Napoleon in 1812

19. European Summit – 5

For France, the bad relationship with Austria (and the Habsburg family) was long and tough enough to match the islanders. Now France had completely defeated Austria, but no one inside France ignored that the Austrians were sharpening their swords.

The heads of the two countries that were bound to clash were also bound by a marriage alliance. Franz I was Marie Louise’s father, and therefore Napoleon’s father-in-law and the maternal grandfather of Prince Charles. Therefore, the meeting between Napoleon and Franz I was very special.

“The Empire (France) is very happy that its companion Austria participates in this banquet. Austria’s cooperation is essential for Europe’s permanent and constructive peace.”

“If France truly wants peace in Europe, it was only natural to come. However, it should not be a justification to start a new war or struggles for interests.”

As expected, Franz I was suspicious of Napoleon’s intentions. He must have wanted to pressure Napoleon, expressing this openly at the center of the party, not even waiting for the talks to begin.

Napoleon turned slightly to see the man with a hooked nose next to Franz I. He was the genius of diplomacy and conspiracy, the Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Metternich, who could rival Talleyrand-Périgord.

He would certainly not let the Strasbourg talks flow as France intended. And Napoleon was also prepared for this. He turned to the other man, Archduke Karl Ludwig.

“I see His Majesty the Emperor of the French Empire. I hope that your country will always be full of prosperity and glory.”

“Long time no see, Archduke. Did you completely return to the military?”

“That’s right. I couldn’t go against the calls of my country and His Majesty.”

“If the Archduke joins the Austrian army, it will be twice as strong. You will have no time to rest, but it will be happy days for the people of your country.”

At Napoleon’s praise, the escort officers of Archduke Karl tried to hide the corners of their mouths that were going up. The praise given by the Emperor who conquered Europe was the best praise for their superior.

However, Archduke Karl did not loosen his stiff face and only replied like this.

“My presence will have no effect on the strength of the imperial army. If the army becomes stronger, it will be the result of the blood and sweat of loyal and passionate Austrian imperial soldiers who want to protect their country.”

Karl Ludwig was two years younger than Napoleon, but his military career began earlier than his. By the time Napoleon was just graduating from the Military Academy and was in Corsica, Karl had already led his brigade to victory at the Battle of Neerwinden.[1]

Karl had shown his genius in military since he was very young in both worlds.

‘He knows how to keep the basics of the military and use solid defense and sharp attacks. He is always faithful to the rules and meticulously controls the army, so clumsy deception does not work against him.’

He was an enemy who gave Napoleon a picky taste in a different sense than Wellington and Kutuzov.

At the same time, unlike Blücher, who quarreled from beginning to end, when the war ended and the era of peace arrived, Napoleon and Karl exchanged several letters as friends who could communicate well with each other. Of course, all of this was a story in the world where Napoleon originally came from.

“See you later then.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

The last option left for Austria was whether to be hostile to France until the end, or to hold hands with France in harmony. Depending on the outcome of this choice, the day might come when Napoleon had to compete against Karl Ludwig on the battlefield.

He hoped Franz I and Metternich would not make foolish decisions. Karl was often considered a tricky opponent, but that did not mean he could not be defeated.

Napoleon met with several kings, emperors, and prime ministers. With Marie Louise, who arrived late, he fulfilled his duty as the host of the party like lawmakers campaigning for elections.

Napoleon and his wife also met Jérôme Bonaparte, King of Westphalia, and Joachim Murat, King of Naples and Marshal of the Empire. The last one was Józef Antoni Poniatowski, King of Poland.

“Poland is with the Empire forever. I am also ready to devote my entire body to the world that Your Majesty will make.”

Napoleon smiled and replied that Poland’s mission was not over yet. The first day of the banquet ended like that.

===

The musician whom Franz Schubert respected and adored the most was Ludwig van Beethoven[2], the rising star of Vienna. Schubert, who grew up listening to Beethoven’s music since he was young, also had expectations in the carriage heading to Strasbourg.

Even though he lived close to Beethoven, he could not even make a proper name for himself, let alone visit him.

Meanwhile, he heard that Beethoven was also going to attend the Strasbourg banquet. Schubert thought this was a golden opportunity to build a friendship with him.

Since this young man was still a musician whose reputation and achievements were not enough to be invited to the banquet, he asked Antonio Salieri[2], his teacher, for an invitation.

“There are so many people here… I wonder if we’ll manage to meet him.”

Schubert looked sullen at Salieri’s words. Of course, it was an honor to be able to attend this historical event, but he still wanted to meet Beethoven…

Salieri found someone while patting the shoulder of his pitiful student. It was Goethe, a German scientist, philosopher, and writer.[2]

“No, how long has it been!”

“Oh! As expected, the Austrian imperial Kapellmeister came too!”

“Hehehe! I wanted to see the outside world after rotting in Vienna for too long.”

“It’s been too long since we met at the Potsdam Palace. I was always hungry for the music of the opera.”

Salieri and Goethe greeted each other happily, hugging each other. And Schubert and Goethe, who were standing next to Salieri, were also introduced.

“He is the most passionate, loved and recognized person in Germany. You have probably heard this person’s name before.”

“You’re flattering me in front of this young man. Nice to meet you. I am Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.”

“F, Franz Schubert. Please speak comfortably. It’s hard to listen to honorifics from someone who was even minister.”

“All right, then let’s do that. Hahaha!”

Schubert could not come to his senses. This was because he knew how great the old man who was smiling friendly in front of his eyes was.

His novel, ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’, which he published 40 years ago, was truly a masterpiece of the century, a revolving novel that captivated not only intellectuals, but also the royal family and aristocrats in Europe.

The rich sensibility and beautiful style contained in this book still touched the hearts of young men and women, including Schubert, 40 years later.

Goethe was a writer without a doubt, but as a theater manager, he had created numerous theater stages, and he was also well versed in botany, having written numerous papers and books on botany.

His footprints and achievements were as high as mountains and as deep as the sea. The words ‘the most passionate, loved and recognized person in Germany’ expressed by his teacher Salieri were not an exaggeration.

“Above all, he has a very deep relationship with Beethoven, whom you want to meet so much.”

At Salieri’s words, Schubert looked at Goethe with a surprised face. Goethe made a playful smile.

“Ich tat (I did)! I wondered why a tall young man was with these old people, but I had such an inner feeling!”

“Oh really, I didn’t know you two were close! And I think it’s an honor of my life just to see you…”

Goethe laughed and went close to Schubert, who became red, and whispered like this.

“Then you don’t have to try to find him. If you just sit here and wait, Ludwig will come to you like Santa Claus looking for a good child.”

Schubert could not understand Goethe’s words at first. Even as Goethe and Salieri chatted with each other, Schubert sat on a chair at the party table and wiggled his fingers. But soon he could see what Goethe meant.

“I’d like to inform the distinguished guests in the hall about the next event. There will be a performance by the Kapellmeister of the Kassel Court Orchestra, Ludwig van Beethoven, who voluntarily stepped up to bless this historic event and the Strasbourg talks to be held tomorrow. Please welcome him with a warm round of applause!”

“Oh Gott!”

At the words of the court servant, Schubert unknowingly jumped up from his seat. Goethe teased him mischievously, but Schubert could not hear him.

He did not expect to hear Beethoven’s music here! Schubert looked at Beethoven in a tailcoat, appearing in the central hall with orchestra members.

“Apparently your quarrel with Beethoven is completely resolved now. Seeing that you even knew this surprise event in advance.”

“Hehehe! Men are creatures, especially artists like us, that are picky about their aesthetics and have high self-esteem. Fortunately, it was solved by finding a ‘true hero’.”

Goethe took it for granted to bow to aristocrats and royalty, but Beethoven considered it a sin to serve the nobility and royalty because all humans were equal.

The two close friends split up due to these differences in values, but they recently reconciled. It was because of one person.

“My values collapsed when a man who reached the top of Europe appeared even though he was not from a royal family or a famous noble family. Beethoven’s values collapsed because even though the leader of this hegemony had reached the highest position, he insisted on human rights, equality, peace, and common values. So we were able to reconcile.”

There was no need to say the name of this man. Salieri smiled softly. This time Goethe asked him a question.

“You’ve had many disciples. It wouldn’t be a lie to say that half of Vienna’s musicians are your students. However, there has never been a student accompanying you to a foreign country, not even at a place other than a concert.”

“It’s true that Franz has a special talent and passion… As I get older, I think I’ve become a little more relaxed.”

“Oh… As far as I know, there were a few people who praised your special talent… Ludwig was one of them, right?”

“Hehe… Is that so?”

Salieri brushed it off, but he could not avoid Goethe’s eyes. Goethe decided to remember Franz Schubert’s name. Beethoven and the orchestra were ready to play. Beethoven’s baton moved as the lights in the central hall faded.

===

Recently, there had been something in Beethoven’s mind that had caused him troubles and anguish. Beethoven thought about it several times a day and changed his mind over and over again. He could not decide whether to disclose it to the world or not. Then one day, he heard shocking news.

…omitted… Now we have to stop this wheel of blood that only burns human potential without development. This cannot be achieved by the will of only one country. Therefore, we insist on holding regular meetings that will lead the new era by establishing new cooperative relationships and systems between European countries and seeking harmony and coexistence.

The declaration of Carnot, the Minister of the Administration of the French Empire, was a new wind and shocked people. In particular, no one thought that Napoleon, the conquering war god, and France, that overturned Western European tradition, would lead this.

That day, Beethoven took out the cover of the sheet music that he had buried in his heart for a long time.

‘I thought that I would never take it out again due to the hero’s alteration.’

It was the cover containing the ‘true name’ of his most cherished sheet music.

Beethoven volunteered to be the conductor for a huge performance on December 31, the second day of the historic Strasbourg banquet and the last day of 1817. And the score selected as the performance song for this time was ‘Eroica’, ‘hero’.

“I hope that true peace and stability in Europe will arrive and that laughter and hope will not disappear from the citizens’ faces. I dedicate this song to all the rulers who will participate in the talks.”

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

The immortal masterpiece was reborn by the hands of its original author. The intense sound of the violin caught the beginning. Soon after, the first movement, which was considered very violent, started.

A cheerful yet magnificent melody, a rhythm that changed arbitrarily but overflowed with infinite strength, and harmony that firmly pushed toward one topic in the midst of dissonance and changes.

Although the stage was suddenly created, there was no hesitation or awkwardness. The audience admired endlessly.

The second movement was gloomy and dark. It killed the excitement of the first movement at once and led the atmosphere. The audience was looking around to see if the lights on the ceiling had weakened, but there was nothing wrong with the chandelier.

At the end of the second movement, about 40 minutes had passed. And like that, half of the symphony performance time ended.

Beethoven stopped conducting for a while and raised his head. A drop of sweat dropped from his chin. His gaze reached the indoor balcony on the third floor of the central hall. The character standing there was Napoleon Bonaparte. Beethoven opened his mouth.

“This song is called Eroica. It means ‘hero’ in Italian. But that wasn’t the name I had initially chosen for this song.”

Beethoven, who was the only one who could not hear the buzzing sound inside the hall full of surprise, continued to speak calmly.

“Now my song has finally regained its true name: ‘Eroica Buonaparte’! Please call this song like this from now on. I will replace its title from today onward.”

(Buonaparte is Bonaparte’s Italian pronunciation)

There was a moment of silence. But soon after, a feast of applause rose in the hall as if trying to fill it. In it, Beethoven looked at Napoleon, who had his eyes wide open as if surprised.

Beethoven could not believe that he could pull that expression out of the giant of the times that turned Europe upside down. He felt pleased for some reason.

Then… Let’s start the third movement of ‘Eroica Buonaparte’.”

Some disturbances remained, but the performance resumed. Faster beats, trumpets, restrained melodies… It was as if to represent the last trial that the hero Napoleon was facing. Soon after, as it entered the fourth movement, a march of variations continued.

The trial that bothered the hero eventually failed to stop his great steps. The hero soared into the sky. And it remained an immortal myth. That was how the fourth movement ended. A thunderous round of applause broke out. Beethoven breathed heavily in the hot waves.

European aristocrats and celebrities alike got up from their seats, and applause continued. Beethoven smiled as he looked at the standing ovation of Eroica’s true owner.

TL notes

[1] Archduke Karl Ludwig, Battle of Neerwinden

[2] Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Salieri, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe