The lists of the ascertained compositions and publications for the year 1804 are surprisingly short; but as no really sufficient reason for the fact can be given, none shall be attempted.[28] The former are only the two Sonatas, Op. 53 and Op. 54, and the "Andante favori"; but the final revision of the "Sinfonia Eroica" probably was made at the beginning of the year.
1--Second Symphony, D major, Op. 36, dedicated to Prince Carl Lichnowsky, advertised by the Kunst- und Industrie-Comptoir, Vienna, March 10.
The arrangement of this Symphony for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, which was published by the same firm in 1806, is indirectly claimed by Ries as his work, notwithstanding the title bears the words "par l'auteur même." Czerny confirms Ries in these terms: "The arrangement of the second Symphony as a Pianoforte Trio was made by Ries; Beethoven gave it to me for correction of certain things with which he was dissatisfied."
2--Song with pianoforte accompaniment: "Der Wachtelschlag," advertised with the preceding.
3--VII Variations on "God save the King," for Pf., advertised with the preceding.
4--III Marches for Pf., four hands. Op. 45, dedicated to Princess Esterhazy, advertised with the preceding.
5--V Variations for Pf., on "Rule Britannia," advertised by the same, June 20th.
6--Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 31, No. 3, published by Nägeli in his "Répertoire des Clavecinistes," Cat. II.
[19] But Ries says that Beethoven hired these lodgings besides those in the theatre.
[20] See, in the "Allg. Mus. Zeit." III, a criticism of "Nelson's Great Seabattle," for pianoforte, violin and violoncello by Ferd. Kauer. Years afterward this piece may have been confounded with the Symphony in Dr. Bertolini's memory. From Otto Jahn's papers we learn that Dr. Bertolini told him that the first idea of the "Sinfonia eroica" was suggested to Beethoven by Bonaparte's expedition to Egypt (May, 1798); and the rumor of Nelson's death at the battle of Aboukir (June 22), at which Nelson was wounded in the head, was the cause of the funeral march. Czerny wrote: "According to Beethoven's long-time friend, Dr. Bertolini, the first idea of the 'Sinfonia eroica' was suggested by the death of the English general Abercrombie; hence the naval (not land-military) character of the theme and the entire first movement." Music of a naval character to celebrate the death of an army officer! Czerny seems to have been at least temporarily weak either in history or logic.