Napoleon in 1812 - Chapter 113

Chapter 113

20. There is no sun rising forever – 1

“It’s been a really long time. How have you been? How could you not contact me earlier!…”

“As I get older, it becomes harder to maintain relationships with people. However, I always keep the longing for the years I studied under the master.”

“My my… Are you saying such a weak thing even though you’re still in your prime? You’re not acting like a master.”

The two musicians, who were once teacher and student, hugged each other affectionately and greeted each other after a long time. Beethoven, whose ear condition had worsened, could hardly understand human speech even with a hearing aid on.

Therefore, they had to reluctantly share their affection through writing, but that alone could not prevent the two’s will to resolve their regrets.

Beethoven talked like that for a long time after meeting his old teacher, and eventually found a young man standing behind Salieri with an awkward gesture.

“Is this dedicated and polite young man a student currently being taught by the master? He was praised for being the god of Vienna’s music…”

“My student… That expression is too much. Just call it a relationship between a senior who sponsors a brilliant talent and a junior who is an example for that senior.”

A shining junior who became an example… This was a Salieri-style praise that Beethoven had heard when he had been taught by Salieri in the past.

It meant that this young man in front of him was talented enough to be recognized by Salieri and had the ability to be called a master in the future.

Beethoven, who knew how great his old teacher’s eyes for people were, showed great interest in the young man, who was stiff as if nervous, standing behind Salieri.

“I’m glad to meet you and will stop being rude for not greeting you earlier. Franz Schubert, I’ve heard that name a lot. If you are the god illuminating Vienna’s music, no doubt everyone has said this name.”

“It, it’s a great honor to meet you, Kapellmeister! The performance of ‘Eroica Buonaparte’, which you directed here, will remain a legacy in our history.”

Beethoven knew his name! Franz Schubert tried to hide the corner of his mouth rising with emotion, while writing his words in Beethoven’s notebook.

The meeting with the giant, who was admired and respected, made this emotional young man very unstable and excited. Salieri, who was happily watching the scene, added to Beethoven:

“Schubert is one of the young musicians who worship your music very much. He proudly praised your music in front of me, saying that your level was above Haydn, as well as Bach and Mozart.”

“…Is that so? It’s heartbreaking.”

Beethoven smiled, but this conversation was not very pleasant. It was a great pleasure to be praised by someone, but how much did this young musician understood to compare Haydn, Bach, and Mozart’s writing and music with his own?

There may be no doubt about his talent as he was recognized by Salieri, but he would be a nuisance to Beethoven if he was humiliated somewhere and pretended to know him.

Did he notice Beethoven’s inner thoughts? Salieri handed over a sheet music with a deep smile.

Beethoven, who carefully accepted it, read ‘Composer, Franz Schubert’ written at the top and showed interest.

“Is it the music composed by Schubert? It’s a familiar title for some reason… I’ve definitely heard a song of the same name.”

“I made that song, too. He composed a song with the same name, this time for a piano quintet.”

Beethoven smiled at Schubert, who was nervous as if he had become a student evaluated by a judge, and slowly unfolded the sheet music. The song seemed to be still incomplete.

Nevertheless, this score contained a lot of elements that could interest Beethoven.

‘Piano, violin, viola, cello, contrabass… It’s a very fresh and unconventional combination.’

Usually, the composition of a piano quintet consisted of a piano and a string quartet (two violins, one viola, and one cello), while Schubert’s song excluded one violin and added a contrabass.

It was a combination that emphasized heaviness and grandeur rather than the cheerfulness unique to chamber music, but ironically, the song itself was light and bright like petals in the spring sky.

From the first movement with rich colors and lyrical themes, the second movement reminiscent of Mozart and Bach, and the third movement as if the piano and string instruments were talking.

Just by looking at the score, he could hear harmony in his distant ears. It was an extremely interesting and shiny song. Beethoven, who lost track of time reading the score, sighed quietly and closed the sheet music.

“First of all… I have to apologize to you.”

Beethoven added words to Schubert who had a puzzled expression.

“I didn’t like the way you tried to compliment me by selling the names of my seniors. If a young friend knows a bit about composition and music, how much could he evaluate them? That’s what I thought. But I realized it after seeing this score. That it was me who was trapped in a small world.”

If he was a composer who could make such a song, he had already established himself as a musician. Beethoven was reflecting on his reckless evaluation and foundation of such a person that he made only by looking at his age and appearance.

And for Schubert, this was the most precious praise. As the young disciple, overcome by emotion, was at a loss for what to do, Salieri watched with satisfaction as his teacher.

“You understood it, too. About the huge possibilities contained in this score.”

“If it is completed properly, it will surely become a masterpiece. If I can, I really want to inspect it.”

Schubert, who worshiped Beethoven, said yes immediately. No, rather, his eyes were begging him to do it.

Beethoven once again looked at the sheet music and the cover with the title of the song written on it: ‘Die Forelle’ (The Trout).[1] It was a very simple song name. Beethoven liked this score even more.

===

Almost all European countries, except Britain, Russia, Sweden, and small Balkans, showed their willingness to join the coalition at the Strasbourg talks hosted by France.

In fact, it was safe to say that it was a meeting involving the entire Europe, and as such, various issues, events, and news stories arising from the meeting could have had a big and small impact on European society.

On the first day of the talks, France that was hosting them was defeated by the Austrian-Prussian united front. The allies of the French were worried that their influence, as they led the formation of the Union, was shrinking, but they were fortunate that the Union did not lead to a single state’s dominance.

To sum up the second day in a word, it could be expressed as the ‘French Great Counterattack’. No matter what kind of dark deal was made, France appeased Austria, broke the united front, and led the negotiation as it wanted.

The atmosphere of the talks repeatedly went up and down like a sea with severe waves, and it was a very interesting story from the perspective of the people hearing it. However, the atmosphere on the third day was completely different from the talks so far, and at the same time, it brought a tremendous shock and impact to European society.

“France will apply certain standards to distinguish the member states that have joined the Union.”

Professor Moravia, who had worked as the Austrian ambassador in Paris and was now a professor of political and diplomatic science at the University of Salzburg, had expected France’s ‘division of member states’.

“From the huge Empire that claims to be the successor of the Roman Empire to the city-states reminding us of ancient Greek polis. Member states vary widely from one another. A ‘frame’ is needed to lead them well and achieve the ultimate purpose of the Union. At the same time, it is also a good means of reviving the authority of the host country and increasing its influence.”

As predicted by him and several other political scientists, France took the lead in presenting ratings consisting of chair country, vice chair country, standing states, federal states, and small federal states.

Some literacy groups criticized dividing the ranks of member states as if they were reminiscent of the feudal class of the old system, saying that they were not suitable to discuss respect for human beings and common development, but no matter how much they tried, they could not help but compromise with reality.

In a way, it was a betrayal of interest for a huge Empire and a small city-state to exercise the same rights within the Union, so most of them seemed to respect the opinions of France, the host country and chair country.

No, to be precise, all the attention was focused on it because of the events that occurred after that, so these issues were less talked about.

Prussia abruptly disrupted the Strasbourg talks and eventually walked a path that cannot be reversed with France?

Foreign Minister Karl August von Hardenberg said ‘France’s attitude toward our country made us no longer need patience’.

Prussian foreign staff, who raised the problem with the rating method, expressed harsh anger, saying, ‘The Union was just a stepping stone for French dictatorship’.

Prussia is isolating itself. What is the next strategy? Will there be a bright future there?

Britain and Russia will be smiling brightly at Prussia’s departure. Will a new coalition be formed?

It was truly a shocking incident that shook the continent that Prussia declared that it would leave the Union altogether, not to mention withdrawing from the talks.

Europe’s leading media reported this surprising fact as a scoop, taking up the front pages of numerous daily newspapers. It was no longer an exaggeration to say that war was being prepared again around central Europe.

Although defeated by France, losing more than half of its territory and taking a heavy blow to its prestige, Prussia’s tradition and power built up before Friedrich the Great was second only to Austria in Central Europe.

Prussia stormed out of the conference hall, declaring the alliance invalid. It was a major flaw in the existence and legitimacy of the Union.

People greatly criticized Prussia’s move, fearing that the alliance gathered under the ideal of peace in Europe would falter.

On the other hand, suspicions arose that France took the initiative in isolating Prussia, leading to controversy among famous people.

“Huh… I didn’t know things would go the way they do now. I didn’t know Prussia would leave like this.”

“It is a scene that inevitably occurs at the negotiating table where many countries gather. It exploded only on the third day, so it feels a little late.”

“Hmm… That’s a little disappointing. Did Prussia want to be more than a standing state?”

However, such a sharp reaction did not come out at the Rohan Palace in Strasbourg. Rather, the people there stood on the side of France and criticized Prussia for breaking the talks.

Except for those who were directly sent by the state or the court because they worked from country to country, celebrities had a slight sense of belonging according to their nationality.

This proved that not only Prussian people but also a number of people from England, the main enemy of France, had come here.

In the first place, the fact that they attended the Strasbourg banquet itself was a tacit act of expressing support for the ideas and ideologies claimed by France and Napoleon, so nationality and origin were not important here. In other words, they were originally enthusiastic supporters of Napoleon, so their presence was not a problem.

“He said that he would explain the unfortunate situation that happened at the last meeting and that he would express his ambition for how to lead the Union in this speech. His Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire, himself.”

“Oh, I’m really looking forward to that! The only people who can enjoy such luxury are us who have decided to attend the banquet.”

Outside Strasbourg, there was also a favorable atmosphere this time, amidst the turmoil of news.

Strasbourg’s celebrities only expressed their anticipation of what the giant of the times would say in his speech. With their expectations, Napoleon’s second speech was held in the main hall of the palace.

“I respect Prussia’s decision, they have the right to choose what they want. However, the conference will proceed as scheduled. Even if a country is missing, the purpose of these talks to discuss peace and ideal values in Europe will not fade.”

The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was saying that he did not care in the slightest about the departure of Prussia. Rather, as if he had waited, he excluded Prussia from the Union and began a new agenda and a new discussion.

Some might doubt whether this was a political conspiracy from Napoleon, but it was not applicable to the enthusiastic worshipers gathered here. And here, a historical remark began, that would enter world history beyond European history.

“The leader who governs the state is only a representative who receives and uses some of the rights from the people of that country. I have never forgotten that fact since I became the Emperor. I am working hard not to follow the footsteps of the old dictators whose purpose and means are opposite of these rights… At any time, this power will definitely return to its original owners.”

“…!!”

“The Strasbourg talks are just a small beginning toward the future. Please remember that the people who can build this beginning are not me, nor other monarchs of Europe, but those who form European civil society. Let the true owners of Europe watch the birth of the Union with a sense of ownership. I, the Empire, and the member states that are with me will fight to protect that glimmer of hope.”

It was Napoleon’s speech, which would have a huge impact on the entire European civil society beyond France.

“What did His Majesty just say?”

“That means… In the end, even the position of Emperor…!?”

It wasn’t just the celebrities who were listening that were shocked. It might not have been prepared in advance, because even among French bureaucrats, there was a clear sign of surprise.

“That is all.”

In the silence that had descended on the palace, only the last sentence of Napoleon, who was the only one with a calm expression, echoed.

TL notes

[1] Trout Quintet