Engraver's model with cue notes
This corrected copy by Beethoven of the piano part is the only surviving engraver's model for the original German edition of the Choral Fantasia, which was published by Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig. It is intended as the conductor's part, affording the pianist an overview of the complete work. At important points there are smaller cue notes, for the most part with the corresponding instrument, showing the orchestral tutti or important phrases of single instruments. Even the original edition is a conductor's part. To provide a better overview the vocal parts in the Breitkopf & Härtel edition are given their own staff above the piano part. Beethoven had put this idea forward in a letter to the publishers on 21 August 1810, "In the fantasia with choruses you could perhaps have the vocal parts engraved into the pianoforte part" (from the translation by Emily Anderson, 1961). Beethoven only thought of this practical idea at the last minute, as can be seen from an entry on the title page of the piano part shown here "Nb: Vielleicht würde es wohl gethan seyn die Singstimmen mit dem Texte in einem kleinen Auszuge der Klawier Solo Stimme beyzufügen???" (NB Perhaps it would be a good idea to add the vocal parts with the text in a smaller print to the solo piano part???) Maybe putting together this part was the reason why the second half of the engraver's model went missing. It contained the part in which the engraver was to have added the additional line of music for the vocal parts. (J.R.)
