Ludwig van Beethoven, Skizzenblatt zur Messe op. 123, Autograph

Passing thoughts recorded for ever

Beethoven's way of composing greatly relied on the use of sketches. He first recorded each thought in sketchbooks, then tried it out and finally developed it. In later years Beethoven always used to carry a so-called pocket sketchbook with him when he went out, whether for a walk, when visiting friends or going to an inn. Thus he could make a note of any passing thought, as he did not wish to lose a single musical idea. In cases such as these sketches were often meant as an aid to memory, as Beethoven wanted to continue working on them. That is why it is problematic for outsiders to understand them - if we make a note of something for ourselves, it does not always have to be legible for others. Nevertheless it is possible to identify motives on this leaf from a pocket sketchbook. They are thoughts on "Dona nobis pacem" from the Agnus Dei of the Missa solemnis. Beethoven added remarks at several points, as if explaining his own ideas. At the bottom of the first page for instance, the remark "ohne Triole, nur 8tel" ("without triplets, simply quavers") has been added to a rocking motive with quavers, which have been grouped in threes. In the completed mass the metre actually changes with "Dona nobis pacem" to 6/8 time, in which groups of three notes are not triplets but rather "normal" quavers. (J.R.)