Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Gräfin Marie Erdödy in Padua, Wien, 13. Mai 1816, Autograph

Beethoven sends his friend Countess Erdödy a quick note and apologises for the enduring silence. He writes he has been quite occupied since the death of his brother Kaspar Karl in November 1815 and has been worrying for his nephew Karl, whose "replacement father" he now is. Also, his state of health has been bothering him for six weeks, making him think more often about his own death, although not with fear but with the knowledge of leaving his poor nephew behind. Beethoven wishes Countess Erdödy all the best, asks how she is and how she spends her pastime with common acquaintance, and extends his greetings to her children. (J.R.)