(On the margin:) “Gracious addition of 50 fl. for the court musician Philipp Salomon” and, besides Brandt and Meuris, also “in simili for Court Musician Joann Bethoff 25 fl.”
There need be no apology for filling a few more pages with extracts from documents found in the Düsseldorf archives; for now a period has been reached in which the child Ludwig van Beethoven is growing up into youth and early manhood, and thrown into constant contact with those whose names will appear. Some of these names will come up many years later in Vienna; others will have their parts to play in the narrative of that child’s life. Omitting, for the present, a petition of Johann van Beethoven, we begin them with that of Joseph Demmer, of date January 23, 1773, which first secured him his appointment after a year’s service and three months’ instruction from “the young Mr. van Beethoven.”
Most Reverend Archbishop and Elector,
Most Gracious Lord, etc., etc.
I have been accepted as chorister in the cathedral of this city at a salary of 80 th. per year, and have so practised myself in music that I humbly flatter myself of my ability to perform my task with the highest satisfaction.
It being graciously known that the bass singer van Beethoven is incapacitated and can no longer serve as such, and the contra-bassist Noisten can not adapt his voice: therefore this my submissive to Your Reverend Electoral Grace that you graciously be pleased to accept me as your bass singer with such gracious salary as may seem fit; I offer should it be demanded to attend the operettas also and qualify myself in a short time. It depends upon a mere hint from Your Electoral Grace alone; that it shall not be burdensome to the cantor’s office of the cathedral to save the loss of the 80 th. yearly which it has bestowed upon me.
I am in most dutiful reverence
Your Electoral Grace’s
most obedient
Joseph Demmer.
Pro Memoria.
Cantor Demmer earned at the utmost 106 rth. per year if he neglected none of the greater or little Horis.
Pays the Chamber Chancellor Kügelgen
for board, annually, 66 rth.
for quartier (lodging) 12 rth.