Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 21

347.

TO HERR GEHEIMRATH VON KoNNERITZ,--DRESDEN,[1]

DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL ORCHESTRA AND THEATRE IN SAXONY.

Hetzendorf, July 17, 1823.

SIR,--

I have too long deferred sending you a signed receipt and thanks, but I feel sure you will pardon the delay from my great pressure of business, owing to my health having improved, and G.o.d knows how long this may continue. The description given by my dear friend Maria Weber[2] of your generous and n.o.ble disposition encourages me to apply to you on another subject, namely, about a Grand Ma.s.s which I am now issuing in ma.n.u.script.

Though I have met with a previous refusal on this matter [337], still, as my esteemed Cardinal, H.R. Highness the Archduke Rudolph, has written to H.R.H. Prince Anton, requesting him to recommend the Ma.s.s to his Majesty the King of Saxony, I think this fresh application might at all events be made, as I should consider it a great honor to number among my distinguished subscribers (such as the King of Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, the King of France, &c.) so great a connoisseur in music as the King of Saxony.

I leave it to you, sir, to decide from this statement how and when you can best effect my purpose. I am unable to send you to-day the application for a subscription to my Ma.s.s to H.M. the King of Saxony, but I will do so by the next post. In any event I feel a.s.sured that you will not think I am one of those who compose for the sake of paltry gain; but how often do events occur which constrain a man to act contrary to his inclinations and his principles? My Cardinal is a benevolent Prince, but means are wanting! I hope to receive your forgiveness for my apparent importunity. If my poor abilities can in any way be employed in your service, what extreme pleasure it would give me.

I am, sir, with esteem, Your expectant

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: The director-general of the Dresden theatre at that time was Von Konneritz, who sent Beethoven forty ducats (requesting a receipt) for his opera of _Fidelio_, performed with great applause April 29, 1823, and conducted by C.M. von Weber. Madame Schroder-Devrient made her _debut_ in the character of Leonore.]

[Footnote 2: In Weber's _Biography_ it is stated (Vol. II. p. 465) that Beethoven and Weber exchanged several letters about the performance of _Fidelio_, and in fact Weber did receive letters from Beethoven on February 16, April 10, and June 9. Unhappily, no part of this correspondence has yet been discovered, except a fragment of the sketch of a letter written by Weber of January 28, 1823, which sufficiently proves that Beethoven was right in calling him his _friend_. It is as follows:--"This mighty work, teeming with German grandeur and depth of feeling, having been given under my direction at Prague, had enabled me to acquire the most enthusiastic and instructive knowledge of its inner essence, by means of which I hope to produce it before the public here with full effect, provided as I am with all possible accessories for the purpose. Each performance will be a festival to me, permitting me to pay that homage to your mighty spirit which dwells in the inmost recesses of my heart, where love and admiration strive for the mastery." On October 5 of this year, Weber visited Beethoven in Baden, with Haslinger and Benedict.]

348.

TO HERR V. KoNNERITZ,--DRESDEN.

Vienna, July 25, 1823.

SIR,--

Forgive my importunity in sending to your care the enclosed letter from me to his R.H. Prince Anton of Saxony; it contains an application to his Majesty the King of Saxony to subscribe to a ma.s.s of mine. I recently mentioned to you that the Cardinal Archduke Rudolph had written to his M.

the King of Saxony about this Ma.s.s; I entreat you to use all your influence in this matter, and I leave it entirely to your own judgment and knowledge of local matters to act as you think best. Although I do not doubt that the recommendation of my Cardinal will have considerable weight, still the decision of his Majesty cannot fail to be much influenced by the advice of the Administrator of objects connected with the fine arts. Hitherto, in spite of apparent brilliant success, I have scarcely realized as much as a publisher would have given me for the work, the expenses of copying being so very great. It was the idea of my friends to circulate this Ma.s.s, for, thank G.o.d! I am a mere novice in all speculations. In the mean time, there is not a single _employe_ of our Government who has not been, like myself, a loser. Had it not been for my continued bad health for many years past, a foreign country would at least have enabled me to live free from all cares except those for art. Judge me kindly, and not harshly; I live only for my art, and my sole wish is to fulfil my duties as a man; but this, alas!

cannot always be accomplished without the influence of the _subterranean powers_. While commending my cause to you, I also venture to hope that your love of art, and above all your philanthropy, will induce you to be so good as to write me a few lines, informing me of the result as soon as you are acquainted with it.

I am, sir, with high consideration,

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

349.

TO SCHINDLER.

August, 1823.

YOU SAMOTHRACIAN VILLAIN!--

Make haste and come, for the weather is just right. Better early than late--_presto, prestissimo_! We are to drive from here.[1]

[Footnote 1: Beethoven had apartments in a summer residence of Baron p.r.o.nay's on his beautiful property at Hetzendorf. Suddenly, however, the _maestro_, deeply immersed in the _Ninth Symphony_, was no longer satisfied with this abode, because "the Baron would persist in making him profound bows every time that he met him." So, with the help of Schindler and Frau Schnaps, he removed to Baden in August, 1823.]

350.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, August 16, 1823.

MY DEAR BOY,--

I did not wish to say anything to you till I found my health improving here, which, however, is scarcely even yet the case. I came here with a cold and catarrh, which were very trying to me, my const.i.tution being naturally rheumatic, which will, I fear, soon cut the thread of my life, or, still worse, gradually wear it away. The miserable state of my digestive organs, too, can only be restored by medicines and diet, and for this I have to thank my _faithful_ servants! You will learn how constantly I am in the open air when I tell you that to-day for the first time I properly (or improperly, though it was involuntary) resumed my suit to my Muse. I _must_ work, but do not wish it to be known. Nothing can be more tempting (to me at least) than the enjoyment of beautiful Nature at these baths, but _nous sommes trop pauvres, et il faut ecrire ou de n'avoir pas de quoi_. Get on, and make every preparation for your examination, and be una.s.suming, so that you may prove yourself higher and better than people expect. Send your linen here at once; your gray trousers must still be wearable, at all events at home; for, my dear son, you are indeed very _dear_ to me! My address is, "At the coppersmith's," &c. Write instantly to say that you have got this letter. I will send a few lines to that contemptible creature, Schindler, though I am most unwilling to have anything to do with such a wretch. If we could write as quickly as we think and feel, I could say a great deal not a little remarkable; but for to-day I can only add that I wish a certain Carl may prove worthy of all my love and unwearied care, and learn fully to appreciate it.

Though not certainly exacting, as you know, still there are many ways in which we can show those who are better and n.o.bler than ourselves that we acknowledge their superiority.

I embrace you from my heart.

Your faithful and true

FATHER.

351.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

August, 1823.

I am really very ill, and not suffering from my eyes alone. I intend to drag myself to-morrow to Baden, to look out for a lodging, and to go there altogether in the course of a few days. The air in town has a very bad effect on my whole organization, and has really injured my health, having gone twice to town to consult my physicians. It will be easier for me to repair to Y.R.H. in Baden. I am quite inconsolable, both on account of Y.R.H. and myself, that my usefulness is thus limited. I have marked some things in the Variations, but I can explain these better verbally.

[K.]

352.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Baden, August 22, 1823.

Your gracious letter led me to believe that Y.R.H. intended to return to Baden, where I arrived on the 13th, very ill; but I am now better. I had recently another inflammatory cold, having just recovered from one. My digestion, too, was miserable, and my eyes very bad; in short, my whole system seemed impaired. I was obliged to make the effort to come here, without even being able to see Y.R.H. Thank G.o.d, my eyes are so much better that I can again venture to make tolerable use of them by daylight. My other maladies, too, are improving, and I cannot expect more in so short a period. How I wish that Y.R.H. were only here, when in a few days we could entirely make up for lost time. Perhaps I may still be so fortunate as to see Y.R.H. here, and be able to show my zeal to serve Y.R.H. How deeply does this cause me to lament my unhappy state of health. Much as I wish for its entire restoration, still I greatly fear that this will never be the case, and on this account I hope for Y.R.H.'s indulgence. As I can now at length prove how gladly I place myself at Y.R.H.'s disposal, my most anxious desire is that you would be pleased to make use of me.

[K.]

353.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.