Books: Haydn

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My arrival caused a great sensation through the whole city, and I
went the round of all the newspapers for three successive days.
Everyone seems anxious to know me. I have already dined out six
times, and could be invited every day if I chose; but I must in
the first place consider my health, and in the next my work.
Except the nobility, I admit no visitors till two o'clock in the
afternoon, and at four o'clock I dine at home with Salomon. I
have a neat, comfortable lodging, but very dear. My landlord is
an Italian, and likewise a cook, who gives us four excellent
dishes; we each pay one florin thirty kreuzers a day, exclusive
of wine and beer, but everything is terribly dear here. I was
yesterday invited to a grand amateur concert, but as I arrived
rather late, when I gave my ticket, they would not let me in, but
took me to an ante-room, where I was obliged to remain till the
piece which was then being given was over. Then they opened the
door, and I was conducted, leaning on the arm of the director, up
the centre of the room to the front of the orchestra amid
universal clapping of hands, stared at by everyone, and greeted
by a number of English compliments. I was assured that such
honours had not been conferred on anyone for fifty years. After
the concert I was taken into a very handsome room adjoining,
where tables were laid for all the amateurs, to the number of two
hundred. It was proposed that I should take a seat near the top,
but as it so happened that I had dined out that very day, and ate
more than usual, I declined the honour, excusing myself under the
pretext of not being very well; but in spite of this, I could not
get off drinking the health, in Burgundy, of the harmonious
gentlemen present; all responded to it, but at last allowed me to
go home. All this, my dear lady, was very flattering to me; still
I wish I could fly for a time to Vienna, to have more peace to
work, for the noise in the streets, and the cries of the common
people selling their wares, is intolerable. I am still working at
symphonies, as the libretto of the opera is not yet decided on,
but in order to be more quiet, I intend to engage an apartment
some little way out of town. I would gladly write more at length,
but I fear losing this opportunity. With kindest regards to your
husband, Fraulein Pepi, and all the rest, I am, with sincere
esteem, etc.,

HAYDN.

P.S.--I have a request to make. I think I must have left my
symphony in E flat, that you returned to me, in my room at home,
or mislaid it on the journey. I missed it yesterday, and being in
pressing need of it, I beg you urgently to procure it for me,
through my kind friend, Herr v. Kees. Pray have it copied out in
your own house, and send it by post as soon as possible. If Herr
v. Kees hesitates about this, which I don't think likely, pray
send him this letter. My address is, M. Haydn, 18 Great Pulteney
Street, London.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Sept. 17, l79I.

MY HIGHLY ESTEEMED FRIEND,

I have received no reply to my two letters of July 3, entrusted
to the care of a composer, Herr Diettenhofer, by whom I likewise
sent the pianoforte arrangement of an andante in one of my new
symphonies. Nor have I any answer either about the symphony in E
flat, that I wished to get. I can now no longer delay inquiring
after your own health, as well as that of your husband, and all
your dear family. Is that odious proverb, "Out of sight, out of
mind," to prove true everywhere? Oh no! urgent affairs or the
loss of my letter and the symphony are, no doubt, the cause of
your silence. I feel assured of Herr von Kees's willingness to
send the symphony, as he said he would do so in his letter; so it
seems we shall both have to deplore a loss, and must trust to
Providence. I flatter myself I shall receive a short answer to
this. Now, my dear, good, kind lady, what is your piano about? Is
a thought of Haydn sometimes recalled by your fair hand? Does my
sweet Fraulein Pepi ever sing poor "Ariadne"? Oh yes! I seem to
hear it even here, especially during the last two months, when I
have been residing in the country, amid lovely scenery, with a
banker, whose heart and family resemble the Genzingers, and where
I live as in a monastery. God be praised! I am in good health,
with the exception of my usual rheumatic state. I work hard, and
in the early mornings, when I walk in the wood alone with my
English grammar, I think of my Creator, of my family, and of all
the friends I have left--and of these you are the most valued of
all.

I had hoped, indeed, sooner to have enjoyed the felicity of
seeing you again; but my circumstances, in short, fate so wills
it that I must remain eight or ten months longer in London. Oh,
my dear, good lady, how sweet is some degree of liberty! I had a
kind Prince, but was obliged at times to be dependent on base
souls. I often sighed for release, and now I have it in some
measure. I am quite sensible of this benefit, though my mind is
burdened with more work. The consciousness of being no longer a
bond-servant sweetens all my toils. But, dear as liberty is to
me, I do hope on my return again to enter the service of Prince
Esterhazy, solely for the sake of my poor family. I doubt much
whether I shall find this desire realized, for in his letter my
Prince complains of my long absence, and exacts my speedy return
in the most absolute terms; which, however, I cannot comply with,
owing to a new contract I have entered into here. I, alas! expect
my dismissal; but I hope even in that case that God will be
gracious to me, and enable me in some degree to remedy the loss
by my own industry. Meanwhile I console myself by the hope of
soon hearing from you. You shall receive my promised new symphony
two months hence; but in order to inspire me with good ideas, I
beg you will write to me, and a long letter too.

Yours, etc.

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Oct. 13, 1791.

I take the liberty of earnestly entreating you to advance 150
florins for a short time to my wife, provided you do not imagine
that since my journey I have become a bad manager. No, my kind,
good friend, God blesses my efforts. Three circumstances are
alone to blame. In the first place, since I have been here, I
have repaid my Prince the 450 florins he advanced for my journey;
secondly, I can demand no interest from my bank obligations,
having placed them under your care, and not being able to
remember either the names or the numbers, so I cannot write a
receipt; thirdly, I cannot yet apply for the 5883 florins (1000
of which I recently placed in my Prince's hands, and the rest
with the Count v. Fries), especially because it is English money.
You will, therefore, see that I am no spendthrift. This leads me
to hope that you will not refuse my present request, to lend my
wife 450 florins. This letter must be your security, and would be
valid in any court. I will repay the interest of the money with a
thousand thanks on my return.

I am, etc.,

HAYDN.

...I believe you received my letter the very same day that I was
reading your cruel reproach that Haydn was capable of forgetting
his friend and benefactress. Oh! how often do I long to be beside
you at the piano, even for a quarter of an hour, and then to have
some good German soup. But we cannot have everything in this
world. May God only vouchsafe to grant me the health that I have
hitherto enjoyed, and may I preserve it by good conduct and out
of gratitude to the Almighty! That you are well is to me the most
delightful of all news. May Providence long watch over you! I
hope to see you in the course of six months, when I shall,
indeed, have much to tell you. Good-night! it is time to go to
bed; it is half-past eleven o'clock. One thing more. To insure
the safety of the money, Herr Hamberger, a good friend of mine, a
man of tall stature, our landlord, will bring you this letter
himself, and you can with impunity entrust him with the money;
but I beg you will take a receipt both from him and from my wife.

Among other things, Herr v. Kees writes to me that he should like
to know my position in London, as there are so many different
reports about me in Vienna. From my youth upwards I have been
exposed to envy, so it does not surprise me when any attempt is
made wholly to crush my poor talents; but the Almighty above is
my support. My wife wrote to me that Mozart depreciates me very
much, but this I will never believe. If true, I forgive him.
There is no doubt that I find many who are envious of me in
London also, and I know them almost all. Most of them are
Italians. But they can do me no harm, for my credit with this
nation has been firmly established far too many years. Rest
assured that, if I had not met with a kind treception, I would
long since have gone back to Vienna. I am beloved and esteemed by
everyone, except, indeed, professors [of music]. As for my
remuneration, Mozart can apply to Count Fries for information, in
whose hands I placed 500 pounds, and 1000 guilders in those of my
Prince, making together nearly 6000 florins. I daily thank my
Creator for this boon, and I have good hope that I may bring home
a couple of thousands besides, notwithstanding, my great outlay
and the cost of the journey. I will now no longer intrude on your
time. How badly this is written! What is Pater --- doing? My
compliments to him.

Yours, etc.

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Nov. 17, 1791.

I write in the greatest haste, to request that you will send the
accompanying packet, addressed to you, to Herr v. Kees, as it
contains the, two new symphonies I promised. I waited for a good
opportunity, but could hear of none; I have therefore been
obliged to send them after all by post. I beg you will ask Herr
v. Kees to have a rehearsal of both these symphonies, as they are
very delicate, particularly the last movement in D, which I
recommend to be given as pianissimo as possible, and the tempo
very quick. I will write to you again in a few days. Nota bene, I
was obliged to enclose both the symphonies to you, not knowing
the address of Herr v. Kees.

I am, etc.

HAYDN.

P.S.--I only returned here today from the country. I have been
staying with a mylord for the last fortnight, a hundred miles
from London.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Dec. 20, 1791.

I am much surprised that you did not get my letter at the same
time as the two symphonies, having put them myself into the post
here, and given every direction about them. My mistake was not
having enclosed the letter in the packet. This is what often
happens, dear lady, with those who have too much head work. I
trust, however, that the letter reached you soon afterwards, but
in case it did not, I must here explain that both symphonies were
intended for Herr v. Kees, but with the stipulation that, after
being copied by his order, the scores were to be given up to you,
so that you may prepare a pianoforte arrangement of them, if you
are so disposed. The particular symphony intended for you will be
finished by the end of February at latest. I regret much having
been obliged to forward the heavy packet to you, from not knowing
Herr v. Kees's address; but he will, of course, repay you the
cost of postage, and also, I hope, hand you over seven ducats.
May I, therefore, ask you to employ a portion of that sum in
copying on small paper my often-applied-for symphony in E minor,
and forward it to me by post as soon as possible, for it may
perhaps be six months before a courier is despatched from Vienna,
and I am in urgent need of the symphony. Further, I must plague
you once more by asking you to buy at Artaria's my last
pianoforte sonata in A flat, that is, with 4 B flat minor, with
violin and violoncello, and also another piece, the fantasia in
C, without accompaniment, for these pieces are not yet published
in London; but be so good as not to mention this to Herr Artaria,
or he might anticipate the sale in England. I beg you will deduct
the price from the seven ducats. To return to the aforesaid
symphonies, I must tell you that I sent you a pianoforte
arrangement of the andante in C minor by Herr Diettenhofer. It is
reported here, however, that he either died on the journey, or
met with some serious accident. You had better look over both
pieces at your leisure. The principal part of the letter I
entrusted to Herr Diettenhofer was the description of a Doctor's
degree being conferred on me at Oxford, and all the honours I
then received. I must take this opportunity of mentioning that
three weeks ago the Prince of Wales invited me to his brother's
country seat. The Prince presented me to the Duchess (a daughter
of the King of Prussia), who received me very graciously, and
said many flattering things. She is the most charming lady in the
world, possesses much intelligence, plays the piano, and sings
very pleasingly. I stayed two days there, because on the first
day a slight indisposition prevented her having any music; on the
second day, however, she remained beside me from ten o'clock at
night, when the music began, till two hours after midnight. No
compositions played but Haydn's. I directed the symphonies at the
piano. The sweet little lady sat close beside me at my left hand,
and hummed all the pieces from memory, having heard them so
repeatedly in Berlin. The Prince of Wales sat on my right hand,
and accompanied me very tolerably on the violoncello. They made
me sing too. The Prince of Wales is having me painted just now,
and the portrait is to be hung up in his private sitting-room.
The Prince of Wales is the handsomest man on God's earth; he has
an extraordinary love of music, and a great deal of feeling, but
very little money. Nota bene, this is entre nous. His kindness
gratifies me far more than any self-interest; on the third day,
as I could not get any post-horses, the Duke of York sent me two
stages with his own.

Now, dear lady, I should like to reproach you a little for
believing that I prefer London to Vienna, and find my residence
here more agreeable than in my fatherland. I am far from hating
London, but I could not reconcile myself to spend my life there;
no, not even to amass millions; my reasons I will tell you when
we meet. I think of my home, and embracing once more all my old
friends, with the delight of a child; only I deeply lament that
the great Mozart will not be of the number, if it be true, which
I trust it is not, that he is dead. Posterity will not see such
talent as his for the next hundred years! I am happy to hear that
you and yours are all so well. I, too, have hitherto been in
excellent health, till eight days since, when I was attacked by
English rheumatism, and so severely that sometimes I could not
help crying out aloud; but I hope soon to get quit of it, as I
have adopted the usual custom here, and have wrapped myself up
from head to foot in flannel. Pray excuse my bad writing. In the
hope of soon being gratified by a letter, and with all esteem for
yourself, and best regards to your husband, my dear Fraulein
Pepi, and the others.

I am, etc.,

HAYDN.

P.S.--Pray give my respects to Herr v. Kreybich [chamber music
director to Joseph II].

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Jan. 17, 1792.

DEAREST AND KINDEST LADY,

I must ask your forgiveness a thousand times; and I own and
bemoan that I have been too dilatory in the performance of my
promise, but if you could only see how I am importuned to attend
private concerts, causing me great loss of time, and the mass of
work with which I am burdened, you would indeed, dear lady, feel
the utmost compassion for me. Never in my life did I write so
much in one year as during the last, which has indeed utterly
exhausted me, and it will do me good to be able to take a little
rest when I return home. At present I am working for Salomon's
concerts, and feel bound to take all possible trouble, for our
rivals of the Professional Society have sent for my pupil Pleyel
from Strassburg, to direct their concerts. So a bloody harmonious
war will now commence between master and scholar. All the
newspapers have begun to discuss the subject, but I think an
alliance will soon ensue, my reputation here being so firmly
established. Pleyel, on his arrival, displayed so much modesty
towards me that he gained my goodwill afresh. We are very often
together, which is much to his credit, and he knows how to
appreciate his "father"; we will share our laurels fairly, and
each go home satisfied. Professional Concerts met with a great
misfortune on the 14th of this month, by the Pantheon being
entirely burned down, a theatre only built last year. It was the
work of an incendiary, and the damage is estimated at more than
100,000 pounds sterling; so there is not a single Italian theatre
in London at this moment. Now, my dear angelic lady, I have a
little fault to find with you. How often have I reiterated my
request to have my symphony in E minor, of which I sent you the
theme, copied out on small paper, and sent to me by post? Long
have I sighed for it, and if I do not get it by the end of next
month I shall lose twenty guineas. Herr v. Kees writes that the
copy may possibly arrive in London three months hence, or three
years, for there is no chance of a courier being sent off at
present. I also told Herr v. Kees in the same letter to take
charge of this, and if he could not do so, I ventured to transfer
the commission to you, flattering myself that my urgent request
would certainly be fulfilled by your kindness. I also desired
Herr v. Kees to repay you the cost of the postage you paid for
his packet. Kindest and most charming Frau v. Genzinger, I once
more beg you to see to this matter, for it is really a work of
mercy, and when we meet I will explain my reasons, respectfully
kiss your fair hands, and repay my debt with gratitude. The
celebration you mention in honour of my poor abilities touched me
deeply, but still not so profoundly as if you had considered it
more perfect. Perhaps I may supply this imperfection by another
symphony which I will shortly send you; I say perhaps, because I
(or rather my brain) am in truth weary. Providence alone can
repair the deficiency in my powers, and to Him I daily pray for
aid, for without His support I should indeed be a poor creature!
And now, my kind and dear friend, I venture to hope for your
indulgence. Oh yes! your portrait is at this moment before me,
and I hear it say, "Well, for this time, you odious Haydn, I will
forgive you, but--but!" No, no, I mean henceforth strictly to
fulfill my duties. I must conclude for today by saying that now,
as ever, I am, with the highest esteem, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Feb. 2, 1792.

I have today received your kind letter, and also the fantasia,
and sonata a tre. I was, however, rather vexed, on opening the
packet, not to find the long-looked-for symphony in E minor,
which I had fully hoped for, and expected. Dear lady, I entreat
you to send it at once, written on small post paper, and I will
gladly pay all expenses, for Heaven alone can tell when the
symphonies from Brussels may arrive here. I cannot dispense with
this one, without incurring great loss. Pray forgive my plaguing
you so often on the subject, but I shall indeed be truly grateful
if you will send it. Being overwhelmed with work at present, I
cannot as yet write to Herr v. Kees. Pray, then, apply to him
yourself for the said symphony.

With my kind respects, I am, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

You shall have a good portion of the sewing needles.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, March 2, 1792.

Yesterday morning I received your valued letter, and also the
long-looked-for symphony. I humbly kiss your hands for sending it
so safely and quickly. I had indeed received it six days
previously from Brussels, through Herr v. Kees; but the score was
more useful, as a good deal must be altered in it to suit the
English taste. I only regret that I must trouble you so
frequently with my commissions, especially as at present I cannot
adequately testify my gratitude. I do positively assure and
declare to you that this causes me great embarrassment, and
indeed often makes me feel very sad; the more so that, owing to
various urgent causes, I am unable to send you as yet the new
symphony dedicated to you. First, because I wish to alter and
embellish the last movement, which is too feeble when compared
with the first. I felt this conviction myself quite as much as
the public, when it was performed for the first time last Friday;
notwithstanding which, it made the most profound impression on
the audience. The second reason is that I really dread the risk
of its falling into other hands. I was not a little startled when
I read the unpleasant intelligence about the sonata. By Heavens!
I would rather have lost twenty-five ducats than have suffered
such a theft, and the only one who can have done this is my own
copyist; but I fervently hope to supply the loss through Madame
Tost, for I do not wish to incur any reproaches from her. You
must therefore, dear lady, be indulgent towards me, until I can
towards the end of July myself have the pleasure of placing in
your hands the sonata, as well as the symphony. Nota bene, the
symphony is to be given by myself, but the sonata by Madame Tost.
It is equally impossible for me to send Herr v. Kees the promised
symphonies at present, for here too there is a great want of
faithful copyists. If I had time, I would write them out myself,
but no day, not a single one, am I free from work, and I shall
thank the good Lord when I can leave London; the sooner the
better. My labours are augmented by the arrival of my pupil
Pleyel, who has been summoned here by the Professional Society to
direct their concerts. He brought with him a number of new
compositions, which were, however, written long ago! He
accordingly promised to give a new piece every evening. On seeing
this, I could easily perceive that there was a dead set against
me, so I also announced publicly that I would likewise give
twelve different new pieces; so in order to keep my promise, and
to support poor Salomon, I must be the victim, and work
perpetually. I do feel it, however, very much. My eyes suffer
most, and my nights are very sleepless, but with God's help I
will overcome it all. The Professors wished to put a spoke in my
wheel because I did not join their concerts, but the public is
just. Last year I received great applause, but this year still
more. Pleyel's presumption is everywhere criticized, and yet I
love him, and have gone to his concert each time, and been the
first to applaud him. I sincerely rejoice that you and yours are
well. My kind regards to all. The time draws near to put my
trunks in traveling order. Oh! how delighted shall I be to see
you again, and to show personally all the esteem that I felt for
you in absence, and that I ever shall feel for you.

Yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

P.S.--Please apologize to Herr v. Kees for want of time
preventing my sending him the new symphonies. I hope to have the
honour of directing them myself in your house, at our next
Christmas music.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, April 24, 1792.

I yesterday evening received with much pleasure your last letter
of 5 April, with the extract from the newspaper, extolling my
poor talents to the Viennese. I must confess that I have gained
considerable credit with the English in vocal music, by this
little chorus, [The "Storm Chorus," see p. 91.] my first attempt
with English words. It is only to be regretted that, during my
stay here, I have not been able to write more pieces of a similar
nature, but we could not find any boys to sing at our concerts,
they having been already engaged for a year past to sing at other
concerts, of which there are a vast number. In spite of the great
opposition of my musical enemies, who are so bitter against me,
more especially leaving nothing undone with my pupil Pleyel this
winter to humble me, still, thank God! I may say that I have kept
the upper hand. I must, however, admit that I am quite wearied
and worn out with so much work, and look forward with eager
longing to the repose which will soon take pity on me. I thank
you, dear lady, for your kind solicitude about me. Just as you
thought, I do not require to go to Paris at present, from a
variety of reasons, which I will tell you when we meet. I am in
daily expectation of an order from my Prince, to whom I wrote
lately, to tell me where I am to go. It is possible that he may
summon me to Frankfort; if not, I intend (entre nous) to go by
Holland to the King of Prussia at Berlin, thence to Leipzig,
Dresden, Prague, and last of all to Vienna, where I hope to
embrace all my friends.

Ever, with high esteem, etc.,

HAYDN.

*********END OF "HAYDN," FROM THE MASTER MUSICIAN SERIES*********

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION

The preceding is the text of "Haydn," a biography of the composer
Franz Joseph Haydn, from the Master Musicians series. The book
itself was authored by J. Cuthbert Hadden, while the Master
Musicians series itself was edited by Frederick J. Crowest.
"Haydn" was published in 1902 by J.M. Dent & Co. (LONDON),
represented at the time in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co. Each
page was cut out of the original book with an X-acto knife and
fed into an Automatic Document Feeder Scanner to make this e-
text, so the original book was, well, ruined in order to save it.

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