thus related:--"In 1825, a well-known artist and _dilettante_ in the
composition of music published a book of waltzes, each of these being
composed by the most popular and celebrated musicians of the day; as no one
declined giving a musical contribution to the editor, the profits being
intended to enable him to go to Carlsbad for the benefit of the waters
there. The work met with unusual support and sympathy. It then occurred to
the editor to apply for a contribution to the great Ludwig van Beethoven,
with whom he had been acquainted in former days through his father and
grandfather. The great musician at once, in the most gracious and amiable
manner, promised to comply with the request, and sent him not only a waltz,
but (the only one who did so) also a trio, desiring the editor to send in
the course of a month for these works, which would by that time be
completed. As the editor was in the mean time taken ill, he was not able to
call for the work himself, and was thus obliged to give up this interesting
visit. He therefore requested his mother to apply for the waltz, &c., and
to express his thanks; but the housekeeper, to whom she gave her name,
refused to admit her, saying she could not do so, 'for her master was in
such a crazy mood.' As at this very moment Beethoven chanced to put his
head in at the door, she hurried the lady into a dark room, saying, 'Hide
yourself, as it is quite impossible that anyone can speak to him to-day,'
getting out of the way herself as fast as she could. A couple of days
afterwards Beethoven sent the waltz, &c., to the house of the musical
editor in question, with the above letter."]
403.
TO F. RIES.
Vienna, April 9, 1825.
MY DEAR GOOD RIES,--
I write only what is most pressing! So far as I can remember in the score
of the Symphony [the 9th] that I sent you, in the first hautboy, 242d bar,
there stands [Music: F E D] instead of [Music: F E E]. I have carefully
revised all the instrumental parts, but those of the brass instruments only
partially, though I believe they are tolerably correct. I would already
have sent you my score [for performance at the Aix musical festival], but I
have still a concert in prospect, if indeed my health admits of it, and
this MS. is the only score I possess. I must now soon go to the country, as
this is the only season when I profit by it.
You will shortly receive the second copy of the "Opferlied;" mark it at
once as corrected by myself, that it may not be used along with the one you
already possess. It is a fine specimen of the wretched copyists I have had
since Schlemmer's death. It is scarcely possible to rely on a single note.
As you have now got all the parts of the _finale_ of the Symphony copied
out, I have likewise sent you the score of the choral parts. You can easily
score these before the chorus commences, and when the vocal parts begin, it
could be contrived, with a little management, to affix the instrumental
parts just above the scored vocal parts. It was impossible for me to write
all these out at once, and if we had hurried such a copyist, you would have
got nothing but mistakes.
I send you an Overture in C, 6/8 time, not yet published; you shall have
the engraved parts by the next post. A _Kyrie_ and _Gloria_, two of the
principal movements (of the solemn Mass in D major), and an Italian vocal
duet, are also on their way to you. You will likewise receive a grand march
with chorus, well adapted for a musical performance on a great scale, but I
think you will find what I have already sent quite sufficient.
Farewell! You are now in the regions of the Rhine [Ries at that time lived
at Godesberg, near Bonn], which will ever be so dear to me! I wish you and
your wife every good that life can bestow! My kindest and best regards to
your father, from your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
404.
TO HERR JENGER,--VIENNA.[1]
1824.
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,--
It will give me much pleasure to send you some day soon the score of
Matthisson's "Opferlied." The whole of it, published and unpublished, is
quite at your service. Would that my circumstances permitted me to place at
once at your disposal the greater works I have written, before they have
been heard. I am, alas! fettered on this point; but it is possible that
such an opportunity may hereafter occur, when I shall not fail to take
advantage of it.
The enclosed letter is for Hofrath v. Kiesewetter. I beg you will be so
good as to deliver it, especially as it concerns yourself quite as much as
the Herr Hofrath.
I am, with high esteem, your devoted friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: This note is addressed to Jenger in Vienna, a chancery
official and a musical amateur, connoisseur, factotum, and distinguished
pianist. The date is not known. The _Opferlied_ he refers to, is
undoubtedly the 2d arrangement, Op. 121-b, which according to the Leipzig
_A.M. Zeitung_ was performed as Beethoven's "most recent poetical and
musical work," at the concert in the Royal Redoutensaal, April 4, 1824.]
405.
TO SCHOTT.
I have much pleasure in herewith contributing to the "Cecilia"[1] and its
readers some Canons written by me, as a supplement to a humorous and
romantic biography of Herr Tobias Haslinger residing here, which is shortly
to appear in three parts.
In the _first_ part, Tobias appears as the assistant of the celebrated and
solid Kapellmeister Fux, holding the ladder for his _Gradus ad Parnassum_.
Being, however, mischievously inclined, he contrives, by shaking and moving
the ladder, to cause many who had already climbed up a long way, suddenly
to fall down, and break their necks.
He now takes leave of this earthly clod and comes to light again in the
_second_ part in the time of Albrechtsberger. The already existing Fux,
_nota cambiata_, is now dealt with in conjunction with Albrechtsberger. The
alternating subjects of the Canon are most fully illustrated. The art of
creating musical skeletons is carried to the utmost limit, &c.
Tobias begins once more to spin his web as a caterpillar, and comes forth
again in the _third_ part, making his third appearance in the world. His
half-fledged wings bear him quickly to the Paternostergässel, of which he
becomes the Kapellmeister. Having emerged from the school of the _nota
cambiata_, he retains only the _cambiata_ and becomes a member of several
learned societies, &c. But here are the Canons.
On a certain person of the name of Schwencke.[2]
[Music: treble clef, key of F major, 3/4 time.
Schwen-ke dich, Schwen-ke dich oh-ne
Schwän-ke, oh-ne Schwän-ke, oh-ne Schwän-ke, oh-ne
Schwän-ke ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Schwen-ke dich, schwen-ke dich, schwen-ke dich ÷ ÷
÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷]
On a certain person of the name of Hoffmann.
[Music: treble clef, key of C, 3/4 time.
Hoff-mann! Hoff-mann! Sei ja kein Hof-mann!
ja kein Hof-mann! nein, nein ÷ nein ÷ ÷ ÷
ich hei-ße Hoff-mann und bin kein Hof-mann]
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: A periodical published for the musical world, and edited by a
society of _savants_, art-critics, and artists; Mayence, B. Schott & Sons.
The publishers applied to Beethoven, in the name of the editors, for a
contribution to the _Cecilia_.]
[Footnote 2: It appears that Kapellmeister Schwencke in Hamburg, in many
complimentary and flowery phrases, had requested Beethoven to send him his
autograph. Perhaps Beethoven, to whom the sound of certain names appeared
comical, alludes here to this Hamburg Kapellmeister Schwencke.]
406.
TO LUDWIG RELLSTAB.
May 3, 1825.
As I was just starting for the country yesterday, I was obliged to make
some preparations myself; so unluckily your visit to me was in vain.
Forgive me in consideration of my very delicate health. As perhaps I may
not see you again, I wish you every possible prosperity. Think of me when
writing your poems.
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
Convey my affectionate regards and esteem to Zelter,--that faithful prop of
true art.
Though convalescent, I still feel very weak. Kindly accept the following
token of remembrance from
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Music: treble clef, C-major.
Das Schö-ne mit dem Guten.]
407.
TO * * *
Vienna.
SIR,--
Being on the point of going into the country, and only very recently
recovered from an attack of internal inflammation, I can merely write you a
few words. In the passage in the "Opferlied," 2d strophe, where it runs
thus:--
[Music: C-clef on bottom line, A major, marked "Solostimme".
E-rde.]
I wish it to be written thus:--
[Music: E-rde. (with different notes)]
408.
TO HIS BROTHER JOHANN.
Baden, May 6, 1825.
The bell and bell-pulls, &c., &c., are on no account whatever to be left in
my former lodging. No proposal was ever made to these people to take any of
my things. Indisposition prevented my sending for it, and the locksmith had
not come during my stay to take down the bell; otherwise it might have been
at once removed and sent to me in town, as they have no right whatever to
retain it. Be this as it may, I am quite determined not to leave the bell
there, for I require one here, and therefore intend to use the one in
question for my purpose, as a similar one would cost me twice as much as in
Vienna, bell-pulls being the most expensive things locksmiths have. If
necessary, apply at once to the police. The window in my room is precisely
in the same state as when I took possession, but I am willing to pay for
it, and also for the one in the kitchen,--2 florins 12 kreutzers for the
two. The key I will not pay for, as I found none; on the contrary, the door
was fastened or nailed up when I came, and remained in the same condition
till I left; there never was a key, so of course neither I myself, nor
those who preceded me, could make use of one. Perhaps it is intended to
make a collection, in which case I am willing to put my hand in my pocket.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
409.
TO HERR VON SCHLEMMER.[1]
SIR,--
It strikes me as very remarkable that Carl cannot be persuaded to go into
good society, where he might amuse himself in a creditable manner. This
almost leads me to suspect that he possibly finds recreations, both in the
evening and at night, in less respectable company. I entreat you to be on
your guard as to this, and on no pretext whatever to allow him to leave the
house at night, unless you receive a written request from me to that
effect, by Carl. He once paid a visit, with my sanction, to Herr Hofrath
Breuning. I strongly recommend this matter to your attention; it is far
from being indifferent, either to you or to me; so I would once more urge
you to practise the greatest vigilance.
I am, sir,
Your obedient
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: In 1825, his nephew lived with Schlemmer in the Alleengasse,
close to the Karlskirche.]
410.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Frau Schlemmer is to receive, or has already received, her money by our
housekeeper. Some letters must be written to-morrow. Let me know what time
would suit you best? Your
UNCLE.
I left my pocket-handkerchief with you.
411.[1]
MY DEAR SON,--
I have this moment got your letter. I still feel very weak and solitary,
and only read the horrid letter I enclose! I send you 25 florins to buy the
books at once, and you can spend the surplus when you require to do so.
Pray bring me back Reisser's note.[2] On Saturday, the 14th of May, I will
send a carriage into town to fetch you here; the charge is as yet very
reasonable. The old woman is to inquire what hour will suit you best; you
can set off at any time before six in the evening, so that you need neglect
nothing. Perhaps I may come myself, and then your shirts might be
purchased; in which case it would be as well if you were to be at liberty
by four o'clock; but if I do not come, which is very possible, drive
straight here at five or six o'clock in the evening. You will not thus feel
so much fatigued, and you can leave this again on Monday, if nothing is
neglected by the delay. You can take the money with you for the
Correpetitor. Are you aware that this affair of the Correpetitor, including
board and lodging, amounts to 2000 florins a year? I can write no more
to-day, I can scarcely guide my pen. Show this letter to Reisser.
Your affectionate
FATHER.
[Footnote 1: I have arranged the following notes to his nephew in their
probable succession as to time. Schindler has given some of these in his
_Biography_, but quite at random, and disjointed, without any reliable
chronological order.]
[Footnote 2: Reisser was Vice-Director of the Polytechnic Institution,
where the nephew had been placed for some time. Reisser had also undertaken
the office of his co-guardian. Beethoven sometimes writes _Reissig_.]
412.
TO DR. BRAUNHOFER.
Baden, May 13, 1825.
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,--
_Doctor._ "How does our patient get on?"
_Patient._ "Still in a bad way, feeling weak and irritable, and I think
that at last we must have recourse to stronger medicines, and yet not too
violent; surely I might now drink white wine with water, for that
deleterious beer is quite detestable. My catarrhal condition is indicated
by the following symptoms. I spit a good deal of blood, though probably
only from the windpipe. I have constant bleeding from the nose, which has
been often the case this winter. There can be no doubt that my digestion is
terribly weakened, and in fact my whole system, and, so far as I know my
own constitution, my strength will never be recruited by its natural
powers."
_Doctor._ "I will prescribe for you, and soon, very soon, shall your health
be restored."
_Patient._ "How glad I should be to sit down at my writing-table, with some
cheerful companions. Reflect on this proposal." _Finis._
P.S. I will call on you as soon as I come to town, only tell Carl at what
hour I am likely to see you. It would be a good plan to give Carl
directions what I am to do. (I took the medicine only once, and have lost
it.)
I am, with esteem and gratitude,
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Music: Treble clef, C major, 2/2 time.
Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt:
Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.
Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt:
Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.]
Written on May 11th, 1825, in Baden, Helenenthal, second floor,
Anton's-Brücke, near Siechenfeld.
413.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, May 17.
MY DEAR SON,--
The weather here is abominable, and the cold greater even than yesterday;
so much so that I have scarcely the use of my fingers to write; this is the
case, however, only in the mountains, and more especially in Baden. I
forgot the chocolate to-day, and am sorry to be obliged to trouble you
about it, but all will go better soon. I enclose you 2 florins, to which
you must add 15 kreutzers; send it if possible with the post in the
afternoon; otherwise I shall have none the day after to-morrow; the people
of the house will assist you in this. May God bless you! I begin to write
again very tolerably; still, in this most dreary, cold stormy weather, it
is almost impossible to have any clear conceptions. Now as ever,
Your good and loving
FATHER.
414.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Noon, 1 o'clock.
MY DEAR SON,--
I merely wish to let you know that the old woman is not yet returned,--why,
I cannot tell. Inquire immediately at Höbel's in the Kothgasse, whether the
Höbel who belongs to this place set off from Vienna to Baden? It is really
so distressing to me to depend on such people, that if life did not possess
higher charms, it would be utterly insupportable in my eyes. You no doubt
got my yesterday's letter, and the 2 florins for the chocolate. I shall be
obliged to drink coffee to-morrow; perhaps after all it is better for me
than chocolate, as the prescriptions of this B. [Braunhofer] have been
repeatedly wrong. Indeed he seems to me very ignorant, and a blockhead into
the bargain; he must have known about the asparagus. Having dined at the
inn to-day, I have a threatening of diarrhoea. I have no more white wine,
so I must get it from the inn, and such wine too! for which, however, I pay
3 florins! Two days ago the old woman wrote to me that she wished to end
her days in an alms-house; perhaps she will not return to me; so be it in
God's name! she will always be a wicked old woman. She ought to make
arrangements with the person whom she knows of. She wrote to me in a very
different strain from that in which she spoke to you on Sunday, and said
"that the people refused to give up the bell-pull." Who knows whether she
may not have some interest in the matter? She went into town yesterday at
six o'clock, and I begged her to make haste back here this forenoon; if she
still comes, I must go to town the day after to-morrow. Leave a written
message to say when I am to see you.... Write me a few lines immediately.
How much I regret troubling you, but you must see that I cannot do
otherwise.... Your attached
FATHER.
How distressing to be in such a state here!
To Herr Carl van Beethoven,
Vienna, Alleengasse 72, Karlskirche, 1ter Étage, at Herr Schlemmer's.
415.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
MY DEAR SON,--
I sent for the cabinet-maker to-day with the old--witch--to Asinanius'[1]
house. Don't forget the paintings, and the things sent in last summer; at
all events look for them. I may perhaps come on Saturday; if not, you must
come to me on Sunday. May God watch over you, my dear son.
Your attached
FATHER.
I cannot write much. Send me a few words.[2]
[Footnote 1: It was thus Beethoven named his _pseudo_-brother.]
[Footnote 2: Underneath is written in pencil by another hand, "I shall be
at the usual place at three o'clock, _s'il vous plait_." The whole appears
to be afterwards stroked out.]
416.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Do send the chocolate at last by the old woman. If Ramler is not already
engaged, he may perhaps drive her over. I become daily thinner, and feel
far from well; and no physician, no sympathizing friends! If you can
possibly come on Sunday, pray do so; but I have no wish to deprive you of
any pleasure, were I only sure that you would spend your Sunday properly
away from me.
I must strive to wean myself from everything; if I were only secure that my
great sacrifices would bring forth worthy fruits!
Your attached
FATHER.
417.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Wednesday, May 17.
MY DEAR SON,--
The old woman is just come, so you need be under no uneasiness; study
assiduously and rise early, as various things may occur to you in the
morning, which you could do for me. It cannot be otherwise than becoming in
a youth, now in his nineteenth year, to combine his duties towards his
benefactor and foster-father with those of his education and progress. I
fulfilled my obligations towards my own parents. In haste,
Your attached
FATHER.
The old bell-pull is here. The date of my letter is wrong; it is not May
the 17th, but the 18th.
418.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
May 19.
Ask the house agent about a lodging in the Landstrasse, Ungargasse, No.
345, adjoining the Bräuhaus,--four rooms and a kitchen, commanding a view
of the adjacent gardens. I hear there are various others too in the
Hauptstrasse. Give a gulden to the house agent in the Ungargasse, to
promise me the refusal of the lodgings till Saturday, when, if the weather
is not too bad, I mean to come on to fetch you. We must decide to-morrow
whether it is to be hired from Michaelmas or now. If I do come on Saturday,
take care that I find you at home.
Your attached
FATHER.
419.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Say everything that is kind and amiable from me to my esteemed
fellow-guardian, Dr. v. Reissig; I feel still too feeble to write to him
myself. I hope he will not object to your coming to me here every Saturday
evening. You are well aware that I _never abused_ such a permission when
you were at Blöchlinger's [see No. 276]. Besides, I feel sure of your
intercession _in support of my request_.
Your attached father,
BEETHOVEN.
420.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, May 23.
I have been assured, though as yet it is only a matter of conjecture, that
a clandestine intercourse has been renewed between your mother and
yourself. Am I doomed again to experience such detestable ingratitude? No!
if the tie is to be severed, so be it! By such ingratitude you will incur
the hatred of all impartial persons. The expressions my brother made use of
yesterday before Dr. Reissig (as he says); and your own with respect to
Schönauer (who is naturally adverse to me, the judgment of the Court being
the _exact reverse of what he desired_), were such, that I will not mix
myself up with such shameful doings! No! never more!
If you find the _Pactum_ oppressive, then, in God's name, I resign you to
His holy keeping! I have done my part, and on this score I do not dread
appearing before the Highest of all Judges. Do not be afraid to come to me
to-morrow; as yet I only _suspect_; God grant that those suspicions _may
not prove true_, for to you it would be an incalculable misfortune, with
whatever levity my rascally brother, and perhaps your mother also, may
treat the matter to the old woman. I shall expect you without fail.
421.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, May 31, 1825.
MY DEAR SON,--
I intend to come to town on Saturday, and to return here either on Sunday
evening, or early on Monday. I beg you will therefore ask Dr. Bach
[advocate] at what hour I can see him, and also fetch the key from brother
Bäcker's [a brother-in-law of Johann Beethoven's], to see whether in the
room inhabited by my unbrotherly brother, the arrangements are such that I
can stay a night there; and if there is clean linen, &c., &c. As Thursday
is a holiday, and it is unlikely that you will come here (indeed I do not
desire that you should), you may easily execute these two commissions for
me. You can let me know the result when I arrive on Saturday. I don't send
you money, for if you want any, you can borrow a gulden at home. Moderation
is necessary for young people, and you do not appear to pay sufficient
attention to this, as you had _money without my knowledge, nor do I yet
know whence it came_. Fine doings! It is not advisable that you should go
to the theatre at _present_, on account of the distraction it causes. The 5
florins procured by Dr. Reissig, I will pay off by instalments, punctually
every month. So enough of this! Misled as you have been, it would be no bad
thing were you at length to cultivate _simplicity and truth_, for my heart
has been so deeply wounded by your deceitful conduct, that it is difficult
to forget it. Even were I disposed to submit like an ox to so hard a yoke
without murmuring, if you pursue the same course towards others, you will
never succeed in gaining the love of any one. As God is my witness, I can
think of nothing but you, and my contemptible brother, and the detestable
family that I am afflicted with. May God vouchsafe to listen to my prayer,
for _never_ again can I trust you!
Your Father, alas!
Yet fortunately not your Father.
422.
TO HIS NEPHEW.
Baden, June 9, 1825.
I wish you at least to come here on Sundays. In vain do I ask for an
answer. God help you and me! As ever,
Your attached
FATHER.
I have written to Herr v. Reissig to desire you to come here on Sundays.
The _calèche_ leaves his house at six o'clock, from the _Kugel, auf der
Wieden_. You have only to work and study a little in advance, to lose
nothing. I regret being obliged to cause you this annoyance; you are to
return the same afternoon at five o'clock, with the _calèche_. Your place
is already paid for; you can shave here in the morning, and a shirt and
neckcloth will be ready for you, so that you may arrive at the right time.
Farewell. If I reproach you it is not without good cause, and it would be
hard to have sacrificed so much, merely to bestow a _commonplace man_ on
the world. I hope to see you without fail.
If the intrigues are already matured, say so frankly (and naturally), and
you will find one who will always be true to the good cause. The lodging A.
was again advertised in the paper on Tuesday; could you not have arranged
about this? You might at all events have done so through some one else, or
by writing, if you were at all indisposed. I should much prefer not moving,
if I were not compelled to do so. You know my mode of living here, and it
is far worse in this cold stormy weather. My continued solitude only still
further enfeebles me, and really my weakness often amounts to a swoon. Oh!
do not further grieve me, for the scythe of Death will grant me no long
delay!
If I could find a good lodging in the Alleengasse, I would at once engage
it.
423.
Tuesday Morning.
MY DEAR SON,--
The two patterns, one placed at the top and the other below, each 21
florins, seem to me the best; the landlord can advise you. For the trousers
88--4-1/2. I enclose 62 florins W.W. 30 kreutzers. Give me an exact account
of how you spend this money, for it was hard to earn; still it is not worth
while, for the sake of a florin a yard, not to select the best material; so
choose, or get some one to choose for you, the best of the two at 21
florins. Order the highest quality for your trousers also; remember you
ought never to wear your best clothes at home; no matter who comes, you
need never be well dressed in the house.[1] The moment you come home change
your good clothes, and be at your ease in those set aside for the purpose.
Farewell. Your attached
FATHER.
P.S. The creature went off yesterday and has not returned; we shall see how
this turns out. The old beast was determined to be off, being like a
restless wild animal devoid of purpose or reason. May Heaven have pity on
me! The new cooking began yesterday.