RPS MS 408

Papers relating to the Society’s links with Beethoven, and to Schaller’s bust of the composer, presented to the Society by Fanny Linzbauer in 1870; 1813-1927. Items 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-13 and 16 below were either given by Mme Linzbauer with the bust or sent by her later. The bust is now BL Loan 48.

ff. 177. Various sizes.

1. ff. 1-7. Extracts from Directors’ and General Minute Books; 1815-17, 1820, 1827.

2. ff. 8-22v. Copies of letters to and from Beethoven; 1813-26. Apparently made in the 1860s and 1870s and sent to the Society by Madame Linzbauer. The letters, with their numbers in S. Brandenburg (ed.), Ludwig van Beethoven, Briefwechsel. Gesamtausgabe (Munich, 1996-98), are as follows:— August Kotzebue to Beethoven, 24 Sept. 1813 [B. 669] (f. 8r); Ferdinand Ries to Beethoven, 9 June 1817, conveying the Philharmonic Society invitation for the composer to come to London, and Beethoven’s reply of 9 July 1817 [B. 1129, 1140] (ff. 9r-11r); 4 letters of Beethoven to his brother Johann van Beethoven, 1822 [B. 1505, 1486, 1497 and 1493] (ff. 12r-15v); Beethoven to Anton Schindler, 13 May 1824 [B. 1833] (f. 16r-v); extracts from four letters of Beethoven to the publisher B. Schotts Söhne, 1824 [B. 1917, 1881, 1901, 1913] (ff. 17r-18v); Eleonore Wegeler to Beethoven, 1825 [B. 2101] (ff. 19-20); Franz Gerhard Wegeler to Beethoven, 1827 [B. 2255] (ff. 20-21). A number of the copies have contemporary annotations in another hand giving the location of the originals. German. f. 22 is a note relating to Beethoven’s late string quartets.

3. ff. 23-39. Extracts from Revue Musicale, relating to Beethoven and his music; 1827-8, 1830. French.

4. ff. 40-48v. Correspondence between Ignaz Moscheles and William Watts, containing extracts from letters received by the former from Vienna relating to financial assistance given to Beethoven by the Society; 29 Mar. – 25 Nov. 1827.

5. ff. 49. Printed invitation card to Beethoven’s funeral, signed by Paul Friedrich Walther; 1827.

6. ff. 50-51. Copy of Franz Grillparzer’s address written for the funeral (ff. 50-1); 1827. Annotated in another hand. German.

7. ff. 52-56v. Translation of letter of A. W. von Schlegel to Lord Burghersh, and of the ‘Address to the Admirers of Beethoven’ by ‘The Bonn Association for Beethoven’s Monument’, with a letter from Burghersh inviting the Society to contribute; 1837.

8. ff. 57. Copy, by Karl Holz, of Beethoven’s canon ‘Es muss sein’ (WoO 196), with a note by Holz recording his publication of the work in facsimile in 1844. On an album leaf with the date 1838 at bottom left.

9. ff. 58-60. Copies of obituary notices of Holz, by I. F. Castelli from Ost-deutsche Post, Vienna, 13 Nov. 1858, and by ‘M. B.’, from Die Presse, Vienna, 14 Nov. 1858. German.

10. ff. 61-2. Notarised, stamped and sealed certificate attesting to the likeness to life of Schaller’s bust of Beethoven, written by I. F. Castelli and signed by him and five others who knew Beethoven, 1858, with photograph of the bust attached. On the verso of the photograph is a deed of gift (‘Widmung’) of the bust to the Society, written and signed by Fanny Linzbauer, 1871; 1858, 1871. German.

11. ff. 63-4. Memorandum by Paul Friedrich Walther, with an account of Beethoven’s funeral and Walther’s acquisition there of the half laurel leaf later presented to Mme Linzbauer and by her to the Society (see RPS MS 406) and attesting to the truth to life of Schaller’s bust; 1860. German. Witnessed and notarised.

12. ff. 65-6. Memorandum, by Gerhard von Breuning attesting to the truth to life of Schaller’s bust of Beethoven; 1860. German. Witnessed and notarised. With a translation into English (f. 66).

13. ff. 67-8. Letter of Ignaz Moscheles to B. Elischer, notary to Mme. Linzbauer; 1869.

14. ff. 69-71. Signed, witnessed and sealed copy of will of Fanny Linzbauer; 1869. Originally in a sealed wrapper (f. 69). German.

15. ff. 72-4. Letter of Francesco Berger to the Society’s directors, reporting on his examination of the Society’s Beethoven papers and with a translation of Mme Linzbauer’s will (f. 72); 1884.

16. ff. 75-84. Correspondence between B. Elischer, on behalf of Mme. Linzbauer, and the Society, with translations; 1870-71. Partly German.

17. ff. 85-7. Memorandum prepared for W. G. Cusins [by Mme Linzbauer], asking him to call on Walther and von Breuning when in Vienna; [Jan. 1871]. German, with an English translation (ff. 86-7).

18. ff. 88-92. Memorandum by W. G. Cusins of Mme Linzbauer’s wishes for the treatment of the bust once in the Society’s possession, and letter of Cusins to Stanley Lucas, secretary of the Society, both written from Pest, with a memorandum by Cusins of his meeting with von Breuning in Vienna; Jan.–Feb. 1871.

19. ff. 93-106, 111-27. Letters of Fanny Linzbauer to Lucas, with translations and drafts of the Society’s replies; Feb. 1871 – Dec. 1872. With a letter from Ludwig Nohl to Mme. Linzbauer, May 1871 (f. 104), draft of a note of the Directors intended to accompany the presentation of photographs of the bust to the Society’s subscribers (ff. 99-101), and a list of the contents of the box sent from the Society to Mme Linzbauer, including the gold medal awarded to her, Dec. 1872 (f. 123), and with a copy of the entry on Beethoven from Illustriertes Familienbuch, vol. 2, published Austrian Lloyd, Trieste (ff. 107-10v). Linzbauer’s letter of 29 May 1871 refers to the copies of letters of Beethoven now RPS MS 335, ff. 28-9, and describes how the copies were made. Partly German.

20. ff. 128-9. Telegrams announcing the death of Mme Linzbauer; Jan. 1873.

21. ff. 130-43. Doyne C. Bell: Documents, Letters, etc., relating to the Bust of Ludwig van Beethoven, Presented to the Philharmonic Society of London; 1871. Printed pamphlet. Includes transcriptions and translations of many of the above documents. Prepared for the Society for presentation to their subscribers with a photograph of the bust in 1871 (see note printed in programme to the Society’s concert of 3 July 1871).

22. ff. 144-52. Letters to the Society from Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer’s grand-nephew, seeking financial assistance; 1870. With a summary in English and a draft reply. Partly German.

23. ff. 153-5. Appeal by the Beethovenhaus, Bonn to raise funds for a bust and fund in memory of Joseph Joachim; 1907. Printed.

24. ff. 156-73. Correspondence and other papers relating to an exhibition of the Society’s Beethoven relics at His Majesty’s Theatre during performances of Beethoven, by René Fauchois; 1909. With two copies of the theatre programme (ff. 160-7). Typewritten and printed. For related correspondence see RPS MS 366, ff. 136-42 and 367, ff. 228-9.

25. ff. 174-7. Article reprinted from The Times, 21 May 1927, relating to the Beethoven Centenary Concert given by the Royal Philharmonic Society on 20 May (ff. 174-5) and minute by J. M. Levien, Secretary to the Society, reporting a speech by Sir Hugh Allen, Jan. 1928, describing the laying of the Society’s wreath at Beethoven’s tomb in 1927 (f. 176).

includes:

• ff. 1-7 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Extracts from Directors' and General Minute Books of the Philharmonic Society, dated 1815-17, 1820, 1827, rel. to Beethoven: circa 1870.
• f. 8 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: August von Kotzebue, dramatist and diplomat: Letter dated 1813 to L. van Beethoven from August von Kotzebue: circa 1860-80: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 9-10r Ferdinand Ries, composer and pianist: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Letter dated 1817 to L. van Beethoven from Ferdinand Ries: circa 1860-80: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 10v-11r Ferdinand Ries, composer and pianist: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Letter dated 1817 to Ferdinand Ries from L. van Beethoven: circa 1860-80: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 12-15 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Johann van Beethoven, brother of L van Beethoven: Letters dated 1822 to J. van Beethoven from L. van Beethoven: circa 1860-80: Germ: Copies.
• f. 16 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Anton Felix Schindler, biographer of Beethoven: Letter dated 1824 to Anton Felix Schindler from L. van Beethoven: circa 1860-80: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 17-18 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: B. Schotts Söhne; music publishers: Extracts from letters dated 1824 to B. Schotts Söhne (music publishers) from L. van Beethoven: circa 1860-80: Ger: Copies.
• ff. 19-20r Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Eleonore Wegeler, née von Breuning; friend of Beethoven: Letter dated 1825 to L. van Beethoven from Eleonore Wegeler: 1867: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 20-21 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Eleonore Wegeler, née von Breuning; friend of Beethoven: Franz Gerhard Wegeler, friend and biographer of Beethoven: Letter dated 1827 from F. H. Wegeler to L. van Beethoven , with a postcript by Eleonore Wegeler: 1867: Germ: Copy.
• f. 22 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Note rel. to Beethoven's late string quartets: circa 1860-80: Germ.
• ff. 39 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: 'Revue musicale'; periodical: Extracts from articles published in Revue musicale, 1827-28, 1830 , rel. to L. van Beethoven: circa 1860-80: Fr: Copies.
• ff. 40-41, 44-45, 47-48 Ignaz Moscheles, pianist and composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: William Watts, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Sebastian Rau, friend of I Moscheles: Letters to William Watts from Ignaz Moscheles rel. to L. van Beethoven, containing extracts from letters from Sebastian Rau: 1827: Autogr.
• ff. 42-43 Ignaz Moscheles, pianist and composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: William Watts, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letter to William Watts from Ignaz Moscheles, containing an extract from a letter to the Philharmonic Society from L. van Beethoven: [1827]: Autogr.
• f. 46 Ignaz Moscheles, pianist and composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: William Watts, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letter to Ignaz Moscheles from William Watts rel. to L. van Beethoven: 1827: Copy.
• f. 49 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Paul Friedrich Walther, Secretary in the Department of Imperial Finances, Vienna: Invitation card to Beethoven's funeral, signed by Paul Friedrich Walther: 1827: Germ: Printed.
• ff. 50-51 Franz Grillparzer, dramatist: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Address written for Beethoven's funeral by Franz Grillparzer: 1827: Germ: Copy.
• f. 52 John Fane, Baron Burghersh; 11th Earl of Westmorland: August Wilhelm von Schlegel, German poet: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Translation of a letter to Lord Burghersh from August Wilhelm von Schlegel rel. to a proposed monument in Bonn to L. van Beethoven: 1837.
• ff. 53-54 August Wilhelm von Schlegel, German poet: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Bonner Verein für Beethovens Monument: 'Address to the admirers of Beethoven' by The Bonn Association for Beethoven's Monument; President of the Committee, August Wilhelm von Schlegel: 1835.
• ff. 55-56 John Fane, Baron Burghersh; 11th Earl of Westmorland: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Letter to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society from Lord Burghersh , rel. to a proposed monument in Bonn to L. van Beethoven: 1837.
• f. 57 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Karl Holz, violinist and conductor: Copy of Beethoven's canon "Es muss sein" , made by Karl Holz: 1844: Ger.
• ff. 58-60 Karl Holz, violinist and conductor: Ignaz Franz Castelli, writer: Copies of obituaries of K. Holz, by I. F. Castelli from Ost-deutsche Post, 1858, and by 'M. B.' from Die Presse, 1858: circa 1860-80: Germ.
• f. 61 Joseph von Sonnleithner, librettist: Joseph Mayseder, violinist and composer: Ignaz Franz Castelli, writer: Graf Moriz al. Moritz von Dietrichstein, Court Theatre Director, Vienna: Mayenberg: Dr Franz von Heintl, Ritter: Certificate attesting to the likeness to life of Schaller's bust of Beethoven, written by Ignaz Franz Castelli, and signed by him and Graf Moriz Dietrichstein, Freiherr von Mayenberg, Dr. Franz von Heintl, Joseph Mayseder and Joseph von Sonnleithner: 1859: Germ.
• ff. 61-101 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Johann Nepomuk Schaller, sculptor: Letters and papers relating to the presentation of Schaller's bust of Beethoven to the Philharmonic Society by F. Linzbauer: 1858-71.
• f. 62v Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Deed of gift ('Widmung') of Schaller's bust of Beethoven to the Philharmonic Society , written and signed by Fanny Linzbauer, and witnessed by B. Elischer: 1871: Germ.
• ff. 63-64 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Paul Friedrich Walther, Secretary in the Department of Imperial Finances, Vienna: August Bach, notary: Franz Mavratch, of Vienna: Anton Schreiblechner, of Vienna: Memorandum by P. F. Walther, with an account of Beethoven's funeral and attesting to the truth to life of Schaller's bust of Beethoven , notarised by August Bach, and witnessed by Franz Mavratch and Anton Schreiblechner: 1860: Germ.
• ff. 65-66 Gerhard von Breuning, biographer of Beethoven, son of Stephan: August Bach, notary: Franz Mavratch, of Vienna: Anton Schreiblechner, of Vienna: Memorandum, with an English translation, attesting to the truth to life of Schaller's bust of Beethoven, by Gerhard von Breuning, notarised by August Bach, and witnessed by Franz Mavratch and Anton Schreiblechner: 1860: Germ., Eng.
• ff. 67-68 Ignaz Moscheles, pianist and composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Letter to B. Elischer from Ignaz Moscheles rel. to the presentation of Schaller's bust of Beethoven to the Philharmonic Society by Fanny Linzbauer: 1869: Germ.
• ff. 70-72 Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Tivadar Pauler, alias Theodor; lawyer: Gáspár Lippay, alias Caspar; doctor: Dr Bernard Müller: Copy of the will of F. Linzbauer, signed by her , and witnessed by Theodor Pauler, Caspar Lippay and Dr. Bernard Müller: 1869: Germ.
• ff. 72-74 Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Francesco Berger, pianist and composer; Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letter to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society from Francesco Berger , enclosing a translation of the will of Fanny Linzbauer: 1884: Autogr.
• f. 75 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Letter to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society from B. Elischer rel. to a bust of Beethoven, on behalf of Fanny Linzbauer: 1870: Ger.
• ff. 76-77 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Letter to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society [translated by W.G. Cusins] from B. Elischer , rel. to a bust of Beethoven, on behalf of Fanny Linzbauer: 1870: Copy.
• ff. 79-82 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Letter, with an English translation [by W. G. Cusins], to the Secretary of the Philharmonic Society from B. Elischer , on behalf of Fanny Linzbauer: 1871: Germ., Eng.
• f. 82 Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Photograph of Schaller's bust of Beethoven , in the possession of Fanny Linzbauer: [1859]: Germ.
• ff. 83-84 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: B. Elischer, advocate and notary: Letters to B. Elischer from Stanley Lucas , rel. to the arrangements for Sir William George Cusins to collect the bust of Beethoven presented to the Philharmonic Society by Fanny Linzbauer: 1871: Copies.
• ff. 85-87 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Memorandum rel. to Schaller's bust of Beethoven, with an English translation, to Sir William George Cusins from Fanny Linzbauer: [1871]: Germ., Eng.
• f. 88 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Memorandum of F. Linzbauer's wishes in relation to Schaller's bust of Beethoven, in the hand of Sir William George Cusins: 1871.
• ff. 89-90 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Letter rel. to Schaller's bust of Beethoven, to Stanley Lucas from Sir William George Cusins: 1871.
• f. 91-92 Sir William George Cusins, composer: Gerhard von Breuning, biographer of Beethoven, son of Stephan: Memorandum rel. to a meeting with Gerhard von Breuning: 1871: Autogr.
• ff. 93, 97 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Letters to Fanny Linzbauer from Stanley Lucas: 1871: Drafts.
• ff. 94-96, 102-103, 105-106, 111-112, 114-117, 121-122, 124-127 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Letters to Stanley Lucas from Fanny Linzbauer: 1871-72: Eng., Germ.
• ff. 99-101 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Joseph McMurdie, composer and writer: Memorandum to the subscribers to the Philharmonic Society, written by J. McMurdie, and sent by him to Stanley Lucas: [1871]: Draft.
• f. 104 Ludwig Nohl, writer on music: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Letter to Fanny Linzbauer from Ludwig Nohl: 1871: Germ: Autogr.
• ff. 107-110 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: 'Illustriertes Familienbuch': Entry from 'Illustriertes Familienbuch' on Beethoven: circa 1860-1880: Germ: Copy.
• ff. 118-119, 122 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: English translations of letters to Stanley Lucas from Fanny Linzbauer: 1872.
• f. 123 Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: List of the contents of a box sent by the Philharmonic Society to F. Linzbauer: 1872.
• ff. 128-129 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Telegrams to Stanley Lucas announcing the death of Fanny Linzbauer: 1873.
• ff. 130-143 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Doyne Courtenay Bell, of the Privy Purse Office; writer and translator: Fanny Linzbauer, née Ponsing: Pamphlet rel. to the bust of Beethoven presented to the Philharmonic Society by Fanny Linzbauer: 1871: Printed.
• ff. 144-145, 148 Ludwig van Beethoven, grand nephew of the composer: Letters to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society from Ludwig van Beethoven: 1870: Germ.
• ff. 146-147 Ludwig van Beethoven, grand nephew of the composer: Summary in English of a letter to the Directors of the Philharmonic Society from Ludwig van Beethoven: [1870].
• f. 149-150 Stanley Lucas, Secretary, Philharmonic Society: Ludwig van Beethoven, grand nephew of the composer: Draft of a letter to L. van Beethoven, grand nephew of the composer , from Stanley Lucas: 1870.
• ff. 153-155 Joseph Joachim, violinist: Beethovenhaus; Bonn: Appeal to raise funds for a bust and fund in memory of Joseph Joachim: 1907: Germ: Printed.
• f. 156 Frederick Whelen, political writer; founder of the Stage Society: H. S. Lambert, of His Majesty's Theatre: Letter to H. S. Lambert from Frederick Whelen: 1909: Typewritten, signed.
• ff. 156-173 René Fauchois, French dramatist: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Correspondence and other papers including copies of the theatre programme, rel. to an exhibition of the Philharmonic Society's Beethoven relics during performances of Beethoven by R. Fauchois at His Majesty's Theatre: 1909: Typewritten and printed.
• f. 157 Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Francesco Berger, pianist and composer; Secretary, Philharmonic Society: List of Beethoven relics lent by the Philharmonic Society for exhibition during performances of Beethoven by R. Fauchois at His Majesty's Theatre , in the hand of Francesco Berger: [1909].
• f. 158 H. S. Lambert, of His Majesty's Theatre: George W. Harris, of The Ocean Accident & Guarantee Corporation Limited: Letter to George W. Harris from H. S. Lambert: 1909: Typewritten, carbon copy.
• f. 159 H. S. Lambert, of His Majesty's Theatre: George W. Harris, of The Ocean Accident & Guarantee Corporation Limited: Letter to H. S. Lambert from George W. Harris: 1909: Typewritten, signed.
• ff. 174-175 Newspapers; Great Britain and Ireland. The Times: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Article reprinted from the Times rel. to the Beethoven Centenary Concert given by the Royal Philharmonic Society: 1927: Printed.
• f. 176 Sir Hugh Percy Allen, organist and administrator: John Joseph Mewburn Levien, Secretary, Royal Philharmonic Society: Ludwig van Beethoven, composer: Note rel. to a speech by Sir H. P. Allen concerning the Beethoven Centenary in Vienna: 1928.