[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The “dreadful occurrence” which took place in the end of 1818 in Beethoven’s family cannot be discovered.]

260.

TO RIES.

Vienna, April [March?] 30, 1819.

DEAR RIES,—­

I am only now able to answer your letter of December 18th.  Your sympathy does me good.  It is impossible for me to go to London at present, being involved here in various ways; but God will, I trust, aid me, and enable me to visit London next winter, when I shall bring the new symphonies with me.

I every day expect the text for a new oratorio, which I am to write for our Musical Society here, and no doubt it will be of use to us in London also.  Do what you can on my behalf, for I greatly need it.  I should have been glad to receive any commission from the Philharmonic, but Neate’s report of the all but failure of the three overtures vexed me much.  Each in its own style not only pleased here, but those in E flat major and C major made a profound impression, so that the fate of those works at the Philharmonic is quite incomprehensible to me.

You have no doubt received the arrangement of the Quintet [Op. 104, see No. 238] and the Sonata [Op. 106].  See that both, especially the Quintet, be engraved without loss of time.  There is no such hurry about the Sonata, though I should like it to appear within two or three months.  Never having received the previous letter to which you allude, I had no scruple in disposing of both works here; but for Germany only.  It will be at any rate three months before the Sonata appears here, but you must make haste with the Quintet.  As soon as you forward me a check for the money, I will send an authority to the publisher, securing him the exclusive right to these works for England, Scotland, Ireland, France, &c., &c.

You shall receive by the next post the Tempi of the Sonata marked in accordance with Maelzel’s metronome.  Prince Paul Esterhazy’s courier, De Smidt, took the Quintet and the Sonata with him.  You shall also have my portrait by the next opportunity, as I understand that you really wish for it.

Farewell!  Continue your regard for me,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

All sorts of pretty compliments to your pretty wife!!!  From me!!!!

261.

TO RIES.

Vienna, April 16, 1819.

DEAR RIES,—­

Here are the Tempi of the Sonata.

1st Allegro, Allegro (alone), erase the assai.  Maelzel’s metronome [half-note] = 138.

2d movement, Scherzoso.  Maelzel’s metronome [half-note] = 80.

3d movement, Maelzel’s metronome [eighth-note] = 92.

Observe that a previous bar is to be inserted here, namely:—­

[Music:  New bar.  Piano Staves (treble & bass), D major, 6/8 time.]

4th movement, Introduzione—­largo.  Maelzel’s metronome [sixteenth-note] = 76.