Carl's mother, who in order to procure a verdict more favorable to her
claims, pointed out to the Austrian "Landrecht," where the lawsuit had been
hitherto carried on, an error in their proceedings, the "Van," prefixed to
Beethoven's name, having been considered by them a sign of nobility.
Beethoven was cited to appear, and on the appointed day, pointing to his
head and his heart, he said, "My nobility is here, and here." The
proceedings were then transferred to the "magistrate," who was in universal
bad odor from his mode of conducting his business.]
210.
TO G. DEL RIO.
The assertions of this wicked woman have made such a painful impression on
me, that I cannot possibly answer every point to-day; to-morrow you shall
have a detailed account of it all; but on no pretext whatever allow her to
have access to Carl, and adhere to your rule that she is only to see him
once a month. As she has been once this month already, she cannot come
again till the next.
In haste, your
BEETHOVEN.
211.
TO HOFRATH VON MOSEL.
1817.
SIR,--
I sincerely rejoice that we take the same view as to the terms in use to
denote the proper time in music which have descended to us from barbarous
times. For example, what can be more irrational than the general term
_allegro_, which only means _lively_; and how far we often are from
comprehending the real time, so that the piece itself _contradicts the
designation_. As for the four chief movements,--which are, indeed, far from
possessing the truth or accuracy of the four cardinal points,--we readily
agree _to dispense with them_, but it is quite another matter as to the
words that indicate the character of the music; these we cannot consent to
do away with, for while the time is, as it were, part and parcel of the
piece, the _words denote the spirit in which it is conceived_.
So far as I am myself concerned, I have long purposed giving up those
inconsistent terms _allegro_, _andante_, _adagio_, and _presto_; and
Maelzel's metronome furnishes us with the best opportunity of doing so. I
here _pledge_ myself _no longer_ to make use of them in any of my new
compositions. It is another question whether we can by this means attain
the necessary universal use of the metronome. I scarcely think we shall! I
make no doubt that we shall be loudly proclaimed as _despots_; but if the
cause itself were to derive benefit from this, it would at least be better
than to incur the reproach of Feudalism! In our country, where music has
become a national requirement, and where the use of the metronome must be
enjoined on every village schoolmaster, the best plan would be for Maelzel
to endeavor to sell a certain number of metronomes by subscription, at the
present higher prices, and as soon as the number covers his expenses, he
can sell the metronomes demanded by the national requirements at so cheap a
rate, that we may certainly anticipate their _universal use_ and
_circulation_. Of course some persons must take the lead in giving an
impetus to the undertaking. You may safely rely on my doing what is in my
power, and I shall be glad to hear what post you mean to assign to me in
the affair.
I am, sir, with esteem, your obedient
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
212.
TO S.A. STEINER, MUSIC PUBLISHER,--VIENNA.
HIGHEST BORN! MOST ADMIRABLE! AND MARVELLOUS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL![1]
We beg you to give us bank-notes for twenty-four gold ducats at yesterday's
rate of exchange, and to send them to us this evening or to-morrow, in
order that we may forthwith _remit_ and _transmit_ them. I should be glad
and happy if your trustworthy Adjutant were to bring me these, as I have
something particular to say to him. He must forget all his resentment, like
a good Christian; we acknowledge his merits and do not contest his
demerits. In short, and once for all, we wish to see him. This evening
would suit us best.
We have the honor to remain, most astounding Lieutenant-General! your
devoted
GENERALISSIMUS.
[Footnote 1: Beethoven styled himself "Generalissimus," Herr A. Steiner
"Lieutenant-General," and his partner, Tobias Haslinger, "Adjutant" and
"Adjutant-General."]
213.
TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL VON STEINER.--PRIVATE.
PUBLICANDUM,--
After due consideration, and by the advice of our Council, we have
determined and decreed that henceforth on all our works published with
German titles, the word _Pianoforte_ is to be replaced by that of _Hammer
Clavier_, and our worthy Lieutenant-General, his Adjutant, and all whom it
may concern, are charged with the execution of this order.
Instead of Pianoforte--_Hammer Clavier_.
Such is our will and pleasure.
Given on the 23d of January, 1817, by the _Generalissimus_.
_Manu propria._
214.
TO STEINER.
The following dedication occurred to me of my new Sonata:--
"Sonata for the Pianoforte,
or
_Hammer Clavier_.
Composed and dedicated to Frau Baronin Dorothea
Ertmann--née Graumann,
by
Ludwig van Beethoven."
If the title is already engraved, I have the two following proposals to
make; viz., that I pay for one title--I mean that it should be at my
expense, or reserved for another new sonata of mine, for which purpose the
mines of the Lieutenant-General (or _pleno titulo_, Lieutenant-General and
First Councillor of State) must be opened to usher it into the light of
day; the title to be previously shown to a good linguist. _Hammer Clavier_
is certainly German, and so is the device. Honor to whom honor is due! How
is it, then, that I have as yet received no reports of the carrying out of
my orders, which, however, have no doubt been attended to?
Ever and always your attached
_Amicus
ad Amicum
de Amico._
[Music: Treble clef.
O Ad-ju-tant!]
N.B. I beg you will observe the most profound silence about the dedication,
as I wish it to be a surprise!
215.
TO ZMESKALL.
Jan. 30, 1817.
DEAR Z.,--
You seem to place me on a level with Schuppanzigh, &c., and have distorted
the plain and simple meaning of my words. You are not my debtor, but I am
yours, and now you make me so more than ever. I cannot express to you the
pain your gift has caused me, and I must candidly say that I cannot give
you one friendly glance _in return_. Although you confine yourself to the
practice of music, still you have often recourse to the power of
imagination, and it seems to me that this not unfrequently leads to
uncalled-for caprice on your part; at least, so it appeared to me from your
letter after my dedication. Loving as my sentiments are towards you, and
much as I prize all your goodness, still I feel provoked!--much
provoked!--terribly provoked!
Your debtor afresh,
Who will, however, contrive to have his revenge,
L. VAN BEETHOVEN.
End of Project Gutenberg's Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Vol. 1 of 2
by Lady Wallace