Beethoven, Ludwig van

notated in brown ink on up to three four-stave systems per page, autograph title by Fuchs, signed ("3 Quartetten von Ludwig van Beethoven in Partitur...Aloys Fuchs"), also inscribed and signed by him on the front pastedown ("NB diese 3 Quartetten sind von der Hand des nunmehr verstorbenen Director's des Concert-Spirituels H: Ferdinand Piringer - geschrieben, und aus dessen Verlassenschaft von mir erkauft worden. Wien den 1. Mai 1830..."), containing manuscript titles ("Quartetto N^ro 1...Quatuor N^ro 2...Quatuor N^ro 5"), with a number of additional entries (phrasing marks and dynamics) in pencil probably in another hand or hands, some entries in red crayon, and also containing some erasures and cancellations; 13 bars cancelled in the finale of Op.18 no 5, with a revised version entered on an inserted leaf after leaf [22] 

30, 26 and 29 leaves, oblong 4vo (16.4 x 19.8cm), "C. & I. Honig" paper, ruled with 12 staves, bifolio numbers, no place or date [Vienna, before May 1830], nineteenth-century marbled boards

Barry Cooper (ed.), The Beethoven Compendium (London, 1996), p. 51

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This manuscript may well have been owned by Beethoven and sold in his sale in 1827. Many of the items in the catalogue were acquired by Aloys Fuchs.

A remarkable contemporary copy of the string quartets Op.18 nos. 1, 2 and 5 in the hand of the Viennese official, music-lover, violinist, and friend of Beethoven, Ferdinand Piringer (1780-1829). Piringer occasionally conducted and deputised for F.X. Gebauer at the Concert Spirituel, becoming a director thereof in 1822 after Gebauer's death. Around 1821 he became closely acquainted with Beethoven, making many entries in the Conversation Books from 1823. In a letter to Piringer of 13 May 1825, Beethoven thanks him for his readiness to undertake to correct a copy of the Missa solemnis; a little keyboard piece written by Beethoven for Piringer was entered by the composer in the latter's album under the (correct?) date 18 February 1821.

Toscanini is famous for his recordings of Beethoven symphonies, but he also performed orchestral arrangements from Beethoven's string quartets.