Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 37

BEETHOVEN.

446.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, October 4.

MY DEAR SON,--

Like the sage Odysseus, I know the best course to take; if you come on Sat.u.r.day, you need not fear the cold, for a portion of the old window-shutters is still here, with which we can protect ourselves. I hope also to get rid of my cold and catarrh here; at the same time this place is a great risk in my rheumatic condition, for wind, or rather hurricanes, still prevail here. As to Biedermann, you must inquire whether Schlesinger gave him a commission; for if this be not the case, we ought to write at once to Peters. You could scarcely write to me to-day, but I hope to hear from you to-morrow, and to see you positively on Sat.u.r.day. I wish you never may have cause to feel ashamed of your want of love for me; if I alone suffer, what matters it? I wish and hope that all the pretexts you made here to go into Vienna may prove true.

Rest a.s.sured that you may at all times expect every possible kindness from me, but can I hope for the same from you? When you see me irritable, ascribe it solely to my great anxiety on your account, for you are exposed to many dangers. I hope at all events to get a letter from you to-morrow; do not cause me uneasiness, but think of my sufferings. I ought not, properly, to have any such apprehensions, but what sorrow have I not already experienced?!

As ever, your attached

FATHER.

Remember that I am all alone here, and subject to sudden illness. [On the outside:] _N'oubliez pas de demander des quittances, et donnez-moi aussi vite que possible des nouvelles._

447.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

MY DEAR SON,--

Say no more! only come to my arms; not one harsh word shall you hear! For G.o.d's sake do not bring misery on your own head. You shall be received as lovingly as ever. We can discuss in a friendly manner what is to be done and settled as to the future. I pledge my word of honor you shall meet with no reproaches from me, which, indeed, could no longer avail. You need expect only the most affectionate care and a.s.sistance from me. Only come!

Come to the faithful heart of--

Your father,

BEETHOVEN.

_Volti sub._

Set off the moment you receive this letter. _Si vous ne viendrez pas, vous me tuerez srement. Lisez la lettre et restez a la maison chez vous. Venez embra.s.ser votre pere, vous vraiment adonne. Soyez a.s.sure que tout cela restera entre nous._ For G.o.d's sake come home to-day, for we cannot tell what risks you run,--hasten,--hasten to me!

448.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

October 5.

DEAR AND MUCH-BELOVED SON,--

I have just received your letter. I was a prey to anguish, and resolved to hurry into Vienna myself this very day. G.o.d be praised! this is not necessary; follow my advice, and love and peace of mind, as well as worldly happiness, will attend us, and you can then combine an inward and spiritual existence with your outer life. But it is well that the _former_ should be esteemed superior to the _latter_. _Il fait trop froid._ So I am to see you on Sat.u.r.day? Write to say whether you come early or in the evening, that I may hasten to meet you. I embrace and kiss you a thousand times over, _not my lost, but my new-born son_.

I wrote to Schlemmer; do not take it amiss, but my heart is still too full [a piece is here torn away]. Live! and my care of the son _I have found again_ will show only love on the part of your father. [On the cover:]

_Ayez la bonte de m'envoyer_ a lucifer-match bottle and matches from Rospini, _ou en portez avec vous, puisque de celle de Karnthnerthor on ne veut pas faire usage_.

449.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

_Immediate._ Baden, October 14.

I write in the greatest haste to say, that even if it rains, I shall certainly come in to-morrow forenoon; be sure, therefore, that I find you at home.

I rejoice at the thoughts of seeing you again, and if you detect any heavy clouds lowering, do not attribute them to deliberate anger, for they will be wholly chased away by your promise to strive more earnestly after the true and pure happiness, based on active exertion. Something hovered before me in my last letter, which though perhaps _not quite justly_ yet called forth a dark mood; this, after all that has pa.s.sed, was indeed very possible; still who would not rejoice when the transgressor returns to the right path?--and this I hope I shall live to see. I was especially pained by your coming so late on Sunday, and hurrying away again so early. I mean to come in to-morrow with the joiner and to send off these old hags; they are too bad for anything. Until the other housekeeper arrives, I can make use of the joiner. More of this when we meet, and I know you will think I am right. Expect me then to-morrow without fail, whether it rains or not.

Your loving

FATHER,

Who fondly embraces you.

450.

TO THE ABBe MAXIMILIAN STADLER.

February 6, 1826.

REVEREND AND HONORED SIR,--

You have really done well in rendering justice to the _manes_ of Mozart by your inimitable pamphlet, which so searchingly enters into the matter [the Requiem], and you have earned the grat.i.tude of the lay and the profane, as well as of all who are musical, or have any pretensions to be so. To bring a thing of this kind forward as H.W.[1] has done, a man must either be a great personage, or a nonent.i.ty. Be it remembered also that it is said this same person has written a book on composition, and yet has ascribed to Mozart such pa.s.sages as the following:--

[Music: Ba.s.s clef]

and has added such things as,--

[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major.

A-gnus de-i pec-ca-ta mun-di.]

[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major.

Qui tol-lis pec-ca-ta, qui tol-lis pec-ca-ta,]

as samples of his own composition! H.W.'s astonis.h.i.+ng knowledge of harmony and melody recall the old composers of the Empire,--Sterkel, [illegible,]

Kalkbrenner (the father), Andre, &c.

_Requiescant in pace!_ I especially thank you, my dear friend, for the pleasure you have conferred on me by your pamphlet. I have always accounted myself one of Mozart's greatest admirers, and shall continue to be so to my last breath. I beg, venerable sir, for your blessing, and I am, with sincere esteem and veneration, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Gottfried Weber, the well-known theorist, who was one of those engaged in the dispute as to the genuineness of Mozart's Requiem.]