The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-06
BEETHOVEN.
M,ssives OF the Great Musician, Etc.
THE SON NATA.sovERE EIGh

exceedingly valuable collection oil the letters
OF Ludwig Won Beethoven. The present collec-
tion translated from the German, by Grace
Wallace, EN- braces the material OF both German
collections, to wIt:-the collection OF DIR. Lud-
wig Nohl, which forms the first part of Lady
Wallace's work, and that of DR.. Ludwig Ritter,
which has been added to the book and within it
Incorporated. The edition of these letters, pre-
pared by Lady Wallace, is accompanied with
portrait of Beethoven, engTaven on Steel from
an original painting in the possession of DIR. I.
g. Won Karajan, which is valuable, because new
to the public, and because accounted by u1tuost
to be the very best likeness of Beethoven extant.
The translation is artistcally done, exhibit
ing few Teutonisms and fewer misapprehen-
sions of the sense of the original text.
Whatever may have been the faults of
Beethoven-and they were manY-like all men
Of genus his nature was one OF heroic and
almost prophetic depth, and his mind one of
profound creative fecundity. There was about
him severity of antique dignity, the ethical
sentiment forming the main element of that
which gave his mind ITS peculiar bent; and
consequently his letters exhibit, in dress often
homespun and unesthetie, his profound intui-
tion of the true and of the good, as we'll as of
the beautiful, and are full of hits at the follies
current of deep aesthetic and ethical energy
pervading these letters-fragmentary in form
as they are-which binds them together In one
indivisible unity. There is that proud haugati-
ness Of elf.consciousness-we use the word IN
its German sense-which grasps the soul with
strange magnetism. Beethoven was the Milton
of musical creation; and between his creations
and those of Milton we may tor might, had we
space allotted) work out wonderful analogical
Tesemblances.
Meantime, however, we have but space for
examples OF these letters, by way of giving a
taste of their quality and Of the singular weird
ness of inner soul-energy that there is within
them:-
Motives of the Art-LIfe.
The following excerpt is from Beethoven's
letter TO the directors of the Court Theatre,
dated at Vienna, December, 1907
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE COURT THEATRE.
VIENNA, December, l607.-The undersigned
has cause to fatter himself that, during the
period OF his stay at Vienna, he has gained some
favor and appreciation from the highest nobility,
as well as from the public at large, his works
having met with an honorable reception both
In this ana other countries Nevertheless he
has had difficulties OF every kind to contend
against and has not hitherto been so fortunate
as to acquire position that would enable him
TO live solely for art, ana 10 develop his talents
to q still higher degree of perfection, which
ought to be the aim OF every artist, thus ensur-
ing future independence instead OF mere casual
profits.
The mere wish 10 gain livelihood has never
been the leading class that has hitherto guided
the undersigned on his path. His great aim
has been the interest of art and the ennobno
OF TASTE while his genius, soaring 10 higher
ideal and greater perfection, frequently com.
PEELED HIM to sacrifice his talents and profits to
the Muse: Still, works of this kind ION (or
hlm reputation III uls!.,s lands, securing him
m csIf
o. distinction, and position beitting his
talents and requirements.
Proposals to the Court Theatre.
The following excerpt, from the same letter,
illustrates the compensations awarded in his
day to operate creations:-
l. The undersigned undertakes and pledges
himself to compose, each year, at least one
grand opera, to be selected by the directors and
himself; in return for this he demands fixed
salary of two thousand four hundred horins
year, and also free benefit at the third per-
Torrance OF each such opera.
2. He also az reee to supply the directors
annually with little operetta or a dlvertisse-
ment, with choruses or occasional music of the
kind, as may be required, gratis; he feels conf
dent that, on the other hand, the directors will
not refuse, in return for these various labors to
grant him benefit concert, at all events, once
year. in one OF the theatres. Surely, the above
conditions cannot be thought exorbitant or un-
reasonable when the expenditure OF time and
energy entailed by the production of an opera
is takeI into account, as it entirely excludes the
possibility OF all other mental eXertion; in
other places, too, the author and his family
have share in the profits Of every individual
performance, so that even one successful work at
once insures the future fortunes of the COM
poser. 1t must also be considered how preiu-
dicial the present rate of exchange is to
artists here, and likewise the high price of the
necessaries OF life, while residence in foreign
countries is open to them.
Attempts at HumOr.
Letters eighty one and eighty-two, both ad-
dressed TO Zmeskall, and dated respectively
February 2, 1872 and February s, 1872 illus
trate the peculiar humcr of the great composer,
and are droll enough in their Germansm for
quotation;-
TO zMEsKALL.
FEBRUARY 2, lsl2.-By no means errdordi-
nary but UeTy ordinary mender of pens whose
talent has failed this occasion (for those
send require 10 be fresh mendedl, when do you
intend at last to cast off your fetters ?-when
You never for moment think of me; accursed
to me is life amid this Austrian barbarism
shall go now chiefly to the Swan, as in other
taverns cannot defend myself against intru,
sion. Farewell that is, fare as a0eH as wisl
you to do without your friend, BEETHOVEN.
Most wonderful of men We beg that your
servant will engage person to fit up my apart
ment; as he is acquainted with the lodgings, he
can fix the proper price at once Do this soon
you Carnival scamp !!!!!!!
The enclosed nOte is at least a week old:-
TO zMEsKALL,
FEBRUARY s, lSl2.-Most extraordinary anC
hrst aud foremost man of the pendulum in tht
World, and without a lever too!
am much, indebted to you for having i'm,
parted to me some share of your motive power
wish to express my gratitude in person, and
therefore, invite you this morning to come tC