1. What do we know about Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved letter?
The famous love letter was found following Beethoven’s death in 1827 among his personal belongings by his secretary Anton Schindler. It was first published by Schindler himself 13 years later in his biography of the composer.
The letter has been dated to 1812 when Beethoven was 41 years old, written in the spa town of Teplitz, Bohemia (today, Czech Republic). It is for an unnamed woman whom he addresses as his Immortal Beloved. Despite two centuries of research, scholars have not succeeded in discovering her identity.
Currently, the letter can be found in the Berlin State Library.
2. Was the Immortal Beloved letter ever sent?
It is unknown whether the letter was ever sent to its intended recipient in nearby Karlsbad. Perhaps had it been returned by his love? Beethoven twice mentions in the letter his intent to post it promptly, with the intention of reaching his Immortal Beloved without delay. However, it is of course possible that he decided not to send it, forgoing his pursuit of his heart’s desire.
3. Who could have been Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved?
Beethoven was a deeply passionate man. Over the course of his life he developed strong feelings for and connections with some of the very talented, interesting and beautiful women who were drawn to his musical genius.
It was not customary at the time for a commoner to marry someone from social circles above their own. This caused its fair share of misery in Beethoven’s life, as it was often women of the aristocracy who moved into his orbit. Such was the case with Josephine Brunsvik with whom he formed a close bond. His talented and gentle natured piano student as a countess, could not have joined futures with Beethoven.
Philanthropist and cultural figure, Antonie Brentano has been suggested as another likely candidate, however, Beethoven was a friend to her husband and family. His moral code would have forbidden him to pursue her.
The third possible recipient is Bettina Brentano. She was a brilliant writer and social activist, who fascinated Beethoven, and Bettina idolized him.
4. Who was most probably Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved?
We, at Popular Beethoven, believe that Josephine Brusvik is the most likely candidate of the three women. For one, Beethoven’s correspondence with Josephine is similarly passionate in style to the Immortal Beloved letter. Their connection spanned over two decades, and in the years preceding the famous letter, the composer courted her consistently, expressing his love for her in writing and in his frequent visits. Josephine’s family pressured her to withdraw in an attempt to discourage his affections, as a marriage with a commoner would have resulted in the loss of guardianship her children. Their connection was characterized by tenderness and deep mutual affection. In his early 40’s, plagued by poor health and evermore excruciating loneliness, Beethoven may well have sought the loving comfort of the gentle Josephine.
5. What does the Immortal Beloved letter say?
The ten-page long letter speaks to an unnamed woman, the focus of Beethoven’s passionate and undying love. In it, he expresses both hope and despair, love and longing for a future together with his Immortal Beloved.
It is clear that they are separated by a significant force, perhaps an existing marriage, societal conventions, or another barrier between them. He expresses his deepest desire to come to a resolution of their situation and ease both of their suffering. It is possible to conclude that his words about his need for ‘uniformity and consistency of life’ refer to his great and pressing desire to settle down in a loving relationship, in part due to the terrible health afflictions he suffered and the trauma of his deafness.
Beethoven mentions that he arrived at the resort of Teplitz only the morning before: due to a lack of horses his travels had been delayed. He also wrote that he had not had a smooth journey; having ignored warnings not to travel at night, his coach had broken down in the forest on route. He writes of his satisfaction of making it through the ordeal and escaping any dangers.
A.K.
