Attorney Johann Baptist Bach likes the idea of sending Karl to work for Maurice Schlesinger in Paris. He did not know Beethoven has acquaintances in Paris, so he won’t need to contact the banker Geymüller about that if that is to be the plan.

A letter arrives from publisher Anton Diabelli. He asks Beethoven only for a brief answer, whether he is satisfied with the fee offered for the string quintet for 100 ducats. [Although Beethoven is willing to write the quintet, the unfinished WoO 62, for that price, he does not get around to responding to Diabelli for nearly a month.]

Holz is in bliss over the new quartet, op.131. “I do not want to be stopped from copying it at any price; when you can review it so calmly, completely new worlds arise from it. The most difficult seems to be the last movement; however, it is not so difficult as the one from the B-flat major quartet.” [Holz means the final movement of op.130, which at this point is still the Grosse Fuge.] Beethoven asks him to be careful to place the page turns at appropriate spots. Holz agrees that they don’t want to have a fifth or sixth person up on the stage turning pages for them.

It is time to collect the September 1 annuity payment from Prince Kinsky. Holz asks whether Beethoven has the necessary certificate from the local priest verifying he is still alive.

With regard to Nephew Karl, Beethoven still would like for him to take his examinations at the Polytechnic Institute. Holz thinks they need instead to get him away from Vienna as soon as possible. If he takes the exams, that will not happen so fast. “Bach was absolutely right, he said throw away the books and send him out into life; there he must undergo trial by fire.” Constantly following Karl around is no use at his age. He needs to take responsibility for himself. Holz thinks Karl’s mother Johanna is a particularly bad influence in this respect. “She does not live from today until tomorrow, but from today until yesterday.”

Holz notes that the engraver for the op.130 quartet, Hodick, has fallen ill. There are other errors in the score that have been noted. There is a rallentando pp in one part, but missing in another. [This would be in either bars 51-53 or bar 102 of the second movement.] Former art dealer Johann Traeg is working on the corrections for Artaria. Holz fears that he will find errors where none exist. “I believe he will surely think crescendos that are only in one passage will be necessary in all of them. For instance, in the C-sharp minor Fugue, you have kept a part piano, while another one emphasizes the theme crescendo. Is that not correct?” [Holz here refers to the beginning of the first movement of op.131.]

Attorney Bach thinks that a music shop would be the best place for Karl, since he already has knowledge in that field. “He would be Germany’s best Tobias.” According to Bach, Beethoven need only say, “As my nephew has dedicated himself to trade, and I have found a suitable place for him in N.N. where he can complete his education, I ask you to give him leave for 1, 2, 3 years,” and he would be granted a traveling pass. They need not say that he would never return. [Beethoven is to the contrary well aware that former unpaid assistant Franz Oliva overstayed his visa to Russia and never returned, which resulted in (completely ineffective) criminal charges being brought in Vienna against him.] Beethoven is taken aback. Never return? Holz backs off this statement, realizing he has gone too far. “He can return, but then he probably will have changed a lot.”

Holz changes the subject to the inquest last Saturday, where Karl was interrogated. Holz thinks Karl’s testimony “is actually the world’s most ridiculous and strange testimony that has ever been given in court. ‘I grew worse because my uncle wanted me to be better.'” Beethoven once again fears that the pressure of the examinations drove Karl to suicide. Holz again denies this idea in turn. “He did not care whether he could pass or not; that is not the reason for suicide. Bach blames the mother for everything. No confidence, frivolous, drunk…Your brother was right when he said Karl only knew dissolute whores. Now this is being confirmed from other sides. He was not without sense when he played his tricks, and now he is no less without full awareness. He showed himself to me from the first to the last hour how he always was: cold, deliberate, secretive. In short, without any feeling.”

What was his goal, then, Beethoven asks. “To remove himself from you. The guardianship, and his mother against it. Perhaps also in order not to have to tell the court the actual, hidden reason.”

Holz departs, leaving Beethoven with his thoughts about Karl.

Conversation Book 119, 35v-41v.

At the very end of today’s Berliner allgemeine musikalische Zeitung (Nr.35), there is a short note from the editor, Adolph Marx at 284 confirming the recent publication of the Ninth Symphony: “The Schott music store in Mainz, Antwerp and Paris, which has been so highly active in recent times and has made such a contribution to classical music, has created a new, lasting monument to its tireless and well-guided zeal by publishing Beethoven’s great symphony with chorus in full score and in parts. The presentation is, as befits such a work, the most magnificent we have seen recently, and we express our thanks to the publishing house for this gratifying undertaking, as well as for the edition of valuable church and quartet music, at the same time along with the gratitude of many music lovers who have long desired to own these masterpieces.”

“Beethoven’s Quartet op.127 has been tastefully edited in parts from the newly established Schott publishing house in Paris. The full score and four-hand piano reduction have been published in Mainz.”

“A more detailed assessment of the individual works can be expected in this newspaper. May the promised and long-awaited Beethoven Mass [the Missa Solemnis] follow soon.”

Schindler tells Beethoven he briefly told Bach what had happened, and that he would be seeking Bach’s advice. Holz had commissioned Bach to be home and to expect Beethoven’s visit. [After Beethoven’s death, Schindler tried to change the writing to say that he himself had done this.]

Holz and Beethoven visit Bach. His recommendation is to be rid of the guardianship and Karl. “In your place, I would not concern myself any more.” The guardianship at this point is really only about the custody of his person. What will become of him, Beethoven asks. “What he is meant to become,” answers Bach. The best thing would be to arrange for employment in a distant location, such as an office in Trieste or Milan at once, where no one knows the story. Beethoven suggests that Karl should make up his examinations, but Bach says that delay would not be a good idea. “Right away, no more exams.” He could talk to the Geymüller banking firm and ask if he knows about a position for a year. Or some firm in Hamburg. Holz suggests Moritz Schlesinger in Paris, who already knows and likes Karl, as a possibility. Bach approves of that idea as well.

Beethoven would rather Karl complete his studies. Bach is more practical: “How do you expect a person, who does not want to go to school any more, to take a book into his hands again? One must take away every opportunity for him here. Away with him into the real world.” Holz agrees, Bach is absolutely right. Staying in Vienna would do him more harm than good. Where there are such family disputes, there is nothing else to do. It would not be difficult to get him a passport. Bach advises that no kind of guardianship would be of any use in Karl’s case, so long as he stays in Vienna.

Beethoven and Holz leave Beethoven’s office. They may go to a restaurant or inn, and they continue their discussion. Beethoven tells Holz about the letter he wrote yesterday to Brother Johann, and writes out for Holz the short, hostile letter in the conversation book: “I will not come — Your brother??? etc. !!!”

Holz tells Beethoven that Bach’s opinion was that Karl can only be improved by going out into the real world, and he should not stay here in Vienna one moment longer. His surroundings would have a negative influence on him, no matter how closely he is supervised, and then nothing will be gained. “Therefore, he also thinks that the exams are unnecessary; in an office such certificates are rarely considered, and every hour he is delayed by studying will be an obvious disadvantage to him.” One gets a position in an office primarily through recommendations; before the Polytechnic Institute existed, people also trained for commercial careers. “Anyway, most of the theoretical rules which they learn in such institutes are hardly usable in the practical world.” That was Bach’s opinion.

Beethoven likes the idea of sending him to Paris to work with Schlesinger. Holz agrees. “He is longing to go there anyway. If you would write to Schlesinger soon, then you would have taken a step which cannot be postponed for long.” Schlesinger might not even ask for a year’s board and lodging fee, or not very much in the first year of his apprenticeship. In his second year, people normally earn a good salary already. Beethoven wonders whether Schlesinger would have him. “You have to leave that up to fact; however, Schlesinger is a Jew who certainly speculates,” Holz answers, treating an investment in Karl’s future as a speculation. Other alternatives would include old Adolph Schlesinger in Berlin, or to Schott’s in Mainz.

Does Karl really have to leave Vienna, Ludwig asks. Holz indicates it is necessary: “Bach thinks that here is the biggest danger for him; even if he seems to improve, he won’t forget about the friends of his youth, who have made no small impression on him. The mother, the apothecary [Johann], the students, the gaming houses — he will forget all of that if he goes somewhere else, and he will be forced to take another path.” Once he is among better company, they will know how to engage him. They part, and Beethoven goes home to the Schwarzspanierhaus to consider Karl’s future.

Conversation Book 119, 29v-35r.

Despite Karl’s claims to the contrary, Beethoven cannot help but believe that the upcoming exams prompted Karl to take these rash actions. Holz jokes that he would be the first student to shoot himself because of exams. “I do not see the exams as being the cause, because he has already earlier proven himself reckless enough to be able to endure a harsh rebuke from you about this; but it is still a far leap to shooting one’s self.”

They arrive for their appointment at the offices of Franz Michael Reisser, vice-director of the Polytechnic and Karl’s co-guardian. He advises that Karl can retake the exams. “On the 6th, I’ll be leaving for Upper Austria and I’ll be back on October 15, then he can take the exams. The grade in moral conduct depends on me, and he always behaved well in school.”

At Reisser’s office they finally meet Karl’s tutor, Herr Klaps. It turns out that Ludwig was giving Karl 40 florins W.W. per month for the tutor’s fee, but Klaps only got 30 florins monthly, and Karl was pocketing the difference. In addition, Klaps was never paid for June at all. Karl always paid in arrears, not in advance. Karl stopped coming to Klaps in July. He asks Holz not to tell Beethoven that he still has not been paid, though it is too late for that. He was never paid more than 30 florins; Reisser seems to have been unaware of the actual amount being paid.

Klaps says that Karl probably would not be able to pass the exam in mathematics, because he did not copy all of the things he needed for that. He spent his whole time in the coffeehouse, etc. [Karl played billiards in the coffeehouse at the Freihaus] Reisser had no idea of all this until now. Nevertheless, Reisser says Karl can catch up on the exams.

After they depart, Beethoven mentions their appointment with attorney Johann Baptist Bach at 5 p.m. Holz says he forgot to mention, Bach has a meeting with other lawyers today, so he does not have time at 5, but asks that they come tomorrow [Tuesday, August 29] at the same time.

So, they can then go to the magistrate’s office the day after tomorrow [Wednesday, August 30.] The official records will need to be handed over to the government, but only the essentials. [Holz may be thinking about holding back the conversation books.]

How is Karl to pass his examinations, Ludwig asks. Holz says there is no choice but to have Klaps go to him. Ludwig is angry that Karl has been spending his time at coffeehouses. Holz feeds into this a bit. “It would only be that he also played cards.” Holz asks whether Ludwig kept the letter Karl wrote in English to Joseph Niemetz.

Johanna needs good soup for Karl while he is in the hospital. Holz says he told her that if it was necessary, Beethoven might provide another half pound of meat. Beethoven asks whether the police are keeping an eye on Karl. Holz tells him there are people observing Karl all the time, dressed in civilian clothes. [This claim seems unlikely for someone with a serious head wound in the hospital; this remark may be a fib to reassure Beethoven that Karl will not make another attempt on his own life.] Beethoven asks whether they can believe Karl’s testimony to the magistrate. Holz tells him that it is under oath, and they normally demand an oath.

Holz wonders if they should ask at the coffeehouse whether Karl still owes them money. Or they could leave that up to the magistrate.

Karl’s “dictionaries have probably also gone to hell,” Holz opines, referring to Karl having sold his books to get the money to buy pistols.

Holz computes the amounts given to Johanna thus far for Karl’s care, totaling 15 florins, 55 kreutzers. She still needs another 7 florins.

Beethoven suggests that tomorrow when he goes to see Attorney Bach, he should meet Holz somewhere. Holz says he will wait for Beethoven at the office, since he will have to pass that way anyway. Beethoven is concerned about whether his office will be annoyed if he shows up, but Holz assures him that they are only concerned that he is doing his job. “I always work on my own there.” It won’t take long, anyway.

Beethoven discusses the possibility of the Schuppanzigh Quartet playing the new quartet, op.131 in C-sharp minor at some point. Holz asks whether the movements must be played without any pauses. Beethoven tells him yes, that’s what the score indicates. Holz jokes, “But then we cannot repeat anything!” [It was common for the audience to demand a repeat of a particularly beautiful or effective movement.] Holz suggests that they will need to at least take time to tune, perhaps before the Presto [fifth movement.] Beethoven tells him no, it needs to be done without a break. Holz says they will need to do it on a cool evening, then, so they stay in tune. “We’ll order reliable strings. Mylord [Schuppanzigh] has to order very high quality strings.”

Beethoven mentions that he knows the listeners like to have witty conversation between movements. Holz jokes, “The conversation between one movement and the next is never so witty to make anything more than a relatively short interlude. I mean the conversations among the listeners between the movements.”

Beethoven asks Holz’s opinion about the quartet. Holz says he is “very happy, especially since it does not give Mylord any troubles.” Holz will take the quartet with him, since he is going to the place where he will copy out the parts. Beethoven suggests that an unspecified copyist, possibly Wenzel Rampl, could do that work. Holz says that he takes too long and will take pity on him, doing the work himself. Holz departs.

Later today, Beethoven gets together with Stephan von Breuning and his family for dinner on the occasion of Gerhard’s birthday and to watch the balloon ascension and parachuting by aeronaut Elisa Garnerin into the Prater, which was postponed from yesterday due to the weather. A portrait of Elisa Garnerin is seen nearby, courtesy of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This incident is recounted by Gerhard von Breuning in Memories of Beethoven at 78:

”The first balloon ascent of Mme. Garnerin in Vienna was scheduled for August 28, 1826. She was to let herself down to earth by parachute from a dizzy height: a spectacle never yet seen in Vienna. Everyone was interested. But the day was also my thirteenth birthday, and Beethoven was invited to dinner for the celebration, and then after dinner to see from our windows, which looked over to the trees of the Prater, how Mme. Garnerin’s new experiment turned out.”

“He brought with him a copy of the Stieler portrait ‘with the Missa Solemnis,’ which M. Artaria had just published in lithograph [actually lithographed by Friedrich Dürck and printed by I. Selb]; my father was to send it to Wegeler in Coblenz. While we were waiting for the aeronautical performance to begin, comparisons were made of the similarity of the portrait to the original. My father’s opinion was that although none of Beethoven’s portraits were a perfect likeness, this one resembled him more than any of the other recent ones, especially if the small details are disregarded and it is viewed through the window from the back, so that its sharp outlines are softened. Beethoven was much pleased by this observation.” A copy of the Dürck lithograph of the Stieler portrait is nearby, courtesy of the Bonn Beethovenhaus, B 379.]

Stephan von Breuning points out amongst the observers Joseph von Arneth (1791-1863), the husband of Antonie Adamberger (1790-1867), the actress who had played Clärchen in Goethe’s Egmont in 1810, for which Beethoven had written the incidental music op.84.

Conversation Book 119, 21v-29r.

Katharina Konradi sings Freudvoll und Leidvoll (Clärchen’s Lied) from op.84, accompanied by the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock:

Probably in the evening, Beethoven writes a short letter to his brother Johann, who has invited them to come and stay with him in Gneixendorf. Ludwig’s response: “I am not coming — Your Brother??????!!!!” [Punctuation per the original.]

Brandenburg Letter 2189. The original is held in the Trier City Library, in the Autograph Collection. Beethoven was unsure what the date was; the letter bears the date of the 26th, and is changed by him to the 28th.

Beethoven mentions to unpaid assistant Karl Holz early this morning that he has decided to make the piano duet arrangement of the Grosse Fuge himself. Holz notes that the opening Allegro in 6/8 should be the easiest part to translate. Beethoven tells Holz his ideas for how to accomplish this arrangement, and Holz concedes that no one else would have been able to do it like that.

Ludwig has received a letter from Brother Johann in Gneixendorf. Holz reads it and comments that Johann appears to intentionally omit any mention of the name Karl; usually he writes a greeting to Karl. By the way, Karl said that he does not need a night lamp.

Beethoven wants to know about the magistrate’s questioning. Did Karl completely stop working on his classes? Yes, “he said that from the time he made his decision [to commit suicide], he did nothing more.” Holz believes that much more will be revealed once Karl is fully recovered, suggesting that the questioning did not last long. “Karl also said everywhere that he could twist you around his little finger; he could do what he wanted, as he would be able to rely on you anyway.”

Beethoven makes reference to the Joseph Stieler portrait of himself being a particularly good likeness. [Beethoven will show a lithograph of this portrait to the Bruenings tomorrow, so he likely has it in his hand, showing it to Holz during this conversation.] Holz agrees that “The true character of the physiognomy is not expressed anywhere else more clearly.” Portrait painter Moritz Daffinger (1790-1849) praises it very much; he only thinks that the left forearm and left hand are distorted. Daffinger would like the opportunity to paint Beethoven. [Daffinger had been trying since 1820, but was never able to convince the composer to sit for him.] “Not only because of your fame, but also because of your excellent features. Earlier I often heard it said: Today I saw Beethoven again! His scarf hung down! — or his hat did not sit right! and things like that. One sees, it was said, that this tremendous god-man has other things to think about than his clothes.”

Back to Nephew Karl: The priest does not leave his side. “He eats and sleeps with him. That is very good, because the mother etc. etc.” Holz will go to see Polytechnic Institute Vice Director Reisser tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Beethoven thinks it will be a waste of time; Holz says he will do it anyhow, since Reisser has shown so much sympathy. “Perhaps he will have some advice; he knows the fraternities. Who knows how he will be dealt with; all I know is this in general. On this point, just let the police have their say; they will do what is best for him!” Karl will probably be under police surveillance for the next 3 or 4 years, even if he is not locked up.

Will they ever get the real reason behind Karl’s actions? Holz tells him, “The Viennese police are the most famous in all of Europe; they have solved the most mysterious riddles.” But it was not that Karl was afraid of taking his examinations, Holz says. “I am convinced of that.” Why are you so sure, Beethoven asks him. “He also told me this.” He did not find it worthwhile to continue studying. “It was just weariness of life, because he sought in life something different from what you could reasonably and righteously approve of. Foul play! [Perhaps a reference to Karl cheating at gambling.] Paris would have been the right place for him. He can sooner become a Liguorian than a fool.” [This comment echoes Rosalia Schlemmer’s remark on July 25 about Karl’s “cleverness” at games, so that others were afraid to play with him.]

Karl can still do good things, Ludwig suggests. Holz disagrees. “I doubt dispositions for doing good things; what was good in him were your grafting shoots onto a withered stem.” Beethoven is annoyed that Karl’s landlord, Mathias Schlemmer, did not tell him sooner what was happening. Holz thinks it was not bad intentions on Schlemmer’s part. But he was not someone who could both help himself and someone else. Holz feels sorry for Frau Rosalia Schlemmer, who had grown quite close to Karl, and “the catastrophe which unfolded for her late and without warning; she cried like a child. She said, only God knows she is not to blame, but she had been terribly deceived.” Her husband Mathias was stupid enough to think that coming to Beethoven with this news would make himself a nuisance. What if Mathias had not taken away the pistol? “Then he would have been dead.” [The first set of pistols had too much gunpowder and would have killed him had they been discharged as he planned.]

Mathias Schlemmer comes to see Beethoven. He says that Karl puts all the blame on Uncle Ludwig, and it comes out as if Karl did it because Uncle Ludwig harassed him too much. “If you give him money, then it is also your right to demand accounts, and who would be indifferent to seeing that it was unnecessary.” Schlemmer thinks Ludwig should cut Karl loose; then he can do as he pleases. “I would not give him any money either, if he demands it. He is no longer a child, he knows how to judge. Schlemmer’s maid had to carry his books down the stairs and put them in the carriage when he sold them. Beethoven asks when this happened. “8 or 10 days before he performed the act — I myself saw them lying there, and my wife said that he had already started packing.” Beethoven wonders how to prevent a repetition of the suicide attempt. Schlemmer tells him, “You must never give the money directly to him; in the future you should just pay everything — pay it where it belongs, wherever that is.”

Beethoven writes in the conversation book himself, indicating that they may be in a public place such as a restaurant or coffee house. “I only aim at his recovery, because if he is now to be completely at his own mercy, even worse things could happen. He continuously played billiards with coachmen, etc.”

Beethoven also makes a memorandum that he needs to write the receipt to Prague [for Prince Kinsky’s share of his annuity. Beethoven will write out that receipt tomorrow.]

Holz mentions that “Schlemmer said that it was on July 27 that he had the books carried to the carriage, and had the coachman take them to the university. There is an antiquarian bookseller there. [Michael Zehetmayr’s antiquarian bookshop near the university.] There are works among them for which he could have gotten 50 to 60 florins.”

Beethoven asks whether the police will want to question him as well? Holz tells him not to accept any subpoena, unless Holz is there with him. The matter will now be dealt with at the local police station, not at the police headquarters.” Beethoven is anxious to go to the minister and force them to leave him alone. Holz urges that he be calm; they cannot go to the minister before there is a reason to complain. “The court will not pester you; the mother and Karl at the most.”

However, Holz cautions that the conversation books should be looked through once again. “Perhaps they will be requested by the court. There might be matters in them that do not have any relevance to this case, which you might not want to be communicated elsewhere.”

Beethoven mentions that he will continue to write out the main theme of the Grosse Fuge as two slurred eighth notes on the same tone. Hulz doesn’t quite understand, because on the violin, one cannot distinguish the two eighth notes from one another.

Holz recollects that Joseph Niemetz was the fellow that he saw Karl walking with on the Badnerstrasse last year.

Holz and Beethoven go to Reisser’s home, but he is not there. Holz says that he is away, busy with examinations. “I think it would be easier to find him at home on a Sunday morning.” But now, Beethoven can assume where his books have gone. Beethoven mourns that his set of Goethe is now probably sold off. Holz asks if that was the complete works of Goethe. If Karl committed a crime by making off with the books and selling them, he will be punished legally. What would the penalty be, Ludwig asks. “Imprisonment for 10 years, but the public shaming is waived out of consideration.”

They also visit the notary, Johann August Walcha, about how the receipt for the Kinsky annuity should be made out. He tells them that the receipt doesn’t need any particular form and can be issued as Beethoven wishes. Holz suggests that he issue it for 5 months, until September 1 for 500 florins W.W., or better, 200 florins C.M., since that would be a cheaper tax stamp, only 30 kreutzers.

Conversation Book 118, 36v-47v.

At this point, Beethoven and Holz shift to Conversation Book 119, probably after they return to the Schwarzspanierhaus. This is a volume with 52 leaves, each page of which contains writing. This book is used primarily today and tomorrow, August 28, though a few entries continue into the first day of September.

They continue discussing Karl and his mother Johanna. “During the investigation, he also said that he was always with his mother,” Holz says. The question is open as to where Karl will go after he has recovered. Something should be done about the guardianship, Beethoven suggests. Holz says he will present Beethoven’s decision to the councilor, Ignaz Czapka (1792-1881), which should be done in the next few days. Thus they will need to talk to Reisser [who is co-guardian under the present arrangement] before that. They can see whether they find Reisser at home later today. Beethoven does not want to go back to Reisser’s again. Then it would have to be at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning, and he will probably be home then.

What about attorney Johann Baptist Bach, Holz asks. “He can advise you [about the guardianship], perhaps also about an appropriate place for Karl.” Uncle Ludwig, still thinking Karl will be able to take his examinations asks how Karl will be able to study without his books. “He can borrow the books from a classmate,” Holz responds.

Holz suggests that they go today to Rannersdorf, a village southeast of Vienna. They can get a hired carriage. Beethoven likes the idea of traveling, but would prefer to go to Dornbach, where he can meet with Dorothea von Ertmann. They hire a carriage for 20 florins C.M. [Holz will again suggest going to Rannersdorf at the beginning of September.]

Holz shows Beethoven a letter from Karl written in English to his friend Joseph Niemetz sometime before the suicide attempt. “Just this passage here: How is your charming girl, your goddess? Have you seen her, and will you see her soon again, embrace her and kiss her, and…at the end, [write me] preferably in English. I had to write in such a hurry because of fear and anxiety to be discovered by the old fool.” Holz adds, “He writes: When will I, such a miserable creature, see you again? Have pity on me, and if it does not give you too much trouble, please send me a small letter informing me about when and where I can find you, but send it before dinner, for I have to go into the city at 12 o’clock.”

Holz suggests they could go for a walk first, but he will ask whether Ertmann is home. [She apparently is not at the moment, but is expected back later.] Holz knows a wonderful restaurant in Weidling, through the forest, which would be a pleasant walk but it is too far.

Nephew Karl has said that his mother will account for the 15 florins W.W. that Ludwig gave her. Holz says that he told them she ought to account for the money when Karl is discharged from the hospital. If she still needs something to pay for his care, Ludwig will send it. Karl wants it to go to Johanna personally, and not to the nurse; that would embarrass his mother. “I asked him if he smoked. He will be allowed to smoke in a few days. He asks you to send him his cigar tube and some cigars. He does not want to smoke tobacco from a pipe. He accepted your idea about a journey to Paris with happiness; he said he was longing to go there, and that kind of commercial trade was what he wanted. He would like to go to Schlesinger.” [Uncle Ludwig had forbidden Karl from going to Maurice Schlesinger in Paris to become an art and music dealer himself, which probably contributed to Karl’s resentments.]

While in Dornbach, they run into author and philologist Emerich Thomas Hohler (1781-1846) and Beethoven chats with him for a while. They then go and join Dorothea von Ertmann, who has returned home. She invites the pair to join them for mid-day dinner. She complains of a skin rash on her foot, for which she has consulted 3 doctors. Before they leave Vienna, she wants to consult Dr. Smetana. Beethoven asks when they are leaving, and she tells him in 14 days. [It will actually be more like 19 days, on September 16.]

At a restaurant over dinner, Ertmann says she has often thought about Beethoven. Holz points out Johann Hoffmann, who sang Beethoven’s Adelaide so beautifully in Schuppanzigh’s concert on March 21, 1826. Holz notes that at the Kärntnertor Theater, they have begun rehearsing the choruses from Fidelio for a planned performance. [That performance does not occur for another five years, for unclear reasons.] Hoffmann studied law, but he joined the theater instead. What voice does he have, Beethoven asks. A beautiful baritone, Holz answers. “He sings the A up in his chest voice; down to B natural; he seldom sings falsetto, but he can sing to D. The tenor part in Fidelio is too high for him.”

French aeronaut Elisa Garnerin will probably not be flying today. [She was supposed to demonstrate a hot-air balloon flight with a parachute jump at 5:30 p.m. today, but because of inclement weather it is postponed until tomorrow, August 28. Beethoven will watch the balloon ascent tomorrow with the Breuning family.]

Dorothea von Ertmann reminds Holz that she still wants to hear Beethoven’s newest quartet [op.131]. The Ertmanns appear to go their separate way not long afterwards, but Holz and Beethoven stay at the restaurant.

Holz and Ludwig continue to talk about Nephew Karl. Beethoven asks whether Niemetz has been questioned by the police yet. “He has already been summoned. For the moment, the police are less concerned with the punishment of others than with correcting Karl.” Beethoven agrees that redeeming Karl’s future is the main goal. Holz acknowledges, “This is now the main point over which secondary considerations must disappear. I think this is very good; for the others already have the black mark, and are always certain of that.” Ludwig still wants Niemetz and Johanna to be punished for their role in it. “All of that will happen,” Holz assures him.

“The main point now is the protagonist, the hero of the tragicomedy. If only you had heard what the councilor [Ignaz Czapka, who oversees Beethoven’s guardianship of Karl] said! You would have been absolutely convinced of how much your honorable intentions are recognized.” Beethoven asks what Czapka said. “He always said: It is unbelievable! To be so noble-minded and full of the best intentions, and yet everything was in vain.” He adds, “The councilor said that your only failure had been your too great love and kindness, which he knew all about, and he relied on. I did not tell him that you want to relinquish the guardianship. He said that if the nephew wants to go to his mother and the uncle disapproves, then we agree with him, he is absolutely right; however, on the other hand we cannot blame the son if he cannot to a certain extent deny the natural instinct; therefore, it is difficult to judge here.” Czapka is the youngest councilor at the magistrate’s office.

Holz indicates that the examining police magistrate recorded the minutes of their questioning of Karl very thoroughly. Beethoven asks whether he was aware of Johanna’s checkered past. “He had the entire criminal process of the mother in front of him.” Holz finds it strange that Karl told the court that Uncle Ludwig had prevented him from seeing his mother, yet he did not express the remotest wish to see his mother, and Holz can testify to that himself.

“Just let them decide about your nephew; if he goes away from here, then she can stay. If it is decided otherwise, then the way to the police is always open to you, and they will listen to you with sympathy, I am firmly convinced of that.” Beethoven asks how long Karl is likely to remain under religious instruction. Holz thinks it can be as long as 6 months; Czapka said it depends on Karl, and to what extent he repents. “I very much doubt that he will harm himself again, so far as I could understand from what he said.”

Holz mentions that Dorothea von Ertmann seems to be very well-educated. He also likes young Gerhard von Breuning very much. He mentions that he saw Steiner in the office recently. “He asked: What is His Disgrace doing?” [This is a pun on Euer Gnaden (Your Grace) and Ungnade (disgrace)]

Holz suggests that they can take the Gesellschaftswagen back to Vienna. Possibly on the way back, they continue their conversation about Karl. Holz says that if he recovers physically before recovering mentally, then he would be sent to house arrest. The problem is that the magistrate fears that since there are no private rooms, he would have to share it with other dissolute persons to bad effect. Therefore he thinks it best that Karl stays in the hospital even after his wound has healed, until the priest brings him to fully recognize his duties.

Was Karl writing to his mother, Ludwig asks. “Who knows whether he did not already then exchange letters with her through Niemetz?” Beethoven agrees that Karl may have done this in order to conceal what he was doing. “That was a hidden intention. He knew only too well how you were at odds with his mother.”

But Beethoven still cannot understand why Karl wanted to commit suicide. Holz reluctantly tells Beethoven, “He gives no other reason than the imprisonment with you.” Beethoven objects to the word, “imprisonment,” that he did no such thing. “He called it imprisonment, the prevention from doing what he wanted.” Karl will not go back to Uncle Ludwig, and Holz recommends that he not demand it. “I do not want him to come near you. Rather with Reisser than with you. It is not your duty any more now that you have relinquished guardianship.” Instead, Ludwig should wait and see how Karl develops.

Holz adds, “Even if it may sound strange, I would like to say something that might bring back his love for you: As he is blaming you for being the cause for his false step, then you should completely avoid making even any remote reference to this act. For it is psychologically certain that it will annoy him more to hear it from your mouth rather than leading him back to you. To seem to forget about it would be more desirable for him than if you forgave him.” Beethoven is resistant to the idea and wants to discuss it with Karl. Holz is adamant: “Do not mention it at all; leave all the rest up to the priest. I think I might be right. Do not praise him, but do not blame him either. In one word, do not talk about it.”

But Karl blames me, Beethoven says. “Meanwhile, that is his opinion, of which he will be taught otherwise by someone else. You are not the cause either. However, he blames you for having already tied him down earlier, as I told you before.” Beethoven says he cannot seriously be saying that he was imprisoning Karl; in the two weeks before his attempt, Uncle Ludwig barely saw him. Holz clarifies, “He is not talking of the imprisonment in the last days; he called his former life under your supervision imprisonment.”

Karl has talked about finishing his studies. “He said that he would have to catch up on 5 examinations. The easiest ones he would be able to do: exchange law, commercial science, and commercial style. He would have to give up the other two, mathematics and merchandise knowledge.” But he also says it makes no difference whether he takes these exams or not. “About the books, he said that he does not need any of them, apart from the one that he still has, by Potter [probably Greek Archaeology by Johann Potter.] Ludwig asks whether the examinations had any role in Karl attempting suicide. Holz does not think so: “I do not take it is the primary reason that he did not master his subjects, for they would not have been difficult until he had to take the exams. There are earlier motives.” Beethoven asks whether it was his lack of trust of Karl that made him feel this way. “Not your distrust, but the restrictions you set for his sensual desires.”

Beethoven wants the nurse to act as his spy and tell him everything. Holz thinks that will be difficult; it would cost her her job if it were to become known that she was telling everything she hears. Even with that, at most one could get a court order against Niemetz. But that is a secondary matter that should be set aside until everything has been straightened out with Karl. Have the magistrates spoken to the Schlemmers? Yes, they have already been questioned. Holz did not say anything to them about the interrogation yesterday. But Holz did ask Karl whether he still wanted to become a soldier. “He said there might be many obstacles.”

As they are approaching Vienna, it is getting dark. Holz recommends that they take a fiacre to the Schwarzspanierhaus so that they do not have to walk in the dust. Back at the apartment, the housekeeper (probably still Marie Stiegel) has some food for them for supper. It was fried at mid-day since she did not know they would not be back until late. Holz asks whether Beethoven wants salad.

Holz thinks it good that the change of guardianship was initiated at the same time as and through the criminal interrogations. In that way, Beethoven would be relieved of all other requests and suggestions. Beethoven wants Karl to come to him with love and appreciation, but if he does not, then it is best to forget about him. Holz tells him, “You spoke from my soul; the only method, if he does not want to come to you again, is to disown him completely! If that does not work, then he is beyond saving, and there is nothing more we can do.”

That concludes this very long day. Conversation Book 119, 1r-21r. Tomorrow will be another long day as they plan to see Reisser and Beethoven’s attorney, Johann Baptist Bach.

Beethoven makes a shopping list but cannot keep his morbid thoughts out of it:

• for Karl robe
  Death
• sand
• robe
  +

Violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh visits Beethoven and inquires as to how Karl is doing. [As usual, Schuppanzigh addresses Beethoven in the third person, which is disregarded here for clarity.] Beethoven complains that Karl’s mother Johanna with her corrupting influence is seeing too much of him. Schuppanzigh notes that her own uncle [Jakob Hotschevar, who mas married to a step-sister of Johanna’s mother] speaks the worst of her. “Recently, she pretended to be your wife. She is also cheeky. [This, like naming her illegitimate daughter Ludovica, was surely calculated to annoy Ludwig.] My idea would be to let him join the military when he is recovered, but away from her here.” Schuppanzigh adds a further gratuitous insult to Johanna’s reputation, “She procures.”

Turning to music, Schuppanzigh mentions that publisher Anton Diabelli asked him to inquire with Beethoven whether he remembers Diabelli in connection with the quintet. Beethoven says yes, he recalls that, but he needs to finish the quartet in F major [op.135] first, and find someone to make an arrangement of the Grosse Fuge for four-hands piano. Schuppanzigh suggests, “But is it not your duty to arrange it yourself?” [This discussion may be what triggers Beethoven to do the piano duet arrangement of the Fugue that is today catalogued as op.134 over the coming weeks.] Schuppanzigh regrets that doing it will use a lot of Beethoven’s time.

Beethoven asks whether Schuppanzigh has received the 50 florins from Ignaz Dembscher. Schuppanzigh tells him, “Not a kreutzer up till now.”

Schuppanzigh asks whether the new quartet will be copied soon. [Op.135 must already be well along.] “It would be nice if we can hear it some time.” Beethoven tells him that copies will need to be made for the parts. Schuppanzigh thinks that is unnecessary: “We will write out our own parts, just give each of us some sheets and it will soon be finished.”

Beethoven needs to decide what to do about Karl’s guardianship. Schuppanzigh advises, “Now you must also separate yourself from him as you can expect nothing from him but ingratitude.”

Schuppanzigh asks how Dorothea von Ertmann is doing. Her husband, Generalmajor Stephan von Ertmann, was quite wealthy, and she also has a big fortune of her own. Schuppanzigh notes that her father Georg Carl Graumann (1747-1810) had been one of the richest men in Frankfurt. “Franck the miser would not have married her sister [Anna Graumann (c.1786-1838)] if she had not had a fortune.” Plus as a general he gets a free apartment, so much forage, on top of a good salary.

Schuppanzigh takes his leave of Beethoven.

Conversation Book 118, 33v-36r.

Today’s Wiener Zeitung (Nr.195) at 819 includes another advertisement for a Rondeau brilliant arranged for piano duet from the last movement of Beethoven’s Emperor concerto arranged by Friedrich Mockwitz [listed as op.75, as appears on the cover of the publication by Heinrich Probst in Leipzig.]

Hector Berlioz today enrolls in the composition course of Jean-François Le Sueur at the Paris Conservatoire. The Cambridge Companion to Berlioz, ed. Peter Bloom (New York: Cambridge University Press 2000).

Holz tells Beethoven that he has learned that in Rodaun [an area slightly southwest of Vienna] there are also baths that are pretty similar to the ones in Meidling. “The area there is very beautiful.”

Holz mentions the issues with Imperial War Agent Ignaz Dembscher, brought on by Beethoven’s demand that Dembscher pay violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh if he wants to use the score of the op.130 quartet for a private concert. “I think I already told you about the tension and Dembscher’s naughty behavior towards me, therefore I wrote to him last Friday [August 18th; Holz had previously told Beethoven about this letter on Tuesday, August 22.] “I thought it necessary to dissolve our musical relationships. Do not seek the reason for this in Beethoven, nor in Schuppanzigh, nor in me, but only in yourself. Sine ira et odio [Without anger and hatred]. With utmost respect, your most humble…”

“Now, today,” Holz continues, “he wrote a letter to me, which I will return, however, with my notes. He complained to someone else that I showed so little respect to his great house. I bet that if you had written a letter like that to the Archduke, then he would have taken it just as well as the Herr Agent did the opposite. I have nothing from him and I am happy that it is over. I care so little about it that I do not even want to annoy him. If I wanted to be as nasty as him, I could easily take revenge. I could have the canon [Es muss sein, WoO 196] printed with an anecdote that would then be ripped away by the reader.” Holz adds, “It was also well-known at the stock exchange that you wrote the canon: Es muss seyn. Either he should have taken it all as a joke and not paid anything, at worst, or if he paid in earnest, then he should not have dwelt on it so. How inconsequent! I have known him for many years, and yet I did not know him.” Should I write him, Beethoven asks. Dembscher does not deserve even one line from you, Holz thinks. [Holz would publish the anecdote in 1844; Dembscher had died in 1838. Holz’s motive was more likely refuting the spurious claim made by unethical biographer Anton Schindler that the canon had arisen from a dispute with a housekeeper.]

Beethoven inquires after Holz’s friends, the Bogner family. They are doing well, he says. “I like to go there because it is a family who ignores all the compulsory rules of etiquette and ceremonials. There one can feel at home.” [Holz has definitely made himself at home in the Bogner household; he will propose to one of the daughters next month.]

Bogner has established certain humorous taxes for his guests:
He who takes off his hat in the garden out of courtesy pays — 5 florins.
He who does not take off his coat if he feels too hot — pays 10 florins.
He who is thirsty and does not ask for something to drink pays — 20 florins.

Holz asks about Beethoven’s mattress and whether it is hard. Beethoven does not have a deerskin. Holz suggests that Beethoven should do something for his health. [This remark may tie back to the comment about the baths at Rodaun.]

Conversation Book 118, 30r-33v.

Today, according to the account register of music publisher Mathias Artaria, he pays an engraver named Kurka 24 florins for the engraving of the title page to the op.130 string quartet, Nr.835. Nottebohm, Zweite Beethoveniana, at p.365.

Sometime during the month of August, 1826, Beethoven’s former unpaid assistant Franz Oliva gets a new passport. He had gone to Russia on business on a one-year passport, and never returned, resulting in a summons for him to appear before the court, which was published in the newspaper. Beethoven may have written him to advise Oliva of this legal trouble, causing him to get the new passport.

Oliva ended up overstaying this second passport too; he seems never to have returned to Austria. A citation dated June 6, 1828, issued by the government of Lower Saxony, recites: “Since Franz Oliva, Russian College Professor [and two others] who in the month of August 1826 received passports from the Lower Saxony Departmental Government for travel abroad for a period of one year, have neither returned after the passport period expired, nor after the summons issued by the Vienna Magistrate on March 8th of this year, nor have they applied for new passports, they are hereby summoned to return within one year and to answer for their unauthorized absence. Otherwise, proceedings will be initiated against them according to the provisions of the Imperial Emigration Patent of 1784.” Wiener Zeitung Amts-Blatt supplement of June 26, 1828, at 1021. Oliva will spend the rest of his life in Russia, working as a professor of German language and literature at the Imperial Lyceum in St. Petersburg.

• sand —
  Scarlet fever catarrhal inflammation
  On the death of the deceased Beethoven

[Birthe Kibsgaard suggests that these may be possible excuses or explanations in the event Beethoven is interrogated about Karl’s suicide attempt; he is no doubt troubled, shocked, and frightened, and dreads that he will be blamed for it — certainly Karl is ready to place the blame at his uncle’s door.]

Unpaid assistant Karl Holz visits, after having stopped by the general hospital to check on Nephew Karl’s condition. Beethoven asks whether Karl might be able to go to the country with him. “It is true that he is out of danger, however, the wound is so substantial that it cannot be decided yet whether he will recover so soon.” Ludwig worries that Karl might have to spend time in jail, since attempted suicide is a crime. Holz thinks it might not be the worst thing for Karl. “If he is locked up for a while, then he will truly be happy about his freedom and life as soon as he is released.”

Beethoven objects that Karl was determined to kill himself. “In that moment, surely,” Holz responds. “but he came to his senses.” Beethoven mourns the shame that Karl has brought onto them. Holz rather grimly jokes, “Everyone says, if he had not missed the mark!”

Talk turns to dinner; they are having a meat dish along with cucumber salad. The housekeeper (apparently still Marie Stiegel, since Beethoven has had no opportunity to find a replacement) has many of the characteristics of Barbara Holzmann, the “old woman,” Holz opines. Holz prefers the rear part of the animal, since it is juicier than the front part.

After dinner, Holz says he has to take his leave since he has to go into the City. He mentions Franz Gross, administrator of the Imperial Paper Mill in Ranndersdorf. Holz thinks Beethoven might remember Gross’s father. “Wolfmayer once invited him to the Hirsch [Zum braunen Hirschen restaurant] with you, because he wanted to see you.”

What to do about a successor guardian? Perhaps Holz would take it on? Holz insists that he would gladly do anything for Karl’s best interests, but suggests that he is too young for Karl to respect him. “I only fear that I shall not be able to oppose him enough. Even though I have become old enough to gain experience about such young peoples’ activities. I know them, because I have often experienced it during my years of study.” Beethoven appears to complain about Karl’s association with his friend Joseph Niemetz. Holz acknowledges, “It is often hard to believe the knots of cunning and scheming which these persons can become tangled into.”

Mathias Artaria needs the score to the quartet op.130 corrected before he can publish it. “I said that it was his business; but when the parts are correct, he will have to have the score revised accordingly.” What is the next step, an impatient Beethoven asks. The news is not good: “Now the quartet will be sent to Pleyel in Paris; he also sold it to them; until it is engraved there and published at the same time as the Viennese edition, and that will presumably be another 5 months.” Beethoven remarks that he mainly remembers Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) as a composer. Holz agrees that “In his time, he had more admirers than Haydn.” But his son Joseph Pleyel has nothing going for himself other than George Onslow, Holz notes. [Holz in this instance is correct. In 1834 young Pleyel will shut down the publishing business to concentrate on piano building.]

Beethoven asks about the rehearsal letters that Artaria had requested for the Grosse Fuge. Holz says he has written them in, 13 passages.

They can issue the receipt now for Prince Kinsky’s part of the pension, though the fact Beethoven is still alive needs to be certified by the pastor before it is turned in and the money collected. Possibly remarking on the lack of progress in getting the annuity payments all on the same date, Holz says, “There is a lot of empty straw being threshed there.”

Still thinking about the guardianship, Beethoven asks how old Holz is as he leaves. He has just turned 27.

Later at a coffee house, Beethoven makes a note that there is a wax candle factory at the Wäringer Linie.

Conversation Book 118, 26r-29v.

On or about today, Johann Andreas Stumpff writes to Beethoven in the volume of Handel’s Messiah: “Herr Luis van Beethoven is requested to accept most kindly this well-known and complete edition of Handel’s Works in 40 volumes, as a token of great esteem and deep veneration from J.A. Stumpff.”

Albrecht Letter 435; translation by Theodore Albrecht. The text is derived from Friedrich Chrysander, “Beethoven’s Verbindung mit Birchall und Stumpff in London,” Jahrbücher für musikalilsche Wissenschaft 1 (1863), 429-452, at p.449. Chrysander noted that Stumpff, who was not a rich man, bought the copy of Handel’s works from Christopher Lonsdale, paying for it partly with money and partly with a harp. Stumpff’s diary for this date states: “London, August 24, 1826. My nephew Heinrich Stumpff left me to return to his father, and travelled on a Hamburg ship named the Thetis, under Captain J. Rutherford. He took two chests with him: one contained his possessions and clothes, and the other the Works of Handel in 40 volumes, sent to the greatest living composer Luis van Beethoven as a gift designated for him, and to be delivered to him in Vienna through the piano maker Herr Streicher there. Heinrich will find an opportunity to send it to Vienna and pay all fees. I wrote the following words in the score of Messiah [the dedicatory letter above]. The collection cost £45.” Chrysander at 449. The precious gift does not arrive at the Schwarzspanierhaus until December of 1826.

Beethoven objects to something that the hospital is allowing, possibly visits from Karl’s mother Johanna or his friend Joseph Niemetz. Holz responds that he cannot forbid him that. Beethoven wants him watched at all times. Holz doesn’t think that’s realistic. “Then they would have to have a constant supervisor at the hospital.” How then are they to keep him from bad influences like Joseph Niemetz? “It is difficult,” Holz agrees. “And Karl is too attached to him.” Beethoven resolves to punish Karl by staying away. Holz sees through this. “You won’t punish him by not going there to see him. You would only punish him by not giving him any more money; that is his only reason for still writing to you.”

Beethoven has a number of errands that needs to be run today. Holz assures him that he will go to see all the gentlemen on the list today, and takes his leave.

Conversation Book 118, 25r-26r.

Poet Franz Grillparzer has left Vienna for Berlin [yesterday]. He will be staying there for 6 weeks. He only got permission to leave the country with great effort, due to his political problems recently. He also plans to visit Weimar to see Goethe.

Nephew Karl’s mother Johanna has been saying things about Karl. Holz tries to reassure Beethoven that she may just be saying that to frighten him.

Holz says he will speak to the porter at the university. [Holz had mentioned talking to the porter a week ago. This may relate to Karl selling his textbooks at the university to get the fund to buy pistols.]

Dr. Vivenot has also departed Vienna; he left for Paris and London the day before yesterday. Beethoven asks why he left. His plan was to study hospital facilities there.

Beethoven hopes that Karl can begin his religious instruction soon. Holz jokes that if it happens before his exams, he might get a second grade in moral behavior.

Beethoven mentions Mozart’s appointment as imperial composer. Holz acknowledged that he got 800 good florins per year from this arrangement, but Beethoven gets nothing from the court, and nothing from the emperor. Holz notes that young Mozart is in the city again [probably on his way to Salzburg to visit his mother.] Beethoven asks if he has any talent. “He has nothing but his name from his father.” Perhaps Constanze was like Karl’s mother Johanna.

Holz mentions that Martin Luther was also a musician.

Holz saw the new title page for the quartet op.130 by Mathias Artaria. He thinks it is “very beautifully engraved. But there is an error in it; it says Quatuor pour 2 violons et violoncelle; the viola was left out.”

Beethoven asks what the status is on the payment of 50 florins by Imperial War Ministry Agent Ignaz Dembscher to violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh, as he had demanded. “I have already written to him that I cancel my musical relationship with him. He will have to look for the reason, not in Beethoven, nor in Schuppanzigh, nor in me, but only in himself.” Will this not cost Holz, Beethoven inquires. “I have nothing from him; he only accepted favors from me all the time. He does not seem to know the French proverb Il faut faire bonne mine á mauvais jeu [to put on a good face in a bad situation.] It annoys him that he was publicly exposed as a miser in front of you.”

Schuppanzigh hopes that the Rasoumovsky orchestra will be activated again. Beethoven asks why Holz thinks this might happen. “The prince expressed this wish.” A wish is not a promise, observes Beethoven. “Even worse; for he promises and does not keep his promises.”

Conversation Book 118, 21r-24v.

“Vale et Fave [Farewell and best wishes], your friend Beethoven.”

Brandenburg Letter 2188; Anderson Letter 1425. The original of this letter is held by the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York, (Mary Flagler Cary Music collection.) Since the letter was obviously written in Vienna, the year 1825 can be ruled out as Beethoven was in Baden when the annuity payment from Archduke Rudolph was due at the end of August. Nephew Karl handled these payments in both the fall of 1825 and spring of 1826, but since he is presently in the hospital, Holz is being deputized. This letter then refers to the August 1826 payment, for which a receipt survives with a stamp duty of 2 florins in C.M. currency. This transaction will be discussed in tomorrow’s conversation book entries.