Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 14

[K.]

[Footnote 1: The _novelties_ which Beethoven sends to the Archduke are:--

Six _bagatelles_ for the pianoforte, Op. 126 (composed in 1821).

Sonata for pianoforte in E major " 109 ( " " ?1821).

" " " A flat major " 110 ( " " 1821).]

305.

TO F. RIES,--LONDON.

Vienna, April 6, 1822.

MY DEAREST AND BEST RIES,--

Having been again in bad health during the last ten months, I have hitherto been unable to answer your letter. I duly received the 26l. sterling, and thank you sincerely; I have not, however, yet got the sonata you dedicated to me. My greatest work is a _Grand Ma.s.s_ that I have recently written. As time presses, I can only say what is most urgent. What would the Philharmonic give me for a symphony?

I still cherish the hope of going to London next spring, if my health admits of it! You will find in me one who can thoroughly appreciate my dear pupil, now become a great master, and who can tell what benefit art might derive from our conjunction! I am, as ever, wholly devoted to my Muse, who const.i.tutes the sole happiness of my life, and I toil and act for others as I best can. You have two children; I only one (my brother's son); but you are married, so both yours will not cost you so much as my one costs me.

Now farewell! kiss your handsome wife for me until I can perform this solemn act in person.

Your attached

BEETHOVEN.

Pray send me your dedication, that I may strive to return the compliment, which I mean to do as soon as I receive your work.

306.

TO HERREN PETERS & CO., MUSIC PUBLISHERS,--LEIPZIG.

Vienna, June 5, 1822.

GENTLEMEN,--

You did me the honor to address a letter to me at a time when I was much occupied, and I have also been extremely unwell for the last five months. I now only reply to the princ.i.p.al points. Although I met Steiner by chance a few days ago, and asked him jestingly what he had brought me from Leipzig, he did not make _the smallest_ allusion to _your commission or to yourself_. He urged me, however, in the very strongest manner, to _pledge myself to give him the exclusive right of publishing all my works, both present and future_,--and indeed to _sign a contract to that effect_,--which I declined. This _trait_ sufficiently proves to you why I often give the preference to other publishers both home and foreign. I love uprightness and integrity, and am of opinion that no one should drive a hard bargain with artists, for, alas! however brilliant the exterior of Fame may appear, an artist does not enjoy the privilege of being the daily guest of Jupiter on Olympus; unhappily commonplace humanity only too often unpleasantly drags him down from these pure ethereal heights.

The _greatest_ work I have hitherto written is a _Grand Ma.s.s_ with Choruses, and four _obbligati_ voice parts, and full orchestra. Several persons have applied to me for this work, and I have been offered 100 Louis d'or, hard cash, for it; but I demand at least 1000 florins C.M. [20 florins to the mark], for which sum I will also furnish a pianoforte arrangement. Variations on a waltz [Diabelli's] for the piano (they are numerous), 30 ducats in gold,--N.B. Vienna ducats. With regard to songs, I have several rather important descriptive ones: as, for example, a comic Aria, with full orchestra, on Goethe's text, "Mit Madeln sich vertragen;"

and another Aria, in the same style, 16 ducats each (furnishing also a pianoforte arrangement if required); also several descriptive songs, with pianoforte accompaniment, 12 ducats each; among these is a little Italian Cantata, with Recitative; there is also a Song with recitative among the German ones. A Song with pianoforte accompaniment, 8 ducats. An Elegy, four voices, with the accompaniment of _two violins, viola, and violoncello_, 24 ducats. A Dervise Chorus, with full orchestra, 20 ducats.

Also the following instrumental music: a Grand March for full orchestra, with pianoforte accompaniment, 12 ducats, written for the tragedy of "Tarpeia." Romance for the violin (a solo with full orchestra), 15 ducats.

Grand Terzet for two oboes, and one English horn (which might be arranged for other instruments), 30 ducats. Four military Marches with Turkish music; when applied for, I will name the sum. _Bagatelles_, or minor pianoforte solos, the price to be fixed when required. The above works are all completed. Solo pianoforte Sonata, 40 ducats (which could soon be delivered); Quartet for _two violins, tenor, and violoncello_, 50 ducats (this will also soon be ready). I am by no means so anxious about these, however, as about _a full and complete edition of my works_, being desirous to edit them during my lifetime. I have indeed received many proposals on this subject, but accompanied by stipulations to which I could scarcely agree, and which I neither could nor would fulfil. I am willing to undertake, in the course of two years, or possibly a year, or a year and a half, with proper a.s.sistance, to edit and superintend a complete edition of my works, and to furnish a new composition in each style; namely, a new work in the style of variations, one in the sonata style, and so on in every separate cla.s.s of work that I have ever composed, and for the whole combined I ask 10,000 florins C.M.

I am no man of business, and only wish I were; as it is, I am guided by the offers made to me by different compet.i.tors for my works, and such a compet.i.tion is rather strong just now. I request you to say nothing on the subject, because, as you may perceive from the proceedings of these gentlemen, I am exposed to a great deal of annoyance. When once my works appear published by you, I shall no longer be plagued. I shall be very glad if a connection be established between us, having heard you so well spoken of. You will then also find that I infinitely prefer dealing with _one_ person of your description than with a variety of people of the ordinary stamp.

Pray, let me have an immediate answer, as I am now on the verge of deciding on the publication of various works. If you consider it worth while, be so good as to send me a duplicate of the list with which you furnished Herr Steiner. In the expectation of a speedy reply, I remain, with esteem,

Your obedient

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

307.

TO HERREN PETERS & CO.

Vienna, July 26, 1822.

I write merely to say that I agree to give you the Ma.s.s and pianoforte arrangement of it for 1000 florins C.M. You shall receive the above, written out in score, by the end of July, perhaps a few days sooner or later. As I am always very much occupied, and have been indisposed for the last five months, and works to be sent to a distance requiring the most careful supervision, I must proceed rather more slowly than usual. At all events, Steiner shall get nothing further from me, as he has just played me a most Jewish trick; so he is not one of those who might have had the Ma.s.s.

The compet.i.tion for my works is at present very great, for which I thank the Almighty, as I have hitherto been such a loser. I am the foster-father of my brother's dest.i.tute child, a boy who shows so much apt.i.tude for scientific pursuits that not only does his study of these, and his maintenance, cost a great deal of money, but I must also strive to make some future provision for him; being neither Indians nor Iroquois, who, as we know, leave everything to Providence, whereas we consider a pauper's existence to be a very sad one.

I a.s.sure you on my honor, which, next to G.o.d, is what I prize most, that I authorized no one to accept commissions for me. My fixed principle has always been never to make any offer to publishers; not from pride, but simply from a wish to ascertain how far the empire of my small talents extended.

I must conclude for to-day, and wishing you every success, I am, with esteem,

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

308.[1]

TO HERR PETERS.

Vienna, August 3, 1822.

I already wrote to you that my health was still far from being quite restored. I am obliged to have recourse to baths and mineral waters as well as to medicine; all this makes me rather unpunctual, especially as I must go on writing; corrections, too, run away with a great deal of time.

As to the songs and marches and other trifles, my choice is still undecided, but by the 15th of this month everything shall be ready to be sent off. I await your orders on the subject, and in the mean time shall make no use of your bill of exchange. As soon as I know that the money for the Ma.s.s and the other works has arrived here, all shall be ready for delivery by the 15th; and after that date I must set off to some mineral waters near this, when it will be most desirable for me to avoid all business for a time. More as to other matters when less occupied. Pray, do not suspect me of any ign.o.ble motives. It pains me when I am obliged to bargain.

In haste. With esteem, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Schindler states that the advance of 360 florins C.M. was made to Beethoven in August, 1822. The receipt is dated Nov. 30, 1825.]

309.

TO HERR ARTARIA.

August 22, 1822.

Being overwhelmed with work, I can only briefly say that I will always do what I can to repay your obliging kindness to me. With regard to the Ma.s.s, I have been offered 1000 florins (C.M.) for it. My circ.u.mstances do not permit me to accept a less sum from you; all that I can do is to give you the preference. Rest a.s.sured that I do not ask you one farthing more than others have offered me, which I can prove to you by written doc.u.ments. You can consider about this, but I must request you to send me an answer on the subject to-morrow, it being a post-day, and my decision expected elsewhere.

With regard to the 150 florins for which I am your debtor, I intend to make you a proposal, as I stand in great need of the 1000 florins.

I beg you will observe strict secrecy as to the Ma.s.s. Now, as ever,