"Preservation" of sketches
Anton Schindler, Beethoven's secretary during his final years and his first biographer, (illegally) hoarded much music and Beethoven's conversation books after the composer's death. Sadly, Schindler tampered with much of Beethoven's estate, partly in honour of the composer and partly to raise his own status (it is a well-known fact that he inserted fictitious conversations into the conversation books). He even tampered with musical scores. The pocket sketchbook shown here, to which the single leaf HCB Mh 96 also belongs, contains sketches for the String Quartet op. 131 and was originally written in pencil by Beethoven. It was probably Anton Schindler who inked over everything - thus darkening the actual content. Why did he go to so much trouble? Beethoven's writing is difficult to read, when in pencil even more so, especially as pencil can smudge. Schindler did a lot of business with Beethoven's manuscripts. Inking them over meant that they would last longer and they were thus more attractive for potential purchasers. Schindler raised the value of his wares in so doing. At the same time, he reduced his own standing even more. (J.R.)
