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Beethoven, Ludwig van
Estimate
40,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Beethoven, Ludwig van
- Jocular autograph letter, signed ("Beethowen"), to Johann Baptist Rupprecht, about the song "Merkenstein" (WoO 144 and Op.100)
- ink and paper
stating that he will set his poem to music with the greatest pleasure, that he will shortly deliver it to him personally, admitting that he does not know whether it will be celestial, since he is only earthly, and noting that he will however do his utmost to match his [Rupprecht's] exalted opinion of him
...ob himmlisch das weiß ich nicht, da ich nur jrdisch bin, doch will ich alles anwenden ihrem übertriebenen Vorurtheil in Ansehung meiner so gleich [originally: 'nahe'?] zu kommen als möglich...
2 pages, 8vo (18.4 x 11.2cm), red wax seal with the composer's monogram ("LVB"), later pencil annotation to integral, [Vienna, November 1814], together with later typed transcriptions and translations of the letter, red cloth chemise and red morocco-backed slipcase gilt, traces of guard, tiny tear by hinge, trimmed, small seal tear with loss to lower outer corner of integral, light browning
...ob himmlisch das weiß ich nicht, da ich nur jrdisch bin, doch will ich alles anwenden ihrem übertriebenen Vorurtheil in Ansehung meiner so gleich [originally: 'nahe'?] zu kommen als möglich...
2 pages, 8vo (18.4 x 11.2cm), red wax seal with the composer's monogram ("LVB"), later pencil annotation to integral, [Vienna, November 1814], together with later typed transcriptions and translations of the letter, red cloth chemise and red morocco-backed slipcase gilt, traces of guard, tiny tear by hinge, trimmed, small seal tear with loss to lower outer corner of integral, light browning
Literature
S. Brandenburg, Briefwechsel Gesamtausgabe, no.759 (the autograph was not consulted for this edition); Anderson (no.506), p.477; D. Johnson, A. Tyson and R. Winter, The Beethoven Sketchbooks (Oxford, 1985), p.233
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A good, characteristically humorous letter by Beethoven, the autograph of which has been unavailable for consultation by scholars in modern times.
The writer, poet and botanist Johann Baptist Rupprecht (1776-1846) was active until 1809 as a merchant in Vienna, later being in charge of the Imperial censorship of books. He is mentioned several times in the composer's Conversation Books. His verses, often with a patriotic strain, were issued in various Viennese publications. The poem referred to here is Rupprecht's "Merkenstein", written in praise of Schloss Merkenstein near Baden. It was twice set by Beethoven: in E flat, for single voice and piano (WoO 144), published at the end of 1815 by Anton Strauss as a supplement to Castelli's almanac Selam; and in F, as a vocal duet with piano (Op.100), published by Steiner in September 1816. As sketches in the Sketchbook Mendelssohn 6 (Kraków, Biblioteka Jagiellonska) show (on pp.138, 140 and earlier in the volume), Beethoven's first version originated during or shortly after completion of the cantata Der glorreiche Augenblick, Op.136, first performed on 29 November 1814 as part of the celebrations surrounding the Congress of Vienna. An entry in Beethoven's now lost Tagebuch for the years 1812-1818 notes the completion of the song on 22 December 1814.
Toscanini's recordings of Beethoven are among the imperishable classics of the gramophone, particularly his recording of the Seventh Symphony in 1936.
The writer, poet and botanist Johann Baptist Rupprecht (1776-1846) was active until 1809 as a merchant in Vienna, later being in charge of the Imperial censorship of books. He is mentioned several times in the composer's Conversation Books. His verses, often with a patriotic strain, were issued in various Viennese publications. The poem referred to here is Rupprecht's "Merkenstein", written in praise of Schloss Merkenstein near Baden. It was twice set by Beethoven: in E flat, for single voice and piano (WoO 144), published at the end of 1815 by Anton Strauss as a supplement to Castelli's almanac Selam; and in F, as a vocal duet with piano (Op.100), published by Steiner in September 1816. As sketches in the Sketchbook Mendelssohn 6 (Kraków, Biblioteka Jagiellonska) show (on pp.138, 140 and earlier in the volume), Beethoven's first version originated during or shortly after completion of the cantata Der glorreiche Augenblick, Op.136, first performed on 29 November 1814 as part of the celebrations surrounding the Congress of Vienna. An entry in Beethoven's now lost Tagebuch for the years 1812-1818 notes the completion of the song on 22 December 1814.
Toscanini's recordings of Beethoven are among the imperishable classics of the gramophone, particularly his recording of the Seventh Symphony in 1936.