Ludwig van Beethoven, Billet an Karl Holz, Wien, Ende Juli 1826, Autograph

From 1825 onwards Beethoven enjoyed a close friendship with the violinist Karl Holz. As with many of his friends, Holz performed many unpaid secretarial services for the composer. With a typical play on words Beethoven asks Holz (whose name means wood) to get him some firewood. The housekeeper will bring the money the next day. In addition the note contains an allusion to the genesis of the motto for the last movement of op. 135 "Muß es sein? - Es muß sein!" ("Must it be? - It must be!"). The war agent to the court and music lover Ignaz Anton Aloys Dembscher had asked Beethoven for the parts of op. 130 for a private performance. On hearing of Beethoven's request for 50 florins to be paid to Schuppanzigh as compensation, Dembscher had sighed and said, "Must it be?". Holz relayed this to Beethoven, who cheerfully replied "It must be!".