{"id":2664,"date":"2023-11-18T12:54:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T11:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/?p=2664"},"modified":"2023-12-08T12:47:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T11:47:54","slug":"beethovens-immortal-beloved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/beethovens-immortal-beloved\/","title":{"rendered":"Beethoven\u2019s Immortal Beloved"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nBeethoven\u2019s<\/b><\/span> <\/b>Unsterbliche Geliebte, or Immortal Beloved<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018My angel, my all, my own self\u2019<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Written at the age of 41, Beethoven\u2019s famous love letter reads as a breathless expression of despair and hope, of love and devotion for an unnamed woman, his Immortal Beloved, whose identity has sparked two centuries of curiosity, research and debate. Here, we will take a look at the women who may have been the focus of his undying love.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Following Beethoven\u2019s death, his secretary<\/a> discovered the document among his belongings, tucked away between the portraits of women whom he had loved. It is not known whether the letter ever reached its intended destination and had been returned, or whether it had never been sent at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

This pencil written document was analyzed and dated to 1812, written by the composer over two days in early July, in Teplitz<\/a>, Bohemia (today, the Czech Republic). He had visited the resort to spend a number of weeks at the natural hot springs in an attempt to restore his health. It was also here that he met Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, spending a week together<\/a> with the great poet, novelist, scientist and philosopher.<\/span><\/p>\n

The letter indicates an ongoing romantic connection, both in person and in writing with the unidentified woman who had captured his heart and deepest affections. Beethoven refers to this woman as his Immortal Beloved in the ten page long passionate expression of his love and longing, revealing feelings of agonizing uncertainty, but also hope for a joined future.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018While still in bed my thoughts rush toward you my<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Immortal Beloved now and then happy, then again sad,<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

awaiting fate, if it will grant us a favorable hearing\u2014I can<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

only live either wholly with you or not at all.\u2019<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Viewing Beethoven\u2019s music within the context of the Romantic movement<\/a> of the time, it can be argued that his artistry is characterized by the power of emotion, and introspection. We could even go so far as to say that in his personal life, in his lines to his Beloved, he echoes the spirit of Romanticism.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Oh God look upon beautiful nature and<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

calm your soul over what must be\u2014love demands everything<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and completely with good reason.\u2019<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWe will look at the three most likely candidates of Beethoven\u2019s affection according to Jan Swafford, from his 2014 biography of the composer. But first, a quick mention of the 1994 film – Immortal Beloved<\/a>. The drama portrays Beethoven\u2019s sister-in-law, Johanna van Beethoven as the recipient of this famous letter. Gary Oldman\u2019s performance is passionate and moving, however, the romantic mystery comes to a conclusion that has been rejected by most musicologists.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three candidates for Immortal Beloved of Beethoven<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Beethoven had been in Prague<\/a> before he journeyed on to Teplitz<\/a> during the summer of 1812. It is here that he may have met his mysterious Beloved shortly before composing the letter. In the letter he talks of the need to come to a resolution of their situation. Scholars have conducted extensive research into the women who can be placed in the geographical area at that time, and who are known to have had romantic involvement with Beethoven.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nJosephine von Brunsvik<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Hungarian countess, Josephine von Brunsvik<\/a> was present in Beethoven\u2019s life on and off over a number of years. She was his piano student. They were close friends, and correspondence (written in a similar style to this famed letter) tells us there was deep love and affection between them. The beautiful Josephine, however, went on to marry Count Joseph Deym, having four children together. In the years following Count Deym\u2019s death in 1804, passionate letters and gifts of music evidence that Beethoven made his intentions clear to Josephine. Many scholars have come to the conclusion that she was Beethoven\u2019s Beloved. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is worth noting that the composer\u2019s romantic associations were often with women of a social class above his own, causing its own set of inherent difficulties. Josephine remarried in 1810, to Christoph von Stackelberg with whom she spent two miserable years. Their relationship was finally over around the same time Beethoven wrote the letter to his Immortal Beloved. She also gave birth to baby Mynona (which spells anonym backwards) nine months later, who some suggest was Beethoven\u2019s daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

|Related:<\/span> A short biography: Josephine Brunsvik<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Antonie Brentano<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Austrian art collector and philanthropist, Antonie Brentano<\/a>, was a trusted friend of Beethoven\u2019s, in fact, he was close with all the family. The case is strong for Antonie because she was in Prague around the time the letter mentions the lovers last met, and she also gave birth eight months later to a baby Karl! However, Beethoven was a close friend of her husband, Franz Brentano too, who also served as his financial advisor. And many argue that it would have strongly gone against the composer\u2019s morals to harm their family unit in this way. It is said, however, that Antonie was unhappy in her marriage. Beethoven dedicated various compositions to her, and also a hand-written score.<\/span><\/p>\n

|Related:<\/span> A short biography: Antonie Brentano<\/a><\/p>\n

Bettina Brentano<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

German born Bettina Brentano<\/a> was Franz\u2019s half-sister. She was a multi-talented woman, a writer, a singer and a social activist, known for the relationships she built with artists and prominent figures such as Beethoven, Goethe, Franz Liszt, Karl Marx and Ralph Waldo Emerson, amongst others! Bettina was very bright, with a lively, vibrant personality. Beethoven was captivated by Bettina, and she clearly wanted to be his muse. In his biography, Jan Swafford says that she is the most likely candidate out of all three women. She married Achim von Arnim, the Romantic poet in 1811 and they had seven children together. Theirs was a long and loving marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The mystery remains<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although this vast field of biographical research has not produced a definitive answer to the question of who Beethoven\u2019s Immortal Beloved was, it is clear that her influence on his personal life and music was significant. She may have sparked the creative stream of composition that resulted in the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies! This was followed by a period of silence, however. Alas, their fate was decided, they were not to share a future together. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the years to come, Beethoven\u2019s loneliness and despair plumbed new depths, further compounding the miserable state of his health. He channeled this utter turmoil through his art, his calling remaining ever faithfully by his side. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The full letter to Beethoven\u2019s eternal love, his Immortal Beloved<\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

‘July 6<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In the morning\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

My angel, my all, my self.\u2014only a few words today, in fact<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

with pencil (with yours)\u2014only tomorrow is my lodging<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

positively fixed, what a worthless waste of time on such<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

things\u2014why this deep grief, when necessity speaks\u2014Can our<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

love exist but by sacrifices, by not demanding everything, can<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

you change it, that you not completely mine, I am not<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

completely yours\u2014Oh God look upon beautiful nature and<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

calm your soul over what must be\u2014love demands everything<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

and completely with good reason, so it is for me with you,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

for you with me\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\u2014only you forget so easily, that I must live<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

for myself and for you, were we wholly united, you would<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

feel this painfulness just as little as I do\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

my trip was frightful, I arrived here only at 4 o\u2019clock<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

yesterday morning, because they lacked horses .\u00a0.\u00a0. at the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

next to the last station they warned me about traveling at<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

night, made me afraid of a forest, but this only provoked<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

me\u2014but I was wrong, the coach had to break down on the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

terrible route .\u00a0.\u00a0. still I had some pleasure again, as always<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

whenever I fortunately survive something\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

now quickly to interior from exterior, we will probably see<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

each other soon, even today I cannot convey to you the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

observations I made during these last few days about my<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

life\u2014were our hearts always closely united, I would of course<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

not have to .\u00a0.\u00a0. my heart is full of much to tell<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

you\u2014Oh\u2014there are still moments when I find that speech is<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

nothing at all\u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/em>cheer up\u2014remain my faithful only treasure, <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

my all, as I for\u00a0<\/span><\/em>you the rest of the gods must send, what must <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

and should\u00a0<\/span><\/em>be for us\u2014your faithful ludwig<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday evening on July 6\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

You are suffering you my dearest creature\u2014just now I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

notice that letters must be posted very early in the morning<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Mondays\u2014Thursdays\u2014the only days on which mail goes from<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

here to K[arlsbad]\u2014you are suffering\u2014Oh, wherever I am,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

you are with me, I talk to myself and to you\u2014arrange that I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

can live with you, what a life!!!! like this!!!! without<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

you\u2014Persecuted by the kindness of people here and there,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

which I think\u2014I want to deserve just as little as I deserve<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

it\u2014Homage of man to man\u2014it pains me\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

and when I regard myself in the framework of the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

universe, what am I and what is he\u2014whom one calls the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Greatest\u2014and yet\u2014herein is again the divine spark of man\u2014I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

weep when I think that you will probably not receive the<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

first news of me until Saturday\u2014as much as you love me\u2014I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

love you even more deeply but\u2014never hide yourself from<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

me\u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/em>good night\u2014since I am taking the baths I must go to<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

sleep\u2014Oh god\u2014so near! So far! Is not our love a true<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

heavenly edifice\u2014but also firm, like the firmament\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

good morning July 7<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014while still in bed my thoughts rush toward you my<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Immortal Beloved now and then happy, then again sad,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

awaiting fate, if it will grant us a favorable hearing\u2014I can<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

only live either wholly with you or not at all<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

yes I have resolved to wander about in the distance, until I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

can fly into your arms, and can call myself entirely at home<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

with you, can send my soul embraced by you into the realm<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

of spirits\u2014yes unfortunately it must be\u2014you will compose<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

yourself all the more, since you know my faithfulness to you,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

never can another own my heart, never\u2014never\u2014O God why<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

have to separate oneself, what one loves so and yet my life<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

in V[ienna] as it is now is a miserable life\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

at my age now I need some uniformity and consistency of<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

life\u2014can this exist in our relationship?\u2014Angel, right now I<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

hear that the mail goes every day\u2014and I must therefore<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

close, so that you will receive the L[etter] immediately\u2014be<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

calm, only through quiet contemplation of our existence can<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

we reach our goal to live together\u2014be patient\u2014love<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

me\u2014today\u2014yesterday\u2014What longing with tears for<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

you\u2014you\u2014you\u2014my love\u2014my all\u2014farewell\u2014o continue to love<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

me\u2014never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

L.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

forever yours<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

forever mine<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

forever us’<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A.K.<\/p>\n

\n

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    Beethoven\u2019s Unsterbliche Geliebte, or Immortal Beloved   \u2018My angel, my all, my own self\u2019 Written at the age of 41, Beethoven\u2019s famous love letter reads as a breathless expression of despair and hope, of love and devotion for an unnamed woman, his Immortal Beloved, whose identity has sparked two centuries of curiosity, research and debate. Here, we will take a … <\/p>\n

    Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[149,123],"class_list":["post-2664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-focus","tag-immortal-beloved","tag-loves-of-beethoven"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2664"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2706,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2664\/revisions\/2706"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popularbeethoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}