In July 1812, Ludwig van Beethoven penned a passionate, unsent letter to an unnamed woman he called his "Immortal Beloved."
Discovered posthumously in a hidden compartment of his desk, this ten-page missive reveals deep affection and longing, yet the recipient's identity remains a mystery. The letter's intensity and anonymity have captivated scholars and music enthusiasts for over two centuries, prompting extensive research and debate. Various women from Beethoven's life have been proposed as the elusive beloved, each with compelling narratives and connections to the composer.
Despite advances in historical analysis and forensic techniques, the true identity of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved continues to elude definitive confirmation, preserving the intrigue surrounding this enigmatic figure. But here are the seven front runners...
Who was Beethoven's Immortal Beloved?
Here are nine candidates for the mysterious 'Immortal Beloved'. We've rated them in terms of likelihood.
1. Antonie Brentano
Antonie Brentano, a Viennese aristocrat, became acquainted with Beethoven through her husband, Franz Brentano, a close friend and patron of the composer. In 1812, Antonie was in Prague and Karlsbad, aligning with the locations mentioned in Beethoven's letter. Some scholars suggest a romantic connection between Antonie and Beethoven, citing his dedication of works to her and her family.
However, Antonie's marital status and the lack of explicit evidence of a romantic affair introduce a degree of scepticism here. Beethoven's moral principles and close friendship with Franz Brentano further complicate this theory.
Likelihood: ★★★★☆
2. Therese Malfatti
Therese Malfatti, a young Viennese musician, was rumoured to be the recipient of Beethoven's famous piano bagatelle "Für Elise." In 1810, Beethoven allegedly proposed marriage to her, but she declined. While their relationship was amicable, there's limited evidence to suggest a profound romantic involvement.
In the spring of 1810, the composer wrote to Therese, signing off: 'Now fare you well, respected Therese. I wish you all the good and beautiful things of this life. Bear me in memory—no one can wish you a brighter, happier life than I—even should it be that you care not at all for your devoted servant and friend, Beethoven.' The timing of their association, however, doesn't align closely with the 1812 letter, and the lack of passionate correspondence diminishes her likelihood as the Immortal Beloved.
Likelihood: ★★☆☆☆
3. Amalie Sebald
The German soprano Amalie Sebald first met Beethoven in the spa town of Teplitz in 1811, and they became reacquainted there in 1812—the same summer Beethoven penned his now-famous “Immortal Beloved” letter. Their interactions were warm and reportedly affectionate, with some accounts suggesting Beethoven may have been fond of her.
However, there is little compelling evidence of a profound romantic relationship. Amalie eventually married another man, and Beethoven's surviving references to her are polite and cordial rather than passionate. Unlike the emotionally intense tone of the Immortal Beloved letter, his remarks about Sebald lack urgency and intimacy, making her an unlikely candidate.
Likelihood: ★★☆☆☆
4. Anna Maria Erdődy
Countess Anna Maria Erdődy was a close confidante, friend, and generous patron of Beethoven, offering him lodging and support during some of his most productive years. Their bond was unquestionably strong, leading some scholars to propose her as the Immortal Beloved. However, there’s scant evidence of a romantic dimension to their relationship, and crucially, the locations referenced in Beethoven’s 1812 letter do not correspond with her known movements at that time.
Likelihood: ★★☆☆☆
5. Josephine Brunsvik
Josephine Brunsvik, a Hungarian countess, was one of the most emotionally significant women in Beethoven’s life. Their relationship began in 1799 when Beethoven became her piano teacher, and it soon developed into a deep romantic bond. After the death of her first husband, Count Deym, their intimacy intensified, and Beethoven wrote her at least 15 heartfelt letters, calling her his “only beloved.” Social constraints and her obligations as a noble widow, however, made marriage impossible.
In 1810, Josephine reluctantly married Baron von Stackelberg, though the union quickly deteriorated and ended in separation by 1812—the same year Beethoven penned the Immortal Beloved letter. Intriguingly, Josephine gave birth to a daughter, Minona, in April 1813, leading some to speculate that Beethoven may have been the father.
The profound emotional connection, the timing of events, and circumstantial evidence all make Josephine Brunsvik the most compelling candidate to be Beethoven’s elusive Immortal Beloved.
Likelihood: ★★★★★
6. Therese Brunsvik
Josephine's sister Therese, an early piano student of Beethoven's, is often considered a potential Immortal Beloved due to her deep admiration for the composer, as expressed in her diaries. She never married and hinted at a profound, possibly unrequited love. Proponents argue her emotional writings align with Beethoven’s despair in the letter. She's also the dedicatee of his Piano Sonata No. 24, commonly known as 'A Thérèse'. A short sonata at around 11 minutes in duration, it's nonetheless one of his most delightful - here's the great András Schiff performing it below:
There’s no definitive evidence of a romantic relationship, and the strongest candidate remains her sister, Josephine, with whom Beethoven had a clearer romantic history. Additionally, Therese’s whereabouts in July 1812 don’t convincingly match the clues in the letter. Most scholars consider her an unlikely candidate.
Likelihood: ★★☆☆☆
7. Dorothea von Ertmann
Dorothea von Ertmann, a gifted pianist and devoted interpreter of Beethoven’s music, was one of his closest confidantes. Supporters of her candidacy as the Immortal Beloved point to their deep artistic bond, her emotional insight into his works, and her unwavering loyalty.
However, there’s little concrete evidence of a romantic relationship, and no documentation places her near Beethoven around the time of the 1812 letter. Moreover, her marriage and social circumstances may have made an affair unlikely. While she remains a compelling figure in his life, most scholars consider her an improbable candidate for the mysterious addressee of the famous letter.
Likelihood: ★☆☆☆☆
8. Bettina von Arnim
Bettina von Arnim, sister-in-law to Antonie Brentano, was a writer, muse, and admirer of Beethoven, known for her vibrant personality and connections with leading Romantic figures. She and Beethoven corresponded, and she greatly admired his genius. However, their relationship appears to have been largely intellectual and possibly exaggerated in later retellings. There is no solid evidence of romantic involvement, and no geographic or chronological links placing her with Beethoven during the writing of the Immortal Beloved letter. Most scholars firmly dismiss her as a likely candidate.
Interestingly, Bettina von Arnim enjoys immortality of another sort in Milan Kundera’s great novel Immortality, where she serves as a symbol of the human desire for immortality through artistic legacy and personal mythmaking. Kundera explores her real-life correspondences with the German author and polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and imagined interactions with Beethoven, to highlight how historical figures are often reshaped by those who survive them.
Bettina is portrayed as both a muse and manipulator, someone who sought proximity to genius to elevate her own legacy. Through her, Kundera critiques the blurring of fact and fiction in memory, and the way posterity immortalises certain narratives while obscuring truth.
Likelihood: ★☆☆☆☆
9. Julie ("Giulietta") Guicciardi
Julie Guicciardi, an aristocratic piano student of Beethoven’s, is widely believed to have inspired his famous 'Moonlight' Sonata, which he dedicated to her in 1802. Their relationship, while romantic in nature, was short-lived and constrained by social class differences—marriage between them was unlikely.
Though once considered a candidate for the Immortal Beloved, most scholars now reject the idea. Their romantic involvement ended years before Beethoven wrote the 1812 letter, and there’s no evidence of any later rekindling. Additionally, the tone and content of the letter suggest a more profound and enduring emotional connection than Beethoven likely shared with Julie.
Likelihood: ★☆☆☆☆
And someone who almost certainly wasn't Beethoven's Immortal Beloved...
Johanna van Beethoven
Johanna van Beethoven, the composer’s sister-in-law, is occasionally suggested as the Immortal Beloved due to their intense and often antagonistic relationship. Some argue that such passion—albeit mostly negative—might mask a deeper, more complicated connection. However, this theory is almost universally rejected by scholars.
Beethoven despised Johanna, blaming her for moral failings and fighting bitterly for custody of her son, Beethoven's troubled nephew Karl. His surviving letters portray her in an overwhelmingly negative light, with no hint of romantic sentiment. The notion of Johanna as the Immortal Beloved lacks both emotional plausibility and historical evidence, making her one of the least likely candidates.
Likelihood: ★☆☆☆☆
The identity of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved remains one of classical music's most enduring mysteries. While Josephine Brunsvik stands out as the most plausible candidate, definitive proof remains elusive. The passion and secrecy encapsulated in Beethoven's letter continue to intrigue scholars and music lovers alike, preserving the enigma of the Immortal Beloved for generations to come.
Pics: Getty Images
