Books: Haydn

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I remain, your devoted friend and servant,

MARIA ANNA V. GENZINGER. nee v. Kayser.

My husband sends you his regards.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

Nov. 9, 1789.

DEAR MADAM,

I beg your forgiveness a million times for having so long delayed
returning your laborious and admirable work: the last time my
apartments were cleared out, which occurred just after receiving
your first movement, it was mislaid by my copyist among the mass
of my other music, and only a few days ago I had the good fortune
to find it in an old opera score.

Dearest and kindest Frau v. Genzinger! do not be displeased with
a man who values you so highly; I should be inconsolable if by
the delay I were to lose any of your favour, of which I am so
proud.

These two pieces are arranged quite as correctly as the first. I
cannot but admire the trouble and the patience you lavish on my
poor talents; and allow me to assure you in return that, in my
frequent evil moods, nothing cheers me so much as the flattering
conviction that I am kindly remembered by you; for which favour I
kiss your hands a thousand times, and am, with sincere esteem,
your obedient servant,

JOSEPH HAYDN.

P.S.--I shall soon claim permission to wait on you.

The next letter is again from Frau v. Genzinger:

VIENNA, Nov. 12, 1789.

MY VALUED HERR V. HAYDN,

I really cannot tell you all the pleasure I felt in reading your
highly-prized letter of the 9th. How well am I rewarded for my
trouble by seeing your satisfaction! Nothing do I wish more
ardently than to have more time (now so absorbed by household
affairs), for in that case I would certainly devote many hours to
music, my most agreeable and favourite of all occupations. You
must not, my dear Herr v. Haydn, take it amiss that I plague you
with another letter, but I could not but take advantage of so
good an opportunity to inform you of the safe arrival of your
letter. I look forward with the utmost pleasure to the happy day
when I am to see you in Vienna. Pray continue to give me a place
in your friendship and remembrance.

Your sincere and devoted friend and servant.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, Nov. 18, 1789.

DEAR LADY,

The letter which I received through Herr Siebert gave me another
proof of your excellent heart, as instead of a rebuke for my late
remissness, you express yourself in so friendly a manner towards
me, that so much indulgence, kindness and great courtesy cause me
the utmost surprise, and I kiss your hands in return a thousand
times. If my poor talents enable me to respond in any degree to
so much that is flattering, I venture, dear madam, to offer you a
little musical potpourri. I do not, indeed, find in it much that
is fragrant; perhaps the publisher may rectify the fault in
future editions. If the arrangement of the symphony in it be
yours, oh! then I shall be twice as much pleased with the
publisher; if not, I venture to ask you to arrange a symphony,
and to transcribe it with your own hand, and to send it to me
here, when I will at once forward it to my publisher at Leipzig
to be engraved.

I am happy to have found an opportunity that leads me to hope for
a few more charming lines from you.

I am, etc.,

JOSEPH HAYDN.

Shortly after the date of this letter Hadyn was again in Vienna,
when the musical evenings at Schottenhof were renewed. The Herr
v. Haring referred to in the following note is doubtless the
musical banker, well known as a violinist in the Vienna of the
time.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

Jan. 23, 1790.

DEAR, KIND FRAU V. GENZINGER,

I beg to inform you that all arrangements are now completed for
the little quartet party that we agreed to have next Friday. Herr
v. Haring esteemed himself very fortunate in being able to be of
use to me on this occasion, and the more so when I told him of
all the attention I had received from you, and your other merits.

What I care about is a little approval. Pray don't forget to
invite the Pater Professor. Meanwhile, I kiss your hands, and am,
with profound respect, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

A call to return to Esterhaz put an end to these delights of
personal intercourse, as will be gathered from the following
letter:

To Frau v. Genzinger.

Feb. 3, 1790.

NOBLEST AND KINDEST LADY,

However flattering the last invitation you gave me yesterday to
spend this evening with you, I feel with deep regret that I am
even unable to express to you personally my sincere thanks for
all your past kindness. Bitterly as I deplore this, with equal
truth do I fervently wish you, not only on this evening, but ever
and always, the most agreeable social "reunions"--mine are all
over--and tomorrow I return to dreary solitude! May God only
grant me health; but I fear the contrary, being far from well
today. May the Almighty preserve you, dear lady, and your worthy
husband, and all your beautiful children. Once more I kiss your
hands, and am unchangeably while life lasts, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

The next letter was written six days later, evidently in the most
doleful mood:

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, Feb. 9, 1790.

MUCH ESTEEMED AND KINDEST FRAU V. GENZINGER,--

Well! here I sit in my wilderness; forsaken, like some poor
orphan, almost without human society; melancholy, dwelling on the
memory of past glorious days. Yes; past, alas! And who can tell
when these happy hours may return? those charming meetings? where
the whole circle have but one heart and one soul--all those
delightful musical evenings, which can only be remembered, and
not described. Where are all those inspired moments? All gone--
and gone for long. You must not be surprised, dear lady, that I
have delayed writing to express my gratitude. I found everything
at home in confusion; for three days I did not know whether I was
capell master, or capell servant; nothing could console me; my
apartments were all in confusion; my pianoforte, that I formerly
loved so dearly, was perverse and disobedient, and rather
irritated than soothed me. I slept very little, and even my
dreams persecuted me, for, while asleep, I was under the pleasant
delusion that I was listening to the opera of "Le Nozze di
Figaro," when the blustering north wind woke me, and almost blew
my nightcap off my head.

[The portion of the letter deleted is that given at page 161,
beginning, "I lost twenty pounds in weight."]

Forgive me, dear lady, for taking up your time in this very first
letter by so wretched a scrawl, and such stupid nonsense; you
must forgive a man spoilt by the Viennese. Now, however, I begin
to accustom myself by degrees to country life, and yesterday I
studied for the first time, and somewhat in the Haydn style too.

No doubt, you have been more industrious than myself. The
pleasing adagio from the quartet has probably now received its
true expression from your fair fingers. I trust that my good
Fraulein Peperl [Joseph A., one of the Genzinger children] may be
frequently reminded of her master, by often singing over the
cantata, and that she will pay particular attention to distinct
articulation and correct vocalization, for it would be a sin if
so fine a voice were to remain imprisoned in the breast. I beg,
therefore, for a frequent smile, or else I shall be much vexed. I
advise M. Francois [Franz, author of the Genzinger children.] too
to cultivate his musical talents. Even if he sings in his
dressing-gown, it will do well enough, and I will often write
something new to encourage him. I again kiss your hands in
gratitude for all the kindness you have shown me. I am, etc.,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, March 14, 1790.

MOST VALUED, ESTEEMED AND KINDEST FRAU V. GENZINGER,

I ask forgiveness a million times for having so long delayed
answering your two charming letters, which has not been caused by
negligence (a sin from which may Heaven preserve me so long as I
live), but from the press of business which has devolved on me
for my gracious Prince, in his present melancholy condition. The
death of his wife overwhelmed the Prince with such grief that we
were obliged to use every means in our power to rouse him from
his profound sorrow. I therefore arranged for the three first
days a selection of chamber music, but no singing. The poor
Prince, however, the first evening, on hearing my favourite
Adagio in D, was affected by such deep melancholy that it was
difficult to disperse it by other pieces. On the fourth day we
had an opera, the fifth a comedy, and then our theatre daily as
usual...

You must now permit me to kiss your hands gratefully for the
rusks you sent me, which, however, I did not receive till last
Tuesday; but they came exactly at the right moment, having just
finished the last of the others. That my favourite "Ariadne" has
been successful at Schottenhof is delightful news to me, but I
recommend Fraulein Peperl to articulate the words clearly,
especially in the words "Che tanto amai." I also take the liberty
of wishing you all possible good on your approaching nameday,
begging you to continue your favour towards me, and to consider
me on every occasion as your own, though unworthy, master. I must
also mention that the teacher of languages can come here any day,
and his journey will be paid. He can travel either by the
diligence or by some other conveyance, which can always be heard
of in the Madschaker Hof. As I feel sure, dear lady, that you
take an interest in all that concerns me (far greater than I
deserve), I must inform you that last week I received a present
of a handsome gold snuff box, the weight of thirty-four ducats,
from Prince Oetting v. Wallerstein, accompanied by an invitation
to pay him a visit this year, the Prince defraying my expenses,
His Highness being desirous to make my personal acquaintance (a
pleasing fillip to my depressed spirits). Whether I shall make up
my mind to the journey is another question.

I beg you will excuse this hasty scrawl.

I am always, etc.,

HAYDN.

P.S.--I have just lost my faithful coachman; he died on the 25th
of last month.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, May 13, 1790.

BEST AND KINDEST FRAU V. GENZINGER,

I was quite surprised, on receiving your esteemed letter, to find
that you had not yet got my last letter, in which I mentioned
that our landlord had accepted the services of a French teacher,
who came by chance to Estoras, and I also made my excuses both to
you and your tutor on that account. My highly esteemed
benefactress, this is not the first time that some of my letters
and of others also have been lost, inasmuch as our letter bag, on
its way to Oedenburg (in order to have letters put into it), is
always opened by the steward there, which has frequently been the
cause of mistake and other disagreeable occurrences. For greater
security, however, and to defeat such disgraceful curiosity, I
will henceforth enclose all my letters in a separate envelope to
the porter, Herr Pointer. This trick annoys me the more because
you might justly reproach me with procrastination, from which may
Heaven defend me! At all events, the prying person, whether male
or female, cannot, either in this last letter or in any of the
others, have discovered anything in the least inconsistent with
propriety. And now, my esteemed patroness, when am I to have the
inexpressible happiness of seeing you in Estoras? As business
does not admit of my going to Vienna, I console myself by the
hope of kissing your hands here this summer. In which pleasing
hope, I am, with high consideration, etc., yours,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, May 30, 1790.

KINDEST AND BEST FRAU V. GENZINGER,

I was at Oedenburg when I received your last welcome letter,
having gone there on purpose to enquire about the lost letter.
The steward there vowed by all that was holy that he had seen no
letter at that time in my writing, so that it must have been lost
in Estoras! Be this as it may, such curiosity can do me no harm,
far less yourself, as the whole contents of the letter were an
account of my opera "La Vera Costanza," performed in the new
theatre in the Landstrasse, and about the French teacher who was
to have come at that time to Estoras. You need, therefore, be
under no uneasiness, dear lady, either as regards the past or the
future, for my friendship and esteem for you (tender as they are)
can never become reprehensible, having always before my eyes
respect for your elevated virtues, which not only I, but all who
know you, must reverence. Do not let this deter you from
consoling me sometimes by your agreeable letters, as they are so
highly necessary to cheer me in this wilderness, and to soothe my
deeply wounded heart. Oh! that I could be with you, dear lady,
even for one quarter of an hour, to pour forth all my sorrows,
and to receive comfort from you. I am obliged to submit to many
vexations from our official managers here, which, however, I
shall at present pass over in silence. The sole consolation left
me is that I am, thank God, well, and eagerly disposed to work. I
only regret that, with this inclination, you have waited so long
for the promised symphony. On this occasion it really proceeds
from absolute necessity, arising from my circumstances, and the
raised prices of everything. I trust, therefore, that you will
not be displeased with your Haydn, who, often as his Prince
absents himself from Estoras, never can obtain leave, even for
four-and-twenty hours, to go to Vienna. It is scarcely credible,
and yet the refusal is always couched in such polite terms, and
in such a manner, as to render it utterly impossible for me to
urge my request for leave of absence. Well, as God pleases! This
time also will pass away, and the day, return when I shall again
have the inexpressible pleasure of being seated beside you at the
pianoforte, hearing Mozart's masterpieces, and kissing your hands
from gratitude for so much pleasure. With this hope, I am, etc.,

J. HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, June 6, 1790.

DEAR AND ESTEEMED LADY,

I heartily regret that you were so long in receiving my last
letter. But the previous week no messenger was despatched from
Estoras, so it was not my fault that the letter reached you so
late.

Between ourselves! I must inform you that Mademoiselle Nanette
has commissioned me to compose a new sonata for you, to be given
into your hands alone. I esteem myself fortunate in having
received such a command. You will receive the sonata in a
fortnight at latest. Mademoiselle Nanette promised me payment for
the work, but you can easily imagine that on no account would I
accept it. For me the best reward will always be to hear that I
have in some degree met with your approval. I am, etc.,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, June 20, 1790.

DEAR, KIND FRIEND,

I take the liberty of sending you a new pianoforte sonata with
violin or flute, not as anything at all remarkable, but as a
trifling resource in case of any great ennui. I only beg that you
will have it copied out as soon as possible, and then return it
to me. The day before yesterday I presented to Mademoiselle
Nanette the sonata commanded by her. I had hoped she would
express a wish to hear me play it, but I have not yet received
any order to that effect; I, therefore, do not know whether you
will receive it by this post or not. The sonata is in E flat,
newly written, and always intended for you. It is strange enough
that the final movement of this sonata contains the very same
minuet and trio that you asked me for in your last letter. This
identical work was destined for you last year, and I have only
written a new adagio since then, which I strongly recommend to
your attention. It has a deep signification which I will analyze
for you when opportunity offers. It is rather difficult, but full
of feeling. What a pity that you have not one of Schanz's pianos,
for then you could produce twice the effect!

N.B.--Mademoiselle Nanette must know nothing of the sonata being
already half written before I received her commands, for this
might suggest notions with regard to me that I might find most
prejudicial, and I must be very careful not to lose her favour.
In the meanwhile I consider myself fortunate to be the means of
giving her pleasure, particularly as the sacrifice is made for
your sake, my charming Frau v. Genzinger. Oh! how I do wish that
I could only play over these sonatas once or twice to you; how
gladly would I then reconcile myself to remain for a time in my
wilderness! I have much to say and to confess to you, from which
no one but yourself can absolve me; but what cannot be effected
now will, I devoutly hope, come to pass next winter, and half of
the time is already gone. Meanwhile I take refuge in patience,
and am content with the inestimable privilege of subscribing
myself your sincere and obedient friend and servant

J. HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, June 27, 1790.

HIGHLY ESTEEMED LADY,

You have no doubt by this time received the new pianoforte
sonata, and, if not, you will probably do so along with this
letter. Three days ago I played the sonata to Mademoiselle
Nanette in the presence of my gracious Prince. At first I doubted
very much, owing to its difficulty, whether I should receive any
applause, but was soon convinced of the reverse by a gold snuff-
box being presented to me by Mademoiselle Nanette's own hand. My
sole wish now is, that you may be satisfied with it, so that I
may find greater credit with my patroness. For the same reason, I
beg that either you or your husband will let her know "that my
delight was such that I could not conceal her generosity,"
especially being convinced that you take an interest in all
benefits conferred on me. It is a pity that you have not a Schanz
pianoforte, which is much more favourable to expression; my idea
is that you should make over your own still very tolerable piano
to Fraulein Peperl, and get a new one for yourself. Your
beautiful hands, and their brilliant execution, deserve this, and
more. I know that I ought to have composed the sonata in
accordance with the capabilities of your piano, but, being so
unaccustomed to this, I found it impossible, and now I am doomed
to stay at home. What I lose by so doing you can well imagine: It
is indeed sad always to be a slave--but Providence wills it so. I
am a poor creature, plagued perpetually by hard work, and with
few hours for recreation. Friends? What do I say? One true
friend; there are no longer any true friends, but one female
friend. Oh yes! no doubt I still have one, but she is far away.
Ah well! I take refuge in my thoughts. May God bless her, and may
she never forget me! Meanwhile I kiss your hands a thousand
times, and ever am, etc.,

HAYDN.

Pray forgive my bad writing. I am suffering from inflamed eyes
today.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, July 4, 1790.

MOST ESTEEMED AND VALUED LADY,

I this moment receive your letter, and at the same time the post
departs. I sincerely rejoice to hear that my Prince intends to
present you with a new piano, more especially as I am in some
measure the cause of this, having been constantly imploring
Mademoiselle Nanette to persuade your husband to purchase one for
you. The choice now depends entirely on yourself, and the chief
point is that you should select one in accordance with your touch
and your taste. Certainly my friend, Herr Walter, is very
celebrated, and every year I receive the greatest civility from
him; but, entre nous, and to speak candidly, sometimes there is
not more than one out of ten of his instruments which may be
called really good, and they are exceedingly high priced besides.
I know Herr Nickl's piano; it is first-rate, but too heavy for
your touch; nor can every passage be rendered with proper
delicacy on it. I should, therefore, like you to try one of Herr
Schanz's pianos, for they have a remarkably light and agreeable
touch. A good pianoforte is absolutely necessary for you, and my
sonata will also gain vastly by it.

Meanwhile I thank you much, dear lady, for your caution with
regard to Mademoiselle Nanette. It is a pity that the little gold
box she gave me, and had used herself, is tarnished, but perhaps
I may get it polished up in Vienna. I have as yet received no
orders to purchase a pianoforte. I fear that one may be sent to
your house, which may be handsome outside, but the touch within
heavy. If your husband will rely on my opinion, that Herr Schanz
is the best maker for this class of instruments, I would then
settle everything at once. In great haste, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

Estoras, August 15.

I ought to have written to you last week in answer to your
letter, but as this day has been long enshrined in my heart, I
have been striving earnestly all the time to think how and what I
was to wish for you; so thus eight days passed, and now, when my
wishes ought to be expressed, my small amount of intellect comes
to a standstill, and (quite abashed) I find nothing to say; why?
wherefore? because I have not been able to fulfill those musical
hopes for this particular day that you have justly the right to
expect. Oh, my most charming and kind benefactress! if you could
only know, or see into my troubled heart on this subject, you
would certainly feel pity and indulgence for me. The unlucky
promised symphony has haunted my imagination ever since it was
bespoken, and it is only, alas! the pressure of urgent
occurrences that has prevented its being hitherto ushered into
the world! The hope, however, of your lenity towards me for the
delay, and the approaching time of the fulfillment of my promise,
embolden me to express my wish, which, among the hundreds offered
to you today and yesterday, may perhaps appear to you only an
insignificant interloper; I say perhaps, for it would be too bold
in me to think that you could form no better wish for yourself
than mine. You see, therefore, most kind and charming lady, that
I can wish nothing for you on your nameday, because my wishes are
too feeble, and therefore unproductive. As for me, I venture to
wish for myself your kind indulgence, and the continuance of your
friendship, and the goodness that I so highly prize. This is my
warmest wish! But if any wish of mine may be permitted, then mine
shall become identical with your own, for thus I shall feel
assured that none other remains, except the wish once more to be
allowed to subscribe myself your very sincere friend and servant,

HAYDN.

No further letters appear to have been addressed to the lady
until Haydn started on his first visit to London in December
1790. One or two extracts from these London letters have been
used in Chapter V., but as the repetitions will be very slight,
we allow the letters to stand as they are.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

CALAIS, Decr. 31, 1790.

HIGHLY HONOURED LADY,

A violent storm and an incessant pour of rain prevented our
arriving at Calais till this evening (where I am now writing to
you), and tomorrow at seven in the morning we cross the sea to
London. I promised to write from Brussels, but we could only stay
there an hour. I am very well, thank God! although somewhat
thinner, owing to fatigue, irregular sleep, and eating and
drinking so many different things. A few days hence I will
describe the rest of my journey, but I must beg you to excuse me
for today. I hope to heaven that you and your husband and
children are all well.

I am, with high esteem, etc., yours,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Jan. 8, 1791.

I thought that you had received my last letter from Calais. I
ought, indeed, according to my promise, to have sent you some
tidings of myself when I arrived in London, but I preferred
waiting a few days that I might detail various incidents to you.
I must now tell you that on New Year's Day, after attending early
mass, I took ship at half-past seven o'clock a.m., and at five
o'clock in the afternoon arrived safe and well at Dover, for
which Heaven be praised! During the first four hours there was
scarcely any wind, and the vessel made so little way that in that
time we only went one English mile, there being twenty-four
between Calais and Dover. The ship's captain, in the worst
possible humour, said that if the wind did not change we should
be at sea all night. Fortunately, however, towards half-past
eleven o'clock such a favourable breeze began to blow that by
four o'clock we had come twenty-two miles. As the ebb of the tide
prevented our large vessel making the pier, two small boats were
rowed out to meet us, into which we and our luggage were
transferred, and at last we landed safely, though exposed to a
sharp gale. The large vessel stood out to sea five hours longer,
till the tide carried it into the harbour. Some of the
passengers, being afraid to trust themselves in the small boats,
stayed on board, but I followed the example of the greater
number. I remained on deck during the whole passage, in order to
gaze my fill at that huge monster, the Ocean. So long as there
was a calm I had no fears, but when at length a violent wind
began to blow, rising every minute, and I saw the boisterous high
waves running on, I was seized with a little alarm, and a little
indisposition likewise. But I overcame it all, and arrived safely
in harbour, without being actually ill. Most of the passengers
were ill, and looked like ghosts. I did not feel the fatigue of
the journey till I arrived in London, but it took two days before
I could recover from it. But now I am quite fresh and well, and
occupied in looking at this mighty and vast town of London, its
various beauties and marvels causing me the most profound
astonishment. I immediately paid the necessary visits, such as to
the Neapolitan Minister and to our own. Both called on me in
return two days afterwards, and a few days ago I dined with the
former--nota bene, at six o'clock in the evening, which is the
fashion here.

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