Ludwig van Beethoven, "Ruf vom Berge", Lied für Singstimme und Klavier WoO 147, Autograph

The manuscript of the song WoO 147 was long believed lost. In 2004 it appeared on the autograph market for the first time. Beethoven had given the copy as a gift to Friedrich Treitschke, the librettist of his Fidelio opera and author of the song's lyrics.

On the cover page, Beethoven had written the following dedication for Treitschke: "Für Seine Wohlgebohren H: v. Treischke bester Dichter u. Trachter von den Ufern der Wien bis zum Amazonen Fluß. – Von L. v. Beethoven am 13ten WinterMonath [November] 1816". (For the well-born H: v. Treischke, best poet, striving for fame and honour, from the banks of the Vienna river to the Amazon river. – From L. v. Beethoven on the 13th winter month [November] 1816)

A version of the song was published as a musical supplement in Treitschke's poetry book in 1817. Since 1956 already the Beethoven-Haus owns a letter (Bodmer collection) from Beethoven in which he is asking the poet to give the manuscript to publisher Steiner so it can be corrected right away. Either Treitschke had not done what Beethoven had asked him for or the publishing house had had no interest, however in any case, a revised edition of the song has never been published by Steiner. (J. R.)