Written documents by Ludwig van Beethoven and other people

More than 500 of the 1770 known private and business letters from Beethoven belong to the collections of the Beethoven-Haus. The original documents featured as part of the Digital Archives are accompanied by a table of contents and a description of the source.

In addition, 335 letters are presented in an audio format. When choosing which letters should be turned into audioletters, criteria such as content and recipients were considered. Letters to publishers were given priority, followed by letters to friends and patrons, family members, colleagues, techers, civil servants and physicians. These letters provide a more personal insight into Beethoven's life as a person, artist and businessman.

Subdivision of Beethoven's correspondence in the digital archive...

Besides the correspondence between other people, there are other text documents such as files and certificates, receipts, catalogues, album sheets and so on, which are used for researching Beethoven's life.

Audioletters by theme		Famous letters as a short biography Beethoven and his nephew Beethoven's household Cheerful Beethoven Sick Beethoven Beethoven's professional world
Letters from Beethoven (audioletters included)		Family members Friends from Bonn Friends in Vienna Patrons and customers Publishers Musicians Copyists Theatres, artistic directors and actors Painters Poets, writers and journalists Authorities, civil servants, teachers Physicians Others
Letters to Beethoven		Friends from Bonn Friends in Vienna Patrons and customers Publishers Musicians Copyists Poets, writers and journalists
Documents		Dispute over custodianship of Karl Beethoven's death and bequest Documents from family members Business documents Beethoven's pension Beethoven's everyday life Beethoven's work Placard New Year wishes etc. Album leaves Other
Letters		Before Beethoven's death After Beethoven's death