LVB's Autograph Manuscript

[spaceray]

It is known that Beethoven was a sloppy dresser,did he take more care with his compositions.I wonder how much of his autograph manuscript did he keep in order or even keep at all.It would be interesting to know what manuscript's of his own and others was in his possesion at the time of his death.

[Joy]

Originally posted by spaceray:
It is known that Beethoven was a sloppy dresser,did he take more care with his compositions.I wonder how much of his autograph manuscript did he keep in order or even keep at all.It would be interesting to know what manuscript's of his own and others was in his possesion at the time of his death.

I believe he was much more careful with his manuscripts than with his own attire. Some printed music, manuscripts, and music books were found at his apartment at the time of his death and some were auctioned off. If you want to see a complete list of his items possessed at the time of his death and a record of his estate, check out the book 'Thayer's Life of Beethoven' Volume 2 by Elliot Forbes. He has a rather lengthy list at the end of this book.

Joy

[Roehre]

It is known that Beethoven was a sloppy dresser,did he take more care with his compositions.I wonder how much of his autograph manuscript did he keep in order or even keep at all.It would be interesting to know what manuscript's of his own and others was in his possesion at the time of his death.

Beethoven was notoriously sloppy with scores of works which had been published. From the published works we haven't got anything before the finale of the Moonlight sonata, and that is opus 27. Many scores were selflessly given away as presents. Ries received e.g. the autograph score of the 2nd symphony - and that one got lost

His sketches however he most have considered important material: we have more than 5000 pages of these "dottings", and even from completed work the sketches were generally not discarded. That is how we appreciate where there are gaps in the continuous series of sketches which have survived.
Apart from stories about persons who tried to get hold of a beethovenian sketch - most of the time in vain - Beethoven is not known to have given away any of them.

Other, worldly accessories, including furniture, pianos, a horse, clothing etc the stories about Beethoven lack of interest in one way or another are abundant.