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Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Koblenz, Wien, 2. Mai 1810, Autograph

Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Sammlung Wegeler, W 19

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Summary
After a long period of silence Beethoven writes again to his friend Wegeler. He excuses his silence, saying that even if he has not written, he often thinks about his old friends. At the time he could be one of the happiest people if it were not for his deafness ("the demon in my ears"). He mentions his thoughts of suicide, although he has now got over them.
Beethoven asks Wegeler to organize a certificate of baptism for him. When he does so, Wegeler should be aware of the fact that there has already been a son Ludwig Maria (now dead) in the family, so that no confusion occurs. Wegeler did indeed get the certificate and sent it to Vienna (now in the Beethoven-Haus, Bonn, HCB Br 282), although Beethoven doubted it was correct. He needed the document as he was entertaining thoughts of marriage to Therese Malfatti (who rejected his proposal).
Finally Beethoven asks about one of his Lieder which Wegeler is singing at the Masonic Lodge, and requests a copy (Wegeler had written new texts for several of Beethoven's melodies).

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