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Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Johann Baptist Bach, Wien, 27. Oktober 1819, Autograph

Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Sammlung H. C. Bodmer, HCB BBr 124

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Summary
In this long letter concerning the matter of the guardianship Beethoven turns to his friend and lawyer Dr. Bach. He once again demands that his charge's mother should not be allowed any access to her son except for the occasional supervised visit. Beethoven briefly outlines the decrees first of all from the Landrechte(kind of tribunal), later from the Viennese Magistratand their consequences. He describes his nephew's financial situation in detail and his own financial commitment. He asks Bach to support him in his desire to be appointed sole guardian for his nephew.
Following the death of his brother in November 1815 Beethoven had fought a legal battle with his sister-in-law Johanna, the boy's mother, over the guardianship from 1819 onwards. Beethoven thoroughly disapproved of Johanna van Beethoven and did not shy from slandering her to reach his ends. In April 1820 the dispute was finally settled in court in Beethoven's favour.

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