Coming just a month after An die ferne Geliebte, Beethoven’s song “Der Mann von Wort” (The Man of his Word) is surprisingly superficial, although the subject matter (other people’s honesty) was one of Beethoven’s big peeves.
Composed in May 1816, “Der Mann von Wort” is based on a poem by Friedrich August Kleinschmid, a former policeman and director of the Vienna prison. Beethoven set the six stanzas in strict strophic form. It was inexplicably given the opus number of 99.
“Der Mann von Wort” begins:
You said, my friend: I shall return
To this spot; that was your word.
You did not come. Is this a man
Whose word one can trust?
(translation by Paul Reid, “The Beethoven Song Companion,” p. 115)
After establishing its basic theme, “Der Mann von Wort” becomes sexist (“Someone who breaks his word, like women, does not deserve to be called a man”) and jingoistic: “‘A man’s word’ was a German watchword … And which a German handshake bound as with sacred oaths.”
Beethoven sent “Der Mann von Wort” to his publisher Steiner using the military language common in Beethoven’s correspondence with him: “I am sending you herewith — (as a present) — a little field piece which should be put into the armoury at once.” (Beethoven Letters No. 674)
#Beethoven250 Day 295
“Der Mann von Wort” (Opus 99), 1816
Only the first, third, and sixth stanzas are included in this studio recording with animated score.