The hand-written manuscript shows arrangements for folk songs
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A rare Beethoven manuscript which includes songs written by Robert Burns has failed to sell at auction.
The 22-page manuscript in Beethoven's own handwriting shows five arrangements for popular Scottish and Irish folk songs.
The music, commissioned by Scottish publisher George Thomson, was expected to fetch between £350,000 and £450,000.
Bidding at Christie's reached £300,000, but the owner was not willing to sell for that amount.
Christie's said it could not reveal the reserve price.
Heated exchanges
It is the most complete manuscript in Beethoven's hand to come to the market for 15 years.
Between 1803 and 1814 Beethoven wrote 126 settings for Thomson, who wanted to popularise Scottish and Irish folk songs in 19th century drawing rooms.
However, the arrangements produced by Beethoven were too complicated for drawing room performers.
Correspondence in the British library suggests Beethoven and Thomson had heated exchanges on the matter, with the composer refusing to simplify the music and also continually haggling on his price.
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