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ANTON SCHINDLER (1795-1864) After a photograph Schindler was born in Meidel, Moravia and had come to Vienna to study law without, however, renouncing the serious study of the violin. He soon succeeded in obtaining a position with the orchestra of the Theater an der Wien which, for a time, he conducted. Through this position he made Beethoven's acquaintance and developed a glowing enthusiasm for Beethoven's œuvre. In 1819 he became an associate in the office of the attorney Bach who was Beethoven's lawyer. His contact with Beethoven became so steady that hardly a day passed without their speaking to one another. Finally, Schindler became Beethoven's indispensable companion. The famous "Conversation books" through which Beethoven notwithstanding his increasing deafness could continue to speak to his friends prove Schindler's devotion and patience. Moreover, they reflect the self-denial with which Schindler accepted many unfair reproaches of the easily irritated master without contradiction. It is only fair to add, however, that Beethoven, once he had recognized his injustice, hastened to repair the aggravation he had caused, by the most touching manifestations of friendship. However, this did not prevent him from sacrificing Schindler--during the years 1825 and 1826--as a result of imagined injustice received from him. It was at that time that the violinist Karl Holz, who had succeeded in gaining Beethoven's confidence, took Schindler's place. Far from bearing a grudge as a result of Beethoven's insults, Schindler took his place again as soon as Beethoven needed him, and in the most touching manner took care of the master during the latter's last and most terrible illness. After Beethoven's death he worked for many years on a book that he wished to create as a monument to the revered genius. Not until 1840 did he publish his Beethoven biography, the work which despite several errors became the basis of all Beethoven biographies. ( Beethovenhaus, Bonn)
BEETHOVEN'S LETTER To FERDINAND RIES (March 8, 1819) Beethoven wrote this letter to his old pupil Ries, who was then living in London, on the subject of one of his quintets which was to be published by an English publisher: "Vienna, March 8, 1819. This pertains to possible errors which could appear in the parts of the Quintet . . ." There follow three pages of corrections which he asked Ries to communicate to the publisher. (Collection Wegeler, Koblenz)
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LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Marble bust by Anton Dietrich On the right side of the socle the inscription "Anton Dietrich modelled after the life, 1821." ( Historical Museum of the City of Vienna)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Lithograph by Faust Herr after Anton Dietrich This Beethoven portrait dates from the same time in which the two busts were made. ( National Library, Vienna)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Ivory bust by Anton Dietrich This second Beethoven bust, created by the Viennese sculptor Dietrich, dates from 1822. ( National Gallery, Berlin)
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