The horn part and the score are shortly to follow. We are immensely
indebted to you. Observe the laws. Sing often my Canon in silence,--_per
resurrectionem_, &c. Farewell!
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
379.
TO HASLINGER.
Have the goodness to send me my shoes and my sword. You can have the loan
of the "Eglantine" for six days, for which, however, you must give an
acknowledgment. Farewell!
Yours,
BEETHOVEN.
380.
TO HASLINGER.
Baden, June 12.
MY GOOD FRIEND,--
Something worth having has been put in your way; so make the most of it.
You will no doubt come off with a handsome fee, and all expenses paid. As
for the March with Chorus [in the "Ruins of Athens," Op. 114], you have yet
to send me the sheets for final revision, also the Overture in E flat ["To
King Stephen," Op. 117]; the Terzet [Op. 116]; the Elegy [Op. 118]; the
Cantata ["_Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt_," Op. 112]; and the Opera.
Out with them all! or I shall be on very little ceremony, your right having
already expired. My liberality alone confers on you a larger sum than you
do on me. I want the score of the Cantata for a few days, as I wish to
write a kind of recitative for it; mine is so torn that I cannot put it
together, so I must have it written out from the parts. Has the Leipzig
musical paper yet retracted its lies about the medal I got from the late
King of France?
I no longer receive the paper, which is a shabby proceeding. If the editor
does not rectify the statement, I shall cause him and his consumptive chief
to be _harpooned_ in the northern waters among the whales.
Even this barbarous Baden is becoming enlightened, and now instead of
_gutten Brunn_, people write _guten Brun_. But tell me what are they about
in Paternoster Street?
I am, with all esteem for yourself, but with none for the barbarian
Paternoster-Gässel,
Your devoted, _incomparativo_,
B----N.
Paternoster-Gässel _primus_ will no doubt, like Mephistopheles, emit fiery
flames from his jaws.
381.
TO M. DIABELLI.
SIR,--
Pray forgive my asking you to send me the score of my Mass,[1] being in
urgent need of it; but I repeat that no public use is to be made of it
until I can let you know _how_ and _when_. It will be at first performed
under my direction, with the addition of several new pieces composed
expressly for it, which I will with pleasure send to you afterwards. There
are certain conventionalities which must be observed, especially as I am so
dependent on foreign connections, for Austria does not furnish me with the
means of existence, and gives me nothing but vexation. I will soon appoint
a day for you to visit Carl.
I remain, sir, with the highest esteem, yours,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: This letter seems to be addressed to Diabelli, who in the
summer of 1824 begged the loan of the Mass in D for a few days, but
neglected to return it.]
382.
TO PROBST,--LEIPZIG.
Vienna, July 3, 1824
SIR,--
Overwhelmed with work and concerts, it is only now in my power to inform
you that the works you wished to have are finished and transcribed, and can
be delivered at any time to Herr Glöggl [music publisher in Vienna]. I
therefore request you will transmit the 100 Viennese ducats to Herr Glöggl,
and let me know when you have done so. I must conclude for to-day, and
defer the pleasure of writing further till another opportunity. I am, with
esteem, yours obediently,
BEETHOVEN.[1]
[Footnote 1: Probst answered the letter as follows:--
"August 18, 1824.
"The many gossiping reports about the differences between you and a
publisher here in a similar transaction are the cause, I frankly own, of my
wishing first to see your manuscript. The piracy in engraving, so universal
in Austria, often prevents the German publisher paying the price for a work
which it merits; and even at this moment in Vienna, with regard to your
compositions [Schindler mentions three songs with pianoforte accompaniment,
six _bagatelles_, and a grand overture], I can see that the birds of prey
are on the watch to rob me of them under the shelter of the law."
On one of these letters Beethoven writes in pencil, "Do not listen to
gossip; I have no time at this moment to enter on the subject, but I have
all the proofs in my own hands; more of this hereafter."]
383.
TO T. HASLINGER.[1]
MY VERY WORTHY FRIEND,--
Have the goodness to send me the Rochlitz article on the Beethoven works,
and we will return it to you forthwith by the flying, driving, riding, or
migrating post.
Yours,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: The _Rochlitz'sche article_ is probably the report in the
_A.M. Zeitung_ of the works performed at the grand concert of May 7.]
384.
TO HERR SCHOTT,--MAYENCE.
1824.
The Overture[1] that you got from my brother was recently performed here,
and I received many eulogiums on the occasion.
What is all this compared to the grandest of all masters of harmony above!
above! above! Rightfully the _Most High_! While here below all is a mere
mockery--_Dwarfs_--and the _Most High_!!
You shall receive the Quartet with the other works. You are open and
candid, qualities which I never before found in publishers, and this
pleases me. I say so in writing, but who knows whether it may not soon be
in person? I wish you would transmit the sum due for the Quartet to P., as
at this moment I require a great deal of money, for I derive everything
from foreign sources, and sometimes a delay occurs--caused by myself.
[Footnote 1: The Overture to which he alludes is no doubt Op. 124, in C
major, _Zur Weihe des Hauses_, published by Schott. It was performed in the
great concert of May 23 of this year (1824), which in the estimation of a
Beethoven, already absorbed in new great works, might well be termed
"recently performed." Schott himself says the letter is written between
July 3 and September 17, 1824.]
385.
TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.
Baden, August 23, 1824.
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,--
I live--how?--the life of a snail. The unfavorable weather constantly
throws me back, and at these baths it is impossible to command one's
natural strength. A few days ago, Nägeli, a musical author and poet of
considerable repute, wrote to me from Zurich; he is about to publish 200
poems, and among these some are suitable for musical composition. He urged
me much to apply to Y.R.H. to request that you would be graciously pleased
to subscribe to this collection. The price is very moderate, 20 groschen,
or 1 florin 80 kreutzers. Were Y.R.H. to subscribe for six copies, it would
immediately be noised abroad, although I am well aware that my illustrious
master does not care for anything of the kind; it will suffice for the
present if Y.R.H. will condescend to inform me of your will on the subject.
The money can be paid when the copies arrive, probably a couple of months
hence. I have conveyed Herr Nägeli's request, and now I must ask another
favor, on his account, from myself. Everything cannot be measured by line
and plummet; but Wieland says: "A little book may be well worth a few
_groschen_." Will Y.R.H. therefore honor these poems by permitting your
august name to be prefixed to them, as a token of your sympathy for the
benefit of this man? the work is not likely to be quite devoid of value.
Being convinced of Y.R.H.'s interest in all that is noble and beautiful, I
hope I shall not fail in my intercession for Nägeli, and I beg that Y.R.H.
will give me a written permission to inform Nägeli that you will be one of
his subscribers.
I remain, with all dutiful fidelity and devotion, your R. Highness's
obedient servant,
BEETHOVEN.
386.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, August 29, 1824.
MY DEAR YOUNG SCAMP,--
How active our _mahogany Holz_ [wood] is! My plans are decided. We will
give the present quartet to Artaria, and the last to Peters. You see I have
learned something; I now perceive why I first _explored the path_; it was
for your sake, that you might find it smooth. My digestion is terribly out
of order, and no physician! I wish to have some ready-made pens, so send
some in a letter. Don't write to Peters on Saturday; we had better wait a
little, to show him our indifference on the subject.
Since yesterday I have only taken some soup, and a couple of eggs, and
drank nothing but water; my tongue is discolored; and without medicine and
tonics, whatever my farcical doctor may say, my digestion will never
improve.
The third quartet [in C sharp minor, Op. 131] also contains six movements,
and will certainly be finished in ten or twelve days at most. Continue to
love me, my dear boy; if I ever cause you pain, it is not from a wish to
grieve you, but for your eventual benefit. I now conclude. I embrace you
cordially. All I wish is that you should be loving, industrious, and
upright. Write to me, my dear son. I regret all the trouble I give you, but
it will not go on long. Holz seems inclined to become our friend. I expect
a letter soon from [illegible].
Your faithful
FATHER.
387.
ROUGH DRAFT OF A LETTER TO PETERS.
1824.
I wrote to you that a quartet ["and a grand one too" is effaced] is ready
for you; as soon, therefore, as you let me know that you will accept it for
the 360 florins C.M., or 80 ducats, I will at once forward it to you. My
works are now paid at a higher rate than ever; besides, you have only
yourself to blame in this affair. Your own letters show what you formerly
desired to have, and the works I sent you were _what they ought to have
been_ (the numerous pirated editions prove the truth of this); but the
Quartet will convince you that, so far from wishing to take my revenge, I
now give you what could not possibly be better, were it intended even for
my best friend.
I beg that you will make no delay, so that I may receive your answer by the
next post; otherwise I must forthwith return you the 360 florins C.M. I
shall, at all events, be rather in a scrape, for there is a person who
wishes to have not only this but another newly finished work of mine,
though he does not care to take only one. It is solely because you have
waited so long (though you are yourself to blame for this) that I separate
the Quartet from the following one, now also completed. (Do you think that
the latter ought to be also offered here? but, of course, cunningly and
warily: _comme marchand coquin!_) You need have no misgivings that I am
sending you something merely to fulfil my promise; no, I assure you on my
honor as an artist that you may place me on a level with the lowest of men,
if you do not find that it is one of my very best works.
388.
TO HANS GEORG NÄGELI,--ZURICH.
Baden, September 9, 1824.
MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,--
The Cardinal Archduke is in Vienna, and owing to my health, I am here. I
only yesterday received from him a gracious written consent to subscribe to
your poems, on account of the services you have rendered to the progress of
music. He takes six copies of your work. I will shortly send you the proper
address. An anonymous friend is also on the list of subscribers. I mean
myself, for as you do me the honor to become my panegyrist, I will on no
account allow my name to appear. How gladly would I have subscribed for
more copies, but my means are too straitened to do so. The father of an
adopted son, (the child of my deceased brother,) I must for his sake think
and act for the _future_ as well as for the _present_. I recollect that you
previously wrote to me about a subscription; but at that time I was in very
bad health, and continued an invalid for more than three years, but now I
am better. Send also the complete collection of your lectures direct to the
Archduke Rudolph, and, if possible, dedicate them to him; you are certain
at all events to receive a present, not a very large one probably, but
still better than nothing; put some complimentary expressions in the
preface, for he understands music, and it is his chief delight and
occupation. I do really regret, knowing his talents, that I cannot devote
myself to him as much as formerly.
I have made various applications to procure you subscribers, and shall let
you know as soon as I receive the answers. I wish you would also send me
your lectures, and likewise Sebastian Bach's five-part Mass, when I will at
once remit you the money for both. Pray, do not imagine that I am at all
guided by self-interest; I am free from all petty vanity; in godlike Art
alone dwells the impulse which gives me strength to sacrifice the best part
of my life to the celestial Muse. From childhood my greatest pleasure and
felicity consisted in working for others; you may therefore conclude how
sincere is my delight in being in any degree of use to you, and in showing
you how highly I appreciate all your merits. As one of the votaries of
Apollo, I embrace you.
Yours cordially,
BEETHOVEN.
Write to me soon about the Archduke, that I may introduce the subject to
his notice; you need take no steps towards seeking permission for the
dedication. It will and ought to be a surprise to him.
389.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, evening, September 14, 1824.
MY DEAR SON,--,
Whether it rains heavily to-morrow or not, stifling dust or pouring rain
would be equally prejudicial to me. It does grieve me to know that you are
so long with this demon; but, pray, strive to keep out of her way. You must
give her a letter, written in my name, to the manager of the hospital, in
which you must state that she did not come on the 1st, partly because she
was unwell, and also from various people having come here to meet me,
_Basta cosi_!
I send you 40 florins for the singing-master [corépétiteur]. Get a written
receipt from him: how many mistakes are thus avoided! and this should be
done by every one who pays money for another. Did not Holz bring Rampel's
receipt [the copyist] unasked, and do not others act in the same way? Take
the white waistcoat for yourself, and have the other made for me. You can
bring the metronome with you; nothing can be done with it. Bring also your
linen sheets and two coverlets, and some lead-pencils and patterns; be sure
you get the former at the Brandstatt. And now farewell, my dear son; come
to my arms as early as you can,--perhaps to-morrow. [The paper is here torn
away.]
As ever, your faithful
FATHER.
P.S. All that could be done was to send you by the old woman's _char à
banc_, which, however, including everything, costs 8 florins 36 kreutzers.
Do not forget anything, and be careful of your health.
390.
TO HERR NÄGELI.
Vienna, September 16, 1824.
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,--
I gladly comply with your wish that I should arrange the vocal parts of my
last Grand Mass for the organ, or piano, for the use of the different
choral societies. This I am willing to do, chiefly because these choral
associations, by their private and still more by their church festivals,
make an unusually profound impression on the multitude, and my chief object
in the composition of this Grand Mass was to awaken, and deeply to impress,
religious feelings both on singers and hearers. As, however, a copy of this
kind and its repeated revision must cause a considerable outlay, I cannot,
I fear, ask less than 50 ducats for it, and leave it to you to make
inquiries on the subject, so that I may devote my time exclusively to it.
I am, with high consideration,
Your obedient
BEETHOVEN.
391.
TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE.
Baden, near Vienna, September 17, 1824.
The Quartet [Op. 127, in E flat major] you shall also certainly receive by
the middle of October. Overburdened by work, and suffering from bad health,
I really have some claim on the indulgence of others. I am here entirely
owing to my health, or rather to the want of it, although I already feel
better. Apollo and the Muses do not yet intend me to become the prey of the
bony Scytheman, as I have yet much to do for you, and much to bequeath
which my spirit dictates, and calls on me to complete, before I depart
hence for the Elysian fields; for I feel as if I had written scarcely more
than a few notes of music.
I wish your efforts all possible success in the service of art; it is that
and science alone which point the way, and lead us to hope for a higher
life. I will write again soon. In haste, your obedient
BEETHOVEN.
392.
TO HAUSCHKA.
Baden, September 23, 1824.
MY DEAR AND VALUED FRIEND,--
As soon as I arrive in town, I will write Bernard's Oratorio [see No. 257],
and I beg you will also transmit him payment for it. We can discuss when we
meet in town what we further require and think necessary, and in the
mean-time, I appoint you High and Puissant Intendant of all singing and
humming societies, Imperial Violoncello-General, Inspector of the Imperial
_Chasse_, as well as Deacon of my gracious master, without house or home,
and without a prebendary (like myself). I wish you all these, most faithful
servant of my illustrious master, as well as everything else in the world,
from which you may select what you like best.[1] That there may be no
mistake, I hereby declare that it is our intention to set to music the
Bernard Oratorio, the "Sieg des Kreuzes" and speedily to complete the same.
Witness this our sign and seal,
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
1st P.S. Take care that the venison is not devoured by rats or mice--you
understand? Strive for better choice and variety.
Yours, as a Christian and in Apollo,
B.
2d P.S. As for the little flag on the white tower, we hope soon to see it
waving again!
[Footnote 1: An allusion to Hauschka's subserviency to all persons in high
Court offices.]
393.
TO HERR NÄGELI,--ZURICH.
Vienna, November 17, 1824.
MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,--
Deeply absorbed in work, and not sufficiently protected against this late
season of the year, I have again been ill; so believe me it was impossible
for me to write to you sooner. With regard to your subscription, I have
only succeeded in getting one subscriber for two copies, Herr v. Bihler,
tutor in the family of His Imperial Highness the Archduke Carl; he tried to
get the Archduke also, but failed. I have exerted myself with every one,
but, unluckily, people are here actually deluged with things of the same
kind. This is all that I can write to you in my hurry. I urged the matter,
too, on Haslinger, but in vain; we are really poor here in Austria, and the
continued pressure of the war leaves but little for art and science. I will
see that the subscriptions are paid, but let me know distinctly where the
money is to be sent to. I embrace you in spirit. Always rely on the high
esteem of your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
394.
TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.
November 18, 1824.
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,--
On my return from Baden, illness prevented my waiting on Y.R.H. according
to my wish, being prohibited going out; thus yesterday was the first time I
dared to venture again into the open air. When your gracious letter
arrived, I was confined to bed, and under the influence of sudorifics, my
illness having been caused by a chill; so it was impossible for me to rise.
I feel sure that Y.R.H is well aware that I never would neglect the respect
so properly your due. I shall have the pleasure of waiting on you to-morrow
forenoon. Moreover, there will be no lack of opportunity here to awaken the
interest Y.R.H. takes in music, which cannot fail to prove so beneficial to
art,--ever my refuge, thank God!
I remain Y.R.H.'s obedient servant,
BEETHOVEN.
395.
TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE.
Vienna, November 18, 1824.
I regret being obliged to tell you that some little time must yet elapse
before I can send off the works. There was not in reality much to revise in
the copies; but as I did not pass the summer here, I am obliged to make up
for this now, by giving two lessons a day to H.R.H. the Archduke Rudolph.
This exhausts me so much that it almost entirely unfits me for all else.
Moreover, I cannot live on my income, and my pen is my sole resource; but
_no consideration is shown either for my health or my precious time_. I do
hope that this may not long continue, when I will at once complete the
slight revision required. Some days ago I received a proposal which
concerns you also; its purport being that a foreign music publisher was
disposed, &c., &c., to form a connection with you, in order to guard
against piracy. I at once declined the offer, having had sufficiently
painful experience on these matters. (Perhaps this was only a pretext to
spy into my affairs!)
396.
TO CARL HOLZ.
I send you my greetings, and also wish to tell you that I am not going out
to-day. I should be glad to see you, perhaps this evening after your office
hours.
In haste, your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
I am by no means well.
397.
TO CARL HOLZ.
MY WORTHY HOLZ--BE NO LONGER HOLZ [WOOD]!
The well-beloved government wishes to see me to-day at ten o'clock. I beg
you will go in my place; but first call on me, which you can arrange
entirely according to your own convenience. I have already written a letter
to the _powers that be_, which you can take with you. I much regret being
forced to be again so troublesome to you, but my going is out of the
question, and the affair must be brought to a close,
Yours,
BEETHOVEN.
398.
TO SCHOTT,--MAYENCE.
Vienna, December 17 [Beethoven's birthday], 1824.
I write to say that a week must yet elapse before the works can be
dispatched to you. The Archduke only left this yesterday, and much precious
time was I obliged to spend with him. I am beloved and highly esteemed by
him, _but_--I cannot live on that, and the call from every quarter to
remember "that he who has a lamp ought to pour oil into it" finds no
response here.
As the score ought to be correctly engraved, I must look it over repeatedly
myself, for I have no clever copyist at present. Pray, do not think ill of
me! _Never_ was I guilty of anything base!
399.
March, 1825.
MY GOOD FRIENDS,--
Each is herewith appointed to his own post, and formally taken into our
service, pledging his honor to do his best to distinguish himself, and each
to vie with the other in zeal.
Every individual cooperating in this performance must subscribe his name to
this paper.[1]
Schuppanzigh, (_Manu propria._)
Weiss.
Linke, (M.P.)
Confounded violoncello of the great masters.
Holz, (M.P.)
The _last_, but only as to his signature.
[Footnote 1: In reference to the rehearsals of the first production of the
E flat major Quartet, Op. 127, in March, 1825.]
400.
TO SCHINDLER.
The Spring of 1825.
I have waited till half-past one o'clock, but as the _caput confusum_ has
not come, I know nothing of what is likely to happen. Carl must be off to
the University in the Prater; so I am obliged to go, that Carl, who must
leave this early, may have his dinner first. I am to be found in the "Wilde
Mann" [an inn in the Prater].
To Herr Schindler, _Moravian numskull_.[1]
[Footnote 1: Schindler was a Moravian.]
401.
TO LINKE, VIOLONCELLIST.[1]
DEAR LINKE,--
Having heard Herr v. Bocklet very highly spoken of, I think it would be
advisable to ask him kindly to play in the trio at your concert. I do not
know him myself, or I would have applied to him on your behalf. Always rely
on me when it is in my power to serve you.
Yours truly,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Bocklet, a pianist in Vienna, tells me that he rehearsed the
Trio with Holz and Linke in 1825 or 1826 at Beethoven's.]
402.[1]
TO * * *
SIR,--
Through the stupidity of my housekeeper your mother was recently sent away
from my house, without my having been informed of her visit. I highly
disapprove of such incivility, especially as the lady was not even shown
into my apartments. The _rudeness_ and _coarseness_ of the persons whom I
am so unfortunate as to have in my service are well known to every one; I
therefore request your forgiveness.
Your obedient servant,
L. V. BEETHOVEN.