The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume IThayer, Alexander Wheelock
History
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I
Thayer, Alexander Wheelock
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827
Here follows a passage, afterward stricken out by Schenk, in which he
resents the statement that Beethoven had finished his studies with
Albrechtsberger. This would have been advisable, but if it were true,
Gelinek as well as Beethoven would have told him of the fact. “On the
contrary, he admitted to me that he had gone to Herr Salieri, Royal
Imperial Chapelmaster, for lessons in the free style of composition.”
Then Schenk continues:
About the middle of May he told me that he would soon go with
Haydn to Eisenstadt and stay there till the beginning of winter;
he did not yet know the date of his departure. I went to him at
the usual hour in the beginning of June but my good Louis was no
longer to be seen. He left for me the following little billet
which I copy word for word:
“Dear Schenk!
It was not my desire to set off to-day for Eisenstadt. I should
like to have spoken with you again. Meanwhile rest assured of
my gratitude for the favors shown me. I shall endeavor with all
my might to requite them. I hope soon to see you again, and
once more to enjoy the pleasure of your society. Farewell and
do not entirely forget
your
Beethoven.”
It was my intention only briefly to touch upon my relations with
Beethoven; but the circumstances under which, and the manner in
which I became his guide in musical composition constrained me to
be somewhat more explicit. For my efforts (if they can be called
efforts) I was rewarded by my good Louis with a precious gift,
viz.: a firm bond of friendship which lasted without fading till
the day of his death.
Written in the summer of 1830.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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