Large numbers
Beethoven did not approve of many of these sketches for the second Cello Sonata from op. 102, as he crossed them out very energetically. However, more striking are the large numbers which Beethoven wrote down in the margin, e.g. on leaf 1r (image 2), leaf 1v (image 3), leaf 2r (image 4), leaf 3v (image 7) and leaf 5r (image 10). The numbers 3200, 1000 and 60000 do not refer to notes, hours spent on the composition or even money to be received. The numbers merely refer to reference points in the text and have the same function as the word "Vi-de" which Beethoven used more frequently. If there is a jump from one part of the work to another, or a few bars are to replaced by a few others, Beethoven either marked the first passage with "Vi" and the second one with "-de", or used the same number twice, e.g. "No 60000". So as to be able to differentiate between different reference points, he uses different numbers. Why Beethoven chose the numbers 1000 and 60000 remains unknown. (J.R.)
