Ludwig van Beethoven, Skizzenblatt zu "Christus am Ölberge" op. 85, Autograph

Sketch leaf as a missing link

The sketch leaf with sketches for Beethoven's only oratorio "Christus am Ölberge" (Christ on the Mount of Olives) op. 85 was originally in the so-called Wielhorsky Sketchbook. It was removed from the sketchbook in the nineteenth century. "Wielhorsky" is almost in its original state - it still has 87 of its 96 leaves, and has therefore not suffered the same fate as most of Beethoven's sketchbooks, which were plundered by collectors in the nineteenth century and scattered all over the world. Whereas eight of the nine missing leaves formed the last two gatherings and were therefore removed from the end of the sketchbook, only one single leaf has been removed from the inside: HCB Mh 69. Its original position can easily be identified as this leaf formed a kind of hinge as regards content because Beethoven decided on a major change at this point. On the front he made sketches for the aria no. 2 "Preist, preist des Erlösers Güte". In the Wielhorsky Sketchbook the composer worked on this number on pages 110-131. He obviously first planned to have the aria in duple time, namely in 2/4 time. From page 114 of the book onwards, drafts for the same aria appear in triple time, in 3/8 time. On the front of the sketch leaf shown here you can see both possibilities. In staves 3-5 Beethoven made sketches in 3/8 time, in staves 13-14 still (or again) in 2/4 time. This means that this leaf must have been between pages 112 and 114 in the Wielhorsky Sketchbook. The last detail regarding its correct place in the manuscript is afforded us - once again - by an ink blot. The end of the last word on the bottom line of this leaf is blotted. On page 112 of the sketchbook there is an exact impression of this ink blot. HCB Mh 69r therefore came directly after page 112 in the Wielhorsky Sketchbook. (J.R.)