did not scruple to give the time to the drums and cannonades; Herr Spohr and Herr Mayseder, each worthy from his talents to fill the highest post, played in the second and third rank.  Herr Siboni and Herr Giuliani also filled subordinate places.  The conducting of the whole was only assigned to me from the music being my own composition; had it been that of any one else, I would willingly, like Herr Hummel, have taken my place at the big drum, as the only feeling that pervaded all our hearts was true love for our father-land, and the wish cheerfully to devote our powers to those who had sacrificed so much for us.  Particular thanks are due to Herr Maelzel, inasmuch as he first suggested the idea of this concert, and the most troublesome part of the enterprise, the requisite arrangements, management, and regulations, devolved on him.  I more especially thank him for giving me an opportunity by this concert of fulfilling a wish I have long cherished, to compose for such a benevolent object (exclusive of the works already made over to him) a comprehensive work more adapted to the present times, to be laid on the altar of my father-land.[2] As a notice is to be published of all those who assisted on this occasion, the public will be enabled to judge of the noble self-denial exercised by a mass of the greatest artists, working together with the same benevolent object in view.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  The A major Symphony and Wellington’s Victory at Vittoria were performed.]

[Footnote 2:  “Obsolete” is written in pencil by Beethoven.]

117.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.[1]

1814.

I beg you will send me the score of the “Final Chorus"[2] for half a day, as the theatrical score is so badly written.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The spring of 1814.]

[Footnote 2:  The Schlusschor, the score of which Beethoven requests the Archduke to send him, is in all probability the Finale Germania!  Germania! intended for Treitschke’s Operetta Die gute Nachricht, which refers to the taking of Paris by the Allies, and was performed for the first time at Vienna in the Kaernthnerthor Theatre on the 11th April, 1814.  The same Final Chorus was substituted for another of Beethoven’s (Es ist vollbracht) in Treitschke’s Operetta Die Ehrenpforten, first given on the 15th July, 1815, in the Kaernthnerthor Theatre.  Both these choruses are printed in score in Breitkopf & Haertel’s edition of Beethoven’s works.]

118.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1814.

Having only so recently received the score of the “Final Chorus,” I must ask you to excuse your getting it back so late.  The best thing H.R.H. can do is to have it transcribed, for in its present form the score is of no use.  I would have brought it myself, but I have been laid up with a cold since last Sunday, which is most severe, and obliges me to be very careful, being so much indisposed.  I never feel greater satisfaction than when Y.R.H. derives any pleasure through me.  I hope very soon to be able to wait on you myself, and in the mean time I pray that you will keep me in remembrance.