[Footnote 2:  Pierre Rode, the violinist, arrived in Vienna in January, 1813, and gave a concert in the Redoutensaal on February 6th, but did not give universal satisfaction (A.M.Z., 1813, p. 114), and a second concert that he had projected does not appear to have taken place.  He played in Gratz on February 20th and 27th.  It seems that Rode was to play with Beethoven at the Archduke Rudolph’s, for which occasion Beethoven prepared a composition for them both.  Was this the Sonata for pianoforte and violin, Op. 36, which he afterwards dedicated to the Archduke?  Thayer states that it was written by Beethoven in 1810, and sold to the music-publisher Steiner in Vienna in April, 1815.  No other composition for the violin and pianoforte is so likely to be the one as this.  It is, however, a mistake in the Bibliotheque Universelle, tome xxxvi. p. 210, to state that Beethoven during Rode’s stay in Vienna composed the “delicieuse Romance” which was played with so much expression by De Baillot on the violin.  There are only two Romances known for the violin by Beethoven, the one in G major, Op. 40, in the year 1803, and the second in F major, Op. 50, published in 1805.  (Thayer, 102 and 104.)]

97.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1813.

I had just gone out yesterday when your gracious letter reached me.  As for my health, it is pretty much the same, particularly as moral causes affect it, which do not seem likely to be removed; particularly as I can have recourse to no one but myself for aid, and can find help in my own head alone; and more particularly still, because in these days neither words, nor honor, nor written pledges, seem binding on any one.  As for my occupations, I have come to an end with some of them, and, even without your gracious invitation, I intended to appear at the usual hour to-day.  With regard to Rode [see No. 96], I beg Y.R.H. to be so good as to let me have the part by the bearer of this, and I will send it to him at once, with a polite note from me. He certainly will not take amiss my sending him the part.  Oh! certainly not!  Would to Heaven that I were obliged to ask his forgiveness on this account! for in that case things would really be in a better position. Is it your pleasure that I should come to you this evening at five o’clock as usual, or does Y.R.H. desire another hour?  I shall endeavor to arrange accordingly, and punctually to fulfil your wishes.

[K.]

98.

TO PRINCESS KINSKY.

Vienna, Feb. 12, 1813.

YOUR HIGHNESS!—­

You were so gracious as to declare with regard to the salary settled on me by your deceased husband, that you saw the propriety of my receiving it in Vienna currency, but that the authority of the court of law which has assumed the guardianship of the estate must first be obtained.  Under the conviction that the authorities who represent their princely wards could not fail to be influenced by the same motives