Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Op. 112

In his op. 112 Beethoven sets the two poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Meeresstille (“Calm Sea”) and Glückliche Fahrt (“Prosperous Voyage”). Several sketches reveal that Beethoven had already begun to take an interest in the poems by the end of 1814. The composer conducted the première at a benefit concert for the Viennese Citizens’ Hospital Fund in 1815.

As the publication of this work was long in coming, the dedicatee Goethe received a copy of the score only in May 1822. A few months later Beethoven inquired of him: “[…] how lovely would it be to know, if I appropriately united my harmonies with yours. Also enlightenment on what is to be seen as truth, would be dearly appreciated, as I love the latter above all, and never shall be said: Veritas odium parit.”

The old but commendable Breitkopf material has now been definitively replaced by the new edition based on the Complete Beethoven-Edition, save for the tried and true piano reduction by Carl Reinecke, which boasts more than simply historical merits. Its existence is assured by the revised and simplified form in which it appears in the new piano reduction. It will no doubt long continue being a much appreciated aid at choral rehearsals. In the piano vocal score the articulation and dynamics were adapted to the music text of the Complete Edition.