Rod's Ramblings
A podcast reminiscing about cultural events and how they affected this sixty something. Join me as we travel on a nostalgic journey through the cultural events that have shaped our lives. From classical composers, iconic music moments, rock stars and unforgettable TV shows. Let’s reminisce about how these events have influenced us all. Whether you’re a fellow baby boomer or just love a good story, Rod’s Ramblings offers a heartfelt, informative and entertaining look at the stories behind these great events. Cheers, Rod.
Rod's Ramblings
Harmonious Histories - Beethoven's Enigmatic Letters and the Immortal Beloved Mystery
Discover the tantalizing mystery behind Beethoven's enigmatic "immortal beloved" letter and explore how the lost art of letter writing wove through the lives of classical composers like Mozart and Bach. As we reflect on the dramatic decline of traditional correspondence in the UK, you'll be transported to early 19th-century Vienna, where a web of intrigue and romance surrounds Beethoven's life. Join us as we unravel the potential muses who may have inspired his passionate words, with Countess Antonia Brentano and Countess Josefina Brunswick leading the charge. Together, we'll explore the complex relationships that shaped Beethoven's world, shedding light on an unsolved romantic mystery that continues to captivate historians.
Immerse yourself in the poignant narrative of "Immortal" by Jessica Duchin, which weaves an intricate tale of love, family, and the birth of Minona—a child whose parentage remains a tantalizing question mark. Witness the touching scene where Beethoven encounters the newborn, pondering if she could be his daughter. As we journey through these historical narratives, we ponder whether modern science might one day bring clarity to these age-old secrets. With heartfelt gratitude to Jessica Duchin and Unbound for their contributions, this episode promises to leave you reflective and inspired, as we end on a personal note about keeping the tradition of letter writing alive.
Hello there, and welcome to Rod's Ramblings, a podcast reminiscing about cultural events and how they've affected this 60-something. Thanks for listening. It really is appreciated. Do you still write letters? I remember those bygone days, long ago, when I was in my teens and I received lots of letters faintly smelling of perfume, with SWARSC, sealed with a loving kiss written on the back of the envelope. Well, one letter, oh all right then. I remember being told about receiving such a letter. Seriously, though, apparently the number of letters sent in the UK has slumped from 20 billion in 2003 to a mere 7 billion last year, whilst the number of emails, texts and WhatsApps sent in the UK have exceeded a staggering 8.3 million per day. Why are you talking about letters, I hear you ask.
Rod Collett:I thought this series was about classical music composers. Well, it's because, in the days of classical composers such as Beethoven, mozart and Bach, letters were the only way to communicate remotely, and it's often from these that we piece together the many stories that we now share. One such letter is the one Beethoven wrote to his immortal beloved, the intended recipient of which has been the subject of speculation for nearly 200 years. In this episode, I'll talk about the letter itself, possible recipients and the reason for their candidacy. I'll also include a reading from Jessica Duchin's novel Immortal, published by Unbound. So let's get this story going.
Rod Collett:Ludwig van Beethoven died on the 17th of March 1827. A few months later, a letter was found in one of the drawers of his writing desk. It was 10 pages long, had been written while the composer had been staying in Teplitz, which was in the Austrian Empire, no part of the Czech Republic, and was dated Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of July. And was dated Monday, the 6th and Tuesday, the 7th of July, although the date on the letter wasn't complete. The only years that the 6th of July fell on a Monday during Beethoven's lifetime were 1795, 1801, 1807, 1812 and 1818. Using this information, in conjunction with Beethoven's diaries and scientific analysis of the paper, it has become accepted that the letter was in fact written in 1812. At this time, beethoven would have been 41 years old, he was almost totally deaf and it had been 10 years since he wrote the famous Heiligenstadt Testament.
Rod Collett:The letter opens with Beethoven addressing the recipient as my angel, my everything. He writes, my heart is full with so much to tell you and asks her to remain my faithful, only, darling my everything as I am for you. The letter continues making declarations of love throughout, growing in intensity as it approaches its end, and finishes with the following declaration of eternal and mutual love. Be patient. Only through quiet contemplation of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together. Be calm, love me today. Yesterday, what yearning with tears for you, you, you, my beloved, my life, my everything, farewell. It's clearly a letter written by a man very much in love. However, rather annoyingly, nowhere does it say who it was intended for.
Rod Collett:There has been much speculation about the letter implying that Ludwig and his immortal beloved had actually spent the night together a few days previously. This could possibly have been in Prague. On Friday, the 3rd of July, when Beethoven was travelling to Teplitz, he failed to turn up for an evening appointment with his acquaintance Karl Warnhagen, saying that he was prevented from meeting him as the result of a circumstance which he could not foresee. Let's look at the possible immortal beloved candidates. Beethoven would frequently dedicate his musical competitions to women and, consequently, researchers have suggested that these may have been possible candidates. Three examples are Countess Julie Gallenberg-Ghiacciardi, to whom Beethoven dedicated the 14th Piano Sonata, op 27, no 2, which became known as the Moonlight Sonata. Therese Malfatti, for whom one of the most popular pieces of all time, fur Elise, had been written, and Countess Anna Maria Erdaby, to whom Beethoven had dedicated the two piano trios, op 70, and the pair of cello sonatas, op 102, as a thank you for arranging a lifelong annuity from the imperial nobility. For all this speculation, the good money seems to be on two other candidates, countess Antonia Brentano and Countess Josefina Brunswick. Let's spend a little time talking about each of them.
Rod Collett:Antonia Brentano, originally known as Joanna Antonia Josefa Erdl von Birkenstock, was born on the 28th of May 1780 in Frankfurt to a prosperous family. Her father, johann Melchior Edler von Birkenstock, was a diplomat advising none other than Empress Maria Theresa, and her son Joseph II, who were rulers of the Habsburg monarchy. Her mother, carolina Josepha von Hay, was the sister of Count Joseph von Sonnenfels, to whom Beethoven dedicated his piano sonata number 15 in D major, opus 28, which is better known as the Pastoral Sonata. It's worth mentioning at this stage the difference between von and van when talking about names. In Germany during Beethoven's time, if a name contained von or van, it indicated that the family were members of the nobility. However, although Beethoven was born in Bonn, as his father's family were from Mechelen in the Duchy of Brabant, modern-day Belgium. This was classified as Flanders and as such, the rule didn't apply and therefore, despite his name, ludwig van Beethoven wasn't a member of the nobility, but was a mere commoner. This fact only came to light in later life, when he was trying to gain custody of his nephew Karl, from his sister-in-law Joanna.
Rod Collett:Although Antony had a good start in life, living in a 40-room mansion in Frankfurt's Landstrasse district, like many children of the time, she lost two of her brothers while they were infants, and her mother died when she was just a few days short of her eighth birthday. In order to continue her education, antonie was sent to school at an Ursuline convent in Pressburg, which is better known as Bratislava. On the 23rd of July 1798, antoni and Franz Brentano were married and went on to have six children. The Brentano family first became acquainted with Beethoven when Antoni travelled to Vienna to look after her ill father. They became great friends, and when Antony's father passed away, beethoven would spend time with her playing the piano while she went through her father's belongings. Quite a nice form of therapy, that isn't it? Like Countess Julie Gallenberg, guicardi Therese Malfatti and Countess Anna Maria Edold, a composition was also dedicated to Antonia. The Diabelli variations were dedicated to her. However, this was as a result of a requested commission rather than as a romantic gesture.
Rod Collett:American musicologist Maynard Solomon was a strong supporter of Antonia's candidacy for the Immortal Beloved, citing that she was in Carlsbad on Friday the 3rd of July, could have spent the night with Beethoven and had a child the following March. This theory has been dismissed, however, as Antony was already pregnant on the 3rd of July, was travelling with her husband, franz along with one of her children, and wouldn't have been able to justify disappearing for the night. In addition, shortly after the letter was written, beethoven went to stay with her and her family and in later years, franz Brentano would provide financial help to the composer. Would Beethoven, who had a reputation as an entirely honourable man, have had the stone face cheek to stay with Brentano after sleeping with his wife, and would France lend the composer money if he suspected any such thing? I doubt it.
Rod Collett:The odds-on favourite for being Beethoven's immortal beloved is Josephine Brunswick. She was a Hungarian countess born on the 28th of March 1779. She had three siblings, thérèse, france and Charlotte, and they lived in Mont-en-Versailles, near Budapest. All four children grew up to be talented musicians, and in May 1799 their mother took Therese and Josephine to Vienna to meet Beethoven with the intention of having piano lessons. It was during these lessons that a strong friendship developed between the composer and Josephine. However, because her mother insisted on her daughter marrying someone of equal social standing and preferably with some wealth behind them, it was arranged that Josephine should be married to Count Joseph. Dame Josephine and her husband went on to have three children, and while Josephine was pregnant with a fourth, the Count died suddenly of pneumonia. Once Josephine was single again, beethoven rekindled their friendship, wishing to formalise the relationship, but Josephine was reluctant to take it any further in case the Dame family took away her children or their inheritance.
Rod Collett:In 1808, therese and Josephine travelled to Switzerland to see the famous educational reformer Johann Pestalozzi. It was during this visit that Josephine was introduced to her future second husband, christoph von Stuckelberg. Whilst they were returning home, josephine was taken ill and Stuckelberg took advantage of her, making her pregnant. The couple married for the sake of the child and went on to have two more children together. The marriage wasn't a happy one, with Stackelberg walking out on her on several occasions, making slanderous accusations about her and taking her children away. He frequently misled Josephine about the state of his finances, and when he failed to purchase an expensive estate in Vyčap, moravia in the Czech Republic, they found themselves in financial ruin and the marriage broke down irrevocably.
Rod Collett:So what evidence supports Josephine's candidacy as the immortal beloved? In 1957, 13 letters that Beethoven had sent to Josephine between 1804 and 1809 were published which contained terms of affection which were also used in the Immortal Beloved Letter. The letter indicated that the couple had been in a long-standing relationship which Josephine and Beethoven had. Beethoven used the word angel frequently when addressing Josephine, such as my angel, my everything, and farewell, angel of my heart. Such as my Angel, my Everything and Farewell, angel of my Heart. When he referred to Hesterhardtsey having struggled on his overnight journey to Teplitz with eight horses as opposed to Beethoven's four, he would have done so knowing that the Hungarian prince was an acquaintance of the Brunswick family. He was also aware of her health problems and the fact that she and Stackelberg were separated. In the letter he wishes he could do something about it when he states you are suffering. Oh, wherever I am, you are with me. I talk to myself and to you to arrange that I can live with you.
Rod Collett:According to her diary entries for June 1812, josephine clearly intended to travel to Prague, which would have enabled to meet Beethoven on the night of the 3rd of July. Subsequently, on 8th of April 1813, nine months later, josephine gave birth to a little girl that she named Minona, even though the child was raised as a member of the Stackelberg family, there has been speculation ever since that Minona was in fact Beethoven's daughter. There has been speculation ever since that Minona was in fact Beethoven's daughter.
Rod Collett:I think this is a good time to play our first piece of music, and the one I've chosen is by Franz Gordon. Franz was born in 1971 and raised in Lamort, a small village in Sweden. Throughout the years, franz has composed music with many different genres, from pop to jazz, and has even recorded an album with a symphony orchestra mixed by Bernard Law in Benny Anderson's studio. As we've been talking about a love story, I wanted a piece that was romantic, and when I saw the title of this track, I thought it was very appropriate for Ludwig and Josephine thinking of those few days back in 1812.
Rod Collett:This is Two Weeks in July, by Franz Gordon no-transcript is called Immortal by Jessica Duchin, which was published by Unbound in October 2020. The book is narrated by Therese Brunswick as a letter to her niece, minona, explaining the relationship between Beethoven and her mother. The excerpt I'd like to read begins just after Minona was born, josephine has gone to live with her mother for a rest, and Therese is looking after the child in a governess-like capacity. Oh yes, they've also bought a goat to provide milk for the baby. I'd like to thank Jessica for giving me permission to read the extract.
Rod Collett:Beethoven was in Heiligenstadt. I sent a well-sealed envelope containing a message intelligible to none but him Stackelberg had left, offering no information on his whereabouts. At least they wouldn't be able to fight a duel. It was Pepe who should have written, but for all her determination, she was suffering. Whether it was her inability to feed her baby, or the pressures piling upon her, or that black malaise that so often besets women after giving birth, I couldn't say she wouldn't venture outside. Some days she didn't even bother getting out of bed.
Rod Collett:May was soon blazing upon the rest of Vienna, but in her wall-oppressed house she lived only in shadow. Remembering that my gardener, martin Vassar, had pulled me through my mourning after father died, I had an idea Pepe not I should take the children home to Hungary, at least for the summer, perhaps longer. Mother, though harsh with us, was less strict with her grandchildren. Pepe would be well supported, need not worry about money and might recover her strength. Vicky would be her aid, the boys would learn about farming from Uncle Franz, and I would stay in Vienna keeping Minona and the goat with me. We wouldn't have to explain yet why the new baby looked so very different from her sister's. A look swept over Peppy of such relief that I knew I'd found a solution. The house was quiet without them, but I was free to spend the summer months as I chose. I was safe with my baby from the travails of the bigger children and the headache of sorting out the debris that, however much I loved her Peppy tended to leave in her wake. I had never felt so free in all my life. How intoxicating it was to wake on a summer morning, even in a hot, smelly, empty city, and face a day of pure peace. I talked constantly to Minona, who learnt to smile and laugh. When she was hungry, I fed her. When she needed changing, I changed her Soon she slept through the night. I grew quite fond of our little goat as well.
Rod Collett:But I had in mind one special journey for which there could be no substitute and which I saw no reason to agree in advance with my sister. For one florin you could take a pleasure trip on a special, extra-capacious coach into the countryside, notably to Harleganstaff. The ride was not even two hours long. My fellow passengers made a tremendous fuss of Minona. What a pretty bright little thing. Look at those beady eyes, isn't she good? I am just her doting aunt and future governess. I explained.
Rod Collett:We alighted in the tiny square by the Heiligenstadt church, uphill from which Beethoven had lodged during the crisis of 1802. There I wound Minona securely into a blanket that I could fasten around my shoulders, forming a type of sling in which she could ride, leaving my arms free. Our travelling companions marvelled at this invention and waved us a cheery goodbye. The midday sun was intense, but we were heading for the woodland shade, where sheltering foliage softened the light and whispered in the summer breeze. The damp ground beside the brooklets emitted a welcome earthy smell and a red squirrel bounded across the path in front of us. We walked as we had been advised. For about 15 minutes. I sang the Pastoral Symphony's second movement to Minona.
Rod Collett:As we went Then, the trees thinned and we spotted our landmark a group of three lindens and a tempting patch of grass overlooking the water. Here I unwrapped the baby who had been wriggling and kicking and we sat down to wait. A moving shadow, broad and heavy, a strong step, fragmented, humming and singing, perhaps unconscious. His shadow fell across us. Less welcome, an unwashed, unshaven, reddened face, half disintegrating boots, a whiff of wine on the breath. My expression must have betrayed my distress because he mumbled, I'm sorry. As he lumbered down beside me, we didn't speak for a few minutes because there was little to say.
Rod Collett:I lifted Manona Beside the rattled spectacle of the man on my right. She was as delicate as a woodland lily. Given his current state, I wondered if it was safe to let him hold her. His arms ventured towards me, half in readiness, half in plea. I leaned towards his left ear. Be very careful, I said in my extra loud talking to Beethoven voice and support her head. He obeyed, holding her at arm's length. I expected her to cry at a stranger's touch, but by some miracle she did not. His gaze softened. She's just like her mother. I think she may also be just like her father.
Rod Collett:He turned with such an abrupt movement that I had to grab the baby back from him. How can I be sure she's really mine? I faltered, pepe has told me so, and she's not a wanton woman. I sense she should be my child, but is that only because her mother should have been my wife? How can we ever know? Since Stackelberg had been gone a month by the time Pepe went to Prague and this baby was born exactly nine months after her visit, and all Pepe's infants enjoyed punctual arrivals, I would say there is a strong likelihood that Minona is your daughter.
Rod Collett:I recited rather too fast, dear God. He turned away. Don't reject her out of hand. If I hold her more, I will love her, but she can never be truly mine. So what's the point, luigi? Bitterness will solve nothing. I'm not bitter, I want to die. That is not what I'd expected. Nothing. I'm not bitter, I want to die. That is not what I'd expected.
Rod Collett:I thought about claiming her, he said, and what it would take to do so. It would be an act of great courage. It would be a great act, but entail tremendous sacrifice, not only for me. It would be pure selfishness on my part. A terrible business for Pepe, and hasn't she suffered already? Stackelberg would challenge me and kill me, for I have no appetite to kill him.
Rod Collett:The day you sent word to me of her birth, I considered I might have to leave Vienna immediately. No, the sacrifice must be mine alone to see my child grow up without me. I stared down at my niece in my lap, this tiny girl, her dark eyes, watching the birds pass by overhead, could destroy every adult who had had a hand in her existence, including myself. Dear God, forgive me, I had been the one to persuade Pepe to give him up all those years ago. If only I could prostrate myself before Beethoven to beg his forgiveness. He would be the first to say it was too late for regrets.
Rod Collett:Look, take this. Please give it to her. With shaking hand, he reached into an inner pocket and brought out an envelope. At first I thought it was a very long letter. Closer examination proved that it was filled with banknotes. She needs it more than I do.
Rod Collett:You know she's in Hungary. She needs it more than I do you know she's in Hungary. She's at Martonvasa with Mother France and the other children I gathered as much. Keep this for when she returns. I want so much to comfort her. How has she been? Tessie, pepe is all right, but it won't surprise you to hear that she has been better in both health and spirits than she is now.
Rod Collett:And him? He plans to devote his life to God. Will he return? Do you think I pondered Knowing their behaviour in the past? I fear he may.
Rod Collett:At martin vassar, they will know if she receives a letter from me. But do they know about this? I cannot imagine how franz regards this business. Hopefully he knows nothing. They will think your er friendship past and finished. His face brightened. Yes, there will be as much for her as for him, if suitably veiled. And Tessie, please take this for her. Nobody need know.
Rod Collett:Forgive me, luigi, but you look as if you should not spare your money. You need new boots for a start. What's going on? What of your princes and your stipend? They can go to hell. Kinski is dead. He fell off his horse so he probably already has.
Rod Collett:Poor man. He was 30. Lobkowitz is bankrupt and has fled Vienna to escape its creditors. The Archduke is the best of them. He is faithful, but of course it was all arranged in Banza Cattel. Now, other than a few good friends, like Brentano, who has lent me some money. I can only rely on myself.
Rod Collett:I thought of telling him that Pepe had reached the same conclusion on her own account, but he needed little prompting that they were often of one mind. I'll find people to commission works and pay me for them, he said. It's the one honest way to live. The aristocracy forgive me, countess Tessie, but you are different they care nothing for those they tread upon in their urge for pleasure and power. He gave his best bitter laugh with an exhalation of cheap wine.
Rod Collett:I am heist with my own petard many times over the envelope lurked between us awaiting a decision. Can you tell me in all honesty that she doesn't need money? That oaf of a baron. He gives not a fig for the children's well-being or hers. Can you tell me in all honesty that she doesn't need money? That oaf of a baron. He gives not a fig for the children's well-being or hers. If there is no other way I can be a father I can at least send her some help. He turned towards me and now I saw the wildness in his eye, the loss, the despair. It's just that I can't believe it. A child, my child Minona, was gurgling on my lap. He reached down and lifted it to his heart as I watched a tear dropped from his eye into the soft curls on the crown of her head. Our second piece of music is also by Franz Gordon, and I'm staying with the theme of romance. This is called Remembering Summer.
Rod Collett:The story of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved has also made it to the big screen, with a film being made in 1994 starring Gary Oldman as Beethoven. In the film, anton Schindler, beethoven's friend and secretary, finds the letter and travels across Europe trying to find the mysterious lady for whom it was written. The film uses flashbacks to portray Beethoven's life. Anna Marie Erdody, giulietta Ghiocchiardi, josephine Brunswick and Teresa Brunswick all appear in the film, but, spoiler alert the film's writer and director, bernard Rose, casts Beethoven's sister-in-law, joanna, as the immortal beloved. Despite the film getting good reviews, it was found to be historically incorrect and no scholar has ever supported Rose's suggestion. As we approach the end of this episode, it's worth closing with a couple more facts. Minona Stackelberg lived to be the only one of Josephine's children that lived to old age and died on the 27th of February 1897 in Vienna. Her last place of residence was Casa Cavriani, habsburgstrasse 5, and is buried in the central cemetery in Vienna. It has been said that if you put a photo of her next to a painting of Beethoven's mother, there is an amazing likeness. Countess Josephine von Brunswick died on the 31st of March 1821, aged 42, and, as was Beethoven's way, he composed not one, but two pieces of music the piano sonatas no 31, op 110, and no 31 Op 110 and no 32 Op 111. Music experts have described the two sonatas as being like requiems with clearly perceptible similarities to Josephine's theme, the Andante Favore, which repeatedly uses the chant Josephine Josephine. In conclusion, then, one of classical music history's most frequently asked questions is who was Beethoven's immortal beloved? Many books have been written about the subject and speculation has been rife, but no one has yet found a definitive answer.
Rod Collett:I'm sure that, in the future, as more and more letters are found, diaries are re-examined and further evidence is re-interpreted, that speculation will inevitably continue. And more letters are found, diaries are re-examined and further evidence is reinterpreted, that speculation will inevitably continue. The one thing that I think everyone can agree on is that the only way a definite answer will ever be found will be as the result of a DNA test. Whether an agreement for that to take place can ever be reached is another matter. I'd like to say thanks again to Jessica Duchin and Unbound for giving me permission to carry out the book reading, and I'd like to say thanks again to Jessica Dushan and Unbound for giving me permission to carry out the book reading, and I'd like to thank you for listening. If you've liked the episode, please leave a comment below and tell your friends all about it. I'm off to buy myself a fountain pen and a pad of Basildon Bond writing paper. So until the next time, on Rod's Ramblings, cheers and take care.
