Beethoven’s Nephew

In 1815 one of Beethoven’s Brothers, Kaspar Karl (born 1774), died from tuberculosis, and named Beethoven and the nine-year-old boy’s mother, Johanna as co-guardians. As the oldest male sibling, the composer was already obligated by law to serve as the boy’s “true father.” Believing that she was not a fit mother, in part because of conviction for embezzlement of a very valuable pearl necklace, Beethoven tried for five years to have her removed as co-guardian, and only succeeded in 1820 with the help of powerful friends. Even with the help of his new co-guardian Karl Peters, a tutor and estate manager, Beethoven, through deeply well intentioned, was not the best choice for the critical task of raising or even supervising the upbringing of a child. Beethoven was overly controlling in many ways: he was obsessed with keeping the child from his mother at all times, was frequently harsh in his discipline, and interfered in Karl’s choice of friends.

Treasure 22

 

Manuscript Beethoven note to Karl Holz, August 8 or September 26, 1826

Gift of Ira F. Brilliant, 2002

Beethoven’s note, the equivalent of a phone call or text message today, was written to his close friend Karl Holz in the aftermath of the suicide attempt of Beethoven’s nephew Karl on July 30, 1826. The nineteen-year-old son of his brother Kaspar Karl had been under Beethoven’s guardianship (or co-guardianship) since he was nine. Beethoven, though deeply well-intended, was not the best choice for the critical task of raising or even supervising the raising of a child. In the summer of 1826 the nephew and uncle quarreled frequently. Karl finally hinted that he would take his life at the end of July. According to the conversation books, Holz unsuccessfully attempted to get Karl arrested by the police to save him. On Sunday, July 30, Karl went to one of Beethoven’s favorite spots, the ruins of Rauhenstein in the beautiful Helenenthal, and shot himself in the head with the second bullet, which grazed the bone but did not penetrate his skull. A teamster found him in the ruins, carried him down the cliff, and drove him to his mother’s home in Vienna. When questioned by the police about his motives, Karl replied that Beethoven “tortured him too much” and that “I grew worse because my uncle wanted me to be better.” Despite his motivation to be the best replacement father possible, Beethoven’s actions had led to catastrophe.

Complete English translation:

“Please leave the name of the police inspector where we were, what a pretty story yesterday Karl was taken away by the police and how—they are not to be found, I am running around trying to find someone.”

See entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.

Also on display:

Manuscript Beethoven note written in French to his nephew Karl, probably from July 15, 1825

Gift of Ira Brilliant, 2002

In this note, Beethoven asks his nephew to deliver an enclosed letter to his publisher, A.M. Schlesinger. See entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.

Autograph note from Ignaz von Seyfried to Karl Holz, undated

Gift of the American Beethoven Society, 2010

Text: “gezeimand Herrn von Holz um die Albrechtsbergsche Motette ‘Dexter Domini’ in Partitur”

See entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.