Ludwig van Beethoven, Skizzenblatt zu den Ruinen von Athen op. 113,6, Autograph

"I sat down to do something for those moustachios"

Here you can see a sketch leaf for the "Ruins of Athens" op. 113. On 9 October 1811 Beethoven wrote to the publisher Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig concerning the genesis of the work during his summer holiday in Teplitz: "Another event for me was provided by the Hungarians. Just as I was getting into my carriage to drive to Teplitz I received a parcel from Ofen with the request to compose something for the opening of the new theatre in Pest. Well, after spending three weeks at Teplitz I felt fairly well. So, although my doctor had forbidden me to work, I sat down to do something for those moustachios who are genuinely fond of me; and on September 13th I sent off my parcel to them in the belief that the performance was to take place on October 1st." (From the translation by Emily Anderson, 1961). If the account that Beethoven gives here is not exaggerated, then he only had three weeks to write op. 113 for the opening of the theatre in Pest. It is, however, a well-known fact that the composer liked to present his rate of composing in a particularly good light. In addition many of the sketches for op. 113 have survived, which is probably why he took a little more time than he stated in the letter. The notes on the leaf shown here are for the March and Chorus of the Virgins and Priests. For this piece a part of the orchestra played on and behind the stage. Beethoven had already made of note of this in the sketch: "pizzicato hinter der Szene" ("pizzicato behind the scenes") can be seen at the top underneath the second stave.(J.R.)