In a letter to Breitkopf and Hartel, Beethoven writes: "Finally I am forced by the intrigues and cabals and low tricks of all kinds to leave my only German Fatherland. At the invitation of His Royal Majesty the King of Westfalia as his kapellmeister with a yearly pay of 600 ducats in gold -- I have today sent my acceptance by post..."
When Countess Erdody heard the news ,she succeeded in persuading Archduke Rudolph, Prince Kinsky, and Prince Lobkowitz to save the Fatherland's good name by paying Beethoven 4000 florins (a little more than the King's proposal) a year for life, unless he should receive an appointment.
@Assured Life Salary@2
The contract between Beethoven and the three Princes, assuring the composer a life salary, is signed on the condition that he remains in Vienna. The contract was very short-lived, since Prince Kinsky was killed when he fell off his horse and Prince Lobkowitz became bankrupt. He succeeded in obtaining the remaining payments after many lawsuits, but these were negatively affected by the great inflation of the time.
In this year, he completed his Fifth Piano Concerto ("Emperor"), many songs and arias, piano sonatas, and many other works.
@Haydn'S Death@2
The great Franz Joseph Haydn died on this day.
@Under Occupation@2
The French occupation in Vienna lasted approximately sixty days. During this time, Beethoven wrote to his publisher: "...Heaven only knows how things will go on. I may have to change my lodgings.... What a destructive and disorderly life I see and hear around me, nothing but drums, canons, men, misery of all kinds..."
