These last efforts were successful; King Friedrich August subscribed for the Mass, and on July 31 Archduke Rudolph wrote to his music-master: “My brother-in-law Prince Anton has already written to me that the King of Saxony is expecting your beautiful Mass.” On September 12, Prince Anton wrote to Beethoven that he had no doubt his royal brother would grant his wish, especially as he had spoken to him on the subject in the name of his brother-in-law, the Cardinal. The money must have arrived soon afterward and Beethoven set Schindler’s mind at ease by writing to him:
In order that evil report may not longer injure the poor Dresdeners too much, I inform you that the money reached me to-day, with all marks of respect.
According to Fürstenau the manuscript copy of the Mass is still in the private music collection of the King of Saxony in Dresden.
The Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt was appealed to directly under date of February 5, the letter, probably following the formula and signed by Beethoven, being forwarded through the Hessian ambassador, Baron von Türckheim, a cultured art connoisseur and subsequently Intendant of the Grand Ducal Theatre in Darmstadt. Louis Schlösser was in Vienna at the time, and Baron von Türckheim, knowing that he wanted to make Beethoven’s acquaintance, gave him the opportunity by asking him to carry the information that the invitation had been accepted, to Beethoven, handing him the dispatch with the Grand Ducal seal affixed for that purpose. Schlösser went to Beethoven, “No. 60 Kothgasse, first storey, door to the left,” and has left us a description of the visit, which must have been made in April or early in May, 1823. Beethoven read the document with great joy and said to Schlösser:
Such words as I have read do good. Your Grand Duke speaks not only like a princely Mæcenas but like a thorough musical connoisseur of comprehensive knowledge. It is not alone the acceptance of my work which rejoices me but the estimation which in general he places upon my works.
A Vain Appeal to Goethe
No success was met with at the cultivated Court of Weimar, though here Beethoven invoked the assistance of no less a dignitary than Goethe. His letter to the poet is still preserved in the Grand Ducal archives and is worthy of being given in full:
Vienna, February 8th, 1823.
Your Excellency!
Still living as I have lived from my youthful years in your immortal, never-aging works, and never forgetting the happy hours spent in your company, it nevertheless happens that I must recall myself to your recollection—I hope that you received the dedication to Your Excellency of “Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt” composed by me. Because of their contrast they seemed to me adapted for music in which the same quality appears; how gladly would I know whether I have fittingly united my harmonies with yours; advice too, which would be accepted as very truth, would be extremely welcome to me, for I love the latter above all things and it shall never be said of me veritas odium parit. It is very possible that a number of your poems which must ever remain unique, set to music by me, will soon be published, among them “Rastlose Liebe.” How highly would I value some general observations from you on the composition or setting to music of your poems! Now a request to Y. E. I have composed a Grand Mass which, however, I do not want to publish at present, but which is to be sent to the principal courts. The honorarium for the same is 50 ducats only. I have addressed myself in the matter to the Grand Ducal Weimarian Embassy, which has accepted the appeal to His Serene Highness and promised to deliver it. The Mass can also be used as an oratorio and who does not know that the benevolent societies are suffering from the lack of such things. My request consists in this, that Y. E. call the attention of His Serene Highness, the Grand Duke, to this matter so that His Highness may subscribe for the Mass. The Grand Ducal Weimarian Embassy gave me to understand that it would be very beneficial if the Grand Duke could be induced to regard the matter favorably in advance. I have written much but accumulated scarcely anything, and now I am no longer alone but have for more than six years been father to a son of my deceased brother, a promising youth in his sixteenth year, wholly devoted to science and already at home in the rich shafts of Hellenism; but in these countries such things cost a great deal and, in the case of young students, not only the present but also the future must be borne in mind, and as much as I formerly kept my thoughts directed aloft I must now extend my glances downwards. My income is all outgo—the condition of my health for years has not permitted that I make artistic journeys nor seize upon the many things which yield money!?—If my health should be completely restored I might expect other and better things. Y. E. must not think that it is because I am asking a favor that I have dedicated the “Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt” to you—this was already done in May, 1822, and this method of making the Mass known was not thought of till a few weeks ago. The respect, love and esteem which I have cherished for the only and immortal Goethe since the days of my youth have remained with me. Things like this are not easily put into words, especially by a bungler like myself, who has always been bent only on making tones his own, but a singular feeling impels me always to tell you this, inasmuch as I live in your works. I know that you will not refuse to help an artist who feels only too keenly how far mere monetary reward is from her (art) now that he is compelled by need and constrained to work and labor because of others for others. The good is always plain to us and therefore I know that Y. E. will not deny my request.