Ludwig van Beethoven, Skizzenblatt zum Streichquartett op. 59,3, 1. Satz, Autograph

Misleading water stains

The single leaf BH 100 contains autograph sketches for the first movement of the String Quartet op. 59 no. 3. The contents and paper show that it was originally part of a bifolium with another sketch leaf at the Beethoven-Haus, HCB Mh 72. In a miscellany in the archives of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna there is a further bifolium with sketches for the first movement of the same quartet. The paper and contents show that it is the second half of the sheet to which both of the leaves in Bonn belong. In other words, the leaves in Bonn and Vienna form a gathering. All of the leaves bear water stains, which can be used to ascertain their order. Accordingly the Bonn leaves are the outer ones and the Viennese leaves the inner ones. Yet if we take a closer look at the content of the sketches, this order cannot be correct. From a chronological point of view, Beethoven first of all sketched the Bonn leaves (first HCB Mh 72, then BH 100) and then the Viennese ones. So which is correct - the order suggested by the content or that suggested by the water stains? The content clearly shows that the bifolia were not lying in each other at the time they were used. In addition the mishap which occasioned the water stains on the edges, also caused the ink to run at several points. The leaves had therefore obviously been written on before the accident with the water occurred. The water stains, like the stitch holes, originated after Beethoven had used the leaves. We can therefore assume that he had not bound them in a book at the time he used them and that he rearranged them afterwards, i.e. put them into a different order. It was in this new sequence that they were damaged by the water. Another autograph copy also has water stains and is from the same year, 1806: the Appassionata op. 57. The reason for the damage to the piano sonata is known: Beethoven was staying in Grätz with Prince Lichnowsky, but departed earlier than expected in October 1806. On the journey back to Vienna he was surprised by a storm. He might have had the sketches to op. 59 no. 3 in his luggage, which would then account for the water stains. (J.R.)