Ludwig van Beethoven, "Neue Liebe, neues Leben", Gesang für Singstimme und Klavier op. 75, Nr. 2, Überprüfte Abschrift, Fragment

Personal wedding present

Bettina Brentano was Clemens Brentano's sister and Franz Brentano's half-sister, and the latter was a friend of Beethoven's. While visiting her half-brother Franz and his wife Antonie in Vienna in spring 1810, Bettina got to know Beethoven and was very impressed. In summer 1812 she met the composer again in the spa town Teplitz, where she organized a meeting between Beethoven and Goethe.

In December 1810 Bettina Brentano got engaged to Achim von Arnim, a friend of her brother Clemens, and they married on 11 March 1811. Beethoven sent his congratulations in a letter of 10 February 1811: "You are getting married dear Bettine, or has this already happened, and I was not even able to see you again beforehand. So now let all happiness which blesses the married in a marriage flow to you and your husband" (BGA 485). He also gave her a sensitive and attentive wedding present.

Beethoven knew of Bettina's deep reverence for Goethe. So on her wedding he sent her a carefully written copy of his Lied "Neue Liebe, neues Leben" (op. 75 no. 2) with a text by Goethe on fine quality paper. It had been published in Leipzig in October 1810. Today the document is divided up. The first leaf is in the possession of the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn and its title page carries a dedication in Beethoven's own hand "Für Bettine Von Brentano". There is no trace of leave 4. Leave 2 and 3 and the last four leaves are held in the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. (J.R.)