New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-13
WAS NOT YET SEVENTEEN.

con the 18th Of November. 1901. the date
If Reethoven's letter to Wegeler. Countess
Guicciardi was Just one week less than
seventeen years Of age. She il traditionally
described as having had good share of
personal attractions and is known to have
been a fine looking woman even in adj
yanced years. She appears to have pos
sessed A mind of fair powers, cultivated
and accomplished TO the degree then COM
mon 10 persons Of her rank; but IT is not
known that she WIS in any way emihehtIE
distinguished. unless for musical taste and
skill as a pianist. which may perhaps D.
indicated in the dedication to her or
sonata by Kleinheinz as well as by Bee
thoven. The thought lies near That Bee
thoven's ina gination multiplied the charms
of this Julia. somewhat as Hofmans fahcy
did those Of the Julia of Bamberg-though
nv no means I'm any such degree; Tor the
contrast Of that Julia, as she appeared
IN the author Of the 'Phantaslestucke'
ard as she was known TO Funck and de-
scribed by him in his Erinnerungen Is
ludicrous.
"Iulia Guicciardi's near relationship 10
the Rrunswicks would naturally throw her
into the society Of Beethoven Immediately
upon the transfer of her lather from
rr,,s+o IN Vienna: their admiration of his
,a,o,,e ,boir warm affection for him IS a
man would awaken her curiosity 10 see
him and create a most natural preJudlce
in his favor. Coming To the Capltal from
q small distant. provincial town "heh
hardly Of an age TO enter society ana nhd-
,,a bereeIf so soon distinguished by the
particular attentions and evident admira-
tiou Of a man OF Beethovens social posi-
,ion and fame might well dazzle the mag
nation OF a girl Of sixteen ana dispose
her. especially If she possessed more ina"
common musical taste and talents 70 re-
turn in a certain degree the anectloh PROF
fered 10 her by the distinguished du'hor
~ the symphony. the quartets' me SeNICI
,ha .Prometheus' music, and an IN any won
, derful sonatas.-by the unrivalled pianist.
tho generous. impulsive, enthusiastic art
e, although unprepossess1g IN person
and unable 10 offer either wealth or utle.
Thoro was romance I'm the affair Besides
,bosa considerations, there are trddluons
,,1 commissioners of old friends OF the COM
nosor all tending TO confirm the opinion OF
Scbindler that the fascinating girl was IN
"a tho Young Countess GuiccinrdL That
,,,ito, however, knew nothing or the mat
ga. until twenty years afterWard but whot
he learned came from Beethoven himself.
1T happened. when the topic came up
between them that being IN pubic
Mace where he did not like 10 trust himself
fo speak. says SCHNEIDER bec'h''eh
also wrote his share in the conversation
so far as IL related 10 this SUBJECT hehce
his words may stll be read In a ''hNersa-
,ion book Of February, 1923. preserved IN
the ROYAL Library at Berlin Ills stale
ments have certainly gained nothine In
cIearness from his whim of writihs them
in part in bad French. II Is proper 10
state. before introducing the citations from
this book, that the young lady married
Count Wenzel Robert Gallenberg' prom
composer Of ballet and occasional music
ON the 81 Of Noveni 1893, az may pe
seen in many editions Of the DIahi'hes