It is not permissible to play fast and loose with Beethoven's dates, despite their frequent faultiness; we must accept them when they are upheld by corroborative evidence, but reject them when it is plainly impossible to conceive them as correct. In explanation of the obvious incorrectness of the second date it is suggested that when Beethoven wrote "Heumonath," i. e., July, he meant to write "Herbstmonath," i. e., September. Irrespective of their dates, however, the letters furnish evidence of Beethoven's creative activity during the summer of 1806. The first letter is as follows:
Beethoven's dates should not be treated carelessly, even though they are often unreliable. They should be accepted when supported by corroborative evidence but dismissed when clearly impossible. To explain the inaccuracy of the second date, it has been proposed that Beethoven intended to write "Herbstmonath" (September) instead of "Heumonath" (July). Regardless of the dates, the letters provide evidence of Beethoven's creative work during the summer of 1806. The first letter reads as follows:
It is important to handle Beethoven's dates with care, recognizing their frequent inaccuracies. We should accept those dates that are supported by additional evidence, while dismissing those that clearly cannot be accurate. To clarify the apparent error in the second date, it has been proposed that when Beethoven referred to "Heumonath," or July, he actually intended to write "Herbstmonath," or September. Regardless of the specific dates, the letters provide clear evidence of Beethoven's creative work during the summer of 1806. The first letter reads as follows:
Beethoven's dates must be taken with caution, as they are often inaccurate. We should take those dates that are backed up by other evidence, and reject those that cannot be true. To explain the apparent mistake in the second date, it has been suggested that Beethoven meant to write "Herbstmonath," or September, when he wrote "Heumonath," or July. Regardless of the dates, the letters are a direct record of Beethoven's work in the summer of 1806. The first letter is as follows:
It is essential to treat Beethoven's dates with caution, as they are often wrong. We ought to take those dates that are corroborated by other evidence, and reject those that are manifestly impossible. To explain the obvious mistake in the second date, it has been suggested that when Beethoven wrote "Heumonath," or July, he meant to write "Herbstmonath," or September. No matter what the dates, the letters show unmistakably that Beethoven was working creatively in the summer of 1806. The first letter is: