The Immortal Beloved is the mysterious addressee of a Love letter which Ludwig van Beethoven wrote on 6 – 7 of July 1812 in Teplitz.

The apparently unsent letter was found in the composer’s estate after his death.

The two candidates favored by most scholars are Antonie Brentano and Josephine Brunsvik.

Other candidates are Julie (Giulietta) Guicciardi, Therese Brunsvik, Amalie Sebald, Dorothea von Ertmann, Therese Malfatti, Marie von Erdödy, Bettina von Arnim, and several others.

Even in bed my ideas yearn towards you, my Immortal Beloved, here and there joyfully, then again sadly, awaiting from Fate, whether it will listen to us. I can only live, either altogether with you or not at all. Yes, I have determined to wander about for so long far away, until I can fly into your arms and call myself quite at home with you, can send my soul enveloped by yours into the realm of spirits – yes, I regret, it must be. You will get over it all the more as you know my faithfulness to you; never another one can own my heart, never – never! O God, why must one go away from what one loves so, and yet my life in W. as it is now is a miserable life. Your Love made me the happiest and unhappiest at the same time. At my actual age I should need some continuity, sameness of life – can that exist under our circumstances? Angel, I just hear that the post goes out every day – and must close therefore, so that you get the L. at once. Be calm – love me – today – yesterday.

What longing in tears for you – You – my Life – my All – Farewell. Oh, go on loving me – never doubt the faithfullest heart

Of your beloved

L

Ever thine.
Ever mine.
Ever ours.

The Symphony No. 5 of Ludwig van Beethoven was written between 1804 –1808. Beethoven was in his mid-thirties during this time; his personal life was troubled by increasing deafness.

In the World at large, the period was marked by the Napoleonic Wars, political turmoil in Austria, and the occupation of Vienna by Napoleon’s troops.

The Symphony No. 9 is the final symphony by Beethoven, composed between 1822 – 1824.

It was first performed in Vienna on 7 May 1824. This was his first onstage appearance in 12 years; the hall was packed.

When the audience applauded Beethoven was several measures off and still conducting. Because of that, Caroline Unger walked over and turned Beethoven around to accept the audience’s cheers and applause.

Beethoven died on 26 March 1827 during a thunderstorm.