
-
- ~Chorley, Henry F.~: Receives and publishes B's letter to Bettina
- von Arnim, II, 182, 184, 316.
-
- ~Churchill, John~, Earl of Marlborough: I, 6.
-
- ~Church Music~: B's views on, III, 203.
-
- ~Cibbini, Antonia~: B's offer of marriage to, III, 205, 207.
-
- ~Cimarosa, Domenico~:
- "L'Italiana in Londra," I, 32;
- "Il Matrimonio segreto," 164.
-
- ~Clam-Gallas, Count Christian~: I, 194.
-
- ~Clari, Countess Josephine di~: I, 194.
-
- ~Clemens August~, Elector of Cologne: I, 1;
- his extravagance, 7;
- succeeds to the Electorship, 7;
- career of, 7;
- life in Rome, 8;
- Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 7, 98;
- opens strong-box of the Order, 8;
- falls ill while dancing and dies, 7, 8;
- entry into Bonn, 9;
- his music-chapel, 9;
- appoints Van den Eeden Court Organist, 10;
- increases salary of B's grandfather, 10;
- music in his reign, 14;
- his theatre, 30;
- appoints B's grandfather Court Musician, 43.
-
- ~Clement, Franz~, Violinist: II, 2;
- conductor, 42;
- B's Violin Concerto, 76;
- succeeds Haering as conductor in Vienna, 112;
- produces "Mount of Olives," 156, 209, and the Ninth Symphony,
- III, 157 _et seq._
-
- ~Clementi, Muzio~: I, 33;
- encounter between him and B., II, 23, 38, 75;
- contract with B. for compositions, 102;
- tardy payment of debt, 131, 158;
- B. on his pianoforte studies, 375;
- B. sends them to Gerhard von Breuning, III, 214.
-
- ~Collard, F. W.~, Partner of Clementi: II, 102, 103.
-
- ~Collin, von~:
- "Coriolan," II, 101, 102;
- "Bradamante," II, 119;
- "Macbeth," II, 119, 151;
- "Jerusalem Delivered," II, 119, 151;
- Letter to, II, 149;
- asked to write a drama for Pesth, 88, 201.
-
- ~Cologne~:
- Electors of in the 18th century, I, 1 _et seq._;
- Archbishop Engelbert, 3;
- civil income of Electorate, 7.
-
- "~Colonie, Die~" ("L'Isola d'Amore"): Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
-
- ~Complete Editions~ of B's Works planned: II, 18, 38, 192;
- III, 36, 54, 190, 205, 237;
- Archduke Rudolph's Collection, II, 200.
-
- ~Congress of Vienna~: II, 288, 289.
-
- ~Consecutive Fifths~: B's dictum on II, 89.
-
- "~Contadina in Corte, La~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 26.
-
- ~Conti~: I, 282; II, 2.
-
- "~Convivo, Il~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
-
- "~Corsar aus Liebe~": Opera by Weigl, I, 268; II, 2.
-
- ~Courts of Europe~: Invited to subscribe to the Mass in D,
- III, 93 _et seq._
-
- ~Court Composers~: Their duties in the 18th century, I, 13.
-
- ~Court Theatres of Vienna~: B. asks appointment as composer for,
- II, 98.
-
- ~Cramer, F.~, Violinist: I, 186; II, 12.
-
- ~Cramer, John Baptist~: I, 186;
- sketch of, 218, 219;
- makes B's acquaintance, 218;
- his admiration for B., 219;
- on B's playing, 210; II, 318;
- B's opinion of him as pianist, 381.
-
- "~Creation, The~," Haydn's oratorio: I, 243, 266, 282, 284, 285;
- II, 89, 116, 120;
- receives the first metronomic marks, 223.
-
- ~Cressner, George~, English Ambassador at Bonn: I, 65.
-
- ~Cromwell~: I, viii; II, 360.
-
- ~Czapka~: Magistrate to whom B. appeals, III, 265.
-
- ~Czartoryski, Prince~: I, 271.
-
- ~Czernin, Count~: I, 172.
-
- ~Czerny, Carl~: I, 85;
- anecdote about B. and Gelinek, 152;
- on B's extempore playing, 196;
- use of high registers of pianoforte, 223, 236;
- pupil of B., 314;
- duet playing with Ries, 314;
- testimonial from B., 315;
- memory of, 315;
- rebuked by B. for changing his music, 316;
- letters, 316, 322;
- on the reception of the "Eroica," II, 35;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, 75;
- on B's playing and teaching, 90;
- on B's character, 91;
- on the theme of the _Credo_ in the Mass in C, 107;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 215, 314;
- rebuked by B. for changing his music, 337;
- letter, 338;
- B's advice as to instruction of Nephew Karl, 374;
- inaccuracies as biographer, 376;
- visits B., III, 203;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Czerny, Wenzel~: I, 236.
-
- ~Czerwensky~, Oboist: I, 239.
-
-
- ~Dalayrac~: Operas "Nina," I, 107, 108;
- "Les deux petits Savoyards," 109.
-
- ~Danhauser~: Makes bust of B., II, 221;
- death-mask, III, 310.
-
- ~Dardanelli~, Singer: III, 77, 169.
-
- ~Decker~: Makes crayon drawing of B., III, 176.
-
- ~Degen~, Aeronaut: III, 62.
-
- ~Deiters, Dr. Hermann~, German translator of Thayer's work:
- I, Dedication; 88;
- writes conclusion of the biography, xv, 75, 103;
- discusses date of a letter to Wegeler, 177;
- on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- B's letters to Bettina von Arnim, II, 197;
- B's conduct towards Simrock, III, 53.
-
- ~De la Borde~: Opera "Die Muellerin," I, 109.
-
- ~Deler~ (Teller, Deller?): "Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe," opera,
- I, 31.
-
- ~Dembscher~: III, 193;
- canon, "Muss es sein?" 224, 244.
-
- ~Demmer~: Singer at first performance of "Fidelio," II, 50, 61;
- III, 83.
-
- ~Demmer, Joseph~: Petitions for the post of B's grandfather, I, 22;
- appointed, 23.
-
- ~Denmark, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 102, 105.
-
- ~Desaides~: Opera "Julie," I, 29, 107;
- "Die Reue vor der That," 32;
- his operas in Bonn, 86;
- "Les trois Fermiers," 107.
-
- ~Descriptive Music~: B. and, II, 120.
-
- "~Deserteur, Le~": Opera by Monsigny, I, 31, 46.
-
- ~Dessauer, Joseph~: Buys autograph score of "Eroica," II, 24.
-
- "~Deux Journees, Les~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3; III, 139.
-
- ~Devenne~: "Battle of Gemappe," II, 252.
-
- ~Deym, Countess Isabelle~: I, 342; II, 105.
-
- ~Deym, Countess Josephine~: I, 279, 322, 342; II, 203.
-
- ~Diabelli, Anton~: II, 314;
- III, negotiations with B. 107;
- variations on his waltz, 127 _et seq._;
- commissions Sonata for four hands, 183.
-
- ~Dickens, Mrs.~, English singer: II, 310.
-
- "~Die beiden Caliphen~": Opera by Meyerbeer, II, 297.
-
- "~Die Muellerin~": Opera by De la Borde, I, 109.
-
- ~Dietrichstein, Count~: Tries to have B. appointed Imperial
- Court Composer, III, 115;
- sends B. texts for missal hymns, 116.
-
- ~Dittersdorf~: Operas "Doktor und Apotheker," I, 108, 109;
- "Hieronymus Knicker," 109;
- "Das rothe Kaeppchen," 109, 139, 176, 183.
-
- ~Dobbeler, Abbe Clemens~: Carries Trio Op. 3 to England, I,
- 134, 145.
-
- ~Dobbler's Dramatic Company~: I, 28.
-
- "~Dr. Murner~": Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
-
- "~Doktor und Apotheker~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 108, 109.
-
- ~Dolezalek, Johann Emanuel~: I, 239;
- sketch of, 368;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
- III, 294.
-
- ~Donaldson~, Edinburgh publisher: III, 42.
-
- "~Don Giovanni~": Opera by Mozart, I, 91, 107, 163, 193;
- II, 204; III, 42.
-
- "~Donne sempre Donne, Le~": Opera by Lucchesi, I, 26.
-
- ~Dont, Jacob~: II, 399.
-
- ~Dont, Joseph Valentine~: II, 399.
-
- ~Donzelli~, Singer: III, 169.
-
- "~Dorfbarbier, Der~": Opera by Hiller, I, 36.
-
- "~Dorfdeputirten, Die~": Opera by Schubauer, I, 109.
-
- ~Dousmoulin.~ (See TOUCHEMOULIN.)
-
- "~Dragomira~": Drama by Grillparzer, III, 118, 120, 122.
-
- ~Dragonetti, Domenico~:
- Makes B's acquaintance, I, 218;
- skill on double-bass, 218; II, 124;
- Trio in Fifth Symphony, 126, 256;
- recitatives in Ninth Symphony, III, 207.
-
- ~Drama, German~: Cultivated in the time of Max Friedrich,
- I, 28 _et seq._
-
- ~Drechsler~, Chapelmaster: III, 131;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Dresden~: B's intended visit to, I, 192.
-
- ~Drewer, Ferdinand~, Violinist: I, 23, 24.
-
- ~Drieberg, Baron F. J.~: "Les Ruines de Babilone," II, 202.
-
- ~Drosdick, Baroness~: II, 86.
-
- ~Duncker, Friedrich~: "Leonore Prohaska," II, 298.
-
- ~Duni~: Opera, "Die Jaeger und das Waldmaedchen," I, 29.
-
- ~Duport~: Director of the Kaernthnerthor Theatre, and the
- Ninth Symphony, III, 157.
-
- ~Duport, Pierre~, Violoncellist: I, 195, 205.
-
- ~Duerck, F.~: His lithograph of Stieler's portrait, III, 42.
-
- ~Duschek, Madame~: I, 194, 226.
-
- ~Duesseldorf~: Electoral archives at, I, 5.
-
- ~Dutillier~: Operas, "Nanerina e Pandolfo," I, 165;
- "Trionfo d'Amore," 165.
-
-
- ~Eberl, Anton~: I, 172; II, 2.
-
- ~Ecclesiastical States~ of Germany: Former, I, 1, 15.
-
- ~Edwards, F. G.~: His sketch of Bridgetower's career, II, 11.
-
- ~Egyptian Text~: Preserved by B., II, 168.
-
- "~Ehrenpforte, Die~": Drama by Treitschke, II, 317.
-
- "~Eifersucht auf der Probe~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
-
- "~Eifersuechtige Liebhaber, Der~" ("L'Amant jaloux"): Opera
- by Gretry, I, 31, 107.
-
- "~Eigensinn und Launen der Liebe~": Opera by Deler (?), I, 31.
-
- "~Einsprueche, Die~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- ~Electoral Chapels~: Appointments in, I, 9.
-
- ~Electors of Cologne~: I, 1 _et seq._
-
- ~Ella, John~: II, 12; III, 32.
-
- ~Embel, F. X.~: III, 142.
-
- "~Ende gut, Alles gut~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 109.
-
- ~Engelbert~, Archbishop of Cologne: I, 3.
-
- ~England~: B's plan to visit, II, 142;
- his admiration for the English people and government, III,
- 36, 76, 181, 303;
- court of, not invited to subscribe to Mass in D, 104, 112.
- (See "PRINCE REGENT.")
-
- ~English plays~ produced at Max Friedrich's court: I, 29, 30, 31.
-
- "~Entfuehrung aus dem Serail~": Opera by Mozart, I, 32, 107, 109.
-
- ~Eppinger, Heinrich~, Amateur violinist: I, 235, 274, 306; II, 2.
-
- ~Eppinger, Dr. Joseph~: II, 335.
-
- ~Erard, Sebastien~: Presents pianoforte to B., II, 21.
-
- ~Erdoedy, Count~: I, 172;
- continued friendship for B., II, 82, 215, 271.
-
- ~Erdoedy, Countess Marie~: Said by Schindler to have been one
- of B's loves, I, 324;
- sketch, II, 82, 124;
- dedication of Trios Op. 70, 132;
- proposes plan to keep B. in Vienna, 136, 141;
- letter of apology from B., 144, 162, 315, 319;
- B's letter of condolence of death of her child, 339;
- dedication of Op. 102, 357; III, 21;
- dedication, 23.
-
- ~Erk and Boehme~: "Deutscher Liederhort," I, 278.
-
- "~Erlkoenig~": Song by Schubert, I, 230; III, 236.
-
- ~Ernst~, Violinist: Purchaser of the Heiligenstadt Will, I, 351;
- and B's last quartets, III, 139.
-
- "~Ernst und Lucinda~" ("Eraste et Lucinde"): Opera by Gretry, I, 31.
-
- ~Ertmann, Baroness Dorothea~: Pupil of B., I, 322; II, 2, 83, 215;
- B. consoles her grief by playing the pianoforte, 356;
- dedication of Sonata Op. 101, 356, 365.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Franz~: I, 170.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Franz Anton~: I, 172;
- Princess, I, 172.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Johann Nepomuk~: I, 170.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Nicholas~: I, 169; II, 98;
- commissions B. to write a mass, 100;
- letters from B., 107;
- criticism of the Mass in C, 108, 116.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Count Niklas~: II, 98, 225.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Prince Paul Anton~: I, 166, 171, 189;
- invited to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 103.
-
- ~Esterhazy, Princess~: Dedication of the Marches Op. 45,
- I, 351; II, 40, 108.
-
- "~Esther~": Opera by S. F. A. Auber, I, 14.
-
- "~Euryanthe~": Opera by Weber, III, 139, 140.
-
- "~Evenements imprevus, Les~": Opera by Gretry, I, 32.
-
- ~Ewer and Co.~: III, 13.
-
- ~Eybler, Joseph~: I, 165;
- B's respect for him, 242;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
-
- ~Facius~, the Brothers: Amateurs in Bonn, I, 38.
-
- ~Falsification of B's age~: I, 55, 70, 71.
-
- "~Falstaff, ossia le Tre Burli~": Opera by Salieri, I, 227.
-
- "~Faniska~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 110.
-
- "~Fassbinder, Der~": Opera by Oudinet, I, 29.
-
- "~Fausse Magie, La~": Opera by Gretry, I, 107.
-
- "~Faust~," Goethe's: II, 119; III, 75, 220.
-
- "~Felix, ou l'Enfant trouve~": Opera by Monsigny, I, 32, 109.
-
- ~Felsburg, Count Stainer von~: II, 338; III, 156.
-
- "~Fermiers, Les trois~": Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
-
- ~Fidelissimo Papageno~: Nickname for Schindler, III, 102.
-
- "~Fiesco~": Drama by Schiller, III, 117.
-
- "~Filosofo di Campagna~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
-
- ~Finanz-Patent~, Austrian: Its effect on B's annuity,
- II, 211 _et seq._
-
- "~Finta Giardiniera, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Fischer, Caecilie~: I, xviii, 57, 58.
-
- ~Fischer, Gottfried~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
-
- ~Fischer Manuscript~: I, xvii, 43, 47, 50, 51, 61, 66.
-
- ~Fischer~: Opera, "Swetard's Zauberguertel," II, 49.
-
- ~Fodor, Singer~: III, 121.
-
- ~Fontaine, Mortier de~: II, 73.
-
- ~Forkel, J. N.~: Biography of Bach, I, 303;
- "History of Music in Examples," II, 34.
-
- ~Forray, Baron Andreas von~: II, 220.
-
- ~Foerster, Emanuel Aloys~: I, 172;
- influences B's chamber music, 273;
- his son's lessons from B., II, 31, 125, 315, 380.
-
- ~Forti, Singer~: II, 286.
-
- ~Fouche, Mary de~: I, 186.
-
- ~Fouque, Baron de la Motte~: II, 330.
-
- "~Four Elements, The~": Oratorio planned by Kuffner, III, 219.
-
- ~Fox, Mrs. Jabez~: Acquires Thayer's posthumous papers, I, xiv;
- her copy of Maehler's portrait of B., II, 16.
-
- "~Fra due Litiganti~": Opera by Sarti, I, 86, 109.
-
- ~France, King of~: Subscribes for Mass in D and strikes
- medal, III, 99, 105, 230.
-
- ~Frank, Dr.~: Treats B., I, 300.
-
- ~Frank, Joseph~: I, 243.
-
- ~Frank, Madame.~ (See GERARDI.)
-
- ~Frankfort~: Caecilien-Verein in, III, 104, 106, 111, 180.
-
- ~Franz (Francis)~, Emperor of Austria: I, 214; III, 296.
-
- ~Franzensbrunn~: II, 223.
-
- "~Frascatana, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
-
- ~Frederick II~, King of Prussia: I, 195;
- reputed father of B., III, 214.
-
- ~Frederick III~, of Prussia, German Emperor: marries Princess
- Victoria of England; a Wedding Song, III, 13.
-
- ~Frederick William III~, King of Prussia: I, 194, 195, 205.
-
- "~Freischuetz, Der~": Opera by Weber, III, 121, 135.
-
- ~Freudenberg, Karl Gottfried~: Visits B., III, 202.
-
- ~Freund, Philip~: Variation, I, 300.
-
- "~Freundschaft auf der Probe~" ("L'Amitie a l'Epreuve"): Opera
- by Gretry, I, 131.
-
- ~Friedelberg~: I, 199; "Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir," 200.
-
- ~Friedlowsky~, Clarinettist; I, 329.
-
- ~Fries, Count Moritz~: I, 172;
- dedication of Violin Sonatas, 290;
- Quintet Op, 29, 294;
- collects funds for Bach's daughter, 308.
-
- ~Frimmel~: "Beethoven Jahrbuch," I, 255;
- "Beethoven's Wohnungen," 269;
- on the Bagatelles, 362, 337;
- on Beethoven's portraits, II, 15.
-
- ~Fritzieri (Fridzeri, Frizer)~: Opera "Die seidenen
- Schuhe," I, 32, 86.
-
- ~Fry, William Henry~, American critic: II, 358.
-
- ~Fuchs, Aloys~: I, 194, 276;
- anecdote of B. and Haydn, 285;
- owner of Heiligenstadt Will, 351;
- solo singer in Troppau, II, 208, 368.
-
- ~Fuchs~: "Battle of Jena" arranged for two flutes, II, 252.
-
- ~Fugger, Countess~: Favorite of Elector Joseph Clemens, I, 3.
-
- ~Fugues~: B's opinion on, II, 289.
-
- ~Fuerstenberg, Cardinal~: I, 3;
- his government of the Electorate, 5;
- political vicissitudes, 5, 14.
-
- ~Fuss, Johann~: Opera "Romulus and Remus," II, 304.
-
- ~Fux, Joseph~: "Gradus ad Parnassum," I, 158, 159.
-
-
- ~Galitzin, Prince George~: III, 230.
-
- ~Galitzin, Prince Nicolas Boris~: III, 73;
- dedication, 81;
- the last Quartets, 87, 183;
- asked to appeal to Czar for subscription, 102;
- controversy over payment for the Quartets, 226 _et seq._
-
- ~Gallenberg, Count Wenzel Robert~: Marries Countess Guicciardi,
- I, 320, 324;
- associated with Barbaja, 320;
- as a composer, II, 42; III, 130.
-
- ~Gallenberg, Count~: Son of Countess Guicciardi, I, 340.
-
- ~Galuppi~: Operas "Il Filosofo di Campagna," I, 25;
- "La Calamita di Cuori," 26;
- "Tre Amanti ridicoli," 27.
-
- ~Gaensbacher~: On Vogler's playing, II, 15;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Gardiner, William~: "Italy, Her Arts, etc.," I, 131;
- on the Trios Op. 3, 135;
- "Sacred Melodies," III, 40;
- offers B. 100 guineas for an overture, 40.
-
- ~Garzia, Francesco~: "Schiava finta," I, 26.
-
- ~Gassmann~: Opera "Die Liebe unter den Handwerkern" ("L'Amore
- artigiano"), I, 31, 46.
-
- ~Gassner~: His projected biography of B., III, 198.
-
- ~Gaveaux~: "Leonore, ou l'Amour conjugal," II, 35, 36;
- "L'Amour filial," 37;
- "Le petit Matelot," 36.
-
- ~Gazanello~: Pupil of B's father, I, 49.
-
- "~Geitzigen in der Falle, Die~": Opera by Schuster, I, 108.
-
- ~Gelinek, Abbe Joseph~: Recommends B. to Schenk, I, 152;
- his hatred of B., 152;
- Czerny's anecdote, 152;
- on B's sketchbooks, 257.
-
- "~Gelosie villane, Le~": Opera by Sarti, I, 32.
-
- "~Geloso in Cimento, II~": Opera by Anfossi, I, 32.
-
- ~Genney, Countess von~: II, 367.
-
- ~George IV~, King of England (see PRINCE REGENT): II, 11;
- B's address to, III, 112, 113.
-
- ~Gerardi, Christine von~, Amateur singer: I, 243;
- marries Joseph Frank, 243, 282;
- letter to, 283; II, 3.
-
- ~Gesellschaft der bildenden Kuenstler~: I, 182, 202.
-
- ~Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde~: I, 136, 203, 225, 230, 315; II, 15;
- commissions B. to write an oratorio, 325, 330, 397; III, 15,
- 172 _et seq._; 175, 216;
- elects B. Hon. Mem., 175, 212.
-
- "~Giafar~": Opera-book projected for B., II, 205.
-
- ~Giannatasio, Cajetan del Rio~: B's Nephew in his care, 331 _et seq._;
- letters, 332, 349;
- B. authorizes him to punish his ward, 373, 338, 392, 402, 410;
- a wedding hymn, III, 13.
-
- ~Giannatasio, Fanny~: On Archduke Rudolph as B's pupil, II, 80;
- her diary, 341, 361, 403; III, 2, 50.
-
- "~Gioas, Re di Giuda~": Oratorio by Caldara, I, 184.
-
- ~Girando, M. F. de~: I, 346.
-
- ~Glaeser, Franz~: III, 81.
-
- ~Gleichenstein, Count Ignaz von~: I, 333;
- becomes clerk in the War Department of Austria, II, 14, 89, 104;
- letters from B., 114, 132, 140, 155, 174, 175, 136, 138;
- dedication of Sonata Op. 69, 141, 162, 305; III, 295.
-
- ~Gleimer, Claire von~: III, 84.
-
- ~Gloeggl, Franz~: B's visit to Linz, II, 230, 256.
-
- ~Gluck~: Operas "Die Pilgrimme von Mekka," I, 32, 108;
- "Alceste," I, 86;
- "Orfeo," 86;
- "Iphigenia in Tauris," 315; II, 119.
-
- ~Gneixendorf~: Johann v. B. buys estate near, III, 19.
- (See LODGINGS and JOHANN VAN BEETHOVEN.)
-
- "~God save the King~" (see INDEX TO COMPOSITIONS): II, 252, 310;
- Karl translates stanza for B., III, 209.
-
- ~Goethe~: B's admiration for his poetry, I, 254; II, 147.
- --Vol. II: "Faust," 119;
- "Egmont," 153 (see COMPOSITIONS);
- "Israel in der Wueste," 167;
- "West-Oestliches Divan," 167;
- "Wilhelm Meister," 176;
- letter from Bettina von Arnim, 178;
- letter to Bettina, 186, 189;
- asks for songs composed by B., 189;
- letter from Bettina, 190;
- B's admiration, 194;
- letter from B., 197;
- letter to B., 197;
- at Teplitz, 222 _et seq._;
- goes with B. on a pleasure trip, 227;
- at Karlsbad, 222, 224;
- describes B., 224;
- rebuked by B. for his deference to royalty, 224, 226, 227;
- the meeting at Teplitz, 226.
- --Vol. III. B's account to Rochlitz of his meeting, 75;
- "Faust" music, 75, 220;
- asked by B. to get subscription of Grand Duke of Weimar, 98, 104;
- his taste in music, 99.
-
- ~Gossec~: I, 86.
-
- "~Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser~": I, 200; III, 84.
-
- ~Gottwaldt~, Chamber Music Director at Bonn: II, 11, 12.
-
- "~Graf Armand.~" (See LES DEUX JOURNEES.)
-
- ~Grahame~, Scottish poet: His tribute to B., II, 290.
-
- ~Grassalkowitz, Prince~: I, 168.
-
- ~Grassnick Sketchbook~: I, 275; II, 160.
-
- ~Gratz~: B. sends music for Ursulines, II, 214, 246 _et seq._;
- Musik-Verein at, elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 72.
-
- ~Graun~: His "Tod Jesu," II, 89;
- B's judgment on a fugue, 89.
-
- "~Great Mogul~": Haydn's designation of B., I, 248.
-
- ~Greiner, Michael~, Tenor: III, 81.
-
- ~Gretry~: Operas "Silvain," I, 86;
- "L'Amant jaloux," 31, 107;
- "L'Ami de la Maison," 31, 86;
- "L'Amitie a l'Epreuve," 31;
- "Lucille," 31, 86;
- "Mariage des Samnites," 31;
- "Eraste et Lucinde," 31;
- "Zemire et Azor," 32, 86;
- "Les Evenements imprevus," 32;
- "Le Magnifique," 86;
- "L'Amant jaloux," "La fausse Magie," 107;
- "Richard, Coeur de Lion," 226, 305.
-
- ~Griesinger~: "Biographische Notizen ueber Joseph Haydn,"
- I, 249; III, 73, 76.
-
- ~Grillparzer~: I, 270;
- on B's dress, 322; III, 117;
- "Dragomira," 118, 122;
- "Ottokar," 121;
- "Melusine," 118 _et seq._; 135, 220;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312;
- writes funeral oration, 312;
- mother of the poet, I, 270.
-
- ~Grimm~, the brothers: II, 181.
-
- ~Grosheim, Dr. G. L.~: I, 292.
-
- ~Grossmann, Mme.~: I, 73.
-
- ~Grossmann and Helmuth~: I, 35, 36, 63, 69.
-
- "~Grotta di Trofonio, La~": Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
-
- ~Grove, Sir George~: I, x, xii, xiii, xv, 336; II, 122.
-
- ~Guatelli~, ~Bey~ and ~Pasha~: I, 140.
-
- ~Gudenau, Baron von~: I, 88.
-
- ~Guglielmo~: Opera "Robert und Callista," I, 31, 109.
-
- ~Guicciardi, Countess Giulietta~: I, 243, 244;
- dedication of the Sonata in C-sharp minor, 292, 322, 370;
- relations with B., 319 _et seq._;
- marries Count Gallenberg, 320;
- pupil of B., 322;
- her portrait, 355, 341;
- the Rondo in G, 370;
- Vol. II: 47, 106.
- (See "LOVE AFFAIRS," under "B., L. v.")
-
- "~Guenther von Schwarzburg~": Opera by Holzbauer, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Gute Nachricht~": Drama by Treitschke, II, 268, 270, 277, 317.
-
- ~Gyrowetz~: Respected by B., I, 241;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
-
- ~Habich~, Dancing-master: I, 133.
-
- ~Hagen, J. A. Freiherr von~: I, 29;
- "Wir haben Ihn wieder," 31.
-
- ~Hahn, Christine Elizabeth~: Wife of Buerger, II, 141.
-
- ~Haitzinger, Singer~: III, 83.
-
- ~Hale, Philip~: On the "Immortal Beloved," I, 346.
-
- ~Halm, Anton~, Pianist: II, 326, 388;
- arranges Fugue in B-flat, III, 223.
-
- "~Hammerklavier~": II, 364.
-
- ~Hammer-Purgstall~: Book of an oratorio, II, 118;
- influence on B., 167.
-
- ~Handel~: I, 13;
- duel with Matthison, 72, 85;
- "Judas Maccabaeus," 202, 205.
- --Vol. II. Commemoration of, 12;
- "Messiah," 12, 310, 312;
- B's admiration for, 89;
- "Acis and Galatea," 209, 171;
- "Timotheus," 216;
- "Samson," 359;
- "Belshazzar," 359.
- --Vol. III. B. on "Messiah," 135;
- "Alexander's Feast," 182;
- B's estimate, 182;
- on his trumpets, 208;
- "Saul," 219;
- gift of his scores to B., 277, 288, 289, 294, 296.
-
- ~Handel and Haydn Society of Boston~: Commissions B. to write
- an oratorio, III, 87.
-
- ~Hanslick, Dr. Eduard~: Makes known the discovery of the Bonn
- cantatas, I, 130;
- "Geschichte des Concertwesens in Wien," 223.
-
- ~Hardenburg, von~, Prussian Chancellor: II, 302.
-
- ~Haering~, Banker and amateur musician: I, 236; II, 112.
-
- ~Harrach, Count~: I, 172.
-
- ~Haertel, G. C.~: B. sends a letter of condolence, II, 200.
-
- ~Hartl, Joseph~, Director of Court Theatres: II, 127;
- resignation, 201.
-
- ~Haslinger, Tobias~, Music publisher: II, 279;
- "Ideal einer Schlacht," 279;
- Canon on, III, 43, 44, 137, 169;
- B. attempts a joke on him, 190;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Hatzfeld, Countess~: I, 16, 37, 139.
-
- ~Hatzfeld, Prince~: III, 94.
-
- ~Hauschka~: "Gott erhalte unsern Kaiser," I, 200.
-
- "~Hausfreund, Der~" ("L'Ami de la Maison"): Opera by Gretry, I, 31.
-
- ~Hausmann~: Music lover in Berlin, I, xii.
-
- ~Haeussler'sche Gesellschaft~: Theatre in Bonn, I, 112.
-
- ~Haveckas, Ernest~: I, 12.
-
- ~Hawthorne~: His note-books, I, 261.
-
- ~Haydn, Joseph~:
- Vol. I: His duties at Esterhaz, 13;
- first visit to Bonn, 110;
- at Godesberg, 116;
- B. shows him a cantata, 116;
- B. proposed as his pupil, 123;
- plans to take B. to London, 125;
- B's introduction to, 140;
- gives B. lessons, 150 _et seq._;
- B's disparagement of him as a teacher, 152;
- rupture between the two, 155, 189;
- his imitative music, 171;
- "The Seasons," 171;
- his judgment on the Trios Op. 1, 175;
- dedication of the Sonata Op. 2, 186;
- B. plays at his concert, 188;
- writes dances for Ridotto Room, 188;
- the Austrian National Hymn, 200;
- "Seven Last Words," 214;
- "The Creation," 243, 266, 284, 285;
- Griesinger's biography, 249;
- Kozeluch, 271;
- on B's "Prometheus," 285.
- --Vol. II: Said to have been Bridgetower's teacher, 11;
- the Salomon concerts, 12;
- comment on Anna Milder, 49;
- his settings of Scotch songs, 70;
- Marie Bigot, 89;
- "The Creation" performed at birthday concert, 116, 126;
- "Ritorno di Tobia," 131;
- Scotch songs for Thomson, 219, 416.
- --Vol. III: Mass "In tempore belli," 92;
- picture of his birthplace shown to B. on his death-bed, 302.
-
- ~Heckermann~, Fanny: III, 81.
-
- "~Heilige Grab, Das~": Oratorio by Paer, II, 2.
-
- ~Heiligenstadt Will~: I, 339, 351 _et seq._; II, 164.
-
- ~Heim, Johann, Th.~: II, 8.
-
- "~Heinrich und Lyda~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31, 36.
-
- ~Heller, Ferdinand~: I, 87.
-
- ~Hellmesberger, Georg~: Once owner of the portrait of Countess
- Brunswick, I, 335.
-
- ~Hellmesberger, Joseph~: Completes movement of a Violin
- Concerto in C, I, 136.
-
- ~Henneberg, J. B.~: Chapelmaster and composer, I, 164; II, 2.
-
- ~Hennes~: Sees B. as child weeping at pianoforte, I, 58.
-
- ~Hensel, Fanny~: On the overture "Leonore No. I," II, 59.
-
- ~Hensler, Carl Friedrich~: III, 64, 79, 82.
-
- ~Herbst~: Horn-player, I, 239.
-
- ~Herder~: II, 167, 193.
-
- "~Hermann von Staufen~": Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
-
- "~Hermann von Unna~": Opera by Vogler, II, 4.
-
- ~Herzog~, Man and Wife, servants of B: II, 156.
-
- ~Hess-Diller, Baroness~: I, 340.
-
- ~Hesse-Cassel~: Elector of, not invited to subscribe for
- the Mass in D, III, 93.
-
- ~Hesse-Darmstadt~: Grand Duke of, and the Mass in D, III, 97, 106.
-
- "~Hieronymus Knicker~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109.
-
- ~Hiller, Ferdinand~: Gives Rossini's account of his meeting
- with B., III, 78;
- his account of Hummel's visit to B's death-bed, 301 _et seq._
-
- ~Hiller, J. A.~: Operas "Die Jagd," I, 32;
- "Der Aerndetanz," 32;
- "Dorfbarbier," 36;
- "Woechentliche Nachrichten," 35.
-
- ~Himmel, F. H.~: Intercourse with B. in Berlin, I, 196.
-
- ~Hofdemel, Mme.~: B. refuses to play for her because of a
- scandal, I, 254.
-
- ~Hoefel, Blasius~: Engraves Latronne's crayon portrait of B., II, 287;
- his story of B's arrest as a tramp, III, 42.
-
- ~Hoffmann, E. T. A~: On the C minor Symphony, I, 307; II, 186;
- the canon on the name, III, 34.
-
- ~Hoffmann, Joachim~: III, 35.
-
- ~Hoffmann, Vincenz~: III, 35.
-
- ~Hoffmeister, Franz Anton~: I, 271;
- letter, 271.
- (See HOFFMEISTER AND KUeHNEL.)
-
- ~Hoffmeister and Kuehnel~: Origin of firm, I, 271;
- letters, 281, 286, 294, 366, 370; III, 57;
- publish the works of Bach, I, 303.
-
- "~Hofschmied, Der~": Opera by Philidor, I, 29.
-
- ~Hogarth, George~: "The Philharmonic Society of London," III, 110.
-
- ~Hohenlohe, Princess Marie~: II, 392.
-
- ~Holland~: Visited by B. as child, I, 66;
- B. made Member of the Royal Institute of, II, 147; III, 163.
-
- ~Holz, Carl~: I, 269, 276;
- and the bank stock, 326.
- --Vol. III: Becomes B's factotum, 194 _et seq._;
- B's jests on his name, 196;
- authorized by B. to write his biography, 197;
- insinuations against Schindler, 198;
- letter from B., 216;
- B. on his playing, 216;
- seeks to divert B., 237;
- reports on conduct of Karl, 253;
- early in attendance on B. at last illness, 273;
- marries, 281;
- collects last annuity payment, 295;
- torchbearer at the funeral, 312.
-
- ~Holzbauer~: Opera "Guenther von Schwarzburg," I, 31, 86.
-
- ~Homer~: Admiration felt for by B., I, 147.
-
- ~Hoenig~: Singer in "Fidelio," II, 278.
-
- ~Honrath, Jeannette d'~: I, 120, 122; III, 288.
-
- ~Horsalka, Johann~: III, 15, 42.
-
- ~Hotschevar, Jacob~: I, 351; II, 401, 405;
- guardian of B's nephew, III, 292.
-
- ~Hradezky~, Horn-player: I, 239.
-
- ~Huber, Franz Xaver~: I, 289; II, 7.
-
- ~Hummel, Elizabeth~: On B's admiration for women, II, 181.
-
- ~Hummel, Johann Nepomuk~: Mozart's pupil, I, 91;
- sketch of 240;
- letters from B., 240, 274, 267;
- his falling-out with B., II, 108 _et seq._;
- his wife a sister of Roeckel, 142;
- in performance of "Wellington's Victory," 262;
- begins Pf. score of "Fidelio," 283;
- canon for his album, 338; III, 290;
- at B's death-bed, 301;
- improvises at concert, 302;
- pallbearer at funeral, 312.
-
- ~Hungary~: Visited by B. in 1809, II, 154.
-
- ~Huettenbrenner, Anselm~: Visited by Thayer I, x;
- report of Salieri's remarks on "Fidelio," II, 64, 355;
- overture to Schiller's "Robbers," 355;
- his account of B's death, III, 300, 306, 307 _et seq._
-
- ~Huettenbrenner, Joseph~: III, 79, 166.
-
-
- "~Idomeneus~": Opera by Mozart, II, 101.
-
- ~Iken, Dr. Karl~: A programme for the Seventh Symphony, III, 37.
-
- ~Imitative Music~: II, 120.
-
- "~Immortal Beloved, The~": I, xvi.
- (See LOVE AFFAIRS, etc.)
-
- "~Improvvisata (L') o sia la Galanteria disturbata~": Opera
- by Lucchesi, I, 27.
-
- "~Incognito, L'~": Opera by Sarti, I, 86.
-
- "~Inganno scoperto, L'~": Opera by Lucchesi, I, 27, 47.
-
- ~Instruments~ owned by B.: I, 276.
-
- "~Iphigenia in Tauris~": Opera by Gluck, I, 315; II, 119.
-
- "~Isola d'Amore, L'~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 108.
-
- "~Israel in the Wilderness~": Oratorio by C. P. E. Bach, II. 388.
-
- "~Italiana in Londra, L'~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 32.
-
- ~Italy~: B. projects journey to, II, 202.
-
-
- ~Jacobs, Jacob~: I, 42.
-
- ~Jadin~: "Battle of Austerlitz," II, 252.
-
- "~Jagd, Die~": Opera by Hiller, I, 31.
-
- "~Jaeger und das Waldmaedchen, Der~": Opera by Duni, I, 29.
-
- ~Jahn, Otto~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 63, 85;
- his account of B's visit to Mozart, 90, 153, 171, 329;
- on Countess Guicciardi's marriage, 321;
- interview with the Countess, 322;
- examines love-letter, 328;
- his edition of "Fidelio," II, 45, 285;
- note on the compositions sold to Clementi, 104;
- his opinion on Schindler as biographer, 376.
-
- ~Jeitteles, Alois~: "An die ferne Geliebte," II, 243.
-
- ~Joachim, Joseph~: I, xii.
-
- ~Joseph Clemens,~ Elector of Cologne: I, 1, 3 _et seq._;
- his favorites, 3;
- consecrated by Fenelon, 3, 6;
- a unique composer, 4;
- his music-chapel, 5;
- sides with Louis IV in war, 5;
- restored to Electoral dignity, 6;
- death of, 7.
-
- ~Joseph I~, Emperor of Germany: I, 6.
-
- ~Joseph II~, Emperor of Germany: I, 107;
- death of, 130;
- interest in German opera, 163.
-
- ~Josephstadt Theatre~: Opening of, II, 81.
-
- "~Judah~": Oratorio by Gardiner, III, 40.
-
- "~Judas Maccabaeus~": Oratorio by Handel, I, 202, 205.
-
- "~Julie~": Opera by Desaides, I, 29, 107.
-
- ~Junker, Carl Ludwig~: Describes B's Pf. playing, I, 114.
-
-
- ~Kafka, J. N.~: His sketchbook, I, 205, 206, 209, 210, 261, 362.
-
- ~Kaiser, Fraeulein~, Singer: III, 81.
-
- ~Kalischer, Dr. A. C.~: I, 235;
- his collection of B's letters, 255, 278, 293;
- and the "Immortal Beloved," 336, 337.
-
- ~Kanka~, Councillor: I, 194, 195.
-
- ~Kanka, Jeannette~: I, 195.
-
- ~Kanka, Dr. Johann~: Effects compromise with Kinsky's heirs,
- II, 288, 353.
-
- ~Kanne, Friedrich August~: II, 358; III, 117, 176.
-
- ~Kant, Immanuel~: B. refuses to hear lectures on, I, 182;
- II, 166, 214, 167; III, 25.
-
- ~Karajan, Prof.~: I, 123; II, 305.
-
- ~Karl, Duke of Lorraine~, Archduke of Austria: I, 77, 288; II, 12.
-
- ~Karlsbad~: B's visit to, II, 223.
-
- ~Karth, Frau~: I, 75, 103, 117, 119;
- description of B's brothers, 358.
-
- ~Kastner, Emil~: His estimate of B's letters, I, 255.
-
- ~Kaufmaennischer Verein~ of Vienna: Elects B. Hon. Mem., III, 21.
-
- "~Kaufmann von Smyrna, Der~": Opera by Juste, I, 32.
-
- ~Kayser, Joseph~, Instrument maker: I, 10.
-
- ~Kees, von~, Court Councillor: I, 166, 170.
-
- ~Keglevich, Countess "Babette"~: I, 209, 227, 245;
- said to have been one of B's loves, 318;
- dedication to her, 318.
-
- ~Keglevich de Busin, Count Karl~: I, 245.
-
- "~Kein Dienst bleibt unbelohnt~": Opera, I, 108.
-
- ~Kerich, Abraham~, ~Helene~ (Mme. von Breuning), and
- ~Stephen~: I, 98, 99, 101.
-
- ~Kessler~: Sketchbook, I, 289, 368, 371.
-
- ~Kewerich, Heinrich~, Electoral cook: I, 49;
- his widowed daughter marries the father of B., I, 49.
-
- ~Kiesewetter, R. G.~: I, 230.
-
- ~Kilitzky, Fraeulein~: II, 129.
-
- ~Kinsky, Prince Ferdinand~: I, 170, 172; II, 113;
- subscribes in the Annuity Contract, 139, 146;
- his payments, 170, 172, 205, 213, 222;
- agrees to pay in notes of redemption, 242;
- reduction of obligation by the Finanz-Patent, 212;
- B. begins legal proceedings against his heirs, 259, 288;
- settlement, 306;
- sum paid annually under the contract, 306.
-
- ~Kinsky, Princess~: Dedication of Songs Op. 75, II, 195;
- letter from B., 243.
-
- ~Kinsky, Prince Joseph~: I, 170.
-
- ~Kirnberger~: I, 159.
-
- ~Klein, Prof.~: Makes mask of B's face, II, 221; III, 311.
-
- ~Klingemann~: His drama "Moses," II, 297.
-
- ~Klober, August von~: Paints B's portrait, II, 399.
-
- ~Klopstock~: B's admiration for his poetry, I, 254; III, 75.
-
- ~Klos Theatrical Troupe~: I, 105.
-
- ~Kneisel, Dr. C. M.~: I, 55.
-
- ~Kobler Family~: I, 285.
-
- ~Koch, Barbara~ ("Babette"): I, 117, 118, 178.
-
- ~Koch, Friar Willibald~: Gives organ lessons to B., I, 64.
-
- ~Koechel~: Collection of B's letters, II, 248.
-
- ~Koczwara~: "Battle of Prague," II, 252.
-
- "~Koenig Axur~": Opera by Salieri, I, 109.
-
- "~Koenig von Venedig~" ("Il Re Teodoro"): Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Koenneritz, von~: The Mass in D, III, 96, 97, 130.
-
- ~Kopfermann, Albert~: I, 280.
-
- ~Koerner, Theodor~: On failure of the E-flat Concerto, II, 215.
-
- ~Koschak, Marie~: I, 318.
-
- ~Koester-Schlegel~, Singer: III, 85.
-
- ~Kotzebue~: Founds "Der Freymuethige," II, 1;
- account of music in Vienna, 1;
- "Der Leibkutscher Peters III." 1;
- "Ruinen von Athen," 161, 201;
- B. asks him for opera-book, 213.
-
- ~Kozeluch, Leopold~: I, 172;
- dances for the Ridotto, 188;
- on the Trio in C minor, 271;
- Haydn, 271;
- and Thomson's songs, II, 70;
- B's "Miserabilis," 219;
- Scotch airs for Thomson, 200.
-
- ~Kraft, Anton~: I, 170;
- sketch of, 238; II, 8, 41.
-
- ~Krasinsky, Rochus~: II, 270.
-
- ~Krehbiel, H. E.~: Undertakes English version of Thayer's
- biography, I, viii, xiii;
- use of original manuscript, viii;
- communications with Thayer and Deiters, viii;
- his procedure, xv;
- on the C-sharp minor Sonata, 292;
- "The Pianoforte and its Music," 292;
- defense of Thayer's hypothesis concerning the
- "Immortal Beloved," 317;
- on the love-letter, 336 _et seq._;
- "Music and Manners in the Classical Period,"
- II, 11; III, 307;
- on the overtures to "Fidelio," II, 59.
-
- ~Kreissle, Heinrich von~: III, 79.
-
- ~Krenn, Michael~: III, 241, 267.
-
- ~Krenn~, Music Director: II, 369.
-
- ~Kretschmer~: "Deutsche Volkslieder," I, 278.
-
- ~Kreutzer, Conradin~: III, 166;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Kreutzer, Rudolph~: II, 9, 21.
-
- ~Kriehuber~: Imitates Decker's portrait of B., III, 176.
-
- ~Krupp~: Court Councillor, on B's boyhood, I, 61.
-
- ~Kuechler, Johann~: Opera "A alia," I, 32.
-
- ~Kudlich, Joseph~: Tutor of B's nephew, III, 4.
-
- ~Kuenberg, Countess~: I, 340.
-
- ~Kuffner, Christian~: His text of the Choral Fantasia,
- II, 129, 133, 369;
- plans an oratorio, III, 219.
-
- ~Kuhlau, Friedrich~: Visit to B, III, 204.
-
- ~Kuenstler-Pensions-Institut~: I, 211.
-
- ~Kurzbeck, Mme.~, Amateur pianist: II, 2.
-
- ~Kyd, Major-General Alexander~: Commissions B. to write
- a symphony, 344, 345.
-
-
- ~Lablache~, Singer: III, 77, 121, 312.
-
- ~Laibach~: Philharmonic Society elect B. Hon. Mem., III, 14.
-
- ~Lalande~: III, 77.
-
- ~La Mara (Marie Lipsius)~: I, 292, 336;
- letter from Thayer on the "Immortal Beloved," I, 339;
- her book, 339;
- "Classisches und Romantisches aus der Tonwelt," 338; II, 203.
-
- ~Landsberger~: Sketches, II, 73.
-
- ~Landshut University~: III, 4.
-
- ~Languider, Karoline~: On B's love-affairs, I, 341.
-
- ~Latilla~: Opera "La Pastorella al Soglio," I, 26.
-
- ~Latronne~: Makes crayon portrait of B., II, 287.
-
- ~Laym, Maria Magdalena (or Leym)~: B's mother.
- (See BEETHOVEN, JOHANN VAN.)
-
- ~Lebewohl~ and ~Adieu~: Differentiated by B., II, 207.
-
- ~Ledermeyer~, Editor in Vienna: II, 359.
-
- ~Leipsic~: B's intended visit to, I, 192, 198.
-
- "~Leipsic Oxen~": B's term for critics, I, 282, 304.
-
- ~Lentner, Mme.~, Court singer: I, 18, 19.
-
- ~Lenz~: Critical catalogue of B's works, I, 272;
- on the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 75.
-
- "~Leonora~": Opera by Paer, II, 35, 37.
-
- "~Leonore Prohaska~": Drama by Duncker, II, 298.
-
- "~Leonore, ou l'Amour conjugal~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 35, 36.
-
- ~Leopold I~, Emperor of Germany: I, 5, 6.
-
- ~Leopold II~, Emperor of Germany: I, 163, 164.
-
- ~Levin, Rahel~: II, 204.
-
- "~Libussa~": Opera-book by Bernard, III, 173.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Prince Carl~: Takes B. into his lodgings,
- I, 148, 168, 170;
- Trios Op. 1 first played at his house, 175;
- commands servant to give B. precedence over him, 182, 190;
- probable visit to Prague with B., 193, 244;
- gives B. quartet of instruments, 276, 286;
- settles annuity on B., 298, 299, II, 9;
- visited by B. in Silesia, 66;
- abrupt departure of B., 68, 104, 123, 146;
- visited by B. in Silesia, 208;
- undisturbed friendship for B., 215;
- with B. at Teplitz, 222;
- unwillingness to disturb B. when at work, 254;
- death of, 271.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Princess Christine~: II, 124, 271.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Countess Henrietta~: I, 244;
- dedication, 370.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Princess Maria Christine~: I, 170;
- dedication to, 290.
-
- ~Lichnowsky, Count Moritz~: I, 213, 235;
- dedication to, 369;
- story of Bonaparte and the "Eroica," II, 24;
- letters from B., 262, 290;
- marriage with an opera-singer, 291; III, 24;
- on Johann van B., 67;
- B's musical jest, 115;
- agrees to guarantee Grillparzer's opera, 121, 158, 294.
-
- "~Liebe unter den Handwerkern~" ("L'Amore artigiano"):
- Opera by Gassmann, I, 31.
-
- ~Liebich, Carl~: General Manager of Bohemian Theatres, II, 110.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Baron Carl August~: I, 286, 304;
- "Bathmendi," 304;
- "Die steinerne Braut," 305; II, 2.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Prince Johann Joseph~: I, 171, 244.
-
- ~Liechtenstein, Princess~: I, 244;
- dedication to, 291.
-
- "~Lilla~": Opera by Martini, I, 108, 109.
-
- ~Lincoln, Abraham~, President of the U. S.: appoints
- Thayer Consul, I, x.
-
- ~Lind~: B's tailor, II, 164.
-
- ~Lind-Goldschmid, Jenny~: Once owner of the Heiligenstadt
- Will, I, 351.
-
- ~Lindner, Andreas~, Dancing-master: I, 147.
-
- ~Linke~, Violoncellist: I, 174, 316; II, 124, 125, 316,
- 319, 337; III, 294, 312.
-
- ~Linz~: B's visit to his brother at, I, 229.
-
- ~Lipsius.~ (See LA MARA.)
-
- "~Listige Bauernmaedchen, Das~" ("La finta Giardiniera"):
- Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Liszt, Franz~: Gets B's Broadwood Pf., II, 392;
- is presented to B., III, 124;
- the alleged kiss, 124.
-
- ~Lobkowitz, Prince~: I, 168;
- amateur violinist, 169;
- his orchestra, 239;
- dedication of quartets, 276, 290;
- II, B's epithet, "Lobkowitzian ass," 51, 98;
- suggests engagement of B. at Court Theatres, 99;
- dedication of "Eroica," 77, 110, 113;
- subscribes to annuity contract, 139, 146;
- dedication of "Harp" Quartet, 160;
- dedication of Fifth Symphony, 162;
- the Annuity Fund, 170, 172;
- dedication of Quartet, Op. 74, 195;
- assumes direction of Court Theatres, 201;
- reduction of his obligation under Annuity Contract, 212;
- suspends payment, 213;
- ruined by theatrical management, 250;
- the annuity obligation, 289;
- settlement of, 306;
- B's aspersions on his character, 307;
- cantata on his birthday, 354.
-
- "~Lodoiska~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
-
- ~Lodron, Count~: II, 98.
-
- ~Loewe, Ludwig~: Actor for whom B. acts as love messenger, II, 205.
-
- ~London Musicians~: B's appeal to, II, 273.
-
- ~Longfellow, Henry W.~: II, 193.
-
- ~Lonsdale, Charles~: Partner of Robert Birchall, II,
- 319, 346, 350, 351.
-
- ~Lonsdale, Robert~: II, 319.
-
- ~Louis XVIII~, King of France: Subscribes for the Mass
- in D and strikes medal in B's honor, III, 100.
-
- ~Louis Ferdinand~, Prince of Prussia: Amateur musician
- complimented by B., I, 196;
- and the "Eroica," II, 26, 32, 302.
-
- ~Lower Rhenish Festival~: III, 188.
-
- ~Lucchesi, Andrea~: Appointed successor to B's grandfather, I, 22;
- "L'Inganno scoperto," 27, 47;
- "Le Donne sempre donne," 26;
- "Il Natale di Giove," 26;
- "L'Improvvisata," 27;
- sketch of, 34, 71, 73, 74, 82.
-
- "~Lucille~": Opera by Gretry, I, 31, 86.
-
- "~Luegnerin aus Liebe~": Opera by Salieri, I, 32.
-
- ~Luib, Ferdinand~: I, 269, 356.
-
- ~Lwoff~, Russian Privy Councillor: II, 75.
-
-
- "~Macbeth~": Opera-book by Collin, II, 119, 151, 158;
- another, III, 117.
-
- ~Macco, Alexander~: II, 18, 124.
-
- ~Macfarren, Natalie~: III, 231.
-
- "~Maedchen im Eichthale~" ("Maid of the Oaks"): Opera by
- d'Antoine, I, 32.
-
- "~Maedchen von Frascati, Das~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 107.
-
- "~Magnifique, Le~": Opera by Gretry, I, 86.
-
- ~Maehler, Willibrord Joseph~, Painter: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, 146;
- II, paints portrait of B., 15, 305;
- anecdote about "Fidelio," 51;
- invited by B., 198.
-
- "~Maid of the Oaks~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 32.
-
- ~Malfatti, Dr.~: II, 86, 141;
- sends B. to Teplitz, 202, 280;
- insulted by B., 345, 369;
- III, at B's last illness, 274, 288;
- estrangement and reconciliation, 284, 285;
- his treatment of B., 286, 287, 292.
-
- ~Malfatti, Therese~: I, xvi, 292;
- alleged proposal of marriage to by B., 333, 336; II, 141;
- sketch of, II, 86, 106;
- letter to, 176, 239.
-
- ~Malherbe, Charles~: I, 139.
-
- ~Malines~: Van Beethoven families living in, I, 44.
-
- ~Maelzel, Johann Nepomuk~: Career of, II, 232 _et seq._;
- makes ear-trumpet for B., 233;
- invents metronome, 233;
- the canon on his name, 234 _et seq._;
- lends B. money, 245;
- conceives "Wellington's Victory," 251 _et seq._;
- his mechanical trumpeter, 251, 257, 261;
- his panharmonicon, 251;
- contemplates accompanying B. to England, 251, 255;
- projects concert for production of "Wellington's Victory," 256;
- B's note of thanks to, 258;
- quarrels with B., 259;
- legal proceedings, 271 _et seq._;
- American career and death of, 276, 384.
-
- ~Mandycewski, Eusebius~: I, 210, 223.
-
- "~Marchese Tulipano, Il~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 108.
-
- ~Marconi~, Singer: II, 129.
-
- ~Maria Ludovica, Empress~: III, 142.
-
- ~Maria Theresia~: I, 77, 81;
- dedication of Septet, 278, 283;
- sings part in an opera by Reicha, 310.
-
- "~Mariage des Samnites, Le~": Opera by Gretry, I, 31.
-
- ~Marie Antoinette~: I, 78.
-
- ~Marinelli~, Manager of theatre in Vienna: I, 164.
-
- ~Marlborough, Earl of~: I, 6.
-
- ~Marschner, Heinrich~: Visits B., II, 382.
-
- ~Marshall, Julian~: I, 140.
-
- ~Martini~: I, 87;
- "Arbore di Diana, L'," 107;
- "Lilla," 108, 109.
-
- ~Marx, A. B.~: On the Sonata Op. 81a, II, 143;
- disputes genuineness of B's letter to Bettina von Arnim, 183.
-
- ~Mason, Lowell~: Employs Thayer in his library, I, x;
- provides funds for his researches, x.
-
- ~Mastiaux, Johann Gottlieb~: Amateur in Bonn, I, 38, 89.
-
- "~Materialien fuer Contrapunkt~": II, 147, 150.
-
- "~Materialien fuer Generalbass~": II, 147, 150.
-
- "~Matrimonio segreto, Il~": Opera by Cimarosa, I, 164.
-
- ~Matthison~: His duel with Handel, I, 72.
-
- ~Matthisson.~ (See ADELAIDE in Index of Compositions.)
-
- ~Mattioli, Cajetano~, Sketch of: I, 34, 82.
-
- ~Maeurer, B. J.~, Court violoncellist: I, 24, 61, 62, 65.
-
- ~Max Franz~, Elector of Cologne: I, 16;
- shares his mistress with his Prime Minister, 16;
- his dance-room, 30;
- commands report on music at his court, 82;
- the theatre in his reign, 86;
- career, 77 _et seq._;
- described by Swinburne and Mozart, 78;
- his musical education, 81;
- his appreciation of Mozart, 81;
- music in Bonn during his reign, 88;
- knights Count Waldstein, 102;
- plans national theatre, 105 _et seq._;
- III; his patronage of B., 116;
- limit of his assistance, 124;
- flees before French troops, 125;
- allows grain and salary increase to B., 149;
- visits Vienna, 179;
- flees to Frankfort, 179;
- discharged of all obligations, 190;
- visit to Vienna, 267;
- Archduke Karl made his coadjutor as Grand Master of
- Teutonic Order, 287;
- in retirement at Hetzendorf, 288.
-
- ~Max Friedrich~, Elector of Cologne: I, 1;
- ascends throne, 14;
- career, 14;
- his Prime Minister, 14;
- his popularity, 14;
- described by Henry Swinburne, 16;
- music at his court, 16;
- appoints B's grandfather Chapelmaster, 17;
- promises composer's father a salary, 17;
- grants an increase, 19, 22;
- appoints Lucchesi successor to B's grandfather, 23;
- opera performed at his court, 25 _et seq._;
- birthday celebration, 26;
- plays at his theatre, 27, 28, 29;
- theatre closed because of his death, 33;
- dedication of B's boyhood Sonatas, 72;
- assumes all costs of Electoral Theatre, 73;
- appoints B. Assistant Court Organist, 74;
- death of, 74;
- effect of his death on B., 76, 78;
- promotes education, 80.
-
- ~Maximilian Emanuel~, Elector of Bavaria: I, 7.
-
- ~Maximilian Heinrich~, Elector of Cologne: I, 3.
-
- ~Maximilian Joseph~, King of Bavaria: Dedication of the
- Choral Fantasia, II, 207, 209.
-
- ~Mayence~, Archbishops of: I, 3.
-
- ~Mayseder, Joseph~: I, 274; II, 41, 125, 216;
- E-flat Sonata Quartet, II, 193;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- "~Medea~": Opera by Cherubini, II, 3.
-
- ~Medina, Maria~: Wife of Vigano, dancer, I, 283, 284.
-
- ~Mehul~: Opera "Ariodante," II, 23.
-
- ~Meier, Sebastian~: Mozart's brother-in-law, II, 4, 50;
- letter to, about "Fidelio," 61, 209.
-
- ~Meinert~: Sketchbook, II, 150, 161.
-
- ~Meisl, Carl~: Changes "Ruins of Athens" to "Consecration
- of the House," III, 79;
- drama, 82.
-
- ~Meissner, Prof. A. G.~: Oratorio text, II, 19.
-
- ~Melichar, Ilka~: I, 342.
-
- "~Melusine~": Opera-book by Grillparzer, III, 118 _et seq._; 135, 220.
-
- ~Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix~: Description of Dorothea
- Ertmann, II, 83.
-
- ~Mendelssohn, Paul~: I, xii;
- owner of sketches for "Fidelio," II, 45.
-
- ~Merz, Julius~: Publishes B's letter to Bettina von Arnim,
- II, 182, 185.
-
- "~Messiah~": Handel's oratorio, II, 310, 312; III, 135, 182, 296.
-
- ~Metastasio~: "Olimpiade," I, 204;
- "Betulia liberata," III, 143.
-
- ~Metronome~ (see MAeLZEL): II, 382;
- marks for the Ninth Symphony, III, 244.
-
- ~Meyer, Court Councillor von~: Amateur, I, 172.
-
- ~Meyerbeer, Giacomo~: II, 39, 256;
- beats drum at performance of "Wellington's Victory," 258;
- B's opinion of, 297;
- "Die beiden Caliphen," 297.
-
- ~Mickley, Joseph J.~: II, 385.
-
- ~Mihl~ (or ~Muehle~): Opera "Milton und Elmire," I, 31.
-
- ~Milder-Hauptmann, Anna~: II, 49;
- and "Fidelio," 64;
- quarrels with B., 129, 263, 278, 284, 329.
-
- ~Milton, John~: II, 169.
-
- "~Milton und Elmire~": Opera by Mihl, I, 31.
-
- "~Moda, La~": Opera by Baroni, I, 27.
-
- "~Molinara, La~": Opera by Paisiello, I, 187.
-
- ~Molitor~: Amateur in Vienna, II, 2.
-
- ~Mollo~, Publisher: His publication of a Quintet, controversy, I, 294.
-
- ~Molt, Theodore~: Visitor to B. from Quebec, III, 211.
-
- ~Mombelli~, Singer: I, 188.
-
- ~Monsigny~: Operas "Le Deserteur," I, 31;
- "Felix, ou l'Enfant trouve," 32, 109;
- "Rose et Colas," 29, 86.
-
- ~Moor, The~: Haydn's nickname for B., I, 146.
-
- ~Moravian nobility~: Their musical culture, I, 168.
-
- ~Morris, Jack~: Brings score of "Mount of Olives" to London, II, 309.
-
- "~Morte d'Abel, La~": Opera, I, 14.
-
- ~Moscheles, Ignaz~: His English paraphrase of Schindler's
- biography, I, ix;
- visited by Thayer, xi, 241;
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, II, 130;
- composes marches for Maelzel's panharmonicon, 351;
- tells of the composition of "Wellington's Victory," 253;
- his account of the performance, 358;
- on the Trio, Op. 97, 270;
- makes Pf. score of "Fidelio," 281, 282;
- first meeting with B., 282;
- "Fidelio," 303;
- B's opinion of as a pianist, 381; III, 289, 290, 291, 293.
-
- ~Mosel, Ignaz von~: II, 358, 386;
- at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Moeser~: Violinist in Vienna, II, 8.
-
- ~Mozart~: Education derived from his father, I, 85;
- B's visit to, 89, 90;
- his morning concerts in Vienna, 166;
- relations with Mme. Hofdemel, 254, 305;
- B's admiration for the Concerto in C minor, 219;
- B's appreciation, II, 89; III, 42;
- Cherubini's estimate of his genius, 205;
- B. defends authenticity of his "Requiem," III, 233;
- the "Requiem" played at B's funeral, 312;
- his operas "Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail," I, 32, 107, 109;
- "Don Giovanni," I, 91, 107, 163, 193, 204; II, 204; III, 42;
- "Le Nozze di Figaro," I, 82, 108, 163, 193;
- "Il Re Pastore," I, 81;
- "Die Zauberfloete," I, 164, 226, 304; II, 22; III, 36;
- "La Clemenza di Tito," I, 194; II, 110;
- "Idomeneus," II, 101.
-
- ~Mueller, Adolph~: And B's orchestration of the funeral march
- from the Sonata in E-flat, Op. 26, II, 295.
-
- ~Mueller, Chancellor~: II, 180.
-
- ~Mueller, Louise~: Singer at first performance of "Fidelio," II, 49.
-
- ~Mueller, Wenzel~, Chapelmaster: I, 164.
-
- ~Mueller, W. Christian~: His account of B., III, 36.
-
- ~Mylich~: I, 210, 231.
-
-
- "~Nach Frankreichs unheilvollem Sturz~": Cantata text left
- uncomposed, II, 292.
-
- ~Nagel, W.~: "Beethoven und seine Klaviersonaten," I, 293.
-
- ~Naegele~: Projects publication of Bach's works, I, 304;
- publishes sonata with interpolated measures, 367;
- "Repertoire des Clavecinistes," II, 20, 38.
-
- "~Nanerina e Pandolfo~": Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
-
- ~Napier, William~: Publishes Haydn's arrangements of Scottish
- songs, II, 70.
-
- ~Naples~: A call thither for B., II, 194;
- King of, and the Mass in D, III, 90.
-
- ~Napoleon.~ (See BONAPARTE.)
-
- ~Natorp, Mme.~ (See SESSI.)
-
- ~Naumann~, Chapelmaster: II, 19.
-
- ~Neate, Charles~: English pianist, visited by Thayer, I, xi;
- B's story on origin of his deafness, 263;
- II, introduced to B., 315;
- buys overtures for the London Philharmonic Society, 333;
- defends himself against B's charges, 349;
- unable to help B. in London, 337;
- letters from B., 339, 351, 352, 367;
- III, enjoined "For God's sake buy nothing of B.," 52;
- seeks publisher for B. in London, 73, 183, 186.
-
- ~Neefe, C. G.~: Appointed successor to Van den Eeden as Court
- Organist, I, 25;
- joins Dramatic Co. at Bonn, 30;
- music for court festival, 31;
- opera "Heinrich und Lyda," 31, 36;
- "Die Apotheke," 31;
- "Sophonisba," 31;
- describes musicians in Bonn 33;
- career of 34;
- "Amor's Guckkasten," 36;
- "Die Einsprueche," 36;
- "Zemire und Azor," 36, 37;
- instrumental compositions, 36;
- "Adelheit von Veltheim," 37;
- ode, 37;
- teaches B., 61, 62, 67 _et seq._;
- leaves his duties as organist to the boy B., 69;
- "Materialien fuer Contrapunkt," 70;
- his duties as Court Organist, 71, 73;
- dismissed, 73;
- with Klos' troupe, 105;
- B's appreciation of him as teacher, 68, 124, 142;
- his daughter, 304.
-
- ~Nelson, Lord~: Not commemorated in the "Eroica," II, 25.
-
- ~Niemetz~: Dissolute companion of B's nephew, III, 252, 255, 258.
-
- ~Nikelsberg, Carl Nikl Edler von~: I, 222;
- dedication of Concerto in B-flat, I, 290.
-
- "~Nina~": Opera by Dalayrac, I, 107, 108.
-
- "~Nobilita delusa, La~": Opera, I, 26.
-
- ~Nohl, Ludwig~: I, 292;
- on B. and Countess Guicciardi, 321;
- on Therese Malfatti, 333, 339;
- on the letter to Bettina von Arnim, II, 185;
- "Eine stille Liebe zu Beethoven," 362;
- "Beethoven, Liszt und Wagner," III, 124.
-
- ~Nottebohm~: "Zweite Beethoveniana," I, 71, 76, 261;
- "Beethoven's Studien," I, 156, 216;
- "Beethoveniana," I, 156, 261;
- "Ein Skizzenbuch von Beethoven," 258, 304;
- on B's studies with Albrechtsberger and Haydn, 151, 158;
- on the text of the Choral Fantasia, II, 133;
- on the date of the Petter sketchbook, II, 151;
- on the canon on Hoffmann, III, 35.
-
- ~Novello, Ewer and Co.~: I, xiii; III, 13.
-
- ~Novello, Vincent~: II, 12.
-
- "~Nozze, Le~": Opera by Galuppi, I, 25.
-
- "~Nozze di Figaro, Le~": Opera by Mozart, I, 82, 108, 163, 193.
-
- "~Nozze disturbata, Le~": Ballet by Vigano, I, 188, 193.
-
- ~Nussboeck, Leopold~: Guardian of B's nephew, III, 8.
-
- ~Nussdorf.~ (See LODGINGS.)
-
-
- "~Oberon~": Opera by Wranitzky, I, 165.
-
- ~Obreskow~: Russian official, III, 101, 102.
-
- ~Odelga~: III, 101, 102.
-
- ~Odescalchi, Prince~: I, 209, 244.
-
- ~Odescalchi, Princess~: I, 223;
- dedication to, 290;
- taught by B., 322;
- dedication to, 368, 369.
-
- "~Ode to Joy~": Schiller's, I, 132, 275; II, 152, 295, 414;
- III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._
-
- "~Odyssey~": Homer's, I, 252.
-
- "~Olimpiade~": Opera by Sacchini, I, 32.
-
- ~Oliva, Franz~: His relations with B., II, 143;
- dedication to, 161;
- delivers B's letter to Goethe, 197, 202;
- plans to accompany B. to England, 220;
- estrangement with B., 220; III, 24;
- goes to St. Petersburg, 41.
-
- ~Operas~ performed at Bonn in 18th century: I, 25, 26, 27, 29,
- 31, 32, 107.
-
- ~Oppersdorff, Count~: The Symphony in B-flat, II, 68, 101, 122,
- 123, 124, 162.
-
- "~Orfeo~": Opera by Gluck, I, 86.
-
- ~Ossian~: B's appreciation of, II, 147.
-
- ~Oudinot~: "Der Fassbinder," I, 29.
-
- ~Ovid~: His "Metamorphoses" called for by B. on his death-bed,
- III, 283.
-
-
- ~Pachler-Koschak, Mme.~: B's friendship for, II, 282; III, 140.
-
- "~Paechter, Die drei~": Opera by Desaides, I, 107.
-
- ~Paer, Ferdinand~: I, 282;
- his funeral march and that in the Sonata Op. 26, 290;
- "Achilles," 290;
- "Das heilige Grab," II, 2;
- "Leonora," II, 35, 37.
-
- ~Paisiello~: Operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- "La Frascatana," 107;
- "Il Barbiere," 108;
- "Il Re Teodoro," 108;
- "La Finta Giardiniera," 108;
- "La Molinara," 187;
- "Il Marchese Tulipano," 108; II, 204.
-
- ~Palestrina~: Preferred over all church composers by B., III, 203.
-
- ~Palffy, Count Ferdinand~: II, 98;
- supposed grudge against B., 100, 146;
- accepts direction of Court Theatres, 201;
- produces "Fidelio" for the Congress of Vienna, 293;
- and the concert of 1814, 299;
- and the Ninth Symphony, III, 157 _et seq._
-
- "~Paradise Lost~": II, 310.
-
- ~Parke~: "Musical Memories," II, 12.
-
- ~Parma, Duchess of~: Asked by B. to urge Grand Duke of Tuscany
- to subscribe to the Mass in D, III, 101.
-
- ~Pasqualati, Baron Johann~: Witnesses Karl van B's declaration
- as to the guardianship of his son, II, 241;
- signs affidavit against Maelzel, 288;
- the "Elegiac Song" in memory of his wife, 288, 306; III, 58.
- (See LODGINGS.)
-
- "~Pastorella al Soglio, La~": Opera, I, 26.
-
- ~Paul~, Czar of Russia: II, 81.
-
- ~Payer, Hieronymus~: II, 26.
-
- ~Perger, A. von~: Discovers minuets by B., I, 211.
-
- ~Pergolesi~: "La Serva Padrona," I, 108.
-
- ~Perkins, Charles C.~: "History of the Handel and Haydn Society
- of Boston," III, 87.
-
- ~Persian Literature~: B's interest in, II, 167.
-
- ~Pessiak, Mme.~: II, 362; III, 13.
-
- ~Pesth~: New theatre planned for, II, 154, 200;
- opening of, 213.
-
- ~Peters, C. F.~, Publisher: Negotiations for Mass in D and
- other works, I, 271, 55, 57 _et seq._, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64,;
- refuses to publish works sent by B., 65;
- advance payment by, 70;
- rejects "Bagatelles," 86;
- complains of B's treatment of him, 180;
- receives rebuke and ultimatum, 212;
- B. calls him a "hell-hound," 216.
-
- ~Peters~: Tutor to Prince Lobkowitz and co-guardian of B's nephew,
- II, 326, 354; III, 10, 24, 32.
-
- "~Petit Matelot, Le~": Opera by Gaveaux, II, 36.
-
- ~Petter Collection~: Sketches by B., I, 274, 290; II, 118, 151, 209.
-
- ~Pfeiffer, Tobias~: Gives music lessons to B., I, 62, 63.
-
- ~Philharmonic Society of London.~ (See under B., LUDWIG VAN.)
-
- ~Philidor~: "Der Hofschmied," I, 29;
- his operas at Bonn, 86.
-
- ~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Erard, II, 21.
-
- ~Pianoforte~: Presented to B. by Broadwood, II, 390 _et seq._;
- III, 214, 237.
-
- ~Piccini~: Operas "La buona Figluola;" I, 25, 26, 32;
- "Le Aventure di Rodolfo," 26;
- "La Schiava," 32.
-
- ~Pictures and Music~: II, 249, 262.
-
- ~Pilat, Joseph~: II, 359.
-
- "~Pilgrimme von Mecca, Die~": Opera by Gluck, I, 32, 108.
-
- ~Pinterics, Captain~: II, 235, 327; III, 32.
-
- ~Piringer~: III, 62, 137, 157;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Plato~: His influence on B., I, 213.
-
- ~Pleyel, Ignatz~: His quartets, II, 44;
- his arrangements of Scottish songs, 70, 260.
-
- ~Plittersdorf, Mme.~: II, 179.
-
- ~Plutarch~: I, 252, 300.
-
- ~Polledro~: Joins B. in concert for sufferers at Baden, II, 225.
-
- ~Popularity of B's Works~: II, 38.
-
- ~Portenschlag~, Viennese editor: II, 359.
-
- "~Praechtige, Der~" ("Le Magnifique"): Opera by Gretry, I, 86.
-
- ~Prague~: B. plays in, I, 192;
- music in, 193;
- B. gives concert in, 217;
- production of "Fidelio" in, II, 110;
- visit of B. in 1812, 222.
-
- ~Preisinger~, Bass singer: III, 164.
-
- ~Prelinger~, Editor of a collection of B's letters: I, 336.
-
- ~Prichnowsky, Prince~: II, 8.
-
- ~Prieger, Dr. E.~: I, 88;
- owner of fragment of Wind Quintet, 206, 211;
- publishes _facsimile_ of Sonata Op. 26, 291;
- reprint of original "Fidelio," II, 45, 58.
-
- ~Prince Regent of England~: B. sends him "Wellington's Victory,"
- II, 310, 311, 318, 336, 339; III, 112, 208.
-
- ~Probst, H. A.~, Publisher: B offers him the Ninth Symphony and
- Mass in D, III, 178.
-
- ~Programme Music~: II, 119;
- the Sonata Op. 90, 292;
- B. objects to programme of the Seventh Symphony, III, 37.
-
- ~Pronay, Baron von~: II, 367.
-
- ~Prussia, Kings of~: Frederick William subscribes to Mass in D,
- III, 94;
- offers decoration instead of money, 94, 105;
- dedication of the Ninth Symphony to, 230, 233, 234;
- sends B. a ring 133, 276, 282;
- Frederick II reputed to be the father of B., III, 243.
-
- ~Pueckler-Muskau~: Bettina von Arnim's letter to, II, 186, 188, 223.
-
- ~Punto, Giovanni~ (Johannes Stich), Horn-player: I, 239, 267, 277.
-
- ~Pyne~, English singer: II, 310.
-
-
- ~Quartet of Instruments~: Presented to B., I, 354.
-
- "~Queen of Night~": B's nickname for his sister-in-law, II,
- 332, 341, 393.
-
-
- ~Rabelais~: His last words and B's, III, 305.
-
- ~Raday, Count~: Ruined by theatrical management, II, 154.
-
- ~Radicati, Felix~: II, 75.
-
- ~Radichi~, Singer: II, 265.
-
- ~Radziwill, Prince Anton~: II, 302;
- his "Faust" music, 302;
- subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 104, 106.
-
- ~Ramm, Friedrich~, Oboist: I, 207; II, 33, 34.
-
- "~Raoul, Sire de Croqui~": Ballet by Vignano, I, 283.
-
- "~Raptus~": Mme. Breuning's expression for B's occasional state,
- I, 118, 120, 301; II, 182, 189.
-
- ~Rasoumowsky, Count Andreas~: Appeals to B. for lessons in
- composition, I, 273;
- the Quartets composed for him, II, 65, 68, 74, 81, 104, 110, 124;
- forms the Rasoumowsky Quartet, II, 125;
- sketch of him, 81;
- dedication of the Fifth Symphony, 162;
- lasting friendship with B., 215;
- his Quartet, 250;
- regal entertainments at the Congress of Vienna, 300;
- destruction of his palace, 301;
- the Quartet, 316.
-
- ~Rau~, Viennese banker: Reports receipt of Philharmonic Society's
- gift to B., III, 292;
- reports B's death to Moscheles, 293.
-
- ~Raysbeck, Mme.~: One of the favorites of Elector Joseph Clemens,
- I, 3, 4.
-
- ~Redoutensaal~: Dances for, I, 188, 289.
-
- ~Reeve, Dr. Henry~: Criticism on "Fidelio," II, 52.
-
- ~Reicha, Anton~: I, 105;
- career of 106, 117;
- comes to Vienna, 288, 300;
- opera "Ubaldi," 310, 355; II, 55.
-
- ~Reicha, Joseph~: I, 82, 84, 105;
- career of, 100, 111.
-
- ~Reichardt, Johann Friedrich~: Chapelmaster in Berlin, I, 196;
- on Countess Erdoedy, II, 82;
- on Streicher's pianofortes, 87, 124;
- account of B's concert, 129;
- and B's call to Jerome Bonaparte's court, 141;
- value of his letters, 165.
-
- ~Reichardt, Karl August~: Visits B., III, 203.
-
- ~Reiss, Anton~: Father-in-law of Karl v. B., II, 65.
-
- ~Reiss, Theresa (Johanna)~: Wife of Karl Kaspar v. B., II, 65.
-
- ~Reissig, C. L.~: His poems, II, 147;
- denounced by B., 148;
- "Bluemchen der Einsamkeit," 160;
- songs published, 195.
-
- ~Rellstab, Ludwig~: visits B., III, 200.
-
- "~Reue vor der That, Die~": Opera by Desaides, I, 32.
-
- ~Rhine~: Inundation, I, 75;
- journey on, of the Electoral Chapel, 112.
-
- "~Richard Coeur de Lion~": Opera by Gretry, I, 226, 305.
-
- ~Riemann, Dr. Hugo~: Completes revision of the German edition
- of this biography, I, xv;
- on the authenticity of the "Jena" Symphony, 211;
- upholds charges against B's brothers, 360;
- asserts that B. wanted to marry Therese Malfatti, 336;
- his theory concerning the love-letter, II, 239.
-
- ~Ries, Anna Maria~, Court singer at Bonn: I, 18, 19, 23.
-
- ~Ries, Ferdinand~:
- Vol. I.
- "Biographische Notizen," etc., ix, xi, 90, 313, 315;
- on B's manuscripts, 141;
- on his studies with Haydn, 152;
- on B's teachers, 161;
- on the first performance of the Trios Op. 1, 175;
- B's riding-horse, 200;
- Quintet Op. 16, 207;
- Quintet Op. 29, 203, 312;
- his career, 312 _et seq._;
- B's kindness toward, 313;
- instruction from B., 314;
- arrangements of B's works, 350;
- origin of the Marches for four hands, 350;
- on B's deafness, 352;
- charge of misconduct against Karl Kaspar v. B., 361;
- B's interest in him, 363;
- B. aids him to employment, 366
- --Vol. II.
- His account of first performance of "The Mount of Olives," 7;
- his account of the first meeting between B. and Clementi, 23;
- on the origin of the "Eroica," 24;
- an alleged false entry in the "Eroica," 26;
- plays at a sentimental scene for B., 29;
- letters from B., 27, 28, 29, 334, 338, 340, 371, 395, 412, 413;
- plays the C minor concerto, 30, 82;
- significant hiatus in his book, 41;
- B. greets him with lathered face, 48;
- not permitted to hear a reading of "Fidelio," 48;
- conscripted, 49;
- on B's disregard of etiquette, 80, 124;
- orchestra refuses to play for B., 128;
- the Concertos in C minor and G, 131;
- on B's call to Cassel, 140, 310, 324, 325;
- invites B. to London, 370;
- relations with B., 372.
- --Vol. III.
- B's "Nothing for Ries," 49, 110, 111;
- makes contract for B. with Boosey, 128;
- B. promises a dedication to his wife, 128;
- removes to Godesberg, 188, 189.
- (See SYMPHONY IN D MINOR.)
-
- ~Ries, Franz Anton~: I, 11, 24, 25;
- aids father of the composer, 93, 95;
- gives violin lessons to B., 99, 105, 117, 119;
- collects salary for B., 149;
- seeks to obtain pension for B., 148.
-
- ~Ries, Johann~, Court Trumpeter at Bonn: I, 11, 18, 51, 87.
-
- ~Righini, Vincenzo~: "Venni amore," I, 114, 138.
-
- ~Risbeck, Kaspar~: Description of the Rhenish States, I, 15.
-
- "~Riso d'Apolline, Il~": Opera by Betz, I, 126.
-
- "~Ritorno di Tobia~": Oratorio by Haydn, II, 131.
-
- "~Robert und Callista~": Opera by Guglielmo, I, 31, 109.
-
- ~Roeckel, Elizabeth~: On B's susceptibility, II, 181.
-
- ~Roeckel, J. A.~: Career of, II, 53;
- his notes on "Fidelio," 53, 60, 62;
- B's liking for, 92;
- on B's desire to compose operas, 119;
- letter, 128;
- on B's desire to travel, 142;
- on the revision of "Fidelio" in 1814, 265.
-
- ~Roda, Cecilio de~: B's sketches for the last Quartets, I, 277.
-
- ~Rode, Pierre~: B. composes Sonata for him, II, 235, 236.
-
- ~Rolland, Romaine~: I, 337.
-
- ~Romberg, Andreas~: I, 105;
- career of, 106, 111, 199.
-
- ~Romberg, Bernhard~: I, 105;
- career of, 106, 111, 117, 121, 199, 205;
- and first Rasoumowsky Quartet, II, 75; III, 72.
-
- "~Romeo und Juliet~": Opera by Benda, I, 31, 107, 108.
- Opera by Zingarelli, II, 172.
- Considered by B., III, 117.
-
- "~Romulus and Remus~": Opera by Johann Fuss, II, 304;
- opera-book by Treitschke, II, 304, 381.
-
- "~Roeschen und Colas~" ("Rose et Colas"): Opera by Monsigny, I, 29.
-
- ~Roesner, Felia~: Daughter of Neefe, I, 304.
-
- ~Rothe~: Singer in "Fidelio," II, 51.
-
- "~Rothkaeppchen, Das~": Opera by Dittersdorf, I, 109, 176, 188.
-
- ~Rovantini, Franz Georg~: Gives violin instruction to B., I, 64, 67.
-
- ~Royal Library~ at Berlin: Acquires B.'s memorabilia, I, xi;
- sends Conversation Books to Thayer, xi;
- owns B.'s quartet of viols, 277;
- gets B's posthumous papers from Schindler, III, 11.
-
- ~Rubini~: III, 77.
-
- ~Rudolf~, Violinist and conductor: I, 166.
-
- ~Rudolph, Archduke~ of Austria:
- II, 79, 100;
- dedication of Concerto in G, 134;
- Trios, Op. 70, 132;
- subscription to the annuity contract, 139;
- the Sonata Op. 81, 143;
- his studies with B., 147, 150, 154;
- dedication of E-flat Concerto, 160;
- the annuity contract, 170, 172, 212, 213, 217, 242, 306;
- B. wearies of teaching him, 194, 199;
- letters, 199, 206, 225, 235, 248, 250, 266, 286;
- B. tells Goethe of disciplining him, 227;
- and calls his duty "servitude," 240;
- compelled to quit pianoforte playing, 266;
- lessons irksome to B., 381;
- charged by B. with his misfortunes, 396;
- installation as Archbishop of Olmuetz, 398, 412;
- dedication of Op. 101, 414;
- --III, letters from B., 1, 9, 19, 20, 34;
- asked to help send nephew to Landshut, 6;
- his Variations, 19, 20;
- urged to compose, 21;
- dedication of Op. 106, 23, 25;
- enthroned as Archbishop, 33, 44;
- dedication of Op. 111, 50;
- Variations on air by Rossini, 77, 82, 91, 94;
- asked to urge subscription to Mass on Grand Duke of Tuscany
- and King of Saxony, 95, 96;
- B. rails against him, 112;
- urges B. to compose Bernard's oratorio, 175;
- dedication of the Mass in D, 212.
-
- "~Ruines de Babilone~": II, 202.
-
- "~Rule, Britannia~": II, 252.
- (See VARIATIONS, in Index of Compositions.)
-
- ~Ruschowitz, Constanze~: I, 99.
-
- ~Ruskin, John~: On the imagination, III, 25.
-
- ~Russia, Empress of~: II, 305;
- Czar subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 102, 105;
- dedication of the Ninth Symphony considered, 231.
-
- ~Russian Melodies~: In the Rasoumowsky Quartets, II, 74;
- in "Ruins of Athens," 162.
-
- ~Rust, Wilhelm~: Description of B., II, 117;
- on B. and the French, 146.
-
- ~Rzewuska, Countess~: II, 111.
-
-
- ~Saal~, Singers: I, 266.
-
- ~Sacchini~: His operas at Bonn, I, 86;
- "La Contadina in Corte," 26;
- "L'Olimpiade," 32;
- "L'Isola d'Amore," 108.
-
- ~Saint-Foix, Georges~: I, 139.
-
- ~Salieri~: "Armida," I, 86;
- "La Grotta di Trofonio," 107;
- "Koenig Axur in Ormus," 109, 163;
- "Falstaff," 227;
- gives B. lessons in composition, 154, 160;
- Violin Sonata dedicated to him, 163, 214;
- respected by B., 241; II, 2;
- "The pupil B. was here," 64;
- accused of enmity by B., 136;
- conducts percussion instruments in "Wellington's Victory," 262.
-
- ~Salm-Reifferscheid, Count~: I, 73, 74.
-
- ~Salomon, Jacobina~: Court musician at Bonn, I, 20.
-
- ~Salomon, Johann Peter~: I, 19, 20, 51, 186; II, 317, 319,
- 324, 325, 359;
- recants his opinion of the Fifth Symphony, 279.
-
- ~Salomon, Philip~: I, 20;
- career in London, 20, 23, 110, 299.
-
- ~Salzburg~: Occupied by Bernadotte, II, 61.
-
- ~Samaroff, Olga~: I, 140.
-
- "~Samnitische Vermaehlungsfeier, Die~" ("Le Mariage des Samnites"):
- Opera by Gretry, I, 31.
-
- "~Samori~": Opera by Vogler, II, 23.
-
- "~Samson~": Oratorio by Handel, II, 359.
-
- ~Santerrini~: Alleged teacher of B., I, 62.
-
- "~Sargino~": Opera, II, 61.
-
- ~Sarti~: Operas "Fra due Litiganti," I, 86, 109;
- "L'Incognito," 86;
- "La Gelosie villane," 109.
-
- ~Satzenhofen, Countess~ and Abbess: Mistress of Elector
- Max Friedrich, I, 16.
-
- ~Sauerma, Countess~: III, 41.
-
- "~Saul~": Oratorio by Handel, III, 219, 285.
-
- ~Saxony, King of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D, III, 94, 96, 99, 105.
-
- ~Schaden, Dr.~: Lends money to B., I, 92;
- letters to, 92, 95, 96.
-
- ~Schall, Captain~: Amateur musician in Bonn, I, 37.
-
- ~Schebek, Edmund~: II, 8.
-
- ~Schechner, Fraeulein~, Singer: III, 287, 288.
-
- ~Scheidl, Cesarius~: Musical prodigy, I, 91.
-
- ~Schenck, Joseph~: Gives lessons to B., I, 152, 154.
-
- ~Schickh, Johann~: II, 359.
-
- ~Schikaneder, Emanuel~: His theatre, I, 164;
- engages B. and Vogler to compose operas, II, 5;
- an opera-text for B., 19;
- sells interest in Theater-an-der-Wien, 22, 34.
-
- ~Schiller~: "Ode to Joy," I, 132; II, 152, 295, 414;
- III, 145, 146, 148 _et seq._;
- B's appreciation of, II, 147, 153;
- popularity of his plays, 153;
- "Die Sendung Moses," 167;
- "Die Fluesse," 196;
- "Fiesco," 117.
-
- ~Schimon, Ferdinand~: Paints B's portrait, III, 21;
- B's preference for it, 41.
-
- ~Schindler, Anton~, B's biographer: I, ix, xi;
- sells memorabilia to Berlin, x;
- visited by Thayer, x;
- on B's studies with Haydn, 151;
- on Bernadotte and the "Eroica," 213;
- on B's relations with the musicians in Vienna, 241;
- in error about B's want of familiarity with the orchestra, 239;
- on B's sojourn in Hetzendorf, 289;
- on Hoffmeister's edition of Bach, 303;
- his theory about B's love, 318 _et seq._;
- conversation with B. about Countess Guicciardi, 320;
- defects as an investigator, 323;
- --II, On B's religion, 168;
- division of B's work into periods, 171;
- the canon on Maelzel and the Allegretto of the
- Eighth Symphony, 234;
- makes B's acquaintance, 270;
- his account of the quarrel with Maelzel disputed, 270 _et seq._;
- growth of familiarity with B., 327;
- wrong as to B's relations with Ries, 372;
- trustworthiness as a biographer, 376;
- beginning of an intimacy with B., 378;
- in error as to the story of B's noble birth, 410;
- --III, Sells B's papers to the Royal Library, 11;
- praised by Horzalka, 42;
- on Johann v. B, 67;
- his story about Schubert and B., 79;
- gets B's papers, 93;
- "L'Ami de Beethoven," 93;
- his nickname, 106;
- B. calls him a scoundrel, 128, 133, 158;
- on B's drinking habits, 196;
- his biography of B., 197 _et seq._;
- false tale of Nephew Karl's negligence, 272;
- falsification of the Conversation Books, 273, 281;
- charged by B. with theft of a petty sum, 281;
- gets autograph of Ninth Symphony, 281;
- accuses Johann v. B. of niggardliness, 278, 293;
- B. sends him a meal from his sick-bed, 295.
-
- ~Schlegel~: One of his texts proposed for an opera, III, 117.
-
- ~Schleiermacher~: His translation of Plato, I, 213.
-
- ~Schlesinger~, Musician: II, 125.
-
- ~Schlesinger~, Publisher in Berlin: III, 54;
- denounced by B., 55;
- accepts Mass in D, 55, 190;
- B's treatment of, 190.
-
- ~Schlesinger, Moritz~, Publisher in Paris: Visits B.,
- III, 203, 204, 206.
-
- ~Schloesser, Louis~: Visits B., III, 125;
- and the Mass in D, 97.
-
- "~Schmaus, Der~" ("Il Convivo"): Opera by Cimarosa, I, 107.
-
- ~Schmidgen~: II, 125.
-
- ~Schmidt, Dr. Johann~: I, 278, 302, 348, 349, 353.
-
- ~Schmidt, Leopold~: Publishes B's letter to Simrock, II, 13.
-
- ~Schmith, Antoinette~: III, 14.
-
- ~Schnaps, Frau~: B's housekeeper, III, 131.
-
- ~Schneider, Friedrich~: Visits B., III, 18.
-
- ~Schneider, Johann~: Plays E-flat Concerto, II, 160.
-
- ~Schneller, Julius Franz Borgias~: II, 88.
-
- ~Schoberlechner, Franz~: III, 130.
-
- ~Schoenauer, Dr.~: II, 320, 321, 331.
-
- ~Schoenbrunn~, Garden of: I, 288.
-
- "~Schoene Schusterin, Die~": Opera by Umlauf, I, 108, 142, 165, 204.
-
- ~Schott and Sons~, Publishers: The Mass in D, III, 55,
- 57, 177, 178, 189;
- Quartet in E-flat, 178;
- Ninth Symphony, 178;
- B. asks for a gift of wine, 290 _et seq._
-
- ~Schreiber~, Violist of Schuppanzigh Quartet: II, 41.
-
- ~Schreyvogel, von~: II, 304.
-
- ~Schreyvogel and Rizzi~: Publish catalogue of B's works, II, 38.
-
- ~Schroeder-Devrient, Mme.~: III, 83, 84, 85.
-
- ~Schubauer~: Opera "Die Dorfdeputirten," I, 109.
-
- ~Schubert, Franz~: His "Erlkoenig," I, 230; II, 327, 355;
- III, his meeting with B., 79;
- takes Rochlitz to look at B., 74;
- his variations on Diabelli's waltz, 128;
- B. and his songs, 298 _et seq._;
- B's remark "A divine spark dwells in S.," 300, 301;
- at B's death-bed, 298 _et seq._;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312;
- his grave beside B's, 312.
-
- ~Schultz, Edward~: Visit to B., III, 134.
-
- ~Schulze, Mme.~, Singer: II, 330.
-
- ~Schumann, Robert~: Publishes letters of B., II, 183.
-
- ~Schuppanzigh, Ignaz~: Gives lessons on violin to B., I, 156;
- his Quartet, 170, 237 _et seq._;
- conducts Augarten Concerts, 238, 274;
- suggests gift of viols to B., 276;
- author of a theme in the Quintet Op. 29, 296;
- variations for two violins, 306, 316.
- --II, 2;
- teacher of Mayseder, 41;
- his quartet concerts, 41;
- Augarten Concerts, 42, 172;
- B's joke on his marriage, 105, 125, 150, 167;
- goes to Russia, 327, 337.
- --III, 24, 75, 126;
- and the last Quartets, 139, 156, 157, 184;
- fails in E-flat Quartet, 193, 294, 312.
-
- ~Schuster~: Operas "Der Alchymist," I, 31, 107, 108;
- "Die Geitzigen in der Falle," 108;
- "Dr. Murner," 108.
-
- ~Schwachhofer, Mme.~, Court Singer: Disciplined by B's
- grandfather, I, 20.
-
- ~Schwarzenberg, Prince~: I, 168, 172, 208;
- dedication of Quintet Op. 16, 290; II, 98.
-
- ~Schwarzendorf~ (Martini): I, 87.
-
- ~Scott, Sir Walter~: I, 252; II, 214, 194;
- B. reads his novels on his death-bed, III, 282.
-
- "~Seasons, The~": Oratorio by Haydn, I, 171; II, 120.
-
- ~Sebald, Amalie~: B's relations with, I, 337; II, 205;
- letter from B, 228;
- inscription in her album, 229;
- B's infatuation for, 239, 343.
-
- ~Sebald, Auguste~: II, 205.
-
- ~Sedlazek, Jean~, Flautist: III, 208.
-
- "~Seidenen Schuhe, Die~": Opera by Fridzeri, I, 32.
-
- "~Serva Padrona, La~": Opera by Pergolesi, I, 108.
-
- ~Sessi, Mme.~, Singer: II, 2, 215.
-
- ~Seume~: His poem "Die Beterin" and the C-sharp minor Sonata,
- I, 292, 339;
- B. visits his grave, II, 205.
-
- "~Seven Last Words~": Cantata by Haydn, I, 214.
-
- ~Seyfried, Ignaz von~: "Beethoven's Studies in Thoroughbass,"
- I, 159, 215, 249; II, 147, 152, 183;
- on B's playing, I, 216;
- on the character of his brothers, 361; II, 2, 6;
- and the C minor Concerto, 7;
- conducts rehearsals of "Fidelio," 51;
- asked by B. to conduct the opera, 61;
- his description of B., 93 _et seq._,
- on the first performance of the Choral Fantasia, 130, 131;
- his writing for four horns, 285;
- music for "Moses," 297, 358, 388; III, 157;
- arranges and composes music for B's funeral and is pallbearer, 312.
-
- ~Seyler's Dramatic Co.~: I, 28, 30, 35.
-
- ~Shakespeare~: Recommended by B., II, 176.
-
- ~Shedlock, J. S.~: I, 205, 208, 210, 261, 290; II, 102; III, 13.
-
- ~Siboni~, Tenor: II, 215, 267.
-
- "~Silvain~": Musical comedy by Gretry, I, 26, 86.
-
- ~Simonetti~, Tenor of Electoral Chapel: I, 112.
-
- ~Simoni~, Singer in Vienna: I, 282.
-
- ~Simrock, Nicolaus~, Court Hornist in Bonn: I, 24, 51, 105;
- B's association with him as publisher, 183 (see MASS IN D);
- letters, 8, 183; II, 21;
- B. offers him compositions, II, 105;
- the Mass in C, 142;
- association with B. in Vienna, 343, 345; III, 39, 44,
- 53 _et seq._; 56.
-
- ~Sina, Louis~, Violinist: I, 170.
-
- ~Singakademie~, in Berlin: B. plays for, I, 196; II, 205;
- invited to subscribe for the Mass in D, III, 104, 180.
-
- ~Sinsendorf (Zinzendorf?), Prince~: I, 172.
-
- ~Smart, Sir George~: Visited by Thayer, I, xi, III, 208; II, 309;
- produces Mass in C in London, 310, 311, 351, 302, 347, 348, 370;
- visits B. in Vienna, III, 206 _et seq._; 289, 389.
-
- ~Smetana, Dr.~: Performs surgical operation on Nephew Karl, II, 341;
- prescribes for B's deafness, 85;
- informed by B. of nephew's attempt at suicide, 259, 274.
-
- ~Smith, John~, of Glasgow: III, 16.
-
- ~Sobieski, John~: I, 7.
-
- "~Soliman II~": Opera by Suessmayr, I, 227.
-
- ~Soltikoff, Count~: II, 75.
-
- ~Sonneck, O. G.~: I, xviii.
-
- ~Sonnenfels, Joseph Noble de~: Dedication of Sonata Op. 28, I, 293.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Christoph von~: II, 34.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Ignaz von~: III, 251.
-
- ~Sonnleithner, Joseph von~: On Zmeskall, I, 230;
- Secretary of Court Theatres, II, 23;
- his career, 34.
-
- ~Sontag, Henrietta~: III, 77, 139, 153, 162, 164.
-
- "~Sophonisba~": Opera by Neefe, I, 31.
-
- ~Spain~: B's desire to travel in, II, 142.
-
- ~Spaun, Baron~: I, 338.
-
- ~Spazier~: I, 305; II, 1.
-
- ~Spencer, Herbert~: On billiard-playing, III, 253.
-
- ~Speyer, E.~: II, 216.
-
- "~Spiegel von Arkadien~": Opera by Suessmayer, II, 49.
-
- ~Spina~: Gets B's Broadwood Pf., II, 392.
-
- ~Spohr, Ludwig~: His accounts of B's conducting, II, 128, 257;
- his opinion of Rode, 235;
- his intercourse with B., 236;
- on B's music and playing, 269;
- B's opinion on his music, III, 203.
-
- ~Spontini~: Opera "La Vestale," II, 36, 202, 296; III, 139;
- B's opinion of his music, 203.
-
- ~Sporchil, Johann~: Submits opera-text to B., III, 118.
-
- ~Stadler, Abbe~: I, 376;
- statement as to Trio of Seventh Symphony, II, 216;
- anecdote, 234;
- canon, 236.
-
- ~Starcke, Friedrich~: The Bagatelles, III, 48.
-
- ~Staudenheimer, Dr.~, B's physician: Sends him to Karlsbad,
- II, 223; III, 39, 199, 273, 276.
-
- ~Stauffen, Franz~, Youthful pianist: II, 327.
-
- ~Steibelt, Daniel~: Comes to Vienna, I, 268;
- encounter with B., 268;
- composes battle music, II, 252.
-
- ~Stein~, Pianoforte maker: I, 88, 91, 92.
-
- ~Stein, Friedrich~, Pianist: II, 117;
- and Concertos in C minor and G, 131.
-
- ~Stein, Dr. Fritz~: Publishes the "Jena" Symphony, I, 211.
-
- ~Stein, Nanette.~ (See STREICHER, NANETTE.)
-
- ~Stein, Matthaeus~: II, 87.
-
- ~Steiner, Sigmund Anton~ (and Steiner and Co.): II, 279, 364;
- III, lends B. money, 21;
- canon, "Hol' euch der Teufel," 23;
- letter, 38;
- duns B. for money, 38, 58, 59, 71, 114, 184;
- friction with B., 234;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- "~Steinerne Braut, Die~": Opera by Liechtenstein, I, 305.
-
- ~Sterkel, Abbe~: I, 113.
-
- ~Stich, Johann Wenzel.~ (See PUNTO.)
-
- ~Stieler, Joseph~: Paints B's portrait, III, 41.
-
- ~Storck~: I, 336.
-
- ~Streicher, Andreas~: I, 91, 92;
- collects funds for Bach's daughter, 308; II, 391; III, 180;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Streicher~, pianofortes: II, 87.
-
- ~Streicher, Nanette~: II, 87;
- puts B's house in order, 244;
- letter from B., 394.
-
- ~Stummer, Fraeulein~, Singer: Marries Count Lichnowsky, II, 291.
-
- ~Stumpf~, Pianoforte tuner of London: II, 391.
-
- ~Stumpff, Johann~: His visit to B., III, 181 _et seq._;
- gives Handel's scores to B., 182, 277, 289, 290, 291.
-
- ~Sturm, Christian~: "Beobachtungen ueber die Werke Gottes,
- etc.," I, 252; II, 55, 165.
-
- ~Stutterheim, Baron von~: Gives Nephew of B. cadetship, III, 264;
- dedication, 297.
-
- ~Sulkowsky, Prince~: I, 20.
-
- ~Sumner, Charles~: Recommends Thayer for consulship, I, x.
-
- "~Suendfluth, Die~": Oratorio, II, 156.
-
- ~Suessmayer, F. X.~: I, 165, 188;
- "Soliman II.," 327; II, 2;
- "Spiegel von Arkadien," 49.
-
- ~Sweden, King of~: Subscription for the Mass in D, III, 102.
-
- ~Sweden~, Royal Academy of: Elects B. Hon. Mem., 130, 163.
-
- "~Swetard's Zauberguertel~": Opera by Fischer, II, 49.
-
- ~Swieten, Gottfried Freiherr von~: I, 171;
- bids B. bring his night-cap, 175, 205;
- dedication of First Symphony, 228, 290.
-
- ~Swift, Dean~: I, 4.
-
- ~Swinburne, Henry~: Description of Bonn and its Electors, I, 16, 78.
-
-
- "~Tage der Gefahr, Die.~" (See LES DEUX JOURNEES.)
-
- "~Tantum ergo sacramentum~": III, 116.
-
- "~Tartarische Gesetz, Das~": Opera by d'Antoine, I, 31.
-
- ~Taxis, Mme. de~: I, 16.
-
- ~Tayber, Anton~: III, 115.
-
- ~Teimer~, brothers: I, 206.
-
- ~Telemann~: I, 13;
- his fluency in composition, 85.
-
- ~Tenger, Mariam~: "Beethoven's unsterbliche Geliebte," I, 338.
-
- ~Teplitz~: B's visit to, II, 202, 204 _et seq._;
- meeting-place of political magnates, 221;
- B's second visit in 1812, 222.
-
- ~Teutonic Order~: Clemens August elected Grand Master of, I, 7;
- opens the strong box, 8;
- Duke Karl of Lorraine Grand Master, 77, 98;
- Count Waldstein admitted to membership, 101, 111;
- Stephan von Breuning receives appointment in, 198;
- Archduke Karl elected coadjutor to Grand Master, 288;
- B. advises Breuning to enter the service, 303.
-
- ~Teyber~: II, 3.
-
- ~Thalberg, Sigismund~: His account of the performance of
- the Ninth Symphony, III, 166.
-
- ~Thayer, Alexander Wheelock~: Vicissitudes of his biography of
- B., I, vii _et seq._;
- the "Chronologisches Verzeichniss," ix, 74, 75;
- sketch of his life and labors, ix _et seq._;
- connected with the "New York Tribune," ix;
- second visit to Europe, x;
- receives funds for research work, x;
- visits all surviving friends of B., x;
- employed at U. S. Legation in Vienna, x;
- appointed Consul at Trieste, x;
- his purposes, xi;
- why the work was published in German, xii;
- writes book on the Exodus of the Jews, xiii;
- also on Bacon and Shakespeare, xiii;
- his discoveries accepted, xiv;
- labor unremunerated, xiv;
- death of, xiv;
- publication of this work delayed by the World War, xviii;
- promoted by the Beethoven Association of New York, xviii;
- his work on the Conversation Book, III, 12;
- defence of Johann v. B., 68;
- on the commission from the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, 88;
- visits Sir George Smart, 208 _et seq._
-
- ~Thomas-San-Galli, Dr. Wolfgang~: His book on B's love-affairs,
- I, 337; II, 239.
-
- ~Thomson, George~, Publisher of National Songs: II, 17 _et seq._;
- 69, 156, 259, 363, 415; III, 16.
-
- ~Thun, Princess Christiane~: I, 181, 225.
-
- ~Thun, Countess Elizabeth~: II, 81.
-
- ~Thun, Countess~: I, 244;
- dedication of Pf. arrangement of "Prometheus," I, 290.
-
- ~Thun, Count Franz Joseph von~: I, 181.
-
- ~Tiedge~: B's association with him at Teplitz, II, 204, 206, 208.
-
- ~Tiller, Theresia~: Sells apothecary shop to Johann v. B., II, 115.
-
- "~Timotheus~": Oratorio by Handel, II, 216.
-
- "~Tod Jesu~": Oratorio by Graun, II, 89.
-
- ~Tomaschek~: Describes B's Pf. playing, I, 217, 257;
- on "Wellington's Victory," II, 256;
- meeting with B., 297.
-
- ~Tomasini, Luigi~, Singer: II, 2.
-
- ~Touchemoulin~: Court Chapelmaster in Bonn, I, 17, 46.
-
- ~Trautmannsdorf, Prince~: I, 172.
-
- "~Tre Amanti ridicoli, Li~": Opera, I, 27.
-
- ~Treitschke, Georg Friedrich~: II. 35;
- revises text of "Fidelio," 264;
- "Gute Nachricht," 268, 270, 302, 317;
- letters, 273, 277, 281, 284;
- "Romulus and Remus," 304, 381;
- "Die Ehrenpforten," 317.
-
- ~Tribolet, Mme.~: I, 200, 242.
-
- "~Tribune, The New York~": Thayer on its editorial staff, I, ix;
- W. H. Fry, musical critic, 358; III, 68.
-
- "~Trionfo d'Amore~": Opera by Dutillier, I, 165.
-
- "~Trofonio's Zauberguertel~" ("Grotta di Trofonio"):
- Opera by Salieri, I, 107.
-
- ~Truchsee-Waldburg, Count~: II, 124.
-
- ~Tschiska, Dr.~: III, 3.
-
- ~Tuerkheim, Anton von~: I, 288; III, 97.
-
- ~Tuscany, Grand Duke of~: Subscribes for the Mass in D,
- III, 95, 101, 105.
-
- ~Tuscher, Matthias~: one-time guardian of the nephew,
- III, 4, 5, 7, 30.
-
-
- ~Ulm~: Captured by the French, II, 51.
-
- ~Umlauf, Ignaz~: "Die schoene Schusterin," I, 108, 165, 204;
- saves performance at which B. conducts, II, 263;
- conducts "Fidelio," 279; III, 157.
-
- ~Ungermann~, Police Director: III, 132.
-
- ~Ungher, Caroline~: III, 77, 78, 161, 162, 164, 166.
-
- "~Unterbrochene Opferfest, Das~": Opera by Winter, I, 227.
-
-
- "~Van~": not a predicate of noble birth, II, 404, 408.
-
- ~Van den Eeden, Heinrich~: I, 5;
- appointed second Court Organist at Bonn, I, 10;
- salary increased, 10, 25;
- gives lessons to B., 61, 62, 64;
- death of, 69.
-
- ~Vanhall, Joseph~, Composer: I, 173.
-
- ~Varena, Ritter von~: II, 205;
- asks for music for Ursulines at Gratz, 214;
- B's letters to, II, 218, 246, 247, 249.
-
- ~Varnhagen von Ense~: His account of B's sojourn at Teplitz,
- II, 204, 222, 302.
-
- ~Vering, Dr.~: Treats B., I, 300, 302, 348.
-
- "~Vestale, La~": Opera by Spontini, II, 36, 296; III, 139.
-
- "~Vesta's Feuer~": Opera by Weigl, II, 49.
-
- ~Victoria, Princess of England~: Wedding hymn on her marriage
- to Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
-
- ~Vienna~: B's first visit to, I, 89;
- second journey, 124;
- route travelled and incidents, 126;
- arrival in the city, 128, 146;
- state of music in, at the time, 163 _et seq._;
- theatres, 163 _et seq._;
- church music, 165;
- performing musicians, 170;
- composers, 172, 174;
- private theatres, 173;
- B's position in Society, 174 _et seq._
- --II, Music in 1803, 2;
- lapse of public concerts, 42;
- entered by French, 52;
- administration of the Court Theatres, 98;
- B. appointed composer for the theatres, 98;
- appreciation of his music in the city, 116;
- arrival of friends in 1808, 124;
- popular attitude toward B., 126;
- beleaguered and occupied by the French, 144, 145;
- tax on dwellings, 146, 150;
- under French, 149;
- direction of the theatres assumed by Lobkowitz and Palffy, 201;
- B. made Hon. Citizen of the city, 325;
- its journals and their treatment of B., 358.
- --III, Society of Merchants elects B. Hon. Mem., 21;
- taste denounced by B., 202.
-
- ~Vigano, Salvatore~: Ballet "Le Nozze disturbata," I, 188;
- sketch of, 283;
- ballet "Raoul, Sire de Croqui," 283;
- "Prometheus," 284 _et seq._
-
- "~Villanella di spirito, La~": Opera, I, 108.
-
- ~Viotti~: II, 12.
-
- ~Vivenot, Dr.~: Summoned to B. at last sickness, III, 273.
-
- ~Vogl, Johann Michael~: I, 230.
-
- ~Vogler, Abbe Georg Joseph~: In Bonn, I, 123;
- engaged to compose operas in Vienna, II, 2, 4;
- "Hermann von Staufen" and "Hermann von Unna," 4, 12;
- his extempore playing, 15;
- his opera "Samori," 23.
-
- ~Volbach~: I, 337.
-
- ~Volta~, Violinist: II, 125.
-
- ~Von der Recke, Countess~: II, 204, 208, 222.
-
-
- ~Waldstein, Count Emanuel Philip~: I, 101.
-
- ~Waldstein, Count Ferdinand Gabriel~: B's first meeting with,
- I, 93 _et seq._; 101, 102;
- knighted by Max Franz, 102;
- absolved from his vow of celibacy and marries, 103;
- his aid to B., 103, 117;
- the book of the "Ritter-Ballet," 108, 122;
- inscription in B's album, 126;
- The "Ritter-Ballet," 133;
- family connections of, 174, 244;
- second marriage of, II, 111, 146; III, 24.
- (See SONATA OP. 53.)
-
- ~Walkowski~: II, 305.
-
- ~Walter~: I, 355.
-
- ~Wartensee, Xaver Schneider von~: II, 381.
-
- ~Wasielewski~: I, 208.
-
- ~Wawruch, Dr.~: In attendance on B. at his last illness,
- III, 273 _et seq._;
- B's dissatisfaction with him, 283;
- report on B's illness and death, 275 _et seq._
-
- ~Weber, Carl Maria von~: I, 112;
- his first visit to Vienna, II, 23;
- interest in Amalie Sebald, 205;
- produces "Fidelio" in Dresden, III, 129;
- visits B., 136 _et seq._;
- "Der Freischuetz," 131, 135, 137;
- "Euryanthe," 131, 137, 139, 140.
-
- ~Weber, Dionysius~: II, 282.
-
- ~Weber, Franz Anton von~: I, 112.
-
- ~Weber, Gottfried~: Publishes letters by B., II, 183, 384;
- attacks authenticity of Mozart's "Requiem," 235.
-
- ~Weber, Max Maria von~: III, 138.
-
- ~Weber, W.~: Sells publishing rights in Thayer's biography
- to Breitkopf and Haertel, I, xv.
-
- ~Wedding Song~: Arranged for the wedding of Princess Victoria
- of England and Frederick III of Prussia, III, 13.
-
- ~Wegeler, F. G.~: His "Biographische Notizen," I, ix, xi, 79,
- 89, 94, _et seq._; 99, 117;
- comes to Vienna, 179;
- his account of B's status there, 180;
- letters from B., 181, 182;
- on B. as a lover, 182, 186;
- said to have recommended B. as teacher to the Breuning family, 100;
- on Count Waldstein, 102;
- on B's susceptibility to women, 122;
- letters from B., 299, 301;
- error in date of an important letter, 308.
- --II, B. asks him to get the certificate of his baptism, 177;
- publication of B's letters, 183.
- --III, 197, 214, 288, 297.
-
- ~Wegeler, Karl~: I, 96, 102, 181.
-
- ~Weigl, Joseph~, Chapelmaster and composer: I, 163;
- "L'Amore marinaro," 225;
- respected by B., 241;
- "Corsar aus Liebe," 268;
- the same, II, 2;
- "Die Schweizerfamilie," 2;
- "Vesta's Feuer," 49, 279;
- pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Weimar, Grand Duke of~: The Mass in D, III, 98;
- B. contemplates a visit to, II, 198.
-
- ~Weinkopf~: Singer in first performance of "Fidelio," II, 50.
-
- ~Weinmueller~, Bass singer: II, 267, 285, 286.
-
- ~Weiss, Franz~, Viola player: I, 170, 274; II, 125, 337.
-
- ~Weiss, Dr. Leopold~: II, 303.
-
- ~Weiss, Pater~: Attempts to cure B's deafness, II, 96; III, 85.
-
- ~Weissenbach, Dr. Alois~: His "Reise zum Congress," I, 263;
- description of B., II, 293;
- his dramas, 293;
- "Der glorreiche Augenblick," 294.
-
- ~Weissenthurm, Mme.~: I, 133.
-
- ~Werner, Zacharias~: III, 44.
-
- ~Wesley, Samuel~: II, 12.
-
- ~Westerholt, Count Friedrich Rudolph Anton~: And his family,
- I, 121, 137.
-
- ~Westerholt, Fraeulein~: I, 120, 121, 122.
-
- ~Westphalia.~ (See BONAPARTE, JEROME, and CASSEL.)
-
- ~Wheeler~, U. S. Consul: Interviews Julius Merz concerning the
- Bettina-B. letters, II, 184, 185.
-
- ~Wieck, Friedrich~: Visits B., III, 236.
-
- ~Wild, Singer~: II, 305, 338.
-
- ~Willcox, E. S.~: I, xiii.
-
- ~Willmann, Magdalena~: I, 200, 235;
- career of, 242;
- receives proposal of marriage from B., 242;
- marriage and death of, 243, 282, 330, 337.
-
- ~Willmann, Max~: I, 242.
-
- ~Wimpfen, Countess~: III, 110.
-
- ~Winneberger~: Chapelmaster at Wallenstein, I, 114.
-
- ~Winter~: Opera "Das unterbrochene Opferfest," I, 227.
-
- ~Winter, Karl~: Judge of the Austrian Court of Appeals, III, 29.
-
- ~Wolanek~, Copyist: Excites B's ire, III, 191.
-
- ~Wolf~: Opera "Das Rosenfest," I, 32.
-
- ~Woelffl, Joseph~, Pianist: I, 214;
- his playing compared with B's, 215;
- dedicates Sonata to B., 217.
-
- ~Wolfmayer, Johann Nepomuk~: Substitutes new coat for B's old,
- III, 230;
- pays B. for a Requiem which is never composed, 220, 296;
- torchbearer at B's funeral, 312.
-
- ~Wranitzky, Anton~: II, 125.
-
- ~Wranitzky, Paul~: I, 165;
- "Oberon," 165;
- "Das Waldmaedchen," 210.
-
- ~Wuerfel~, Chapelmaster: Pallbearer at B's funeral, III, 312.
-
- ~Wuerth and Fellner~: Organize concerts in Vienna, II, 42.
-
- ~Wyzewa, Theodore~: I, 139.
-
- ~Yellowhammer~: Song of, in the "Pastoral" Symphony, II, 120, 121.
-
-
- ~Zambona~: Gives B. lessons in Latin, I, 65.
-
- "~Zauberfloete, Die~": Opera by Mozart, I, 164, 226, 304.
-
- ~Zeithammer, Dr. Ottokar~: The Lobkowitz cantata, II, 354.
-
- "~Zelmira~": Opera by Rossini, III, 20, 77.
-
- ~Zelter, Karl Friedrich~: Association with B., III, 16, 18, 104, 110.
-
- "~Zemire et Azor~": Opera by Gretry, I, 32, 86.
-
- "~Zemire und Azor~": Opera by Neefe, I, 36.
-
- ~Zenser~: Reputed to have taught organ to B., I, 64.
-
- ~Zichy, Count Stephen~: II, 98.
-
- ~Zingarelli~: Opera "Romeo and Juliet," II, 172.
-
- ~Zitterbarth~: Buys interest in Schikaneder's theatre, II, 22.
-
- ~Zizius, Dr. Johann~: II, 88.
-
- ~Zmeskall von Domanovecz, Nicolaus~: I, 192, 230;
- his posthumous papers, 236, 273;
- B. asks his aid in purchase of pianoforte, 355;
- letters from B., 231; II, 88, 97, 144, 155, 174, 208,
- 217, 245, 246, 247, 248, 262, 271, 330, 349; II, 113, 144;
- the Quartet in F minor, 193, 351;
- and Maelzel's metronome, 384 _et seq._; III, 24, 42, 288.
-
- ~Zuccalmaglio~: I, 278.
-
- ~Zulehner, Carl~: His reprints denounced by B., II, 18, 38.
-
-
-
-
-Index to Compositions
-
-
-(a) WORKS FOR ORCHESTRA ALONE
-
- ~Symphonies~:
-
- No. 1, C major, Op. 21--Date of composition, I, 227, 266, 267,
- 272, 277, 282, 286, 290; II, 6, 39, 42;
- arranged as Pf. Quintet, I, 228.
-
- No. 2, D major, Op. 36--I, 140, 354, 364, 365, 371; II, 6, 39,
- 42, 73, 112, 113;
- arranged as Pf. Trio, II, 40;
- arranged as Quintet, II, 113.
-
- No. 3, E-flat major, Op. 55 ("Eroica")--I, 212; II, 14, 20, 24
- _et seq._; 33, 40;
- first public performances of, 42 _et seq._; 66, 67;
- publication of, 77, 112, 116, 149, 369; III, 50;
- arranged for Pf. Quartet, II, 113.
-
- No. 4, B-flat major, Op. 60--II, 68, 73, 76, 101, 112, 116, 122,
- 123, 162, 166, 371.
-
- No. 5, C minor, Op. 67--I, 307; II, 73, 76, 107, 109, 113, 123,
- 126, 127, 129, 132, 141, 162, 166, 186;
- correction of error in Scherzo of, 192; 216, 250, 334, 348,
- 369, 379; III, 50.
-
- No. 6, F major, Op. 68 ("Pastoral")--I, 349, 354; II, 73, 110,
- 119, 120;
- country musicians parodied in Scherzo, 121, 122; 127, 131,
- 141, 162, 166, 209, 316; III, 14, 50.
-
- No. 7, A major, Op. 92--II, 151, 152, 166, 216;
- melody of the Trio, 216; 237, 257;
- Allegretto repeated at the first performance, 258; 267, 299,
- 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 334, 337, 339, 340,
- 347, 348, 350, 352, 353, 356, 357, 367; III, 14, 37, 50,
- 144, 302.
-
- No. 8, F major, Op. 93--II, 152, 166, 232;
- the Allegretto and the canon on Maelzel, 234 _et seq._; 237,
- 240, 267, 268, 311, 312, 313, 318, 357, 388; III, 144.
-
- No. 9, D minor, Op. 125 (with vocal solos and chorus)--I, xi;
- trombone parts, II, 7; 73, 90, 133, 152, 378, 411, 414; III,
- 15, 22, 87, 95;
- and the Philharmonic Society of London, 110 (see "London
- Philharmonic Society" under BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG V.); 128, 132;
- composition, first performance, repetition, 144 _et seq._;
- origin of the theme of the Scherzo, 145;
- B.'s doubts concerning the finale, 152, 153;
- address to B. by his friends, 153 _et seq._;
- a conspiracy to further the performance, 158, 159;
- trouble about orchestra leader, 157, 160;
- the solo singers, 162, 164;
- rehearsals, 163;
- programme of the concert, 164;
- incidents of the first performance, 165 _et seq._;
- financial failure and B.'s disappointment, 167;
- B. upbraids his friends and dines alone, 167;
- the second performance, 168 _et seq._; 170;
- offer of score to Schott, 177;
- offer to Probst, 178;
- performed at Aix-la-Chapelle, 188;
- Smart gets tempi from B., 208, 209;
- the recitatives, 209, 226;
- dedication, 231 _et seq._;
- metronome marks, 244, 292;
- the autograph manuscript, 266.
-
- "Wellington's Victory, or The Battle of Victoria," Op. 91--II,
- 251 _et seq._; 262 _et seq._; 259, 267, 268, 271, 272, 283,
- 290, 299, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 335,
- 339, 340, 353, 356; III, 113, 208, 211.
-
- "Jena"--I, 211.
-
- Sketches for uncompleted symphonies--A "Tenth," II, 414; III, 221
- _et seq._;
- in B minor, II, 310, 328;
- in C minor, I, 210.
-
-
- ~Overtures, Ballets, Marches, Dances~, etc.:
-
- Overture, "Coriolan," Op. 62--II, 101, 102, 105, 112, 117, 124,
- 127, 133, 172, 209, 216, 268, 284.
-
- Overture in C, Op. 124, "Consecration of the House." (See WEIHE
- DES HAUSES, under (c) Choral Works, etc.)
-
- Overture to "Fidelio." (See "FIDELIO.")
-
- Overtures, "Leonore," Nos. 1, 2 and 3. (See "FIDELIO.")
-
- Overture in C, Op. 115--II, 292, 296, 302, 303, 311, 312, 313,
- 316, 327, 334, 335, 413; III, 50.
-
- Overture to "Koenig Stephan" ("King Stephen"), Op. 117--II, 208,
- 209, 213, 214, 218, 246, 313, 316, 334, 413; III, 57, 70, 72.
-
- "Ritter-Ballet"--I, 108, 111, 117, 133, 142.
-
- Ballet, "Die Geschoepfe des Prometheus" ("The Men of Prometheus"),
- Op. 43--I, 280;
- history of, 283 _et seq._; 290, 304, 364, 370; II, 5, 39, 52, 102,
- 112, 216, 356; III, 14.
-
- Dances for the Ridotto Room--I, 188, 192, 202, 210, 211, 289.
-
- Contradances and "Laendrische"--I, 289, 364, 365.
-
- Ecossaises (Twelve) for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
-
- Ecossaise for Military Band--II, 194.
-
- "Gratulatory Minuet"--III, 64, 80, 82, 89.
-
- Polonaise for Military Band--II, 194.
-
- Waltzes for Strings with Wind _ad lib._--II, 113.
-
- Waltzes, for a Country Band--III, 22.
-
- Military March, in D--II, 356; III, 142.
-
- Military Marches, in F--II, 160, 162, 195; III, 64, 141.
-
- Funeral March for "Leonore Prohaska," arranged from the Sonata
- Op. 26--II, 298, 299; III, 312.
-
- Rondino for Wind-instruments--I, 134.
-
- Triumphal March, for Kueffner's "Tarpeja"--II, 245, 250, 259; III, 58.
-
- Equale for Three Trombones--II, 237;
- arranged for voices and sung at B.'s funeral, III, 311.
-
-
-(b) INSTRUMENTAL SOLOS WITH ORCHESTRA
-
- ~Concertos~, etc.:
-
- Allegro con brio, for Violin, in C, completed by Hellmesberger--I,
- 136.
-
- For Violin, in D major, Op. 61--II, 76, 103, 104, 112, 134, 162, 166;
- arranged for Pianoforte--I, 350; II, 103, 104, 112, 134.
-
- For Pianoforte, in E-flat (Youthful)--I, 75.
-
- For Pianoforte, in D major (Youthful)--I, 136.
-
- For Pianoforte, in C, No. 1, Op. 15--I, 137, 177, 185, 217,
- 222, 224, 244, 272, 287, 289; II, 39, 90.
-
- For Pianoforte, B-flat major, No. 2, Op. 19--I, 136, 144, 177,
- 184, 185, 188, 208, 217, 222, 224, 225, 226, 272, 275, 286,
- 287, 290, 299; II, 39; III, 50, 279.
- (See RONDO IN B-FLAT.)
-
- For Pianoforte, in C minor, No. 3, Op. 37--I, 270, 277, 364;
- II, 6, 7, 30, 32, 37, 39, 42, 131.
-
- For Pianoforte, in G major, No. 4, Op. 58--II, 56, 66, 67, 68,
- 73, 74, 101, 110, 131, 134.
-
- For Pianoforte, in E-flat major, No. 5, Op. 73--II, 133, 147,
- 149, 150, 159, 160, 192, 199, 209, 215, 216.
-
- For Pianoforte, Violin and Violoncello, Op. 56--II, 40, 56,
- 73, 80, 113, 117.
-
- Romance for Violin, in G, Op. 40--II, 20, 25, 26; III, 59.
-
- Romance for Violin, in F, Op. 50--I, 140; II, 25, 26, 55; III, 59.
-
- Rondo for Pianoforte, in B-flat, completed by Czerny--I, 223.
-
- Sketches for Pianoforte Concerto in D--II, 328.
-
-
-(c) CHORAL WORKS AND PIECES FOR SOLI AND CHORUS
-
- Abschiedsgesang, for Men's Voices--II, 303.
-
- "Ah, perfido! spergiuro," Scena for Soprano and Orchestra,
- Op. 65--I, 143, 206, 209; II, 6, 56, 129.
-
- Birthday Cantata for Archduke Rudolph--III, 25.
-
- Bundeslied, for Soprano and Orch.--III, 64, 141.
-
- Cantata on the Death of Cressener (Youthful)--I, 65.
-
- Cantata on the Death of Joseph II--I, 130.
-
- Cantata on the Elevation of Leopold II--I, 130, 131.
-
- "Christus am Oelberg," Oratorio, Op. 85--I, 143, 289, 364; II, 2;
- first performance of, 5 _et seq._;
- criticism of, 8, 35; 45, 52, 74, 156, 199, 204, 210, 246, 250,
- 309, 310, 327; III, 50, 174, 189, 208.
-
- "Der glorreiche Augenblick," Cantata, Op. 136--II, 294, 299, 300,
- 303, 305, 313, 318, 333, 339, 352.
-
- "Egmont," incidental music for, Op. 84--Commission for, II, 153, 166;
- composition and first performance of, 171, 181, 192, 194, 197, 198;
- 209, 214, 216, 224, 238, 268; III, 75.
-
- Elegiac Song, for four Voices and Strings, composed in memory of
- Baroness Pasqualati, Op. 118--II, 288, 303; III, 58.
-
- "Es ist vollbracht," Chorus for "Die Ehrenpforten"--II, 317, 328.
-
- Fantasia for Pianoforte, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 80--I, 203;
- II, 90, 127, 129 _et seq._; 131, 133, 136, 160, 166, 192, 199;
- dedication of, 207; 209, 369, 388; III, 177.
-
- "Fidelio," Opera, Op. 72--I, 145, 230, 263, 320; II, 19, 20, 35, 40;
- composition of, 41; 45 _et seq._;
- first performance, 49 _et seq._;
- criticisms, 52;
- first revision of, 53, 55, 56;
- repetition and revision, 57 _et seq._;
- overtures, "Fidelio" and "Leonore" Nos. 1, 2 and 3, 58 _et seq._;
- 60, 110, 111, 278, 279;
- Roeckel's account of the withdrawal of, 63;
- Salieri's advice asked and rejected, 64;
- Milder-Hauptmann and the great scena, 64;
- Cherubini's opinion, 63, 64;
- offered to Berlin, 64;
- Pf. score offered to Breitkopf and Haertel, 66;
- sketches for, 73, 100;
- in Prague, 110;
- revival in 1814, 263 _et seq._; 268, 273 _et seq._; 280;
- publication as "Leonore," 285 _et seq._;
- Pf. score by Moscheles pirated, 283; 284, 285;
- "Abscheulicher," 285; 286, 293, 296, 303, 305, 307, 311, 313, 318,
- 330, 350, 351, 352, 353, 381; III, 82 _et seq._; 117;
- in Dresden, 129 _et seq._; 139, 202, 288.
-
- "Germania, wie stehst Du jetzt," Chorus--II, 269, 277, 279, 302,
- 303, 317.
-
- "Ihr weisen Gruender," Chorus--II, 288, 292, 303.
-
- "Leonore Prohaska," incidental music for--II, 298, 303.
-
- "Lob auf den Dicken," jest on Schuppanzigh--I, 238.
-
- Mass in C major, Op. 86--II, 107 _et seq._; 108, 112, 127, 142;
- performed at Troppau, 208; 223, 238, 310; III, 103.
-
- Mass in D major, Op. 123 (_Missa Solemnis_)--I, 320; II, 398, 411,
- 414;
- III, 15, 21, 22, 37;
- B. gets advance on, 39, 41, 42;
- negotiations with Simrock, 44 _et seq._; 48, 51 _et seq._; 71,
- 72, 86;
- history of the composition, subscription and publication,
- 89 _et seq._; 105;
- sold to Diabelli, 107;
- contract cancelled, 108;
- additional numbers to, 116, 151, 162;
- first performance, 164 _et seq._; 169, 174;
- publication of, 177 _et seq._;
- offered to Probst, 178;
- sold to Schott, 177, 180;
- dedication, 212, 226;
- metronomic marks for, 296.
-
- Sketches for a Mass in C-sharp minor--III, 63, 116, 117, 141.
-
- "Meeresstille und glueckliche Fahrt," Cantata, Op. 112--II, 300,
- 310, 327, 328.
-
- "Mit Maedeln sich vertragen," Song with Orchestra. (See SONGS.)
-
- "Mount of Olives, The." (See "CHRISTUS AM OeLBERG.")
-
- "Opferlied," for Soprano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 121b--I, 203,
- 275, 364; III, 64.
-
- "Praise of Music, The" and "Preis der Tonkunst." (See "DER GLORREICHE
- AUGENBLICK.")
-
- "Primo Amore," Song with Orch.--III, 58.
-
- "Pruefung des Kuessens." (See SONGS.)
-
- "Rasch tritt der Tod," Chorus of Monks from Schiller's
- "William Tell"--II, 365, 368, 388.
-
- "Ruinen von Athen" ("The Ruins of Athens"), incidental music
- for, Op. 113--II, 161, 201, 207, 208, 209, 213, 214, 216,
- 246, 249, 262, 264, 278, 311, 313, 316, 334; III, 57, 70,
- 71, 79, 80;
- B.'s "Little opera," 118; 189.
-
- Airs from "Die schoene Schusterin"--I, 204, 224.
-
- "Tremate, empj, tremate," Terzetto with Orch., Op. 116--I, 365;
- II, 6, 267, 302, 313; III, 169.
-
- Un lieto Brindisi, for four Voices and Pf.--II, 280, 302.
-
- "Weihe des Hauses, Die," incidental music for;
- Overture, Op. 124--II, 26; III, 57, 79, 80, 81, 89, 111, 146,
- 162, 165, 226;
- "Wo sich die Pulse," Chorus, III, 72, 80.
-
-
- ~Canons and Rounds~: "Alles Gute, alles Schoene," III, 25;
- "Ars longa" (for Hummel), II, 338;
- "Airs longa" (for Smart), III, 211;
- "Bester Graf," III, 115;
- "Das Schoene zu dem Guten," III, 140, 202;
- "Doktor, sperrt das Thor," III, 200;
- "Edel sei der Mensch," III, 110, 126;
- "Freu' dich des Lebens," III, 211;
- "Gedenkt heute an Baden," III, 90;
- "Gehabt euch wohl," III, 90;
- "Glaube und hoffe," III, 23;
- "Glueck fehl Dir," II, 363;
- "Glueck zum neuen Jahre," II, 328, 356; III, 21, 22;
- "Grossen Dank," III, 131;
- "Hier ist das Werk," III, 246;
- "Hol' euch der Teufel," III, 22;
- "Hoffmann, sei ja kein Hofmann," III, 35, 190;
- "Kuehl, nicht lau," III, 204;
- "Kurz ist der Schmerz" (for Naue), II, 259;
- "Kurz ist der Schmerz" (for Spohr), II, 303;
- "Lerne schweigen, O Freund," II, 328, 333, 389;
- "Muss es sein?", III, 224, 244;
- "O Tobias," III, 43, 90;
- "Rede, rede," II, 328, 333;
- "Sankt Petrus war ein Fels," III, 32;
- "Schwenke dich," III, 182, 190;
- "Signor Abbate," III, 236;
- "Ta, ta, ta, lieber Maelzel," II, 234 _et seq._;
- "Te solo adoro," III, 143;
- "Tugend is kein leerer Name," III, 90.
-
-
-(d) INSTRUMENTAL DUOS, TRIOS, QUARTETS, etc.
-
- "Duet mit zwei Augenglaesern," for Viola and Violoncello--I, 205.
-
- Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon--I, 205.
-
- Duo, Arrangement of Trio Op. 3 for Pf. and Violoncello,
- Op. 64--II, 113.
-
- Duo for two Flutes--I, 134.
-
- Polonaise from Serenade in D, arranged for two Violins--II, 113;
- the same arranged for Violin and Guitar--II, 113.
-
- Trios (Three) for Pf., Violin and Violoncello in E-flat, G,
- and C minor, Op. 1--I, 130, 132, 137, 144, 145, 160,
- 175, 180, 185, 186, 208, 271; II, 326, 374, 388; III, 23, 40.
-
- Trio for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, in E-flat, Op. 3--I,
- 134, 135, 145, 180, 187, 200, 204, 206, 221.
-
- Trio in D (Serenade) for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, Op. 8--I,
- 202, 208; II, 113.
-
- Trios (Three) for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, in G major,
- D major and C minor, Op. 9--I, 209, 221, 225, 271; II, 77.
-
- The same, arranged for Pf. and Strings by Ries--I, 350; II, 77.
-
- Trio for Pf., Clarinet (or Violin) and Violoncello, in B-flat
- major, Op. 11--I, 225, 244.
-
- Trio (Serenade) for Flute, Violin and Viola, in D major.
- Op. 25--I, 207, 208, 364; II, 20.
-
- Trio for Pf., Clarinet (or Violin) and Violoncello, in E-flat,
- Op. 38 (arrangement of the Septet, Op. 20)--I, 350; II, 55.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in E-flat, Op. 63
- (arrangement of the Quintet, Op. 4, which see).
-
- Trios (Two) for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in D major and
- E-flat, Op. 70--II, 131, 132, 141, 162; III, 207.
-
- Trio for two Violins and Viola, in C, Op. 29 (arrangement of
- the Trio for two Oboes and English Horn)--I, 206; II, 77.
-
- Trio for two Oboes and English Horn, in C, Op. 87--I, 206;
- II, 77; III, 59.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in B-flat, Op. 97--II,
- 199, 209, 219, 269, 270, 311, 312, 313, 318, 319, 325,
- 338, 340, 347, 350, 351, 352, 353, 357, 367; III, 136, 223.
-
- Trios for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, arranged from the String
- Quartets, Op. 18--II, 77.
-
- Trio arranged from the Second Symphony--II, 40.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in E-flat (Op. posth.)--I, 136.
-
- Trio in one Movement, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello (for Maximiliane
- Brentano)--II, 221, 237; III, 136.
-
- Trio, Adagio, Variations (on "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu") and
- Rondo, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, Op. 121a--III, 136.
-
- Trio for Pf., Violin and Violoncello, in D (attributed to Mozart:
- K. 52a)--I, 139.
-
- Trio for Pf., Flute and Bassoon--I, 137.
-
- Trio (Variations on "La ci darem") for two Oboes and English
- Horn--I, 202, 206; III, 64.
-
- Quartets (Six) for Strings, in F, G, D, C minor, A and B-flat,
- Op. 18--I, 227, 228, 235, 272 _et seq._; 277, 279, 280,
- 290, 298, 307; II, 77, 89.
-
- Quartets (Three) in F, E minor, and C, Op. 59 ("Rasoumowsky")--II,
- 65, 68, 73, 75 _et seq._; 82, 97, 103, 104, 105, 133, 337.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 74 ("Harp")--II, 155, 159, 160,
- 195, 198.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in F minor, Op. 95--II, 172, 193, 195, 219,
- 311, 312, 313, 318, 339, 340, 351, 357, 364; III, 183.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 127--III, 140, 177, 183
- _et seq._; 187, 192 _et seq._; 201, 214 _et seq._
-
- Quartet for Strings, in B-flat, Op 130--III, 205, 214 _et seq._;
- 221, 222 _et seq._; 225, 237, 245.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in C-sharp minor, Op. 131--III, 218, 225, 296,
- 297, 307.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in A minor, Op. 132--III, 205, 206, 214
- _et seq._; 219, 223.
-
- Quartet for Strings, Grand Fugue (originally Finale of Op. 130)--III,
- 215, 223.
-
- Quartet for Strings, in F major, Op. 135--III, 225, 237, 244, 282.
-
- Fugue from a String Quartet in D, from a collection projected
-
- by Haslinger--II, 389.
-
- Quartet for Strings, arranged from Pf. Sonata Op. 14, No. 1--I, 349.
-
- Quartets (Three) in E-flat, D and C, for Pf. and Strings, composed
- in 1785--I, 88, 210.
-
- Quartet for Strings, an arrangement of the Quintet in E-flat,
- published by Artaria as Op. 75--I, 208.
-
- Quartet in E-flat, for Pf., Violin, Viola and Violoncello,
- arranged by B. from Quintet Op. 16--I, 208, 350.
-
- Quartet (arrangement of the "Eroica" Symphony as Pf. Quartet)--II,
- 113.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in E-flat, Op. 4 (an arrangement of the Octet,
- Op. 103)--I, 134, 144, 187, 204.
-
- Quintet for Pf., Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, in E-flat,
- Op. 16--I, 200, 207, 214, 224, 290, 316, 350; II, 2, 34, 337.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in C, Op. 29--I, 228, 293;
- unauthorised publication of, 294 _et seq._; 355, 364, 368; II, 44.
-
- Quintet for Strings, in C minor, Op. 104 (arranged from the Trio,
- Op. 1, No. 3)--II, 374, 388; III, 23.
-
- Quintet (arrangement of the First Symphony)--I, 228.
-
- Quintet, Pf., Double-bass, Flute, Horns, etc. (arrangement of the
- Second Symphony with Double-bass, Flute and 2 Horns,
- ad lib.)--II, 113.
-
- Sextet in E-flat, for Clarinets, Horns and Bassoons, Op. 71--I, 206,
-
- 207, 209; II, 41, 147, 195.
-
- Sextet in E-flat, for Strings and Horns, Op. 81b--I, 207; II, 195.
-
- Septet in E-flat, Op. 20--I, 209, 227, 266, 267;
- B.'s dislike of it, 267;
- origin of the theme of the variations, 267, 272, 275, 277, 278;
- dedication, 278;
- first performance, 278, 282, 286, 299, 350, 364; II, 29, 214, 316,
- 337, 381, 386;
- arranged as Trio, I, 350; II, 55;
- arranged as Quintet, I, 228, 350.
-
- Octet for Wind Instruments, Op. 103 (the original of the Quintet
- for Strings, Op. 4)--I, 132, 133, 134, 144, 184, 204.
-
- Dinner Music for Wind Instruments--I, 134.
-
- Parthia for Wind Instruments--I, 133, 144.
-
- Rondino for Oboes, Clarinets, Horns and Bassoons, in E-flat--I, 134.
-
- Sketches: For Trio in F minor--III, 136;
- for quintets--III, 245.
-
-
-(e) SONATAS, ETC., FOR PIANOFORTE AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OBBLIGATO
-
- Three Sonatas for Pf. and Violin, in D, A and E-flat, Op. 12--I, 162,
- 225, 226, 307.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in A minor, Op. 23--I, 289, 290, 307.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in F, Op. 24--I, 289, 290, 307.
-
- Three Sonatas for Pf. and Violin, in A, C minor and G, Op. 30--I,
- 364, 365; II. 20, 305.
-
- Sonata in A, for Pf. and Violin, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer")--I, 140, 365;
- II, 9, 13, 20, 21.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin, in G, Op. 96--II, 237, 312, 313, 319,
- 325, 347, 350, 353, 357, 367.
-
- Notturno for Pf. and Viola (arranged from the Serenade, Op. 8),
- Op. 42--I, 208.
-
- Rondo for Pf. and Violin, in G--I, 179.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violin (arrangement of Trio for Oboes and
- Bassoon)--I, 206.
-
- Six Allemandes for Pf. and Violin--II, 303.
-
- Variations on "Se vuol ballare," for Pf. and Violin--I, 132,
- 138, 176, 178, 179.
-
- Sonata in B-flat for Pf. and Flute--I, 138.
-
- Two Sonatas for Pf. and Violoncello, in F and G, Op. 5--I,
- 195, 200, 205.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello, in A, Op. 69--II, 112, 131,
- 132, 141, 150, 162, 218.
-
- Duo for Pf. and Flute (arranged from Serenade, Op. 25, and
- published as Op. 41)--I, 208; II, 20.
-
- Six Variations on National Themes, for Pf. and Flute (or Violin),
- Op. 105--II, 415, 416; III, 23.
-
- Ten Variations on National Themes, for Pf. and Flute (or Violin),
- Op. 107--II, 415, 416; III, 22.
-
- Sonatina for Mandolin and Pf. (Cembalo)--I, 210, 236.
-
- Two Sonatas for Pf. and Violoncello, in C and G, Op. 102--II, 316,
- 328, 338, 339, 340, 352, 357, 367, 389; III, 23.
-
- Variations on "See the Conquering Hero Comes," from "Judas
- Maccabaeus," for Pf. and Violoncello--I, 202, 205.
-
- Variations in E-flat, Op. 44, for Pf., Violin and Violoncello--I, 137.
-
- Variations on "Bei Maennern welche Liebe fuehlen," for Pf. and
- Violoncello--I, 364.
-
- Variations on "Ein Maedchen oder Weibchen," for Pf. and
- Violoncello--I, 226, 305.
-
- Arrangement of Trio, Op. 3, for Pf. and Violoncello, Op. 64--II, 113.
-
- Sonata for Pf. and Horn, Op. 17--I, 239, 244, 267, 274, 277,
- 279, 290; II, 39.
-
- Sketches from "Pastoral" Sonata for Pf. and Violoncello--II, 310.
-
-
-(f) FOR PIANOFORTE ALONE
-
- Three Sonatas (No. 1, F minor; No. 2, A major; No. 3, C major),
- Op. 2--I, 137, 144, 186, 192, 217.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 7--I, 202, 209, 244, 318; II, 74.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1--I, 207, 210, 224, 226, 244.
-
- Sonata in F major, Op. 10, No. 2--I, 224, 244; II, 76.
-
- Sonata in D major, Op. 10, No. 3--I, 205, 224, 244.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 ("Pathetique")--I, 209, 221, 225,
- 227, 307; II, 90.
-
- Sonata in E major, Op. 14, No. 1--I, 225, 226, 244;
- arranged as a String Quartet, 349, 364.
-
- Sonata in G major, Op. 14, No. 2--I, 225, 244.
-
- Sonata in B-flat, Op. 22--I, 277, 279, 282, 286, 299, 364.
-
- Sonata in A-flat major, Op. 26--I, 289, 290;
- story of the Funeral March, 291;
- published, 364;
- the Funeral March orchestrated by B., II, 298; 299; III, 312.
-
- Sonata quasi una Fantasia, in E-flat, Op. 27, No. 1--I, 244,
- 280, 289, 291, 364.
-
- Sonata quasi una Fantasia, in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2--I,
- 244, 289, 291, 292, 293;
- dedication of, 322;
- B.'s opinion of, 322; 338, 339;
- published, 364.
-
- Sonata in D major, Op. 28 ("Pastoral")--I, 289, 292.
-
- Sonata in G major, Op. 31, No. 1--I, 364, 365; II, 20.
-
- Sonata in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2--I, 364, 365;
- origin of the Finale, 368; II, 20.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 31, No. 3--II, 40.
-
- Two Sonatas, No. 1 in G minor, No. 2 in G major, Op. 49--I,
- 206, 209, 225, 278; II, 55.
-
- Sonata in C major, Op. 53 ("Waldstein")--I, 103, 140; II, 31,
- 37, 40, 55, 77.
- (See ANDANTE FAVORI.)
-
- Sonata in F major, Op. 54--II, 31, 40, 56, 76.
-
- Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 ("Appassionata")--I, 140; II, 31, 40,
- 73, 77, 113, 335.
-
- Sonata in F-sharp major, Op. 78--B.'s opinion of, I, 292; 323,
- 336, 338; II, 148, 154, 160, 161;
- dedication, 195.
-
- Sonatina in G major, Op. 79--II, 148, 160, 161;
- publication of, 195.
-
- Sonata in E-flat, Op. 81a ("Les Adieux, l'Absence et le Retour")--II,
- 143, 146, 148, 159, 160, 161, 192, 199, 200, 207, 210, 219.
-
- Sonata in E minor, Op. 90--II, 288, 291, 303, 328.
-
- Sonata in A major, Op. 101 ("fuer Hammerklavier")--II, 328, 338,
- 356, 364, 365, 389, 412.
-
- Sonata in B-flat, Op. 106--II, 376, 378, 382, 388, 389, 396, 411,
- 412, 413, 414, 415; III, 23, 145.
-
- Sonata in E major, Op. 109--III, 48, 49, 90.
-
- Sonata in A-flat, Op. 110--III, 48, 49, 90.
-
- Sonata in C minor, Op. 111--III, 48, 49, 55, 72, 90.
-
- Three Sonatas dedicated to Maximilian Friedrich--I, 72.
-
- Sonata (Unfinished) sent to Eleonore von Breuning--I, 139, 140, 179.
-
- Sonata for Pf. four hands, in D, Op. 6--I, 200, 209.
-
- Gavotte, Marcia lugubre et Rondo, for Pf. four hands (attributed to
- Mozart)--I, 139.
-
- Grand Fugue for Pf. four hands, arranged from the Finale of the
- Quartet Op. 130--III, 223, 224.
-
- Andante favori, in F (see SONATA, Op. 53)--II, 31, 40, 77.
-
- Allegretto in C minor (B. and H. Supplement, XXV, No. 299)--I, 210.
-
- Bagatelles, in general--I, 261; III, 57, 62.
-
- Bagatelles (Seven), Op. 33--I, 71, 140, 361, 362, 364, 371; II, 20.
-
- Bagatelles, Op. 119--I, 365, 371; III, 48, 86.
-
- Bagatelles (Six), Op. 126--III, 57, 64, 142 _et seq._
-
- Bagatelles (B. and H. Supplement, XXV, 295)--I, 210.
-
- "Beethoven's letzter Gedanke" ("Derniere Pensee musicale")--II, 415.
-
- Ecossaise in E-flat--III, 216.
-
- Ecossaises (Twelve)--II, 113; III, 216.
-
- Fantasia, Op. 77--I, 293; II, 91, 148, 154, 160, 161, 195.
-
- Laendler (Six)--I, 364, 365. (Also for Orchestra.)
-
- Contradances (Six)--I, 289, 364. (Also for Orchestra.)
-
- Marches, Three Grand, for four hands, in C, E-flat and D,
- Op. 45--I, 350, 356; II, 40.
-
- Minuet in E-flat--II, 56.
-
- Polonaise in C, Op. 89--II, 152, 305, 328.
-
- Preludes (Two) through all the Major Keys, for Pianoforte or
- Organ, Op. 39--I, 138, 371; II, 20.
-
- Prelude in F minor--I, 138; II, 55.
-
- Rondos (Two) in C and G, Op. 51--I, 202, 244, 275, 277, 322, 364;
- dedicated, 370.
-
- Rondo Allegretto--I, 75.
-
- Rondo a Capriccio ("Die Wuth ueber den verlornen Groschen"),
- Op. 129--III, 143, 246.
-
- Rondo in C (Youthful, anonymous)--I, 72, 140.
-
- Variations (Six) on an Original Theme, Op. 34--I, 314, 364, 365, 370;
- dedication, 368; II, 20.
-
- Variations (Fifteen) with a Fugue, on a Theme from "Prometheus,"
- Op. 35--I, 364, 365, 368, 369, 370; II, 20.
-
- Variations in D, on a Theme used afterwards in "The Ruins of Athens,"
- Op. 76--II, 148, 160, 161, 195.
-
- Variations (Thirty-three) on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120--III, 107,
- 108, 127 _et seq._; 147.
-
- Variations on a Theme by Count Waldstein, in C, for four hands--I,
- 139, 176, 183, 184.
-
- Variations (Nine) on a March by Dressler, in C minor--I, 69, 70, 72.
-
- Variations (Twenty-four) on "Venni amore," in D--I, 7, 114, 117, 138.
-
- Variations (Thirteen) on "Es war einmal," by Dittersdorf--I, 139, 176,
- 183, 184.
-
- Variations (Nine) on "Quant e piu bello," by Paisiello, in A--I, 187.
-
- Variations on "Nel cor piu non mi sento," by Paisiello--I, 187, 192.
-
- Variations on the "Minuet a la Vigano"--I, 188, 192.
-
- Variations (Twelve) on a Russian Dance from "Das Waldmaedchen"--I,
- 200, 209, 244.
-
- Variations (Six easy) on a Swiss Air, for Harpsichord or Harp--I, 227.
-
- Variations on "Une fievre brulante," by Gretry--I, 226, 227, 305.
-
- Variations (Ten) on "La Stessa, la stessissima," by Salieri--I, 227,
- 244, 275.
-
- Variations (Eight) on "Taendeln und Scherzen," by Suessmayer--I, 227.
-
- Variations (Nine) on "Kind, willst Du?" by Winter--I, 227, 275.
-
- Variations (Seven) on "God save the King"--I, 140, 305, 370; II, 40.
-
- Variations on "Rule Britannia"--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Variations (Thirty-two) in C minor--II, 76, 113, 117.
-
- Variations for four hands on "Ich denke Dein"--II, 55.
-
- Variations on a Theme from "Le Nozze disturbate." (See "MINUET
- A LA VIGANO.")
-
- Variations on "Ich denke Dein"--I, 277, 279, 335, 362; II, 55,
- 147, 148.
-
- Variations, tres faciles, in G--I, 277, 279, 290.
-
- Waltz in D--III, 216.
-
- Waltzes (Twelve), also published for Strings and Wind--II. 113.
-
- Cadenza for Mozart's Concerto in D minor--I, 185.
-
- Movement for a Clock--I, 76.
-
- Two-part Organ Fugue in D--I, 71.
-
- Sketches for Sonata, four hands--III, 141.
-
- Sketches for a Concerto in D minor--II, 328.
-
-
-(g) SONGS WITH PIANOFORTE ACCOMPANIMENT
-
- Abendlied--III, 50.
-
- Abschiedsgesang an Wiens Buerger--I, 199; II, 303.
-
- Adelaide, Op. 46--I, 143, 202, 203, 207, 230; II, 6, 306,
- 338; III, 61.
-
- Als die Geliebte sich trennen wollte--II, 72, 162.
-
- Amante impaziente, L'--II, 160.
-
- Andenken--II, 160, 195.
-
- An die ferne Geliebte--II, 328, 343, 356, 357, 363; III, 32.
-
- An die Geliebte--II, 209, 284, 303.
-
- An die Hoffnung--II, 55, 306, 328, 338, 356; III, 20.
-
- An einen Saeugling--I, 75.
-
- An Minna--I, 132.
-
- Ariettes (Four) and a Duet, Italian, Op. 82--II, 160, 192, 209.
-
- Bardengeist, Der--II, 259, 260.
-
- Bitten--II, 20.
-
- Bluemchen Wunderhold, Das--I, 362.
-
- Bundeslied--III, 64.
-
- Che fa il mio bene (Buffa)--II, 209.
-
- Che fa il mio bene (Seria)--II, 209.
-
- Der Juengling in der Fremde--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Die Trommel geruehret (See EGMONT.)
-
- Dimmi ben mio--II, 209.
-
- Ehre Gottes in der Natur, Die--II, 20.
-
- Ein grosses, deutsches Volk sind wir--I, 201.
-
- Einst wohnten (An den fernen Geliebten)--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Elegie auf den Tod eines Pudels--I, 132.
-
- Es war einmal ein Koenig--II, 195, 363.
-
- Feuerfarb--I, 132, 134, 137.
-
- Freudvoll und leidvoll. (See EGMONT.)
-
- Gedenke mein--II, 160, 195.
-
- Gegenliebe--I, 203; II, 133.
-
- Geheimniss, Das--II, 72, 328, 356; III, 50.
-
- Gellert: Six Sacred Songs--"Bitten," "Die Liebe des Naechsten,"
- "Vom Tode," "Die Ehre Gottes in der Natur," "Gottes Macht
- und Vorsehung" and "Busslied"--II, 20.
-
- Glueck der Freundschaft, Das--II, 20.
-
- Gottes Macht--II, 20.
-
- Gretel's Warnung--II, 160, 195.
-
- Herz, mein Herz--II, 191, 194, 195.
-
- Horch, wie schallt's ("Der Wachtelschlag")--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Ich denke Dein--I, 275, 277, 279, 335; II, 55, 147, 148.
-
- Ich, der mit flatterndem Sinn--I, 132.
-
- Ich liebe dich--II, 20.
-
- In questa tomba--II, 111, 113, 134.
-
- Irish Songs (for Thomson, with obbligato instruments)--II,
- 70, 157, 162, 194, 238, 259, 260, 303.
-
- Kennst du das Land--II, 186, 191, 194, 195.
-
- Klage, Die--I, 132; II, 160.
-
- Kleine Blumen--II, 210.
-
- Kriegers Abschied, Des--II, 303, 328.
-
- Kuss, Der--I, 275; III, 64, 87.
-
- La Partenza--II, 20.
-
- Liebe des Naechsten, Die--II, 20.
-
- Liebende, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Lied aus der Ferne--II, 147, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Lisch aus, mein Licht--II, 388, 416; III, 50.
-
- Lydiens Untreue--II, 72.
-
- Mailied--I, 204.
-
- Mann von Wort, Der--II, 356, 357.
-
- Man strebt die Flamme--I, 133.
-
- Merkenstein--II, 303, 310, 357; III, 61.
-
- Mit einem gemalten Bande--II, 194.
-
- Mit Liebesblick--II, 160, 195.
-
- Mit Maedchen sich vertragen--I, 132; III, 58.
-
- National Songs--II, 17. (See "Irish," "Scottish" and "Welsh.")
-
- No, non turbate (Scena and air)--I, 364.
-
- Nord oder Sued--II, 386, 388, 389; III, 50.
-
- O care selve--I, 204.
-
- Odi l'Aura (Duet)--II, 160, 209.
-
- Opferlied--I, 203, 275, 364; III, 64, 140, 141, 189, 202.
- (See WORKS FOR CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA.)
-
- O, welch' ein Leben--I, 204. (See also "Die schoene Schusterin,"
- under CHORAL WORKS.)
-
- Plaisir d'aimer--I, 228.
-
- Pruefung des Kuessens--I, 131.
-
- Punschlied--I, 133.
-
- Que le temps (jour) me dure--I, 228.
-
- Ruf vom Berge--II, 356, 389.
-
- Schilderung eines Maedchens--I, 72.
-
- Scottish Songs (Twelve)--II, 328, 416.
-
- Scottish Songs (Twenty-five)--II, 17, 69, 190, 203, 218,
- 219, 259, 260; III, 50.
-
- Sehnsucht--II, 132, 133, 194, 195, 357.
-
- Seufzer eines Ungeliebten--I, 202, 203, 207.
-
- Six Songs, Op. 75--II, 192, 195.
-
- "Soll ein Schuh nicht druecken" (from "Die schoene Schusterin")--I,
- 204, 224.
-
- Three Songs, Op. 83--II, 192, 199.
-
- T'intendo--II, 209.
-
- Trinklied ("Erhebt das Glas")--I, 132, 199.
-
- Trinklied ("Lasst das Herz uns froh erheben")--I, 199. (See
- "Abschiedsgesang.")
-
- Trocknet nicht--II, 186, 194, 210.
-
- Turteltaube--I, 204.
-
- Urian's Reise--I, 88, 132.
-
- Wachtelschlag, Der--I, 370; II, 40.
-
- Was ist des Maurers Ziel--I, 133.
-
- Was zieht mir--II, 210.
-
- Welsh Songs (with obbligato instruments)--II, 70, 157, 238, 389.
-
- Wer ist ein freier Mann--I, 133, 204.
-
- Zufriedene, Der--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Zwar schuf das Glueck--II, 148, 160, 195.
-
- Sketches for uncompleted songs: "Erlkoenig"--III, 86;
- "Haidenroeslein"--II, 415;
- "Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht"--I, 275.
-
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-Transcriber's Note
-
-Page headers in the original text have been moved above the paragraph
-to which they relate.
-
-The index was printed with many punctuation errors in the index. Some
-have been corrected without further note, but remaining inconsistencies
-include the use of B. and B as abbreviations, reference to Volume
-numbers as I or Vol. I, and use of a semi-colon or a comma after _et
-seq._ Many page numbers in the index were printed out of numerical
-order.
-
-The following apparent errors have also been changed:
-
-p. 17 "fouud" changed to "found"
-
-p. 20 (note) "aristically" changed to "artistically"
-
-p. 20 "A[rch-]D[uke]." changed to "A[rch-]D[uke].""
-
-p. 42 "the the greatest" changed to "the greatest"
-
-p. 49 (note) ""Zweit. Beeth.", pp. 467" changed to ""Zweit. Beeth.,"
-pp. 467"
-
-p. 60 "expecially" changed to "especially"
-
-p. 76 "all right." changed to "all right.""
-
-p. 83 "to to Hensler" changed to "to Hensler"
-
-p. 89 "cermony" changed to "ceremony"
-
-p. 93 "disinteredness" changed to "disinterestedness"
-
-p. 94 "contempories" changed to "contemporaries"
-
-p. 99 "indentical" changed to "identical"
-
-p. 104 "almost O" changed to "almost 0"
-
-p. 128 "also fuming" changed to "was also fuming"
-
-p. 144 "1915" changed to "1815"
-
-p. 146 "Pianofortes Sonatas" changed to "Pianoforte Sonatas"
-
-p. 148 "final chorus" changed to "final chorus)"
-
-p. 150 "(nor this either" changed to "nor this either"
-
-p. 161 "vexations" changed to "vexatious"
-
-p. 196 "castrophe" changed to "catastrophe"
-
-p. 215 "_31eme Quatuor." changed to ""_31eme Quatuor."
-
-p. 219 "semblence" changed to "semblance"
-
-p. 222 "Leibquartett" changed to "Liebquartett"
-
-p. 224 "he, remarked" changed to "he remarked"
-
-p. 224 ""Must it be?" changed to ""Must it be?""
-
-p. 227 "life, time" changed to "lifetime"
-
-p. 239 "Schwarzspanierhaus" changed to "Schwarzspanierhause"
-
-p. 252 "toward each," changed to "toward each"
-
-p. 252 "solicituous" changed to "solicitous"
-
-p. 259 "capable practioner" changed to "capable practitioner"
-
-p. 272 "Schwarzpanierhaus" changed to "Schwarzspanierhaus"
-
-p. 274 "has thought" changed to "has been thought"
-
-p. 294 "ensured" changed to "ensued"
-
-p. 304 "but Beetthoven" changed to "but Beethoven"
-
-p. 305 (note) "farce is done.'" changed to "farce is done.'""
-
-p. 309 "Beethovens death" changed to "Beethoven's death"
-
-p. 310 "preserved." changed to "preserved.""
-
-p. 315 "'~Alfred the Great~"" changed to ""~Alfred the
-Great~""
-
-p. 316 "42," changed to "42."
-
-p. 316 "77 wants" changed to "77; wants"
-
-p. 316 "to, 218," changed to "to, 218."
-
-p. 317 "104; 190" changed to "104, 190"
-
-p. 317 "132; 134;" changed to "132, 134;"
-
-p. 317 "103; 191" changed to "103, 191"
-
-p. 317 "xi; 192" changed to "xi, 192"
-
-p. 320 "368; 362" changed to "368, 362"
-
-p. 320 "280 286" changed to "280, 286"
-
-p. 321 "176 Matthisson" changed to "176; Matthisson"
-
-p. 321 "344, Magdalena" changed to "344; Magdalena"
-
-p. 321 "Rovantini I, 64" changed to "Rovantini, I, 64"
-
-p. 322 "_et seq._; 364;" changed to "_et seq._, 364;"
-
-p. 322 "37; 118" changed to "37, 118"
-
-p. 323 "200; 219" changed to "200, 219"
-
-p. 324 ""Fidelio"; II" changed to ""Fidelio", II"
-
-p. 324 "_et seq._; 141." changed to "_et seq._, 141."
-
-p. 324 "3; 36;" changed to "3, 36;"
-
-p. 324 "asked by B to" changed to "asked by B. to"
-
-p. 324 "I, 1 _et seq._" changed to "I, 1 _et seq._;"
-
-p. 325 "Dedication; 88;" changed to "Dedication, 88;"
-
-p. 326 "Singer, III: 169." changed to "Singer: III, 169."
-
-p. 326 "court, I, 29," changed to "court: I, 29,"
-
-p. 328 "Kuenstler~"" changed to "Kuenstler~"
-
-p. 328 "182, 202," changed to "182, 202."
-
-p. 328 "II, 80:" changed to "II, 80;"
-
-p. 329 "II, 127:" changed to "II, 127;"
-
-p. 329 "teacher, 152," changed to "teacher, 152;"
-
-p. 329 "284, 285," changed to "284, 285;"
-
-p. 329 "teacher, 11," changed to "teacher, 11;"
-
-p. 330 "Oratorio by by C. P. E. Bach" changed to "Oratorio by C. P. E.
-Bach"
-
-p. 332 "La finta Giardiniera"" changed to ""La finta Giardiniera""
-
-p. 334 "B's visit to 89, 90;" changed to "B's visit to, 89, 90;"
-
-p. 334 "Mihl, 31" changed to "Mihl, I, 31"
-
-p. 335 "I, 282," changed to "I, 282;"
-
-p. 336 "La buona Figluola." changed to "La buona Figluola,"
-
-p. 336 "B. plays in." changed to "B. plays in,"
-
-p. 337 "plays the the C minor" changed to "plays the C minor"
-
-p. 338 "Rzwuska" changed to "Rzewuska"
-
-p. 339 ""~Seidenen Schuhe," Die~" changed to ""~Seidenen Schuhe,
-Die~""
-
-p. 341 "III, 77, 78; III, 161," changed to "III, 77, 78, 161,"
-
-p. 346 "Hoffmann, sei" changed to ""Hoffmann, sei"
-
-
-The following possible errors have not been changed:
-
-p. 17 The gentleman has not eaten anything yet"
-
-p. 122 St. Wenzelaus
-
-p. 231 the necessity off proving
-
-p. 231 Yours sincerly
-
-p. 343 II, 113, 144;
-
-
-The following are inconsistently used:
-
-absentmindedness and absent-mindedness
-
-deathbed and death-bed
-
-Haslinger and Hasslinger
-
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