Conversations with Beethoven Read online

  On my honor.

  Don’t fret about your brother; somehow he’ll reconcile himself to our staying a while longer.

  • • •

  Brother, I realize that you’ve doctored yourself already, but do allow me to examine your belly.

  Such trickery—you fool no one but yourself!

  It’s obvious that Michael brings you wine in secret.

  Because the swelling does not go down—if anything it appears worse. Perhaps that accounts for your not having taken your walk this morning—I saw no sign of you in the fields.

  Your feet too—May I see them?

  Kindly remove your socks.

  Thus far they are only moderately swollen, thank goodness.

  No, the two are not related—the swelling of the belly is caused by inflammation, that of the feet by an accumulation of fluid—All the more reason then to hurry back to town—you cannot wait until they are dropsical and need to be drained.

  Indeed I didn’t forget—my friend Sterz would be more than pleased, nay, honored to deliver the new finale to Haslinger. Unfortunately he doesn’t plan to travel to Vienna for another week, not until the 23rd.

  Why do you insist upon delaying?

  For the hundredth time—My wife entertains no such fancy for our nephew.

  In that case you’ll have to wait until doomsday!

  Because I’ll never see for myself something that is but a figment of your imagination.

  If in fact you believe what you say, you would do well to rescue him.

  By leaving here at once!

  I’ve known some pigheaded men, Brother, but you surely take the cake.

  • • •

  Brother, your belly appears somewhat better this morning. I’ll wager that if you continue to respect the regimen, we’ll soon see further improvement—Well now, where is the new finale?

  Although it’s only the 21st today, I won’t be going to Krems again before Sterz leaves on Thursday. Is the parcel not ready?

  Don’t be the least concerned, I’ll give him strict instructions on how to get to Haslinger’s shop—Am I to mention the 15 ducats?

  In that case I’ll say nothing—Now for more pressing matters, namely, our nephew.

  Karl must not stay in Gneixendorf another week, not beyond this Sunday—He must not make use of his scar to dawdle here—If, as Breuning says, the boy is to have a career, he must leave for Iglau at once—And you Ludwig, you must not be so indecisive; you must lay down the law to him—Fix a date for your departure and then stick by it! You simply must not permit

  Instead of finding the musts so distasteful, you would do better to chew the meat.

  Why do you smile? Will you not take seriously

  I don’t follow you—what in fact have you been waiting for?

  Indeed I haven’t! Nor will I ever catch them in flagrante delicto—Don’t be such an ass!

  Of course I’m certain, as certain of their innocence

  Their guilt exists solely in your imagination.

  Ah! so now it’s my turn to hear your catalogue of musts.

  Absolutely not!

  Under no circumstances will I change my testament.

  Not only won’t I cut off my wife, I’ll thank you

  Insist until hell freezes over—I’ll not comply.

  If our nephew is to salvage his young life, you won’t make your departure dependent upon the changing of my will—In fact if you wish to avert disaster, you’ll

  I have it on good authority that he is gambling again.

  My steward—the man saw Karl wagering with some laborers.

  At a low-class tavern in Krems—Before we know it there will be a repetition of last summer’s tragedy.

  Raise your arms overhead

  Don’t try to speak—just drink the water

  I didn’t mean to cause you such distress—Still, you must nip it in the bud, put an end once for all to the slothful life he is leading here.

  Why would you have me fetch Michael—it’s Karl whom

  Very well, if I see the lad I’ll send him up to you.

  • • •

  Master Brother, wish Michael clean room now?

  Son leave house after breakfast.

  Clean Son room now?

  Not clean?

  Search instead, I understand. Search where?

  Search wardrobe and chest and night stand and

  Everywhere, I understand.

  Wait because Master Brother not say what Michael search for.

  Not afraid—surprise.

  Go search at once.

  • • •

  Uncle, when I returned for my muffler I found your favorite here ransacking my room—Thus Fat Stuff was right after all, he is indeed a thief.

  In that case perhaps you’ll tell me what he was searching for?

  Kindly send Michael out so that we may speak freely.

  What made you fear that I had a pistol?

  On whose good authority?

  I fail to see the connection between wagering at billiards and purchasing a pistol.

  What happened in July was brought on by your constant and, I may say, unjust reproaches, not to mention your everlasting suspicions about money, whereas now we have no such quarrels. Besides, it’s not for the money that I wager but simply to enliven the game.

  Three or four times in all; on no occasion did I wager more than 30 kreuzer.

  On my honor.

  With the pocket money which I saved.

  But I haven’t sought additional funds, nor have I any need of them. What are you insinuating?

  But I’ve not had to borrow a penny; I had the good fortune to win right off.

  A strict accounting of what?

  Not again! With all due respect I am now twenty-one years

  I realize that I won’t reach my majority until I am twenty-four, nevertheless

  I would remind you that our worst quarrels last year came from your insistence that I keep a strict accounting of all receipts and expenditures. I beg you not to re-impose

  I’m concealing nothing.

  It’s not a question of the money but of

  Nobody at my age is made to

  If I’m old enough to join

  Never—under no circumstances will I render an accounting.

  In that case you had better send for Holz!

  To spy on me!

  • • •

  No, Brother-in-law, he said nothing before leaving the house.

  No, in truth I’ve never heard him say a word against you. Indeed your nephew loves you to the point of veneration.

  What object could I have in dissimulating? Rest assured that what I say is true.

  In the direction of Krems.

  I very much doubt that he plans to play billiards at this hour. Still, it’s obvious that he is bored here and should join his regiment as soon as possible.

  And now with regard to domestic matters, your servant tells me that your stomach is improved. Will you take the entree with dinner?

  Hare in cream sauce.

  Then soup and eggs it will be.

  • • •

  Master Brother, Son return from Krems.

  In salon with Master.

  Mistress with Daughter.

  Mistress bring Daughter dinner to room.

  Daughter ill.

  But this your tray, not for Daughter.

  Not hare, cream soup and eggs, strictly 3 minute.

  Michael not forget but Mistress say throw Michael out if Michael bring wine.

  Please not scold Mistress.

  If Master Brother not scold Mistress Mistress not scold Michael.

  Thank you Master Brother.

  • • •

  Master Brother, Master say give letter with breakfast.

  My dear Brother,

  I cannot possibly remain silent concerning Karl’s future. He is growing slothful here and habituated to this way of life; the longer he goes on in this fashion, the more unfortunate it will be fo
r him. When we set out for Gneixendorf, Breuning gave him a fortnight to recuperate, and now it is two months—You see from Breuning’s letter that it is his express wish for Karl to hurry to his calling; the longer he is here the more difficult it will be for him to resume work, and we may be the ones to suffer the consequences.

  It is an infinite pity that this talented young man so wastes his time; and on whom if not the two of us will the blame fall? For he is still too young to steer his own course; therefore it is your duty, if you do not wish to be reproached by yourself and others hereafter, to make him start his career at once. The moment he is not idle it will be easy to do a good deal for him; but at present nothing can be done.

  I see from his actions that he would like to stay here, but if he were to do so it would spell ruin for his future; thus he must depart. The longer you hesitate the more difficult it will be for him to tear himself away; I therefore entreat you—make up your mind, don’t permit him to talk you out of it. I think it ought to be by next Monday. In no event can you wait for me, inasmuch as I cannot leave here without money, and it will be a long time before I collect enough to go to Vienna.

  No, Master Brother, Master only say bring letter.

  Son in dining room.

  Now or after breakfast?

  I fetch him.

  • • •

  All else aside, Uncle, your brother is mistaken; believe me, I have no wish to stay here.

  I’m at a loss to explain his object; but rest assured that I’ll leave without delay the moment the scar permits.

  Clearly my future doesn’t turn on whether it’s a Monday or Tuesday. The whole thing smacks of the theater.

  More pressing, however, than your brother’s letter is the note to Haslinger which must accompany the new finale. Do dictate it now.

  GNEIXENDORF, NOVEMBER 22

  I am sending you herewith, though a little later than I intended, the parcel about which I have already informed you. Please deliver it to Matthias Artaria who will pay you 15 ducats for it. Should I be in a position to return your kindness, I shall not fail to do so.

  Your most devoted

  BEETHOVEN

  P.S. Please give the bearer a few lines stating that you have received the above-mentioned parcel.

  Uncle, your brother is making his rounds now, but I’ll be glad to take it to Sterz.

  If I’m not to be trusted, then by all means have your brother take it to him.

  Hardly a ruse—Need I contrive a ruse in order to go to Krems?

  Surely there is no call for that. You have my word that I will not gamble. Isn’t that sufficient? Must I ask your permission henceforth to go to Krems?

  And must I also ask your permission to walk in the fields?

  If I appear insolent, perhaps your stringent rules are to blame—I’m simply too old to be supervised in this fashion.

  There you are wrong; I would leave here this minute were the scar less conspicuous.

  Certainly not, there is no one, nothing—nothing whatever holds me here. I can’t imagine what your brother had in mind.

  I just now said that I don’t know. If you do, fine! But then why ask me?

  Why do you raise your voice? I can hear you perfectly well without

  I’m unaware of having rolled my eyes. If indeed I did, I meant no disrespect; it’s only because we’ve been over the question of your sister-in-law a dozen times.

  For the simple reason that I’ve nothing to confess.

  I’ve sworn on my honor that I take no interest in her—What more would you have me say?

  Naturally I heard you, doubtless you were heard in Krems.

  On the contrary my silence signifies disdain—it’s beneath me to refute such accusations.

  Why, when you already have my word?

  Well and good, I give you my word that I am not fornicating with Fat Stuff. There! Are you now satisfied?

  I am not lying!

  Then let us drop the subject.

  Kindly refrain from saying that.

  It’s pointless to make a scene.

  You have only to drop the subject in order to

  Please, I beg of you to drop

  But I have told you the truth!

  I have—I have!!!

  I cannot answer in this state.

  When I’ve stopped.

  I’m ashamed of myself for weeping. After what happened in July I wouldn’t have thought it possible for you ever to bring me to tears again. In fact, it was for just that reason, to forestall such a tirade, that I was silent earlier. Indeed I fail to see what is to be gained by raking up past misdeeds, I mean alleged misdeeds or by reviving old reproaches. If, as you assert, I lied to you, let alone your secretaries and my schoolmasters, about visiting my mother—or even if I lied about stealing the housekeeper’s money for chocolates—For God’s sake, that was years ago! Because I lied to you when I was twelve, doesn’t mean I’m lying now.

  Please don’t begin again.

  You may accuse me of anything you like, I’ll simply accept what you say in silence, as is my duty.

  Did you see me speak? Hardly. No matter what you say about Niemetz and his mother or about your sister-in-law, I’ll not refute it—Thus I ask you to stop.

  I’ll hear nothing about my mother!

  If you don’t stop

  I beg you once for all not to torment me as you are doing now or you may regret it.

  Put whatever construction on it you like.

  Why do you make such a scene?

  I’ve had enough!

  For a walk.

  But I’ve not been outside today.

  I need a breath of air.

  Not even to the garden?

  In that case I’ll go to my room.

  Is there no place you’ll let me go!

  Because I need to be by myself.

  But I must be!

  To my room

  I only wish to go to my room!

  Will you not let me go to my room?

  I will not endure this!

  • • •

  Yes, Brother-in-law, he ran from the house in tears.

  Five minutes ago.

  I did my best but couldn’t stop him.

  He had no pistol, of that I am certain.

  In the direction of the fields.

  Do reconsider, your feet are too swollen to go after him.

  Fear not, no harm will come to him.

  Of course you’ll see him again and, I dare say, in time for dinner. Do take heart.

  Because it’s nothing but a passing squall; he’ll return as soon as he regains his composure.

  It would seem that he has some of your hot blood—one might even say that it runs in the Beethoven family.

  For heaven’s sake don’t take offense, I was only joking.

  Look!

  No, beyond the oxcart—Isn’t that your nephew?

  So, as you see, I was right.

  He appears to be coming back. Before I return to my duties, let me urge you to heed your brother’s advice.

  Your nephew should leave here without delay.

  Why do you look surprised?

  Naturally I agree with my husband.

  You have no reason to doubt me. In fact I feel more strongly than my husband does that your nephew should leave here at once. Can’t you see the necessity?

  But the scar is hardly noticeable. Besides if you stay, there will doubtless be further squalls; and that can’t help but harm your health.

  Thank Heaven! My husband will be greatly pleased.

  Here now is your nephew—I’ll excuse myself.

  Uncle, surely my absence was too brief to cite the prodigal son.

  In any case I’ve returned.

  Whenever you decide to leave, rest assured that I’ll abide by your decision.

  Am I now permitted to go to my room?

  Thank you for your clemency.

  • • •

  Master Brother, Michael not understand.

  Master Br
other wish Michael also go?

  To Vienna!

  All life since boy Michael—cannot find word.

  No, always wish Vienna, dream Vienna.

  Father surely forbid.

  Michael ask tonight, tell tomorrow.

  Coachman in stable.

  Name Josef. Michael fetch?

  Stable too far, Michael fetch.

  Master Brother feet bad, Michael fetch.

  After breakfast Michael bring Master Brother see Josef.

  • • •

  Master Brother, Josef say need one day ahead for carriage.

  Master Brother wish carriage Monday, Michael understand.

  Josef say carriage order Monday.

  Carriage already order Monday.

  Josef say Master order carriage.

  Josef laugh because Master Brother say horse blanket better than blanket on bed.

  Josef thank for coin.

  Master Brother wish speak with Master, Michael understand.

  • • •

  Brother, you misconstrue—I have no such scheme in mind. My own wishes aside, I could hardly force you to leave against your will—Indeed the carriage is ordered not for you but for my wife who has business in town with her brother.