I have read your letter with
very great pleasure, my most beloved and worthy brother and friend.
I thank you most warmly for the good opinion you have formed of
me and my works, and I only hope that I shall be able fully to
deserve it. Please convey too to Herr K[uhnel] my dutiful thanks
for his courteous and friendly remarks about me -- I am delighted
also to hear of your undertakings and I hope that if works of
art can produce any profit, the latter will fall to the lot of
genuine and true artists rather than to that of mere tradesmen
-- Your desire to publish the works of Sebastian Bach is
something that really warms my heart which beats sincerely for
the sublime and magnificent art of that first father of harmony.
I trust that I shall soon see this plan fully launched and I hope
that as soon as we hear the announcement of our golden age of
peace I myself shall be able even from Vienna to contribute something
to this scheme when you are collecting subscriptions for it --
Well, as to our own business matters, since you now desire such
an arrangement, I am prepared to serve you. And for the time being
I am offering you the following compositions: a septet (about
which I have already told you, and which could be arranged for
the pianoforte also, with a view to its wider distribution and
to our greater profit) 20 ducats -- a symphony 20 ducats -- a
concerto 10 ducats -- a grand solo sonata (Allegro, Adagio, Minuetto,
Rondo) 20 ducats. (This sonata is a first-rate composition, most
beloved and worthy brother). Now for a fuller elucidation. Perhaps
you will be surprised that in this case I make no distinction
between sonata, septet and symphony. the reason is that I find
that a septet or a symphony does not sell as well as a sonata.
That is the reason why I do this, although a symphony should undoubtedly
be worth more (NB. The septet consists of a short introductory
Adagio, then Allegro, Adagio, Minuetto, Andante with variations,
Minuetto, another short introductory Adagio and then Presto) --
I am valuing the concerto at only 10 ducats because, as I have
already told you, I do not consider it to be one of my best concertos
-- If you treat all the works as one item you will not, I believe,
find my demand excessive. At least I have endeavoured to make
the prices as moderate for you as possible -- As to the draft,
since you give me the option, you may send it to Geimuller or
Schuller -- The total sum for all four works would thus be 70
ducats. How much that sum amounts to in your thalers and gulden
does not concern me, because I am really an incompetent business
man who is bad at arithmetic --
Well, that tiresome business
has now been settled. I call it tiresome because I should like
such matters to be differently ordered in this world. There ought
to be in the world a market for art where the artist would
only have to bring his works and take as much money as he needed.
But, as it is, an artist has to be to a certain extent a business
man as well, and how can he manage to be that -- Good Heavens
-- again I call it a tiresome business -- As to the Leipzig
r[eviewers], just let them talk; by means of their chatter they
will certainly never make anyone immortal, nor will they ever
take immortality from anyone upon whom Apollo has bestowed it
--
Now may Heaven preserve you
and your partner. For some time I have not been well; and
so it is a little difficult for me even to write down notes and,
still less, letters of the alphabet. I hope that we shall often
have an opportunity of assuring ourselves how much you are my
friends and how much I am
your brother and friend
L. v. Beethoven
I am expecting an early reply
-- Adieu.