TALES OF OLD
Norman Werbner posits an intriguing theory as to the meaning of ‘Muss es sein? Es muss sein!’ in the fourth movement of Beethoven’s op.135 (Opinion, July 2023). However, I still prefer the one advanced by Alexander Thayer in his seminal 1964 Life of Beethoven, revised by Elliot Forbes. The story goes that after the Schuppanzigh Quartet gave the first performance of the op.130 Quartet, second violinist Karl Holz heard that music lover Ignaz Dembscher wanted to use the score for a concert at his house, having not subscribed to the premiere concert. Beethoven refused, and Holz told Dembscher that in order to have the manuscript, he’d need to pay 50 florins for the concert he’d missed. With a smile, Demscher remarked, ‘Must it be?’ Holz then conveyed the message to Beethoven, who instantly composed his Canon WoO196: ‘Es muss sein’ – which also contains the lyric Heraus mit dem Beutel! (‘Out with the wallet!’) The canon, which bears some resemblance to the op.135 finale, can be found on YouTube (bitly.ws/JCUt).
SAVVAS IOSIFIDIS
Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
PLANE PHOTO ALEXANDER PORTAS. STATUE PHOTO GETTY