In what he called the “dry letters of the alphabet,” Beethoven depicted his fears, his loves, and his friendly relations: his fears of deafness and of corrupted texts by pirating printers; his loves, Bettina Brentano and Giulietta Guicciardi; and his friendly rela- tions with Baron Zmeskall, Frau Nanette Streicher, and the music publishers, Steiner and Company. He praises the poetry of Goethe and Schiller but condemns Goethe for his obeisance toward the royalty. He solicits help during his perpetual trouble with his health and with his servants. He castigates publishers, sets prices for his works, and calculates letters of dedication. He expresses his love for his nephew, Carl, but documents the trouble that Carl was causing him through taking up his precious time. Time was of the essence. And although Beethoven liked to decorate the letters with musical openings and closings and an occasional song to the receiver, he increasingly signed his letters, “In haste.”
The 457 letters collected here are the most important of the letters of the spirit that was to shape and move a century. Explanatory notes comment upon works, on persons mentioned and on the puns of which Beethoven was fond. The letters chronicle his business, his needs, his humor and bitterness, and his philosophy. They will give many insights into Beethoven’s methods, his influences, his moods, and the conditions under which the master worked.
Unabridged republication of the 1926 edition. Explanatory notes by Dr. Kalischer. Translation and preface by J. S. Shedlock. Selected and edited by A. Eaglefield-Hull. Indexes of persons and works. 15 plates. xvi + 410pp. 5 3/8 x 8 1/2. Paperbound
Copyright © 1998 MIDI Classics®. Revised July 17, 1998