Beethoven's performance notes
The score of "Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt" ("Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage"), op. 112, was copied by the professional copyist Wenzel Rampl. It served as the engraver's model for the first edition published by S. A. Steiner in Vienna. The copy was, however, not only important for the printing process but also apparently for the first performance. This can be inferred from important details. On the bottom of the title page (image 1) a note can be made out made in red crayon by Beethoven, "H: von Umlauf". Michael Umlauff was the the assistant musical director at the Court Opera and directed many performances of Beethoven's works, e.g. Fidelio in 1814 and the first performance of the Ninth Symphony. According to the Wiener Zeitung on 6 January 1816 Umlauff was "at the piano" for the performance of op. 112, presumably directing the choir. Beethoven might have given him the score for rehearsals. At the top and in the margin of the first page of music (image 2) Beethoven wrote detailed directions for the conductor: "NB: with this first tempo the conductor should raise his hand as little as possible when beating time # except when Forte - with the first bar a little higher, with the second and third a little less and with the fourth again a hardly noticeable movement # Not with the slightest noise but with absolute stillness." In addition he noted a metronome marking (quarter note = 84) on the top left, showing the conductor the tempo (equivalent to 84 quarter beats per minute). (J.R.)
