Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Gräfin Marie Erdödy in Jedlesee, Wien, 19. September 1815, Autograph

Since 1808 at the latest Countess Erdödy had been a close friend of Beethoven (despite frequent claims there is no evidence that the composer had been in love with her). In September 1815 the countess went to her Croatian residence for a longer stay. Beethoven wished her a safe journey and hoped to hear from her soon. He names the people accompanying her: "ehrenwerthe[n] Magister" (Brauchle), den "Zunftmeister Violoncello" (Anton Kraft) und "die Nüchterne Gerechtigkeit im Oberamt" (Sperl), i.e. the "honourable Master" (Brauchle), the "Craftmaster violoncello" (Anton Kraft) and "the sober justice at the district authority" (Sperl). The letter expresses a deep friendship between Beethoven and Anna Maria Erdödy. (J.R.)