New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-29
THF, NINTH SYMPHONY
AND ERRORS LONG LIFE

ceived ono in time for the concert its
insignia would in great likelihood have
graced his breast on that occasion lie
had repeatedly expressed contempt for
the outward signs of royal condescension.
but the medal sent TO him by the King
OF France for the Mass had evidently
caused a change of heart in this regard
He was eager to see description and
illustration of the medallion in the news
papers and that he thought of hanging
it about his neck appears from remark
10 him made by his nephew Karl just be-
fore the concert at which the Ninth
symphony was first performed, telling
him that it was too heavy and would
pull down his collar Visitors called To
see the medallion. and he permitted his
intimate friends to show it about until
his factOtum Holz cautioned him TO do
so no more, as It was showing marks OF
damage from a fail.
In one conversation his brother Johann
suggests that the symphony be dedicated
to the Car Of Russia, and from a re-
mark I'm one Of Prince Galitzin's letters,
| telling him that by recent decree all
! foreigners who wished TO dedicate works
Of art TO the Car would have TO obtain
| permission to do so from the Minister Of
! Foreign Affairs, it would appear that
Johanns suggestion had also received
| Beethoven's sanction
! Ferdinand Ries was also a candidate
! for the distinction beethoven had spe-
officially promised him the dedication in
a letter., his claim being put forward
without particular urgency by Franz
! Christian Kirchhoffer a boOkkeeper with
whom Beethoven was acquainted and
! through whom Ries carried on his cor
respondence with the composer. on April
Is. 1924. Karl wrote in Conversation
Book: AS soon as the symphony has
been sent TO England it must be copied
again handsomely on Vellum paper and
sent with an Inscription to the King of
| France" On the same day, apparently,
SCHNEIDER asks: "Who has the preference
/ in the matter Of the dedication Of the
svmphony-Ries OF the King of Prussia?
1t ought TO be offered as proof Of your
| gratitude i'm these wOrds-there could be
no better opportunity than just now for
this purpose" 1t is obvious that Schind-
! Ter favors the King of France, for a day
/ or two later he writes "Schwaebel sends
his compliments and is highly delighted
that YOU are pleased with the gift. As
regards the you-know-what he wants you
. to write To the Duke de la Chatre
(d'Achats. the Chamberlain Of the King
| of Franco yourself, but for the present
nothing about the dedication. Leave the
reference till later" The advice is re-
| peated and the subject concluded with:
| Good! then you will stick to France
! These facts belong chronologically 20
the history of 1894. but they have been
made pertinent by the discussion OF the
presentation and dedication Of the Ninth
! symphony to the King Of Prussia, which
took place in 1896 They are also valua-
| ble TO correct a misrepresentation which
has prevailed ever since the publication
of Hoearth's history of the London Phil
harmonic Society, and was no doubt cur
rent before then. Hogarth says that the
' directors of the society land Foster re-
meats him fifty years after resolved 10
| offer Beethoven go for manuscript
svmphony on November 10. 1922. and
adds: "The money was Immediately adj
vanced." In note TO his translation to
one of Beethoven's letters Mr.. Shedlock
calls attention TO the fact that there is
n document in the British Museum ac-
kuowledging the receipt Of $50 for a
symphony composed for the society
dated April q, 1924 This document proves
the date on which Beethoven received
the remuneration for the symphony to
have been that indicated In the receipt
beyond peradventure. on April S or p.
| 1894. Karl writes in the Conversation
Book from which we have been quot!rg:
! He presumably Johann van Beethoven
is not at home at noon. He will himself
come soon after :. He says you owe
him 900 forms. which Is squared by the
payment for the symphony Moreover