Napoleon in 1812
Chapter 96:

17. The Great – 2

Prague, aplacewherethe passion, romanceand soulofbohemians lived and breathed, was one of Europe’s most preferred citiesfor renowned artists. War, nationalconflicts, andpolitical conflicts were difficult to find in acity filledwith neoclassical, romantic, andrealism styles.

It wasa land of romantics filledwith only culture, art, and people whoenjoyed it. Ludwig van Beethoven[1], amaster and great musician of thetimes, was also one of these Praguelovers.

Hedid not like thisplacevery much at first. He wasborn in thecity of Bonn, Prussia, butthe citythat allowed him to learn music wasVienna.

When he wasyoung, he studiedinVienna and went throughnumerouslearningand exchanges with the musiciansthere, and in theprocess, henaturally tookprideinbeinga ‘musicianfrom Vienna’.

Cities known for being a ‘land of art andculture’ had their own sense of competition, whereartists wholearned andengaged in arthad to prove themselvesbetter for thehonorofcities (or universities) and sponsors.

Since Vienna andPrague werecities competing forthe top of culture and artwithin Austria, it was natural thatBeethoven, whoconsidered Viennathe homeofhis heart, hated Prague.

However, hisperception changed little by littleasheplayed and collaboratedinPrague withthe supportofPrince Lichnowsky[2]and other aristocrats.

The condescensionofmusicians fromPrague was still ugly, butBeethoven could never hatethe cityaslong as there were happy audiences whopurely enjoyedmusicand admiredit.

If Viennahad an aristocratic andauthoritarian aspect, Prague hada more popularand common-class-centered character.

It wasnocoincidencethat Beethoven, who wasdeeply immersed in the idea of republic and human equality, was attracted to Prague’s atmosphere.

InMontina concert hallinPrague Palace, nobles fromBohemia approached Beethoven, who was seatedinthe VIP seat of the concert hall, pretendingtoknow him.

After greeting him, theywanderedaround as if theywere in need of something. When Beethovenput his fingeronhis chinwith a displeasedexpression, only takingthe informal politeness, the noblesreturn to their place withbright faces.

Therewere a lot of them. Thenobleand the musician (artist) were in arelationship in which the latterunilaterally courtedthe former.

It was because musicians gainedthe right to playtheirperformances to the publiconly when theyreceivedfinancial supportand networksupport from the aristocrats. However, the story was differentfor the fewmusicians who hadrisentothe level of ‘master’.

Beethoven, whowas evenconsidered to surpass Haydn and Mozart[3], was in a position where he did notneed to regretthe sponsorship of the nobles. Treating aristocrats in an ignorant manner could also be regarded as acranky characteristic of someonewho had reached the level of a master.

“A veryspecial guest is here today. He is so famousthat it is rude to listthe numerous concertos, symphonies, and solosongshewrote. Hereisthe Kapellmeisterofthe Kassel Court Orchestra, Ludwig vanBeethoven!”

Clapclap clap clapclap!!

The audience, includingthe nobles, applauded and marveled at theappearance of thefamous person, and the members of the Montina concerthall swallowedtheirsaliva whenthey sawthe master, showing both tensionand expectation. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NʘvᴇlFirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Beethoven got up from his seat and greeted thembriefly. Soon after, the orchestra started playing.

“…”

Beethoven had long starting to losehis hearing. It was notcompletely lost, buthecouldhardly hearthem play. Nevertheless, Beethoven wasoftenshowing hisface to eventslike this recently, becoming a decorationfor the audience to seeand enjoy.

One of the reasons was to payfor living expenses, but the more important reasonwas musicalinspiration. A feastoftens of thousandsofnotesflowing on hisskin, not his ears, hadbeen inspiringhim withnew stimuliand inspiration these days.

Beethovenalso liked this scene where the whole audience listened to themusicwith concentration, even if it was notthe music he played.

A newspaper cameinto Beethoven’s eyes, as he wasenjoyingthe atmospherearound him so comfortably. Hepicked up the newspaperfrom a local journalinPrague thatwas randomly lying on the groundasifits original owner had abandonedit. A name on theheadlinecaught his eye.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s NewYear’s addresstothe Imperial Council…

Beethovenstared at the newspaper. The scenery of the concert hallwas no longer visible. Therepublicanswho wanted to overthrowthe old systemhad put their expectationsinone person.

A man named Napoleon Bonaparte. Beethoven had been one of them, andhad prayed forNapoleon’s success eventhough he was from an enemy country.

However, as this ambitious manascendedtothe position of Emperoronhis own, hecompletely broke theexpectations of Beethoven andthe other people whosympathizedwith theideasofhumanequality.

‘I didn’twant to hear about thisman, butI can’t help it. After all, Europe wasconquered and is nowunderNapoleon’s feet, so thecontrarywouldbestrange.’

Therepublicans, who hadtheirhopesonNapoleon, turned completely and threw allkindsofcurses againstthe traitor. His dictatorshipwithout control had to be defeated. According to their theory, the fakeEmperor full of contradictions and hisEmpire would fallina short periodoftime.

However, Napoleon Bonaparte wrote history by creating anew myth, and theFrench Empire wasatits peak.

Thebrilliant achievements, successes, andidealstateaffairs were enough to confuse the cursing republicans.

“Today’sEmpire willbemore proud andjust forthe people than yesterday’s Empire… I believeit, as do the loyal government officials here, thebravegenerals, and thefaithfulscholars.

In order to continue this success, the efforts of the entirecabinet to promote reform anddevelopmentwithout a break, andyour activesupport areneeded.

Thanks to the blood andsweatofmany citizens, the Empire’s finances allow us to carry out various construction andinvestments. I intend to invest these capitals in infrastructure andwelfare budgets in our oldand sicksociety.”

Ina speechtothe Imperial Assembly, Napoleon promised socialsupport forthe poorand vulnerable, saying, ‘All imperial citizens have the right to be protectedbythe Empire’.

Thephrases cited here relatedtoArticles1 and13 ofthe Declaration of the RightsofMan and of theCitizen issuedbythe French Revolutionary forces after thehistoricstormingofthe Bastille prison in 1789.

Napoleonwent even furtherfrom here. He arguedthat theideasoffree andequalhumanrights required governmentassistance forthosesuffering frompoverty, disability, and age.

Evenifmembers of a family were bornlow, poor, or even disabled, they had therighttoenjoypersonaland family happinessaslong as they wereborn French.

European monarchs andnobles who heard of this declaration did nothide their ridiculous looks. A countryboy fromCorsica wasunderthe illusion of equality and happinessofthe majority to hidehis complex.

When theyheardtheseunsuitable words, they thought thathewas imitating a monarchoftolerance and enlightenment as if he wereFriedrich the Great. However, the emotions feltbythe intellectualsand artistsinEuropeansociety were different.

‘Howshould we treat him if he really, really, triestorealize what he said? Should we criticizehis past’s actions of ascending to thepositionofEmperor andsetting theframework for lifelong dictatorship? Or should we support his current actionstospread human rights, utilitarianism, and equality?’

If it were before, hewouldhave laughed and said ‘Do youbelieve Nabot’s words of deceit andhypocrisy? Idiots!’ However, Napoleon wasreally different from before, and the anecdotesand recordsofhis changeshad spread allover Europe.

Beethovenstilldid not like Napoleon, butnow he did notturn a blind eye to hiswordsand promises.

What Beethovenremembered when he saw thename Napoleon wasthe symphony ‘Eroica’, which he still cherishedthe mostand performed very often.

The original title of thissong was‘Bonaparte’, noneotherthan Napoleon’s family name. At onetime, Beethoven thoughtofNapoleonBonaparte as the best and ideal ruler of this era andwrotethis song to portrayhis successstory.

However, angry at Napoleon’s alteration, he scratched hisname on thecover, and eventually the song was released under thetitle‘Eroica’ (heroinItalian) instead of theoriginaltitle. Evennow, he hadnoregrets about hischoice. He wasresentful for notrecognizingthe traitorwho had falleninto power. However, much of hisblindangerand the past betrayal had long since beenwashed away.

After becoming Emperor, Napoleon wielded unparalleled power andruledthe countryatwill like Louis XIV, the Sun King. Butheeventually becamea personwho knewhow to respectparliament andcabinet, receivedabsolutesupport from the people, and turnedtothe lowest peopleofthe Empire.

Today’sNapoleonwas in linewith Beethoven’s idea of an ideal ruler. Exceptfor being asecular monarch by himself.

‘Ifhehadn’t become theEmperor, therewouldhave been no one more suitable thanhim as the hero of Eroica… Huh, whatamI thinking!’

Beethovenshookhis headwith a little smile on hisface andturned his gaze backtothe concerthall. Hehad longput downthe newspaper.

Soonafter, the flow of melodies on his skin stopped. Beethoven’s ears, which almost lost their hearing, still heard relativelyclearly theconcert hall being filled with applause and cheers.

Beethovendid not stand up like the peoplearound him, but he applauded while sitting down. He was a little sorry fornot having fully enjoyed the performance.

“What did themaster think about their performance? Wasn’titreally great?”

Beethoven smiledand responded to thewordsofthe blushing noble woman who wassitting next to him.

“Overall, it canbesaid to be a march of high-levelvirtuosity andclever counterpoint. Except thatthey arefollowing the trend of thebaroque days of the past.”

By the time the woman, who did notunderstand hiswordsproperly, turned herhead, Beethoven had already leftthe concerthall. A gentlesmilewas hangingonhis face.

===

François Carnot, who tookoffice lastyear as thenew chief executive of theImperialCabinet, recalledthe passionatespeech of his monarch froma week ago.

‘Under my reign, the people of theEmpire willnolonger suffer from hunger andhardship. The Empirewill becomericher and greater in the future. I promise it to youhere. The fact thatyou are a French citizen borninFrance willcontinuetoberegardedasthe first thing to be proud of. TheGreatFrance is evengreater (LaGrande France estencore plusgrande)! Rememberthis slogan. It willbea symbolofthis era, and will be heard and sung countless times in thefuture.’

At first, theEmperor spoke to themembers of thecabinet andtothe people in theImperialParliament, but he gradually expanded thesubject of hiswords. His speech, which he declared as if it werea pledgetothe people of theFrench Empire, conveyedanunhiddensincerity.

Carnot, whoinitially doubtedhim, no longerdid. TheEmperor truly cared forand loved his people.

Looking at the Emperor of the past during thePrussian-Polish expedition, philosopher Georg WilhelmFriedrich Hegel had calledhim ‘theworld-soul on horseback’.[4]

Carnot felta similar feeling. However, the Emperor was notsitting on a horse, butwas on the podiumofthe Imperial Counciland in front of the citizens.

‘I don’t wanttoremain in absolute power until my death.’

The first words spokenbythe Emperorwho called Carnotone day were verysurprising.

‘Many European intellectualscriticized me andcursed me witha contemptuoustone forthrowingaway thebanner of the revolution containingthe spirit of freedom, equality, and brotherhood and becoming a secularmonarch. IfI’m not mistaken, you would havebeen oneofthem.’

‘…I won’t deny it.’

‘But, I say thiswith my heart andsoul, itwas ameansand never apurpose.’

At that time, France wasextremely unorganized internally, and externally threatenedbythe intervention of numerous powers. To overcome this, asingle, vertical, and intuitive systemwas needed.

‘If allthe dangersthreateningFrance disappear andthe countrystabilizes, I will giveupmypositionasEmperor without regret.’

‘…!!’

‘Sodon’tbetoo disappointed in me. Just sitclosetomeasyou are nowand givemethe right advice on themanagement of theEmpire. Andprepare themost correct and reasonable measures thatyou can take in caseI abdicate.’

What was left after the complicated thoughts that ran through his head was by no means negative.

‘I willdomybest, Your Majesty.’

It was themoment whenFrançois Carnot could fully trust theman named Napoleon Bonaparte.

TL notes

[1]Ludwigvan Beethoven. Here’s an photo of thescratched title pageofthe Eroica Symphony:

[2] Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky

[3]Joseph Haydn,Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

[4]Here’s an illustration of Napoleon andGeorg WilhelmFriedrich Hegelmeeting in Jenain1806:

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