Life of Beethoven Part 26

2. The two grand new Symphonies are then to be ready, and are to remain the Society's exclusive property.

3. The Society to give me for them three hundred guineas, and allow me one hundred guineas for my travelling expenses, which will much exceed that sum, as I must necessarily take some one with me.

4. As I shall immediately begin the two Symphonies, if my proposals be accepted, the Society to send me at once a cheque of one hundred and fifty guineas, that I may provide a carriage and other necessaries for my journey without delay.

5. I accept the conditions relative to my non-appearance in any other public orchestra, to my non-conducting, to my giving the preference to the Philharmonic Society upon equal terms, and in fact, with my sense of honour, all this would have been understood, though not mentioned.

6. I may rely upon the a.s.sistance of the Society in one or more benefit concerts, as circ.u.mstances may permit. I feel sure of this, from the feelings of friendship of several of the Directors of this estimable body, as indeed from the kind interest which most of the professional men have shown for my works; this will be an additional spur to my endeavours to fulfil their expectations.

7. I also beg to have the above written out in English, signed by three Directors of the Society, and sent over to me.

You may easily imagine how I enjoy the thoughts of becoming acquainted with the worthy Sir George Smart, and of seeing you and Neate again.

Would I could fly across to you instead of this letter!

Your sincere admirer and friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

(P.S. in his own hand.)

Dear Ries,--I embrace you with all my heart. I have expressly made use of another hand for the above that you might read and lay it before the Society with more ease. I have full confidence in your feelings towards me, and hope the Philharmonic Society will accept my proposals; you may rest a.s.sured that I shall exert all my powers to fulfil, in the worthiest manner possible, the honourable call of so distinguished a body of musicians. How strong is your band? how many violins, &c. &c., with single or double wind instruments? Is the room large--does the music tell in it?

14.

BEETHOVEN TO RIES.

Vienna, March 5, 1818.

My dear Ries,

Much as I wished it, I could not possibly manage to get to London this year; I beg you will inform the Philharmonic Society that it was my weak state of health which prevented me. I have some hopes of being effectually cured this spring, and then I shall avail myself about autumn of the proposals made to me by the Society--fulfilling all their conditions.

Will you ask Neate in my name not to make a public use, at least, of such works of mine as he has got, until my arrival: whichever way matters may stand with him, he has given me cause to complain.

Potter called on me several times; he seems to be a good creature, and has much talent for composition. I hope and wish that your circ.u.mstances may improve from day to day; I cannot say that mine do. * * * * * I cannot bear to see want--I must give; so you may fancy how much more I suffer in this matter. Pray let me hear from you soon. If possible, I shall decamp sooner, to escape my utter ruin, and shall be in London towards the end of winter at the latest. I know you will a.s.sist a distressed friend; had it been in my power, and had I not ever been fettered by circ.u.mstances, surely I should have done much more for you.

Fare you well! remember me to Neate, Smart, Cramer--although I understand that the latter moves in contrary motion to you and me. Never mind; I hope I somewhat understand the art of managing such matters, and producing a pleasing harmony at our meeting in London. I embrace you with all my heart.

Your friend,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

My kind regards to your dear, and, as I understand, beautiful wife.

15.

BEETHOVEN TO RIES.

Vienna, April 30, 1819.

My dear Ries,

I could not ere this answer your last letter of the 18th of December.

Your sympathy does me good. It is impossible to get to London for the present, entangled as I am in various ways; but G.o.d will a.s.sist my plans of reaching it certainly next winter, when I shall bring the new Symphonies. I am in expectation of the text for an Oratorio which I am to write for our Musical Society, and which may likewise serve us in London. Do for me what you can, for I stand in need of it. I should gladly have accepted any orders for the Philharmonic Society; Neate's reports, however, of the all but failure of the three Overtures have vexed me; they have not only been successful here, each in its own way, but those in E flat and C have even produced a powerful effect; so that the fate of these compositions in the Philharmonic Society is a riddle to me. You will have received the arrangement of the Quintetto and the Sonata. Pray let them both be engraved immediately, especially the Quintetto. The Sonata may follow a little more at leisure, but that too not later than two or three months hence. I had not received your former letter which you mention, and therefore did not scruple to strike a bargain for both these works in this place too--that is to say, only for Germany. It will be three months before the Sonata comes out here, but you must hurry with the Quintett. As soon as you send me a cheque for the money I shall let you have an agreement for the publisher, securing him the property of these works for England, Scotland, Ireland, France, &c.

The _Tempi_ of the Sonata, according to Maelzel's Metronome, will reach you by the next post. The Quintett and Sonata are gone by De Smidt, courier to Prince Paul Esterhazy. I shall send my portrait by the earliest opportunity, as I understand that you really wish for it.

Farewell! think kindly of your friend

BEETHOVEN.

_My_ best love to _your_ best love!!!

16.

Vienna, April 16, 1819.

Here, dear Ries! are the _Tempi_ of the Sonata (Op. 106). First Allegro, _Allegro_ alone, strike out the _a.s.sai_, and add

Maelzel's Metronome [Ill.u.s.tration: musical note, half note][185] = 138 Second movement Scherzoso, M. M.

[Ill.u.s.tration: musical note, half note] = 80 Third movement, M. M.

[Ill.u.s.tration: musical note, eighth note] = 92

Observe that another bar should be prefixed to this movement, viz.:--

[Ill.u.s.tration: musical notation][A]

Fourth movement, _Introduzione largo_ M. M. [Ill.u.s.tration: musical note, sixteenth note] = 76

Fifth and last movement, 3/4 time

[Ill.u.s.tration: musical notation][B]

Excuse the mistakes; if you knew my circ.u.mstances you would not be surprised at them, but would wonder at what I produce in spite of them.

The Quintett cannot be delayed any longer, and will shortly appear; not so the Sonata, about which I anxiously expect to hear from you, inclosing the terms. The name of the courier, through whom you have to receive the Quintett and Sonata, is De Smidt. I beg to have a speedy answer, and shall soon write more at length.

In haste, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

17.

BEETHOVEN TO RIES.