Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 16

Vienna, Feb. 8, 1823.

MY BRAVE COLLEAGUE IN ART,--

I write, having a favor to ask of you, for we are now so distant from each other that we can no longer converse together, and, indeed, unhappily, we can seldom write either. I have written a grand ma.s.s, which might also be given as an oratorio (for the benefit of the poor, a good established custom here). I do not wish to publish it in the usual way, but to dispose of it to some of the leading courts alone. I ask fifty ducats for it. No copies are to be sold except those subscribed for, so that the ma.s.s will be, as it were, in ma.n.u.script; but there must be a fair number of subscribers, if any profit is to accrue to the author. I have made an application to the Prussian emba.s.sy here, to know if the King of Prussia would vouchsafe to take a copy, and I have also written to Prince Radziwill, to ask him to interest himself in the affair. I beg you likewise to do what you can for me. It is a work that might likewise be useful to the Academy of Singing, for there is scarcely any portion of it that could not be almost entirely executed by voices. The more these are increased and multiplied in combination with instruments, the more effective would be the result. It ought to be appropriate also as an oratorio, for such societies as those for the benefit of the poor require marks of this kind. Having been an invalid for some years past, and consequently my position anything but brilliant, I have had recourse to this scheme. I have written much; but as to profits, they are nearly _nil_! The more do I look upwards; but both for his own sake, and that of others, man is obliged to turn his eyes earthwards; for this, too, is part of the destiny of humanity. I embrace you, my dear fellow-artist, and am, with sincere esteem,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Zelter was in Vienna in 1819.]

316.

TO F. RIES,--LONDON.

... Manage this as soon as you can for your poor friend. I also expect my travelling route from you. Things have become quite too bad here, and I am fleeced worse than ever. If I do not go at all, lo! and behold a _crimen laesae_!... As it seems that you wish soon to have a dedication from me, I gladly comply with your request, much more so than with that of any great man; though, _entre nous_, the devil alone can tell how soon one may fall into their hands! The dedication to you will be written on the new symphony; and I hope I shall at length receive yours to me.

B. is to open the letter he took charge of for the King [George IV.], in which he will see what I have written to His Majesty on the subject of the "Battle of Vittoria." The tenor of the enclosed is the same; but not a word as to the ma.s.s.[1] Our amiable friend B. must try to get me at least a battle-axe or a turtle for it! The engraved copy of the score of "The Battle" must also be presented to the King. This letter will cost you a good deal [seventeen s.h.i.+llings]; but I beg you will deduct it from your remittance to me. How much I regret being so troublesome! May G.o.d prosper you!

Say all that is amiable to your wife till I come myself. Beware! you think me old; but I am a young veteran!

Yours, as ever,

B.

[Footnote 1: On February 24, 1823, Beethoven wrote to the King of England that, so far back as 1813, he had sent him "Wellington's Victory," but never had received any communication on the subject; he, therefore, now sent an engraved copy of the work, which had been intended for him since 1815. He closed the letter by saying: "Convinced of the discrimination and kindness which your Majesty has always evinced in protecting and encouraging art and artists, the undersigned ventures to hope that your Majesty will graciously take the matter into consideration, and vouchsafe to comply with his respectful solicitation."]

317.

TO SCHINDLER.

MY VERY BEST OPTIMUS OPTIME,--

Pray try to hunt out a philanthropist who will advance me some money on a bank-share, that I may not put the generosity of my friends too much to the test, nor myself be placed in difficulty by the delay of this money, for which I have to thank the fine plans and arrangements of my precious brother.

You must not let it appear that this money is really wanted.

318.

TO SCHINDLER.

DEAR SCHINDLER,--

Don't forget the bank-share. It is greatly needed; it would be very annoying to be brought into court; indeed, I would not be so for the whole world. My brother's conduct is quite worthy of him. The tailor is appointed to come to-day, still I hope to be able to get rid of him for the present by a few polite phrases.

319.

TO HERR KIND.

DEAR KIND,--

I intend to call on you at latest on Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock, when I will settle everything.

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

320.

TO CHERUBINI.[1]

March 15, 1823.

HIGHLY ESTEEMED SIR,--

I joyfully take advantage of this opportunity to address you. I have done so frequently in spirit, as I prize your theatrical works beyond others.

The artistic world has only to lament that, in Germany at least, no new dramatic piece of yours has appeared. Highly as all your works are valued by true connoisseurs, still it is a great loss to art not to possess any fresh production of your great genius for the theatre.

True art is imperishable, and the true artist feels heartfelt pleasure in grand works of genius, and that is what enchants me when I hear a new composition of yours; in fact, I take greater interest in it than in my own; in short, I love and honor you. Were it not that my continued bad health prevents my going to see you in Paris, with what exceeding delight would I discuss questions of art with you! Do not think that this is merely intended to serve as an introduction to the favor I am about to ask of you.

I hope and feel convinced that you do not for a moment suspect me of such base sentiments.

I recently completed a grand solemn ma.s.s, and have resolved to offer it to the various European courts, as it is not my intention to publish it at present. I have therefore solicited the King of France, through the French emba.s.sy here, to subscribe to this work, and I feel certain that his Majesty would, at your recommendation, agree to do so. _Ma situation critique demande que je ne fixe pas seulement, comme ordinnaire, mes voeux au ciel; au contraire, il faut les fixer aussi_ ["_aussi_" in Beethoven's hand] _en bas pour les necessites de la vie._ Whatever may be the fate of my request to you, I shall forever continue to love and esteem you, _et vous resterez toujours celui de mes contemporains que je l'estime le plus.

Si vous me voulez faire un extreme plaisir, c'etait si vous m'ecrivez quelques lignes, ce que me soulagera bien. L'art unit tout le monde_, how much more, then, true artists, _et peut-etre vous me dignez aussi_ to include me in that number. _Avec le plus haut estime_,

_Votre ami et serviteur_,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Cherubini declared that he never received this letter.]

321.

TO SCHINDLER.[1]

DEAR SCHINDLER,--

I am not sure whether the other copy was corrected or not, so I send you this one instead. As to N. in S----, I beg you not to say a word; Bl. is already very uneasy on the subject. In haste, your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: We cannot understand what induced Beethoven, who lived in the same house with Schindler, to write to him; but he often did so to persons with whom he could easily have spoken, partly in order to get rid of the matter while it was in his thoughts, and also because he was a great deal from home; that is, going backwards and forwards from one lodging to another, having often several at the same time.]