Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 18

SIR,--

Herr v. Schuppanzigh a.s.sured me, when he was here, that you were anxious to acquire some of my productions for your house. Perhaps the following works might suit your purpose, namely: six _bagatelles_ for pianoforte, 20 gold ducats; thirty-five variations on a favorite theme for pianoforte, forming one entire work, 30 gold ducats; two grand airs with chorus, the poetry by Goethe and Matthisson, which can be sung either with instrumental or pianoforte accompaniment, 12 gold ducats.

I request an answer as soon as possible, for others also wish to have my works.

I am, sir, your obedient

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

328.[1]

TO SCHINDLER.

Hetzendorf, 1823.

SAMOTHRACIAN VAGABOND!--[2]

You must hunt out from Schlemmer [the copyist] what is still wanting in the "Kyrie;" show him the postscript, and so, _satis_, no more of such a wretch! Farewell! arrange everything; I am to bind up my eyes at night, and to spare them as much as possible; otherwise, says Smetana, I shall write little more music in the time to come.

[Footnote 1: "We arrived at Hetzendorf on May 17" is written by Carl in Beethoven's note-book of 1823; and on this note is written, in the "scamp's" hand, Hetzendorf, 1823.]

[Footnote 2: "By the word 'Samothracian,' Beethoven alludes to the Samothracian Mysteries, partly grounded on music. Their mutual partic.i.p.ation in the Beethoven Mysteries is intended to be thus indicated.

Among the initiated were also Brunswick, Lichnowsky, and Zmeskall." [From a note of Schindler's on the subject.]]

329.

TO SCHINDLER.

Hetzendorf, 1823 (?).

Pray, forward the packet to-day, and inquire this afternoon, if possible, about the housekeeper in the Glockenga.s.se, No. 318, 3d etage. She is a widow, understands cookery, and is willing to serve merely for board and lodging, to which, of course, I cannot consent, or only under certain conditions. My present one is too shameful. I cannot invite you here, but be a.s.sured of my grat.i.tude.

330.

TO SCHINDLER.[1]

Hetzendorf, 1823.

I enclose the letter to Herr v. Obreskow [Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Legation]; as soon as I receive the money, I will immediately send you 50 florins for your trouble. Not a word more than what is absolutely necessary!

I have advertised your house. You can mention, merely as a casual remark at the right moment, that France also remitted the money to you.

Never forget that such persons represent Majesty itself.

[Footnote 1: Louis VIII. sent a gold medal for his subscription copy of the Ma.s.s on February 20, 1824.]

331.

TO SCHINDLER.

I beg you will kindly write out the enclosed invitation neatly for me on the paper I send you, for Carl has too much to do. I wish to dispatch it early on Wednesday. I want to know where Grillparzer lives; perhaps I may pay him a visit myself.[1] You must have a little patience about the 50 florins; as yet it is impossible for me to send them, for which you are as much to blame as I am.

[Footnote 1: It is well known that in the winter of 1822-23 Beethoven was engaged in the composition of an opera for the Royal Theatre; for which purpose Grillparzer had given him his _Melusina_.]

332.

TO SCHINDLER.

I send K.'s [Kanne's] book [libretto]. Except the first act, which is rather insipid, it is written in such a masterly style that it does not by any means require a first-rate composer. I will not say that on this very account it would be the more suitable for me; still, if I can get rid of previous engagements, who knows what may or will happen! Please acknowledge the receipt of this.

333.

TO SCHINDLER.

I wish to know about Esterhazy, and also about the post. A letter-carrier from the Mauer [a place near Hetzendorf] was here; I only hope the message has been properly delivered. Nothing as yet from Dresden [see No. 330]. I mean to ask you to dine with me a few days hence, for I still suffer from my weak eyes; to-day, however, for the first time, they seem to improve, but I scarcely dare make any use of them as yet.

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

P.S. As for the Tokay,[1] it is better adapted for _summer_ than for _autumn_, and also for some fiddler who could _respond_ to its n.o.ble fire, and yet _stand firm as a rock_.

[Footnote 1: A musical friend had sent the _maestro_ six bottles of genuine Tokay, expressing his wish that it might tend to restore his strength.

Schindler, he says, wrote to Beethoven at Hetzendorf, to tell him of this, and received the above answer, and the order through "Frau Schnaps" to do as he pleased with the wine. He sent one bottle of it to Hetzendorf, but Beethoven at that time had inflamed eyes.]

334.

TO SCHINDLER.

I cannot at present accept these tempting invitations [from Sonntag and Unger]; so far as my weak eyes permit, I am very busy, and when it is fine, I go out. I will myself thank these two fair ladies for their amiability.

No tidings from Dresden. I shall wait till the end of this month, and then apply to a lawyer in Dresden. I will write about Schoberlechner to-morrow.

335.

TO SCHINDLER.

June 18, 1823.

You ought to have perfectly well known that I would have nothing to do with the affair in question. With regard to my being "liberal," I think I have shown you that I am so on principle; indeed, I suspect you must have observed that I even have gone _beyond_ these principles. _Sapienti sat._[1]

[Footnote 1: Franz Schoberlechner, pianist in Vienna, wrote to Beethoven on June 25, 1823, to ask him for letters of introduction to Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and Russia, etc. The _maestro_, however, wrote across the letter, "An active fellow requires no other recommendation than from one respectable family to another," and gave it back to Schindler, who showed it to Schoberlechner, and no doubt at his desire urged Beethoven to comply with his request. Beethoven, however, did not know Schoberlechner, and had no very high opinion of him, as he played chiefly _bravura_ pieces, and, besides, on the bills of his concerts, he pompously paraded all his t.i.tles, decorations, and as member of various societies, which gave ample subject for many a sarcastic remark on the part of Beethoven.]